Stitch Me Up
Tress Blues

The Yule Ball

"Come on Hannah," Susan teased, beaming. "You can't just leave us hanging like this. It's cruel!"

"I did no such thing," Hannah flushed, tugging her hair nervously. "You're the one that's making silly assumptions."

"You know what they say about assuming things…" Leanne giggled as the three girls made their way out of the last class of the day. "You make an arse out of-"

"Oh be still my beating heart!" Ernie Macmillan suddenly cried out, grabbing his chest. "Did my love just say-?"

"Hush Ernie," Leanne cut him off warningly, before pecking him on the cheek. "That potion didn't hurt did it?"

"No," Ernie said, brushing off his girlfriend's concern. "And it was just a little explosion this time. My first in three months."

"I'm so proud of you babe," Leanne told him, rolling her eyes. Hannah giggled. Leanne and Ernie were the most unlikely couple of Hogwarts and somehow they were also the most fluid. Leanna was calm, reserved and relaxed where Ernie was loud and opinionated and, if Hannah was being honest, somewhat obnoxious at times. But they fit so well, there wasn't any doubt in her mind the two would end up leaving Hogwarts in three years, as strong as ever.

At the sound her laugh however, Leanne rounded on her. "Don't think you're getting out of this Abbott." She said, waggling a finger at her blonde friend.

Of course, Hannah thought sourly, Leanne was also like hippogriff after ferrets when she thinks something's going on.

On the outside, Hannah maintained her calm façade. "I'm not trying to get out of anything Leanne," she told her friend, smoothly. "I'm not asking anyone to the Ball."

"For Helga's sakes Lee," Ernie complained. "You're still going on about this?"

The Yule Ball was something that had flooded the school like a hoard Cornish Pixies and to be frank, Hannah was rather fed up with it. For Helga's sakes, she was nervous enough, she wanted to scream. Why did her friends seek to add to her pressure?

"Yes," Hannah replied quickly, hoping it would sway the conversation away from her poor nerves. "Yes she is. And I'm sick of it. Ernie, control your girlfriend."

"On it, boss." Ernie saluted her playfully while Leanne shot him a look that could melt ice.

"Try it bucko and we'll see how far you get with it." She threatened and Ernie took a wise step back. Perhaps not the best at spells or hexes, Leanne was still bloody scary when provoked.

"You know it won't keep them off it forever." Susan reminded her quietly and Ernie tried to talk his way out of the situation.

Hannah sighed. "Susan, please stop asking. I'm not going with anyone. I don't know if I'll go at all."

"Toadsnot." Susan waved her hand dismissively. "You just bought that lovely dress from Hogsmeade, you will have a reason to wear it."

Hannah thought to the gown her mother had come into Hogsmeade to shop for with her a few weekends ago. It really was gorgeous: soft, sienna dyed silk that was layered in the skirt and made the most of her less than bountiful chest and her tiny waist. Mum had been so proud to see her in it.

"I know," Hannah admitted, secretly wondering what she had when she'd bought the gown: would he like it?

Susan's face softened as she witnessed the indecisive expression cross her friend's face. "Hannah?"

"Yeah?"

"Stop thinking about it." She encouraged. She loved her friend dearly but Hannah played it safe too often. Hufflepuff she may be but life was made of risks and Hannah had so far steered clear of most of them. Susan just wished she'd engage a little more. "Just do it."

It was the kind of advice only a Hufflepuff would give: heartfelt, free of overthinking and planning and enough of a push to make the recipient take the leap they saw before them.

Hannah smiled, somewhat nervously. "I think…I think I will."

And with that, she took off towards Charms, already planning on what to say when she arrived early. Alright, Hannah thought, as she watched the spare seat by the window. All I need to do is sit down. Not so hard.

What Hannah's subconscious pointedly ignored was the fact that the seat in front of her target was taken by the one person Hannah wished with her whole heart she could speak to and, of course, the person who made her tongue the most confused.

Deep breaths, Hannah. Don't freak out. Just sit down. It's a classroom not a chapel. A seat, not a date. It's alright. No expectations here.

You've only been in love with him for most of your life.

Hannah slid into the seat, thanking Helga for her luck in not overstepping and falling over. Once she was settled, she nearly buzzed with excitement. I'm right behind him. I don't think I've ever been this close to him before. He has a mole on the nape of his neck.

Hannah stopped herself before she became jealous of that mole.

Alright, she coached herself. Go time Hannah. Go for it.

"Hello there, Neville." Hannah said, quietly and smiled (not too brightly as she so dearly wanted to because Oh Sweet Helga, he was looking at her!) when he turned around to see who was calling him.

"Oh, I s'pose you're here for the notes your friend needed?" he asked immediately.

Just like that Hannah's light blinked out. No hello. No smile. No acknowledgement of her.

He'd barely glanced at her tie to check the house before he jumped right in.

She wanted to tell him no. "Yeah," she sighed, disappointed.

"So are you excited about the Ball?" he asked conversationally as he flicked through the notes from Herbology that Leanne had asked of him.

Hannah shrugged noncommittally, though a small hope began to burn in her chest. Could he perhaps mean to ask her…? "Sure."

"I think it'll be grand. I'm going with a few mates, you know? It'll be exciting to see the entertainment I think." Neville said, his voice becoming awkward at the end at Hannah's clearly upset face. She couldn't hide the emotions because they were his. Everything tied up in Neville always spilled across her face despite how she tried to hide it.

"Are you okay?" Neville asked, politely concerned.

"Fine. Just a little weary for the whole thing." She told him, honestly. She would have to go and watch him have so much fun with his friends and sit there the whole night wondering what might've happened if she were brave enough to ask him right now.

Just do it. Susan had said.

Hannah felt that small hope start to burn up again. Hope that she could be brave.

Just do it. Just do it. Go on you lily-livered wuss, just do it.

"I get you," Neville chuckled, fishing for the paper notes.

The words were on the tip of her tongue. Would you like to go with me? They were ripe and ready and she was about to ask when he said:

"Apparently Gladrags has been a nightmare for dresses and dressrobes. Ginny said she had to duel a Slytherin for hers." He laughed.

"Ginny?" Hannah echoed weakly. Oh please no.

"Yeah, she's a friend." He admitted, humbly. "We're going together to the Ball. Who're you going with?" he asked, handing her the pages as the rest of the class filed in.

"N-No one." Hannah held back her ridiculous tears. Stop it. No need for that. Thank goodness you stopped yourself in time. Would've made a fool of yourself.

"Well Harry and Ron are looking for dates still I think." Neville mentioned as Hannah stood quietly, gently putting the chair back in. "If you were interested, I could ask."

Yes. You could've. You did. You asked Ginny. Not me. Never me. "No thanks." I only wanted you. I don't care about the dresses or the entertainment. I just wanted you.

"Well, see you later then." Neville said as she left with a polite smile and thanks for the pages. She passed them to Leanne as she sat down beside Susan.

It was only later, when she was in her bed, crying into her pillow at what seemed like heartbreak, did she realise that not once had he ever actually said, noted or even wanted, her name.