Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or My Confession, sung by Josh Groban or Once Upon a Dream, from the movie Sleeping Beauty
Author's Note: I highly suggest you listen to the song while reading the chapter. It's beautiful, and it really caputures what this chapter is about. ;)
My Confession
I have been wrong about you
I thought I was strong without you
For so long
Nothing could move me
For so long
Nothing could change me
-- My Confession, Josh Groban
Ginny was genuinely confused when Harry had asked her to the Ministry ball a week ago.
"Hey Ginny?" Harry said, turning to face her with a strange expression on his face.
"Yeah?" Ginny looked up from the pot she was stirring.
Harry had come over for dinner, attempting, as everyone had that past week, to cheer her up. Though she had to award their attempts, from Fred and George's hilarious rendition of a goblin rebellion from one of Hermione's many editions of Hogwarts, a History, to Ron's constant repetition of 'Are you sure, Gin? I mean, I totally have no problem turning him into a ferret permanently and leaving him to rot somewhere,' it just wasn't helping.
"I um, I just wondered if you would go with me to the ball the Ministry is holding this weekend." Without giving her time to respond, he went on, rambling. "I know you're still sad, but I need a date or Moody will crucify me." He took a deep breath. "You know I usually don't go to these Ministry functions, but it's actually a requirement this time. I didn't know who to take and there really wasn't any time to do so. If I had any choice I really wouldn't want to go. Especially with someone I didn't know well. You know how it is, you take a girl to a ball and suddenly in the papers it says that you're marrying her. But that's why I just – " He drifted off.
Ginny stared at him, her ladle suspended in air. "Harry, don't get your knickers in a twist." She shrugged. "I'll go with you, no problem."
"You will? Thank you, Gin. Here, let me help you with something." He moved into the kitchen and Ginny handed him the breadbasket.
"It's nothing. That's what friends are for, right?" She bustled around, searching for the carrots she had chopped and put somewhere.
She didn't see the fleeting look of overwhelming sadness pass over Harry's face, for when she turned around to smile at him, he was smiling back.
Now, Ginny found herself standing in front of her wardrobe, picking out the gown she had bought that week specifically for the ball. Not one for long make-up routines, she simply threw on the dress and headed for the bathroom.
As she looked blankly at her reflection, smoothing her hair and putting a touch of mascara on, she wondered what Draco was doing. It was strange how they'd never realized that they actually lived in the same building, because for the two weeks that they had been apart, they kept bumping into each other.
Ginny sighed. Did their break up mean anything to him? Did he feel remorse or sadness or even regret? Had he gotten over her already? Did he rush off to find another girl? Was he happily seducing some girl while she sat there, day after day, for more than two weeks, crying her eyes out or throwing fits? How could he have done this to her? There were too many questions.
I'm still here picking up the broken pieces of my life…
Hermione had come back from St. Mungos one day, telling her that Narcissa Malfoy had indeed pretended to be sick, but it was only for Draco, with hopes that he would get married. Ginny had been stunned into silence. If it weren't for Narcissa, would she have ever known Draco? She tried to imagine what would have happened if she had just listened to him that day. Would they have worked past it, growing closer, as they had when Seamus had barged into their lives?
There was no telling what could have been.
One floor up, in Draco's flat, Blaise frowned skeptically, "He said that to you?"
Draco shrugged the shirt over him. "Yes, " he snarled.
Blaise couldn't totally believe that Harry would try to get Ginny so soon. So, he wasn't the greatest at girls, Blaise could distinctly remember several incidences at Hogwarts where the gangly boy tried to ask out some Ravenclaw girl, and kept getting tongue tied. But he was smart, and no sensible guy would try to get a girl who just got out of a serious relationship, if they wanted anything out of it.
Something is going on…
Blaise shrugged. "Why would you care?" He said lightly. "All I've been hearing the last week is you complaining how it was all Ginny's fault everything in your life is falling apart."
"I did not say my life is falling apart, " Draco protested.
"You're acting like there is a crack in the planet. Why don't you just admit the reason it's so is that you need Ginny in your life?" He paused to let his words sink in. "You know, that might be the reason you're actually going to this ball thing."
"Potter's there and – "
"Never mind, " Blaise said exasperatedly. Merlin and Agrippa, save me, he thought. "Why do I need to go?"
"You are my moral support, " Draco proclaimed. "Be proud of it."
Blaise snorted. "Didn't think you would need 'moral support'. Where's your date?"
Draco finished tying his tie, tugging at the collar to make it straight. "What?"
"Your date, escort, girl, fling, whatever."
"I don't have one, " Draco replied brusquely.
"Ah, " Blasie mused. Shaking his head as if to clear it, he said, "You're sure dressed up, aren't you?"
Draco looked at himself in the mirror, scrutinizing the black suit he wore. He could admit that it was one of his nicer ones. "Doesn't hurt to look dashing." Especially with Potter there. He smirked at his reflection.
Blaise nodded, throwing his best friend a sharp look. "Ready?"
"No, " Draco muttered softly. "I need a mask."
Blaise took a step backward. "What? You're going crazy, mate. Why would you want to hide – "
Draco rolled his eyes. "It's a masquerade, Blaise."
As they walked up to the ballroom the Ministry rented for the ball, the sky rumbled outside. It was a beautiful place, with the curving walkway to the entrance hall, the garden off to the side.
"Looks like it's about to rain, " Blaise remarked. "They certainly didn't pick a great day for the ball, huh?"
Draco shrugged. His last experience with rain was not pleasant and he preferred not to remember it. But he faced the horizon, seeing, off in the distance, a flash of lightning. He turned up his face to the sky, closing his eyes. He felt it, the coming of rain – the coolness of the air around him, the splattering of rain on his warm skin. He opened his eyes, brushing a hand on his neck. It was dry.
I'm going soft, he thought viciously, I'm not usually this…pensive.
They had arrived later than most of the people, ensuring that there would be less fuss about their attendance. Not that it mattered, really, for the Malfoy name was still highly regarded in the Wizarding World, despite Lucius. There was a mix of people in the large ballroom, talking, laughing, and drinking. The brightly colored gowns of the women were scattered amongst the sea of black from the men. Their masks glimmered in the soft candlelight.
"Looks like you made a fashion statement upon the wizarding world, didn't you?" Blaise commented lightly.
Draco puffed out his chest. "Hell, yes."
Blaise grinned as he stared at the bare back of a blonde in a yellow dress. "All the better to see you with, my dear."
Draco sniggered. "Come on, romance the ladies later." He dragged Blaise off to the side, away from the dance floor.
"What else am I here for?" Blaise continued to speak, but Draco didn't hear him.
Ginny walked down the grand staircase leading from the entrance. Or rather, Harry was leading her. But Draco didn't see Harry. It was her moment. He saw his Ginevra.
She was wearing a mask, but he knew her. He knew the way she smiled, the way she walked, the way she would tilt her chin up just that tiny bit. She was clad in a shimmering dress that was neither blue nor grey; it was a mix of both, the color of dreams. The dress seemed to have been made just for her, fitted to her figure, clinging to her thighs, the rest of the gown falling gracefully to the ground, swirling around her legs as she walked, the hem brushing the floor. Draco's breath caught as he watched her descend, her wavy auburn hair brushing her bare shoulders as she turned to see the ballroom.
He shrank back into a pillar, forgetting that he had a mask on and the fact that she couldn't possibly recognize him at the distance she was at. He felt an urge to go over there and take her into his arms and kiss her silly. He started to wonder why he didn't. Then he remembered. He was certainly not going to go to her, begging her to take him back. He was a Malfoy, for Merlin's sake!
"Draco?" Blaise just noticed Draco was not listening to a word that he'd said.
Something glinted at the base of Ginny's throat, and as Draco looked closer, he realized what it was. "She's wearing the necklace I gave her, " Draco whispered. It seemed unbelievable that she would still wear it, but his thoughts were his own, and they evaporated as he continued to stare at Ginny.
"What?" Blaise titled his head, following Draco's eyes to Ginny. "Never mind, I see." He nodded his head in acknowledgment.
Draco blinked. What had he just said? He couldn't remember. All he could see was Ginny.
And she was on that blasted Harry Potter's arm.
Harry smiled down at Ginny as they danced. She looked happier than she had in a while, though sometimes she would get an odd look on her face, a wistful sort of look, and she would drift off somewhere. Somewhere he couldn't be.
He pulled her closer and looked over her shoulder, searching for a blond that was surely around. He scanned the couples around him to no avail. Harry reminded himself, this is Malfoy, after all. He looked up to the balconies, to see a tall figure in a black mask leaning on the railing, looking majestic as he surveyed the ballroom.
There he is.
The song ended, and Ginny withdrew from his arms. The spot she had just vacated seemed cold, too cold. He wanted her back.
"Hey Harry?" she whispered.
"Hm?" he said absently.
"I need to go to the ladies room, is that okay?"
"That's fine. Go ahead."
She squeezed his hand, and he watched her go. The next song started up and he turned to leave the dance floor, but someone tapped his shoulder and he turned to face Hermione.
"You haven't danced with me all night, " she said, her mouth quirking into a smile. "I can see why, though."
Harry raised an eyebrow, his green eyes glimmering mischievously. "I am truly sorry if I had offended you in any way, madam. Would you care to dance with me?" He held out a hand and Hermione took it.
"She looks like she's having fun, " Hermione said as she clasped her left hand on Harry's shoulder.
"She is." Harry nodded.
"You made up your mind?"
Harry drew in a deep breath. "Yes."
"You'll be okay?" Hermione's brow furrowed in concern.
He twirled her. "Never better."
The song ended and he dipped her slowly. As he drew her back up, she smiled at him. "You're a wonderful man, Harry James Potter." She kissed his cheek. "You were always good to her."
He sighed. "Now it's someone else's turn." He titled his head at the balcony, and Hermione saw someone who could only be Draco. She nodded, understanding.
"How are you going to do it? Shove her at him?" Hermione guessed, laughing.
Harry shook his head. "Not exactly. That wouldn't be – " he grinned, "gentlemanly."
From above, Draco had tried not to feel jealous as he watched Harry with Ginny. He was gripping the rail so hard when Blaise had come around to check on him, they were stark white.
"Mate, why don't you just go over there, knock Potter out, grab Ginny and tell her you love her?"
Draco spun around. "Blaise, always there for me to lean on. Back from seducing the young ladies, are you? Well, besides the fact that I was raised to be charming, and not a bloody caveman, I am not crawling back to her."
Blaise raised a martini glass. "Well, you're not going to get her back anytime soon if you have that attitude. It's driving me crazy."
"It's driving you crazy?" Draco scoffed. "I have to stand here, watching Potter all over Ginevra, and you say that – "
"That's what I'm talking about. You see Potter, who clearly loves Ginny as much as you do, and you just stand here blabbering on how – "
Someone behind him cut him off. "Malfoy." It wasn't a salutation or a question.
Draco hid his surprise behind an icy mask. "Potter."
"Hello, Potter, " Blaise said cordially. "We were just talking about you."
"I'm sure." Harry nodded at Blaise. "It's nearly midnight."
"And?" Draco lifted his chin, his tone sounding as if he were talking about the weather, and not to a former nemesis and man who, by his actions all night, seemed to be charming the love of his life.
Harry raised his eyebrows, a glint in his eyes that Draco did not like. "It's just a – how shall I put it? Ah, I have it. A magical time."
They stood there for a minute, not moving and not speaking. As Blaise looked from one to the other, it was as if they were having a conversation without uttering a word.
Blaise saw everything. He was an outsider; it was easier for him to do so. He saw the hollowness of Harry's cheeks, the trembling of his hands, the eyes that held warning and compassion and pity and uncertainty and weariness and sadness and love all at once.
He could imagine Harry Potter as a boy, plotting with his best friends at Hogwarts, facing things Blaise himself could never imagine, showing more courage than most grown wizards could. And now, as a man, he had surpassed everything. He had defeated Voldemort, saved the whole world. He had continued as an Auror, fighting day by day for what he believed was right. He had showed that he was no ordinary mortal. This was a hero before him.
And yet he was able to step down with more humility and grace than Blaise had ever known in a person, and look at the people around him. Harry knew his place in the world. He knew that he walked amongst men and not gods. And his capacity to love was so great; his need to give so great, that he would do it. Blaise closed his eyes as everything became too much for him to handle. This man is going to give it all up, he realized. I shouldn't have expected any less of him.
Harry turned his back deliberately on Draco – the final challenge – but not before shooting Blaise a questioning gaze. Blaise nodded and Harry continued down to the dance floor.
"Come on, " Blaise urged once Harry was out of sight. "You have to go down there."
It was lucky that Draco was slightly dazed by Harry's confrontation, though he would never admit it, and Blaise was able to steer Draco downstairs. At least until Draco caught sight of Ginny returning to Harry.
"What are you doing?" He asked, his eyes drawn on Ginny once more.
"Saving you, " Blaise said gruffly.
He stopped in his tracks. "I don't get – "
"You will. " Blaise pulled him toward a woman in a green dress. "Hey, " he addressed the woman. "Dance with him, will you? Leave him around ten till midnight. Thanks Andromeda." Turning to Draco, he said, "This is Andromeda. She'll dance with you."
"I assumed as much, " Draco said wryly. He held out a hand to her and she took it.
"I expect a raise, " she called back before they entered the whirlwind of dancers on the ballroom floor, Draco's feet moving automatically to the music as his eyes searched for the red haired angel who was there.
Blaise chuckled at his secretary. "You'll deserve it."
It was lucky that Ginny didn't notice Draco. It could have been the fact that she really wasn't looking for him. In Draco's case, he couldn't help looking at Ginny from time to time, admiring her grace as she moved (never mind the fact that Harry was her partner). He supposed that she couldn't recognize him, as the mask covered most of his face, leaving only the features below his nose visible.
Fifteen minutes to midnight, Andromeda suddenly left him. He stared at her retreating figure, wondering what had happened. Well, he didn't exactly pay attention to her for the half hour or so that they had been dancing. But he shrugged his shoulders and started walking off the dance floor, hands in his pockets and head down, not really noticing what was going on around him.
Harry saw Draco start to leave, and knew he only had less than a minute for what he planned to do. He stopped dancing, holding Ginny around her shoulders so she would stop too. When she looked up at him, confused, he clasped her hands in his. "Gin? Listen to me."
Ginny frowned. "Is something wrong?"
Harry shook his head; out of the corner of his eye, he could see Draco heading vaguely in their direction. "No, no. Just, " his voice broke. "Just be happy." He kissed her forehead, his kiss lingering.
"Harry, what – " The next thing she knew, Harry had twirled her, and she was falling.
Draco was surprised when someone suddenly fell into him, almost knocking him off balance. They would have both fallen if Draco didn't react quickly, pulling whoever it was upright and steadying himself.
He looked down.
It was Ginny.
She obviously didn't recognize him, for she said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to run into you. Um…" she trailed off, looking around for Harry.
Harry literally ran after he had thrown Ginny into Draco. He stopped in front of the orchestra, panting. "A tango, please. Quickly."
The maestro looked shocked, but he would not deny Harry Potter. "Of course, sir." He tapped his stand, stopping the musicians playing a waltz. "A tango. Get it out, hurry!" They haphazardly searched for the music.
Harry whispered, "Thank you, " and looked back to Draco and Ginny. From his position, it looked as if Ginny had fallen right into Draco's arms, and that was good. Now it was up to Draco, and possibly fate, to finish it.
"Good of you to do that, " a voice remarked next to him.
Harry turned to see Blaise. "Any decent guy would have done it."
Blaise chuckled and shook his head. "Nope. I wouldn't have." He clasped Harry's shoulder. "You're a good man, " he said again. "Don't try to deny it."
Harry looked back at the two lovers. "I won't."
Back on the dance floor, for the first time in his life, Draco really didn't know what to do. He had what possibly was the love of his life back in his arms, but he certainly wasn't going to kiss her and tell her that he loved her. That would be sickly sweet, and he wasn't sickly sweet. For another, she still didn't know it was he who held her. I'm a mess, he told himself.
Ginny looked up at the man who'd caught her, noting the blond hair and the aristocratic features that seemed so familiar. It can't be, she thought, could it? Faintly, she heard music playing in the background.
Draco smirked, and Ginny was startled. It was him. Her mind worked against her heart once again, telling her that it was unrealistic, that it was impossible, that she was dreaming. Then he spoke.
"Ready Ginevra?"
A memory stirred.
"Can't you tell by the dress? That dress was made to tango in." His voice was husky as he leaned closer to her, his breath caressing her cheek. The first strains of music were heard. "Ready Ginevra?" A shiver ran down her back when he said her name.
Before she could answer him, he walked forward, and she was forced to walk backward so he wouldn't crash into her and topple them both. The music was slow and lazy, and Draco took advantage of that. The first time they had danced it was raw. That was explosive, something new, something to be discovered. This was different.
"Just dance, Ginevra."
A violin sped through a run, and the tempo became faster. The length of Draco's body stayed close to hers. He was so familiar, so comforting, so real against her, and then he let go of her, letting her show off, and she did a few high steps to satisfy him. But all she wanted to go was be in his arms again.
They didn't notice when people began clearing the floor for them, didn't notice Ron and Hermione standing off to one side, Ron's face red as Hermione held on to him, silently cheering them on, didn't notice Harry's tragically hopeful face, with Blaise standing next to him, the both of them solid and strong. Outside it began raining, and lighting lit up the sky, but they didn't notice that either. They were living in the moment, not thinking about the surroundings, about their relationship, about their fight. It was pure passion, the wanting to be in each other's arms, the ache Draco felt when he twirled her away from him, the force at which Ginny came back, the wantonness and lustfulness.
He guided her, leading her through the intricate and complex steps. They danced like they knew each other, knew how they thought, knew how they felt, knew every facet of each other. And they did. His silver eyes were hot on her, swirling and intense, and she knew that he knew her, and she wanted to hide but she couldn't, all she could do was look into those eyes, drown in them.
Their time apart had been a denial, now it was coming together. All this time without each other, it was a waste. His hips pressed against hers, closer than what a traditional tango allowed. This is how it should be, she realized. She had been taught to keep a distance between herself and her partner, not only to keep things clean, but also to show off body movements. But the way they were dancing it now, that was how it should be.
When the music stopped, she was wrapped up completely in his arms, and her back was arched, thrown back slightly in a dip, one leg around his waist. It was much the same position as they had ended their last tango together, but the aura of it had changed. Somehow, during their dance, he had ripped off his mask, and now his features were visible to her. Her eyes were half closed, her eyelashes like smudges on her cheeks as she looked up at him, looked up at his disheveled hair and smoky eyes, seeing the emotions passing through them as they'd never had before, his body hot as he leaned over her, one hand coming to caress her cheek, her jaw, her neck. He reached up and pulled her mask off, and it clattered on the floor beside them, a hollow sound, loud in the silence. Her mouth trembled as he leaned further to kiss her, and she ran.
Draco stood stunned when Ginny suddenly bolted. He spun around to see her bolting for the entrance, pushing open the doors, which had been closed when it started raining, and running out, despite that the rain was pouring outside.
He stood there for a second, and without thinking, still caught in the feeling that the music had created, he ran after her. He didn't think about why they were angry at each other, why he had turned away from her, why he didn't want to go back to her. Because it didn't matter anymore.
He ran as fast as he could, blinking away the raindrops that fell, hard and unrelenting, unto his body, soaking his clothes. He saw a shimmer through the rain, and reached out blindly, sighing as his body came in contact with hers once more.
She whirled around, panting, staring up at him with those dark brown eyes. "Let me go, " she yelled, "Just let me go!" She tried to push him away, but he wrapped an arm around her waist and wouldn't let go.
Draco smirked. "This is the only time I'm going to run after you, Ginevra." She stopped struggling, surprised by his words. "Take advantage of it."
Ginny bit her lip. "You think you're so smart, don't you."
Draco frowned. "Look, Ginevra. You're not the easiest person to be with, you know? You're a Weasley, you yell at me, you have six bloody brothers, you were so insecure when I met you that you drove me crazy!"
Music started playing from inside, a familiar melody that Ginny recognized, and she fleetingly wondered how it could be playing before Draco drew her so close to him that her breath caught and all she could do was stare into those eyes.
"So why, " she challenged, "why stay with me, why suffer, why make me love you."
The simple, beautiful melody reached their ears, and both of them stilled to listen.
I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you, the gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
He thought before he answered. "Because, " he said, tracing a hand down her neck, curling his finger in her wet hair, "Because you're kind, and beautiful, and graceful, and smart, and I'm going to die if I can't touch you."
Yet I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you, I know what you do
You love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream
Ginny could only see herself reflected in his eyes. She remembered everything about him, from their Hogwarts days, where the scrawny blond boy would yell insults at her, calling her a Weasel or a traitor, to where they stood now. She remembered him giving her that orange rose, and later a pink one. She remembered giving him the globe full of stars, seeing the surprise and wonder on his face. She remembered how he had played in the snow with her, reliving the childhood he was deprived of.
Was it all a dream? It couldn't be. Dreams were perfect.
She remembered how jealous he had been when she'd stayed late at Harry's, and how he tried to hide it. She remembered his anger when he'd found Seamus' tie and coat in her flat, the fury and betrayal and even hurt written on his face before he drew up his mask, forcing his emotions behind a layer of ice. She remembered his bewilderment when she'd bombarded him with questions and the bewilderment turning into anger.
But if I know you, I know what you do
You love me at once
The way you did once upon a dream
She knew him and he knew her. Was there any denying it? He was standing there, waiting for her. Would he wait forever? He was Draco Malfoy. He would not. He was no Harry Potter, no Prince Charming. And she realized she wouldn't expect him to be. She wouldn't want him to be.
He stood there, and the mask crept up again. He'd said his piece, his soul laid there for her to see. If she didn't want him, pushed him away, he would leave, angry and disappointed, but not admitting it. He would continue on living, perhaps with a crack in his soul that he was unaware of, but he would push through life.
I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you, the gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
She would be a fool not to forgive him.
But it wasn't all about forgiving. It was about learning. Learning to work through the problems together, whether they were big or little. Love was hard. No one said it was easy. But it wasn't all bitterness and lies. There was compromise, giving and taking, pushing and pulling, hurting and healing. But there was always room for love. Loving him. Loving him for his faults, as well as his strengths. And being loved in return.
And I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you, I know what to you do
You'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream
The rain fell, running down the two lovers standing there, so close, and yet, still so far away from each other.
The hand around her waist loosened, and he titled his shoulders back, a hard glint in his eyes. He turned, away from the light of the ballroom, away from her, and started to walk away.
But if I know you, I know what you do
You love me at once
The way you did once upon a dream
A hand caught his sleeve.
In one swift motion, she ran forward and clutched her hands in the lapels of his coat, pulled him to her, and covered his lips with hers.
But if I know you, I know what you do
You love me at once
The way you did once upon a dream
He wrapped an arm around her, quickly taking control of the kiss, and gathered her close to him, holding her tightly. They were both soaking wet, but neither of them noticed. She melted at his touch, so glad to be with him again.
Draco smiled down at her when they parted. "Wait one second." He muttered a spell, and something came out of the tip of his wand. He took it and gave it to her. "My lady, " he whispered, handing it to her.
She took it, and in the faint light, she saw that it was a rose, a deep red rose. Breathing in the sweet scent of it, she smiled up at him. It was such a simple gesture, but it was enough.
"Let's go back in, " he said.
Ginny smiled and knew that she would follow him wherever he went. As she clutched her rose, she felt the thorns pricking her fingers. Life wasn't a dream. It never would be. And as Draco bent down to kiss her again, she knew that she wouldn't want it to be, as much as she didn't want Draco to be Prince Charming. Even the most beautiful rose had thorns. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him long and hard, drowning in him as she had drowned in his eyes.
You love me at once
The way you did once upon a dream
The clock struck midnight, the sound of bells ringing clearly through the night. Draco hooked an arm around Ginny's waist and they headed back to reality. She snuggled into him and he held her tighter. He dropped another kiss on her, and suddenly, he swept her up into his arms, one arm around her waist and another under her thighs. Draco smirked at her shout of surprise, but Ginny laid her head on his chest and sighed contentedly.
Draco nodded. "A magical time indeed."
Author's Notes: THIS IS NOT THE END! THERE IS ONE LAST CHAPTER WHERE EVERYTHING WILL BE WRAPPED UP! ACTUALLY, IF YOU WANT TO SEE A PARTICULAR THING HAPPEN (ie, Draco/Ginny married, Ron/Hermione have a kid, Harry finding someone) JUST TELL ME. I THINK THE EPILOGUE WILL BE MORE READER'S CHOICE THAN AUTHOR'S CHOICE. HAVE FUN THINKING OF THINGS! I WAIT IMPATIENTLY FOR YOUR RESPONSE!
IF YOU WANT ME TO THANK YOU PERSONALLY FOR READING OR REVIEWING THIS FIC, MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE A NOTE THIS CHAPTER. I was actually planning to go and get all the people from the favorites list, but I don't have time for that.
THANK YOU TO stina Alexandria Malfoy Sim1014 youngwriter56 MoonlightPrincess Moonyk FOR ANSWERING MY SURVEY. THANK YOU.
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Well, I hoped you wonderful reviews liked the way Draco and Ginny got back together. I hoped it wasn't too cheesy, but if it was, I'm sorry, and the world needs more cheese anyway.
I know most of you are rejoicing, and then again, you might be feeling sorry for Harry. I did that on purpose. I didn't want him to be so heartbroken, of course, but I wanted to relay that love is as dangerous as it is beautiful. And that love is sometimes a sacrifice (hence the title of the last chapter). Harry knew that and he was willing to give Ginny up because he knew she would be so much happier with Draco. And Blaise realized that. I loved writing his little soliloquy. Ok, it's not really a soliloquy, but whatever. ;) You know what I mean.
I based Ginny's dress on this WONDERFUL photo-manipulation by Faith Akiyama on p o r k e y . o r g Go and find it. It's called Grand Entrance. Cintia!Ginny is beautiful and Boyd!Draco is drool worthy (gorgeous).
The dance scene was also controversial when I wrote it. I was going to have them do a waltz to the Once Upon a Dream (it's from Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty ballet, did you guys know that? Just with words) but it just didn't seem...passionate enough for Draco and Ginny. A waltz is very graceful, and I think they needed a dance that was more free. And I hoped you guys got that although it's a tango, and they did dance that in the club, it's very different from that time.
It got a little songfic-ish at the end, didn't it. I hope you enjoyed it. It was for one of my reviewers, (I don't remember which one) who said that (after the Beauty and the Beast chapter) they loved Sleeping Beauty. I loved writing that part, all the emotions and feelings running out from Ginny. I know I didn't touch much on Draco, but I figured that from his words and his actions spoke more than his thoughts. You know that he ran after her, but he's not going to beg. So it was all Ginny, and Ginny's choice. After all, Dumbledore said that it's our choices that reflect who we are, and not our skills. ;)
I hoped you liked my little rose thing at the end. I was writing it, and I left it sitting on my computer for a while, then I realized that I needed some sort of conclusion to the rose symbolism I had running throughout this whole story.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
shaumeimei, you know that your name means little sister in Chinese? That was stupid of me. Of course you know! I'm Chinese too. :) Awww, I'm sorry that you think Ginny is a female dog. She's stubborn, of course
MoonlightPrincess, I know, I love Ron. He was the easiest to write. I'm glad you think Draco is not OOC, and Blaise is awesome. You can do anything with him, as long as he's not too nice. ;)
Chrysanthemum3, Thank you for saying my fic is "heartwarming, cute, and romantic" I aim to please!
Youngwriter56, don't worry about length of reviews. I heart long reviews. I was ecstatic when I found it! Did you figure out the sacrifice? I'm glad you noticed the title though, my titles are sometimes important. I try to do my best on descriptions. I don't live in England, so I'm just guessing. Yeah, I agree that Draco would probably never fall for Ginny, but that's why there's fandom. I'm so happy that you figured out the relationship between Draco and Blaise. That's what I was aiming for – the Sirius and James type of thing. I just figured that after the War, Draco and Blaise would be best friends. Yeah, I tend to get really dramatic. One of my friends once remarked, "Ever the dramatic writer, Vivian"
BurningBright, I'll set my fire-breathing dragon on your villagers. They stand NO chance. I'm just joking. They're not coming after me are they?
Sim1014, no, I get what your saying with Draco and Blaise. It's wonderful that you noticed that. Yes, I'm glad you that noticed that I tried to keep Draco and Ginny in character as much as I can, especially during the breakup.
LighteDrakness, OMGSH! YOU NOTICED THAT PART! No one else really commented on it. No, Draco's not infertile. I'm guessing that he misses Ginny so much, he's ruined for other women. That's what happened in the manga, MARS.
holly, they were annoying. Hahahaha…
JiffyLube, thank you for saying that. I try to be as original as possible. ;)
Darcy18, Harry is most definitely hurt. He was NOT pulling Malfoy's leg, as you have seen. That would have been a great idea, for Draco to get angry enough to go to Ginny and demand, but then Draco would be the one wronged, so I decided not to do that. Yes, I figured that Narcissa would be worried, but she knows she can't do much. I know I should have punished her more, but...yeah.
mell8, same as with Darcy18 (above)
Alexandria Malfoy, I don't like rushed fics, generally. It's fun to read though, but it's not great. Yeah, I loved writing the Draco and Blaise moments, especially the ones after Draco and Ginny broke up. Go ahead and steal the survey. Good luck with your story. If you want me to read it, I'll read it. I'm running out of great DG fics to read. By the way, don't feel sorry for the review, I love long reviews!
PsYcHiC SeLiNa, I'm not a Harry/Ginny shipper either. I know it happened in HBP, but I figured that it's canon, and already in the book, so I see no point in reading/writing it. It's not as exciting to me, either. Harry and Ginny, from HBP, are so perfect for each other that it's a bit boring. Especially with the spiderman-ish ending.
Bfy-Ronaldita, a Honda Civic coupe. That would be wonderful. I'm just joking.
Moonyk, It is hard to portray Draco. I know that Draco was much more tender in my fic, I just chalked it up to the fact that the War ended and though he still holds much of the doctrines that Lucius drilled into him, they're less influential. I think Draco in the books just completely shuts off his 'good' side, and now, more than 5 years after the War/Hogwarts, he can let go a little.
squirrel-wrath, I actually like Harry and I don't believe in bashing characters. Ginny really has no reason to slap Harry, but if you want her to, you can do so. It's your choice, I don't mind. And if you want me to read more of your stories, I can, when I have time. ;)
ebonyS2, if you want me to, I'll think about getting Harry back together, but it seems kind of weird to me to just make up a girl for Harry. But I'll think about it. Try to convince me!
die Loreley, yes, one more chapter. I love that chapter too, the Christmas chapter. Happy New Year to you too!
AND MANY THANKS TO:
prancer Aleja21 zoo hey Sara A Malfoy stina L I se rr Sunset Ruby Icy Key Bluewolf Vie Devil'sSexyAngel MiKaYGiRl Calla-ForEvEa Vampirehelsing CoolMilena lemonade101 HyperSquishy Draco & Ginny Forever
hugs and kisses,
falling into you