Stephanie Alexandra Them, known to my parents as Sweet Steph Them, known to my friends as Steph, known to everyone else as Stephanie Alexandra; pushed my curled bangs out of my eyes as Professor McGonnagal stood to make an announcement. This was the year the Tri-wizard Tournament was taking place at Hogwarts, sadly this was my first year; but I learned how the school usually ran from my two best friends, Jen and Tony.
Jen was well aware of my crush on Tony, and desire to embarrass Fred and George Weasley. During a game of truth or dare with the Weasleys Fred had asked me truth or dare, and I chose dare. The dare had been to make out with one of the Weasley men present, and those had been the twins, Ron, and Percy. Not wanting to kiss Percy or Ron, I chose a twin, which happened to be George. He spread a rumor that I was a lousy kisser, which was a complete lie considering he told me it was the best kiss he ever had. But the rumor had reach Tony's ears, making it awkward between us until Tony tested the theory for himself.
That was currently why the brown haired, green eye, brainy "beauty" was sitting with the "master of muscles" dirty blond haired, grey eyed Tony at the Hufflepuff table instead of with my fellow Ravenclaws. As McGonnagal finished her announcement, concerning the Yule Ball, I turned to Tony. "This is going to be one fun year. Do you have any idea of who you're taking to the dance?" I inquired.
Tony looked up and down the table. "Good question," he finally said, looking at me. "I'm not really sure, there hasn't really been anyone special on my mind." He looked back down at his food. He ate a few bites. After a few moments, he looked back up at me. "What about you?" he finally asked.
"Oh, I'm pretty sure I'll have a date by next week." I was so sure about this because a lot of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw boys were always asking me for a date. Now I had an excuse to say yes to one of the more handsome ones. Maybe Bill Thatcher, or someone in their second or third year, I thought. I imagined myself in the dreadful gown my mother had gotten me, I would go to the room of requirement and find a dress. Then I would curl my hair and put it back in a bun-ponytail.
I would've liked it much more if Tony had said he thought of taking a close friend, but going to the Yule Ball wouldn't satisfy my wish to come out with a boyfriend, or something close to it. Sure, the boys asking me out were handsome, but I could only see one person as my boyfriend.
"Oh, you will?" Tony asked, then shifted awkwardly.
"Have you seen all those boys in Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff who have been repeatedly asking me on a date?" I was planning on using these boys to my advantage. I would make Tony so jealous he would have to tell me his real feelings about me, and hopefully those were strong enough to ask me out on a date.
I knew most of the boys in the school checked me out every time they see me. If I led one of the cuter one's on, they would be in the dark until right before the Yule Ball and it would be even more realistic. Sure, my plan would require me to chuck my reputation out the window, but this is love; love drives people to do crazy things.
"Yeah," he said flatly. He looked around, then sighed. Again he spoke up, "Are you going to the quidditch game tomorrow?"
"Of course. I wouldn't miss a good Quidditch game unless I was about to die." I looked at Tony with a fire in my eyes. I was very passionate about things that I liked, and Quidditch was up there in my top 5. I wondered why he had asked me about the Quidditch game. "Wait, did you just ask me on a date?"
I couldn't help but smile a little at my friend's obvious attraction to me. It's not like I was oblivious to the fact he wouldn't go out with any other girl and why he had been so curious about how I was sure to have a date to the Yule Ball. I took a drink from my goblet and returned my green-eyed stare to Tony.
Tony coughed. "Whoa, what? A date?!" He choked. "Why would- no." He turned a little red. He took a sip and continued his chocking. Finally he looked back at me. "I was just wondering if you were going. We could wall up to the pitch together." he said. He looked down. "I've got homework." he stood up. "Wanna walk back with me, or are you sticking around her to find a boy toy for the dance?" he asked, looking down at me.
I tilted my head slightly and gazed at Tony with a small smile. "I could stay here and be ambushed by all the crazy-clueless lover boys that think they could win my heart from-" I stopped myself before I could say the word you and looked down. I didn't want Tony to know I loved him. Ever since we kissed it was obvious that he was trying to find out who I liked.
"I'll walk back with you, and I'll sit with you at the match." I stood up and looked at Tony again. "What homework are you going to do? I could use some help with my Transfiguration homework; I can't be sure about questions 12, 16, and 20, but I think I got them wrong." I wanted to spend as much time with Tony as possible, because I wanted to be with my crush.
"Potions." he answered. "But I'll help you with your transfiguration if you really want me to." he said, throwing me a soft smile. He led me into his common room. "I'll be right back. I'll get my books." and with that, he headed up to grab his homework.
"I have my books with me." I said, in case he would offer his old ones. I sat at an empty table and removed my books from my bag. I looked around before opening a scroll that I had been sketching on. It had the title My Heart's Loveand I was still drawing the boy's hair, not very bold at the facial details, but it was obvious who it was.
I drew for a little while until I heard footsteps on the staircase, at which time I rolled up the scroll and put it away. As I looked around, I noticed all the clueless lover boys around had no idea what I just put away. It made me smirk as I looked back at my homework.
Tony sat in the chair next to me in a cool manner, then laid out all of his books. "Which subject first?" he asked.
"We could do Potions. I'm better at it than Transfiguration anyway," I said shyly. One look at his hair and I blushed, because he looked cuter than before. 'Did he mess it up for me?' I thought. How could he find me attractive when there were so many other girls who were cuter than I was.
As my mind began to wander from Tony, I thought about my homework. I fixed my gaze on the paper. Though I had two more inches until I reached the maximum, there was a lot to say about moonstones. For instance, when two people touch one at the same time during a full moon they will be magically be attracted to each other. 'Would that work on Tony?' I thought as Tony took out an ink well for his own essay.
As they sat there in silence, I finished my essay and checked my work, 12 inches of gold, girly cursive writing on the uses of moonstones. I put her books and homework away and glanced at Tony. 'He looks so cute when he's focused,' I thought as I picked up my bag. I turned to go, but thought better of leaving without saying anything, which would be rude.
I turned on my heel, though Tony's back was turned to me, and walked over to him quietly. I pulled my hair out of my face, leaned over his shoulder, and pecked him on the cheek. Then I whispered, "Thanks for allowing me to do my homework with you." I turned around and walked out of the room casually, but once I reached the Grand Staircase I was blushing like crazy and freaking out as the thing I just did sank in.
