Nico di Angelo and the Goblet of Fire

Chapter 16: An Unexpected Assignment

It was the end of the lesson on Thursday when Professor McGonagall made the announcement. "The Yule Ball is approaching; a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above-although you may invite a younger student if you wish. Dress robes will be worn, and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then-"

Professor McGonagall stared deliberately around the class. "The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to-er-let our hair down," she said, in a disapproving voice.

"But that does NOT mean," Professor McGonagall went on, "that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way."

The bell rang, and there was the usual scuffle of activity as everyone packed their bags and swung them onto their shoulders.

Professor McGonagall called above the noise, "Potter, di Angelo-a word, if you please."

Assuming this had something to do with their grade in her class, the two gloomily proceeded to her desk. Professor McGonagall waited until the rest of the class had gone, and then said, "Potter-di Angelo, the champions and their partners-"

"What partners?" said Harry.

Professor McGonagall looked suspiciously at him, as though she thought he was trying to be funny. "Your partners for the Yule Ball, Potter," she said coldly. "Your dance partners."

Harry's insides seemed to curl up and shrivel. Nico looked resigned as well, just not as disheartened.

"Dance partners?" He felt himself going red. "I don't dance," he said quickly.

"Oh yes, you do," said Professor McGonagall irritably. "That's what I'm telling you. Traditionally, the champions and their partners open the ball."

"I'm not dancing," he said.

"It is traditional," said Professor McGonagall firmly. "You are a Hogwarts champion, and you will do what is expected of you as a representative of the school. So make sure you get yourself a partner, Potter."

"But-I don't-"

"You heard me, Potter," said Professor McGonagall in a very final sort of way.

At the start of the term, Harry would've said finding a partner would be way easier than battling a dragon and diving into a lake. But now, the surprise task seemed almost impossible.

Nico was slightly pissed that McGonagall had told him to find a girl. Only slightly, though, seeing as he hadn't told anyone about his sexuality. He was sitting in the library with Luna, finishing the last of his homework. Luna was making some more radish earrings, stringing them with beads.

"You look worried," Luna said, looking up at him.

Nico shook his head. "I'm fine," he said, quill scratching at the parchment. Whoever came up with the idea to use quills? Pens would be so much easier.

"Alright then. Have you asked anyone for the ball?" Luna asked.

"No," Nico replied. "You're going with anyone?"

"Oh, that's not for me. No one would ask Loony Lovegood." Luna said, seemingly unbothered by the fact that not many people liked her.

Nico looked at her for a second, then said, "I'll ask her. So will you go to the ball with me, Luna? As friends, of course," he hurriedly added.

Luna smiled. "As friends, of course."

A silence stretched between them as Nico finished the last part of his essay. "Well, that's it," he sighed. "See you soon?"

"I would like that, yes." Luna agreed.

"Okay. Bye," Nico said, collecting the last of his stuff and leaving the library to head back to the Gryffindor common room.

He entered the common room, telling 'Fairy Lights' to the Fat Lady. When looking around, both Harry and Ron were moping in chairs.

Nico sat down by them. "Well, what's bothering you two?"

"Girls," Ron sighed. "You got anyone?"

Nico nodded. "Yes, I asked my friend Luna to come with me."

Ron looked at him enviously, just as Harry got up.

Nico turned his head. Lavender and Parvati had just entered the common room.

Harry walked over, then said, "Parvati? Will you go to the ball with me?" Parvati went into a fit of giggles. Harry waited for them to subside, his fingers crossed in the pocket of his robes.

"Yes, all right then," she said finally, blushing furiously.

"Thanks," said Harry, in relief. "Lavender-will you go with Ron?"

"She's going with Seamus," said Parvati, and the pair of them giggled harder than ever.

Harry sighed. "Can't you think of anyone who'd go with Ron?" he said, lowering his voice so that Ron wouldn't hear.

"What about Hermione Granger?" said Parvati.

"She's going with someone else."

Parvati looked astonished.

"Ooooh-who?" she said keenly.

Harry shrugged. "No idea," he said. "So what about Ron?"

"Well..." said Parvati slowly, "I suppose my sister might...Padma, you know...in Ravenclaw. I'll ask her if you wish."

"Yeah, that would be great," said Harry. "Let me know, will you?"

And he went back over to Ron and Nico, who was smirking much more than necessary, and sat back down, thinking that this was much more trouble than it was worth.