The only one of their group who still didn't have a date to the ball was Ron and he had no problem letting everyone know how miserable he was about it.

"No one wants to go to the ball with me and it's so embarrassing." He grumbled, kicking the grass under his feet. "Everyone's going to laugh at me."

"No one will care whether you have a date or not, Ron." Bella replied.

The two of them were sitting alone in the courtyard, Bella on the bench while Ron paced in front of her.

"Malfoy'll have a right laugh!" Ron said, throwing his hands into the air.

"You really think he's going to have any time bother looking at you?" Bella asked. "He'll be looking at himself in the mirror all night."

"How come everyone else has dates and I don't?" Ron huffed, throwing himself down onto the bench.

"Because you haven't asked anyone."

"I don't want to." he whined.

"Right." Bella said, standing and pulling Ron (reluctantly) to his feet. She spun him round until he had his back to her and she pushed him softly forwards. "You are going to go into that castle and you are going to get a date. I don't want to see you again until you've asked someone to the ball."

"But," Ron said, looking over his shoulder at her.

"No buts." Bella insisted, pushing him softly forwards again.

Ron trudged towards the castle and disappeared through it's doors without a glance back. Bella knew she was being a little harsh but she couldn't bear him moping around anymore. Her heart was in the right place; she only wanted to see her brother happy. Bella sat back down on the bench leaning back against the stone wall behind her and enjoying some much needed peace. She hadn't had her eyes closed for more than a few seconds but when she opened them again Draco was stood directly in front of her, causing Bella to jump in fright.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Bella yelled. "You almost gave me a heart attack."

"I hardly think I'm scary enough to cause a heart attack." Draco replied.

"That is the face of nightmares." Bella said, straight-faced and pointing right at him. "It's no wonder I got a fright."

"You are so cheeky." Draco responded, shoving her shoulder lightly.

There was a moment of silence between them before Draco spoke again.

"So, do you have a date for the ball yet?" He asked.

"I do actually, yeah." Bella smiled to herself. "And I'm assuming you do to."

"Well, no. Not yet anyway." Draco admitted coyly.

"Really?" Bella replied. "I assumed you'd have your pick of girls in the castle."

"I didn't say I didn't have options." Draco smirked. "I just haven't asked anyone yet."

"There's the real Draco." Bella said, rolling her eyes teasingly.

"Tell me then," Draco said, leaning against the stone gargoyle on his left. "who has the pleasure of you stepping on his toes all night while you pretend to dance?"

"Hey!" Bella cried, swatting her hand at him while he chuckled. "If you must know, Harry asked me to the ball with him."

Draco's face dropped; the cheery mood between them being replaced by one of disappointment.

"Oh." He replied, looking miserable. "I, um, I have to go. I'll speak to you later."

"Draco -"

He walked off without another word and disappeared into the castle. Bella watched him go with a confused expression on her face. She hadn't thought mentioning Harry would be a big deal - she had honestly believed that Draco already had someone to go with and now she felt as though she had rubbed it in his face. Whatever his problem was, Bella wasn't going to let it worry her - he would tell her eventually.