The Difference One Choice Makes
25th December 1994
Meanwhile…
As Jennifer got twirled around the dance floor by Matthew Clearwater, she caught sight of her cousin, Cassiopeia Black, across the dance floor as she was dancing with a young man from Beauxbaton's named Pierre with a smile on her face.
Knowing how much Cassiopeia had been through in the last year, Jennifer felt warm inside as she watched her cousin have a good time.
Having been effectively kicked out of the Malfoy Family, Cassiopeia had left Hogwarts for a full weekend, one week after the death of her father. During this weekend she visited Gringotts with Orion, Walburga and Druella Black where she abandoned the Malfoy name and took her Mother's maiden name of Black as well as transferring all of the gold from her trust vault as well as the inheritance she received from her father into a new vault given to her by Orion Black.
Druella of course had wanted Cassiopeia to come and live with her, with Orion and Walburga wanting the same thing, though their main reason for wanting Cassiopeia with them was probably so they could give her hand to someone of their choosing for financial and political gain. But Cassiopeia turned them both down, deciding to accept Nymphadora's offer of staying at her flat instead which did not sit well with the older Black's at all.
A few arguments later, and the newly named Cassiopeia Black returned to Hogwarts with Dora in tow, having finally put her foot down with the elder Black's, making it clear that she was living with Dora, not caring how angry they got.
Glancing through the crowd she spotted Harry and Katie dancing together and chuckled, knowing of her cousin's massive crush on his Quidditch teammate that quite a few people knew about, with some even making fun of the Gryffindor Seeker for it.
As the song ended, Jennifer felt sorry for Parvati Patil, seeing that the Indian girl wanted to carry on dancing while Ron, clearly did not enjoy dancing and was taking her back to their table, being the only two that were sat down as everyone else danced the night away.
She had thought about maybe going over there to see if everything was alright but she decided against it when she saw an irate Janet Spinnet dragging her date Ivan over to the table to have words with Ron herself.
As she saw Ivan taking Parvati back onto the dance floor, she turned her attention back to her own date Matthew as the next song started.
Meanwhile…
"Come on Ron… she's been looking forward to this for weeks, just dance with her a few more times" said Janet placing her hands on her hips, looking down at a bored-looking Ron with a scowl on her face.
Ron refused to look up at her or even reply to her.
"Merlin Ron… stop being such a miserable git for once and enjoy yourself, it's a Christmas ball for pity's sake" said Janet heatedly.
Ron finally looked up at her.
"I don't like dancing" said Ron flatly.
Janet glared at him.
"So why are you trying to make Parvati's night miserable then?" said Janet angrily.
"I'm not" said Ron defiantly.
"Yes you are… she agreed to come here with you, she does not want a dance for every song, just a few of them, just make sure that she has a good time tonight" said Janet.
Ron scowled and folded his arms in annoyance.
"What do you want me to do then?" said Ron icily.
Janet slapped him on the shoulder.
"Just get up and dance with her, if you want to make yourself have a miserable night tonight then don't let me stop you… but don't ruin her night while you're at it" said Janet frostily.
That seemed to do the trick with Ron who finally got back to his feet.
"Come on… you can dance with me until Parvati is finished with Ivan" said Janet taking his hand and pulling him towards the dance floor.
Forty minutes later…
Clutching his arm, Katie turned to Harry as he led her off of the dance floor, with the music being put on hold for a short while so people could enjoy some refreshments.
"Will you get us some drinks Harry?" said Katie softly.
"What would you like?" said Harry.
"A butterbeer please" said Katie letting go of his arm.
Seeing Krum kiss a flustered Hermione on the hand before leaving her to get some drinks for them, Harry took one of Katie's hands in both of his.
"Won't be long" said Harry before he brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles drawing a smirk out of her.
Watching him head off to the refreshments table, Katie felt warm inside, knowing that he was trying to make sure she had the best night possible.
While she had known since the start of term that he fancied her, Katie had to admit that she was not entirely sure how she felt about him, having been nothing but good friends with him since they really got to know each other through the Quidditch team, she did not know if she saw him as a potential boyfriend.
As she waited for a good minute or two for him to return with their drinks, however, an unwelcome sight moved in front of her causing her to scowl.
"Wishing you'd said yes to me Bell… instead of going with a loser like Potter because you felt sorry for him?" said the smug voice of Cormac Mclaggen.
Now that did make Katie angry to hear Cormac openly mock Harry to her face and she slapped him.
"How dare you, Harry is ten times the man you are… if anything I feel sorry for you, sorry that you cannot get the word no through that thick skull of yours" snarled Katie as Cormac looked at her in shock.
"I got your butterbeer Katie" said Harry appearing next to them with two bottles of butterbeer in his hands.
Katie breathed a sigh of relief at his timely return and took the bottle he offered to her while Cormac scoffed.
"Bell and I are having a private talk Potter… so bugger off somewhere else for a bit" said Cormac frostily.
"Piss off Mclaggen… I have nothing to say to you, I am sure Sally is looking for you, so why don't you go back to her?" said Katie bitterly as Harry recoiled in shock from Cormac's words.
Cormac thankfully seemed to get the message and left them alone making Katie breathe a sigh of relief.
"Did he upset you?" said Harry looking right at her.
Katie managed a soft smile and shook her head.
"Don't worry about him Harry… he just doesn't understand the meaning of no" said Katie softly as she sipped her butterbeer.
"Are you sure… I don't want to see you upset" said Harry softly.
Katie smiled and stroked his arm in gratitude for his kind words.
"He asked me to the ball two days after I agreed to go with you… and I said no, he's been asking me out since fourth year but he never takes the hint no matter how many times I say no" said Katie with a hint of iciness in her voice.
Harry sipped his butterbeer.
"Has he really had it in for me since I got onto the Gryffindor team instead of him?" said Harry.
Katie rolled her eyes.
"He might talk big when it comes to his abilities at Quidditch Harry… but you've got more talent in your little finger than he has in his whole body" said Katie.
Harry nodded.
"Well, I'm… I'm glad you agreed to come with me" said Harry with a hint of nervousness.
Katie smirked and patted him on the shoulder.
"You asked me first, even if Lis had to give you a helping hand you still asked first, and believe me… I'd much rather spend tonight with you than him, unlike him, you're a gentleman who doesn't boast about his Quidditch skills or how his Father has high ranking friends at the Ministry every five seconds" said Katie amusedly.
Harry smiled and sipped his butterbeer, feeling warm inside at the compliment she had just given him.
"A compliment from a pretty girl, what did I do to deserve that?" said Harry teasingly causing her to smirk.
"Come on… let's finish our drinks and have another dance" said Katie.
Harry nodded in agreement.
"And cut yourself some slack Harry… you're not so bad at dancing, you haven't stepped on my toes yet" said Katie with a teasing smile on her face.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief and sipped his butterbeer before letting her lead him back towards the dance floor.
Thankfully, this music was more fast-paced and encouraged group dancing as well as couples dancing.
Harry and Katie took each other's hands, holding them tightly as they danced together with huge grins on their faces.
"See… you're doing alright" said Katie loudly, trying to make herself heard over the loud music as she held onto his hands tightly.
Nearly ten minutes earlier…
As Hermione watched Viktor make his way over to the refreshments table with a flustered look on her face, she felt both of her hands being grasped at the same time.
"Why didn't you tell us?" said Rose Snape who was standing on Hermione's right.
"That you were going with Viktor Krum?" said Eileen Snape who was standing on Hermione's left.
The two girls had left their own dates for a few minutes to come over and talk to Hermione, finally giving in to their desire to find out how Hermione ended up attending the ball with the Durmstrang Champion in the first place.
Hermione turned pink, matching the colour of her dress.
"I didn't want you to make a fuss" said Hermione sounding a little embarrassed.
Rose and Eileen tugged on her hands, moving in front of her.
"Make a fuss" said Eileen.
"You're a Champions date Hermione" said Rose excitedly.
"That practically makes you royalty tonight" said Eileen excitedly.
"And you certainly look it" said Rose.
Hermione turned even pinker before Eileen squeezed her hand.
"Tell us… how did this happen?" said Eileen, eager to hear the story.
It was then that Krum returned with his and Hermione's drinks and a slightly puzzled look on his face at the sight before him.
Hermione turned to him with a nervous smile on her face.
"Could you give us a minute Viktor… girl talk" said Hermione sweetly.
Krum managed a small smile on his usually stern face as he handed Hermione her bottle of butterbeer.
"Of course… I will wait for you back at the table" said Krum.
He gave them a small bow.
"Ladies" said Krum before walking away from them as they giggled at him.
Once he was gone, Hermione told them about how he had asked her when she and Janet were doing their homework in the library late one night a few weeks ago, telling her that he had been trying to work up the courage to ask her for a few days.
Janet, of course, knew who Hermione was going with and had ended up with a date of her own in the form of one of Krum's friends named Ivan after Krum had arranged for him to ask her.
"Half of the girls in the hall were watching you with envy when you walked in on the arm of Viktor Krum" said Rose.
"And some of them still are" said Eileen glancing around the hall where Hermione was being subjected to a few jealous looks by some of the girls.
Hermione glanced at some of the girls with a nervous look on her face causing most of them to turn away from her.
"Come on" said Eileen as the music started to play again, signalling the return to dancing.
"You can't keep Viktor waiting" said Rose.
"Not when you have the next few hours to spend with him" said Eileen as she started to lead Hermione back in the direction of the champions table to reunite her with Krum.
As Hermione was led back to the champions table, Neville watched her with a weary look on his face.
His weary look was noticed by Euphemia who squeezed his hand as they were sat down together at their table, taking a break from the dancing to enjoy some drinks instead.
"Come on Neville… who's she going to be interested in more, one of her closest friends… or someone she barely knows?" said Euphemia softly.
Neville sighed.
"How can I compete with him… he's a famous Quidditch Star and a Tri-Wizard Champion… and I'm just Neville Longbottom" said Neville wearily.
Euphemia sighed and leaned closer to him.
"Why not ask her on the next Hogsmeade trip… or see if she wants to study or do some homework with you?" said Euphemia softly.
Neville shook his head.
"Can we just forget it… come on, let's just go back to dancing" said Neville quickly.
Euphemia sighed, putting her cup of punch down and taking his hand when he stood up to get her to dance.
"Don't give up on her Neville… just because she's here with Krum doesn't mean she won't go out with you" said Euphemia softly as she was led over to the crowd on the dance floor.
26th December 1994
Having just been taken for a walk around the courtyard by Matthew Clearwater several minutes earlier, Jennifer finally arrived back at the entrance to Ravenclaw Tower at nearly one o'clock in the morning with her date who pulled her towards him.
Seeing that he was leaning towards her with the intention to kiss her, Jennifer placed her hands on his chest and turned her head away from him.
"Don't" said Jennifer, gently pushing him away from her.
As she stepped away from Matthew he looked slightly hurt and angry with her.
"Why not… I made this entire night about you, I did it all for you" said Matthew in an angry but hurt voice.
Jennifer sighed.
"You know I like you, and I thought you liked me" said Matthew.
"I do like you Matthew… but only as friends" said Jennifer softly.
Matthew suddenly leaned towards her with a sneer on his face.
"Why… is a lowly half-blood not good enough for a Daughter of House Black?" said Matthew with a sneer.
When he saw Jennifer get visibly angry, he immediately regretted what he just said.
"I shouldn't have said that" said Matthew quickly and regretfully.
"But you did" said Jennifer icily.
"I didn't mean it like that" pleaded Matthew.
Jennifer glared at him with her arms folded.
"How did you mean it… that I would not go out with a half-blood because of my family name, or that I thought you were beneath me and not good enough to be with?" said Jennifer bitterly.
"It isn't like that I swear" pleaded Matthew.
Jennifer rounded on him.
"Despite what you just implied… blood purity has nothing to do with it, like my Mother and my Brother… I am a half-blood just like you, and not only did you make yourself look like an idiot by suggesting otherwise, you also ruined whatever friendship we had" said Jennifer bitterly.
Matthew spluttered as she pushed her way past him, answering the riddle posed to her by the eagle head knocker and entering the tower without another word to him or even a glance.
Upon entering the tower, she spotted Mandy Brocklehurst, Rose Snape and Melissa Karasu sitting on one of the settees talking and laughing amongst themselves, quickly making her way over to join them before Matthew could try to drag her back into their conversation.
Meanwhile…
Harry laughed at one of Katie's jokes about how the Divination Professor Sybill Trelawney had gotten drunk on cooking sherry at the ball before she was taken back to her tower by an irate Professor Mcgonagall.
The two were walking back towards the portrait leading to Gryffindor Tower arm in arm, having greatly enjoyed their night together, even being some of the last people to leave the Great Hall as the ball finally finished.
As they reached the Fat Lady portrait, who slowly awoke from her slumber, ready to hear the password and let them into the tower, Katie took Harry's hand and turned around to face him.
"I had a lovely time Harry… thank you" said Katie softly.
Harry gulped and nodded.
"I had a really good time too" said Harry kindly, feeling his nerves return to him after hours of keeping them suppressed.
"Of course you did… you had me on your arm after all" said Katie teasingly.
Harry nodded.
"I'm glad" said Harry nervously.
Katie raised her eyebrow at him.
"Glad that you had a good time I mean" said Harry quickly.
Katie smiled and took his other hand, squeezing both of them as she stood up on her tiptoes and pressed a gentle, lingering kiss to his cheek.
Harry turned slightly red, feeling like his cheek was on fire.
"Just do something you fool" screamed Harry inside his head.
Katie smiled and let go of his hands.
"You should give yourself more credit Harry… you're a much better dancer than you told me you were, and a real gentleman, a girl would be lucky to have someone like you" said Katie kindly.
She wrapped him in a hug before being caught off guard slightly as Harry returned the kiss on the cheek she had given him by planting one of his own on her cheek as he hugged her.
Blushing slightly, Katie let go of Harry who looked nervous at what he had just done and she smiled at the sight before her.
"Well, uhm… I guess I should say goodnight then" said Harry nervously.
Katie traced her hand down his arm for a moment.
"Yeah me too… goodnight Harry" said Katie softly.
"Sleep well" said Harry quickly which widened Katie's smile.
"Pleasant dreams Harry" said Katie teasingly.
"If only you could see my dreams" thought Harry in slight embarrassment, knowing that she would be dominating his dreams when he finally went to sleep that night.
He took a deep breath.
"I really enjoyed tonight… could we hang out again, soon?" said Harry hopefully.
Katie nodded.
"That offer of flying our brooms together is still on the table… but only if you let me have a go on your Firebolt" said Katie teasingly.
"Only if you ask nicely" said Harry softly, feeling more at ease now.
Katie smirked and the two shared one last hug before she turned away from him speaking the password "Yule log" to the Fat Lady who opened the entrance for her.
Remaining in place, Harry willed himself to shout and get her attention once again as she walked through the entrance but he decided against it and let her leave his sight without another word.
Of course, he wanted to end their wonderful experience at the Yule Ball by asking her out and getting to call himself her boyfriend but he could not get the words out.
Instead, he just walked back into the Common Room, with his last sight of Katie seeing her walk up the stairs to go to bed.
Upon noticing that the only people left in the Common Room were a few of the older years, none of whom were his friends, Harry finally decided to go up to bed, finding his roommates already asleep when he arrived.
After removing his dress robes and changing into his pyjamas, Harry threw his dress robes into the laundry hamper near the bathroom door and got into bed, falling asleep seconds after his head hit the pillow.
True to form Katie did dominate his dreams that night, with the two of them sharing a kiss in the middle of the dance floor at the Yule Ball.
28th December 1994
"And he actually said that?" said Susan Bones with a slightly stunned look on her face and mild anger burning in her eyes.
Jennifer who was sitting opposite her on one of the benches in the Second Floor corridor sighed.
"Implied something along those lines yes" said Jennifer flatly.
Looking at the two cousins sat on the bench together, eagerly chatting about their experiences at the ball. One could be forgiven for thinking that they might just be non-identical twin sisters, sharing the same reddish-blonde hair and chocolate brown eyes in addition to the same soft cheekbones, though the difference in their facial features made it easier for strangers to tell them apart.
It had only taken a few minutes for Jennifer to tell Susan exactly what had happened and what got said between herself and Matthew Clearwater after they arrived back at Ravenclaw Tower following the Yule Ball.
When Jennifer eventually heard Matthew's apology, she let some of the anger she was still feeling at his words subside though the friendship between the two had been left slightly strained owing to what was said.
"What a git… and a bloody idiot to boot, ruining a really good night because he couldn't keep his opinions to himself" said Susan with a slight scoff.
Jennifer nodded and grasped Susan's hand giving it a gentle squeeze.
"How was Ernie then… did he at least show you a good time?" said Jennifer softly, changing the subject.
While Jennifer thought that Susan's fourth-year housemate and Yule Ball date Ernie Macmillan could sometimes be a bit pompous and full of himself, she knew that Susan regarded him as one of her close friends and held some romantic feelings for him.
Susan smiled and glanced down at her lap.
"It was great… he stepped on my toes a few times at first mind you, but other than that I really enjoyed it" said Susan softly.
Her lips then curled into a smirk.
"And he's taking me to Hogsmeade on Valentines Day… reckon I should drag him off to Madam Puddifoots for a snog?" said Susan wickedly.
Jennifer laughed and slapped her cousin on the arm playfully.
"And watch him faint from the shock moments later" said Jennifer, trying to calm her laughter.
Susan smirked.
"To us eh… two stunningly beautiful redheads who can drive boys crazy with our looks alone" said Susan amusedly.
"To us" said Jennifer before giggling.
After the girls had calmed down after a minute Jennifer squeezed Susan's hand.
"How's Jamie getting on by the way?" said Jennifer.
Susan crossed her legs.
"He's good… he's got a few friends in Hufflepuff and he spends most of his time with them and John" said Susan.
She was referring to her now 11-year-old brother Jamie Bones, who had been sorted into Hufflepuff and had made a few friends in some of the other Hufflepuff first years as well as spending a good portion of his time with his close friend John Lupin.
"Good to see he's settled in alright… at least he's got you in the Common Room whenever he needs you" said Jennifer.
Susan let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Please… he's too embarrassed to come to his big sister about most things, says I'd only embarrass him" said Susan with a smirk on her face.
16th January 1995
Myranda opened the letter that had just been delivered to her by her Father's screech owl with concern for what it might contain niggling at the back of her mind.
My Darling Myranda
I wanted to tell you when you came home this summer but I think it is for the best that I tell you now.
I have signed the betrothal agreement for you with Albert Runcorn for you to marry his Son and Heir Robert when the two of you have finished school.
Myranda glanced up the table to where the Fifth Year, short black haired Robert Runcorn was sitting eating his breakfast in silence thankfully not noticing her, giving Myranda some hope that he might not have been told about their signed and sealed betrothal contract.
Looking back down at the letter she continued to read.
I know that you care for Edward Potter and you might think that him being a Tri-Wizard Champion makes him a more suitable suitor for you than Robert Runcorn. But you know myself and your Mother made our feelings quite clear on your relationship with a blood traitor and member of a family with possible muggle roots when you started dating him. But out of respect for your wishes, I have ensured that young Mr Runcorn will not be told about the situation until the summer, giving you until then to end this relationship with Mr Potter and you will end it Myranda.
Anyway, your Mother and I hope you had a lovely Christmas and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Your loving father, Reginald Vaisey
Myranda sighed as she folded the letter up, feeling unsure of how to react to its contents.
Of course her father wanted to connect himself to Albert Runcorn, knowing that the man had a lot of powerful contacts in the Ministry Of Magic and would no doubt help her father with his aspirations to become Minister For Magic.
Glancing up the table at Robert Runcorn once again, Myranda still felt like she was in two minds about the situation, knowing that a marriage to him would give her the lifestyle she wanted, knowing how rich the Runcorn's were.
But when she thought about Edward she felt guilty at even thinking about her marriage contract, telling herself that she would have been happy to marry him instead. Even though she knew he was meant to be with a witch who desired to be as successful to him and not spend her days as a Lady of High Society as Myranda knew herself to be.
"Good news?" said the voice of Edward from behind her, snapping her out of her thoughts.
Turning around to face him with a small smile on her face, Myranda pocketed the letter and gratefully accepted a good morning kiss from him.
"Yes" said Myranda as he sat down next to her to get some breakfast before their morning Charms lesson.
"Want to talk about it?" said Edward, filling his pate with some bacon and eggs.
Myranda sighed and shook her head.
"No… it's not important" said Myranda.
As Edward turned his attention to his breakfast, Myranda felt a pang of guilt as she tried her hardest to think how best to tell him that she was getting made to marry someone else and thus could not be with him anymore.