The Secret Admirer

The Secret Admirer

Chapter 6

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December 31st, 8:50 p.m. in the Gryfinndor common room

"What?!" Ginny shrieked. "It can't be almost nine already! I'm going to be late!" She ran up the stairs to change for the dance. "Oh where is my dress? Eek! This is not going to work out. I need to find all my stuff," she said as she ran into the bathroom. She brushed her hair, combed her teeth and all of the usual stuff before running back to the room. She flung open the trunk but her dress wasn't there. She started flailing about until she realized it was laying across her bed. Ginny grabbed it and changed before scanning the room for her shoes. She couldn't see them anywhere, but since it was 9 she decided to go barefoot.

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December 31st, 8:50 p.m. in the Great Hall

"Where is she?" Draco muttered. "I don't like it when people are late."

"She'll be here," a voice from behind him said. "I know Ginny, and as much as she dislikes you right now she will still be here. It's her duty."

"I know Tom. But still. I hope she arrives soon," said Draco. Right as he looked up he saw Ginny entering the room. Her face was flushed and her hair was everywhere, giving her the natural appearance that Draco liked so much. She glanced around quickly and darted towards him.

"Tom, could you please go now?" Draco asked politely.

"Sure, anytime," said Tom. He ran off just as Ginny reached Draco. She doubled over grabbing her rib.

"Sorry- I'm - late-" she huffed out. "Ow- stitch," she said.

"Yes well you really ought to work on that," said Draco.

"I'll be sure to do just that," Ginny said as she rolled her eyes and walked away.

Draco groaned and grabbed her arm. "Woman, where do you think you're going?"

"Away," Ginny replied, yanking her arm back. "Besides, what do you care?"

"Look at me Gin," Draco said pleadingly, which caused Ginny to look up. "I just- well- and you- and- oh, dammit, you look beautiful," he managed to stammer out.

"Draco, I know how you are, all 'blah blah I love you one minute and then the next-'" Ginny was cut off by the most romantic kiss she had ever received, which was then, in turn, cut off by the mad shouts of Ron Weasley.

"What the hell are you doing Malfoy?" screeched Ron as he dashed over.

Draco paused to look up at him and said, "Kissing your sister," before returning to Ginny.

Ron grabbed Draco by the shoulder and threw him across the room. Draco stumbled into a table and fell on the floor, but was able to steady himself and pulled out his wand. He looked over and saw that Ginny was trying to hold Ron back, but Ron's power was too much for her and he wrenched himself free. Draco was too busy watching Ron to pay attention to the person sneaking up on him. He jumped with Harry Potter grabbed him and threw him into the doors that lead to the Great Hall.

"Is this some sort of sick joke, Malfoy?" Harry's voice was dripping with venom. "Please, do let us all in on it."

"What are you talking about?" Draco managed to choke out as he clutched his stomach.

"You and my sister," Ron said. Then, when Draco only smirked, he kicked him in the side.

"Ronald! Harry! Stop this right now!" Ginny screamed as she reached them.

"I'll stop it all right," said Harry as he pulled out his wand and pointed it at Draco.

"No! Harry don't! Stop it!" screamed Ginny. She threw herself in front of Draco at the same moment that Harry shouted "Avada Kedavra."

Ginny's body slumped up against Draco's. Harry looked down in shock before kneeling and taking Ginny's body in his arms. As the realization of her death hit him, he started to cry. Ron turned pale a silently knelt beside Harry.

"Why? WHY?!" Ron shook Ginny's arm as his voice rose to a hysterical pitch. He shoved Harry away and started shaking her whole body. Dumbledore quickly came over and grabbed Ron up.

"Take him Severus," he said quietly and pushed Ron into Snape's arms.

"Potter, I'm afraid that I must ask you to accompany me outside. There are some people waiting to talk to you," said Dumbledore. As Harry looked up at Dumbledore and saw the sadness in his eyes, he realized that he had done something unforgivable.

"Yes, Headmaster," said Harry quietly as he stood up.

The crowd that had formed around them slowly dispersed, leaving Draco and Ginny lying side by side. All of a sudden Tom Riddle appeared holding a single black rose.

"Well well well. Thank you Ginny, for you have done what I asked you to. You were the heir all along." Tom knelt down and placed the rose on her body. "It's a shame it had to end this way, Draco. But really, it is very rare that true love ends with true happiness." With that said, Tom stood up, turned, and walked down the long corridor that lead to the dungeons.