As soon as the first task was complete, I ran to the champions tent and hugged Harry. He had a few injuries, so I was careful not to touch them.
"You were really brave, Harry! And Horntail? Oof!" I said kissing his cheeks.
"Thanks, Liv" he replied and put me down. I saw Cedric entering the tent, after he was mended by Madam Pomfrey. He looked at me and smiled widely. He opened his arms for me. I quickly ran to him and he picked me up in his arms not forgetting to spin me around.
"You did really great Ced" I said as he put me down. "But you weren't careful" I said pointing my finger at his burn marks.
"Thank you, but I was careful and I'll be okay. So, don't worry" he said keeping his hands on my waist.
"Hey, love. Let's go, we are celebrating Harry's win, in the common room" George said peeking only his head through the curtain. I nodded and left with him. While we were walking out of the Quidditch Pitch, George had his hand around my shoulder, he asked, "He hasn't confessed his feelings yet?" I shook my head.
"So, does our little Livvy like anyone else?" he asked as we entered the castle.
"Maybe" I said. "Who is it?" he asked looking at me.
"I'm not telling you, I'm not telling anyone yet" I said as I murmured the password. Everyone was sitting in the common room, cheering 'Harry! Harry! Harry!' and George and I joined in too. Even the portraits were clapping. Harry was picked up by the twins on their shoulders, when I sat beside Hermione.
"Where's Ron?" I asked. She raised her eyebrows and nodded in the direction of the dorm. "Are you kidding me? Still?" I asked as she sighed.
"Yes, Harry!" one of the twins said.
"Knew you wouldn't die. Lose a leg, maybe-" the other said, while Harry threw the egg in my hands.
"Or an arm"
"Pack it in altogether?"
"Never!" they both shouted in unison.
Seamus took the egg from my hand and shushed everyone, he kissed the egg and said, "Open it, Harry. Let's hear the next clue" and threw the egg in Harry's hands.
"You all want to hear the clue?" Harry shouted and the others cheered in reply.
He opened the top and the egg made a screeching sound. The twins dropped him to cover their ears like the others.
"Harry! Blimey! Close the damn egg" I shouted and he closed it and sealed the top.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron came through the stairs and everyone stared at him and Harry. Everyone in the school knew that they were fighting like kids. Hermione and I gave each other a look.
"Alright, everyone. Go back to your knitting" George said as he put his hands in his hoodie's pocket.
"This is gonna be uncomfortable enough without you all nosy sods listening in" Fred said and they cleared the space. I smiled at the twins and mouthed 'thank you'.
Ron came to Harry and said, "I reckon you have to be barking mad to put your name in The Goblet of Fire"
Harry nodded "Caught on, have you? Took you long enough" and replied sassily.
"I wasn't the only one who thought you did it. Everyone was saying behind your back" Ron replied looking around, that was true. Everyone did think that he put his name in, even Cedric thought that Harry cheated, also took him long enough.
"Brilliant. That makes me feel loads better" Harry said looking around and Ron gave him an apologetic smile.
"At least I warned you about the dragons" he said quickly.
"Hagrid warned me about the dragons" Harry said correcting him.
"No, no, I did. Don't you remember? Near the Black Lake? I told Hermione to tell you that Seamus told me that Parvati told Dean that Hagrid was looking for you" Ron pulled them towards us. "Seamus never really told me anything, he forgot, I guess, so it was really me all along"
Ron looked down to his shoes and said, "I thought we'd be alright, you know after you figured that out"
"Who could possibly figure all that out? That's completely mental" Harry said.
"Isn't it? I suppose I was a bit distraught" Ron said smiling a little, looking at me.
"Boys!" Hermione said getting emotional over the scene that the boys created.
"Now, enough with the drama, Ronald, is there something that you'd like to say to Liv?" she asked and she pushed Ron towards me.
"Erm, yeah, it was really wrong of me to say all of that. I am sorry" he said rubbing the back of his neck.
"Said what?" Harry asked. I looked at him and said, "Nothing"
"It's okay, Ron" I said smiling at Ron.
The next day, we were all doing breakfast in The Great Hall, I was sitting next to Harry, with my head on his shoulder, while Hermione and Ron were sitting together, when Hermione went on and on about how Rita Skeeter was publishing false news about her and Harry, while Cho kept staring at Harry and me.
"Erm, Cho keeps staring at you guys" Ron said and we turned around to which she quickly turned back to her friends. Nigel came with a parcel for Ron.
"Parcel for you, Mr. Weasley" he said sweetly and handed Ron a big box.
"Thank you, Nigel" Ron said and Nigel was looking at Harry, grinning like an idiot. Hermione nudged Ron and he said, "Not now, Nigel" elbowing him. Hermione and I raised our eyebrows at him and he said, "I told him I would get him Harry's autograph" I rolled my eyes at him.
"Look, mum sent me something" he said opening the box, totally ignoring Hermione's death glare. He pulled out some sort of traditional robes that looked weird.
"She sent me a dress" he said and everyone at the Gryffindor table giggled.
"Well, it does match your eyes. Is there a bonnet?" Harry said pulling out a white bonnet. "Aha!" he said and he passed it to Hermione.
"Nose down, Harry" he said pushing Hermione's hand down. He went to Ginny who was sitting beside us and said, "Ginny, these must be for you"
"I'm not wearing that, it's ghastly" Ginny said taking a bite out her cereal, when Hermione and I laughed at him. He came back annoyed and said, "What?"
"They're not for Ginny, they're for you" Hermione said still laughing.
"Dress robes" I said while everyone at our table started laughing. "Dress robes? For what?" he asked and I replied, "The Yule Ball. And honestly, Ron, better be dress robes than getting a howler from Mrs. Weasley"
After breakfast we went to the 'practice' for The Yule Ball. We were practicing with Slytherins, while Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were together. Mr. Filch was adjusting the instrument while Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape were talking to each other. Gryffindor was on the left side of the room, while Slytherin on the right.
"Silence!" Snape said in his cold tone.
"The Yule Ball has been a tradition of The Triwizard Tournament since its inception" McGonagall said coming to the center of the room.
"On Christmas Eve Night, we and our guests, gather in the Great Hall for a night of well-mannered frivolity" Snape said taking a place by McGonagall's side.
"As representatives of the host schools, I expect each and everyone of you to put your best foot forward" McGonagall said walking over to the Gryffindor side.
"And we mean this literally, because The Yule Ball is, first and foremost... a dance" Snape said as all the boys groaned and slumped back in their seats while all the girls started chattering about boys and dresses.
"Quiet!" he said again. "Now I would like to make one thing abundantly clear, this is a complete and utter waste of time" he completed and McGonagall cleared her throat.
"We will not have you, in the course of single evening, besmirching the name of your house and our school by behaving like babbling, bumbling band of baboons" she said sternly.
"Say that five times fast, Fred" George said from behind me.
"Babbling, bumbling band of baboons"
"Babbling, bumbling band of baboons"
"Babbling, bumbling band of baboons"
"Shh" I said as McGonagall came to Ron's side and Snape went to Pansy' s side.
"Mr. Weasley" she said while Snape asked Pansy to stand up.
"Will you join me?" she asked as Ron reluctantly stood up, so did Pansy.
"Thank you, Pansy" Snape said and they both came to the center of the room.
"Now ladies, at some point of the night you will be approached by these dumb boys, to which HE should have etiquette" he bowed his head lightly in front of Pansy and Ron copied him.
"Now, we will accept" McGonagall said as they took the hand of the male.
"Hand on my waist, Mr. Weasley" she said as she put a hand on his shoulder. Draco and his goons snickered.
"I swear... if I hear a SINGLE snicker, Mr. Malfoy, your father will not hear from you for a long time" he said to which I snickered and he said, "Let's begin"
"One, two, three" McGonagall said as they begin to dance and showed us the steps.
"Now, all the girls please take position, while the boys will magically find you and will forcefully stand up" Snape said and at a flick of his wand all the boys stood up and scattered around the room, finding their dance partners. All the Gryffindor girls were with Slytherin boys and the Gryffindor boys with Slytherin girls.
I was standing at my position, when a few charming boys went by me and I just hoped it would be anyone but Draco. Maybe Theo or Blaise, they're always nice to me thought they are Draco's friends.
"Thinking that I wouldn't be your partner, Middleton?" he said from behind me while taking his position in front of me. I mumbled "Shit" under my breath. "Not getting rid of me so easily" he said smirking.
"Now, positions" McGonagall shouted.
We straightened our posture. Draco, no matter the bully, is a perfect gentleman. He offered his hand to me and bowed down, I took his hand and he pulled me closer, making me gasp a little. He placed a hand on my waist and I placed my hand on his shoulder, not breaking the eye contact.
The music started and he took the lead. We started with the basic box step, ignoring all the groans and chatter around us. As we began dancing the whole room stopped and stared at us, while we had our eyes locked at each other. Him looking down and me looking up, with the obvious height difference.
We then did a few more steps, him twirling me around, going at distance, coming back, every step, without breaking eye contact. At the last part of the music, Draco twirled me for a few more spins and then he ended the dance with a dip, still looking in my eyes.
We broke eye contact and snapped out of our own little world when everyone in the room started clapping. He helped me up and we stood smiling, with his hand still on my waist.
"Say, Middleton, will you do me the honor of going to the ball with me?" he asked looking at me. I took a deep breath in, not wanting to turn him down, since he saved me from the intruder, and said, "I'll think about it, Malfoy"
"You two are exceptionally good. How do you know how to waltz?" McGonagall asked coming over to us.
"I took classes" I said smiling at her.
"And my mother organizes formal balls all the time, so I picked up a thing or two" he said politely.
"Well, good for you, but bad for us, because you two aren't one of Hogwarts' champion and worse for us if you two go together and look this good while dancing and the champions don't" McGonagall said shaking her head.
We soon left the room and headed towards the common room. We all were sitting together, when I asked, "Who are you guys asking?" looking at the boys. They shrugged. The rest of the day went by like the wind. I was in my dorm with Hermione and Ginny, ready for bed when I blurted out, "Dracoaskedmetotheball"
"Seriously, woman, you need to take a breather" Hermione said pulling her sheets.
"Now, what was that again?" Ginny asked and I looked at the both of them and said, "Draco asked me to the ball"
"WHAT!" they both shouted and jumped on the bed with me.
"When did he ask you? And what did you say?" Hermione asked.
"Erm, today, right after we danced and I said that I'll think about it" I replied before Hermione could snap, Ginny chimed in and said, "You guys look good together, the way you danced. Oh, my Merlin, so elegant, so beautiful and proper" Thank you, Ginny.
"So, did anyone ask you guys?" I asked and they both nodded.
The next day I was heading to charms class that was with the Slytherins, when Rafael came to me and said, "Liv, can I talk to you?" I nodded and let Hermione walk alone to class.
"Erm, I was just wondering, erm, if you would like to go to the ball with me?" he asked sheepishly. I couldn't turn him down.
"I'll think about it?" I asked back and he nodded and I went to class. I sat with Hermione and the others. The class went by pretty quickly and we were about to leave when Professor Flitwick announced, "Anyone wishing to join the choir or even lead the choir, please contact me by Friday, before the Yule Ball" I looked to see Draco already smiling and bouncing his eyebrows at me. I shook my head and left the class.
I had a few hours free when I went to The Black Lake with my book. I was sitting with my back on the tree when Cedric jumped down from the tree above and said, "Boo!"
"Bloody hell, Ced! You scared me" I said hitting him lightly with my book.
"Sorry, sorry" he said taking a seat beside me.
"Cedric, can I ask you something?" I said closing my book and sitting up straight. He nodded.
"Did you get the clue for the next task?" I asked looking at him.
"I can't tell you that" he said and I made a sad face.
"Alright, alright, enough with the guilt face" he said and I smiled.
"I did, but I know what you'll ask of me, but I can't help him, Liv. That would be cheating" he said looking at me and I nodded, he was right.
"Erm, Liv, did someone ask you to the ball?" he asked me and I nodded.
"Did you say yes?" I shook my head.
"It's Dean, isn't it?" he asked now looking at the lake.
I giggled and said, "Geez, no. That day in the hall, was just a way of the twins messing with you"
"Yeah, they succeeded" he chuckled.
"Liv" he said cupping my cheeks, "Will you go to the ball with me?" he asked sweetly.
Oh, hell no! How many boys are gonna ask me and confuse me?
"Ced" I said holding his hands, "I didn't answer the other guys yet, I'll let you know by Wednesday?" I half said, half asked and he nodded. Boy, is he kind!
The next day we were sitting in the common room, when Harry asked me for the ball. Great! I thought to myself, sarcastically. I answered him the same that I answered the other guys.
Who will I say yes to? They're all close to me. What if I say yes to one and the other doesn't like it? I need to find Hermione.
"Mione!" I shouted as she was sitting in the courtyard.
"Yes, Liv?" she asked sweetly.
I told her everything, and she was speechless. "Wow, a guy from each house" she said giggling.
"It's not funny, Mione" I said hitting her lightly.
"Alright, alright"
"Who asked you?" I asked her straightening the hem of my skirt.
"Victor Krum and I said yes"
"WHAT" I shouted and everyone's head turned around to see us.
"Shhh" she shushed me.
"Well, I mean, it's good, he's been eyeing you since he came. So let me say about time" I said smiling.
"Now, what about my problem?" I asked resting my head on her shoulder.
"You do what you think is best" Hermione said resting her head on mine.
"Wow! Really helpful, Mione" I said sarcastically to which she giggled.
The next day I was walking to potions with Mione when Cho passed by me and mumbled 'slut' under her breath. I looked at Hermione and she said, "What is her problem?"
"Is it really true?" Padma asked me.
"What?" I asked as I took a seat beside her.
"That four guys asked you to the ball?" she replied.
"What? How do you know?" I said and then I saw everyone staring at me, making disgusting faces, like I was what Cho mentioned earlier. "The whole school does, apparently Pansy heard you and Hermione talking" she said as she opened her book.
I felt bad, it wasn't my fault that four guys who potentially showed interest in me, were asking me for The Ball and I shouldn't feel bad. I couldn't take their stares and comments, Snape hadn't arrived yet, so I stood up.
"Mione, please tell Professor Snape that I am suddenly not feeling well" and I ran out of class.
I ran to my room. I had to make a decision. Whoever I liked, it doesn't matter now, everyone at the school was thinking that I was a slut, I had to pick one person. Sooner rather than later.