Always

19

"I'm going to ask her to the dance," Draco said confidently. He turned to Ginny. "Am I?"

"Yes. You defiantly are. Don't turn into a coward," Ginny said sternly. They stood outside of the hospital wing. Ginny and Draco entered through the large doors. Hermione was leaning up against some pillows and reading a book.

"Hey, Hermione! What's up?" Ginny asked.

"Oh, no much. The same old this and that," Hermione sighed.

"Umm, Hermione? I have something for you." Draco glanced at Ginny. Ginny gave him a subtle, but encouraging, nod. Draco reached into his pocket. Ginny held her breath. If he screwed this up...boy would he be in trouble. Draco had refused to share how exactly he was going to ask Hermione to the dance.

Taking his hand out of his pocket, Draco produced a small round rock.

"Hermione," he said seriously, looking into her eyes, "You rock my world." Then, with a flick of his wand, he made the rock into a heart shape. Hermione bit her lip, trying to contain her laughter. Ginny started laughing and tried to pass it off as a cough, but it wasn't working. Her laughter rang out through the hospital, soon joined by Hermione. "What?" Draco asked, confused.

"That...is...the...cheesiest...thing...I've...ever....heard," Ginny gasped between laughter. Hermione couldn't even talk; she was laughing so hard.

"Well, for your information, I thought it was brilliant!" Draco insisted over the girls' laughter.

"Brilliant!" echoed Hermione, still roaring with laughter. It took them about five minutes to calm down and stop laughing. "So, what made you make that horrific joke?" Hermione asked once she had stopped laughing.

"What?" Draco seemed to have forgotten why he was there in the first place. "Oh! Yes. I wanted to ask you something. I was....wondering....if you'd like...um...to...uhhh..."

"Well, get on with it!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Iwaswonderingifyouwantedtogototheballwithme?" Draco said quickly.

"I'm sorry? I didn't catch that," Hermione said, befuddled.

"I..I..I was wondering if you'd like to go to the ball with me?" Draco asked, looking scared.

"If..if I want to go to the ball with you?" Hermione asked. She looked guilty. "I can't. I'm sorry, Draco."

"Why not? Are you going with someone else? Is there anything I can do to change your mind?" Draco pleaded. Hermione shook her head.

"No. You can't. I'd love to if I could. But I can't."

"What are you talking about? Hermione, you're ridiculous. If you want to go with me then just tell whoever you are going with that you found someone else! I thought you liked me!"

"Look at me!" Hermione cried. "I can barely sit up, let alone stand! Madame Pomfrey said no ball unless I'm completely healed. Don't you think I want to go? Don't you think I would give anything to be out of this bed- out of this hospital! I watch you in the Quidditch matches, Draco. I can see you from here. The way the sun shines on you and all of the players. I want to feel the sun! I want to walk and jump and dance! I want to go to classes and eat in the Great Hall with everyone else! I want to be an ordinary and healthy girl, so don't you dare make me feel guilty about not wanting to go the dance with you. Can't you see how hard this is for me?" Hermione ranted.

"Hermione, this is hard for all of us and-"

"Hard for all of us?" Hermione cut him off. "Was it you who spent weeks being constantly tortured by your worst fears and memories? Was it you who has lived in fear for most of your life? Was it you who has been on the brink of dying for the past month? Was it you who, until recently, had parents who refused to look you in the eye or would rather have you not come home for Christmas because they were afraid, not of losing you, but of you? No, I didn't think so. But let's forget me, let's worry about you. Yes, because Snape gave you too much homework or your classes are too boring outweighs all of that!" Hermione snapped. She picked her book back up and started to read.

"'Mione, I'm sorry," Draco apologized to her. Hermione didn't look up. Draco looked at Ginny, who shook her head.

"Maybe it's time we go," Ginny murmured, standing up. Draco followed her out. Once they were out of the hospital wing, Ginny rounded on Draco.

"How could you say that to her?" Ginny seethed. "After all she's been through. After all, you've put her through; one would think you'd have enough sense to give her some respect!"

"I'm sorry, alright! I didn't mean to say it. It just slipped out! I'm sorry!" Draco paused for a second. Then, he got an idea. "I know how to make it up to her. I'm taking her to the ball."

"You. Are. So. Stupid! She can't go to the ball, idiot!"

"Yes, she can. Alright, here's the plan." Draco told Ginny his idea, and she was stunned. If they could pull this off, it would certainly be a night to remember.

"I'll go tell Harry and Ron. You ask Madame Pomfrey for help. Oh, and go down to the kitchens and ask for extra food for the ball tomorrow," Ginny commanded. Draco beamed.

"Yes, ma'am." 

Ginny raced upstairs and gave the fat lady the password- fairy lights. She burst into the common room. Ron and Harry looked up, worried.

"Don't worry, she's fine," Ginny said quickly, seeing their expressions. "I have a plan, though. Hermione can't go to the ball because she's still very weak, but I was thinking we could create a mini ball in the hospital wing the night of the dance. Draco is asking Madame Pomfrey. Are you in?"

The boys stared at her in shock. 

"Ginny, that plan is brilliant!" Ron finally said. Harry nodded in agreement. "What can we do?"