December 12: 1994

14 days until Christmas…

"Pop quiz," Professor Sprout announced, walking around the greenhouse and passing out papers as the students groaned. "This one's for you, dear."

Cho looked up. Was it just her imagination, or was Professor Sprout smiling?

Probably thinking about the failing grade I'm about to make, Cho thought.

Surprisingly, the test wasn't that hard, just a basic review of some plants they'd replanted last week.

Dyewood vines only grew in warm temperatures. Sugary water helped Moonlace grow.

Cho breezed through the test, circling answers with barely a pause.

She flipped to the last page and her heart nearly stopped.

31. For Cho Chang: Will you go to the Yule Ball with Cedric Diggory?

[A] Yes

[B] No

Her face felt like it would split from smiling so hard and she chose her answer.

"What did you get for number six?" Marietta asked worriedly as they filed out of Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Cho shrugged. "No idea. I barely studied, I've been so busy."

"Oh, that's right," Erin teased. "You have to be ready for your date with Cedric."

"Cedric, I love you, darling," Stephanie cooed, kissing the air next to her.

Cho shoved them, laughing. "Oh, shut up."

"Er- Cho? Could I have a word with you?"

Erin, Marietta, and Stephanie started giggling loudly as Harry flushed beet red.

Cho ignored them. "Okay."

They walked around the corner to another corridor.

He turned around and almost bumped into her. "Er."

She waited.

"Wanergoballwime?" He blurted.

"Sorry?"

"Do you- do you want to go to the ball with me?"

She felt her ears get warm. "Oh! Oh Harry, I'm really sorry. I've already said I'll go with someone else."

"Oh." His face became closed off. "Oh, okay. No problem."

"I'm really sorry." Cho couldn't think of anything else to say.

His jaw was clenched as he focused on a spot over her head. "That's okay."

She shifted her weight to her other foot nervously. "Well-"

"Yeah."

"Well, bye," said Cho, turning to walk away.

She was almost around the corner when he called after her, "Who're you going with?"

"Cedric. Cedric Diggory."

"Oh, right."

"Something bothering you?" Cedric asked, with one hand on her back as they glided across the dance floor.

She tore her gaze away from a very disappointed looking Harry and smiled. "No. Nothing at all."

Review if you wish someone would ask you out the way Cedric did. Review if you wish you had the guts to ask someone out the way Cedric did. Review if you're like me and would probably be as awkward as Harry. (: