The Golden Mare - Cedric Diggory

Green Gowns

The dining hall was packed with students. Loud conversations and laughs bounced off the walls and the tables were filled with the usual abundance of breakfast food.

It had been a week since Aurora's confrontation with Draco. She had mostly tried to ignore him since then, but she couldn't do that today. It was their first trip to Hogsmeade this year, and all the girls were looking forward to buying their dresses. Draco had insisted on buying Aurora her dress. As many times as she refused, he wouldn't budge on it. By their fifth argument over the topic, she had given in, deciding that receiving a free dress wouldn't be that terrible.

Although Aurora noticed many of the Gryffindor girls excitedly talking about their day ahead, Ron and Harry were both slouched over their food, frowns plastered on their faces. Hermione, as usual, was absorbed in a book, and hadn't seemed to notice their discontent.

Aurora flickered her gaze between the two boys before letting out a sigh. "What's wrong with you two? I thought you had made up!"

Hermione let out a snort and closed her book. "They are just upset that they have no one to take to Hogsmeade." Harry and Ron flashed her an annoyed glare.

Aurora tried not to laugh as she looked back at them. "You don't have dates? That's okay, I mean, it's just Hogsmeade..."

Hermione rolled her eyes at the statement, as if the problem was obvious. "They are upset because they don't have anyone to take dress shopping."

Aurora's eyes widened at the realization, although Ron scoffed. "Not like I would want to go dress shopping anyway." He muttered, still looking down at his food.

Aurora couldn't help feeling surprised that Harry didn't have a date to the dance yet. After all, he was a Hogwarts champion. However, it didn't take her long to realize why he hadn't asked anyone. As she returned her gaze to him, she saw that his eyes were filled with longing. He had wanted to ask her to the Ball.

A small frown crept on to her face. She still wanted Harry to have fun, even if she wasn't going with him. She tried to flash him a smile and placed her hands on his. She saw him stiffen at the touch, but ignored it. "Hey, I'm sure there are plenty of girls you can still ask."

She heard Fred and George snort from further down the table and call, "Barely!"

Aurora flashed daggers in their direction and then looked back at Harry. "Right?"

Ron seemed to be overhearing their conversation and his eyes flashed as if he had made an epiphany. "Wait a moment..." He mumbled, turning to Hermione. "You're a girl..."

She rolled her eyes. "Incredible observation, Ronald."

"Well.. then you can go with one of us!" He yelped excitedly. "I mean, it would be rather embarrassing for a girl to go alone."

Her brows furrowed at him. "I'll have you know, I won't be going alone, because someone has already asked me!" She exclaimed rather loudly, abruptly getting up from the table and stomping out of the Great Hall.

Ron starred after her, looking utterly confused. "Who in bloody hell asked her?" He asked, turning toward Aurora.

Aurora was feeling just as baffled. Not that Hermione had gotten a date, but that she hadn't told her about it.

"I have no idea." She murmured, noting to herself to ask Hermione later.

Aurora was deep in thought for a few moments before she heard someone come up behind her. "Well, is it not my beautiful Yule Ball Date?"

Aurora turned her head to see Draco, a smug smile plastered on his face as he walked over to her. His walk was filled with arrogance. He was dressed in normal attire, a contrast to the usual Slytherin robes. However, Aurora wondered if it should be considered normal attire. The clothes were obviously very expensive. He was wearing a lavish green sweater and his fingers were littered with his usual rings, glittering in the room's light. Aurora noticed Harry and Ron's expressions turn especially unpleasant as Draco walked over, but she tried to ignore them. She had enough issues with Draco herself.