Hello, hello, hello! I've returned!

MoonyLikesChocolate- Why, thank you! I do try to keep it as close to the original story as possible. And your reviews are indeed GREATLY appreciated! ;D

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The dinner was a bit more eventful than I expected, perhaps too much. Despite the fact that people were dressed up, Marcus Belby managed to forget his manners enough to wolf down all of the desserts before our eyes. That might have been the most revolting thing I'd ever seen.

Ginny also seemed a bit upset. She arrived kind of late, and looked like she had been crying. I wasn't sure why, though. But I did notice that Harry kept staring at her.

A lot of people from each of the houses were at the table. The ones from Slytherin looked a bit grim. Not that it really surprised me, of course... I was glad to be seated with the rest of the Gryffindors, and next to Neville.

He seemed a bit upset when it was almost time to go, as the professor had barely spoken to him. Slughorn had talked to Hermione quite a bit, and to Harry. He also talked to me about my parents and my sister. But not to Neville.

When it was finally time to leave, we all filed out of the room and went back to our respective dormitories...with the exception of Harry, who stayed behind. Everyone else went upstairs, but Neville flopped onto the couch. Not hesitating, I sat down with him.

"I'm not going to get in," he said simply. I looked at him and spoke gently.

"Don't say that."

"No, it's okay. I don't need to be in the Slug Club, anyway. I've got better things to do." I didn't say anything for a moment.

"Perhaps it's just not for you."

"Maybe," he said, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "Or perhaps I just don't meet the standards of greatness." With that, he got up and went up to his room. I stayed on the couch and closed my eyes.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

A week later, I got a card saying that I had been accepted into the club, and was invited to attend a Christmas party before going home for break. Just as Neville said, he didn't get one.

"It's really no big deal," he said, a bit more upbeat than he was the other night. "After I finished Potions yesterday, Slughorn came to me and said that I could help out at the party." I smiled.

"Well, that's wonderful! How will you be helping?" He looked at me mischievously.

"That's for me to know and you to find out." I rolled my eyes.

Boys.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Two weeks before the party, I was sitting in the Great Hall during my free period. While I was working on my Charms homework, I heard a screech from above me. I looked up just in time to see a large box coming right at me. Reaching up, I caught it.

"Thanks," I said sarcastically to the owl as it flew away. Looking down at the package, I saw that it was from my parents. I smiled and ripped it open. After I tore away the tissue paper, I found myself looking at the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. It was light lavender in colour, and the outer skirts seemed to be made from sort of a wispy lace. While the gown was sleeveless, two droopy lace straps hung from its sides.

"Lacey!" Parvati exclaimed next to me once she'd caught sight of the dress. "That's beautiful!" I smiled.

"Thank you," I said shyly. She grinned widely at me.

"So, who're you going to ask?" That confused me.

"What do you mean?"

"Hermione said that Slughorn gives permission for the members to take dates to the party." My heart skipped a beat as I put the dress back in the box, gathered it into my arms, and stood up.

"Well, I'm...not sure...really, but...bye," I stammered as I walked out of the hall. However, I hadn't gotten very far before I heard someone run up behind me. I turned to see Parvati again.

"Why don't you ask Neville?" she whispered. My eyes went wide as I put a hand up to silence her.

"Bloody hell, would you keep your voice down! Someone might hear!"

"Sorry," she said in a normal voice. "But seriously, you should!" I shook my head.

"No, I couldn't...wait. How'd you even know about that?"

"Come on, Lace," she said with a wide grin. "You've been ogling at him for more than a year." I rolled my eyes at this.

"I don't know about ogling, but...wait, you don't think he's noticed, have you?" She shook her head.

"Nah. He's oblivious." I was secretly relieved.

"All right. But listen, please don't say anything to him."

"Don't worry," she said honestly. "You secret is safe with me. But are you sure you don't want to ask him?" I thought long and hard about this before nodding.

"Yeah."

Not yet...

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Hey, Lacey!"

"Neville, you just got the same letter as me again, didn't you?" He smiled as we sat down next to each other on the couch.

"I might've. Does yours say that your parents have important plans for break and that you should spend the vacation at my house?"

"I didn't even know about any plans they had," I told him with a smile. "But yep, that's what it says." He mirrored my smile.

"It's what mine says, as well."

"Cool!" I suddenly became hesitant. "Unless...Neville, are you sure it's alright with you? I don't want to impose on you or anything..."

"No, it'll be fun!" he said. "I imposed on you and your parents, after all." I rolled my eyes.

"Well...yeah, I guess you did." He looked at me, feigning heartbreak. "Oh, I'm kidding." His smile returned instantly.

"I know," he said with a chuckle. "But, yeah. This'll be exciting."

It certainly will be, I thought.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The night of the party finally arrived. I felt painfully shy putting on my gown, but after a lot of persuasion from Parvati, I was able to enter the room.

Everyone there was dressed up as well. The room was a bit dark, but it was nicely decorated. Professor Slughorn looked pretty happy to see everybody there, although I was not exceptionally happy to see that Snape was in attendance.

But my dread at that discovery went away when I heard a voice behind me.

"Lacey?"

I turned to see Neville. I would have laughed had I been a few years younger, but he actually looked handsome in his white sailor-like buttoned coat, complete with white gloves. He was also holding a tray of drinks.

"Neville! Wow, don't you look dashing." He rolled his eyes.

"Oh, God. I know, it's ridiculous."

"No, seriously. It makes you look so...grown up."

"Really?"

"Yes." He smiled at me.

"Thanks, Lacey. And you look beautiful."

My heart nearly stopped.

He said I'm beautiful? Did he really just say that?

I blinked a few times before answering.

"Thank you, Neville." We looked at each other for a few moments before he looked up.

"I'd better keep circling, or Slughorn will throw me out for getting distracted."

"Oh, alright. I'll not keep you. Good luck." He laughed.

"Thanks."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The rest of the night went by smoothly, with the exception of Malfoy getting caught trying to sneak in. After Snape offered to escort him out, things went by pretty smoothly. Although, I couldn't help but notice Harry follow them out...

"Hi, Lacey."

I was pulled out of my thoughts by Ginny's voice.

"Oh! Hey, Ginny. You look nice."

"Thanks, so do you." I smiled.

"Having a nice time?" She nodded.

"Sure." I noticed that she was glancing around, as if she was looking for someone. "You haven't seen Harry anywhere, have you?"

"He left about ten minutes ago, but he might be back."

"Ah. Alright." She kind of wandered off after that. I guess she's still not over her crush just yet.

Not too long afterwards, Harry walked back into the party with a troubled look on his face. As he walked over to where Neville was, I couldn't help but wonder what had happened. Before I could inquire further, I felt someone lightly touch my arm.

"Hello, Miss Ravensdale," Slughorn said with a wide grin. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Me too," I said.

"I've been meaning to ask you, dear, how have you classes with Professor Flitwick been faring?"

"Oh, very good, sir."

"He tells me that you're interested in pursuing a career in that field, am I right?" I nodded.

"Yes, I'd like to."

"Wonderful." He looked over to where Harry was. "Oh, Harry my boy! I'd started to think you'd disappeared!" He immediately started a conversation with Harry, and after they'd walked away, Neville was standing alone again. I glanced at him and smiled gently. He smiled back.

After a few moments, I looked away and walked to a nearby window. Neville's words came back to me.

You look beautiful...you look beautiful...

It was a very calm and magical moment for me. I'm glad I savored it, because it was the last one I'd get for a while.

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