Chapter 2 – When it started

"Nat, I know this is last minute but will you go the ball with me?"

Full power of those green eyes were unleashed on me. It was a wonder that I didn't physically melt. "Yes." Mentally, I thanked all the Gods and Merlin, even Morgana. I've been waiting for this since the day the ball was announced.

"Really?" He looked and sounded very surprised.

I'm not happy that I'm not his first choice but hey, beggars can't be choosers! "Of course! What are friends for!" I exclaimed.

He sighed with relief, hugged me and thanked me. He pulled back and asked, "Do you know who Hermione is going with?"

I looked at him smugly, "Duh! But I cannot tell you. I promised her I wouldn't."

He didn't push it. "There's Parvati. I'm going to ask her if she will go with Ron." After the fiasco with Fleur Delacour yesterday, Ron has given up on asking any girl for the Ball. So, Harry is looking for a date for Ron. Awww! Harry is so sweet!

After Harry's name came out of the goblet, Ron got very angry. Hermione and I had almost given up hope that Harry and Ron would be friends again. But somehow after the first task, Ron, finally decided to believe that Harry didn't put his name in the goblet. Despite being best friends with Harry, Ron has always been a little jealous of him. I guess, it's a guy thing because Hermione and I have never been jealous of Harry.

I turned to go to my dorm when I saw Ginny looking at me. She didn't look too happy. Ginny and I have always had a bit of tension in between us because of Harry. You see, Ginny claims to have always been in love with Harry. I see Ginny nothing more than a fan girl. I always admired Harry. Who on the light side didn't? I started having a crush on Harry after the first year.

"Hi Ginny." I said politely. She is Ron's sister after all. She just walked away without a word. I shrugged and went up to my dorm to find Hermione. But as usual she was in the library.


Harry was waiting for me in the common room along with Ron and Parvati, when I came down. He looked very good in his black robes.

"Wow Nat! you look really beautiful." Harry complimented me.

After a lot of scrutiny, I decided on wearing a knee-length white dress, which had black lace all over. I put my shoulder length hair in a ponytail, my bangs and shorts layers fell out of the ponytail and framed my face. I accessorised with big silver earrings and a bracelet. I kept make-up to a bare minimum.

"Thanks, Harry. You look 'wow' too."

I also complimented Parvati and told Ron that his robes looked much better to cheer him up. He only grunted in response. I could tell Parvati was going to have a very bad date. If Ron kept this behaviour up, the girl was going to dump him during the ball.


I would pay to look at Harry and Ron's expressions again when Hermione entered with Victor Krum. Never in a billion years did anyone in Hogwarts think that Hermione would attend the Yule Ball with Victor Krum. I wish I had taken a picture.

The ball was amazing though I can't say the same for Harry's waltzing skills. Never in my life has anybody ever stepped on my feet so many times in a matter of minutes. Lesson learnt – keep dancing to a minimum with Harry Potter.

Despite being stepped on, I liked being with him. This is different from hanging out as friends. It was like he was seeing me in a new light. He held me like I was a delicate doll that he is afraid of breaking. He held my hand while we were sitting or talking to our friends. The ball had this 'Christmasy – romantic' touch to it, maybe, that's why he wanted to hold my hand.

All of that came to an end when Ron started arguing with Hermione for 'fraternising with the enemy'. Neither Harry nor I interfered. I was too surprised to say anything. After the argument, Hermione walked off in one direction and Ron in another. When Hermione and Ron break into an argument, Harry talks to Ron and I talk to Hermione. That is our unspoken agreement. Harry and I looked at each other. We wanted to enjoy this evening. We nodded at each other before we followed our friends.


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Neepa :-)