Twilight Saga characters
created and owned by Stephenie Meyer
And the characters and plotline of
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
created and owned by J.K. Rowling
Chapter 36: The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men... and Vampires
We headed back to Venlaw after lunch the next day. It looked like Bella had stayed up as late as we had – not really an issue for me since I never sleep – but Bella looked like she was battling heavy lids.
Once the boys finally fell asleep in the early hours of the morning, I had a lot of time to think. It was strange not watching Bella sleep, as had become my habit. I briefly considered seeking her out in the Gryffindor dorm, but quickly realized that would be too risky, and a little difficult to explain. There were just too many eyes, and it wouldn't just be Bella sleeping in that room.
The rest of the day was quiet, between Bella catching up on sleep and homework. Before we knew it, it was Monday.
We didn't have long to wait to hear about the dance, or Yule Ball… It was Monday morning, just before lunch in Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall.
"A wonderful tradition and part of the Triwizard Tournament is the annual Yule Ball. It is held on Christmas Day starting at eight o'clock and ending at midnight. I trust you will all treat this event as an important part of the Triwizard Tournament."
A murmur of excitement lit up the room, as girls began discussing who they might want to ask them, what they might wear… boys expressing concern over having to dance…
"That is all for today, you are excused for lunch…. Edward, may I see you for a moment."
I was puzzled. I had been a model student. What could this be about?
"Edward, since you are new here, I realize you may not be fully aware of what a ball entails. This is not one your rowdy American dances. This is a civil, traditional affair. Formal wear is required – I assume you have appropriate attire?"
I nodded.
"Well, good. And as a champion, you will be expected to have an escort. You will be opening the ball with the rest of the champions and their escorts… no exceptions."
I had expected this, but the thought of asking someone else to the dance, or ball, left me feeling a little nervous. At least I knew I would be going with someone who understood my relationship with Bella… no romantic entanglements.
"That is all, you may join your friends." She said glancing at the door, where Cedric was waiting.
"Thanks for waiting" I said as I met him at the door.
"No problem. I didn't want to leave you to walk the halls alone – not now…" he smiled.
I was curious as to what he meant until we rounded the first corner. Along each wall were small clusters of girls, giggling and watching us as we walked by. I wished I could only imagine what they were saying. Unfortunately my mind was assaulted with dozens of thoughts and desires, mostly relating to the Ball, but some not. It seemed the news of the coming event had added fuel to an already highly hormonal student body.
I hadn't had a chance to check on where Cho's mind was at with respect to the dance. I suppose I should do that over lunch. But whether it was the accumulated frenzied minds around me or the need to make conversation with Cedric to avoid the stares and whispers around me, I launched into a discussion that turned out to be disastrous.
"So, how well do you know Cho, Cedric – I know you both play Quidditch."
"I've talked to her a few times. We have some friends in common, though I wouldn't say were close, why?"
"Well, does she date anyone… Do student date each other here…" I realized I had no idea what students would do to go on dates here. It's not like they would go out for a meal or a movie.
"Sometimes students will go to Hogsmede together – on a date… or will sit with each other during a meal. This Ball is kind of the only big date opportunity we've had – as you can see." He gestured around.
"So, do you know if Cho has gone on many dates with anyone?"
"She usually hangs out with her group of friends. I've never seen her on a date with anyone in particular. I don't think she's ever had a boyfriend…"
"I see… So, do you think she has an interest in anyone in particular?"
"I wouldn't know. I guess not that I've noticed…"
"So do you think anyone will have asked her to the Ball, yet?"
"I don't know, Edward… it was just announced this morning – but she is one of the more interesting girls at school. I don't suppose she'll be without a date for long. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, I was just had an idea of who Cho might go with" I said cryptically. That was my mistake.
"Really?" I heard a female voice say behind me, "Edward, I would be honoured."
I froze and slowly turned to see the face of a very excited, very happy Cho Chang, walking along with her group of friends.
"That is so exciting, Cho going with one of the champions." One Ravenclaw girl said to another standing next to her. The group was in a flurry.
"Umm." I didn't know what to say… Was there any way to get out of this gracefully? I couldn't see it. Her entire group of friends were already excitedly chatting about what she would have to wear, being part of the opening dance, how perfect we would look together… Turning her down here, in front of her peers, would be an incredible social embarrassment for her. How she had misunderstood my conversation was beyond me…
Or was it? I replayed what I had said, considering it from the perspective of someone walking behind us along the hall… I cringed. I could see how that might appear to her. I wondered how long she had been walking behind us and why I hadn't sensed her presence… I realized it was because I had been trying to ignore the female chatter around me. And now I was in a mess. And I didn't know what I could say to get out of it.
And so I smiled at her and said nothing. She gave me a quick smile back and headed into the Great Hall with her friends. I fell into step with Cedric and met up with James, Patrick and Ernie at our table. Once, Cedric gave me a curious glance, but said nothing. He wondered why I was so quiet, but supposed I was just pleased that she had agreed. He reflected back on my first month, and my apparent interest in Cho. It seemed like a natural progression to him – and I could understand how it might.
But now I had bigger issues to deal with. How to tell Bella. Cho was already a sore spot with her, and this wouldn't be taken well. I could already tell.
Lunch dragged on, as I sat in my seat contemplating the predicament I was in. Unfortunately the afternoon was not so generous. It sped by as I sat in the library watching Bella's every move through Hermione, scared that, at any minute, someone would say something to give my blunder away.
Fortunately, there was enough excitement amount the 4th year Gryffindors as they attempted encouraging the Blast Ended Skrewts into pillow lined boxes to hibernate for the winter. The Skrewts seemed uninterested.
I waited until we got back to Venlaw to break the news…
She's going to kill you, Rosalie thought as we ran back to the house.
"Not helpful" I murmured back.
Edward, how could you? Alice's voice chimed in as I neared the house.
I sighed. Of course Alice would have seen this. She probably also already had seen the part where Bella throws my mother's ring in my face and hops a flight back to Washington. No, I didn't really believe she would do that, would she?
Complete denial was off the table… and there was no point in lying. So as soon as we were upstairs in our room, I told her.
I pulled her down so I was sitting beside her on the bed. Talking her hand in mine, I smiled tentatively. She smiled back. Her heart sped up momentarily as it did whenever we were close.
"Bella" I started, "Love… I made a mistake today."
"Oh Edward" she replied, "I make mistakes all the time…" she reached up and put her hand on my face. "What happened?"
"Well, I was walking down the hall, talking with Cedric and, somehow, I ended up going to the Ball with Cho." I spat out.
Her face flushed red and tension set in her jaw and shoulders. I heard her heart beat speed up and I watched tears build up in her eyes. I knew they were not tears of sadness. I held my breath waiting, holding her hand on her lap.
"What? You are going with Cho? How did that happen?" Bella quick fired questions at me one after the other with no chance for response. "What about Harry? I thought we were trying to get them together? Do you like her?"
I silenced her with my lips, but she was having none of that. After momentarily kissing me back, she froze, and pushed away and got up, angrily walking across the room – her lips pierced into an angry pout.
"I don't know what happened." I started, "One minute I was talking to Cedric about Cho, the next she was accepting my invitation to the Ball…" I sighed.
"Tell me the whole story," she huffed, arms crossed.
"I was talking to Cedric, asking him if he had heard if Cho was going to the Ball with anyone… I said something about having a thought about who she might want to go with. Well, she overheard and misunderstood what I said, and said 'Edward, I would be honoured.' I didn't know how to tell her I didn't mean me. Then her friends piped in about how we'd have to lead the Ball in the first dance… and she talked excitedly about what it would be like… I was sort of on the sideline…" I realized I had been looking down while I tried to explain the predicament I found myself in. I looked back up at her then to see if my explanation had any effect.
It didn't. She was still angry, her arms crossed over her chest. "I'm going to the library to study with Hermione." She huffed, picking up her bag and heading toward the door.
"I'll come with you. I have to meet up with Cedric. We have a project for Potions…" I didn't want to let her go alone, in the mental state she was in.
"Fine – but you're not sitting with us."
"Bella…" she was being childish, but telling her that wasn't going to help matters. I would have had to take someone to the ball. As champion, I had to go, and I had to lead off the dance with a partner… and we had decided it was too dangerous to take Bella. I didn't think I could contain my enthusiasm dancing with her. Hermione had already figured us out.
I followed her down to the fireplace. She was opting for Floo Powder, over riding on my back, for obvious reasons. I could only hope that she would cool off by tonight so we could actually talk this through.
Bella settled in quickly with Hermione, though it didn't seem they were all that interested in studying. I saw Bella write something on a piece of parchment and pass it to Hermione. I could have spied through Hermione's mind to see what she wrote, but I choose not to. I didn't want to hear it – I was sure it was about our fight. Hermione suddenly looked up in Cedric's and my direction, glaring madly. Yes, it was definitely about our fight. Apparently I wasn't in her good books either.
We had been at the library for 36 minutes, when Bella got up to find a book in one of the shelves near the restricted section. She seemed a little calmer. I briefly considered going after her to see if we could talk some more – but this wasn't the time or the location for us to break out into round two.
"I'm going to go get that Advanced Potions book." Cedric noted, getting up from the table. I only partially acknowledged his departure while I focused on my reading and, at the same time, thinking about what I would say tonight when we did get a chance to talk. Should I point out the facts – that I would have to go with someone? I shook my head. This wasn't an argument based on logic. I would have to find a way to prove my feelings for her. She should already know how I feel for her. I shouldn't have to prove it… I momentarily allowed frustration creep into my thoughts… Maybe we both needed a couple of hours to cool off…
Out of the corner of my mind, I noted that Viktor Krum, who had taken up residence in the library whenever Hermione happened to be there, had risen from his table and was walking over in our general direction. I briefly thought he was going to talk to me, but he walked by in his standard pose, looking down at the floor. I thought he was going to continue to the opposite side of the library when he suddenly turned and sat down across from Hermione.
She looked up at him, startled by his sudden appearance. "Ummm, hello." She said, "might I help you with something?" her voice was polite, but slightly annoyed at the interruption from her reading.
"What are you reading?" he asked.
"Advanced Arithmency – I am preparing for our O.W.L.s next year."
He didn't know what to say to that. I could see from his thoughts that he was intimidated by her intelligence. He didn't seem particularly sharp… I had guessed his reading over the past month had been an excuse to be in the same room as her. He seemed intrigued by her lack on interest in his fame.
She was staring at him, not in a friendly way, "So… was there something you needed assistance with?"
He was taken aback by her gruffness. I had momentarily forgotten my troubles, in light of the enjoyment of watching this incredibly awkward teenage scene play out in front of me.
"No, not really." He replied.
"I see" she replied, looking back down at her book.
"That is…" she looked back up. "I was wondering… do you have a date for the Yule Ball?"
"No." she said huffily.
"The champions have to dance the first dance."
"I see. Were you looking for a book on dancing?"
"No…" he fumbled with his robes under the table, "I was wondering if you would go with me."
She blinked and shook her head slightly, "I'm sorry?"
He found a bit more courage in her confusion, "I came over to ask if you would accompany me to the Yule Ball – as my date."
"OH" she replied, surprised, "Well, no one has asked me yet…" she momentarily thought of Ron, but noted he was interested in Fleur. He fumbled more furiously with his robes as she paused. Finally she relieved his anguish, "Certainly, Viktor. I would be glad to accompany you to the Ball." She smiled kindly.
For the first time since his arrival at Hogwarts, I saw him give a huge bright smile. He looked almost pleasant. His obvious joy, had an affect on Hermione, as her smile brightened in response.
I chuckled as I considered the mini-drama that had just played out before my eyes. Humans, can be so ridiculous sometimes… Just as I was musing I heard another voice, signalling the beginning of another awkward teenaged moment that was playing out at the end of the library, in which I was the unwilling player.
"Hi Bella – working with Hermione?"
"Oh, hi Cedric. Yes she is helping me with my studies. There is so much to learn. It is kind of mind boggling."
"Yes, I can imagine… You have a lot more to over come with – who you are." He said carefully.
"It's for a good reason, though."
"I wondered about that the other day – why you would come here with the Cullens, work so hard to help… when you're – you know."
"Oh…" she paused, clearly unsure of how to answer in a way that would be believable. "I guess, I wanted to be a part of something bigger then myself – to help out…"
She is so, impressive… good, really. "That's something." He said, shifting back in forth. I could see the question building in his mind. I used every ounce of strength to hold myself in my seat as he decided.
"Do you want to go to the ball with me?" He asked suddenly.
"Oh… OH!" Her eye's widened in sudden understanding, "Cedric, I didn't think… I'm…" she couldn't tell him the truth… a momentary panic took over her face, and then she paused. Another look became dominant – determination. When she spoke, her voice was clear and decisive. "I guess so, Cedric. If you don't mind going with someone who has two left feet." She smiled kindly.
"It's not hard – I can help you…"Cedric responded, his voice clearly pleased. "It's all in the leading…"
"I've heard that somewhere before." She replied. "I'd be pleased. Thank you for asking."
She left and returned to her table with Hermione, avoiding the glare I knew had taken over my features as I stared in her direction. I was seething. How could she? Only a small part of my mind noted the hypocrisy of my anger – that she had been in just as awkward as situation as I was, except she was much more inept at lying. That knowledge didn't help. I was still furious.