I think this one was originally done as a contest for a Yahoo! Group Fanfic Club I was in. I normally never really liked the idea of D/G, but after I gave it
a try, it kind of started growing on me xD This fanfic is still posted on Fanfiction.net and I STILL get reviews on it! xD I mean wtf! BTW, it takes place
during Goblet of Fire - I tried to write it so that it in no way interfered with the story and maybe really could have happened! x)
It all began during her first year. She had liked her brother's friend Harry Potter a lot that year, but it had never been the crush she had dreamed of. She was the kind of girl who spent her spare time reading romantic novels and writing in her diary. When Harry had saved her from that terrible nightmare during her first year, she would have thought her crush on him would explode into even more, but it didn't. In fact, after the whole Tom Riddle affair, her crush on Harry began to fade.
It didn't take long for her to finally give up on Harry for good. Sure she still liked him. He was a great guy. She had just never experienced the magic she had expected.
During her third year, things started to change for her. Always being a dreamer, she decided to go to the Yule Ball if it killed her. She knew she couldn't go unless she was asked by a fourth year or higher, so all she had to do was find someone to ask her. She and her best friend, Shannon, had played around looking for possible dates when they finally both snared two fourth year Gryffindors, Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnigan.
Ginny wasn't extremely pleased to be going with Neville, but she was happy that Shannon got to go with Seamus. Harry had actually asked to go with her, but she was already promised to Neville and it was best if she didn't go with him anyway.
By the time the ball rolled around, she and Shannon had gotten all dressed up and were ready to go.
"Remind me again why I'm dressing up." said Ginny as she let Shannon do her hair. "I mean, yeah, you want to dress up for Seamus, but me dressing up for Neville? I dunno, is it really worth it?"
"Of course it is!" said Shannon as she pulled a little on Ginny's hair. "Why? You act like I like Seamus or something!"
Ginny turned around in time to see Shannon's cheeks go slightly pink and she smiled.
"Besides," Shannon continued, "All of the people will be there! Well, at least all of the people that matter! We have Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory, Viktor Krum, all of the Durmstrang guys, Seamus, Dean Thomas, Lee Jordan, and everyone else who's older than us that we might not even know exists! Not to mention your brother Ron... I wouldn't mind if he asked me to dance..."
"Shannon!" said Ginny as she turned around. "Don't tell me you think RON is cute!"
Shannon jerked Ginny's head around. "Admit it, Ginn! He is! And stop moving if you want your hair done. Anyways, my point is that you don't know WHO you'll meet. You want to look your best just in case!"
Ginny sighed and rolled her eyes. Luckily, Shannon didn't see.
That night, Ginny and Shannon met Seamus and Neville in the hallway outside the Ball. The two red heads looked great and the boys were stunned.
"Wow, Shannon!" said Seamus as he held out his arm for her. "You look great!"
"Thanks!" said Shannon as she turned slightly red, waved to Ginny and walked off arm in arm with Seamus.
"Same t-to you, G-Ginny." said Neville as he followed suit and held out his arm.
Ginny flashed as smile as if to say thank you, but when Neville turned she rolled her eyes. What am I doing? She thought. I mean, Neville's sweet and all, but do I really want to be here so bad that I'd come with him?
They walked into the ball together and Ginny noticed some people. Sure enough, Cedric was there with Cho Chang, she saw Harry and Ron were with Padma and Parvati Patil, and she saw Shannon and Seamus sitting at one of the many circular tables.
They all sat down to have dinner. It was very awkward because she and Neville didn't say much to each other. She noticed he was a very polite eater. She looked across the room to see Ron stuffing his face like usual. She rolled her eyes and immediately felt sorry for Padma, his date.
After dinner was over, the Champions and their dates came out onto the floor. Ginny noticed the dress robes her mum had purchased for Harry did look very stunning on him. She wished she could have come with Harry rather than Neville, but she didn't want to let Neville down after she had already told him she would go with him.
Most of the other people were now going out onto the floor to dance. Ginny was just about to take Neville out to dance when he abruptly decided to leave.
"Uh, want some punch?" asked Neville as he quickly stood up.
"Sure." said Ginny as he ran off. She couldn't help but giggle. He was obviously nervous to be there and to dance with her! It was almost kind of cute.
She stood around and talked to a friend from Hufflepuff as another friend came by.
"Hey Ginny, hey Heather!" said the approaching girl.
"Hi Sam." said Heather. "Who are you here with?"
"Greg Goyle." said Sam as Heather instantly burst into laughter.
"What?" asked Ginny, "What's so funny?"
"Goyle?" asked Heather as it looked like she'd laugh herself to tears. "Man! You were desperate!"
"What's so bad about this guy?" asked Ginny frantically as she wanted to be included in the joke. Her eyes searched the room for someone terrible enough to fit Heather's implied description. "What does he look like?"
"He's over there." said Sam as she motioned with her thumb. "And yes, I was desperate. I snagged him a few minutes ago. He was one of the only people who didn't have a date and you know I'm a third year. He said he'd take me so I just ran back to the Common Room to get ready. I missed dinner and everything, but it's worth it. After all, it's not every year we have a Triwizard Tournament. I'm really hoping to hook up with a Durmstrang boy."
Ginny's eyes followed Sam's thumb and stopped on a group of three guys. Two of them were overweight and they were standing on either side of another boy. This boy was tall and thin. He had stylish blonde hair and he looked very well built. She found it hard to believe he didn't have a date. "THAT'S HIM?" she said, "The guy with the blonde hair?"
"No!" said Heather. "The one to the right of that guy."
"Oh." said Ginny as she dropped her shoulders in disappointment.
Heather now found a new laughing target. "You thought Draco Malfoy was Greg Goyle? Where have you been, girl?"
Draco Malfoy? Thought Ginny. Where have I heard that name before?
Heather laughed and walked off as Sam looked pitifully at Ginny. "You gonna laugh at me now?" she asked.
"No!" said Ginny as she tore her glance from Draco and looked Sam in the eyes. "I'm in the same boat as you." she said as she lowered her voice and leaned in towards Sam. "I'm here with Neville Longbottom."
Sam stifled a laugh. "Well, it's no worse than my situation!"
"Hey, Sam." said Ginny as an idea came into her head and her glance slowly traveled back to Draco. "Would you want to ask..."
"I'm back." said Neville as he interrupted Ginny. "I brought your friend a drink too."
"Aww, thanks!" said Sam as she graciously accepted the drink from Neville and winked at Ginny. "Well, I'd better get going unless I want Greg and his friends to tease me for being gone too long! See ya later, you two!"
Ginny felt a twinge in her spine as Sam walked off only to be welcomed back by Goyle and Draco.
"Listen, Ginny." said Neville as he led her over to sit down. "I gotta tell you something."
Ginny forced a smile. Oh geez! I hope he doesn't try to kiss me!
"I-I... I'm not much of a dancer."
Ginny let out a long sigh. Oh, that's all.
"So, if you wanna go off and dance with other people..."
"Really?" Ginny interrupted as she quickly stood up and her mind flashed back to Goyle's cute friend. "I can?"
"Yeah." he said as he smiled at her. "Do you want me to want me to hold your drink."
Ginny looked down at him and immediately felt sympathetic. "No." she said as she reached down and grabbed his hand. "Come on, I'll teach you."
She had to admit, Neville was clumsy and it took him a while to learn how to do it, but it was actually kind of cute. He was surprisingly getting kind of good when some other girls came along and asked him to dance.
"Is it okay, Ginny?" he asked. "I mean I am here with..."
"Go right ahead!" said Ginny. "I think I'll go find some of my friends."
With that, Ginny left Neville with a clear conscience and headed towards Sam and her crew. She felt like she had butterflies in her stomach, but she didn't stop.
"Hey Sam!" she said as she stopped to the side of their little circle. She noticed it was mostly Slytherin fourth years and she figured Draco was a fourth year too. I wonder if Ron knows him...
"What's up, Ginny?" said Sam as she instantly ditched Goyle and waved over her friend. "Did you finally ditch old Longbo..."
"Yes!" interrupted Ginny before anyone heard Sam finish her sentence. "Yes I did."
"Oh, okay." said Sam.
"Who's your friend, Sam?" said Draco as he walked over to Sam, put his elbow on her shoulder and then leaned on her.
Ginny felt her breath shorten and her pulse race as his gray eyes looked into hers.
"Draco!" said Sam as she shoved his arm off. "Get off of me! This is Ginny." she said, "Ginny Weas..."
"Do I know you from somewhere?" asked Draco without letting Sam finish.
"I-I'm not sure." said Ginny as she felt her cheeks go red. Why was she acting this way? She had never fallen this hard and fast for anyone before.
The next song started and the small group of Slytherins broke up into guy/girl pairs. Ginny looked around frantically as Sam and Draco's friends were all escorted off. She saw Draco's date leaving with another boy.
Draco was still looking at her as if he could see through her. "Would you..."
Ginny raised her eyebrows and held her breath.
"Would you wanna dance with me?" he asked.
Ginny swallowed hard. "D-dance?" she choked.
"You do know how, don't you?" he held out a hand.
Ginny shook her head. This wasn't like her. "Of-of course I do!" she said as she put her hand in his. "Let's just hope you can keep up with me!"
His grip was firm and his hands were warm. He wasn't in the least bit fazed to be holding hands with her, but Ginny was ecstatic.
It was well known that Ginny was a dancer. She had loved to dance since she was little and she often dreamed of being in a Muggle ballet someday. She was surprised at the way Draco danced. He was very skilled and his feet were sure. He twirled her just right and he never stepped on her feet, which were already sore from dancing with Neville. He was nothing short of being amazing.
"Hey," he said. "You're pretty good. Have you done this before?"
"You could say that." she replied as some spectators clapped at their performance.
"You're the first girl I've met who could actually dance." said Draco as he smiled at her.
They continued to twirl and talk as if they were the only two people in that room.
"Hey Ron." said Padma as she and Ron awkwardly twirled around the room. Ron had decided to take her for at least one spin so he could spy on other people.
"Hmm?" he asked as he kept his eyes on Hermione and Krum.
"Who's that dancing with Draco?" She asked as her eyes followed the flash of red hair. "They're really good!"
"Yeah, whatever." said Ron as he stepped on Padma's feet again. "Sorry 'bout that."
After that dance, the music slowed down into a slower song and Ginny felt Draco put his hands around her waist and pull her closer. She tensed up but slowly put her arms around his neck as they swayed back and forth.
"You're very different, Ginny." he said with his face dangerously close to hers.
"H-how so?" she asked as his stone-like eyes stared deep into her again.
"I dunno." he said. "I've just never met anyone like you."
Ginny blushed and put her chin down. "Do you believe in love at first sight?" she whispered.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" asked Draco.
Ginny blinked. She had been thinking out loud! "I said... uh... would you like some punch tonight?"
Draco looked confused but then shrugged. "Sure. Do you want some? I'll go get it."
Ginny let out a long breath of relief but then watched him walk off. He was tall and could be seen all the way to the beverage table.
"Hello?" said Shannon. "Are you still here?"
"Oh! Sorry, Shannon!" said Ginny as she tore her gaze from Draco.
"I said what have you been doing all this time?"
"I've been dancing." Ginny breathed as if she was in a dream-like state.
"O-kay." Said Shannon as she raised an eyebrow at her friend. "Well, I guess I'll talk to you later." She then walked away shaking her head as if to say she thought Ginny has lost it.
This is so unlike me! Thought Ginny as she looked up at the ceiling. I met Draco only a few hours ago and yet I am head over heels for him! I've never felt like this before. Could this be the guys I've been waiting for I wonder? He seems like a really nice guy and he's really sweet and he is a VERY good dancer. Listen to me talking like this! Jeez, I guess I've just never really been like this... I guess I've never really been in love before. She smiled and felt herself blush. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Draco came back with two glasses of punch. Ginny didn't know why she had asked him for it, she was just nervous. She couldn't help feeling the way she felt. However, right now all she could feel was that drinking all of that punch was going to make a trip to the bathroom needed very soon!
She and Draco went out to dance again after she finished her punch. She noticed that this was one of her favorite songs. The Wicked Sisters had been a favorite band of hers for a long time and this song was a particular favorite of hers. She felt like she was in a dream. Draco and her moved smoothly through the Hall, his gray eyes looked into hers as the moon on the enchanted ceiling shined down upon them. The fairies all around would sometimes fly into the dancing crowd and cast colorful lights on various couples. It was a beautiful sight to behold!
She was lost in her thoughts when a plump finger tapped her on the shoulder. "Umm," said the voice of Pansy Parkinson, "Can I have my date back?"
Ginny saw a look of dread in Draco's eyes as they broke apart. "Yes, of course." She said without taking her eyes from Draco's.
She backed away slowly as his eyes looked sadly after her. Pansy put her fleshy arms around his neck and he looked disgusted but danced with her anyway. Before Ginny knew it, the couple was lost in the crowd of dancers.
Ginny sighed and slumped down into a chair at one of the small tables. This dance was not going as she had planned. But what had she planned? She had wanted to come with Neville to attend the ball and possibly meet new people. She had done that, but she wasn't satisfied. I have to have one more dance with him! she thought as she saw a flash of pink and recognized it as Pansy's dress. A tinge of jealousy waved up her spine as she decided to take a walk outside.
The chill in the night air felt good. It'd feel better if I wasn't out here alone. she thought as she climbed down the front steps of the castle.
She marveled at the fairies in the bushes and looked around at all of the marble statues. She was quietly taking in her surroundings as she heard a familiar voice. Harry and Ron were hiding in a bush!
She quickly ducked behind a statue so they wouldn't see her. It sounded like they were talking about giants. Why would they talk about giants? And why aren't they at the dance? she wondered as she shivered. She decided to leave them alone and go inside. It was cold out.
She had just come out from behind the statue when a tall dark figure towered over her. She yelped in surprise as the figure's cold voice spoke.
"Why, what are you doing out here, Miss Weasley?"
Ginny looked up to see Snape glaring down at her. She swallowed hard and felt her cheeks turn red. "Just, cooling off, Sir."
"Alone?" he asked as he raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Aren't you a third year?"
Ginny's eyes widened, "Ye... Yes, Sir."
"Then why are you here."
"Umm, my date is inside..." she stammered. "He's dancing with someone else."
"I see." Said Snape as he wiped a strand of greasy hair behind his ear. "You'd best get inside before someone else stops you. They might not be so easy on you." He held out his arm in the direction of the door and Ginny noticed something like a tattoo on it. She could only see part of it, but...
Snape had noticed she was looking at his arm. He immediately pulled his sleeve to cover it and snarled, "NOW, Miss Wealsey!"
Ginny bit her lip and hurried off. The last thing she wanted was for Snape to kick her out of the dance when she still wanted another waltz with Draco.
As she got back inside, she saw Sam sitting alone at a table with a Butterbeer in hand.
"Hey, Sam." She said as she walked over to her friend.
"Hey, Ginn!" said Sam.
"Aren't you dancing with Goyle?"
"Naw." Said Sam as she took a swig of her drink. "He's a terrible dancer and my feet hurt. Besides, I think he's dancing with Pansy now."
Ginny's heart leapt. "Goyle's with Pansy?"
"Well, yeah." Said Sam, as she didn't see what the fuss was all about. "I told her I didn't mind. Besides, I think they would make a cute couple. They've both got that 'too stupid to know any better' thing going on."
Normally, Ginny would have found this funny, but now, she was too absorbed with the thought of finding Draco to laugh.
"Umm, I'll catch you later, Sam!" said Ginny as she hurried away looking for Draco's blonde hair above the crowd.
Now where could he be? she wondered as she passed many couples.
She was still looking around swiftly when someone grabbed her wrist. She immediately stopped and turned to see who it was.
"Hold up there, Cinderella." said Draco with a cool smile. "Who're you running from?"
Ginny felt her heart leap and her cheeks blush.
"I was hoping to get at least one more dance with you before you ran away at midnight."
Ginny's eyes met his. He was smiling at her in a way that made her feel warm inside. Forget the butterbeer. She thought, This feeling's much better.
"I was hoping to find you too." she said as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and looked down towards the floor, blushing furiously.
Draco held out his hand and gave a slight bow. "May I have this dance?"
Ginny felt herself smiling like she had never smiled before. She was probably showing every tooth in her mouth, but she didn't care. She was in heaven, living in a dream, and that's all that mattered.
Once again, she put her hand in his and he escorted her out onto the floor. They slowly began to dance around the floor as the Sisters started playing their last song.
I don't want this to end. thought Ginny as she leaned her head on Draco's shoulder. What if I never really see him again?
"Hey, Ginny," Draco broke her train of thought. "I've been thinking..."
She looked up expectantly at him. "Yes?"
"You know, after this dance, we might not get to see each other that much..."
Ginny noticed he looked kind of nervous and he looked as if he was blushing. She found this adorable.
"And, well, I'd kinda like to see you again. You know, eat together sometimes, go to Hogsmeade together..."
Ginny felt herself smile even bigger; breaking the previous record that she had made a few minutes earlier. "I'd love that." she said as she squeezed his hand.
Draco smiled his Draco-like smile as the song ended.
Pansy came up to them looking proud. She had been dancing with Goyle for the past few dances. Sam had obviously hooked up with a Durmstrang guy and left Goyle free for the taking.
"Hello." She said as she saw them just standing there staring at each other.
"Hello-o?" she waved her hand in-between them. "I'm tired. Let's go back to the common room, Draco."
Ginny felt a tinge of jealousy again and scrunched up her face in Pansy's direction. She wished more than anything that she had been sorted into Slytherin.
"Well, uh, okay, just let me say good-bye to Ginn..."
But before he had a chance, Pansy had grabbed his hand and pulled him into the flood of students leaving the hall.
He looked back at Ginny apologetically, but she understood. Just before she lost sight of him, she climbed onto a chair next to her and blew a kiss in his direction.
Draco just smiled his half-smile and winked at her as they lost sight of each other.
"Hey, Ginny!" said Shannon who was holding hands with Seamus. "What are you doing on that chair?"
Ginny looked around and realized she had been standing there just watching the spot in the crowd where Draco had disappeared. She saw a bunch of people looking at her oddly so she immediately jumped down and felt herself blush.
"Oh, nothing." she said as she quickly brushed some hair behind her ears.
Shannon rolled her eyes. "Are you ready to go, the older people are kind of freaking me out."
Ginny looked around and saw a lot of couples that were probably sixth and seventh years kissing. She just smiled and looked at Shannon and Seamus. "Yeah, let's go."
"Wait up!" said Neville as he came running over. "Wait for me."
Ginny smiled and he held out his arm for her. They began to make their way to Gryffindor Tower and Shannon followed a group of Ravenclaws.
"So what did you do all night, Ginny?" he asked her as they walked up the stairs behind a few fellow Gryffindors.
"Oh, I danced." said Ginny with a dreamy look in her eyes.
Seamus noticed this and was the first to ask, "With who?"
Ginny felt herself blush again and had just opened her mouth to say so when Seamus caught sight of a girl in front of them.
"Her... Hermione?" he said with a surprised expression on his face.
The girl turned around and smiled. "Hi Seamus, Neville, Ginny."
"Wow, is that really you?" asked Seamus as he began to circle her looking her up and down.
Ginny noticed Neville appeared to be blushing. She wondered if he liked Hermione. She had heard that Hermione had turned him down for Krum.
"Yes it's me." Said Hermione acidly. "Honestly, you and Ron!" She stormed off.
"Geez, Seamus." said Ginny. "That was cruel."
"What was so cruel about it?" he wondered.
"Never mind." Said Ginny as she shook her head and entered through the portrait hole. "Now if you'll excuse me, it's been a long night and I have a lot of words streaming my head just waiting to be set free into my diary. Good night."
"Good night, Ginny." Said Neville. "Th... thanks for going with me."
"No problem." Said Ginny. "Thanks for taking me, I had fun."
But "fun" was an understatement. That had been the best night of Ginny's life and she would never forget it, ever.
I never finished this one. I had a few paragraphs of the third chapter done, but they never saw the light of day xD My original plan was to have her talk to someone
in the common room (Hermione) and mention who she had danced with... the person would throw a fit and explain to her who Draco was and then she'd have an internal
struggle about what to do from there since Draco was an enemy of her family. You'll notice Draco never learned Ginny's last name? ;)
Anyways, when they'd arrange to go to Hogsmeade, Ginny would probably explain to Draco who she was and say something like "I'm not sure if this is the best idea".
He'd be shocked, but then he'd say something like "Well... why don't we go to Hogsmeade together anyways. Just once." Of course you know from there they'd really
have to fall for each other and have like family-relationship angst!!! :D It was shaping up to be a really good one... I just felt so traitorous writing D/G and never
finished it xD