'Do you think Macmillan will finally get the guts to ask Hannah?'

Lisa pursed her lips, considering.

'Maybe, but definitely only as friends!'

Mandy smirked.

'Or at least, that's what he'll tell her...'

Padma brushed her hair back, scraping it into a tidy ponytail, which she then began to plait.

This Yule Ball is causing ridiculous behaviour.

I know that Lisa and Mandy are Ravenclaw's gossips normally, but this is beyond their usual selves. This is starting to sound like my sister and Lavender...

'You know, I heard the other day, Susan Bones is going with Finch-Fletchley! And not just as friends!'

'Really? How many people do you think will get together because of this Ball?

'I don't know, but I'm hoping that Anthony asks Su! They'd be so cute together!'

Padma finished her plait, and tied it firmly, beginning to coil her hair into her usual bun.

Lucky that Su's already gone down to breakfast; this would make her terribly uncomfortable.

I hope neither Lisa nor Mandy mentions this to Tony...he'll stop talking to Su, and she won't have any idea why.

'Ooh! What do you think about Morag and Terry?'

'Sarcasm and wit? Maybe, but I like Morag and Michael more. A sarcastic cynic and a romantic dreamer? They'd balance one another out perfectly.'

'What about Seamus and Lavender? I heard that he's going to ask her!'

'That'd be adorable! Padma, what do you think?'

Padma groaned inwardly.

It was only a matter of time before Lisa and Mandy realized that she was still in their dorm and turned to her.

'I don't know, Lisa, Mandy. I mean, we're all a little young, really, does anyone actually know what they want in a partner?'

The other two girls shook their heads.

'Padma, it's only for fun! No one's looking for a life partner now!'

'Loosen up, Padma! Live a little!'

Mandy turned to Lisa, smiling mischievously.

Padma, with some trepidation, turned to her shoelaces.

'Who should Padma go with, Lisa?'

The other girl giggled.

'Hmm...the good girls always fall for the bad boys! Draco Malfoy, maybe! Or Zabini, or maybe Nott, then they can study in the Library and discuss the news together!'

Padma rubbed her temples, heading out the door to the Common Room.

'Guys, do you reckon Susan Bones is hot?'

Stephen Cornfoot had quite suddenly sat up and asked that question to the room.

Anthony snored on.

Terry's bed was already neatly made, the occupant having gone to brush his teeth.

Michael's arms reached blearily up from under the covers.

'She's going with Finch-Fletchley, Stephen.'

'Damn. Who should I ask then?'

Kevin's face popped through a gap in his bed hangings.

'If you're desperate, Stephen, ask a girl from one of the lower levels, they'll go with anyone. Or you could pay one to go with you. Or resort to blackmail. Or you could take your cousin.'

Stephen glared at Kevin.

'Really? That's all just downright wrong, Kev! And I don't even have a cousin at Hogwarts!'

The other boy shrugged his shoulders.

'Just pointing out all the options; doesn't mean I actually believe you should follow any of those courses of action.'

'Stop making this so Ravenclaw, guys, it's utterly unromantic! Be romantic! Girls love romance! Flowers and poetry and balconies...long, soft hair...green eyes...melodious voice...the scent of roses and jasmine and rain...'

Michael's face grows dreamlike and misty, his eyes staring out into the distance.

Stephen sighed.

Kevin pinched the bridge of his nose wearily.

'Who is it this time?'

A voice from the doorway replied.

'One of the young ladies from Beauxbatons.'

Stephen looked from Michael, to Terry, who was by now at his own bed, and back again.

'Have you gone mad, Mike? They're the most unattainable girls-'

'...French...blue silk...that lovely laugh...'

Stephen and Kevin just stared at Michael.

They'd seen him lovesick before, but this was a particularly bad case.

Anthony groaned, slowly waking.

Terry stood, having finished the tying of his laces.

'I did warn him, but it seems that my warning was not heeded.'

Michael's lucidity returned suddenly.

'Terry, I've told you, you can't control these things! Love just happens! We can't help it, we are powerless against its magic. We are all but fools in love-'

'-So I've seen, Mike. I'm going down to breakfast. Good morning, Tony.'

A sleepy Anthony sat up, rubbing his eyes.

'Good morning, Terry. What were you all talking about?'

Michael, Stephen and Kevin proceeded to fill him in, and a blush slowly began to creep up Anthony's face.

With one last glance around the dorm, Terry headed down the staircase to the Common Room.

As Terry arrived at the bottom of the stairs, he noticed Padma rummaging around in the corner.

'Good morning, Pad. Are you looking for something?'

'Morning, Terry. Yes, have you seen my copy of Alchemy, Ancient Art and Science?'

Terry raised his brows.

'Isn't it upstairs in your dorm?'

Padma averted her eyes.

'Well, yes...but-'

Feminine giggles could be heard descending the girls' staircase.

'...That would be so adorable, Mandy...'

'...I know, Lisa, can you imagine it? It'd be like Granger and Weasley, just with a little less fighting...'

Terry glanced over at the stairs, then back to Padma.

'-You wish to avoid the company of some of your roommates at breakfast?'

She nodded weakly.

'You're not the only one.'

Padma glanced quizzically at him.

'Have the boys got Yule Ball Fever too?'

Terry joined her in 'looking' for her book, nodding.

'You could call it that.'

Padma shook her head.

'I don't think this Ball was the best idea, was it?'

'Apparently, it's supposed to be a night of fun and frivolity...'

'What about Padma and Terry?'

Lisa followed Mandy's gaze towards the two Ravenclaws in the corner, who appeared to be looking for something.

She shook her head.

'No, it'll never happen. And they'd be no good for each other. They both need someone to help them loosen up; melt those ice hearts, bring down those walls. Can you imagine how cold and logical and just plain unromantic that relationship would be?'

Michael's voice spoke from behind the girls.

'Talking about our two model Ravenclaws?'

Lisa snorted.

'Just 'cause we're Ravenclaws doesn't mean we have to be logical intellectuals all the time, Mike.'

Mandy nodded.

'Yep. They'd never work out, would they?'

Michael shook his head.

'I've all but given up hope for those two. I hope they come to their senses soon. No love indeed...'

The two girls shared a glance.

Lisa grinned at Michael.

'I think I have an idea...'

Padma glanced at the trio leaving the Common Room warily.

'Should we be worried, Terry?'

He replied without looking up from the battered copy of The Quibbler that he'd found.

'Probably. I'm afraid they might be losing what little remains of their sanity.'

'No, I was talking about...'

She trailed off, noticing the glint in his eyes as he discarded the magazine.

'You were saying, Pad?'

His face remained almost perfectly deadpan.

Padma couldn't stop a smile coming to her lips.

'Terry!'

'What, Pad?'

'You're deliberately misinterpreting me!'

His face remained neutral.

'I don't understand what you mean, Pad.'

Padma was laughing now, her hand pressed over her mouth.

Slowly, his face cracked into a grin.

'Terry?'

'Yes, Pad?'

'You were deliberately misinterpreting me, weren't you?'