An Apology is Just Words

An Apology Is Just Words

Chapter 12: To Party or Not To Party

"I can't believe the party is today!" Hermione said, rushing around her room, trying to find the perfect outfit. Ron was lounging on her bed, smiling at her.

"You'll look fine no matter what," Ron said calmly and Hermione glanced at him. 'Boys. They will never understand,' Hermione thought as she began to examine her outfits.

"That's not it. I mean; I have to look nice. This is a party of Ginny. She has come a long way, and I want it to be special," Hermione said, throwing some clothes aside.

"So what does that have to do with what YOU wear?" Ron asked pointedly. Hermione dropped her head in defeat.

"I hate it when you're right," Hermione said, taking a seat next to Ron.

"Listen. This party is going to be great! Everyone will have fun, and I am sure you will look fabulous," Ron said. Hermione tried to contain her laugher.

"You're just saying that," Hermione said. Ron laughed.

"Now I'm not allowed to tell my girlfriend she is going to look fabulous?" Ron asked, putting his arm around her waist. He moved closer to Hermione, and there was about 5 inches between them.

"You are," Hermione said, moving a bit closer to him, leaving 3 inches between them. Ron smiled and Hermione pulled away. Ron groaned.

"Come on Hermione! Wear the black dress and get this over with!" Ron said. Hermione looked at him and laughed.

"This one?" Hermione asked, holding up a short black halter dress. Ron nodded, trying to imagine her in it.

"I would love to see you in that," Ron said, standing up. He walked towards Hermione, and kissed her on the cheek.

"Ok, I'll wear it," Hermione said, smiling at Ron. "Now you have to get ready. Bring Harry. We got to start setting up. And Cassie Warwick will be here by 6. So come before then!" Hermione said. Ron nodded, walking to the door. He turned to her when he opened the door and smiled at her.

"You'll look great," Ron said, walking out. Hermione let out a little squeal and began to get ready.

*~*

Draco and Ginny were walking on the edge of the Great Lake, holding hands. Draco checked his watch quickly. It was 5:55. They had to be there by 6:30. 'Plenty of time,' Draco told himself. Ginny turned to him quickly, and then she turned away. Draco noticed this.

"Something bugging you?" he asked her. Ginny looked at him.

"Well you have been checking your watch every five minutes," Ginny started. Draco let out a little laugh.

"I was just making sure what time it is. Don't worry, I want your company," he replied. Ginny laughed.

"Can we sit?" Ginny asked. Draco nodded. He guided her to a spot right under a tree and they both sat down.

"So what's up?" Draco asked, putting his arm around her waist. Ginny shrugged.

"I heard that Harry is going out with Blaise. Someone saw them kissing in the halls," Ginny said. Draco laughed. Blaise and Ginny were finally friends, and Blaise finally got the guy she wanted.

"Proud of her," Draco said. Ginny smiled at him. She kissed him on this nose.

"Why?" she asked, just so she could clarify.

"Because now she is going out with Potter, oh excuse me, Harry. Can you believe it?" Draco asked.

"Yes. Whatever makes Blaise happy," Ginny said, moving closer to Draco.

"I have known Blaise for years, and I never seen her as happy as she is with Harry," Draco said. Ginny let out a light laugh.

"Even when she was with you?" Ginny asked. Ginny wanted to take back the question. 'You should know better than to talk about past relationships with him!' she told herself angrily.

"She's happier with Harry," Draco said clearly.

"Oh," Ginny said quietly. 'Shut up Ginny!' she commanded herself.

"That's all you say? 'Oh'? Ginny, is something wrong?" he asked. Ginny stared up at him.

"I shouldn't have said that about you and Blaise," Ginny said softly. Draco had to fight the urge to laugh.

"You think I'm offended don't you?" he asked. Ginny sighed.

"Well, maybe. Yes," Ginny stuttered.

"Why should I be offended? I'm a Malfoy; I don't get offended easily. And even worse, you think I'm offended about Blaise and my relationship! That's long gone," he said. Ginny laughed.

"I'm sorry for bringing it up," Ginny said. Draco kissed her forehead.

"Don't be," he whispered in her ear.

~*~

Harry and Ron finally arrived, with Blaise on Harry's arm. Ron didn't say anything about it. 'Whatever floats Harry's boat,' Ron said in his mind. They entered Hermione's room to see Hermione charming the streamers to hang. Cassie Warwick was setting up her equipment. Blaise opened her mouth to say something. But she thought otherwise.

"What do you think?" Hermione asked, turning to them. Ron smiled and nodded.

"Good job," Harry complimented. Hermione approached them, and hugged Ron while she smiled at Harry and Blaise.

"Well, I need you two to set up the food. Blaise you could do as you please," Hermione said, in a sweet tone. Blaise nodded.

"I think I will help them with the food. Not unless you need help," Blaise said, matching Hermione's sweetness. Hermione let out a little laugh.

"I think that the decorations are done," Hermione said, straightening her black dress. Blaise did a double take. Hermione was wearing a black halter-top dress, with strappy black sandals. It was a completely different look.

Hermione glanced at Blaise's outfit. It was an emerald green spaghetti strap dress that just brushed against her knees and she wore black sandals. "I'll work with Harry and Ron then," Blaise said, turning to the boys. Harry smiled at her.

"Sure. Let's get started!" Ron said.

After a few minutes, everything was set up. People began to arrive, in pairs. Hermione and Ron greeted everyone at the door, telling each of them to enjoy themselves and when Ginny arrives, hide. Harry and Blaise stood near the food table, smiling at everyone. Though some people gave them strange looks, Harry just kept his head up high.

The guests began to talk to each other, while some talked to Cassie Warwick. Cassie announced that she would be taking requests at the moment. Many people rushed over, and everyone was having a great time. Hermione glanced at the clock. It was 6:25. They would be arriving soon. Hermione told everyone to start hiding. Hermione pulled Ron under the food table, where both Harry and Blaise were under. Hermione held Ron's hand as she heard the door open.

"Take off the blindfold," a male voice said. 'Draco,' Hermione told herself. Ron nodded and he emerged from the hiding place, along with everyone else.

"Surprise!" everyone yelled, and they looked upon Ginny's shocked face. She turned to Draco and laughed. Then she kissed him. The crowd laughed as Hermione and Ron approached her.

Hermione hugged Ginny first. "This is all for me?" Ginny asked Hermione. "Did you two do all this?" Ginny said, motioning to the whole room, with the crowd smiling and Cassie Warwick standing on the stage.

"Well we planned it if that's what you mean. But Harry, Blaise, and Draco helped us out," Ron answered for Hermione. Ginny giggled and hugged her older brother.

"Thank you," Ginny said, saying it to Hermione and Ron. Then she turned to Draco, Harry, and Blaise and said, "Thank you." Blaise smiled and approached Ginny. And then she hugged her.

"No, thank you. For everything that you did with the Seamus problem," Blaise said, pulling away. It was Harry's turn to hug her.

"You're welcome and thank you for Blaise," Harry said. Ginny laughed and turned to Draco.

"Thank you," she whispered into his ear. He hugged her swiftly.

"Ok, should we start?" Cassie asked Hermione. Hermione nodded in her direction and Cassie smiled.

"Welcome! First I would like to say congratulations to Ginny on becoming a prefect. I would like to thank Hermione and Ron for inviting me back. I'm glad to see all of you again. The first song of the night would be 'Running'. This is for all you couples out there," Cassie announced. Everyone cheered and rushed around to get a good spot to dance.

Run, running all the time

Running to the future

With you right by my side

Ginny and Draco danced next to Blaise and Harry, with Hermione and Ron on the other side of Blaise and Harry. They all grinned at each other.

Me, I'm the one you chose

Out of all the people

You wanted me the most

The rest of the party went pretty smoothly. Everyone was having fun, and for the first time, everyone was happy. Blaise and Harry were talking in the corner, in hushed voices, and Harry looked worried. Ginny decided to think otherwise of it. Draco noticed Ginny staring at them and asked her if she was all right.

"I'm fine. It's just Harry and Blaise. Harry looks worried," Ginny said. Draco knew why Harry looked worried. Blaise had turned down her father, saying that she wouldn't become a Death Eater. She wasn't safe anymore. Draco found out that morning, but he didn't think that he should tell Ginny. She would worry also.

"It's all right. It's probably about something we shouldn't know about," Draco said, brushing away a lock of her hair. Ginny sighed.

"Ok," she said. Draco smiled at her. But inside, Draco sighed. He would soon have to tell his father of his decision on not becoming a Death Eater. He would face the same fate as Blaise, which was either hide or die. Draco wanted to tell Ginny that he would have to run, but he thought otherwise. He didn't want to worry her at her party. He was pulled out of his thoughts when Blaise and Harry approached them both.

"Ginny, we have to tell you something." These words flew out of Blaise's mouth. Ginny nodded.

"Should we go outside?" Ginny asked.

"Yes," Harry answered. Ginny walked out first, followed by Harry. Draco pulled Blaise back.

"Are you serious? Are you going to tell her tonight of all nights? This is her party! You can't just tell her like this!" Draco breathed. Hermione and Ron caught sight of this and approached them.

"What's happening?" Hermione asked. Blaise looked at her.

"Follow me and I will tell you," Blaise said, brushing past an angry looking Draco and was followed by Ron, Hermione, and Draco. The rest of the crowd didn't notice the group leaving.

Harry and Ginny were outside already, and Harry was staring at his feet. Blaise approached them and watched as Ron and Hermione stood next to Harry and Draco stood next to Ginny.

"There is something you should know," Blaise said. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny nodded. To Ginny's surprise, Draco looked angry.

"I have given my father my decision on my future," Blaise started, walking a bit forward. Ginny nodded, while the others kept a straight face.

"I turned him down." Those four words made Ginny frown. She looked upon the other's faces, and they shared the same expression.

"What will happen?" Ginny asked. She knew that she shouldn't have asked, but it was something she needed to know.

"I don't know," Blaise answered, staring directly at Ginny. Ginny sighed.

"Oh gosh," Ginny said softly. Draco slowly hugged her as Ginny began to cry. He patted her back softly as he heard her muffled sobs.

"This cannot be," Hermione finally said.

"He is going to kill you!" Ron exclaimed. Blaise looked down at her feet. When Ron said this, Ginny began to cry more.

"Not unless we stop this," Harry said. Hermione nodded.

"Harry! Have you gone mad? Stop You-Know-Who? He could kill anyone he wants, and his followers will do the same. If they want to kill someone, they will. And the first people they kill is the people who betrayed them!" Ron said. Hermione shook her head.

"There has to be a way," Hermione said softly. For the first time, she didn't have an answer.

"There is no way," Blaise said, speaking up. Draco pulled away from Ginny and Ginny brushed away her tears.

"There has to be!" Harry said. Draco shook his head.

"If you have lived your life the way we did, you would know that there is no way. He is a strong wizard. He will kill us when no one is looking," Draco said. Ginny's head perked up.

"Then we'll protect you," she said. They all stared at her.

"Are you listening to the conversation?" Ron asked.

"Yes. And I think that if we protected them, they won't get hurt," Ginny said.

"Ginny, that would cause you all to be in harm's way," Draco said, taking her hands.

"Nothing is worth having without fighting for it," Ginny said, her voice strong. Harry nodded.

"That's true. I agree with Ginny. We'll protect you," Harry said. Hermione looked down.

"I will too," she said. Ron looked at her.

"This is a suicide mission, so don't count me out," he said, hugging Hermione. The six of them stared at each other and they knew what they had to do. They had to end this. The six of them walked back to the party without saying another word. But they didn't notice a pair of gray eyes staring back at them.

*~*

"Night," Draco said, kissing Ginny. When she pulled away, she smiled at him.

"Don't worry about me," Ginny said. Draco sighed.

"I hope you know what you are doing," Draco said. Ginny nodded.

"I do," she said, turning to the portrait hole. She whispered the password (Pumpkin Sherbet). Ginny turned to Draco and smiled at him.

"Night," she said, before climbing into the Common Room.

Draco turned away to walk to his room. But he was hardly ten yards away from the portrait when he was stopped. Draco looked up at the person before him.

It was his father, Lucius Malfoy.

"I think we need to have a little talk, don't we?" Lucius said, ushering Draco to his room.

[A/N: I guess you guys should've known that was coming. Next chapter, Draco and Lucius talks. Harry and Blaise talk about the protection mission.]