Tainted Love

Choosing a date

"So who are you taking to the dance?" Heather asks James as they are sitting outside the castle on the lawn. He flushed slightly and looks away.

"Why were you wanting me to ask you?" He laughs softly. She shrugs and lays down looking up at the sky. It was getting cooler out and since she no longer had to wear Hogwarts robes all the time she was wearing black skinny jeans and a green tank top. James started to absentmindedly pick at a random string in her jeans. "Are you going to be mad if I tell you someone already asked me?" He asks laying down next to her. He can't help but smile at how peaceful she looks. Her fire red hair fanned around her. The green from the grass a beautiful contrast. She was so pale but not sickly looking like her father.

"Not mad at all, I'll admit disappointed.." she says softly. He closes his eyes and sighs. "So who is the lucky lady? Ginny?" She asks with a smile.

"No not Ginny. She's like my sister." He says with a laugh. "No, it's a fellow Ravenclaw.. Luna Lovegood." He says causally. Heather smiles a big smile.

"The cute blonde?" She asks with a knowing smile. James blushes and nods his head.

"She's a bit odd, but she's nice." He says. "So who are you going to ask?" He asks with a knowing smile. "Malfoy? Or Zambini?" He laughs. She shakes her head and rolls onto her stomach.

"I'm not going to ask anyone. I'm old school i guess. I was hoping someone would ask me." She shrugs casually. Her perks an eyebrow at her.

"You do realize teenage boys don't like to ask right?" He says laughing.

That evening before dinner when she made her way back to the common room, it was full of chatter about the ball that weekend. "Sooo I asked Drakky and of course he agreed." Pansys shrill voice called out from across the room. She was ina circle of girls. Mainly Daphne and Tracey. They were both so excited and laughing with her. Heather sighed. Of course he would be going with Pansy..

"You okay?" Millicent asks causing her to jump. Heather fixes her tank top and nods her head.

"Sure." She says casually.

"Are you going to be upset if I ask Blaise?" She asks quietly. Heather perks up and smiles  Millicent.

"Do it!" She says brightly. "I think that would be brilliant."

"What about you? Who will you ask?" Millicent glances across the room at the group of Slytherin boys huddled near one of the fireplaces.

"I'm not going to ask anyone. I'm waiting for someone to ask me." Heather says casually. Not taking her eyes off of Draco who was staring right back from across the room. His platinum hair shining brightly with reflection of the flames. He gave her a sad smile as Pansy kept questing loudly across the room.

"Well you might want to change your mind, the ball is in two days you know.."she nodded her head.

"I'm not too concerned." She says casually. "Worst case I go stag, and just hang out with friends." Millicent smiled and nodded before slowing making her way towards the group of boys including Draco. Heather listened closely as she heard Millicent ask Blaise to the ball. He agreed and the group of boys all ooooed making her smile. She was happy for Millicent. Blaise wasn't her type anyways.

Heather straightened her hair with a spell before dinner. Putting on a pair of fire red sneakers to match her hair. Millicent asked her to sit with her at dinner and she agreed. It was better to sit with people than to sit by herself and dwell on the fact she was terrified about the stupid tournament she was stuck in.

She was sat in between Millicent and Theodore Nott. She found herself once again too nervous to really eat and was picking at a sandwich on her plate. When she felt a tap on her shoulder. She jumped and turned around. There stood Harry Potter.

"May I talk to you a moment?" He asks blushing. She nods her head and stands up. Most of Slytherin table goes quiet as they watch her walk away with Harry.

"What's up Harry? Need help with potions?" She asks sweetly. Harry pushes his hair out of his eyes and rubs his neck.

"I was wondering if you would go to the ball with me?"he asks quickly. Heather smiles brightly at him.

"Sure Harry!" She says. He pauses and opens his mouth. Looking rather shocked that she actually agreed. She gives him a quick hug before pulling back and smiling at him.

"Wow, brilliant, okay!" Harry says a new found smile on his face. "How about I meet you by the potions classroom before the ball and we can walk together?" He asks. Heather nods her head.

"Thank you for asking me." She says before turning and walking back to the Slytherin table. She didn't miss the angry scowl on Dracos face and she smirks to herself.