"You don't have a date to the ball, do you?"
I looked up from my plate to see Harry's desperate face.
I coughed awkwardly, "I'm sorry, Harry, I'm already going with Alexei. You know, my friend from Durmstrang."
"I'm never going to find a bloody date," Harry grumbled.
"Sure you are!" I laughed. "I'll help you."
Harry smiled, "Great. What about Scarlett or Gia?"
"Scarlett's already going with Dean and Gia's going with Cedric Diggory," I explained. Harry frowned.
I reached across the table to tap his hand reassuringly when a thought struck in my head. I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively, "What about Cho Chang? Hasn't she recently caught your eye?"
Harry readjusted his glasses, "I actually tried to ask her yesterday but she shot me down. She's going with someone from Beauxbatons."
"This is tough," I tapped my chin. "Don't worry, Harry, by the end of today, I'll find you a date."
Later that night, I still hadn't found anyone to go with Harry to the Yule Ball. Harry was wallowing on the couch beside me, clutching his golden egg to his chest.
"Cheer up, Harry, everything's going to be—"
"It's all right, Ron," I heard Ginny say, entering the common room. "It's okay, it doesn't even matter."
Harry and I sat up on the couch.
"What's happened to you?" Harry laughed at Ron.
"He just asked Fleur Delacour out," Ginny explained and I winced. Ginny sat Ron beside me on the couch and I waved my hand in front of his face but he didn't move.
Hermione came up behind me, "What?"
"What did she say?" Harry asked encouragingly.
"She said no, of course," I gestured to Ron's face. Ron shook his head and I gasped. "Merlin, she said yes?"
"Don't be silly," Ron whispered, finally breaking out of his trance. "There she was, walking by. You know how I like it when they walk."
I rolled my eyes but continued to listen to Ron tell the story, "I couldn't help it. It just sort of slipped out."
"Actually, he sort of screamed at her. It was a bit frightening," Ginny corrected Ron's story and I tried my best to stifle my laughter.
"So what did you do then?" Harry put a hand on Ron's shoulder.
Ron groaned, "What else? I ran for it."
"Bloody hell, Ron," I face-palmed.
"I'm not cut out for this, Harry. I don't know what's gotten into me," Ron shook his head.
Suddenly, my eyes shifted to the two girls walking down our dorm stairs. Perfect.
I left Ron's side and walked up to Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. As I was walking, I grabbed Harry's arm and made him join me.
"Hello, girls," I greeted. "Would one of you be interested in going to the Yule Ball with my dear friend, Harry, here?"
Parvati and Lavender exchanged a look and giggled. Harry was waiting anxiously for a response. Parvati was the one who spoke, "Yes, all right, then."
"Brilliant," I grinned and Harry sighed, relieved.
"Lavender will you go with Ron?" Harry asked.
"I'm already going with Seamus," Lavender explained.
Harry groaned, "Can you think of anyone to go with Ron?"
Parvati thought for a moment before saying, "I could ask my sister Padma, in Ravenclaw."
"Brilliant," I repeated.
~~~
The next few weeks flew by and it was finally the day of the Yule Ball. I woke up early on Christmas Day to a stack of presents by my bed.
I ripped open the familiar packaging and put on the handmade sweater from Mum. Harry and Ron had gotten me a bunch of sweets from Honeydukes. Fred and George gave me more pranking supplies, my favourite being a nose-biting teacup. Definitely going to use that soon.
By then, the girls were all up and unwrapping their own presents. My jaw dropped at a huge parcel. I carefully unwrapped the paper to see a pair of beautiful red shoes and a smaller box inside showcasing a red pendant. There was a note saying "With love, Ginny, Gia, Hermione and Scarlett."
"Thank you guys so much," I beamed. "This will be perfect with my dress tonight."
"That's exactly why we bought it," Scarlett winked.
I was overjoyed with all my presents and laid back on my bed. Gia smiled, "You missed one."
Another one? Who else would feel the need to get me a Christmas present? Maybe Dean? Alexei?
I took the thin box in my hands and examined it. No note. No special wrapping to indicate who sent it. I opened the box and gasped.
The most beautiful quill lay inside. I picked it up to examine it, turning it slowly in my hands. While I was turning the quill, I noticed something. Something inscribed on the quill, "So you never need to ask again."
I repeated the words over and over in my head, trying to guess who would gift me something like this.
After a few minutes, everything clicked in my head as I started to recall a memory.
I was sitting in Professor Moody's classroom trying to listen to the things he was teaching.
Eventually, he asked us to take out some parchment and copy down what he was writing on the chalkboard.
I fished out from parchment easily but found myself less successful in finding a quill.
I cursed under my breath as I continued to search. Moody was writing quickly on the chalkboard and after searching for a while, I gave up and decided to just listen, hoping I'll retain some of the knowledge.
I felt a nudge on my arm. I turned to see Malfoy holding out a spare quill. I smiled sheepishly, "Thank you. I'm normally more responsible than this. I promise, it'll be just this once."
Malfoy didn't speak and continued to copy from the board. The problem was, it wasn't only once. It seemed as though I constantly forgot my quill during Defense Against the Dark Arts and Malfoy was always there to lend me his spare quill.
My eyes widened in realization. There was no other explanation. This was a present from Malfoy.
"Who's that from?" Hermione peered onto my bed. "It's lovely."
She was holding the new book I got her. I breathed out, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
~~~
The girls and I were all getting ready for the Yule Ball with Ginny in our dorm.
Hermione and Gia were both wearing blue dresses but they were different from each other. Scarlett was wearing a stunning green dress and Ginny was wearing an adorable green and pink dress.
I was the last to get ready and I stepped out of the bathroom adjusting the red pendant.
"You look gorgeous, Ab," Ginny squealed.
I blushed, "Thanks, Gin, so do you. You all do."
"Let's go then, don't want to keep our boys waiting," Gia clapped and we all nodded.
"I'll meet you there," Hermione stood in front of the mirror. "Won't be too long."
The four of us walked down the stairs where the girls were met with their dates, except for Gia and I. Cedric was obviously not allowed into the Gryffindor common room. Alexei and I had discussed to meet outside the Great Hall. Harry and Ron were downstairs as well.
I laughed loudly when I saw what Ron was wearing. I remembered that Mum told me that Ron made a fuss about his dress robes, but I had never seen them until now.
"Don't start, Abby," Harry warned me. "I've only just gotten him downstairs."
I ignored Harry, "You look very handsome, Ronald."
Ron burst out angrily, "I look like our Great Aunt Tessie! I even smell like her!"
I laughed loudly once more and moved forward to my brother. I raised his sleeve to my nose and started laughing even harder.
"You do smell like Great Aunt Tessie," I wiped the tears from my eyes. "But cheer up, Ron, it's only one night and you're going to have fun with Padma tonight. Right, Harry?"
"Right," Harry agreed. "We better get going then. Where's Hermione?"
I glanced back at our dorm door, "She said she'll meet us there."
Our whole group walked out of the common room and made our way to the Great Hall. Cedric met Gia right outside and couldn't stop staring at how stunning she looked. I loved seeing how happy everyone was tonight. Even with Scarlett and Ginny who went with Dean and Neville as friends. Tonight would be a good night.
Once we had arrived to the stairs leading down to the hall, my shoe slipped off so I had to stop. I held onto the wall to fix my shoe before walking down the stairs. The group had already entered the hall and I could see Alexei as I was walking down. He was beaming brightly at me, looking very attractive in his dress robes.
My eyes actually fell on another person at the bottom of the stairs. Malfoy was gaping at me while his date, Pansy Parkinson was looking angrily at him.
When I reached the bottom step, Alexei extended his hand for me to take and I smiled at him.
"You look very pretty," Alexei commented and I blushed.
"Draco, pay attention to me!" I heard Pansy's screeching voice from behind me. "Stop looking at that blood-traitor."
"Don't call her that," Malfoy's voice answered simply and I could still feel his stare from the back of my head.
I laced my arm with Alexei and we walked into the amazingly decorated hall. There was enchanted snow falling from the ceiling and three tall Christmas trees. I found Ron and Padma in the crowd and stood beside them.
"You look lovely tonight, Padma," I smiled when we stopped by the couple.
She smiled back in response, clearly looking uncomfortable beside Ron.
Everyone started clapping and I realized that the champions were entering with their dates. The champions all walked into the hall and past the lines of students. Hermione gave me a small wave as she passed and I wolf-whistled.
"Is-Is that Hermione Granger? With Viktor Krum?" Padma asked, bewildered.
"No. Absolutely not," Ron answered.
I smacked him on the head, "It is!"
Everyone turned to the dance floor to see the champions have the first dance of the evening.
Ginny and Neville stepped forward to dance which was the push I needed. I grabbed Alexei's hand and took him to the dance floor. Many others were joining in with their partners as well.
Alexei and I started to dance just like McGonagall had taught all the Gryffindor's. He had a tight grip on my waist when he lifted me up and I was smiling into the dance.
Eventually, the formal dancing ended and everyone's attention turned to the Weird Sister's performance. I danced carelessly with Alexei and the girls, having the time of my life.
~~~
I am so excited for the next chapter, let me know your thoughts on this one.
Have a great day :)