Snakes and Sanguine

Year 4: Call Me F*cking Cupid

News of a ball spread like a wildfire, excitement thick in the air like fog by a lighthouse off the coasts of England. Throughout the beginning of the frigid Christmas season, I was overwhelmed by waves of guilt and every attempt to push the thoughts away was futile.

Seeing Silas was no longer the issue, it was James. James, who had not spoken a word to me since the night of the first tournament. Last year he would have hunted me down to apologize, begging on his knees for my forgiveness even if he hadn't done anything wrong. Though this time he did do something wrong and avoided me like I was his N.E.W.Ts. Maybe I was being stubborn but I did not want to be the one to confront him especially when he seemed more than alright without me. He laughed and drank with his friends, paraded around with confidence as a Triwizard Champion, flocks of girls chasing behind him thanks to Cupid's rumors that James and I were over. Even I wasn't sure if rumors were all they were.

Why feel guilty when he was acting like I never meant anything to him?

Some people took advantage of the Hogsmeade weekend to ask the people that they fancy to the ball.

"Did James ask you to the ball? I want to know if I need to formally invite Vee or if it's a given that we are going together?" Scorpius asked in the Three Broomsticks.

"James and I aren't on the best of terms," I replied hesitantly, glancing over and him and his friends laughing with Butterbeers in their hands, clanking them together like pirates, the golden liquid spilling out and dripping down the sides of their jugs.

"I don't mean to be rude or anything but you two are like always fighting," Lucien said in between sips of his pumpkin juice.

"Seems like that doesn't it," I replied with a heaving sigh, sneaking another glance in his direction.

"He hasn't apologized?" Al asked, almost...and I mean almost with concern.

"No. He's probably just busy figuring out the clue on the key he got from the first task." I said, picking at the crudités we ordered.

"Please refocus everybody," Scorpius interjected, his mouth full of chewed carrots. "We are talking about my relationship issues right now. Del, we can get to yours later."

"What's the problem again?" Lucien asked, yanking a celery stick out from his mouth.

"Do I need to ask Vee to the Yule Ball or is it a given that we are going together?"

"I say ask her," Al replied.

"Yeah, nothing like a good romantic gesture. In romcoms, they always make sucha big deal about being asked to Homecoming so I'm sure it's the same thing." Lucien agreed.

"Romcoms?" I asked.

"Homecoming? You've got to stop speaking gibberish to us, Lucy." Scorpius said.

Lucien just rolled his eyes and grabbed a carrot stick, dipping it into the vinaigrette dipping sauce.

"Translation, do it," Al replied.

Scorpius grinned brightly. "What should I do?!" he exclaimed, turning to Al.

"How should I know?"

"Are you not going to ask anybody?"

"No."

"Why not?" Lucien asked.

"Are you?" Al retorted.

"I might."

"Ooh!" Scorpius said as though he had just come up with the greatest idea of the century. "Why don't you ask Annabeth? You two have been quite cozy recently."