Over the following days, Sirius' birthday party was all that was talked about.

Wherever Emery went, the topic was the party. Even the first years spoke of it. There were loads of rumors travelling around the school, so nobody knew which information was genuine and which was not, save for the party attendees themselves. 

The party had increased the Marauders' and Emery's popularity greatly. She was known as the 'Dance It' Queen wherever she went. Naturally, she enjoyed the attention.

Much to Emery's disappointment, the first snowfall had still not arrived, and she spent all morning by the window, hoping with all her heart that it would snow, even if it was just one snowflake.

The next big event in line was the Christmas ball, scheduled to take place on the twelfth of December. There was still a month to go, but some students were already fully prepared for it, and were waiting in anticipation.

Cecilia was one of these people.

Apparently, she had already been asked by someone, and she agreed. She was one of the first people to get a date to the ball. Emery was so curious as to who it could be, but whenever she asked Cecilia, she was ignored. 

Cecilia wasn't going to tell Emery, since Emery was incapable of keeping a secret.

Emery, however, had no date yet, and nor did she want one. Of course she didn't mind if someone asked her, but she'd prefer going alone, since she was free to go wherever she pleased, and be with whomever she wanted, instead of being tied down.

Besides, she didn't think she would even be asked, since she was so mischievous, and barely anyone could hang out with her.

How very mistaken she was.

Although she was so naughty and loud, not to mention random, there was no denying it that Emery Fowl was pretty. Her features were admired by many, and many girls longed to have her looks. According to them, 'Emery Fowl doesn't deserve such beauty, since she doesn't even care. She's too busy playing pranks.' 

It was after charms class that Emery was first asked to the ball, by none other that Bertram Aubrey, a Ravenclaw in her year.

"Hey Fowl. I doubt you'll get a better offer than this, so come with me to the ball," he said cockily.

Emery burst out laughing. 

"Better offer? Really? So you admit that you're hired to entertain girls? Well thanks, but no thanks," she said loudly, causing everyone to look at Emery and Bertram Aubrey.

The news then spread throughout that Bertram Aubrey, hunk of Hogwarts, was rejected by Emery Fowl.

The second time Emery was asked to the ball was a day later, by Amos Diggory. The guy had wooed her in the middle of the Great Hall during breakfast, with a large bouquet of daffodils, not knowing that Emery was allergic to them.

"Emery Fowl," he announced in front of everyone. He held out the bouquet of daffodils right under her nose as he placed them in her arms. "Be my date to the ball."

Emery stood in shock, her hands holding the flowers, not even realizing they were daffodils. There was quite a spectacle in the Great Hall, since majority of the Hogwarts population were betting that Amos would surely not be rejected, especially after Bertram, who in their opinion, was 'not quite as good looking as Amos.'

A minute later, while Emery was still standing frozen, she felt a tickle in her nose.

Amos took her silence as a 'yes' and he was rejoicing that he had a date, when Emery suddenly burst into a violent sneezing fit.

At this, Cecilia ran towards her, and tried to make the sneezing stop, but Emery's nose began to bleed.

Cecilia's eyes widened as she stared at the flowers, realizing that they were daffodils.

"Daffodils," she shrieked. "Emery's allergic to daffodils."

Emery, in the midst of sneezing and coughing, as well as nose-bleeding, took the daffodils that lay on the ground and flung them at Amos Diggory, hitting him square on the face. Then, showing Amos a rude hand gesture, she was carried away to the Hospital wing, fainting right after.

This time, the story spread even faster, since there were more witnesses to this event. Emery was visited numerous times by people she didn't know, who just came to see her and prove that the story was true.

She got annoyed after yet another person came to goggle at her, and ordered Madam Pomfrey to only allow those who knew what color socks she was wearing (yellow).

The third time Emery was asked out, was during the first Quidditch match of the season. She was watching the match for Ravenclaw against Hufflepuff, and when Ravenclaw won (two hundred and thirty to forty), a Gryffindor sixth year, Benjy Fenwick, took the commenter's microphone from the Prewett twins and asked Emery if she would accompany him to the ball.

She was near Chester Davies, the Ravenclaw Keeper, and she snatched his broom and mounted it, zooming upwards and smashing right into the commenter's box, causing Benjy Fenwick to stumble and fall flat on his face. Emery then climbed up to the half destroyed commenter's box and grabbed the microphone.

"Take a train, Peanut brain," she said loudly, causing the stadium to burst out laughing. "Looks like you're rejected, now feel dejected."

And then she got off her broom and disappeared into the changing rooms, to return Chester's broom, wearing a bright smirk on her face, feeling the euphoric feeling after winning a quidditch match.

While nobody else asked her the next two days, it was no surprise that majority of the Hogwarts male population were placing bets and daring to see who would make Emery say 'yes' to them. In fact, it became some sort of a game.

So many people who weren't interested were planning on asking Emery out, while others just laughed to see who would be rejected and humiliated.

Eventually, after three more proposals, all in one day, Emery was starting to get frustrated from all the noise. She was unable to concentrate in class and play pranks, since she was followed everywhere. 

In the end, she realized that people wouldn't stop asking her out as long as she remained single and dateless.

So she decided to take matters into her own hands. After much thinking and re-evaluating her decisions, Emery had come to a conclusion at last.

On Friday morning, during breakfast, Emery climbed onto the Ravenclaw table.

"EVERYBODY LISTEN UP!" she called. "I AM SICK AND TIRED OF BEING ASKED TO THE BALL. I DON'T CARE WHETHER YOU FANCY ME OR NOT." 

Then, she took a pause. 

In a lower undertone, she added, "After all, I know I'm fanciable. BUT REALLY, IT'S ANNOYING WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME OUT JUST TO PROVE A POINT! I AM NOT YOUR GUINNEA PIG!"

She took a deep breath. "AS A MATTER OF FACT I AM ALREADY GOING WITH SOMEONE TO THE BALL!"

Then she heaved a sigh. She was about to sit down, and eat her food, when someone shouted from the crowd.

"Well then, if you want us to believe you, tell us who your date is," he said.

Emery closed her eyes tight, wishing she could disappear. 

She took a deep breath as her eyes scanned the crowd, landing on a familiar set of striking silvery gray eyes.

Please forgive me, she thought.

Then she spoke.

"SIRIUS BLACK!"

a/n: so that happened. she literally just asked him to the ball😂 what a proposal...

hope you enjoyed. please vote, comment and share this story, it means a lot.

dedicated to the_scorpion_king for being cool. love ya, Scorpius..

love, elsie.