At the End of the Day
Chapter 4
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I own nothing, but the plot
Thank you to everyone who reviewed, I'll repeat one more time Ginny is in her 6th year and she is 16, I know I kept messing that up, sorry guys!
It was around two weeks before Halloween when Professor Dumbledore stood up at breakfast to make an announcement.
"Many years ago, it was the custom at Hogwarts to have a masked ball. In those days, our good friends in Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were invited to attend but, due to circumstances quite beyond anyone's control, they will not be able to attend this year and so we will be forced to have a wonderful masquerade on our own. All students from the fifth year and up are invited and must arrive in costume. There will be a competition and prizes shall be awarded for the three best costumes. Since you will, of course, need to go out and find proper disguises, an emergency trip to Hogsmeade has been scheduled to accommodate you."
All the girls started talking at once about what they wanted to wear and who they were going to go with.
Natasha kicked Ginny "This is going to be so much fun!" she squealed.
Ginny made a face. "Would've been more fun if you didn't kick me," she muttered.
Natasha just stuck her tongue out at Ginny. "Anyway, I think we should go together," Natasha informed Ginny as they made their way back to Gryffindor tower.
"And why is that?" Ginny asked, raising one eyebrow-it was a trick Bill had taught her to do. They were the only Weasleys able to do it, though Fred and George had desperately wanted to learn.
"Because" Natasha explained to Ginny "that way we don't have to just dance with one boy!"
Ginny laughed "All right Nat," Ginny said calling her friend by her nickname
"I wonder what we should dress up as…" Natasha said trailing off as they got to the portrait hole.
"Well we'll find out tomorrow" Ginny told her.
Ginny fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
"I saw her!" cried the voice.
"Saw who?" came the reply.
"Her! Istahar"
"What?" screamed the second voice "You saw her?"
"Yes," the first voice said importantly. There was a moment of awed silence.
"Was she as beautiful as they say she is?"
"She has nothing on you." The first voice whispered.
The second voice cleared its throat "thank you, but we can't compare, she's not human-"
"But yes, she is beautiful, for what she is."
"I'd like to see her…maybe one day."
"She gives you hope when you see her. You just have to look upon her and this warm feeling spreads into your heart.
"I can only imagine" the second voice said, a little quietly.
"Can we add her into the plan now?" the first voiced asked suddenly.
The second voice laughed it was light, airy sound "yes, I think we can."
When Ginny woke up she realized something about her dream. The first voice was masculine, and the second was feminine. That was the only thing she was able to get out of the dream because Natasha came leaping onto Ginny's bed.
"Wake up" she cried "we're going shopping today!"
Ginny groaned and put the pillows on her head "Go away," she mumbled.
"No" Natasha said stubbornly, shaking her head "We leave for Hogsmeade in half an hour!"
Ginny opened one eye and shooed Natasha off her. "If you don't get up" Ginny said reasonably "than I can't really get dressed, can I?"
Natasha smiled and jumped up. She threw Ginny her robes and pointed her arm outwards.
"Forward, march!" she cried out and started marching out of the room.
Ginny sighed and rolled her eyes, it was good to finally have a friend. She put her robe on and ran down to meet Natasha near the front doors. She found Natasha standing a little away from the rest of the students. Ginny ran towards her.
"Thank God" Natasha breathed "I hate this many people."
"So then, why do you like shopping?" Ginny asked.
"That's different I hate it when there are a lot of people and I'm I don't like any of them."
Ginny shook her head; Natasha didn't really get along with anyone at Hogwarts, besides Ginny and boys.
They had gotten to Hogsmeade. They walked around for a little while, discussing which store to go into. They had gotten to the lower part of Hogsmeade were all of the bars were, and they were about to turn around when they saw a little shop.
"Madame Florence's Shop of Costumes," read Natasha "How original."
Ginny rolled her eyes, and pulled Natasha inside.
"Oh my God," Ginny breathed as they walked into the shop. From the outside it looked like an ordinary shop, but on the inside...It was as big as the Great Hall in Hogwarts with Muggle and Wizarding costumes everywhere!
"Oh, Ginny come look at this!" Natasha said as she touched a beautiful princess costume.
Ginny smiled at her friend but walked to the back of the store, looking for a costume. She wasn't sure she wanted to win; she just wanted to look beautiful and, for the first time, really feel beautiful.
They had been in there for over an hour when Natasha had spotted something she liked.
"Ginny come here!" She screamed, so Ginny could hear her. "How do you like this?" she asked.
"It's a little…revealing" Ginny said to her friend. Natasha was holding up a costume that said Cat Woman on the tag. It was an all leather bodysuit and the top looked like a bustier. It also came with a whip and mask.
"People are going to think you're into being dominant," Ginny laughed.
Natasha winked at Ginny, "I think I'll get this one. Now all we have to do is find you a costume and we're good."
Ginny wasn't really sure how Natasha had no friends before her, but she didn't say anything.
It was a couple minutes later, thirty two to be exact, when Ginny found the costume she wanted. It was under a section called Shakespearean Heroines.
It was the garb of an Egyptian Princess, with a sign that said Cleopatra on it. It was a white midriff baring shirt, and it had a necklace in the shape of a half circle. It had no sleeves, except two braided cords that held the shirt up.
The skirt was also white, and had what looked like a slit on the side, that went up to mid thigh-but it was only to reveal another piece of fabric-cloth of gold this time.
There was a belt that was made of pure gold with a ruby set in the center of it.
But the most beautiful part of the dress was the crown, even though it wasn't so elaborate. It was a golden cobra that wrapped around her head once before straightening itself up into a position that looked like it was going to strike.
The cobra had sapphires for its eyes, and it appeared as if it were swaying back and forth waiting for some unfortunate creature to come closer-almost daring the creature to take another step.
Ginny had fallen in love with the costume. She looked at the price tag and gasped, but then what did she expect, the gems were real. She put it back. What would you do with it, Ginny? She asked herself sternly, you would never wear it again.
Natasha looked at her friend's crestfallen face, before coming to a decision. It was times like these that she was happy to be one of the richest girls at Hogwarts.
"Tell you what," she told Ginny, grabbing the costume "This will be your birthday present."
Ginny started to protest saying her birthday was over a month and a half ago, but Natasha just shrugged.
"We'll call it a belated gift," Natasha said, smiling.
Ginny grinned and hugged her "Thank you!" she cried out happily.
Natasha shrugged and bought both of their costumes "But now I think I may be all out of money, so you Ginny, will have to buy us the food." She grabbed their purchases and marched both of them out of the stall and into The Three Broomsticks.
"Two butterbeers," Ginny told Madame Rosmerta as they sat down in a corner booth.
A few minutes later Ginny and Natasha were sipping their butterbeers and discussing the ball.
"I wonder who Draco Malfoy is going with," Natasha said with a smirk.
"I hope with Parkinson, they deserve each other," Ginny said with a sneer. Ever since they had started working on their project Ginny and Draco had been nastier to each other than ever.
Ginny wasn't sure if she riled him up because he looked so hot while they were fighting, or if she just hated him. Then again it could have been both.
Natasha looked at Ginny and quirked her mouth, "Whatever you say" Natasha told her.
Ginny looked at her friend confused "Okay" she said tilting her to the side.
Natasha looked at her watch.
"Shit-" Natasha was interrupted.
"Don't curse" Ginny told her.
"Whatever," Natasha rolled her eyes "we need to get back to Hogwarts."
Ginny grabbed their bags, and paid for the butterbeer, "Let's go," she said.
They walked back to Hogwarts talking about their costumes.
"You know you're going to have to die your hair black, and straighten it for the ball," Natasha told her.
Ginny shook her head "No, why?"
Natasha sighed "Because Ginny, Cleopatra was a Muggle Egyptian ruler who had straight black hair."
"Then I guess I have to straighten and die my hair, but only for that night," Ginny conceded, she hated to do anything to her hair. She didn't mind fancy hairdos; she just didn't like changing it after Bill told her he loved it.
A few minutes later they were at the castle.
"You go inside," Ginny told Natasha "I want to stay outside a little bit."
Natasha nodded at her, and walked inside.
Oh Bill," Ginny sighed, as she hugged her knees in close to her chest. "I miss you. There's going to be a ball" she said, and went on to tell him all about what was going on at Hogwarts, oblivious to the other person that was only a tree away.
Draco Malfoy stared at girl with the auburn hair. She is pretty he said to himself even for a Weasley. He shook his head and sighed. He walked slowly and quietly back into the castle.
Taking a deep breath he muttered the password "Screw Potter," and walked inside. He made a left and walked up the stairs. He got to the top floor and stood in front of a painting of Slytherin's mistress.
"Dragons blood," he told the portrait, who swung itself open to let Draco into his room. Blaise was sitting on his bed.
"What do you want?" Draco asked him, while taking off his shoes.
"Oh nothing," Blaise said innocently. Draco snorted in response.
"I need normal company", Blaise moaned.
"I was with you in Hogsmeade," Draco smirked.
Blaise waved his hand, "That's not important, the fact still is I'm sharing a room with Crabbe and Goyle, do you know what that could do to a person?"
Draco raised his eyebrow delicately "Enlighten me," he drawled.
"It can kill them," Blaise cried out, he always did have a flair for theatrics.
Draco rolled his eyes "Only if you sleep on the couch."
Blaise nodded "Sonnostrat," he muttered, changing the couch into a bed.
Draco sank down into his bed, and sighed, Gods his bed was comfortable.
"I was thinking of asking that Weasley girl to the dance" Blaise piped up.
"Weasley?" Draco sneered, wondering what the hell was up with Blaise.
"She's really hot" Blaise protested.
"She's a Weasley" Draco pointed out.
"Really?" Blaise asked, his voice laced with sarcasm "I wouldn't have noticed, thank you ever so much for pointing that out to me."
"Now all you need to do is find out her name, and you can ask her." Draco told him.
Blaise waved his hand "Small matter," he said.
"What if she's already going with someone?" Draco asked.
"Don't you worry about me" Blaise sat up and winked at Draco "I can be very persuasive."
Draco groaned "Go to sleep Blaise," he muttered.
Blaise nodded "I think I will."
"What are you going to the ball as Draco?" Blaise asked a few minutes later.
"Merlin, Zabini, you're like a bloody girl," Draco cried in exasperation.
Blaise just shrugged his shoulders, "None the less," he said "What are you going as?"
"It's a mystery Draco drawled. "Now be quiet or you have to go back to your room," He ordered.
A few minutes later both boys fell asleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Draco woke up the next day, which was Sunday, and Blaise was already gone-though the couch was still a bed.
Draco got out of bed brushed his teeth, before looking at his watch.
"Fuck" he muttered "I need to get to the potions room" He went down to the Great Hall determined to eat as fast as possible.
As soon as he got there, he piled bacon and eggs on his plate.
"Hungry much?" Serena asked him.
He glared at her "You'd better eat fast we need to work on the potion."
"Not today," Serena told him, looking at him as if he were stupid.
Draco hated when people did that "Why?"
"Because," Serena said talking slowly "Ginny is in the hospital wing."
"Why?"
"Because she's sick" Serena rolled her eyes.
"Really?" Draco asked her sarcastically "I thought she was just visiting Pomfrey. I meant why did you call her Ginny?"
"Because I like her," Serena said simply. Anyway I'm not working today, we're all getting this Sunday off!" Serena said firmly.
Draco sneered at her "If you want that, little Zabini," he said before he got up and left the Great Hall.
So the Weaslette is sick, he thought smugly. Serves her right for pissing him off when he tried to work on the potion. Granted he did start the fight most of the times, but still a Malfoy is never to blame. Or so that's what his father said, but then when did he ever listen to his father.
He agreed with the Death Eater dogma: The Wizarding world should not allow mudbloods and halfbloods into their schools; it contaminated all of the purebloods in it. But there was one major problem with becoming a Death Eater; his father wanted him to do it.
Draco shook his head, trying to clear it; he didn't feel like thinking about what he was going to do at the time of his initiation. He knew Voldemort promised him power beyond belief, but he also knew that the other side didn't have his father on it, it may not be such a great reason to most people but to Draco it was a major factor.
He walked outside, God he was bored.
"Shut up," Draco heard someone whisper. "Someone is going to hear you Ron!"
"Sorry Hermione."
Draco looked around and found the Gryffindor Trio a few feet away from him whispering about something.
"I think we should do it at the ball," Harry said.
Kinky Draco thought I never knew Potter was into threesomes with another man, I could see it though. And that is one nasty thought.
"No!" Hermione hissed "you can't just up and leave the ball because you want to find out what's in the forbidden corridor. We have to wait until after Christmas, it's still being guarded by a teacher remember? They switch every hour! If we wait until after Christmas Dumbledore will think everyone forgot about it!"
So that's what they're up to Draco thought. He walked away thinking, I did forget about that corridor, though know I wonder what's in it. I'll have to find out before they do.
"Blaise" Draco said as he found the black haired boy.
"What?"
"We need to talk," Draco said, pulling Blaise inside the castle. "Remember the forbidden corridor?"
"Yea, what about it?"
"I want to know what's inside," Draco said as if he was stating the obvious.
"Why?"
"So we can see it before Potter does."
"Good idea, lets go now!" Blaise said, getting excited.
"We can't go now! It's being guarded. The mudblood said that it would probably stop being guarded after Christmas."
"Then we'll go then, but for future reference when I'm flirting don't pull me away."
Draco sneered "There are no girls here hot enough to flirt with."
"This is coming form the boy who has screwed over half the female population of Hogwarts?" Blaise asked amused.
"If you want my sloppy seconds," Draco said looking at the blond girl Blaise was eyeing.
"Oh I do," Blaise smirked. "I do, bye Malfoy." And he went to go flirt with the blond girl.
Draco made his way to the library, showing his pass to the restricted section (just because he finished his potion for Snape doesn't mean he didn't keep the pass). He looked around, trying to find books on the dark arts. He grabbed a few, before one medium sized book caught his eye.
He grabbed the book, "Salazar Slytherin's Guide to the Dark Arts," he read the title out loud.
On the bottom there was a little note that said "only for those who have a deep interest in the Dark Arts will be able to find this book. Once found though you may not use what is in this book the way you originally planned.
Draco raised an eyebrow; this book was written by Salazar Slytherin.
He opened it up, and this strange elation began rising in his chest. This was what he was waiting for his whole life. He had the book that told of the darkest magic in the world. Now, what was he going to do with it?
He slipped it into the pocket of his robe before walking out of the restricted section.
On his way he saw that girl Natalie…What was her name? Oh yes, Natasha, the Weaslette's friend.
"The chill fever" he heard her mutter.
I wonder why she's looking up the chill fever, he thought as he walked out of the library, and then he heard a very loud voice scream "Oh fuck!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One hour earlier…
Ginny Weasley was lying down in the infirmary her head was pounding, and her throat was sore.
"Hey," Natasha said, coming to sit near her friend.
"Hello," Ginny croaked out.
"You sound like a frog," Natasha said smiling.
Ginny smiled, "Thanks," she said.
"Anyway," Natasha said "I cam to give you these," and she dumped a huge box of chocolate on Ginny's bed.
Both of them ate all the chocolate until not only Ginny's head and throat her stomach started hurting her too.
"I don't feel so well," Natasha moaned as she put her head on Ginny's lap. "Maybe I'll stay in the infirmary too. By the way, did they tell you what was wrong with you?"
"Yea," Ginny said "It's something called the chill fever, I don't know what it does though."
Natasha looked startled for a minute, when Ginny mentioned the chill fever, before she got up.
"I got to go Gin," she said "I'll come back tomorrow."
Ginny nodded "Bye," she said waving.
The second Natasha got out of there she broke into a run straight into the library.
"The chill fever," she said skimming her hand down the page. She flipped to the next page and found it.
"Oh fuck," she yelled, and banged her fist onto the table. She closed the book and slipped it into her robe right before Madame Pince came and kicked her out of the library,
Now Thank you to all of my lovely reviewers, If I'm taking the time to write this story the least you could to is take the thirty second it takes to write a review- helpful criticism is welcomed!
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