The Yule Ball 2

Chapter Two

Flamingo's Little Note: So, if you've just begun or returning for more, hi! This chapter is mainly tying up the loose ends from Chapter one, but there are surprising new developments too. There is a lot of 'pondering' involved, but hopefully you will find it interesting! Without further ado…chapter 2.

Parvati trudged to the common room sadly. Talking to Harry Potter had made her very glum. Their conversation had dredged up carefully buried grief and hurt and Parvati hated to deal with anything somber. However, her mother's death had revealed a rather different Parvati Patil inside that protective shell of falseness, and …shallowness. Now, the shell had disintegrated completely and she just felt bare, vulnerable and alone.

Of course, she had Padma, but Padma's way of dealing with grief was throwing herself into her studies. Parvati barely spoke to her these days, but when she did see her mirror reflection (except the bags under the eyes) she did say hi. Oh, she desperately wanted to pore out her feelings to someone.

Lavender was no good. The best friends who had been so close had drifted slightly apart. Parvati suspected it was because of her change of personality, but honestly she didn't want to go back to her old, false self. Anyway, Lavender seemed she had a lot on her mind lately, but Parvati didn't know what. She had lost interest in funky hairdos, jewelry, shopping and boys. Her former favorite things seemed so insignificant. Parvati suddenly felt small and worthless. It was not a good sensation to experience.

Parvati didn't even care about the upcoming ball. Maybe she could stay up and read a bit while everyone was dancing….

…

Hermione sighed. She knew she had a pile of homework waiting for at her desk today. She slid off the couch, yawning. Might as well get to it, she thought tiredly. Ron had sped off to Quidditch Practice, so Hermione was free of cute distractions, but homework didn't seem as appealing anymore. Reluctantly Hermione trudged to her desk and shuffled through her papers.

"My Astronomy essay!" Hermione muttered, arranging her papers neatly on one side. "Ron must have borrowed it," she thought, slightly irritated. She trudged down to the common room and made her way to the work area frowning.

She immediately spotted a sheet of her neat writing lying on Ron's desk and shook her head. She was about to pick it up when she noticed a small, plain black book. "What is this?" she asked herself, curious. She tentatively reached out and flipped through, glimpsing flashes of Ron's scrawl penned in blue or black ink. She didn't know what happened; she opened the first page and peered down inquisitively.

The writing read:

This Journal belongs to: Ron Weasley

Intrigued, Hermione turned one more page.

October 1

Today was rubbish. Harry was moody. Our lessons were absolutely awful. Snape was a stinking dingbat and set up an equally stinky potion to brew. And worst of all, Hermione was in her naggy mood.

"Do your homework, Ron!"

"You'd better do your homework, Ron!"

"Ron!"

Ron this and Ron that. Honestly, she is worse than my mother at that stuff. And of course, she blames for everything and won't let me take responsibility for my own actions. That's just her, I guess.

Anyway, very mucky day--don't even want to talk about it.

Ron

Stung, Hermione didn't know what had gotten into her; she couldn't stop reading on.

October 13

I seriously bummed out. A very nightmarish sort of day. Started out normal, had Herbology with the Hufflepuffs and Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherins and then Hermione and I had the biggest fight of our lives. About that dastardly bastard, Viktor.

She started carping (about who knows what) as usual and I retorted and then she told me to shut up. I snapped back, she was just getting on my nerves. Then, get this, she said that Viktor always treated her with respect and I was crum compared to him. Viktor, Viktor, Viktor! I thought that they weren't going out.

I told her to shut up about it and stop being a nuisance.

She, of course didn't stop, muttering under breath and scowling. Then I started muttering under my breath to retaliate. She wouldn't talk to me the rest of the day. Hermione is my best friend, but sometimes I really can't stand her. If she goes on like this, she will end up an old maid. I don't know who'll put up with her--"

Hermione gasped and slammed the book shut.

"Hermione!" she heard a bewildered Ron's voice in the background. Apparently he had returned from Quidditch.

Hermione whirled around, large pearly tears forming in her eyes. She sniffed and fled past that lanky redhead, her heart pounding.

…

After Seamus had departed, Lavender closed the door and closed her eyes for a moment, leaning against the door. She took a deep breath to calm her self. She couldn't believe she was going to do this. Seamus was not to going to suspect a thing! Lavender sighed blissfully and walked over to the bed. She suddenly grasped her pocket to check if it was still safe inside. She sighed with relief when she felt it rub against her skin. Good, she thought, I can't wait until the Yule Ball.

…

Oliver Wood glanced at the towering grey structure before him fondly. He was back where he belonged.

Fame certainly was a fickle friend.

He had loved the attention at first. Puddlemere United champion keeper, Oliver Wood defends against winning Ireland. Then there was the constant noise, people, nosy questions…Oliver found it tiring. The last thing he wanted to do was attend the Quidditch Quills press conference in France that week.

So, his kind headmaster, Dumbledore had invited him back to dear Hogwarts for the Yule Ball. Oliver was glad to escape all the fame and glory and just enjoy a couple of spins in his old Quidditch Pitch and maybe read and have fun at the ball a bit even. Whatever it was, he was going to have a relaxing, fun week at his former school. Oliver took a deep breath and knocked with large brass knocker.

Little did he know he would face the likes of Luna Lovegood, and no champion Keeper skills would help him this time!

…

He had kissed a Weasley!

A mudblood-lover!

A Gryffindor!

A mud-blood loving Gryffindor Weasley!

And they had kissed in front of the library, where anyone could see!

Draco could hardly believe it. After a few minutes of making out passionately outside the library, Ginny and Draco spilt apart and hurried away, muttering nonsense to themselves. Now Draco was trudging back to the Slytherin common room, smelling of the goodness of Ginny Weasley.

That certainly wasn't good. He'd have to sterilize himself before the other Slytherins smelt him out, but that was the least of his worries.

Draco was never flustered when he kissed a girl. Instead he was cool, confident and manly and the girls loved it. Weasley however made him nervous, flustered. It was the way she spoke to him, not a trace of attraction, yet they had just….

Draco was very confused indeed.

What he need was time to think and hope…that no one had seen them.

…

Neville beamed with happiness as he entered the Gryffindor common room. He spotted his pal, Seamus in the corner watching the flames crackle merrily. "Hey! Neville cried, trying to hide the excitement in his voice.

"What are you so excited for?' questioned Seamus glumly.

"Cho Chang is coming with me to the Yule Ball," Neville puffed up with pride.

Seamus just stared.

"Was she feeling ok, Neville?"

Neville frowned. 'Yeah? Why?"

Seamus just shook his bemusedly.

Neville sighed happily. "I'm going robe shopping for the ball. Coming?'

Seamus shrugged. "I'm not coming." He stated forlornly.

Neville grimaced. "You're really going to wear last times' robes, are you? I wish I could, but it's a few inches--"

"Neville!" cried Seamus irritably. "I'm not coming to the Yule Ball."

Neville look slightly taken aback. "Oh…I see. Why?"

"Because I don't have a date, that's why!"

"Why?" prodded Neville.

Seamus just sighed.

"I'm going to find out what Lavender is hiding from me," he declared determinedly.

…

Dean was poring over his muggle football magazine when she arrived.

"Hello, Dean," voiced a deep, flirtatious voice.

Dean's head jerked up, startled.

"Pansy?" he cried, surprised.

A dark headed, pale girl, smiled shyly up at him.

"Want to go to the ball with me?" she murmured sweetly.

Dean gulped. "What?"

Pansy frowned. "I said will you--"

"No, no, I know what you said, it's just that you--I--" Dean's voice faltered.

Pansy's eyes gleamed as she inched closer. "You and I?"

Dean gulped again.

"I-I don't know," he stammered.

Pansy grinned. "I'll take that as a yes. Meet me at Hogosmeade tomorrow, I have an interesting proposition for you." With a swish of her jet-black head, she disappeared around the corner.

Dean was left his mouth hanging and his heart in his throat.

Tomorrow it is, he thought, overwhelmed.

Flamingo's Little Note: So, what did you think/ Should I try to speed it up a little? It's rather slow moving. Umm…what did you think of the diary idea. Did you get my very obvious hints about Lavender/Seamus…Harry/Parvati, Neville/Cho? But remember the pairings don't have to stay the same (hint hint)

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