It was the night of the yule ball. I looked in the mirror. I wore fancy robes and my hair was put back neatly. Along with VIn I walked towards the doors of the ladies bedroom. Greg was already climbing stairs to meet with Hermione. I felt nervous. Ginny came out, looking stunningly and she walked into Blaise arms. I stare at her. "You look beautiful," He compliments her as he guides her along to the great hall.
"Stop staring," Vin hisses. "You'll look like an idiot staring off into empty air. You've got a stunning date called Astoria, remember?" I nod.
To be honest, Astoria looks incredible as well. Her hair is slightly curly and she is sporting a beautiful smile. She walks incredibly graceful and wears a green dress that tightly wraps her tiny body.
I smile nervously at her. I had forgotten how scary a date could be. Had I been this nervous when I had gone out with Pansy or had it been easier since we were good friends? I swallow quickly. Stop looking at her as an idiot! "You are looking nice! I mean great- fantastic!" Great, I sound as a stuttering idiot.
I walk with her to the great hall. The champions are now going to open the ball. "I cannot wait to see Ginny," Astoria squeals. I give her a confused glance, but she is focused on the door. First Cassius Warrington walks in, with Pansy in his arms. She is looking extremely happy. They dance very elegantly. Next is Krum with Ginny. After which Fleur entered with a dazed-looking Roger Davies. Lastly Potter clumsily walked in along with one of the Patil sisters. I frown. He had the guts to fight a dragon, but not to ask Cho out? I then spot her with a Hufflepuff I recognise as Cedric Diggory.
Then after the opening dance I walk onto the dance floor with Astoria. I had always seen her as too girly to like quidditch, but it seemed I was wrong. "Wait, you like quidditch?"
Astoria lightly pushes me, gives an elegant twirl and continues dancing with me. I smile surprisedly at her. "Of course I do. Do you think I would have survived being Ginny's best friend If I had not cared for the game? I would love to be on the team, you know? I am actually a surprisingly good beater." I look sceptically at her. She looks way too frail to be a beater. A light breeze could probably push her off her broom! "Ginny thought it was impressive with my size and all."
I nod. "Well, then why don't you try out?"
She hesitates. "Well, I-" I frown. "There were no try-outs, were there? Anyway, I love Gwenog Jones. She is amazing, have you seen their last game?"
I nod. "I see Ginny has infected you with her love for the Holyhead Harpies.."
"No," She says. "I mean, there just aren't a lot of female quidditch players, especially not beaters. So I think Jones is great, but I support the Appleby Arrows."
I glance around, curious to see which students have paired up. Lily Moon and Theo. Neville Longbottom and Susan Bones. Daphne Greengrass and Blaise Zabini. Tacey Davis and Terry Boot. Seamus Finnigan and Wayne Hopkins. Dean Thomas and Hannah Abbott. Sue Li and Lisa Turpin. Stephen Cornfoot and Kevin Enthwhistle. Oliver Rivers and Fay Dunbar. "Shall we get a drink?" Astoria asks breathlessly.
My throat feels dry. I nod, certain that words will not come out in the right way.
