CHAPTER 24: THE GLASS SLIPPER

The next five days went by uneventful. The time was spent warring with the boys outside until lunch and listening to Analese read aloud from her Fairy Tale book.

The night of December 31, 1993, was one of celebration. At ten-thirty that night, Analese disappeared upstairs. An hour later, Oliver's Cinderella made a reappearance, wearing a pair of comfy jeans and an off-the-shoulder sweater.

"Well, look who I found," the familiar musical voice came from behind him. "If it isn't Mr. Prince Charming."

"Cinderella," Oliver breathed, stuttering. "I can't believe it."

"My, my, it seems that you have lost the ability to speak to me." she smirked.

"I thought I'd never see you again." Oliver whispered, his voice stumble-free.

"Now, I may be a prankster, but I am not that cruel." Her sapphire eyes shimmered with laughter.

The next half hour was spent in quiet conversation, despite the echoing noise around them. They were also oblivious to the watchful gaze of honey-brown eyes.

Fred and George had disappeared a few minutes before midnight with Lee. The trio of boys had something planned for welcoming 1994. Ella sat alone in an armchair, studying the scene on the couch in the corner.

Oliver sat with the masked blonde he had been with at the Holiday Masquerade. The grin on his face didn't falter at all, not even when he spoke. He was overjoyed by the fact that his beautiful pianist was actually here with him again. The discussion continued without pause. Oliver was so comfortable when talking with this girl. She brought out the best in him.

"Have you ever heard of that Muggle tradition for midnight?" Oliver suddenly questioned, his Gryffindor courage always seemed to take an exponential hold on his mind around the stunning girl.

"You mean the one about sharing a kiss with someone as the clock announces the new year." the masked girl had a slight smirk playing across her lips.

"Yeah, that," Oliver replied. "Well, would you-"

The remainder of his question was drowned out with the initiated countdown. As the Gryffindor tower was filled with shouts of Happy New Year, Oliver was silent and stunned. Cinderella had leaned in and kissed him as the clock struck midnight.

A few seconds later after it had begun, the shock wore off. Oliver returned the kiss with longing and passion being revealed. His hand found her soft cheek while the other rested lightly on her back. Her own hands had snaked around his neck, pulling him closer.

Ella smiled as she spotted the kiss being shared.

A loud bang brought the honorary Gryffindor out of her reverie. The three boys had set off fireworks outside the tower's windows. Sitting by the window, Ella merely turned to see the spectacle in the night sky. It soon became clear that these were specially made fireworks.

'HAPPY NEW YEAR!' was written in the sky in bright red. A few regular designs later and Ella was joined by Fred.

"Are those for your shop?" she asked him.

"Yeah, it has no glitches or anything now, but we're working on fireworks for other occasions." the red-haired boy grinned.

A new explosion ended the exchange abruptly. There was a new message written in the dark midnight sky, causing Ella to gasp. Shimmering in the sky in yellow and green was a personalized note.

'ELLA, WILL YOU GO OUT WITH ME?'

The raven-haired third year was startled into silence.

"Ella," Fred's expression was filled with concern and worry. "Ella, are you still here?"

She could only nod slightly, still dazed.

Ella was finally capable of making words and sentences after the remaining fireworks had disappeared from the night sky.

"Who?" she managed to mutter a single comprehensible syllable.

"It was me." Fred answered, a deep frown uncharacteristically etched on his face. "I understand. I'll just be leaving, then." the fifth year stood up and walked away, his head hung down and shoulders hunched over.

Ella got over the initial surprise and leapt from her arm chair. The honorary Gryffindor charged and tackled the crest-fallen fifteen year old.

Fred had no time to make a sound as his mouth became preoccupied just as he collided with the floor. It was a few moments before either was capable of speech.

"So, that's a yes." he panted, winded from the impact and breathless from the kiss.

"No shit, Sherlock." the girl smirked.

Fred chuckled a bit before pulling Ella in for another kiss. While the two pranksters were busy snogging heatedly on the scarlet carpet, a new couple was being formed a little ways away.

Cinderella pulled away from Oliver reluctantly, not wanting to end the kiss. "I bet you want to know who I am now, right?" she whispered, not meeting his eyes.

"I would like to know that, yes." Oliver showed no expression or emotion as he spoke. "But if you're uncomfortable with me taking off that mask, I can respect that."

"How can I refuse that to you, Mr. Charming?" she gave a small smile, but still didn't make eye contact.

"So, you will show me who you are, then?" Oliver's voice betrayed his eagerness to the blonde.

"Just know this," her soft hands gently gripped his as he held the mask without moving it. "I'm not anything like the girls you usually date."

"You're right," he responded. "You're better."

She took a deep breath and realized his hands. Oliver gently pulled the silky mask off of the girl's face and watched her appearance change.

Her straight blonde hair became deep auburn waves. Her concentrated sapphires morphed into intense emeralds.

The identity was so obvious now that Oliver kicked himself mentally for not thinking of it.