Melody Riddle and the Goblet of Fire

Chapter 26: The Yule Ball

I grinned knowingly, "Shocker."

"But... you knew about it and didn't stop her?" he asked looking up at me again, his eyes piercing into mine. "All things considered, no one is going to react well."

Murmurs of agreement were scattered across the table.

"I couldn't have changed Becky's mind even if my life depended on it. You know how stubborn she is," I said, thinking it was sweet of him to worry about her reputation as a Slytherin. Going out with a Weasley so publicly was asking for bullies.

"You're stubborn as well."

"Not as stubborn as the queen of drama. She would come swinging into school on a vine doing a gorilla yell if she ever thought it up, so I don't understand why anyone would take this so seriously."

No one could stop laughing.

Becky looked over at our table. I winked at her. She smiled and winked back.

Then I noticed Professor Dumbledore looking down at his menu. He turned to his plate, and said very clearly, "Pork Chops!" And so pork chops appeared on his plate.

I looked at my menu, scanning it for something that looked interesting. Turning to my plate, I said, "Steak," and it appeared. "Brilliant," I muttered happily as the rest of my table took their orders. Wish they could do it this quickly in the Muggle world. Wonderful house elves.

We ate, small talk moving along. I mostly said nothing, wondering how Lissy and Trixy were doing back in the common room. I would've rather been where they were, just sitting around relaxing. But, the ball wasn't too bad thus far... it was mostly just the dancing I wasn't looking forward to.

It came all too soon.

After everyone had finished their food and Professor Dumbledore waved his wand for all the tables and chairs to go along the walls so the floor was clear – after getting us all to stand up – and conjured up a raised platform...... a stage with instruments set up. Then this band I had never listened to before – the Weird Sisters – came up onto the stage. They were all hairy and wore black robes artfully torn for their performance. They made me think of Muggle rock bands.

The first tune they played, however, was sadly enough a slow tune. The champions danced first, all eyes on them, and then everyone slowly joined in.

Blaise stood up and held his hand out to me, "May I have this first dance?"

I took his hand and walked out to the dance floor with him. "Just a bit of a warning," I said with a small laugh, "I don't really dance."

He laughed, holding one of my hands in his and putting another on my waist. "Just follow my lead."

I believe I'm lucky he's not a bad dancer, I thought as we danced around in a slow waltz.

Somewhere on the other side of the floor I saw Ginny wincing every once in a while whenever Neville stepped on her foot.

In another spot, the twins danced near each other with their dates. Becky looked like she was really enjoying herself. I would see George say something to her, and then she would laugh. Whenever they didn't talk she just smiled up at him.

'Professor Moody' danced with Professor Sinistra, who nervously watched wherever his peg leg went. It looked very odd.

"Tonight is certainly a night to remember," I said aloud.

"Yes, I agree," Blaise said softly.

When the song ended, a Durmstrang boy walked up to us. He did a slight bow to me and asked if I wanted to dance.