"You look a little green there Harry," George said after we all returned from our dancing lesson.
"Well, now I don't have a choice but to get a date," Harry said with a sulking look.
"Well, your big sister here also gets to start the dance off," Angelina added giving me a knowing look.
"Don't remind me!" I said, bringing my head into my hands.
"At least you know you've got a date. I have to go find someone who will not only agree to attend the dance with me but also who will be willing to perform the first dance," Harry sulked further.
I looked over to see Ginny was sitting on the couch beside us. Her head was bent over a book but I wasn't convinced that she wasn't listening in on our conversation.
"Come on Harry, let's go for supper," Ron said, coming over to collect his best friend.
I watched as Hermione joined them and all three fourth years left the common room. Ginny left a minute later with some of her dormmates. I wondered if she would have any nerve to ask Harry. Merlin knew Harry didn't have a clue and wouldn't ask her himself.
"Erm—Marnie," I looked up to see that Ginny had returned and was standing in the doorway of the common room.
"What's up Gin?" I asked curiously.
"Well, there's a certain Hogwarts champion standing out here waiting for you," she replied with a knowing grin.
I could feel my cheeks turning beet red as my friends all snickered at me.
"Thanks Ginny," I said, standing up and feeling everyone's attention still on me.
I quickly ran out of the common room and was met by Cedric who was standing right beside the fat lady's portrait.
"Merlin, I've been waiting ages for you," Cedric greeted with a smug look.
"Well I never asked for you to be waiting for me," I quickly retorted with my own sly look.
I knew he was just trying to give me a hard time, but he was foolish to think that I had lasted this long with Fred and George without developing my own quick tongue.
"Well, does that mean I need to look elsewhere for my ball date then?" he asked, still baiting me with a mischievous look.
"Wait, you're really asking me? I thought it was obvious?" I asked, being caught off guard by his comment.
"My girlfriend deserves as many displays of affection as I can afford," he said, the mischievous look turning into one more sincere.
I stepped closer so that I was standing right in front of the boy with dark blonde hair and caramel coloured eyes.
"And what do I get if I say yes?" I asked, not letting him off the hook so easily.
He surprisingly took another step even closer. There was hardly any space left between us now.
"A night you will never forget," he whispered as he bent down and spoke directly into my ear.
"I'll be the judge of that," I managed to choke out.
He stepped back, giving me a wink before taking my face in his hands and bringing his lips to mine. It started off soft before he pressed himself closer, adding pressure to his kiss. A soft moan escaped my lips which only seemed to egg him on. His arms wrapped even tighter around me and I was now leaning back against the wall as he pressed his body to mine.
It was a few moments later by the time he took a slight step back and let me go.
"I'll make sure that the ball feels just like that. The same as when I have you in my arms," he said before completely extricating himself from me and heading back down the stairs.
"Wait! You're not going to walk me to dinner?" I asked, confused about his sudden retreat.
"Well, of course I want to Marnie, but I have a feeling your friends over there want to ask you some questions," Cedric said with a smirk before waving and quickly walking away.
I slowly turned to see Angelina, Katie and Alicia sticking their heads out of the common room with evil looking grins.
"How long have you been standing there?!" I asked, feeling my embarrassment and fury both increase.
"Come on Marnie, you have to give us all the details!" Alicia squealed, jumping towards me and pulling me along towards the Great Hall.
As the week went on, each of my friends were asked by their respective dates to the ball. Lee was the first to ask Katie. I was told it wasn't as heated as when Cedric asked me which made me blush all through my morning's classes that I shared with my friends. I had already gone off on them for spying on my while Cedric asked me to the dance. Apparently my love life provided entertainment for the entire group.
Alicia was next when surprisingly one of the Durmstrang boys asked her. Lee and George seemed put off by this, but she seemed really excited about it. They had chatted a couple of times in charms class and really hit it off.
The next pairing of my friends was the last and it had given me even more reason to be furious with Fred. We had all been sitting in study hall where Ron was giving both twins flack for not having dates. I had known who George wanted to ask, but he hadn't been too keen to act on it.
"Oi, Ange!" I had looked up when Fred had whispered down towards us and threw a wad of parchment at her.
All of my friends had slowly started to talk to Fred again in their own time, mostly because it had been four months since Fred had gone off on me and their anger had subsided. Fred still seemed adamant though on freezing me out and so long as he didn't apologize about how he had treated me and didn't respect my choice in boyfriend I wasn't cutting him any slack.
Ange gave him a look of annoyance since she now had ink splattered across her notes.
"Do you want to go to the ball with me?" he whispered again.
I watched as Angelina lit up and agreed with a definitive nod.
I could feel myself fuming as I turned to look over at George. I could tell he was upset but he met my gaze and shook his head, telling me to let it go.
I huffed and turned back to my paper, although I wasn't paying attention to my notes anymore. It was mostly so no one else would catch my eye and ask why I seemed so angry. As much as I wanted to clobber Fred it wasn't my place if George was asking that I kept quiet.
That night didn't get any better when I was sulking into my stew and Harry came to sit beside me with a glazed look in his eyes.
"What's got you all cheery?" I asked with intrigue.
Harry had honestly been your typical anxty teen lately. Always worrying about Sirius or the tournament or his best friend freezing him out. At least he typically had a good reason for his stubborn moodiness.
"Erm—well I just asked Cho to the ball," Harry said in a voice that gave away his own level of disbelief.
"Ugh!" I said, feeling my old sentiments towards the Ravenclaw seeker come up.
I had also been hoping Harry would have half a mind to ask Ginny, or even Luna as a friend.
"Hey, I don't voice my opinions about your boyfriend!" Harry retorted sourly.
Obviously my own sour mood was bringing down his spirits.
"You're right, I'm sorry. I know how much you wanted to ask her," I replied, suppressing my shudder.
I could not see what Harry saw in her, especially after how possessive she had been over Cedric in the past. Hopefully she didn't do anything like that with Harry or I'm sure we will be going toe-to-toe in the future again.
"I'll catch up with you later," I said before standing up and retreating out of the Great Hall.
It was probably too early to go to bed, and everyone else was in a celebratory mood now that it was the last day before Christmas break. But I just felt my residual annoyance from today and didn't want to take it out on anyone else.
Harry watched as Marnie left looking rather disheartened. He looked over to see Fred watching her leave as well before averting his eyes back, hoping no one had seen him.
Harry made sure his voice was lowered so nobody else heard him since he knew it was still a delicate topic.
"Why don't you apologise to her? You know she misses you," Harry said, knowing that Fred had heard him despite his downcast gaze.
Fred sighed and clenched his fist for a moment before letting it go.
"Because I can't apologise for her loving that idiot," Fred responded.
Harry couldn't help thinking Fred was only telling him a half truth.
"Well, coming from experience, she's more torn up than she's letting on," Harry said before finishing with his own plate of food.
"I know," Fred replied in a hoarse whisper.
Harry let it go since he felt Fred had stubbornly made up his mind. He just hoped that when Fred did finally come around Marnie would actually hear him out.
XXX
"Alicia, can you help me with my zipper?" Katie asked as she held her purple dress against her chest so it wouldn't fall.
Katie's dress was strapless and had a sort of shimmering quality from the fabric. The waist was also cinched with a belt and flowed outward in the skirt.
Alicia went to aid our dormmate wearing her own bright coloured dress. I know she had said it was some odd colour that made it sound like a vegetable. But, despite the absurd colour name the bright red pastel made the otherwise pale blonde witch look vibrant. The dress also had some straps that fell off her shoulders and had a fairly straight skirt which extended down to her shins.
"You both look so beautiful!" Angelina gushed as she entered the room wearing a shimmering gold dress.
Ange had been fixing her makeup in the lavatory and was now all done up in her floor length dress with only one strap and a cinched waste. Ange's skirt was more similar to Alicia's since it also hugged her body all the way down.
"Well, I don't think I can quite compete with Marnie over there," Katie said, looking over to where I was sitting and waiting for the others to be ready.
My mother's old dress was really something. It was a deep sapphire colours that apparently made it look as if my orange eyes were on fire. Alicia had also insisted on pinning up my hair instead of wearing it down over my shoulders like normal.
The dress also had decorative buttons that were also a deep blue running up the center of the bodice with silver embroidered edges.
"Are you three ready?" I asked, not liking anymore attention put on me than they already had.
Ange laughed. "Just take the compliment Marne, you can go back to being a pumpkin tomorrow."
I stuck my tongue out at her but smiled at her remark. I knew she was just trying to unease my nerves. I had been a wreck all day today with the realization that I had to dance with Cedric while everyone else watched.
"Alright, I think we are all set to go," Alicia said in an excited voice.
I did have to agree, that despite the few minutes of humiliation I had to endure, the rest of the night should be pretty spectacular. Apparently Hogwarts had gone all out for this and even hired the Weird Sisters for this evening's festivities.
We walked single file out of our dorm and down the stairs into the common room.
Lee whistled once Katie first came into view. I looked down to see the three boys were all waiting for us. Fred looked up and grinned at Angelina who I saw returned the gesture with a blush. I vowed I wouldn't let Fred's stupidity ruin my evening. I also didn't want Ange to get hurt so I was giving this a chance.
"Come on guys!" Alicia pleaded as she was already standing beside the exit.
It seemed she was eager to go and meet her date Geofri.
George had stepped away from the other two boys who were both extending their arms for their respective dates.
"Can I escort you to the ball milady?" George asked in a chivalrous tone.
I laughed, but still extended my arm for him to take.
"I need to make sure the princess reaches her prince charming in time for the ball," George goaded further.
"You're being ridiculous!" I giggled as he led me out of the common room.
"Hey, I have a ridiculous reputation to live up to. Plus, it doesn't hurt to enter the dance with the prettiest girl there on my arm," he added more sincerely.
I blushed at his rather bold statement and let him continue leading me. We both hung back as the others walked ahead of us.
"Hey, can I have the second dance? You know, after you open the ball and everything," George asked.
"Umm, sure," I replied, being taken aback again my him.
I knew I would eventually dance with George and maybe even Lee at some point, but I found it surprising that George was actually requesting a particular dance. We were now walking down the front steps and I could see Cedric standing off to the side with Liam and Natalie. Those two were also at the ball as each other's dates which I knew they were really excited about.
"You better go get him before McGonagall comes and drags you by the ear for being late," George chuckled.
I smiled but proceeded towards Cedric since I figured what George had said held some merit.
Cedric met my gaze as I stepped off the staircase and headed towards him. He eagerly approached and I noticed he had a winter flower in his hand.
"For you Marnie," he said before pinning it to the front of my dress robe.
It was small enough to look like a brooch and made me smile from ear to ear. I had no idea how he even got the thing, but it always seemed like Cedric planned for anything.
"Champions! Line up please with your dates!" McGonagall came rushing over and we obliged before we could be reprimanded.
Cedric and I fell in step behind Harry and Cho and I couldn't help feeling a sense of annoyance. But it quickly dissipated when Cedric squeezed my hand and I looked over at him with a smile. Once we were on the dance floor I took a moment to look over at the other two champions. My jaw dropped when I saw that Viktor Krum was here with none other than Hermione Granger and she looked utterly stunning. I wondered how Ron was doing going stag while his other two best friends got their dream dates. But, I didn't have anymore time to think before the music started and Cedric proceeded to lead me around the dance floor. I could hear the soft awes from people as they looked onward at the four champions gliding around the dancefloor in their finery. I must admit, I would have liked to see how we looked. My embarrassment disappeared while I just looked at Cedric. He had a huge grin on his face which felt contagious. It was also like his eyes were sparkling in the candlelight and I felt like he had me enraptured.
"You're like a midnight fairy Marnie," Cedric whispered as he tightened his grip on my shoulder and waste.
I squeezed my own hands and let him guide me until the song ended. I then leaned up and kissed him as we disappeared in the crowd of others who had joined the dancefloor.
"I have to go find George!" I yelled over the music of the next song.
"Already?" Cedric asked disheartened.
I could see the flicker of disappointment on his face.
"Why don't you go get us a drink and I'll be done by the time you get back?" I asked him with a smile.
This perked him up before he planted a kiss on my cheek. "Then the rest of the night is mine."
I felt flustered by his comment and could only smile and nod. He then disappeared into the crowd as I watched him go.
"Ready?" I heard George come up behind me.
I turned around and nodded before he took my hands and guided me out for the fast-paced waltz.
"He really cares for you doesn't he?" George asked with a knowing grin.
I couldn't help my blush from creeping back up.
"Yea," was all I could manage. "How about you and Angelina?"
I watched as George sighed and we both turned our heads to where she was dancing with Fred.
"He's being a real git this year," I said in annoyance.
George nodded with a small smile. "You don't see it do you?"
"See what?" I asked skeptically.
"How he feels about you," George replied with almost a pained look.
George hadn't brought up anything about Fred's side in all this for the past four months. I was floored that he was bringing it up now.
"Marnie, think of the way he's treated you since the first day he met you," George replied with a look in his eyes like it was obvious or something.
"He's treated me like you have," I replied uneasily.
George sighed again. "We both know that isn't the case."
The song ended and George let go with a sad smile. "You two are both hopeless. But I know you really care for Cedric and Fred is just being Fred. He's slow on the uptake and now he's taking it out by messing with my feelings."
George looked again at Angelina and Fred. I still couldn't believe Fred could ask her when of course him and George had talked about George's feelings on the matter. But what was all this about Fred's feelings concerning me?
"Marnie, you ready?" I heard Cedric from behind me again.
I turned around with a smile and took the glass of punch from his hands. I looked back one more time at George who only smiled in return. I smiled back only to be led away by Cedric.
We were now sitting with our drinks as we heard the Weird Sisters being announced to the stage.
"Can we go?" I asked excitedly.
"Whatever you want love," Cedric replied with an easy smile.
I led him to the dance floor where he proceeded to wrap his arms around my waist and brought me close to him. It didn't matter that it was a fast song or that everyone was crowding around us. He was right, he was making sure this night felt the same as being in his arms. We swayed in easy circles. Sometimes he would twirl me around or bring me even closer to his body after dipping me down slightly. When he did this he would bring my cheek to his and kiss me. We stayed like this while we began to sway again. I didn't know what time it was until I looked up to see that quite a few people had left. The Weird Sisters had ended their set and there was just some jazz music playing on the gramophone now.
"Is the night over?" I asked, leaning back to look him in the eyes. "I don't really want it to end."
He smiled and kissed me on the lips softly. "Let's make it last a little longer."
He grabbed my hand and led me out to the Great Hall. I just let him lead me and didn't question anything until we were standing in his dorm room. He grabbed his quidditch jersey again and gave it to me to go change.
"Erm, can you unzip me?" I asked sheepishly.
He smiled softly. He brought one of his hands and placed it delicately on my shoulder while the other one undid the zipper all the way to my lower back. Then he retracted his hands and I walked forward into the lavatory. When I returned he was sitting, wearing a t-shirt and shorts, at the foot of his bed. I walked up so I was standing in front of him and he pulled me down so that I was laying on top of him. He just stared up at me and brought his hand to move the hair from my face. He smiled more deeply before rolling me over to the side. Then we both crawled under the covers. I got comfortable on my side while he enveloped me in his arms and brought my back into his chest.
I felt my exhaustion take hold as I felt his patterned breathing on my back.
"You are so beautiful Marnie. I am so in love with you," he whispered.
"I love you too Cedric," I whispered back before I let the sleep take hold of me.
The night still hadn't ended, so long as I was still in his arms.