Chapter Eleven

Teenage Drama

"We should get dresses for the ball"

Lorena stopped mid-way biting her biscuit and turned to Abril.

"So you don't have one, either? I thought I was the only one" she told her friend and proceeded to eat the biscuit.

Abril shook her head, "I couldn't find one in my trunk, so I guess we'll have to go to Hogsmeade to buy one"

"Hot pink one for you" Lorena said smiling.

"I wonder how our lives were supposed to be before we got here" Abril said frowning, "I mean, like us not being friends before, or you dating Lorcan."

Lorena shrugged.

"Dunno. Though I do wonder why am I friends with Emma and Violet. They can be really bitchy when they want to"

"Imagine if you were enemies, then" Abril said with a smile, and then turning to look in front of her, her smile widened, "Hi, Harry!"

Harry strolled towards them, a book under his arm and a hot, steaming cup in his hand.

"Hey, what's up" he said when he reached them, and they shifted so he could seat with them on the frozen stone bench of the courtyard.

Harry took a sip of his cup and sighed.

"That looks delicious" Lorena said, eyeing the cup.

"Yup," Harry answered happily, "hot chocolate is the best" he then turned to her, and at her stare, he asked, "Er…want some?"

Harry hadn't finished saying it when Lorena had already snatched the cup from his hands and taste it.

"You are too kind Harry, thank you" she said, and proceeded to warm her hands.

Harry blinked and turned, his face a bit disappointed. Abril rolled her eyes.

"How have you been, Harry?" she asked him at them same she took the cup from Lorena and, ignoring her protests, returned it to Harry.

"Great," Harry said, happy his chocolate was back, but then his face fell, "Well, it would be if it weren't for the stupid ball"

"Aww, but it's gonna be so awesome!" Abril exclaimed, and both Harry and Lorena made a face. Abril crossed her arms, pretending to be offended, "Oh, you two are no fun"

"I wouldn't mind going," Harry said, "Hell, I would even dance a little, if I knew how, but I don't see why do we have to invite someone to go with us"

"Maybe the girl you like?" Abril asked giggling.

"I…well she…I mean, Cho…she's older than me…" Harry tried to say, a blush on his cheeks.

"Then it's decided!" Lorena told him, and tried pushing him to a standing position, "You shall ask Cho"

"I…already did" Harry said, his voice almost inaudible, "but she's going with someone else"

Lorena suddenly stopped pushing him, which made him fall back heavily on the bench.

"Really, who?" she asked surprised.

"Cedric. Cedric Diggory"

Silence followed, and Harry turned to look at both girls' shocked faces.

"But…I thought," Lorena said, her brow frowned in confusion as she turned to Abril, "you two…"

Abril, stunned, slowly turned to look at the ground.

"He never got to ask me," she said quietly.

Harry stared at her wide-eyed, and Lorena huffed.

"I'm so going to punch him the next time I see him" she said, crossing her arms.

"So you and Cedric…? Wow, I didn't know" Harry said, but seeing Abril's sad face, he tried to reassure her, "But hey, there are still plenty of guys that might still ask you"

"Yeah" Abril said with not much conviction, then stood up and started walking away, "I just remembered I have to finish my Charms essay. See you later"

And with that, she was gone. Both Harry and Lorena stayed silent for a moment as students walked past them, chatting merrily.

"I really thought she was going with him" Lorena said sighing.

"She likes him?" Harry asked.

Lorena nodded, "She has for some time now".

"I wonder if he likes her" Harry said, pursing his lips, then shrugged, "Maybe if he did Cho would have said accepted to go with me. I…well, I liked her for some time, too. She's excellent at Quidditch"

Lorena had listened half way through until a familiar figure in the distance grabbed her attention, and she tensed as she saw him approach.

"Too bad, but as you say, there are plenty of girls to choose from" Lorena told him as she grabbed her bag tightly.

"Sure, but most of them only want to go with me because I'm one of the champions" Harry said, scrunching his nose.

The figure, which Lorena now could distinguish, was Lorcan, stopped midway when a Hufflepuff girl approached him.

"Ron asked Fleur Delacour to go to the ball with him" Harry continued, laughing at the memory, "he'd returned pale to the common room after that."

"Yeah, that's fascinating, Harry, but I really should go now…" Lorena said, standing up while staring at Lorcan, who had finished talking with the Hufflepuff girl and had resumed heading her way, a fierce determination on his face.

"Oh, wait!" Harry said suddenly realizing something and completely ignoring her attempts at fleeing, "You're a girl!"

"Aren't you observant" Lorena answered, stopping her haste to huff, then turned to see Lorcan had almost reached the courtyard they were in and cursed, "See you…"

"Maybe you could go to the ball with me?"

If Harry hadn't reached out to grab her bag and kept her from escaping, Lorena would have missed the question. She turned sharply to look at his hopeful face, and blinked.

"Lorena…" a voice started to say at her right, but she interrupted it.

"Yes!" Lorena told Harry, just as Lorcan stopped next to her. She hastily dropped her bag on the snow and hugged Harry, who awkwardly hugged her back, "Yes, I'll go to the ball with you"

Lorena heard a gasp escaped from Lorcan, but she ignored it.

"Well, see you around!" she said loudly, turning around on her heel and disappearing before any of the boys could say anything else, and so she missed the nasty look Lorcan shot Harry.

o.o.o.o.o.o

Abril climbed quickly down the staircase before it decided to change place and stepped into the first floor, heading to her room to retrieve a forgotten book. As entranced as she was, minding her own business, she didn't look where she was going until she smashed against something hard. With a yelp, Abril lost her balance and fell backwards, and just before she touched the ground, a strong arm wrapped around her waist and stabilized her. She gratefully glanced up to see her saviour, but her smile froze when she saw Cedric's face just above hers.

Cedric smiled and helped her to her feet.

"I believe that's the second time I keep you from falling," he told her.

"I don't really mind" Abril answered, brushing her robe. When she looked up, she was surprised to see Cedric had already left, and hurried to catch up with him.

"Wait, Cedric, we need to talk!" she tried telling him, which made him stop on his tracks and turn around.

"Those words do make someone uneasy" he said with a forced laugh.

Abril reached him, and spoke before he decided that it was a better idea to flee.

"It's just that…I've noticed you different this days" she started, and Cedric flinched.

"It's the stress from the exams," he answered quickly, but Abril glared at him.

"The exams ended a week ago"

"So? The stress was overwhelming"

"You are number one in our class!"

"The more reason to be stressed out! It…"

"Cedric, please stop," Abril told him impatiently, "this has nothing to do with the exams…like it has nothing to do with the egg…is it?"

Cedric didn't say anything, but looked like he would rather be anywhere else than there.

"Why did you left like that when we were in the library? I was trying to chat with you and you left me in mid-sentence!"

He shifted his feet uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly, "I didn't mean to be so rude…"

"Are you…angry with me?" she asked worried.

"No!" Cedric exclaimed, but then sighed and looked away, guiltily.

"Did I say something wrong for you to have stopped talking with me, then?"

"Of course not, it's just…"

"Then please tell me, I beg you, why did you invite Cho to the ball"

Cedric looked at her in surprise for a moment, then look down, his hair covering his eyes.

"You know"

"Oh, wasn't I supposed to? Sorry for ruining the surprise," Abril said acidly, "I bet you were planning on it to be your big entrance. Cho would be thrilled…"

"It's not like that!" Cedric exclaimed, and it was then when Abril realized she had risen her voice almost she was shouting. She closed her mouth and looked at him, hurt in her eyes.

"I thought…we…"

Cedric opened his mouth to speak, but faltered. He sighed, passed a hand across his hair and tried again, nodding.

"You see…"

"Ced!" someone called. Cedric and Abril turned to look to at the end of the corridor to see Cedric's friends approaching, and Abril had never felt such a strong urge to punch each and every one of them. She decided then and there that she hated Cedric's friends and their awful timing.

"You comin'? McCarty said we should meet him in the Quidditch pitch since we haven't flew since arriving here" the boy who had called told him, and made a motion for Cedric to follow him.

Cedric made a noise that could have meant desperation or relief, but either way, he turned to Abril once more, who glared at him.

"I'm sorry," he told her, and Abril wondered if he was apologizing for leaving or for an entirely different reason.

"C'mon, Cedric!" his friends called again, impatiently, and Cedric turned to leave with them, not glancing back.

Abril blinked, sensing a case of deja vú, and started walking in the direction of her Common Room. As she walked, different emotions whirled around inside her. Surprise, anger, frustration, confusion and sadness. It hadn't matter that she had become friends with him. It hadn't mattered at all. She wasn't planning to, but things just happened and they could talk about anything and their friendship had evolved, but now, she didn't know what to think. Guess some things can't be changed from the original story she thought sadly. She had forgotten for a moment this wasn't her real world, her real life, and that everything that happened here was meant to happen like it was written, no matter how hard she tried to believe it wouldn't.

o.o.o.o.o.o

The holidays had finally arrived, and most of the students from fourth year and up had decided to stay at Hogwarts. Pine trees had been brought from the Forbidden Forest by Hagrid and now stood proudly in the Great Hall, every inch of them decorated with Christmas ornaments, tinsel, candles and spheres. The suits of armour had been enchanted to sing Christmas carols, but because they only knew half of the song, Peeves used to hide inside them and fill in the empty spaces with rude lines of his own.

The students were more talkative than ever, everyone sitting with everyone, no matter what house they were, and chatted merrily. Even the Slytherins looked less threatening than usual.

In one of those jolly pre-Christmas holiday days, Abril and her friends went down for breakfast. Lin Mei and Mariah chatted about the latest gossip as Abril helped herself with a glass of pumpkin juice. She was seriously getting addicted to it.

"I wonder who's going to be brave enough to invite that French girl" Sabine said, munching a piece of toast, "You know, the Beauxbatons champion"

"I heard she is part veela" Abril commented.

In the Gryffindor table, Fred and George suddenly tackled Ron, making him choke with his breakfast, and so Hermione had to intervene.

"I wouldn't doubt it" Mariah said, narrowing her eyes, "watching how all the boys drool for her"

Lin Mei laughed, "You're not jealous, are you? What are you complaining about! You're going with Lee Jordan!"

Abril widened her eyes.

"You are?"

Mariah blushed but smiled, "Yeah, he asked me on Tuesday"

"Not bad" Abril said, nodding.

Sabine agreed and was about to say something when a flock of owls zoomed in through the windows, the daily post falling into the hands of the students.

"Oh, my sister has a new pet" Mariah said, not too enthusiastically as she read a letter.

"You don't like animals?" Abril asked, eating her cereal.

"You stop liking them after the number grows to sixteen" Mariah answered with sigh.

"Oh, Abril's got a parcel!" Lin Mei suddenly exclaimed.

Indeed, a brown owl with patches of dark feathers had landed in front of Abril, a parcel wrapped in ugly green paper attached to its claw.

Abril, surprised and excited, took the parcel off the owl, which flew away, and proceeded to unwrap it unceremoniously. What she saw made her and her friends gasp. Inside was a beautiful metal box. It was the size of a hand, with an elliptical shape and richly decorated with flower and leaf shapes around and on top of it, and a silver polished plaque in the centre of the lid.

The girls oo'ed, and ushered her to open it. With a dramatic pause, Abril opened the box and found…nothing. All of them made sounds of disappointment.

"Well, at lest it makes a pretty jewelry box" Sabine said.

With a pout, Abril closed the lid. But before she could put aside the gift, the silver plaque came to life, and letters appeared on it. With a squeal of excitement, Abril bent over to read the words.

Open me again!

Abril turned to her friends, whom were all leaning over her and the box, with a look of expectation on their faces. Abril slowly opened the lid once more, and all of them stared in surprise at the inside of the box. Where seconds before had been completely empty, now stood a chocolate brownie, with sugar and strawberries on top.

"Oh that looks yummy!" Lin Mei said, eyeing the brownie.

Abril took out the brownie and took a bite. It was delicious! She closed the box a proceeded to eat the brownie, but to her utter surprise, more words appeared on the plaque again.

Don't stop now! Open me!, the plaque read.

This time, Mariah extended her hand and opened it. To the girls' delight, a key lime pie appeared inside the box.

"That's brilliant!" Sabine exclaimed, "Best invention ever"

When a phrase appeared on the place for the third time, Abril, laughing with her friends, didn't hesitate to open it. But this time, she found a folded card inside, on top of a blueberry macaroon.

Abril grabbed the card, frowning in confusion. She unfolded it and found a scribbled poem that, basically, was an invitation to the Yule Ball.

"Oh that's so sweet!" Lin Mei cooed.

"The poem is kind of awkward. Romantic, but awkward," Mariah retorted, taking the card, "Who sent it, anyway?"

"There's no name?" Abril asked, only just realizing it.

Lin Mei gasped, covering her mouth, "Abril's got a secret partner!"

The girls giggled, and Abril with them, silently wondering who was the one who had sent such wonderful gift to her. She bet he was handsome and a great dancer. At least she hoped.

o.o.o.o.o.o

"I heard about a robe shop in Hogsmeade where we can find a dress" Abril was saying as she and Lorena walked through the dark corridors on their way to their common room for the night.

"Okay, I'll meet you at ten" Lorena told her just as she reached the staircase that lead to her common room.

"You'll do my makeup, right?" Abril shouted before they went apart.

"Sure! This time it'll be flawless!" Lorena answered her with a laugh.

Next day was Christmas, the day of the Yule Ball and, fortunately, the day was clear and the snow now rested smoothly and bright on the grounds. Both friends met at the appointed hour after having breakfast and took a carriage that would take them to Hogsmeade village.

"So! Fashion expert, which dresses should we choose?" Abril said excitedly as they strolled across the path through the snow, shops lit with Christmas lights and a soft smell of cookies floating in the air.

"Well, since my parents aren't here," Lorena started just as they passed Honeydukes, "I might as well try on one with cleavage"

"Nice! Harry is going to love it" Abril told her.

"Who said it was for Harry?" Lorena said, then smirked and both girls giggled.

They finally arrived at a robes' shop whose windows were decorated with icicles. As they entered, a tiny bell rang as they closed the door, the scent of cinnamon filling their noses.

"I'm really going with him as a favour, you know that" Lorena continued, getting her scarf off.

Abril shrugged and went straight to the gown isle. There were all types of dresses, from corny silk skirt with bows and roses, draped corsets with stones and beautiful embroidery and dresses all made of lace.

"Still, if you want a dress like that, go for it. You're going with a champion after all".

Lorena thought she heard a hint of anger in Abril's voice, but let her be.

"How about this one?" Abril said, showing her a piece.

"Too much lace" Lorena said, shaking her head, then showed one to Abril, "This?"

"There is no way I'm using sleeves" Abril told her like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"It's the middle of December! Besides, they're short sleeves" Lorena said pouting, but left the dress anyway.

They were at it for a little bit over an hour, trying on dresses, accessories and shoes. At the end, when both girls were satisfied with their night looks, they paid and left the shop, stepping out in the cold.

With their arms full of bags, they happily wondered through the village. Families met at the shops' doors, laughing and chatting while little kids gathered around the windows to see the decorations. A small chorus sang carols next to a Christmas tree, and students from Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang alike could be found passing time before they had to return to get ready for the evening.

Lorena cast a tempus charm, "It's only one o'clock, why don't we go to The Three Broomsticks…"

"Let's have a butterbeer!" Abril exclaimed, not waiting for Lorena to finish and dragging her to the pub, "I've been dying to try one since we got here"

Inside was warm and cosy, and it wasn't too crowded considering it was Christmas.

"I'm actually excited about tonight" Lorena commented as she sipped her drink.

"Well obviously! We're going to have a blast" Abril said, then raced her own beer. Lorena smiled and they clinked their mugs.

"Cheers," she said, "Happy Christmas, Abril"

"Happy Christmas my friend"

When noon came, they decided to return to the castle. At their arrival, they saw some students, most of them guys, still lounging around, while most of the girls have probably already left to get ready for the ball. They passed Durmstrang's ship on their way to the entrance doors, and as they approached, they saw Harry, Ron and the twins having a snowball fight. Hermione sat peacefully on one side, watching the fight. When she saw them, she waved at them.

"I haven't seen you two all day," Hermione said when they reached her, "Where have you been?"

"We went to buy our dresses" Abril said happily.

Hermione looked surprised, "You didn't have one already?"

"Nope," Lorena said, joining Hermione, "but I think the ones we bought will do nicely"

"I'm dying to put it on" Abril said, shaking the biggest bag she was carrying, "And I think I'll bring a pair of flats when the heels start to bother me"

"Good idea, maybe I'll do that too. It's not everyday I wear heels so might as well be comfortable after" Hermione agreed, "Who are you going with?"

Abril's smile faded, and she made a sound of irritation.

"I don't know yet!"

Hermione stared at her in surprise again, and Lorena laughed.

"She received and invitation, a very fancy one at that, but there wasn't a name," Lorena said, then shrugged, "Reckon he was so excited about it that he didn't remember to write it down"

"Yeah," Abril said, frowning and crossing her arms, "The gift was amazing! A pretty box that makes sweets appear every time you open in it and…"

"Oh! That must have been Ron's!" Hermione exclaimed.

Abril froze mid-sentence and Lorena gaped.

"Wh…what?" Abril whispered but Hermione didn't hear because she had turned to they guys, who where oblivious to their conversation.

"Ron! Come here!" she called.

Ron turned around, but his lapse in concentration caused him a snowball, thrown by George, to hit him on the side of the head. Cursing behind his shoulder, he approached the girls.

"What?" he asked, still brushing snow from his hair.

Hermione, to Abril's utter horror, didn't say anything and instead turned to her and smiled. Ron also turned to look at her and seemed surprised to see her there. Lorena only stared, an amused smile on her face, desperately trying not to laugh.

Abril faltered, alternating her gaze from Ron to Hermione. Ron's ears had turned red when he realized what was happening.

"I…"Abril tried saying, and Ron's face started to lit up, "yeah, I'll go with you, I guess"

Hermione clapped enthusiastically and Lorena hooray'ed.

"Wicked" Ron said with a goofy smile.

Abril tried to smile, hoping it didn't look like a grimace, as Hermione stood up.

"Well, I'm going to get ready" she announced. Ron and her started discussing when he asked her with whom was she going.

Lorena nodded, "We should be going, too"

Abril and her left towards the castle, and when they turned a corner, Abril started cursing and fuming while Lorena burst out laughing.