It wasn't fair. Everyone got to go to the ball with someone they liked - or at least tolerated- and Padma was stuck with a Weasley. Not even a decent looking one; either of the twins would have been better, but Ginny would have been the best. Padma had always known she liked both guys and girls, ever since her first day of Hogwarts. She had never been around a big collection of both genders until that day, aside from family members.
There was a girl that she liked, but Padma didn't think that she had a chance. This girl was...different, to put it nicely. But for some reason, Padma felt butterflies in her stomach whenever they were around each other. And they were always around each other. They were both Ravenclaws, and shared a few classes as well.
Luna. Luna Loony Lovegood. Padma was in love with Luna Lovegood. Probably not love, but she did feel something for the blond, that she hadn't felt for anyone else before. So now, watching her dance alone across the ballroom, Padma wished that she was her date.
"Are you even going to ask me to dance?" Padma asked Ron Weasley, who looked bored beyond belief. Ron just shook his head, not saying anything. A couple of Durmstrang boys came over and asked Padma and her sister Parvati if they wanted to damce, and the girls desperately obliged. Anything to get away from Weasley and Potter, and to get closer to Luna. After a lot of dancing, and trying to keep up, Padma sighed in relief when she saw Luna exit the ballroom.
"Hey, wait up, Luna!" Padma called, running after the blond. Luna turned, her smile lighting up her face. "Oh, hello Padma. Did the sprackets chase you out as well? There were a ton over by the punch bowl." Padma laughed, but knew that Luna was being serious.
"No, er, I just wanted to say hi. I was tired of dancing." Padma sat down on a step, and Luna sat next to her.
"Luna, have you ever liked someone, who you thought didn't like you back?" Padma asked, biting her bottom lip. Luna's eyes were bright, and Padma wished at that moment that she could read minds. It was foolish of her to think that Luna shared the same feelings. Before she could say anything else, Luna leaned in and gave Padma a small peck on the lips.
"You had a Blibbering Humdinger on your lips, and the only way to get rid of them is to crush them with another person's lips." Luna gave Padma a wink. Padma's eyes grew at least twice in size, and she instantly blushed. They spent the rest of the night talking, laughing, and getting to know each other even more. It was a great start to a hopefully beautiful relationship.