Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. JK Rowling does. I'm just an avid fan.

Word Count: 3401

I'm back! Did ya miss me? I had a lovely week off and I'm ready to continue updating this fanfiction! Like I promise last week, today's a new chapter. Enjoy!

Also thank you to Dante Fernandez for listing this fanfic under your community Abandoned, Neglected. I am honored.

Chapter 28: Love Confessions

Things calmed down after a few days as December was creeping closer and, the weather becoming more freezing. Cadmus found that the dorms and the library are the warmest, so he sought shelter there. As soon as the winter front arrived the following week, snow could not stop falling from the sky until the entire Hogwarts grounds piled with 3 inches of snow. During weekends, Cadmus and his friends decided to relax a bit and have a snowball fight outside. They built forts and spelled snow to pack itself into perfectly round balls. A few Hogwarts students joined in later and balanced the power of the two teams. After an hour and more of intense battle, Cadmus's team finally took down all the members of the other one, which was led by Daphne. Laughing and soaked wet, they all trekked back into the castle to shower and warm up. They all looked forward to the holidays when they could celebrate Christmas or for many, Yule.

Cadmus was in sixth year Transfiguration class on Friday when Professor McGonagall made an important announcement to the Gryffindors and Slytherins. She announced that the Yule Ball, a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament, was going to take place on the evening of Christmas Day. Fourth years and above are allowed unless they invite a younger student. Then Professor McGonagall went on preaching about how important Hogwarts needed to impress their visitors. Cadmus silently laughed in the back of the room.

When class dismissed, Professor McGonagall held him back. "I assume your professor will be providing the same information to you later today, Mr. Flamel. A reminder that Triwizard champions will be opening the ball with their partners. Good luck." Cadmus thanked her and left the class.

Him? Dance Partner? Cadmus' stomach churned; he doesn't dance a lot, much less open a formal ball with a dance partner. He didn't even know how he was going to find one. As he headed his way back to his dorms, he imagined himself pathetically stumbling over his partner's shoe and making Harvard look terrible.

"What is the matter, Cadmus? You look like you saw a ghost" Daphne asked when he bumped into her inside the common room. Cadmus looked up and looked at his best friend; she was wearing a short white blouse, black bottoms, and her beautiful silky blonde hair tied up. She looked pretty. Wait..what? Cadmus shook his head to clear his thoughts. What was he thinking, describing Daphne like that? She's my best friend, nothing else!

"Hmm...nothing happened. I-I just thought your blouse looked nice on you" Cadmus stammered out, blushing in the process.

"Really? Um..thanks Cadmus. I..think you look good in your grey shirt. It suits you fine" Daphne responded, her face matching Cadmus' blush. Both of them just stood there blushing like idiots in the common room until a senior barked at them to go somewhere more private. Before they could, Headmistress Perenell and Professor Nicholas Flamel entered the tower and called for everyone's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my duty to inform you that Hogwarts will be hosting a traditional Yule Ball on the evening of Christmas Day. Students aged 14 and older are only permitted to participate in the Yule Ball, however, you may invite a younger student. I expect all of you to represent Harvard properly but also..enjoy the fun." At this, the students started to talk amongst themselves about finding dates and buying new dress robes. Some couples already grouped with their partner, other boys hung back unsurely.

"Cadmus, a word please" Nicholas called above the noise. Cadmus followed his father and mother to the corner of the common room.

"I'm sure you understand how imperative it is for you, as our school champion, to find a date and open the Yule Ball, Cadmus. Do you have any girls in mind that you like? Perhaps maybe some boys?" Perenelle inquired. Cadmus' face blushed red in embarrassment, he didn't understand why his parents were interested in his love life.

"Mom, I'm not interested in any boys" Cadmus replied in a whining tone.

"What about girls? I'm sure you must fancy some of them. Ms. Greengrass seems to be close to you" Nicholas suggested as his mouth curling into a satisfied smile.

Cadmus blushed redder, "Dad, I don't see Daphne that way. She probably doesn't either." Nicholas blinked twice before he smiled brightly.

"Are you sure? Why don't you take some time and think about your relationship with Daphne?" Nicholas advised before he shared a knowing look with Perenelle. The two of them left the room without another word, leaving Cadmus rooted to the spot rethinking what his father had told him.

Cadmus looked across the room at Daphne, who was smiling and talking excitedly with one of her best friends Amy. Cadmus liked the way Daphne's smile almost always seemed to reach her eyes and how her eyes sparkled with happiness every time he was with her. Cadmus didn't know that he had a small smile forming as he observed Daphne.

"Who are you grinning at?"

Cadmus jumped a mile in the air and spun around to see Casper standing right next to him.

"Jeez Casper, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" Cadmus exclaimed, putting his hands over his rapidly beating heart.

Casper gave a carefree laugh, "So? Who's the girl that has got our Cadmus Flamel melting at the sight of?" Cadmus glared at Casper.

"None of your business. I should be asking you about a certain girl, you know, the one you have a crush on for years" Cadmus mocked playfully. Casper blushed pink, Cadmus knew the right buttons to push because Casper adored a girl ever since last year. Cadmus even caught Casper reciting his love confession one day.

"Who's got the crush on who?" Daphne had walked across the room after she finished her conversation with Amy. Casper turned red as a tomato and quickly dashed up the boy's staircase to their dorm embarrassed.

"Just someone Casper was planning on asking out for the ball" Cadmus casually responded.

"Oh. Do you know who?" Daphne asked interestingly. Cadmus shrugged. As much as Cadmus wished to tease Casper about his crush, he didn't want to make Casper uncomfortable by spilling out private information.

There was a moment of awkward silence that allowed Cadmus to reflect on his childhood. He had remembered the first moment he met Daphne in class; they had been two shy and reserved kids in an unfamiliar environment but grew closer as classmates and friends as time passed. At the time, Cadmus thought that she was the prettiest girl of the class but, now she was probably one of the most beautiful in his opinion. Daphne was always super patient with him and was the person he leaned on the most when he needed support. Cadmus was shaken out of his thoughts when Daphne tapped him lightly on the shoulders.

"Do you have any idea how you are taking out to the ball?" Daphne asked. Her face flushed red as she did.

"Umm...not yet but, I do have a faint idea" Cadmus responded. "She's really pretty and she's probably one of the smartest people I know. I adore her, but I'm not sure if she feels the same way." Daphne bowed her head down slightly in a little heartbroken but Cadmus didn't seem to notice.

"Well..you should start telling her how you feel about her. Little subtle compliments that would make her smile or laugh" Daphne supplied helpfully. Cadmus thought her suggestion over and smiled.

He leaned over and hugged her, "Thanks, Daphne. I don't know what I'll do without you." Daphne was slightly taken aback by the unexpected gesture but relaxed and hugged back, smiling contently.

"Why do girls have to move in packs?" Jacob whined to Cadmus as a dozen or so girls walked past them, giggling and staring at Cadmus.

"No idea. Maybe they feel safer traveling together?" Cadmus proposed, blushing as one of the girls in the group blew a kiss at him. He had no idea how popular he was amongst the entire girl population of Hogwarts until today. Cadmus already had two younger year girls from Hogwarts ask him to go to the ball with them just an hour ago. He had turned down their offers but signed autographs for them not to upset them.

"Well, you won't have any trouble finding one. You're a champion, girls will be queuing up to ask you by afternoon" Jacob remarked as he avoided eye contact with the Harvard girls on the sidelines. Cadmus made a small face; he would much rather go to the ball with someone familiar with him than someone who liked him only because of his popularity.

Jacob was correct; by afternoon, more than 20 or so girls, varying ages and height, asked him out to the ball. The last one was a seventh year Hogwarts girl who looked a foot taller than him. Yet again, Cadmus graciously denied all offers, leaving all those girls somber at the declined opportunity to go to the ball with the handsome Triwizard Champion from Harvard.

"Please...save me" Cadmus groaned as he banged his head on the dinner table. Jacob patted his back sympathetically and promised that Cadmus would find the right person by the time Christmas rolled around. Cadmus cursed his stupid confidence; he was brave enough to duel boys older than him, why was he so scared to ask Daphne out?

Cadmus glanced at Daphne, who was standing a couple of feet away, talking to some Hogwarts sixth year she got to meet. Daphne looked so graceful and stunning today; her skin was smooth like creamy milk and soft as a cloud. When Daphne turned around for a second, she caught Cadmus staring at her and blushed. Cadmus immediately looked away, his face reddening with humiliation at getting caught. Cadmus couldn't stop staring at Daphne throughout the day and, judging by how pink Daphne got, he knew Daphne had noticed.

"Why are you staring so much at me today, Cadmus?"

Cadmus blushed, "I was just admiring how strong and grown you have become. Remember when we were 9? Oh, we would ignore each other for days until we were assigned to be lab partners." Daphne flushed and let out a little giggle.

"Yes, we were stubborn and innocent back then. Now that I am reflecting on the past, I realize that you are one of my first best friends growing up. You changed me" Daphne reflected satisfyingly.

"Well I do have a thing with influencing people, don't I?" Cadmus commented as he sat closer to Daphne. He noticed that his breath became quicker, and his heart pumped faster when he did. Daphne grinned at Cadmus, who became mesmerized by her glow. This was it. His chance. Cadmus opened his mouth to confess but couldn't find the right words. As a result, his mouth pried open and closed repeatedly.

"Is there something you would like to say?" Daphne asked, raising her eyebrows slightly, but a smile graced her lips. God, her smile was so irresistible.

"Umm..I-I...we…" Cadmus stammered, unsure of what to say and where to start.

Daphne was patient and gently placed her hand over his, "It's ok, just tell me. I won't get mad, I swear." Feeling a boost of confidence from her soothing words, Cadmus straightened his back and drew a deep breath. He looked into Daphne's warm blue eyes and saw her concern for him. He was afraid. Afraid of confessing his love for her and getting turned down.

Cadmus turned his head the other way and closed his eyes, hoping to squeeze the fear out of him but it still lingered like a waterproof match. "I-I'm sorry, I'm not ready Daphne. Please give me some time."

Cadmus could see the sorrow inside her eyes and felt a pang of guilt. Cadmus grabbed her soft hand and apologized before he quickly made his departure up the boy's staircase. The rest of the day he didn't go anywhere; instead, he laid face down on his bed, his mind spinning with lots of second thoughts. Jacob and Casper not seeing Cadmus for dinner that day worried them a lot, so being the good friend he was, Casper abandoned his dinner and made his way to his dorms.

He found Cadmus lying idly on his four-poster bed lost in his thoughts. Casper silently sat next to Cadmus without saying a word and thought about what he was going to say.

"It's Daphne, isn't it? You've faced a bloody dragon, yet you are afraid of asking Daphne out for the ball?" Casper questioned.

"Oh c'mon mate, I am sure Daphne will be thrilled to go to the ball with you! Why do you think she has been staring at you a lot recently? She likes you. So go and confess your love" Casper counseled. Cadmus let out a deep exhale as he processed his friend's advice. Casper was right, he had survived a bloody Hungarian Horntail, he could handle a little heartbreak.

"You're right, I need to speak to Daphne right away," Cadmus concluded firmly.

"Now that's the spirit!"

Cadmus approached Daphne after dinner ended and asked to talk to her in private. Daphne gave her giggling friends a small smile and excused herself to follow Cadmus to an empty classroom. Cadmus nervously wiped his sweaty palms on his trousers as Daphne stood in front of him patiently waiting for him to speak.

"I'm not sure how to say this, but there is one special person in my life that has been at my side forever" Cadmus started, holding her hands- "I didn't know who to take to the ball but after I realized how gorgeous and a kind-hearted person you are, I knew you were the one. So, Daphne Greengrass, will..you go to the ball with me?"

Daphne frowned for a second before her expression softened and she leaped into his arms gleefully, "Yes! Yes of course I will!" Cadmus grunted at the impact but he quickly regained his shock and hugged her back.

Daphne quickly got off of Cadmus and blushed, embarrassingly tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ears. She looked so cute looking flustered, Cadmus thought, as his smile grew wider.

"I have something to confess too" Daphne admitted, shuffling her feet. She gazed into Cadmus's dazzling green eyes. "Ever since we became close friends, I have always l-loved you, but of course, we were young, so I didn't know what love was. The sort of familiar connection I always had with you made me fully content." Daphne quickly diverted her glance, but Cadmus softly chuckled and gently moved her chin to face him.

"Hey, look at me, Daphne. There's nothing shameful in admitting that, I had the same feelings for you, but I was a fool to never realize that until now. You mean so much to me, Daphne. You are kind, patient and, so beautifully irresistible" Cadmus murmured. Daphne's heart melted slightly as her eyes teared up a bit at his love confession.

"Oh hush Daphne, don't cry" Cadmus crooned as he embraced her. The two of them held onto each other in comfort and love for a long time until Daphne finally extricated herself from the hug and gave a sad laugh.

"What will we tell everyone?"

"Um I guess we could start slow if you want" Cadmus suggested gently, not wanting to rush their relationship too fast and overwhelm Daphne.

She grinned and nodded, "Yes that would be lovely. Should we return to our dorms now, it's late." Cadmus thought that it was a great idea and offered his arm to Daphne, which she happily took as they made their way to their dorms and retire for the night. It had been quite an emotional day for the two of them.

When they entered Harvard Tower, they found Casper and Jacob waiting for them in the common room. The moment they saw Cadmus and Daphne holding hands and smiling, they leaped up with joy and bombarded them with good wishes.

"So you two are a thing now, huh?" Casper said, smirking but elated for his best friends to find comfort in each other.

"Took you two long enough" Jacob commented jokingly as he tucked to avoid a playful yet painful smack from Daphne. He earned himself a little amused chuckle from Cadmus. He loved Daphne's kind personality but also her fierce side. "Well looks like only me and Casper don't have a date to the ball yet."

Casper found a sudden interest in his shoes and Cadmus noticed that. "I believe it's just you, Jacob. Good old Casper has found himself a date for the Yule Ball."

"No, no, I have-h-haven't yet" Casper stammered out, shaking his hands in a denying manner but Cadmus knew different.

"Oh c'mon Casper, don't tell me you and Amy aren't together," Cadmus said, smiling at his friend's dreamy state. Casper refused to meet his glance instead he twisted his fingers and his face colored.

"I knew it! You asked Amy out, and she said yes!" Jacob yelled, pointing an accusatory finger at Casper but smiled brightly in the process. "Congrats man! I always knew you liked Amy!" Casper slowly started to smile and joined in the laughter. Their little celebration was cut short when one of the Harvard prefects told them to tone down the ruckus and go to sleep. Let down but still happy, they all separated and headed towards their beds ready for a nice sleep.

The next day everything seemed so complete for Cadmus. Feeling fulfilled, he excitedly brushed his teeth and combed his hair clean to meet up with Daphne in the common room so that they could head to breakfast. Cadmus arrived early, so he waited patiently for Daphne to come down, so she did, dressed in a white blouse, denim jacket, and dark blue jeans.

"Good morning Daphne," Cadmus brightly said. Daphne smiled and walked alongside with Cadmus to the Great Hall. Along the way, Daphne slowly walked closer to Cadmus until their hands brushed against each other. The two didn't say anything as their hands inched closer and intertwined.

When they entered the Great Hall, a couple of heads turned their way, and their eyes widened as they spotted Cadmus and Daphne holding hands. They didn't care as they made their way to the Ravenclaw table, where Terry Boot waved at them. There were two empty seats next to him on either side, so Terry smiled and slid over to give them adjoined spots next to each other.

"Congrats Cadmus" Terry praised gesturing at them, "I'm afraid I'm not much of a brave man like you. Instead of girls running away from me, I run away from them." Cadmus shared a smirk with Daphne before they started to eat. Cadmus decided to join Daphne in her classes that day, which he hadn't done in such a long time. Professor Kim was surprised to see him, but she kept silent, instead nodded her head and continued to lecture them about the material.

Jacob was missing from the lunch that afternoon, but from what Casper informed them, it seemed as though he had gotten a date for the Yule Ball. Casper never specified so they could only guess. The suspense was killing them; Jacob sympathized and informed them that he was going out with a seventh year Ravenclaw girl named Amber.

Besides hearing that everyone in their little group of friends had managed to get a date for the Yule Ball, they also witnessed some incident when a ginger-haired fifth-year boy asked out a Durmstrang girl that was two years older than him. When the girl said no, the boy got embarrassed and demanded to know her reason for saying no. The boy got the tirade of his life when the Durmstrang girl gladly went on a rant criticizing his rude behavior, repulsive manners, and brash thinking. It turned out the ginger-haired fifth-year boy was Fred and George's youngest brother, Ron Weasley.

Everything seemed perfect. Cadmus and Daphne had finally confessed their feelings for each other, Casper and Amy were dating, and Jacob found a girl that he liked. All of them looked forward to the Christmas break and also..the Yule Ball.

A/N: I had such a good time writing this chapter especially the scene when Cadmus and Daphne confess their feelings to one another. I was practically awwing when I thought of the scene. So my attempt at a little bit of romance turned out somewhat well, what do you think? Do you like seeing Daphne/Cadmus? Let me know in the review section, I would love to know your opinion. The next chapter should be about the Yule Ball, so keep an eye out for that. As always, please favorite, follow, review, share and all that goodies because you know I love it when you do.

Stay safe and happy,

mintloveme523