Love Behind the Shadows
Chapter Three: A Trip to Hogsmeade
Ginny awoke to the sound of giggling, bouncing off the walls and echoing in her ears. Sitting up, her eyes gradually adjusted to the glaring light around her. As her gaze swooped over the room she was surprised to find nearly all the girls wide awake, and dressed. Then glancing at the clock beside her bed, she realized she had slept right through breakfast. She groaned and fell back into her pillows, fiery locks flapping across her face.
"Ginny, what's wrong?" A sandy brown haired girl questioned, glancing over he shoulder at the annoyed red head.
"I slept right through breakfast … didn't I?"
The girl nodded.
Ginny sighed, aggravated and muttered. "Damn thoughts …"
The slim girl laughed, and plopped down on the edge of Ginny's bed. "Well, you best be up. We're leaving for Hogsmeade soon"
Ginny's eyes widened, and she shot up. "Hogsmeade? No one said anything about-"
"Well, if you hadn't missed breakfast you would know. Dumbledore planned a sudden trip to Hogsmeade, for all houses, so that the students can buy last minute things for the ball tomorrow" she explained
Ginny nearly tumbled out of bed at this. "The-the ball is tomorrow?" she shrieked
Once again the girl burst out into fits of laughter. "Gin, do you listen to anything? Yes, the ball is tomorrow night. Don't you remember Dumbledore announcing it at the feast?"
Ginny's brows furrowed, as she let out a well needed sigh. "I suppose it just slipped my mind …"
The girl grinned. "Well, I'm glad I could be of service. Now, don't you think you should be getting ready?"
"Oh right … getting ready, yeah I should" Sliding out from beneath the blankets, Ginny dashed towards the shower. "Thanks Cassia!" She called over her shoulder
Cassia smiled, laughing. "Your welcome!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Ginny descended down the stairs, and into the common room, she couldn't help but continue to rub the sleep from her eyes. She had to admit, she was exhausted. After a sleepless night, consisting of tossing and turning, practically flailing about in bed, she found sleep a much needed thing. After jumping out of the shower, she noticed small bags under her eyes, clearly stating she hadn't slept. 'That's what makeup is for ..' She had thought, grateful for such a simple invention created by muggles.
"Ginny?" Hermione questioned, peering out from behind her book. "Why weren't you at breakfast?"
Ginny yawned, "Didn't get much sleep last night, so I decided to skip breakfast"
"Oh …" Hermione frowned. "Well, then I suppose you don't know about-"
"The trip to Hogsmeade? Yes, well I was informed …"
Hermione grinned, gently closing her book, and holding against her chest. "How did-"
"Giggling nannies up in my dorm woke me, I swear those girls-"
"Gin?" A familiar voice rang out.
She turned, and a smile worked its way onto her lips. "Oh, hi Harry" she greeted
He leaned down, pecking her on the forehead. Then taking a slight step back, he examined her features; slowly a frown crept onto his face. "Gin … are you alright? You look absolutely horrid …"
Ginny snorted, "Why thank you Harry …"
He laughed, "I didn't mean-"
"I know. Actually I didn't have a great night … I couldn't sleep-"
Suddenly the portrait flew open revealing a disgruntled Professor McGonagall. Her hat was tipped ever so slightly, and an annoyed look dawned on her features.
"Quiet, quiet all of you!" she called over the murmurs filling the room.
The wave of sound, gradually eased to nothing.
"Now I expect perfect behavior, any student not following these rules will immediately be sent home. Does everyone understand?"
The group of students all mumbled there response of yes.
"Alright then," she paused, her gaze swooping over the group of children. "Let's go, shall we?"
Spinning on heal Professor McGonagall passed through the portrait, followed by the long line of students.
"Harry?" Ginny whispered, expecting him to be hidden beneath his invisibility cloak
"Yeah?"
Ginny frowned, as he was directly behind her. "Wha-what are you doing? I didn't know you had a letter …"
"I'm going to but, first I had to say good bye …" he grinned, and yanked Ginny towards him kissing her passionately. Ginny's eyes widened at his boldness, he had never, never kissed her that way. Then in an instant he pulled away, winked, and disappeared beneath the cloak.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I could never afford any of this …" Ginny murmured, her fingers gliding graciously over the smooth silk of a light purple dress, hanging airily on the rack.
"Oh Ginny, there's plenty you could afford! Not everything in this store is expensive …" Hermione reasoned, her eyes swooping over a red dress dreamily
Ginny snorted, "In your price range maybe …" she mumbled
"Oh Ginny will you-"
"Well, well, well if it isn't the mud-blood Granger and her pet she-weasel" A high pitch voice rang out, Pansy Parkinson appearing around a clothing rack.
"Sod off Parkinson …" Ginny hissed, anger dancing in her eyes.
Pansy raised a brow, "Oh I should, should I? And what's a traitor like yourself going to do about it?" she teased
Ginny smirked, "You really would like to find out, would you?"
"Try me Weasley" Pansy challenged
Ginny instantly withdrew her wand, aiming it directly at Pansy. "Alright, I-"
A hand shot out, pushing down Ginny's wand, so that its tip was pointed at the ground. "Ginny, stop … it's not worth it …" Hermione warned
"What, you won't let Weasley fight for her self? She has to have some mud-blood help her" a chilling voice echoed throughout the room.
Ginny glanced up, and her blood began to boil. "Malfoy …" she glared daggers into him.
Malfoy smirked, "The one and only"
"Speaking of help why, are you defending Parkinson? If it's such a bloody-"
"I'm not defending Parkinson, I'm only making a point" Draco snarled.
Ginny raised an eyebrow, "A point that works in Parkinson's defense …" she pointed out
"Well weaslette, you've certainly grown a back bone, haven't you?" He smirked. "And I see that's not all that's grown …" His eyes roamed over Ginny's figure approvingly, remaining fixed on her chest for a moment before, glancing back up at her enraged face.
Pansy's eyes widened in disgust, "Ugh … Dracy! What-what are you talking about?" she shrieked, her voice reaching an unbearably high pitch
Draco's face contorted into a frown. "Oh shut up Parkinson, like you look any better" he hissed
Tears welled in the corners of Pansy's eyes. "Dra-draco you don't mean that …" she stuttered out
"Oh I don't?" Draco raised a brow, glancing over his shoulder at the pathetic excuse for a Slytherin
She shook her head vigorously, "No … no, you don't! That's not what you said last night …"
Draco's trademark smirk slipped upon his lips once more. "Parkinson that was ages ago … not last night. And, I only shagged you because I was bored, nothing of meaning was meant by it" he replied coldly
The tears rimming in Pansy's eyes began falling freely, as she shook her head again. "No, that-that's not true!" she mumbled out in between sobs.
Draco just continued to smirk, "Well, I best be off. I have rather expensive items just dying to be purchased" he taunted, his icy pools directing at Ginny. "See you later, weaslette" he began to turn around but, stopped short. "Oh, and you see that store just there …" he pointed out the window.
Ginny's gaze flickered in the direction he was pointing too.
"I think you could possibly find something that suits you there"
Ginny's blood began to boil, as he gestured towards a rather large rubbish can. She spun around to face him, "Malfoy, you prat! I-"
Her voice fell silent, as Malfoy had already left, leaving her alone in all her rage.
"Ugh! I hate that git! I could just-just … ugh!" Ginny screamed out, falling against the wall in frustration
Hermione flashed her a sympathetic look before, turning back to the gorgeous red dress she had been admiring. Ginny remained fixed against the wall, hatred coursing through her veins. How could one simple gesture made by such a git, cause her to react so harshly. True, she was only giving him a piece of his own medicine but, Ginny just couldn't understand how a person could act so cruelly towards others. Suddenly through her raging thoughts, the sweet jingle of bells rang out, causing her attention to direct towards the door.
Much to her relief it was only Harry, and Ron; she didn't know how well things would have gone if had been Malfoy or worse … Parkinson.
"Bloody hell, I swear one more incident with him and I'll-"
"Oh, come off it Ron. The last time you tried to set Malfoy up, you ended having a rather large and disgusting wart on your face for nearly a week!"
Ginny snickered at the though of her brother's face, when he had found out the wart couldn't be simply removed.
"Sod off Harry like you've come up with anything better!"
"Oh hey Ginny …" Harry said, throwing a weak smile her way.
Ginny nodded in response, her gaze shifting downwards.
"Find a dress Gin?" Ron questioned, his attention averting towards her
Ginny shook her head, "No … none that I can afford anyway" a light, emotionless laugh passed through her lips.
Ron frowned, "Oh come on Gin, I'm sure-"
"I'll pay for it" Harry offered, cutting off Ron mid sentence.
Ginny glanced up, a small smile playing across her lips. "Harry, no … I could never ask that of you"
Harry's lips sprung into a full on grin. "Well, I want to. Besides," he leaned in close to her, whispering in her ear. "It wouldn't only be for your benefit …"
Ginny's eyes widened at this comment, and she watched Ron's eyes flash angrily.
She gulped, "Ummmm alright … but, only because you're insisting …"
Harry smiled, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes. Then pulling out small bag containing the appropriate money, he tossed it at Ginny. "Here, use as much as you want"
Ginny's fingers played with the small bag, "Thanks …" she muttered, smiling appreciatively at the small gesture. Is it just me or are Harry's hormones slightly restless today? Ginny though absent mindlessly
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the boys had left, stating they needed a drink and ordering the girls to meet them once they had finished picking out their dresses, the two Gryffindors continued on with their search to find the perfect dress. Hermione had been successful in finding three dresses, which dazzled in her eyes, while Ginny's attempts had been utterly hopeless.
A sudden sigh, whipped through the air, breaking the peaceful silence set upon the small shop.
"Mione, it's hopeless I'm never going to find anything!" Ginny said defeated, plopping down in the small, cushioned chair outside the dressing room.
"Ginny," Hermione huffed from behind the squared dressing room door. "I'm sure you just haven't looked properly-"
Ginny snorted, "Properly? I didn't know there was a proper way of shopping for dresses. Blimey, a girl learns something new everyday!"
Suddenly the dressing room door flew open, revealing a very frazzled brunette. "Ginny, give it a rest would you? Merlin! I'm sick of you taking your bloody rage out on me! Malfoy is a worthless git, who shouldn't control your emotions so easily!" Ginny's eyes were wide with shock; she had never seen Hermione explode so easily. "Ever since he left you've been acting this way and frankly it's ruining my time!"
Ginny's gaze flickered towards a rack in a near by corner, a sigh passing through her pursed lips. "Hermione I'm-" Her voice came to a surprising halt.
A frown crinkled Hermione's furry brows, "What? What is it you're staring at?" Her gaze flickered towards the object of Ginny's desire and a sudden glisten twinkled in her eye.
"Bloody hell …" Ginny murmured, her gaze never shifting an inch. "It's beautiful …"
Slowly rising from the cushioned seat, Ginny walked dreamily towards the dress. It was absolutely gorgeous. It was about knee length, and its layers of fabric at the bottom were loose and flowy. The shade of blue was utterly amazing, with darker shades towards the bottom, depending on the layer. The straps were thin, and it almost appeared there were none at all. Just beneath it, was a pair of white high heels, perfect for the dress hanging angelically over them.
Snatching the dress from the hanger quickly but, gently Ginny headed for a dressing room. Hermione listened as the sound of robes pooling on the wooden floor lashed through the air, and Ginny mumbled angrily before slipping on the dress.
"Merlin …" Ginny breathed, her eyes wide with amazement
"Ginny?" Hermione questioned pressing an ear to the door, enclosing Ginny in the small dressing room
Ginny's eyes remained wide, and she found herself in such a state of shock, she couldn't utter a word. The dress looked much more beautiful when suiting a slim girl like Ginny, and it shaped her nicely in every needed area. A smile pulled at the corner of her lips, and just for spite Ginny twirled in a circle. She watched as the dress rippled out, creating a vivid sea of blue.
"Ginny?" Hermione's voice echoed out once more, sounding slightly concerned.
Ginny's twirling came to a stop, "Yes?"
"You alright in there?" she questioned cautiously
Ginny threw the door open causing Hermione to stumble backwards nearly tripping over her own dress, which pooled slightly at her feet.
"Ginny! Whatc-" her voice hitched at a high pitch, slowly decreasing to nothing.
"You like?" Ginny asked, playing with the ripples between her fingers
"Oh my … Ginny it-it's … gorgeous!" she shrieked. "Harry's going to drop dead when he sees this!"
Ginny burst into a fit of giggles at this statement; she certainly had never seen Hermione acting so playful, maybe it was just considering the circumstances. Soon enough Hermione had made her final decision, and as Ginny had made hers, almost instantly after seeing the dress, the two girls purchased their spectacular items.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"So," Harry eyed Hermione. "You say I'm going to 'drop dead' when I see her?" He questioned, his gaze flickering towards Ginny, where she stood awaiting the groups butter beers.
Hermione grinned, "Oh merlin Harry, you should see her …" she replied dreamily
Harry grinned, his eyes gazing at Ginny longingly.
"Bloody hell Hermione, this isn't going to make me to puke is it?" Ron asked, disgusted
Hermione whacked Ron's arm lightly, "Oh Ron, sod off" she hissed, as Ginny neared the table.
"Here you are four butter beers!" Ginny said, cheerily
Three hands outstretched, gripping a cups handle tightly, and pulling it towards the hands owner.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Un-known to Ginny, a pair of rather stunning blue orbs were watching her intently with interest. They watched her as she laughed; a colorful grin adorned her lips. They glared, as Harry's unsuspecting hand snaked its way around her waist. They glistened as they traveled down her slim figure.
"Weaslette has certainly grown up since the last time we saw her, eh mate?" Draco murmured, his eyes still fixed upon Ginny
Blaise frowned, sipping his butter beer casually. "I suppose … she does have that certain glisten this year, doesn't she?"
Draco nodded mindlessly but, then realizing just what he was saying his face contorted into a look of disgust.
"That is if you consider a dirty whore, grown up" he snapped
Blaise chuckled, and set down his glass. "You'll never learn Draco, will you?"
Draco's head snapped in his friend's direction, "What is that supposed to mean?" he demanded harshly
Blaise only smirked, and sipped at his drink lightly. "Forget it mate …"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soon enough Gryffindor's time at Hogsmeade came to an end, and the group began heading back. Ginny held her treasure tightly to her chest, making sure not to let fall from her grasp. A smile was plastered upon her face, and she just couldn't seem to make any other facial expression possible. After bidding her goodbyes to Harry, as he had to sneak back, she had occupied herself by discussing the ball with Cassia. Surprisingly the two girls had many things in common, and Ginny couldn't believe she hadn't realized it before.
"So, did you buy your dress?" Ginny questioned eagerly
Cassia nodded, grinning wide. "Yes! Oh Ginny I cant wait for you to see it! Its light purple, and-"
Ginny continued to listen, as her newly occupied friend went into great detail on her dress for the ball. Sooner than expected the group arrived at Hogwarts passing through its massive doors, as a wave of cool air passed over them. Ginny's attention was averted by the thought of Harry, 'He should be here … where is the bloody git' She thought mindlessly.
"Hey Cassia," Ginny spoke
The cheery girl glanced up, a smile lighting up her face. "Yeah?"
"I'll be right back, I need to find someone …"
Cassia nodded. "Alright"
Ginny turned around, her eyes scanning the crowd; suddenly she spied who she was looking for.
"Mione!" she called out, waving hysterically
Hermione turned her attention away from Ron, a smile adorning her lips. "Hey Gin"
"Have you seen Harry?" She asked curiously. "I haven't seen him since we were at Three Broomsticks"
Hermione thought for a moment, "No … not since we were all together, why?"
"Oh … just wondering …" Ginny replied numbly
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ginny sat, her head buried in her hands, it had been an hour since the group had returned to Hogwarts and still Harry had yet to show up. Hermione was pacing the room nervously, muttering to herself, as if trying to calm her senses. Ron laid lazily in a plush maroon chair, eyes baggy with sleep.
"Bloody hell where is he … it's been ages and-"
Just then the boy in question passed through the portrait, looking miserable as ever.
"Harry?" Ginny's head snapped up, a hopeful air to her voice
"Hey Gin …" he mumbled, his voice rich with sadness; he barely managed to keep eye contact with her.
"Harry … what's wrong?" Ginny asked concerned, sliding from her spot on the couch, and approaching Harry's front
Almost instantly his eyes flickered away, "I'm sorry Gin …" he whispered
Ginny frowned, and gently eased his face so he was looking at her. "Harry, what are you sorry about?" she questioned laughing lightly
Harry smiled weakly, as he met his loves eyes. "Gin I-" he stopped short, pulling away from her.
Ginny's frown deepened. "Harry what are-"
"Gin, I can't go to the ball with you" Harry answered, cutting her off mid sentence.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: Well guys, that was a long chapter! Hopefully you find it slightly interesting now! Hehe! Anyway, keep reading and tell your fellow fanshipers about my story please and thank you! Oh! And don't forget to review!
