A Cinderella Story - In the Universe of Harry Potter

CinderGinny

"W-what?" spluttered Ginny, backing against the door and quickly wiping her eyes. "W-who --?"

"I'm Tonks," the woman repeated. "I'm your Fairy Godmother."

"M-my Fairy Godmother?" Ginny said. "I -- There is no such thing."

"No such thing," said the woman, stepping closer. Ginny saw from this distance that she was only a few years older, with a pale, heart-shaped face, and her dark eyes gleamed with amusement. "Well . . . I don't know what we could do with that? But if you say I am 'no such thing,' then I shouldn't help you, should I?"

"Help me?" Ginny repeated. "My brother will find me soon enough."

"See, that's the problem with you, Ginevra Weasley! You never stand up for yourself!"

"What's the point?" Ginny said. "They would just stomp me into the ground anyway."

"I will hear no such talk, Ginny," said Tonks. "You and your brother should be the soul heirs of your mother and father's fortune, and it's about time you took what you wanted."

"I will get what I want!" Ginny said. "No doubt, one of the sisters will meet Prince Harry, and if all goes well, they'll move into the castle with him, and I'll have my home back. That's all I want, really."

"The only problem is, your sisters aren't supposed to marry Prince Harry," said Tonks.

"Then who is?"

The Fairy Godmother gave an enigmatic smile. "That I cannot reveal. I can, however, get you to that ball. It's up to you whether you want to take a stand and defend yourself."

"And how shall you do that?" said Ginny, pressing herself more firmly into the door. This was absurd. "How shall I do that?"

"How many times must I repeat it; I'm your Fairy Godmother."

Ginny frowned. "How?"

Tonks sighed, taking the younger girls hand. "Just hold on."

With a faint pop, they had disappeared from the closet. Ginny wanted to scream as they disappeared into darkness, but the sound would not escape from her lips, and the darkness was there for little more than a second before they were outside. In the meadow, it looked like.

"Why are we in the meadow?" Ginny asked, who was shaky. She stared at the lights of the house in the distance.

"I was getting cramped in that little closet," said Tonks. "Besides, we need room for your new robes."

"N-new robes?"

"Just shush, Gin," said Tonks. "How will we get anything done with you asking so many questions. You remind me of my superior, Moody. Not very fairy-like at all and he runs the whole deal."

She stood away from Ginny, who had pursed her lips.

Honestly, this all had to be some bizarre dream, really. She fell asleep in the closet, that was all. That's why she's having this odd, odd dream. That's why this woman dressed in purple with silver hair and men's black boots on is standing in front of her.

"Aha! I think I may have found the solution," said Tonks so suddenly it made Ginny jump. Somehow, she was beginning to think this wasn't a dream. "I found the perfect colour for you, Ginevra. You're going to make a lucky man's heart stop tonight."

She stared at her Fairy Godchild another moment before sticking her tongue between her teeth before producing the oddest object from her robes: a silver rod with a bright purple star attached on the end.

"Honestly, ridiculous things, really," she said bitterly. "You should see Moody with it. And his is pink." A mischievous grin curled her lips. "Now," she added, "I'll need you to spin slowly . . ."

Ginny did as told, watching silver sparks erupt from the older woman's wand as she twirled it about. But she had no choice but to close her eyes as the sparks became more intense.

"Aha!" said Tonks after a moment. "Open your eyes, dear. See what you're wearing."

She pointed to the pond in the meadow, where moonlight was reflected.

Ginny was trembling all over. She could feel the finest of fabric fitted to every curve of her body and the whisper of fine silk as she moved.

She gasped as she saw her reflection. Tonks had worked a miracle, really. Nothing short.

Ginny was wearing a fine white gown of silk, which was in a beautiful bell shape. Around her neck was an intricate diamond necklace, and hanging around her shoulders was a matching satin robe, floating gently in the breeze. To finish everything off, she wore fine white gloves and her hair was tied into an elegant bun, and her slippers were made of glass. It was everything she could have hoped for.

"Oh, Tonks!" she cried, turning to her Fairy Godmother. "Oh -- it's -- it's absolutely wonderful. It's perfect, it's . . ."

"No need to thank me, dear, that's what I'm here for." Tonks grinned.

"Oh but I think I should --"

"We'll work everything out later, but the time is getting late," said Tonks. "And we haven't worked out a proper way of transportation."

"Transportation -- but I thought --"

"You'll need to arrive with flare," said Tonks. "And everybody at the ball will have one."

"One . . . what?"

"Why a broom, of course!" Tonks gave a wave of her wand, and immediately a fine broom appeared in Ginny's hand (certainly not one for sweeping). "And just whistle for it, if you need it. I expect you know where the castle is?" she added.

"Yes, Tonks."

"Now -- a few ground rules. You must be home by midnight --"

"Midnight?"

"Yes, at midnight the spell will break," said Tonks. "I must confess I'm not the best at these spells. And it's in the rules; we have to set a certain time. But . . . that should give you two hours, dear."

"All right, I understand," said Ginny.

Tonks gasped. "Well hurry on, then -- it's getting late! Have a good time, dance, and be happy."

"Oh, I will," said Ginny, sitting on the broom side-saddle.

And then she was off, soaring into the air, waving to Tonks as she disappeared with a pop and a lot of silver sparks.

Ginny smiled and chuckled a bit as she flew amongst the clouds. What would Ron say if he saw her now? And Hermione, and the rest?

Pansy and Millicent . . . well, she would just watch out for them. They probably (hopefully) won't notice her when she arrived, and she would stay out of their way. That way they would all be happy.

But she frowned slightly as Tonks voice sounded in her ear. "Stand up for yourself."

Well, then, so what if they saw her. She had permission to go -- straight from Stepmother.

Ginny looked down upon the village, smelling that vague whiff of baking, and listening to the people on the cobbled streets. Mostly families, really. Poor families, it looked.

She landed gracefully at the large, oak entrance doors of the Hogwarts castle, immediately granted entrance by a pair of twin, redheaded brothers.

She walked through the silent entrance hall, smiling as she heard the lines of iron armour creak at her wake. She could hear a man's voice announcing the arrivals of available maidens. She hurried up the nearest staircase, into the golden hall of the ball.

*~*

James leaned over to his wife, a slight scowl on his face as he watched their son waltz with Madam Moiselle Rebecca Benej Dour, daughter of the Earl of Beauxbatons.

"I just don't understand it!" he hissed. "Wouldn't at least one make a suitable mother!"

"Shh!" said Lily calmly. "Patience, dear."

"Or at least a suitable wife," grumbled James. He leaned back into his chair with a sigh. "I give up."

Lily patted his arm. "Don't lose hope quite yet. I believe I see a maiden he hasn't been introduced to yet." she said it with a smile.

*~*

Harry gave a slight smile to Rebecca, who was blushing from head to foot and would barely look at him. This had been the case with nearly ten other witches tonight, so it came as no surprise. But in five out of fifteen cases, the witch he was dancing with fancied talking a bit too much (more than once Harry found himself tuning out the conversation, with many nods and "mm-hum's"). Dreadful, really. So he busied himself with counting to the waltz.

1, 2, 3. . . 1, 2, 3. . . 1, 2, 3. . .

"Quite a lovely castle, milord," Rebecca said shyly in her French accent.

"Oh, thank you," said Harry.

And then they lapsed into more . . . silence. She was not wearing gloves, so he could feel her sweating palms, which wasn't too pleasant, mind you.

He felt as if his father was breathing down his neck, really. He had been watching closely ever since Harry entered the ball, and he didn't look too happy about the present results. It wasn't as if Harry wasn't trying! It was just that . . . he hadn't found the right match, yet.

Love is something you shouldn't force.

Harry heard with a keen ear that many of the males attending were murmuring more and more, and there was a small crowd gathered about the door. He watched over Rebecca's shoulder as one by the name of Colin Creevey (of the House of Creevey) led a young maiden onto the dance floor.

And what a maiden she was . . .

*~*

Ginny did not expect any of the men to crowd her like they were now, so it came as a surprise when they asked her to dance.

She took to the nearest young man, by the name of Colin Creevey, allowing him to lead her onto the dance floor.

"I must confess, I have never danced, milord," she said.

"Ah - 'tis just a waltz," said Colin. "1, 2, 3 -- 1, 2, 3 -- 1, 2, 3."

He led her in a circle, moving as he counted. Soon Ginny learned and the waltz continued with comfortable conversation. Every once in a while, when there was a break in conversation, she would take the time to look about her surroundings.

The ceiling of the divine hall was bewitched to mimic the starry sky outside, and below it was the most amazing display of candles (hundreds and hundreds of them). Lining the outer walls were long tables, where a few guests were enjoying fine food, chattering about. At the head of the hall sat the King and Queen.

They looked so wonderful in person. Queen Lily's hair fell graciously below her shoulders in waves, and she smiled a benign smile as she watched the dance. King James, however, did not look as happy. He was watching somebody in the crowd very intently, whom Ginny could not see. She wondered where their son, Prince Harry would be by now. She had never seen him, really. She wondered if he more like Queen Lily, or like King James.

"May I cut in?" came a young mans deep voice. It sounded very . . . familiar to her, really.

Ginny paused mid-waltz to see the boy from the village standing behind her. Raven hair, bright green eyes behind round glasses. Fine robes, they were.

"Well, I --"

"Of course not, Prince Harry," Colin said, releasing Ginny and bowing.

Prince Harry!

Colin kissed Ginny's hand. "My lady."

With that he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Prince Harry to gently take Ginny's hand. He smiled down at her. "Well, it looks like they've finally played something other than a waltz," he said. "I was rather bored with them."

Ginny blushed, looking away for only a moment. She could see the King watching in the distance. Oh yes, this was certainly the Prince.

"Have we . . . met before?" Harry asked as they moved slowly about the dance floor.

"I do not believe so, milord," Ginny replied with a small smile. She knew he would never believe her if she told him the truth.

"Oh, please don't call me that."

"Then what do you wish me to call you?"

"Harry. Just Harry."

She blushed again.

She was very aware of how straight his back was as he dance with her, his hand warm on her waist and the other gently squeezing her fingers.

"Are you sure we haven't met before?" he asked.

She gave him an enigmatic smile. "Perhaps in another life."

"Or another event," said Harry. "What family do you come from?"

"Oh the . . . family of . . . . Tonkschinder," Ginny said. "Yes -- we're from the . . . the Americas. But we just moved back here."

"Tonkschinder? Doesn't sound familiar to me . . ."

"Yes, we . . . we like to keep things private where I come from."

"Oh . . . that would explain it, then," said Harry, he pursed his lips and thought for a moment. "I know, were you at the annual royal ball of Durmstrang?" he asked.

She shook her head.

"Perhaps the Coming Out party of Princess Gabrielle of Austria's Wizard Kingdom?"

"No."

The music slowed into another waltz, and Harry smiled again, giving up on his guessing attempts. "Would you care to join me on the balcony?"

"Oh -- yes, of course."

Taking his arm, she followed him into the entrance hall, down the silent hallway. They walked in companionable silence, up a secret passageway and to the top of a secluded tower.

"This is the Astronomy Tower," Harry murmured. "I like to come here a lot, actually."

"It's lovely," said Ginny.

Harry took a seat on the low wall, gazing at her. "I don't mind being a Prince, but sometimes it's nice to get away."

"Being royalty is of such privilege, then," said Ginny, joining him. "All the wonderful things you could do -- and . . ."

"Yes, well I believe a lot of witches and wizards take too much advantage of their heritage," said Harry. "In other words, they act immensely . . ."

"Spoiled?" Ginny suggested.

"Exactly."

They talked for a long while, laughing at silly little things, mostly getting to know one another (or at least as much as Ginny would let him know). He was rather charming, really.

Ginny couldn't help but smile as he caressed her cheek before taking her hand in both of his own. "It's so strange," he said. "I feel like I've known you for so long. . ."

"Truly?"

"Yes, I believe I'm becoming rather fond of you." He gently kissed her knuckles.

She smiled, sitting closer to him and leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Do you live far from here?" he asked. "Will you be staying long?"

"I --"

Ding . . . ding . . . ding . . .

Ginny gasped, jumping up. "Oh no."

"What's the problem?" Harry asked, standing as well. He took her hand.

"It's midnight," Ginny said.

"So it is," said Harry. "But I don't --"

"I must be going!" Ginny said, heading for the open door of the secluded staircase.

"Going -- going where?"

"I -- well, my --"

"Wait, my lady I don't even know your name!" Harry said, pursuing after her in the corridor. "How shall I shall I find you?"

Ginny whistled for her broom, and frantic, she lost him on the corner. She could already hear the broom zooming by, but she could feel the fabric of the dress changing back to its original form.

"Wait -- wait!" Harry shouted after her.

Ginny felt one of her glass slippers slip from her foot as she mounted her broom outside of the oak doors, before taking off into the clouds.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, watching him shrink below her. But she smiled slightly as she headed on home. "Thank you, Tonks. For everything."