Chapter XXIII. Yule Ball

Arturia looked at herself in the mirror kind of nervous. She was the only one in the common room of her house, while the others had left the room quickly to meet their respective partners. The blonde looked just gorgeous. Her hair was in her usual braided bun, but this time with the strands that framed her face elegantly curly, using an ornament made with artificial flowers and crystal pendants; besides that her bow was of a transparent fabric. She wore fine jewelry, such as gold earrings with sapphires and a pearl necklace with a silver pendant and sapphires that formed a snowflake. The dress she wore was extremely precious and she recognized her godfather's excellent taste for those things. The dress was a pure white, with beautiful patterns on her neckline in the shape of a heart and hips, sleeves fallen from the shoulders, open on the sides and wore a layer of transparent fabric, and her hands covered by long gloves. The woman swallowed hard before leaving the common room and heading towards the great hall, where it was very likely that everyone was waiting for the ball to begin.

Draco was quite impatient since Arturia wasn't coming and he was frightening that she had left him standing. Cedric wondered if Arturia would go, he even felt bad enough, because if she doesn't go it would be his fault.

"Wao" He heard Draco.

Both, Diggory and Malfoy, were delighted at what their eyes were witnessing. Going down the stairs to the great hall, Arturia shone like a diamond. Although she always looked very beautiful, that night was exceptionally beautiful. Not only was the dress, but the light makeup layer, with her cherry lips shining from the lipstick and her eyes showed more intensity thanks to the eyeliner and mascara.

Cedric felt as if someone had stolen his breath and his gray eyes couldn't stop looking at her and in those moments he was thinking, how had he been so stupid as not to have invited her? It was then that Draco approached her and offered her his arm. At that time, Malfoy felt himself to be the luckiest human being on the planet and could boast that his date of that night was the most beautiful girl at school.

The blonde's blue-green eyes turned to Cedric and Cho, reflecting a certain sadness before turning away and heading with Draco into the great hall. No doubt managed to attract attention that night, because all eyes looked at her in wonder. She started to feel a little uncomfortable about it.

"Arturia, you look wonderful tonight, my dear." Dumbledore said as he approached the couple "You are very lucky, mister Malfoy."

Draco smiled proudly.

"Thank you, godfather." Arturia expressed with great gratitude while smiling.

Immediately, the Hogwarts champions and their respective partners entered the great hall, getting the attention of those present, receiving them with applause before their dance began. Arturia laid eyes on Cedric as he danced with Cho, which was quite painful for her after she realized her feelings for him. She sighed and looked away to smile at Draco. It wasn't just the champions and their partners who danced, more people had joined.

Arturia and Draco went to the dance floor to start dancing to the rhythm of the waltz. To her surprise, Draco was an excellent dancer and was able to keep up with the young king perfectly. At that precise moment, Cedric looked at Arturia, who had a good time with the Prince of Slytherin, which made him feel jealous impossible to hide.

"Cedric." His partner from Ravenclaw called him. "You really like Arturia, don't you?"

"Uh ... Yes. I'm sorry, Cho. I really don't want to ruin your night."

"You don't have to worry about that. We only came to the dance together, we aren't a couple or anything like that. I understand your feelings for her." Said the girl with asian features with a smile "Why didn't you invite her?"

"Because I was scared. She said that it was all good being just friends for now, that's why I didn't dare to invite her." He confessed.

"She wouldn't have done it. She is your friend and I understand that she is confused about her feelings. I have also been a few times and that is why it is better to let things flow." Cho commented with a smile.

"Thank you for being so understanding."

Cho smiled, though she was hurt because she really felt something for Cedric.

The waltz ended, to begin a more entertaining stage for young people. Moved music and a band of well-known magicians encouraged the young people.

Arturia went to the food table to get some strawberry cake. She took a fork to enjoy the delicious dessert. The Prince of Slytherin approached her for some punch.

"Do you want to dance?" Asked the blonde boy while looking at her.

"Sure, I'll just finish the dessert and we can go." She accepted animatedly.

Again both blondes went to the dance floor to enjoy the party. They were certainly having a good time, telling the fact that Arturia didn't expect to see such a lively and friendly side of young Malfoy, but she liked it enough that he showed more than being arrogant and proud.

"Hey, Arturia." Draco called her loud enough for her to hear with all the noise.

"Yes, Draco?"

"I like you."

The girl stopped before looking at the blonde with a notorious surprise, had he really confessed to her?. Cedric, who had seen that, felt a void in the pit of his stomach and the smile faded from his face immediately. Hufflepuff's boy instinctively out of anger left the great room, which left several confused by it.

"I ... I'm really sorry, Draco, I can not correspond to your feelings. Seriously, forgive me." Arturia said feeling bad for him, it was never her intention that Draco fell in love with her.

The Slytherin was outraged at this, although he was really hurt. With a broken heart and his shattered hopes, he also left the room.