Just Add Love

☆ chapter eight ☆

"The Yule Ball has been a tradition of the tri-wizard tournament since its inception."

Professor McGonagall had gathered a large number of students into the assembly room. Everyone was chattering curiously about why they were here, being cut off by the professor. 

"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 group erupted in hushed murmurs, some excitement, some groaning. Iris nudged Soleil, smiling. "I've never been to a dance before..." She whispers

"I don't think anyone here has..." Soleil whispers back. She looks around, noticing the difference between the girls and the boys. Most girls were whispering excitedly in their seats. Most boys were groaning or diverting their eyes to the ground.

She noticed Neville, who was looking around with a small smile across his face. He seemed excited, Soleil thought. He made eye contact with Soleil before she turned her head back toward McGonagall.

"Now, to dance is to let the body breathe; Inside every girl is a secret swan slumber, longing to burst forth and take flight." She continues. Ron mumbles something under his breath, making some other Gryffindors laugh, before being called on by the professor.

"Inside every boy, a lordly lion prepared to prance. Mr. Weasley, will you join me?" Ron stands up sheepishly, earning some wolf whistles from his friends and brothers. The two begin to dance, demonstrating the moves. Soleil chuckles with everyone else but notices Neville watching intently, studying the two.

"Everybody, find a partner and practice on your own!" McGonagall shouts, still dancing with Ron. All the girls stand eagerly while the boys stay seated, diverting their eyes.

Except for one.

Neville stands to his feet, stepping towards the line of girls. Specifically, towards Soleil.

"Uhm, Soleil, would you like to dance? With me?" Neville asks, offering out his hand towards her nervously. Soleil can't help the smile smearing across her face, falling into a trance from his green eyes. She feels a nudge in her side, pulling her eyes away from Neville's, and looks for the source of the elbow. It was Iris, gesturing for Soleil to answer Neville rather than just stare at him.

"Oh! I'd love to!" Soleil says, taking Neville's hand and walking out into the middle of the room, similar to McGonagall and Ron.

Neville is smiling, his eyes on Soleil, watching her walk into the middle with him. Other boys stand up, walking over to girls and asking to dance. This continued until everyone was standing, dancing with a partner.

Soleil and Neville were gliding across the floor in a small square, although Soleil could argue it felt like they were dancing on clouds. She kept her eyes focused on the ground, watching her footsteps. She felt a finger on her chin, lifting it up to match Neville's eyes.

"Don't watch your feet, it'll make you mess up," Neville says, looking into Soleil's eyes. She chuckles and says, "If I don't watch my feet, I'll definitely mess up..." She looks down at her feet, only for her face to be lifted up again. 

Neville chuckles and says, "Just trust me, Sprout. Watch me." The two glide across the floor, mainly being lead by Neville. People stare at the two, but Soleil could care less. All she saw was Neville.

Neville's POV

Neville smiles slowly, his hand on the small of her back, pulling her closer. Soleil's hair had fallen over her shoulders, some strands on her face. She was beautiful, Neville thought. Merlin, he wanted to tell her.

He would never have this courage built up in him ever again. He needed to tell her. Was now the time? In front of everyone? He could find another time to do it...No. He has to do it while he feels so confident.

"Soleil, uh, I think you look be-" He is cut off by McGonagall clapping her hands and turning off the music.

"Great practice, everyone! You all can head to the Great Hall for dinner." She cheers, turning to Mr. Flich.

Neville looks at Soleil, removing his hand from her back slowly. "See you later..." He says softly. Soleil nods and turns to go back to Iris. Neville notices that Iris has an expression of excitement on her face when Soleil approaches. Soleil shoves her in the shoulder and Neville just chuckles. 

Neville walks out into the corridor. "Nice moves, Neville." Ron snickers jokingly as he walks past with Harry and Hermione. 

"Thanks, Ron! I could teach you some moves if you need some help!" Neville says to the redhead, gesturing towards Hermione.

Ron's face turns the same color as his hair, giving Neville the death glare. Hermione and Harry just laugh before walking away. Neville turns to follow them when he hears a familiar voice. 

"Longbottom, is it?" Neville turns to see Viktor Krum towering over him, a look on his face he couldn't quite read. All he knew was that he did not look happy.

"Hello, uh, Viktor, right?" He says nervously. Viktor gives him an even dirtier look. "Don't act like you don't know my name. Everyone here knows my name. Even Soleil." He says roughly.

The mention of Soleil's name puts Neville on edge. "What about her...?" He asks, trying to seem threatening, only to fail miserably. 

"I see the way you look at her. If you're thinking about asking her to the Yule Ball, think again." Viktor pushes out his chest. "I'm planning on going with her. We can have the first dance." He boasts.

"Did you ask her?" Neville asks. "We just found out about the ball, there's no way she could have said yes..."  Viktor seemingly becomes visibly angrier. "There is no way she'll say no! Look at me! I'm the champion, for god's sake!" He smirks with confidence. 

"Better find a new date, Longbottom." He says harshly before turning and leaving towards the Great Hall. 

Defeated, Neville turns to go back to his dorm. There was no way he could eat right now. He just wants to lie in bed until classes tomorrow.

Mumbling to himself, his eyes meet a pair of golden brown ones. It was Soleil, sneaking into the library. "Oh dear god, Soleil, what are you doing now?" Neville asks, exasperated, before following her into the library. 

Word Count: 1107

This chapter is kind of hard to read, a lot of it being fillers from the movie. Sorry <3