"Melissa, look out!" I snapped to attention just as my owl, Silver, dropped a letter in my cereal. I stared at it with a grim look on my face as Zeke reached for it and held it up by a corner, while it slowly dripped milk into my bowl.

"Thanks Zeke." I shot him a grateful smile as I opened it, hoping that the letter wasn't ruined.

"Hey, I got one too!" Duncan exclaimed, just as I managed to pry the letter out from the soaking envelope. The words had blurred together, but I could still make out what it said.

Prof. Horace Slughorn's Annual Christmas Party

Date: December 21

Time: 7:00-11:30 pm

The rest of the letter was impossible to make out. I squinted at it, but it was a lost cause.

"Hey, Dunc," I asked, looking over at him. He looked up, slightly bewildered.

"I, I actually got in, into Slug Club." He didn't seem to know whether to be happy or sad about it. Penny leaned over and snatched it out of his hand, but Duncan made no attempt to give it back.

"What's it say at the bottom?" I asked. Duncan opened his mouth, but Penny started talking first.

"It says that you require a date, and that the dress code is formal." She looked up at me and smirked. "Oooh, Lissy, you need a da-a-ate!"

I felt my cheeks turn red, but I shook my head. "I'm sure he doesn't require it-"

"Oh yes, he does." Penny interrupted, shoving Duncan's letter in my face. I scanned over it, to the bottom, where it said:

DATES ARE REQUIRED.

"Damn," I said, looking up.

"Hey, at least you got in," said Tessa, looking at my letter longingly. "I've been trying to get him to notice me all year, hoping to be invited."

"Aw, it's okay Tess," Aly said, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Just flirt with some smart guys, and then they'll invite you as their date." Callie laughed, but Tessa just looked at her wondrously.

"Does that actually work?"

Aly grinned wickedly and then turned to me.

"Next Hogsmeade trip, we're going dress shopping." I just managed to nod before she got up and walked over to a group of seventh year boys, all who were holding an invitation. I saw her smile and say something to them, which made one of them scooch over to make room for her.

In front of me, Jordan shook his head in disbelief. "That girl-"

I noticed that Ty was shooting those seventh years looks filled with malice. Hiding my smile, I turned back to my cereal.

Picking up my pace, I turned into the library, hoping to avoid running into anyone else.

All week, random boys had been coming up to me, asking me if I would accompany them to Slughorn's party. Half of these requests had been ludicrous, from itty bitty second years to Slytherin sixth years such as Lestrange and Goyle. Eli had asked me too, but I turned him down nicely and turned him towards Tessa, but George ended up asking her. Eli then asked Aly, which meant both of my best friends were going, which I was excited about.

Not paying attention to where I was going, I crashed straight into someone and fell backwards on my butt.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" a familiar voice exclaimed.

"Zeke?" I asked, clasping his outstretched handing and standing up.

"Lissa, oh my god I didn't see you there, I swear!" He sounded panicked, but I grinned to show him it wasn't a big deal.

"It's fine, I wasn't watching where I was going. Anyways, what are you doing here? In the library? I wasn't aware you knew this place existed!"

He scoffed, causing me to giggle. "Hardy har har, very funny. Actually, I was looking for a book for my potions essay." I raised an eyebrow.

"Hoping to get into Sluggy's good books, are we?" He blushed, stammering a bit. "Let me guess, you want to be invited to his next party." Zeke drew in a breath and ran his hand through his hair nervously.

"Well, yeah, I guess. I mean, I felt kinda left out when you and Dunc were talking about the party, and it's not like I'm going to be invited as anyone's date, assuming that you already have one..." he trailed off, looking sheepish, but I looked at him kindly. Zeke was my best male friend. he knew that. So why was he acting so nervous?

"Zeke, if you want to go to the party, then you should come as my date!" His eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Of course," I exclaimed, smiling widely. "I was looking for one anyways, someone who isn't annoying or obnoxious, and actually has some social manners."

He smirked. "No promises." Laughing, I leaned forward and hugged him. I felt him tense up, which was a bit weird, but I didn't really think too much about it.

"Anyways, I have to go work on my own Potions essay, so I'll see you later," I said drawing back. Zeke grinned and nodded, so I made my way past him, to my usual corner, to where Tom was waiting for me.

Zeke's POV

She asked me! She asked me! She actually asked me! Well, it was more of a statement, but still, I never thought she'd actually invite me as her date!

My heart was beating so loud when we talked, I was surprised she didn't hear it. I didn't mean to imply that I wanted to be her date, but she took it as her cue, and now, and now I'm her date to the party!

Anyways, it's about time. I've liked Melissa since first year, when we met on the train ride. She was so full of energy, like a spark, and she seemed to light up when she smiled or laughed.

We became best friends really quickly, and I loved every moment I spent with her. She was one of the wisest, kindest, most powerful people I have ever met. She was also the most beautiful girl at Hogwarts, with her wavy brown locks and turquoise eyes.

The only problem was that she didn't seem to reciprocate my feelings. She joined the Quidditch team, and sent so much time with the older boys, but ever since most of them graduated, I thought maybe we'd grow closer. However, lately she'd been spending time with Riddle. Riddle. That slimy little Slytherin had the nerve to spend time with my girl! Lissa says there's nothing between them, but I've seen the way he looks at her.

However, me being her date. This changes things. I know it. I finally have my chance with her.

As for Riddle, he'll just have to figure out a way to deal with heartbreak. Well, if snakes even have hearts.