Disclaimer: The usual disclaimer.

WHITE LILIES

CHAPTER NINETEEN: "I'LL BE WAITING"

Wednesday.

The Great Hall was filled with the chattering of the seventh years, mostly of the female population. They were all talking about the upcoming Graduation Ball. All were talking about the dresses and shoes that they're going to wear and about the styles they're going to do with their hair. They would all start on giggling everytime a guy approach them or just even pass them.

Of course, all except me.

"Seamus asked me to be his date last night," Lavander said to Parvati loudly, making sure that everyone sitting around the Gryffindor table could hear her. Harry and I were sitting across them.

"Really?" Parvati squealed.

"And he did it in front of everyone that was present in our Common Room," Lavander continued. "Isn't he so sweet?"

"Indeed," Parvati replied dreamily. "I wish Neville did the same thing to me. He just cornered me after our class in Transfiguration yesterday and asked me to be his partner when everyone was gone."

"Well, Neville is a shy boy," Lavander said. Then, she suddenly turned to me. "How about you, Hermione? Who's your date for the special night?"

"Oh – I – er – nobody's asked me yet," I stammered, blushing. Both of the girls gasped.

"WHAT!" Lavander shrieked. "No one's asked you? Oh my god!"

"Ssshh, please don't be so loud," I pleaded while I slowly sank in my chair.

"But, Hermione, that's terrible!" Parvati exclaimed. "You've got to act immediately! You've gotta move! You've gotta do something – anything!"

"Do what? Why?" I asked them.

"Beautify yourself! Start on attracting guys! Go get yourself a partner!" Lavander said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"She's right. You must quit studying first and make some action," Parvati added. "Before everyone's taken."

"Quit studying for that ball?" I said. "No, thank you."

"But if you don't follow our advice, you won't have any partner and you'll be that person Professor McGonagall was talking about!" Lavander said.

"No, she won't," Harry said suddenly and he wrapped his arm around me protectively. "And she wouldn't need to beautify herself and do anything of that sort. She's already beautiful and I'm sure she attracts guys better that both of you. You'll be surprised if you see her with – a hunk, perhaps?"

"Like Viktor Krum?" Parvati asked.

Harry grinned. "Maybe even better than Viktor Krum."

"Is that so?" Lavander said, raising an eyebrow. She was insulted when Harry said I could attract guys better than her. Which I thought was a bunch of crap. I'll never surpass these women when it comes to beauty.

"Yep."

"So, Harry, did you asked anyone to come with you to the Ball yet?" Parvati asked him.

"Now that you've mentioned it – yes, I already gave my invitation to her."

I was surprised. He asked her already? I caught his eye and then he winked at me.

"Well, who is she and what was her answer? Did she accept your invitation or reject it?" Lavander inquired, suddenly becoming interested.

Harry laughed. "Well, I haven't got her response yet. In fact, I'm not sure if she received it already."

"Who is she?" Lavander and Parvati said in unison.

Yes, who is she, Harry? I said to myself.

"I'm not telling both of you who she is," said Harry, smiling. "I don't want rumors to be scattering around. She doesn't like rumors, I tell you."

"You know her that much, huh?" Lavander asked.

"Sure."

"Do we know her?"

"Of course. And if you're planning to ask, she's a lot prettier than both of you – combined."

With that, Lavander and Parvati left muttering to themselves.

"That was so rude," I told Harry but I was smiling. "You've hurt them badly. They might jinx you."

"I just told them the truth," he said. "What's wrong about that?"

I was about to tell him that it was Parvati and Lavander that he was talking to, and those girls think that they're the most beautiful girls here in school. Telling them that there's a girl prettier that them would be an insult even though it was the truth. But I was interrupted by the owl post once again. Two owls flew towards me. I took the daily prophet and the bouquet of lilies from them. Then I noticed that there was something pink attached to the lilies.

It was the invitation.

I took it with a shaking hand and read.

The time has come to reveal who I am.

Please come with me to the Ball. Send your response with this owl.

If you're not decided yet, send it in another day

after I send you the lilies in the morning.

I'll be waiting.

I placed the invitation slowly on the table. I noticed that the owl was still there and waiting for my reply. But what should I say? Should I go with him?

I made my decision and sent the owl away. I saw that Harry was staring at me intently.

"What was that?" he asked me.

"He asked me to be his partner."

"What did you say?"

"I haven't decided if I should accept his invitation or not."

"I thought you like him?"

"I do," I said, fumbling with my fingers. "But I don't know if want discover who he really is."

"But you have to make your decision before Friday night."

"I know."

We were silent for about a minute or two. It was Harry who broke the silence.

"I think we better go. We're late for Potions. I don't want Snape to have a reason to deduct points from Gryffindor." He started gathering his things.

"Harry?"

"Hmm?"

"If – if that girl that you asked – er – decides to reject your invitation," I said slowly. "I can be your partner. I mean – if only she won't accept it and if you want to, of course!" Then I turned a deep shade of red. Why did you say that? Stupid, stupid, stupid...

He looked at me for a long time. He seemed to be deep in thought. I'm starting to regret that I told him that.

Then he smiled weakly. "We'll see." He held up a hand and I took it. Together, we went to Potions.