The Girl Who Lived
Chapter Eleven:
The Ball
On Christmas morning Daisy woke up to the sound of ripping paper.
"What are you doing?" she asked yawningly. She sat up and pulled back her curtain. Her vision was blurry so she grabbed for the spare glasses which she kept on her bedside table. Then she saw a small heap of presents at the foot of her bed.
"We're opening presents, Stupid!" Parvati said. "What else would we be doing on Christmas?"
"Merry Christmas, Hermione!" Daisy said. She had gotten presents for everyone at Hogsmeade, but she hadn't put them at the foot of their beds. The only present she'd arranged to send was a letter and package of magical candy to Nellie at the orphanage.
"Thanks for this book of curses. I know I'll use this for the match tomorrow!" Hermione said. Apparently someone else had taken care of delivering presents.
Daisy took a look at her own presents and began to unwrap. From Harry there was a sack of Bernie Botts Every Flavor Beans. Ron gave her a set of quills. There was a book called Hogwarts, a History from Hermione and Davey gave her a book full of dragon photographs. Professor McKinnon gave her a book called Study Tips. Perhaps the best and most unexpected present was from Fred. It was a box full of trick items. He and George were planning to open a joke shop after Hogwarts, and these were their ideas.
When they went for breakfast, the Great Hall was nearly filled as usual. Not many people went home over the break because of the ball. Hermione wondered if they'd ever have another quiet Christmas holiday again at Hogwarts.
Ron and Harry were sitting in their usual place at the Gryffindor table. Hermione sat down stealthily next to Ron trying not to grin like a fool. When Ron had asked to speak to her at Hogsmeade, he was really asking her to go to the ball with him. Harry had also found a date: Ginny Weasley.
"Morning, Herm," said Ron, his ears turning pink.
"Morning, Ron," she replied. Harry looked very down. Ever since Daisy had turned him down at Hogsmeade, he was low, though Daisy liked to think it had more to do with Sirius. He looked like he needed a game of Quidditch. Ron and Hermione were still babbling at each other, making Daisy sick.
"Do you guys want a game of Quidditch?" she asked. Harry perked up. Daisy knew she would probably fall off her broom, but if she kept low, it wouldn't hurt too much and Harry would be happy.
Ron caught Harry's eye and sensing his lifted spirits, nodded. "I'll play," he said.
"I'm in," Harry said eagerly.
They turned to Hermione, she looked nervous. "All right. I'm coming."
On the way to the pitch, they picked up Fred and George to play too. As the boys unlocked the broom case, Daisy and Hermione went to borrow some of the old school brooms. Daisy's broom had a large chunk missing and Hermione's broomtail was losing fiber by the moment, but they agreed that their flying wouldn't be any better with a Firebolt.
On the pitch, Fred and George were lugging the case of balls to the center.
"Okay," said Harry. "We'll play three on three. Two Chasers and a Keeper, but we can switch off."
"Yeah!" said George. "We'll play to seventy points a game."
"All right," Fred said. "George, Daisy, and I will be on one team, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione can be on the other." Hermione caught Daisy's eye to see if it was okay, but Daisy nodded gleefully.
They formed their teams, and started to talk strategy.
"Daisy, you can play Keeper first, okay?" George said, trying to sound kind.
Fred gave him a look. "We'll switch off later though," he said.
Daisy smiled, and felt tingly. "That's fine with me," she said. They mounted their brooms and took off. Daisy flew to the goalposts she was defending. Ron was defending the other side. Harry had the Quaffle and was flying towards her. He came and Daisy prepared to save, pacing back and forth. She usually played forward in soccer, but every once and a while she'd sub in for her team's goalie. She concentrated on the Quaffle and everything started going in slow motion. Her mind was set on one thing: capturing the ball. Harry flung the Quaffle, and Daisy caught it in her arms.
Her mind cleared and in her excitement, she started flying around the goalpost in celebration, still holding the Quaffle. Her victory lap abruptly ended when her broom ran right into one of the cold metal goalposts. She clung to her broom in attempt to stay airborne. By the time she got control, Fred had flown by her.
"Nice save," he said sincerely. "Can we have the Quaffle?"
"Sure," Daisy replied, blushing. She held out the red leather ball and retreated to the goalposts.
As the game went on, Ron and Harry eventually put seven shots, winning the game. Before they started another game Fred called out to George.
"Want a turn at Keeper?" he shouted.
George frowned but answered, "All right, mate. But you're next." He flew over to Daisy and slapped her hand. "You're in," he said.
Daisy took a deep breath and flew very slowly to the center of the pitch to meet Fred who had the Quaffle.
"Now that we're all ready," said Ron smirking, "let's play!"
"Amen," Harry murmured, but Fred had zoomed towards their goalposts, the Quaffle under his arm. Daisy flew cautiously after him and Ron and Harry began to chase at a better pace. Daisy spent much of her time turning around and having them whiz past her. But once as Harry zoomed by over her head he dropped the Quaffle and Daisy found it in her hands. She started flying nervously towards Hermione at the goalposts. Fred was flying at her side. He looked out for Harry and Ron, and got in the way when they came along. He didn't ask for Daisy to pass, and she was only half scared about it. Most people wouldn't give her a chance when it was competitive.
When she finally made it to Hermione and the goalposts, she realized she'd have to throw. She thought of the three years she played basketball with Lavender, up until she left for Hogwarts. Using both hands she shot, up and over. Hermione made a valiant effort to save but the Quaffle went through.
Fred flew up beside her and gave her a high five, but Daisy, who wasn't used to flying one handed, fell forward. She screamed slightly, but fortunately Fred was there to catch her. For a second he held her while she calmed down before he helped her back onto her broom.
Daisy felt very foolish and she could tell her cheeks were reddening, but she did her best to keep up the rest of the game. In the end, Fred scored his sixth point, and their team had won.
Hermione flew forward and Harry went to the goalposts.
"Hey, Daisy," she said.
"Yeah?" asked Daisy.
"I need to go up to the dormitory. Will you come with me?"
"Of course," Daisy said. She wondered if something was wrong. "Just let me say goodbye to Fred." Fred was taking his turn at Keeper. She flew to him.
"Herm and I are going, okay," she said.
"Sure," he replied, "why?"
"I dunno. Hermione wants me to come; I think something's the matter with her."
"Okay," he said. "I'll see you tonight, then?"
"Yeah," Daisy said, smiling at the thought. "Bye."
"Bye," Fred said. Daisy flew down to Hermione, who was waiting by the locker rooms.
When they were safely in Gryffindor tower behind the door of their dorm room Daisy sat on her bed and Hermione was rummaging through her trunk. Daisy looked at her and asked, "Why did we come up so early? Is there something wrong?"
"No," Hermione assured. "Not at all. I just need to use this," she said, holding out a hot pink bottle. Daisy grabbed it from her and read: Sleekeasy's Hair Potion.
"It takes forever, so I only use it on special occasions. I just didn't think you wanted to stay there alone with the boys," she explained. Daisy handed the bottle back. She did kind of want to stay with the boys; she could barely get the picture of flying side by side with Fred, him trusting her completely with the Quaffle, out of her head. On the other hand, Hermione wasn't often girly, so Daisy thought she'd make the best of it.
Hermione squeezed loads of the potion onto her hair, and worked it until it was an elegant perfectly arranged twist on the back of her head. Daisy decided to wear her hair down, but she did borrow a few drops of Sleekeasy's to keep it in check. They raided Daisy's makeup supplies, for Hermione had only lip balm, and had fun making each other over.
Last, Daisy slipped her yellow dress robes over the white tank top and shorts she was wearing. They appraised themselves in the mirror, and found themselves pleasing. Hermione, Daisy thought, looked especially nice. Her sky periwinkle robes seemed to be made for her and her makeup wasn't bad either. She sure polished up well. Ron wouldn't be able to help feeling lucky.
Daisy hoped she looked pretty, too, but with ten minutes before eight, she didn't have time to make a decision.
"Let's go," she whispered gave Hermione a secret mission look. They giggled all the way down the staircase to meet their dates.
"What's up with you?" asked Harry. Neither Ginny, Ron, nor Fred was present.
"Nothing," they said before cracking into a set of giggles. Harry was wearing green robes that matched his eyes. He looked sort of nervous.
"You both look nice," he said politely. Daisy looked to see what Hermione's reaction would be.
"Thanks. You do too," she said formally. That went fast, Daisy thought. All Ron had to do was ask Hermione out and she forgot all about her brother. She tried not to act too sisterly or protective so she changed the subject.
"I wonder what those Weasleys are up to. Family meeting?" she said. But then they came, walking down the stairs in a troupe, first Ginny, then Ron, George, and Fred. Daisy smiled hugely without actually meaning to. Fred was looking nicer than ever. He was wearing robes of red, and he grinned confidently at her. Ron looked pleasantly shocked at Hermione, and Harry was smiling sheepishly at a star struck Ginny. George met Katie Bell, the Gryffindor chaser, at the bottom of the stairs.
They chatted as they walked down to the Entrance Hall in a group. A crowd was gathered at the door of the Great Hall. Unexpectedly the door burst open and a loud song began. The frost covered walls exaggerated imposing looking icicles protruding from the ceiling.
"Wicked!" someone cried out. The whole of the school seemed to be rushing to squeeze through the doors. Fred caught Daisy's eye then grabbed her arm. They fought and elbowed their way through the mass and were some of the first people inside.
They laughed hard, looked at each other, then started dancing wildly. Fred twirled her around and they spun out together. Daisy was reminded of the swing dance lessons she took once when she was little, only this was much more fun.
The band stopped playing after the first song, and Daisy looked up to see why. What she saw were eight very hairy women, maybe, dressed in ragged black robes. They held various instruments. Some had the basic guitar and drums, but the others had instruments like bagpipes or a lute.
"Those are the Weird Sisters," Fred whispered. His volume was accredited to the fact that the entire room was going quiet and looking at Dumbledore. He was sat at the high table with the rest of the staff.
"Welcome to the Cedric Diggory Yule Ball! Let's take a moment to remember Cedric and what he symbolizes." Everyone in the hall went deadly quiet, even the first years, allowed to come to the ball this year. Many bowed their heads sadly. After a minute or two, Dumbledore spoke again. "Tonight is not a night for sorrow. Tonight will be a time to rejoice in the life that Cedric lived and the lives that you are living now. Enjoy your time at Hogwarts, especially the scrumptious food you're about to consume. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll bring out the tables."
Everyone backed away from the center and Dumbledore flicked his wand. About a hundred small tables flew to the center of the room. Daisy could see that on each table there were several menus.
Dumbledore stood over his plate looked down and said, "Chicken!" Daisy watched, interested, as a chicken dinner appeared on his plate. Not many seemed very impressed, though.
"That's how they did it last year," Hermione said. Conversations began to break out through the hall. The small tables seated about six people.
"This is stupid," Fred said to everyone. "Let's just push a few together." The group nodded in approval while Harry and the twins shoved two tables together. Fred plopped down in one chair and Daisy sat nervously in the one next to him. Ginny and Harry small talked awkwardly.
George looked down at his plate and said, "Calamari." Sure enough, the fried squid appeared on his plate.
The group stared at it mutely until Fred looked at his own plate and repeated, "Calamari!"
Everyone laughed and soon there was tentacled seafood on everyone's dish. They gobbled it down gratefully.
"I wonder if they got the Giant Squid from the lake to make this," Ginny said suddenly.
Everybody stopped mid-chew. The Giant Squid was scary, but no one had ever considered catching it to rid the lake. It was a part of Hogwarts, like a friend.
"I'm done," said about four of them, pushing their plates away.
"Me too," said the rest. Again they all cracked up and got to their feet. They waited for the floor to be cleared. Finally Dumbledore waved his wand and the tables disappeared.
The Weird Sisters started another song, heavily embedded with bagpipes, but sure enough the guitars and drums joined right in after a few beats.
"Shall we?" asked Fred. Daisy grinned at him and took his hand.
"Sure," she said, pulling him, though she didn't have to try too hard, to the dance floor. They started again with their wild swing and danced away.
When the music slowed a little, Daisy considered taking a break, but when she looked at Fred, whose eyes were innocently expectant, she decided to stay.
She put her hands on his shoulders and they began to rock back and forth silently. Daisy avoided his eyes and didn't say anything. Before, they were laughing and talking, but now they just stayed where they were together. When the song ended they slowly pulled apart and looked at each other again.
Daisy blushed. "Should we sit down for a while?" she suggested.
"Sounds like a plan," Fred replied. They headed towards a corner where a few tables remained. The group had set up base here, but only Ron and Harry were left.
Fred and Daisy sat beside them and said, "Where're Ginny and Hermione?"
"They've been recruited," Ron said bitterly. "Lavender ran off and Seamus couldn't find her, so he asked them to help. I don't blame Lavender for leaving, the way he was flirting with my sister," he said edgily, as if it were a sin beyond compare. He didn't seem to mind when Harry had asked her out, but he continued his rant. "I bet he's probably just trying to talk to Ginny some more!"
Fred rolled his eyes. "Ginny won't let him do anything. She's all for Harry, you know. She's probably just searching like she's supposed to be."
"Where are they looking anyway?" Daisy asked.
"Outside. They have it all set up as a garden again," Harry said.
Just then, Angelina Johnson, the Gryffindor chaser, walked up looking mad. "Can I speak with you, Fred?" she asked, or rather, demanded.
"Sure, Angelina," Fred said. He made a face that was a mixture of "What did I do?" and "I'm screwed!" He scraped his chair on the floor as he got up and followed Angelina to another table.
Daisy surveyed Ron and her brother. They looked blank. Maybe she and Fred had interrupted something, and she had an idea what it was. "Have you heard from Sirius yet, Harry?" From their expressions, Daisy could tell that she had guessed correctly.
"No," Harry said darkly. Daisy hadn't either. "I'm thinking of telling Dumbledore," Harry told her. Daisy had never actually considered going to Dumbledore about Sirius, though he said she could. She thought maybe it would be a good idea, but Harry could do it instead of her.
"I think you should," Daisy said. She gave him a serious, encouraging look. "The sooner, the better," she added.
"You're right," Harry said, getting up. "I'll do it right now."
"I'm coming, too," said Ron, a look of determination on his face.
They headed for the High Table and Daisy was left alone. She wondered where Fred was. What was Angelina saying? Daisy decided to casually walk past them to see what was going on.
But, as she got there, she saw an angry red-faced Angelina and Fred looking very uncomfortable, almost defensive. She kept walking hearing only a, "What are you playing at?" from Fred.
Instead of going back to the table to wait for Harry and Ron, she went outside to find Hermione and Ginny.
Through the door it was frosty cold. Daisy wished she'd brought her cloak. The rosebushes, which had been recently put in, were glowing with magical light. Stone statues and benches were flanked by the shrubbery.
The stars and moon shone brightly against the soft navy sky. Daisy saw the reflection of the moon in the smooth still lake. She watched it burn on until ripples began to form around the shape. Out of the water popped a long suckered tentacle.
Daisy felt relieved, they hadn't eaten the Giant Squid for dinner. Just as she was thinking this, she saw something that struck her as odd, though she didn't know why. A single carriage, moving along with no horse to pull, was traveling along the grounds in the distance.
But she didn't dwell on it for long, Hermione was calling for her.
"Daisy? Is that you?" Daisy ran to meet her. She looked very concerned.
"Have you seen Lavender?" she inquired. "We've been looking forever!"
"Not at all," Daisy told her.
"Seamus is really worried," Hermione said.
"Maybe Ron is wrong then," said a voice behind them. They wheeled around to see who it was.
It was Fred. The color of his face was a mixture of angry red flush and pale green nausea. "About Ginny, you know?" he said, his voice cracking. Angelina was nowhere in sight.
"Oh," Daisy said.
"Maybe you should let Lavender relax," Fred said. "You're neglecting your dates you know."
Daisy smiled guiltily.
"You're the one who left to socialize," Daisy said. "What did Angelina want anyway?"
"Er. Quidditch," Fred said quickly. Daisy was positive Angelina wasn't talking about Quidditch, but she decided not to push it any farther. Obviously, it was personal and Fred didn't want her to know about it. Daisy didn't need to know anyway. She trusted Fred, at least about this kind of thing.
"Shall we rescue my dear sister and catch some more dancing?" Fred offered, trying to recover.
Daisy was so charmed that she forgot about Angelina. "Sure, but only because it's cold out here," Daisy said mockingly.
"Touché," Fred said. "Now where's Ginny?"
When they got back on the dance floor, they danced until midnight when the Weird Sisters played their last bagpipe note.
Daisy was pretty wrapped up in dancing, but she did notice her friends every once and a while.
Harry and Ginny shared a few cute dances and Ron and Hermione had gone off by themselves. Davey had plucked up the courage to ask Jasmine to go to the ball with him and she said yes. Her poofy cinnamon robes looked very cute and Davey seemed amazed by his luck every time he looked at her.
When the dance was over Daisy was disappointed, but her pent up exhaustion began to show up.
She and Fred walked back to Gryffindor tower arm in arm. At the bottom of the spiral staircase, George called for Fred to come over.
"Well." he said slowly. Daisy looked sleepily up into his face.
"You have nice eyes," she said without thinking. Her statement sunk in and she felt blood rushing to her face.
But Fred's face remained straight. "I like your eyes, too," he said. "They're pretty. They kind of, um, sparkle." He blushed this time. Something in his expression changed. Daisy felt a little uncomfortable, but she didn't want him to leave yet, either.
"Well." she repeated. But before she could finish her already incomplete thought, she found a pair of lips on her own.
Fred leaned to reach her. Daisy breathed out slowly as they parted. They both looked down, ripe with pleasure and major embarrassment.
"Goodnight Fred," she said after a while.
"Night, Daisy," Fred replied. "Have good dreams." She was sure she would.
"You, too," Daisy said quickly and bounded up the stairs. She heard George and his friends cheering and teasing Fred behind her. She couldn't wait to tell Hermione the details of her first kiss.
But Hermione wasn't there, so Daisy went ahead to bed, an ecstatic feeling pounding through her heart. But after the lights were turned out and everyone was tucked in, Daisy didn't notice that one bed was empty.
On Christmas morning Daisy woke up to the sound of ripping paper.
"What are you doing?" she asked yawningly. She sat up and pulled back her curtain. Her vision was blurry so she grabbed for the spare glasses which she kept on her bedside table. Then she saw a small heap of presents at the foot of her bed.
"We're opening presents, Stupid!" Parvati said. "What else would we be doing on Christmas?"
"Merry Christmas, Hermione!" Daisy said. She had gotten presents for everyone at Hogsmeade, but she hadn't put them at the foot of their beds. The only present she'd arranged to send was a letter and package of magical candy to Nellie at the orphanage.
"Thanks for this book of curses. I know I'll use this for the match tomorrow!" Hermione said. Apparently someone else had taken care of delivering presents.
Daisy took a look at her own presents and began to unwrap. From Harry there was a sack of Bernie Botts Every Flavor Beans. Ron gave her a set of quills. There was a book called Hogwarts, a History from Hermione and Davey gave her a book full of dragon photographs. Professor McKinnon gave her a book called Study Tips. Perhaps the best and most unexpected present was from Fred. It was a box full of trick items. He and George were planning to open a joke shop after Hogwarts, and these were their ideas.
When they went for breakfast, the Great Hall was nearly filled as usual. Not many people went home over the break because of the ball. Hermione wondered if they'd ever have another quiet Christmas holiday again at Hogwarts.
Ron and Harry were sitting in their usual place at the Gryffindor table. Hermione sat down stealthily next to Ron trying not to grin like a fool. When Ron had asked to speak to her at Hogsmeade, he was really asking her to go to the ball with him. Harry had also found a date: Ginny Weasley.
"Morning, Herm," said Ron, his ears turning pink.
"Morning, Ron," she replied. Harry looked very down. Ever since Daisy had turned him down at Hogsmeade, he was low, though Daisy liked to think it had more to do with Sirius. He looked like he needed a game of Quidditch. Ron and Hermione were still babbling at each other, making Daisy sick.
"Do you guys want a game of Quidditch?" she asked. Harry perked up. Daisy knew she would probably fall off her broom, but if she kept low, it wouldn't hurt too much and Harry would be happy.
Ron caught Harry's eye and sensing his lifted spirits, nodded. "I'll play," he said.
"I'm in," Harry said eagerly.
They turned to Hermione, she looked nervous. "All right. I'm coming."
On the way to the pitch, they picked up Fred and George to play too. As the boys unlocked the broom case, Daisy and Hermione went to borrow some of the old school brooms. Daisy's broom had a large chunk missing and Hermione's broomtail was losing fiber by the moment, but they agreed that their flying wouldn't be any better with a Firebolt.
On the pitch, Fred and George were lugging the case of balls to the center.
"Okay," said Harry. "We'll play three on three. Two Chasers and a Keeper, but we can switch off."
"Yeah!" said George. "We'll play to seventy points a game."
"All right," Fred said. "George, Daisy, and I will be on one team, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione can be on the other." Hermione caught Daisy's eye to see if it was okay, but Daisy nodded gleefully.
They formed their teams, and started to talk strategy.
"Daisy, you can play Keeper first, okay?" George said, trying to sound kind.
Fred gave him a look. "We'll switch off later though," he said.
Daisy smiled, and felt tingly. "That's fine with me," she said. They mounted their brooms and took off. Daisy flew to the goalposts she was defending. Ron was defending the other side. Harry had the Quaffle and was flying towards her. He came and Daisy prepared to save, pacing back and forth. She usually played forward in soccer, but every once and a while she'd sub in for her team's goalie. She concentrated on the Quaffle and everything started going in slow motion. Her mind was set on one thing: capturing the ball. Harry flung the Quaffle, and Daisy caught it in her arms.
Her mind cleared and in her excitement, she started flying around the goalpost in celebration, still holding the Quaffle. Her victory lap abruptly ended when her broom ran right into one of the cold metal goalposts. She clung to her broom in attempt to stay airborne. By the time she got control, Fred had flown by her.
"Nice save," he said sincerely. "Can we have the Quaffle?"
"Sure," Daisy replied, blushing. She held out the red leather ball and retreated to the goalposts.
As the game went on, Ron and Harry eventually put seven shots, winning the game. Before they started another game Fred called out to George.
"Want a turn at Keeper?" he shouted.
George frowned but answered, "All right, mate. But you're next." He flew over to Daisy and slapped her hand. "You're in," he said.
Daisy took a deep breath and flew very slowly to the center of the pitch to meet Fred who had the Quaffle.
"Now that we're all ready," said Ron smirking, "let's play!"
"Amen," Harry murmured, but Fred had zoomed towards their goalposts, the Quaffle under his arm. Daisy flew cautiously after him and Ron and Harry began to chase at a better pace. Daisy spent much of her time turning around and having them whiz past her. But once as Harry zoomed by over her head he dropped the Quaffle and Daisy found it in her hands. She started flying nervously towards Hermione at the goalposts. Fred was flying at her side. He looked out for Harry and Ron, and got in the way when they came along. He didn't ask for Daisy to pass, and she was only half scared about it. Most people wouldn't give her a chance when it was competitive.
When she finally made it to Hermione and the goalposts, she realized she'd have to throw. She thought of the three years she played basketball with Lavender, up until she left for Hogwarts. Using both hands she shot, up and over. Hermione made a valiant effort to save but the Quaffle went through.
Fred flew up beside her and gave her a high five, but Daisy, who wasn't used to flying one handed, fell forward. She screamed slightly, but fortunately Fred was there to catch her. For a second he held her while she calmed down before he helped her back onto her broom.
Daisy felt very foolish and she could tell her cheeks were reddening, but she did her best to keep up the rest of the game. In the end, Fred scored his sixth point, and their team had won.
Hermione flew forward and Harry went to the goalposts.
"Hey, Daisy," she said.
"Yeah?" asked Daisy.
"I need to go up to the dormitory. Will you come with me?"
"Of course," Daisy said. She wondered if something was wrong. "Just let me say goodbye to Fred." Fred was taking his turn at Keeper. She flew to him.
"Herm and I are going, okay," she said.
"Sure," he replied, "why?"
"I dunno. Hermione wants me to come; I think something's the matter with her."
"Okay," he said. "I'll see you tonight, then?"
"Yeah," Daisy said, smiling at the thought. "Bye."
"Bye," Fred said. Daisy flew down to Hermione, who was waiting by the locker rooms.
When they were safely in Gryffindor tower behind the door of their dorm room Daisy sat on her bed and Hermione was rummaging through her trunk. Daisy looked at her and asked, "Why did we come up so early? Is there something wrong?"
"No," Hermione assured. "Not at all. I just need to use this," she said, holding out a hot pink bottle. Daisy grabbed it from her and read: Sleekeasy's Hair Potion.
"It takes forever, so I only use it on special occasions. I just didn't think you wanted to stay there alone with the boys," she explained. Daisy handed the bottle back. She did kind of want to stay with the boys; she could barely get the picture of flying side by side with Fred, him trusting her completely with the Quaffle, out of her head. On the other hand, Hermione wasn't often girly, so Daisy thought she'd make the best of it.
Hermione squeezed loads of the potion onto her hair, and worked it until it was an elegant perfectly arranged twist on the back of her head. Daisy decided to wear her hair down, but she did borrow a few drops of Sleekeasy's to keep it in check. They raided Daisy's makeup supplies, for Hermione had only lip balm, and had fun making each other over.
Last, Daisy slipped her yellow dress robes over the white tank top and shorts she was wearing. They appraised themselves in the mirror, and found themselves pleasing. Hermione, Daisy thought, looked especially nice. Her sky periwinkle robes seemed to be made for her and her makeup wasn't bad either. She sure polished up well. Ron wouldn't be able to help feeling lucky.
Daisy hoped she looked pretty, too, but with ten minutes before eight, she didn't have time to make a decision.
"Let's go," she whispered gave Hermione a secret mission look. They giggled all the way down the staircase to meet their dates.
"What's up with you?" asked Harry. Neither Ginny, Ron, nor Fred was present.
"Nothing," they said before cracking into a set of giggles. Harry was wearing green robes that matched his eyes. He looked sort of nervous.
"You both look nice," he said politely. Daisy looked to see what Hermione's reaction would be.
"Thanks. You do too," she said formally. That went fast, Daisy thought. All Ron had to do was ask Hermione out and she forgot all about her brother. She tried not to act too sisterly or protective so she changed the subject.
"I wonder what those Weasleys are up to. Family meeting?" she said. But then they came, walking down the stairs in a troupe, first Ginny, then Ron, George, and Fred. Daisy smiled hugely without actually meaning to. Fred was looking nicer than ever. He was wearing robes of red, and he grinned confidently at her. Ron looked pleasantly shocked at Hermione, and Harry was smiling sheepishly at a star struck Ginny. George met Katie Bell, the Gryffindor chaser, at the bottom of the stairs.
They chatted as they walked down to the Entrance Hall in a group. A crowd was gathered at the door of the Great Hall. Unexpectedly the door burst open and a loud song began. The frost covered walls exaggerated imposing looking icicles protruding from the ceiling.
"Wicked!" someone cried out. The whole of the school seemed to be rushing to squeeze through the doors. Fred caught Daisy's eye then grabbed her arm. They fought and elbowed their way through the mass and were some of the first people inside.
They laughed hard, looked at each other, then started dancing wildly. Fred twirled her around and they spun out together. Daisy was reminded of the swing dance lessons she took once when she was little, only this was much more fun.
The band stopped playing after the first song, and Daisy looked up to see why. What she saw were eight very hairy women, maybe, dressed in ragged black robes. They held various instruments. Some had the basic guitar and drums, but the others had instruments like bagpipes or a lute.
"Those are the Weird Sisters," Fred whispered. His volume was accredited to the fact that the entire room was going quiet and looking at Dumbledore. He was sat at the high table with the rest of the staff.
"Welcome to the Cedric Diggory Yule Ball! Let's take a moment to remember Cedric and what he symbolizes." Everyone in the hall went deadly quiet, even the first years, allowed to come to the ball this year. Many bowed their heads sadly. After a minute or two, Dumbledore spoke again. "Tonight is not a night for sorrow. Tonight will be a time to rejoice in the life that Cedric lived and the lives that you are living now. Enjoy your time at Hogwarts, especially the scrumptious food you're about to consume. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll bring out the tables."
Everyone backed away from the center and Dumbledore flicked his wand. About a hundred small tables flew to the center of the room. Daisy could see that on each table there were several menus.
Dumbledore stood over his plate looked down and said, "Chicken!" Daisy watched, interested, as a chicken dinner appeared on his plate. Not many seemed very impressed, though.
"That's how they did it last year," Hermione said. Conversations began to break out through the hall. The small tables seated about six people.
"This is stupid," Fred said to everyone. "Let's just push a few together." The group nodded in approval while Harry and the twins shoved two tables together. Fred plopped down in one chair and Daisy sat nervously in the one next to him. Ginny and Harry small talked awkwardly.
George looked down at his plate and said, "Calamari." Sure enough, the fried squid appeared on his plate.
The group stared at it mutely until Fred looked at his own plate and repeated, "Calamari!"
Everyone laughed and soon there was tentacled seafood on everyone's dish. They gobbled it down gratefully.
"I wonder if they got the Giant Squid from the lake to make this," Ginny said suddenly.
Everybody stopped mid-chew. The Giant Squid was scary, but no one had ever considered catching it to rid the lake. It was a part of Hogwarts, like a friend.
"I'm done," said about four of them, pushing their plates away.
"Me too," said the rest. Again they all cracked up and got to their feet. They waited for the floor to be cleared. Finally Dumbledore waved his wand and the tables disappeared.
The Weird Sisters started another song, heavily embedded with bagpipes, but sure enough the guitars and drums joined right in after a few beats.
"Shall we?" asked Fred. Daisy grinned at him and took his hand.
"Sure," she said, pulling him, though she didn't have to try too hard, to the dance floor. They started again with their wild swing and danced away.
When the music slowed a little, Daisy considered taking a break, but when she looked at Fred, whose eyes were innocently expectant, she decided to stay.
She put her hands on his shoulders and they began to rock back and forth silently. Daisy avoided his eyes and didn't say anything. Before, they were laughing and talking, but now they just stayed where they were together. When the song ended they slowly pulled apart and looked at each other again.
Daisy blushed. "Should we sit down for a while?" she suggested.
"Sounds like a plan," Fred replied. They headed towards a corner where a few tables remained. The group had set up base here, but only Ron and Harry were left.
Fred and Daisy sat beside them and said, "Where're Ginny and Hermione?"
"They've been recruited," Ron said bitterly. "Lavender ran off and Seamus couldn't find her, so he asked them to help. I don't blame Lavender for leaving, the way he was flirting with my sister," he said edgily, as if it were a sin beyond compare. He didn't seem to mind when Harry had asked her out, but he continued his rant. "I bet he's probably just trying to talk to Ginny some more!"
Fred rolled his eyes. "Ginny won't let him do anything. She's all for Harry, you know. She's probably just searching like she's supposed to be."
"Where are they looking anyway?" Daisy asked.
"Outside. They have it all set up as a garden again," Harry said.
Just then, Angelina Johnson, the Gryffindor chaser, walked up looking mad. "Can I speak with you, Fred?" she asked, or rather, demanded.
"Sure, Angelina," Fred said. He made a face that was a mixture of "What did I do?" and "I'm screwed!" He scraped his chair on the floor as he got up and followed Angelina to another table.
Daisy surveyed Ron and her brother. They looked blank. Maybe she and Fred had interrupted something, and she had an idea what it was. "Have you heard from Sirius yet, Harry?" From their expressions, Daisy could tell that she had guessed correctly.
"No," Harry said darkly. Daisy hadn't either. "I'm thinking of telling Dumbledore," Harry told her. Daisy had never actually considered going to Dumbledore about Sirius, though he said she could. She thought maybe it would be a good idea, but Harry could do it instead of her.
"I think you should," Daisy said. She gave him a serious, encouraging look. "The sooner, the better," she added.
"You're right," Harry said, getting up. "I'll do it right now."
"I'm coming, too," said Ron, a look of determination on his face.
They headed for the High Table and Daisy was left alone. She wondered where Fred was. What was Angelina saying? Daisy decided to casually walk past them to see what was going on.
But, as she got there, she saw an angry red-faced Angelina and Fred looking very uncomfortable, almost defensive. She kept walking hearing only a, "What are you playing at?" from Fred.
Instead of going back to the table to wait for Harry and Ron, she went outside to find Hermione and Ginny.
Through the door it was frosty cold. Daisy wished she'd brought her cloak. The rosebushes, which had been recently put in, were glowing with magical light. Stone statues and benches were flanked by the shrubbery.
The stars and moon shone brightly against the soft navy sky. Daisy saw the reflection of the moon in the smooth still lake. She watched it burn on until ripples began to form around the shape. Out of the water popped a long suckered tentacle.
Daisy felt relieved, they hadn't eaten the Giant Squid for dinner. Just as she was thinking this, she saw something that struck her as odd, though she didn't know why. A single carriage, moving along with no horse to pull, was traveling along the grounds in the distance.
But she didn't dwell on it for long, Hermione was calling for her.
"Daisy? Is that you?" Daisy ran to meet her. She looked very concerned.
"Have you seen Lavender?" she inquired. "We've been looking forever!"
"Not at all," Daisy told her.
"Seamus is really worried," Hermione said.
"Maybe Ron is wrong then," said a voice behind them. They wheeled around to see who it was.
It was Fred. The color of his face was a mixture of angry red flush and pale green nausea. "About Ginny, you know?" he said, his voice cracking. Angelina was nowhere in sight.
"Oh," Daisy said.
"Maybe you should let Lavender relax," Fred said. "You're neglecting your dates you know."
Daisy smiled guiltily.
"You're the one who left to socialize," Daisy said. "What did Angelina want anyway?"
"Er. Quidditch," Fred said quickly. Daisy was positive Angelina wasn't talking about Quidditch, but she decided not to push it any farther. Obviously, it was personal and Fred didn't want her to know about it. Daisy didn't need to know anyway. She trusted Fred, at least about this kind of thing.
"Shall we rescue my dear sister and catch some more dancing?" Fred offered, trying to recover.
Daisy was so charmed that she forgot about Angelina. "Sure, but only because it's cold out here," Daisy said mockingly.
"Touché," Fred said. "Now where's Ginny?"
When they got back on the dance floor, they danced until midnight when the Weird Sisters played their last bagpipe note.
Daisy was pretty wrapped up in dancing, but she did notice her friends every once and a while.
Harry and Ginny shared a few cute dances and Ron and Hermione had gone off by themselves. Davey had plucked up the courage to ask Jasmine to go to the ball with him and she said yes. Her poofy cinnamon robes looked very cute and Davey seemed amazed by his luck every time he looked at her.
When the dance was over Daisy was disappointed, but her pent up exhaustion began to show up.
She and Fred walked back to Gryffindor tower arm in arm. At the bottom of the spiral staircase, George called for Fred to come over.
"Well." he said slowly. Daisy looked sleepily up into his face.
"You have nice eyes," she said without thinking. Her statement sunk in and she felt blood rushing to her face.
But Fred's face remained straight. "I like your eyes, too," he said. "They're pretty. They kind of, um, sparkle." He blushed this time. Something in his expression changed. Daisy felt a little uncomfortable, but she didn't want him to leave yet, either.
"Well." she repeated. But before she could finish her already incomplete thought, she found a pair of lips on her own.
Fred leaned to reach her. Daisy breathed out slowly as they parted. They both looked down, ripe with pleasure and major embarrassment.
"Goodnight Fred," she said after a while.
"Night, Daisy," Fred replied. "Have good dreams." She was sure she would.
"You, too," Daisy said quickly and bounded up the stairs. She heard George and his friends cheering and teasing Fred behind her. She couldn't wait to tell Hermione the details of her first kiss.
But Hermione wasn't there, so Daisy went ahead to bed, an ecstatic feeling pounding through her heart. But after the lights were turned out and everyone was tucked in, Daisy didn't notice that one bed was empty.
