A/N ~ "...but I watch your eyes as she walks by..."

(publishing this for the third time, successfully)

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

'My dear Y/N,

Hello darling, it's your favourite Auntie, here. Haven't heard from you in a while, but I'm writing to you now anyway. Tina and Newt told me about the Triwizard Tournament that's happening at Hogwarts and about the Yule Ball. I immediately thought of my little Y/N in a magnificent ball gown, and I just had to buy you one, myself! Really hope you like it, little one.

Lots of love,

Auntie Queenie'

"Oh, Godric, oh, Godric," Y/N muttered under her breath.

"What is it?" Hermione questioned, getting from her bed and plopping onto Y/N's.

Y/N felt her heart rate increase as her eyes landed on the package that came with Queenie's letter.

It was a pillow-sized wrapped lump, clearly containing Y/N's Yule Ball dress. Or what Queenie called, 'ball gown.'

"Auntie Queenie sent me my dress!" Y/N exclaimed. "She sent me a dress."

"Oh, that's wonderful, then!" Hermione said brightly, eying Y/N's package. "What're you fretting about?"

"Many things." Y/N said nervously. "What if it's too extra? What if I don't like it? What if I don't find anyone to go to the ball with?"

"I doubt any of that will happen, Y/N." Hermione assured, officially shutting her book and giving Y/N's package her full attention. "Go on, open it!"

Y/N took a deep breath before shutting her eyes closed and tearing the package dramatically.

She heard Hermione gasp softly and felt her dress fall from the wrap.

With her eyes still closed, Y/N grabbed what felt like the top of the dress and displayed it onto her bed.

Hermione let out another gasp.

"Woah... this is so perfect." she said breathlessly.

"Don't be so dramatic, Mione, it won't- WHATTHEBLOODYHELL!" Y/N almost tripped over her own foot when she opened her eyes to see the magnificent dress on her bed.

She blinked for a second and stared.

The dress was the perfect length and colour- it was (long/short), and was the perfect shade of (colour of choice). The material was made out of (silk/lace) and was styled quite uniquely- it didn't look common, but wasn't over the line.

It was... the closest thing to perfect.

"Y/N, this dress is beautiful!" Hermione exclaimed, running her hands through the material of the dress.

"I can't- I can't wear this," Y/N shook her head, staring at the dress.

"Don't be ridiculous, you'll look beautiful!" Hermione said firmly, examining the whole dress.

"This probably costs more than my school fees." Y/N muttered, but stared at the dress in awe. "But I... I love it."

"Ugh, I'm jealous." Hermione said, still gaping at Y/N's dress. "You better be walking down the marble stairs in this dress, arm in arm with Harry - oh, the power you guys would hold."

Y/N pictured the scene, and couldn't help but agree with Hermione's comment.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆ (One week before the Yule Ball)

Y/N practically sprinted out of Herbology class when Professor Sprout dismissed them.

She quickly swung her bag over her shoulder and said good bye to Harry, Ron and Hermione, before heading towards the Black Lake.

As always, Fleur was waiting for her, under the big bald apple tree. She was reading her book quietly, and had the Warming Charm melting all the ice around her her.

"BONG-SEWER!" Y/N exclaimed. Fleur was so used to her greeting, she didn't even bat an eye.

"Hello, Y/N." Fleur put away her book and looked up at the excited Y/N. She gave her a challenging innocent smile.

"Oh, don't fool me with that look," Y/N said impatiently, shaking her leg. "So... what did he say?"

"You ran through all that snow just to ask me that?" Fleur smiled teasingly.

"Short answer- yes." Y/N said grimly. "Please, my patience can't handle this. Also, please warm me up."

Fleur laughed angelically before casting the Warming Charm for Y/N, temporarily heating her surroundings. Y/N sighed, adjusted her woollen hat, and gave Fleur a manipulating look.

"If you must know..." Fleur started quietly, grinning at Y/N's eagerness. "he said yes."

Y/N let out a loud squeal that did not sound like herself at all, and attacked Fleur with a big hug, making Fleur laugh even harder.

"YES, HE SAID YES!" Y/N said excitedly, over Fleur's shoulder.

"He did." Fleur smiled, as Y/N let go of her. "And he said that I have nice hair."

"Godric, I'm so happy for you!" Y/N sighed and slumped onto her usual rock, next to Fleur, the Warming Charm keeping her from freezing to death.

"Thank you." Fleur chuckled softly. "This is all thanks to you."

"Don't do that to my ego." Y/N said sarcastically, waving her comment away. "But no- you've always had the potential. I just helped you do some basic research about him."

"That is helping." Fleur said, tilting her head slightly.

"How did my brother react?" Y/N asked, grinning evilly. "Was he crying?"

"He just congratulated Cedric, like the others." Fleur shrugged thoughtfully. "In fact, I'm pretty sure he's already going with someone."

"Impossible." Y/N said frimly. "He's not the 'fancy parties and dress robes' type. I bet he was heart broken when you asked Cedric to the ball."

"You're a funny girl." Fleur chuckled, shaking her head. "Y/N, you have to ask Harry."

"Oh Fleur, not this again." Y/N said, her face dropping drastically. "I can't ask him- I'm... going to wait."

"There's nothing wrong with the girl asking the boy first." Fleur said seriously, with her nose in the air. "I did that, and look at where I am, now." it was Y/N's turn to laugh loudly.

"That's because you're you." she said with a chuckle. "Half veela, confident, beautiful... and now look at me!"

"Then tell me- how many people have already asked you?" Fleur challenged, straightening herself.

"Erm... one?" Y/N said slowly and cheekily.

"Y/N..." Fleur scowled.

"Fine, five!" Y/N admitted quickly. Fleur clapped triumphantly and let out an 'aha!'. "But I've barely spoken to any of them! Two of the boys were Durmstrang and the other two were Malfoy's friends. And the Beauxbatons girl was, like, eighteen."

"Do I look like I'm complaining?" Fleur asked in her beautiful accent. "I don't want you to go with any of them- Go with Harry. You like him, you talk to him everyday, and I'm sure he fancies you!"

"I don't know, I don't know," Y/N groaned, gripping her head. "What if he says no? Now what? Awkward."

"But what if he says yes?" Fleur said, nudging Y/N hard on the shoulder. "No, don't answer. The only way you will know, is if you ask him. So go, Y/N. Go get your Harry."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

"There you are, Y/N!" Hermione exclaimed, as Y/N climbed through The Fat Lady's portrait hole and into the Gyrffindor common room.

Hermione, Ron, Harry, Lee and the twins were sitting in a group in front of the fireplace as usual, talking about their day.

"Hello, Niff." Harry grinned at her cheekily. Y/N scrunched up her face and messed up his hair, as she approached the group.

"Ah, my favourite Scamander." said Fred, grinning at Y/N as she sat down next to Ron. "Where'd you wonder off to? Any handsome French guy ask you to the ball yet?"

"That's my concern, not yours." Y/N said cooly. "But if you must know, no."

Harry seemed to have let out a small sigh of relief.

"You were with Fleur?" Ron asked hopefully.

"Yes, I was." Y/N said happily. "Queen asked Cedric Diggory to the Yule Ball."

"She did?" chorused the whole group.

"What did he say?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Yes, of course." Y/N said proudly. "It went beautifully. Couldn't be more happy for her."

"Aw, don't break down now, Ronnikins." George pouted sarcastically, when Ron's face dropped. "You'll still have Loony Lovegood to take, if you run out of choices."

Hermione scoffed loudly.

"Lovegood's already going with someone." she said, matter-of-factly.

"What?" Fred exclaimed. "Well then... so sorry, Ronnikins."

"Shut up." Ron scolwed.

"Yeah, shut up," Y/N said grimly. "Luna's fine. In fact, she's quite beautiful. It's no surprise she already has a date."

"Who are you going with?" Ron asked Fred cooly.

"Angelina." Fred said shortly.

"You asked her?" Y/N questioned, raising her eyebrows.

"Good point." Fred shrugged. "Hey, Ange!" He yelled across the room. Angelina, who was studying quietly with Alicia turned and frowned.

"What?" she yelled back.

"Will you go to the Yule Ball with me?" Fred asked nonchalantly.

Angelina's eyes widened, as she took his words by surprise. Alicia giggled loudly, making Angelina blush furiously.

"Yeah, OK, I'll go to the ball with you." She said, shrugging slightly. She then continued her conversation with Alicia, with a huge grin on her face.

"There you go." Fred smirked, turning back to the others.

"How'd you do that?" Harry questioned, looking quite impressed.

"It's not how you do it, Harry." Fred grinned. "It's who. There's no need to use any charming techniques if you ask the right person."

"He's right." said Hermione, looking between Harry and Y/N.

"Well, lads, Lee, Fred and I gotta go." George said with a sigh, standing up from his seat. Fred and Lee did the same. "We have something do... or rather, something to brew."

The three sixth years sniggered mischievously and walked up the spiral stairs, to their dormitory.

"They're up to no good, aren't they?" Ron muttered darkly.

"What else could they do?" Hermione scoffed.

And it was just the four of them, again. After a long day, they all had something to talk about.

Harry told Y/N about how he was asked out by more than 5 girls that week, which made her scowl into the fireplace for the next ten minutes.

Ron also told them about how he nearly asked Fleur to the ball, when she was asking Cedric at the Hufflepuff table- thank Godric Rolf pulled him out of there in time.

Ron occasionally glanced at Hermione, like he was going to ask her something, but stayed silent as she talked.

The four talked for over an hour, laughing until their stomachs were tight and until the common room was completely empty.

"Y/N, while you were gone," Hermione started excitedly. "we went down to the kitchen-"

"As in you all, or just Ron?" Y/N questioned.

"Oh, shove off." Ron rolled his eyes and Harry laughed loudly.

"We saw Dobby there, with dozens of other elves." Hermione explained. "We didn't go there for food, no."

"Oh, Dobby!" Y/N nodded slowly. "The elf that nearly killed Harry? I want to meet him- can we go there?"

"Should I be scared you want to meet someone who nearly killed me?" Harry muttered, grinning slightly.

"We can go when we have time... but Y/N." Hermione said with a frown. "This is wrong. The elves are living beings- and they're forced to cook and clean like slaves."

"I don't know..." Y/N said slowly, her tone dropping. "I really hate that too. But Hermione,- my father's friend freed his house-elf for punishment, once... she never was the same. She became drunk and sad."

"That's because wizards have changed their mindsets!" Hermione said. "We've brainwashed them into thinking that working for wizards is their job- their life."

"I think I'm going to go to bed." Ron said weakly, slowly sliding out of their conversation.

"Ugh, me too." Hermione said tiredly. "I just can't finish this essay right now. I need a good night sleep." she quickly stood up and shoved her things into her bag. "Coming, Y/N?"

"Yeah, let me just pack up my things." Y/N said with a sigh. "You go first."

"Harry?" Ron looked over at Harry, who was staring dreamily at the floor.

"Oh- er... I still need to finish Divinations." Harry said with a shrug, hesitating slightly.

"OK, see you later, then." Ron yawned loudly and went up the spiral staircase, before turning left, to the boy's dormitory.

"See you upstairs." Hermione said to Y/N, before dragging her heavy school bag up the stairs, after Ron, and to the right.

Y/N sighed and swung her bag over her shoulder. She turned to Harry, who seemed to be enjoying the view of the dusty carpet.

"Hey, you." she said, snapping Harry into reality.

"Hmm?"

"Good night." Y/N said. "Don't stay out for too long, it's getting cold and the fireplace is dying out. OK?"

"Y-yeah. I just need to finish my homework." Harry said with an unconvincing smile. "Good night."

Y/N smiled warmly at him and scooped her heavy bag into her arms, before walked across the room to the spiral staircases.

She walked up the main stairs until she reached the branch between the girls and boys side.

"Er- Y/N, hold up!" Y/N froze and turned around to see Harry jogging after her.

"What is it, Harold?" Y/N asked, furrowing her eyebrows. Harry caught up with her just in time, as she was about to go up the girls' side.

Harry stopped and breathed for a second. He looked at Y/N's confused face, which was only visible because of the moonlight shining from the glass window.

"I... I can't..." Harry started. He could hear his own voice shaking nervously.

"Can't what?" Y/N asked slowly.

"I can't keep this to myself anymore, Y/N." Harry said impatiently.

"OK, slow down, Harold." Y/N said, chuckling slightly. "I'm available all night. Take your time to explain."

"Mmm... right." Harry said, nodding firmly.

Y/N looked and him carefully. His messy hair was so long, it reached the neck of his hoodie. His eyes sparkled so beautifully behind his glasses, especially in the moonlight.

"Y/N..." Harry said slowly, calming himself down.

"That's me," Y/N smiled, her heart beating faster and faster.

"Do you remember what happened exactly one year ago, today?" Harry asked quietly.

"I don't remember what I ate this morning, Harry." Y/N chuckled. "No, I don't remember."

"You sure you don't?" Harry asked, so quietly, that he was hardly audible.

"No..." Y/N said slowly, frowning at Harry's hopeful expression.

But Harry continued to give her a weird look.

It was that look you give someone, when they've forgotten your birthday.

"I... I don't think I do, sorry." Y/N said sadly. "I don't think anything important happened last December, except for Christmas. It's a week before Christmas, now, so... Oh."

Y/N felt her lips part and her throat go dry.

"You remember, right?" Harry asked.

"The night we went out to look for Pettigrew? Yes, I do." Y/N said, her heart hammering loudly inside of her. "Things like that aren't that easy to forget..."

"So it counted." Harry said quietly, looking down into Y/N's E/C eyes. He was so close to her, he could hear her nervous breath.

"Well... technically, it counted." Y/N said with a shrug, trying to contain herself. "And I guess... I personally counted it, too. I know, it was fake and all, but-"

"No, me too." Harry said quickly. Y/N breathed in sharply and felt like her whole body was paralyzed.

She just noticed how close they were- with only Y/N's bag in her arms, filling the space between them.

"W-what are you saying?" Y/N asked, her cheeks burning hot.

"Is it- is bad that I-" Harry's mouth opened and closed several times. He grimaced- he should've started this conversation.

"Go on," Y/N encouraged quietly.

Harry gulped and looked at her face... his eyes met hers, then traveled down to her lips. He quickly closed his eyes and sighed, before opening them again.

"Is it bad that I just can't stop thinking about it?" Harry said in a low whisper.

"That can mean many things." Y/N said, chuckling nervously.

"I'm meaning to say..." Harry laughed hoarsely. "Is it bad that- I liked it? Not- not in a weird way, it's just... fine, Y/N, I like you- but more. I don't know how else to say it-"

"I love you too, Harold." Y/N said smoothly. "Always have. Always will."

Harry froze and his lips parted. His face turned warm, and then stone cold. Harry felt his eyes travel back to Y/N's face again.

She wasn't nervous, she wasn't blushing, but she looked more determined and challenging.

Y/N slowly dropped her bag that took up the space between them, and Harry didn't hesitate to step closer to her.

Harry's hand quickly traveled up and cupped the side of Y/N's face. Y/N grimaced ever so slightly at his touch. She sighed shakily- she didn't seem to be able to move.

"You're so..." Harry seemed lost for words, as he was hypnotized into Y/N. Her soft smile said it all.

Harry smiled at Y/N's peaceful face. With one hand on her cheek, and the other resting on her waist, Harry closed his eyes and leaned into her. For the first time in a full year, he placed his lips onto hers softly and lovingly.

It wasn't rushed and overdone like last time, but it was meaningful.

Y/N sunk into Harry's touch slowly and passionately, with her hands around his neck, as they adjusted themselves closer to each other.

Y/N could analyze all her emotions... the comfort and warmth she felt in his arms, and the butterflies she had, swarming in her stomach.

His breathing was gentle, and Y/N could hear his heart pound loudly and excitedly. This made her break into a soft chuckle.

Harry was forced to gently pull away from the kiss, but just enough so that their foreheads were still touching, as he let Y/N laugh.

"What is it, Niff?" He asked quietly, smiling at the chuckling Y/N, still having his one hand on the side of her face.

"Your heart is beating like crazy." Y/N replied and bit her bottom lip softly.

"Can you blame me?" Harry whispered, blushing red and admiring Y/N dreamily. "Look- I've been waiting for one full year." This made them both chuckle again.

Harry leaned in again, and pulled her closer and tighter to him, this time. Y/N felt Harry attack her with another match of soft kisses.

After a while, he pulled away and blushed.

"Anything else you want to add?" Y/N grinned at Harry. "Or... ask? About a specific ball that's happening on Christmas evening, perhaps?"

"Wait- one more." Harry said childishly, before leaning in to peck her, softly on the lips, once. Y/N rolled her eyes, but smiled widely.

"Really," she muttered, feeling herself blush.

"It's a new thing." Harry shrugged, brushing a piece of Y/N's hair away from her face. "OK... Y/N Scamander... I wanted to ask you for a while, and I hope you accept- would you like to go to the Yule Ball with m-"

"Anyone seen my quill? Harry, are you still down there-? OH MUMMY MERLIN!" Ron emerged from the left staircase and jumped violently as his eyes fell on Y/N and Harry.

Y/N quickly untangled herself from Harry's arms and stepped away, blushing furiously.

Harry looked down at the floor and scratched his red neck.

"H-hi, Ron."

"Hello, Harry." Ron said, his mouth wide open. He stood rigid, in his tiny pajamas. "Hello, Y/N."

Ron continued to gape at them, pointing a shaking finger to Harry, then to Y/N, then to his lips.

"Confundus." Y/N quickly whispered, pointing her wand towards Ron. His eyes went blank, then fuzzy. Harry raised his eyebrows.

"What did you do-?"

"Your quill is here, Ron." Y/N quickly said, picking her bag that was on the floor. She quickly pulled out her own quill and shoved it into his hand. Ron merely reacted.

"What now?" Harry asked Y/N weakly.

"Did you guys snog?" Ron asked blankly, like he was drunk.

"No." Harry and Y/N chorused.

"Oh, OK." Ron nodded, gazing around dizzily. "I must've had too much candy today... I thought you two were snogging. Anyways, I got my quill, let's go to sleep Harry."

Ron grabbed Harry by the arm and yanked him up the stairs to the left.

Y/N sniggered at the result of her Confundus Charm.

Harry looked back at her, from the top steps and gave her a warm smile, before being dragged up to his dormitory by the confunded Ron. Y/N grinned sheepishly.

Once the boys were out of sight, Y/N broke into a silent fit of celebration.

She jumped around and punched the air, screaming silently to herself- all the things she ever wanted was happening...

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

"It's me, again- your alarm clock." Came an annoyed voice. "Ding ding! It's Saturday, eleven o'clock in the morning. Ding ding!"

"Go away, Hermy." Y/N muttered, folding her pillow over her ears.

"You told me to wake you up, if you sleep past eleven!" Hermione said defensively. "Wake up."

"I hate alarm clocks." Y/N groaned, as her eyes slowly blinked open. The ceiling looked nice.

"You missed breakfast... again." Hermione said grimly, hitting Y/N softly on the leg. "Saved you some toast... again."

"Thank." Y/N muttered, rubbing her eyes.

"Why were you down their with Harry so long last night, anyways?" Hermione questioned, stealing Y/N's blanket.

"Last night?" Y/N sat up on her bed, looking around her stone cold dormitory sleepily. "I was with Harold... and then... HERMIONE!"

Y/N's eyes went wide as she remembered the events that happened last night.

"WHAT?" Hermione bellowed back, laughing slightly.

"Hermione, Hermione, Hermione-"

"Y/N, I'm listening." Hermione said patiently, grabbing Y/N's wirsts. "What happened? Did you guys get into a fight? Did he- DID HE ASK YOU TO THE BALL?!"

"He didn't, but better!" Y/N said excitedly. "Please grab me my beanie, I'm shivering to death."

"Which one?" Hermione asked eagerly, getting up and scanning Y/N's opened trunk.

"The one Harry gave me last year- oh, I lost it." Y/N groaned, coming round and looking into her trunk.

"Since when?" Hermione frowned, helping Y/N look under her bed.

"Since yesterday- dance practice." Y/N said grimly. "I'll find it later. It doesn't matter, I need to tell you something, Hermione."

"Yes, yes!" Hermione shook her leg eagerly. "Get dressed and meet me in the common room in three minutes."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

"I'm trying so hard not to scream, right now-" Hermione closed her eyes and breathed in slowly.

"Don't you dare." Y/N whispered, as the two girls sat on the end of the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. "You promised, if I told you the whole story, you wouldn't-"

"Y/N- I'm so happy for you, you idiot!" Hermione said dramatically, leaning to her side and hugging Y/N tightly. "Took you two long enough!"

"Thanks, Hermione," Y/N chuckled. "It feels a like a dream... a very nice one... OUCH! Why'd you pinch me?"

"It's not a dream!" Hermione said brightly, also giving herself a pinch. "But- oh my god, I think I'm going to cry. You snogged?"

"Shh, keep your voice down," Y/N hissed, blushing down at her plate of macaroni. "I already told you- yeah, we did."

Hermione squealed, smiling at Y/N adoringly.

"George and Ernie owes Fred, Hannah, Fleur, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick and I!" she said happily, scooping her food into her mouth.

"WHAT?" Y/N exclaimed, nearly spitting out her soup. "WHO?"

"You heard me." Hermione chuckled at Y/N's blank and embarrassed expression. "They were all determined, too."

"For Merlin's sake, this is embarrassing." Y/N fussed, turning deep red. "Where's Harry and Ron, anyway?"

"I don't know," Hermione shrugged. "I've been in the library, the whole morning."

"I shouldn't have asked." Y/N grinned. "Hi, Sir Nicolas!" she waved at the Gryffindor house ghost brightly.

"Good day, Y/N!" Sir Nicolas greeted back, floating past the two girls.

"You're in such a good mood today." Hermione acknowledged.

"Of course, Harry does that to me." Y/N grinned to herself, still thinking of Harry's cuddles. "what do you think will happen between us, next?"

"You're boyfriend and girlfriend, of course!" Hermione laughed. "He literally said-"

Then, Hermione froze. Her mouth was hung open, and her eyes gazed at the entrance of the crowded hall.

Y/N turned after her gaze and straightened herself excitedly.

"Harry." she whispered.

How can someone give you butterflies just by existing?

"I wonder if Harry told Ron," Hermione said curiously.

Harry was with Ron, of course. They stood still at the entrance of the Great Hall, talking. They seemed to be looking around, finding something- someone.

Harry looked normal, with his messy long hair and modest expression- Ron looked rather nervous.

"They're walking," Hermione nudged Y/N teasingly.

"I can see that." said Y/N, her stomach filling with butterflies. "He's coming, oh Merlin, he's walking- I'm not gonna look; no, I'm only staring at my boiled veggies."

"He looks so determined." Hermione said, narrowing her eyes, as Harry and Ron walked past the Ravenclaw table. "He looks happy, Y/N! He looks- aaaand he stopped."

"He stopped?" Y/N's gaze left her plate and she looked over at the two boys. "Oh, he's probably talking to some franky first year."

"Yes, he must be." Hermione said slowly.

"I'll just continue to casually stare at my plate then." Y/N chuckled, getting more excited every moment.

"You do that..." Hermione said, not really listening to her. "Hmm, he's... Y/N... He's talking to a- a Ravenclaw?... that's weird, he doesn't have Ravenclaw friends. Y/N, is he talking to-?"

"Cho Chang." Y/N whispered, watching Harry approach Cho and her friends at the Ravenclaw table. "Well, Ron doesn't have a partner yet, so he might be asking for Ron-"

"Cho, will you go to the ball with me?" Harry said, loudly and clearly, with no hesitation.

Clang! Hermione dropped her fork onto her plate loudly.

Y/N felt her heart drop.

She felt her heart slowly break into pieces, and then completely shattered.

"Oh..." she said faintly.

Harry, the boy who just snogged her last night, was standing right there in front of her, asking another girl to be his date to the Yule Ball.

Y/N inhaled deeply, feeling her lungs rejecting the air. She didn't even realize how shocked she looked.

Every Gryffindor that heard Harry stopped their meals and looked up. Their eyes traveled to Harry at the Ravenclaw table, to the beaming Cho, and then at Y/N- who's face was plastered with shock.

"Y/N..." Hermione said, slowly and quietly. "Y/N... stay calm, I'm with you."

"Yes, of course, Harry!" Cho replied brightly, as her friends burst into a fit of giggles. They didn't seem to notice Y/N's reaction. "I'll see you there!"

"Brilliant- thanks." Harry grinned at the Ravenclaw girl, ignoring the shocked faces from his fellow Gryffindors.

Ron stood behind him, looking slightly sad, but he didn't kept his eyes staring at the floor.

Harry stepped back from the Ravenclaw table and headed towards Y/N and Hermione with no emotion on his face, and the slightly guilty-looking Ron following behind him.

Y/N quickly realized they were heading towards her and Hermione, and quickly stood up.

She was so full of shock and confusion, she couldn't even cry.

"Y/N, sit down-" Hermione grabbed Y/N's wrist. "It's alright, Y/N- Y/N!"

Y/N shook her head and a goblet in front of them exploded into a million pieces, causing Hermione to wince.

Y/N shook off Hermione's hand aggressively and walked away from the Gryffindor table, trying her best not to cause a scene.

She felt like she wanted to scream and use her powers to destroy the Great Hall and everything in it. But she kept a straight face and quickly walked out of the Great Hall.

Hermione quickly stood up and threw Harry a scolding look, before heading after Y/N.

Y/N felt the anger and sadness build up inside of her- this can't be real. It was too horrible to be real. She was happy only a few minutes ago.

She turned into an empty hallway, where no one was around, and fell to the floor, letting her legs flop. She stared at the floor and breathed heavily.

She soaked in everything that happened- both last night, and two minutes ago. She let out a fuss of frustration, but she just couldn't cry.

"Y/N- hey, there you are." Hermione said gently, her voice echoing the empty hallway. Y/N looked up to see Hermione in front of her, giving her a sympathetic look.

"What- what did I do wrong?" Y/N asked, more to herself than Hermione. "Why... why did he- why did he behave that way last night and he's suddenly-"

But Hermione interrupted her with a warm hug. Y/N sighed painfully and let Hermione hug her tightly, awkwardly kneeling in front of her.

Y/N didn't want to get up from the floor. She didn't want to go back to her classes on Monday, and she didn't want to see Harry's face... or Cho's...

"Oh sh- oh god." Hermione exclaimed breathlessly, pulling away from Y/N and sitting cross-legged in front her. "Oh, Y/N, I just realized- you poor thing."

"What?" Y/N asked, not wanting to hear Hermione's answer. Her shins dug deeper into the cold stone floor.

"I... Fred and George..." Hermione started. "They... oh, I knew it."

"Hermione, tell me." Y/N said firmly.

"I've suspected it..." Hermione shook her head, scrunching up her face. "They were- they were brewing a love potion, Y/N... and they must've- oh, they must've used it on Harry as a test."

Y/N knew what Hermione was trying to say, right away.

"He was spiked with love potion, last night, wasn't he?" She said quietly, her throat tightening.

That explained everything. Why Harry was suddenly affectionate, last night, and why Ron looked ashamed when he asked Cho to the ball.

The butterflies in Y/N's stomach from earlier have turn into an ugly pack of moths.

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"Hey, Scamander! Scamander!" Came a cocky voice of a boy.

Y/N knew immediately who it was and didn't turn around.

Hermione, too, recognized Malfoy's voice and grabbed Y/N's wrist, dragging her faster along the busy hallway.

"Scamander!" Malfoy bellowed once more, pushing his way through everyone.

He eventually caught up with her and stood in front of the two girls.

His platinum hair was parted equally and he was alone, with to Crabbe and Goyle sandwiching him.

"Came to sneer? Like everybody else?" Y/N spat, stopping in her tracks. "Because, let me tell you this, it takes more than a-"

"Oh, that beef with you and Potter?" Malfoy smirked.

"Y/N, ignore him." Hermione said, with her nose in the air.

Malfoy looked over at her and glared.

"I would fight you, Granger," he said cooly. "but I'm here to ask Scamander something, and I want her to think highly of me."

Hermione let out a shriek of laughter.

"Don't insult Y/N's standards like that." She laughed.

Y/N felt a rush of gratitude for Hermione- who never liked drama, but would stand up for Y/N no matter what.

"So we're talking standards?" Malfoy sneered. "What happened to good-boy Potter? Heard he asked Chang out?"

"Heard no one asked you out?" Hermione shot.

"Speak, Malfoy." Y/N hissed, glaring up into Malfoy's grey eyes. "Or move."

"Alright, let's get to the point, then." A lop-sided grin appeared on his face. Some people who were walking past the hallway stopped to stare. "Y/N,-"

"It's Scamander to you." Y/N snapped.

"Right... Scamander," Malfoy bowed sarcastically. "Will you go to the ball with me?"

Y/N did a double-take. She blinked for a second.

Whatdidhesay??

"Are you mentally alright?" Hermione snorted loudly, earning a glare from Malfoy. "Y/N would rather go with the Giant Squid-"

"'Course I'll go to the ball with you." Y/N replied quickly. Hermione froze, physically, processing the sentence she'd just heard.

Malfoy slowly smirked, looking pleased and slightly impressed.

"Wear something grand, will you?" He said cockily. "It'll have to look good for the Malfoy name."

"Y/N..." Hermione managed to let out a faint hiss. "You're not going with him-?"

"Yes, I am." Y/N said cooly, straightening herself. "That's set then, Malfoy. See you there- and would you mind walking me from the Gryffindor common room? Thanks."

Y/N didn't wait for a reply and walked past Malfoy, with her nose in the air. Hermione scoffed quietly and jogged after her.

Y/N walked up the marble staircase so fast, Hermione could barely catch up with her.

"Y/N- what? Are you- are you feeling alright?" Hermione asked faintly. "This isn't you- Y/N, are you only going with Malfoy to make Harry feel bad?"

"Yeah, maybe I am!" Y/N cried, feeling something in her bag explode because of her rising anger.

"Y/N..." Hermione had sympathetic tears in her eyes.

"I'm- I'm confused, Hermione!" Y/N fussed, feeling the tears starting to form. She stopped for a second and tilted her head up, forcing the tears back into her eye sockets.

"I know you are... I am, too." Hermione said quietly, officially crying. "Oh, Y/N, why does this have to happen to you? I don't- you two were so good together-"

"No we weren't." Y/N said firmly, walking quickly up the marble stairs, not caring about anyone she pushed past. "It was only me who cared. Last night,- it was me and that stupid love potion-"

"Y/N, it was you and Harry." Hermione said desperately. "Please, you have to talk to him-"

"And say what?" Y/N stopped walking and turned back. "Say 'oh, Harry, you snogged me and then asked another chic out- Harry, why would you do such thing?' yeah, no."

Y/N scowled, feeling another rush of confusion and anger build inside of her.

"Well, I'm sure not talking to him, just saying." Hermione said quietly. "You don't want me to talk to him, right?"

"It's all up to you who you talk to." Y/N said cooly. "But I'll be more comfortable if we'll just let everything behind and not talk about it- ever."

"Y/N, you're unbelievably strong, you know that?" Hermione sighed. "You're trying to move on already..."

Y/N felt her anger slowly subside, and felt a rush of gratitude towards Hermione.

"Thanks, Hermione, for everything." Y/N said. "Don't let my mood ruin yours. Go find yourself a date."

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It was seven in the evening, an hour before the Yule Ball- it was Christmas. It was the worst Christmas Y/N ever had, so far.

No present from Harry, no interaction with Harry.

The day, itself, was horrible. As the students from the three schools built snowmen and played in the fluffy snow, Y/N stayed in the castle with Hermione and Fleur (seperately).

Fleur wasn't pleased at all when she heard from Y/N that Harry had asked Cho to the ball. Y/N intentionally left out the part where the two've snogged the night before. She knew Fleur would end him.

Y/N was so frustrated and confused, every time she walked past Harry, she would have to physically turn away.

Harry, himself, looked completely normal. Ron, on the other hand, was also not talking to Y/N, but would give her a weak smile when they walked past each other.

Y/N really hoped the ball would make her feel better.

"Have I told you that I like your dress?" Fleur beamed. She stepped back and looked at Y/N like a proud mum.

"You have, Fleur,- only four times." Hermione laughed, finishing up her own hair.

"Woops." Fleur giggled. "Now, it's only your hair left."

"Thank you, guys, I'm serious." Y/N smiled weakly at her reflection in the mirror.

The three girls were in Y/N and Hermione's dormitory (they secretly snuck Fleur in), getting ready for the Yule Ball.

Hermione was absolutely beautiful- in her fluttery pink dress and her silky locks of hair. Y/N also found out that she had shrunk her teeth with magic a bit.

Fleur was wearing a stunning grey dress and her sliky glowing hair was put into a neat bun- her presence felt holy.

Y/N was dressed in Queenie's dress- it fit her unbelievably well, and no one ever could deny that she looked strikingly beautiful.

Fleur was putting Y/N's hair into a (hairstyle of choice), and was occasionally complimenting her.

"Ugh, don't let that little boy ruin your night." Fleur said, referring to Harry.

Y/N chuckled softly.

"Of course not." she lied. "I'm going to have a lot of fun."

Fleur and Hermione looked at each other and smiled in relief- they both knew how much Y/N loved and missed Harry.

Hermione has kept her promise and have not talked to him at all.

She did talk to Ron when Y/N wasn't around, but she they were never comfortable talking about their two friends behind their backs.

"Hold on," Fleur waved her wand and finished off Y/N's hair. "Aha! Done! You look absolutely beautiful- the both of you."

"Thank you, Fleur." Hermione smiled. She and Fleur weren't that close, but she definitely grew to like Fleur a lot more.

"Says you," Y/N rolled her eyes, giving her a big hug. "Thanks for everything, you two. I don't know where I would be, physically, right now, without you guys." they were like her two older sisters.

"You sweet girl." Fleur giggled, slapping Y/N on the arm playfully. "It's time for you beauties to go."

"Viktor and Malfoy are waiting outside, I think." Hermione said, taking a deep breath and stroking her dress nervously.

"I'm still mad you haven't told me about Krum until this morning." Y/N grinned.

"Oh, please, you already have things to worry about." Hermione gave her a warm smile.

"Well, let's go then." Y/N forced a smile and examined herself in the mirror. She'd always had insecurities- but tonight, she was going to have to force them away and put on a bold face.

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"I mean this in the most modest way ever, but please stop gaping at me." Y/N said unformfortably.

She was linking arms with Malfoy, who looked undoubtedly good in his dress robes. He was gaping at Y/N dramatically, as the two walked down the marble staircase.

"You look stunning." said Malfoy, looking at Y/N up and down for the tenth time. "Even better than the veela girl."

"If you ever disrespect Fleur again," Y/N muttered cooly. "I'm going to take off my shoe and shove it down your-"

"Just accept the compliment, for Salazar's sake." Draco shot aggressively.

Y/N hated herself for agreeing to come to the ball with him.

They reached the corridor before the Great Hall entrance and stopped.

"Go. I'm going to talk to Hermione." Y/N said quietly.

Malfoy threw her a look and shook his arm off her, before marching down the stairs to the Great Hall heatedly.

Hermione caught Y/N's desprate eyes and muttered something to Krum. He smiled, before walking down the stairs after Malfoy.

"What is it?" Hermione asked Y/N gently.

"I- don't think I can..." Y/N said nervously, biting the inside of her mouth. "I don't want to see them."

But Hermione simply shook her head and grabbed Y/N's hand firmly.

"This is what you're going to do," Hermione said with a smile. "You're going to walk down those stairs and into the Great Hall, while Harry regrets everything he's done. You're going to enjoy yourself, while he cries in the corner,-"

"OK, OK, I get it." Y/N chuckled, feeling slightly better- but still horrible.

"Let's go then," Hermione smiled.

The two girls walked down the stairs, hand in hand. Several people looked around and did a double-take, staring at the two of them unbelievably.

Y/N tried to look around for Fleur, but she wasn't by the entrance.

"She's opening the ball." Hermione explained quietly, knowing Y/N too well.

"She'll be great." Y/N said "Hope Cho will be, too." She added, not meaning to sound as hurt as she did.

Hermione gave her a pitying look, before her face lit up with realization.

"Oh, Y/N, I have to go too." Hermione grimaced, realizing she also had a champion as a partner. "I'm so sorry, but Krum-"

"Not at all, Hermione." Y/N smiled. "You've helped me enough. Now, go."

Hermione gave her a quick hug before disappearing into the crowd, after Krum.

"Is that Y/N?"

"No way, that's the Scamander girl!"

"I've never noticed how beautiful she was-"

"I heard Potter asked Cho-"

"Poor guy, gonna regret that decision-"

Y/N gritted her teeth tightly. Not only were the people gossiping right in front of her, but they were hating on Cho- who did absolutely nothing wrong.

She ignored them, and walked in the entrance of the Great Hall.

The Great Hall, itself, even looked gorgeous.

With the ceiling bright and fluffy, and no tables, but a dance floor instead. A huge stage instead of the staff table, and several hot chocolate fountains.

The room was the definition of Christmas.

Y/N started to feel better as she greeted some friends.

Fred and George gaped at her, as the two walked past Y/N with their partners.

Angelina and Katie also complimented Y/N brightly.

Hagrid waved at her brightly from besides Madam Maxime and pointed at her dress, before giving her two thumbs-ups.

Next, Y/N bumped into her brother, Rolf, and-

And...

Luna Lovegood?

It was most definitely her brother, in his polished dress robes, talking enthusiastically with Luna, who was in a puffy emerald green dress and a round golden tiara.

"W-what? Rolf?" Y/N frowned. "Luna?"

The two turned around and grinned at Y/N.

"Hey, sister." Rolf reached his hand to ruffle Y/N's hair like always, but stopped when he saw how well dressed she was. "You look neat."

"I love your dress, Y/N." Luna smiled. "Your brother is making fun of mine." Luna gave Rolf an innocent grin.

"No I'm not," Rolf teased back, nudging Luna's arm. "I'm just saying, you look like a Christmas tree- and I like Christmas trees."

"That's a particularly fair excuse." Luna nodded impressively and turned back to Y/N. "He's sweet, he is."

"Which chapter did I miss?" Y/N asked blankly, looking between Luna and Rolf.

"I talked to her, you see..." Rolf whispered to Y/N. "And she's a really interesting person. Different- but interesting."

"Then, he asked me to go to the ball as friends." Luna said, her eyes growing wide. Y/N could see Rolf's face drop slightly at the word 'friends'. "Oh, he also let me craft my own dress."

"Why wouldn't I?" Rolf asked.

"Because," Luna said seriously. "many people would like their partners to look compatible with them."

"Aw, don't say that." Y/N pouted. She's starting to like Luna- a lot. "You two look sweet. Have a lovely night."

"Where's Harry?" Rolf asked, grabbing Y/N's arm. "Aren't you supposed to open the ball with him-?"

"Have a lovely night." Y/N said firmly, waving at the two and grimly walking towards Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle.

"Took you long enough." Malfoy said darkly. "The stupid opening is starting... why are you smiling?"

"Because," Y/N shrugged, sliding her arm into his firmly. "The opening dance is starting- I gotta look like I'm having the best time of my life, and not angry and depressed- I did not just plan that out loud."

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A/N ~ I apologize🏃🏻‍♀️ it'll all make sense later, in the next chapter. Also, I'M SORRY FOR ACCIDENTALLY PUBLISHING THIS CHAPTER YESTERDAY AND QUICKLY DELETING IT. I wasn't finished with editing but accidentally published it smh.

I JUST WOULD LIKE TO SAY, I HATED WRITING THE LAST HALF OF THIS CHAPTER. AS A HARRY GIRL, IT WAS PAINFUL.

Lmk pls :)

-ScribblingQuills