Lillian 'Anna' Potter || Goblet of Fire

Chapter Thirty-Five: The Yule Ball

The girls separated once they reached the base of the stairs, and Hermione and Anna began their way to their designated meeting place with the other victors.

Anna’s hands slightly trembled as she pressed them tighter against her sides to conceal the shakiness.

It was stupid to be nervous - after all, it wasn’t like it really mattered what the others thought of her - but it was her first time actually dressing up in front of Cedric, or even her brother for that matter.

Stupid insecurities. She hissed internally. You’re a strong, independent, young woman. Why do you even care about this? It’s not like you’ve ever dressed to impress anyone ever before.

Maybe that was what scared her. Trying and failing. It had always been easier for her to not try - it hurt less than being disappointed each time. But then again, that day in the hospital with Draco, the talk at the lake with Ginny; she had promised that she would turn over a new leaf in her life. And no matter how frightening it was, it was important that she tried. Anna refused to just ‘go with the motions’ as she had her entire life. Her life was too short to spare.

“Here we are,” Hermione said, opening the large wooden door as they were greeted by the others - Fleur and Harry already present with their partners and Viktor and Cedric awaiting them.

“Wow, Anna. You look amazing.” Parvati said earnestly. The two girls had never been close friends, but they had always exchanged compliments and greetings whenever passing each other in the girl’s dormitory or the Hogwarts halls.

But she only gave the girl a tight smile and clipped thanks as she returned the compliment. As far as she was concerned, Ginny was her best friend and she had always had a bit of a crush on her brother. And as kind as Parvati was, Anna was determined to be a good best friend.

“She’s right you know,” Harry elaborated - mistaking Anna’s tone for modesty. “You look..er...curly. Your hair, I mean.”

As much as she loved him, Harry didn’t know how to compliment a girl for his life. No wonder Cho hadn’t fallen head over heels when he had attempted to ask her out.

“Thanks.” Anna said - eyebrow slightly raised. She turned to Cedric, who was still staring weirdly towards the hallway where they would be walking shortly to make their grand entrance to the Yule Ball. “Um, Ced? You okay?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Peachy.” He said quickly, offering her a quick smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Just...not really a great dancer. I think I’ll just blend in with the crowd after the first dance.”

“Right.” She sent him a smile of her own as her spirits plummeted. Honestly, he hadn’t even glanced twice in her direction since she’d arrived - and while she had expected the remark about dancing, it didn’t make the news any less disappointing.

Maybe Ginny and I can just dance together during a fun song.

“Places everyone!” McGonagall called out, clapping her hands together. “Gentlemen - hold your arms out. And Ladies, allow them to escort you down to the ballroom. Bright smiles everyone!”

Anna gently took Cedric’s arm as he held it out for her, and she put on her best picture-perfect grin as the light went on her, knowing that at least one of the Weasleys - whether it be Ron or the twins - would end up taking photos for Mrs. Weasley.

It’s nothing you haven’t done before. She reminded herself as the crowd from down below cheered, and gloom bubbled up inside of her. Just enjoy this one dance you’re going to get. Be grateful for what you have. Not a lot of girls can say they’ve been dancing in the middle of a magical ballroom in a school for witchcraft and wizardry.

But then again, satisfaction had never been one of her strongest traits.

The dance had been fun - though Cedric stumbled a few times, Anna had always helped guide him back into the steps of the choreography, but it didn’t matter how much she wanted to keep going, because once the song ended, the dance was over.

Cedric had gone to find his Hufflepuff friends while Anna stood at a nearby refreshment table - pretending to be busy filling herself a drink as she searched the crowd for Ginny.

What she couldn’t help was how her eyes kept drifting back to the dance floor - gazing longingly at the laughing couples; their bodies bent with the beat, and their fee moving together in perfect synchronization. Anna wanted to be out there so badly it hurt - but she didn’t feel like giving people the wrong idea by asking others out, and she had enough of a brain to know that Harry and Ron danced in similar fashion to a flailing junebug.

She sighed, taking a sip of her pumpkin juice. Missing one night of dancing wasn't the end of the world.

At least, that was what she told herself.

“You wore Slytherin green for me? How considerate.”

Anna looked around to see Draco in all his glory - handsome in a black and white suit, silver eyes sparkling with mischief.

She only played with the fabric of her skirt, feeling too lousy to come up with a good rebuttal. “Mrs. Weasley picked it for me. The green’s supposed to be for my eyes.”

“Ah. Then I suppose the Weasley woman has a good eye for fashion.” A slight flush was visible on his cheeks. “You look beautiful.”

Draco’s blush was infectious, and Anna’s face turned pink. “Thanks.” At least one boy in her life knew what to say to a girl - even if said boy was the same one she was trying to squash her feelings for.

He leaned against the refreshments table, looking her straight in the eye. “What I don’t understand is why you’re hiding back here. You love to dance - so why aren’t you out their twirling with that...Hufflepuff boy of yours?”

“Cedric..doesn’t exactly share my love of dancing.” She shrugged. “I doesn’t really matter though. After all, throughout this entire Triwizard Tournament, I’ve only really been supporting my brother when Harry’s competing against Cedric, so I guess it’s only fair that I don’t get this. It’s just karma.”

Draco frowned. “A relationship doesn't work like that, Anna. You shouldn’t have to not do something you love because Diggory’s a bit salty that you like your brother better.”

He sighed, standing upright. “Well, I suppose there’s only one real way to solve this little dilemma.” Draco held an arm out - offering Anna his hand. “Would you like to dance with me?”