The Angel of Hogwarts

Chapter 12

'Twas close the night of the Yule Ball, and even though the Triwizard Competition didn't happen anymore, the schools made it a tradition to do this Ball every so often. Scorpius had asked Rose to go with him, to which she responded with a furious nod and a grand old hug. Nessa also got asked out by an unknown subject, that everybody wanted to know who it is but she told no-one. Nessa has been in love with this guy pratically since she was born. He was a year older than her, but he got pushed back a year because of his grades. Lucky for her, she was 'stuck' tutoring him. 

Nessa remembered her first year as a disaster. She was a lot chubbier than she was now and people would always make fun of her. She remembered how she used to binge eat whenever someone called her fat or ugly. But one day, she realized that people were too mean and she decided to get skinnier.

Finally, the guy made a move on her and it made her the happiest girl in Hogwarts. 

"Hey, Nessa," James Sirius Potter approached Nessa while she walked to class.

She turned around and smiled at the sight of him, "Hi," she said shyly.

"So, what's up?" he asked, struggling to get what he really wanted to say out of his mouth.

"Nothing much, you?"

"Same," he smiled, "have you been asked to the Yule Ball a lot?"

"Hmm, yeah, I've been asked a lot," she gave a few slight nods.

Jame frowned, "Oh, –that's cool– I – yeah, who are you going with?"

"I got asked, I didn't accept any of them yet," she blushed a little. Nessa made eye-contact with James for a second, as if it were to say are you going to ask me or nah.

"Awesome," James gave a hopeful shriek, "that's good too. I guess you're like the Queen B since Rose lost her voice"

"Ugh, don't remind me, we're definitely going to lose the cheerleading competition without her," she stopped walking and looked at him for a few seconds, "what do you need, James?"

"Okay, here's the deal. I wanted to ask this girl out," Nessa rolled her eyes at that, "but she has already been asked out, a lot, and I'm afraid she's going to say no, so what do I do?"

"You ask her out regardless," she said and with a sad smile, she resumed walking, "or kiss her out of nowhere and then ask her."

"So, no roses, no chocolate, no nothing?"

"Nope."

On the spur of the moment, James grabbed Nessa by her arm and pushed her against the wall with a sweet kiss. When they broke apart, Nessa was both in shock and very flustered. He was the guy she had liked for ages and now he wants her?

James smiled cockily, "Will you give me the honor of taking you to the Yule Ball?"

She stared at him in shock for what felt like hours, and then after a long time she finally said, "What?"

"You don't want to go to Yule Ball with me?" he felt scared now. He kinda liked her, but that has been for a long time. It wasn't like he only liked her now that she was all stunning all of a sudden, he liked her even when she was the DUFF (designated ugly fat friend).

"No, I do want to go with you" she said, "but you want to go with me?"

"Yeah, of course," he said, "I– want to go with you."

"And I want to go with you. So, we can go together," she nodded.

"Maybe, we could go to Hogsmeade together this Saturday and we can talk about it there," James said nervously.

"Yeah, maybe we should," Nessa said equally nervous.

"What class do you have now?" he asked, attempting to change the subject.

"Defense against the Dark Arts," she said, "we have it together."

"That's right. We're getting a new teacher," he said, how stupid of him not remembering th class he had with her, he has so many of them that he should already expect to see her there anyway.

"Yeah, Professor Lupin. He got hired back."

"It'll be so much fun," James smiled, "my dad said he was a great teacher."

"My dad told me he scared the heck out of him first and then it was fun," she laughed, "we're doing the boggart thing today."

"Really?" she nodded, "yes! I've always wanted to do that."

Nessa remained quiet for the rest of the conversation. When they approached the door, they saw Rose standing alone, ten minutes before class started. That was unlike her! She was sitting on the floor, head on her knees and she seemed sad. Scorpius had his arms placed on her shoulders and he was crouched down next to her.

Normally she'd have this fierce look in her eyes that would make First and Second years run away from her. She absolutely hated Hogwarts, but not because she did badly and lacked friends, but because she felt like she was sorted into the wrong house and wanted other people to feel as miserable as her. She had to go home and listen to her multiple cousins speak of Gryffindor practice or Gryffindor common room, Gryffindor this, Gryffindor that. Even though Albus was sorted into Slytherin, he made the best out of it, but Rose couldn't possibly do that and she looked specially upset right now. Nessa could just tell it was because of this.

Scorpius explained what happened: "Rose was called to 'speak' with Dumbledore. He was telling her what an heroic move she had done for so many people and he wanted to thank her, he wanted to giver the Head Girl badge. She didn't want. Why would she anyway? When she didn't accept it, Dumbledore told her the reason why she wasn't put in Gryffindor. It was because she was very smart and wise and because if the Sorting Hat did put her in Gryffindor, she wouldn't try to prove that she was as brave as any Gryffindor can be. He basically called her a slacker. She threw the Head Girl badge on the floor and stormed out of the room."

No-one has respect for me any way, she thought, so what's the point of being Head Girl?