Author's Note - I found a great story on this site called Forbidden Choice. As much as I loved it, I started thinking about how I would tell the story myself. I wanted to change a few things and add some points of view. I contacted the original author and asked permission to use her storyline along with details and even sentences. She graciously agreed. Unfortunately the author has since taken down the original story. I hope one day she brings it back as it inspired me to write again. A huge Thank You to her for allowing me to use her story and giving me the courage to post my take. If she returns it on the site, I will post the information again for everyone.

Thank you to everyone that reviewed! I always PM back unless it's a guest review.

As a response to some of the reviews - I actually had this next chapter done before ANY of the beginning chapters! It was this chapter from the original story that made me want to post my own take. This is what it's all been coming down to and I'm so excited to share this now! Hopefully I've done it justice.

We're coming down to the end! What will happen next?

Chapter 25 -

The day of the ball had arrived. No one could focus on classes and as the day wore on the excitement kept growing and the whispers of hairstyles, dresses, and makeup soon took over classroom discussions. The Professors eventually gave up trying to teach. Finally the last class was over and everyone was headed back to the dormitories to get ready.

Ginny really had no desire to get dressed up. All she wanted to do was to hide in her bed with the covers over her head. Unfortunately that wasn't an option as Lavender had pretty much taken over the dormitory. Dresses were piled on Ginny's and Hermione's bed, a makeup station at Parvati's bed, and a hair station at Lavenders. The girls were running around between them getting ready. Hermione noticed her friend sitting off to the side.

"Come on Gin. You have to get ready. Lavender's a genius. My hair has never been this tame before! I can't wait until Charlie sees me." Even Hermione was getting into the spirit as Ginny frowned.

"Can't I just go in my jeans and a jumper? Why should I get dressed up? Might as well be plain and comfortable. My date probably won't even show up." Ginny grumbled.

"Now, you know that's not true." Hermione said gently as she stooped down beside Ginny's chair. She took her friend's hand in hers. "He'll be there. And you're anything but plain even in comfy clothes. Now get up and get over there before Lavender drags you over".

Ginny giggled slightly. She knew it was true. As soon as she stood, Lavender pounced on her. Within seconds her hair was flying up into an elegant knot at the top of her head with soft tendrils curled around her face and a few in the back. Minutes later Lavender had shoved her into a chair in front of a mirror and got working on her makeup. When Ginny looked into the mirror she couldn't believe the face staring back was hers. Her face was glowing with the perfect amount of blush, a soft peach tint on her lips, and just a hint of gold above her eyes which matched the accents on her dress perfectly and made her green eyes pop and sparkle. Ginny finally got dressed and with a sigh she went to meet Luna.

Ginny stood at the top of the stairs with Luna. Luna looked ethereal in her dress with her light blonde hair styled loosely across one shoulder and Ginny could tell she was giddy with excitement.

Ginny was nervous. She really wasn't sure how this evening was going to go and she suddenly wasn't sure what do with her hands. She clasped them in front of her, then behind her back, and then moved them straight to her sides. Luna looked over at her friend and grabbed her hand taking pity on her.

"It's o.k. He'll be here. Blaise said they got ready together and will be at the bottom of the stairs shortly." Ginny only nodded. Suddenly Luna replied, "I see them! It's time to go."

Ginny became even more nervous. Her heart was pounding and the butterflies sweeping through her stomach made her feel like she was about to take flight. Add stylish gold high heels, the train on her dress, and stairs to the mix and Ginny was sure she would stumble. Luna linked her arm into Ginny's and nodded toward the railing sensing Ginny's distress. Ginny steeled herself, grabbed onto the railing, and slowly made her way down the stairs with Luna still linked with her. At first she could do nothing but look down afraid she would trip and tumble down the stairs. Towards the last few steps, she finally looked up and caught sight of Draco. Her breath hitched slightly. He was looking at her intensely, but she saw his eyes light up as they never had before. He was wearing a well fitted suit of black with gold cufflinks and a gold pocket square. She sensed that Luna had told him the colors of her dress so he could match. Funny he looked more like a Gryffindor in this moment she thought.

Draco walked up to her almost in a daze. He stared at her for a few seconds more before saying solemnly, "You look absolutely beautiful Ginny."

"Thank you," Ginny responded as she tugged at a curl near the side of her face still nervous.

Luna nodded towards Draco and pushed Ginny closer toward him as she winked behind his back to Ginny. Blaise appeared and swept Luna into the crowd.

Draco chuckled softly and held out his arm for her. Ginny linked her arm shyly around his as they walked into the Great Hall. She looked around in amazement. The Hall was decorated even better than the Yule Ball in her 3rd year. Strands of twinkling lights and garland hung from the walls as sparkling confetti fell softly all around. It was truly enchanting. As they got closer to the dance floor in the middle of the room Draco spoke again.

"Would you care to dance?" He asked taking her hand and bowing slightly.

Ginny almost rolled her eyes at the formality, but she nodded nonetheless. Draco stepped up and with his right right hand pulled Ginny close to him while intertwining their left hands. He nudged her head down and she rested it against his chest. She could feel his heart beating as quickly as her own as they twirled across the floor.

As Draco had watched her walk carefully down the stairs just minutes before, he knew he was losing the battle that was raging inside him. He heard Blaise murmur something about Luna, but he only saw Ginny. When she finally looked up from her descent and into his eyes, it was like time suddenly stopped. He had truly never seen anyone more beautiful. Now he was melting with her in his arms as they danced.

After the song ended, he lead her to a row of tables while he went to get them refreshments. Ginny watched the people all around her. Hermione and Charlie were off to the side talking. Harry and Padma were shuffling around, Ron kept stepping on poor Hannah's toes, and Luna and Blaise seemed to be in their own world while the twins with Angelina and Katie were in the middle of the dance floor doing a sort of four square thing laughing the entire time.

A few minutes later Draco returned with some pumpkin juice and pasties. They ate and drank in relative silence. Ginny noticed Draco looking up at the hall ceiling almost wistfully. It was enchanted to look like the night sky with a few clouds and tons of simmering stars winking down at them. Ginny glanced up at the ceiling as well and suddenly had an idea.

"Come on. I have an idea." Ginny said standing.

"Where are we going?" Draco asked.

"Just follow me." They slipped from the Great Hall with no one noticing. Ginny lead them down the way to a door that would lead them out of the castle next to the Greenhouse. Quietly they made their way out and down the path.

"What are we doing out here?"

"Night flying. I haven't done it in ages."

"Isn't that a little dangerous? What if someone sees us?"

"Honestly! Where's your sense of adventure? It's such a beautiful night. I want to touch a star," Ginny replied mischievously. She bent down to take off her heels and grab her dress. Holding it in one hand and throwing her heels onto the ground she looked up at Draco and said, "Come on. Race you to the broom shed."

He saw the glint in her eye seconds before she was running off through the grass. He immediately started chasing her trying to catch up. She was fast and with her slight head start she arrived at the broom shed first slapping the door as she came up to it.

"I won!" she said panting slightly.

"No way. You had a head start!"

"Don't be mad because you got bested by a girl."

"Shady technicality if you ask me."

Ginny laughed before pulling her wand from her dress and unlocking the shed.

"How did you know the password?" Draco asked her.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Because I grew up with Fred and George of course. They stole it from Madam Hooch's office right after a Quidditch match in their 1st year. She grabbed a couple of broomsticks and passed him one. "Come on, let's go."

A few minutes later they were in the air racing around. Ginny loved the way the night sky looked. She flew over to where Draco had stopped as a set of goal posts stood high in the night behind them. He had loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves slightly. She could see him frowning as she stopped beside him.

"Last time we were up here together I hurt you." Draco spoke quietly looking over at her.

Ginny could see the guilt and remorse in his eyes as she shook her head. "It wasn't your fault."

"I should have been paying attention. I should have moved out of the way." Draco said sadly as he floated slowly down to the ground. Ginny followed him. By the time she had dismounted her broom he had already dropped his and was starting to walk away.

"It wasn't your fault." She repeated again walking towards him. "It just happened."

"You should hate me."

"Why?"

"Because you should."

"But I don't." She was growing frustrated. "I forgive you."

He turned to look at her. "Why?"

"I just do!"

"Don't you see, Ginny?" His eyes were like grey flint: hard and unyielding. "That is exactly the problem. Why? Why do you forgive me?" There was a heavy silence. Ginny bit her lip, taken aback by his sudden behavior.

"You want me to hate you forever? Is that it?" Ginny demanded.

"No." Draco's voice was short. "But you should. You forgive me for no reason, give me second chances with blind faith, and-" He broke off, shaking his head. "You're too bloody nice." He spat. I'm terrified that I'm going to ruin you."

Something in her head clicked. Finally she understood why he had been avoiding her and why he had withdrawn into himself. She heard herself laugh a little, incredulous. "I'm not made of glass."

"That's not what I..." Draco made a frustrated sound, running his hands through his hair. His eyes were wild, grey ashes that were setting her on fire. "I know you're not."

"Look at who I am, look at what I've done!" he suddenly exploded. "Look at the way I've treated you and your family. I'm not a good guy! I was a Death Eater for Merlin's sake! And my family…" He broke off.

"Stop it, just stop it" Ginny said frowning and shaking her head.

"Why? He laughed bitterly. "Because the truth hurts?" He turned away.

Her eyes flashed like lightning. She grabbed his hand. He flinched as if her hand were on fire, but he did not let go. She looked down at their hands joined. For the first time she noticed the faint outline of where the dark mark used to be on his forearm where his sleeves were rolled up.

"No, you idiot!" she said fiercely. "Don't you see? Our actions don't define us. We've all done things we're not proud of. We all have light and dark within us. What happened before is in the past. It's what you do with your future now that counts."

He lifted his head slowly looking at her daring to believe. She sounded desperate now as if trying to get him to understand.

"I don't care who your father was. I don't care that your last name is Malfoy. I don't care about who or what you thought you were. These past few months I've seen you. The real you. Who you really are behind that facade you show everyone else. You're just Draco. I care about you. I care that you can make me laugh, you challenge me in a way no one ever has before, you make me think, and you make me feel like…"

"Like what?"

"Like I'm flying." Ginny said quietly.

They started at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Ginny could see the haunted look in his eyes disappear and was slowly replaced with something else…. something light…. like Hope. He searched her eyes looking for hatred or fear, but he only saw what looked like compassion and desire. He felt his heart explode. She doesn't hate me he thought. Then Ginny stepped closer and kissed him. Draco stiffened in surprise, and just like their last kiss, Ginny was momentarily frightened that he wasn't going to kiss her back, but then his body relaxed, his mouth softened, and he cupped her face in his hands. His mind went blissfully blank. He stopped thinking and for once in his life just felt...everything. It was like there was no one else in the world, but them. He could feel the heat of her body against him. He could taste her lips and smell the vanilla and flowers in her hair. He moved his hands down to her waist as he broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers closing his eyes.

"I love you." he whispered. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I just…" He broke off and looked at her.

Ginny could see the remorse within his eyes. "Shh." She said as she put her finger to his lips. "I love you too." she whispered back and smiled at him.

She saw his face light up as he pulled her closer and laughed against her mouth before kissing her passionately. When he pulled back he could see her cheeks flushed.

"You kiss like you play quidditch," she informed him.

He raised an eyebrow. "And how's that?"

"With spirit," she said cheekily.

Draco picked her up and twirled her around showering her in a multitude of sweets kisses and Ginny giggled with her arms tightly around his neck. She never wanted to let go.

Please review!

I'm planning on one more chapter to close this story out, but have tons of ideas for a few new stories!