Good morning everyone!
This chapter is the first part of everyone's favorite event - the Yule Ball!
I'm very excited to share the next few chapters with you. They are some of my favorites - this one included.
I hope you like it. And thank you for all the lovely reviews. Sending you all lots of love!
Enjoy ! x

wildest dreams
VOLUME I

CHAPTER TWENTY

It was almost six when I got back to the Gryffindor Tower. George had walked with me all the way back – he asked me what color my dress was, pretending he needed his bowtie to match, but I refused to spill the beans. I told him that black would work just fine. I also told him about my parents writing to me, which he too found very strange. It felt so good to be able to talk to him about everything again.

When I entered the dormitory, all the girls were already dressed. I stood in the doorway, still in my jeans and winter coat, soaked because of the snow.

"Blimey, Addy, it's nearly six !" sighed Angelina.

"I still have plenty of time" I quickly said. "You both look amazing."

They did – I couldn't stop admiring them. Angelina's dress suited her perfectly, as Alicia had said. She was wearing purple earrings to match her dress, and had let her dark hair down – but was in the process of making it slightly wavy.

I had been with Alicia when she had bought her dress – I remembered the shiny, black texture of the silk, stopping just below her knees. She was wearing a pair of black high heels, decorated with small diamonds, and had put her hair up in a complex bun.

It was weird to see them all dressed up like this, but it was more exciting than anything else.

"Seriously – Fred and Andrew are going to faint when they see you."

They laughed, and I started to take off my scarf, hat and coat, hanging them next to the boiler in the center of the room. I couldn't stop smiling – I was over the moon. I grabbed my towel, planning to get a nice, hot shower before getting ready.

"What are you all smiling about ?" asked Angelina.

I looked up – she was staring at me suspiciously.

"Me ? Nothing" I shrugged.

"I don't believe you for one second" she said.

"What happened ?" insisted Alicia.

"I don't know what you two are talking about – nothing happened. It's Christmas, is all."

"C'mon, spit it out !" said Alicia.

"If you don't tell us, I swear I'm going to make you" added Angelina.

I stared at them, unable to get my stupid smile off my face. Sighing, I raised my hands in surrender.

"All right, all right ! I'll tell you !"

"Now, Addy !"

"… George asked me to the ball."

They both screamed so loudly that I nearly dropped my towel.

"I KNEW IT !" shouted Alicia.

"FINALLY !" yelled Angelina.

They both jumped on my bed, asking for the details. I told them everything, getting more and more excited as I recalled it.

"I'm glad he finally listened to me" said Angelina when I was done.

"What do you mean ?" I asked, frowning.

"Well – I told him he should stop being a wuss and invite you."

"You did what ?!" I yelled.

Angelina chuckled as I stared at her with wide eyes.

"Don't be mad, Addy. He wanted to ask you – Fred told me that he did. I don't know what took him so long. I got tired of seeing you wait around for him to finally gather the guts."

"Oh…"

I felt myself blushing again. George had told Fred that he wanted to ask me – so his invitation wasn't an impulsive decision. He had been thinking about it for some time. The thought made me feel… hopeful. For the first time, I found myself wondering – what if ? My heart was suddenly racing in my chest.

"Addy, I'm so happy for you !" said Alicia.

"Me too" I smiled. "I like him."

Angelina raised an eyebrow.

"All right, I like him a lot !" I laughed.

"You more than like him. But that's not our priority. Our priority, now, is to get you dressed and sorted, so you can take his breath away."

"So he can't take his eyes off you" nodded Alicia.

"Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves" I muttered.

"I don't want to hear it ! Shower, go !"

They hurried me off into the bathroom, where I took my time to take a hot shower and carefully wash my hair. I hadn't cut it all summer, and it now reached halfway down my back. Angelina and Alicia insisted to take care of it when I came out of the bathroom, and I let them, knowing I wasn't really good at all this stuff and that trying to do my hair and makeup myself would probably result in a complete disaster. When they were done, I slipped into my dress, put on my low, black heels, and I was ready.

I realized it was almost 6:50 pm, and I had to meet my uncle and his band at the gate at 7:00, so I told Angelina and Alicia to not wait for me and quickly left the dormitory. Fortunately, the Common Room was almost empty, as everyone was getting ready for the ball – so I was able to walk all the way to the front door undisturbed. I caught a sight of myself in the mirror on the way, and had to stop to look at my reflection – I could barely recognize myself.

My usually tangled hair was now smoothly descending down my shoulders in soft waves, with two small braids starting at my temples and meeting at the back of head. Alicia had put dark eyeshadow and mascara on my eyes. My lipstick matched the color of my dress, who was flowing around me. My uncle had truly picked the perfect one. I couldn't believe it was me – and when a portrait nearby cleared his throat, I quickly walked away, embarrassed.

There were two carriages waiting for me outside – one for me and one for the equipment – I jumped in one, and it started making its way down to the gate. The carriage seemed to be enveloped in some sort of warming spell, because I couldn't feel the cold at all, even in my light dress. I smiled – Dumbledore really thought of everything. About ten minutes later, the carriage stopped next to the gate. I let out a scream when I saw that my uncle and the rest of the band were already there. Nearly breaking my neck in the process, I jumped out of the carriage and rushed to them.

"Merry Christmas !" I shouted, grinning broadly.

"Addy !" they all said.

"Look at you !" exclaimed Kirley, the lead guitar.

"You look like a million Galleons, kiddo" said Gideon, who played the bagpipes.

They all nodded in agreement, and I brushed it off with a wave.

"What, this old rag ?" I joked, pointing my dress.

"I knew it would suit you perfectly" said my uncle with a wink.

"Yeah, that's great and all, but I'm freezing my arse off here. Can you open this gate ?" grumbled Merton, the cello player.

"Right" I laughed. "Sorry."

I had been so excited to see them all again that I had forgotten about the gate. I was worried that I had forgotten the word Dumbledore had written on the parchment – but it came back to me quickly.

"Raspberry lollipop" I said, looking up at the gate.

"What did she say ?" muttered Herman.

"It's the password, you dumbo" sighed Kirley.

I chuckled as the gate opened for them – I hugged all of them, smiling. It always felt so good to be around them – they were like my family, after all. I had grown up with all of them around – except for Donaghan, who had joined only a few years ago after the previous bass player had quit the band to go live in Asia with his new wife.

I helped them getting all the instruments and equipment in one of the carriages, asking them about the latest news – Heathcote had gone back with his old girlfriend from Hogwarts and Orsino had broke his arm playing the drums a little too hard at a concert in Paris. I laughed as they told me about their adventures. Then, we all jumped into the other carriage, sighing out of relief when its warmth envelopped us. It was a little cramped with the nine of us in there – but I didn't mind.

"So, Myron told us you were going solo to the ball" said Gideon.

"I don't get it" said Donaghan. "If I was your age…"

"Watch it, Tremlett" said my uncle, eyebrows raised.

"I'm just saying" he shrugged.

I chuckled as my uncle glared at him menacingly.

"I would have loved to go to the ball with you, Don – I mean, if only you were a few decades younger…"

"Oi !"

"She got you there, Tremlett" chuckled Heathcote.

"You don't mind too much, kiddo ?" asked Gideon.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of. I mean, you'll probably have more fun that way" said Kirley.

I bit my lip. George had only invited me a few hours ago – I hadn't been able to write to my uncle about it. I blushed slightly at the memory.

"Yeah… Er – about that…"

I was very aware of the huge grin on my face, and when I lifted my eyes to meet theirs, they were all staring back.

"Oh, I know that smile" muttered my uncle.

He was smirking, like he already knew what I was going to say. He knew me too well.

"Well, spit it out !" insisted Kirley, who had never been known to be patient.

I allowed myself a few more seconds of simply grinning at them before I spoke.

"Someone invited me today. And I said yes."

The carriage broke into cheer – we were still far away from the castle, but the eight of them were so loud that I was certain it would be possible to hear them from the Great Hall. I laughed as they applauded, whistled and ruffled my hair – which, for the first time, I objected to brutally as they had been so carefully styled by Angelina.

"Who's the lucky bloke ?" asked Merton.

"George Weasley" I replied, blushing.

"Ha ! I knew it" said my uncle.

"Isn't he one of those prankster twins ?" asked Orsino.

"Tall, ginger, always looking for trouble ?" added Heathcote.

"Yeah. That's George" I laughed.

"I remember him. Straight bloke" nodded Gideon.

"You two are snogging yet ?" asked Kirley.

I blushed furiously – thankfully, the carriage was dark and I hoped no one had seen it.

"No ! Blimey, no, we're just friends" I muttered.

"Right" snickered Kirley.

I bent forward and pushed his hat onto his nose. He cried out as the others chuckled. I felt as uncomfortable as amused, but I was certainly relieved when Herman changed the subject to ask about the Tournament. I starting telling them about the First Task when the carriage suddenly stopped. I took a look outside – we had gone around the front door, to a secret entrance to the Great Hall. Dumbledore had told me there would be a door there, which would lead to the back of the stage.

We got out of the carriage, grabbed the gear and walked there. I could see that the stage had been placed where the teachers' table usually was. I could already hear people talking in the Great Hall. I wanted to peak through the curtain to see how it all looked – I was certain Dumbledore had made sure to decorate the room appropriately – but then, I thought it would ruin the surprise, so I decided to wait.

"We'll be fine from here, Pancakes" said my uncle, walking to me.

"You sure ?"

"Of course."

I nodded, looking around to make sure everything was all right – I had promised Dumbledore, after all.

"Oh ! Thank you so much for the guitar !"

"Do you like it ?"

"I love it !"

"I'm glad. In a few years you can replace Kirley – we've been trying to come up with an excuse to get rid of him."

"Hey, I heard that !" shouted Kirley, a few meters away.

We laughed – and I suddenly remembered about the card from my parents. If anyone would know something about that, it would my uncle.

"I wanted to ask you…" I started quietly.

"What is it ?" he frowned.

"I got a card this morning. From… from my parents."

He observed me for a few seconds, silent.

"They really sent it ?"

"What do you mean ?" I asked, confused.

Uncle Myron sighed softly, running a hand through his messy hair.

"I wasn't planning on telling you, just because I thought they would never –"

"On telling me what ?"

I could feel my heart beat fast – I strangely apprehending what Myron would tell me.

"You know how we were touring in America ?"

I nodded.

"Well – it's weird, actually. We were in Boston, and we went to eat at this restaurant that someone had recommended to us – and I saw Connor there. Your Dad."

It felt like my heart had just stopped. Connor. Your Dad. How weird that sounded.

"What was he doing there ?" I asked faintly.

"He works there. Owns the bloody place."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

"I know – bloody weird coincidence. But anyway, we talked, and things got a little heated…"

"How ?"

"Well, he asked me about you, Addy."

"And ?"

"And I told him that if he wanted to know how you were, he should come and see for himself. He didn't know what to say, of course. So I told him that he was a git, and when he tried to defend himself, I told him that if he wasn't a prat, he would at least send a Christmas card. So he told me that 'he would do just that' – but I honestly didn't believe him."

I was speechless. It was so weird to hear him talk about my father like that – he suddenly was a real person, not just a shadow, not just a ghost.

"I'm sorry, Pancakes."

"You don't have to be sorry" I replied.

"I do. You're my responsibility. I just want to protect you from all that rubbish."

"You're doing the best you can, I know that. It's not your fault they don't want me."

He looked at me carefully before pulling me into a hug. I hugged him tightly, trying not to start crying.

"You know what makes me happy about all that ?" he said quietly.

"What ?"

"The fact that I got you all for myself."

I snickered, shaking my head.

"It's true. They don't know what they're missing out on."

"Thank you, Uncle Myron."

"Now, don't let these idiots ruin your night, all right ?"

He pushed me gently, chasing a few strands of hair from my face.

"You should join your friends. Go have fun."

I remembered the others – I remembered George, who was certainly waiting for me now – oh, Merlin. I suddenly felt sick. My stomach stirred with apprehension. My uncle obviously saw my distress, because he took both my hands and smiled kindly at me.

"Hey, stop worrying. It's going to be great. You look beautiful. That boy will go all mental when he sees you."

I smiled nervously.

"What if I ruin everything ? What if I trip on someone else's dress ? What if accidentally get drunk and puke all over –"

"Addy. You'll be fine. Just relax and have fun. Besides, you won't be alone."

"Yeah, well – I'm pretty sure George would just die of laughter if I did any of those things."

"He better not. I'll be watching."

I chuckled, and he pulled me into a hug.

"Just breathe. Breathe, and dance your arse off."

I hugged him back tightly, laughing.

"All right. Better go. I'll see you after the concert, won't I ?"

He nodded, and after another hug, I ran back to the carriage who brought me back to the front door, trying to chase away the image of my father promising that he would do just that.