The only thing on Cosima's mind was how soft Delphine's lips were as they slightly pressed back against hers. Even though it felt like a few minutes, only a few seconds went by before Delphine pulled away.

Cosima looked up, expecting a look of shock, or maybe even disgust. What she got was worse.

Delphine, who had practically frozen when Cosima kissed her, was staring down at her hands, which were still in the middle of wrapping her arm. Her face showed no emotion as she continued to wrap Cosima's arm.

Cosima furrowed her eyebrows as she awaited a response from the French girl as she finished wrapping her arm. Instead, she saw Delphine gather the dirty bandages and exit the space created by the curtains.

It wasn't until she heard swift footsteps and the main door to the wing open and close before she realized Delphine wasn't coming back to talk to her about what happened.

Cosima slapped her forehead angrily, "Idiot."

"So every time you open it, it just screeches?"

"Yeah, it's really frickin annoying. I know there's a point to it, but I can't even open it without getting dirty looks."

"Sorry, Cos, I don't know what to tell ya."

"Yeah whatever," Cosima grumbled, poking at her food, "I've had it with this fucking tournament, anyway."

"What's making you so pissy, all of a sudden? You were fine a couple weeks ago."

"Yeah, Cosima, you've been pretty down lately."

Cosima rested her chin on her fist, "Nothing."

"Is it that French chick?"

"God, Sarah, she has a name," Alison chided, "How is Delphine? We haven't seen her around lately."

Cosima stayed silent as she rolled her head around to the other shoulder.

"Oh shit. It's her innit?"

Alison looked at Sarah, "What?"

"She's the reason you're so mad, ey Cos?"

Cosima stayed silent as she buried her head in her arms.

Alison rubbed her back soothingly, "What happened?"

Cosima mumbled something into her arms that Alison didn't catch.

"What?"

"I kissed her."

"What!"

"When?"

"The night of the first task- look I really don't wanna talk about it. She walked off, and never talked to me again. She doesn't like me, and that's the end of it, so can we just drop it?" Cosima whined, dropping her fork.

"I refuse to believe that that girl doesn't feel something for you, Cosima."

Cosima smiled toothlessly as she nodded, "Yeah, well that's great, Alison. Thanks for the optimism. But I am a realist, and the look that I got after I kissed her definitely wasn't one that was happy about it."

"Well did she look disgusted?" Sarah offered.

"No. She just sat there."

"Well there you go. Maybe there was a lil' seed of lesbian in her and you watered it."

"Sarah, what?"

"I'm just saying," Sarah said, raising her hands. "You shouldn't take silence as a no. Take it as a maybe."

Cosima groaned, "She stopped talking to me, Sarah. She's avoiding me like the fucking plague."

"She's not the only girl I know that likes avoiding hard decisions, Cosima," Alison stated wisely.

Cosima went to refute her point before she stopped and thought about it.

"What if she's scared to like you?" Alison provided again.

"I-" Cosima sighed, "I'll think about it, alright. I have to go to a class that I share with a girl that won't even look at me."

"Alright. Good luck, Cosima."

"Kill 'er with your charm. You're good at that."

Cosima chuckled for the first time in days, "Yeah, I know."

"Hello again, students! Settle down!" Flitwick called over the class.

The class settled into their usual seats, Delphine settling next to the thankfully empty seat next to her. Usually she sat next to Cosima, as they had been talking practically all year. Now it was awkward for her to sit next to someone that she really didn't want to confront, so to her it was fortunate that Cosima was late.

"Now, today we will be learning the Patronus charm: very powerful defensive charm that can be used against demetors and lethifolds, and has many different uses," he said, taking out his wand.

As he waved it, he produced a silvery white owl that flew about the room, invoking 'oohs' and 'aahs' amongst the students.

After it melted away in the air, he turned to the class, "Now turn your books to page 282 and begin the exercises."

The class stood up and started trying to conjure patronuses, most only achieving a white mist.

Delphine was just about to attempt hers as the door squeaked open, revealing a sheepish Cosima walking into the room.

"You're late, Miss Niehaus."

"Sorry, Flickster, I lost track of time in the uhh… library," Cosima said with a giggle.

Flikwick, unable to stay mad at one of his favorite students, just shook his head and returned to helping one of the students.

Cosima set her bag down next to Delphine, not making eye contact with her at all as she sat down. Delphine watched her with furrowed brows as she looked over at Delphine's textbook, and then opened hers to the same page, snickering at the picture. Delphine waited for her to start practicing as well, but Cosima just sat back as students became frustrated with their own spells.

Delphine shook her head and went to trying to conjure her own patronus. She was only getting as far as a whirling white mist before she had to rest again. She looked back at Cosima to see if she had moved, and the girl had produced a sugar quill from inside her robes, and was slurping at it pleasantly. Delphine frowned, didn't the girl know that they would have an exam on this spell soon?

Cosima laughed as a Slytherin's spell sputtered and fizzled out. She didn't know why she found it so funny to watch, but she just couldn't stop laughing. After looking around the room at the struggling students and hearing all of the 'expecto patronum's, her eyes finally landed on Delphine who was farther than others, but not far enough. "You need help?"

Delphine turned, "What?"

"I said, do you need help?"

"No thank you. I'm fine," Delphine said, focusing on her spell, but turned back to Cosima when she heard her snicker.

Cosima raised her hands in silent surrender, "Alright, suit yourself. It just doesn't seem like it."

Delphine cocked her head and out her hand on her hip. "Okay then, since you're so smart, show me how it's done."

"Sure," Cosima said standing up, putting the sugar quill in her mouth and pulling out her wand, "Especto Patromum."

Sliding out of Cosima's wand was a silvery white crow, that flew around the room a couple of times, catching the attention of Professor Flitwick.

"Ooh, nicely done Miss Niehaus!" Professor Flitwick said, impressed. Cosima bowed slightly before turning to Delphine with a cocky smile.

"H- how did you manage a corporeal form?"

"You gotta think happy thoughts, sweetness-"

"Don't call me that," Delphine said firmly, almost panicked. Cosima frowned at her for a few seconds, not even remembering what she had said, before turning away, scoffing and shaking her head.

"Whatever," she said sitting down.

Delphine watched Cosima turned and put her feet on the desk, hair spilling over the chair, to enjoy her sugar quill.

Delphine tuned back to what she was doing. Closing her eyes, she silently followed Cosima's advice, remembering going to the park with her dad when she was young. With this in her mind, she conjured the spell. It was significantly stronger than her previous tries. After practicing the new method a few more times, she turned back to Cosima to thank her for her advice, only to find the girl asleep with what was left of sugar quill hanging from her mouth.

Delphine giggled at the sight, and found herself wondering why she let them drift apart like they did. Delphine freaked out at the thought of developing a romance with Cosima. It would change everything; her friendships, maybe even her career. What would her parents say? Besides, it would only be for a half a year, as the two would have to split anyway over the summer.

She sighed as she sat back into her seat, basically questioning her own sexuality as she waited for class to end. The fact that she was even considering it made her worry that she didn't know herself as well as she thought she did.

As she pondered, she heard a snort and a series of coughs from her side. Looking over, Cosima was hunched over, sugar quill stick in one hand, while the other was covering her mouth.

After wiping at her watery eyes, Cosima turned to Delphine, who had been noticeably staring at her. "Sorry."

"It's ok."

After Cosima turned back around to put her books back in her bag, Delphine stared at her back, deciding her next course of action in that moment.

Flitwick dismissed the class after distributing bars of chocolate to the students, claiming that it "really helped." Cosima took hers and swiped another student's bar silently before leaving the class. Delphine quickly packed her things before pursuing her, "Cosima!"

Cosima kept walking.

Delphine sighed and jogged up to her putting her hand on Cosima's shoulder, "Hey, wait."

Cosima stopped and turned, "Can I help you?"

"I just… wanted to talk-"

"Oh now you want to talk? Because that's the only time we can talk, Delphine? When it's on your terms?"

"Non, but-"

"So you'll understand that now I don't want to talk to you."

"Cosima, please-"

"No, Delphine. I wanted to talk but you ignored me. For two weeks. Do you even know how much that hurts?"

Delphine stayed silent and squeezed her eyes shut as she took in Cosima words.

"No? Let me show you," Cosima said, turning around and storming off.

"Cosima!" Delphine called to no avail. "Merde…"

"Didn't we tell you to go talk to her?" Alison said walking with Cosima to History of Magic.

"You did. I had a change of heart," Cosima said casually, finishing off her second chocolate bar. "I realized, that talking shouldn't be on her terms, it should be on mine. I was the one being ignored, after all."

Alison hummed, "I guess that makes sense."

"And she did try to talk to me."

"What? What did she say?"

"I-" Cosima thought back, what did she say? "I… didn't really let her get a word out."

Alison slapped her arm.

"OW!"

"You didn't let her TALK?! Cosima Niehaus!" Alison exclaimed as she kept slapping Cosima's arm

"STOP it, lady!" Cosima said running a few paces away, "I thought it would be good for me!"

"How do you know she wasn't telling you her feelings for you?!"

Cosima paused, "….Oh."

"Yeah, 'oh'."

"Ffffffffffrig…"

Alison shook her head in disappointment as they walked into the classroom. Cosima was about to sit at her normal seat next to Alison before she heard her name being called.

"Miss Niehaus," Professor Binns called as Cosima looked at him, "Proffessor McGonagall requires you in her classroom for today."

Cosima almost let out a rude shriek of victory before she contained herself with a small nod. She turned to Alison and gave her a smirk and held up two fingers, "Peace out, homegirl."

Alison stared after her, mouth gaping in jealousy.

Walking into McGonagall's classroom, she saw a bunch of students, mostly fourth year and up, and a large, large gramophone.

"Oh! Miss Niehaus, you made it. Quiet down students!" McGonagall called

Spotting her friend, Scott, she walked over to him and poked his shoulder.

"Hey, nerd," she whispered.

"Cosima, I thought I told you not to call me that. And why are you here, it's supposed to be older students only."

Cosima tsked, "Scottie, I am an older student," she said as she tapped her temple, "in here."

"Yeah, whatever."

"The Yule Ball," McGonagall started, "has been a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament since its inception. On Christmas eve night, we and our guests gather in the Great Hall for a night of well-mannered frivolity. As representatives of the hosts, I will expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward, and I mean this literally because, the Yule Ball, is first and foremost… a dance."

Groans and excited giggles filled the room. Cosima just laughed to herself, shaking her head.

"Silence! Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has commanded the respect of the wizard world for nearly ten centuries. I will not have you in the course of a single evening besmirching that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons."

"Woaahh," Cosima mumbled, "Alliterate much?"

Scott chuckled.

"Now to dance is to let the body breathe. Inside every girl, a secret swan slumbers longing to burst forth and take flight."

Cosima rolled her eyes.

"Inside every boy, a lordly lion prepared to prance, Mister Weasley."

The ginger haired boy looked up sorrowfully, "Yes…"

"Will you join me please?"

Cosima chuckled, "Poor dude."

"What?"

"You'll see."

The Weasley boy swaggered to the middle of the room, visibly distraught as McGonagall put her wrinkly hands on his shoulders,

"Now place your right hand on my waist."

The boy looked at her fearfully, "Where?"

"My waist."

As he followed her commands, another ginger-haired boy cat-called, making him turn, but McGonagall wouldn't have it.

"Bend your arm… Mr. Filch, if you please."

The Gramophone crackled to life as Filch put the needle on the record, emitting classical music with a standard waltz beat.

"One-two-three, one-two-three, one-two-three…" McGonagall chanted as she stepped to the rhythm of the music.

Cosima giggled as the boy was both struggling and doing fairly well as he danced with McGonagall. "He looks like he's been practicing, eh Scottie?"

"Maybe he's a natural," Scott provided.

"Ha. Doubt it. I bet he secretly practices before he goes to bed at night. McGonagall looks like she's having a friggin' blast."

"Everybody come together! Boys, on your feet!" McGonagall announced to the class. The girls leapt out of their seats, as the boys slumped lower into their chairs.

"Come on, Scott. Let's show these bitches up," Cosima said, grabbing Scott's hand. As they made their way towards the center of the class. After getting situated, Cosima spoke up again, "Let me just say, if you step on my toe, or feel me up, I will kill you in your sleep," she said seriously.

Scott swallowed nervously.

"So who are you taking to this Yule Ball thingy?" Sarah asked a week later.

Cosima sighed, "I don't know. Scott, probably."

"Oh, God," Sarah groaned, "Mega dweeb? Cos, you're sexy as hell, well, for your age I guess. You could get any guy you wanted."

"I know I am," Cosima said seriously. "But I don't want any guy. I want someone I know."

"I know exactly who you want, Cosima," Sarah said, leaning forward over their table. "And she just walked in with the other Frilly Frenchies."

Cosima looked back to see that Sarah was right, Delphine and her friends had settled down at a table across the library.

"Ugh. It would be so sweet to go with her."

"So ask her."

Cosima squinted at her, "…What."

"Ask her. It's not like you have anything to lose. You guys aren't even talking, so it's not like you can fuck up your friendship further."

"Wow, Sarah. Tell me how you really feel."

"Tell me it's not true."

Cosima couldn't. She really didn't have anything to lose. Looking back over at the Beauxbatons, she watched as Delphine smiled at something her friend said, chucking softly and showing the dimples that Cosima grew to love.

Sarah watched as her sister stood up abruptly from the table.

"Fuck it, I'm doing it. You only live once, right?"

"And if she says no, you still got Scott," Sarah reassured.

"Exactly. And, and if she says yes, then I'm in."

"Yup."

Cosima held out her hand to Sarah, who clapped it and held it, "I fucking love you."

"Likewise."

Cosima gathered her things and turned around, taking a deep breath before confidently walking to the other side of the library, where her and her friends were reading their respective textbooks.

"Hey, Delphine."

Delphine looked up surprised to see Cosima initiate contact with her, "B-bonjour… Cosima."

Cosima nodded and pointed to the door of the library indicating that she wanted to talk outside. Delphine nodded and closed her book, telling her friends that she would be back.

Walking past Sarah, Cosima gave her a wide-eyed look, which was returned with a thumb up and a wink.

Outside, Delphine leaned against the wall. "You wanted to talk."

"I have a question for you," Cosima said, making herself as tall as possible.

"Oui…"

"You already know I like you, and I know you know because you stopped talking to me for two weeks or whatever for reasons that I'm still not sure of."

"Well I-"

"But, that doesn't matter now, because I'm about to ask you a really important question. One that if I didn't ask, I wouldn't be able to live with myself," Cosima said, hands flailing as she rambled.

Delphine tilted her head forward in encouragement.

Cosima took a deep breath, closing her eyes. She rolled around her fingers a bit before she opened her eyes again, with resolution that Delphine had never seen so intensely before.

"Will you go to the Yule Ball with me?"

Delphine froze for a moment, before exhaling.