"Anyone caught spreading these rumors will receive a detention!"

♢ ♢

Snape was boring everyone with the ethics and skills needed to brew sufficient potions. Whilst he was talking, whispers could be heard. Lots of whispers.

'She's got a thing for Malfoy, an obsession' Someone whispered in front of me, turning to glance at me quickly.

I sighed and looked down as more and more rumors circulated the classroom. Draco was sat on the table in front of me and every now and then, I would hear him grumble something to himself or sigh.

Suddenly, Snape spun on his heel, a furious look on his face. "Wittering like childish school girls will not get you anywhere" He snapped. "And if I hear another word about Mr Malfoy and Miss Wales, I will give you a detention. And it won't be pleasant" His voice was loud but showed no emotion.

"I've had enough of these rumors!" He snarled. Everyone stopped whispering and Draco turned around and gave me a quick smile before Snape snapped at him.

"Mr Malfoy, don't encourage them" He growled. Draco dropped his head and nodded.

For the rest of the class, the chatter was minimal. I got a few looks and glances but it was nice to finally not be stared at or whispered about constantly like I was some Troll. Snape never once glanced at me until he dismissed everyone. He gave me a look I couldn't read so I headed out of the classroom quickly.

As I scrambled out, my shoulder brushed someone's which caused them to turn around. I thought nothing of it until I saw the annoyed face of Draco Malfoy. "Oh, Olivia, watch where you're going!" His voice was a low growl, but a soft one.

"Sorry, I was just trying to get out of there as fast as possible really.." I admitted, continuing to walk as he joined me.

I watched as he followed me, walking by my side, his face much more relaxed now. "I'm sorry about the rumors-" He paused. "But, out of curiosity and...to help put these rumors to rest, who are you going with?" He asked hesitantly.

My eyes shot up and I began stuttering. "Well, Cedric asked me and I said I would.." My voice calmed and I spoke again. "Will it take 3 guesses to guess who you're off with?" I chuckled.

He shook his head. "Sadly not" This caused me to laugh and him to chuckle.

"Are you two okay again now?" I asked.

He shrugged. "All it took was me to tell her I'd take her to the Yule Ball and she was happy enough. She certainly seemed to calm down spreading the rumors--"

"--But everyone else kept spreading them.." I stated to which he nodded, his head hung low.

There was a long silence "You all ready for the Ball?" He asked. I shrugged.

"Guess so.." I said, unsure.

He looked at me. "You don't sound it"

I let out a breathless chuckle. "That's because I'm not, I'm going back to the common room now to try my dress on"

He smiled a me. It was a sincere smile. "You'll look fine in it, don't worry!" I smiled.

"Thanks, but I should head off!" I said hurriedly. He nodded and smiled, waving me off as I rushed away, through the crowds of students.

♢ ♢

(Her dress)

I spun around as the light blue lace of the dress followed. I heard a gasp as Hermione walked in. "Wow..You look stunning.." She exclaimed.

I looked up at her from the mirror, a sort of horrified look on my face. "It doesn't look too much?" I panicked.

Shaking her head she smiled. "Absolutely not! Now go on, you'll be late!" She laughed, her dress also following after her as she walked over to her bed. Heading out of the common room and towards the Great Hall, my heels could be heard, the small tapping of my shoes as my dress trailed slightly behind me. The entrance to the Hall was filled and everyone was dressed in their best. Many girl wearing dresses similar in colour to mine but also many wearing bold and bright dresses.

Everyone from Durmstrang was wearing a red cloak that has fur coating the edges and insides of it. As I headed down the steps towards the doors that joined the Great Hall with the corridor, I spotted Cedric, waiting for me. He was stood with a fellow Hufflepuff, the same one that had told Cedric about being needed by Professor McGonagall. His friend whispered something as he spotted me and Cedric immediately turned around, his jaw dropping as our eyes met.

He looked smart, dressed up in a suit. He rushed forward, offering his hand as he helped me down the steps. "You look gorgeous" He whispered as we reached the bottom.

I smiled at him. "Thank you, you look dashing yourself" I chuckled as he held out his arm, inviting me to lace mine around his, which I did.

"Oh! Diggory, Wales, we're just waiting on Krum and his partner to arrive, I suggest you get ready to head into the hall for the first dance." Professor McGonagall smiled.

Cedric also smiled, nodding at her as he led me over to Fleur who stood with her date. As we got their, they smiled at us, shaking our hands politely. There was small talk until Krum and his date, Hermione joined us.

"Hermione? Pleasure to see you" I smirked as she giggled at me. We lined up, me and Cedric were near the back, in front of Harry and his date, but behind Hermione and Krum. The Great Hall doors were closed as we readied ourselves. Ced smiled at me, calming my nerves slightly until music began playing and the doors opened. Revealing the Great Hall like I'd never seen it before. Massive ice sculptures sat on the tables full of drinks and food. Everyone surrounded the doors and tables as they created a walkway for us, clapping their hands ferociously.

Fleur and her partner led the way, and as we walked through the crowd, I smiled as did Cedric.

However, I found my eyes searching for a certain pale boy. Malfoy. Although my eyes couldn't find him, I was sure he was here. As we reached the dance floor, I placed my hand on Cedric's shoulder as he placed his hand on my waist, the other hand joined together. There was a tapping right before the music started playing.

Cedric smiled at me as we began dancing, him graciously lifting me into the air as more and more people began joining. Dumbledore and McGonagall. Hagrid and Madam Maxine. Draco and Pansy. He glanced at me before they began dancing. "Are you okay?" Cedric asked.

I smiled as we continued to dance to the delicate and elegant music that was being played. "I'm better now" He nodded an smiled as we continued to dance. The dancing lasted longer than expected and people began swapping partners. Suddenly, Cedric was forced to swap and I got landed with--

"Olivia?" A shocked pale face asked in disbelief.

"Malfoy?" I looked at him. "Of all the people" I grumbled under my breath. "What happened to Pansy?"

He took my waist and we continued dancing. "She noticed people we swapping and we swapped, what happened to Cedric?" He asked, lifting me into the air as we went.

"We got swapped" I explained, my brows still furrowed in confusion.

There was silence before I broke it. "You look nice.."

"As do you" He admitted with a small smile and a slight nod of the head. Then the music changed and a rock band started playing --The Three Weird Sisters. And suddenly, the well mannered dancing was replaced by lots of jumping and unsophisticated moshing which caused me and Draco to break apart. I also took this as my cue to leave.

"I should go find Cedric" I mumbled as the music got louder. He nodded and let me wander away until I found him.

He looked at me as I glanced behind me at Draco who had found Pansy. "What happened to you?" He asked.

I hoisted my dress up, making it easier to walk. "Everyone started swapping and Pansy swapped with me"

He nodded slowly. "Oh..Want some drinks?" He asked, his smile reappearing on his face as I nodded, him dragging me off the dance floor by one hand. He picked up two glasses, one for him, one for me.

Glancing around, I saw Snape. He gestured for me to go to him, so I excused myself. "I won't be a second" I smiled, nodding at him before I rushed over to Snape.

"I expect you're enjoying yourself?" He asked, his voice still blank.

I nodded. "It's okay"

He also nodded. "How about the dress? Is that sufficient?" He asked.

Again, I nodded. "Yes, thank you, though, where did it come from? The other was also gorgeous" I quizzed, thinking back to the box with two ball gowns folded neatly inside.

"If you must know Narcissa Malfoy sent you them, as a sort of.." He paused. "Gift"

I nodded slowly. "Oh, well, if you could tell her thank you from me" My voice was slow as I thought about the name. 'Malfoy'. It seemed to be haunting me these days.

"You should get back to enjoying yourself, Olivia. But do be careful, we don't want anymore rumors, do we?" He asked, raising his brow slowly. I shook my head, wandering back over to Cedric who smiled at me.

"Want to dance?" I smirked immediately, dragging him to the dance floor, not waiting for his answer. I heard his laugh behind me as I spun around, giggling as we both began dancing, he spun me around, my dress twirling after me.

"You wasted no time" He laughed, spinning me once more.

Suddenly, he pulled me in closer to him, starring into my eyes before he began leaning in, his lips getting closer. I closed my eyes as my head involuntarily began getting closer and our lips met with a spark. Our lips stayed for a few moments before we pulled away, our eyes fluttering open to look at each other. We were both as shocked as each other.

"I-Um-Well--" Cedric stuttered. I giggled at him as his cheeks flushed a deep shade of red. After an hour or so of dancing, we headed towards the food. We were both giggling and smiling.

He wrapped his arm around me as I picked up a small snack. "Oh, Mr Diggory, may I have a quick word?" A voice sounded as Professor McGonagall hobbled over, her arm leading her as it usually did. Cedric nodded slowly, turning to face me.

"I won't be long" He smiled, his arm dropping from my waist as I saw him walk away, following Professor McGonagall, Krum and Fleur. I sighed, taking a seat as I waited for his return.

I watch everyone else twirl and dance as the night began to come to a close, the Great Hall began to filter out and there were only a few remaining students as the bell rang, signifying midnight - The strike of twelve.

I was still sat alone, waiting for Cedric to return when I heard a voice. "Where's Diggory?"

Internally, I grumbled and growled. That dammed boy. I turned around, Draco lurking over me.

"He went with McGonagall, he hasn't come back..." I explained, looking around once more, just in case.

Draco offered me his hand. "Well, it's late, you should be going back to your common room" He told me as I took his hand, standing up.

I gave him a gracious and thankful smile, which he returned it. "Looks like I'll have to walk you back, again" He chuckled to which I laughed, moving a small piece of hair out of my face as we headed towards the doors of the Great Hall.

"It's becoming a habit" I chuckled.

A/N

[EDITED]

The ideas are really flowing right now!