"Which do you think looks better?"
Sigrid lifted her gaze from her trunk, quickly finding Eowyn standing by her, holding two silver bracelets that to her eyes looked nearly identical. But she knew better than to point out how similar they were. Her friend had already changed, her long bright turquoise dress robes cascading down her figure and touching the floor at her feet, the color making her long golden waves look paler.
"That one." She made up a choice without really paying much attention, using her finger to point at the bracelet on Eowyn's right hand. Her friend looked at it for a long moment, seeming to be closing analyzing it before her eyes.
"No, I think I'll wear the other one. I like that one better." She added, dropping the now discarded bracelet on the little drawer of her bedside table and proceeding to carefully clasp the other around her thin wrist. Sigrid rolled her eyes, shaking her head lightly but deciding it was wiser not to say anything about it. Why ask her if she had already decided?
Instead, she dug her arms deeper into her messy trunk, having to scurry through many items before finally reaching her own little wooden jewelry box. She picked it out carefully, making her way to sit on her four-poster bed, opening it carefully. Out of the corner of her eyes she could see Saturna questioning Eddelina madly about how to best do her hair. Both of the girls were already changed as well, and although Saturna's dress robes sparkled in a bright pink that called too much attention, Eddelina's burnt scarlet robes made her look more beautiful than her friend, especially in contrast with her think black curls which fell down to her waist.
Sigrid let her eyes focus once more on the little jewelry box, looking at the few collection of bracelets, a little necklace and a couple of rings and…aha! There it was. Her pale hands carefully took out a delicate hair pin, the silver shaped in a perfect orchid, with tiny pearls adorning the center. They were not real pearls, but that did not matter. She doubted any of the jewelry worn today would be real – except of course for a few Slytherin girls, who would most probably drip in them, boasting about their family's fortunes.
"Do you still want me to braid your hair?" Eowyn chimed in from her own bed, and she quickly nodded her head, feeling the shift in the mattress as her friend moved to sit behind her, taking her long golden curls in her hands expertly. Mercifully her friend had finally forgiven her for not telling her she had been asked to the Ball. It had taken a lot of apologizing from her part and a whole day where Eowyn had not spoken to her. But it seemed that the Yule Ball could lighten any mood.
"Do you think he will dance with me tonight?" Eowyn's voice sounded way too excited at the prospect, her hands expertly trailing down Sigrid's long golden curves, braiding in a single long complicated plait down her back. She still had no clue who he was, but knew that asking that would mean a glare at her lack of attention in previous days, so she once again decided to ignore it.
"Didn't you say he was going with Agatha McClausky?" She pointed out, trying to find an innocent way of indirectly reminded her friend that whoever she was interested in clearly already preferred another girl.
"Ow!" She exclaimed at the tug she received on her braid for the comment, it was not painful but she got the point, Eowyn's eyes glaring at her momentarily. "There was no need for that!"
"I don't see what he sees in her." Eowyn muttered, but this time Sigrid did not answer. She really did not wish for her hair to be pulled again, even if it had been playfully, so she let her friend lead the conversation instead. Besides, she had other things to worry about, her stomach already twisting painfully in nerves as her mind wondered freely, dreading and at the same time anticipating the Yule Ball.
"At least we now know that Curtis Wills likes you." Her stomach tied all the more painfully as Eowyn whispered in her ear, too low for either Eddelina or Saturna to hear. And no matter how much she tried, she could not return Eowyn's excited grin, her grey-blue eyes sparkling mischievously.
She could not name how she felt, only that she would rather not feel this way, nerves and anxiety already taking the most of her. Accepting Wills invitation had seemed like a good idea at the moment. He was nice, and fun, and she would definitely have a good time. But now, as it got real, as it downed on her that he would be waiting for her down at the Entrance Hall within minutes and she would be forced to make small talk and dance with him for the night, she felt as if she wanted to run.
"Done." Eowyn announced all too soon, and she begrudgingly rose from her bed, walking to the long mirror placed in one corner of the room. She hardly recognized the image that met her eyes, having to move a little if only to remind herself that it was indeed her reflection. She looked beautiful, her long dress robes falling in layers in a pale lilac, embroidered in silver thread in soft patterns near the hem and down her back. Eowyn had definitely outdone herself with the braid, making it look surprisingly thick, some curls poking out softly from it.
"That color looks nice on you, Sig." Eddelina smiled at her from her right, and she added a quick 'thanks' in return, feeling a little sympathy for the ever-patient girl who was now listening to Saturna's endless complains on how her hair was not remaining in place no matter how many fixing spells she used.
"Help me with this?" She asked Eowyn, who had made her way to stand beside her, also inspecting her reflection in the mirror. Eowyn too looks stunning, probably more than any of the other Gryffindor girls. She held up the little hairpin with the orchid, handing it to her friend to place it somewhere on her braid.
"Just one?" Eowyn's eyebrow rose high on her forehead, and she was about to open her mouth in protest when her friend was already muttering something with her wand, making equal copies of the pin appear suddenly out of nowhere. "We should make a headband of these."
She opened her mouth to say no, to say that one would suffice…but then again, the more she thought about it, a headband of little silver orchids would look very nice. And she wanted to look nice. She wanted to look beautiful, even if she knew there would be no matching her.
Seconds later she found herself descending the spiraling stone steps down into the cozy common room, next to Eowyn. Unsurprisingly, the room was already full of students ready to head down to the Great Hall, and yet it felt so different to watch the dazzling bright colors where there usually were only black school robes. Elladan and Elrohir were already there, waiting for them, looking as identical as ever.
"Shall we?" Elladan spoke first, walking a couple of steps forward to meet them, offering his arms for Eowyn to take. The elder twin was wearing dress robes of the darkest of blues, the color making his eyes look even more silver, long dark hair falling in a perfect waterfall down his back and shoulders. The hem and sleeves of his robes were embroidered in soft intricate patterns of gold thread, reflecting beautifully on the flickering red firelight as he moved. She watched Eowyn take a long amused look at him, her eyes falling onto his offered arm, raising an eyebrow as her lips threatened to break into a concealed teasing grin.
"You're my date for tonight. Act the part." Elladan reminded her, throwing her a pointed look, and Eowyn finally shook her head, letting out a small laugh as she accepted the offered arm, seeming to be having too much fun.
"Let's head down." Elrohir spoke, also letting out a mocking laughter at his twin, starting to lead the way through the crowded common room and towards the portrait hole. The younger twin wore dress robes of a deep emerald, embroidered in patterns similar to his twin's, except that his were in silver thread. And for the first time she was glad that the twins wore different colors. Not that she had trouble telling them apart, but at a crowded Great Hall with nearly half of the school moving around, it would definitely make things easier for everyone.
The way down to the Entrance Hall was also full of Gryffindor's leaving to tower huddled in groups, talking animatedly between them, all dressed in their finest. And soon they were descending the large marble staircase, watching the mass of students already assembled in the Entrance Hall, ready to enter the Great Hall, waiting for friends or dates to join them. The sight was impressive. There were so many colors, dress robes in all styles and patterns and shades, the girls sporting their hairs in so many ways it was slightly dazzling, one Slytherin girl even wearing a silver tiara.
And still her stomach tied all the more painfully, nerves wracking her frame mercilessly, and she forced her eyes not to look too much through the crowd. It would be overly awkward and strange. She rarely ever spoke with Wills! Was he even here already? The thought of that made her want to hide behind Elrohir, so that she would never be found.
"There she is!" The younger twin suddenly exclaimed, not even saying goodbye to them as he hurtled down the stairs nearly two steps at a time- and yet too gracefully- making his way through the crowd of students towards a small group of Ravenclaws. Her eyes found Sofina Wyne easily, the Ravenclaw Chaser smiling almost shyly as Elrohir reached her side, quickly accepting his offered arm. She looked pretty, with her pale baby blue dress robes matching the exact color of her large eyes, perfectly straight hair pulled back in a neat elaborate ponytail. And yet, what made her laugh was Elrohir's ecstatic expression as he led the tiny Ravencalw girl inside the Great Hall, at least one of her friends would definitely have a night to remember.
"Bowman?"
A familiar deep voice called form behind her just as they had reached the crowded Entrance Hall, and she turned around, feeling her heart skipping a beat in nerves. Curtis Wills was standing right before her, tall as he was, towering nearly half a head above her. He looked handsome, wearing elegant deep violet robes that looked so dark they could pass for black in dim light. And she instantly felt like cursing her luck and wanting to run back to the Gryffindor tower and change. Of all colors, he was wearing violet. They matched.
"You look beautiful tonight." He said, and she could tell by the look on his stunning pitch black eyes that he too was nervous, quickly adding. "Not that you don't look beautiful every day also. What I mean to say is that you look particularly beautiful."
She could not force back a little laugh. Merlin, there it was again, the non-stop flow of words when he was nervous. And yet, it somehow helped to ease her own nerves, silently accepting his arm, a thing that for the moment made him calmer, standing tall and handsome next to her.
"Should we go in?" He asked, his voice surprisingly a little more controlled, a little more at ease, and she nodded her head, relieve to find out that she was not the only one too nervous that night.
And yet, as they made their way through the crowd and towards the large open doors of the Great Hall, she caught sight of a large group of Slytherins coming up the large marble stairs that led to the dungeons. Instantly, she felt her heat freeze, her body almost going rigid. It was easy to find him, his waterfall of silvery hair always standing out in nay crowd, standing taller than his fellow Slytherins. And she was suddenly reminded that it had not been Curtis Wills the one to have her so nervous and anxious about coming in the first place. It was him, him and those ice blue eyes of his that seemed to pierce through everyone he looked at, so impenetrable and unreadable. His silvery blue dress robes swayed at his feet as he moved, trailing behind his steps, the fabric looking expensive, exquisite.
And there it was again, that green monster, that feeling she could not explained yet hated beyond anything else, appearing the second her eyes found the stunning girl walking by his arm. Alexis Sonnet. She wished she could hate her, but she had no reason too, and suddenly she felt plain, too plain next to Slytherin Chaser. Her dress robes looked equally as expensive and fine as Lasgalen's, yet hers were in a dark emerald color, hugging her perfect figure like a glove. Many silver bracelets danced at her thin pale wrists, some of them sparkling with emeralds that she had no doubt were real. Her dark hair had been pulled back from her face with more emeralds in a half-up do, falling down her back in perfect waves of ebony. She made every girl in the Entrance Hall suddenly plain, many eyes instantly darting in her direction, from both girls and boys.
Her eyes turned again to steal a quick glance at Lasgalen, but his eyes suddenly found hers through her crowd, icy and sharp, feeling like a slap to her face under that sudden glare, his arm which had previously been laced with Sonnet's now moving to lace around the Slytherin girl's delicate waist, pulling her closer to him. And she looked away immediately, suddenly taken aback, still feeling his sharp icy glare on the back of her head. What had she done? Did he not want to her to look?
She tried to push all thoughts from her head, trying to concentrate on the music and chatter and filled the Great Hall as she let Wills lead her inside, at the many small round tables that now covered it instead of the large four house tables, at the long trays filled with food that lay near all the walls. Yet, she could not shake that horrible feeling from inside her, making her already mangled insides to feel heavier than before. She had not talked to him since that night, three nights ago, in the Room of Requirement, but she had not expected him to glare at her this way, not when he had been so strangely open and friendly that night. He had chosen to tell her. Had he suddenly changed his mind? Did he suddenly hate her for something he had chosen to tell her and now she knew? No, she would not think on that tonight. Tonight she would have fun, she would enjoy the Ball.
"I see my sister." She was brought back from her thoughts at Curtis Wills' soft voice, his eyes nodding in the direction of a table near the back of the room. Sure enough she could see Felicia Wills already sitting there, next to a boy did not remember seeing before. "Would it be alright if we join them?"
"Yeah, sounds good." She found herself agreeing, not able to find either of the twins or Eowyn at the moment. Besides, she did not mind sitting by Felicia, the Hufflepuff girl had always been one of the nicest girls in the school. Wills beamed at her, his smile always warm and welcoming, leading her in the direction of the small table.
"Hi Curtis, Hi Sigrid." Felicia greeted them just as she sat down, her smile identical to that of his twin brother, even if they looked incredibly different. Unlike her brother, Felicia had a made of reddish-brown hair, her face slightly more angled, even though they shared the same gorgeous black eyes. She was wearing pale gold dress robes, which looked stunning with her skin tone.
"Hi." She greeted in return, her eyes momentarily sweeping through the blond boy sitting by Felicia, recognizing him as a seventh year, although she did not know his name or House.
"Sigrid, this is Arsemius Pierce, he's a Hufflepuff too." Felicia quickly introduced, her tone always so easy going, motioning to the blond boy, who she addressed next. "And this is Sigrid Bowman, she's in my year, but in Gryffindor."
"Nice meeting you." The boy said politely, smiling warmly as he stretched his hand and Sigrid took it, shaking it lightly.
"So, your mother truly owns a Bowtruckle?" Pierce's attention returned to Felicia, carrying on with the conversation that their arrival had obviously interrupted, and she turned her eyes to overlook the crowd of students as Felicia went on explaining and laughing along with her date. Students had already started to dance, the crowd swaying and twirling in awkward waltzes, the volume of the chatter growing louder and louder. It seemed that everyone who would be attending was already here. She noticed Elrohir through a gap in the crowd, leading Sofina Wyne in a dance.
"Guess I never noticed how many students really are in Hogwarts." Her eyes turned to look at Wills' as he spoke, his eyes too looking curiously through the crowd. "Looks even fuller than during the Sorting Ceremony, and all the first, second and third years are missing."
She let out a light chuckle, nodding her head lightly, knowing exactly what he meant. The Great Hall looked for the first time ready to burst. The enchanted ceiling portrayed the same clear night sky that was outside, the Silver moon hanging high above their heads, adorned by a few thin clouds. The traditional twelve Christmas trees looked even taller and more elaborate than ever, six to one side of the Hall and six to the other.
"I don't even know half of the students." She admitted, watching amused as he let out a light laugh, shaking his mane of short black hair.
"Wouldn't be surprised to hear that." He chuckled, welcoming eyes looking at her brightly. "I hear you're always at the library."
"Not always." It was her turn to complain, even though she could not hide her smile. "I like the quiet there."
"And the homework." He added, eyebrows raising teasingly.
"Nobody likes the homework." She contradicted with another short laugh, watching as more students rose to their feet to join the dancing crowd, other filling up their plates with the exquisite food. "I just like doing it in time. I hate last minute rushes and panics."
"You like doing the assignments, Bowman." He laughed, the sound strangely comforting and refreshing, and she was finding out that it was easy to talk to him. "Admit it. You like them. Even if only a little. You get better marks than most in our year."
"That's not true." She laughed again, watching as his eyebrows rose teasingly again.
"You definitely get better marks than me, and I'm a Ravenclaw." He exaggerated, holding a look of faked offense and bewilderment that only made her laugh louder. "You're insulting my Ravenclaw pride and brains."
"You don't like doing the assignments." She threw him a pointed look, leaning her elbows on the table and resting her chin on her right hand. Oh, she remembered McGonagall always chastising him for never handing work in time.
"No, I don't." He admitted easily with a light chuckle, shaking his head. "It's frustrating doing assignments that don't interest me at all. They are not creative, and too by the rules. I'd rather spend my time doing other stuff."
"Like what?" She asked, narrowing her eyes slightly, intrigued to hear his answer.
"Like, I don't know, testing spells pronouncing them differently to see what they do?" He chuckled at his own answer, as if hearing it himself he could see how unusual and amusing it sounded.
"Is that even safe?!" She exclaimed, her mouth hanging half-open, a soft round of bewildered giggles leaving her mouth.
"Well, I've noticed sometimes it's not." He admitted, looking mischievously guilty at something he was remembering. "Once I accidentally made a friend's robes burst into flames."
"Please don't try spells near me." She requested, watching him as he shook his head in agreement, holding up his hands in an offer of peace.
"Would you like to dance?" He suddenly asked, looking at her as if slightly scared she would say no, offering his hand for her to take.
"Alright." She accepted, letting him help her to her feet and lead her through the tight crowd and towards the dancing couples. "I'm not a really good dancer."
"Neither am I." He sounded slightly relieved as he said that, on his hands travelling to rest on her waist, starting to awkwardly lead her through the crowd of dancing couples.
It was strangely fun to twirl around, even though she had no idea what she was doing. More than once her feet stumbled on the hem of her long dress robes, but she never fell, thanks to her quick reflexes. She used the moment to let her eyes sweep once more through the Great Hall, finding this time Eowyn and Elladan twirling around some distance away from her. They too seemed to be having fun, not caring as they bounced and collided into nearby couples, Elladan exaggeratedly twirling Eowyn around. Lasgalen was there too, effortlessly guiding Alexis Sonnet around, nearly half of the dance floor away from her, by the other end of the Hall. Her stomach once again twisting painfully as those piercing ice blue eyes landed one her for only a split of a second, glaring at her so fiercely, that she had to turn away almost immediately, pretending she had not seen him. She waited a few seconds before daring another glance in his direction, only to find him now kissing the Slytherin girl, his hands gently placed around her waist, and she immediately looked away once more, not knowing why but hating the feeling that came with what she had seen, tying to steer her mind in another direction.
"Is that not the Peredhel twin's sister?" Curtis Wills' voice brought her back, and she was thankful to be given something else to focus on, following the line of his gaze only to find Arwen and Aragorn sitting together at the same table, very close from each other. "And is that not their best friend?"
"Yes." She added, quickly praying that neither of the twins had noticed already. Oh, Merlin. Just what she needed. She knew the twins would not react kindly to finding out that Aragorn had been seeing their sister for months now.
Out of the corner of her eye she caught Felicia Wills and Arsemius Pierce swirling around through the crowd of dancing couples. She dared another look in Lasgalen's direction, not knowing why she kept looking that way, why did her eyes seem to gravitate in that direction, even though she already knew her stomach and heart would sink at the sight of her perfect stunning figure still in his arms. And they were still there, dancing even more gracefully than the other couples, Alexis Sonnet seeming to be having the time of her life, Lasgalen's hands still around her waist, pulling her close to him.
"Would you like to sit down?" She suddenly asked Wills, no longer wanting to stay here dancing, no longer wanting to look, merely wanting to disappear through the crowd. "I'm tired already." It was not a lie, her feet were starting to hurt, and she could not tell for long had they danced, only knowing that it had to have been hours.
"Of course." He agreed quickly, and she allowed him to lead her away from the dancing couples and making their way through the labyrinthine assortment of tables. She needed to glance back again, to dare one last glance in Lasgalen's direction, but she held it, forcing all of her thoughts to not look back, not when that horrible green monster was threatening to appear once more.
"I will get us something to drink." He offered, just as they reached an empty table near one corner of the room, and she accepted, watching Wills tall back disappear through the crowd and in the direction of one of the long tables at the back of the room holding the refreshments.
She did not why she was doing it, but the second he had disappeared she stood up from the table, moving through the crowd of huddled students, both sitting and standing, trying to find any of her friends, either Eowyn or one of the twins, feeling slightly free without Curtis Wills following her momentarily. She spotted Eowyn after a short while, her friend roaming through the tables some distance away, Elladan nowhere to be seen for the time being.
"Curtis Wills?" A deep musical voice suddenly echoed on her right ear form behind, making her nearly jump in surprise as her heart skipped a beat, freezing momentarily at the icy tone. "Really?"
She turned around almost immediately, her lilac dress nearly tangling on her legs at the fast move, her silent brown eyes falling under the sharp piercing glare of a very familiar icy blue. He looked as tall as ever, towering over her in his perfectly regal posture, the dim candle light that filled the Great Hall making his long waterfall of hair even paler than it was. His face was that of a marble statue, hard, and unyielding, glaring at her mercilessly, making her feel as though he could see straight into her soul. She absently noticed that he was carrying two long glasses of Butterbeer.
"What's wrong with Wills." She added almost defensively, confusion taking the most of her, starting to turn into anger at his sudden unexplained hostility, at the fierce irate glare his eyes were giving her.
"Of all student's, you agreed to come with him?" His voice dripped with disgust, his eyes still burning through hers in apparent anger, making more frustrated, not knowing what was wrong with him, why could he not focus on dancing with his girlfriend and leave her alone.
"And who should I have agreed to come with them?" She snapped at him, anger starting to boil through her at his words, as if he could judge who she could go to the Ball with! But he did not answer her question, his impenetrable unreadable eyes continuing to glare icily at her.
"Wills is pathetic. He's a nervous little boy who cannot even speak clearly sometimes." He snarled at her, his nose wrinkling in disgust as he pronounced the name.
"He's nice! Nicer than you at least." She snapped again, anger boiling through her veins now, pumping at her temples. What was wrong with him?! Why did he keep glaring at her like that!? She did not give him a chance to say anything else, anger still gripping her like venom, a horrible feeling pooling at her stomach, her heart constricting as she rushed through the tables, leaving him behind. Why was he acting like that?!
A hand suddenly curled around her forearm, pulling her to the side, and she instantly recognized her friend's long turquoise robes and golden waves, her grey-blue eyes glaring at her underneath a hurt expression.
"Why was Lasgalen talking to you?" Her friend demanded, crossing her arms in front of her chest in that gesture so typical of her when angry.
"I don't know!" She nearly snapped once more, having had enough of this to now have to deal with Eowyn demanding answers from her.
"Is there something else you're not telling me?" Her friend seemed hurt, her eyes studying her as if she was looking at her for the first time. "You no longer tell me anything, you keep things from me….do you not trust me?"
"What?" She was startled for a second, bewildered at Eowyn's question, yet her friend's narrowed eyes continued to look at her, her lips pursed. "Of course I trust you!"
"You keep hiding things from me!" Her friend nearly hissed, looking more hurt than angered this time, and for a second she wished she had never left the dance floor, wished that she was still dancing with Curtis Wills and away from everything.
"I'm not hiding things!" She contradicted, but Eowyn threw her a fiery glare that told her she clearly did not believe her words.
"Then why was Lasgalen talking to you? When have you two ever spoken?" Her friend whispered icily once more, looking at her intently. "He looked furious."
"He was." She agreed, now angered herself as she was reminded of the hostile look with which the Sltyherin Seeker had pierced her so unjustly.
"Why?" Eowyn demanded again, looking momentarily more puzzled than irate.
"I don't know!" She nearly cried out in frustration, Eowyn's eyes darkening suddenly, her face more offended than before.
"Find me when you trust me enough to tell me the truth." Eowyn hissed, her eyes glaring at her once more, looking beyond hurt, pained, and with that, her friend turned around, her turquoise robes trailing beautifully behind her as she stormed away, her golden waves bouncing with her steps.
Great. Perfect. This night could not get any better. She crossed her thin arms in front of her chest, as if bracing herself, spotting an empty table starting to make her way there before quickly changing her mind. She had had enough of the Yule Ball. She did not want to stay there any longer. Perhaps it would have been better not to have gone at all. She turned on her heels, heading towards the large pairs of open doors in long strides, wishing to be up at the Gryffindor common room, or even at her own bed up in the dormitories.
Many students were already leaving the Ball, some in couples holding hands and giggling, other in laughing groups or dragging their feet tiredly. It must have been well past midnight even though she could not tell the exact time. She rushed through them, only stopping when she heard someone yelling her name after her.
"Bowman! Bowman!" She turned around, her eyes landing on Curtis Wills tall figure, who was making his way to her in a hurry, looking confused, and she immediately felt guilty for not letting him know she was leaving. "Where are you going?"
"I'm tired, I'm really sorry, but I want to go to sleep." She tried to sound genuinely truthful, feeling only more ashamed as she watched realization fall into his warm black eyes, smiling at her softly, yet a little sad.
"Was it something I did? Or said?" He asked gently and she instantly shook her head, feeling more curls tear out of her neat braid.
"No!" She added quickly, watching as his smile became a little less sad, even though not entirely happy. "You did nothing wrong. I had a wonderful time with you. I'm just tired already."
"Alright." He shrugged, offering her another half-hearted smile, letting his hands drop on the pockets of his dark violet robes, his head hanging slightly in defeat.
"See you around?" He asked before turning to head back inside the Great Hall, his gentle smile a little hopeful, and she managed to offer him a smile in return.
"Yeah." She called softly, feeling worse now by deciding to leave, but needing to get away from there. "See you around."
She did not turn back as she exited through the large pair of majestic doors, making her slow march up many marble staircases and corridors, not even noticing the few students she passed by. It took her less than she had expected to reach the Fat Lady, who was so invested in whatever gossip she was sharing with a neighboring portrait that she did not even bother to listen to the password, letting her into the Gryffindor tower with a motion that indicate to hurry and not interrupt her for long.
Inside, the cozy room was completely empty, expect for a couple of six-years sitting intertwined together on one corner of the room, making it hard to tell which arms belonged to whom. She dropped herself on the seat farthest from them, and closest to the fire, taking off her shoes and dropping them carelessly over the carpet. She could still feel the fury travelling through her body, her ire at his hostile reaction. Did he once again blame her for knowing? For something that he had chosen to tell her willingly? It was once again as if he was two different people, suddenly so infuriating and hostile and then fun and nice and warm. She did not know how long she sat there, watching the flames, but nearly screamed in surprise as somebody else suddenly sat on the couch next to her.
"Left early? Wills not being much fun?" Elladan's ever teasing, ever carefree voice chirped in, still wearing his long dark blue dress robes and probably just having climbed up the portrait hole. A quick look around told her that the kissing couple from before had retired to bed already, leaving them alone in the quiet, warm common room.
"Yeah." She admitted with a slight nod on her head, watching him puzzled for a moment. "Why are you here early?"
"It's not really early." He pointed out, and against the odds she chuckled a little. It was already past midnight, so perhaps he was right.
"I got tired." He shrugged, leaning back casually on the couch. "Eowyn is furious with you, but she won't tell me why, and she was not being any fun, so I left her there while she fumed. And Elrohir is having too much fun dancing with Wyne." His silver twinkled mischievously as he spoke, and she knew his twin would not see the end of it after tonight.
"Besides," He started again, suddenly grinning with that expression that told her that what he was about to say would be too much fun to hear. "I wanted to get a peek at what was happening just outside the Great Hall."
"What was it?" She asked, not really too interested, but it was better than staying silent.
"You did not hear?" He suddenly looked confused, as if she had clearly missed something that the whole school knew about.
"Hear what?" She was now utterly puzzled, her hands softly starting to untie her long braid, letting her curls fall freely over her shoulders.
"Lasgalen and Sonnet were fighting." He told her, not seeming too interested in it but seeming to be oddly satisfied at knowing that the Slytherin he despised so much had not had a fun night either. "It was a big one. I don't know what they were fighting over, but Sonnet was yelling, and he did not seem to care whether or not she was angry. He broke up with her."
Here's the next chapter! Yule Ball is finally here!I hope you enjoy it! :D
Thank you so much to those of you who reviewed the last chapter, I can't tell you enough how much your words mean to me: Eryniel Greenleaf, Amsim, VanyaNoldo, Rose61393, and etnemelc.
Love,
Elena