Taking Chances and Making Changes
Authors Note - This story is an AU. It follows canon events up until the end of Prisoner.
Disclaimer - I own nothing except my OC's. Everything else belongs to JK Rowling. Basically, if you recognise it from the books/films then it is not mine.
Hayley POV
My conversation with Fleur had left me thinking about who I should go with to the ball. I knew that I didn't exactly want to go with someone just for the sake of needing a date. As I headed to where I was meeting Tonks I thought about the boys I knew that I would like to go with. Neville had already told me that he was considering asking Ginny to go as friends because she had been upset that only 3rd years could only go if they were asked as a date. The twins didn't yet have dates but they weren't worried as they knew that they could get dates pretty quick and if not they weren't bothered about going stag. I briefly considered asking Cedric but I wasn't sure if champions were allowed to take another champion as their date and Declan was hopefully going with Fleur.
I arrived at the kitchens where I was meeting Dora. I tickled the pear in the portrait of a bowl of fruit and smiled as the portrait swung open and I walked through. Noticing that Dora wasn't there yet I sat down at the table that was in the corner deciding to wait. While waiting I thought of asking Cyrus to be my date. It wouldn't mean anything and we would just be going as friends. The portrait swinging open a few minutes later interrupted my train of thought and I turned to see Dora walking in and sitting opposite me.
An hour later I was walking back to the common room for a few hours before dinner. Dora had given me a lot to think about regarding the Yule Ball. I had confessed that I was thinking about asking Cyrus as my date and she was glad that I had at least some idea of who I wanted to be my date as she knew how worried I had been when I first found out about it. By the time I arrived back at the common room I had made my mind up about asking Cyrus the next morning. I went straight up to the dorms to put my books away. I noted as I sorted my bag out that the dorm was currently empty and I was glad for the peace and quiet.
I was almost finished with sorting my bag out when I heard the door open and someone come in.
"Hayley can I talk to you, "Hermione asks sheepishly
I sigh and nod."Sure"I turn to face her as I sit on the edge of my bed and she sits on hers facing me.
"I'm sorry. When your name came out of the goblet I didn't think that you had actually entered your name but I was an idiot and listened to Ron and let him convince me that you had somehow done it to get attention" She explains "I thought that it might blow over but when Ron and Seamus started being horrid to you I knew that I should have said something to him but I didn't want to end up making things worse. I really should have spoken to you afterwards but I didn't really know how"
I listen to her apology and wait for her to finish. I sigh internally. I could tell that she was being sincere in her apology and I did want the two of us to be friends again but I couldn't just forgive her instantly as if it had never happened. I glanced down at my feet for a second before looking back up at her.
"I accept your apology and I forgive you but I can't just pretend that it never happened, "I say
She nods."I know and I don't expect you to" She says
"I think we need to get better at telling each other if there is something that the other is doing that it annoying or upsetting us rather than keeping it to ourselves, "I say tentatively
She nods."I agree"
We both sit in silence for a few minutes not really knowing what to say next. Hermione stands up and as she leaves towards the door she turns back to me."If we can I would like to try being friends again" She says quietly
I give her a small smile."Me too"
She smiles as she walks out the door heading back down to the common room leaving me in peace.
The next day I woke up excited that it was a Hogsmeade weekend as I was going to go shopping for my dress at one of the stores in the town. Dora was coming with me as was Fleur. and Ginny. After dinner last night I had mentioned that Ginny and I were going shopping for our dresses and I had asked if she wanted to come along. She already had her dress but had said that it would be fun. Ginny had originally only been coming to help me look for my dress but Neville had asked her that night and she now needed a dress. She had been hesitant at first because she had no money to buy a dress and had refused when I offered to buy a dress for her so I compromised and said that it would be an early Christmas present.
I got dressed in warm clothes before heading down to breakfast slightly earlier than what I would do on a Saturday but I knew that Cyrus was always up early on weekends so he could study. As I arrived at the Great Hall I noticed that there was only a small number of students at each table as it was still quite early. I sat down to get some breakfast hoping it would help calm my nerves. Shortly after I noticed Cyrus get up from the table and head towards the exit. As I had already finished eating I stood up and followed him.
I caught up with him on the stairs. "Hey Cyrus," I said walking beside him.
He smiled."Hey Hayley, you're up early"
"Yeah, I'm just looking forward to the Hogsmeade visit. Are you going?"I ask casually
"No, I'm staying at the castle. I've got a few essays that I haven't quite finished yet"He says
I nod and we walk in silence for a few moments. "Well the Yule Ball is coming up and I was wondering if you'd like to go with me?"I asked nervously
He stopped in the middle of the stairs seemingly surprised."Really. You want me to go with you?"He asks shocked.
"Yeah. I need a date and I thought it would nice if we went as friends."I explained smiling
He smiles too."I'd love to Hayley"
"That's great,"I say
We stand there awkwardly for about a minute before he speaks again."Okay well, I'll see you later Hayley"He says before carrying on to Ravenclaw tower. I carry on up towards Gryffindor Tower with a smile on my face.
Authors Note - Hey Guys hope you enjoyed the chapter.I am aware that it is late but I have been quite busy with going back to university.I will try to post as regularaly as I can though. Next Chapter will be the Yule Ball so it will hopefully be a bit of a longer chapter.