Love Behind the Shadows
Chapter Four: Alone but, Taken
"Well that is I want to but, I just can't …" Harry said regretfully
Ginny's eyes bore such emotion Harry couldn't bare to hold her gaze. "Wha-what? I'm confused … you want to come but, you can't. How, does that make any sense?" Ginny demanded hotly
Harry sighed, running a hand through his dark hair stressfully. "Ginny, it's Dumbledore. He-"
"He what?" she questioned, her hand placed firmly on her hips.
Harry clenched his fists annoyed. "That's what I'm trying to tell you, if only you would shut up!" he hissed; he found himself loosing his patients very easily this evening.
Ginny eyes widened, before a frown deepened her brows. "Harry James Potter, how dare you talk to me-"
"Gin! Just let me bloody explain the situation before you jump to conclusions!" Harry said angrily
Hermione and Ron remained on the sidelines, not daring to utter a word as tension thickened the air around them. Glancing to her side, Hermione gestured towards the stairs, to which Ron looked severely relieved. Quickly but silently, the two crept up the stairs, avoiding any controversy.
"Fine, go on" Ginny spat, anger flashing in her eyes; she crossed her arms over her chest, awaiting further explanation.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "Ok, as I was saying," Ginny's shot him a deadly glare. "I want to go to the ball; it's just Dumbledore wont have it. Apparently, there's a very important spell that I must learn during the duration of the ball. Therefore I can't go … I'm really so-"
"Harry, I'm not 5. You didn't have to go all professor on me" she hissed.
Harry scowled, "You know what fine then Ginny! Be bloody stubborn for all I care" With this he spun on heel, and headed up the stairs, on his way to bed.
"Wait!" Ginny called, feeling suddenly very guilty.
Harry stopped short, glancing over his shoulder. "Yes?"
"I-I'm sorry …" Ginny muttered, her fingers fiddling like mad
A small smiled played across Harry's lips, and slowly he descended down the stairs. Ginny's eyes remained fastened to the floor, not moving an inch up in Harry's direction. She hated the feeling of guilt wrenching at her stomach, especially when it concerned someone she deeply cared about.
"I'm sorry too Gin, I-"
"No, it's my fault. If I hadn't-"
"Ginny, really it's-"
"No, Harry I take full responsibility-"
"Ginny-"
"Harry-"
A sudden silence fell unexpectedly, as the couple stood with flushed cheeks. But, only after a moment of brief silence, Ginny cleared her throat and began conversation once more.
"Harry, how about we settle this …" Ginny stated
"And how do you plan on doing that?" Harry quizzed, raising a skeptical brow
Ginny took a step forward, a mere inch away from Harry's nose. "How about, we're both wrong?"
Harry sighed, "Hmmm I don't know Gin …"
Ginny grinned.
"Alright, alright, you got me. We're both wrong" Harry finally agreed
A giggle escaped through Ginny's lips, as a full blown smile adorned her features. Soon after Harry's features took a similar pose, and he reached out brushing a stray curl from Ginny's eyes.
"I don't know what I would do without you …" he said, mostly to himself but it appeared to be directed at her.
Suddenly a rush of heat fled into Ginny's cheeks. "You'd probably go mad, and end up in some mental house" she teased, giggling again.
He grinned, "Your such a-" he sighed, finding his vocabulary surprisingly short. "Well, whatever you are … it's a pain"
Ginny raised an eyebrow, as he continued to tease her. "I'm a pain?"
Harry nodded, still grinning.
"Merlin, I've learned loads today!" she said with a laugh
Harry chuckled, "Hopefully you can store it all up in that small-"
"Don't even …" Ginny warned, glaring.
Harry's smiled widened, and he whispered. "What? Do this …" his words drifted off his tongue, melting in the air around the two as he pressed his lips to hers eagerly. Ginny's senses came to a halt as the world seemed to slow down, a comforting air settled upon the couple, as they lost each other in the passionate kiss. Slowly the passion's flames dimmed down to a warm glow.
"No, that I'm ok with …" Ginny breathed, her forehead pressed against Harry's gently.
Harry grinned, "Good … I figured"
A giggle passed through her lips, and then all went quiet. The two stood silent as the minutes ticked by, soon enough Harry couldn't bare the silence anymore, and spoke up.
"So … your still going to the ball, aren't you?" he questioned curiously
Ginny's eyes widened, as he mentioned this, she had completely forgotten about the ball. "I-I well … of course I'm not going. I don't have anyone to go with" she reasoned
Harry frowned. "Gin, you have to go … you've already bought your dress, and I don't want it to go to waste, especially when Hermione gave it such high reviews" He informed her thoughtfully.
Ginny's cheeks reddened and she glanced down slightly embarrassed. "Harry, I'm not going. Your not going … I wouldn't have any fun … it's completely pointless. I'll just take the dress back and-"
"No, no you're not taking the dress back and that is for certain" Harry commanded sternly
Ginny frowned, "And why not?" she demanded
"Because, I don't want such a beautiful dress, not to mention a beautiful girl, get wasted because of me" he said triumphantly, a grin spreading rapidly on his lips.
Ginny's frown deepened, "Beautiful?" she questioned skeptically; Ginny doubted she was going to look beautiful.
Harry nodded vigorously, "Of course …"
Ginny sighed, rolling her eyes. "Harry first off, I'm not beautiful. Secondly," she was now pacing; a deep frown plastered upon her features. "You haven't even seen the dress! And third, I'm not going to the ball and that's final"
Harry took a deep breath, "Ginny … please, you have to go. Do it for me? I'd feel horrible if I was the reason you didn't attend …"
'Well, that's too bad isn't it? Because, I'm not going!' "Harry, there's no point in going unless you're going" She sighed. "Besides-"
"Ginny, it's not pointless. In fact there's a very good reason why you should go" Harry stated boldly
Ginny raised a challenging brow. "Really? Name one" she demanded
Harry thought for a moment before, finally responding. "You'll have loads of fun" he answered, grinning broadly.
Ginny's hands planted themselves on her hips, as she gazed at Harry annoyed. "Harry-"
"Gin, just … can you at least consider it?" Harry pleaded
Ginny sighed, "Fine! Fine, I'll consider it … but, I'm not promising anything" she stated.
Harry grinned, "You're not going to regret this Gin. You know all I want is for you to be happy …"
Ginny's frown snuck into a smile, and her hands fell limp at her sides. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sod off …" she teased.
Harry chuckled, just before a yawn passed through his lips. "Well, I'm dreadfully tired … so I'll see you in the morning?"
Ginny nodded, "Night Harry" she leaned forward and pecked him lightly on the cheek.
"Night Gin"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dawn drew upon the castle sooner than expected, and the sound of students bustling down the hall filled the air. Ginny sat in the Gryffindor common room, her stomach feeling particularly empty but, she didn't dare go downstairs for breakfast, as she was trying to avoid Harry as much as possible. She still wasn't certain that she wanted to go the ball. Of course she would miss going but, if she did go then the unmistakable feeling of guilt would twist her insides like mad.
Suddenly through all her hectic thoughts, the clock rang out, splitting the deadly silence. A few stragglers, stumbled down from their dormitories, and hurried from the common room headed for the first class. Sighing, Ginny rose from the plush couch, and grabbed her books. 'I suppose I'll decide later … after all I do have until tonight to decide …'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ginny paced the length of the common room, her thoughts a whirling mass of confusion. She had been trying to decide whether or not she was going to attend the ball all day and her conclusions were becoming less and less. Finally, as a last resort, Ginny decided a nice walk around the black lake would help in making her decision. Hurriedly tossing her belongings into the girl's dormitories, she headed down the long winding steps and onto the grounds.
A warm wave of air surrounded her as she passed through the large oak doors, her feet meeting the lush grass below her. A smile spread across her lips rapidly, as she fled further and further into the grounds, the scent of summer intoxicating her senses.
"Finally," she mumbled. "Some peace and quiet, I can finally-"
"You know, talking to yourself has proved to lead to insanity" A cruel voice, hissed; their warm breath rushing through wisps of her hair, and beating against her freckled neck.
Ginny's eyes fluttered closed taking in her companies scent, it was certainly pleasurable, and soon enough she found herself falling deeper in deeper into the toxic smell.
"Weaslette!" The harsh voice spoke loudly, causing Ginny to jump slightly. Slowly her senses came back, and putting two and two together she figured out that it was Malfoy who she had been pleasantly loosing herself in. Her eyes widened in disbelief and she spun around to come to her defense.
"Malfoy I-"
"-Was so overcome by your flattering appearance I just couldn't help myself?" he answered for her, a smirk working its way onto her lips.
Ginny's hands clenched into fists, her knuckles straining to become white. "I-I …" she found her anger overpowering, unable to utter a word.
"I know weaslette, you don't have to explain. I'm just too amazingly gorgeous not to notice, it's quite alright really. I don't mind you goggling at me" his smirk continued to deepen with each snotty remark he made.
"Ugh! That was not what I was going to say you pompous jerk!" Ginny shrieked, her flushed face turning a lighter shade of her hair.
Draco chuckled, "Really? Because, your actions beg to differ" he countered
Ginny glared daggers into him, biting her lip furiously as the rage within her boiled.
"Well, I must be off. Sorry I couldn't pleasure you with my presence for a while longer but, I have an eager bed buddy just dying for my company" he sneered, and spinning on heel he began making his way back to the castle. "By weaslette, don't miss me too much!" he called over his shoulder.
"You-you … ugh! I hate you Malfoy, you bloody git!" She screamed angrily
She heard the faint sound of a chuckle as she stood planted to the earth, her blood boiling with aggravation. 'Deep breaths Ginny … deep breaths' She reminded herself, as she mentally calmed her senses.
Soon enough she was able to control herself, and began making her way around the black lake. Just as she reached the end of the trail, a familiar figure appeared in her line of vision. She frowned, trying desperately to make out who it was.
"Oh merlin …" she muttered. It was Harry, her boyfriend who she had been trying to avoid all day.
"Ginny!" he called. "Ginny!" he waved frantically, eager for her attention
Ginny mustered up a smile, and eased her hand in the air, slowly waving back. "Hey Harry" she called out
A full blown grin overcame his features as he neared her. "Bloody hell Gin, where have you been all day?" he questioned curiously in between pants.
Ginny smiled, "Just thinking …"
"About attending the ball I hope" Harry stated
Ginny laughed lightly, "Possibly attending"
Harry frowned, "Oh come on Gin …" he whined. "Just go … please!"
Ginny sighed, turning her back to him, and pulling a hand through her hair. "Harry, I don't see why you're so insistent on me attending! I mean-"
"Gin, I've already explained this to you … last night, you remember?" Harry's frown was deepening by the second.
She sighed once more and, un-known to Harry, glanced down at her watch.
"Please, Gin? For me …?" Harry pleaded.
Ginny closed her eyes taking a deep breath. "I can't believe I'm doing this, I can't believe I'm caving in so easily!" she said sounding extremely disappointed in herself.
Harry grinned. "So you'll go? You'll go without me then?"
"Yes. Yes, I'll go without you …" Ginny mumbled under her breath
"Thank merlin!" Harry cheered, scooping her up into his arms and hugging her tight. "I don't know what I would have done, knowing you were pacing worried like mad. I'd-"
"Who said I wasn't going to be worried?" She chocked out, as Harry continued to squeeze her tightly, spinning around in small circles
Harry dropped her suddenly, causing her to stumble a bit, due to her new found dizziness. His hands shot out, gripping her shoulder's firmly as he held her in place. A chuckle escaped his smiling lips, as he continued to hold her still.
"Well, shouldn't you be off to the ball? After all you only have," Harry glanced down at his watch. "2 hours, until it starts"
Ginny's eyes widened. "Two-two hours?" She stuttered out, her wide eyes darting towards the castle.
Harry nodded, "Yeah, you probably-"
"Thanks Harry, I love you!" Ginny called over her shoulder as she dashed across the grounds towards Hogwarts.
Harry laughed, shaking his head. "Love you too Gin" He mumbled to the desolate air around him
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ginny's gaze swooped over her reflection with skeptical eyes, 'What am I trying to prove?' She thought, as she turned slightly observing herself from behind. Her hair was hanging loosely around her face, her curls softening her features dramatically. The glittering white mask made her chocolate brown eyes appear to glisten as every speck of light flashed in her eyes. As she spun around, her dress flew out, causing the effect of rippling water. A smile crept upon her features, the more she spun. Unexpectedly a sigh slipped through her lips.
"Well … this is it …" she murmured to herself. "Here I go off, to humiliate myself …"
Giving herself one last glance, she turned on heel and hurried from the room, leaving for the ball all alone …
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: I know, I know … another cliff hanger! Well, whatcha gonna do? I have to have some suspense! Hehe Now before you send in the death notes, I would like to say that this chapter is probably the last boring chapter. From here on out, it's intense drama! So, stay tuned for the next chapter! Woah, I sound like a commercial! lol
