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Hope you enjoy this chapter, we are back to Gold's POV, and he's got a task ahead of him! A terrifying one!
FOURTH YEAR – SHE'LL SAY NO, I'M SURE OF IT
Three years. They had known each other for three years. Friends for, basically, that long as well - even though he had not admitted it to himself that fast. One year (give it or take a month) in which he had realized that he, maybe, felt more than just friendship towards her. Five months since he confirmed it. The way he missed her during their break from the third to the fourth year had not been normal. Even his parents, in the weeks they'd been able to spend at home, had noticed something different about him. Apparently, he seemed more "open"; and had taken to spend breakfast looking over at the window hoping to see an owl. His father had smirked when he noticed that one morning in the middle of June; his mother had been openly grinning.
Being as reserved as they normally were, Robert was more than a little surprised when his father, on that same day, had asked him who the precious girl was. His mother had chastised him with a glance, but his father was not deterred (her not being able to keep a smile out of her face might had had something to do with that). He just kept looking at Robert with an amused expression and a raised eyebrow, waiting the answer. The poor lad could do nothing but look blankly at his parents for a while, eyes wide, not being able to form an answer. Which, in retrospect, had not helped his case. He had been too stunned by his parent's actions to say anything. And anything that they might have said was interrupted by an owl entering the dining room.
Robert had jumped to retrieve the letter, realizing his mistake a second too late. Clenching his jaw, the 13 year old had just gotten the letter out of the owl's leg when he heard an unusual sound. His parents, both of his parents, had started laughing! Laughing! At him! Angry and embarrassed (and eager to read the letter) Robert had started his way to the door when his mother had stopped him, asking the same questing his father had before. The boy then took a deep breath and turned back to his parents, cursing his cheeks at the time, for he was sure they were rather red. There was no use denying. He was blushing for Merlin's sake! With all the calm he could muster, he had answered: "Belle French." Before running to his room, the sound of his parent's laughter and the letter in his hands making him smile like a fool.
Now, here he was. On his fourth year of Hogwarts. It was a special year for the school. It was hosting the Triwizard Tournament. Which was all fine and well. Gold had enjoyed rooting for their champion (in spite of her being a Gryffindor – though, if he thought about it, it was obvious. Only a brainless Gryffindor would want to compete in such a dangerous tournament for the change to win a few Galleons. Eternal glory indeed!), but now he was faced with a task that, for him, was harder than anything the tournament could have presented. He had to ask the girl he liked, his friend of almost three and a half years, for the Yule Ball. And he had no idea how to go about that.
Their friendship had really improved since their second year. After the interruption, Robert had seemed to make it his personal goal to make a whole personal conversation with Belle. Surprisingly, he managed to do it two days later, and they ended up talking in the library for hours about anything but school. The library was, apparently, the only place where they could talk without interruptions. And a muffliato charm made it easy for them not to be crossed by Madam Pince. The fact that each of them had joined the Duelling Clubs of their respective Houses not two months later gave them yet another topic for discussion outside of books. They could spend a lot of time talking about their meetings and teasing each other about which House would win (Preposterous! Slytherin would, of course!). This, however, was something else entirely.
It wasn't as if the Ball had caught him by surprise. Being the son of who he was, he knew very early on that the school would be hosting the Tournament, and that with it, came the ball. At once, his mind had gone to Belle. He would love to go with her. He had put it out of his mind, however, as something that was far away. Now that the official announcement for the ball had been made, he could at last ask her! Except for that wee little problem of not knowing how to.
How did you approach someone like Belle and just asked her to go to the ball with you? She was the most beautiful girl of the school. She probably would have many offers. Or she would be waiting for someone special to ask her. Maybe someone from Ravenclaw's Duelling Club. Which meant that she would say 'no' if Robert asked her, so what was the point? Another possibility was that she would say 'yes', if he gathered up the courage to ask, but only because of their friendship. None of those situations pleased him. He wanted her to go with him because she felt something more than friendship for him. Just as he'd found out he felt for her.
The night the announcement was made, their eyes had met across the Great Hall. And he was sure he was not the only one to blush when it happened. At least, he thought he was not. In any case, that had given him pause. What if she did want him to ask her? And his fear was just making them wait for something they both wanted. Now that he thought back, every time their eyes met today, Belle had looked anxious, as if… waiting for something?
Robert shot up from his bed. He had to try. What was it that Belle kept saying? "Do the brave thing, and bravery will follow." Hurrying around his room as silently as possible (so as not to wake up the other lads) he started dressing himself back into his school robes, heart beating like an errand bludger.
He had to do it as soon as possible, before anyone had the chance to. She might say yes to someone else thinking that I'll never ask her! Robert knew he was being extreme. The announcement had been made the other night! He still had plenty of time, but he didn't want it. Not now that he was resolved. He had to ask her and it had to be now.
…while he still had the guts to do it. For the first time ever, Robert felt jealous of the famous Gryffindor courage (Merlin's beard, what's the matter with me?).
Putting on his shoes, he headed up for the exit. Robert had never had much regard for the rules, but he never felt the need to break them. Now, however, as he walked through the shadowy castle, as silently as possible, he kind of wished he had. Experience would have made this a tad easier. The fact that his common room was in the dungeons and hers was in a high tower did not help. Why did this castle had so many stairs, anyway?!
It was of little comfort to him that he knew the castle so well. Sure, he did not have to think about where to go. He knew the best way to reach the Ravenclaw Tower. The quickest and most secretive way possible - which involved many hidden passages and tight spaces. However, going there while trying not to get caught, not running (he did not want to get there all sweaty and puffy – thank Merlin he had taken a shower before going to bed!) and all the while trying to think of what to say… it was too much.
When he finally got to the fifth floor with no serious problems, a sudden thought hit him. He was going to ask her like this? No flowers, no little presents, nothing? It was not the proper way to do it. Well, neither was waking the girl in the middle of the night, and dragging her out of bed, but…
Well, he thought, I am already here… no reason not to go forward now… In for a Sickle, in for a Galleon.
He hid behind a statue and took out his wand. He had to figure out what to do. It just would not do to show up there empty handed! What was the usual thing one could take to ask a girl out… or to a ball? Flowers was his immediate answer.
"Great!" he cursed in a low voice. He didn't know spells to conjure a bouquet. Moreover, that would be far too much ostentatious (too flashy, he would be caught before he could say 'Quidditch'). No, he needed something simple, but meaningful all the same. And beautiful. That conveyed his feelings of not only friendship. Pacing on a corridor (even though part of him knew it was not a good idea to leave his hiding place); Robert grew more and more irritated over his lack of ideas. "Come on! Think of something you stupid git!" he snapped (though not too loudly – thankfully).
"Hey, boy! Keep it down, I'm trying to be smooth here!" someone hissed behind him.
The Slytherin jumped, heart racing even more than before. He had been caught. Or maybe not. Staring back at him was a knight in one of the castle's paintings. He was in full armour and was holding a bouquet of roses. Red roses.
That was perfect! Maybe a bit too forward, but she would not be left wondering if he asked her as a friend or more. It would be clear. He would not give her a whole bouquet though. Belle would not appreciate something so over the top. One. One single red rose would be just the right thing.
"Sorry mate." The student said to the knight.
Excited, Robert went behind the statue again. Now all he needed was something to transfigure. As he was raising his hand to his chin, it brushed across something - his cloak's clasp. Excellent! Hurriedly, Gold unclasped the darn thing and pointed his wand at it. He was a very good transfiguration student, so he was sure he could do this. Concentrating, he began saying the incantation. A few moments later, he was holding a perfectly beautiful, bright red rose.
"Great!" he whispered satisfied, a smile in his lips. Now all he had to do was ask her. Hiding the rose behind himself, Robert swiftly made him way to the door of the Ravenclaw Tower.
As he stared at the door (plain except for the silver knocker), Gold realized something yet again: he had not thought this through. How the bloody hell was he going to call her outside? Sighing, Gold let himself slump against the opposite wall, careful not to harm the rose. Had all of this been in vain? He closed his eyes. This was a bad omen. Even though he didn't put much credit in Divination, he knew this. She'd definitely say no.
It was a good thing he'd never asked then. Pain and pride were spared. Gold started to slightly bump his head against the wall. He was definitely pathetic. Fool, fool, fool.
….And now he resembled a house elf, punishing himself for a job gone horri- wait… a house elf!
The castle was packed with them and, luckily, one had taken a liking to Gold when he had went to get food from the kitchens once. Excited once again, Robert straightened up. Maybe this could still work! Not allowing himself to have second thoughts, he opened his mouth to call the elf.
"Rumplestitikin!" Nothing happened…. He probably didn't say it rightly. Darn! Who had such a difficult name anyway?
"Rumpeltetskin!" He tried again. Nothing. Damn little imps with their weird, long names! He almost had it, the sound was off… Maybe… yes! That was it!
"Rumpelstiltskin!"
A large pop sounded right next to him, making Gold jump and sent his heart beating even faster.
"Mister Gold, sir! How can Rumple help you this night sir?" Right, the elf called himself Rumple and had asked to be called such… 'Rumple' looked around them, and when he turned back to Robert, his eyes were big and happy. "Is Mister Gold waiting for Miss French, sir?"
Not wasting time, Robert kneeled in front of the little creature, lowering his voice.
"More like wanting to speak with her, Rumple. Could you…please… ask her to meet me here?" Gold hated asking for favours, but this one was for a good cause. And Rumple was nice. For a house elf. He had also taken a liking to Belle when Robert took her to the kitchens last year – though that was not surprising - when they missed dinner once, having lost track of time. "Alone?" he added for good measure. His hands playing nervously with the stem of the flower.
Rumple's eyes went wide with excitement as he took in the words and flower, and he inclined himself towards Gold –making the wizard back away slightly.
"Mister Gold plans to ask Miss French to the Yule Ball, sir? That is very good, sir! Very good indeed! Rumpelstiltskin will fetch her right away! Make sure he is discreet, sir! No need to worry!" Before Robert could say anything, a pop was heard and the elf disappeared.
Rising to his feet and trying to fix his already straight clothes, the Slytherin realized, to his displeasure, that he was shaking slightly. Merlin's beard! Was he that nervous? Bloody hell. Gold put both his hands behind his back - as much to hide the flower as to hide his shaking – and looked at the door anxiously. Tried to put a smile on.
After what felt like an eternity, the door moved and out came a familiar mass of chestnut curls. They were accompanied by a light blue night robe – Great Scot! She had been sleeping! And was wearing a nightgown and a robe– he was sure his heart would burst out of his chest any minute now.
As she let the door close lightly behind herself, Belle looked at him, her blue eyes shining, but a slight frown on her forehead showed she was confused.
"Bobby! Hey! What are you doing here? At this hour? You might get caught." He blushed a bit as he always did when she called him that. Almost a year and he still wasnt used to it. Here she was standing outside with him and she was worried he would get caught. While she herself also had a spotless reputation to worry about! How could he ever consider not asking her?
"I..I just…hum.." Smooth. Really smooth start. It was a brilliant moment to completely lose control over one's speaking ability. "I was just…w-wondering… I just, you know." Why was it that his family considered themselves masters in the art of speaking? "I…" I am rubbish…
However, Belle didn't seem to think so. She looked at tad amused, probably holding back a chuckle, so not to scare him. It was so nice of her. She put a hand on his arm. That seemed to send a jolt of electricity up his whole body.
"Bobby? It's me. You can ask me anything, you know that…"
Yes. He could. And he would. The jolt her touch sent had worked to get him functioning again. Dropping his gaze slightly from her eyes, he opened his mouth once more.
"Doyouwannagototheyuleballwithme?" He said it all so fast, he was sure she didn't understand a word. Apparently, the jolt worked too well.
Belle backed away slightly, dropping her hand, but before Gold's heart could drop, he met her eyes again. There was no mistaking it. There was hope in her eyes and she was smiling, a tentative, but happy smile.
"Wait… What are you saying?"
Taking a deep breath and mustering all the courage he didn't know he had, Robert Gold straightened his shoulders, brought the rose in front of him and made a slight bow.
"Would you do me the honour of accompanying me to the Yule Ball, Miss French?"
Gold didn't know it was possible, but her eyes became even brighter and the most beautiful and dazzlingly smile overcame her lips.
"Why... thank you, Mister Gold. I would love to." She extended her hand to accept the flower, making a small curtesy herself. As she brought it to her nose to smell it, Robert was sure he had the most stupid grin possible on his face. He'd done it. And she had said yes.
Chuckling and biting her lip, Belle appeared to be losing some sort of battle with herself. Before he could bring himself to ask her though, she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Shock made him stone for a split second, before he returned the hug and even dared to spin her once. A good practice for the dance itself, he supposed.
"I was afraid you were not going to ask, scared I'd say no." Belle admitted in a low voice by his year. He could tell she was still smiling though. Not wanting to lose more face than he already had, but knowing it would probably just make it worse.
"Nonsense, dearie! Why wouldn't I? I was just waiting for the perfect moment." They backed away slightly to be able to look at each other. Both were still smiling. "It just happened to be in the middle of the night, without any sort of backup plan in the case you were already asleep or we were caught." Her laugher was the most perfect sound he had ever heard.
Well, he supposed he would have to thank his mother for having custom-made dress robes ordered before he came (the amusement in her eyes had not been missed when she told him her plans the day that followed that breakfast). After all, he was going to accompany Belle French to the ball. He had to dress accordingly.