Falling Star

Of Dancing and Dates

After the completion of the first task, the number one thing on everyone's mind is the upcoming Yule Ball. All of the girls chatter nonstop about who they want to ask them to the ball. The boys nervously talk amongst themselves about asking girls to be their date and their immense fear of rejection.

Sitting in the courtyard doing homework with Draco, I watch a group of Durmstrang boys work up the courage to ask a group of Beauxbaton girls to the dance. The girls are all giggling to each other and casting flirty glances to the boys. The boys finally straighten up and walk over to the girls. I tear myself away from watching the spectacle.

"Have you asked anyone yet?" I ask Draco.

He doesn't look up from his notes. "What?"

I sigh, exasperated. I know that he is aware of exactly what I'm talking about; he's just willfully avoiding talking about it."The Yule Ball. Do you have a date?"

He looks up at me then, his pale eyes only showing boredom. "Oh. Yeah, I'm going with Pansy. And you're going with Blaise."

I blink in confusion and knit my brows together. "What? No one has asked me, so I don't know where you got the idea that I'm going with Blaise," I tell him with a chuckle.

Draco looks at me like he's a professor and I'm not understanding a simple spell. "Blaise didn't need to ask you. Our parents arranged it. For both of us."

At my dumbfounded expression, Draco adds, "It's just for looks. Pictures and whatnot. In case Rita Skeeter shows up, and I'm sure she will, we both need to be with suitable dates."

Still stunned, I just stare at my brother. I open my mouth, then close it, not able to get words out just yet. In the back of my mind, I was expecting something like this. But I was hoping against all hope that I would be able to actually enjoy the Yule Ball. My dreams of a fun, carefree night shatter in that moment like one of Professor Trelawney's crystal balls.

"Suitable?" I finally sputter. "What do you mean suitable?"

A flash of annoyance crosses Draco's otherwise neutral features. "You know. Slytherin, preferably. Pure blood. No blood traitors. Etc."

"Oh of course." I let out a frustrated groan. "This is so unfair! Merlin forbid I go against outdated parameters to choose a date. Wouldn't want to embarrass the noble Malfoy house," I seethe.

"More than you already have?" Draco mutters.

His quiet words punch me in the gut. Tears immediately spring to my eyes, and I bite the inside of the cheek in an effort to keep them from escaping down my face. I slam my textbook closed and begin hastily packing my things.

Draco realizes what he's said as soon as the words leave his mouth. He huffs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Dahlia, I didn't mean that how it came out. I shouldn't have said that."

"How else is that supposed to 'come out?'" I question.

"Just that...you don't have to worry as much about appearances and being perfect like I have to because..." he sputters and trails off.

"Because I'm already a disappointment? Was that supposed to make it better? Just save it, Draco," I say, standing up and walking away from him.

Draco jumps up and calls after me, "Li, wait!"

I whirl around to face him. "What? You can't just take any of that back. I'm sorry that I haven't made our family proud. But I will never apologize for being in Gryffindor or for who my friends are." I take a deep yet slightly shuddering breathe before continuing. "And...and if you can't accept that, then..." I trail off and the tears finally escape.