Although neither was in a hurry to leave, both of them knew that after dinner some students would start heading home for the Easter break, and amongst them would be Ginny.
When they did finally immerge Ginny was almost surprised to see the familiar brick walls of the castle
"Sirius," Ginny whispered, her voice ringing loud through the empty halls.
"What is it love?" Sirius responded looking over.
"Tomorrow, when I go to the Malfoy ball," Ginny began.
The memories of their evening in the Burrow still swarming in her mind, made it hard for her to bring up such a touchy subject.
"I want you not to go," Ginny added, looking down at their entwined hands instead of reading the look on Sirius's face.
"I heard you talked to Regulus- he didn't tell me," Ginny added looking up, not wanting to further damage the brother's rocky relationship.
"Some of the girls were whispering about your confrontation in class and I overheard."
Sirius said nothing as they continued down the hall.
"I know you want to protect me, but I need to protect you," Ginny added.
Her chest tightened as she said one of the most honest things, even if Sirius didn't fully understand the meaning of her words.
"I'm not afraid of Malfo-" Sirius began his grin coming back onto his face.
"Sirius please, don't go to the ball, don't do anything reckless," Ginny continued cutting him off.
"I need to do this for my family, and when I'm done I need to come back for you, so I need you to let me do this, even if you don't understand," Ginny added quickly.
"So your family believed in the purity of their family tree, why does it matter now?" Sirius asked, his tone coming out harshly.
Ginny winced at his words, but knew he didn't mean them, he didn't understand, and how could he when she couldn't explain anything. When he had yet to know that his best friend would die, and another would be the one to betray him.
"There's something I need at this ball, and I think I will be able to get it," Ginny continued.
"Then let me help you," Sirius responded, squeezing her hand tighter. "We can all help you, James and Remus and Pe-."
"You already have helped, but this is something I have to do, don't come to the ball, this will be the last one I go to," Ginny replied, knowing that it would have to be. She needed to lie to Sirius about her past, but she didn't want to lie about the future.
He studied her slowly, his hand still gripping hers tightly as if he could somehow read her thoughts through her pulse.
"Ok, I promise," Sirius responded smiling.
Ginny sighed, relieved knowing that Sirius would be true to his word, and that she wouldn't have to worry about him, leaving her free to get close to Tom Riddle.
They walked to the common room in a comfortable silence, and Sirius waited for her in one of the armchairs as she gathered a few things to take with her to Narcissus Blacks house.
When she got to the bottom of the stairs Sirius stood up grinning as he took her trunk from her, and took her hand in his as he to lead the way to Dumbledore's office where Narcissa stood waiting.
"I'll see you when you get back," Sirius smiled, searching her face.
"Yes," Ginny responded, suddenly wondering for a brief moment if she was doing the right thing.
"I'll take good care of her," Narcissus smiled, meeting Sirius's gaze.
He nodded to her, before kissing Ginny softly on the lips, then he turned and headed back the way he came.
"Licorice wand," Narcissa said, as the gargoyles sprung to life. "Have you travelled by Floo before?" Narcissa asked Ginny, as the two girls walked up the steps to Dumbledore's office, small trunks clutched in their hands.
"Yes," Ginny responded.
"It's not so bad, and my mother wrote to say she would be waiting for our arrival," Narcissa added smiling.
"Are you ladies ready?" Dumbledore asked as he held a small dish in front of them filled with glittering Floo Powder.
"Yes," they both replied.
Narcissa went first, disappearing in a flame of fire, Ginny stepped into the fire place, her trunk clutched tightly in her hand.
"Ginevra, after our conversation about your ripple, I can't help but wonder about the course you are setting yourself on," Professor Dumbledore asked, as he gently put the bowl of floo powder down on his desk.
"You don't understand now Professor, but I think that years from now you will piece it together," Ginny responded smiling as she used the same riddles Dumbledore often gave her, as she emptied her powder into the fire.
Ginny arrived in a large fire place, leaning down to wipe off the suit that lined the bottom of her robes.
Narcissa stood smiling in front of the fire standing beside a tall blonde woman who Ginny guessed was her mother.
"Ginevra, we're so happy you decided to spend the weekend with us," The woman smiled, her lips curving up the same way Narcissa's did.
Ginny looked around into the open room, decorated in bright colors with fresh cut flowers lining nearly every table. She had expected something dark and gloomy like Sirius's family home, or the chilly designs that were Malfoy manor. She was surprised to see something bright and cheerful.
"I've prepared the guest room across from Narcissa's room for you, the elves laid down fresh sheets, and-"
"Mom, she just got her, give her a chance to breathe," Narcissa laughed cutting her mother off.
"Come on Ginevra, I'll show you where you can put your trunk and then I'll show you around," Nacrissa beamed.