Forever Yours

A/N- Hey guys! Here is Chapter 10! I am soo sorry it's late, but you know how it is- work and stuff. Actually this chapter didn't take that long to write as I thought it would. I wrote the bulk of it on Nov. 28, because that was the day of my test which I gladly finished. Then I continued writing until Friday which is when I finished it, and sent it to my beta. But because she was a tad bit busy, I only got it today (Tuesday) and have sent it now (whenever you're reading this). Ahem, I'm sure you're bored by my long explanations and excuses, so go read it! And please! I tried to make this the best chapter yet and the longest.

Chapter 10

December 10, 1997

Dear Chariot of Light,

Interesting choice of memories. My worst memory is when I was younger, about ten years old.

I had just gotten a broom for my birthday, and my father had promised to take me out to learn how to fly.

He had to delay our lesson for a few hours, and I patiently waited for him. He finally arrived and told me to hold the broom in my right hand and call it towards me. It took me ten tries to get it, but finally it jumped into my hand.

Then my father told me to go on the broom and fly it. He never gave me any specific instructions, just to 'fly'. I jumped on and felt the broom hover. I urged it up and was flying it fine for several minutes, but before I knew it, I couldn't steer it properly.

I was falling and calling for my father's help, but I couldn't see him anywhere.

I fell from ten feet in the air and broke my skull. I was found by my mother half an hour later, who told me that my father had rushed to work because of an emergency.

My favourite memory is less painful. This is one of my earliest memories.

I was about five years old, and my father suspected I was a squib. I often heard him and my mother arguing about whether I had any magic in me or not, since I hadn't shown any magical tendencies since I was born.

So one day, when my father was arguing loudly with my mother about his no-good son, I felt anger coursing through my veins. I felt as if my mother's love was too much and my father's not enough. I closed my eyes. The next thing I knew, the chandelier in my bedroom had exploded and shards of glass flew everywhere. My mother rushed into the room to find pieces of glass everywhere, without a scratch on me.

My father rushed in and hugged me, telling me how proud he was of me to know that I was a wizard. He even spent the rest of the day with me, watching me do child magic. It was one of the happiest times of my life.

Prince of Darkness

Draco finished the letter and watched as it disappeared from his hands. He glanced up at the clock in the corner of the common room and saw that it was twelve thirty.

He yawned and then walked upstairs to his dormitory, waiting for sleep.

But sleep never came.

He lay in bed for hours, thinking about his pen pal. The fact that her favourite colour was green made him more excited to meet her.

Many times, in between letters, Draco felt as if he had a real connection with her. She understood him in a way that nobody else did. The fear of her judging him was also nonexistent, as they had yet to meet.

Then his thoughts drifted to Ginny Weasley. He had spotted her as he had gone down to dinner. She had stared at him in a despising way, hatred radiating through the air between their eyes.

He knew what she thought of him. He knew what everyone thought of him, and he couldn't change it.

But soon, he was going to be out of Hogwarts, on his own. That would be when he would live his own life, make him the person he wanted to be, and nobody else.

He couldn't't wait.

***

The next morning, Ginny walked into the Great Hall, rubbing her eyes. She had been up late last night 'talking' to Prince. She had wanted to reply to his letter, which had come at twelve twenty, but wasn't able to because she had been too tired.

The next few days were long and difficult ones for both Draco and Ginny. The teachers wanted to get as much work done before the holidays that they were piling the homework on.

The pair only got to scribble half page letters to one another during break and during lunch times.

At the same time, Hermione was confused about her pen pal. He had written to her that he finally agreed on what she was saying, but it didn't fit into what she had written.

Ginny just hid her face behind a book whenever the topic of Hermione's pen pal came up, as she was still guilty about changing her friend's letter.

In the days leading up to the ball, the castle was being thoroughly prepared. Students of all years were invited, as the war had affected everyone. Wizards and witches were also attending from Hogsmeade village as well as old teachers and students. It was the big event of the school.

The school was being scrubbed down by house elves at night, and Filch prowled the corridors to make sure no one made a mess. Christmas trees were brought into the Great Hall and decorated, and decorations, such as mistletoe were put up.

Ginny worked hard to keep up with her studies, as she was having constant tests and practical tests.

Two days before the last day of school, Ginny sat in the library, quietly munching on a marmalade sandwich as she wrote her letter to the Prince.

Nov. 22. 97

Dear Prince of Darkness,

Ha ha, very funny. But you're right; I do have a constant fear of embarrassing myself! I can't believe I told you about the time at my Aunt Tessa's house. That was so mortifying! It was a good thing that the vase was only glass and not ceramic, or else...

I never got around to writing this, but your worst and favourite memories both revolve around your father. I assume that he's an important person in your life, sorry- was. His encouragement and assurance are important to you so much that they dominate your life around that. I have the feeling that much of your life was, or is, spent around pleasing him and doing his wishes. I could be completely wrong, but that's just my guess.

I can't wait to me you, either. I don't know why, but I sometimes feel as if we're connected. We have some sort of link that makes us understand one another. Maybe we've both been through traumatizing situations.

Whatever the reason for our uncanny connection, I'm grateful for it.

Sincerely,

Chariot of Light

A few tables away in the library sat Draco Malfoy, working on his Potions essay, trying to finish it up before his class at the end of the day.

Suddenly, a letter appeared and he hastily opened it. He read it and decided to reply back to her, because he hadn't properly replied in ages.

December 22, 1997

Chariot,

First, my sincere apologies. I am sorry that I haven't been able to reply properly to you on the topics we've discussed.

But alas, the teachers here at Hogwarts feel a certain need to place a vast amount of homework on us, especially before the holidays. Honestly, I think it's a disease they all have.

I'm impressed. You've managed to dig down into my most fearful and unwanted thoughts. You are right. My father is a source of much of my pain and fear. Even though he's gone, to this day, his sayings and ideas haunt me so that I can't break free of them.

He was an arrogant man, and I learned much of my behaviour and personality from him. The two stories I told you before can tell you what type of man he was.

It was difficult growing up with him, because my mother was so different than he. At times, he would ignore her, but I believe that her love never wavered for him.

In the end, it was difficult for her, because of a certain situation my father got himself into. I only found out the extent of her love for me very recently.

His life impacts me today, because of many of the choices that he made were for me. I have also been down a path full of hatred, lies, betrayal and pain. That is the path that I've known since I've been young, and that is the path my father carved for me.

But that's the past, and I have nothing to do with it now.

Prince of Darkness

Ginny was working on something when the letter appeared. She silently opened it, not wanting to disturb Hermione beside her and read the letter. Her nose scrunched as she read it and her eyebrows raised. Finally, she replied back.

Dec. 22. 97

Prince,

The past impacts you today! You must understand that! You can't just dissociate yourself from your past because it's painful. You have to learn from your mistakes and help them shape your decisions today.

Your mother sounds like a brave woman, and I would have loved to meet her.

But Prince, you mustn't be afraid anymore. Your father is gone, and I know that he's still there, somewhat, in spirit. You must move on. You have to take the good with the bad, and that means accepting that he was your father and will be a part of you, but choosing to go a different path than he did.

I can tell that he was a cold and uncaring man, and probably, not a wonderful father, either, but you are your own person. You have to make your own decisions, especially since you know that the path he led you down wasn't the right one for you.

I know that it'll be difficult, changing something that seems second nature to you, but that's half the battle, half the struggle. Once you get there, it'll be worth it.

I have faith in you. I always will, because I know, from your letters, from little things that I've picked up, that you are a good person. You have what it takes to break free of your father's ghost, of traditional chains, and become your own person.

You just have to believe in yourself. I do.

Chariot of Light

Draco read the letter behind his book, feeling a small smile on his lips, despite his reluctance to smile.

The letter from his pen pal evoked an emotion he had rarely felt. Before he had a chance to reply back to the letter, the bell rang and he walked to class, not noticing his pen pal walking behind him, her arms laden with books.

***

Later the next night, Ginny sat, finishing up the last bit of her homework when Hermione came and sat down next to her.

"So, have you made your mask yet?" she asked.

"Mask?" Ginny looked.

Hermione nodded. "Professor McGonagall announced it when she told us about the ball, remember?" Seeing the blank look on Ginny's face, Hermione sighed. "As usual, you had your head stuck in the clouds. It's for the ball. We're each supposed to have a mask as part of our dress code. That will conceal us to our pen pal until the moment of revealing ourselves."

"Oh," said Ginny. "I'm not too bothered about that right now."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I don't think you've even picked out a set of robes, have you?"

Ginny shrugged. "I'll do it later."

"Ginny! The ball's tomorrow!" she said. "You must plan."

"Hermione, the ball's tomorrow, not now. I've got plenty of time."

"What if your robes don't fit you? What if the colour's all wrong? What if the colour of your mask is all wrong? What if..."

Ginny laughed. "All right, all right, Hermione. I'll come up in a half an hour. Let me just finish some things up."

Hermione sighed. "All right."

After Ginny finished her homework, she received a letter from the prince. It read:

December 23, 1997

Dear Chariot of Light,

Before I say anything else, let me thank you. I have enjoyed talking to you and respect all the advice you've given me to this day. You have also taught me many valuable lessons.

You might be wondering why I have chosen to write to you about this now, when we are meeting in two days. The truth is that I have difficulty vocalizing my feelings. I'm much more open and confident when I write. I am also different from the way I am in person. I'd rather you get to know the me inside the ice and steel before you judge me when you meet me.

Your words mean a lot to me, especially since you told me that you have faith in me.

You have no idea how strange, but good those words sound to me. No one has ever told me that, and even though I know there will be many difficulties, finally there is light at the end of that tunnel.

I cannot wait to meet you finally.

Sincerely,

Prince of Darkness

Ginny smiled while reading the letter, knowing that she had made a difference in someone's life.

She immediately wrote back.

Dec. 23. 97

Dear Prince,

Aw, thank you. You're so much sweeter and kinder than I first anticipated. But seriously, you're too formal. I mean, you were always very formal when you wrote, but now, you're too formal. It makes me nervous!

I'm glad I could help. You don't know how much this pen pal relationship has helped me. It's given me an outlet for my sorrow. The problem with me is that I keep things inside too much. When things bother me, I keep it to myself.

This war has been tough on both of us, so it's good that we've been able to tell each other about the tragedies and pains that we've experienced.

It's strange to think of how we started out, pulling pranks on one another to now, talking to one another- quite normally, I might add.

My friend Aithne is begging me to go up to our dorms and decide on something to wear for the ball.

Should I wear a specific colour so that you can recognize me? What will you be wearing?

Chariot of Light

"Come on, Gin!" called Hermione from on top of the stairs of the dormitory.

Ginny put her quill down and walked upstairs. She walked into her dormitory where Hermione had opened up her wardrobe for her.

She made Ginny sit down on the bed and then asked, "Where are your dress robes? The list said dress robes."

Ginny pushed away her school clothes to one side and pointed at the one set of dress robes she had. They were hand me downs from her mother that she had worn to the Yule Ball as a guest of Neville back when she had been in third year.

"That?" Hermione asked, scrunching her nose. "Hmm, I don't suppose it would fit you, so I might have to alter it. Go try it on."

She handed it to Ginny and she went to the loo to try them on. They were a shimmering violet set.

Ginny came out of the washroom with her jaw clenched. "Don't laugh."

Hermione stifled a cough and said, "It's not so bad."

Ginny raised an eyebrow. Sitting at the back of her closet, the colour of the robe had faded to a dull grey. Also it was tight for her...in, er, certain areas that had grown since she had last worn it in third year. The length was fine, as she had grown very little.

"We'll be able to fix it up," said Hermione. "See? Aren't you glad that we looked at it today instead of tomorrow? If this had been done tomorrow, you might have had to wear one of the school robes."

Ginny said, "Well, what do we have to do then?"

"First, we have to..." said Hermione.

***

The next morning, Ginny woke up, tired but excited. They had stayed up late working on her robes, but they were done and were stunning.

Ginny was also feeling giddy because it was the last day of classes before the holidays and it was a shortened day. She, Ron, and Hermione were all staying back at school for the break. Mr and Mrs Weasley were going on a trip to visit Bill and Charlie, starting with Romania first and then going to Egypt.

She was a bit annoyed about not going with her parents, even though they had asked her. She planned on spending time with her pen pal, as well as watching over Ron and Hermione, since they had ceased to speak to one another.

As she walked downstairs to the common room, she read her pen pal's last letter that had arrived while she had been sleeping.

December 23, 1997

Dear Chariot,

I am sure whatever you wear will be fine. Just tell me how I will identify you. Me, I will be wearing all black, as usual. I also will have a black rose in my hand.

Before we meet tomorrow, I just want to tell you that the things I have spoken to you about, I have never told anyone. These are my deepest, darkest secrets that I have carried around with me for so long. I sensed something rare in you, through your letters, which encouraged me to tell you these things, because I feel you might understand them.

See you tomorrow night,

Prince of Blackness

Ginny picked up a quill on the table in the common room and scribbled a reply back, telling the prince what colour she would be wearing and what time she would be there.

Then she proceeded to go to the Great Hall, finding Hermione already there. She also had dark circles under her eyes, but was smiling.

"I'm nervous, Ginny," Hermione said. "I don't think he'll say it."

Ginny sat down and helped herself to some juice. "Relax, Hermione. Everything will be fine." Inside her head, Ginny had worked out a plan to see that her brother and friend met under the right circumstances.

Hermione smiled back hesitantly.

This was when Ron came and sat down with Lavender in tow as usual.

"Lavender," Ron was saying in a small voice, "I need to talk to you about something."

As Ron was sitting a little ways away, Ginny had to peer from the corner of her eye to watch the scene.

"What is it, Ronniekins?" she asked, smoothing down his flyaway hair.

He pushed her away. "Stop that! I told you so many times not to do that."

Lavender pouted. "Not to do what?"

Ron took a deep breath. "Look, Lavender, I think we need to break up. We're not right for each other."

Lavender's mouth was open in shock as she stared at him. "What?"

"Look, I just don't think it'll work out. Maybe we could be-"

But Lavender cut him off. "Don't say the word friends! Don't! You can't leave me, Ron! We have something."

Ron stood up, his ears turning pink as people started to turn and look as Lavender's voice got louder. "No, we don't, Lavender. I'm sorry it has to be this way."

He started to walk away, but Lavender grabbed a hold of him. "No, Ron! Please don't leave me! I love you!"

Ron's face was flaming now. "I don't love you, Lavender. Please, let me go."

She was hysterical now, shouting and crying. "You can't do this to me, Ron! I told you what would happen if you left me, didn't I? Didn't I? I'll spread rumours about your sister! About you! Or even about Hermione!"

Ron pushed her away, shoving her so that she fell lightly to the floor. "Leave Hermione out of this."

He then walked away out of the Great Hall while Lavender continued to scream.

Professor McGonagall finally came from the Head table and led Lavender away by the arm.

Hermione and Ginny stared at each other. Ginny then said, "Wow. That's all I can say, wow."

Hermione was staring thoughtfully at Ron's back. "She...she was blackmailing him?"

Ginny bit her lip and then nodded, gathering her books as she stood. "Yeah. Ron told me that she was threatening to spread nasty rumours around if he broke up with her. He told me not to tell you."

Hermione turned to face Ginny. "Really?"

Ginny nodded. "He's been hiding it all year. One day, he desperately told me so that someone would know."

"That means...he's not a complete git after all. He might...care about me," Hermione said in a small voice, as if afraid of voicing her desire.

Ginny smiled genuinely at her friend. "That I'm sure of. I've got to get going now, though. Charms."

Hermione nodded, jumping up, grabbing her books as well. "See you later, Ginny."

"See you," she said, walking out of the Great Hall.

The classes that day were quick and not as annoying as usual. The day went by quickly and the last class was before lunch.

After that, everyone was free to prepare himself or herself for the ball that evening as well as pack for the people who were leaving the day after for the start of holidays.

Ginny sat in the common room, chatting with Hermione when her reply came. It read:

December 24, 1997

Chariot,

I'll see you at nine, outside on the front steps.

Until then,

Prince of Darkness

Ginny smiled in happiness when she read the letter. She couldn't wait for when she would come face to face with her pen pal.

Seven o'clock, which was when the ball actually started, couldn't come fast enough.

***

Finally, the clock chimed six. This, said Hermione, was the optimum time to start getting ready, so that when the ball started at seven, they would be well prepared.

Just as they were walking up the stairs to the girls' dormitory, Ron came into the portrait hole, with his ears red and his hair with snowflakes in it.

Ginny looked outside and saw that it was starting to snow. This only added to her excitement. It was truly starting to feel like Christmas.

"Hermione," he said, as they were walking upstairs. "I have to speak to you."

Hermione stared at him, entranced, not sure what to do. She looked behind her at Ginny, wondering if she should go upstairs or go to Ron.

"Hermione," said Ginny, her voice strong. Now was so not the time. "Ron, we have to get ready. We'll see you later."

She gently tugged on Hermione's arm, while Hermione stared over her shoulder at Ron, not breaking her gaze. Ron didn't break his gaze either.

Once upstairs, Hermione sat down on her bed and said, "I'm so scared about tonight. Do you think everything will be all right?"

Ginny sat down on the bed beside her best friend. She ignored the hustling and bustling of the other girls around them and looked at the girl beside her.

This was the girl who had reassured her so many times, when she had been younger and so afraid, that everything would be all right. Hermione had helped her when she had first fallen for Harry, helping her get over him. She gave advice about Dean, helped her with her homework, had stayed impartial when listening to her problems, coached her on becoming friends with her mum, listened to her confusion about Harry and Dean, and offered her advice about her relationship with Harry. She held her when she cried as she watched Harry die, and she held her hand when she stumbled into the world again, unsure of how it would receive her.

Hermione had been there for Ginny countless times. It was time that Ginny was there for Hermione in a time when Hermione was scared.

She looked deep into Hermione's brown eyes and said in her most calm voice, "I think everything will be fine. And even if it's not, I'll be here for you."

Hermione looked up at Ginny and smiled. Then she hugged her. "Thanks, Gin."

Ginny wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. Maybe this would be the time when she would be able to fall in love again, put the pain of losing Harry behind her, to someone who would understand.

"Come on," she said, "let's get ready."

Hermione nodded and got off the bed.

An hour later, Hermione and Ginny walked confidently to the Great Hall, walking past tapestries and down a few floors.

As they walked down the third floor, the girls passed a mirror on the hallway.

Ginny stopped in her tracks and stood still. Hermione skidded to a stop and came back.

"What are you looking at, Ginny?" she asked.

Ginny smiled and pointed at the mirror.

Hermione looked into the mirror and smiled at her and Ginny's reflection. Hermione was wearing sea green robes, with delicate lace sleeves and a lace belt. Her dark brown hair was in a low ponytail with soft curls cascading down her back. Her mask was green as well and covered half her face, only showing her pink lips.

Ginny, on the other hand, stared at her reflection, almost shocked. The whole time that Hermione had been getting her ready, Ginny had refused to look at herself in the mirror until she was done.

The girls were so afraid of being late that they rushed out of the dormitory quickly, forgetting to look in the mirror.

Ginny's mask was deep violet with fake diamonds glittering at the sides. It covered half her face, only showing her red lips and her brown eyes, her eyelashes long. The mask matched the robes, which were violet as well. Hermione had restored the colour back into them, making them shine by adding small, almost unnoticeable diamonds in the hem and sleeves of the robe, shining only when she moved.

Her hair had been put up into a twist, so as to disguise the colour so that her pen pal wouldn't be able to guess who she was right away.

"We look great," Hermione said, smiling.

Ginny smiled back at her reflection, revealing her dimpled cheeks. "Let's go."

They walked downstairs and into the Great Hall. It took Ginny's breath away when she saw it.

The enchanted ceiling showed a lightly cloudy sky, sprinkled snowflakes everywhere. The Great Hall was alight with bright light and had Christmas decorations everywhere.

"Wow," gasped Hermione.

The girls wandered in and took their places at the special tables that for once were not designated for houses, and began to order their food.

Ginny couldn't even concentrate on what she was eating because her stomach was filled with butterflies. Everywhere her head turned, she saw young men wearing black robes, but some had silver lines, and some wore white shirts underneath. Any one of them could have been her pen pal.

After dinner, the tables were pushed back, and the dancing started. Within that time was when she would reveal herself to her pen pal.

Ginny had purposely planned her rendezvous with her pen pal later, so that she could make sure Hermione and Ron met.

Hermione kept delaying it by going to get another glass of butterbeer again and again.

All around them, Ginny could hear people gasping as masks came off, people exclaiming, "I knew it was you!" or "I always saw you in my Transfiguration class!"

Finally, Hermione smiled weakly at Ginny, and Ginny smiled confidently back. "Good luck, Hermione. I'll know you'll be fine. Just remember: follow your heart."

Hermione smiled and then was on her way to the entrance of the Great Hall, where she was to meet her 'secret pen pal'.

Ginny waited about five seconds until Hermione walked off into the crowd and then followed her.

She saw her standing at the front of the hall, gazing around nervously. Ginny snuck around the side and hid behind one of the large Christmas trees.

After two minutes, someone tapped Hermione on the shoulder.

Ginny muffled her giggle when she recognized her brother from his uncomfortable walk and his grey robes.

"Artemis, I presume?" he said, in a deeper voice than usual.

Hermione smiled, confidently this time, her eyes peeping out of her mask, shining. She held out her hand, and instead of shaking it, which Ginny thought was a complete Ron-like thing to do, he took her gloved hand into his and gently kissed it.

Ginny's eyebrows went way up. She had helped them both in a lot of things, but this was definitely something she did not remember telling Ron.

By the way Hermione smiled, though, Ginny could tell she was impressed.

"BLL?" she said. "May I ask as to what the initials stand for?"

He smiled, for once, looking charming. "All in due time. I first have something to say to you."

Hermione nodded. "Go on."

This was it, Ginny thought. The moment! She cast a spell and magically moved an object in the ceiling.

Ron, aka BLL, nodded. "Indeed. I finally agreed to what you were saying, to tell the girl whom I love that I love her. And I want to thank you for that, for helping come to this, er, decision."

"So you're going to tell her that you love her?" Hermione said. "Why didn't you tell her before?"

Ginny could feel Hermione's anxiety from where she was just by how Hermione's voice trembled and how she was clutching her robes.

Ginny was also shaking from the mere thought of what might happen soon.

"I was afraid," he said, looking at her. "I was afraid that she might not love me back. But I realised that life's too short for ifs ands or buts."

It wasn't exactly a Shakespearean line, but for Ron, it was deeply romantic and philosophical.

"The war impacted all of us, and this exercise showed me the value of relationships. I lost one of my best friends already. I don't want to lose the other one," he said, moving closer to her now. "She means everything to me. Even when she is angry with me, yells at me, ignores me, scolds me, I can't help but love her even more. Do you know why?"

There was hardly any space between their bodies now. Hermione was afraid to blink, just in case her eyelash touched his cheek.

"Why?" she whispered.

"Because she's not like anybody else. She is the person she wants to be and nobody else. She reads for fun, wanting to educate herself. She throws in random facts about magic just in case anybody was wondering. She's read Hogwarts, A History so many times; she quotes from it. She's a perfectionist, doesn't have many friends, drives me up the wall sometimes, and is downright beautiful. She's a book lover, and I love her."

At this point, Ginny felt as if her heart was in her mouth. She couldn't even breathe properly as she watched the exchange between her brother and her best friend. Her heart ached for a few seconds, without Ginny even knowing why.

Then, Ron gently took off Hermione's green mask, wiped a tear from Hermione's cheek and whispered so quietly that even Ginny, who was but two feet away from them, had to strain to hear, "I love you, Hermione."

Ginny gasped and Hermione gasped too as Ron took of his mask.

Before Hermione even got to respond, he leaned down and kissed her, right under the mistletoe, both of them not noticing Ginny standing beside the tree, clearly visible, crying her eyes out.

She quickly moved back behind the tree and wiped her eyes. She couldn't believe it. Ron loved Hermione just as much as she loved him.

Ginny had never imagined the situation to turn out like this, but it was better than anything she had ever imagined. She had never pegged herself for a romantic, but there was no denying it now. As she watched the scene unfold between them, her heart had been beating faster and faster just as if she had been reading a romance novel.

She finally left them at it and walked outside the Great Hall, as it was five to nine now.

A smile lit up Ginny's face as she anticipated meeting her pen pal finally. She fixed her hair in an antique mirror beside the Great Hall and made sure her mask was on properly.

She took a deep breath and straightened her robes. She then walked outside to the front of the school.

The sky was lined with clouds, and tiny snowflakes were falling from them. The night was chilly, but not too cold. Through the drifting clouds, a half moon could also been seen.

Ginny brushed off one of the steps to the castle and sat down, waiting for her pen pal.

He would be dressed all in black, of course. She knew that much. He would also have a black rose in hand. Other than that, she knew not what he looked like.

Then she began imagining what house he could possibly be in. He seemed to be too quick witted to be a Hufflepuff; he didn't seem to have the evil tendencies of a Slytherin. That left Gryffindor and Ravenclaw.

Personally, Ginny thought it was a Ravenclaw. The banter they had shared seemed like a Ravenclaw type thing to do, who were intelligent and witty. A Gryffindor would most likely have gotten angry and spoken irrationally.

Ginny held out her tongue and tasted the cool snowflakes as they fell into her mouth. She leaned back and closed her eyes, feeling the cool flakes of snow fall on her bare neck, face and hands.

After several minutes, Ginny looked at her watch. It was nine fifteen. Her pen pal was late by fifteen minutes.

Ginny waited another ten minutes when she couldn't stand the snow and cold anymore.

Fear began to fill her heart when she thought that he had stood her up. Maybe he was inside still and had forgotten.

She walked inside and welcomed the warmth that immediately began to spread through her body.

She went to the Great Hall and wandered around. She could see Ron and Hermione dancing to the slow music, gently holding each other, but she didn't want to disturb them.

Ginny's eyes flew from person to person, looking for a person wearing all black. There were only two people, but they were talking with their own secret pen pals.

Finally, the realization struck her and settled like a heavy rock into her stomach. He wasn't here. Maybe he had come and left, but he wasn't here now.

Tears of disappointment filled Ginny's eyes as she started to walk the stairs upstairs to the Gryffindor common room.

She had thought that he had been coming. She was sure of it. She raked her mind. Had he really said he was coming? Maybe she had imagined it. Maybe she misunderstood.

No, no, he had written in his last letter that he would meet her outside on the stairs at nine. What else could that possibly mean?

The halls were empty as Ginny walked through them, since everyone was still at the ball.

She sniffed as she said the password to the Fat Lady and walked through the portrait hole.

She had been so excited on meeting him and finally speaking to him face to face. But perhaps, it wasn't meant to be.

Ginny climbed the stairs to her dormitory, feeling miserable and upset. She had gotten dressed, done her makeup, her hair, everything just for him, and he hadn't shown up.

Her dormitory was as dark and cold as she felt. She sat down on her bed and then fell back, feeling the tears roll down her cheeks.

She rolled over and then felt something hard.

She sat up and looked at what was there. On her bed was a folded piece of parchment with a black rose attached to it.

Puzzled, Ginny put the rose aside and opened the seal on the letter.

December 24, 1997

Dear Chariot of Light,

First, let me express my apologies for standing you up. I am hoping that you will read this before you leave for the ball, but if you find this after, coming back, disappointed not to see me, I am even more sorry.

My best friend's mother, who is now my caretaker after my parents' death, had an accident and I had to leave immediately. I left the castle at four and did not think to write to you to tell you of my inability to attend.

You were disappointed, I am sure, and I am sorry that I was the cause of it. It was to be our first meeting, and I was looking forward to it, but these things do happen. It might be something you call 'fate'.

The carriage is stopping in five minutes; I do not have much more time to write, which is the reason why my writing is untidy.

I am sure we will be able to meet after the break, which is when I return. In the meantime, you should write to me and I will write back.

This ring that I enclosed is a gift so that you will not refuse to speak to me again. A cheap way of bribery, I know, but seeing it today reminded me of you, so I thought to send it.

Until then,

Prince of Darkness

Ginny opened a small black velvet pouch to find an ancient emerald ring. The emerald was large and square cut while the band was silver and thin with one diamond on each side of the emerald.

The stone glittered and shone even in the dark of the night, because of the deep facets.

The ring was gorgeous, and the emerald was even more beautiful. It sat in Ginny's hand, heavy, as if taunting her. The gift was an expensive one, and she doubted that she should keep it.

She put it back into the pouch with the intention of returning it when she noticed a small postscript written at the very bottom of the letter, as if written as an afterthought.

P.S- I know you won't want to keep it, thinking of it as an expensive gift, but believe me, it's not. It's been in my family for some time now. As I was packing my things to leave, I came across it. I did not want to leave it in case of theft, and I did not want to take it in case of it being lost. So I decided to leave it to someone who would take care of it. Think of it as a loan. Until we meet, it is yours.

A small smile lit up Ginny's face, which calmed her emotions down at once. She opened the pouch again and felt the weight of the antique ring in her hand, a token from the Prince.

She gazed at it. Turning it over, she noticed initials on the back. She peered at them: N.B.

Ginny had no idea who N.B. was, but the fact that the ring had belonged to someone made it even more exciting.

She slipped it on to her finger and slowly lied down on her bed.

Ginny held up the rose in her left hand while she gazed at the twinkling ring with the moonlight shining through.

She turned to look out the window to see a clear night with the moon shining high in the sky. The stars were out and were shining next to the moon, twinkling and smiling in their glory.

As Ginny stared at the moon and thought of her secret pen pal, who somehow knew her so well, The Prince of Darkness, many miles away, was staring at the same moon and was thinking about her.

A/N- all righty then, so thanks are in order to everyone who reviewed the last chapter as well as the whole story so far. That's so far, by the way, it's not over yet...oh no, far from it. *wink*. Thanks to: ginny_gaz- there's awhile before they meet! Pandora Alaska- thanks! Meliz- don't worry- I will update! Just not frequently. Molliemuffet- hope you enjoyed it! Hermioneish- lol, Draco shouldn't be so sure about that.... Lazybug24- hope you enjoyed the ball! Sorry they didn't meet yet... Amity- aww, thanks! Hope you enjoyed it! Ronnibri Weasley- hey you haven't reviewed in so long! Glad to have you back. erm, hope the dress was good?! Becks angel- sorry they didn't meet one another! Siriusluver13- aww, thank you so much! Luvsharrypotter- Hope you liked it! queentazo- Thanks for your review! Hope you liked the chapter! Ablondwitch- haha, you make me laugh. Sorry there wasn't any dramadramabutiamcompletlyandutterlyinlovewithu or owdamnimusthavemisseduwalkingpastme scenarios! There might be later on, but not yet....

All right, so thanks to everyone who reviewed so far and anyone who I missed- I'm sorry! I know those were a lot of thanks to reviewers, but after a few chapters (or 10 in my case) I like to thank everyone who's reviewed to show you that I am here and not just ignoring you. Right- so again, I have a bucket load of hmw coming up...grrrr, especially before the holidays because the teachers of course feel the urge to pile it on as soon as they see a bit of a holiday coming up. Argh! So basically, I won't be able to write for awhile. I know, I know, this chap took awhile to come, but it didn't take that long. Well not as long as I expected. It was just my betas fault (jks. :P). But yeah... hopefully this chappie met with your expectations and (hopefully) surpassed them. I'm so sorry to all the people that were looking forward to them meeting. I feel so bad, because you were all looking forward to it. But I had to add a twist to the story. I hope that pleased you. Anyways, there's a lot more to come, the story is not done yet...oh no, far from it in fact! So...I think I've rambled on quite a bit. I'm off to study for a test! Please be my friend and review!