Here's the next one and just a heads up, the next chapter might be a little late. I try to do these every other day, but I've caught up with myself and was busy with work this week, so chapter 21 may be a day or two late since I haven't finished writing it yet.

Hope you all like this though! Or are mad enough to chew me out in a review for what I ended up doing to poor Nox... He's making smaller changes at the moment but I've got a plan for how he'll deal with Moody later on. Just need to get to the right moment ;)

But let me know what you think! I love hearing from you all!

"Nox."

"Hm?" I hummed, chewing idly on a piece of toast early Monday morning, a bit lost in thought as Harry sighed.

He surprisingly hadn't asked me a thing about the dragons on Sunday—having met Sirius that Saturday evening—but he and Hermione had vanished into the library, making me wonder if he'd asked her first before questioning myself.

"I… I wanted to know if you'd be able to help me with the first task."

"I said I would, didn't I?" I replied, jabbing at a piece of sausage—something I'd grown rather fond of since the whole werewolf thing.

"But you were—" Harry cut himself off, probably remembering that he was under the invisibility cloak at that time and I hadn't known he was there. "H-Hagrid took me to see the dragons. You were there. Weren't you told not to say anything?"

I blinked, humming around the food in my mouth before swallowing. "Only swore not to tell those who didn't know. You know, so…"

Hermione slapped a palm to her face. "You would find a loophole."

I shrugged, cracking a grin. "Just means I get to blab about dragons to anyone who'll listen." I looked to Harry. "Who else found out about them?"

"Well, Hagrid brought Madam Maxine, so Fleur probably knows, and I ran into Karkaroff on the way back, so Krum too."

"Meaning only Cedric doesn't know?" I questioned, laying the bait since I knew I couldn't tell him with my promise to Dumbledore. "Are you going to tell him?"

"Well…" Harry hesitated, and I shrugged, eating another sausage.

"You don't have to, but it must suck being the only one left in the dark about it. Being completely unprepared in the face of a dragon is the worst possible thing."

Harry heaved a sigh. "I'll tell him."

"Good," I chirped. "And let him know two of them are my dragons, so I'll tell you both all sorts of tricks to help at lunch if he wants to join."

"You'll help him too?"

"Why not? If it makes you feel better, it's only to keep my dragons safe and you, of course. My dragons have had it hard enough as it is. Anything to make their lives easier."

"Never mind mine," Harry teased, as an owl swooped in and deposited a letter on my plate. "What's that?"

I shrugged, abandoning my fork to open it. "Dunno. Ah, it's from Lupin."

"What does he want?"

I snorted, skimming the letter. "It's an apology for leaving me on my own in summer. Sirius spilled that I wasn't exactly happy, it seems. Ah, and he's met the caretaker. Says she's doing good while I'm away and the creatures are as curious as ever. No incidents thus far, which is good."

"Incidents?" Harry asked as our plates vanished, and we stood to make for Herbology class.

"The creatures are finally free to do as they want. Meaning, they're not stuck in one cage by themselves. They get to meet the other creatures. They were friendly enough with each other while I was there, if a bit cautious, but introducing creatures into the same area can be dicey. I own predators and prey, after all."

"They can kill each other?" Hermione gaped.

"Could, sure. Like I said though, they're fine. I've been keeping them well-fed, so there shouldn't be any worries unless something changes."

"Nox, Hermione," Harry called out then, eyeing Cedric across the room. "I'll see you in the greenhouses. Go on. I'll catch up."

"Harry, you'll be late. The bell's about to ring," Hermione argued, but I waved him off.

"I'll let Sprout know you were doing champion things or something. Be quick about it, would you?"

Harry nodded and bounded off, returning a moment later looking relieved for having told Cedric as we worked on our plants for the morning.

"Cedric said he'd have to think about meeting up, Nox."

"Course," I hummed, swatting at a plant that had crept up towards my ear behind my back.

Lunch came rather quickly too, though I felt something had changed. I'm almost certain Harry should know what to do by now, but I can't remember how. Oh, well. It's probably my presence, in general, that's changed that. And he's got better chances getting through the tasks with me knowing about them. I felt a tap on my shoulder and tipped my head back, fork in my mouth as Cedric loomed overhead at the Gryffindor table.

"You wanted to talk?"

I cracked a small smile and nodded. I took my plate and kicked Harry's ankle, gesturing for him to come along as we left the Great Hall to the classroom I'd gotten permission from to use for magic practice. Once there, I picked a chair and sat, propping my plate on my leg and continuing to eat as Cedric took a seat as well.

"So, dragons," I mused. "Anything in particular you want to know?"

"Why are you helping me?" Cedric asked immediately. "Harry said it's just fair, but that's not really true, is it? And you're not even a champion, so how do you know?"

"I was asked by Dumbledore to help," I replied nonchalantly. "Two of the dragons are from my reserve, so I can handle them better than the guys who brought them. They're rather thrilled to have me too. I've made their job easier."

"But why offer me help too? I'm not even in your house."

"Well, we're all on the same side, aren't we?" I hummed with a tip of my head. "Hogwarts, I mean. And it's been a while since Hufflepuff has had some glory. I wouldn't mind if you won. It'd take some of the pressure and limelight off Harry for once."

"Nox," Harry grumbled, and I rolled my eyes.

"But, I mostly did it for the dragons' safety. My dragons especially. They weren't treated well up until recently, so your biggest hint is that if you end up with the Chinese Fireball or the Hungarian Horntail, don't let them see your wand."

"Fight a dragon without a wand? Are you mad?" Cedric gaped.

"At this point? Probably," I murmured. "And you don't have to face them without one, just make sure they don't see it. If they see it, they're going to grow even harder to deal with. Ah, but I'm getting a bit ahead of myself, I think. I should tell you about the four types of dragons at hand first."

It took a bit of time to explain the dangers of a dragon based on their species, and even more to tell the two of my tricks while answering any of their questions. By the time we finished, it was time for afternoon classes, and I was certain their minds were buzzing with thoughts of how to handle whatever dragons they got.

The day of the first task was today and Harry felt oddly separated from the rest of the world. Those wishing him luck or making jeers went ignored until Nox proceeded to slap a hand across his stomach during lunch. Harry choked, glaring at him in annoyance, but Nox just cracked a smile.

"Calm down, Harry. You're more prepared than any of them, remember? And I'll be there to help if anything goes wrong—which it won't, mind you. You've just got to be quick. Get in, get out. You have the fish?"

Harry nodded, relaxing somewhat. The morning had passed so quickly in his daze, but the wake-up call from Nox cleared his thoughts and the slight ache from his slap had grounded him to the present. Just in time for McGonagall to sweep him from the Great Hall. The professor appeared just as nervous as Hermione had been—even with Nox's reassurance.

"Now, don't panic," McGonagall warned him. "Just keep a cool head. We've got wizards standing by to control the situation if it gets out of hand. The main thing is just to do your best, and nobody will think any the worse of you. Are you all right?"

"Actually, yeah," Harry said, surprising himself with the confidence behind the response. "I, um… I think I am, anyway."

She appeared a little shocked herself, but nodded with a hint of a smile, calming a bit herself too. He was led to a tent that blocked the sight of the dragons within the enclosure, and joined the other champions and Ludo Bagman, who started to explain what they were to do.

"When the audience has assembled, I'm going to be offering each of you this bag—" He held up a small sack. "—from which you will each select a small model of the thing you are about to face! There are different, uh, varieties, you see. And I have to tell you something else too… Ah, yes. Your task is to collect the golden egg!"

Egg snatching… Nox told me how dangerous it was for him to be doing it. I can only hope he was right in telling me my plan was the best chance I had. Harry glanced at the other champions. Cedric looked a little nervous as well, though spared Harry a glance and semi-confident nod. Fleur and Krum though, gave no reactions at all. Harry thought it was either because they'd volunteered to be in this sort of danger from the start, or they would be sick if they even tried to open their mouths. Then, they could hear the audience joining the stands and Nox stepped into the tent, surprising Bagman.

"What are you—"

"I've Dumbledore's permission. I work with the…" He spared the group a glance. "…the task. He said to tell you it's time for them to pick what they're dealing with." His eyes narrowed at the champions then. "And if any of you actually hurt them, we're going to have a problem."

Harry snorted, covering it up with a fake cough as Nox slipped out, much to the others' confusion. I should have known. He's so possessive over his creatures. I'd hate to be them if he did hurt the dragons… though how they could, I've no idea.

Bagman cleared his throat. "Anyway, ladies first."

Fleur went up and pulled out a small, moving Welsh Green dragon from the sack, looking resigned. Madam Maxine had indeed told her about the dragons. Krum reacted much the same when he pulled out the Chinese Fireball. One of Nox's, Harry mused, and when Cedric pulled out the Swedish Short-Snout, a heavy rock settled in his stomach—knowing which creature he'd gotten.

"Now, the Hungarian Horntail is also mine, but it's the one I had the biggest problems with," Nox explained, pointing his fork at Cedric and Harry. "You have to pay attention because its tail will swing around and catch you off guard. She likes using that to attack because people always focus on the fire-breathing end and don't even think about the back. And since they brought the females with eggs, you're going to have a hell of a time getting anything away from her. She is stubborn as all hell, and once she sees you have it, she won't stop. You'll need to be quick. Cast a distraction and then rush in and out as quick as you can."

Harry stared down at the miniature dragon in his palm, determined. He had definitely chosen the right plan of action, especially if this was the dragon he was facing. He would only need his wand for a few moments, then he could hide it without the dragon seeing. After that… He took a deep breath. I can do this. I can.

Cedric stepped out into the arena, facing the Swedish Short-Snout as I stood off to the side, ready and waiting. It's the easiest of the four to deal with. Distract it. Playing hide-and-seek always worked the best. Keep it curious and interested and have someone else sneak up behind it and take the egg. Let's see if Cedric listened. Cedric looked a little pale facing the dragon, but slipped his wand out behind his back, making me crack a smile in the shadows. Good. He listened to that bit, even if it's not my dragon, wands are never used pleasantly around them.

He transfigured a rock into a Labrador, distracting me for a moment as the dog ducked and dived in and out from behind rocks, barking when it popped out to keep the dragon's attention. He was smart about it too. When the dragon started to look away, the dog would run closer, and draw it back. Cedric was able to grab the egg, but the sun flashed off the gold and caught the dragon's eye. It whirled around and I cursed when Cedric spotted it too late.

"Protego!"

A shield popped up between the dragon's flame and Cedric, who stumbled behind me as I shouted over my shoulder.

"Get out of range! You've got your prize, now go!"

He hastily backed off, and when the fire calmed, I slipped my wand away and pulled out a fish, making the dragon pause. It remembered me from the previous day, and I'd had quite a bit of fun easing it to my side.

"Oh, you did good, didn't you, sweetheart?" I purred, taking the fish and tossing it up for her to catch. "Yeah. Come on then. This way."

I used a second fish to lead her back around towards where her actual clutch was, emptying the field for the next challenger. I couldn't help but crack a smile though when Charlie whacked my back with a bubble of laughter.

"Oh, I can't wait to see how those students treat you in class after this, Nox! You might've just become more terrifying!"

Yeah, the rumor mill will definitely flourish with this one. Fleur was next with the feistier Common Welsh Green, but she appeared to have it handled. The dragon was fast asleep in moments and the only thing of concern was when it snorted out fire and set her skirt aflame. She put it out quickly though and wasn't any worse for wear when she stepped out with her egg. It was the next one I was concerned about.

Krum was facing my Chinese Fireball who was more spunky than anything. Even with her clutch, she hadn't been too threatened by my presence the previous evening, having more fun making me dodge her small fireballs as was her usual game. That being said, my dragon was afraid of wands and Krum was quick to wield his. The second the Conjunctivitis Curse slipped out of his mouth; I was out on the field. He'd grabbed the egg, nearly ending up trampled as the Chinese Fireball wailed in pain. I—in my anger towards Krum—had sent him flying out of the arena with a knockback spell and called out for Charlie's help.

He stepped out with a few others as I barked orders for them to try and pull the Fireball's mouth down. I had the potion needed to restore her eyesight, but this would be a dangerous move. The only reason I'm even attempting it, is because she's my dragon, I reasoned with myself. The crowd had begun to murmur and cry out with every fireball that edged a little too close to me when the dragon's head was pulled to the ground.

"Sh, sh, sh," I shushed the whining beast, pulling out a fish in the hopes its smell combined with mine would help her relax. "I'm just going to help. I know it hurts. Let me help."

She squirmed with the restraints around her neck, but the fire stopped, and I stuffed the fish with the potion, uncapping the vial and stuffing the fish into her mouth with my arm. Gasps rang up from the crowd with my arm and part of my shoulder disappearing down the dragon's throat, but I was quick and didn't lose said appendage when the dragon swallowed the fish. I then waved off Charlie and the others, who were hesitant to loosen the restraints, but did so. And within a few moments, the dragon's swollen, teary eyes opened, and I relaxed.

"There ya go, sweet thing. Better?"

The dragon's head slammed forward, bouncing into my chest and knocking me to the ground, but the more gently nuzzled against me as I pat her face.

"Yes. I'll scold him properly. He'll definitely regret what he did. What do you think? Should I jinx his hair or his robes a blindingly bright pink?"

The dragon finally let me up and I led her easily back to her side of the arena before heading back. Charlie though, stopped me.

"Hold on, Nox! You're hurt!"

I hadn't even noticed that a fireball had caught the edge of my shirt in the panic—leaving a patch of charred skin on my shoulder and neck. The adrenaline and concern for my dragon ensured I hadn't even felt it.

"It's fine, Charlie. Harry's up next and you know which dragon he's got," I tried to argue, but Charlie adamantly refused to let my arm go.

"Oh, no. I'll keep watch this time. You said you were confident with his plan, didn't you?"

"Well, yes, but—"

"Then, it'll be fine for you to go see Madam Pomfrey. I know your tricks now, Nox. I swear I won't do anything to the Horntail if I don't have to, okay?"

Seeing as he wouldn't release me until then, I begrudgingly nodded and slumped my way to the first-aid tent. Already, I could hear the crowd cheering and shouting—Bagman saying something about Harry's broom—and I glanced back nervously. I wanted to be there for Harry. And even though I was starting to feel the tell-tale stinging of my burn, I doubled back.

Harry was speeding away on his Firebolt when I peered back into the arena, hearing Charlie trying to scold me, but I ignored him, and he soon gave up as he watched Harry too. Harry had pulled out a fish from his robes, making me smile as the Horntail eyed him from below in suspicious curiosity. The fish was thrown to one side, drawing the dragon away from the golden egg that had once been tucked carefully under her claws, and Harry zipped right down for it in the creature's moment of distraction.

"Come on, come on," I breathed, feeling my nails dig into my leg as my gaze shifted from him to the Horntail's swinging spiked club of a tail.

The dragon had caught the fish and turned, realizing then, that it'd lost sight of Harry. Harry already had his hands on the egg, and for a brief moment, I thought he'd get knocked off his broom by the dragon's sweeping tail. He'd spotted it though, doing a roll and ducking just out of the way before moving out of her range. Relief sank into me, making me sag a little against the wall in relief as the crowd roared and Bagman shouted out his accomplishments.

"All right now, Nox. First aid. Go on," Charlie pressed, nodding to the angry Horntail. "I think we'll have to handle this one our way this time."

I hated to agree, but I knew how vindictive she could get when someone stole her eggs—the scars on my back burning much like the charred skin on my shoulder and neck. So, I left him to deal with it and made over to the first-aid tent once more. Upon entering, I was rather surprised to see Harry, Ron and Hermione already there waiting.

"Nox, are you okay!" Hermione asked, eyeing the injury in concern as Madam Pomfrey huffed about dragons and dementors.

"I'm sure I'll be fine. What are you doing here, Harry?"

"Professor McGonagall said you'd been hurt. The judges needed a minute to give the score, so she sent me here. What happened?"

My face immediately settled into a scowl as I removed my shirt for Madam Pomfrey to smear some paste over the injury. "Goddamn Krum cast a Conjunctivitis Curse on my Chinese Fireball. Poor thing was terrified and in pain. She didn't know what she was doing until I gave her the potion to fix her eyes." My glare softened into a sad look. "She's really sweet, you know. He didn't have to do that."

Ron leaned towards Harry. "He stuffed his whole arm down its throat. We thought he had a death wish, you know?"

Harry let out a snort. "Sounds about right."

"Oi," I grumbled mildly, wincing as Madam Pomfrey used her wand to check on the progress of the paste in healing my injury. "You two aren't allowed to get along if it just means you're gonna make fun of me."

Harry and Ron exchanged looks before chuckling. They'd made up before I'd entered the tent, it seemed, and leaving Hermione rather teary-eyed in her relief, before she punched my arm.

"And you! What were you thinking, scaring us like that!"

"I-I… What? I, honestly… I-I wasn't thinking?" I stuttered out, unsure how I felt about her stern, near crying expression. "Hold on. I-I mean, I was thinking but I sort of… forgot about who was watching? Um…" I looked to Harry and Ron for help, both giving me pointed looks until it clicked. "I'm, um… I'm sorry?"

She didn't look pleased with the questionable apology but grabbed me in a hug before abruptly letting me go.

"I'm just glad you're okay." She cleared her throat—both our faces dusted pink—before leading the way out of the tent. "Come on. They'll be giving the scores soon."

The scores were from each of the five judges, ranging from zero to ten. Madame Maxine was the first to score, giving Harry an eight. Mr. Crouch gave him a nine along with Dumbledore. Then Bagman gave him a ten adding to the roaring of the crowd before Karkaroff ruined things by giving Harry a meager four. Charlie had been quick to run over then, telling Harry Bagman needed to speak with the champions and checking up on me before rushing off himself with many thanks for my help. Ron offered to stick around and wait for Harry, but Hermione insisted that her and I return to the common room, and I didn't dare argue this time.

It was December now with the skies having dropped snow all over the grounds and making the usual group glad Nox knew his heating charms. Even with them though, the boy was bundled up in layers and had a scarf while they went to deal with the Blast-Ended Skrewts for their Care of Magical Creatures class. Today, Hagrid wanted them to try and pack the creatures into crates in the hopes that they hibernated. Even Nox didn't look convinced that would work as they finally managed to get them all restrained, just as Rita Skeeter chose to come watch them struggle with the final one.

"Well, well, well. This does look like fun."

"Who're you?" Hagrid questioned as he restrained the skrewt finally.

"Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet reporter."

"And a useless one at that," Nox muttered under his breath, eyes narrowed at the skrewt as Harry and Ron chuckled under their breaths.

The skrewts had proved too troublesome for even him to handle, and Nox had been rather miffed about that ever since.

"Thought Dumbledore said you weren't allowed inside the school anymore," Hagrid grumbled, dragging the skrewt towards the others, but Rita ignored him.

"What are these fascinating creatures called?"

"None of your business," Nox interrupted then, stopping Hagrid from answering her as the two glared at one another.

"And… you are?"

"Also, none of your business," Nox snapped back. "And I suggest you leave before I accidentally jinx your hair to match your stupidly bright coat."

Hermione plastered on a tight smile, grabbing Nox's arm. "S-Sorry about him. He's got a temper."

It was getting close to another full moon, after all, so Nox was a bit more easily aggravated than usual. Rita huffed, looking over to Harry with a sickly-sweet smile.

"So, you like Care of Magical Creatures, do you? One of your favorite lessons?"

"Yes," Harry said seriously, having agreed on that much.

"Lovely. Really lovely. Been teaching long?" She asked Hagrid then, though her eyes started to drift towards the minor injuries students had, up until there was a flash and a sharp "crack" rang through the air.

Nox had drawn his wand before anyone could stop him, cutting the fence she was leaning on and sending her face-first into the snow. With another flick, she was flipped onto her backside with a screech as her hair turned a rather vibrant shade of purple—exactly like her coat.

"Nox!" Hermione cried out, looking between him, Rita, and the rather stunned Hagrid.

It was one thing for Nox to be a bit disagreeable, but another for him to draw his wand. The last time this had happened, he'd ended up with multiple detentions for jinxing Lockhart. Harry suspected that Rita Skeeter was just someone Nox hated from the start, much like that Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He idly wondered if Sirius was right about him, too. Nox rarely jinxed someone unless he disliked them enough. And every adult he jinxed had turned out to deserve it in one way or another. Quirrell was Voldemort, Lockhart was a liar, Malfoy was an all-around prick, and now he'd cursed Rita who also published lies. Maybe his dislike towards Moody should be taken more seriously too…

"You! You'll regret this!" Rita screeched, rushing off as Nox huffed and stowed his wand away.

Hagrid though frowned and pointed a stern finger at him. "Now, Nox, ya shouldn't have done that. She weren't doing nothin' wrong."

"She was poking her nose in places it shouldn't be," Nox argued. "Dumbledore doesn't want her on the grounds for a reason and all she does is publish dirt on people and make up lies. I'm not about to let her write something about you if I can help it."

Hagrid grew flustered, uncertain whether to continue his scolding for Nox having jinxed the woman or thank him for protecting him. "Uh, er… W-Well, we best finish up the lesson. Bit nippy out and you will all want to have something warm for lunch, eh?"

He went back to crating the skrewts as Hermione tugged harshly on Nox's ear.

"What were you thinking!" She chided him. "You haven't learned a thing, have you? You can't just be attacking people like that, Nox! You can get in serious trouble!"

"No one likes Rita Skeeter," Nox argued, nose wrinkled in annoyance as he lightly swatted at her hand. "And she's too proud to try and get me into trouble. She'll just try to slander me with some article, but I could care less. The only thing she'll get are baseless rumors like me being a vampire."

"Harry, help me!"

Harry just shrugged though. "He's not wrong. She really does just write up lies about people. She's got some quill that just makes stuff up for her. You've seen the article about me."

Hermione threw up her hands in exasperation as they finished up and headed for their next class. She hurried out after Arithmancy, leaving behind a confused Nox, and didn't show up for dinner either.

"Do you think she's upset with me?" Nox asked Harry as they went to check the library.

"Because you jinxed Rita Skeeter?" Ron scoffed. "No way. Even I know it's better to stay far away from her."

Harry nodded in agreement and the group frowned upon seeing no sign of Hermione in the library. The only one there was Krum and the six or seven girls lurking nearby muttering to each other and giggling as they sent the boy looks from behind a row of books.

"You think I should ask for an autograph?" Ron muttered to Harry, who shrugged, before going to ask Nox something only to find him gone from their side.

"Where—Oh, no."

Nox had slipped out from behind them to storm over to Krum. Harry considered stopping him, knowing Hermione would have, but he and Ron kind of wanted to see what Nox planned on doing.

"Why's he meeting with Krum?" Ron questioned. "You think he's a fan too?"

"I think it's the opposite of that. Look."

Sure enough, Nox looked angry as he snarled at Krum in a hushed voice, doing what he could to be furious without drawing the wrath of the librarian. Krum furrowed his brows, saying something back and the two boys tried to move closer to hear what was being said between them. Then, Krum suddenly stood up, towering over Nox who didn't back down in the slightest. Is that his wand? Harry nudged Ron in the side, pointing at the wand that was just barely visible between the two arguing students. Nox had somehow been able to draw his first, but before anything happened, Nox slipped his wand away and flipped Krum the bird, stalking off with Harry and Ron on his heels.

"What was that about!" Ron gaped when they caught up with the irate boy. "You just—You nearly had a duel with Krum in the library!"

"He hurt one of my dragons. One of the sweetest dragons I'd ever had the chance to work with," Nox snapped, still looking annoyed. "He's lucky I didn't fight him in the library."

"What stopped you?" Ron asked, getting a harsh smack from Harry. "Ow!"

Nox's temper had simmered down though, and he huffed, looking away from the duo. "Hermione would've been even more upset."

Harry cracked a small smile at that, nudging Ron pointedly and the redhead took a moment before understanding dawned on him.

"You like her?"

Harry slapped a hand to his face, wishing Ron had just a little more tact. Nox, on the other hand, flared a vibrant red and walked a little faster in an attempt to hide his embarrassment.

"S-So what? Maybe I do."

"Seriously?"

"Ron!" Harry scolded the dumbstruck boy.

"But, I mean… it's Hermione."

Harry rolled his eyes as Nox frowned back at Ron.

"Yeah, and she's smart and kind. She likes animals and is fun to be with. Why shouldn't I like her?"

Ron opened and closed his mouth a few times, trying to come up with a counter to Nox's reasoning, but couldn't seem to. And, faced with Nox's hostility, he gave in and held up his hands.

"Yeah, all right. Whatever suits you."

"We won't say anything," Harry said then, eyeing Ron to ensure he swore too.

"Yeah," Ron agreed. "Won't say a word."

Nox eyed them both suspiciously before he relaxed and let out a heavy sigh. "Thanks."

"The Yule Ball is approaching," Professor McGonagall announced after stopping Harry and Ron from continuing their sword fight with some of Fred and George's fake wands.

Oh… Oh, shit. I forgot about the ball, I mused, paling at the sudden reminder as the professor went on.

"A traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above. Although you may invite a younger student if you wish. Dress robes will be worn, and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then…"

I shrank a little as her gaze wandered over the students. Good God. I have to find someone to ask. My gaze drifted to the bushy hair seated near me and I felt heat travel up my neck. I-I have to find a way to ask.

"The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to… uh, let our hair down. But, that does not mean that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way."

The bell rang and most of the boys scrambled out of there as fast as their legs would carry them. Harry though, was caught and held back by McGonagall to be spoken to as a champion of the tournament.

"You think you can still fix up my robes, Nox?" Ron asked, looking a bit desperate.

I nodded, a little dazed and it wasn't because it had only been a day since my last transformation. "Yeah… Yeah, sure."

Ron looked around before grinning mischievously and leaning in. "You gonna ask Hermione?"

I whipped around, face cherry red in embarrassment as Ron laughed, earning a punch to the shoulder at the teasing. "S-Shut up!"

As the week went on though, our group became more anxious.

"Why do they have to move in packs?" Harry asked as a group of girls walked past, snickering, and looking at Harry. "How're you supposed to get one on their own to ask them?"

"It's a herding mentality. Animals use it for safety," I rambled, mind a million miles away. "It's an intimidation factor. Only the bravest would attempt to single one out when faced with a herd."

"Yeah, thanks for the animal fact, Nox," Ron drawled. "Got any idea who you're going to try and ask, Harry?"

Harry did, I knew, but both of us hadn't gathered the courage to ask those we wanted. And I had the sinking feeling that if we didn't ask soon, they'd end up getting taken by someone else.

"Listen, you're not going to have any trouble. You're a champion. You've just beaten a Hungarian Horntail. I bet they'll be queuing up to go with you," Ron reassured, a hint of bitterness in his tone.

He wasn't wrong either. Harry had a few girls come up and ask, rejecting them as others from our Gryffindor House chuckled. Thing was, I discovered I'd caused quite a few of the girls to keep their distance. Apparently, word got around that I'd gone and picked a fight with Krum in the library, so the unpleasantness from those who supported them was in full force. I was glad that I'd been keeping up with my dueling practice during the afternoons. Neville was surprisingly good at them, once he got a hang of the spells, anyway. And with the extra magic and potion practice, he'd thanked me for his half-way decent marks on the tests a few teachers had left us with before the holidays.

Hermione had caught us in the common room that night too, scolding Harry for not working on his egg from the first task, as I struggled to get my courage once more. I just have to ask. It's really not that hard. Just… Hermione? Would you like to go to the ball with me? I opened my mouth to ask, but the words wouldn't come out as Ron's card tower singed his eyebrows, and Fred and George wandered in. Dammit. Why can't I just ask!

"Nice look, Ron. Go well with your dress robes, that will."

"You lot got dates for the ball yet?"

"Nope," Ron hummed.

"Well, you'd better hurry up, mate or all the good ones will be gone."

"Who're you going with, then?"

"Angeline," Fred said easily, stunning Ron.

"What? You've already asked her?"

"Good point." Fred turned. "Oi, Angelina!"

"What?" She chimed back.

"Want to come to the ball with me?"

Angelina looked him over. "All right then," she replied with a small smile, returning to her talk with Alicia.

"There you go. Piece of cake," Fred smirked, making me hum around the rim of my tea as I worked on Ron's dress robes.

"She's a keeper."

"Right?" He chuckled. "Thought you'd have one by now, Nox. Girls aren't half as terrifying as those dragons you wrestled with in the tournament."

George though shook his head. "Nah, didn't you hear, Fred? Half the girls are terrified of him 'cause of that."

"Well, there's still the other half."

"Or the one."

My face heated up again as the two smirked devilishly. They know? How the hell do they know! I looked to Ron, but he held up his hands innocently. He hadn't a clue how they figured it out either. The twins draped their arms around my shoulders.

"You've just gotta be confident."

"Yeah, Nox. Pretend their one of your dragons."

"It's really that easy."

"I'm sure whoever you ask will say yes."

"Well, unless they're afraid of you."

"Or get asked before you pop the question."

"All right, you two. Leave him alone or he'll never finish altering Ron's dress robes," Hermione stopped them now that I'd sank so far down my chair that only the top of my head was visible above the table—and my cherry-red ears.

"Yes, ma'am!" They both saluted her, snickering and shooting me smug looks as they left.

"We should get a move on, you know," Ron agreed. "Ask someone. He's right. We don't want to end up with a pair of trolls."

Hermione sputtered. "A pair of… What? Excuse me?"

"Well, you know," Ron shrugged. I'd rather go alone than with… with Eloise Midgen, say."

"Her acne's loads better lately and she's really nice!" Hermione argued for the girl

"Her nose is off-center."

"Oh, I see," Hermione said, bristling as I shot Ron a look and sliced my hand across my neck, trying to shut him up. "So basically, you're going to take the best-looking girl who'll have you, even if she's completely horrible?"

Ron, ever ignorant, nodded. "Uh, yeah. That sounds about right."

"I'm going to bed," Hermione snarled, storming off before I could stop her, and I flung Ron's dress robes at his face.

"Oi!"

"You really need to learn to think before you speak, moron," I huffed, bounding up the stairs, but Hermione was already in the girl's dorm.

I could have knocked and asked her then before my courage could fade, but the thought of all the other girls who would hear had me retreating for now. I'll ask tomorrow. Yeah… Yeah, definitely tomorrow.

And then tomorrow came and went, leaving Harry a bit downtrodden. He'd managed to ask Cho and got rejected, since she was already going with Cedric, and I'd yet to ask Hermione. We were in the common room now, where Ron looked almost sick as Harry came in and questioned what was wrong.

"Why did I do it?" Ron murmured. "I don't know what made me do it!"

"What?"

"He, uh… just asked Fleur Delacour to go to the ball with him," Ginny replied, trying to fight back a smile while patting Ron in reassurance.

"You what?"

"I don't know what made me do it! What was I playing at? There were people all around—I've gone mad—Everyone watching! I was just walking past her in the entrance hall. She was standing there talking to Diggory and it sort of came over me, and I asked her! She looked at me like I was a sea slug or something. Didn't even answer. And then—I dunno—I just sort of came to my senses and ran for it."

"She's part veela," Harry reminded him. "You were right. Her grandmother was one. It wasn't your fault, I bet you just walked past when she was turning on the old charm for Diggory and got a blast of it, but she was wasting her time. He's going with Cho Chang." Harry sagged slightly. "I asked her to go with me just now, and she told me."

I spotted Ginny looking a bit upset as Ron groaned.

"This is mad. We're the only ones left who haven't got anyone. Well, except Neville. Hey, guess who he asked? Hermione!"

I felt my heart sink. No… No, no. She didn't say yes, right? "Did she—"

"Nah," Ron said, making Ginny's gaze turn to me. "He told me after Potions! Said she's always been really nice, helping him out with work and stuff. But she told him she was already going with someone. Did you ask her, Nox?"

I felt sick now, a sort of ringing pitching up in my ears.

"Oh, no." I heard Harry mumble as my silence answered for them. "Nox, I'm so sorry."

"Nox was going to ask her?" Ginny questioned and Ron nodded.

"Yeah. He likes her and all. Just couldn't get up the courage, I guess—eh, Nox?"

"I'm so stupid," I breathed, feeling as though there was no strength left in my body—like I'd just ran a marathon and ended up in last place. "How could I be so stupid? I just had to ask. I had plenty of chances. I-I just needed to ask her. I just needed to ask Hermione if she'd—"

"If I'd what?"

As if the evening couldn't get any worse, Hermione had just walked in, eyeing the group of us in mild annoyance.

"Why weren't you guys at dinner? And what did you want to ask me, Nox?"

I couldn't even open my mouth as everyone looked to me in sympathy. Finally, I just stood from my chair.

"Just if you could send Dubh to get me before we have to be inside. I forgot to go on my morning run, so I'll do it now."

"What? But I swore you already—"

I didn't say anything, just hastily brushing past her and leaving, heading down to the grounds and stripping off my robes and my shirt to keep it from getting sweaty before taking off into a sprint around the grounds. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why didn't I just ask?