Chapter 9
The Yule Ball
The next few days the whole school was a buzz recounting the First Task. Apparently even Ron had decided to forgive and forget why he was upset with Harry. He expressed his apology by telling Harry that he would have to be crazy to enter the tournament himself. During the conversation, I had a hard time not rolling my eyes and calling Ron out on his stupidness.
Harry now had to figure out the clue inside the golden egg. Everytime he opened it, it would just screech and basically make anyone in earshot go deaf temporarily. None of us knew what it meant or what to do about it, so naturally we eventually put it in the back of our heads and moved on with our lives.
Care of Magical Creatures class was us basically taking care of the blast ended skrewts. A horrible job really. During one class, Rita Skeeter came out of nowhere and chatted up Hagrid. Harry and I gave each other suspicious looks as Hagrid agreed to do an interview with her about his skrewts.
"Maybe she'll put a stop to Hagrid being a teacher." Draco whispered to me. He also noticed Hagrid's conversation with the journalist.
"These skrewts are quite ridiculous." I muttered back with a small smile. I liked Hagrid as a person and friend, but he really didn't make a great teacher. He had this thing about only teaching us about dangerous and hard to handle creatures.
"He never should have been a teacher." Pansy added, "All he does is put us in dangerous situations."
"Very true," Zabini chimed in.
The weeks went by with not much going on, at least that is until the Yule Ball was announced to the students. The ball was to start Christmas day, and would end at midnight. The Yule Ball was all that the school could talk about. Who was going to ask who, what kind of music there would be, and what we should be wearing, were the main topics of conversation.
During the moments where it was just me and Pansy hanging out doing homeworks, all she could talk about was how she wished Draco would ask her to the Ball.
"How amazing would it be if we went together?" She gushed as we worked on Transfiguration homework. "Don't we make such a cute couple?"
"I think the two of you would have lots of fun together." I answered with a small smile. Part of me believed what I said, but another part didn't want to see Draco go with Pansy. I wasn't sure if it was jealousy or me just being silly.
"Who do you want to go with?" Pansy asked, grinning at me.
"I'm not sure, haven't really thought about it." I answered truthfully.
"Maybe Zabini will ask you." She said teasingly.
"I wouldn't mind going with him." I shrugged.
"Do you not care who you go with?"
"Not really."
"Why not?"
"I'm not sure. I guess it just doesn't really matter to me."
"Well, whoever you go with I'm sure you'll have fun."
A couple of days after that conversation with Pansy, I noticed that I was being trailed by a variety of boys who all seemed a bit scared to approach me. This amused me just as much as it bothered me. Once again, my reputation of being the 'evil' Potter twin was causing trouble.
I was walking in the courtyard, by myself, trying to clear my head when I was stopped mid thought by Cedric Diggory.
"Potter," he called out as he walked towards me.
"Diggory," I greeted back. "What can I do for you?" We hadn't really talked or acknowledged each other since we traveled to the World Cup before the school year started.
"I was wondering if I could have a word?" Was it just me or was he nervous?
"Alright then." I gestured that he could walk next to me while I continued my rounds around the courtyard.
"I know we haven't talked since before the World Cup," he started to say. "I've been meaning to reach out, but after becoming a champion my life has been a bit crazy."
"Mmm-hmm" I agreed. "Why would you want to reach out to me though? I'm not exactly the kind of person you typically hang around."
"True, but ever since our small conversation we had I've had a hard time keeping you out of my mind." He smiled before continuing. "Everyone knows your brother, but not a lot of people know you. The most anyone says is that you're scary, rude, and basically the complete opposite of your brother."
"Where are you going with this?" I asked, feeling annoyed. "I already know what people think of me and I really don't care."
"Well, I guess I just want to get to know you better."
"Why would you want to do that?"
"You're a mystery to everyone, and I don't want you to be a mystery to me. You left quite an impression on me." I gave him a confused look. "I was thinking that maybe, if you would like, we could go to the Ball together."
I was so stunned that I stopped walking. Of all the people who would ask me to the Ball, Cedric Diggory was not even on my radar. I just stared at him, my green eyes locking with his chocolate brown ones. He gave me a small smile, took a deep breath, and told me that I didn't have to answer him right away. All I could do was nod and then walk briskly away from him.
I went straight to the Slytherin common room hoping it would be empty. Fortunately for me, it was. I slumped into an armchair and replayed the conversation I just had with Cedric. I left an impression on him? We had barely said anything to each other, just really about how my reputation was not a good one, and that I didn't want him to think I was a good person even though the last two years I hadn't been nearly as mean as my first year. How in the world did that conversation leave an impression on him? Maybe I just wasn't what he was expecting. I was different enough from my reputation that I had been on his mind for months. I smiled to myself. No one's ever told me that I had been on their mind before. I started to feel butterflies in my stomach the more I thought about Cedric.
I was so deep in thought that when I felt a hand on my shoulder I let out a small scream.
"Sorry Chloe, didn't mean to scare you." It was Draco. I let out a deep sigh before answering him.
"It's alright, I guess I was just lost in thought." I shook my head trying to rid the anxious feeling in my body. "What time is it?" I asked.
"Dinner is about to start." He answered, "I just came by here to grab something from my dorm." So, I still had time left in the day to go find Cedric. I made up my mind, and would tell him that I would go to the Ball with him.
"Awesome, I'll see you there." I said standing up and heading for the door. Draco looked like he wanted to say something, but I had left too quickly for him to get a chance to do anything.
My stomach was churning with nerves as I entered the Great Hall. As I walked over to the Slytherin table to get something to eat, I kept my eye out for Cedric. I spotted him about halfway down the Hufflepuff table, almost finished with his plate of food. I sat down next to Pansy, filled up my plate and ate as quickly as I could.
"Everything alright?" Pansy asked as she watched me wolf down my potatoes.
"Yeah, I just need to finish quickly." I answered glancing up at the Hufflepuff table.
She followed my gaze and then asked, "Why are you looking at Cedric Diggory?"
"I-" I started to answer her question when I noticed Cedric getting up from the table and heading out of the Great Hall. "I'll have to explain later." I said rushing to leave. Just as I stood up to leave, Draco arrived for his dinner.
"Where are you going?" He asked as I left the table. I didn't have time to answer him because Cedric was already out of the Hall.
I caught up to Cedric just as he was about to head down to the stairs that led to the kitchens. I reached out and caught his arm. "Cedric."
He turned and when he realized it was me he gave me a smile. "Are we on a first name basis now?" He asked.
"I, well, if you want to go to the Ball with me, then yes." I bit my lip as butterflies once again took over my stomach. Perhaps I shouldn't have eaten so quickly.
"I am looking forward to it, Chloe." He grinned at me, his eyes sparklingly. I blushed as he gave me a small wink and said good night. I slowly wandered back to the Slytherin common room and went straight to bed.
The next day, Pansy cornered me in the girls restroom after our first class.
"Spill it." She demanded. "Why did you follow Diggory out the Great Hall?"
"Don't overreact." I said looking her in the eyes.
"I can't promise that."
Sighing, I answered. "Cedric asked me to the Ball." She let out a squeal of excitement.
"Diggory asked you? I didn't know you two knew each other!"
"We don't really know each other. We had one conversation before the school year started. Apparently I left an impression on him."
"What did you do to him?" She asked, grinning.
"Nothing! We talked about my bad reputation, especially the way I acted during our first year, and that was it really."
"So it must have been your good looks that kept you in his mind." She teased me.
"What good looks?" I scoffed.
"Chloe, you are beautiful. Scary, but beautiful. It's no wonder he couldn't get you off his mind"
"Thanks Pansy." I gave her a smile. "Has anyone asked you yet?"
Pansy pouted as she answered. "No, not even Draco has brought it up."
"I'm sure you'll get asked soon." I comforted her. "Let's get going to our next class."
We went through the rest of the day whispering about the Ball. I asked her for advice on what to wear and how to do my hair. I noticed Draco and Zabini giving us weird looks throughout the day, but we had been talking too quietly for them to hear what we were saying.
That evening after dinner Draco asked if I wanted to take a walk around the school grounds with him. I agreed, thinking that a walk would help me digest the very large dinner I had just eaten. Pansy gave me a look that I took to mean that she wanted me to ask Draco to ask her to the Ball. Seeing as I already had a date, I didn't see any harm in letting him know she wanted to go with him.
We walked in silence until we reached the Black Lake. I noticed that Draco was acting a bit nervous.
"I wanted to ask you something." He started to say, wringing his hands together.
"Ok?" I had a bad feeling about this.
"I was going to ask you yesterday but you were a bit busy I suppose." He said softly. "Anyway, I was hoping that we could go to the Ball together." He asked so quickly that I almost didn't hear.
"You want to go to the Ball with me?" I was surprised.
"Yeah, I thought it would be a good way to work on our friendship or maybe something more." He mumbled. My heart sank to my stomach.
"Draco, I am so sorry." I started to feel dread throughout my body. What did he mean by 'something more'. "But I already said I would go with someone else."
"You've been asked by someone else?" He asked, a bit surprised. "I told Zabini not to ask you."
"You did what?" I was taken aback by what he said.
"I mean, I wanted to see if you wanted to go with me first before he asked you." He said in a rush.
"Well, Zabini didn't ask me." I said with a small glare. How dare these two boys discuss who got to go with me to the Ball without even thinking about who I would want to go with.
"He didn't? Then who did?" Draco stopped walking and looked at me confused.
"Cedric Diggory." I answered, still glaring at Draco.
"You're going with Diggory? Is that why I saw you following him out the Great Hall yesterday?"
Folding my arms I answered, "Yes."
"I didn't realize the two of you were friends." He sounded disappointed now.
"We are more like acquaintances." I said with a shrug. "But he wants to get to know me better."
"When did he ask you?"
"Yesterday afternoon, although I didn't give him an answer until after dinner. Why?"
"So, you're telling me that I missed being able to go to the Ball with you by one day? I was going to ask you yesterday, but you kept rushing off." He confessed.
"You were going to ask me yesterday?"
"Yeah, when we were alone in the common room before dinner. But you left in a hurry to eat. I thought I would have a chance after dinner, but again you disappeared before I could."
"I didn't realize you wanted to talk, my mind was thinking of…"
"Of Diggory?" He asked with a small scoff. I blushed as I gave him a shove in the shoulder. "Can't you tell him you changed your mind and then go with me?"
"Excuse me?" I couldn't believe my ears.
"I mean, wouldn't you rather go with me?"
"No, I might have gone with you if you had asked me first. But I already told Cedric I would go with him. I like to keep my promises."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Draco sounded offended.
"Nothing, just that I told him I would go with him so I will. I am not going to tell him I changed my mind."
"But who am I supposed to go with now?" Draco complained. "You're the only one I really wanted to go with." I felt a small blush creep up my cheeks. What did he mean by that?
"You should ask Pansy, I know she would love to go with you." I suggested.
"I suppose I could go with her, but it wouldn't be the same as going with you."
"Why not? We are all friends."
"Because Chloe, I…" His voice trailed off. "You know what, nevermind. I'll ask Pansy." He left me standing by the lake, still confused at his words.
I went to bed that night thinking about both Cedric and Draco. I never once thought in my life that two different boys would want to go to a dance with me. Especially not with my reputation. Although, I suppose most Slytherins really didn't care about my reputation of being the bad twin. The Dark Arts were quite accepted by the students in my house.
During the weeks before the Ball, I had made time to spend with Cedric. We usually met up by the greenhouses and took a walk in the grounds. At first these walks felt awkward and weird. However, the more we got to know each other the less awkward it felt. We talked about all sorts of things; school work, my life at the Dursleys, and what our goals were for after school. It was refreshing to talk to someone who didn't always ask about my brother or flinch when I looked at him. Sure, I had these things with some of the Slytherins, but it was different coming from someone who didn't understand what it was like to be judged on what house I was in or who I was related to. All Cedric knew about me before was that I liked to be mean to people around me, and that I had made an effort to be less mean the last few years.
As the weeks went by, I was finally feeling ready to go to the Ball. My brother was able to secure a date, he was going with Cho Chang. Ron somehow found a date as well, Padma Patil. Even Hermione had a date, although she wouldn't tell us who she was going with. Draco asked Pansy to go with him, she was very excited to go with him. Zabini managed to ask out a girl from Beauxbaton.
Christmas morning arrived, with presents at the end of our beds. Pansy and I gave each other excited looks as we rushed to open our presents. Millicent, Daphne, and Tracey also started opening their presents while talking about the Ball that would take place that night.
By the afternoon Pansy, Zabini, Draco, and I all had a fun filled day of eating magnificent food, and enjoying the white snow outside. We made snowmen, threw snowballs at unsuspecting students, and used the tripping jinx on a couple of first year Gryffindors. It felt good to be doing my pranks like I used to in my first year. I laughed as my tripping jinx hit the legs of a small Gryffindor boy and he went face first into the snow.
Around five o'clock Pansy and I decided to head back to the dormitories so we could start getting ready for the Ball. My stomach started to fill with butterflies as we helped each other into our outfits. Pansy had picked out some frilly pink robes, which complimented her light brown eyes. She styled her hair in a half ponytail, with the rest of it curled.
"You look gorgeous." I said with a smile.
"Do you think Draco will like it?" She asked nervously.
"I am sure he will." I winked at her.
I was wearing a deep blue dress that shimmered in the light. I had asked Hermione to help me cast a spell to make the sparkles form constellations on the dress so I would look like the nighttime sky. The edge of the skirt hung around my knees, with small ruffles giving it some volume. I decided to wear my hair in an intricate bun that I had to have Pansy help me do. I wore small dangly earrings that matched the sparkles of my dress, and a necklace that sat just above my chest.
"Diggory is not going to be able to keep his hands off of you." Pansy mused as she put the finishing touches on my hair.
"You think so?" I asked with a small chuckle.
"I know so." It was her turn to give me a wink.
Soon the time came to head out of the dormitory and into the fray. Pansy was able to meet up with Draco in the common room, but I would have to wait to see Cedric until we made it to the Entrance Hall. I heard Draco compliment Pansy's dress as I passed by to head out of the common room. She told me good luck before I was out of earshot, and I think maybe I heard Draco take in a deep breath when he saw me.
The Entrance Hall was packed full of students trying to find their dates from other houses. Fortunately, Cedric and I had made plans to meet by one of the Christmas trees that decorated the hall. I made my way over to him, while ignoring the stares from other students. I suppose nobody expected me to have a date to the Ball, or perhaps it was my dress that kept changing constellations as I walked around.
Cedric's mouth dropped when he saw me, which in turn made me blush a deep red color. I felt his eyes look me up and down as his shocked face turned into a grin.
"You look fantastic." He said, reaching for my hand.
"You don't look too bad yourself." I said, smiling back at him. Cedric was wearing black dress robes, with dark blue accents to match my dress.
Professor McGonagal called for the champions and with my hand in his, Cedric and I walked forward to the entrance of the Great Hall. Harry was with Cho, wearing plain bottle green dress robes. Fluer was with Roger Davies, who looked like he couldn't believe who his date was. Krum was with… "Hermione?" I asked, stunned. Hermione turned and gave a bright smile. She looked absolutely beautiful. Turns out I was not the only one being talked about, many girls whispered and pointed at Hermione. They were very clearly jealous that she was going with Krum.
"Chloe!" She greeted me enthusiastically. "Hi Harry, hi Cho." She said turning to my brother.
The doors to the Great Hall opened and the students waiting to go in started to move. Champions and their dates were to wait until everyone else was inside the room. People were either staring at me or at Hermione as they passed us. As the crowd was almost all in the Great Hall, I felt my nerves acting up. Soon, we were going to be leading the first dance of the night. I felt Cedric squeeze my hand, he must have noticed my breath quickening.
"We will be fine," he whispered into my ear, his warm breath tickling me. I gave him a thankful smile and then it was the champion's turn to enter the hall. We walked up towards a large round table at the end of the Hall. There were hundreds of small round tables for everyone to sit at, fitting about a dozen to a table.
Cedric and I sat down closer to Hermione and Krum than we were to Harry and Cho. Oddly enough, Percy Weasley was taking Mr. Crouch's spot at the table. Apparently Crouch was home with an illness, and wanted a quiet Christmas at home.
To order our food, we simply needed to speak to our plate what we wanted after looking over the menu. Soon, the Hall was filled with the smell of pork chops, chicken, and a variety of sides to accompany them.
Everyone was talking about different things, Fleur was complaining about the decorations and saying that they would be better at the Beauxbaton school. Hermione was trying to help Krum pronounce her name correctly. Harry and Cho were having a quiet conversation I couldn't really hear, though Harry looked quite happy to be there with her.
"Are you nervous for the first dance?" Cedric asked me as he ate his food.
"A bit, but as long as I have you to lead me through it I'll be fine." I said with a smile. He grabbed my hand and gave me a reassuring squeeze.
Soon it was time for the first dance, all the champions and their dates got up from the table and went onto the dance floor. Everyone was staring at us, their eyes watching our every move. Cedric turned and wrapped my shoulder with one hand, and took my right hand in his other. When we heard the music start, Cedric led me across the dance floor in a waltz. All I could concentrate on was Cedric's eyes as he guided me around the room. About a minute into the dance, he pulled me close and whispered in my ear.
"I really enjoy being with you."
"I really enjoy being with you too Cedric." I whispered back with a smile.
"Chloe, these last few weeks have been amazing. Getting to know you has been wonderful. I really hope that we continue to get close to one another."
"Me too." I blushed at his words. "Although, I suppose if you ever see my darker side you'll want nothing to do with me."
"I have a hard time believing you have a darker side"
"Trust me, I do." I said with a small chuckle.
"Do tell then." He said curiously.
"Well," I didn't want to completely scare him off so I started with something small. "I have been known to enjoy using the tripping jinx on unsuspecting Gryffindors in the snow."
"You know, I heard about some Slytherin's going around tripping kids this morning in the snow." Cedric said thoughtfully. "Were you one of them?"
"It sure was funny watching them fall face first in the snow." I snickered lightly. Cedric stayed silent for a few seconds before responding.
"Alright, well that isn't nearly as bad as what I heard happened during your first year."
"What did you hear about my first year?" I asked curiously.
"That you terrorized your peers, especially those in Gryffindor."
"Only when I needed to." I said with a small smirk. "Like when Peeves was setting students' pants on fire, I needed a way to not have mine set on fire. So I helped Peeves steal something from Neville Longbottom."
"Ah, so you only did it to save your own skin." Cerdic said with a chuckle.
"Exactly." I said with a nod.
By now the waltz had ended, and the students and staff were applauding the champions and their dance partners. Cedric and I continued to dance for the next couple of songs before deciding to take a break. I saw my brother sitting with Ron at a table with their dates. We headed over to them, still holding hands.
"Having a good time?" I asked, sitting down next to Cho.
"I am, Harry has been so kind." She gave me a smile.
"Ah yes, my ever so kind brother." I laughed, glancing at Harry. "I didn't realize my brother could be such a gentleman." I teased him.
"Shut it, Chloe." Harry said with a worried look on his face. I could take this opportunity to embarrass my brother in front of the girl he liked, but I decided not too. After all, if I did nothing would stop Harry from trying to embarrass me in front of Cedric.
"Alright, alright." I said, gesturing my hand in a calm down motion. I noticed that Ron was staring at Hermione and Kurm, who were dancing nearby.
"Are we ever going to go dance?" Padma asked Ron with a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"Nah," He said gloomily.
"Then I am going to go find someone else to dance with." She said standing up and heading towards her sister, who was dancing with a boy from Beauxbaton. Ron didn't even acknowledge her leaving. I rolled my eyes, and decided I should also leave before I said something I might regret.
"Let's get some fresh air Cedric." I said standing up. Cedric said goodbye to the group and we headed off.
We walked hand in hand, something that I was starting to get used too, and he asked why I wanted to leave the group even though we had just barely sat down.
"I find Ron to be an annoying person." I said with a shrug. "I figured it would be better to leave than to say something I would regret later."
"I see, tell me what you find so annoying about him. I don't really know him."
"You heard how he wouldn't take his date out to dance. What was the point in coming to the Ball with someone you had no intention of spending time with?" I huffed. "Not only that but did you see the way he was staring at Hermione and Krum?"
"No, but I wasn't really paying much attention to him. I was watching someone much more interesting."
"Who?" I asked, feeling a bit of jealousy creeping up.
"You silly." He gave me a warm smile. "I couldn't keep my eyes off of you."
"Oh." I said feeling the blood rush to my face. We were in a fairly secluded area outside at this point, and Cedric stopped walking.
"Chloe," He said, turning to face me.
"Yeah?" I asked as I looked into his brown eyes. He reached down and cupped my face with his hands. He leaned down and whispered in my ear.
"Would it be ok if I kissed you?" I could feel my heartbeat quicken and my face turning a deeper shade of red. I looked deeply in his eyes and leaned forward, giving him a small nod. I tilted my head to the right and closed my eyes. I could feel his breath on my lips before he gently pressed them to mine. My head felt dizzy with a rush of happiness that soon flooded the rest of my body. Cedric pulled my waist closer to him with one arm, and put his other hand on the back of my head at the same time. His lips parted slightly as he deepened the kiss, I responded matching his enthusiasm. After what felt like forever, we parted, breathing heavily. We put our foreheads against each, and smiled at each other as we caught our breath.
"That was…" I started to say.
"Amazing," Cedric finished my sentence. We let out a small chuckle and gave each other some smaller kisses before heading back to the dance floor. We spent the rest of the night dancing in each other's arms.
AN: Thanks for reading this far!