Chapter 12

Partners?

On the morning of the 31st, I told Fred and George to take three drops of Aging Potion. That should give them a year in age, so that if we'd miscalculated the years per drop, they'd still (hopefully) make it past.

But they got spit out by the Age Line and were sporting brilliant beards.

"You… stupid…idiots!" I scolded through fits of laughter. "You only took one drop didn't you?" I finally let out a fit of laughter so severe that I fell to the ground, clutching my side.

"You okay?" asked a voice.

"I'm okay. I just realized that Fred and George are the world's biggest gits. Oh…hey Cedric!"

Cedric helped me up, and then told me,

"I entered the Triwizard Tournament."

"I hope it's you or Angelina, then! We need a Quidditch player representing Hogwarts!" I remarked as I rushed off to Arithmancy.

The rest of Halloween seemed to drag on forever, until the Goblet finally spit out a name. Dumbledore announced Krum from Durmstrang (surprise, surprise) and Fleur from Beauxbatons (all the boys seemed to go crazy). Then Dumbledore announced the Hogwarts champion, "Cedric Diggory!" I had to resist the urge to go up and hug him, but settled for screaming and whistling. Lots and lots of whistling.

"Pretty Boy won," muttered Fred.

I was just about to hit him when Dumbledore announced, "Harry Potter!"

To say we were in shock would be a gross understatement. Even Harry seemed dumbfounded. It was like he didn't know he had entered. But, nevertheless, he entered the next room to the big heap of confusion that was waiting for him.

Fred, George, and Lee went back to the common room to get a party ready for Harry. I helped, but didn't really think Harry would appreciate it.

"Why'd the goblet spit out four names?" I asked George.

"Who cares? Harry'll be able to beat Cedric!" he exclaimed.

"As long as somebody from Hogwarts wins, I'm happy," I replied stonily.

"Don't tell me you're rooting for Cedric!" complained Fred.

"I'm rooting for my friends," I retorted. Fred and George dropped the subject, just as Harry entered the common room to a bunch of cheering. After a while, we all retired, and I was left to wondering what the first task would be.

The weeks before the first task seemed to blend into one long day of goofing off with Fred and George, growing closer to Cedric, and studying. But when the first task came, it was amazing. When we all saw the dragons, just about everybody screamed. (Draco did. Hahaha, that #$!) Fleur, Krum, Cedric, and Harry all did beautifully against their dragons (especially Harry). But I do have to admit that I would have like to see Draco have a go with the dragon and get his head bitten off. (explicit image) That would be funny. We all celebrated Harry's victory in the Gryffindor common room. The egg was really annoying, but I do like Fred and George's theory at having to attack Percy in the shower. And I do have to admit, the drawings with Cedric's head on fire were funny.

Fred and George perfected the fake wands and made A LOT of money from them. Everything was going well…until the day in Transfiguration.

"I'm sure you all know about the Yule Ball," stated McGonagall. At the blank looks on half the classes' faces, McGonagall continued. "The Yule Ball is a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament, and gives us a chance to interact with the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. The Yule Ball lasts from 8:00 to midnight on Christmas, and takes place in the Great Hall. I hope all Gryffindor students behave, or they will suffer my displeasure." With that last comment, she looked directly at George, Fred, Lee and I, who were whispering about Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. "This is the event where your dress robes are to be worn, and I hope you will all find suitable partners," she finished.

I shot my hand into the air and asked, "First of all, this is the only reason we bought dress robes? And secondly, partners?"

"Yes, this is why you bought dress robes. And dance partners, Miss Malfoy. You don't need to find one, but it is most advisable," she answered. Just then, the bell rang, and I rushed off to Potions, not wanting to be late.

At the end of the lesson, Cedric seemed really uncomfortable. "Paige? I really need to ask you something."

"I can't stay! Fred and George'll kill me if I'm late for Charms! We're supposed to sell fake wands before class," I explained.

"Well…I'll ask you later then!" Cedric yelled to my retreating back.

"Sure! See you later!" I yelled, before breaking into a complete run.

Fred, George, and I sold a couple of wands, and right before we entered Charms, George asked a really unexpected question. "Will you go to the Yule Ball with me?"

"I'd love to! As friends?"

"As friends." And with that, I'd found a date to the Yule Ball.

At dinner that night, I went over to the Hufflepuff table and asked Cedric, "So what is it that you wanted to ask me?"

"I was wondering," he started, "if you'd like to go to the Yule Ball with me?"

"I'm so sorry! I just said I'd go with George. George Weasley," I answered, embarrassed.

"Well, you'd better save a dance for me."

"Only if you save one for me!" I was ecstatic as I gave Cedric a hug and walked back to the Gryffindor table. I'd just gotten myself two dances with Cedric Diggory.

I told Fred and George, and they didn't seem happy at all. It wasn't the fact that I'd agreed to dance with someone else; it was the fact that it was Cedric.

"He's gonna be groping you the whole time," growled Fred.

"No he won't!" I insisted.

"That's 'cuz we won't let him."

"We'll be breathing down your necks to make sure he stays six inches away."

"You're crazy!"

"No we aren't. It's normally a one foot rule." Giving up on the argument, and not wanting them to raise it up to a foot limit, I started eating.

"How do you think Harry's faring with the egg?" I asked.

"Don't know. But I do hope the task is to attack Percy in the shower," mused Fred. "That would be the best day of my life."

"I don't know. That puts a bad image in my mind," contradicted George. We laughed and headed out of the Great Hall.

"Wait! I gotta get the fact that I'm gonna wear a Muggle dress cleared with McGonagall," I told Fred and George, as I approached Professor McGonagall. "Professor? Instead of buying dress robes, I bought a Muggle dress. Is that okay?"

"Yes, of course. As long as it's not about a centimeter big."

"It's not," I answered and ran to catch up with Fred and George.

The weeks before the Yule Ball passed quickly with the explosion of Canary Creams, and I looked forward to goofing off with George and dancing with Cedric. Fred had asked Angelina to the ball, and, of course, she accepted.

The night of the Yule Ball came and I slipped into the Muggle dress, feeling as if it was made just for me. I slipped on silver heels and let my long, blond hair hang loose. My grey eyes sparkled as I came out of my dormitory and took the arm of George Weasley. I could tell the Yule Ball was going to be spectacular.

A/N: Mini cliff hanger! What shall happen at the Yule Ball? And what do the Beatles have to do with anything?