In a way, Elsa was glad Yule Ball was finally there. That way, it would be over soon and normalcy could return to Hogwarts.
If she had to listen to another argument about which kind of style was the best, she'd throw up.
While she hadn't quite cleared up if she and Draco went as friends or if he had something entirely different on his mind, she was a tiny bit excited.
Or was it scared?
It was her first real ball, after all. And not in the way a royal ball was held. There was no strict etiquette to follow, so there wasn't much room for messing up.
With how much the other girls were freaking out over perfect hair and dresses, Elsa began to feel a little self-conscious.
The common room was pretty silent from five pm on with all the fourth to seventh year girls busy getting ready for the ball.
Elsa found Cho and Becky in their shared room, already in their dresses and taking their time dolling up.
Cho's dress was cream colored with elegant golden stitched patterns, perfectly matching her warm skin tone and silky black hair.
The raven locks were arranged in a complicated looking knot at the top of her head with a flower hairpin giving it a little pep.
Becky had used some Sleekeazy's that Hermione had mentioned to tame her pixie cut, also putting a glimmering headband to finish off the look. Her green dress was only reaching to her knees in the front, getting longer in the back.
The both of them were busy applying make-up.
"Aren't you gonna get ready too?" Becky asked, making a duckface at the mirror in their room.
Elsa blinked herself out of staring at Cho, who was effortlessly applying eyeliner.
"Oh, yes. I'm still trying to decide what to do with my hair." She said, subconsciously fiddling with the knot at the base of her neck.
"Please, you wear updos all the time, any of them works." Becky chuckled.
Smiling weakly, Elsa rearranged her updo. The smile faded slightly when she stared at herself in the mirror. She looked like a strict queen.
"That looks really posh! A diadem or something would fit perfectly!" Cho exclaimed. "But that would be a little over the top, wouldn't it...?"
Elsa winced. A diadem. Or a crown. "Yes, definitely too much."
"Oh! But I know what we can do! Can I pleeeeaaase do your make-up?"
A little worried at Becky's enthusiasm, Elsa shrugged. She herself didn't even own make-up, and even if someone borrowed her some, she wouldn't know how to properly use it.
"Just... not too much, alright?"
"Don't worry, I'll make you look decently gorgeous! Come on, close your eyes and let me work."
Becky sat on Elsa's bed with her make-up bag. The grinning face was the last thing she saw before she closed her eyes.
It took a while, but when Elsa was allowed to look at herself, the time was worth it.
Becky had applied some shimmering violet eyeshadow, mascara and cherry red lipgloss. A rosy powder was highlighting her cheekbones.
"It looks wonderful... thank you so much."
"My specialty." The brunette said proudly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I promised the girls I'd help them with their hair. I heard Padma is going with Ron Weasley."
"Yes. Her twin sister is going with Harry." Elsa confirmed, trying to gauge Cho's reaction.
However, the Asian was busy stuffing lipgloss in her little purse. "Anyway, I gotta go too. Cedric wanted to practice a few steps in his dressrobes before the ball."
With that, the two girls were gone. Elsa heaved a sigh and put on the deep blue dress Narcissa had gotten her for Christmas last year.
Out of curiosity she held her foster parents' dress under her chin, her face hardening. That was what was becoming of her. A future queen, a role she's been formed into ever since she knew how to walk and talk.
And if she couldn't find a way to get out of the arranged marriage that was going to be the rest of her life.
All of a sudden Elsa felt like shattering the mirror. Her foster parents. Mighty king and queen. Wanting to save their kingdom and giving up an innocent girl's life for it.
She angrily tossed the dress in her trunk and pulled out a hooded cloak. Air, that's what she needed right now.
There was still plenty of time until the ball would start, and she just needed a few moments to herself, to use her powers and let go of her frustrations.
xxx
Draco was pacing in his bedroom, ever so often glancing at his reflection in the full-length mirror. While Crabbe and Goyle were fiddling with their ties, Blaise was already fully dressed, just as Draco, and sat on his bed.
"Merlin, would you please sit down? You're making me nervous, and I'm only going with Pansy." Blaise tried to act annoyed, but he couldn't hide his amusement.
Who would've known the oh-so-collected and calm Draco Malfoy could be so nervous? Because of a girl for that matter.
The Slytherin in question shot his best friend a glare before reluctantly sitting down on his own bed, tapping his foot on the stone floor.
Blaise's laugh earned him another glare, which only made him laugh harder.
Of course Draco knew he was acting ridiculous, but he had all right to be nervous! He was taking Elsa, the girl that haunted his dreams, out to the ball.
More so, he finally wanted to ask her to be his girlfriend, to make it legitimate so no one would dare to make a move on her.
Namely Potter. Or Goldstein.
He knew he couldn't forbid her to spend time with her friends – she would give him some piece of mind for even trying – but he'd feel better about it if they were actually an item. As her boyfriend he came first, right?
Therefore he was a nervous wreck. What would he do if she refused? Draco really didn't know how he'd react if she wanted to remain just friends.
Knowing himself, he'd probably be mad. Later he'd regret it and try to apologize, but it would never be the same again.
Could he really risk asking and losing everything they had? He was sure it was more than friendship connecting them, but would she feel the same?
"Dude, calm down. You're wrinkling your robes. It's gonna be fine."
Draco looked up, seeing Crabbe and Goyle had already left the room to get help from some girls with their ties, since neither Blaise nor Draco wanted to help them.
With a sigh, the blond released the hold on the black traditional robe he was wearing and tried to smooth out the wrinkles his sweaty fists had left.
"It could be fine. But what if it isn't?" he countered. Since they were alone now, he didn't have to act all tough.
"Come on, she agreed to go with you. She likes you. She won't turn you down." Not succeeding in smoothing his robe, Draco grabbed his wand to do it magically.
"Maybe I should wait. It's way too early for that. I don't wanna scare her away or something. You've seen how she'd reacted when I invited her to the ball."
Blaise rolled his eyes and stood up, crossing his arms. "You've been working hard to please her since you first met her. How long do you intend on waiting? Cause if you wait any longer, someone else might make a move on her."
Draco glared hard at his best friend, also getting up. "What do you mean? Has Potter tried something?" he asked, voice dangerously low.
Blaise raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, but trying to act serious.
"Not yet, but with how much time they spent before the first trial it won't be long before he does."
Draco, blinded by his dislike for Harry, clearly didn't see Blaise was only manipulating him and started pacing again, hands behind his back.
"Do you really wanna lose her to Harry Potter?" Blaise asked, trying hard not to grin.
"Hell no, I don't. But what if she really turns me down? It's gonna destroy everything I've worked so hard for. I don't want her to avoid me again."
His friend grabbed Draco's shoulders, stopping his pacing. "Dude, you'll never know if you don't even try. What if she says yes, huh? Maybe she's just waiting for you to make the first move, and you're too scared to do so? Grow a pair and just ask her!"
The blond shook the hands off with another glare and sighed with a shake of his head. Even though it annoyed him, Blaise was right. She clearly liked him in a way more than friendship. Why would she refuse to date him? He'd changed so much, just for her. It wouldn't have been all for nothing.
Without giving an answer, Draco just grabbed his wand from the bed and put it on the inside of his robe like he always did.
With the glare still present on his face he just left the room since it was time to go. And even though Blaise was the one receiving the glares, he laughed, loving how easy his best friend could be manipulated.
xxx
Elsa's flight from the castle was going as smooth as it could go. That close to the beginning of the ball everyone was busy with themselves in their dorms.
The princess took a deep breath of the cold air when she stepped outside, enjoying the freezing temperature.
But where could she go? Besides a few Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students nobody was running around outside, still it was too dangerous to use her powers here.
There were no possibilities to hide.
Biting her lip, Elsa made her way through the snow, using her powers to cover up her footsteps in case someone saw her.
While the forest was still a little creepy, it was her guarantee that nobody would discover her secret.
She didn't have to go in deep, maybe follow the path Hagrid had taken with Maxime when he showed them the dragons. Yes, that would be perfect.
With her quickened pace it only took her minutes to reach the clearing, finding it indeed empty.
Feeling calmness wash over her, Elsa shed her cloak and created a mirror of ice. A glare found its way on her face as she looked at her reflection.
Despite not being related by blood, she found herself looking closer to her foster parents than her own mother at the moment.
The hair like the queen and the expression of the king. They made this of her, a perfect little spawn in the chess game of fate.
Anger flooded her veins, spikes of ice jumping from the ground to accentuate her mood. The powdery snow twirled in the air, as if wind was playing with it.
She couldn't even blame them for having been forced into the contract, they haven't known any better.
But they could have – no, they should have told her. About the contract, and that she wasn't really their daughter.
Instead of coming clean when they had the chance, they forced her to sign her fate, to save their own backs and Anna.
The snow was flurrying around her, whipping through her hair. Using her rage, Elsa created blocks of ice and crashed them with others, enjoying how they exploded in shards of glittering icicles.
Her disappointment for her real mother hit her. Why did she leave the Spirit of Winter, and why did she just give her away to some random stone trolls in the mountains?
What did she think would become of her?!
The image of her living her life in her hometown, enjoying freedom without the bother of a child, made Elsa even angrier.
From what she had heard, that would fit Isabelle's personality perfectly.
Maybe she's just had enough of Winter and got rid of her baby so she could have her freedom back.
Elsa let out her frustrations through her powers, giving into the temptation to just go wild and let go for a few minutes.
She was out of breath when she was done, feeling way calmer now with a clear head.
It was stupid. She shouldn't dwell on the past. And most importantly, she had to stop skirting around the topic and face it head on.
And that started with confronting her foster parents. She would go back home in summer and tell them that she knew. Ask straight away for the contract, and if they wouldn't hand it over willingly she would just force them.
It was her future on the line, after all.
With the newfound willpower, she let the traces of her little breakdown thaw, except for the mirror.
The self-made winter storm had completely tousled her hair, the knot loosened and hanging off one shoulder as a messy ponytail. Without a brush she wouldn't be able to fix it, so she just pushed her bangs out of her face.
They stuck with tiny ice crystals that had accidentally landed there during her outbreak.
The main problem was the dress. It had ripped on several places, the puffed sleeves hanging off her shoulders.
She'd need to fix this somehow, or she'd have to wear the other dress. And that was something she wanted to avoid.
So she used her wand to stitch up the tears of the skirt, letting her ice flow into it to cover the whole dress in a white glittering snowflake pattern.
The sleeves were easily ripped off. Another thick layer of ice posed as new ones.
However, as soon as she was done with them they began to feel different. It was a surprise to find the ice layer had turned into actual fabric.
How was that possible? Luna had been right, her powers got stronger again. Probably mixed with her witchcraft...
Elsa shook her head, there was no time to dwell on it. She still had to fix her hair before she met up with Draco. At least the make-up hadn't smudged, as she wouldn't be able to fix that on her own.
She threw the cloak over her shoulders and thawed the mirror again, hurrying back to the castle. There were plenty of students running around now, dressed in amazing dresses and fine dress robes.
They were all headed to the Great Hall, as the ball would start in a few minutes. Elsa hoped Draco wouldn't mind waiting for a bit.
Rounding a corner, she yelped when she ran straight into Becky.
"Elsa! There you are!" The brunette helped her up. "Cho asked me to come find you, the ball is about to start! You don't want to keep Draco waiting, do you?"
Without waiting for an answer, she pulled her along.
"W-Wait, my hair, it's-"
"It looks perfectly fine. Now we just have to get rid of this hideous thing..." Becky rolled her eyes and simply tugged the dark cloak off. "... Woah. That dress, fantastic."
She pushed the cloak into a roaming third-year Ravenclaw's arms. "Here, put that in our common room or something, will you? Now come on."
Elsa pathetically made to grab the cloak back, but Becky was already pulling her along again. Mere seconds later she found herself standing on top of the stairs that led to the main entrance.
There, about twenty students were still standing around. The champions and their dates were among them, waiting for their cue to start the Dance.
Several jaws dropped, as far as Elsa could see. Some jealous glances from several other girls, unbelieving stares all over.
Gulping, Elsa tried to keep her cool. Of course, she must look like she waded through a snow storm. Which she technically did.
Ignoring the stares, Becky practically flew down the stairs to find her date and tug him inside the Great Hall.
Elsa was about to take the chance and just flee, but then her eyes met wide silver ones.
Draco was at the bottom of the stairs, mouth slightly ajar as he stared up at her.
Even from up there she could see him gulping as he tried to compose himself.
Trying to get herself together, Elsa gripped the railing and began descending the stairs, head held high.
Who cared what the others thought about her? It was a stupid school ball, not an important business meeting.
Draco assisted her the last few steps, opening his mouth several times but unable to speak.
Elsa felt awkward, with how he couldn't even talk to her. Was he mad because of the dress?
She was glad when McGonagall finally ushered them all inside, except for the champions.
It had been decorated beautifully, it looked like a winter wonderland with glittering fake snowflakes on the enchanted ceiling.
"I'm so sorry about the dress." Elsa winced as she and Draco mingled in the crowd.
"W-What are you talking about? You... You are gorgeous." His cheeks grew a darker pink. "I don't know how you did it, but it's way better than before."
Elsa couldn't help but smile.
The entrance of the champions signaled the beginning of the ball, and after they began dancing, the rest of the crowd began, too.
"I'm not sure your mother would appreciate me meddling with the dress she got me." Elsa sighed as they moved along to the music. "It kind of was an accident. It ripped in a few places and I tried to fix it somehow."
"Do I even wanna know how you ripped it?" Draco asked, amusement lacing his voice. He laughed at the look Elsa sent her.
"Okay, I get it. Don't worry, she won't mind. Especially if she knew how absolutely stunning you look."
"Thanks." Elsa blushed, lowering her gaze shortly. "You don't look bad yourself, by the way."
"Believe it or not, I spent an hour in the bathroom to get the hair done."
It had the desired effect, getting Elsa to laugh. Something in Draco's chest fluttered, making him grin.
"Sorry, I just-" Elsa laughed again, "I just imagined you, running around like a headless hen, putting single hairs in place..."
"Hardy har... I would laugh along, but it's actually the sad truth."
"And yet you're laughing."
He smiled and subconsciously reached up to make sure everything was still in place.
"I like your hair. I don't think I've ever seen them so..."
"Messy?"
"Yes, but in a good way! Not as strict and composed... way more playful."
Elsa couldn't help but smile, reaching up to touch the tips that hung over her shoulder. It hadn't been supposed to end like that, but it felt... right.
"I thought I'd try something different. A little teenage rebellion against strict family rules."
"There are rules of how to wear your hair?" Draco blinked.
"Did you think royalty was all about sugar and cotton candy?"
"... Yes?"
Elsa chuckled. "It's not, believe me. Anyways, princesses and queens are to keep their hair together in public, to show of their discipline and status. Wearing it open is not an option, according to... to my father."
"That's stupid. You can be just as good a ruler with flowing hair."
Teasing, Elsa flicked a strand of his hair out of place, enjoying how he gasped in indignation.
"Sure, because you're the expert when it comes to flowing hair."
"You didn't just destroy my hard work, Winters."
"Oh, I believe I did, Malfoy."
It was good to talk to him again, like normal people. Like friends...?
A few times it looked like Draco wanted to say something, but cut himself off before he did. Elsa wondered what it was, but wouldn't want to inquire.
After some classical songs, a band took over, playing more modern music.
Not in the mood for uncontrollable and wild shaking around, Elsa and Draco sat down at one of the circular tables to eat something.
They were joined by Blaise, who had pushed Pansy off to some Durmstrang guy.
"Oh damn, Elsa, did you make that dress yourself?!"
Elsa looked up at Neville and Ginny, the redhead's eyes were wide as she touched the sleeves of her dress.
"Language." She gently scolded. "Not completely. I just... modified it a little."
"It's stunningly beautiful."
Neville nodded in agreement, carefully avoiding looking at the Slytherins.
Blaise elbowed Draco, who cleared his throat. "Uhm. Have you already eaten? Do you wanna sit with us?"
Ginny grinned, taking a seat next to Blaise and pulling Neville down to sit on her other side.
Elsa gave Draco an approving smile, enjoying the casual atmosphere between them.
She saw Hermione dancing with Krum, appearing to have fun, while Viktor seemed to be a little distracted, his typical sour face in place.
Harry and Ron were both sitting down, talking about something with rather bored expressions. Parvati and Padma were nowhere to be seen, probably lost in the mass of students on the dance floor.
She would've asked them to join their little group too, but knowing her friends it would end in an argument.
The beginning of the current conversation had been a bit strained and timid, until they came to Quidditch.
Draco and Ginny were having a heated discussion about various teams Elsa hadn't ever heard anything about. It was fun to see them act so passionate about their favorite players.
Blaise and Neville had found a shared interest in Herbology. Elsa enjoyed seeing Neville come out of his shell, confidently discussing some plant in South America with the Slytherin.
While Elsa had nothing to say to any of the topics aside from not caring for them, she decided to leave them be for a while and use the break to go to the bathroom.
There were so many girls blocking the nearest ones, and Elsa craved some privacy, so she wandered a little further to an empty bathroom.
With her little adventure in the forest before and how smooth everything was going at the moment, she felt at peace. When she washed her hands she smiled at her reflection in the mirror.
Wearing her hair like this made her look a lot more like her real mother. Maybe she should wear it like that more often.
What she had told Draco was actually great. Teenage rebellion. Not as in doing drugs or anything, but in going against the tight rules of royalty. It felt wonderful.
On her way back, she paused at a window. The snow was coming down in thick flakes, a stark contrast against the inky black night sky.
She took her time enjoying the view, for the first time in ages not worrying about anything.
"What a pleasant surprise meeting you here, Crown Princess Elsa of Arendelle."
Sky blue eyes widened, Elsa felt like drowning all of a sudden. The accent, he sounded like one of the Bulgarians.
Unable to breathe, Elsa forced herself to turn around.
"So that little troll spoke the truth. I never expected you to be a witch."
Viktor Krum was standing there, tall and dominant, a sideways smirk on his edgy face.
Swallowing hard, Elsa tried to put on a neutral face. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Of course you don't." He grinned wider. "When that chatty troll told me about you, I just had to find you and see for myself."
Elsa kept quiet, but inwardly her thoughts were racing. How did he hide his royalty as a famous Quidditch player? Was that his plan? Hiding in plain sight?
And what troll did tell on her, to the enemy?
Why did she have to chose a restroom that far off?
"At least you turned out to be quite pretty. Wouldn't want an ugly queen by my side now, would I?"
Her stony silence seemed to amuse him even more. Elsa had a hard time to not look intimidated. He wouldn't try anything here, would he?
"I have to admit, I had a hard time finding you. Until earlier that evening I thought dearest Hermione was the princess in disguise. She was acting overly mature and the age was fitting too, but I wasn't sure. Of course I couldn't just confront her right away and tell her our little secret, huh?"
The blonde clenched her fists. He had thought Hermione was her? That's why he courted her... he wanted to get closer to his target.
"And then I realized she wasn't a princess. Not at all. So I asked her about her classmates... and today I saw you coming down the stairs with all the grace of a queen. Despite the casual hairstyle. Hermione was quite gracious with her information, I wouldn't have told her if I were you, but well. I would've thought you'd at least change your name."
Who knew how much he really knew about her? What sources he had? Denying it was useless, especially if Hermione had told him already.
"So Viktor Krum is a fake name?"
He appeared pleased that she talked to him now. He mock-bowed, eyes on her.
"Crown Prince Asparuh of the Eastern Seas. Your future husband."
"I don't think so." Elsa glared. "Your father forced my muggle parents into a magical contract. Exposing magic to muggles is against the law."
Asparuh straightened, his jaw tightening slightly. "My father wouldn't believe me when I told him you being a witch would mean trouble. Good thing he's best friends with our minister."
Elsa tried to calm her racing heart. At least he unknowingly confirmed that even in his country the exposure of magic to muggles was illegal.
"We'll see about that. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a ball to attend to." She tried to muster up the most confident voice and turned around, head high.
She was already two steps ahead when Asparuh spoke up again.
"You know, you and your sister are nothing alike."
Elsa stopped dead in her tracks, heart plummeting right into her stomach, making her feel sick.
"Little Anna can't control her feelings as good as you. So full of life, and easily trusting. Would be a shame if anything was to happen to her."
The blonde turned around, glaring at him. "Leave Anna out of this." She demanded.
It was ridiculous. Anna was safe beneath the shield. Grand Pabbie said it would keep wizards and witches out.
"Oh, don't you worry. I won't do anything to your precious sister. I'm sure you already know about the blasted shield, that keeps us wizards out."
Elsa tried to control her breathing, and most importantly to keep her ice powers in check. The last thing she needed was for the enemy to find out what else she had up her sleeve.
The way he put the emphasis on wizards, it made her shiver.
"What are you implying?" She asked anyways, trying not to give too much away.
"I think you know. Just mark my words, if you don't marry me willingly, father and I will have a Plan B. And little Anna plays a huge role in it."
He gave her a dark triumphant look.
"Don't be a fool and play with your sister's life."
With that he walked off, leaving Elsa standing with an empty and sick feeling.
Of course. She wasn't stupid. Just because they, as wizards, couldn't get past the shield, didn't mean they couldn't send their muggle servants.
They had a whole kingdom full of knights that could attack Arendelle.
They had probably already put in a spy after the gates had been opened, since he knew Anna by name and her character. It was worrying on so many levels.
Feeling drained, Elsa sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall and burying her face in her arms.
What was she supposed to do now? Even if she found the contract and a way to contact the Bulgarian Ministry of Magic, there was no guarantee that they would actually put the king behind bars. Not if they really were as close as Viktor/Asparuh had implied.
There she was, finally having positive thoughts and within a few hours they've been crushed.
She tried to come up with an easy solution, but there was nothing coming to her mind.
Having her foster parents disown her wasn't even a possibility, Asparuh would only go after Anna next.
Using her as blackmail was as evil a move as it was genius. Strategically speaking.
"Elsa? What are you doing up here? Are you hurt?"
Inwardly, Elsa groaned. She couldn't put up with Draco now. Her mind was a chaotic mess. She didn't want any understanding pity now.
Wiping at her eyes, she got to her feet.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"Just... just leave me alone, Draco." She forced herself to say, chest tightening.
"Very funny. What happened? Did someone hurt you?"
"I'm not joking... I just need some time to myself right now."
Draco frowned. "... Did I do something wrong?"
Elsa felt herself tearing up again at his words. No, it wasn't his fault her life was a mess.
Being hugged to his warm chest, encircled by strong arms felt good. But with her emotions spiraling out of control, her powers were beginning to follow.
Scared of accidentally freezing him, she forced herself push him away and stepped back.
"Y-You didn't. It's me, I'm the problem."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm having problems I can't talk about. Not with you, not with anyone. Please just let me sort this out..."
"But you can talk to me, I-"
"I need to sort this out on my own, can't you understand that?!" Elsa yelled, breath hitching.
"Please calm down, let's sit down and-"
"I can't do this right now. I'm sorry." Desperate to get away, Elsa ran. She needed a place to think calmly, where she didn't have to pretend and put up a mask, and lie.
Only when she was sure she wasn't being followed anymore did she stop.
She had no idea where she was, but the hallway on the seventh floor was empty, that was the only thing that mattered to her.
Going back to her common room wasn't an option, there were too many people.
For the first time in forever, she missed her room back in Arendelle. Back then her biggest problem was the boring reading material. And now the weight of her future and the future of Arendelle was resting on her shoulders.
Her frantic pacing stopped when she noticed a door that definitely hasn't been there before.
With shaking hands she reached out to open it, gasping when it revealed an exact copy of her room back at home.
What place was this?
However, she didn't care at the moment. It was just what she needed right now. A place to be alone, a place where she could be herself.
As soon as the door was securely closed behind her, Elsa let herself go. She cried freely, burying her face in one of the numerous fluffy pillows of the king-sized bed, while the room slowly froze over.
The next morning Elsa woke to the same helplessness she had fallen asleep in.
It was no use, there was nothing she could do at the moment. She began regretting coming to Hogwarts and making friends.
She should've just ignored the owl, kept on with her lonely and normal life. Then she would just be married off to the unknown prince, not knowing nor caring that he was a wizard.
Now that she tasted freedom it was torture to get back to it.
The holidays were spent completely isolated in her dorm. While her old bedroom had given her security, she knew she had to leave some time or people would start searching for her.
Cho and Becky had pestered her nonstop as to what had happened.
However, Elsa kept insisting it was nothing.
She didn't want to face the world again, scared to come across Asparuh again, scared to see Draco's disappointed and questioning face, not in the mood for all the questions.
Not counting her roommates, Marshmallow was the only social contact she enjoyed. The white ball of fur was sensing her owner's distress and snuggled up to her constantly, hissing at Cho and Becky whenever they wouldn't stop pestering her.
One of the perks of being in a different house than her friends was that she could have her peace.
Luna had been visiting her at the end of the holidays when she was back at Hogwarts. The younger blonde had been surprised at her disheveled state in comparison to her usually composed attire.
"I know you don't want to talk about it, but they keep asking me about you." Luna said, sitting next to Elsa's laying form, playing with a few strands of the silvery hair.
"Why can't they just let me be...?" Elsa mumbled.
"They're your friends. It isn't like you to hide away."
"Not like I can do that any longer once classes start again."
"Is it a Spirit problem?"
Elsa turned around to face her instead of the window. "No... Though you were right. My powers really got stronger. My ice can turn into fabric now."
Interested, Luna laid down to be face to face with her. "Fantastic... but that's not the problem, is it?"
Sighing, Elsa closed her eyes. "No. It's a princess problem. But I can't do anything against it without endangering my little sister's safety."
"I thought your friends knew about that already? Don't you think they'd understand if you told them just that?"
"They're not like you, Luna. They would pester me, trying to help. But they can't, and it would only frustrate me more."
"Evading them is not gonna solve the problem either."
She was right, Elsa knew. Heaving another sigh, she rubbed her face with both hands.
"I know... Did Draco say something?"
"He's worried, of course." Luna shrugged. "Hermione on the other hand didn't even ask about you... I think she's mad at you."
"What for?" Elsa asked with a frown.
"I don't know. Ginny tried to talk to her, but she won't say."
Did it have to do with Viktor? But he wouldn't have told her about the contract, would he?
Great, another factor of worry. Just what she needed.
During the off days it was easy evading everyone, since she was always eating very early in the morning. Now that classes would start again it was harder.
And indeed, her plan to sit as hidden as possible was thwarted when Ron and Harry immediately located her. Good thing she's had enough time to think of a cover story.
"A stomach bug?"
Elsa nodded, distractedly wiping her fingers clean with a napkin. "I think so. Must've been something I ate during the ball."
"Why didn't you just go to Madam Pomfrey?"
"I was busy being sick, so I didn't really think about it."
"Yeah, 'cause it's such a far-fetched thought to visit a healer when sick."
Elsa rolled her eyes at Ron's words. She saw Hermione enter the hall and pointedly sit far away from them.
"What's up with Hermione, by the way?"
"Uhm. We're not entirely sure. Viktor kind of ditched her on Yule Ball, and she blames you."
"Me?" Her eyes widened. "That's... that's ridiculous. Why would it have to do anything with me? I haven't even spoken one word to Viktor."
She tried to act as confused as possible, and it seemed to work.
The boys nodded. "No idea. She's going crazy with her spew thingy even more than before."
Elsa rubbed her temple tiredly. Of course, Viktor said he had asked Hermione about her, and then he left. To her, it must've sounded as if he was after her royal status and left her for Elsa.
"Anyways," she changed the topic, "did you find out what the second task is?"
Harry poked the sausage on his plate. "No...?"
"You only have a few weeks left, and we probably need preparation time."
"I know, I'm working on it..."
Getting Harry into a bad mood? Check. Things really were getting out of hand for Elsa.
xxx
"What do you think you're doing?!"
"Let go, I'm going to talk to her."
Blaise briefly thought about sticking a fork into Draco's hand to physically pin him to the table.
"Are you really that stupid or is this an act?"
Glaring at his friend, Draco lowered himself at the table.
"We haven't talked in two weeks, she was really upset, I need to-"
"You need to what? Play her sounding board again and stay forever in friendzone?"
"Look at her, something's troubling her. What ass would I be if I just watch her suffer?!"
"An ass that gets the girl of his dreams, perhaps?"
"How is ignoring her getting me closer to her?"
Blaise rolled his eyes. "If you run after her like a lovesick puppy she certainly won't be interested. She'll just see you the way she sees Goldstein."
The comparison got Draco's blood boiling. He wasn't a lovesick puppy, and he definitely wasn't like Anthony Goldstein.
"So you expect me to sit back and watch Potter comfort her instead?"
"It doesn't look like there's much comforting going on."
Indeed, Elsa appeared to be waving things off and Potter even seemed annoyed. That was good, Draco thought.
"I don't want to ignore her."
"Draco, you're my best friend, so I'm showing double of my usually non-existent patience with you."
The blond worked his jaw to not snap at Blaise for his tone. It was nice to have some actual help, after all.
"Here, take Pansy, for example. We've all been friends since our early childhood, told each other everything. Now she clings to you like a leech, and that makes you push her away more."
"... I don't like where this is going."
"Ssh. Now if Pansy would suddenly ignore you and mind her own business all the time, you would wonder what was going on with her. You'd think about her more than usual, consider her, and so on."
"Wrong. I'd be glad if she left me alone for a while."
"At the beginning, yes. But since you've been friends for so long you will start to wonder at some point. That's how people work."
"I didn't know you've become a relationship expert."
"Durmstrang was boring, I've had lots of time. Trust me, my friend, by the end of the year she'll be all over you."
Draco eyed Elsa from across the Great Hall. Ignoring her would be hard, but if it would finally get him out of the hated friendzone and make her his he would gladly make the sacrifice.
"Fine."