Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing except Chloe and anything else you don't recognize.
Here is chapter 15! This is my favorite chapter so far and you'll see why. So, yeah, enjoy!
Chapter 15:
The Yule Ball
It was finally Christmas Eve which meant, it was time for the Yule Ball. I was so excited, and nervous. I don't know how dancing with Filip was going to go. I haven't danced with him before. I was getting ready for the Ball right now. I was already in my dress and my…ugh, heels. I was wearing light make up. I was doing my hair right now. It took me forever to decide what to do with it but I decided to straighten to get rid of the waves and then curl it. I pinned it back, letting the brown curls cascade down my back. I smiled at my reflection before putting my dangly snowflake earrings on and my mother's old necklace. I was ready. I bet Cedric's really going to regret asking me to the dance now. I chuckled at the memory of him glaring at Filip. Oh yes, that was hilarious. I couldn't wait to see his face when he saw him hanging off of Filip's arm. I got up from my seat in front of the mirror and started heading down to the great hall, where the dance was taking place. Cedric had already taken off. I didn't know if he was meeting Cho at the great hall or at the Ravenclaw house. Oh well, whatever.
I made my way to the great hall. Most people were probably already there or getting ready still. The halls were incredibly empty. I shrugged it off. It was a big event, people wanted to look their best. And, I hate to toot my own horn, but I have to admit, I did look pretty good. I came to the great hall. Filip was waiting for me by the entrance. He gaped at me as I walked towards him. Now I really couldn't wait to see Cedric's reactions.
"Chloe," he said, taking my hand in both of his. "You look beautiful," he said, kissing my hand. I really wish it was Cedric's lips on my hand.
"Thank you," I said. "You don't look so bad yourself," he was wearing a red uniform with a red cap with fur lining going across his body from left side to his right shoulder.
"Shall we?" He asked, holding out his arm.
"Let's," I agreed, taking his arm. We walked to the great hall, passing Cedric and Cho on the way. He was glaring at Filip-of course. Then his eyes turned toward me. Was that love in his eyes? Probably just in a friendly way. But it seemed like and romantic kind of love. I shrugged it off smiled at him as we walked into the packed hall. It was beautiful! With winter décor and white walls, tables, chairs, even the floor was white! It was like a winter wonderland, absolutely breath taking.
"Wow," I breathed, looking around my surroundings.
"It's beautiful,"
"Mhmm," I agreed, nodding my head.
Cedric POV:
I was waiting for Cho by the great hall. And she did look beautiful. Her black hair was held up and she was wearing a kimono style dress with floral patterns. But my attention immediately shifted from Cho to Chloe the moment she stepped into the same area. She looked gorgeous, simply breath taking. The dress her mother gave her really flattered her. My mouth felt open against my will. She walked up to that Filip guy. Oh, how I loathed him. He took her hand in both of his, complimented on her beauty and kissed her hand. I should've been the first one complimenting on her beauty, I should have been the one to kiss her hand. I swear if that Durmstrang tried anything funny, I would rip his head off. Why didn't I ask her as soon as we heard about the Yule Ball? Probably because I was afraid she'd say no and then things would get awkward between us. Besides, Cho's not so bad. Filip offered his arm and she took it. A new wave of jealousy washed over me. I glared at him as they walked into the great hall before switching my gaze to Chloe, staring at her, lovingly. She smiled in return as they walked into the great hall. I wondered how she felt, I probably wasn't going to find out unless I told her about how I felt and I wasn't prepared to do that.
Chloe POV:
The great hall slowly filled up with more and more people. Of course, Cedric and Cho never came in because champions dance first which means they enter last. Filip and I stood by the dance floor, waiting for the ball to begin. The great hall was incredibly loud in the short time it took for all the champions and their dates to gather and enter the great hall. Everyone clapped as they entered. I glared at Cho, hanging off of Cedric's arm. That should be me! Not her! Me, me, me! Urgh, I hate her. I stopped glaring and forced a smile when they walked by. Cedric didn't need to see me glaring at his date, even though he glared at my date like he did when he passed. This was just too funny! Filip just ignored it as if nothing was going on. All the champions arrived on the dance floor and took their positions. Well, that only made me envy Cho even more. Cedric's hand should be on my waist, not hers. My hand should be on his shoulder, not hers. Cedric and I should be sharing the first dance, not Cedric and Cho. I could do this all night but it wasn't going to change the fact that Cho is the one that Cedric asked to the dance. The music started and the four couples on the dance floor started dancing. I fumed, glaring at Cho. She and Cedric did look cute together, I guess. Maybe Cedric and I just weren't meant to be.
Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall walked onto the dance floor and joined in the dance. Karkaroff and another teacher from our school-who was much, much shorter then him-came onto the dance floor afterwards, honestly they did look kind of cute together. Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom arrived on the dance floor almost immediately after. I took that as my cue to drag Filip on the dance floor myself.
"Let's dance," I said, grabbing his arm and pulling him onto the dance floor. Coincidentally near Cedric and Cho. Huh, fancy that. I put my hand on Filip's shoulder and his hand came to my waist. He grabbed my hand and we started dancing. Over Filip's shoulder, I could see Cedric glaring. I chuckled at him. This was highly amusing.
Dancing with Filip wasn't as easy as dancing with Cedric was. I stumbled a little more then I did when I was dancing with Cedric and I stepped on Filip's foot a couple of times-he told me not to worry about it but I still felt guilty-and his brown eyes weren't as easy to get lost in as Cedric's gray ones. When I looked up to them they just looked like two brown circles with a black middle. When I looked into Cedric's eyes, I got lost in a beautiful, slivery gray fog that seemed to go on forever and ever. It also felt different when Filip touched me. I didn't get the pleasurable tingles, I didn't feel all giddy and my heart didn't soar. Oh geez, I'm hopeless!
The song ended and we all bowed to our partner and a round of applause started. I smiled as I started clapping. Filip and I sat down as they obviously started to set up a band on stage.
"Are you sure your foot's okay?" I asked.
"Its fine," Filip assured me. "It's not like you stomped on it," I chuckled at the irony of that as I thought back to the dancing lessons we had before the Yule Ball. Filip laid his hand on top of mine and I looked up at him. "You are a wonderful dancer,"
"No, I'm really not," I replied.
"You are when you try," I looked over to see who had spoken and saw Cedric and Cho coming over to join us.
"No I'm not," I argued. "I can't dance. I never could dance and probably never will," I said as Cedric and Cho sat across from us. Oh how I wished it was Cedric beside instead of Filip. I mean, don't get me wrong Filip's a great guy but Cedric is my heart's desire. And that was incredibly corny. Cedric chuckled.
"You can't dance, you can't-" I slammed my fist on the table, cutting him off and making everyone jump. There was no way I was letting him finish that sentence. No one was supposed to know that I was unable to swim. He was lucky I told him. He smiled amused.
"You can't what?" Filip asked, laughing a little.
"Nothing," I said, smiling innocently. "Nothing at all," that made Cedric chuckle. I could see where he found the humor. "You know what I mean," I said, glaring at Cedric. He only found this more amusing. Ah yes, reminds of the old times before Cho and before he was glaring at Filip. It wasn't that long ago, come to think of it. Cho was very quiet as Cedric and I made wise cracks, sarcastic comments and what not to each other. Filip just sat there, adding to the conversation when he could. It seemed to tick Cedric off when he offered input and it really bothered him when Filip commented me. It was highly amusing. Finally, the little music professor stepped on to the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please," he said, getting everyone's attention. "For the first time, playing live at Hogwarts, please welcome the band the needs no introduction," that's when everyone guessed that it was only the hottest band in the wizarding world and ran, screaming up to the stage. I got incredibly excited. The music teacher pointed his wand at the spotlight and it lit, shining down on the stage.
"Are you ready Hogwarts?" The lead singer screamed. I squealed in excitement. Cedric found it amusing, seeing as he had never heard me squeal in excitement before.
"Come on, Filip let's go!" I exclaimed, grabbing his arm and pulling him into the crowd as the music started. This probably wasn't going to end well. I just really came to scream with everyone else. I pushed my way to the front and started screaming. Filip laughed beside me as he watched me be all fan girly. I could only imagine Cedric's face as he watched me from somewhere in the great hall. Filip grabbed my hand and pulled me into the center of the crowd.
"Let's dance," he said.
"Oh no, Filip, I thought we established the fact that I can't dance." I laughed.
"Just try it," he begged.
"Okay," I said, taking a deep breath and swaying to the music. Well, it did end disastrous. I stumbled over my feet, bringing several people down with me, which was very embarrassing. I stepped on Draco Malfoy's foot, that ticked him off and some harsh words came off that vile little tongue of his. Filip set him straight though. It was still all very embarrassing.
When the song ended, Filip and I broke out of the throng of people and say down at our previous table.
"Would you like a drink?" Filip asked.
"Yes please," I answered, nodding vigorously. He smiled at me, grabbing my hand and kissing it before going to get our drinks. I leaned down and took of my heels as soon as he left. They hurt so much. Cedric and Cho had apparently decided to start dancing with the crazy fans to. I massaged my aching feet as some people walked past me, laughing. It didn't take long to realize that they were laughing at me. I glared at them I can't believe I let Filip me into dancing! I knew it was going to be a disaster. Filip came back with our drinks and I gulped it down. It felt good, nice, cool and refreshing. I sighed in satisfaction. Filip chuckled.
"Do you want to try dancing again?" He asked.
"I think it would be best if I stayed of the dance floor for a few songs," I laughed a little. Filip chuckled and nodded. Cedric and Chloe joined us after two songs. Cedric immediately started bugging me about my performance on the dance floor.
"That was very graceful, Chloe," he said. I glared at him.
"Shut up," I hissed. "It's not my fault that I'm not a very good dancer," Cedric laughed, making me smile. I loved his laugh. We sat there talking for a while. Cho was very quiet. She looked a little uncomfortable. Cedric and I supplied most of the conversation. Filip and Cho made small talk but that didn't last long. Cedric and I were laughing about something we had said about Malfoy when Filip interrupted.
"Chloe," Cedric stopped laughing, abruptly and glared at Filip, if looks could kill, Filip would be long dead by now. "Do you want to try dancing again?" I sighed.
"Okay, I guess, but if I trip and pull half the people on the dance floor down with me, we're leaving." I said standing up. Filip chuckled and got up.
"We'll come with you," Cedric said, standing up. "Is that okay with you Cho?" He asked, looking down at her. She smiled and nodded, standing up also. We headed to the dance floor and started dancing in our group of four. I almost fell over a couple of times but Cedric and Filip were always quick to catch me so I didn't embarrass myself again.
The rest of the night went great. The four of us spent the majority of it together. I think it was mostly because Cedric didn't want to leave me alone with Filip. It was funny, really. Every time a slow song started, Cedric would watch Filip's every move. I found it hilarious. The night was just about to come to a close and I was getting tired. Filip said he'd walk me back to the Hufflepuff house. I just wanted to tell Cedric that I was taking off. I found him and walked up to him.
"Cedric," I said. He turned to face me. "I'm going back to the dorm," I continued.
"But, I haven't had the chance to dance with you," that's right. We never had the chance to dance, just us two. A slow song started up at that moment. Wow, that was weird. Cedric smiled at me and held out his hand. "May I have this dance?" I smiled at him.
"Yes you may," I answered, taking his hand. His smile grew as he pulled me to the dance floor. I caught a glimpse of Cho and she didn't look to happy. Ha! In your face Cho! I faced Cedric when we were in the center of the dance floor. I put my arms around his neck and my heart was threatening to pound right out of my chest. Both of his hands rested on my waist and my heart went through the roof. We started swaying to the music and it just felt right. It was very easy to dance with him.
"Has anyone told you that you look beautiful tonight?" I couldn't help but smile.
"It has been mentioned, I wouldn't mind hearing it again," he chuckled.
"You look beautiful," he said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His touch made me all tingly. After a few minutes of dancing and staring into each other's eyes-I got lost in his eyes again-I rested my head against his chest and he held me closer. This moment was so perfect. I closed my eyes and breathed in his sweet scent. Ah, yes, perfect. Maybe my earlier assumption of us not being meant to be was wrong, completely wrong. I looked back up at him to find him staring back down at me. We stared into each other's eyes, those misty swirls enchanting me. We stared to lean towards each other, closer and closer. Yes, this was it! This was the perfect!
"Chloe," Cedric and I jump apart. Filip was standing there. Why Filip? Why?! "Are you ready to go?" Just let me share one kiss with the man of my dreams and then we'll go.
"Yeah," no! I'm not ready to go! I turned to look at Cedric. "See you tomorrow, Ced," I said.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow," he sounded disappointed. Did he…? Nah, probably my mind playing tricks on me. I smiled and waved as me and Filip headed out of the great hall. We were so close, just inches away. And then Filip had to come and ruin! Geez, Filip, again I ask why?! Why?! My dreams were probably going to be haunted by what would have happened if we had shared that kiss, that kiss that could've changed everything.
Now do you see why it's my fave chapter so far? Tell me what you think and review please! Oh and Chloe's hair for the Yule Ball is one my profile page thing, along with a banner I made for this story.