.⊹⁀➷ CHAPTER SEVENTEEN !
↳ ❛the ball❜

THE GIGANTIC ENTRANCE of the Great Hall was bustling with students of every school. Everyone was meeting with their friends before the ball was about to begin and admired each other in their fancy dress robes.

Annabeth knew that she was running a bit late and was now starting to hurry downstairs.

Hermione had helped her to curl her hair and a couple of strands were pulled back, revealing her face. Two brunette strand hung loosely into her face.

Her cheeks were a tint of pink and her brown eyes emphasized through the mascara she had put on.

Her feet were already beginning to ache a bit in her blue heels, but Annabeth didn't care.

She quickly hurried down the last couple of stairs, now turning towards the stair that lead down towards the Great Hall.

Her sapphire blue dress was flowing softly while she turned, the blue laced with little blue sparkling stones that shimmered in the dim light.

Annabeth immediately spotted her brother standing at the end of the stairs before she caught a glance of Ron's back, entering the hall with one of the Patil sister's on his arm.

The brunette then slowly made her way downstairs, slightly holding her dress up, so that she wouldn't stummble over it in the process.

When Harry spun around, his stressed face expression changed to one of shock. His eyes gave his sister a once over before he gave her a small smile. Parvati, who was standing besides him gave Annabeth a large smile, "You look absolutely beautiful, Annabeth."

The brunette smiled at the girl before she examined her dress as well, "You look absolutely breathtaking."

Harry, who had obviously ignored the exchange between them suddenly interrupted them. He seemed rather stressed out while he spoke, "Did you know that we have to dance?"

Annabeth gave her brother a confused glance, her eyebrows raised, "Well, it's a ball, Harry. What did you expect?"

"No! We have to open the ball with a dance!", the boy exclaimed hectically before Annabeth gave him a pointed look. "I'm sure you'll survive."

The brunette girl then let her gaze wander around, keeping an eye open for Cedric, who she now spotted over by a group of Hufflepuffs'.

Annabeth pushed both of her hair strands behind her ear, and then pushed past her brother without another word.

The brunette felt her heart beating in her chest while she slowly approached Cedric. As soon as she came into the groups view one of his friends nodded into her direction and when Cedric turned to face her Annabeth felt her heart stop.

Cedric was normally really handsome, but with the dress robes and his styled hair he looked even better. The brunette was so caught up in her own thoughts that she didn't seem to realize that Cedric was in the same kind of state.

Annabeth felt herself blush when she finally spoke up, "Hey."

The boy gave her a wide smile while his friends slowly made their way over to their own dates'.

Annabeth tried to suppress the large ridiculous smile from spreading over her whole face, while she looked up into the boy's eyes.

Cedric's eyes wandered over Annabeth appearance, before he rubbed the back of his neck, a blush creeping onto his cheeks, "You look really beautiful."

Annabeth now gave him a wide smirk, while she slowly let her finger trace over his dress robes, "You look rather dashing yourself, Ced."

The two were about to chuckle when suddenly Professor McGonagall appeared besides them, seeming rather stressed out, "Mr. Diggory, Ms. Potter, are you ready?"

Annabeth raiser her eyebrows at her Professor, kind of surprised by her sudden appearance, "For the dance?"

The woman nodded her head immediately at her, before Cedric and Annabeth nodded back at her to assure her that they knew.

The woman then sighed in relief, before she lead the two over to the entrance of the Hall.

Annabeth was just about to adjust the corset of her dress, when her eyes fell onto a group of Slytherin students, who were making their way up from the dungeons while snickering.

Annabeth's eyes quickly scanned over the group, spotting, Crabe and Goyle, who had seemingly not managed to find themselves a date, as well as Blaise Zabini, who was accompanied by a beautiful Slytherin girl. Annabethe didn't knew her well, but she thought she recognized her as one of the Greengrass sisters'.

Her gaze then moved on and her breath hitched in her throat when her eyes fell onto no other than Draco Malfoy.

He was walking at the front of the group, his platinum blond hair hanging loosely into his face. The boy was dressed in probably very expensive, black, velvet dress robes and his gaze seemed to be as arrogant as ever.

The boy's ice blue eyes met her's before they slowly moved down towards her dress. He then met her gaze once more and slightly tightened his arms around the arm of the Bauxbaton girl he was escorting.

Annabelle felt her heart skipping a couple of beats and a weird stinging that went through her chest.

But before she could ask herself why she was feeling that way, Cedric's warm voice snapped the girl out of her trance.

He had a concerned look on his face while he looped her arms with his. "Are you okay?"

Annabeth quickly shook her head before she gazed up into his calming, warm, brown eyes, "Y—Yeah, just a bit nervous."

Cedric gave her a toothless smile, "You're going to be great."

The brunette nodded at him thankfully when she suddenly heard the music playing through the thick wooden doors.

She felt her palms getting slightly sweaty and a moment later the large oak doors of the Great Hall swung open, revealing them to all of Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Bauxbaton, who turned to look at them in great curiosity.

Annabeth felt her heart racing before she tightened her arm around Cedric's. A moment passed by and Fleur, who was accompanied by the Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain, Roger Davis, stepped first into the Great Hall.

Right after her, it was Cedric's and Annabeth's turn. The two stepped into the bright light of the Great Hall, while she felt how everyone's eyes were plastered on them.

Annabeth heard a couple of hushed whispers going through the crowd while she made her way down the passage that had been formed for them.

The brunette's eyes moved over the crowd, spotting Ron, who seemed rather surprise by the fact that she was going with Cedric Diggory.

Annabeth gave him a small smile before her eyes traveled over the other side of the crowd stopping by Malfoy, who's ice blue eyes were practically burning through her once again.

The two had now reached the center of the large Hall and quietly took their position.

Cedric slowly placed a hand on her waist and took her right hand into his left. Annabeth's breath hitched in her throat and the brunette gazed up at him, before she softly placed her free hand onto his shoulder.

Her heart was still hammering in her chest, when they suddenly heard another wave of loud whispers filling the hall.

Annabeth glanced over her shoulder and saw that Hermione was now entering the center of the hall, accompanied by no other than Viktor Krumm. 

The couple took a stand next to Annabeth and Cedric, before Hermione gave her best friend a wide smile. Annabeth gave her an encouraging nodd and as soon as every single pair had taken their place, the music started playing and Cedric immediately spun Annabeth around.

Annabeth felt like the two were practically flying over the dance floor. She gave the boy a widel smile while Cedric lifted her into the air and placed her back down.

The two then continued their dance and after a moment, Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall joined the Champions and their partners.

Annabeth had to chuckle while she watched the Headmaster and the head of her House dance with each other elegantly.

It didn't took long and soon Neville and Ginny joined in, as well as Hagrid and Madame Maxime. More and more students joined them, Gryffindors' Ravenclaws', Hufflepuffs' and even Slytherins'. All spinning around the dance floor to the classic music with their partner.

Soon the dance came to an end and Dumbledore announced the 'weird sisters', that were playing for the rest of the evening.

Everyone was going wild and having fun and Annabeth had never felt so happy in her life. She was dancing besides Cedric, Hermione, Viktor, Fred, George and their dates, shouting to the music as the other's all did.

At some point Cedric grabbed Annabeth's hand and spun her around, before the two shook their heads passionately to the music, laughing.

The song then soon came to an end and the brunette boy immediately pulled Annabeth away from the large crowd.

The tables were all empty and the two just let themselves flopp onto two empty chairs, breathing heavily. Annabeth felt Cedric's eyes on the side of her face, so she turned to face him, a wide smile on her face. "What?"

She had never seen him so— she couldn't even discribe it, the boys raised his brows at her, "You're incredible. You know that?"

Annabeth gave him a smirk before she shrugged, "Well, I don't want to sound arrogant— but yeah I'm pretty incredible."

Cedric chuckled amused before he pulled her up from her chair and dragged her with him and out of the Great Hall.

A chuckle escaped from Annabeth while she hurried after the boy, "Where are we going?"

"Just right over here", Cedric stated simply while he came to  a stand a couple steps away from the entrance.

The boy then reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet box. Annabeth's eyes immediately widened in surprise.

The boy then moved his finger over the lock and the box slowly opened, revealing a beautiful necklace.

It was a gold chain with a little blue sapphire as a charm.

Annabeth's eyes widened even more and she now glanced up to stare at him in disbelief. "Merlin. I can't accept that, Cedric."

The boy gave her an assuring nodd, before he pulled the necklace out of the box, "Yes, you can. I want you to wear it."

Annabeth shook her head at him, "I can't —" Cedric gave her a pleading look and Annabeth immediately felt herself giving in, "Please."

The brunette eyed the necklace once more, before she slowly spun around and pushed her hair asides, revealing her neck to him.

Cedric stepped closer to her, his chest almost brushing her back. She could feel his his warmth through their clothes and her heart immediately sped up once more.

She heard how the clasp slowly snapped shut, before her hair fell into place and she faced him.

Cedric was biting his lip while he gazed down into her eyes. He seemed to be thinking about something before the boy suddenly spoke, "There's something I wanted to do all evening—"

Annabeth didn't say anything when she felt him lean down towards her, his hand hovering over he waist, "Can I—"

Annabeth immediately nodded her head, interrupted him, "— please."

With that Cedric placed his hand on her waist and his other hand slid up towards her jaw, cupping it before his lips softly connected with Annabeth's.

The brunette immediately placed her hands on both of his, kissing him back while she got onto her tiptoes. The two remained that way for a while, until the music sped up again.

The two let go of each other and Annabeth gave him a smirk before she quickly snatched his hand and dragged him back inside.

She raised her eyebrows at him, glancing at the roaring crowd, "Another dance?" Cedric was about to nodd his head at her, before Professor Sprout suddenly approached them, stealing him away after apologizing for the interruption.

Annabeth smiled and assured her that it was no problem before she slowly made her way over to Ron and Harry, who had been sulking in the corner for the whole evening.

Annabeth came to a stand in front of them, her gaze sceptical, "Everything alright, lads?"

Harry and Ron just shot her a dark look before Hermione suddenly flopped down on a chair besides them, "Hot, isn't it?"

She was practically glowing, a large smile on her face while she tried to get her breathing right. Her gaze then fell onto Ron and Harry, "Viktor's gone to go get drinks. Would you care to join us?"

"No, we'd not care to join you and Viktor", Ron immediately spatted, his face telling how miserable he was.

Hermione's smile immediately dropped and she gave him a curios glance, "What's got your wand in a knot?"

Ron shot her another annoyed glare, "He's a Durmstrang. You're fraternizing with the enemy!"

"The enemy? Who was it wanting his autograph?", Hermione frowned at Ron, who seemed quite taken back now. The brunette seemed to be rather mad about his comment, "Besides — the whole point of the tournament is international magical cooperation— to make friends."

"I think he's got a bit more than friendship on his mind", Ron hissed at her, his eyes narrowed at Hermione. The girl seemed taken back by that comment before she let out a huff and quickly got onto her feet.

After Hermione had dashed off, Annabeth shot Ron a sharp glare, "Wonderful— thank you, Ronald."

The ginger haired boy immediately glared at her, his face completely red, "You're not any better than her! Going out with Diggory! You're also fraternizing with the enemy! After all he's Hufflepuffs' Champion!"

Annabeth's eyes narrowed at him in anger, "I can go out with whoever I want to, Ronald!"

The brunette exchanged a quick glance with her brother, hoping that he would say something to defend her, bit Harry only looked down at his hands, avoiding eye contact. Annabeth raised her eyebrows at him, "Do you really think me as a traitor?"

Harry gazed up at her, remaining silent before he cleared his throat, "He was having a great laugh about the badges."

Annabeth let out a deep disappointed sighed and shook her head to herself, before she spun around on her heel and quickly made her way out of the Great Hall.

To her surprise Hermione was sitting on the large stone stairs, her head buried on her hands while her body shook. Annabeth let herself fall down besides her onto the steps.

Hermione glanced up from her hands, her eyes puffy and red, still sobbing. Annabeth let out a deep sight before she silently pulled Hermione into a tight hug.

The brunette girl continued to cry, now seeming slightly more angry than sad, "Why does he always have to spoil everything!"

Annabeth softly patted the girls back while she remained silent. After a small moment of staring together off into the darkness Annabeth stood up and stretched a hand out for Hermione to take.

"I want to show you something." The girl gave her a questioning look but Annabeth shook her head, "No questions."

After a small moment of consideration Hermione agreed and too her hand. Annabeth then slowly lead the girl through the castle.

When they had finally reached the old metal stairs, she motioned for Hermione to climb up first. The brunette immediately started climbing up the stairs, followed by Annabeth and soon they had reached the top.

The wind was quiet cold when the two Gryffindor girls' stepped onto the large stone platform. It was completely dark, no light shining, only the stars that were looking down on them.

Annabeth wrapped her arms around herself while approached the thick metal railing.

Hermione had stopped sobbing and was gazing up into the night sky. Annabeth smiled slightly while she let her gaze slowly wandered over the landscape while she leaned against the railing.

The Great Hall casted beams of light on the dark landscape, making it seem slightly mystical and Annabeth could still hear the rock music playing.

Annabeth let out a deep sight because she thought of this moment as quiet peaceful. She then glanced at Hermione, who seemed to be deep in thoughts, "Ron's a git. Don't bother with his dumb thoughts."

Hermione gave her a small smile, "I guess you're right. It's just—" She gazed back at the landscape, "— It's so frustrating. Why can't he be happy for me?"

Annabeth thought about telling Hermione about the huge crush Ron had on her. Everyone seemed to take notice of it, except Hermione, who was to blind to see the obvious.

Annabeth smiled to herself before she glanced at her best friend, "You'll find our soon enough."

Hermione seemed confused by that statement but choose to remain silent while the two continued to watch the stars.

After what felt like a long time Hermione finally got onto her feet, "Are you coming?"

Annabeth gave her a appreciative smile but shook her head slightly, "I think I'm gonna stay here a moment longer."

Hermione nodded her head at her while she headed for the stairs, "See you later."

Annabeth didn't take her eyes of the stars while she answered, "Yeah."

She could hear Hermione's footsteps slowly disappearing into the distance so she jumped in surprise when she suddenly heard a male voice coming from behind her, "Beautiful, isn't it?"

Annabeth's head immediately snapped towards the direction from where that someone was speaking up from.

Her eyes narrowed while she was trying to figure out who was standing in the shadows and after a moment her eyes caught sighed of the familiar platinum blond hair.

Annabeth had a hand placed on her cleavage while she exhaled deeply, "Merlin, Malfoy, you almost scared me to death."

The boy now stepped out of the shadows, a smug smirk on his face while only the light of the stars and the moon was shining on his face. "I'm sorry that really wasn't my intention."

His hands were stuffed into the front pockets of his fancy pants, while he approached her in silence.

Only when he was standing right besides her, he placed his hands on the railing, now far from her own while glancing at her, "Aren't you supposed to be dancing with pretty boy Diggory?"

Annabeth let out a deep sight, "I was." Her eyes met his before she shrugged simply, "But a best friend is more important."

Draco remained silent, just scanning over her face with his blue eyes. "Mhm."

Annabeth felt a bit uncomfortable under his intense gaze and shifted her weight from one foot onto the other, "And what are you doing up here?"

He looked away from her and out onto the landscape, "Hiding." There was a moment of silence between them before he continued, "Turns out french girls' can be really— difficult."

Annabeth chuckled quietly, thinking back to when she saw him with his date. She then thought back to her little fight with Ron and Harry, "Well, boy's aren't that easy either."

Darco glanced at her from the corner of her eye, but just continued to listen to her. Annabeth suddenly let out a shiver and rubbed her hands over her arms.

Draco's eyebrows immediately rose into the air and he quickly shrugged off his jacket, which made Annabeth frown in confusion.

The boy then held out his jacket for her and Annabeth hesitated for a small moment. She was completely stunned by his behaviour. What had happened to him? Did someone hit him over the head?

The girl turned her back towards him and slowly shrugged on the jacket before she faced him. Making eye contact with the boy she smiled slightly, "Thank you."

Draco didn't say anything back to her, he just leaned back against the railing but continued to gaze at her from time to time. Annabeth suddenly gave him a frown, "What?"

Draco shook his head at her, before he gazed back down at the Great Hall, "Nothing."

Suddenly the loud voice of the front man of the Weird sisters came through the loud speakers', remembering everyone that this was the last dance for the evening.

Annabeth inhaled in surprised, she hadn't realized that it was already this late. "Oh, I have to go! Cedric is probably waiting for me!"

Draco gave her a sceptical look, before he gazed down at his magical watch, "You won't make it in time for the last dance."

Annabeth huffed loudly while she immediately leaned back onto the railing, "This was not how I imagined this evening to end."

Draco suddenly pushed himself off the railing and held out his hand from her to take. Annabeth gave him a confused face expression while she stared at his outstretched hand.

The boy rose his eyebrows at her and bowed slight, "May I have this last dance?"

Annabeth seemed like she was in shock when she stared up at the boy with wide eyes. She didn't knew what to say to his oddly friendly behaviour, but she chose to slowly placed her hand in his.

To her surprise was Draco's hand warm, but she couldn't even comprehend what was happening before the boy pulled her towards him.

Because of this sudden motioned their body's were touching each other and Annabeth met his eyes.

She had to look up at him because of his height and her free hand wandered to his shoulder. The slow music started playing in the background and Draco started spinning her around to the motion of the song.

His hand was softly placed on her waist while his other hand was cupping her own. He was elegantly guiding her over the stone platform, his eyes never leaving her's.

Annabeth felt her heart beating loudly in her chest while a nearly electric sensation came from every single touch of him.

The two students remained that way until the music stopped playing, but they still remained in each other's hold.

Annabeth was gazing up into Draco's eyes, wondering why the boy was so different when he was alone with her.

At the same time, Draco was also gazing into her eyes, wondering if he was going mental because he always had this fuzzy sensation inside of him when he was near her.

Annabeth suddenly felt how Draco slightly leaned towards her, his face approaching her's slowly.

At first the brunette was completely starstruck, before she felt his breath on her face. Their noses' where softly brushing against each other while she felt his lips hovering above her own.

Annabeth then suddenly pulled back in shock and immediately shrugged of his fancy jacket in panic.

She felt how her cheeks were glowing bright red and her thoughts were rushing through her mind.

She was with Cedric and she loved Cedric. On the other hand she was completely confused to what had just happened and what could've happened when she hadn't stepped back.

The Gryffindor girl quickly handed him his jacked and Draco seemed like he was in a complete trance, "Thank you for the dance, Draco— but I really have to go."

The Malfoy boy still seemed to be speachless while he shrugged on his jacket. The brunette girl then hurried down the stepps of the Astronomy tower and quickly made her way through the castle.

After a couple of minutes she had finally reached the entrance of the Great Hall and Cedric immediately dashed towards her, a relived expression on his face. "Annabeth, there you are! I was searching for you everywhere!"

The brunette gave him an apologizing look, "Hermione and I got into a fight with Harry and Ron— She needed me."

Cedric's smile dropped slightly, "Oh— why did you argue?" Annabeth scoffed and waved him off immediately, "Ron's a stupid twat— that's why."

Cedric slung an arm around her shoulders before the two then slowly continued their way up towards the Gryffindor common room.

Annabeth's mind was still preoccupied with what had just happened on the Astronomy tower, but she was smiling and nodding when Cedric was telling her something.

When they had finally reached the portrait of the fat lady, the two came to a stand.

Cedric was eyeing her face closely, a small smile tugging on his lips. "Thank you for the evening, Annie."

Annabeth nodded her head at him, before she smiled, "I had a lot of fun tonight." She then raised an eyebrow at him, "I see you in the morning?"

Cedric nodded shortly, "Yeah, I see you in the morning." The two continued to look at each other for a small moment, before Annabeth got onto her tiptoes and softly placed a kiss onto Cedric's lips.

After a moment she pulled back and the two said their Good-byes before she slipped into the Gryffindor Common room, a large smile on her lips.