Here's Chapter 10 guys. Review :D

Chapter 10

The Yule Ball

Lisa and Mona never apologized after that day. It got worse with Mona and Magnolia screaming at each other over tables at breakfast one day to the point that they started firing hexes. It was so bad that Professor McGonagall had to intervene. Good thing it was only McGonagall though. Had it been Professor Moody, he would have punished them differently, as he transfigured Draco Malfoy into a yellow ferret, bouncing him up and down in the entrance hall. It was hilarious.

The first task approached, bringing excitement to all. On the morning of the task in November, the Quidditch had been converted into a battle arena, in which a Swedish Shortsnout dragon sat, waiting for it's opponent. My friends and I sat in the middle of the stands with the rest of the Ravenclaws while Alicon and her Hufflepuff friends cheered loudly from above.

"Cedric, Cedric, he's our man! If he can't do it, no one can, go Cedric!"

"That cheer is really lame," I said to her.

Alicon scoffed, "No it's not, Cedric will win this!"

"Yeah, well we have our bets on Potter," Iris told her as she and Romilda passed, dressed from head to toe in scarlet and gold, each carrying Gryffindor flags.

"He won't win!" Alicon argued, "there is absolutely no way. He is so much less experienced then Cedric!"

"Oh Harry's got something up his sleeve," Romilda said.

"Well, we'll see," Alicon said, doubtfully, "10 galleons Cedric wins,"

"What? I am not giving you money!"

"Then obviously you know Potter will lose,"

Iris countered against her, "He will not! 10 galleons it is!" then she heard, heading towards the Gryffindor section of the stands.

"Can you believe it's really dragons?" I asked Cheyenne. She shook her head.

"It's pretty amazing," The dragon gave a scream of agony from the heavy chain around it's neck and breathed a burst of flames.

"It's a bit sad though," Allegra commented, looking down at the dragon, "that chain must be hurting it,"

"That big brute's no wuss," Cheyenne said, "trust me; they're used to it,"

"But it's completely wrong. There's blood on the collar!"

Cheyenne peered in closer, "Yeah, that's not good," she agreed, "but there's injustice everywhere you go,"

"Have you heard about what Hermione granger is doing? SPEW?" Cheryl asked.

"No," Allegra answered.

"It's for elfish welfare. Trying to gain freedom for them!"

"But they don't like being free!"

"I know," Cheryl said, "they like work,"

"I do agree with her in a way though," I said, "I've seen how some families treat their house elves,"

"Trixie love her job," Allegra referred to her house elf, "she's been with my family for years, and I'd say we're all pretty nice to her. She goes crazy though, if she messes anything up, though. It can get a bit scary really. But overall, she's great and I'm pretty sure that everyone in my family loves her,"

"If only every household was like that," Cheyenne said.

She was cut off with the start of the task. Cedric was up first. The object of the challenge was simple; get past the dragon and collect the golden egg. However it was much more difficult then it looked. Each of the champions put up a good fight. Harry's was the most impressive though. He used his Quidditch skills to his advantage by summoning his Firebolt and going on an intense chase with the Hungarian Horntail he was facing. He received high scores from each of the tournament judges (except for Karkaroff, who gave him a 4) and turned out to win that round of the competition.

"Told you so!" Iris pestered Alicon.

"You didn't even expect it!" Alicon protested.

"A bet's a bet. Cough up!"

"Fine," Alicon fished out 10 galleons for Iris.

Back in the Ravenclaw common room, parties were going on for both champions who did amazing.

"Did you see that Horntail?" Alan exclaimed, "It completely broke it's chain!"

"Strong creatures, them dragons," Patrick agreed.

"Harry's approach was the quickest and most entertaining," Jasleen said.

"I agree," I said, "his speed and precision is impeccable,"

"I wonder what kind of clue is in the egg," Patrick pondered, "pity we don't have a Ravenclaw champion. The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs probably know by now,"

"I know! It sucks!" Jasleen said.

"Well it's supposed to give them a hint of what the next task is," I said, "I'm already pumped!"

Little did I know, there was something else to be even more pumped for.

"Attention! Before you leave, I have an important announcement!" It was the day after the first task and Cheyenne, I and the rest of the orchestra were cleaning up after practice. I set down the music stand I was carrying, then headed up to the front of the room, wondering what Professor Flitwick had in store for us.

"As you all know, Hogwarts is playing host to the Triwizard tournament this year. Along with it, comes tradition to be upheld. On Christmas Day, Hogwarts will be hosting the Yule Ball, which is first and foremost, a dance,"

Excited gushes echoed around. My heart thumped. A dance?

"The Yule Ball is primarily for students fourth year and up, but you may invite a younger student if you wish. Hoever, your attendance will be requested at the ball, as we have been invited to perform for the opening dances of the evening. This is exciting news for all of us, therefore we all want to do our best and make Hogwarts proud! So, in addition to our two weekly practices, we will be meeting everyday after school, from 4 until 6!"

Afew groaned in protest but for the most part, everyone nodded eagerly.

"Alright! That is all!" Professor Flitwick dismissed us, and we headed out of the band room, gossiping.

"Can you believe it?" Cheyenne asked excitedly, "I've always wanted to go to a dance!" I looked at her strangely, for this was a little bit out of character for her.

"What? It's a night at a ball, where I could potentially meet my Prince Charming!"

"Yeah," I agreed, my mind drifting to images of Seamus and I dancing. I could see it so clearly, almost feel his amrs around me, him spinning me across the dancefloor. He'd reel me back, and I'd come in, close, against his chest and look up into his eyes, and he would meet mine and lean down an…

"Katerina, are you even listening to me?"

"What? Yeah, sprry…you were saying?"

"You were thinking of Seamus," she said.

"No I wasn't," I lied.

"Fine, then what else puts you into such a daze?" She had me me.

"Okay. Yea, I was thinking about him,"

"Do you think he'll as you?" Cheyenne asked. I sighed.
"I really want him to, but I don't know. I'm a first year…

"That shouldn't stop him," Cheyenne said, "I don't know him all too well, but I've seen the way he looks at you,"

"How he looks at me?"

"Yeah. I don't know, but somehow I feel like he's connected with you in some way,"

"Really?"

"I think so," Cheyenne said, "so maybe he'll ask you,"

"Maybe,"

I hoped he would. But in the back of my mind I knew it was all too good to be true.

The next few weeks were busier then I had anticipated. Lessons demanded all the way until the holidays. Orchestra practices were everyday, and I had heard too many renditions of 'God Rest ye Merry Hippogriffs" to date. To top it all off, everyone was bustling in excitement about the Yule Ball, the older students gushing about their dates.

"Cedric asked me!" Cho Chang gushed in a hushed tone to her giddy crowd of fifth year girls.

"Padma's going with Ron Weasley!" Mandy Brockelhurst announced, "And Parvati was asked by Harry himself!"

"Hermione Granger got asked! She won't say with whom though!"

Even Iris had something to talk about.

"Oh my god Kat!" iris squealed as she sat down next to Cheyenne and I in the courtyard.

"What's so exciting?" I glanced from her to Romilda and they both squealed with delight.

"Anthony Goldstein asked me to the ball!" Iris beamed. I grinned.

"That's wonderful!" I told her.

"I can hardly believe it! All those months of Arithmancy tutoring, all those months of flirting, and finally, finally he asked me out!" She jumped up excitedly.

"Calm down," Romilda told her, "you are going insane,"

"All for good reason," Iris replied, "this is the happiest day of my life!"

I felt happy for my sister, but I couldn't help but wonder, did the guy I want, want me too?

"Iris, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah?"

"Um, do you know if Seamus is going with anyone?" I asked. I was definitely not prepared for the answer I got. Iris glanced to Romilda as if they were deliberating something then sighed.

"He's going with Lavender Brown,"

The words stung.

"How long have they been-?"

"They haven't been dating," said Romilda, "as far as I know, they're just friends,"

"Oh," I sighed with relief, "then they're going as friends then?"

"Probably," Iris said, "I haven't seen them hang around other then just for the odd chat,"

"Okay," this contented me. For friends were friends, nothing more. I had plenty of friends who were guys. Alan and Patrick, for example and if either of them were to ask me to the ball, I would certainly go with one of them.

I smiled in excitement, "guess I'll need new dress robes then,"

I could tell that this would be a night to remember.