Disclaimer: I don't own any of this

Chapter 12

The day of the Yule Ball, Ali and I showered and then lounged around the dorm room all day, just hanging out. Around five, people started to get ready. Mary came into our room around six, and did our hair and makeup. Ali's hair was curled and half up and half down. A sparkly blue clip kept her hair in place. Then Mary did my hair and put it in a bun and let a few strands frame my face.

We thanked her for her help and stayed in the clothes we were wearing all day. Mary told us not to change into our dresses until a little after seven, so we don't get anything on our dresses or wrinkle them. Ali was sitting on her bed, reading a magazine, while I sat on my desk writing a letter to dad.

Dear Daddy,

Ali and I are getting ready for the Yule ball. I absolutely loved my Christmas presents! I can't wait to read the books, and I can't wait to really go through the scrapbook. I miss you so, so, so, SO much! I'm sorry I couldn't be with you today. I wish I was. I'll be coming home next break for sure. I'll see you then.

Love always,

Charlotte

"Charlotte we need to start getting ready!" Ali exclaimed.

"Hold on," I said. "I have to send this to my dad."

I quickly attached the letter to Toffee and sent the owl off. I walked over to my dress and changed into it, careful to not mess up my hair or makeup. Ali was already in her dress when I walked into the room.

"Ready to go?"Ali asked me. I nodded.

Together, we walked out of our dorm room and into the hallway leading to the common room. There were lots of girls walking towards the common room. When we entered the common room, I saw Sean's exes light up when he saw Ali.

"You look…You look amazing," Sean complimented. Ali's cheeks turned red. "You look amazing to Charlotte."

"Thanks," I responded.

Cedric joined our circle, and smiled at me.

"Charley! You look beautiful," he told me, kissing my forehead.

"Thanks, Cedric."

Together we walked to the Great Hall. Ali and Sean held hands the whole time. Cedric and I are meeting Cho Chang and Neville in front of the Great Hall. I caught sight of Neville before he saw me. When he noticed me walking down the stairs, his face broke out in a grin, and his eyes lit up.

Cho Chang walked up to us. Cedric let go of me and kissed her cheek. She smiled at him and then looked over at me.

"You look so pretty Charlotte!" she exclaimed.

"Thanks, you do too."

Neville walked over to us.

"Hi Charlotte, you look really, really, pretty."

"Thanks," I replied smiling.

"Listen here, Longbottom," Cedric started. I inwardly groaned. "If you hurt her, I swear I will hex you into next week, understand?"

Neville nodded quickly. "I—I understand. I'd never hurt her."

"Good," Cedric replied, looking please with Neville's answer. "You two have fun now."

"Good bye Cedric." I replied glaring at him. I took Neville's hand and we went through the Great Hall.

The Great Hall looked so different. The walls were covered in sparkling silver frost and hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and Ivy crossing on the ceiling. Instead of House tables, hundreds of smaller tables with lanterns on them were in the hall. Each table could fit about a dozen or so people.

Everybody started seating themselves at tables. Neville and I sat down at the same table as Ali and Sean. Ali smiled at me when we sat down.

When the Champions came into the room, everybody applauded them. They all walked up towards the top table. Cedric waved to me and I grinned back at him, despite being slightly angry with him. When they were seated, I picked up a menu and read it. Everybody was reading menus and started to order, which really just meant saying what you wanted to the plate.

I finally chose baked ziti, and Neville chose steak, the same as Ali. Sean got Penne pasta. Neville kept smiling at me and looking towards Cedric like he was going to kill him. I glared at Cedric, who didn't notice, seeing as he was too busy with Cho Chang.

"Neville, ignore Cedric." I said. "He won't actually do anything."

"He sounded serious though."

"He's just overprotective of me. He'll get over it."

"Are you sure?"

"Well…he'll probably always be slightly protective, until he dies, but he'll calm down."

"If you say so," Neville replied uncertainly.

Once everybody was finished eating, Dumbledore asked everybody to stand up. Once everybody was standing, he waved his wand and the tables zoomed back to the walls, leaving the floor clear for dancing. He conjured a platform and instruments appeared. The Weird Sisters went onto the stage to set up.

The Champions began dancing, along with the professors. Soon everybody began dancing. Neville would step on my foot and quickly apologize. I didn't really mind. I was just glad to be with him.

Neville and I danced along with most of Hogwarts. I saw Ali and Sean dancing and just having fun. Cedric and Cho were dancing too, but they disappeared little while before eleven. Neville and I went and sat with Harry and Ron. Their dates left them a while ago. I took Harry's hand and dragged him to the dance floor and shouting at Ron, "you're next!"

"You don't have to do this," Harry said.

"I want to," I responded. "You should dance at least once, Harry."

"I did remember?"

I rolled my eyes. "That doesn't count."

"Why not?"

"Cause I said so."

"How's your father?"

"Good," I responded. "How's Padfoot?"

"I think he's alright."

"That's good," I answered. "My dad gave me a scrapbook full of memories of my mom and dad, and your parents, and Uncle Sirius. Want to come look at it with me soon?

"I'd like that," Harry responded.

"Good! I'll owl you a time and place in a few days."

"Ok."

The song ended and I danced with Ron for a song and then I sat at the table to rest for a while. Neville smiled at me when I sat down. I yawned into my hand, feeling exhausted. I saw Cedric and Cho come in. Cedric said something to Cho, who nodded and he walked over to us. He looked at me and then at Neville.

"Neville can I borrow Charley for a few minutes?" Cedric asked. Neville nodded.

I stood up and Cedric led me to the dance floor. The song was a slow one, so I put my arms around him and he put his around mine. I felt other girls glaring at me, jealous that I am so close to Cedric.

"Have you enjoyed yourself?" He asked.

"Yes," I replied. "Did you?"

"Oh yeah," Cedric replied grinning. "Do I need to hex anyone?"

I pretended to think for a minute. "Well there is one guy…"

"Who?" Cedric demanded.

"He's tall, good looking, kind of cocky, and in our house."

"Who is this guy?"

"You."

"Oh, I'll get you Charley."

"Oh, I'm so scared."

"You should be."

"Have you figured out the egg yet?"

Cedric nodded. "We'll talk tomorrow."

"Ok."

The song ended and Cedric led me back to the table. The Weird Sisters announced that it was the last song. Neville and I went to the dance floor. Almost everybody else did too.

"I had fun," I told Neville.

"ME too," Neville replied.

"I really like hanging out."

"Same here."

"We should do this again sometime."

"Definitely."

When the song ended, everybody began to gather their things and make their way out the door. I saw Cedric talking to Harry and felt confused. Why are they talking? Maybe Dumbledore told him to tell the other Champions something. Neville walked to our portrait and kissed my cheek. He said goodbye and then left. I walked into the common room and up the stairs to the dorm. I saw Ali already in the bathroom. I grabbed pajamas and went into the bathroom.

"Did you have fun?" I asked.

"Oh my god yes! Sean is so sweet!" Ali exclaimed examining her face to make sure all the makeup was gone. "Did you?"

"Yeah, I'm tired though, we'll talk tomorrow ok?"

"Kay."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXx

The next day, Ali and I spent at least an hour discussing everything that happened the previous night. My feet were still sore from dancing all night. I didn't get dressed; I just stayed in flannel pajama pants and a t-shirt.

Cedric and I were sitting in the common room. It was kind of empty, but we weren't worried about overheard.

"When did you figure it out?"

"A few days ago. But I didn't want to say anything until today."

"why?"

"I wanted to tell Harry something first."

"What?"

"Just a hint."

"Is that what you were doing last night?"

"Yeah," he answered.

"What did the egg say?"

"They're going to take something close to the champion—"

"Like an object?"

"I think so," Cedric answered thoughtfully. "Anyways, I'll have an hour to find it and bring it to the surface."

I nodded. "How are you going to breathe under water?"

"I'm thinking of spells to use."

"Do you want any help?"

Cedric nodded. "Do you want to go through spell books tomorrow?"

"Sire," I replied.

"I'll look forward to it then," Cedric told me grinning.

The next day, Cedric and I went to the library. Cedric sat at the table deep in the spell book, trying to find a spell. I was sort of looking through the book, but I got bored quickly. I took out a piece of parchment to write a letter to dad.

Dear Daddy,

I miss you! The Yule ball was really fun. Neville and I had a lot of fun. I danced with Harry, Ron, and Cedric as well as Neville. Sometime this week, Harry and I are going to look at the scrapbook you sent me. I think it'll take his mind off the champion things and everything. At the ball, Cedric was being overprotective. I love Cedric, but not how he threatened Neville. I know he's just caring about me but still! It's so annoying!

The full moon is coming up soon. How are you? Please write back before the full moon so I know that you're ok.

Love,

Charlotte

"What are you doing?" Cedric asked.

"Sorry," I replied. "I wanted to write to my dad."

"Tell him I say hi," Cedric replied.

"Sure."

"I think I found the spell I'm going to use," Cedric told me, as I added P.S. Cedric says hi!

"What spell?"

"The bubble-head charm."

"What's that?"

"It creates a bubble around your head so you can breathe under water."

"Will it last for an hour?"

"It should."

"Then you found your spell!" I exclaimed excitedly.

Cedric smiled at me and went to put his books away. We left the library together, laughing and talking

XxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Right before term started, Harry and I met to look at the scrapbook. We sat down together in the grass and went through, reading pages and pages of my father's memories of his friends. There were pictures and notes our parents passed in class, throughout their seven years at Hogwarts. There were few memories of Peter Pettigrew in the book. Harry was smiling more than he usually does. I know that he loves talking and reading about his parents.

My mother was in the book a lot. There were pictures of Sirius hugging her, and one of James pulling one of her pigtails. I noticed that I look like her, a lot like her. One picture really stood out to me. It was of my mom and dad. My dad's eyes were on hers, and he was smiling. She didn't notice him and instead was laughing with James about something. The caption under it was "The moment I knew I loved your mother."

My eyes sparkled with tears. I really wish that I could have met my mother. Not hearing about her through stories dad or Uncle Sirius told me, but actual face to face meeting. Harry squeezed my hand, silently telling me everything was ok and that he understood.

AN: Thanks for the reviews! Sorry it took so long to update, I went on vacation and then I wasn't inspired to write, but I finally finished this chapter. Reviews make me update faster. Parts of this chapter came out of the book, so if you recognize anything it came from the book. Please leave a review about what you like or dislike about the story, or any ideas. I only have a loose outline of what's going to happen so I'm always open to ideas. I love knowing why you guys read my story! Please read and review!