"Evelyn, the dress fits you perfectly! I could swear it was made for you!" Hermione said.
I know exactly what you are thinking. Fred changed his mind and invited me, right? As if. But I do have a date.
Flashback
'What's wrong with me?!' I thought desperately, but I was interrupted by Hermione's burst of tears.
"Oh no, no. Hermione, please don't cry. It's not worth it" I said hugging her. "Shh, it'll be fine. Don't think about it." I said cooing.
"I know he's not worth it" she said sobbing "But I just had a bit of hope which vanished" she tried giving me a smile, which I gladly returned.
"He doesn't know what he's missing out"
She laughed.
"You're right. Plus I can't wait to see the look on his face when he'll find out that I really have a date" she said grinning.
"No, darling. When he'll find out with WHO you're going with, as in Viktor Krum." I said giving her a devilish smile.
"Yeah, that will be fun" She said already imagining the whole scene. "But first, we need to find you a date!" she proclaimed.
I gave her an annoyed look.
"What? You need one!"
"I know, it's just that I don't know if I can't stand put when I'll see them together."
"Oh I bet you won't, but if we find you a charming lad to be your date you'll change your mind" she said grinning.
"Did I just hear my name?" a voice came from behind us. Hermione only smiled. When I turned around my heart almost stopped.
"Oh, it's you" I said a bit annoyed.
'Why do they have to look so alike? It gave me a heart attack'
"You don't seem too enthusiast to see your date" he said wiggling his eyebrows up and down.
"My what?" I said unbelievingly.
"I'll let you two… discuss" Hermione said before giving me a wink and heading to the Gryffindor tower.
"Stop fooling around George, I'm clearly not in the mood"
"Aw, who set you off, sweetheart?" he said throwing his arm around my shoulders.
"As a matter a fact, it was this guy that look exactly like you, just he was more annoying" I said glaring at him.
"AHA! You said it! We are different!"
"So?"
"So, go to the Ball with me" he tried again.
"George" I said gritting my teeth "it's not funny."
"But I'm not joking around"
I looked at him. 'Was he really serious?'
"Right." I said and tried to get away from his grip.
"Evelyn..." he said grabbing my arm and forcing me to look into his eyes.
'Merlin, those eyes… So alike, but yet so different.'
"What?"
"Go with me. Be my date" he demanded.
"And what if I say no?"
"Why would you say that?"
"I fancy your brother, George. This would be wrong"
"I know that. And no, it won't be wrong"
"Fine. But if this is some kind of joke, I swear you'll pay for it George Weasley"
He grinned like a child on Christmas Eve and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"You won't regret it" he said and with that he was gone.
'Said the joker…' I thought and headed towards the Ravenclaw tower.
I was happy, why should I lie about it? I could easily make Fred jealous, but that was a horrible thought to have. It was his brother after all.
"Evie! I saw you and George in the corridors getting all cozy" Blair said interrupting my thoughts.
"It wasn't what you think it is" I replied dropping my books near the bed and plopping near Blair on the floor.
"Right."
"I swear"
"What did you guys talk about?" she asked nonchalantly.
"Oh, nothing special." I said looking at my nails "He invited me to the Ball" I continued still uninterested.
"NO WAY!" she screamed and jumped on me. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THAT MEANS?"
"Please don't scream! You're killing my ears"
"Not only are we going shopping, but you are going to make Fred so damn jealous"
"Blair! That's not a nice think to say!"
"You thought about it too, admit it" she said grinning and standing up.
"You said it" I smiled sheepishly.
"We need to go Hogsmade immediately." She said searching for something.
"Blair. Calm down. It's 8 o'clock."
"Oh, it doesn't matter"
"I'm going to take a shower and will talk about it tomorrow. Please don't try anything stupid or insane"
End of Flashback
So here we are. First thing in the morning Blair woke up not only me, but half Ravenclaw dorm and also some Gryffindors, including Hermione. The shops weren't even open when we got there, but Blair just couldn't wait.
They both got lovely gowns, I loved the one Hermione chose. That beautiful periwinkle blue matched her dirty blonde locks perfectly. She smiled satisfied, and while Blair was still searching for her gown, Hermione was already daydreaming.
"Ehem" I interrupted her thoughts.
"Evelyn, it's wonderful" she said smiling.
I was happy about the dress too. It was that perfect navy blue that matched my fair complexion, long tailed with some light waves towards the end.
'I wonder what Fred would think about it.' I eliminated that thought out of my mind immediately. 'You don't have to think about him. I command you not to'
"Girls, I am in love" said Blair appearing in front of us with a beautiful strapless long dress.
"Hufflepuff, much?" I asked her laughing.
"I'm preparing myself for when Cedric will ask me" she said admiring herself in the mirror.
"What?" I asked in disbelief.
"What, what?" she mocked.
"He didn't ask you yet?"
"He will, don't worry"
"Uhm"
"What 'uhm', Hermione?" Blair said glaring at her.
"Harry told me yesterday that well, he invited Cho to the Ball"
"So? That's very nice of him"
"She said no"
"Poor Harry" I said.
"She's going with … Cedric" Hermione continued uncertainly.
Everything went dead silent.
'Oh Merlin, help us'
"Really? Oh well, it happens" Blair answered uninterested.
"Blair…" I tried to comfort her.
"No, don't worry. I'm fine" she said smiling and went to undress.
"Blair, buy the dress! It fits you lovely" I yelled after her.
"Will do!"
This wasn't exactly the kind of news you want to hear a few days before the Ball. Though, I had a feeling that she already knew about that. So why didn't she tell me anything.
As soon as we got back to our dormitories it was almost supper time so we had to get ready.
"Blair"
"I'm not talking about it, Evelyn."
"I'm your friend, B. If you don't talk to me, who are you going to talk to?"
She sighed and plopped on her bed. "I knew he invited Cho. I overheard it a week ago."
"Why didn't you tell me anything?" I said sitting next to her.
"Because I have another date"
"That's great! Why hide it from me?"
"Because."
"Blair"
"It's Blaise." She said looking down.
"He is a good looking lad." I said nudging her elbow.
"He's a Slytherin"
"So? He doesn't seem that bad."
"Exactly. That bad"
I didn't knew what else to say so I just let it be. I didn't mind her being with a Slytherin as long as she was happy. I sighed and went to the owlery to see if I got any letters, and of course there were two letters and a small package. I took them and hurried to the Great Hall.
"What's the hurry, Moore?"
"Malfoy." I saluted him with a curt nod and went on my way. But clearly he had other plans.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me only inches away from him. I could feel his breath tingling my skin.
"I don't think this is appropriate. If you don't mind" I said trying to regain my personal space.
"You're going to the Ball with me" he demanded.
"Excuse me?"
"Courtesy of your father. He seems to be afraid you're not making smart choices."
"As if I would go with someone my father chose for me."
"Would you accept if I asked you personally?"
I was caught off guard.
"What?"
He seemed to stiffen a bit. "If I wanted you to come with me, as in my wish."
I didn't knew why, but my heart was racing.
"I-I'm sorry, Draco. But I'm already going with someone else" I said getting free from his grip.
He laughed.
"What's so funny?" I asked raising and eyebrow.
"Really Moore? You really think I would care that you're going with someone? I was just trying to achieve what my father asked me to do. I wouldn't go to the Ball with you not even if you were the last girl at Hogwarts."
"That's not what you always do? Follow daddy's rules? That's just pathetic" I spat.
"Watch it, Moore. I might be in a good mood now, but I won't always be. You better learn to keep that mouth shut" he sneered before turning his back and walking away.
'Stuck up spoiled brat' I thought and went to the Great Hall where I found a seat near Fleur.
"Evie, hello" she said smiling. I put my package and letters near me and started putting food on my plate.
"Hello, Fleur. How was your day?" I asked while grabbing a bite of some pastries.
"Wonderful! I got a date for za Ball" she said excited.
"Really? That's great! May I know who the mysterious lucky lad is?" I said sipping some pumpkin juice.
"Roger Davies" she said dreamingly.
"Uh la la, la petite Fleur has a crush!" I said smiling.
"I might" she said sticking out her tongue.
We remained silent for the rest of the supper and afterwards she went straight to the dorms. I remained a bit more, just to read my mail.
'Let's see. Father, Mum and Mum. Great, let's start with the least favourite. Why must I be so mean?' I thought while opening the envelope.
Evelyn,
I hope that things are going better than I have been hearing. People are talking, don't let me down.
I heard young Malfoy is going to invite you to the Ball, accept the invitation.
Unfortunately we won't be spending summer together, I have some business to take care of. Therefore, you will be spending Christmas with me.
See you soon,
Father
I rolled my eyes. The joy in having your life organised by your father. Don't get me wrong, I love him. I just don't want my life to be his playground.
I opened my mum's letter too.
Evelyn,
I am so proud of you and excited! Who asked you to the Ball? Was it Fred? He's such a lovely lad. I sent you something lovely to match with your gown. Take care of it!
I think you've already heard the news that you're going to your father's for Christmas. I am going to miss you baby girl, but we'll see each other soon enough.
Please be careful and take care!
Write me every little detail of the ball!
Love,
Mum
I smiled and put down the letter. Looking around I saw that the twins were still there with some other Gryffindor of their year. I smiled and waved at George.
'Very mature Evelyn, ignore Fred.' I thought getting back to my package. As soon as I opened it I felt a pair of arms wrapping around my neck and a head pocking from behind my head.
"GEORGE! You scared me!" I said flinching.
"You were expecting George to do that? He asked with a tint of disappointment in his voice.
'Oh, uh. Control yourself Evelyn. Control'
"Can I help you with something?" I asked not looking at him and returning my gaze to the content inside the package. It was a beautiful pendant which had the emblem of my mum's family engraved on the stone.
"We haven't talked in a while, how did I managed to make you mad at me?" he said grinning.
I was trying to focus my whole attention on the pendant which he seemed to notice too.
"It's for my gown, mum send it."
"Groovy. That means someone actually invited you" he said laughing.
"As a matter of fact, yes. And prepare yourself to be astonished, Frederick Weasley" I said getting up and glaring at him. "And yes, you should congratulate with yourself that you managed to make me mad even though we haven't talked in a few days."
"Evie…" he said trying to stop me, but I didn't have any intention in stopping.
'This is it. The Yule Ball. Calm, keep calm. Posture.' I thought looking at myself in the mirror. The dress was really complementing me in every possible way. I put on some make up and used Sleekeazy's Hair Potion to keep my hair in place.
"You ready, Evelyn?" Blair said appearing as beautiful as always.
'Damn her genes for having such a perfect hair'
"Ready" I said smiling and putting on my heels.
On our way to the Great Hall Blaise was already waiting for Blair at the top of the stairs, so she took her hand and walked away. I on the other hand stood hidden.
'What's wrong with you? Get out there!'
Looking around I saw that Hermione was hiding too.
"Herms!"
"Eve! You look gorgeous!" she mouthed.
"Why aren't you going?" I whispered to her.
"Uhm. I go if you go"
"You first"
"Oh no, elders first" she grinned.
"Lovely, thank you" I said rolling my eyes. I took a deep breath and walked to the stairs.
He appeared promptly besides me and took my hand to kiss it. When he stood up I was speechless.
"M'lady" he said kissing my cheek.
I couldn't believe it. This had to be a joke.
"Fred?" I whispered
"Yours truly, Evie" he whispered inches away from me.
"Why?" I simply asked.
"I wanted to be with you. Here, now."
"But what about George?"
"He always seemed to fancy Angelina. Plus the girl doesn't seem to spot the difference between the two of us, like you do"
"I don't know…" I said uncertain.
"Dance with me, Evie. Even if it's just for tonight. Be with me" he said extending his hand for me to take.
I smiled and took his hand.
Reviews are very much appreciated !
You can find Evelyn's and Blair's gowns here - shiwasuuu dot tumblr dot com slash checkmate