It was breakfast time in the Great Hall. Cho and the other Ravenclaw girls were gossiping and messing around with Harry. Ruby studied reading her potion book while taking notes, comparing her notes to her father's. Her mind kept wondering to the 2nd task and what it could.
The school elves walk up to the table and put down at least 5 boxes in front of Ruby. She says her gratitude to them while they walk away. Ruby looks through one of the boxes with Cho, Luna and the other girls peering over.
Ruby pulls out a elegant blue dress; with silver rindstones and feathers at the hem of the dress. The girls looked in amazement.
"Oh my...Ruby that dress is stunning. But, what is it for? Your mother's Christmas ball?" Cho asks
"I'm not sure. Oh, there is the card." Ruby states as Luna reads it.
"To my amazing, daughter Ruby. The dresses I have presented to you is for the Yule Ball. The same ball me, your father and Ryan have attended when we were younger. I'm proud of you doing well in the tournament. I am fearful for your safety, but I know you well. I miss you so much and know I love you. Love, your loving mother."
"Yule Ball? As in a dance?" Mandy questions
"I believe that's exactly what it is. But like Ms. Langston said, we will know what it is." Cho says as she helps pick up a box to take to Ruby's dorm.
"These dresses do look very pretty. It's ashame you'll wear just one." Luna said as she carries a box.
"Yeah, but whatever I don't wear I'll just give one to someone who doesn't have a dress."
"Also how is your leg, Ruby? It does have a nasty scratch." Mandy asks curiously
"It's fine. I'm not in anymore pain, really. All I can do is hope it heals without any problems." Ruby says
The bell rings and the students are off to class.
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Between their classes, the students of each house were called to meet with their head of house to talk about the Yule Ball. They decided to combine houses. Gryffindors with Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaw with Slytherins.
Ruby's house sat on the left side of the room and Slytherin sat on the right side of the room. The houses whispers to their peers as the professors didn't show up yet.
"Ruby, Malfoy is staring at you." Mandy whispers to her.
Ruby's eyebrow raises as she looks to the Slytherin side and sees the blonde boy staring at her. A smirk comes over his face as he winks. This catches the girls attention as they giggle. The corners of Ruby's mouth tug and form a light smile. She looks away and looks down.
Snape walks in the room, his cloak flowing in the air around him as walks. He silences the room as Professor Flitwick walks in.
"Today...you'll be learning the dance for the Yule Ball." Snape sneered.
"The Yule Ball is a dance. It was a tradition of the Tri-Wizard tournament for our guests and our school to celebrate together on Christmas Eve. We must be well-mannered and put on our best dancing shoes." Flitwick says gleefully
"Now. We want to provide a demonstration for the dance. So we'll be picking two students from a house to help."
"Umm...Ruby Langston, please step forward." Flitwick instructed
"Mr. Malfoy, please stand up and meet Ms. Langston." Snape instructed.
Draco and Ruby stood in the middle. Draco takes her hand and plants a kiss to the back of it. She catches his smirk and slightly blushes at the eye contact. Giggles and chuckles filled the room.
"Well thank you for that gentleman lesson, Mr. Malfoy." Snape glares at him "Now I was informed that you two know all about ballroom dancing. So please demonstrate it. Mr. Malfoy, please put a hand on her waist and hold her hand. Ms. Langston, please put a hand on his shoulder and hold his hand."
The two of them did as were told and Draco semi-closes the space between them. His eyes looking into hers.
"Excellent. Now dance when the music begins." Professor Flitwick nods to Mr. Filch to begin the music.
The melody of the music began. Draco leads while Ruby follows. Their movement going along with the rhythm. Their eye contact stays for a long amount of time.
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After classes, Ruby gathered the girls to try on the 5 dresses her mother sent for her...
Ruby tries on the first dress, she looks to her friends.
"It looks cute, I love the feathers." Cho complimented
"I like the stones, and the color definitely looks good on you." Mandy says
"I disagree on the feathers but it does look nice." Hermonie helps with the zipper
"Your body looks amazing in it, Ruby" Luna says cheerfully
"Thanks everyone. But it's definitely itchy. I love it but it doesn't feel right."
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Dress #2
"Too much Tulle, right?" Ruby asks
She looks to the girls and they all nodded their heads
"It's pretty, just a lot of tulle." Mandy assures
"Yeah, if it was less tulle and no tulle on the shoulder part, it would look nice." Cho added
"It looks magical but too...heavy" Luna says
"I agree with Luna." Hermonie says in agreement.
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Dress #3
"It looks so regal." Hermonie says in admiration
"Right? It does look good. Hey, if you don't like it, I'll take it." Mandy says jokingly
"I love it, but it's a bit itchy as well. And the sleeves might make me a bit warm." Ruby says as she goes to try on the other dress.
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Dress #4
"Well, it is pretty but maybe when you are 17." Mandy assures
"I agree, Professor McGonagall will lose it." Hermonie says in agreement.
"And the boys will be staring way too much." Cho adds.
"I agree. But it is very pretty." Luna says
"Yeah, you girls are right." Ruby nods as she tries on the last and final dress.
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Dress#5
"Whoa...Ruby..." Mandy says speechless
"That one is perfect. Absolutely stunning." Cho says astoundingly
"It's beautiful..." Hermonie adds.
"It's very special, your date will love it." Luna says calmingly.
"Do you have a date yet Ruby?" Hermonie asks
"Well no, not yet. Maybe soon." Ruby answers
"Well Malfoy has been having his eye on her. Maybe he'll ask her to the ball." Mandy says teasingly
"Malfoy??? No way, I don't see it. He is insufferable. And you are...well better than him. He isn't someone you want to associate yourself with." Hermonie says furiously
"I know Hermonie, but he's been kind to me for some reason. He acts differently. But I promise if he hurts me, then you and me can ruin him." Ruby says humbly
"Well, just be careful. I would hate for you to be broken-hearted. Or worse, dead." Hermonie says worryingly.
"I will, Monie. You don't have to worry about me." She smiles and goes into the room and changes back in her clothes. The bell rings.
"That's the dinner bell, we should head down there now." Cho said.
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In the grand hall, all the students were chatting amongst themselves about the ball.
Ruby was talking with Luna and Cho about their dresses when Crabbe and Goyle walks over to the Ravenclaw table. Ruby notices and looks to them
"Good evening, Crabbe and Goyle. Can I help you with something?" Ruby asked politely
"Follow us. We were ordered to escort you." Crabbe said.
"Alright. Girls, I'll be back." Ruby stands up and follows the two boys out of the grand hall and down the hallway and flights of stairs
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As they make it to the astronomy tower, Ruby saw the little glow of candles and flower petals leading to Draco.
Pansy and Blaise handed Ruby the bouquet of flowers. "You are a lucky girl, Langston." Blaise smirks.
"Enough flirting, Blaise." Pansy says as she and Blaise guide Ruby to Draco.
Ruby sees the smile on his face. He holds her hand. He holds a white box with a blue ribbon behind his back. He steps foward to Ruby and places a kiss to her hand.
"Good evening Langston." Draco says smoothly
"Draco, what is this about?" Ruby says smiling brightly. His blushing causes her to giggle.
"A bit nervous aren't we?" Ruby teased
"Oh shut it, Langston." Malfoy says as his ears turned pink
"Okay, so why am I here?" Ruby asked as she looks to the flowers in her hand.
"Well Ruby, I've been doing some thinking and since we are having a Yule Ball. I wanted to ask if you'd be my date. I think we would be a perfect couple hand in hand." Draco says as he hands her the box.
"I would love to be your date, Malfoy." She smiles as she smell the flowers.
"Great, I'll meet you at the stairs before you champions go in. The first to dance, so put those dancing shoes on." Draco says happily.
He plants another kiss to her hand before Crabbe and Goyle escorts her back to the dining hall.
When she got back to her friends, they shared their excitement with her and all she could think of is the other dresses she could give to the other girls.