Diary of an Orphan (re-written)

by StrangeLittleWeirdo

Jenna grew up alone in an orphanage with no knowledge of who she was or where she came from. It wasn't until an owl arrived with a letter for her, and a man named Remus Lupin walked into her life, that she learnt she was so much more than she originally thought and her life would never be the same again.

26. Breaking Expectations

Chapter 25

Breaking Expectations

With the First Task now behind us, Harry, Hermione and I had to catch up Ron with everything he had missed since his and Harry's falling out. Knowing the common room would be too risky in case we were overheard, we filled him in as we walked to the Owlery so Harry could send a letter to Dad to let him know he'd managed to get past the dragon. Ron's reaction to the news of Karkaroff being a Death Eater swiftly changed from shock when we left the Gryffindor Tower, to saying we should have known it all along by the time we'd reached the Owlery, as if it had been obvious.

'Fits, doesn't it?' he said. 'Remember what Malfoy said on the train, about his dad being friends with Karkaroff? Now we know where they knew each other. They were probably running around in masks together at the World Cup … I'll tell you one thing, though, Harry, if it was Karkaroff who put your name in the Goblet, he's going to be feeling really stupid now, isn't he? Didn't work, did it? You only got a scratch!'

'Anyone would think Karkaroff was wearing a sign on his back saying, "I was a Death Eater", the way Ron's making it sound,' I muttered under my breath to Hermione so the boys couldn't hear. '"How could we miss it when it was so obvious?"'

'Then we know he's back to normal,' Hermione muttered back.

'Good point.'

Harry sent Pigwidgeon off with his letter once Ron had seized him out of mid-air and held him still long enough for the letter to be attached to his leg. With the letter secured, Ron walked over to the glassless window and unceremoniously threw Pigwidgeon out of it. The weight of the letter caused him to plummet several feet before his tiny wings gained enough momentum for him to fly off, a tiny brown dot zooming into the distance.

Ron's renewed bravado continued as we returned to the Tower, going as far to say confidently, 'I reckon you could win this Tournament, Harry, I'm serious.' He was definitely back to normal.

If there was anything Gryffindors knew how to do, it was how to throw a party to celebrate something. Food and drink had been supplied from the Hogwarts kitchens courtesy of Fred and George and was spread over almost every table in the common room; Lee had set off some of his collection of Dr Filibuster's Fabulous No-Heat, Wet-Start Fireworks, which were noisily flying around the ceiling, showering colourful sparks through the air; and Dean had drawn several banners that were now hung on the walls and bookcases depicting Harry taking on the Horntail. Everyone was discussing Harry's triumph. From how he Summoned his broom flawlessly to passing so close to the Horntail he was lucky he only got a scratch. Interest soon moved on to the prize from the task: the Golden Egg. In seconds people were chanting for Harry to open it and so, bowing to the crowd, Harry dug his nails into the groove of the Egg and prised it open.

It felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice-cold water over me as a shiver shot down my spine when I heard the noise that came from the Egg. A horrible screech filled the entire common room. Instantly people were covering their ears and backing away from Harry and the Egg. There were no words to describe what it sounded like, only that it was almost unbearable to hear. The wailing continued until Harry had the sense to finally shut its shell again.

'What was that?' asked Seamus, staring at the Egg in Harry's hands.

'It was someone being tortured!' said Neville. His face had whitened. 'You're going to have to fight the Cruciatus Curse!'

'Don't be a prat, Neville, that's illegal,' said George. 'They wouldn't use the Cruciatus Curse on the champions. I thought it sounded a bit like Percy singing … maybe you've got to attack him while he's in the shower, Harry.'

I chuckled a George's joke. He must have heard as he then caught my eye and winked.

'Want a jam tart, Hermione?' I heard Fred asking. 'It's all right. I haven't done anything to them. It's the custard creams you've got to watch – Just my little joke, Neville,' Fred added, as Neville spat out the one he'd been eating.

'More Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes products?' I asked George.

'Maybe,' said George slyly.

My attention was drawn away from George when I heard Hermione ask Fred something about getting into the school kitchens with a suspiciously casual tone in her voice. I frowned. Why did Hermione want to know where the kitchens were? Fred and George warned her straight off not to go messing with the house-elves with her rights campaigning, but the conversation was diverted when Neville suddenly burst into a puff of yellow feathers having turned into a large canary. Seconds later he had moulted and was back to normal, joining in the laughter that the prank had caused.

'OK, that was impressive,' I said to George.

'Was that a compliment?' asked George. 'Excuse me while I savour this moment,' holding up his arms in mock triumph, 'Fred and I have managed to impress Jenna Black.'

I raised my eyebrow at him.

'Knock it off,' I said dismissively. A smirk did lift the corner of my lip though. I took a drink of my Butterbeer to hide it. 'I'm not that hard to impress.'

'Says the witch who turned down Cedric Diggory,' laughed George. I paused, confused.

'How did you know about that?' I asked slowly.

'It's Hogwarts, Jenna, word spreads,' replied George. I gave George a pointed look. He seemed to wilt under my gaze and a slightly guilty look appeared on his face. 'I saw Diggory heading to the Shrieking Shack, and I followed him.'

'You followed him?' I repeated. 'Why would you do that?'

'I thought he was up to something,' said George. 'He could have been cheating to get through the First Task or something. I didn't know he was meeting you. Then I sort of wondered why he was meeting you, so I hid in the bushes to make sure he didn't try anything,' he finished awkwardly.

'You spied on me?' I couldn't believe it. 'George, you had no right to do that,' I said. I set down my drink and folded my arms. 'It's none of your business why I was meeting Cedric, and even if he had tried something, I can take care of myself.'

'I didn't mean it like that,' said George. He rubbed the back of his neck. 'I know you can take care of yourself but you're fourteen and he's seventeen. I'd do the same for Ginny –'

'That's not the point!' I snapped. 'George, what you did was an invasion of privacy and I'll thank you in future to keep your nose out of things that don't concern you.'

'Jenna,' started George but I wouldn't let him continue.

'No, George, I'm not part of your family – not that that has anything to do with it – but you had no right to get involved in my personal life, nor is it any of your business if I had decided to date Cedric or not,' I said firmly. 'End of conversation.'

I turned on my heel and walked off to the girls' dormitory, annoyed by George's actions. He had no right to do what he did even if he claimed he was looking out for me.

Another good reason, I thought, not to start dating if people are going to put their noses in things that aren't their business.

December came. The Hogwarts castle became draughty and cold, even with the fires that were now lit in the corridors, which for some of our visitors was not pleasant. While the Durmstrang students had their furs and thick coats to wear that kept them protected against the cold, which were perfect in their native northern Europe but maybe a bit excessive here, the Beauxbatons' uniform, whose school was located in the warmer climates of southern Europe, was impractical for the change in weather and they were frequently heard complaining from beneath their scarves and mufflers whenever they emerged from their carriage for meals. Outside frost glazed the grassy grounds and decorated the windows of the greenhouses with beautiful crystal patterns. The grey wintry sky was clear but sunless, and whenever you stepped outside from the warmth of the castle, you could feel the noticeable drop in temperature the moment the cold air hit your face.

Care of Magical Creatures classes became more difficult with the change in weather, as on top of the Skrewts we had to deal with the fumes that were wafting over to Hagrid's Hut from the malt whiskey Hagrid was feeding the Beauxbatons Abraxons, the warmed liquor making anyone who inhaled it rather lightheaded, and when you were dealing with the Skrewts you needed your wits about you. It was not easy trying to coax the Skrewts into boxes to see if they hibernated when your head was fuzzy from alcohol fumes. We soon found out that the Skrewts did not appreciate being nailed into large wooden crates lined with fluffy pillows and blankets and to show their dislike they decided to go on a rampage around the pumpkin patch. The class scattered the moment the first crate exploded, taking refuge in Hagrid's Hut, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle in the lead.

'Well, well, well … this does look like fun.'

I looked away from the Skrewt I was currently restraining with Hermione's help to see Rita Skeeter had appeared, her crocodile handbag slung over her arm at the ready. I winced as I felt the Skrewt pull against me, its hot blasting end burning my hand as her appearance had distracted me. Rita was leaning on the fence of the pumpkin patch watching the commotion, that thin-lipped smile on her face again. Harry and Ron were seconds from being attacked when Hagrid launched himself on to the last remaining free Skrewt, whose blast reduced some nearby pumpkins to ash. He wrestled a collar on to it before finally addressing her arrival.

'Who're you?' he asked gruffly, giving the leash a hard tug to pull the Skrewt away from his remaining pumpkins.

'Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet reporter,' replied Rita. A couple of gold teeth glinted through her toothy smile.

'Thought Dumbledore said you weren' allowed inside the school anymore?' said Hagrid, frowning.

Rita seemed to not him here, instead her eyes turning on the Skrewts.

'What are these fascinating creatures called?' she asked.

'Blast-Ended Skrewts,' grunted Hagrid.

'Really?' said Rita. 'I've never heard of them before … where do they come from?'

Hagrid flushed. I swallowed; I'd never questioned where the Skrewts had come from despite having never heard of them before. I knew what Hagrid's history with creatures was like though: a dragon from a stranger in a pub that turned out to be Voldemort in disguise; a three-headed dog from a Greek chappie. Where had Hagrid got them?

'They're very interesting, aren't they?' said Hermione beside me suddenly. 'Aren't they, Harry?'

'What?' said Harry. 'Oh, yeah … ouch … interesting …'

'Ah, you're here, Harry!' said Rita, seeing him. 'So you like Care of Magical Creatures, do you? One of your favourite lessons?'

'Yes,' said Harry firmly. Hagrid beamed.

'Lovely,' said Rita. I didn't like the tone she had said that with. Like it was saying "sure you do". Her eyes also seemed to cast over the rest of the class with our various burns and cuts; Seamus was rubbing his burnt fingers; Dean had a cut on his cheek he was dabbing with a tissue; and Lavender was putting out her singed robes. 'Really lovely. Been teaching long?' she asked Hagrid.

'This is on'y me second year,' replied Hagrid.

'Lovely …' said Rita again with the same disbelieving tone. 'I don't suppose you'd like to give me an interview, would you? Share some of your experience of magical creatures? The Prophet does a zoological column every Wednesday, as I'm sure you know. We could feature these – er – Bang-Ended Scoots.'

'Blast-Ended Skrewts,' Hagrid corrected her. 'Er – yeah, why not?'

I didn't like the sound of this. Neither it seemed did Hermione and Harry. But there was no way we'd be able to warn Hagrid in front of Rita to not do the interview as he could get in a lot of trouble. Especially given his track record of saying something he shouldn't have. There was no way she wouldn't spin whatever he said to come across in a very bad light. The bell rang up. We had no choice but to leave Hagrid to arrange his interview with her and we made our way back up to the castle.

'She'll twist everything he says,' Harry muttered to us as we made our way across the grass.

'Just as long as he didn't import those Skrewts illegally or anything,' said Hermione.

'No, because Hagrid is known for getting his creatures from legit sources,' I said, sending her a look.

'Hagrid's been in loads of trouble before, and Dumbledore's never sacked him,' said Ron. 'Worst that can happen is Hagrid'll have to get rid of the Skrewts. Sorry … did I say worst? I mean best.'

Harry, Hermione and I couldn't help but laugh. Maybe the interview wouldn't be so bad if it did mean we didn't have to deal with the Skrewts anymore.

Harry, Ron and I swapped one set of heady fumes for another after lunch as we had double Divination, but it was much more bearable now Harry and Ron were talking again and we spent the class whispering to each other as Professor Trelawney went on about how Pluto could disrupt everyday life. She only stopped when she finally became irritated enough by our sniggering and turned on the three of us with a sharp, albeit enlarged by her thick glasses, stare.

'I would think,' she said, her mystical whisper not covering her annoyance at our antics, 'that some of us –' her eyes fixed on Harry, '– might be a little less frivolous had they seen what I have seen, during my crystal-gazing last night. As I sat here, absorbed in my needlework, the urge to consult the orb overpowered me. I arose, I settled myself before it, and I gazed into its crystalline depths … and what do you think I saw gazing back at me?'

'An ugly old bat in outsize specs?' muttered Ron under his breath.

Harry and I fought back out sniggered. I bit my lip to try and keep a straight face.

'Death, my dears!' announced Professor Trelawney over us, to Parvati and Lavender's shocked gasps. I rolled my eyes. Parvati and Lavender were Trelawney's biggest fans and took everything she said so literally. 'Yes, it comes ever close, it circles overhead like a vulture, ever lower … ever lower over the castle …'

'It'd be a bit more impressive if she hadn't done it about eighty times before,' said Harry when we were finally released from class. He, Ron and I descended the ladder from the Divination classroom and headed back towards the Gryffindor Tower to dump our school bags before dinner. 'But if I'd dropped dead every time she's told me I'm going to, I'd be a medical miracle.'

As Hermione had Arithmancy while we were at Divination, we assumed we'd see her down at dinner. But she wasn't there. Nor was she in the library when we checked there just in case she'd gone straight there after class. Krum was though, as was his fan group which put Ron off getting his autograph, and we knew how Hermione hated being in the library when Krum was. It was only when we were outside the Gryffindor Tower waiting for the portrait of the Fat Lady to swing open and let us in that Hermione came running up to us. Out of breath and hair flying everywhere, she started to drag Harry away from the portrait hole insisting that we had to follow her immediately, giving us no choice but to follow her to wherever it was she wanted us to go.

We followed Hermione back down the Changing Staircase and to the Entrance Hall but instead of going outside or down to the dungeons or into the Great Hall, Hermione took us down a corridor that we rarely ever went down. It was I recognised that Hufflepuffs would take to get to their common room. But why would Hermione be taking us here? We couldn't get into their common room without one of them. But it wasn't the Hufflepuff basement Hermione was leading us to. We diverted down a side corridor into one full of still life paintings of various foods. We came to a stop in front of a large ornated framed one of a silver fruit bowl. It was then Harry, Ron and I finally realised what Hermione was doing.

'You're trying to rope us into that spew stuff again!' said Ron.

'No, no, I'm not!' insisted Hermione. 'And it's not spew, Ron –'

'Changed the name, have you?' said Ron, frowning. 'What are we now, then, the House-Elf Liberation Front? I'm not barging into that kitchen and trying to make them stop work, I'm not doing it –'

'I'm not asking you to!' said Hermione impatiently. 'I came down here just now, to talk to them all, and I found – oh, come on, Harry, I want to show you!'

Whatever it was that Hermione wanted to show Harry had better be important as I was with Ron on this (not that I would ever admit that to him); it was not our place to get involved with the work of the Hogwarts house-elves. Hermione seized Harry's arm and pulled him in front of the picture of the fruit bowl. Then, much to my surprised, Hermione reached out a hand and tickled the large green pear with her index finger. It started to wriggle and squirm before transforming into a door handle. Hermione seized it and pulled the door open, leading the way inside.

'What could possibly be in the kitchen that Hermione wants us to see?' asked Ron exasperatedly before following after her.

I followed Ron and Harry through the pear-shaped door. For a moment I thought I had stepped into the Great Hall, but soon I saw instead I was inside a room merely just as large with a similarly high ceiling. Four long tables sat empty in the middle of the room, mirroring the four House tables that had to be directly above us. Lining the walls of the kitchen were multiple stoves and cookers; surfaces were covered in piles of brass pots and pans and cupboards filled with plates and bowls; an entire area was dedicated to washing up with a large sink and multiple taps, stacks of dirty utensils and used cooking equipment waiting to be washed; and running in every direction were dozens of house-elves. And one was heading straight for us.

'Harry Potter, sir! Harry Potter!'

My eyes followed as the tiny creature barrelled headfirst into Harry's legs and wrapped its arms around his waist. Barely taller than Harry's waist, the house-elf stared up at Harry with a pair of large green eyes that seemed to be filling with tears as we stood there and a look of reverence I'd never seen anyone look at Harry with before. Harry's gasp confirmed to me that this was the aforementioned Dobby, the house-elf who had gone out of his way to "save" Harry's life in our second year at Hogwarts who Harry had then tricked his former master, Lucius Malfoy, into freeing. The freeing of a house-elf means that the elf in question becomes the recipient of clothes, which for some, like the house-elf Winky we met at the Quidditch World Cup, is a symbol of disobedience and disgrace. For Dobby, however, appeared to wear his clothes as a badge of pride.

The numerous house-elves around us all wore the same tea-towel styled into a toga that bore the Hogwarts crest. Dobby, meanwhile, was wearing what had to be the most mismatched set of clothes I'd ever seen. Children's football shorts that were too large for his skinny frame; a horseshoe patterned tie hung round his neck with the thinner end much longer than the thicker end; there was a black sock on his left foot and a pink and orange striped one on his right; and finally, perched on top of his head was a multicoloured knitted tea-cosy.

'Dobby, what are you doing here?' asked Harry.

'Dobby has come to work at Hogwarts, sir!' Dobby squealed. 'Professor Dumbledore gave Dobby and Winky jobs, sir!'

'Winky?' said Harry. 'She's here, too?'

'Yes, sir, yes!' said Dobby.

Dobby took Harry's hand and pulled him forwards. Ron, Hermione and I followed. All around us house-elves were bowing and curtseying to us. It actually started to make me feel a bit uncomfortable. I know house-elves were loyal to their masters but the four of us were just students; they shouldn't feel the need to bow to us. My stomach twinged. All of a sudden Hermione's cause made a bit more sense to me. Dobby led us over to a large brick fireplace. Sat on a stool in front of the fire, also dressed in clothes like Dobby, was a very sorry looking Winky, Barty Crouch's former house-elf. Freedom didn't seem to be treating Winky as well as Dobby. Her blouse was covered in stains and there was a burn on her skirt. She looked awful and when Harry said hello to her, she burst into tears.

'Would Harry Potter like a cup of tea?' Dobby squeaked over Winky's sobs.

'Er – yeah, OK,' said Harry.

I felt something dig into my waist. A large silver tray had appeared from nowhere with a teapot and four sets of cups and saucers on top of it, as well as a jug of milk and a plate of biscuits. Peering round it I saw about six house-elves were holding it up between them. Hermione frowned when Ron applauded their service, but they beamed in joy before bowing again and going back to their work.

'How long have you been here, Dobby?' asked Harry. Dobby handed him a cup of tea then one to Ron, Hermione and me. I took it but didn't drink it and I didn't have the heart to tell the house-elves I didn't actually like tea.

'Only a week, Harry Potter, sir!' said Dobby, beaming. 'Dobby came to see Professor Dumbledore, sir. You see, sir, it is very difficult for a house-elf who has been dismissed to get a new position, sir, very difficult indeed –'

Winky let out another loud howl. I couldn't help but cringe slightly. Her large round nose was running and her distress was very uncomfortable to watch. The other house-elves were also doing nothing to comfort her. They were just watching her and every so often and shaking their heads.

'Dobby has travelled the country for two whole years, sir, trying to find work!' squeaked Dobby. 'But Dobby hasn't found work, sir, because Dobby wants paying now!'

This was clearly too much for the house-elves as they all hurriedly looked away. As if Dobby had said something very rude.

'Good for you, Dobby!' said Hermione.

'Thank you, miss!' said Dobby. He smiled a rather toothy smile at her. 'But most wizards doesn't want a house-elf who wants paying, miss. "That's not the point of a house-elf," they says, and they slammed the door in Dobby's face! Dobby likes work, but he wants to wear clothes and he wants to be paid, Harry Potter … Dobby likes being free!'

I was torn. It was good that Dobby liked his freedom and was asking to be paid. It wasn't right that house-elves didn't receive anything for the work they did, which was clearly very important to them and they took it very seriously. But judging by how all the other house-elves were now determinedly avoiding Dobby and the sobbing Winky, it appeared that a house-elves' desire to be free was considered rather disgraceful behaviour for an elf. But after centuries of working in wizard households, this behaviour was not surprising, nor was it that despite how they were treated, the house-elves were happy.

'And then, Harry Potter, Dobby goes to visit Winky, and finds out Winky has been freed, too, sir!' said Dobby with delight.

All of a sudden, Winky flung herself on to the stone floor and began beating it with her clenched fists, positively screaming in tears now. When Hermione attempted to comfort her, it was clear that nothing was going to console the distraught elf. I felt so sorry for her, but there was nothing we could do to reverse Crouch's decision after so long.

'And then,' continued Dobby over her screams, 'Dobby had the idea, Harry Potter, sir! "Why doesn't Dobby and Winky find work together?" Dobby says. "Where is there enough work for two house-elves?" says Winky. And Dobby thinks, and it comes to him, sir! Hogwarts! So Dobby and Winky came to see Professor Dumbledore, sir, and Professor Dumbledore took us on!'

Dobby was practically beaming at this.

'And Professor Dumbledore says he will pay Dobby, sir, if Dobby wants paying! And so Dobby is a free elf, sir, and Dobby gets a Galleon a week and one day off a month!'

'That's not very much!' said Hermione. She was still trying to comfort Winky unsuccessfully.

'Professor Dumbledore offered Dobby ten Galleons a week, and weekends off,' said Dobby, shivering suddenly, 'but Dobby beat him down, miss … Dobby likes freedom, miss, but he isn't wanting too much, miss, he likes work better.'

I raised my eyebrow. Too much pay was what made Dobby draw the line? Because he still likes work better? What a strange little creature, I thought.

'And how much is Professor Dumbledore paying you, Winky?' asked Hermione.

Winky bolted upright. Her sobs had stopped and she was staring at Hermione with what could only be described as a house-elves' equivalent of daggers. The anger visible in her large brown eyes was intense for such a small creature.

'Winky is a disgraced elf, but Winky is not yet getting paid!' she squeaked angrily. 'Winky is not sunk so low as that! Winky is properly ashamed of being freed!'

'Ashamed?' repeated Hermione. 'But – Winky, come on! It's Mr Crouch who should be ashamed, not you! You didn't do anything wrong, he was really horrible to you –'

'No! No!' shouted Winky. She clapped her hands over her ears that were just visible through two holes in her hat. 'You is not insulting my master, miss! You is not insulting Mr Crouch! Mr Crouch is a good wizard, miss! Mr Crouch is right to sack bad Winky!'

'Winky is having trouble adjusting, Harry Potter,' squeaked Dobby. 'Winky forgets she is not bound to Mr Crouch anymore; she is allowed to speak her mind now, but she won't do it.'

'Can't house-elves speak their minds about their masters, then?' asked Harry.

'Oh, no, sir, no,' said Dobby, seriously. ''Tis part of the house-elf's enslavement, sir. We keeps their secrets and our silence, sir, we upholds the family's honour, and we never speaks ill of them – though Professor Dumbledore told Dobby he does not insist upon this. Professor Dumbledore said we is free to – to –' Dobby hesitated, a nervous look appearing on his face, which he cupped his hand to as he whispered, 'He is free to call him a – a barmy old codger if we likes, sir!'

And he let out a frightened giggle.

But this had given me a thought. House-elves weren't allowed to speak ill of their masters while in their service, but Winky was no longer in Crouch's service, so if we asked the right question, maybe we could find out why Winky believed herself to be such a bad elf and could assure her she wasn't.

'Winky,' I said, bending down to speak to her. She looked at me, her eyes narrowed in distrust. 'Were you in the middle of one of Mr Crouch's instructions when you were found the night he freed you? Besides staying in the tent.'

'A house-elf always has orders to follow, sometimes more than one!' squeaked Winky angrily. 'A good house-elf always manages their masters orders no matter how many there are. Winky is a bad elf because Winky did not follow master's orders.'

It wasn't much, and I knew Winky wasn't like to say what Crouch's orders to her were, but it did imply that maybe Winky had failed some other order Crouch had given her. It did seem odd that Winky thought she was a bad elf just because she didn't stay in the tent during the riot at the Quidditch World Cup and that Crouch freed her for such a minor thing.

A sudden commotion from beside me drew me away from Winky. Harry had Dobby by the tie having stopped him from running headfirst into a table.

'Thank you, Harry Potter, thank you,' said Dobby breathlessly. He rubbed the part of his head that had hit the table.

'You just need a bit of practice,' said Harry.

'Practice!' squeaked Winky, furious. 'You is ought to be ashamed of yourself, Dobby, talking that way about your masters!'

'They isn't my masters anymore, Winky!' replied Dobby. 'Dobby doesn't care what they think anymore!'

'Oh, you is a bad elf, Dobby!' cried Winky. 'My poor Mr Crouch, what is he doing without Winky. He is needing me, he is needing my help! I is looking after the Crouches all my life, and my mother is doing it before me, and my grandmother is doing it before her … oh, what is they saying if they knew Winky was freed? Oh, the shame, the shame!'

'Winky,' said Hermione firmly as the elf started bawling again, 'I'm quite sure Mr Crouch is getting along perfectly well without you. We've seen him, you know –'

'You is seeing my master?' said Winky breathlessly. Her head shot up from her skirt and stared at Hermione once more. 'You is seeing him here at Hogwarts?'

'Yes,' said Hermione. 'He and Mr Bagman are judges in the Triwizard Tournament.'

'Mr Bagman comes too?' squeaked Winky. To our surprise, Winky looked angry again at this news. 'Mr Bagman is a bad wizard! A very bad wizard! My maser isn't likely him, oh no, not at all!'

'Bagman – bad?' repeated Harry.

'Oh yes,' said Winky, nodding. 'My master is telling Winky some things! But Winky is not saying … Winky – Winky keeps her master's secrets …' and for a third time she started to cry. 'Poor master, poor master, no Winky to help him no more!'

With it clear that we were going to get nothing more out of Winky about Crouch or Bagman, the four of us decided to leave, but not before Ron promised Dobby the jumper he was going to get from Mrs Weasley for Christmas, and the other house-elves thrusting various snacks at us to take with us. Harry and Ron gratefully obliged while Hermione and I hesitantly declined, their bowing and curtseying making it more awkward to do so. We made our way back out into the corridor through the pear door which melted back into still life once closed.

'You know what?' said Ron. 'All these years I've been really impressed with Fred and George, nicking food from the kitchens – well, it's not exactly difficult, is it? They can't wait to give it away!'

'Well it seems that's what makes house-elves happy,' I said, 'even Dobby. They like working and even Dobby didn't want too much liberty when Dumbledore offered to pay him ten Galleons.'

'I think this is the best thing that could have happened to those elves, you know,' said Hermione. 'Dobby coming to work here, I mean. The other elves will see how happy he is, being free, and slowly it'll dawn on them that they want that, too!'

'Let's hope they don't look too closely at Winky,' said Harry.

'Oh, she'll cheer up,' said Hermione.

'You don't sound too certain about that,' I said, noting her doubtful tone.

'Once the shock's worn off, and she's got used to Hogwarts, she'll see how much better off she is without that Crouch man,' said Hermione.

'She seems to love him,' said Ron, who had just started eating one of the many cakes he had taken from the house-elves. I wrinkled my nose as he spoke with his mouth full.

'Doesn't think much of Bagman, though, does she?' said Harry. 'Wonder what Crouch says at home about him?'

'Probably says he's not very good Head of Department,' said Hermione, 'and let's face it … he's got a point, hasn't he?'

'I'd still rather work for him than old Crouch,' said Ron. 'At least Bagman's got a sense of humour.'

'Don't let Percy hear you saying that,' said Hermione, a slight smile on face.

'Yeah, well, Percy wouldn't want to work for anyone with a sense of humour, would he?' said Ron. 'Percy wouldn't recognise a joke if it danced naked in front of him wearing Dobby's tea-cosy.'

The revelation that Dobby was now working in the Hogwarts kitchen certainly renewed Hermione's efforts with S.P.E.W., much to Ron's annoyance. But Hermione's determination for spreading awareness of house-elf rights was soon put out of our minds when Professor McGonagall made an announcement in our Transfiguration class that Thursday. Once she'd told Harry and Ron off for playing with a tin parrot and rubber haddock that is. She had called our attention at the end of the lesson after the guinea-fowl we'd been transfiguring into guinea-pigs were back in their cages.

'Now Potter and Weasley have been kind enough to act their age,' Professor McGonagall said, shooting an angry look at the pair of them as Harry's haddock lost its head, 'I have something to say to you all.'

The class looked around at each other. There was a quick whisper which ended as soon as it started when Professor McGonagall shot us all another sharp look.

'The Yule Ball is approaching – a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialise with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth-years and above – although you may invite a younger student if you wish –'

I raised my eyebrow. The Yule Ball? Was that some sort of dance? I glanced around. Several of the girls had started whispering excitedly to each other. A few tables in front of me Lavender let out a shrill giggle and Parvati nudged her in the ribs to shush her then for some reason they both then turned to look at Harry.

'Dress robes will be worn,' continued Professor McGonagall, 'and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight, in the Great Hall. Now then –'

She paused long enough to give us all a stern look.

'The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to – er – let our hair down,' she continued, a disapproving tone in her voice, 'for a night of well-mannered frivolity and to put your best foot forward, and I mean this literally, because the Yule Ball is first and foremost a dance.'

Lavender pressed her hand to her mouth to supress her loud giggles. I bit back the temptation to roll my eyes at her behaviour. It was just a dance. She didn't need to get so overexcited about it.

'But that does NOT mean,' said Professor McGonagall sternly, 'that we will be relaxing the standards of behaviour we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way. In preparation for the Yule Ball, you will all be given dance lessons in the coming weeks which I expect all of you to attend. No exceptions.'

I shouldered my bag and left Transfiguration with Hermione. Professor McGonagall had called Harry back just as we were leaving the classroom. Ron hung back to wait for him. The students were filling the corridors as classes ended for morning break. Hermione and I crossed the Transfiguration courtyard to a couple of stone benches to wait for the boys before our next lesson. It appeared the news of the Yule Ball had been announced over the course of the morning lessons as groups of girls were whispering excitedly to each other. I inwardly cringed. I had never been that girly as I grew up, mainly because I grew up around a lot of boys, so I found this sudden increase in girlishness a bit unpleasant to be near. It was like Lavender being multiplied tenfold.

A large group of older girls crossed the courtyard past us. In amongst them I saw was the Ravenclaw Seeker, Cho, and her blonde curly haired friend, Marietta, who I'd met at Cedric's party. By the looks of it, Cho was the subject of the conversation as all her friends seemed to be facing her. As I watched, Cho and Marietta seemed to glance in my direction before looking away again, Cho then whispering something to Marietta. I frowned. What had that been about?

'It's exciting isn't it?' Hermione was saying beside me. I glanced at her.

'What is?' I asked.

'The Yule Ball, Jenna,' said Hermione. 'It's very rare for Hogwarts to hold events like this. According to Hogwarts, A History, the last time they held a dance of any kind was over a hundred years ago when Hogwarts last held the Triwizard Tournament before it was eventually cancelled when it got too dangerous.'

'Is there anything you know that hasn't come from Hogwarts, A History?' I asked. Hermione sent me a look.

'Oh, don't you start,' Hermione huffed, 'Ronald and Harry give me enough grief about that book.' I smirked at Hermione's use of "Ronald" instead of Ron.

'You know I'm only teasing,' I said gently. 'So, the Yule Ball is an important event?' I then asked to prompt Hermione to continue.

'Of course, it is,' said Hermione. 'The whole point of the Triwizard Tournament is to promote international magical co-operation between the competing schools and relationships with foreign wizarding communities. By having a social event like this during the Tournament, it will allow us to get to know the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students in a more relaxed environment. An opportunity like this is unlikely to come around again while we're still at Hogwarts.'

'Well, we are usually more preoccupied with doing something dangerous,' I mused. Hermione huffed again.

'Jenna, I'm serious,' said Hermione impatiently. 'For the first time, we're getting a chance to socialise with international wizards outside of a classroom. To "let our hair down" like Professor McGonagall said. Doesn't that sound fun?'

'It's not that I'm not excited,' I shrugged. Lavender and Parvati, who had been gathered with Parvati's twin sister Padma, Isobel MacDougal (not knowing her that well, I wasn't sure if she preferred Isobel or her given name Morag, probably the former) and Lisa Turpin from Ravenclaw, were still in fits of giggles despite class finishing five minutes ago. I folded my arms, unimpressed. 'It's more I'm not a fan of what it's bringing out in the girls. Lavender can be girlish normally but it's like someone's put an Amplification Charm on her.'

'You can be such a spoil witch sometimes, Jenna,' remarked Hermione. 'There's nothing wrong with being a bit girly sometimes.'

'You forget, I grew up with several boys where I was more likely to be fighting in the mud than playing with dolls,' I countered. 'What d'you expect?'

The door to the Transfiguration classroom opened. Ron and a rather gloomy looking Harry walked out and headed over to us.

'What's got your wand in a knot?' I asked.

'McGonagall said the champions are expected to open the ball with their dance partners,' said Harry miserably. Ron snorted then hastily covered it with a cough. Harry sent him a glare.

Hermione and I looked at each other.

'Well, that sounds reasonable,' said Hermione. 'The Yule Ball is part of the Triwizard Tournament. Having the champions open it is probably a tradition, considering they are the representatives of each of the competing schools.'

'So, what's the problem?' I asked.

'I have to find a partner for the Yule Ball,' said Harry, 'and then dance with them in front of the whole school and Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. I don't even know how to dance, and who am I even going to ask anyway?'

'Come on, mate,' said Ron, having now supressed his amusement at Harry's predicament. 'There are loads of girls at Hogwarts, and you're a champion. There's bound to be one who'll go with you. We'll find some in no time.'

I opened my mouth to say something, but the bell rang. Harry and Ron turned away and headed back across the courtyard. I turned to Hermione.

'Did – did they just completely forget they could just ask us?' I asked.

Hermione just sighed, 'Boys!' and we followed after them.

The Yule Ball had certainly caused quite a stir amongst the Hogwarts students in the days leading up to the end-of-term. On Friday morning after the announcement, Professor McGonagall made her customary end-of-term trip along the Gryffindor table at breakfast to take names of the students who were staying for the Christmas holidays. It wasn't unusual for Harry, Ron, Hermione and I to put our names down but it appeared almost everyone from our year and up had decided to stay. In fact, judging by the chatter around the Hall, over half the school had decided to stay for the holidays. Everywhere you went, you would pass groups of girls in the corridors chatting excitedly about what they were going to wear to the ball, or comparing outfits with each other, and the closer the holidays got, the more excited they became.

But that was not the most pressing matter in a lot of the students' eyes. The thing that seemed to have everyone in a state was who to invite to the ball. If they weren't talking about what they were going to wear, groups of girls would burst into hysterics whenever any boy would pass them, while the boys seemed to be doing their best to appear as manly as possible as they asked a girl to go with them. Even some of the older students seemed to lose their maturity when it came to asking someone to the Ball. I didn't understand it. What was the big deal about asking someone to the Yule Ball? Why couldn't you just go by yourself or with your friends? Why was it so important to ask someone?

Even Harry and Ron had succumbed to this attitude and had become rather unbearable to listen to as they discussed who to ask to the ball and how important it was that they were good looking. While I wasn't surprised to hear this come from Ron, I was to hear it from Harry. In all the years I'd known him, I'd never known him to be this shallow before. It was very unlike him. It made me almost glad that he and Ron had overlooked myself and Hermione as dates for the ball. I wouldn't want to go with him if the only reason he'd asked me was because I was good looking, not that I had any worry of that anyway; we had been friends for too long for Harry to see me that way.

It appeared to me that Hermione and I were the only people in the castle to be immune to the frenzy of finding a date that had spread through the other students. With Harry and Ron off the table, not that that was a bad thing, I wasn't really in a rush to find someone to go with me, especially after my previous experiences of dabbling in dating. It wasn't that I hadn't thought about who I could ask, I just didn't feel that going with someone was going to make much difference to the overall night for me. When Lavender overheard Hermione and I talking about the possibility of us going together, she was aghast at my stance that I'd rather go on my own than find a date.

'What's wrong with that?' I challenged her. 'Why shouldn't I go to the ball on my own if I want to?'

'Rather you than me,' she said haughtily, smirking. 'I know I wouldn't want to face that sort of embarrassment, everyone knowing the reason I was alone was because I couldn't find someone to go with.'

Lavender's comments nettled me, that my preference of going alone to the ball was because I couldn't find someone to go with, when in fact it was the complete opposite. Harry and Ron may have been completely oblivious to the fact that Hermione and I were girls, other students were not so much, and I had received my fair share of propositions.

A few days after the Yule Ball had been announced, I found whenever I was on my own or with Hermione, I was being approached by people I didn't even know asking me to go to the ball with them. It all started with a rather bold third year Ravenclaw striding up to me as I waited for Hermione outside the girls' toilet (always a good place to ask someone out) and asking me loud enough so his friends could hear if I would go with him. He then slunk off with his tail between his legs back to his sniggering friends when I gave him a firm "I'm not interested". Next, I was asked by a burly-looking Durmstrang with a shaved head when I was leaving dinner on Friday night, but his accent was so thick I couldn't tell if he was asking me to the ball or asking me if I was tall, so I had said no to be safe. Then there was the couple of sixth year students I had never met before who, when I said no to the first one, the second one asked as if he thought he'd get a different answer. Even a rather tall brunette from Beauxbatons approached me in the courtyard one day and asked me to go with her, which caught me by surprise, and I politely declined only to receive a wry smile from her and a kiss on the cheek.

'Have I got a sign on me or something?' I said to Hermione one night in the library while we worked on our various homework. 'Does something about me just say: "ask me to the Yule Ball"?'

Hermione glanced up from her Arithmancy essay, an amused look on her face.

'Jenna, you're so naive sometimes, it's actually quite adorable,' she said.

I stared at Hermione. What did she mean by that?

'Well, if you'd care to enlighten me with what I'm missing then –'

'Excuse me.'

Hermione and I looked up. It was Viktor Krum. I was quite taken aback by this. I'd never seen him up close before. He stood rigidly before our table, his arms straight by his sides. He had a very focused look on his face, his thick eyebrows almost pulled together completely. He then seemed to click his heels and he gave us a curt bow. Hermione and I glanced at each other. Krum had never approached us before all the previous times we'd been in the library at the same time as him. What could he possibly want?

'Can we help you?' I asked.

'If you please,' said Krum, nodding. His voice wasn't as deep as I had imagined it to be, but his accent was very strong. 'But I vish to ask your charming friend an important question.'

Hermione looked at me again, raising her eyebrow. I sent her an annoyed look. I hated when Hermione got all smug like this.

'Don't you even,' I mouthed to her.

'Of course,' said Hermione. 'My friend would love –'

'No, you misunderstand me,' said Krum politely. 'It is not her I vish to speak to. It is you.'

The smug look on Hermione's face changed instantly to a wide-eyed stare.

'Me?' she said. 'Well, I – I mean, yes, of course.'

'Since ve first arrived here at Hogwarts, I have been surrounded by girls,' said Krum. 'Everyvhere they followed me, staring and vispering as I passed them. All except, I noticed, you.

'As a Quidditch player, I am used to stares, even at Durmstrang. When I realised you did not stare at me also, I vas intrigued,' Krum continued. 'I noticed you come here a lot to this library and so, I come here too in hopes that I could talk to you. You were so silent, so focused on your work, it captivated me. I knew I vanted to talk to you, but I never had the courage. Until now. As the champion of Durmstrang, it is expected of me to have the opening dance at the Yule Ball vith my partner and the other champions, and so I vish to ask, I vould be honoured if you vould consider to come to the Yule Ball to me.'

My mouth dropped open before I could stop it. I looked at Hermione, who I had never seen speechless before, sitting there as stunned as I was by Krum's invitation.

'Well, Hermione?' I said, nudging her.

'I – well, I didn't expect –' said Hermione, flustered and turning red, 'of course, I'll have to – I mean, yes – yes, I will go to the Yule Ball with you.'

Krum smiled. It was restrained but evident enough that he was happy with Hermione's answer.

'This makes me very happy that you vill attend the Yule Ball vith me,' Krum said, 'and I look forvard to the pleasure of your company for the evening.' Krum clicked his heels a second time and made another curt bow. I guess this was a Durmstrang thing to do. 'If you vould be so kind, it has been requested by my headmaster that ve meet on board the ship before ve lead my fellow students in procession up to your castle for the Yule Ball.'

'Of course,' said Hermione.

Krum smiled again, bowed once more, then walked away from our table. I got up and peered round the bookcase. Krum didn't return to another table, instead walking out of the library. Unsurprisingly a couple of girls who had been following him appeared from behind some other bookcases. They shot a couple of dirty looks in my direction then stalked off as well. I smirked. I turned back to Hermione. I raised an eyebrow at her.

'You were saying? An international Quidditch player just asked you to the Yule Ball!'

For some reason, Hermione frowned at me.

'Jenna, are you honestly this naive?' she asked me.

'What?' I responded.

'Do you know what boys have been asking me for the last few days?' said Hermione. '"Who's your good-looking friend?" and "Has your good-looking friend got a date for the ball yet?". That's what it's like walking round with you sometimes. You're the enviable good-looking friend and you don't even seem to realise it.'

I stumbled, taken aback at Hermione's words.

'Hermione, I –' I started but I didn't know what she expected me to say. 'I didn't ask –'

'I'm not saying it's a bad thing,' said Hermione, her tone softening, 'but have you never realised how much attention you get from people, particularly from boys?'

I took my seat again. I refused to look at Hermione though.

'Of course, I have,' I said quietly. 'I started noticing it at the start of the year. People staring at me at dinner or in the corridors. I haven't seen many photos of my relatives on my Dad's side, but from what it sounds like, the Blacks got lucky with their looks. Dad even told me about how arrogant his looks made him at school. I didn't think much of it at first, but then the staring started. I just wanted to ignore it, pretend it wasn't happening.'

'So, is that why you turned down Cedric?' asked Hermione.

'That's why I've turned everyone down,' I said. 'All these people have been asking me to go with them only because I'm "good-looking" to them, not because they know who I am. I bet half of them don't even know my name. At least Cedric tried to get to know me, I just wasn't interested. Everyone else probably just know me as Harry Potter's friend he keeps getting in trouble with. And Harry and Ron have been just as bad, wanting to go with someone they think is attractive. I'd rather go on my own than go with someone who knows nothing about me.'

'And there's nothing wrong with that,' said Hermione firmly.

'Unless you're Lavender,' I corrected her.

'Oh, ignore Lavender,' bristled Hermione. 'Jenna, if you want to go on your own, then do so. No one can force you to go with someone you don't want to go with, and it's no one else's business who you do or don't go with anyway. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks and you shouldn't feel pressured to do what you think is expected of you. Don't let people like Lavender make you think you have to have a date to enjoy yourself or validate who you are.'

I smiled, glad that I had Hermione's support in this. It was nice to know that someone else understood my opinion that it was more important to me to go on my own than go with someone for the wrong reasons, that having a date was not a big deal to me and supported my reasoning and preference to go alone.

The final week of term arrived. With the Yule Ball now the primary subject of conversation, and wild rumours about it flying everywhere between the students, a lot of the previous unpleasantness that had surround Harry before the First Task had thankfully subsided. Malfoy, of course, was still trying to stir things by quoting Rita Skeeter's article but only his usual group of Slytherins now were remotely interested in listening to him. On the subject of Skeeter, however, we were relieved to see that no article about Hagrid had been published, and we managed to talk to him about in our final Care of Magical Creatures class of the term to find out what had happened.

'She didn' seem very int'rested in magical creatures, ter tell yeh the truth,' Hagrid told us. Thankfully we were only being made to prepare food for the Skrewts and so we were able to talk with him without fear of getting burnt. 'She jus' wanted me ter talk about you, Harry,' Hagrid continued quietly to us. 'Well, I told her we'd been friends since I went ter fetch yeh from the Dursleys. "Never had to tell him off in four years?" she said. "Never played you up in lessons, has he?" I told her no, an' she didn' seem happy at all. Yeh'd think she wanted me to say yeh were horrible, Harry.'

'Course she did,' said Harry. He threw some dragon liver into a bowl in front of him. 'She can't keep writing about what a tragic little hero I am, it'll get boring.'

'She wants a new angle, Hagrid,' agreed Ron. 'You were supposed to say Harry's a mad delinquent!'

'But he's not!' said Hagrid, looking shocked.

'She should've interviewed Snape,' said Harry. 'He'd give her the goods on me any day. Potter has been crossing lines ever since he first arrived at this school …'

Hermione, Ron and I laughed at Harry's impression of Snape. Hagrid looked angry.

'Said that, did he?' he grunted. 'Well, yeh might've bent a few rules, Harry, bu' yeh're all righ' really, aren' you?'

'Cheers, Hagrid,' grinned Harry.

'You coming to this ball thing on Christmas Day, Hagrid?' Ron then asked.

'Though' I might look in on it, yeah,' said Hagrid. 'Should be a good do, I reckon. You'll be openin' the dancin', won' yeh, Harry? Who're you takin'?'

Hermione and I looked at each other, a silent eye roll passing between us on the subject of Harry's date for the ball.

'No one, yet,' said Harry.

Luckily Hagrid didn't push the subject.

The final few classes were a mixture. While Charms descended into chaos and Professor Flitwick allowed us to play games while he discussed Harry's Summoning Charm from the First task, others like Professor McGonagall, Moody and Snape kept us working until the very last second of class, much to Ron's annoyance, especially when Snape sprung a test on antidotes on us for our last class. But as Hermione pointed out, neither he nor Harry were doing much to prepare for the test in advance, or the Second Task in Harry's case. Come to think of it, I don't think Harry had touched that egg since he'd first opened it back in November.

'Leave him alone, Hermione, he's earned a bit of a break,' said Ron. He took two cards off a pile on the table and carefully place them on the top of the castle he'd been carefully building. Seconds later it exploded as the cards he was using were a pack of Exploding Snap. The small puff of flame managed to catch his face and singe the tips of his eyebrows.

'Nice look, Ron … go well with your dress robes, that will.'

I looked up when I heard Fred and George approach our table, taking a couple of free seats to join us. George glanced over in my direction, but I didn't acknowledge him. I was still a bit peeved about him spying on me and hadn't spoken to him since, more to tease him now than in anger. When he saw I wasn't going to speak to him, George turned to Ron to ask if he and Fred could borrow Pigwidgeon.

'No, he's off delivering a letter,' said Ron. 'Why?'

'Because George wants to invite him to the ball, because the girl he wants to ask isn't talking to him right now,' said Fred sarcastically.

'Because we want to send a letter, you stupid great prat,' said George, shooting Fred an annoyed look. A small crease formed between my eyebrows. What was with that look?

'Who d'you two keep writing to, eh?' said Ron.

'Nose out, Ron, or I'll burn that for you, too,' said Fred, waving his wand threateningly. Ron held his hands up, brushing off Fred's threat. 'So … you lot got dates for the ball yet?'

'Nope,' said Ron.

'Well, you'd better hurry up, mate, or all the good ones will be gone,' said Fred.

'Who're you going with, then?' asked Ron, nettled.

'Angelina,' said Fred promptly.

'What?' said Ron. 'You've already asked her?'

'Good point,' said Fred. Turning round in his seat, Fred called across the common room, 'Oi! Angelina!'

Angelina was sat with Alicia by the fire. She seemed to pause her conversation with a sigh, then called back, 'What?'

'Want to come to the ball with me?' shouted Fred.

Angelina looked at Fred for a moment, then shrugged, 'All right, then.' and turned back to her conversation with Alicia. There was a tell-tale grin though now on her face.

'There you go,' said Fred, 'piece of cake.' He yawned and got to his feet. 'We'd better use a school owl then, George, come on …'

I looked up as Fred and George left. Sure enough, I saw George glance back at us then hurry after his brother. I rested my quill on my parchment, unsure at what had just happened. Across from me Ron felt his eyebrows before turning to Harry. He gathered up the smouldering wreck of his card castle back into a deck.

'We should get a move on, you know … ask someone,' he said. 'He's right. We don't want to end up with a pair of trolls.'

My head snapped round to stare at Ron. Even Hermione was drawn away from her Potions notes.

'A pair of … what, excuse me?' she said.

'Well – you know,' shrugged Ron. 'I'd rather go alone than with – with Eloise Midgen, say.'

'Her acne's loads better lately,' said Hermione defensively, 'and she's really nice!'

'Her nose is off-centre,' said Ron.

'Oh, I see,' said Hermione, her voice sharpening. Over the years I had noticed Hermione had developed this tone she would use only when she was annoyed with Ron, or Ronald as she would call him when irritated enough by him. 'So basically, you're going to take the best-looking girl who'll have you, even if she's completely horrible?'

'Er – yeah, that sounds about right,' said Ron.

Hermione slammed her textbook shut and stalked off to bed. Ron stared at Harry as if to question what Hermione's problem was. I frowned. Ron really could be a complete idiot sometimes. He just didn't realise how shallow and insulting he was being wanting to take someone who "wasn't a troll". It served him right if he ended up going alone because he was too picky to go with someone normal.

As I went to return to my homework, my attention was drawn back to the staircases leading to the dormitories. Noah was by them, talking to Katie and another of his friends. I sat up. I hadn't seen Noah since I ran into him on my way back to the library a few weeks ago. I watched as he finished his conversation then turn to go upstairs. Without thinking about it, I quickly muttered a "I'll be back in a minute" to Ron and Harry, who didn't even notice, got up, and hurried across the common room and up the staircase to the boys' dormitory.

'Noah!' I called, hurrying up the stairs behind him to the fifth-year boys' dormitory. 'Wait up!'

I climbed a few more stairs to find Noah had stopped by his dormitory door, his hand on the handle.

'Jenna,' he said, smiling. 'To what do I owe this privilege?' he asked. He nodded his head slightly. A grin graced my face.

'Oh, I, er,' I suddenly realised I didn't entirely know what I was going to say. I bit my lip, hesitating. Noah stared at me.

'Everything OK?' he asked, his smile turning to a more curious look.

'Yeah, I just,' I started, swallowing. A rush of nerves suddenly swept through me. 'I was just wondering if you had asked anyone to the Yule Ball yet?'

My cheeks flared and I knew I was blushing. I swallowed again. My eyes didn't leave Noah as I watched his reaction. It felt like forever the few seconds I waited for his response. And to my horror, his face took on the same look Charlie had had when he consoled me about my crush on him.

'Jenna, I –' began Noah awkwardly. He paused then tried again. 'Nothing would give me greater pleasure than taking a girl like you to the Ball. But I've got a girlfriend. She's in Hufflepuff, her name's Gwen. We've been dating for about a year.'

'Oh,' I said, trying to keep my voice even. 'Right, sorry, I-I didn't know.'

'Jenna –'

'No, don't worry about it, Noah,' I said, holding up my hands, trying my best to sound not bothered by it. 'It's fine.'

I turned away down the stairs to go back to the common room when I felt Noah's hand on my shoulder.

An empty corridor … two standing alone …

I flinched, blinking hard as the image crossed my eyes. I looked back at Noah, my mouth slightly open.

'I really am sorry, Jenna,' said Noah sadly. He raised a hand and tucked my hair behind my ear. He then seemed to hesitate, his lips pursing. His fingertips were still just touching the skin of my cheek. Whatever battle was in his head ended quickly though as he leant forwards and kissed my cheek. 'I really am,' he said again, and Noah walked back up the stairs to his dormitory.

I stood there. I blinked, suddenly aware of how fast my heart was racing. I swallowed, my mouth dry for some reason. My breathing was rapid and uneven. What – what just happened?

'Are you really not going to go?'

I looked up from my plate to see Hermione watching me. Classes had finally ended for the term and we were currently sat enjoying a well earnt meal after the awful antidotes test we'd had in our last Potions class. The boys were nowhere to be seen. Ron had been fuming about the test as we had left the dungeons while Harry had left us as soon as class had finished to do something. We had entered the Great Hall and taken our seats at the Gryffindor table only to then realise Ron had also disappeared. With neither of them there, it had given Hermione an opportunity to question me on my sudden U-turn about going to the Yule Ball.

'So, what if I'm not?' I countered. I turned back to my food. I didn't want to talk about it.

'Jenna, you were looking forward to it,' said Hermione. 'What happened that's changed your mind?'

I glanced at Hermione. A part of me wanted to tell her about what happened when I asked Noah to the ball, but it was too humiliating. It wasn't embarrassing to go to the ball on my own, but it was embarrassing to be turned down by the one person I had asked on the spur of the moment after I turned down so many myself.

'Nothing's happened,' I said.

'It's not about the other day, is it?' asked Hermione, persisting. 'Those Hufflepuffs were a pair of immature toerags. Don't let what they said get to you.'

'They called me "frigid little witch" after telling them no three times,' I retorted, 'and those "immature toerags" were a couple of Cedric's friends, who probably knew I'd turned him down and wanted to try their luck. Besides, this has nothing to do with them. I just decided that the Yule Ball isn't really my thing.'

'You should have accepted Neville's offer when he asked us, you know,' mused Hermione. 'Neville would have been fun to go with as friends and you wouldn't have to dance with him if you didn't want to.'

'Knowing Neville and how often he causes accidents due to his confidence problems, I probably would end up with broken toes if I danced with him,' I muttered. I glanced at Hermione. She was frowning at me. 'What?' I asked.

'I just think you're over-reacting to all this,' said Hermione. 'I don't know what's happened that caused you to change your mind, because something clearly has and you won't tell me what but deciding not to go at all is an extreme reaction to it. I thought you were happy to go on your own and didn't care what people thought about it.'

'Can we drop this?' I sighed. I glanced at the doors to the Entrance Hall. 'Where have Harry and Ron got to?' I wondered aloud.

'Probably scouring the castle for any girl desperate enough to go with them,' sniffed Hermione.

The boys didn't turn up to dinner. In fact, they were nowhere to be seen, which was unusual for them given how much both of them liked their food. Hermione and I had dinner without them then returned to the Gryffindor Tower. I said the password and the portrait of the Fat Lady swung open. Going through the portrait hole I saw Harry and Ron were with Ginny in the corner of the common room. Hermione and I went over to them. Judging by their grins, Harry and Ron had been laughing about something.

'Why weren't you two at dinner?' asked Hermione.

'Because –' Ginny started, '– oh shut up laughing, you two – because they've both just been turned down by girls they asked to the ball!' said Ginny loudly. Harry and Ron's laughter abruptly stopped.

'Oh, yeah?' I asked. I got a swift rush of satisfaction at this news. 'Who by?'

'Fleur Delacour and Cho Chang,' said Ginny without missing a beat. Harry and Ron glared at her. I snorted, not even making an attempt to hide it from them. Guess Ron had let his infatuation with Fleur get the better of him if he'd tried to ask her. Served him right. As for Harry asking Cho Chang, that was surprising. Since when had Harry been interested in the Ravenclaw Seeker?

'Thanks a bunch, Ginny,' said Ron. He scowled at her. She merely scowled back at him.

'All the good-looking ones taken, Ron?' said Hermione. 'Eloise Midgen starting to look quite pretty now, is she? Well, I'm sure you'll find someone somewhere who'll have you.'

I rolled my eyes. Hermione was clearly taking some joy out of Ron's failed attempt at securing a date.

'Easy there, Hermione,' I muttered quietly to her.

'Neville's right – you are girls …'

I looked at Ron, almost stunned by his abrupt comment. Now he was noticing we were girls?

'Oh, well spotted,' said Hermione.

'What was it that gave us away?' I asked sarcastically.

'Well – you can come with one of us!' said Ron, pointing at himself and Harry.

'No, I can't,' snapped Hermione instantly.

'Oh, come on,' said Ron impatiently, 'we need partners, we're going to look really stupid if we haven't got any, everyone else has …'

'I can't come with you,' said Hermione again. A blush suddenly rose in her cheeks. 'Because I'm already going with someone.'

'No, you're not!' said Ron. 'You just said that to get rid of Neville!'

'Oh, did I?' said Hermione. That tone was back in her voice again, and this time it sounded downright dangerous. 'Just because it's taken you three years to notice, Ronald, doesn't mean no one else has spotted I'm a girl!'

Ron stared at her then for some reason grinned. Bad choice.

'OK, OK, we know you're a girl,' he said, humouring her. 'That do? Will you come now?'

'I've already told you!' snapped Hermione angrily. 'I'm going with someone else!'

And for the second time in two nights Hermione stormed off to the girls' dormitories. I remained where I was, unsurprised at what had just happened. Ron really knew how to push her buttons sometimes.

'She's lying,' said Ron.

'She's not,' said Ginny quietly.

'Who is it, then?' demanded Ron.

'I'm not telling you, it's her business,' said Ginny.

'Right,' said Ron, 'this is getting stupid. Ginny, you can go with Harry, and I'll go with –'

'I can't,' said Ginny. She suddenly turned scarlet. 'I'm going with – with Neville. He asked me when Hermione and Jenna both said no to him, and I thought … well … I'm not going to be able to go otherwise, I'm not in fourth year.' Ginny then seemed to sigh. 'I think I'll go and have dinner.' and she too walked off towards the portrait hole.

'What's got into them?' Ron demanded. 'First Hermione, now Ginny! The girls have gone mental here.'

I glanced at Ron.

'You keep telling yourself that, Ron,' I muttered, shaking my head.

I walked away from the boys, glad Ron had gotten derailed by Ginny before my name had been dragged deeper into his desperate attempt at trying to secure a date for the ball. I had almost made it to the staircase to the girls' dormitories when I felt a hand on my arm. It was Harry.

'Jenna, I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate, but will you please go to the ball with me?' Harry asked.

A small twinge went through my chest for some reason. I stared at Harry. Seriously? He wouldn't ask me if he wasn't desperate? Did he seriously just say that? Did he seriously just preface asking me to go to the ball with him, where I would have to dance with him to open the ball, by saying he wouldn't ask me if he wasn't desperate? Were he and Ron really that insensitive?

'I'm afraid you'll have to find someone else,' I said curtly, 'because I'm not even going to the ball.'

'Jenna, come on, I really need this,' said Harry. 'If you're not going, you can come with me.'

'I'm not changing my mind.'

'But Jenna –'

'The answer is no, Harry.'

Harry stared at me. I stared back, a hard look on my face. I wasn't sure what it was but to be asked like this by Harry had irritated me more than all the people who had asked me for other reasons. We stood there in an awkward silence a few seconds more then I hurried up the staircase to my dormitory before Harry could say anything more.

In the lead up to the end of term, the castle had once again been decorated in its traditional manner, except this year, it seemed that the Hogwarts staff had gone all out in order to impress our foreign guests with the decorations. Everlasting icicles lines the banisters of the staircases and the windowsills of the corridors, gently glistening in the flickering light from the torches; Hagrid had been charged with bringing in the twelve Christmas trees that would be put up in the Great Hall, each decorated with dozens of colourful bubbles, tiny golden owls that hooted and bunches of bright red holly berries; and the suits of armour would sing Christmas carols whenever you passed them in the corridors. That was only ruined if Peeves got inside one of them and began changing the lyrics. Outside, snow had fallen, and the grounds were covered in a thick layer of the white powder. Most lay untouched apart from the tracks that had been made by the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students as they made their way to and from the castle, or Hagrid's large footprints as he went about his duties. I always liked Hogwarts at Christmas. There was something quite picturesque about the way the castle looked covered in snow, like it should be on a Muggle Christmas card. The only person who seemed to have a problem with things was Fleur.

'It is too 'eavy, all zis 'Ogwarts food,' we overheard Fleur say one night at dinner. 'I will not fit into my dress robes!'

Ron, after his disastrous attempt at asking Fleur to the ball, hung back so he was hidden behind Harry as we left the Great Hall behind her, not wanting to be seen by her. It was mildly satisfying to seem him like this after his attitude towards who to ask to the ball.

'Oooh, there's a tragedy,' said Hermione. 'She really thinks a lot of herself, that one, doesn't she?'

'Hermione – who are you going to the ball with?'

For the last few days Ron had been trying to find out who Hermione was going to the ball with by asking her at random moments when he thought she wouldn't be expecting it. What he didn't think of, however, was how well Hermione knew him after three years and so she was unfazed every time he did so.

'I'm not telling you,' she told him once again, 'you'll just make fun of me.'

'You're joking, Weasley,' came the unwelcome voice of Malfoy. He strode up from behind us. 'You're not telling me someone's asked that to the ball? Not the long-molared Mudblood?'

Harry and Ron spun round the moment they heard him, but Hermione was clearly on point this evening as she said without a moment's hesitation, 'Hello, Professor Moody!' and waved to someone behind Malfoy. It had the desired effect. Malfoy's pale face blanched and he looked round for any sign of Moody, who was still currently up at the staff table.

'Twitchy little ferret, aren't you, Malfoy?' said Hermione.

Malfoy shot us a dark glare then slunk off towards the dungeons. We turned and walked up the Marble Staircase.

'Hermione,' said Ron suddenly, 'your teeth …'

'What about them?' asked Hermione.

'Well, they're different … I've just noticed …'

'Of course they are – did you expect me to keep those fangs Malfoy gave me?'

'No, I mean, they're different to how they were before he put that hex on you … they're all … straight and – and normal sized.'

It was true. Sharing a dormitory with Hermione, I had known for a couple of years now that Hermione wore braces, and she had often mentioned out of earshot of the boys of how she wished her parents would let her shrink her teeth magically so she wouldn't have to use it anymore. So, when Malfoy had put that hex on her, she'd seized the opportunity.

'Well … when I went up to Madam Pomfrey to get them shrunk,' she explained to Harry and Ron, 'she held up a mirror, and told me to stop her when they were back to how they normally were. And I just … let her carry on a bit.' Hermione smiled. Her formally larger than usual front teeth were now nicely sized next to the rest. 'Mum and Dad won't be too pleased. I've been trying to persuade them to let me shrink them for ages, but they wanted me to carry on with my brace. You know, they're dentists, they just don't think teeth and magic should – look! Pigwidgeon's back!'

A mad excited hooting was coming from the top of the banister where the tiny owl was sitting amongst the decorations. There was a scroll of parchment that was almost twice the size of him tied to his leg. Having seen us, Pigwidgeon hooted louder and more excitedly, attracting the attention of some passing third-year students who went all giggly at the sight of him.

'Stupid little feathery git!' muttered Ron. He climbed the stairs then snatched Pigwidgeon off the banister. Pigwidgeon continued to hoot, his fluffy head sticking out the top of Ron's fist. The girls looked scandalised. 'You bring letters straight to the addressee! You don't hang around showing off! Clear off!' he then snapped at the girls. 'Here – take it, Harry.'

Ron shoved the scroll at Harry, and we hurried back to the common room to read Dad's response.

Dad's letter was positive. He congratulated Harry on getting through the task, citing that he would have suggested the Conjunctivitis Curse to use on the dragon as its eyes are its weak spot. I mentally slapped myself for failing to remember that, or for even thinking to look through my copy of Fantastic Beasts for any ideas on how to beat a dragon. The letter did warn him though not to get complacent as he still had two more tasks to get through and to keep his eyes open for an unnamed person (we knew he meant Karkaroff). Harry didn't seem to take Dad's warning seriously though, comparing him to Moody, which irked me a bit. Dad was looking out for him. He wasn't saying it for the sake of saying it.

The Christmas holidays were a lot more crowded and noisier than they had been in past years. It almost felt like school hadn't even ended when you walked into the Great Hall to see the House tables almost completely full of students, despite there being no more classes until January. It also meant the common room was busy almost every day. Students from the fourth year upwards were frequently gathered in their groups playing games by the fireplace, or some doing homework that had been set over the holidays. Most of all though people were seen in the grounds building snowmen and having snowball fights in the several inches of snow that had continued to fall over the last week.

A few days after term ended, a notice appeared on the noticeboard in the common room informing us of when the dance classes Professor McGonagall had mentioned to us was going to be held. There were to be three classes over the course of the week held in Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration classroom, and we were all expected to attend. The reaction to this was as expected; the boys all groaned at the thought of having to take these classes while the girls were predictably excited. Having decided not to go to the ball, I thought I'd be exempt from attending but when I tried to evade Hermione on the day of the first class, I had no luck and was dragged along unwillingly by her with a reluctant Harry and Ron behind us.

The corridor outside Professor McGonagall's classroom was full of people when Harry, Ron, Hermione and I arrived. Harry and Ron went off straight away to join Fred, George, Lee, Dean, Seamus and Neville. The group began talking in low voices to one another. They were probably discussing about how awful the dance classes were going to be. As Professor McGonagall didn't seem to be here just yet, Hermione and I went to wait with Angelina and Ginny. I leant back against the wall, keen to keep a low profile considering I wasn't even going to the ball and didn't see why I still had to attend, however, certain girls in our year had other ideas.

'Ooh, I cannot wait for this!' exclaimed Lavender, bounding over to us with Parvati. She did a little twirl on one foot, her hands holding open her skirt so it flapped around her. 'I've always wanted to learn to waltz!'

I held in a groan at Lavender's enthusiasm.

'So, who are you all going with?' Lavender then asked us all. She looked eagerly at each of us in turn. 'I'm going with Seamus. He asked me last week. His Irish accent is so dreamy sometimes, I just couldn't say no to him! But Parvati's the lucky one,' she continued. Suddenly, she giggled loudly. 'She's going with Harry!'

My head snapped up. What? Parvati was going with Harry?

'What?' I said.

'Harry asked me on the last day of term,' said Parvati, 'and Ron's going with Padma. We'll be opening the ball together with the other champions,' she added proudly.

'You know it doesn't mean anything, right?' I said. 'Harry just asked you because he had no one to go with.'

Parvati and Lavender stared at me.

'There's no need to get jealous, Jenna,' said Lavender. 'You had your chance and you turned Harry down. Everyone in the common room heard you. It's not our fault he then asked Parvati and she said yes. You're the one who said you weren't going to the ball.'

'I'm not jealous,' I scoffed. 'What do I care who Harry takes to the ball? I'm not the one who's going to have to try to dance with him. He's probably got two left feet.'

'Oooh,' laughed Parvati and Lavender, and they walked off. I scowled at their retreating backs.

'Attention!' called Professor McGonagall. The door to her classroom opened and she had stepped into the corridor. 'Everyone, please, come inside. Boys on the left, girls on the right.'

I made to join the crowd entering the classroom when a hand touched my shoulder. It was Angelina.

'Hey, is what Lavender said true?' Angelina asked. 'You aren't going to the ball?'

'Nope,' I said shortly.

'Oh, does George know?' she asked.

'Why does George need to know that I'm not going?' I asked, confused.

'Oh, no reason,' shrugged Angelina. 'It's just Fred mentioned George had been wanting to ask you something, but you were mad at him. If it was about the ball and you're not going, I'll tell Fred for George not to bother.'

My brain seemed to go into overdrive at what Angelina had said. I wasn't annoyed with George about the whole spying on me and Cedric thing anymore, I had gotten over that a while ago, and had only been pretending to still be angry with him the few times I'd seen him in the last few days. I had only wanted him to suffer a little bit thinking I still wasn't talking to him.

In the split-second Angelina made to step away, I suddenly said, 'Wait, don't do that.' She looked at me curiously. 'Lavender's got it wrong, I haven't fully decided to go or not. Don't tell Fred anything. Not yet at least.'

'OK,' said Angelina, smiling. 'If George does ask you, you can join me and Fred and we can all go together, if you want.'

'Thanks, I'll think about it,' I said.

Angelina smiled and went inside the classroom. Unsure what to do with this new information that George had been wanting to ask me something, I put it to one side for now. I had a dance class to get through. I took a breath and walked inside. The desks had all been cleared from Professor McGonagall's classroom making a dancefloor in the centre of the room. The Gryffindor boys were all lined up, some on seats, others standing behind, looking uncomfortable alongside one wall while the girls were along the opposite wall. On top of Professor McGonagall's desk, a large gramophone had been set up by Filch, who was standing grumpily beside it. Professor McGonagall closed the door to the classroom and walked in front of her desk and faced us. She gave us all a stern look, her eyes travelling along the lines of her students one at a time.

'Welcome to the first of three dance classes in preparation for the Yule Ball,' announced Professor McGonagall. 'The Yule Ball has been a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament since its inception. On the evening of Christmas Day, we and our guests will gather in the Great Hall for a night of merriment and celebration.

'As representatives of the host school, I expect each and every one of you to be on your best behaviour throughout the course of the evening. The House of Godric Gryffindor has commanded the respect of the wizard world for nearly ten centuries. I will not have you in the course of a single evening besmirching that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons.'

I glanced over at the male Gryffindors. Various whispers were rippling through them, each looking about as enthusiastic as a Flobberworm about this. The girls, however, all seemed to be rigid with attention. Professor McGonagall turned a stern look on all of us.

'Now to dance is to let the body breathe,' said Professor McGonagall. 'Inside every girl, a secret swan slumbers longing to burst forth and take flight.' My eyebrow cocked. What? 'Inside every boy, a lordly lion prepared to prance. Mr Weasley.'

Ron's head shot up, having been sniggering at something he'd whispered to Seamus. Professor McGonagall approached him.

'Yes?' he said hesitantly.

'Will you join me, please?' instructed Professor McGonagall.

Ron sunk into his chair. He didn't have a choice though as Professor McGonagall took hold of the shoulder of his jumper as he got to his feet. I bit back a snigger. I glanced at Hermione. Her eye caught mine and we shared a smirk. After Ron's insensitive behaviour about dates for the ball, seeing him get humiliated was satisfying payback. This was going to be good. He followed her to the middle of the classroom.

'Now,' said Professor McGonagall, 'place your right hand on my waist.'

'Where?' asked Ron. His eyes widened. He shot a look over towards Harry who was smirking broadly.

'My waist,' repeated Professor McGonagall.

Ron brought his hand up and nervously did what Professor McGonagall had told him to do. A wolf whistle sounded out (it seemed to come from the direction of Fred and George). Ron made to react to it, but Professor McGonagall firmly put his hand back on her waist then placed her own on his shoulder as she instructed him to take her other hand with his.

'Now extend your arm, taking my hand. Stand straight, head up looking at me and not your feet. And now you are in the hold position. Mr Filch, if you please.'

Filch lifted the pin and placed it on to the record on the gramophone. A distorted sounding track began to play, music filling the room. It sounded like a waltz. Professor McGonagall began to count "one-two-three" out loud which seemed to match rhythm with the music and started steering Ron around on the floor.

'Everybody, come together,' instructed Professor McGonagall.

There was a rush of movement from the girls' side of the room. I stepped away from the wall I'd been leaning on and approached the floor. I didn't want to do this but if I had to, I might as well just suck it up. The boys were much less enthusiastic. Ron practically jumped away from Professor McGonagall when she released his hand and repeated for the boys to get up from their seats. None of them seemed to want to make the first move until Neville, of all people, got to his feet and strode forwards.

'Everyone, partner up,' called Professor McGonagall over the music, 'and get into hold. Boys, take your partner's waist with your right hand and hold her opposite hand with your left. Girls, place your left hand on your partner's shoulder. I will come round momentarily to check your positions.'

Slowly people began to pair off. I looked round, unsure what to do. My eyes spotted Noah across the room from me. He seemed to see me as well. The corner of my lip lifted when I saw him smile. He seemed to take a step in my direction.

'Jenna?'

I turned round. It was Harry. He was looking rather awkward again.

'I know you're not going to the ball,' said Harry in a low voice, 'but will you at least help me learn to dance?' His eyes shifted from side to side, looking at everyone around them. 'Please, I don't want to embarrass myself more than I'm going to. Please?'

I glanced behind me at Noah. He had been approached by another Gryffindor in his year. A sigh escaped my chest. I turned back to Harry.

'Sure,' I said.

I moved so I was facing Harry. I waited for Harry to take my hand. Harry just seemed to stand there before remembering what he was meant to do. This was going to be awkward, wasn't it? Harry reached for my right hand and took it in his left, then hesitantly put his right on my waist as I put mine on his shoulder. He seemed to swallow. A twinge went through my chest and my irritation at Harry for how he asked me to the ball finally melted away to be replaced by a hint of sympathy for him and the whole situation. Professor McGonagall called over the students having checked our starting positions to move slowly to the music before starting it for a second time. Harry's grip stiffened on my hand.

'Hey,' I whispered, getting Harry's attention back on me and not the dozens of students around us. 'Don't think about them,' I whispered encouragingly to him. 'It's just us, OK? Just like when we were at school.'

Harry swallowed then nodded.

Learning to dance with Harry was … strange. He wasn't that bad, but he definitely wasn't a natural at it either like he was at Quidditch. He did at least pick it up after a few tries. Professor McGonagall taught us the basic steps of a waltz before teaching us the traditional routine danced by the champions and guests of the Yule Ball. It wasn't easy. It involved a lot of changing hands and direction. It was the lift, however, that concerned me. I won't lie that the first time Harry tried it with me, he stumbled and ended up overbalancing and falling on to the floor with me crashing down on top of him. I winced as he helped me back to my feet, apologising profusely. The rest of the class was focused on practising the routine. Harry did make a bit of improvement over the course of the hour. By the end I could safely say Parvati was at least not going to get her feet trodden on, but I couldn't guarantee Harry wasn't likely to drop her.

Professor McGonagall called the class to a close. The majority of the boys broke away immediately from their partners and collected their things to leave the classroom while the girls milled around to talk to their friends about the class. I went to grab my robes from a chair to leave. Harry caught up with me as I left the classroom.

'Thanks for helping me, Jenna,' he said. 'I'd trade dancing for Quidditch any day.'

'You got the basic steps quick enough,' I shrugged. I shouldered my robes, pulling them straight over my uniform. 'I don't see how much trouble you're going to have dancing with Parvati if you can do those.'

'Sure, but I've still got to lead and stuff,' muttered Harry dismally, 'and I don't think Parvati will be as forgiving as you if I drop her.'

'I can assure you I'm tallying them up for when I need to blackmail you for something,' I said casually. I left it open to Harry's interpretation to whether I was being sarcastic or not.

'So why aren't you going to the ball?' Harry then asked. He grabbed his robe off the floor and slung it over his shoulder as we walked to the door.

I hesitated. Why was Harry asking about that?

'I … just didn't feel like it,' I shrugged. I didn't want to tell Harry about Noah turning me down, even less than I had wanted to tell Hermione. I didn't know how he'd react to it, and I didn't want him to make fun of me because of it. 'It's not my thing, anyway. Dresses and makeup and things like that.'

'Yeah, I s'pose,' agreed Harry. 'You've always been a bit of a tomboy. I don't think I've ever even seen you in a dress.'

I stopped. Harry … agreed with me? Did he not think I could look – well – girly? I know I had some tomboyish characteristics – I preferred trousers to skirts, and I grew up around a lot of boys which meant I had played Muggle football instead of with dolls – but I had … some girly characteristics too. There was my long hair and – well – there was more to me than what was visible on the outside. The question suddenly came to my mind: was this how Harry viewed me? As someone who, for lack of a better description, was one of the guys. Did Harry not view me as someone who could do the whole dress and dancing thing? Was this the reason Harry didn't ask me?

Harry seemed unaware of the impact his words had had on me. I caught up to him as he continued, 'I kind of wish you were going to the ball. At least dancing with you wouldn't be half as embarrassing. Parvati and Lavender keep giggling every time they see me since I asked her to go with me.'

I glanced at Harry from beneath my fringe.

Maybe you shouldn't have asked me as a last resort, I thought. I would have gone with you if you had just asked.

The Christmas holidays passed by a lot faster than I would have liked. It was probably due to the number of students that were filling the common room, and the Great Hall this year as it seemed alive with noise and excitement instead of the peace and quiet I was used to from previous holidays. I decided to leave my homework for now as the upcoming Yule Ball was preoccupying too much of my mind as I was once again unsure about whether to go or not. Harry's comment about how I was a tomboy lingered in the back of my thoughts. Time was running out for me to make my choice though and before I knew it, I was waking up on Christmas Day to sounds of the excited voices of Parvati, Lavender and Sally-Anne from their beds as they opened their presents and talked about getting ready for the ball later tonight.

'Happy Christmas, Jenna,' came Hermione's voice. She had her arms full of her Christmas presents and sat down on my bed as I pulled mine towards me.

'Happy Christmas,' I repeated. I could see ones from Harry, Ron, Hermione and Lupin. There was also a lumpy one there from Hagrid and a box with my Granddad's handwriting on the label. All the usual suspects accounted for, I settled in to start opening them. It was then I noticed two more presents at the bottom of the pile. A rather large square one wrapped with a ribbon and another smaller package in newspaper. They were from Mrs Weasley and Dad. I hadn't expected presents from them. 'So, tonight's the ball,' I then said. 'You ready for everyone to be the subject of everyone's envy?'

'Oh, that doesn't bother me,' said Hermione briskly. 'If people are going to be envious of who I'm going with, that's their problem then, isn't it?'

I smiled, 'Wish I was going to be there to see Ron's face when he sees who you're going with. His Quidditch hero going to the ball with his friend.'

'Ronald can stare all he wants,' said Hermione tartly, 'but he and Harry should have asked us sooner. I don't blame you for turning Harry down like that, asking you because he was "desperate", like the thought had never occurred to him. Although,' Hermione added, looking curiously at me, 'the two of you seemed quite comfortable dancing together in the dance lessons.'

'Probably because we've known each other for so long,' I shrugged. 'Harry and I saw each other in so many embarrassing situations at school because of his cousin, Dudley, I guess we just don't get embarrassed in front of each other anymore.'

'I'm not sure it was that,' said Hermione slowly.

'Well, what else would it be?' I asked.

'I don't know,' said Hermione, 'just something about watching the two of you dance seemed – I don't know – natural.'

'Yeah, right, OK,' I scoffed.

I got up off my bed and went to get my hairbrush to brush through my hair.

'You know, it's not too late to change your mind.' I looked back at Hermione. She was giving me a strange look. 'Come on, Jenna,' insisted Hermione. 'Come to the ball. It won't be as bad as you think.'

'Give up, Hermione,' came Lavender's voice across the dormitory. 'You know what she's like. It's her own fault for being so stubborn and boyish all the time that no one wants to take her.'

I glared at Lavender.

'I told you, Lavender,' added Parvati, 'after she turned down the chance of going with a champion when Harry asked her, there's no way she'll go. It'll be too humiliating for her.'

Parvati and Lavender burst into giggles.

'Come on, Hermione,' I muttered. The Yule Ball had really bought out a nasty side to Parvati and Lavender I didn't like; it wasn't like them normally to be as mean as this. They could think what they want; I had my reasons for turning down all the people who asked me. I wasn't going to defend my actions to them. 'Let's go get some breakfast.'

Hermione and I met up with Harry and Ron in the common room and we went down to breakfast together. The Great Hall was fairly busy when we got there. It seemed not many people were able to sleep in with the excitement of the ball tonight. Seamus, Neville and Dean weren't there yet; Angelina was sitting with Katie and Alicia; and Ginny was sitting with her brothers. I felt a small skip in my chest when I saw George. I watched as he chatted happily with his brother and sister, grinning broadly at whatever joke Fred had just told. He seemed to look up as I watched. His eyes met mine and he smiled. I felt the corner of my lip lift up in a smile in return, before I turned away to sit with Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Christmas this year was very different to previous years. Last year I had spent it shut away in Lupin's office while he'd been teaching here, as Harry and I had fallen out when he had first learnt about my Dad, while in first and second year, I had gone home to Moonlake Cottage. I spent the day in the company of Harry, Hermione and all the Weasleys. We shared with each other what we had been given by our families and spent the morning enjoying ourselves in the common room before returning to the Great Hall for lunch. It was as loud and chaotic like most of the feasts Hogwarts, the sounds of exploding Cribbages Crackers going off like gunshots every so often. It was amusing to see the expressions on the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students' faces; they seemed perplexed by our Christmas activities, but while the Durmstrangs eventually got into the spirit of things, laughing along with the Slytherins they sat with, the Beauxbatons remained rather stiff, only reluctantly taking part in wearing a hat from a cracker.

Once we had cleared our plates, Fred suggested we go outside and take advantage of the snow. None of us objected to the idea, and so we returned to the Gryffindor Tower to get our winter cloaks and scarves to meet in the grounds in half an hour. Hermione and I went up to our dormitory to collect our things. I pulled out my winter cloak, Gryffindor scarf and gloves from my trunk, when my eyes spied the package I had received from Mrs Weasley. I reached out and ran my fingers over the present. Hearing Hermione ask if I was ready, I quickly grabbed the gift and followed her back out the dormitory.

The outside air was crisp when Hermione and I stepped out into the Clocktower Courtyard. The stone was covered in a thick layer of snow while icicles hung precariously in the empty stone windows. There were tracks leading to and from the grounds, indicating other students had had the same idea as us. I bundled my cloak around me and followed Hermione along the wooden bridge into the open grounds. The Beauxbatons carriage and Durmstrang ship stood silent and proud, frozen statues in the winter scene. Hermione and I made our way through the snow looking for the boys and Ginny when all of a sudden, a barrage of snowballs came at us and we were forced to take cover behind Hermione's quickly produced Shield charm.

I shouldn't have been surprised that what Fred had had in mind when he suggested we went outside to take advantage of the snow was to have a snowball fight. After the primary onslaught had been deflected, Harry, Ron, Fred, George and Ginny joined us, and a snowball war was declared. Hermione immediately declined which led to some gentle mocking from Ron about not wanting to take part in case she broke a nail (and another attempt at finding out who she was going to the ball with). With the rules decided upon – no spells allowed unless to throw the snowballs – the group broke apart and the fight began.

The snowball fight was brutal. The Weasley siblings' rivalry came out as they pelted each other with snowballs, Harry and I merely additions to their family fight. What started as an every wizard for him or herself soon became Fred and George versus Ron and Ginny. Predictably, Harry took Ron's side as he tackled his older brothers leaving me open for attack from all sides if I didn't pick a team as soon as possible. I could join Ron and Ginny, who had been left out in the open as where we were in the grounds had very little cover from trees or bushes, and attempt to takedown the twins; they had taken cover behind a drift of snow and were lobbing snowballs from behind it with a surprisingly amount of accuracy and had dominated the majority of the match. Or if I joined the twins, the teams would be even, and I could subtly get some payback on Ron and Harry for not asking us to the Yule Ball sooner.

I heard someone yell my name. I spun round to see an oncoming wave of snowballs. Something caught me around my waist, and I was pushed out of the way to the ground. I shook the snow out of my face to see who had tackled me.

'Hey,' panted George. His cheeks were flushed red but there was a large grin on his face.

'Hey,' I breathed. 'Thanks for the save.'

'No problem.' George reached behind him and flicked his wand. Several snowballs formed. With another flick, George threw them over me towards where my attacker had presumably been. 'Nice jumper.'

I looked down. From beneath my coat a dark purple knitted jumper was visible, a large gold J knitted into the front. My present from Mrs Weasley had turned out to be the famous Weasley knitted Christmas jumper. Hermione had also been given one this year, but hers was dark blue.

'Guess you're part of the family now,' said George.

'I guess so,' I laughed in agreement.

Suddenly Angelina's words from the first dance lessons sprang to my mind, and that look he had given me that night in the common room. George had been wanting to ask me something. I hesitated, unsure what to say. It felt like forever I was lying in the snow next to George wondering what to say next, the two of us staring at each other

'Listen, Jenna, about the –' George started but he was cut off by Hermione calling my name.

'Come on, we need to go!'

I glanced at her then back at George. I got up. George did so too.

'I have to go,' I said, apologetically.

'Where're you going?' Ron called from his cover with Harry.

'To get ready for the ball,' Hermione called back dismissively.

Hermione hurried over to me and took my arm to get me moving. I glanced back at George but let her lead me away. He watched me walk away then turned and conjured another large snowball. He threw it across the grounds in the opposite direction.

'What, you need three hours?' said Ron. The large snowball George had thrown found its target, the side of Ron's head. I bit back a smirk. Ron shook off the snow with a grunt, but still managed to yell, 'Who're you going with?'

'You'll find out soon enough,' Hermione said quietly to me, a wide smile on her face, as she led the way back to the castle.

'Hermione, are you sure this is really necessary?'

I sat on a chair in front of Hermione. My hair had been brushed over to one side and Hermione was busy gathering bits of it into her hands.

We had spent the last hour getting Hermione ready. We had the dormitory to ourselves as Lavender and Parvati had decided to get ready with Padma in the Ravenclaw Tower and Sally-Anne had left for the Hufflepuff common room. Hermione's dress and shoes were laid out ready on her bed while she did her makeup, following a tutorial from a copy of Witch Weekly, and I helped do her hair. She had purchased by mail-order-owl a large bottle Sleekeazy's Hair Potion. With instructions to liberally add the potion until hair was "satisfactorily frizz-free", I had set about applying the potion section by section to Hermione's bushy hair, brushing it through then leaving it to sit and doing the next section. At first, I was sceptical that this potion could tame Hermione's voluminous tresses but soon Hermione's frizz became smooth and sleek enough for me to put it up. With Hermione's hair and makeup done, and there still being time before she had to go meet Krum at the Durmstrang ship, Hermione had insisted that I took her place on the chair and I let her do the same for me.

'I'm not even going,' I muttered, my head being pulled to the side as Hermione took another section of my hair. 'What's the point in doing my hair?'

'It's just for fun,' said Hermione. I glanced back at her; there was something suspicious about her smile. 'When was the last time you and I had the dormitory to ourselves and we could just relax instead of worrying about school and homework. You can always take it out afterwards once I've gone. Besides, doing something like this after growing up with boys won't do you any harm.'

I rolled my eyes. I rested my chin on my hand and sat quietly like a good little witch while Hermione finished whatever she was doing. I mentally wished her luck; I had so much hair I doubted she'd be able to get it all to stay up when I could only manage a ponytail or braid and even then, half of it usually fell out or my hairband broke from the weight of my hair. I wasn't willing to cut it though.

After what must have been a good fifteen minutes, I felt Hermione tap my head with her wand tip. I guess she had finished messing about with my black locks. Hermione stepped round in front of me and sat down on the bed to make a few adjustments to my fringe. Next, she took her wand and pointed it at various parts of my face. She muttered some inaudible spells under her breath. A gentle breeze blew from her wand tip on to my skin. My eyes twitched slightly, not sure what was happening. It felt like a very light dust was being sprinkled on it. At least it was Hermione who was doing it; I'd never willingly let just anyone give me any kind of makeover.

'Right,' said Hermione. She smiled at me and got up. 'Now you're not allowed to look in the mirror until I'm gone, OK?'

'Yes, yes, I know,' I muttered, waving my hand at her. 'You've had your fun playing dress up. You need to finish getting ready for the ball. You can't be late to meet Krum.'

Hermione rolled her eyes but turned away. She picked up her dress and took it into the bathroom to change into out of her pyjamas. The door closed behind her. I sat straight on the chair and stretched. I went to run my hand through my hair but caught myself before I did. I couldn't ruin Hermione's work before I've at least had a look. I glanced at the mirror on the top of Lavender's chest of drawers. An urge to go look in it rushed over me. I shook myself, crushing the feeling. Luckily the door to the bathroom opened and Hermione came out before I could do anything.

'Well, what do you think?' she asked me breathlessly. I turned to look at her. My mouth fell open.

My dismissive attitude suddenly softened when I saw Hermione in her dress robes. Hermione looked – incredible. I couldn't believe how different she looked. Her brown hair was smooth in its elegant, twisted bun with a single curl falling over her shoulder. I asked her to do a twirl so I could look at her dress. The top was fitted with floaty sleeves and a dark blue sash around her waist, leading into a layered skirt the same gorgeous pale blue as the top that transitioned into a darker blue at the end. Hermione had finished the look by adding a pair of flower-shaped earrings to replace her usual studs.

'You look amazing,' I said. Hermione let out a short squeal. She rushed over to me and took my hands. I gripped hers. 'Hermione, you look so beautiful. Just wait until everyone sees you.'

'Thanks, Jenna,' Hermione beamed. Her eyes were bright with excitement. She seemed to be glowing. Her smile then faltered for some reason. 'Are you really sure you don't want to come?' she asked me again.

I looked away, letting out an awkward laugh.

'It's … not my thing,' I said.

Hermione stared at me, unconvinced. I had to admit I didn't believe my own words now either.

'You need to get down to the Durmstrang ship,' I then said, wanting to get the subject off me once more. 'Viktor will be waiting for you.'

'Are you going to be OK?' Hermione asked.

'Don't worry about me,' I said. I smiled but it seemed as reluctant as my words had been. 'I get to have an evening away from Lavender and Parvati. That's good enough for me.'

Hermione squeezed my hands then pulled me into a hug. With my assurance that I was going to be fine, she gathered her skirt up in her hands and walked over to the door. She opened it then stopped. She looked back at me. I gave her an encouraging "go" movement. Hermione would hate it if she was late. Hermione stared at me for a moment longer then finally left the dormitory to meet Krum.

I sighed. I looked around the dormitory, unsure what to do now. I'd never had the dormitory all to myself before. I brushed back my fringe awkwardly. My eyes flicked towards the mirror again. I hesitated. I both wanted to see what Hermione had done but also didn't. Something was holding me back, like I was scared about what I would see. I swallowed. Slowly I walked over to the mirror. I kept my eyes lowered until the very last minute.

I blinked, the person in the mirror staring back at me. Was that really me?

My thick black hair had been pulled back away from my face and felt weightless on my head in a thick braid, its red strands weaving in and out of it, the braid wrapping around my head in a crown. Several little silver stars had been inserted into it that glinted when caught in the light. My fringe had been brushed forwards, the longer strands forming a gentle wave framing my face. If I hadn't been so stunned, I would've been impressed Hermione had put my hair up in such an elegant way. It was my face though. I didn't recognise myself. My usually pale skin looked warm while my eyes were bright against the dark frame of my eyelashes and my lips looked full and rosy instead of thin and pink.

I remembered Hermione's words which seemed to finally answer my reserve. I walked over to my trunk and opened it. I pushed aside my things until I found the package Mrs Weasley had given me during the summer. I pulled it out and opened it on my bed. I lifted up the long material and laid it on my bed, then picked up the heels that went with it. On closer inspection I saw they were more like boots and there was a tag attached to them. I turned it over to read it.

Enchanted so you won't fall over – Lupin

A smile twitched at the corner of my lip at Lupin's forward thinking. I looked at the clock.

It was quarter to eight.

-o-

Harry, Ron, Seamus, Dean and Neville changed into their dress robes up in their dormitory, all of them looking very self-conscious, but none as much as Ron, who surveyed himself in the long mirror in the corner with an appalled look on his face. There was just no getting around the fact that his robes looked more like a dress than anything else. In a desperate attempt to make them look more manly, he used a Severing Charm on the ruff and cuffs. It worked fairly well; at least he was now lace-free, although he hadn't done a very neat job, and the edges still looked desperately frayed as they set off downstairs.

'I still can't work out how you two got the best-looking girls in the year,' muttered Dean.

'Animal magnetism,' muttered Ron. He pulled at another thread from his cuff.

'They may have got two of the best-looking girls,' said Seamus, smirking, 'but Harry still got turned down by Jenna.' Seamus raised his eyebrows and he and Dean started sniggering.

'Jenna said she wasn't going,' said Harry. Seamus and Dean shared another look to Harry's confusion.

The common room looked strange, full of people wearing different colours instead of the usual mass of black. Parvati was waiting for Harry at the foot of the stairs, having returned from getting ready in the Ravenclaw Tower with her sister, Padma. She looked very pretty indeed, in robes of shocking pink, with her long dark plait braided with gold, and gold bracelets glimmering at her wrists. Harry was relieved to see that she wasn't giggling.

'You – er – look nice,' he said awkwardly.

'Thanks,' said Parvati. 'Padma's going to meet you in the Entrance Hall,' she added to Ron.

'Right,' said Ron, looking around. 'Where's Hermione?'

Parvati shrugged, 'Shall we go down, then, Harry?'

'OK,' said Harry, wishing he could just stay in the common room. Fred winked at Harry as he passed him on the way out of the portrait hole.

The Entrance Hall was packed with students, all milling around waiting for eight o'clock, when the doors to the Great Hall would be thrown open. Those people who were meeting partners from different houses were edging through the crowd, trying to find each other. Parvati found her sister Padma and led her over to Harry and Ron.

'Hi,' said Padma, who was looking just as pretty as Parvati in robes of bright turquoise. She didn't look too enthusiastic about having Ron as a partner, though; her dark eyes lingered on the frayed neck and sleeves of his dress robes as she looked him up and down.

'Hi,' said Ron, not looking at her, but staring around the crowd. 'Oh, no …'

He bent his knees slightly to hide behind Harry, because Fleur Delacour was passing, looking stunning in robes of silver-grey satin, and accompanied by the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain, Roger Davies. When they disappeared, Ron stood straight again and stared over the heads of the crowd.

'Where is Hermione?' he said again.

A group of Slytherins came up the steps from their dungeon common room. Malfoy was in front; he was wearing dress robes of black velvet with a high collar, which in Harry's opinion made him look like a vicar. Pansy Parkinson was clutching Malfoy's arm, in very frilly robes of pale pink. Crabbe and Goyle were both wearing green; they resembled moss-coloured boulders, and neither of them, Harry was pleased to see, had managed to find a partner.

The oak front doors opened, and everyone turned to look as the Durmstrang students entered with Professor Karkaroff. Krum was at the front of the party, accompanied by a pretty girl in blue robes Harry didn't know. Over their heads he saw that the courtyard outside had been transformed into a sort of grotto full of fairy lights – meaning hundreds of actual living fairies were sitting in the rose bushes that had been conjured there and fluttering over the statues of what seemed to resemble Father Christmas and his reindeer.

Then Professor McGonagall's voice called, 'Champions over here, please!'

Parvati readjusted her bangles, beaming; she and Harry said 'See you in a minute' to Ron and Padma, and walked forwards, the chattering crowd parting to let them through. Professor McGonagall, who was wearing dress robes of red tartan, and had arranged a wreath of thistles around the brim of her hat, told them to wait on one side of the doors while everyone else went inside; they were to enter the Great Hall in procession when the rest of the students were inside. Fleur Delacour and Roger Davies stationed themselves nearest the doors; Davies looked so stunned by his good fortune in having Fleur for a partner that he could hardly take his eyes off her. Cedric and Cho were close to Harry, too; he looked away from them so he wouldn't have to talk to them. His eyes fell instead on the girl next to Krum and he did a double take.

It was Hermione.

But it didn't look like Hermione at all. She had done something with her hair; it was no longer bushy, but sleek and shiny, and twisted up into an elegant knot at the back of her head. She was wearing robes made of a floaty, periwinkle-blue material, and she was holding herself different, somehow – or maybe it was merely the absence of twenty or so books she usually had slung over her back. She was also smiling – rather nervously, it was true – but the reduction in the size of her front teeth was more noticeable than ever. Harry couldn't understand how he hadn't spotted it before.

'Hi, Harry!' she said in an excited whisper. 'Hi, Parvati!'

Parvati was gazing at Hermione in unflattering disbelief. She wasn't the only one, either; when the doors to the Great Hall opened, Krum's fan club from the library stalked past, throwing Hermione looks of deepest loathing. Despite her giddy excitement, Hermione still managed to compose herself enough to ignore the looks they sent her. Pansy gaped at her as she walked by with Malfoy, and even he didn't seem to be able to find an insult at her. Ron, however, walked right past Hermione without looking at her. Hermione watched as Ron passed; her breath caught as he did so, her smile faltering momentarily, a sigh escaping her chest once he'd gone.

The last few people were entering the Hall, Professor McGonagall ushering the final groups dotted about the Entrance Hall over towards the doors. Harry took a breath, closing his eyes. Any moment now, he'd be dancing in front of the whole school. Professor McGonagall's voice seemed magnified in his ears in the now quiet Entrance Hall, the muttering of the Great Hall an annoying buzz. He could hear the other champions greeting the last people entering the Hall.

'She looks beautiful,' he heard Parvati say beside him.

Harry opened his eyes to see who Parvati was referring too, and his jaw dropped.

A lone girl was making her way down the marble staircase towards them. She didn't look up, her eyes instead focused in front of her as she walked down the stairs. She casually brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. Slowly she descended the stairs then walked across the Entrance Hall over to where Harry was stood with the other champions. Her walk was different, smoother compared to her usual stride, her dress floating behind her, giving her a subtle elegance Harry didn't recognise her to normally have. She didn't notice him, instead walking over to where Hermione was waiting with Krum, who greeted her enthusiastically.

Jenna held out the edges of her dress before being pulled into a hug by Hermione. Like Hermione, Jenna too looked almost unrecognisable. Her long hair had been put up in some sort of braid and was decorated with little silver accessories, her normally scruffy fringe neatly framing her face. Her dress robes were a deep red with intricate golden embroidery on the halter neck top, the colour gently blending into a dark purple at the ends of the skirt. For the briefest of seconds Harry's eyes met Jenna's before she turned away to enter the Great Hall, disappearing behind the closing doors.

Inside the Great Hall students excitedly greeted their friends and their partners for the night. The atmosphere was full of energy as they waited for the Yule Ball to begin with the entrance of the Triwizard Champions. Not everyone was eagerly awaiting the champions' arrival, however. Ron stood sulkily beside Padma waiting for the moment when he could re-join Harry so they could endure this evening together. Padma, glancing sideways at Ron, let out a breath and folded her arms. Why did she let Parvati convince her to go with him? Elsewhere in the Hall, George too was not quite in the mood for the evening's festivities after he failed to muster the courage to ask Jenna to be his date. He stood with his shoulders slumped and hands thrust into his pockets beside Fred and Angelina.

'Cheer up, mate.' Fred gently gave his brother a nudge. 'She might still turn up and you can just ask her when she gets here.'

'Fred.' Angelina gave him a slight shake of her head, hinting for him to leave the subject. Fred frowned. He was only trying to cheer up his brother. He didn't like seeing George down like this.

'It's all right, Angelina,' muttered George. He understood what Fred was doing and appreciated it all the same. 'It's my own fault. I should have just asked her.'

George sighed. Why hadn't he just asked her? Sure, it was wrong of him to spy on her, but he had apologised for it. Yes, she was technically Ron's friend, and she was a few years younger than him, but she was his friend too. She had always laughed at his jokes before, they had similar interests, and they got on well when they hung out in the common room or when she had visited The Burrow. But she had been mad at him because of his actions, as well intentioned as they had been, he shouldn't have done what he did. Was that what had held him back? That she would say no if he'd asked her to go with him because she was mad at him? Was that what had caused this unfamiliar doubt in him? George held in a groan, frustrated by his own lack of confidence over something that should have been as simple as charming a teacup to tap dance.

The sound of the doors of the Great Hall closing alerted the gathered students that the Yule Ball was about to start. A hush swept across the Hall. People began to move forwards, congregating together on either side of the doors as they waited for the champions to enter. Padma urged Ron, taking his arm in hers, and pulled him forwards so she could watch for Parvati entering with Harry. Fred and Angelina found Katie, Alicia and their partners and joined them in the crowd, George following behind. He gazed over the heads of the other students.

'George, look.'

Angelina nudged him in the ribs. He turned to her. Angelina pointed through the crowd to someone standing seemingly on her own as they waited for the Ball to begin. She wasn't facing them. She was looking over towards the doors like everyone else. Her long dark hair had been put up and decorated with little silver jewels that twinkled when they caught the light, her fringe framing her face with two long waves falling around her cheeks. Her robes were deep red formed of a halter fastened at the base of her neck leaving her shoulders and back bare, and a long skirt that reached to the floor making her look taller than she did in her Hogwarts uniform. Fred glanced at his brother and followed his gaze. He let out a quiet 'Oh.' when he realised who his twin had been wanting to ask all this time. He caught George's eye, raising his eyebrow as if to say, "what are you waiting for?". George's lip lifted at the corner at his brother's approval and, catching his drift, nodded.

As the doors began to open, George made his way through the crowd to her, determined to not mess it up with Jenna a second time.

-o-

I ran as quick as I could down the marble staircase, hoping that the charm Lupin had put on these heeled boots would prevent me from falling over like it claimed. I had my dress gathered in my hands, so I didn't trip over it as it was so long, revealing my pale legs. Tights were the worst. I could hear the noise of the Hall ahead of me. I came to a stop at the top of the marble staircase. I peered out from behind the corner. The Entrance Hall was almost completely empty now as the final students filed into the Hall at Professor McGonagall's instruction. The four Triwizard Champions were lined up, Fleur then Krum then Cedric and finally Harry, with their respective partners. To my surprise I saw Cedric's partner was none other than Cho Chang. I hesitated, suddenly nervous at the thought of being seen like this, but knowing Hermione was there reassured me. I rallied myself and stepped out from behind the corner.

I walked down the stairs and crossed the Entrance Hall. Hermione beamed when she saw me. I walked over to her and Krum. He smiled and bowed at me like he had done back in the library while Hermione gushed over the fact I'd decided to come. She got me to hold out my dress so she could see it in full before pulling me into a hug. I felt a slight giddiness in my stomach. I took a breath to steady myself then said goodbye to Hermione. I glanced around to see the Entrance Hall was now almost empty and turned to enter the Great Hall, during which for the briefest of seconds, I saw Harry staring at me, the doors closing behind me.

My eyes gazed around the wintry scene before me. The Great Hall had been completely transformed into what looked like an ice palace. The twelve Christmas trees that Hagrid always brought in to decorate the Hall lined the walls and were decorated with hundreds of silver ornaments and the entire Hall was illuminated in a soft blue glow from the silver frost covering the walls, while garlands of mistletoe and ivy hung below the enchanted ceiling above us and snowflakes fell from the night sky. The teacher's table at the top of the Hall had been draped in a white cloth and laid with golden place settings. Before it gathered at the bottom of the steps was an orchestra to play in the champions as the entered the Hall to the large dancefloor that took up most of the room. Dotted around the rest of the Hall were more large circular tables decorated in the same manner, each with a large ice sculpture as the centrepiece. It looked beautiful.

I looked around to see if I could find Ron and Padma, knowing they had to be here somewhere. Around me students were excitedly greeting their friends, their different dress robes creating a sea of colour compared to the usual black of our school robes. Girls chatted enthusiastically to their friends as they admired each other's dresses while the boys playfully mocked each other for how they looked in their ties and waistcoats. As I scanned the Hall for Ron, I noticed a couple of boys looking in my direction. They nudged each other, smirking. I hesitated again but then I frowned. I should have known this was going to happen, the stares I would attract, and I knew it was clear I had inherited my family's looks, but I wasn't going to let that get in the way of me enjoying the evening. I looked away just as I heard the doors of the Great Hall open. The Yule Ball was about to begin.

I made my way through the crowd so I had a better view. The champions entered to a loud applause and made their way through the crowd towards the dancefloor. Fleur led the way with her partner, the Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain, Roger Davies, who looked very smug at who he had managed to secure as his date; next was Krum with Hermione, who glanced fondly at her as they passed; Cedric followed arm in arm with Cho Chang, looking smart as ever in his black dress robes and the same relaxed smile on his face; and finally was Harry and Parvati, the latter of whom seemed to have no restraint as she waved enthusiastically I assume to wherever Lavender was in the crowd, Harry awkwardly walking beside her.

The four champions stepped on to the dancefloor, the crowd gathering around the edges. I followed suit so I could watch the opening dance. In front of the orchestra stood the school Heads, Professor Dumbledore, Madam Maxime and Karkaroff, alongside the Triwizard judges, Ludo Bagman but not Crouch. I stared confused as I saw Percy Weasley, dressed in a set of smart navy-blue dress robes, stood beside Bagman. It lay forgotten though when I heard the first chords from the orchestra play.

A merry waltz filled the Hall and the champions began to dance. Applause from the crowd splattered in between musical phrases. I watched as the champions performed the opening dance for us, some looking a lot more natural than others. Fleur and Roger Davies glided elegantly across the floor together; Krum lifted Hermione effortlessly as they spun; Cho seemed to be gripping Cedric's shoulder slightly as his face was contorted with concentration but still smiling at her nonetheless; while Harry … well, Harry was getting through the steps, that was the main thing, but I couldn't say whether Parvati was enjoying it. More applause, and slowly more couples entered the dancefloor to join the champions. Professor Dumbledore was dancing with a surprisingly graceful Madame Maxime considering her size; Bagman had encouraged Professor McGonagall to join him; Moody was doing a clunky two-step with the Astronomy teacher, Professor Sinistra; even Filch was gently swaying Mrs Norris in his arms on the side-lines. Students too had begun to dance, and I saw the likes of Neville dancing with Ginny, Seamus twirling Lavender about, Dean with a girl I assumed was from either Beauxbatons or Durmstrang, and I couldn't mistake the white hair of Malfoy dancing with Pansy who was dressed in a very garish set of pink robes.

'Jenna?'

I turned when I heard my name. Dressed in a set of black robes, a brown patterned waistcoat, and a thin black necktie, was George. Like everyone else, he looked very different to how he usually looked. His red hair looked neat and was casually spiked at the front. He stood before me with what felt like a quiet confidence, something I hadn't noticed before as he was rarely seen out of the company of Fred. The corner of his lip was lifted in a small smile, and he was holding his hand out to me.

'Would you like to dance?'

I smiled. I reached out and put my hand in his. George's smile changed to the more customary Weasley grin and his more familiar confidence took over. He walked me to the dancefloor, and we joined the other couples. George placed his hand on my waist and drew me into him. I had to stifle a gasp at the sudden closeness between us, having never been this close to anyone before. I had to tilt my face to look at him, not realising how much taller than me George was. I placed my opposite hand on his shoulder and, catching the music, we started to dance alongside everyone else. The music swirled around the Hall. I followed George as he led me from one side to the other, following as he turned us in circles and lifted me up. It felt strange. I was enjoying myself and I couldn't work out why, but I was smiling. The music crescendo-ed for the final few bars and came to an end. Couples broke apart to applaud the orchestra who took to their feet and took a bow. I stepped back from George and he released my waist.

'That was nice,' I said, smiling. George grinned.

'It was,' he admitted, chuckling.

'Ladies and gentlemen,' called Professor Dumbledore over the crowd. 'I invite you all now to take a seat and join myself, the judges and our champions in enjoying the feast.'

Couples began to leave the dancefloor. I hesitated, unsure if I should find Ron or to go with George now the first dance was over.

'Shall we find a seat?' asked George. 'Fred and Angelina should be around here somewhere.'

'Isn't it a bit hypocritical of you to be asking me to join you, when you didn't approve of Cedric doing the same?' I asked cautiously. I raised an eyebrow at him.

'I know, Jenna,' said George awkwardly, 'but, the thing is –' I stopped him.

'George, I'm flattered, I really am,' I told him, 'but I don't want a date for this. I'm happy as I am. But thank you for the dance. I really enjoyed it.'

'So, what are you going to do?' George asked.

'I'm going to see what happens,' I shrugged, looking around. 'Probably find Padma and Ron. I don't somehow think he's going to be the cheeriest of dates for her given who Hermione has come with.'

'Oh yeah, she kept that secret,' laughed George. 'Well then perhaps we can have another dance later?'

I stared at him, then smiled.

'I'd like that.'

George beamed. He reached up and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, then turned on his heel to find his brother. My smile remained as I watched him walk away. The dancefloor was almost empty now. I scanned the Great Hall in search of Ron, eventually finding him with Padma on a table that had appeared near to the main doors. He was slumped down in his seat, his hands thrust in the pockets of his maroon dress robes which looked like they had had been ripped by something judging by the loose threads around the collar and cuffs. Padma was sat beside him, sending rather furtive looks in his direction. She jumped to her feet though when she saw me.

'Jenna!' she gasped, taking my hands. 'You came. Parvati said you weren't going to because you didn't have a date.'

'You really shouldn't believe all the gossip your sister comes out with,' I told Padma. 'All people seemed to care about was finding a date for this. I just decided to break expectations. You look amazing, by the way,' I added, looking down her dress robes.

'Oh, thanks,' said Padma. She let go of my hands and did a little sway from side to side. 'The choli and sari were made by our aunt Madhari. Parvati's wearing the same but hers are pink. I went for turquoise as they say it represents wisdom and good fortune.' Padma suddenly lowered her voice. 'I don't somehow think it worked though,' and she nodded her head towards Ron.

I looked round her at him.

'Are you going to be sulking all night then?' I asked him. Ron, having not even noticed me yet, looked up. His eyes seemed to widen at the sight of me, and he sat up awkwardly. I arched my eyebrow at him and folded my arms.

'Thought you weren't coming,' said Ron. I noticed his eyes subtly look down me as he spoke. His tone was accusative though.

'I changed my mind,' I said. 'I'm allowed to do that, aren't I?'

'Then why didn't you tell Harry you were coming?' asked Ron. 'He really needed a date for this, and you humiliated him when you stood him up like that in the common room.'

'He's here with Parvati,' I said firmly. 'Get over yourself that I turned him down, Ron, I wasn't going to be his "last resort".'

Ron frowned.

'You still could have mentioned it,' he muttered, 'just like Hermione could have mentioned she was going with Krum.'

'So, you will be sulking then,' I said bluntly.

'I'm not sulking,' he shrugged, and he slumped back into his chair.

'Sure, you're not,' muttered Padma. 'He took one look at Hermione Granger with Viktor Krum, and it looked like he'd been hit with a Stunner,' she whispered to me.

I smirked. Guess Hermione got what she'd hoped for. Shame I missed it.

The Yule Ball feast was unlike any other we'd had at Hogwarts. Each setting at the table had its own golden plate, goblet, set of cutlery and blue napkin folded into the shape of a flower. On top of the plate was a menu which we were to use to order the food we wanted to eat instead of the traditional range of dishes laid out before us. While chatter filled the Hall, Ron remained staunchly silent throughout the meal as he ate his stew and mashed potatoes. Needless to say, Padma was glad of my company. She was quite different to Parvati, and I didn't feel as stifled in conversation with her as I usually did with Parvati. It was clear why she had been put in Ravenclaw. Her natural curiosity and desire to question and challenge was obvious as we discussed the tournament, the visiting schools, and what the future tasks could be.

'Ladies and gentlemen, visiting guests,' called out Professor Dumbledore. The sound of chatter around the Hall faded. Students turned in their seats to face him. 'Now we are all suitably full, I once again invite our Champions to return to the dancefloor to start the evening's festivities, and for you all to join.'

I got up from my seat next to Padma. The tables nearest the dancefloor moved back towards the walls and the floor itself enlarged to accommodate a new stage along one of its edges. The orchestra had taken their seats once again and were raising their instruments at the command of the conductor. I looked up at the teachers' table. The champions and judges had gotten to their feet and were descending the few steps back to the dancefloor. Harry seemed to stumble as he got to his feet, Parvati grabbing his arm and almost dragging him forward. Instead of the previous waltz that had opened the Yule Ball, a slower tempo piece led the pairs slowly turning in circles together. My nose wrinkled. This looked a lot more painful to endure than the first dance, deciding I was going to sit this one out. Students began to approach the dancefloor in their pairs and join the champions. Beside me Padma glanced at Ron who had stayed resolutely in his chair.

'He's not going to dance with me at all tonight, is he?' Padma muttered to me.

'I wouldn't get your hopes up,' I said. I glanced around the Hall again. 'If it's all right with you, I'm going to find Hermione. Don't feel obligated to stay with Ron,' I added.

The orchestra played its final notes. A round of applause brought them to their feet and they took their bows, and they left their chairs. Set up on the stage now were a series of instruments. A group of wizards slowly trudged up some steps and took their places. Suddenly screams started in the crowd at their appearance. I looked round, slightly startled by the sudden change in atmosphere, as I wasn't very familiar with wizarding bands as Lupin didn't own a wireless. The Weird Sisters picked up their various instruments while their lead singer addressed the crowd. More screams. The lead singer glanced back at his band. The drummer raised his sticks and counted them in. A powerful chord filled the Great Hall.

I made my way through the crowd as people danced energetically around me to The Weird Sisters. I finally spotted Hermione with Krum near to the stage and made my way through to them while trying hard not to get knocked over. I finally reached them, Hermione throwing her arms around me. I beamed. Taking my hand, Hermione and I began to dance together, Krum beside us with a couple of his fellow Durmstrangs. I threw my head back and swayed to the music, loving the feeling of freedom I was getting while I let the music take over. This was much more fun than that stuffy waltz at the start. Now the Yule Ball had begun.

We were soon joined by the other Gryffindors. Seamus and Dean had their arms around each other's shoulders and were jumping up and down. Lavender was visibly swooning over the lead singer of The Weird Sisters. Fred and Angelina were creating a wide circle around them from their exuberant dancing, and George had joined us and was spinning Hermione and I in turn with Krum. George spun me round then I was pulled into his arms as Krum did the same to Hermione. I glanced over my shoulder to see Hermione and Krum staring intently at each other as they danced. It was nice to see her look so happy. I felt a pull around my waist and turned back round, a broad smile on my face. I didn't even really notice what was happening, or how close George and I were, or that his forehead was touching mine, nor did I care. I was enjoying myself too much. I looked up to see George grinning down at me, his brown eyes focused on me.

After a few more songs, Hermione shouted to me to get my attention that she needed a drink while fanning herself with her hand. I nodded in agreement. While it may look like an ice palace, it was so hot in the Great Hall with all the dancing. I could feel myself sweating slightly and I was out of breath. Hermione quickly told Krum where we were going. He smiled and kissed her hand then whispered something to her that made her blush. Taking her hand before she got all flustered, I led Hermione through the crowd and off the dancefloor. The music died down shortly after giving my hearing a chance to recover.

'I can't believe I almost missed this,' I said breathlessly. 'What did you say to Viktor?'

'Oh, I said we were going to get drinks but then he offered to get them for us,' Hermione rushed. Her cheeks had a rosy tinge to them, and strands from her slick hair were beginning to come loose. 'So, you're glad you came? She raised her eyebrows at me.

I smiled, feeling slightly embarrassed by my earlier attitude towards the Ball.

'OK, I'll admit it, I'm glad I came,' I told her. Hermione beamed. 'Come on, let's go find a seat. Lupin may have enchanted my boots so I didn't fall over but it's not stopping my feet hurting.'

Hermione and I walked around a couple of tables. We soon found Harry had joined Ron at the table I had previously been sat at with him during the feast. Parvati, who had been with Harry, could be seen walking away in the company of a Beauxbatons boy dressed in pearlescent robes while Padma had her arms and legs crossed and a very disgruntled look on her face. Oh dear. I glanced at Hermione to see she had noticed the same thing. We approached the table. Harry looked up and saw us. Hermione took Parvati's empty seat, pulling me in to sit on her lap as there were no other chairs available. I put my arm round her shoulders, nuzzling my face into her hair while I eyed Ron carefully from the corner of my vision. I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach given Ron's earlier behaviour, and I didn't want this night to be ruined for her.

'Hi,' he said. Ron didn't say anything.

'It's hot, isn't it?' said Hermione. She didn't seem to acknowledge Ron's silence, whether deliberately or not. 'Viktor's just gone to get some drinks.'

Ron suddenly roused from his sulk. He sent Hermione a withering look.

'Viktor?' he said. 'Hasn't he asked you to call him Vicky yet?'

Hermione looked startled. Even my eyebrows arched at Ron's comment.

'What's up with you?' she said.

'Yeah,' I agreed, 'what's got your wand in a knot?'

'If you don't know,' said Ron angrily, 'I'm not going to tell you.'

Hermione stared between me and Harry.

'Ron, what –?'

'He's from Durmstrang!' spat Ron. 'He's competing against Harry! Against Hogwarts! You – you're –' Ron seemed to stumble, 'fraternising with the enemy, that's what you're doing!'

Hermione's mouth fell open.

'The enemy?' I repeated, astonished. 'Ron, are you being serious?'

'Don't be so stupid!' protested Hermione. 'The enemy! Honestly – who was the one who was all excited when they saw him arrive? Who was the one who wanted his autograph? Who's got a model of him up in their dormitory?'

'I s'pose he asked you to come with him while you were both in the library?' Ron said, ignoring Hermione.

'Yes, he did,' said Hermione. Her already pink cheeks got pinker. 'So what?'

'What happened – trying to get him to join spew, were you?'

'No, I wasn't! if you really want to know, he – he said he'd been coming up to the library every day to try and talk to me, but he hadn't been able to pluck up the courage!'

Hermione blushed even more but it didn't stop Ron. I stared between her and Ron, unsure what to even do or say as the argument began to escalate. Harry too seemed speechless as he watched.

'Yeah, well – that's his story,' he said nastily.

'And what's that supposed to mean?'

'Obvious, isn't it? He's Karkaroff's student, isn't he? He knows who you hang around with … he's just trying to get closer to Harry – get inside information on him – or get near enough to jinx him –'

I felt Hermione tense in her seat. I took the hand that was rested in my lap and gripped it to reassure her.

'For your information,' she said stiffly, her voice edged with anger, 'he hasn't asked me one single thing about Harry, not one –'

'Then he's hoping you'll help him find out what his egg means!' said Ron instantly as if the comeback was already prepared. 'I suppose you've been putting your heads together during those cosy little library sessions –'

'I'd never help him work out that egg!' snapped Hermione. Quickly I got to my feet and moved behind the chair. This was going to come to a head any second and I did not want to impede Hermione storming off because of Ron's behaviour. 'Never. How could you say something like that – I want Harry to win the Tournament. Harry knows that, don't you, Harry?'

Harry didn't get a chance to respond as Ron did it for him.

'You've got a funny way of showing it,' he sneered.

'This whole Tournament's supposed to be about getting to know foreign wizards and making friends with them!' said Hermione shrilly.

'No, it isn't!' shouted Ron. 'It's about winning!'

Ron and Hermione's argument was getting ever louder even with the heavy rock music of the Weird Sisters in the background. People around us were beginning to stare.

'Ron,' said Harry, 'I haven't got a problem with Hermione coming with Krum –' but Ron ignored him too.

'Why don't you go and find Vicky, he'll be wondering where you are,' he spat.

'Don't call him Vicky!' snapped Hermione and she jumped to her feet like I knew she would. She strode a few feet away, turned back as if she had a retort but remained unable to find any words to verbalise just how angry she had to be at Ron's actions, then stormed off. Ron watched her go with a mixture of anger and satisfaction on his face.

'Are you going to ask me to dance at all?' Padma finally asked. She seemed to not be able to restrain herself any longer having put up with Ron's behaviour since the Ball started an hour ago.

'No,' said Ron, still glaring after Hermione.

'Fine,' snapped Padma, and she got up to join Parvati and the Beauxbatons boy, whose friend appeared so quickly beside him it was like he'd been Summoned.

I remained where I was. I was staring at Ron. How could he do that to Hermione? how could he ruin her night like that? What on earth had possessed him to do that? I was about to open my mouth to let rip into him, when I felt a hand touch my arm. I looked round. It was Krum.

'Vare is Herm-own-ninny?' he asked, more towards me but he did glance at Harry and Ron as well. He had three butterbeers in his hand, one of which he handed to me. I had to assume when he said "Herm-own-ninny", he had meant Hermione; I'd never realised how hard her name might have been for him to pronounce. 'I haff drinks.'

'No idea,' muttered Ron. His normally awed look at Krum had been replaced with what could only be described as contempt. 'Lost her, have you?'

'Ron,' I hissed.

Krum's cheerful look darkened, becoming surlier like before.

'Yenna?' Krum turned to me.

I was momentarily distracted by how Krum had pronounced my name.

'I think she went to the toilet,' I deflected. I shot a look at Ron, daring him to say anything.

'Vell, if you see her, tell her I haff drinks,' said Krum, and he walked off.

I turned once more to Ron, ready to snap at him before anymore interruptions.

'You just couldn't help yourself, could you?' I said. Ron shot me a glare. 'You just couldn't let Hermione have just one night where she got to enjoy herself and feel special. So what if she came with Krum? He made the effort and bothered to ask her unlike you who cared more about what your date looked like, than whether or not she was actually a nice person! And even then, you've been horrible to Padma all night! Hermione's your friend! How could you do that to her?' Ron let out a huff, his arms folded. 'You've got some nerve, Ron, accusing her like that. I hope you're pleased with yourself. You're acting like a little brat.'

'Sod off, Jenna,' Ron snapped at me.

I glared at him, then turned on my heel and stalked away. How could he? I fumed. What on earth had made him act like a total prat towards Hermione? All because she had come to the ball with Krum. So what? Was he jealous or something? What was his problem? What had Hermione even done to deserve –?

I was cut off mid rant in my head when I felt myself collide with someone. Spell or no spell, my ankle twisted in its boot and I fell backwards on to the floor with a thump. I let out an "oompf". I had landed hard on my backside. I put my hand on my hip and rubbed it. I groaned.

'Jenna? Are you OK?'

I looked up.

'Noah,' I said, surprised. Noah had a concerned look on his face as he reached out his hand to me. I took it and he pulled me to my feet. He did so quite effortlessly. Once I was on my feet again, I faced Noah. I felt a slight heat in my cheeks when I saw how he looked in his dress robes, a set of dark grey robes in the style of a tunic with golden fastenings and smart trousers and shoes. His hair was swept back off his face apart from a few strands that seemed to curl on his forehead. 'Sorry, I didn't mean to walk into you like that. I didn't see you.'

'It's not the first time that's happened,' Noah chuckled. 'Kind of becoming a habit for you.'

I blushed. I looked down at my feet. I didn't know what to say. I hadn't seen Noah since he had turned me down when I had asked him to the Yule Ball.

'Hey, why so quiet?' Noah asked.

'Oh, it's nothing,' I said. I looked up. I fiddled awkwardly with my dress, feeling self-conscious. A prolonged silence was starting, making the awkwardness worse. I felt like a Porlock in a spotlight under Noah's gaze.

'Jenna, about the –' I heard Noah begin when another voice cut him off.

'There you are, Noah,' said a churlish voice. A girl with a short spiky brunette bob wearing a black dress with green bow around the waist appeared at Noah's arm. She was clearly older than me, sixteen perhaps if she was in the same year as Noah like I assumed, but there was a haughtiness about her I immediately didn't like. She turned his face to her and kissed him on the lips. I couldn't stop my eyebrows from shooting up. She then turned to me.

'Who is this?' she asked, her eyes scanning me standing there like an idiot.

'This is Jenna,' said Noah. 'Jenna, this is Gwen, my girlfriend.'

'Pleased to meet you,' I said, politely.

'Oh, so you're the one who asked my boyfriend to the ball,' she said. I felt my cheeks burn in embarrassment. She let out a laugh. 'Babe, I'm getting thirsty. Will you get me a Butterbeer?'

Despite my embarrassment, I had to stop myself from snorting when the girl, Gwen, called Noah "babe". He didn't seem like a "babe" to me, and I found it hard to believe he would like to be called that.

'Sure,' said Noah. 'Glad you didn't hurt yourself, Jenna.'

'Thanks,' I said.

I watched as Noah walked away. I felt my breath finally release. The same feeling of disappointment when Noah had turned me down came back. I wasn't sure what it was about him or why I was so bothered about Noah having a girlfriend. I just knew that it saddened me.

'Why are you staring at my boyfriend?'

I blinked and looked at Gwen, who was glaring at me.

'Excuse me?'

'You were staring at Noah,' said Gwen.

'I wasn't staring,' I denied.

'If you weren't staring, why are your cheeks so red?' accused Gwen. She gave me another cursory look up and down. 'If I was Noah, I wouldn't even bother with a skinny little stick like you, and why would he when he's got me? You look like a child dressed up in her mummy's dress robes.'

My embarrassment vanished instantly to be replaced with anger at being insulted like that.

'Excuse me?' I repeated, my tone now much more confident.

'Piece of advice, hun,' continued Gwen, her red lips smirking, 'Quit trying to be something you're not. No guy likes a girl who tries too hard. Makes you look desperate. And whatever weird childish crush you've got on Noah? Forget it. He's mine so stay away from him. He wants a girlfriend, not someone he has to babysit.'

I stared shocked at her. I felt a horrible familiar feeling deep in my chest, a heat. I felt like I was back in that orphanage I grew up in. That my old childhood bully, Mandy, was the one standing in front of me and not Gwen and was the one saying these nasty things to me. Taunting me. Baiting me. Almost daring me to challenge her. I wanted to retort but a part of me was telling me not to rise to her comments like I would have done to Mandy. I took a steadying breath, the heat in my chest dulling.

'I have to go,' I said calmly, impressed with my self-control, but not before adding, 'I may be a "skinny little stick in my mummy's dress robes", but at least I'm able to get myself a Butterbeer. If I see Noah, I'll tell him to get you a straw too.'

Gwen's jaw dropped at my remark. I turned away, happily smirking to myself. I looked around the Hall for any sign of Hermione. I hoped Ron's behaviour hadn't ruined her evening too much. I started for the entrance to the Great Hall. Perhaps she was in the bathroom. I slipped my way through the crowd, holding up my dress to stop the risk of someone treading on it. I reached the Entrance Hall. Various groups of students were now in the Hall; a group of guys joking about something; a couple of girls comforting their friend who seemed to be bawling her eyes out about something; some older students sitting on the marble staircase passing around drinks as they talked. My eyes then caught sight of someone standing alone by the doors to the courtyard. My brow furrowed. It was Daphne.

Daphne had her back to the inside and was gazing out into the courtyard. Her long blonde hair had been left loose and was flowing down her back with a single clip pinning back one side by her ear. Unlike a lot of other girls' dress robes, hers were a pale icy blue instead of a bright bold colour. They also weren't a dress in the traditional sense. The top half was made up of an off-shoulder corset-style top which stopped at her waist with a long tail forming a sort of skirt at the back, that revealed a pair of legging-style trousers of the same material. Like me, she had opted for heeled boots instead of a pair of ridiculous strappy heels. She looked very pretty. I was taken aback to see her alone.

I approached her.

'Daphne?' I said to gain her attention. She turned round when she heard her name.

'Jenna,' she said, a tone of surprise in her voice. She gave me a smile. 'I thought you weren't coming to the Yule Ball. Pansy was telling everyone who would listen in the common room that you'd been stood up by Potter.'

'Ah, the words of Parkinson prove true as ever,' I remarked. 'No, I turned him down and he went with Parvati instead. Something about being a "last resort" just didn't really do it for me.'

Daphne laughed. A sweet girlish laugh that was surprisingly not irritating like Lavender's was.

'I bet he's kicking himself now,' said Daphne. 'Look at you. You look amazing.'

'Well, so do you,' I replied. 'You look like one of those Muggle princesses they have in fairy tales.'

Daphne ran her hand down the skirt part of her robes. There was a slight tinge in her cheeks.

'So, where's your date?' I asked. 'I was surprised to see you alone out here.'

'Oh, I didn't come with a date,' said Daphne, 'something Pansy again delighted in teasing me about. There just – I wanted to ask someone but I didn't think they would want to go with me.'

'Who wouldn't want to go with you?' I said.

Daphne smiled and shook her head, 'It doesn't matter. Sometimes doing the unexpected can work out in your favour.' She looked away into the courtyard. It was covered in snow from the earlier falls and turned the courtyard into a kind of winter wonderland. 'Have you ever seen so much snow? The courtyard looks like a Christmas card.'

I followed Daphne's gaze. Like the Great Hall, the courtyard had also been decorated with fairy lights and filled with ornamental bushes. Stone statues had a dusting of recently fallen snow while the benches and pathways had been cleared, only the rooftop showing the full amount of snow that had fallen in the recent weeks. The fountain in the centre of the courtyard sent sparkling jets of water arching into the air before falling into the basin; it must've had a Heating Charm on it to prevent the fountain from freezing.

'I live in the countryside in the middle of nowhere,' I told Daphne. 'Whenever it snows, the fields surrounding us get covered.' I glanced at Daphne. 'D'you want to go for a walk?'

Daphne nodded. Together we stepped out into the courtyard. I don't know how long we were there and to be honest it didn't really matter as we walked together through the snowy garden. Slowly more and more couples infiltrated the peace of the courtyard, hiding in the bushes but giving themselves away by all the giggling, so Daphne and I stopped and took a seat on one of the benches. The conversation had ebbed by now but it wasn't uncomfortable. We sat next to each other, both looking into the night sky. At one point I found myself glancing at Daphne, wondering if she was enjoying herself despite coming alone to the Ball like myself. She was smiling contently, staring up at the stars. I noticed a strand of her hair out of place. I reached out a hand and carefully tucked it behind her ear, causing her to stir and turn to me. She didn't say anything. Nor did I. We both just seemed perfectly content in each other's company.

I returned inside a while later. It was getting late now and the crowds inside the Great Hall had started to disperse. The Weird Sisters were winding down the music and had started playing more slow but still melancholic songs. My quest to find Hermione after Ron's comments had been fruitless and I hadn't seen her the rest of the night. Looking around the Hall, I saw only a few of my friends remained. Angelina and Fred were caught in a close embrace with each other, dancing less exuberantly than before to the droning music.

'Hey,' said a voice behind me.

I looked round.

'Noah,' I said, surprised. I glanced around quickly but saw there was no sight of Gwen.

'I was hoping I'd find you,' said Noah.

'Oh? Where's Gwen?' I asked.

'She decided to call it a night,' Noah shrugged. 'One of her girlfriends was having a drama or something.'

Sounds about right, I thought, given the number of girls I'd seen crying this evening.

'So,' I said slowly, 'to what do I owe the pleasure?'

Noah chuckled, 'Believe me, the pleasure's mine. I just didn't get a chance when I saw you earlier, to tell you how beautiful you look.'

I blinked. No one had ever called me beautiful before. The corner of my lip twitched.

'Thank you,' I told him. 'I scrub up pretty well for a tomboy.'

Noah chucked again.

'As my date has left,' Noah then said, 'I don't suppose you would be interested in giving me the last dance?'

'What about Gwen?' I asked.

Noah smiled. He took a step closer and took my hand in his.

'I'm sure she won't mind one dance,' he told me. I felt his arm slip round my waist, and I was pulled closer to him. 'Besides,' he added, 'we Muggles have a saying: what the mind doesn't know, the heart doesn't grieve about.'

A small part of my mind tried to question Noah's theory, but it was quickly silenced as we slowly began to sway to the music. Noah raised my hand and placed it round his neck before placing his around my waist. I could feel his breath gently tickling my neck as his head was next to mine. I could feel his hands lightly gripping my lower back and gently press my body into his. I took a breath and I caught scent of his aftershave. Suddenly the music ended. I stepped back. Noah released his arms from round me.

'Thanks,' I said quietly. 'That was really nice.'

'I'm glad you enjoyed it,' said Noah, smiling that soft smile of his.

Behind us, Professor McGonagall was making an announcement that the Ball had finished. I looked around. There was no sign of Harry, Ron or Hermione.

'I better go find the others,' I said, more to myself than Noah. 'I'll see you around, Noah.'

I felt bad for leaving Noah as fast as I did after sharing a dance with him. But I had been swept up in the moment that completely forgotten what I had been doing when I first returned to the Great Hall. I made my way through the castle and back to the Gryffindor Tower. I said the password to the portrait of the Fat Lady, who muttered something about being kept up waiting for the student to return, and entered the common room. It was filled with people who had been at the Ball in various states of disarray. I looked round. Harry, Ron and Hermione weren't here either. Had they come back earlier? Were they in the dormitory? Where were they?

Suddenly the portrait opened behind me and I heard voices shouting at each other.

'How dare you!' It was Hermione. 'Besides I can take care of myself!'

'That's completely not the point!' came Ron's voice as he and Hermione stormed into the common room. A silence fell over everyone in the room, even though there had been very little noise in there before their entrance.

'Well, if you don't like it, you know what the solution is, don't you?' yelled Hermione. She looked dishevelled. Her hair was falling out of its bun and her eyes looked red. She had been crying.

'Oh yeah?' Ron snapped back. 'What's that?'

'Next time there's a ball, you and Harry pluck up the courage and ask me and Jenna before someone else does, and not as a last resort!'

I stared at them, caught out by Hermione dragging my name into whatever argument she and Ron were having. Ron mouthed soundlessly like a goldfish as he struggled to come up with a retort. Before he could, however, Hermione had turned on her heel and stormed off up the girls' staircase. I stared at where Ron stood silent. I didn't know what to say. It was then I noticed Harry standing by the portrait hole. Had he heard what Hermione had said too? Harry was looking at Ron, who was now making random nonsensical noises, but then I saw him look at me. I started. Not wanting this to escalate anymore, I turned away up the girls' staircase and to my dormitory. I found Hermione lying on her bed with her curtains drawn. She was crying again. I sighed. Tonight was meant to be a night Hermione got to be herself, not the bookworm everyone thinks she is, and it had been ruined. I felt so sorry for her. Deciding it was best not to disturb her, I got out my dress, gave my hair a tap with my want causing the braid to release and fall down my back, and went to bed.

---

AN: I am aware that it has taken me a long time to update this story with this chapter, and I have my reasons, and I am aware of the controversy that now sounds JK Rowling, and the whole Harry Potter universe as a whole including the themes of representation. So I wanted to use this chapter to explore other things because Harry, from whose perspective we read these stories, is an incredibly limited narrator and so I feel that just because Harry doesn't see a lot of things outside his world at Hogwarts doesn't mean they weren't always there. So I took the necessary time to do this and to hopefully write something meaningful.