The next few days passed uneventfully. The pairs staid secluded and rumors circled through the halls, but they never seemed to tell of the truth. Pansy was rumored to be stalking Eliana and Ginny Weasley. Other than the stalking, the couples were never seen together.
Harry and Eliana took a few glances at each other during classes, but never really seemed to talk to the other one. Ron and Hermoine were being supportive as ever, but never really seemed to want to be with each other as more than friends. Ginny and Draco seemed to forget each other for a few days. The incident at the lake still reminiscent, but neither would admit to it.
This is how it passed for a month, none of the couples coming together. But, with fate dealing the cards, a ball was posted in the halls and dates were asked. The ball, a masquerade, was to be held in two weeks, near the end of school. Quidditch was long over, and Harry concentrated on asking someone, that someone being Eliana.
HOGSMEADE, THE DRESS SHOP
"I like the gold and blue," Ginny said as Hermoine displayed one of the many gowns in the shop at Hogsmeade.
"Ginny," Hermoine said cautiously, "Why don't you ask him?" Him, in being Draco Malfoy, was a touchy subject for Ginny. She had wanted to ask him, but she couldn't. What if he was going with Pansy? No, it wasn't acceptable.
"Hermoine, no." Ginny said while displaying a red dress with feathers on it, "What do you think of this one? Yes, before you ask, I am trying to get off subject so just drop it ok?" Hermoine coincided and bought the blue dress with a matching mask, and Ginny bought the red one with a matching feathered one.
They met Harry and Ron at the crossroads sign and started on their way back to Hogwarts, all the while thinking of what would happen at the ball in a week.
"Oh Draco," Pansy said, "Go with me. I would be honored!" She hugged his arm and smiled while batting her eyes.
"Sorry Pansy, but I may not even go," he rolled his eyes, "Find someone else. That Michael McCreevy would be a good match for you."
"No Draco," she said while releasing his arm, "I am yours." Draco smiled at this thought, that's what he had told Ginny. He couldn't forget it: that day, that kiss. He smiled as Pansy stalked along, complaining behind him. Ginny was his, and he hers. He would never forget.
GRYFFINDOR TOWER, NIGHT of the BALL
"Ginny my hair is done!" Hermoine called from the mirror, "Come on! Let's go!"
She walked to Ginny's bed to find her laying in it, covers up to her chin.
"I'm not going Hermoine, I'm sick. And don't try to even get me to change my mind, because I won't!" She turned over so that Hermoine couldn't see her face.
"Ginny come on! Fine then, I'll go by myself!" Hermoine walked out of the dormitory and walked to the great hall, stopping every once in awhile to listen if Ginny was following her, she wasn't.
IN THE GREAT HALL…
The walls, or anything that could hold still, was draped in the house colors, or gold and white. The tables had been removed and replaced with smaller around ones that had students, all in different colors, sitting around them. The orchestra was tuning their instruments and the teachers all sat at their elevated table at the end of the room.
Harry and Ron entered the great hall with Hermoine. They looked around, as if expecting an attack or trap. However, the music soon began to fill the room and they flowed into the room. Harry didn't notice, but Ron's hand had slipped into Hermoine's and they smiled at each other in that awkward sense.
Harry scanned the room, but to his dismay he did not see her anywhere. Maybe she was running late, like the rest of the girls in the school. He looked through the tables, and then to the door, and finally he sat down with Ron and Hermoine at a table, adorned with miniature dancing figurines as centerpieces.
GRYFFINDOR TOWER, GIRLS DORMITORY...
Ginny lay in her bed, her eyes wide open. He would probably be there tonight, with Pansy or one of those weirdos. Since their kiss two weeks ago he didn't even glance at her, let alone talk to her. She seemed to fall into a slight depression after she'd realized this and her spirit had gone down quite a bit.
Hermoine had questioned this, but never really pried into the reason. Of course, Ginny had told her what had happened with him and her, and she had simply said, "It will hopefully bring the two families together." Ginny had simply looked to the ground and dismissed the thought. Now, she wished that she could have that kiss again, instead of just the memory of it.
"I will go!" Ginny said to herself. She stood out of bed and went to the dresser, she looked terrible. But, tonight was her night, and tonight the ball awaited. She didn't care about him anymore, and probably never would again. She then started getting dressed, all the while trying to dismiss thoughts of Draco Malfoy.
THE GREAT HALL
Draco looked through the crowds coming in, he'd been doing it all night. She had to be there…somewhere. If she didn't come he couldn't ever tell her, show her, how he felt. He was ashamed of how he'd treated her the last two weeks. It was his fault she seemed so down-hearted lately, and he knew he would pay for it.
Pansy had finally gone off to dance with someone else, and Draco was glad for it. Pansy was the last thing he wanted to worry about. Who cared if she liked him, someone else already belonged to him, and he to her.
