Chapter 13
Yule Ball Preparation
In the few months since the first task, not a lot had happened, besides the fact Harry and I tied in the first task for points. (Twins, what are you going to do?)
Professor McGonagall also announced that there was going to be a ball on Christmas day, and all the champions (including me…uh oh!) had to dance with someone.
I decided to take Scar's advice and ask Draco to go with me…but I overheard Pansy (the stupid ugly little bitch) boasting that she got him to ask her before I had the chance to ask him.
So instead, Harry and I made a pact to go together and dance, which McGonagall was ok with.
Two weeks before the Ball, I was walking into the Great Hall for dinner with Scar (the two of us talking about what we wanted to wear for the ball and crap), when She-Cat walked up to us.
"Hey, She-Cat!" I said cheerfully.
"Hey, Scar. Hey Han, just for a tip, you might want to head to the tree. The three of us want to chat about something."
I nod and turned to Scar "Sure, She-Cat. I'll be there as soon as possible."
She-Cat beamed and skipped off to the direction of Nightshade's tree.
"What do they want near a filthy tree?" Scar asked, tugging at a lock of her hair.
I shrugged "I don't know." I lied "I'll talk to you later." I added, heading for Nightshade's.
I pulled out my Invisibility Cloak and put it on, thanking god I knew where the kitchens were to get some food later.
When I neared the stump of the tree, She-Cat was waiting for me.
"Man, Han, it took you long enough." She-Cat said before adding "Primrose."
The secret door that was the gateway to the Nightshade common room since Hogwarts began opened up and She-Cat pushed me in.
"What are we talking about?" I asked as I slid down the ancient slide.
"Well," Ivy's voice said as I came down "I wanted to ask about your egg clue. I could help, if you want?"
My eyes widened. Since the mistake Ivy made in information for the first challenge, and Scar saying she did it on purpose and everything, I was having problems trusting her.
"Um…I really wanted to do it myself." I said, turning away "But if I need help, I'll ask you."
Ivy looked at me shocked and I sat next to Sheila and She-Cat.
"I wanted to talk about the Ball." Sheila said to me. "If She-Cat and I don't find dates, what do you say we all hang out together after you and Harry open up the dancing?"
I nodded excitedly "Great idea! We can all hang out with my dorm mates and Scar, too, if they don't have dates already."
Ivy turned away and blushed "I can't. I already have a date."
Sheila, She-Cat and I all turned to her, jaws dropped and shocked "WHAT! Who is he?" we asked together.
Ivy shrugged "Some random guy asked me, and I thought 'how could I say no?' and said yes. But we can still get our dresses together, if you want?"
I nodded "Yeah. We're all going down to Hogsmeade tomorrow, how about we go to that boutique and get our stuff?"
Sheila, She-Cat and Ivy nodded "Great idea, Han." they said together.
…
The next morning, I got up and walked down to the Entrance Hall with Dominique.
"So, Dommie," I started as we headed up the dungeon stairs "I was thinking that my friends and I are going to go to the Ball together and I was wondering-"
"I zought you were going wiz 'Arry?" Dommie said, perking up and looking at me.
I nodded "I'm opening up the dancing with him, Dommie. Then we're gonna do our own thing."
Dommie beamed "Then would you mind if I danced wiz 'im after you and 'Arry are done?" Dommie asked.
I blinked "Dommie, do you like Harry?" I asked.
Dommie blushed "Don't tell 'im, 'Annah."
I nodded "You have my word. Hey, She-Cat!" I said, waving to She-Cat who was waiting at the Entrance Hall doors.
"Hey, Han. Hey, Dominique." She-Cat said, nodding to me and waving to Dommie.
"Well, I 'ad better get to Fleur, I promised 'er I would shop for dresses wiz 'er. Au revoir, Hannah."
"Took you long enough." She-Cat said to Sheila when she showed up after Dominique left. "Come on, let's get going!" she added, jumping up and down with excitement.
"Hey, Scar!" I said brightly when Scar walked up behind me.
"Hey, Han." Scar said before leaning into my ear "I don't think you should hang around with them today."
I blinked "But She-Cat, Sheila, Ivy and I were going to get dresses for the Ball today."
Scarlett looked at Sheila and She-Cat. "Ok, I just wanted to know if you wanted to grab a Butterbeer with me. Maybe later, see you, Han!" Scar said cheerfully before walking out.
She-Cat took my arm "Come on, Han. Let's go and find Ivy so we can get our dresses." She-Cat said, skipping out the door.
"Where is Ivy?" I asked Sheila, looking around for my best friend.
"Right here." Ivy said, walking up to my side. "Just at Nightshade's for a bit to read."
I nodded as She-Cat ran me and Sheila into Hogsmeade "Come on, we're gonna miss out on the dresses and stuff!" She-Cat said, running into the witch boutique and letting my arm go before running into the racks to look at dresses.
I rolled my eyes once Ivy walked in "Why are all my friends so insane?" I asked myself as I started (sanely) to the dress rack, looking for my perfect dress.
"Because your life would suck without insane friends!" Sheila said from her rack.
I rolled my eyes "Whatever. So what dress are you guys looking for?"
"I want a multicoloured one!" She-Cat said loudly behind me.
I rubbed my ear and turned to her "Thanks, I'll bill you for the hearing aid I now require." I said sarcastically.
"I'd like a dark blue one." Sheila said calmly, taking a couple dresses and going to try them on.
"I'm getting a red one." Ivy said, looking at tiaras "What about you, Han?"
I shrugged "I guess I'd like a Slytherin green one. That's the colour of Harry's dress robes."
Sheila squeaked and took my arm "There's Slytherin green dresses right over there!" she said, steering me to a large rack with my house coloured fabric all over the place.
I slid dress after dress to the other part of the rack, rejecting them all because they were either too big or just not my style…until I saw the dress!
It was gorgeous! It was made of pure satin and silky to the touch! And the perfect shade of green to match my house colour and Harry's robes, with a sweetheart neckline and a long skirt. And…IT WAS MY SIZE!
I took the dress of the rack as fast as I found it and ran into the change room to put it on.
I stepped into it and my jaw dropped at how fabulous I looked in the mirror.
The top of the dress didn't make me look frumpy, or slutty, but it flattered my figure. The shoulder straps were comfortable and soft on my skin. And the skirt, as I turned around, flowed just right around my legs.
I grabbed for the handle of the change room door, but then I turned back. I could shock my friends on the night of the Ball…and besides…what if Draco was out there with Pansy helping her shop for a dress? No, it would have been better to hide the dress until the big night.
I took off the dress carefully and stuffed it into a shopping bag and walked out of the change room.
"Found my dress!" Sheila said, holding up a slim midnight blue dress as I walked over to the tiaras where Ivy was.
"Hey, did you find your dress?" I asked as I looked over the headpieces with emeralds on them.
"Yeah…you?" Ivy asked, taking a silver tiara.
I nodded "Can I see yours?" I asked.
Ivy shook her head "No, it's a surprise for when the Ball comes around. Can I see yours?" Ivy asked as she headed for the counter.
I shook my head "No, it's also a surprise." I said as I picked up the tiara with tiny little emeralds on it and headed to check out with Ivy.
"Oh, and I know your dress is Slytherin green, so I got you some heels to match it." Ivy said, placing the bag with her purchases on the counter with mine.
I groaned. I hated high heels. They made me trip, and if I wore them for too long, I'd get blisters. "Thanks, Ivy." I said, taking out my purse to pay for my dress, the tiara, the shoes and a cute pair of earrings I found at the counter.
"Oh, you don't need that much." Ivy said, smiling at me "Consider this your Christmas present. I'll pay for your shoes."
I smiled and put the money on the counter "Thanks…and I'll pay for your tiara." I said as the woman gave me five Sickles and three Knuts in change.
Sheila and She-Cat were waiting outside when Ivy and I walked out of the boutique.
"Get your dresses?" Sheila asked me.
Ivy and I nodded as She-Cat jumped up and down.
"Great. How about a Butterbeer?" She-Cat asked "My treat!"
I smiled and linked arms with Ivy and She-Cat "That sounds awesome." I said, heading towards the Hogs Head pub.
…
Once, Sheila, Ivy, She-Cat and I got our drinks, Sheila stood up and proposed a toast.
"Let's just say this for now." Sheila said to all of us "The Yule Ball is going to be a night to remember! So, here's to a night to remember."
Everyone laughed and clinked glasses "Yeah…to a night to remember!" we all said together.
Little did I realize as I drank my Butterbeer that Sheila was right. The Yule Ball for me was going to be a night to remember…but in a whole other way than just hanging out with my friends and dancing in painful high heels.
A/N: What could Hannah mean? You'll have to find out in the next chapter. Oh, and I could really use a hand with something. I could really use a song for the next chapter to describe Hannah and Draco's relationship in the lyrics? I'm seriously stuck for a slow song like that. So, could you help me out? Thanks :) Oh, and reviews are loved more than Draco Malfoy in dress robes! B)
