Chapter 12 – A Single Pink Rose

Liz was so excited that she was finally in on the Valentine's Day fever. David, apparently, was too. He walked with Liz to Herbology and Ancient Runes every time they had it. Rachel finally managed to get the reason for Liz's unexplained happiness out of her, and then she was almost as thrilled as Liz was. "This is perfect!" she exclaimed. "You've liked him for over a year, and now he likes you back! This is so sweet!"

"So who's taking you to the dance?" Liz asked. They were in the Gryffindor common room, and Liz was lounging about in a comfy armchair. For once, she didn't feel like doing homework.

"No one's asked me yet," Rachel said meaningfully, looking over at Michael. They had gone together as friends for two years. Michael opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off when John Peterson approached them.

"Rachel, do you want to go to the dance with me?" he asked bluntly.

Rachel's mouth hung open for a second. She glanced over at Michael. "Sure, John," she said finally. "I'll go to the dance with you. But I thought you liked Liz?"

"Not anymore. To be quite honest, I asked Bettie Hess first, but she asked Hagrid's helper, Chris. So then I asked you. I'll see you there, then." And he strode off. Michael spoke first.

"Grace, tact, and skill. He's the perfect package, Rach," he said sarcastically.

"Has he never heard of discretion?" Liz said.

"I don't want to go with him!" said Rachel. "Michael, ask me to go with you!"

"Then you'd have to turn me down. You already have a date." He looked slightly discouraged about this.

"Maybe I can tell him I forgot you asked me?" Rachel said hopefully.

"Forgot," Liz repeated. "He was sitting right behind you and you forgot?"

"Then maybe he'll think I'm stupid and won't want to go with me. That sounds convincing, right? Doesn't it?"

They stared at her blankly.

"Fine," Rachel grumbled. "I'll go with him."

"Such a tragedy. Especially since you accepted him," said Liz.

"That was before I knew he liked Bettie!" Rachel said hotly, shuddering. "Eurgh."

"And she asked Chris. How can he have said yes?" Liz said. "He knows she's horrible to us."

"Horrible to us, maybe, but not to him," said Michael. "She's nice around him."

"True," said Rachel. "Who are you going to ask, Michael? Since you missed your chance to ask me."

"Who else is there?"

"Alberta?"

"Boyfriend."

"Desiree?"

"Older boyfriend."

"Ask someone from a different house, then."

"I don't know anyone."

Rachel pursed her lips at him and turned back to her homework she was doing.

On the night of February fourteenth, Liz and Rachel helped each other get ready for the dance. Rachel, as fanatical about hair and makeup as she was did both of those on herself and Liz with spells. Liz was amazed. "See what you can do when you put your mind to it, Rachel?"

Rachel pretended not to hear her. "What earrings go best with my dress robes, Liz?" she asked.

After all preparation was complete, Liz and Rachel descended the stairs to the common room. John was waiting for his date. "You look amazing," he told Rachel.

"And you look…er…nice…" John had slicked his hair back and put on some cologne that made Liz lightheaded even from a few feet away. She couldn't imagine how Rachel felt. He also had on navy blue dress robes with a high-necked collar, making him look slightly like a vampire in Muggle literature. Rachel coughed. "The cologne is—er—interesting, John."

"Thank you." He offered her his arm, which she took reluctantly, making faces at Liz over her shoulder. As John and Rachel left, Michael came down the stairs in his green dress robes.

"You look like Christmas, Michael," Liz told him.

"Thanks. Why aren't you with David?"

"He said he'd meet me at the Great Hall at seven."

Michael checked his watch. "It's five after."

"Darn. Come on, let's go."

"Did Rachel leave already?" Michael asked disappointedly as they crossed the common room.

"Yes. Why?"

But Michael didn't answer. He was staring confusedly at someone in the hallway. Liz turned to see David. "David! What are you doing here? You said you'd meet me in the Great Hall."

"What, I can't surprise you? You look absolutely stunning. Here," he said, handing her a single pink rose. She sniffed it gingerly, a bit miffed. "I know what you're thinking," he told her. "Pink stands for friendship. But it also stands for something I hope will blossom into a deeper…color."

Liz smiled. "Thank you."

He offered her his arm, which she took willingly. The pair headed off to the Great Hall, Michael trailing behind.

The Great Hall looked incredible. The usual lights had been dimmed, but a candle hovered above each of the smaller tables on one side of the Hall, creating an odd shimmering effect. The other side of the Hall was the dance floor. While Michael took a seat at one of the empty tables, David ushered Liz to the other side.

"I'm really not very good at dancing," Liz admitted, feeling her cheeks burn.

"It's not something anyone can teach you," David told her. "It's a trial and error thing. See…" He clasped her hand in one of his and slipped the other around her waist. She placed her free hand on his shoulder and let him guide her all around the floor, spinning at the perfect moment. Nearby, Bettie danced with Chris, circling Liz and David twice. Chris gave Liz a half-smile, which she barely noticed. David eyes were a fixatingly clear brown…

"Excuse us, I have two left feet," said Bettie, who had steered Chris directly into Liz. Liz fell to the floor, bringing David down with her. The result amused Bettie, who moved Chris over slightly, still keeping an eye on the couple. David helped Liz up.

Bettie seemed to be tailing them, as Liz couldn't help noticing. Every time David was facing her, she batted her eyelashes and pouted her lips, but when David turned away, she shot Liz glares over his shoulder.

"Jealous," she murmured. The word was barely audible, but David caught it. "Hmm?" he said, eyebrows raised.

"Nothing," she said quickly. But now it was clear. Bettie had asked Chris to the dance for the same reason she wouldn't let them out of her sight: She was jealous of David and she wanted to make David jealous as well.

"Want some punch?" Liz suggested.

David accepted and they headed over to the refreshment table. Nearby, Michael was sitting and Rachel was talking to him. John sat next to her, occasionally glancing over and making an impatient noise deep in his throat. David got both him and Liz punch, and the sat, sipping it slowly. Liz was trying to think of something to say.

Bettie and Chris came over. "Hello, David," Bettie said icily.

"Hello, David. Hi, Liz," said Chris.

Bettie raised her eyebrows at him. He made a face back at her. She scowled back at him. Liz smiled. Somehow, this was fun to watch, as Chris seemed to be winning.

Finally they stopped. David stood. "As fun as this has been to watch, this is a dance, so we're going to dance." He took Liz's hand and led her back to the dance floor. Bettie didn't bother them for the rest of the time.

At last, the dance ended with groans from all the participants. David escorted Liz back to Gryffindor Tower. On the way, they passed Bettie, who was looking particularly murderous since Chris had abandoned her as soon as the dance was over.

"Here we are," said David at last, outside the portrait of the Fat Lady. Then he began to lean in to kiss Liz good night. Liz froze. What was he doing? She turned her head, so his lips met her cheek. He pulled back, unsatisfied.

"I know you like me, and I like you too. I just think we should take it slowly. We barely even know each other, if you think about it. This rose still needs time to blossom," she said, holding up her pink rose.

"I feel the same way too," he said, but it was obvious he didn't. He touched her hand briefly and left, leaving Liz to climb through the portrait hole, dazed with many thoughts.