Chapter
15
Ginny
Plays Cupid / The Announcement
"For those
that will be staying here over the holidays, during the next week, which
is the last
week before
your holidays, there will be special classes. House teams will not matter,
you will
be put in
classes according to your year level. You will learn to magically decorate
Christmas
trees with
Professor Flitwick, create Christmas potions with Professor Snape, and
I will be
teaching you
how to temporarily transform yourselves into masquerade characters."
McGonagall's
announcement surprised and pleased just about everyone. A few Slytherins
however, grimaced
and booed at having to join up with the other houses.
Just as Hermione
had suspected, there were a lot of people staying for Christmas, a lot
of them
older students.
A multitude of emotions hit her when she didn't see a familiar blonde head.
Half
of her was
glad she wouldn't have to face him and the other half longed for him something
fierce.
It was like
an ache that just wouldn't go away.
McGonagall continued.
"On Christmas
eve, a masquerade ball will be held. You will all be able to attend as
the
character
of your choice. No-one, apart from the teachers, will be able to tell who
is who. That
is, until
midnight when the spell will be lifted, and all will be revealed." She
smiled at them. "It
shall be a
wonderful event and is guaranteed to be a marvellous night for all."
*
"Mione, what
are you going as?" In the common room after dinner, Ginny could not contain
her excitement
at McGonagall's announcement. She had rattled off at least a dozen ideas,
before
finally collapsing
into an armchair, befuddled as to what to decide on. Hermione, however,
did
not share
the same ammount of enthusiasm.
"I really don't
know Ginny." Hermione stared into the crackling fireplace. She paused for
a
moment, then
suddenly got up and went over to the window. The snow was falling heavily,
but
Hermione could
see the lake and the surrounding landscape. She put her palm up against
the
cold glass
and sighed.
"If you're
moping about Malfoy, well...stop moping." Harry came up and put a hand
on her
shoulder.
"He's not worth
it. The sodding git...if only you'd let me deal with him. One good whack
around
the head should
-"
"Harry! Stop it!"
Ginny had come over.
"Harry why
do you have to be the hero all the time? Sure, you've saved the world from
You-Know-Who
continuously, but beating up Malfoy is not going to help..." Her voice
trailed
off as she
looked at Hermione, who was silent and motionless.
"Well it's not going to be of help to anyone!" Ginny said finally.
*
"What do you want now? I'm tired." Draco grumbled as Ginny raced up to him.
"Hermione's
staying for Christmas!" She whispered excitedly. "She's going to be here
for
the ball!"
"Your point?
Look, my idea of Christmas does not involve getting wholloped by the
wonder-duo
Pottsy and Weasel. So please, go away, and go be cupid somewhere else."
"Well, I suppose
your idea of Christmas doesn't involve Hermione Granger then either,
does it?"
Ginny looked slyly at Draco.
"Listen, Ginger-"
"Ginny!"
"Whatever.
I realise your intentions are good, but that doesn't mean Hermione isn't
going
to slap me
to Hogsmeade and back as soon as she sees me."
"Don't you ever listen to announcements Malfoy?"
"Draco."
"Fine, Draco.
Well, she doesn't have to see you. You can be just like that little muggle
girl
Cinder-slippers
or whatever her name is. You've got until midnight to keep your mask on."
"What then?
Have her rip me from limb to limb for deceiving her, and then have her
hand
me over to
Voldielocks and the death-eaters?! Honestly, you're like that Cindy girl
on that
horrid 70's
muggle show. Don't you EVER leave me to a moment's peace?"
"Well, perhaps
you're not seeing things the way I am. She loves you Draco." Ginny
explained,
as if she were talking to a small child. "Hermione still loves you. Look,
just go
to the ball,
please?"
"Fine, whatever.
But not a word of this to anyone." He hissed. "Not one. You'll keep your
mouth shut
or I'll tell Cho you're in love with Potter."
Flustered,
yet pleased she'd convinced Draco to stay, Ginny ran back to Gryffindor
tower.
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