I DONT OWN ANYTHING EXCEPT THE STORY!

Chapter 4 Costumes & Balls

Ginny had been out of the hospital wing for over two weeks now, she had been true to her word that day and since Draco wasn't in the Great Hall, she grabbed a plate with 2 biscuits, two pieces of cheese, two egg patties, two sausage patties and 6 pieces of bacon. She then levitated two goblets full of orange juice and left the hall. She found the circe portrait and said the password. The portrait swung open to reveal the Head Boy/Girl common room. The room on the right said Head Girl and the room on the left said Head Boy. She went to Draco's room and knocked. She had received no answer so she opened the door cautiously. He had been sleeping.

Today, she ended up doing the same thing except she brought him and herself pancakes, syrup, sausage (he told her he didn't like bacon and truth was, neither did she) and some orange juice. They ate breakfast before Draco climbed out of bed in his usual bed attire boxer showing, low on the hips pajama pants and shirtless. He was fit from the many years of training for quidditch and scarred from the many years of torturous beatens from Lucius. When Ginny had first seen the scars, she cried for hours in his arms. He had reassured her that they were scars and he was fine. She had told him though, they were healed on the surface, that didn't mean they were healed in his heart and soul. He had agreed and they talked about it for a great deal of time before deciding that they would begin to help heal the wounds by being such close friends. Draco dressed in his bathroom after a quick shower. Just as he had exited the bathroom, dressed and primped...a package hit him in the head. A rather large package.

"What's that?" Ginny asked.

Smiling, Draco put it on the bed.

"What is it Draco?"

"Be patient Red, you'll see soon enough. Just let me open it and I'll tell you."

Draco opened the frist box marked Male. Inside was a pair of black slacks, a dark green tunic with puffy sleeves in black. Silver trimmed it. A holster with a sword and a pair of new black shoes.

"Is that your costume?" Ginny asked.

"Yes, I'm going as Prince Charming from the muggle fairy tale Cinderella" he said.

Ginny looked at the other box and before Draco could open it she grabbed it.

"I'm taking a wild guess, but this is mine isn't it?"

"Yes...and I'd like you to open it so I can see it. Let me know if it's the right size."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because, you weren't suppose to get it for me. I told you before Draco Malfoy I DO NOT want you buying me things because I am not like every other girl who wants you for only materialistic things. We are the best of friends and I like it that way but if you continue to buy me expensive items, I will break your sexy neck...UNDERSTAND!"

"Ginny, calm down. I bought because you are my date, it's the proper thing to do. Now, open the box and try it on...I'll turn around because I don't want to see it until the ball...ok?"

Sighing heavily, she nodded...she hated having a rich best friend. She opened the box and inside was a white cinderella dress ( like in the movie with Hilary duff and Chad Michael Murry...Yea) and matching white strappies. It was absolutely breath taking just looking at the dress.

"Now, try it on...tell me if it fits right."

"Ok," she agreed quietly. The dress was so beautiful it took her fight away. How could you not want to accept a dress like this...?

Ginny put the dress on and underneath the dress with the shoes was a silver tiara. She looked at it, it was beautiful, with all white diamonds except on the points. The center one was a red ruby and the other two were green rubies. It was beautiful...the dress was beautiful...even the shoes were beautiful. She tried it on...it fit perfect. The shoes fit perfect. She felt perfect. She put the dressing neatly in the box and dressed herself again.

"It fits perfectly...thank you Draco."

"It's fine, really. I enjoy your company and you are my date so you're getting spoiled. Ok? I also had a present for you...and early birthday present...ok? It's to be worn with your dress...He handed her box he pulled from his dresser drawer. Inside was a pair of satin long (up to elbow) gloves and wrapped inside were a pair of earrings and a necklace that matched the tiara.

"Now, this is toooooo much"

"No, it's not. You are my best friend Ginny. I have never had a friend like you and I thank the heavens everyday that I have a friend who I can come to for anything. You are special to me and you deserve special attention. Now, please take this present and wear it with your costume. It's formal jewelry so, it's not like you'll have many chances to wear it, other than school balls and Malfoy balls."

Ginny was touched by his speech and she began to tear up. "Thank you. You're just as special to me."

"Thank you." He said before sending his owl to take her things to her room. Draco in a pair of loose fitted stone washed denim jeans and a dark green long sleeved collared shirt and a pair of dark green new balances and Ginny a a pair of tight fitted stone washed denim boot cut bell bottom jeans and a dark black tight tank top with a dark dreen hooded zip up "half" torsoed..(if you know what I'm talking about...the shirts that only cover your arms and chest not your stomach...you wear over a shirt or not...) long sleeved shirt. She wore black new balances with a green N. Her hair was back in a pony tail curls big and soft. Her light brown eyes had specks of green in them that were shown greatly by the colors she wore. She wore black eye liner and green and gold eyeshadow. Her lips were a nude color and cheeks a natural peachy color. Ginny really was a beautiful girl. The two went out to walk around the lake. They talked quietly for a while. Lunch time came and went but they were comfortable under a tree looking over the lake. They figured they have a snack before dinner.

The Ball

Ginny went to Hermione's room to get ready for the dance. Hermione wore a fairy costume. She was going to the dance with Harry and Ron with Lavender. Hermione did a spell to re-do Ginny's nails and toes. Ginny dressed in her costume and Hermione did her hair with a spell to put it up with curls then, placed the tiara...and her jewelry on. Ginny did her make-up, with black eyeliner, shimmery white eye shadow and a frosting white lipgloss. Once Ginny was ready, Hermione looked her over. She looked great. Like a princess from a fairy tale...(haha cute right?)

"Draco's in the common room waiting for you. I should head down, Harry's meeting me at the stairs."

"Thanks Mione. I'm really nervous."

"Why? You and Draco are best friends...why would you-" she paused. "Gin...do you like Draco more than friendship like?"

Ginny blushed deeply, "Hermione...we would never work that way."

"You don't know that. I mean even though not everyone approves of your friendship and it may be a little dramatic...it could work...if you made it work."

"Ron and everyone else in my family would have a cow."

"Who cares...as long as your happy."

"Besides, Draco only likes me a a friend...so..."

Hermione rolled her eyes...and hugged her friend before departing. On her way out of the common room Hermione told Draco to be careful with Ginny's heart and immediately Draco blushed. This just proved Hermiones theory correct. The two were hopelessly in love with one another and they wouldn't even admit it to each other. Unless...unless she helped them a little bit. Hermione left and a few minutes later while Draco was staring into the fire, Ginny came out. Ginny cleared her throat softly and he turned to look at her. His eyes grew big at first then turned more gentle and he smiled at her. He grabbed her hand and motioned for her to twirl. She did as instructed lost in his eyes.

"Wow," He breathed. "You look...amazing..."

"Thank you," she blushed," so do you my prince."

Draco smiled more widely. He took her arm and linked it with his.

"Shall we?"

She nodded and the two headed off to the ball. When Ginny and Draco appeared at the open doors, heads turned to admire their costumes. They looked suprisingly perfect together. Jealous looks were cast by a few girls and a few guys. Soon enough everyone was staring at the two.

"Everyone's staring, " she whispered.

"Because you're the belle of the ball. Of course."

"Cute, maybe we should rethink this..."

"No...you're going to join me for a dance...let's go."

Draco took her to the dance floor and they danced to a slow song. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her waist. Ginny kept her eyes adverted everywhere except for on his. They danced quite a few songs before another slow song came on. She hadn't looked into his eyes yet. Which he noticed...right away. He left it be saying it was her nerves but by the time the dance was almost over, he was worried.

"Ginny," he whispered.

Finally she looked into his eyes. There were so many emotions in both their eyes.

"Yes?" she said finding her voice.

"You look amazing tonight...more so than usual."

"Thank you. So do you."

"Would you like to go for a walk outside?"

"Sure."

She just wanted to get out from the watchful stares she could feeeeel on her back. They went to walk by the lake...but it wasn't really going to well walking in the grass with her heels. Draco scooped her up and summoned his cloak for her to sit upon. She thanked him and the two sat and watched the sky for a while.

"Gin-"

"Dra-"

The two laughed and Draco gestured a 'ladies first' kind of hand.

"I just wanted to let you know that this is probably one of the best dances of my life...and it's all because I'm here with you. You know?" Ginny said.

"I was about to say the same. You truly are my best friend Gin and I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you.You've made me a better person and I want to thank you for that."

"aww blimey...don't go all sappy on me here DRAGON!"

Draco laughed but embraced her in a tight hug. She in turn hugged him back. Neither one would admit it but both had seen it in each other's eyes, they had felt the spark of electricity that had gone COMPLETELY unnoticed so many times before.

"Want to go back in?" Draco asked when he noticed her shiver.

"Um, sure. I was actually thinking, that after the ball...we could have hot cocoa in your room."

"Sure. That sounds great," he grinned.

The two headed back in and went right to the dance floor.