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ᴀᴘᴏʟʟᴏ ʟᴏꜱᴇꜱ ʜɪꜱ ʙʀᴇᴀᴛʜ

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"BUT LIKE, DO I EVEN HAVE TO GO?" Astrea asked with a badly concealed sigh, as she continued painting her nails.

She was with Ginny and Luna in her dorm as the three girls discussed the upcoming Yule Ball. That had been the main topic for all students from years 4 and above in the past week, since the event had been announced.

"Of course you have to go! You're the Slytherin Queen, it's literally your duty" Ginny replied while picking out another colour from the box gifted by Aphrodite. 

"Besides, you don't know when this will ever happen again. This may be your only chance to attend a Hogwarts Ball." put in Luna as she handed Ginny an emerald green shade.

"I guess... but I don't even have a date." The older girl spoke. She now laid against the bed headrest and slumped a bit.

"And who says you need one?" retorted Ginny. "You can always just go dateless or with the girls. You know, girl power and all that whatnot."

"Or, if you really want, just ask someone to go as friends. I'm sure Adrian won't mind." Luna said, adding her own two cents

"Addy's going with Lex. She told me yesterday"

"What about Oliver?" asked Ginny

"With Nora."

"And Elijah?"

"Some Ravenclaw he's been pining after"

"Atticus?"

"I'm not stepping ten foot near Flame."

"Right, forgot you hated him."

"Gods! Just go solo! I don't see the point in taking a date anyways" Ginny cried out in frustration as they neared the end of their list.

"I could call dad if you want" Luna spoke, looking up at Astrea and she saw the older's eyes shine for a second before they went back to normal.

"It's fine, baby moon. I'm sure Apollo's much too busy for some school dance"

"Puh-lease! You have that god whipped and wrapped around your little finger. The bitch- no offence to your dad Luna - would do anything for you" said the only red-head in the room.

"Fine i'll see..."

"That's all we ask for" chorused the two 3rd years before going back to their respective toes and fingers.

★

BEFORE ASTREA KNEW IT, the day had come. It was time for the yule ball. Astrea, Ginny, and Luna were running all over her room, chaos ensuing everywhere. Makeup and skincare products littered the bathroom counter, clothes were strewn across the floor, and each girl was huddle in front of one mirror. 

There was still an hour left before the ball started as the three, continued their dressing in a rush while trying to look their best. By the time they were ready, there were only 15 minutes remaining.

The girls hurried down to the common room, to see it nearly empty. Most of the Slytherins had left earlier to reach their own dates on time and Fred and George had left to see Angelina and Alicia. 

Astrea, Luna, and Ginny reached the steps that lead to the great hall and began their grand entrance one by one. 

First went Ginny, in Emerald green. A glamorous floor-length, one shoulder style made from a stretchy satin. The green complemented her hair well and was comfortable to dance in. Ginny was wearing Silver strappy heels along with a bracelet gifted to her by her father and a necklace. She reached down and went to find her date - Neville.

She was followed by Luna who was in a stunning one shoulder design made from a luxurious blue satin. The gorgeous dress was with an asymmetrical neckline, and an adjustable tie at the waist. It reached her feet and she wore sandal-like flats that matched the dress colours. Her outfit was accompanied by a bronze hairband covered in flowers and her self made earrings. Get off the stairs she moved towards Blaise (they were going as friends) who was waiting for her. 

And not forgetting Astraea, she went last. 

Astraea looked like a goddess. That was the most simple yet honest and definitive way to put her in words. 

Her was curled loose, flowing gently in waves and left down in a braid going around her head along with a circlet on top. Her face had small touches of makeup, simple and light. Touches of highlighter on her nose and to accentuate her cheekbones and inner eyes, a bronze - sliver eyeshadow sat on her eyelids and her eyelashes were lifted up even higher and longer than their natural looks with mascara. Her lips were glossy and plump with a slight red tint to them.

Covering her body was the most stunning dress to be seen. It was deep shade of silver, reminding everyone of the colour of the moon when it lightens the dark sky at night and the silver complemented her current grey eyes well. 

The dress was of silk, and reached down below her ankles, sitting perfectly just right above the floor. It was a slip style dress but it hugged her body and fit in the right places, showing off her curves and shaped waist. The dress had a cow neck which came right under her chest - not revealing but not modest either. Exactly her style. It had thin straps holding on her shoulder and the final touch was the side slit on her left, which went up mid-thigh. Along with it, she was wearing the perfect pair of black heels and diamond earrings and a simple necklace which somehow further enhanced her look.

All together, she was nothing short of perfection. Nothing less than a goddess.

Heads turned, as Astrea walked down the stairs, trying to find Ginny and Luna who had somehow vanished. 

She looked around before feeling a tap on her shoulder. Glancing back, she was shocked to see him standing there. 

Apollo stood in all his glory in a black suit with a grey pocket square and tie in hand to match her dress. His hair was slightly ruffled but still somehow neat and his teeth gleamed as he smiled at her. 

"You look beautiful darling" he muttered breathlessly, as he took her hand in his and gently kissed her forehead. 

"And you look handsome" she smiled back, "but what are you doing here?"

"Well, when i got an IM from our favourite daughter - gods don't let Kayla know - who told me all about your date dilemma, i decided that your need for company was much more greater than any of my work, so here i am!"

"And why is that tie in your hand?" 

"Because i don't know how to tied it....?" 

"Really? In all your immortal years and you never learned how to tie a tie? Give it here Apollo." Astrea sighed with a smile and took the cloth from his hands.

She put it around his neck and began slipping it into the specific knots and holes in such a quick manner it would make one surprised. Finishing and securing the silver tie around his neck - not to loose, not too tight - she smoothed down his shirt with her hands, letting them linger on his chest before grabbing his fingers and intertwining them with her own.

"Well? What are we waiting for? Let's go!" Apollo said and dragged her through the entrance hall.

★

WALKING INTO THE GREAT HALL,  Astrea couldn't recognise it. The walls of the Hall had all been covered in sparkling silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The house tables had vanished ; instead, there were about a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people.

The couple walked over to the table where Ginny and Luna were found with Draco. 

"Hi dad" said Luna happily as she gave Apollo a hug, "I see you made it"

"Of course he did" Ginny snorted "it's for Aster, we all know he would do anything."

"Good to see you again, Lord Apollo" spoke Draco, hoping to take the attention of Ginny's sarcastic and sassy mouth. 

"Like wise" the sun god replied, keeping his arm around Astrea's waist before perking up as he heard a slow song. He looked at her and she nodded, "let's go dance. See you guys later."

Apollo smirked and held out his hand towards her. "After you darling", he said and let her take his hand before dragging her to the dance floor.

Say You Won't Let Go by James Arthur  was playing as the two made their way to the middle of the floor where the other couples were already beginning to slow dance.

"I met you in the dark, you lit me up
You made me feel as though I was enough"

"Think you can handle my skills?" Astrea asked, slightly teasing as Apollo gripped her waist tighter and pulled her in, his breath fanning across her lips. Her arms were wrapped around his neck as the swayed softly to the music.

"Then you smiled over your shoulder
For a minute, I was stone-cold sober
I pulled you closer to my chest"

"Oh, i know i can" he whispered back, one hand going up to tangle with her hair. 

"I knew I loved you then
But you'd never know
'Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go"

"Well at least you can keep up. Unlike the last ones" she teased and watched in satisfaction as his eyes darkened at the sound of other people.

"And I'll take the kids to school

Wave them goodbyeAnd I'll thank my lucky stars for that night"

"You can try as much as you want sweetheart, but we're not doing this right now. Not in the same place as little moon"

"Oh, and you look as beautiful as ever

And I swear that everyday you'll get better

You make me feel this way somehow"

"Are you enjoying? Is it what you expected or you want to leave? We can go" Astrea mumbled, changing the subject before she lost herself. 

"I'm so in love with you
And I hope you know
Darling, your love is more than worth its weight in gold"

"Anywhere with you i'm happy. If you enjoy then so do I."

"We've come so far, my dear

Look how we've grown

And I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old"

"Do you regret it? The fate chosen by the prophecy?" Apollo asked, staring intently into her eyes.

'"Cause you were always there for me  when I needed you most

I'm gonna love you 'til

My lungs give out"

Astrea turned toward Apollo, her gaze staring right at him, "No," she said softly, "never."

"Just say you won't let go

Oh, just say you won't let go"

The two continued looking, straight in the eyes as they drew closer towards the other. Their lips met in an embrace, Astrea's soft plump ones engaged with his plush. 

His hands cupped her face and her's tangled in his hair as they - along with what seemed like all the other couples on the floor - kissed in effervescence. Both too reluctant to let go of the other as they broke apart and backed away from the other's lips. 

Apollo's hands gently caressed her cheeks with his thumb, hands still cupping her face. He let her ago, replacing them back on her waist as he kissed her cheeks and then forehead as the song changed to a faster pace and more people began to join them on the floor. 

"Thank you for coming" Astrea whispered as they both shifted aside for some space and quiet. 

"Always. I love you" Apollo replied, gently tucking an escaped hair strand behind her hair. 

"I love you too" she answered and they embraced each other again, feeling the happiness and warmth fill the air between them. Because what more could they want other than each other?

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Sya Notes !

Happy Valentines day my loves! Bonus chapter as a gift from me to you all. Enjoy looking at Astrea and Apollo's relationship and filling yourself in her role because we are all true delulus at heart.

I love you all, stay safe and enjoy today!

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