the kiss list, adrian pucey
𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓, 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟐

chapter twenty-nine, A CINDERELLA IN CONVERSE

✧ ━━━ · ✦ · ━━━ ✧

     "FUCK!"

     Bianca Larsson was pacing her Gryffindor dorm, her hand pressed up against her temple, her gasps for air becoming more and more desperate with each passing step.

     Christmas eve. A joyous time. And yet the stress levels rising from the girl's face, extinguished any of the "night before" fuzzy feelings. Because Bianca had lost a shoe.

     "How come I can find one, but not the other?" she shouted, her voice becoming exceedingly scary with her ever-increasing rage, as she stopped dead-still in front of Katie and Angelina, both of which were ready and dressed, stood up against two posts of Bianca's bed.

     Bianca didn't seem that bothered or impacted by the ball's initial announcement, nor was she like Katie and struggled to contain her excitement, and yet, at the loss of a single high-heeled, silver shoe (something she paid serious money for), Bianca had lost it and the concern had struck.

     "It has to be in here somewhere," Angelina reassured, as she pushed off of the post and began searching the room, getting onto her knees to glance under the beds, hiking up her dress with hopes not to collect dust on the fabric.

     "It's not like it grew a pair of legs and walked off?" Katie joked, with a semi-comforting smile, that seemingly had no effect on Bianca's anxiety status. Katie too stood up straight, walking towards the wardrobe, picking up fallen clothes, and opening drawers.

     "Are you sure you've looked everywhere?" Angelina asked, brushing her hands against her dress to remove any possibility that the dust could have ruined her dress.

     "Pretty certain," Bianca said, trying not to sound as tipped off as she currently felt.

     "And where did you see it last?" Katie asked, overturning boxes and sheets, with no luck in finding the missing shoe.

     "The wardrobe. I kept them in the box they came in," Bianca's voice became nervier, as she glanced at the small, iron clock, resting on her bedside table. The more she stared at it, the more it seemed to speed up; the ticks getting louder and more intimidating. "Fuck. It's already started."

     "If it's time you're stressed about, then I wouldn't worry," Angelina started, "Fashionably late is always the best. Besides, would you want to have been there when the doors open, before the music started and guests arrived? No. That would have been dull."

     "Still," Bianca sighed. She fled back to the wardrobe, upturning more boxes, scavenging through her trunk, and throwing hangers holding clothes to the side. Bianca never would have expected to have become this riled up by the ball.

     "Have you got anything else you could wear?" Katie questioned.

     The only remaining shoes from her wardrobe, that she had thrown out in a fit of stress, were her black, patent shoes that she wore every day, so much so that the sole's rubber was wearing away, but it's not like the buckle could ever be paired with her blue, satin dress, and then there was a pair of white converse, of which needed a serious scrub before they went anywhere near her ballgown.

     Bianca held the two pairs of shoes up to her dormmates, a solemn look on her face.

     Angelina grimaced, "So it's a no to the school shoes," Angelina took the black shoes out of Bianca's hands, and tossed them lightly back into the wooden closest.

     "I personally think that the Converse would be a real look, you know," Katie said, analyzing the second and now only option from Bianca's hand.

     Bianca took a second look at the shoes. There was mud in the cracks, the red rubber didn't quite line the entire circumference of the shoe, and they were on the brink of being grey rather than white.

     Bianca sobbed a little, "Suppose it's all I've got?"

     "We could keep looking?" Angelina suggested.

     Bianca offered the two of them a half-smile, "No, no, you've done enough. If we kept looking that would just be time wasted and that's not fair on you two. I'll wear these," she said.

     The two girls sent Bianca an apologetic gaze.

     "If it makes you feel any better," Katie started, "you'll be like the hot, modern Cinderella from the nineties."

     Bianca snorted, ending in the three of them chuckling to themselves.

     Angelina took the shoes out of Bianca's hand, "Let's go get them cleaned up, yeah?"

➼

SEEING AS IT WAS ONLY THE late evening, so far, the night wasn't going as brilliantly as Bianca had hoped. But, on the bright side, she did have two selfless friends that managed a pretty damn good job returning a bit of shine to Bianca's old converse. Not to mention, the trainers were a shit tonne more comfortable than her heels would have been. Therefore proving that there is a silver lining to every dark cloud. And Katie was right, Bianca was kind of like a Cinderella in converse, but like a cooler version compared to the seventeenth-century one.

     The Gryffindor common room was almost empty, besides a few lower years reading, and one or two students in dress robes relaxing by the fire, waiting for whoever was yet to come down.

     Fred and George Weasley, along with Alicia Spinnet and Leo, were all lined up against a couch, in the center of the common room.

     "Took you all long enough." Fred sighed, pushing off of the sofa with his arms.

     The twins were adorned in matching dress robes, and the same sloppy bowtie, that was nowhere near tied correctly.

     Alicia had a simple, yet stunning, red dress that flowed behind her, decorated with lace and a strapless neckline; Leo coordinated with a red rose buttonhole, resting on the chest of his suit.

     "Bi lost a shoe," Angelina explained, motioning downwards to the lower half of Bianca's dress, where Bianca tugged it up a little, to reveal the pair of trainers, where the heels should have been.

     "Oh well," Leo said, "you still all look lovely." he complimented. Bianca smiled appreciatively, at the twins and Alicia's nods of agreement.

     "Um, where's," Katie trailed off, scanning the peaceful common room for her boyfriend.

     "Oh, Ollie already went down," Fred answered, pointing behind him, as if to the Great Hall.

     "Something about getting first pick at the snack bar?" George finished.

     Katie shrugged, and with the suggestion from Alicia that they should all make their way down to the ball, the seven of them were off.

     Fred caught up to Bianca, who was just ahead of him, as they exited via the portrait hole, "You sure you don't need a last-minute date?" he smirked.

     "As much of an appealing offer as that is, Weasley, I'm following individualist ideologies tonight," Bianca replied.

     Fred playfully rolled his eyes. Bianca offered out her arm and the boy gladly looped his inside her's as the two of them ambled to the location of the dance.

     The seven Gryffindors made their way to the Great Hall, the two redhead twins saying their goodbyes for now, and then carrying on and going straight in, shortly followed by Leo and Alicia, who were intertwined by their arms.

     The three remaining girls, strayed back a little, grouped together as other couples and students strolled in through the large open doorway.

     Katie maneuvered onto the balls of her feet, trying to expand her view to beyond the entrance to the Great Hall, "I see Oliver." she said, before turning back to the other two girls momentarily, "I'll talk to you in a bit, yeah?" the two girls nodded in response.

     Katie had only taken a few steps, before she turned back around, "And for what it's worth, Bi, I think the Converse look great."

     Bianca's heart warmed up a little, "Thank you, Katie. You look beautiful." she said.

     "I hope Oliver knows he's a lucky guy," Angelina smirked.

     Katie sent the pair a smile of gratitude, and with that, vanished into the Hall, her face flushed with enthusiasm, her blush coloured dress held as to not catch on her shoes.

     Angelina, returned her attention to Bianca, "She's right you know."

     Bianca's eyes softened, "Thanks, Angie. I hope you know you look hot too."

     Angelina rolled her eyes in amusement, "Oh stop it," she joked, her grin ever-growing. "I'm gonna get a drink, you want anything?"

     Bianca didn't know Hogwarts' policies concerning alcohol in the presence of the staff - she had had plenty of experience with alcohol without the teacher's companionship, so the menu was an unknown, "Surprise me." she smiled.

     Angelina gave a single nod, gathering a bit of her dress, pulling it off the ground momentarily to turn around, where she entered the great hall, disappearing behind the sparkling lights.

     Making an entrance was a vital aspect of a grand ball such as this, Bianca liked to think, and despite her now wavering breaths, that was exactly what she was planning to do.

      As Bianca passed through the frame of the door, she had just about enough time to catch her breath before the ambivalence swept over her, like an unexpected tidal wave.

     The Great Hall had been completely transformed in a way that Bianca could have never imagined it could look like.

     The once greying castle floor had been coated in a layer of rich, Christmas red carpet, with golden accents that complimented the shining curtains that hid the glinting, blackness behind it, as the evening met the night. The floor that was visible looked so polished, it could have been mistaken for a frozen-over lake, that had yet to be skated on.

     Crystal chandeliers flourished with twinkling holly, spiraled down from the arching enchanted ceiling, that tonight, matched the brilliant white snow, that had fallen but hours before. The dancing flames from the torches that lined the walls, alongside the many Christmas trees that were ordained with spinning baubles and blinding tinsel, illuminated the glimmering golden walls and exposed floor.

     It wasn't just the ballroom's beauty that blew Bianca away, it was the women that sparkled like a box of jewels; shades of emerald and ruby and amethyst, with golds and silvers, all dotted around, scattered on the dance floor, making Bianca feel small.

     And yet, her feelings of plainness, and slight intimidation, were diminished at the sight of an approaching figure, adorned in a crisp black suit, tie locked neatly at his neck, and champagne flute grasped in his right hand; the sparkling bubbles matching the shade of the walls.

     Bianca couldn't help but appreciate how handsome Adrian Pucey looked, as he climbed the steps towards her, making sure not to spill his drink in the meantime.

    The boy could spot her from any crowd, despite how cliche that may be, because Adrian thought that, out of this box of jewels, none were as celestial as the blonde Gryffindor that he was approaching.

     He couldn't help but admire her dress choice, and simplistic hairdo. Her natural makeup, that was so unnoticeable it just added to her beauty. Her shade of lipstick and how it complemented her skin tone. But what was most angelic about Bianca's appearance, was the bright smile that she was sending him.

     "If your eyes linger any longer, I'll have to charge rent," Bianca smirked, as Adrian met her at the entrance.

     Adrian shrugged, the bubbles in his glass fizzing, just like his stomach, "I'll pay." he said with more confidence than he thought he would ever manage.

     Bianca drew in a sharp breath, her mouth hollowing, "A little inappropriate Adrian, don't you think? Considering you have a date?"

     Adrian had forgotten about his date. Probably because the girl who he actually wanted to go with was now talking to him, and also probably because he didn't like his date at all.

     Adrian tried to play it off with a nonchalant shrug, "I'm sure she wouldn't mind me talking to you."

     "But how would she feel about you complimenting me?" Bianca queried.

     Adrian let out a short and dry chuckle, "God she's my date for one night. If she's that controlling then it's clear I asked the wrong girl."

     Adrian already knew this. Both of these pieces of information: the fact he took the wrong girl, and the fact that his date is too controlling considering it's a date for a single night that he intended not to take anywhere following this evening.

     "Well then," Bianca said, "let's just hope she's not a psychopath."

     Adrian lifted his glass a little higher, tilting it towards her, despite Bianca not having a drink to toast in return, "We shall hope indeed."

     And just like that, another sweet moment had formed, and just like that, Adrian thought the Universe hated him.

     Because, not even a minute away, heading for the two of them, was Adrian's date. The girl he had asked to accompany him to a ball ( a ball that he wasn't even particularly invested in), was walking their way.

     Tamsin Applebee was in love with Adrian Pucey. She had been since that one night during Prefect duty, when, in actual fact, Adrian wanted to spite Bianca just because it had been twenty-four hours since The Kiss List was devised and she had already managed to cross one off. Tamsin quite clearly had not taken any further hint coming from Adrian's end from that day forward, despite his desperate efforts to ward her off.

     Asking Tamsin to accompany him to a Hogwarts' celebratory ball was not going to help his aims to get her off of his trail, because now, especially after he flattered her about her appearance, not minutes before - which he felt as though he was supposed to do as her date - Tamsin Applebee was just as in love with Adrian Pucey as Juliet was with Romeo.

     Bianca hadn't seen the girl approaching, whilst Adrian's gut instinct was to push Tamsin down the stairs.

     It was only when the Hufflepuff pushed up against Adrian's side, as the boy tightened his grasp around his champagne flute, tight enough that the glass was close to shattering in his clutch, that Bianca truly understood the situation, and understood Adrian's sudden extreme levels of irritation.

     "Everything all right?" Tamsin said, asking Adrian, and rather pretending that she was yet to notice the Gryffindor stood opposite.

     Adrian pursed his lips, as he stared straight at Bianca, "Everything is fine. Everything is just perfect," he strained, trying desperately to make the situation, that he had put himself into, to be perfectly fine, rather than acting like the nightmare it truly was. Maybe that was just to spite Bianca, but, truthfully? Would any of Adrian's act actually discourage Bianca in any way shape or form? Most likely, absolutely not.

     Adrian finally pulled himself together enough to look at Tamsin in the eye.

     "Great," Tamsin beamed, biting the inside of her mouth, as she opened slightly to look at Bianca, like the Gryffindor had just shown up out of thin air, "Oh uh hello, Bianca. You look ... " Tamsin drawled, her eyes scouting Bianca from top to bottom.

     "Nice, Tamsin. She looks nice," Adrian encouraged, as to prevent possible drama that could develop any second. He sent an"are you serious?" look in Tamsin's direction.

     "Nice, yeah," Tamsin said uncertainly, her expression very nearly one of glaring bitterly. "Anyway, I was going to go over to the snack bar. I heard the hor d'oeuvres are to die for! Wanna come?"

     Adrian gritted his teeth and forced a smile, as he slipped his arm out of the loop that Tasmin had created with her arm, to lock herself onto the boy, as some kind of "marking territory" action. Bianca was unfazed. If anything but jealous - she felt sorry for the boy.

     "Actually, do you think you could fill my glass up please?" Adrian asked tentatively, unsure of how she was going to react.

     "But it's still half-full-"

     Adrian practically shoved the champagne glass into the Hufflepuff's grasp, almost pleading that she left. "I know I'm going to want more very shortly, so I thought that I'd top it up first?"

     Tamsin glanced from Adrian to an awkward Bianca, then back to the boy, "Oh okay," she said before her face returned back to its beaming self. She smothered her lips up against Adrian's cheek, kissing him in the most aggressive way possible. Now with a bright red stain resting on his skin, Tamsin skipped off to the drinks table, displeased about Bianca's presence, but okay with the fact that she was doing a favour for Adrian.

     What Tamsin didn't know was that sending her to refill his drink, was just a way to get Tamsin to leave with the least possible questions asked - Adrian didn't even think the champagne was anything special at all; he doubted he would drink that much more.

     Once it was clear that Tamsin was well out of earshot, Bianca lightly tugged Adrian's dress robe sleeve to usher him more towards the wall and out of the way. She leaned in closer, "I thought by collectively hoping that your date wasn't a psychopath meant it was undecided that she already is one!" she said, starting as a whisper, but progressively becoming more assertive.

     "What's that supposed to mean?" Adrian asked.

     "What's that supposed to mean? Are you shitting me?" Bianca scoffed, letting go of his sleeve, relaxing her arms by her side, "I listened to you complain about that girl for way too long for you just to invite her here."

     Adrian stared at Bianca. He took a second to narrow his eyes, his mind whirring, and his eyebrows furrowed, "What's it to you anyway?" he asked eventually.

     Bianca could see his smirk on the horizon. She didn't see this as a flirting opportunity, "Tamsin Applebee is mentally unbalanced. Especially when it comes to you. She was convinced you two were together at one point, so I'm uncertain as to why she even came up on your consideration list for a date." she said.

     Adrian had no answer because he too was uncertain as to why he chose Tamsin as his date choice. He did obviously know the tactical side behind his reasoning, but he was unsure as to why he actually went through with it.

     What Bianca said was no lie - Tamsin was on the cusp of psychotic (a bit of stretch, but you get the idea).

     And by the time Adrian had gone through of all the outcomes of telling Bianca the truth - none of which came out with zero humiliation - Bianca had read his mind.

     "You didn't have a date," she said, a smirk now playing on her lips.

     Adrian was thrown from his thinking process, and he stared at her, "W-what?" he stuttered.

     "When I asked you," she said, in a suggesting way. "You lied and said you had a date."

     Adrian's options were very limited in a situation such as this one:

          1. Admitting the truth, therefore presenting him as a weak, lovesick boy, that can be pushed over as easily as his broomstick.

          2. Come up with a convincing story that throws her off her trail, and covers up the fact that he is a sad excuse for a "popular boy" because he couldn't even find a date that wasn't loony.

          3. Stick it out for a bit longer, and try his hardest to play along with the lie that he was completely clueless regarding what she was talking about, and see how long it takes to break him into confessing.

     "W-why do you say that?" Adrian said, with a bit of a stutter, until he tried to relax his shoulders and it just ended up making him look self-conscious.

     Option three it is.

     "Because you're uncomfortable." Bianca smiled feebly, trying to offer any kind of comfort, "And I remember how much you loathed that girl when she wouldn't leave you alone. You asked her here because there was no one else after you had already said that you had a date."

     "So what?" Adrian said with such forced confidence that Bianca could laugh.

     Bianca shrugged, "Nothing." she paused. Adrian's face was yet to brighten up a little. "I wouldn't have worked it out if you were better at hiding your feelings, by the way."

     Adrian tried his best to stifle his growing urge to chuckle, "Har har." he huffed. "Just, do me a favour will you?" he asked after a moment.

     Bianca's bottom lip slipped over her top lip, "Probably won't, but go on."

     Adrian inched closer, to reduce the distance between them, "Hide me whenever you hear her babbling on?"

     "I'll see what I can do." she said. "Oh and by the way, you have a little," Bianca gestured to the bright red lipstick stain, imprinted onto his cheek.

     Adrian's cheek blushed the same shade as the lipstick, as he reached up and pressed hard against his skin, smudging the makeup in even more directions.

     Bianca grimaced, "No, stop, stop. You're just making it worse. It just looks like you've had an allergic reaction or something."

     Adrian stopped rubbing his finger along his cheek, and his shoulders sagged, "Knowing Tamsin, I probably have." he sighed.

      Bianca edged forward, "Want me to?" she asked, gesturing to his what looks like a bloated face.

     Adrian chuckled dryly, "So what, are you like my mother now?"

     Bianca stepped closer, reaching up to his cheek, "Oh just come here."

     In the least gentle way, Bianca swiped her thumb up and across the tinted skin, smearing it until it was no more.

     "That's a little aggressive," Adrian remarked, as he scrunched up his face and the girl pushed his head to one side, to remove the final blotch of lipstick.

     Adrian thought this was all rather funny: the girl he is in love with was wiping away a symbol of affection from the girl that was in love with him.

     Bianca stepped back, lowering her hand, making sure there was no evidence from Tamsin's lipstick still on her finger. She tilted her head and stared at him. Adrian raised an eyebrow as she did so.

     "Meh, you still look stuffy," she said, with an unbothered shrug.

     Adrian narrowed his eyes, with hopes to distract Bianca from the chances of his smile creeping up on him, "Shut up." he scowled.

     It had taken Angelina Johnson a few minutes to find Bianca amongst the crowds of students. With a final accomplishing smile, she walked up to the Gryffindor, two drinks in hand, and her date locked beside her, and held out a flute of fizzing champagne, "Your drink, m'lady."

     Bianca was slightly startled by her friend's sudden appearance, but her look of subtle shock, eased into one of an appreciative smile, "Thank you." Bianca said, taking her drink out of Angelina's hand. Bianca's attention, however, was quickly altered away from her new glass of a possibly alcoholic beverage, and to the student, stood tightly on Angelina's side; their arms connected in a loop.

     Bianca liked to think that Maxine O'Flaherty was a good friend of hers. Bianca had uncovered a newfound source of trust in the Hufflepuff Quidditch player one night at the Astronomy Tower. So much so, she had even told Max about her whole bet with Adrian Pucey, which was not only not allowed, but Adrian had deemed it "forbidden". And yet, Bianca regretted nothing.

     Since then, the pair had been rather close. And, upon finding out that her dormmate was stressing due to the absence of a date, Bianca thought it was perfect opportunity to remove the absurd ideology from Angelina Johnson's brain that by being a girl, a "date" to events like these, meant a boy.

     Hence the perfect match was born. Both Quidditch-obsessed. Both available. And both a good friend of recently named "cupid" Bianca Larsson. 

     Bianca's mouth dropped a little, "Well, don't you two look good together." she smirked, becoming rather proud of her matchmaking abilities.

     Maxine tried to hide her blushing face, and Angelina was concealing her tender eyes, by glancing to the floor.

     "We're off to dance." Maxine gestured to the large open center of the room, where students and staff were gliding - well some shuffling, and the other half tripping over their partner's feet - across the floor, music ringing in the background. "You two coming?" she asked Bianca and Adrian collectively. Maxine wasn't sure whether they actually were here together, but best to mess with Bianca anyway.

     Adrian's head raised a little, as he stood waiting for Bianca to interject in some way. When she didn't, Adrian spoke up, "She's not my date-"

     "Oh, we're not here together-" Bianca spoke in time with Adrian's words.

     Maxine nodded once, "Alrighty then. See you later." she said. Angelina offered a small wave, and the couple strode away, arms still interlinked.

     There was a brief moment's delay between the now silently awkward Bianca and Adrian.

     Adrian was waiting patiently for something drastic to happen to separate them, like an explosion, or the sudden return of Tamsin Applebee, who apparently was distracted by something or rather (Adrian's saving grace). He stood debating whether it was necessary to bring up the fact that at least one person thought that they looked right as a couple.

     He decided not to bring it up.

     "Well, now I have my drink," Bianca spoke up, swiveling in his direction. Adrian goggled up. "A toast?" she suggested, raising her glass a little.

     "A toast," Adrian said, following her movements.

     "To Hogwarts and psychopathic dates." Bianca fully lifted her drink now.

     Adrian nodded intriguingly, "To Hogwarts and psychopathic dates." he repeated.

     Their glasses met with a clink, the bubbles hissing majestically, as the two of them brought the flutes to their mouths to take a sip. Bianca was hit with a wave of sour fizz, in what was clear now, not to be alcohol, but rather a cheap equivalent instead.

➼

    WITH BIANCA STILL SCOPING out who to approach, and Adrian's unsuccessful attempts to escape Tamsin Applebee, the night wasn't even halfway done.

     Adrian had used the "restroom" scenario to free himself from his date at least seven times, and the only outcome of this was not very long "Tamsin-free" periods, and Tamsin left to believe that he had a bladder problem. Either that, or he was drinking way too much.

     Bianca, deliberately dateless, had watched her head of house, Professor McGonagall and the Hogwarts' headmaster, Professor Dumbledore dance for way too long, and the short intervals for orchestral performances were not nearly distracting enough from how painfully slow the two wizards were dancing.

     Lovesick Leo and Alicia weren't much fun either. Bianca knew she should grant them some kind of effort, as they did try their best to include her in whatever their conversations consisted of, but it was Bianca that pushed it away, returning minimum work on the chatting front, as she didn't want to intrude in what should be a somewhat romantic night for the couples in the school. They shouldn't have to be left to deal with their alone best friend.

     Nibbling on her food, laughing Leo and Alicia sat opposite, Bianca was occasionally adding a short laugh to their conversation, before taking another sip of her "champagne".

     Adrian Pucey, currently free from Tamsin Applebee's ties since she left for the bathroom (not Adrian this time) had observed Bianca until he thought it was his duty, to restore some keen spirit to her night.

     Adrian got up from his own designated seat from the round table, amidst the dispersed array of other clothed tables, and approached Bianca's, on the opposite side of the seating area.

     "Do you mind if I steal Bianca for a minute?" Adrian asked, directly to Leo and Alicia, who had now broken conversation.

     Bianca glanced up, drink still in hand, now returning to this reality, where she was wallowing away, staring at the scattered crumbs from a Bakewell tart, tied up in the creases of the table cloth.

     Leo surveyed Bianca, who was gazing up at the Slytherin boy with a puzzled expression, then he averted his attention back to Adrian, "Steal away." Leo said.

     Adrian smiled at the Gryffindor before he and his girlfriend restored their conversation, by which, Adrian was squinting down at Bianca, "Let me take that."

     Adrian took ahold of the glass, the cup slipping out of her hands, before he turned and placed the chalices on a passing tray, that was carried away by a house-elf, who disappeared to the kitchens not shortly after.

     With her mouth slightly ajar, Bianca hadn't even the time to process what Adrian's plan was, let alone protest against it, before he took her hand in his, pulling her up from her chair, whisking her away in the direction of the dance floor.

     As she stumbled a little behind, Adrian making sure not to let go of her hand, the pair weaved in and out of couples already dancing, occasionally knocking an arm or two.

     "Where are you taking me, and why?" Bianca asked although it was quite clear what Adrian's plan of action was right now.

     The two of them made it to the center of the floor, and Adrian took his place in front of the girl. "To dance," he said, with a subtle smile, "and because I like this music."

     "So?" Bianca questioned dubiously.

     "So," Adrian chanted, "even more reason to take up that offer of a dance."

     Bianca pressed her lips together, "Wasn't really an offer."

     Adrian slanted his head left then right a few times, "Still, Tamsin recently left for the toilets, along with a few of her friends, and from my knowledge of females-"

     "Correction: your little knowledge of females." Bianca interrupted.

     Adrian sent her a look of exasperation, before continuing on, "-I know that I have at least ten minutes before her return, by which, this dance will be over." he finished, taking ahold of her arms.

     Bianca rested her left arm on Adrian's shoulder, and her second hand found its way into a lock with Adrian's hand, subconsciously. "It's one dance, not a Shakespeare play. This isn't some "unrequited love" scenario we've got going on here."

     Adrian tried to not show how irritated he truly felt, as he placed his hand on her waist, and held his hand more comfortably in her's, "Would you like to be the one to face Tamsin when she finds out that we danced?"

     "But it's one dance?" Bianca pointed out, "Dance singular." she said to make it clear that Adrian only had three minutes maximum.

     That wasn't the part of the sentence Adrian wanted to emphasize, however, "My point exactly."

     Bianca sighed, "Okay, but can you at least attempt not to step on my feet this time around?"

     Adrian chuckled dryly, "I will if you do too. You're not completely innocent in this, you know."

     "You weigh more than I do," Bianca said bluntly, "so, therefore, you should be the one to take more care."

     Adrian's smirk was only subtle, but he stared into her eyes, pulling her but an inch closer, ready for the next orchestral arrangement to begin, "You've got an answer to everything, don't you?"

     Bianca shrugged smugly, as the strings and brass began to diminuendo, announcing the commencement of one song, which then quickly bled into the next.

     Surprisingly, the pair - an unlikely one at that - had managed to almost flawlessly sail across the floor, with zero catchings of dress and zero feet on toes.

     Granted, a few moments were slightly awkward - they were dancing like it was the nineteenth century as two people that used to hate each other's guts - but not nearly as much as the two of them had expected.

     As the two of them danced their way around students, one foot behind the other, Adrian couldn't help but notice everything about Bianca. Every feature. He now had a distinct memory of the shade of her dress. The black stuff (he couldn't name it), lining her eyes, making a small flick at the end. But most prominent - the white trainers on her feet.

     Adrian had tried to hide himself looking down occasionally, at the non-heeled, red-lined shoes that she was wearing, but he feared it had become too noticeable. He had wondered why she hadn't grown just a bit for a single night, seen as most girls grew an inch or two, depending on the height of the heel of their shoes.

     "Bianca, are you wearing converse with a ballgown?" he asked, his smile getting larger. He had recognized the Muggle brand from his own pair at home.

     She looked him directly in the eye, "I lost a shoe," Bianca said sheepishly, as she sulked.

     Adrian chuckled, still admiring the flat trainers on her feet, "You lost a shoe? Of all people?" he asked incredulously. Bianca inclined her head, her mouth now parted slightly. "Aren't you supposed to be like the most coordinated person ever?"

     "Whoever told you that?" Bianca asked.

     "Your systemized chess box told me that, Bianca," Adrian snorted. He was referring to her wooden crate that was organized in such a way that meant every piece was in a catalogued position and therefore never out of place.

     "Well, what do you think I'm going to do?" she asked in disbelief, like having them arranged in a perfect pattern was completely ordinary. "Chuck them in?"

     Adrian laughed, "That wouldn't be such a crime, you know."

     "I'm fully aware," Bianca said. "Just makes it easier for the next game that's all."

     "Well, in that case, I understand your reasoning, and I think the shoes work perfectly," Adrian said.

      Bianca wasn't quite sure whether Adrian was being sarcastic or not, and whether that meant he was insulting her carelessness regarding her footwear crisis, and her need for perfect organization, but she couldn't help but admit that, before he dragged her away from her wallowing, Bianca wasn't doing so well, and well now, it was safe to say that her night had brightened up a little.

     A few minutes had passed, and Bianca made sure that one dance meant one dance. It wasn't that her feet were too tired, or that she felt too uncomfortable to go on, but she was never going to admit that dancing with Adrian was better than being far away from him and therefore grant him one more dance than she agreed to.

     But Adrian still joined her in drinking another glass of faux champagne, with Smoked Salmon bites and Salami-Egg Canapés, that he didn't want to admit that he wasn't quite a fan of.

     Despite the odd choices of hor d'oeuvres, Adrian and Bianca were enjoying a childish game of "kiss, kill, marry", where the two of them chose from a range of year groups and houses amongst the ball, who they would rather kiss, or kill, or marry.

     Bianca hummed, "Okay," she drawled, scanning the crowds, debating who's name to repeat, "Angelina Johnson, Penelope Clearwater, and," she bit her bottom lip, as she searched the endless sea until she would land on her final person, "Randolph Burrow."

     Adrian grunted, wiping his thumb along his chin, "Right then. Um, okay, uh, kill Penelope."

     Bianca hissed, "Ouch."

     "Kiss Randolph, and marry Angelina," Adrian said.

     "I'm sure they'll be touched," Bianca replied, placing a hand on her heart.

     Adrian rotated in his seat, "Right then," keeping his body to Bianca, he turned his head and now he browsed the variety of students in dress robes, or gowns, either dancing or stood by the snack bar. He spotted his Quidditch teammate first, "Lucian Bole," he said, briefly looking at Bianca who nodded her head with understanding, "Sally Birchgrove, and Cedric Diggory."

     Bianca hummed again, nodding her head with deliberation, "Okay, kill Lucian."

     Adrian stuck his neck out, incredulously, rocking on his seat.

     "Kiss Cedric, and marry Sally." Bianca finalized.

     "Interesting," Adrian's voice strummed as he plumped his lips.

     Bianca's eyes had returned to the crowds, ready for the next round, when instead of landing on a new subject to become a new topic of interest, Bianca's eyes had wandered to a tall Hufflepuff, with smart dress robes, his tie loose around his neck, stood alone, slurping at his drink, as he watched the animated dance floor, with boredom in his eyes.

     "Actually," Bianca said. "Speaking of kissing Cedric," she mumbled, imperceptibly, before standing up abruptly, grasping Adrian's attention. "Goodbye, Adrian. I may or may not return," she said, with a slightly sarcastic smile.

     Adrian's brows furrowed, as his eye line darted to her then to the rest of the hall, then back to her, "Where are you going?" he asked.

     Bianca grinned complacently, readjusting her dress' train, and straightening out the fabric, "I have some business to attend to."

     It was about time for Bianca to cross off another name. Since her abysmal failure surrounding Duncan Inglebee, there wasn't anything else to save her from her "kissing slump" that could cost her the entire bet if she didn't rescue herself from it besides scoring again. And what better opportunity than two semi-lonely attractive students at a ball, whilst all-dolled up?

     "What business is that exactly?" Adrian asked. After a moment of thought, his shoulders then slumped downwards, and a sigh escaped his lips. "Please tell me you're not going to go and read or some academic shit-"

     "I'm going to find a date." she sang before he could finish. Now ahead of him, away from their table in the far corner of the hall, she glanced over her shoulder.

     And with that, she left, no further words spoken, no further explanation given. Adrian's bubbles from his champagne were no longer fizzing but dissolving, as they remained undrunk, dying away amongst the liquid.