Chapter 10 ~ Invitations

For some sick and twisted reason the professors make students undertake "mid-year" exams right before their Christmas holidays. They tell us that they are simply practice exams, and should be viewed as an asset to prepare us for what we may is to come at the end of the school year. Of course, each helpful tool has a fatal flaw that is extremely overlooked.

These so called "practice" exams are marked and send most (good) students into a frenzy of stress and anxiety, and include several emotional break downs and many more tears in the fine print. Unfortunately, these exams mean the library is generally packed to the brim with students, and this sacred place of mine is no longer quiet, nor peaceful. Of course, there's always a bright side that comes in shiny wrapping paper and a bow with the knowledge that there is no way the librarian will grease you off when there are so many other students to choose from.

Sporting a hairstyle of waves falling gently from her loose bun, Greengrass sat across from me one evening, writing with a black and gold quill. I had books spread around me in a way that not only isolated me from the rest of the students, but made my head spin in such a fashion I could not think about anything other than the subject in front of me.

With a History of Magic exam the next morning it was safe to say I had my work cut out for me. Still, I planned on working through the night, or whatever it took to get the marks that would leave me at peace. Scribbling away for a few hours, I finally paused for a moment and dropped my quill on the desk, stretching out my fingers. My hand had well passed the "painful" line and it was now simply numb. I would have been worried if my mind wasn't already terribly preoccupied.

I couldn't help but glance up at Greengrass as I regained some circulation to my fingers. She glanced to me briefly however she quickly continued writing. I couldn't help but think back on the note on my bedside table and I continued to watch her before her hazel eyes flickered back up to mine, arching her eyebrow in question. I smirked slightly and answered her question with another. "Greengrass, can I ask a favour?"

After a moment Greengrass slowly placed her quill dwon. She replied with a gentle smirk, her tone cool. "That depends on the favour, Zabini." With actions as cool as her tone, I picked up my own quill, studying it for a few moments before taking a casual glance back her way. "Well, you see, Sluggie's having a Christmas Party and I was wondering if you would care to accompany me."

I watched as flicker of surprise appeared in her eyes for a brief moment; however they hardened quickly once again, with an additional faint glint. Her smirk widened and she picked up her own quill, though her eyes stayed on my own. "I suppose I could" she replied.

"It's on Christmas day, at eight. I suppose I'll meet you in the common room" I told her, to which she nodded. She watched me for a few moments before glancing back down to her page. She continued with her work, replying in that lovely cool tone of hers. "I look forward to it" she said. I went back to my own work, though it was extremely fortunate that I glanced up at her once more. Otherwise I would have missed the brief smile on her lips.

"You'll love me forever, right?" she said, her expression serious, though she could not hide the twinkle happiness in her eyes.
"Of course" I told her.
"Of course, what?" she said, biting her lips to hide the smile threatening to show through.
"Of course I'll love you forever" I told her.
There was a long pause as the corners of her lips twitched into a smile.
I leant forward to kiss her. She kissed me back, but paused after a few moments.

"What is it?" I asked her, her eyes downcast.
"I don't believe you" she told me.
"Don't you trust me?" I asked her.
"Of course!" she laughed, her eyes flickering back up to mine.
"Then trust my words. I love you now, and I will love you tomorrow. I'll love you forever" I told her.

I rolled over to escape the dream, crashing back in consciousness. I opened my eyes and hoped the room would stop spinning. It eventually did.
Light. It was light. I had actually managed to sleep through the night.

Standing and drawing my curtains, I walked to the bathroom and took a quick shower before anyone else woke up. I head down to the Great Hall for breakfast and, of course, who else is sitting there but Greengrass. It didn't surprise me, really. She seemed to pop up everywhere I looked… or went… She did not look good on that particular Thursday, however. She was slightly more pale than usual and had an expression on her face that could only mean she was in pain, sick, or having an extremely terrible morning.

Did I dare I ask?

I sat down across from her, as usual, and I watched her for a few moments. She glanced up, seemingly surprised, before giving a small nod and a raspy "good morning." My eyebrows furrowed and I glanced down at the bowl of porridge she was stirring absentmindedly. Serving myself my routine morning pumpkin juice, I licked my lips before I spoke. "I assume you're not feeling well this morning?" I asked her, quietly.

She shook her head and cleared her throat gently, before laughing bitterly. "Mm… Is it that easy to tell?" she asked, and I took a sip of pumpkin juice, shaking my head gently. "A little" I told her, though I decided she would probably prefer reassurance than the reminder of her sickness. "At least exams are almost over…?" I said. Well, I suppose that would do. I had never been good at small talk, let alone a reassuring statement.

She stared at her porridge for a moment before she pushed it away with a slight grimace. The same thing she did every morning. She instead opted for some grapes, and I couldn't help but notice a small smile reach her lips as she nodded. "Mm, thank goodness, too… I've barely had any time to practice, due to exams…" Taking another sip of my pumpkin juice, I cocked an eyebrow at her. "Practice?" I asked her. Inwardly, I congratulated myself. Making small talk, and opening up the conversation to lead on to other topics? I deserved a medal.

She cleared her throat softly again before she nodded, finishing a grape. "Ah, I have a dance competition this weekend" she told me. My eyebrow stayed cocked as my interest grew, lowering my pumpkin juice to place it back on the table. "A dance competition?" I asked her. "I didn't know you were a dancer" I told her. Her eyes fixing on mine, she raised her eyebrows slightly also.

"I've never told you?" she asked, to which I shook my head gently. "Oh… Well, I am a dancer. Ballet, contemporary, lyrical… My dance company is competing in Cambridge" she said.
"Oh, really? Interesting…" I said, and I truly was interested. To think I had known her for years and I had never known she was a dancer. "When are you competing?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation going. "This Saturday, actually" she said as she took a sip of her tea and licked her lips in thought.

I picked my pumpkin juice up once again and took another long sip. "Oh, really… Well, I'm sure you will feel better by then…" I told her. She laughed quietly with a nod, rubbing her temple. "Mm, I hope so... I've been dancing for fourteen years, and I've been on the competition team for seven. I don't want to miss this weekend..." she said, and I shook my head once again. "I'm sure you won't. Besides, it sounds as though you would not miss it for the world. Your friends and family are all invited, I assume?

She then gave a small snicker, her eyes on her water as she held the glass. "Oh, no... My mother pushed me into dance, but as soon as she discovered I actually loved it, that was the end of her appearances at dance class. My sister follows whatever my mother does, and my father is always busy at work..." I paused for a moment, and watched as she sipped her water. Her tone softened slightly then, her brow furrowed. "But Theodore is coming. He always does..."

I pursed my lips for a few moments as I watched her. There was definitely sadness in her eyes, and I finally took another sip of my pumpkin juice, and tried to reassure her. "Well... It's their loss, I suppose. I know I wouldn't pass up an invitation to see you dance" I told her. She paused and placed her glass down to look up at me. The briefest smile crossed her lips and I gave her a soft smile in return, glad she appreciated the notion, as I watched her eyes soften for the second time that morning.

She then glanced away and gently chewed her lip for a moment before she cleared her throat and glanced back to me, speaking in a slow, curious tone. "Would you like to come this weekend?" she asked and, I must admit, I was surprised. I was pleased, however, and after moment to digest what she had asked me, I replied. A slight smile returned to my lips and I watched her pale cheeks gently fill with colour as I spoke.

"I'd love to."

"Do you promise?" she giggled, happily.
"I promise."