Harry's POV
I was in a wretched mood in the weeks leading up to the holidays. Figuring out the clue through all that bloody wailing in the egg was hard enough. Then this business with the yule ball started. I had no idea who I wanted to go with. None of the girls in my year seemed an ideal date. The worst part is that Colin had been avoiding me ever since the first task and I had no idea why it bothered me so much.
"We've got to find you a date, Harry," said Hermione as we made our way into the courtyard. "Why don't you ask Cho? You like her, don't you?"
"Not as much as I thought," I said, "Besides, she's going with Cedric."
Hermione looked around the courtyard as though there would be some desperate girl holding a sign. Please Take Me. "Look, there's Ginny. Why don't you ask her?"
"Alright," I answered, though I really didn't want to go with her. I got along with her really well, and she's Ron's sister. But him being like a brother to me, it's like she's my sister as well. But I needed a date.
"Hey, Ginny," she looked up from where she'd been reading her text book.
"Hi, Harry, do you need something?"
"Yeah, I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Well, I just wanted to know if…" then I looked up and saw Colin walking across the courtyard. "Could you excuse me for a second?"
I ran off after Colin, probably leaving her with a confused look on her face.
"Hey, Colin!" I called after him. He stopped and looked around for a second, but kept walking when he saw that it was me. Luckily, because of years of running from Dudley and my long legs, I was able to catch up with him.
"Are you going to the Yule Ball?" I asked, trying to start a conversation.
"I can't. I'm a third year," he answered without looking at me.
"Oh, that's right. Well then why don't you just ask someone older to go?"
"No one wants to go with me."
"Don't say that, I'm sure someone would if you just asked."
"No one I'd want to go with," he said quietly, "Besides, I'm going home for Christmas. The whole family's getting together." He sped up as though trying to get away from me.
"You're leaving?" I asked. I felt a sort of tension in my chest when I heard that.
"Yeah, that's what I said isn't it?" We were almost at the doors to go inside. I ran ahead and stood in front of him. He stopped, and then tried to go around me. But I just stepped in front of him again.
"What's wrong Colin?"
"Nothing's wrong."
"Why haven't you been around? Every time you see me, you turn in the other direction."
"I do not," he said, as though offended.
"Please talk to me."
He looked down and took a deep breathe. "I – I thought that since you and Ron were talking again- you wouldn't want me around as much." He said reluctantly.
"What, how could you even think that?"
"Hey, Harry," I turned to see Ron had walked up. "Have you found a date yet?"
"No, I haven't yet. This isn't really a good time. We're in the middle of something."
"Who's we?" he asked. I turned around to see that Colin had gone. I looked all around the courtyard, but I didn't see him anywhere.
"Nobody," I said gloomily.
Third Person POV
The night of the Yule Ball came, and Harry found himself moping at his table. Parvati, his date, had long since ditched him for a charming Durmstrang. He didn't blame her. He hadn't been the best date tonight. Ron wasn't doing much better as he had been spending the night glaring at Hermione and Krum.
"I'm going to get some punch." He stood up and left Harry and Padme, who stared after him revolted before leaving to find her sister.
Hermione was enjoying herself with Viktor. But when she looked up and saw Harry sitting at the table by himself, she knew she had to talk to him.
"I'm thirsty, could you go get us some drinks?" she asked, raising her voice over the music.
Krum kissed her hand and bowed before walking toward the refreshment table. She made her way over to Harry.
"Where's Parvati?" He shrugged his shoulders. She sat down with a sigh.
"I know you're upset. You can't be here with the one that you really want, and it's making you unhappy, I understand. But can you at least try to enjoy yourself?"
Harry looked up, defensive, "Hermione, I told you that I don't like Cho anymore. I'm happy for her and Cedric."
WHACK! He yelped when he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head. "Ow, what'd you do that for?"
"I wasn't talking about Cho, you idiot! I was talking about Colin!"
"Colin?" Harry asked, dumbfounded. "You can't be serious- it's ridiculous- no idea what you're talking about…"
He trailed off as he began to think back on everything he'd been thinking and feeling and doing ever since he started worrying about Colin. Then he thought about the reasons behind it. He saw how unhappy Colin was. All he wanted to do was make Colin happy again. But did that mean…?
"Could I really- like Colin?" asked Harry.
"I think so," said Hermione.
"But how could this have happened? Did something happen to me?"
"It's just the way you are. There's nothing wrong with you," she took hold of one of his hands. "This is something new for you, and you're confused. But I'm here for you. And Ron will be too. But you've got to make things right with Colin or neither of you are going to be happy."
He thought about her words, and then smiled. She pulled him in for a hug and said, "Come on, you've got to have at least one dance tonight," she pulled him by the hand onto the dance floor.
Colin's POV
I was wheezing as I attempted to lift my trunk up the stairs to my dormitory. It gets heavier every year with the abundance of thick books and extra equipment we have to buy every time we move up a year. That means more weight to lug up the stairs. Unfortunately, everyone else was outside enjoying the snow. Or so I thought…
"Colin?" I looked down the stairs to see Harry standing at the bottom.
"Harry!" I accidentally let go of my trunk and it slid all the way down. Luckily, Harry jumped out of the way just in time. It hit the floor and flung open, scattering all of my clothes and school supplies.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have snuck up on you like that" he said as he began picking things up and hastily putting them away in my trunk. He seemed nervous for some reason.
"It's ok, you don't have to do that," I said, walking down and gathering up a bundle of clothing mingled with quills and parchment.
"It's fine, I don't mind." We both continued picking up until everything was put back in the trunk and the lid was shut.
"Thanks," I said awkwardly. I bent down to lift the trunk back up, but Harry stopped me.
"Here, let me get that." He lifted tried to lift it on his own, but was unsuccessful.
"Seriously, Harry, I can manage…" I tried to reason.
"It's no problem, Colin." He tried lifting it again with the same result.
"Why don't we each lift a handle," I suggested.
Harry thought about it for a second and then nodded. We both lifted one end of the trunk and began carrying it up the stairs. We were both panting as we made it into the dorm.
"Thanks," I said, trying to catch my breath.
"Don't mention it." We waited for our breathing to slow before we said anything.
"How was the ball?" I asked.
"It wasn't so bad. I didn't have much fun at first, but then Hermione forced me onto the dance floor. There were some pictures taken that may haunt me for the rest of my life." I almost smiled at that. "How was your holiday?"
"It was good. I saw my uncle and cousins that I haven't seen in a long time."
"That's good," he said, and then we lapsed into an awkward silence.
"Well, I'd better go see what Dennis is doing. Mum told him he'd better not eat all of his Christmas candy on the first day that she can't keep an eye on him…" I began to walk out the door.
"Wait Colin," he grabbed my wrist. "There's something that I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Well- it's just that- I realized something over the holidays. It- it's difficult for me to say- I don't know if you feel the same- well…"
I was surprised when he pulled me close, wrapped his arms around me, and kissed me.
I hope you all like this chapter. Harry and Colin can finally express their feelings. This isn't the end though. There's still half a school year left.