Disappointment can make a person stronger, but sometimes it can also just really stink like a bag of sweaty socks. The worst part about any kind of disappointment is when excitement is stirring for something, but the event (or the thing) doesn't happen as planned. And just when you think you know people, they disappoint in ways you never thought they could.

That's why Marcus Flint has tried to have zero expectations of people. He's found that expectations lead to hurt feelings and a whole bunch of discouragement. So the best way to avoid that is not to expect anything from anyone. It's helped a lot. Yet, here he is, unhappy, hurt, mad, sore, and disappointed. Just when he thought everything was going well in his life for a change, his father, Maxwell Flint, decides to throw a wrench into it all. Like always, Marcus will put on a happy face and move on. It will sting, but he'll survive because his strength doesn't come from lifting weights. It comes from lifting himself up every time he's been knocked down. Although, just because he comes off as strong, rough, and brutal and acts like nothing is wrong doesn't mean he doesn't cry. No. He's really good at lying. All Slytherins are.

The hardest part about the note his father wrote was explaining it to Hermione. Maxwell is on the board of governors at Hogwarts. As a member, the governors had been invited to attend the Yule Ball. Therefore his father was coming to the school, and the man's plan was to have Marcus go home with him after for the holidays. Any other year that would have been fine. However, this year is different.

For one thing, unlike past years, this school year has been the year of his dreams coming true. Marcus is actually dating someone- someone he fancies very much. For once in his life, he has a girl and a date. So naturally, he wants to be with her and escort her to the ball. But now, the older Slytherin can't do that.

He never thought anyone would make him smile, laugh, or capture his heart as fast as Hermione, but she has. She's the girl that came without warning and had his heart before he could say no. That's Hermione, though. Anything they do together feels like the best kind of magic he's ever known. It's like he's meant to be hers. And because of his father, Marcus has to keep his relationship in the dark like it's a dirty secret. It's not.

Like Adrian reminded him, "Your father knows twenty ways to Sunday how to hurt muggle-borns. Like our fathers, he was a death eater. You can't take Hermione. He'll hurt her. Look, it's nothing to do with her. We like your girl. We even like Weaselette and the odd blonde one. Which is why we don't want her to get hurt. You know?"

Yeah, Marcus does know. That's why he had to give Hermione the bad news. She took it better than he thought. If it had been one of the Slytherin girls, things would have been thrown like high heels. He remembers when Daphne Greengrass did that to Lucian, it was aimed right at his head too. But not his Hermione. No. She only gave him a half smile and told him, "I understand. You're trying to protect me from him. But at the same time, it really stinks. I was looking forward to going with you, and I bought this beautiful dress. Now, I have no reason to wear it and no one to go with. Ron will truly think I'm a liar, which I'm not. We're dating and can't share it with the world."

Unable to stop it, a few tears slid down her cheeks. Marcus feels the same way. Pulling her close to his side, he kissed the top of her head. Then used his thumb to wipe some of the tears. "Sometimes things don't work out the way we planned them. That's life, at least my life. But despite that and my father, we're dating, and that isn't going to change. So maybe we can't go to this ball together, but there will be others we will attend hand in hand in the future," he assured her.

After that, they practiced waltzing and danced a dance for just the two of them. The couple decided that if Hermione gets asked to the ball by someone, she should accept. Marcus, on the other hand, chose not to ask anyone else. It would feel weird like he's cheating or something (even though his girl said it would be fine). Hermione feels the same way he does.

That's why she sat in an abandoned hallway and cried. It's silly, but she wanted to go with Marcus, and half her tears were for him too. Hearing the sound of feet, Hermione wiped her face and looked up from her knees.

"Hello, Hermione," Luna's tinkling voice greeted. She sat down beside her friend. Seeing that the curly-haired witch is sad, she stated, "It's okay to cry, especially when there's too much on your mind. The clouds cry, too, when things get heavy."

Hermione commented, resting her head on Luna's shoulder, "I can't go to the ball with Marcus anymore. His father will be in attendance, and he doesn't want me to be hurt by him. I don't want his father to hurt Marcus either."

Patting her friend's leg, the blonde free thinker explained, "That's a good thing then. His father has too many figgles, same as Mr. Malfoy. The figgles are wiggly bitter creatures who make their home around people who are the same- resentful. If you're not careful, the figgles can be catching like a cough. Marcus has too many frobbskumpings in his system to acquire his father's figgles. But I don't detect any in you, Hermione. So, try to stay away from Mr. Flint."

Only Luna would talk about nonsensical creatures at a time like this. "Thank you, Luna. I'll keep that in mind," Hermione told her.

Then Luna stated, "Don't worry, Hermione. Things have a habit of working out, you know. Maybe not in the way you had planned, but they do eventually. You'll see."

The two sat there quiet side by side. Everything doesn't need to be talked about. Sometimes it's nice just sitting with a friend in the quietude of life.

And so life went on. As it happened, Hermione got another invitation to the Yule Ball. Feeling terrible about it, she asked Marcus again if she should accept. He told her she should. As the ache in his chest suggested, it was a lie, and pointed to his father for ruining the evening. Thanks to the old man, he has to watch his girlfriend on someone else's arm. You never realize how much you care for a person until you have to see them with another. It's not easy, and Marcus is ready for this whole thing to be over.

Montague has reminded him, "I care about three things. Money, girls, and my close friends. Since I care about you, Flint, remember your father is a special headcase. It's just for a night. She's still your girlfriend. Tell yourself that you're protecting her, and that's what counts."

Yes. The older Slytherin keeps reminding himself of that. Even when he met Hermione in their abandoned room to exchange Christmas gifts, he reminded himself of how it's for her protection. However, he told her, "This sucks, and I hate it. My father tends to ruin everything good in my life."

Hermione held his hand and kissed it. "I agree. It stinks, but at the end of the night, I'm with you. The guy I accepted the invitation from is just a guy, Marcus. But you everything. Maybe I'm a little scared because you mean so much to me, more than I thought possible. Even if we have to pretend for one evening, I'd rather do that than have nothing with you at all."

Her words put it all into perspective because she also means a lot to him. So, he said, "You're right. What it all comes down to is we're still together. Now, let's stop being a couple of glum worms."

They both smiled and started to exchange presents. Hermione went first and handed him a small box. Marcus eyed it curiously, wondering what the tiny thing could hold until it enlarged. Then he knew what it was without even opening it, by the size of the package alone. With awe, the Slytherin tore off the wrapping and saw "The lightning bolt racing broom. I wanted this but didn't expect to get it because I forgot to tell my Gram. I can't believe you bought it for me."

His hands brushed over it with reverence like one does with a valuable item. It's the best model on the market too. Turning to his girl, he quietly said, "Thank you, Hermione. This is one of the nicest gifts anyone has ever given me. It is special because you remembered it from our first date in Hogsmeade. Usually, at Yule, all my presents are afterthoughts. My brother and sister and their significant others receive thoughtful gifts."

His finger traced the letters on the broom. With a sigh, he continued the explanation. "All of mine look like items my parents had the house elves rush out and buy me last minute. Some of it doesn't even make sense, like that one Christmas when I got a golden quill. Quills are fine, but who wants one for a Yule present? They don't even know me well enough to realize I don't want a stupid quill."

Looking up from the racing broom, Marcus pulled Hermione into his lap and kissed the top of her head. "But you, you gave me something significant. You know me better than my parents. You mean so much to me; nobody, not even my father, can change that," he stated.

The pair hugged, and Marcus gave her his gift. He mentioned it might not be as excellent as a racing broom, but Hermione isn't bothered by that. Upon opening it, a gasp escaped, and her hand flew to her mouth. Nestled inside a box with red velvet is a gold bracelet.

Marcus saw her reaction and tightened his hold on her. Then he informed her, "The bracelet is entwined with a knot. It symbolizes the power of connections between people. The knot balances strength and elegance. It's made of gold and diamonds- polished by the goblins who made it. I thought the gold represents you, a Gryffindor, and the diamonds represent me, Slytherin. Together they complement each other to create a beautiful bracelet, which is kind of like us."

Same as he did with the broom, Hermione ran her fingers over the lovely item. Choked up with emotion, she couldn't speak. Instead setting the gift on her lap, she threw her arms around him. Tears wet his neck. If the broom was the best gift Marcus has ever gotten, then the same can be said of the bracelet.

When her tears were under control, she too quietly thanked him. Taking it out of the box, Hermione asked, "Will you put it on me?"

Nodding, he took the delicate bangle and unhinged it. Then Marcus clasped it onto her slender wrist. It looked at home there. Both sat admiring the splendor of it and soaking in the words and affection of the other. Their hearts beat fast, and butterflies flew from their stomachs. Taking their eyes off the bracelet, they latched onto each other. Carefully their heads inched forward, both knowing the intention- a kiss. But not just any kiss, a first kiss. Slowly they drew to their destination.

Students' laughter was heard just as Marcus was about to kiss his girl. The doorknob to the room was jiggled as well. And just like that, the magical moment was over. Thank goodness they had locked the door with a spell. The pair chuckled at the misfortune, but not before Marcus vowed, "We will kiss sometime soon."

When they left their happy place for the chaos of the outside world, the warm feelings did not go away. Not even when Ron questioned where Hermione got the bracelet, the warm feelings that accompanied the piece of jewelry lingered. Same for Marcus. Everyone wanted to know about the new broom. Arabella McFadden and Magnolia Sterling snickered when it was suggested that he had a secret love. However, Olivia Burke was the one that voiced what they were thinking. "Who would willingly date you?"

Then Daphne Greengrass added her two cents. "You're not the brightest wizard in the bunch."

"Or the most handsome," Magnolia declared. The girls in the common room giggled.

To which Marcus told them, "Gee, you all sure know how to make a guy feel good. It's a wonder some fellow hasn't snatched you all up in betrothal contracts. I'd rather fight a dragon than be betrothed to any of you." He took his broom and left the room with the screeching sounds of mad females in the background.

Only Pucey, Montague, and Higgs know where the new broom actually came from. And the three of them were floored. Adrian marveled at the gift. "Wow! That is a thing of beauty. You're sure to make one of the teams at the tryouts now. Your girlfriend got you the best broom on the market. It's not inexpensive either. It's obvious Hermione knows you."

Marcus only replied, "Yeah, she does." A dreamy look flashed on his face.

However, later that evening, as he was putting on the stupid dress robes, the feeling of melancholy rose within. It's weird to not take your own girl to a ball. So, Marcus schlumped out of the dungeons, single. No amount of magically spiked punch can make him feel any better. Only the hugs from Hermione can do that later.

Arriving in the Great Hall, he scanned the crowd for sight of her but didn't see the petite Gryffindor anywhere. Unfortunately, he did notice his father standing in the distance, talking to some other wizard, close to Durmstrang's headmaster. As Marcus continued to wonder where Hermione's at, the champions made a grand entrance with their dates.

That's when he saw her, and she looked incredible on the arm of Viktor freaking Krum. Despite his ire at his rival, everything about Hermione appeared flawless- her dress, hair, everything. And when the champions started the ball with a traditional wizard waltz, even her waltzing was perfection. That's when it happened- that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when your heart is broken and sad, sprung to life. As he predicted earlier, no amount of punch made him feel better. Perhaps Professor Trelawney was wrong because his pathetic prediction came true.

As the night wore on, Marcus felt miserable and refused to dance with any witches that asked, so his father decided to add to the misery. Motioning for his son to come near, Maxwell Flint pulled them to a quiet corner and cast a muffliato. It's never good when the old man does that in public. Girding himself for a tongue lashing, the athletic Flint stood before his father with knots in his stomach.

Maxwell Flint is a tall man with dark brown hair, green eyes, and tanned skin. All of those things are signature Flint family traits. He's an arrogant, authoritarian man who comes off as charismatic but doesn't mind double-crossing even those of his own family. He'll do anything when it comes to money, especially being stingy. But Maxwell doesn't see himself this way; instead, it's the opposite- downright magnanimous in nature. With a pinched mouth, the man said, "The mudblood cleans up nicely. Though she's not as pretty as some of the other females in the room."

If the man cared, he would have noticed his son's eyes flash with anger and fists balled at his side. But Maxwell doesn't care, for he belittled his son by saying, "Even she would probably turn you down, Marcus. But that doesn't matter because I've found someone who can't refuse you. The whole reason I've come to Hogwarts, besides the governor's meeting, is to inform you of a betrothal contract. The parents of January Davenport have agreed to a contract with you."

Marcus's mouth hung open. Of all the girls, his father picked that pain in the ass for a betrothal contract. The anger inside him welled up so strongly that he could have decked the man right there. But he didn't. Instead, he decided not to argue with his father by expressing, "Thank you, father. Your concern for my future overwhelms me."

Before the man could reprimand him, Marcus stormed away and out of the Great Hall. It's there he met a crying Hermione sitting on the steps. He took her by the hand, and they went to their room. Sitting with her on his lap, he asked, "I know why I feel like crap, but why are you crying?"

Sniffling, Hermione told him, "Because of Ron. He accused me of fraternizing with the enemy by being Krum's date. Then he basically told me I was being used. He's my friend, yet he makes me feel like I'm rubbish." A few tears leaked out of her eyes.

Wiping the tears away with his handkerchief, Marcus also felt anger at the Weasely boy. "He's just jealous. You're so beautiful that his ugly words towards you speak through his jealousy. I know because I was envious of Krum. He had my girlfriend on his arm, and I hated it. But don't let a few nasty words get you down. Not tonight because you were the prettiest witch at the ball. Everyone thought so, even my father," he explained.

Hermione kissed his cheek. Then she reminded him, "But I'm back where I belong now. So you spoke with your father. How did that go?"

Closing his eyes to channel his anger, Marcus let her know, "Not well. The first thing he did after calling you a pretty mudblood was to put me down. Then he told me he's entered me into a betrothal contract with January Davenport, the vainest witch I know."

Shaking her head, Hermione couldn't help but feel flummoxed at his words. "This night keeps getting worse. So, you have to marry her?"

Marcus did something neither were expecting. He laughed. His voice carried authority behind it. "No. I don't have to marry her, and I will not marry her. My father keeps forgetting that I'm of age, and because of that, I legally don't have to do anything I don't want to. When I graduate from Hogwarts at the end of the school year, I'm staying at one of my grandmother's smaller estates. I also plan to tell him tomorrow that I'm not marrying that girl. If I return to school disowned, then all the better because I can date you in the open. Remember what I said? I'm my grandmother's heir. So, I won't be destitute. Plus, I have a nice sum saved in my vault at Gringott's."

In truth, Hermione had forgotten about that. Still, it's nice to know her hairy beast will be okay. And honestly, "I really want to meet your grandmother."

"Good, because I want you to meet her too. I thought summer break would be a good time to do so. We'll have more time together, then," he mentioned.

The butterflies returned full force. Turning her face to look into his dark eyes, Hermione told him, "I hope you're ready to catch me because I'm falling hard for you."

Softly Marcus stated, "I'm glad because I've already fallen for you, so I'm ready to catch you too. You give me feelings that I don't know what to do with, but I like it. Only you give me those."

Their eyes caught and gazed into the others. Then running on pure instinct and a racing pulse, Hermione's lips melded to his. It's like the ground cracked open, and Marcus was enveloped by the happiest feeling of delight. It's the best feeling in the world, especially kissing someone he's wanted to kiss for a long time. That one kiss was it took. He's addicted to her and her tropical scent and brilliant smiles.

He kissed her deeply and with such passion that Hermione forgot how to breathe and what her name was. But what Marcus didn't expect was for her lips to set his whole heart and soul on fire. His body blazed and melted into goo. No butterflies, just fire. All-consuming fire. They've exchanged thousands of kisses with their eyes, but nothing prepared him for this kiss on the lips. It's like their hearts are connected in truth. It's like he's been waiting for this his whole life. He's been waiting for her. And that's when it hit him... The thing that he kind of knew a few weeks ago. Oh, crap! He's in love, for real. And when it was over, they rested their foreheads together with huge smiles on their faces.

"Happy Christmas, Marcus," she softly told him.

Responding back, he said, "Happy Christmas, Hermione."

It may not have been how they planned, but it was the best Christmas yet.