Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Yuletide
In light of the ball, the castle wasn't nearly as deserted as it usually was during the holidays. Something I'm sure the teachers loathed as they had to spend most of the holiday putting a stop to nonsense rather than taking a needed rest.
Fred and George, for example, were in high spirits ever since classes ended for the term. Partially due to due the general rowdiness that unstructured time caused, but mostly due to their refined canary cream recipe. "Jolly Holly, care to try one?" George asked as he waved a plate of mince pies under my nose.
In the true spirit of the holiday, Fred and George had given out many of their creations and people had been tricking their friends and enemies all week with the joke sweets. It came to the point where every Gryffindor and YUP club member could recognize a canary cream or a ton-tongue toffee by sight. So, naturally, the next step was to try to conceal joke sweets in something else.
Looking up from the charms text Flitwick lent me, I tried to appear annoyed. But the amused upturn of my lips caused me to fail miserably. "You've already gotten me thrice this week. As well as everybody else. I'm surprised you haven't run out of canary creams and ton-tongue toffees yet".
Fred slid up beside George; an impish smile on his face. "What are you talking about, Holls? Those are clearly minced pies", Fred said as he pointed to the little pies on George's plate. "Besides, George and I ran out two days ago. And the next batch is still brewing".
Gesturing with my hand, I directed their eyes to the furniture in the common room as well as the floor. Feathers. There were feathers everywhere; littering the floor, and sticking to the upholstery. Every time someone opened the portrait door, feathers would swirl and dance around people's feet. Honestly, it felt like Gryffindor Tower was being turned into the owlery. "The current décor says differently", I argued. Then, I jutted my chin to the other side of the room. "Finnigan over there also isn't helping your claim".
Fred and George looked over their shoulders to see what I was talking about. Standing in a corner with a hysterical Dean Thomas was Seamus Finnigan. He was trying to talk to his best mate but was having difficulty since his tongue was hanging out of his mouth and dragging on the rug under his feet.
When my fellow triplet turned their faces back toward me, they grinned; unabashed and unrepentantly. "We swear there are no surprises in these minced pies", George said before offering the plate to me once again.
And he wasn't lying. There were no surprises in the pies because I already knew what was in them. "Alright then", I said as I smiled up at them. "Let's all have a pie. It'll be like we're starting Christmas early", I suggested.
Fred and George responded with board smiles of their own. There was a longer-than-needed moment of the three of us just grinning too innocently at each other. Anyone who was passing by and saw us, immediately turned around to find a different path.
George broke first. Setting the plate of minced pies on a nearby end table, he took the empty seat next to me on the couch. While Fred slipped into the armchair catty-corner from us. "What are you reading?" George asked. "Term's over. You shouldn't have homework".
Using a finger to keep my place, I closed the book so my brothers could read the title, Patronuses; A Complete Guide. "Flitwick asked me to read it", I shared. "He wants me to learn how to cast the Patronus charm before the new term. Claimed it was like a gateway charm that will lead to more advance magic".
"Aw", Fred cooed mockingly. "Look at our studious Jolly Holly. Percy would be so proud".
My nose wrinkled. "Shut it", I whined as I vaguely considered throwing my book at Fred. "I like charms and Flitwick is teaching me lots". It was worth it. Even if that meant I couldn't goof off as I used to. Glancing over to the windows, my eyes landed on a group of fourth, fifth, and sixth-year girls. They stood in a circle as they gossiped about the upcoming ball.
Reading my expression and following my eye gazes, George said, "You can join them, Holls. One day of not doing Flitwick's extra work isn't going to hurt you".
"It's fine", I said; waving his idea away with the flap of my hand. My eyes returned their focus to my brothers. "YUP's hosting that get-ready party for the girls on the day of the ball, remember". Both Fred and George nodded that they did, but looked so bored as soon as I brought it up. "We're going to meet in Flitwick's classroom before and help each other with our hair and makeup. I can get my fill of girliness there".
"Thank Merlin for that", Fred said. He turned his head in George's direction. "Remember when we weren't at Hogwarts yet and Ginny was still too young to play games".
George caught on almost at once. "And we had to do girly stuff with Holly. It was agony".
Scoffing, I gave up on returning to my book and set it aside. "Oh please, we usually played what you guys wanted to". Which meant a lot of tag, hide and seek, and building forts.
"I don't know, Holls", Fred disagreed. "I remember there being a lot of pretend tea parties George and I were forced to sit through".
"We only did that once". I countered. And only because Mum had given me a toy tea set one year and I wanted her to see me use it. "Maybe twice. And we had to stop playing because you two kept pretending the tea was poisoned causing you to wrap your hands around your throats and wither on the floor".
George looked me dead in the eye. "Just like I said. Agony". This git.
On Christmas day, we woke up to stacks of presents sitting on the floor in front of our beds. Angelina, Alicia, and the other girls in our dorm had a bit more than I did. But I still consider my gifts from home as superior. Nothing beats Mum's homemade fudge.
In our usual tradition, my brothers, Ginny, and I all donned our Christmas sweaters and ate breakfast together. Harry, Sirius, and Lupin joined us at Gryffindor table with Harry wearing his own Weasley sweater. It was nice of him to appreciate our mum's efforts. Especially since Harry couldn't stop talking to Ron and Ginny about the brand-new Firebolt Sirius had gifted him for the holiday. "To replace my nimbus that the dragon destroyed", he explained.
Once we had our fill, the day was ours. Fred and George, with Lee's help, organized a snowball fight. One most of YUP was game for. And those who weren't chose to sit on the sidelines to watch. Adrian and Hermione, for example.
Snow was in abundance this time of year, and most of it was fresh. Which made for some great snow forts and plenty of ammunition. The Carrow sisters were surprisingly… or maybe not surprisingly, ruthless and nailed anyone who so much as came within five feet of them with a snowball to the face. Only Ginny and Luna were spared. But the rest of us made up for that by pelting them with snow as soon as we had the opportunity.
At four o'clock, the girls in our group separated so we could start preparing ourselves for the night's event. "What?" Ron complained as I waved bye to Adrian and followed the others in. "Why do you need so long to get ready?" He called after us. No one bothered to answer him.
Flitwick, being the good sort that he is, arranged his classroom for us so that the desks were pushed against the wall; leaving plenty of room to move about. He even conjured up a couple of changing screenings and mirrors before leaving us to it. The next four hours were filled with giggling, compliments, and self-deprecating comments. "That's a good color on you", Susan Bones said to Parvati regarding her shocking pink robes.
"Thanks", Parvati replied as she helped Bulstrode with her hair. "I thought of getting green to match Harry's eyes. But…" She didn't need to finish. We all understood. When you look that good in pink, you wear pink.
"Oh", Lisa Turnip complained as she studied herself in the mirror. "This doesn't look right. I think I've put on weight since breakfast".
"What?" Alicia disagreed as she walked past the Ravenclaw fourth-year; on her way to put on her own gown. "There's nothing wrong about how you look and that dress is wonderful".
I stood behind a seated Hermione as I attempted to help her with her hair. "I'm not sure I was the right person to ask", I admitted as I read the label on the back of the Sleekeazy's hair potion vial she wanted me to use to make her hair more manageable. "I know how to do ponytails and buns. That's about it". And that's without adding that my hair was completely straight and didn't require a lot of effort. Seriously, the only products I used were discounted shampoo and conditioner.
"I just need help applying the potion", Hermione said. "The rest I can handle. I know what I want to do. The directions on the potion says to only use a little, but I think you should use more than is recommended".
She sounded determined. Shrugging, I opened the vial and poured some of it out into my hand. "It's your hair", I relented. While also praying that I didn't somehow mess this up for her.
I wasn't dressed yet. In fact, I still had my Weasley Christmas sweater on. This year's sweater was very festive as it was knitted with red yarn and had a green H on the front. My dress was waiting for me in a box behind one of the changing screens. Ever since Angelina and Alicia brought it back from Hogsmeade for me, I kept it in the box. Too afraid to take it out and ruin it before the Yule Ball. And along that line of thought, I would not be putting it on until I was done helping people with their hair and makeup. There will not be any stains on my dress. Even if I do know charms that would get them out.
"Holly?" Ginny asked as she approached when my hands were busily massaging the potion into Hermione's locks.
Ginny wore my old party dress, the one Mum made from dad's robes. And she wore her hair down with the ends twisted into ringlets that bounced with every step. It looked nice on her. Better than it ever did on me. And it was nice to see she wasn't embarrassed by still getting my hand-me-downs.
"Do you mind if change your dress a little? Katie said she has a spell that can make the skirt a different color". Ginny asked; looking at me through the mirror Hermione was using to supervise what I was doing to her scalp.
"Yeah, sure", I agreed without having to think about it. "It's your dress now. Do what you like".
Ginny smiled; pleased with the outcome. But she didn't immediately leave to seek out Katie. Instead, she leaned against my side. Giving me a reminder of all those afternoons we used to spend together when we needed a break from our brothers.
"Who are you going to the ball with?" I asked; pausing to add more potion to Hermione's hair. Merlin, it was going to be a challenge to wash all this out after the ball.
"That's right", Hermione commented; joining our conversations. "Third-years are only allowed to attend if an older year invited them".
Ginny didn't blush. Nor did she seem uncomfortable with the conversation. "Blaise asked me", she answered. It was an answer that caused my hands to momentarily pause. "Which was nice. I didn't think I would get to go. No one asked Hestia, Flora, or Luna. Luna didn't mind. She's looking forward to spending the night looking for Christmas nargles. But Hestia and Flora were a little putout. They claimed it was Adrian's fault. They said no one would ask them with him glaring at any boy who came near them".
Uh-huh, I thought as I resumed work. And why hadn't Adrian's glare included Mr. Zabini, I wondered. "I thought you were going to say you were going to the ball with Neville", I said before I thought about it. Ginny had gone to the Yule Ball in the first order of things. And I just assumed she would in this one too. But… Zabini? Who was responsible for that?
Through the mirror, I could see Ginny's forehead crease as she thought. "Why would I be going with Neville? He already has two dates". Inwardly, I choked in surprise. Merlin, things really have changed.
"Well, that was nice of Zabini", I said; quickly changing tracks. Through the mirror, Hermione was trying to smother an amused expression. "Just do me a favor and make sure he keeps his hands above your waist and don't leave the Great Hall unless your group is bigger than just you and him". Ginny leaned away from me and started to stare at me incredulously. "That way our brothers won't accidentally slaughter him if they see anything they don't like. Zabini's a good club secretary. I'd hate to have to find a new one".
"You're so embarrassing", Ginny scoffed before she wandered off. But there was no heat to her words.
"Remember!" I yelled after her. "Just say no!"
My dress fit. I had worried it wouldn't. Running my hands over the soft blue velvet of the skirt, I soothed out any creases as I stared into the mirror. The empire waist wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as I feared it would be. And it appears I'm not too short to pull off a floor-length gown. Even if I am refusing to wear heels. Which is a perfectly justifiable decision. Heels are awful and I didn't want to fall flat on my face in front of everyone.
Alicia helped with my hair. Somehow managing to copy an updo style that reminded me of the 1920s without looking too outdated. Of course, this was the wizarding world. And outdated had different parameters than it did in the muggle world.
Dumbledore's feather, which I always kept on my person, had to be rearranged. It now stuck out of the back of my hair; acting as an accessory. A well-placed temporary sticking charm made sure I wouldn't lose it tonight.
Around my neck was Adrian's tracking necklace. The neckline of the dress accentuated it perfectly. Altogether, it was a perfectly acceptable image. And I was now waiting for something to go wrong.
"Holly!" Angelina called. "Hurry up. We don't want to be late".
Sighing, but agreeing, I left the mirror to join the others. Flitwick's classroom was in a state of disorder after all being used as a dressing room. Hopefully, he wouldn't mind until we got around to cleaning it sometime tomorrow. "You look lovely", Ginny complimented as we walked with the others down to the Great Hall. Evidently forgetting the early embarrassment I caused.
"Thank you", I breathed as we took in a different atmosphere currently filling the castle. It was full of anticipation and glee. Very similar to the house quidditch cup just more formal.
The entrance was nearly bursting when we arrived. Immediately, people began to wander off as they found their dates or friends. "I see Ron and Harry over there", Parvati told her sister before they walked away.
Over yonder, I spotted Fleur, dressed in satin, and escorted by the Ravenclaw quidditch captain. It made me wonder who asked who.
Adrian found me before I could find him. "You look stunning", he informed me as he leaned; kissing me politely on my cheek.
Before he could withdraw completely, I reached up to turn his head back for a proper kiss. "Thank you", I said only after our lips had met and parted. "Take off your tie".
"What?" Startled, Adrian took a step back and glanced nervously around the room to see if anyone heard me. Adrian was dressed in traditional black dress robes. Just like the ones he always wore to his parents' New Year's Eve parties. And accompanying those robes was a forest green necktie and that just wouldn't do.
Before Adrian could accuse me of being inappropriate, I held out a blue velvet tie I had ordered along with my dress. "For you", I said as I offered it to Adrian. "It's my Christmas gift to you this year. So we can match".
Adrian recovered beautifully. With deft fingers, he undid the knot of the tie he was wearing; ready to exchange it for mine. "Thank you", he said as he used his wand to vanish the first tie before wrapping the new one around his neck in its place. Holding his chin up, Adrian allowed me closer so I could tie it for him. Together, we tuned out the rest of the room's occupants. Adrian's fingertips wandered up and down the small of my back as I worked; tying the tie just like I did every time I had to put on my school uniform.
When I was done, I smoothed the fabric down and made sure it was straight. "Merry Christmas", I said; leaning forward on my tiptoes to brush my lips against the tip of Adrian's nose.
"Merry Christmas", Adrian returned as his hands found my waist to hold me there and lengthen this moment for a while longer. "Apologies. But you'll have to wait before receiving my gift to you".
"Hmm", I hummed as I internally celebrated our closeness. "I believe I'll be able to manage".
A group of Slytherins passed us with Malfoy in the lead and Parkinson proudly peacocking at his side. We would have been able to ignore the sneering expressions they sent in our direction completely if it wasn't for the couple who formed the end of their group. Warrington was with Stimpson. Like most wizards, he wore black. But Stimpson was hard to miss in her emerald green robes that seemed overly heavy due to rhinestones embedded all over the skirt. What was even harder to miss was the distressed dying cat sound she made as she openly gawked at Adrian's and my embrace. Luckily for her, Warrington steered her past us without so much as a pause. Otherwise, she probably would have lost her feet.
Once the Slytherins were out of sight, I directed my attention back to Adrian. "That's still going on?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. Merlin, have some self-respect. Adrian was clearly involved with someone and that wasn't going to change until I was dead.
"Be nice", Adrian prompted. "Not all pure-blood parents are like yours. Their daughters don't always get a say in their future prospects".
Adrian's explanation was lacking a few key details. Though my imagination had no problem filling in the blanks. Still, before I could question him further, McGonagall was calling out, "Champions over here!"
It was easy to spot McGonagall. She was the only one wearing red tartan. Conversation set aside for now, Adrian took my arm and we walked as we usually did to line up with the others. "Stay here and stay in line", she told us as soon as we were close enough; gesturing us into place behind Fleur and her date. Who made sure to be the ones closest to the doors. "After everyone else is seated, the champions and their partners will walk in together and bow to the judges to officially start the ball", McGonagall explained before stalking off to usher Harry and Parvati into position behind us. And Hermione and Krum behind them.
"Hi, Harry. Hi, Parvati", I could hear Hermione say behind us. She sounded anxious, yet thrilled at the same time.
It wasn't long until the others had found their seats and McGonagall was leading the champions into the Great Hall. People applauded as we entered and I was briefly reminded of homecoming court from Jessie's high school days. Adrian kept a firm hold on my arm as we were led towards a large round table at the end of the hall where the heads of the different schools and the judges were located. I appreciated it. Adrian's grip was a grounding force that made this attention more bearable.
The four house tables were gone. And in their place were many smaller tables; setting up the hall for more intimate conversation. Each had a lantern and holly garnishing the middle as a centerpiece. Which matched the decorations of the hall perfectly.
Once in front of the large table, the champions and their partners moved until we were standing shoulder-to-shoulder with each couple and facing the occupants at the table. Ludo Bagman was beaming at all of us in greeting while Umbridge looked like she smelt something foul. No one moved until McGonagall had joined the other heads. And then, with a limited coordinated effort, the four champions and their partners bowed. Something, I realized, was relatively hard to do in a full-length skirt. Thank Merlin, for Adrian. Otherwise, I'm not sure how I'd have balanced.
The students applauded once more and that was that. We were free to seat and eat until it was time to dance. Adrian led the way. Making sure to place us as far away from Umbridge as possible. Merlin, I love this boy.
Harry followed and luckily Parvati didn't seem to mind as they took seats close to us. Her attention seemed to be more on waving to students she knew rather than worrying about where to sit. Adrian seated himself last. First, he pulled out my chair and made sure I was situated taking his own chair. It was an action that had Fleur's date quickly scrambling to do the same. Normally, it was the sort of thing I wouldn't have patience for. However, given the fanciness of the event, I found I didn't mind terribly.
In front of each place setting were a golden plate and a menu. I started there. Though reading over the menu, I struggled to decide. Pork chops. Goulash. Two things that could make eating in this dress slightly hazardous. All around me, people started talking to their plates as they ordered their dinner. Adrian got the pork chops. And after spying Harry's goulash, I decided on pork chops as well. They looked a bit safer.
The conversation ranged from all over the table. Fleur was having a very one-sided conversation with her date who just couldn't stop staring at her. The three heads talked amongst each other. Although Karkaroff kept trying to jump into Hermione's and Krum's conversation whenever he felt it necessary.
Adrian and I talked with Harry and Parvati. Or we tried to. Bagman kept competing with us for Harry's attention while Parvati still seemed more interested in the other tables than the one she was sitting at. The only one who didn't seem interested in socializing was Umbridge. In fact, she seemed rather annoyed that she had to be there at all.
The biggest contrast I could make at our table was the conversations between the champions and their partners. Both Fleur and Hermione were having the standard 'let's get to know each other' conversation partial to first dates. While Harry and Parvati hardly interacted at all. It occurred to me, Adrian and I were the only student pairing at the table who was actually a couple. There was no bragging as we tried to impress the other. Nor were we struggling to pronounce the other's name correctly. Instead, our conversation took a completely different turn.
"Mother wrote", Adrian shared as he cut up his pork chop into bite-sized pieces. "She shared that she and father will be seeing your parents in a couple of weeks for an outing they have planned. My father heard of an exhibit on muggle inventions in the wizarding museum and he thought your father would like to see it".
I took my time to chew and swallow before answering; mindful that there was currently a pair of toad-like eyes judging everyone. "That's nice. Dad will love that. I tried to explain batteries once to both our dads. It didn't go over very well. Maybe at the museum they'll find someone who can explain it". I made sure to take small bites. Not because I wanted to appear dainty or refined in any way. But because I kept remembering how much this dress cost and I was determined to get more than one night of use out of it. "Are our parents seeing each other more often?" I asked.
"I think so", said Adrian. "Amicably too from the sound of it. This could bode well for us in the future". He sounded so hopeful.
"How so?" I asked. Though I knew what Adrian meant. Still, it was fun to make him say things Adrian wasn't ready to discuss in a straightforward manner.
As such, Adrian gained a bit of color to his cheeks as he warned, "Holly", in a slightly lower voice.
"No, no", I pressed; coming more and more engaged as I began to tune out the rest of the conversations. Suddenly, my bites were a little bigger than they had been before. "Now, I'm curious. What bodes well for our future?"
Adrian sighed before deciding to humor me. "I only meant that I believe newlyweds whose families get along are more likely to be satisfied by their relationship".
"Oh, we're getting married. How nice. When will that be?" I teased. Adrian shot me a look before returning to his pork chop. "I hope I'm free on the day we're getting married. You'll tell me at least a month in advance, right? That way I can make sure the date is cleared on my calendar".
"Holly", Adrian said again; sounding most unimpressed.
While I was feeling quite pleased with myself. It wasn't often I was able to make Adrian flustered. Usually, it was the other way around. "Joking aside", I moved on. It was a special night after all. No sense in spoiling it. "We're not ready for marriage. I know some purebloods are engaged by now, but there are some big conversations we haven't had yet".
Pausing with his goblet half raised to his lips, Adrian became contemplative. "Such as?" he asked.
I started moving food around my plate. This conversation was suddenly more interesting than dinner. "Like managing finances, where we'd want to live, children. Those are all things we need to know before we're married". That word, married, felt heavy on my tongue. Something remnant of Jessie's days when a commitment was avoided at all costs. But, at that moment, I decided it was a word I needed to get used to.
"Very well", Adrian agreed. And suddenly it was like he was conducting a business deal. Merlin help him. "Financially speaking, I have complete confidence I will be able to provide for us both whether or not you decide to work, so we live any way you want".
Oh, and wasn't that a dangerous claim? "I want to live frugally with budget".
Adrian blinked once before skillfully moving on. "Done. As for living arrangements, we shall live where ever you want as long as it resides in the UK and I have a say in the actual property".
I found myself stuck between two emotions; seriousness and amusement. On one hand, it was hard to not laugh when we were teenagers having this conversation at a school function. On the other hand, this was a serious matter for Adrian and I didn't want to jest when he was putting in all this effort. "I can live with that", I said once I was sure my voice could be trusted. "But when it comes to our kitchen, my opinion is the only one that matters. And I want an open-door policy. Family members are welcome to visit whenever they want".
"Agreed", said Adrian without missing a beat. "But thing one and thing two are not allowed to test any of their joke products in our home".
…There was a big loophole in that wording. A couple actually. However, I decided to not point it out. "That works for me. And lastly…"
"Children", Adrian finished for me. This time, his eyes meant mine and I could feel his intensity behind his pupils. "I would have as many children as you would allow me", Adrian admitted.
And I had to compliment him on his word choice. Adrian had come a long way since our third year. The decision was firmly in my hands and he wasn't indicating that he'd wrestle it away from me. "What if I told you I didn't want children?"
Adrian paused but he wasn't deterred. "Then I would say, that I require at least one child. I am an heir, Holly. Therefore, I'll need an heir of my own one day".
I knew that. And was really only testing the waters than making an actual stand. "I can handle one kid".
But Adrian had to push. "And if we have one child, we really should plan for two. Being an only child can be lonely. And if both of us are working, our child could benefit from having a sister or a brother-"
"Two's manageable", I agreed; trying to see how far he'd go.
"So would three", Adrian pressed with an airy upturn of his lips.
"Hmm", I disagreed. "How about you say that we have two kids and we can discuss it then".
While we talked, it was like the rest of the room faded out. We were no longer sitting dressed in our bests, with people we'd normally never talk so intimately in front of. So, it was very much deserved when McGonagall leaned to look at us from around Madame Maxime to say, "I'll expect an invitation to your happy day", drawing our attention to her. "However, neither the wedding nor those two children better occur until after you've both graduated".
My face matched my hair before McGonagall finished speaking. Even stoic Adrian couldn't prevent himself from turning scarlet. Something that was only made worse when Harry and Parvati started laughing at us. At least Umbridge kept her opinion to herself.
For Adrian and me, the dinner couldn't end soon enough after that. When the band started setting up and the food vanished from the tables, Adrian and I let out sighs of relief. As the Weird Sisters made their entrance to wild cheers and applause, the lights in the hall dimmed and the champions were climbing to their feet.
Right, I thought as I took Adrian's hand and allowed him to pull me to a standing position. We had to start the dancing. Harry tripped on his way to the dance floor as Parvati just about dragged him there. Though no one commented as the Weird Sisters started to play. The tune they emitted was a slow waltz. Formal but not festive. Honestly, it wasn't something I'd pick for an event titled the Yule Ball. But c'est la vie.
Having done this a couple of times before, my left hand found Adrian's right hand easily while my other hand came to rest on his shoulder. And his other hand fell into place against my lower back. We moved slowly in the now familiar box step as the music played. This time, I kept my eyes on my partner instead of my shoes. Only Harry and Parvati seemed to struggle as Harry kept running into her. And then, it was over. Other couples joined in so the attention was no longer on the champions.
Adrian and I continued to dance until the first song ended. And then we stayed on the dance floor for the next song. The Weird Sisters stopped playing the waltz in favor of their own works. Much to the students' enjoyment. Though that didn't stop the staff from dancing off and on. We stayed for the third song. And then a fourth. And so on and so on. Never separating more than a few inches and paying very little attention to the bodies surrounding us.
We only broke apart when Angelina, Alicia, and Katie found us with their dates. "I can't believe McGonagall managed to book the Weird Sisters", Alicia gushed as she dropped Lee's hand.
"I know", Angelina agreed as she left Fred's side. "Hi Adrian", she greeted him before ignoring him. "Have you seen what Myron is wearing?"
Next to join was Katie as Adrian traded spots with her; choosing to go over to talk with Fred, George, and Lee. That's how I could tell it was a good night. "I've never seen a live band before", Katie shared. "I didn't think it would be this exciting".
I nodded in agreement. "The last song they played; I think that was my favorite".
"Mine too", Angelina said as we bobbed a bit to the music. "But with everyone dancing, it's gotten hot in here".
"Want to go for that glass of punch we promised each other?" Alicia asked; referring to the conversation we had a while back in the library.
"Sure", I said. Something cold to drink sounded good. "Katie, want to come with?"
"Yeah, alright", Katie looked over her shoulder. "George, we're going to get drinks. Do you want one?"
George nodded and smiled; using the manners Mum worked so hard to teach him. "Yeah. Sounds great".
"Come find me in a bit", I called over the music to Adrian. He agreed with a slow bow of his head as he was currently occupied with a conversation with Lee. Though when I saw what Lee was holding, I had to stop and add, "Don't eat that mince pie. There's a canary cream in it".
"Aw, Jolly Holly", Fred complained as the girls and I maneuvered our way off the dance floor.
The further away from the band we went, the less crowded it got. On our way to the refreshment table, we passed Harry and Ron who were sitting by themselves looking miserable. But our moods were too high to really pay them much mind. "If this is what a ball is like, I want to go to more", said Alicia once we were at the table.
Katie was already filling glasses and pacing them out. When I got mine, I relished the coolness I felt. Raspberry flavored. Not bad.
"You and Adrian looked great out there", Angelina praised as she slowly sipped her own punch.
"Thanks. Though to be honest, that's the first time we've danced where I haven't stepped on his toes".
We took our time with the punch; laughing and talking about anything we fancied. Three different songs were played before we finished. And with excellent timing, that was when Adrian found us. "Do you mind if I interrupt?" He asked Angelina, Alicia, and Katie. "I'm afraid there's only so much I can take from your dates", he said in reference to my fellow triplets and Lee. "And I was starting to miss mine".
Katie blushed at Adrian's charm while Angelina and Alicia remained unaffected. "Of course", Angelina agreed. "Best not to leave Fred and George alone for too long anyway. I promised Professor McGonagall we'd try to keep them out of trouble".
And then it was just Adrian and me. Er… well, Adrian and me while we're surrounded by a large number of people. Adrian offered me his arm. "Should we walk?" He asked; voice barely audible over the music. "I think it's time I gave you your Christmas gift".
Setting my punch glass down, I was quick to accept. "I could use some air". Then, just as we had entered the Hall, we walked out. On our way out, we passed Neville dancing with both Davies and Bulstrode at the same time.
The air was much more pleasant as soon as we were away from all the excitement. Adrian led us to the little decorated area seat up right outside the main castle doors for those who needed to take a breather. The December night was cold and neither of us had cloaks. But we didn't mind as Adrian found a free bench under a statue that looked like one of Santa's reindeer. We studiously ignored the sounds we were hearing from the nearby rose bushes.
"You've made me very happy tonight, Holly", Adrian said as he sat down next to me on the bench. He turned towards me; causing our knees to touch as we gripped each other's hands.
"Only tonight?" I teased.
Which Adrian chose to ignore. "I was worried about giving this to you. I wasn't sure if the time was right. But as you already stated earlier in the evening, most purebloods already have an inkling of who they're going to marry by this age". Suddenly my heart was beating just a little faster than normal. "And I didn't want that to be any different for us".
Adrian slid off his bench as he dug through his robe's pocket. I was frozen. I wasn't breathing. When he held a small square box in his hand, Adrian got down on one knee. It was like my brain short-circuited. I could not form a coherent thought.
"Which is why I want you to have this", Adrian announced as he opened the lid of the box and held it out for me to see. Sitting on the little interior pillow was a ring. Silver in make, and designed like a Celtic knot. In the center, a little emerald glistened.
It was beautiful. It was what I needed to start breathing again. "What are you doing?" I asked as I stared at the ring. It was impossible not to stare at it. "You heard McGonagall. We have another year and a half before you can put a ring on my finger".
"What?" Adrian asked. At first, he was confused. But it didn't take him long. "No. This isn't an engagement ring. I'm not proposing. Merlin, Holly. I haven't talked to your father yet".
Oh, silly me. If he hasn't talked to Dad, then I must be completely misreading the situation. Men, honestly. "Then why are you on one knee offering me a ring?"
Adrian had the decency to blush as he slowly rejoined me on the bench. "Romanticism", he answered without his usual confidence.
"Well, you succeeded. Good job".
Sighing, Adrian continued to hold out the ring to me in its little box. "It's not an engagement ring. It's a promise ring. It's my promise to you that I envision a future with you and I'm not going to look for one with anyone else".
My heart skipped a beat as I reached out and plucked the ring from its box. "I don't think we need a ring to prove that". Studying the ring closer, it was impossible to not appreciate its craftsmanship. "But it's beautiful. Thank you". Adrian relaxed ever so slightly. "What finger does a promise ring go on?"
"The left ring finger, I believe", Adrian said as he set the box aside in favor of slipping the ring on my finger for me. Of course, this allowed us to hold hands once more. So, I wasn't complaining.
"Oh, so the same as a wedding ring, then". Adrian didn't comment as he slid a little closer. I copied him. "Thank you", I said again as I brought my left hand up to stroke the outline of his jaw.
Both of us leaned a little closer to share a kiss.
Separating, Adrian whispered, "Happy Christmas".
We kissed again and again and again.
The next time we came up for air, I couldn't help but add, "Does this piece of jewelry have any spells on it like the necklace you gave me?"
Adrian closed the short gap between us and smirked against my lips. "You'll have to find out", he murmured. My toes curled.
Before this little love fest could progress any further, we were interrupted by two voices that you absolutely do not what hear when feeling all lovey-dovey. "Severus, you cannot ignore this", said Karkaroff as he hurried after Snape's long strides. Adrian and I broke apart by a few inches to watch and listen as the two intruders killed the mood. "It's been darkening for months. He's going to-"
Snape stopped Karkaroff before he could finish. "Then flee", he hissed at his shadow. "That's what you're good at, isn't Karkaroff? I, however; know where my loyalties lie".
Snape turned a corner with Karkaroff on his heels, causing me and Adrian to be completely visible to the two men. But neither of them reacted to us. Not right away. Karkaroff was too worked up to notice much around him while Snape was busy checking the bushes. Severing the bushes with his wand there were a couple of surprised squeals as two figures darted out from the now mangled bushes.
"Ten points from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff", Snape called after the students. They could not run away from him fast enough. See, this is why one shouldn't snog in bushes. Trying to hide is the same as asking to be caught.
Before Karkaroff could say anything else, Snape swung in our direction. Lumos shined from the top of his wand so he could clearly see who we were. "You two!" He snarled.
"It's okay in our case, Professor Snape", I interjected before he could take away house points. So Snape could see, I held up my left hand next to my face. The light for his lumos-lit wand made the emerald in the ring sparkle. "Adrian and I are getting married. He just promised that we would". From his spot next to me, Adrian covered his eyes with one of his hands and shook his head as he sat hunched over his knees.
Snape's upper lip curled back. "And for that snark, Weasley, you'll be joining me in detention at the start of the new term".
I blinked as I studied Karkaroff's impatient and fidgeting form. The dark mark was reforming. How? Surely that meant, You-Know-Who had someone inside the castle. Someone other than Crouch Jr.
"Only one detention? Sir, I think you're becoming softer in your old age. And frankly, I'm disappointed".
Sneering at me, I couldn't tell if Snape was livid or enjoying this exchange. "So am I", he said as Adrian continued to pretend like he didn't know either of us. "It's always a dismal day when students fail to live up to their whole potential". Then, before I could say anything else, Snape stalked off with Karkaroff scurrying after him.
"Severus, wait!" He pleaded.
I turned back to Adrian. Adrian, who was still covering his eyes and recovering from embarrassment. "So, we should probably discuss what just happened".