Bad [Harry Potter Fanfiction] (Bad Series: 1)

13 | Anticipation

"You look lovely, Ginny."

She caught Luna approaching in her mirror. She smiled, running her fingers down the bodice of her black, form-fitting, strapless gown. The fabric was soft beneath her fingers. She tilted her head, taking herself in. She'd catch a few looks, but all that mattered was that she would be gone before everyone truly knew what was happening. Her smile grew as she turned around, "Thank you. You look smashing too."

Her fuchsia halter-top gown was Luna in every sense of the word. Luna. Loud and beautiful and didn't-give-a-damn-what-people-thought attitude.

"The minds of mere mortals will be lost to thin Wrackspurts fuzzing up their brains," Luna told her.

"Hey now, you're married," Ginny teased, walking over to her bed and grabbing her cloak.

"You're not," Luna said. "Maybe you'll meet someone tonight."

Ginny snorted.

"I'm just glad you're joining us," Luna said as Ginny approached her. She followed her into Ginny's living room where Neville, Hannah, and Rolf waited.

None of them knew the real reason for her visit. She couldn't tell them. They'd all be surprised at her acceptance to Neville's usually denied invite. It had been the perfect in, though she could've always just shown up and surprised the hell out of everyone.

She moved to the mirror beside the front door and applied some lipstick. She pursed her lips then said, "I figured I would make an appearance so that everyone wouldn't think I was up to no good."

"We already know you're up to no good," Neville mumbled as he got to his feet and helped Hannah up. The blond adjusted her off-the-shoulder midnight blue gown and smiled at him.

He doesn't know the half of it, Ginny thought, fighting a grin. "Let's go. I'm ready to party."

Rolf snorted. "It's going to be a room full of pompous-"

Ginny laughed, shutting the door behind them then casted her wards.

*

Anticipation crawled up Ginny's back as the lift doors opened. Neville, Hannah, Luna, and Rolf stepped out, but she waited the briefest of a moment, soaking in the feeling. She was here. It was time. Merlin, she couldn't believe it.

The ballroom overflowed with colors and people. Almost jammed pack, she was surprised they hadn't spelled the room bigger. Or need to do so again if they had. They'd have to turn them away soon. She entered behind Neville and Hannah, her gown trailing behind her. Sheer drapes hung from the ceiling, and white lanterns floating throughout the room. It was beautiful.

Tables lined the walls, and a larger, raised one stood at the back of the room. She could see it through the dancing couples in the center of the ballroom. Probably where the Minister and President would sit. It was empty now. But raised higher still was the Golden Unicorn Horn, encased in a box, before the table. Ginny couldn't look away. It called to her, begging her to come and take it. Make it hers. And she could. Soon.

Following Neville and Hannah, she caught a few stares. Some she recognized, some she didn't. A part of her wondered what they were thinking, though she could hazard a guess.