𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 | 𝐡. 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫

𝟑𝟑 - 𝐛𝐨𝐲'𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬

The Monday morning following the first task was interrupted by the sudden announcement that all Gryffindor students were to convene in the assembly hall from fourth years and above, Hermione and Ophelia had been in the library at the time, comparing the bookmarks they had handmade for one another in boredom as they shuffled their way to the assembly hall.

"I wonder what this is about?" asked Hermione.

"Maybe they're finally going to crack down on all the rule-breaking," Ophelia said sarcastically.

Hermione and Ophelia looked at one another, and simultaneously said "Nah."

Upon entering the assembly hall, they were directed to split into two halves one side of the hall being dedicated solely to the boys of Gryffindor while the other was dedicated to girls.

Once the room and filed out, they realised that Harry and Ron were sat on the opposite benches directly and so, they waved at one another and went to listening to McGongall who had entered the room, determination written into the woman of steel.

"The yule ball has been a tradition of the tri-wizard tournament since its inception. On Christmas eve night we and our guests gather in the great hall for well mannered frivolity. As representatives of the host school I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward, and I mean this literally because the yule ball is first and foremost... a dance."

The boys side of the room groan in annoyance while the girls instantly begin to murmur amongst themselves, including Hermione and Ophelia.

"I told you it was a dance!" Ophelia said

"So this is what the dresses are for!" Hermione responded.

"Silence. The house of Godrick Griffindor has commanded the respect of the wizarding world for nearly ten centuries. I will not have you in the course of a single evening besmirching that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons."

Across the room, Ophelia could see Fred and George bouncing their heads as they spoke to one another very quickly, she stifled a laugh.

"Now to dance is to let the body breathe, inside every girl a secret swan slumbers longing to burst forth and take flight-"

Ophelia and Hermione cringed, audibly wincing at being described as a secret slumbering swan.

"More like a frickin deer on ice, I don't think I can dance like that Mione."

"I'm sure we can practice."

McGonagall turned to the boys side, clearly hearing someone having a bit of banter and wanted to make a fool of them.

"-Inside every boy a lordly lion prepared to prance. Mr Weasley, will you join me?"

Ron goes a sheet of white in embarrassment as he is forced to get up from his seat.

Hermione and Ophelia giggle at the sight of Ron fumbling over what to do.

"Now, place your right hand on my waist-"

"WhERe?" asks Ron, almost in disbelief.

"My waist." she clarifies for him, bringing his reluctant hand from his side to her waist as someone obnoxiously wolf-whistled in the crowd, that someone being Ophelia, Ron went to make a rude gesture but was interrupted by McGonagall. Fred and George are grinning mischievously like this is the funniest thing they had seen all year.

Mr Filch starts the music, and Ophelia is covering her mouth to stifle the laughter at the sight of Ron being forced to waltz, watching him in so much discomfort was bringing her to tears, and Hermione had to help cover Ophelia's mouth which made it much more funnier to her.