Defend

Chapter Eleven I Love It

 "Do you hope Harry asks you to the Yule Ball?" I nudge Ginny with my side as we walk down the hall.

 "Mm, that'd be nice. But I'm sure he's going to go with someone else."

 "You never know."

 "Tomorrow's the first Hogsmeade visit. Would you fancy going to buy Yule Ball dresses?"

 I grin. "Sure."

~~~~

 The owls sweep down with letters at dinner. I notice the two snowy owls coming down. Only two people at Hogwarts have snowy owls. Harry's Hedwig, and my Millie.

 "Looks like you got a package," Draco points at Millie with his fork. Millie lands on my plate and helps herself to my food. I untie the small package from her leg and set it beside my plate to save the last of my food from Millie's hungry beak.

 Draco's staring at me. "Are you going to open it, or wait until Christmas?"

 I roll my eyes. "I'm going to open it, you daft git."

 I unwrap it to find a fat envelope. I recognize my mum's fancy handwriting on the front.

 For my love, Eliza. Share this with Ginny and buy some beautiful dresses, you beautiful girls. Have an excellent Yule Ball my dear. I can't wait to hear all about it.

 P.S Don't forget to give Cedric a few for his dress robes.

 I open the envelope and gasp.

 "What?" Draco inquires, attempting to look over my shoulder.

 I don't respond. I simply dump the envelope's contents onto the table.

 The Slytherin table goes silent.

 Draco finally speaks. "That's a lot of galleons."

 I stare at the money, jaw ajar. "No joking, you daft git."

 He turns to me. "Is your name for me 'you daft git' today?"

 "Sure, you daft git." I smile.

 "Stupid."

 I shove him. "You stupid daft git."

 "You even dafter git."

 "You are daft that you can't think of something better than that." I scoop the galleons back into my envelope.

 After dinner, I run to the Gryffindor common room. Harry says the password to the fat lady and is about to step in.

 "Harry, wait!"

 He turns around. "Oh. Hey, Eliza."

 "I need to talk to Ginny, can you let me in?"

 He opens his mouth to respond, but Fred and George are too fast. They reach out and pull me into the Gryffindor common room.

 "Thanks guys," I say to them.

 "No problem." Fred says.

 "We owe you one from making us the ageing potion." George winks.

 "Don't mention it."

 I run up to the girls' dorms and I pound on the door. "Ginny!"

 She opens the door. "What?"

 "Super exciting news!"

 She pulls me into her dorm. "Tell me everything."

 "Did you see me get a package at dinner?"