Tonight was the night. It had been gossiped about and awaited for weeks. But it was happening right now. I don't think I had ever been anxious about Christmas Eve before, but here I was, standing beside the steps down to the great hall, dreading what I had to do next.

- about fifteen minutes prior -

"You l-look r-really pretty, Y/N." I turned away from the mirror, to see Harry standing in the doorframe. 

"Why thank you Harry. You cleaned up quite nicely I see." he blushed and chuckled to himself. "Although..." I walked over to him and he stood up straight. I reached out for his wonky and awfully done bow tie and he flinched. "It's alright Potter. I'm just sorting it out. You can relax." he smiled and I turned the once awkward tie, to a neat, straight one. "That's better, don't you think?" he looked down and nodded.

"Well, shall we?" he offered his arm for me to link in mine. 

"We shall." I gladly accepted and he lead me out of Hermione's dorm and out into the Gryffindor common room, where a few gazes ended up on us as we reached the redhead. "Interesting dress robe choice Ron." he sighed in his over-ruffled and ancient outfit. "Hey! I personally think you look very handsome Ronald." he too blushed.

"Y-you look h-handsome too Y/N." Harry burst into laughter. "Wait no. You look very pretty. Yes. That's what I meant, pretty. Not handsome. Not that you aren't handso-"

"Ron. It's okay." I chuckled, finding his attempt to compliment me adorable. "Thank you." I noticed two taller redheads by the fire and I excused myself from the two boys and walked over to them. "Excuse me? George?"

"Why hello Y/N. Can I help you?"

"I was just wondering who you were taking tonight?"

"Oh I'm taking Ava."

I may not be on the best of terms with either of them, but it made me happy that she was going with George. "Great. Thanks." I nodded and headed back to Ron and Harry who lead me out of the painting and towards the ball itself. 

The two of them went and searched for their dates, the Patil twins, and I found myself alone, petrified of having to show myself any moment now. Where was Hermione when I needed her?

- present -

I thought it was about time I made my way down. So with one deep breath and a moment to gather myself, I braved it and stepped out to face the stairs. Carefully, I made my way down the stone steps towards the great hall, trying to maintain a pleasant-ish smile. 

Cedric's POV

And there she was. Her dress almost as beautiful as she was. At the sight of her, I punched myself for how I hurt her. She was, breathtaking. I tried not to make it obvious when I stared at her, although I knew it was. I couldn't stop myself. She was searching around the room for whoever she decided to bring and it pained me to know that it wasn't me. My heart practically stopped when our eyes met and it felt as though I had fell in love with her all over again. It was only when Cho walked over to me, that I had to take my eyes of her, however much I didn't want to.

Y/N POV

It was intimidating I must admit, but exciting none the less. I knew I was meant to be looking for Adrian, but I'm sure he had found me as it felt as though the whole room was staring at me. But I was looking for someone else; Cedric. And I found him, looking as handsome as ever. How I wished I was going with him. But my wishes changed when Cho walked over to him and our eye contact was broken.

I found Adrian waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, mouth agape. "Y/N. You look amazing."

I laughed, "thank you Ade. You don't look too bad yourself." I playfully knocked him. It was true. He looked the most good looking I had ever seen him. I mean he always looked good, but tonight was a bit different to every other day, I thought. 

He took my hand and placed a quick kiss on top of it and then linking his arm around mine and he lead me into the great hall.

It was, incredible. The ceiling was charmed to look as if it were snowing and the border of the room was designed to look like an icicle. There was a trio of trees at the front, sprinkled in snow and decorated perfectly. 

I noticed Will, a second year Slytherin on his arm. He looked handsome. Maybe more handsome than I wanted to admit.

"Oh here they come!" I heard someone say.

"Here who comes?" I asked Adrian.

"The champions and their dates. It's some tradition for the champions to dance first or some shit."

"So Cedric and Cho will..."

"Yeah." he said, pitying me I assume. "Sorry Y/N."

"No, it's okay. They deserve each other." I turned to the entrance were Fleur and her Durmstrang date entered first, followed by Hermione and Krum. She waved at me as she passed and giggled at the attention. And there they were. "They look great together don't you think?"

"Y/N. Stop doing this to yourself. Forget him. Let's get a drink." he winked.

Maybe with Adrian, the night wouldn't be as bad as I thought.

"That was you?!" I said incredulously. 

"Yeah it bloody was!" he laughed back and I took another sip of my drink and realised I had now finished about four.

"I remember that day, oh my god."

Adrian and I had been laughing and drinking our troubles away all night and he had done the impossible: distract me from Diggory. I hadn't once looked at them dancing or laughing or even talking. Adrian and I had even danced. I was terrible of course, but Adrian; he had moves. I was enjoying my night more than I thought even possible. 

And then he stopped laughing, "I-I'm gonna go and get us more drinks." he stuttered. I noticed he was looking above my head. He stood up, grabbed the glass out of my hand and walked off.

"You look beautiful tonight." I turned in my seat to see a pair of chestnut brown eyes, gazing down at mine. He was wearing a long, black robe that came to his feet and the same coloured bow tie and waistcoat to match. Probably the most handsome boy in the entire hall: Cedric.

"Thank you Cedric." I could only muster a weak smile, as he took a seat next to me.

"The glasses. Nice touch." he gestured to the thin wired glasses resting on my nose, that I had only just put on, as Adrian had asked me to.

"Someone once told me they looked good." I remained facing the front, staring at the snow, gradually falling from the ceiling, as I took them off and placed them on the table that was now behind me. "Cho looks stunning tonight, doesn't she?"

"I thought so too. Although, there was someone else I couldn't take my eyes off of." I had apparently missed his charming words, as my faced blushed slightly. Still didn't mean he was talking about me, but I liked to think he was. "I heard what Spencer said to you."

"Oh great." I stood up abruptly. "I don't need your pity, Diggory." I spat and stormed off, before he could even get another single word in.

I ended up in the secluded outside of the hall, where I saw two girls, wearing dresses that complimented them perfectly: Ava Griffths and Spencer Medlar. "You two look gorgeous." I muttered in their direction.

I hadn't spoken to them at all, but I noticed them glaring at me from time to time.

They turned around and I smiled feebly. "You look great too." Ava said, smiling in the same way.

"How's Adrian?" Spencer asked, spitefully.

"H-he's doing alright." I shrugged. And then without thought, I found myself, spilling my guts. "Look I'm sorry that you saw me as this shit friend. And I'm sorry that I never cared to notice it." I blurted out, tears began streaming down my face, ruining the makeup I took so long to perfect. But at this point, they deserved the apology. The mascara could wait. "But I need you Spence. I need you both. I never even realised how much of a rock the two of you were until now. And I'm sorry that it's taken this long. I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me, even if I can't." my voice was shaky.

"Oh Y/N." Spencer weeped, holding her hands out for me to embrace. I ran towards her, gladly accepting her offer. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and pulled me close, gently rubbing my arm. I sunk into the warmth of her side, appreciative of the simple gesture. Her touch made the room warmer somehow and I was so glad to have her back. "I'm sorry too. I didn't mean what I said. I was cruel and ignorant. I'm so sorry." It felt as though, one step at a time, my broken plate of a life, was slowly piecing itself back together. My grin widened when Ava joined in the embrace afterwards. My tears were no longer sad, they were tears of joy. 

"If it makes you feel any better, Adrian couldn't keep his eyes off you all night." I whispered in her ear and she looked at me, grinning that smile I had missed so greatly.