Love Behind The Shadows
Chapter Five: Masked Stranger
Ginny gazed up at the towering wooden doors before her, the final barrier holding her back from the dreaded ball. A flash of worry flickered in her eye and her fingers were fidgeting like mad. 'Bloody hell … what did I get myself into?' She thought to herself, as she reached out, her fingers grazing the smooth wood. 'Well I suppose it's now or never …' Ginny took a deep breath, and then in one swift motion, she pushed both doors open wide.
The scene that painted itself before her eyes was utterly stunning; the Great Hall had been completely transformed into a magical setting. Ginny's eyes swooped over the scene admirably, and a small smile played across her lips. Unfortunately, Ginny was so entranced she didn't notice the low hum of murmurs spreading rapidly throughout the crowd.
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"Who is that?" Pansy Parkinson's high pitch and overly annoying voice rang out. "Well, who ever it is, she looks absolutely horrid! I would never be caught dead in such rags!" She spat acidly, her groupies snickered behind her, glaring daggers at Ginny's appearance.
Draco's hand, which had been un-willing, placed upon Pansy's waist, fell limp at his side, as he gazed in amazement at the beautiful red head.
"I doubt she'll land one dance tonight. Don't you agree Dracy?" Pansy questioned, her eyes still dancing with anger, as she continued to glare the spectacular masked creature down. When she got no reply, she turned towards him. "Dracy I-" Her eyes widened. "Dracy!" she shrieked
Draco continued to goggle at the lovely scene before him.
"Dracy why-why are you looking at her? You should be looking at me! Why aren't you looking at me?" Pansy whined hysterically
"Shut up Parkinson …" Draco mumbled, his eyes still fastened to Ginny's features.
"Ugh!" Pansy hissed, before storming off into the crowd, her groupies hurriedly rushing after her.
"Blimey mate … that ones certainly a catch …" Blaise noted, just as entranced as every other male in the room
"That you are right mate that you are" Draco replied. His eyes grazed over Ginny's slim figure longingly; her petite waist, her perfectly toned legs, her loose curls falling down around her masked face, and her eyes, her chocolate brown eyes that seemed to catch every speck of light. "I wonder who it is …" Draco thought aloud.
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Ginny's eyes scanned the crowd for any familiar face, anyone she might possibly know. The feeling of eyes bearing into her back was overwhelming, and the silence was almost intolerable. Her eyes dashed back and forth, hoping to catch site of someone she knew. Finally, much to her relief she caught site of Seamus, and hurriedly rushed forward, practically crashing into him.
"Blimey! You could say excuse me you know!" Seamus hissed, as he stumbled forward.
"Oh, Seamus thank goodness it's you! I didn't know what I was going to do out there, everyone is staring at me I-"
"Wait, slow down!" he ordered, slowly he turned around. "First off who am … I … talking to?" his voice melted into the air around him. His gazed swooped down Ginny's figure, and as each inch of her was revealed his eyes grew larger and larger.
"Gin-"
Ginny's hand shot out, her hand smothering any further vocals coming from Seamus's mouth. "Not now … let's go find Hermione and Ron first, ok?" She had no explanation as to why she was so hysterical about the surrounding students gaining the knowledge of her name but, she was.
Seamus nodded, and taking Ginny's hand in his, he led her away from the whispering students.
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"Why, in merlins name is she going off with Seamus Finnegin?" Draco spat angrily
Blaise raised a questioning brow as he watched the couple weave through the sea of students before disappearing completely. "I don't know … suppose she's a Gryffindor?"
Draco's already frowning face deepened, "A Gryffindor? No, can't be … no Gryffindor looks that gorgeous" he reasoned
Blaise frowned, "What about Weasley? She's certainly turned out to be half decent this year" He noted
Malfoy turned to Blaise, a skeptical look adorning his features. "Are you saying that, that stunning creature is Weaslette?" he questioned in shock
Blaise shrugged, "I don't know … possibly. You never know Mate …"
Malfoy turned back to the sea of students, which was finally returning back to normal now that the lovely girl had disappeared. "I highly doubt that mate … no Weasley could look that good. It's just simple logic"
Blaise smirked, "Eh you can't blame a mate for trying …" he mumbled
Draco laughed at this. "You can if his suggestion is absolutely outrageous!"
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Ginny continued to be drug through the crowd by Seamus, her eyes scanning each figure for something familiar.
"A ha!" Seamus exclaimed. "There they are!"
Ginny's eyes followed Seamus's outstretched finger, until finally her eyes met that of a dancing pair.
"Gin-Ginny?" Ron gasped, as his eyes grazed over Ginny's dazzling appearance
A tinge of rouge rushed into Ginny's cheeks, and her gaze cast downward.
"Oh my …" Hermione said surprised, her hand slowly rising to her mouth as she inspected Ginny in wonder. "You-you look … absolutely gorgeous!" she shrieked, lunging forward, capturing Ginny in her arms.
Ginny smiled, "Than-thanks Hermione …" she gasped out through her friends rib-crushing hug.
Hermione finally released her, and stepping back gazed at her. "Wow, you've certainly grown up haven't you?" she noted
"A little to fast if you ask me …" Ron grumbled, annoyed
Ginny's head shot in Ron's direction and a sympathetic look spread rapidly across her features. "Oh, Ron … one of these days your just going to have to accept it" she teased. "I'm a grown woman and nothing you do is going to stop that"
Hermione couldn't stifle the giggle tickling her throat and it suddenly passed through her lips, wafting in the air around Ron.
He waved his hand in the air sarcastically. "What ever the case may be, I don't bloody care! Now, can we please stop gawking over my sister and go get something to eat? I'm bloody starving!" He spoke, annoyed once more.
The group laughed, and set off towards the long tables stacked with food, as they continued on with their conversation.
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Ginny sat all by her lonesome, watching the gathering couples swarm on the dance floor. She sipped her punch lightly, her foot tapping impatiently. This was why she hadn't wanted to come, because she was going to suffer a case of loneliness. Suddenly a light finger tapped on her back, turning slightly she glanced over her shoulder.
"Would you like to-"
"No, sorry … I'm sort of with someone" Ginny answered, cutting off the young boy almost immediately
"But-"
"Sorry" Ginny said rather rudely, taking a large gulp of punch from her small cup.
The boy sighed, and sulked off, his head hanging low.
"Ginny!" Hermione called, slowly approaching her, Ron directly behind her. "What is all this nonsense? You've turned down practically every boy that's asked you to dance!"
A new demeanor overtook her features, her eyes casting down at the ground. "Hermione … I-I just can't. I'd be betraying Harry …" she whispered
Hermione grinned, and took the seat beside Ginny's sulking figure.
"Gin, you wouldn't be betraying Harry. He's the one who pleaded with you to come, and he would want you to enjoy yourself! Not sit around denying every male in the room!"
Ron growled at this, his eyes dancing with hatred.
"Oh sod off Ronald!" Hermione hissed, hitting him gently. "Anyway," she turned back towards Ginny. "Have some fun!" she declared, grinning broadly.
Ginny sighed, "But, Hermione-"
"No buts, come now Gin … you've got to be dying of boredom, haven't you?"
Ginny remained silent, not uttering a single confession to her weakness.
Hermione grinned in satisfaction, "See I knew it, you are dying of boredom!"
Ginny's mouth flew open, "I-I didn't say a thing! How-"
"Ginny, I know you too well. Besides it's pure logic that someone like yourself, who is quite the partier when she wants to be, would be bored doing absolutely nothing at a ball!" Hermione reasoned
Ginny sighed, "Merlin I'm becoming so weak …"
Hermione grinned.
"Fine! Fine, I'll dance with one bloke but I swear-"
"It's fine with Harry Gin, no worries there" Hermione informed her.
"Fine … what ever …" she mumbled.
"Well," Hermione put a hand on Ginny's knee, using it to hoist herself up. "I have a date with a certain song, talk to you later!"
Ginny watched as Hermione sauntered off dragging Ron behind her. The lights suddenly dimmed to nothing and a slow, soothing, song played all around. A sigh escaped Ginny's lip, as she lifted the small cup to her lips eager for some punch but, was disappointed to find it surprisingly empty. Easing herself from the seat she began making her way towards the punch bowl, then the familiar tap of a finger on her shoulder was felt, and she turned slightly.
"Would you like to dance?" A deep voice questioned
Ginny's eyes met that of icy blue, and her eyes widened, taken back by the intense blue that she saw her reflection in. Her gaze swooped down over the tall, handsome, young man with amazement. She was certain she had never seen any boy that looked that good, especially one that attended Hogwarts. Of course there was Harry and sure he was handsome but, something about the boy that stood before her made her insides squirm.
Suddenly the boy cleared his throat causing Ginny to jump slightly and come out of her dreamy state.
"Oh, ummmm sure … I-I'll dance with you" Ginny answered, her eyes cast downwards
The boy smiled, and held out his arm graciously. Ginny smiled, and gently taking his hand, she was lead out onto the dance floor. No sooner had this happened, did Ginny find herself laced in the handsome masked stranger's arms for the remainder of the night. The couple danced, and danced until there feet were sore, and even then they didn't stop dancing. Ginny was amazed at how much the two had in common, how they both felt misunderstood at times. How people never truly saw them as they wished to be but, something totally different.
Finally both gave in to the aching feeling pounding in there feet, and retreated outside, with small glasses of punch in hand.
Ginny laughed grinning, "Wow …" she said dazed as she sipped her punch lightly.
The boy smiled at her, and leaned against the small stone wall preventing students from wandering any further. "What?" he questioned, downing the last of his punch
"I-I just …" she sighed, her finger tracing the cups edge. "I've never had this much fun in one night …"
The boy raised a brow, behind his mask. "Really? Never?"
Ginny nodded, a small smile playing across her lips. "Crazy, huh? But, I guess I've just had too much on my mind lately …"
"Too much on your mind lately? Like, what?"
"Oh, what with the war raging on, and Harr-"
Suddenly the loud and on going ringing of the large clock, split through the air, signaling the end of the ball and … the unveiling of masks. Ginny looked up, her eyes fixing themselves on the metal hands pointing straight at the large twelve.
She sighed, "I suppose this is it, right?"
The blond nodded, "Shall I go first?"
Ginny shrugged, "Why not?"
"Alright then," then in one swift motion, the boy yanked the mask from his face.
Ginny's eyes widened, and the glass of punch she had been holding onto, fell airily from her grasp. "No … it can't be …" she whispered, her features glazed over in shock.
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A/N: Ok! Now, before you all start sending the death notes. I would like to first review with your thoughts. I know it's yet another cliff hanger but, that just makes the story even better … right? No? Well, I promise I'll hurry up with the next chapter! Thanks for reading, and please remember to review!
