Written for the "No Using The" competition at the HPFC forum.
My paring: Cho/Cedric, something I normally wouldn't write, but I really love this story because it's so different from my normal writing. I made this to sound like a fairytale.
Author's note: The goal of this competition is to not use "The" in the story. I would have used "Fin" at the end of the story instead of "The End" but the creator of the competition didn't like "Fin" so I'm sticking with "The End." It's the only time I'm using "The" In the story. Go ahead! Count! (And it's really hard but fun trying not to use "the")
Once upon a time, there was a maiden whose hair was black as ebony, her heart pure as gold, and a smile that could make men grow weak at their knees. She heard of a great ball that was to be given on Christmas Day smack dab in the middle of a tournament, and had to choose a suitor to dance with her. Men courted her time and time again. Each time, she told them no, waiting for one special man. Each time, they walked away with sad looks on their faces.
One cool October morning, a shy man from another house noticed her. This man was to be in a tournament as a competitor, and she was a Ravenclaw. It was almost forbidden for them to be together, but she had accepted his question of her going with him. It was as if her heart was telling her that he was to be hers and hers only. He took her by her hand and kissed it gently.
"I promise you, you will have a wonderful time there," he said as he kissed it again causing her cheeks to turn a rosy red.
That same day, another man who was also very shy, but came up to her anyways. He asked her in his owl's nesting grounds hoping that his owl would give him great comfort and courage. When he saw that she was alone, and not surrounded by her friends, he knew it was time to ask her.
But when she shook her head no after he asked, she informed him that she had already found a prince to go with. He frowned as she finished telling him what his heart didn't want to hear. She knew she hurt his heart, and felt bad for it, but knew he would be better off without her.
"Who are you going with?" He dared to ask. She didn't look at him exactly in his emerald eyes for she knew he would be sad. Her suitor was a competitor in this competition.
"Prince Cedric," she replied. He hung his head low, cursing himself, for he was wishing he had asked her sooner. He nodded in understanding.
"I shall see you there then." His emerald eyes stared at her hurt. Of course she knew he would find someone else, because that's what always happened in fairy tales like hers.
"Save me a dance," she said in a weak tone. He nodded and walked away.
On her big night at a great ball, she wore her prettiest dress and prettiest smile.
Her strong prince waited for her as she approached him on a great dance floor. She was amazed by this large floor that was once their eating place, but now a huge dance floor. She knew it would be a special night for everyone who danced on it.
When her first dance came to a close, he pulled her close instead of going away, and kissed her lightly on her rosy cheeks. Her cheeks were red from dancing so much. She looked up and smiled at him, knowing his promise he made to her had come true.
And she and her prince lived happily ever after.
The End.
Special Thanks to Slytherin Head for being an awesome beta when I need her help.