The Ball: Part Two

When they got to the Great Hall, they heard the exclaims coming from the other students. They walked in, Ailia heard Lily gasp, she smiled to herself.

"You like?"

"Its perfect, Ailia. Thank you"

"You're welcome, now go and have fun!"

She broke away from the group as Sirius and Remus went to find their Dates. She made her way over to the punch bowl, and poured herself a drink. Standing with her drink she watched everyone. The younger students seemed to be happy filling themselves up from the buffet, the older students also seemed happy with chatting to friends, dancing or flirting with their partners for the evening. Sighing, she realised that yes she did feel slightly lonely in the cavernous hall, but at the same she felt happy and fulfilled, having so many friends. Over the last two months she had become close to her Gryffindor friends. She was closest to Lily, but she enjoyed her time with the boys, she could talk for hours with Remus about anything, they did this often, after Lily she enjoyed her time with him. Sirius and James were fun they could spend hours trying to out insult each other. The only person she wished she knew more about was Peter, he was nice enough. But he had been spending less and less time with the group recently, moaning about having to catch up in the classes in which he was failing. Most of all she loved being near to Severus, they could talk about old times when they were younger, as well as how he could try and help her with her mission. A voice broke her out of her thoughts.

"Alone Miss Fletcher?" Turning she saw Professor Dumbledore

"I am afraid so Professor, I spent far too much time in the library and I forgot about getting a date for this evening"

"Well I would offer my services but I think Madam Pomfrey wants to dance, would you settle for my Nephew?" she thought to herself, what have I got to lose?

"I would like that very much, thank you"

Dumbledore escorted her to a table, much to her surprise a handsome man was sat at it. She was expecting someone much older, she admitted to herself. He was quite tall with short light brown hair and a handsome face.

"Jonathan, may I introduce you to one of our brightest pupils Ailia Fletcher"

He stood taking her hand, he gently brushed his lips over her knuckles, blushing slightly she said hello.

"Well I shall leave you two to talk, Poppy, looks like she is ready to dance, Have fun children" Jonathan smiled,

"I am 21 years old, he still insists on calling me a child!"

"Oh don't worry I heard him call McGonagall and Binns it the other day!"

He shook his head smiling, offering his arm.

"Would you like to dance or walk?"

"How about dance first, walk after?" She said, why not keep him for the whole night she thought to herself, she had seen some of the girls give him the eye

"Good plan"

He led her to the dance floor just as the band began to play; apparently they were the newest group, although Ailia had never heard of them. As the male wizards picked up their instruments she noticed some of the younger girls desert their partners in favour of getting closer to the stage.

"You're not going to leave me for the band as well are you?" Jonathan asked a smile on his lips "because I might just have to steal you back"

"Don't fret, you have nothing to worry about, I have no idea who those guys are, and I must say I am enjoying the company right here"

"Good, me too"

They danced to a few songs, speaking occasionally. Then the band decided to play a slow song. He put his hands around her waist, and she put hers around his neck. They swayed slowly to the music.

"So you are in your final year here?"

"Yeah, although I have really only just got here"

"Why's that?"

"I arrived in September, I was home schooled before then."

"Does that mean you are the Elementai then?"

She stopped moving, staring at him.

"How did you know?"

"Don't get angry, I am part of the Order of the Phoenix, we all know about you, we are also helping in the research towards the scriptures"

They started dancing again

"I am sorry you had to find out like this, I thought you would have known"

"Don't worry, I should have realised" she rested her head against his shoulder "and don't worry I wont tell Dumbledore that you let it slip"

"Thanks although I bet he probably already knows, you know what he's like!"

"True! But I am not angry, so relax" she said smiling at him, feeling his shoulders relax.

The song ended and the band announced that more food had been added to the buffet. There was a great rush to the tables. Jonathan looked at her

"Are you hungry or do you fancy that walk?"

"Let's eat and run"

"Good idea"

They "accidentally" found themselves at the front of the line, Jonathan grabbed a plate and piling it high while Ailia grabbed forks and drinks, it was then that Ailia noticed more people staring at Jonathan, forgetting it she went back to him. They walked outside finding a quiet bench outside, and they started to eat. Sitting in silence while they ate, when most of the food was eaten, Ailia smiled at him

"So you know who I am, I know nothing about you" he looked a little shocked

"Really?"

"Yeah Dumbledore never speaks of you"

"But you've never heard of me?"

"Should I have?"

"Well...um I suppose not" Ailia laughed

"What are you some world famous Quidditch player, that I have no idea about" she noticed his cheeks colour "oh my god you are, aren't you?" he nodded "I've just made a fool of myself haven't I?"

"No, not at all, its quite refreshing actually, I don't meet people that often who haven't heard of me" he took her hand, smiling into her eyes "really it's no problem"

"I'm an idiot, its okay; I accepted it a long time ago!"

"Stop it you are not an idiot, from what I hear you are one of the brightest people here!"

"That is just your uncle over exaggerating!"

"Well he wasn't when he said you were beautiful"

She blushed hiding her face behind her hair, "don't be silly!"

"I'm not" he whispered, brushing her hair away, he gently took her face in his hands

She stared at him smiling "well thank you"

"You are welcome" he leant down capturing her lips with his.

He sat closer to her, knocking the plate of food to floor, neither noticed. He gently ran his tongue over her lips; she opened her mouth granting him access. Their tongues playfully duelled as his hands moved to her hair. Deepening the kiss she edged closer to her.

From across the circle her Gryffindor friends were eating their meal. All were having fun, but it was only when the food had been announced, did they remember Ailia. After battling with the guilt of forgetting her, they did a quick search. Not finding her, they decided to get some food, and then look for her outside. It was then that they saw her, standing right at the front of the line. She smiled at a tall guy, and then walked out of the doors to the garden. Pushing their way through they made their way outside to spy. Kicking a few fifth year Slytherins off of a table, they sat down, a majority of the four couples watching Ailia.

"Who's the guy?" asked Remus, looking at Lily

"Don't know, I don't think he goes here"

"You know he looks familiar" said James "although I don't know why"

Remus' date Fiona looked over "I am surprised you don't know who he is, James, seeing as though you are the biggest quidditch fan in the school"

"Oh my god!" yelled James "is that who I think it is?"

"Jonathan Parker, he's Dumbledore's great nephew or something, he is handsome" said Fiona ignoring Remus' splutter of indignation

Sirius' date Ruth gasped "look their kissing!"

The whole table looked over, mouths and eyes wide, watching in silence, food forgotten. Nobody noticed the flicker of jealousy in Remus' eyes.

After a while Ailia and Jonathan broke apart.

"I am sorry I shouldn't have jumped on you like that" he said panting slightly

"Trust me if I hadn't wanted it, you'd know about it" she smiled

"So you won't hit me if I tried it again"

"Oh no, in fact I think I would rather enjoy it!"

And so they kissed again.