The entire room was decorated with banners and confetti. Streamers were strung across the ceiling. As usual, it made the appearance of a starry night under the moon. It was a breathtaking sight. All the tables were laid out with the finest white lace, candlelight, and a feast fit for a king and his subjects. Everything from pudding, dumplings, turkey, and mince meat all neatly across the table, down to the large glasses of punch and pumpkin juice.
Frances caught the sight of Ron and Iffi chatting by the punch bowl.
She signaled Harry that she had spotted them; they both walked over, smiling and waving.
"Iffi!" sang Frances jovially. Wrapping Iffimina in a tight hug.
"I missed you."
"I missed you too."
Iffimina laughed.
Frances pulled away from the embrace and turned to face Ron.
"And you Ron! It's been ages!" she screamed. Hugging him tightly as well.
"Yes. Yes it has." he chuckled.
They both sat down beside one another at the table.
And after several hours of joyous conversation, reminiscing about there old years together, which they refused to accept as old, Harry suddenly got up from the table and leaned over to Frances.
"Hey want to leave these two kids here and go off to the dormitory?" asked Harry.
"Uhh...sure why not." said Frances. Harry hadnt noticed, but she had turned scarlet, at coming into such close contact.
Harry smiled.
"I'm getting tired of this reunion anyway. Let's go."
So with that, Both Harry and Frances headed out of the noisy great hall and into the quiet corridor. They took the stairs to the dormitory, said the password, and walked through the portrait hole.
Once inside, Frances sat down in the chair closest to the fire, comfortably settling herself down so she almost sank into the chair. Harry sat down on the couch next to her. After a short awkward silence, she noticed that Harry kept staring at her, but whenever she looked back his eyes would dart towards the fire.
"Yeah I don't much like this uniform. It's kind of itchy…" said Frances.
"Oh well I like you in the uniform." Said Harry.
"It reminds me of our days in school back when we were dating."
"That was a disaster."
"All of it?" asked Harry
"Well not all of it, I guess." Said Frances
"Do you ever think that maybe we just both have the same fatal flaw?" said Harry.
"What, you mean when one of us gets too close to a commitment, we get scared and try an escape?"
"That's what we've been doing her all night right?"
"That's what we've always been doing." Frances corrected him. She was starting to get very flustered at this point, and didn't wish to continue any further. His gaze alone, made her turn a darker scarlet, much more than his closeness back at the great hall.
"Look Harry, I know you wanted to catch up, but I really think I should be getting home." She stood up and started to make her way towards the portrait hole.
"Oh no, wait!" Harry reached out and grabbed her hand, before she had barely reached the exit.
Frances turned her head.
"Yes Harry, what is it?" she said
"I just thought-please stay a little longer." His eyes pleaded with hers to stay.
"We've only just arrived, and theres no reason for you to go this soon."
She said nothing, and just stared back at him. Then finally after a short pause, spoke.
"I'm sorry Harry, but I must be going."
Frances walked towards him and embraced him in a hug.
"We'll see each other again." she said encouragingly.
Harry half-smiled. This was so disappointing, and he felt lonelier than ever at this point.
He sighed. "Alright."
Frances looked at him and smiled. He released her hand.
"Goodbye Harry."
Turning back around once more, and opened her mouth to speak the password.
"Mimbulus mimbletonia." she said softly.
The portrait swung open. Frances stepped through, but before she got the chance to go on, something held her back. Pleading with all its might for her to stay. At first, she wasnt about to give in, shaking her head and taking another step forward. Then, she paused. "i have only just arrived." she thought. "i guess it wouldnt do much harm to stay."
Once again, she wheeled around.
"Harry I-" But before Frances could finish her sentence, Harry had kissed her.