A HOGWARTS STORY

Chapter 16

I was pretty sure that Pansy was in the courtyard. Catching sight of her brown hair that was cut off at her chin, I grabbed my wand out of the pocket in my black robes. When Astoria saw me, her face brightened. She waved me over, "Hi Gemma!" Astoria said as I started walked towards Pansy. Upon hearing my name, Pansy flinched. Ooh, she so is going to deserve this, I thought.

"Pansy!" I yelled holding my wand. "Why did you put a confundus charm on me!" I was about four feet away from her now. "Because, you wouldn't stay away from Draco. I even gave you a whole week." She sneered. "Pansy, trust me, you don not want to mess with me." I warned her as I held my wand behind my back. "Why it's so fun." She teased, pulling out her wand. Before she could say a spell I pulled out my wand from behind my back. "Stupify!" I snarled. The spell sent her reeling backwards and she hit the ground with a small thud.

Lowering my wand I turned and started walking away. I felt good, well better. I hoped I hadn't really hurt her, I just meant to push her backwards. I guess my wand was pretty strong. I was walking up the steps when I heard someone call my name. I quickly pulled my wand out, and held it to the person's face. "Woah."Astoria said putting her hands up by her face. "Oh sorry. I thought you were Pansy." I confessed as I tucked my wand into my robes. "Ha! She couldn't even get up!" She laughed.

Just then Draco came up to us. "I heard what happened! Are you okay?" He asked holding my shoulders at arms length and checking me. His eyes looked worried. "As if! Pansy didn't even get a spell out before Gemma here cast one at her!" Astoria was still laughing. Draco raised his one of his eyebrows and looked at her.

"Oh. My name is Astoria Greengrass." She said holding out her hand to shake Draco's. He shook it and introduced himself as Draco Malfoy. "What spell did you use?" He asked, turning his eyes towards mine. "Stupify." I said. He laughed, astonished. "Finally, someone put her in her place." We were all laughing now.

***

"How did your Alchemy test go?" Luna asked. "Thank goodness, that Professor Elric let me retake it. I told her all about me getting hexed, and she let me retake it. I think it went well." She nodded, "that's good."
"Hey Luna do you want to go to The Three Broomsticks with Astoria, Draco, and I tomorrow?" I asked as we went to go to the Great Hall for dinner.

"Sure. That sounds fun." There was something different about her and I couldn't quite put my finger on it. "Hey Luna are you okay?" I asked tentatively. "Oh, yeh, sure." She said absentmindedly as she ate a spoonful of pudding.
I was determined to get to the bottom of why she was acting weird. I thought she would be happy, it's going to be Christmas in two weeks. And the Yule Ball was on Christmas Day.

I was so excited for the Yule Ball! There was going to be dancing and music, and a band, and my favorite of all, Draco. Well, he hasn't exactly asked me yet, but who else would he take instead of his girlfriend? It was common sense. Maybe that was why Luna was acting weird, because no one had asked her yet. Just then I saw Draco leave the Great Hall--alone. I looked towards the Slytherin table and saw Pansy Parkinson glaring at me. I smiled sweetly and left in the direction Draco left.

I caught up with him two minutes later. He was on his way to the Slytherin common room. "Draco!" I said, startling him. "Hey Gem." He walked towards me and kissed my lips. "Draco I wanted to--"
"Gem, let's go to our place in the library." He interrupted me. "Okay." I agreed, following him.

Five minutes later we were in our green room, at the back end of the library. He knelt down on one knee.
Oh my gosh--was he--no! We were in our fourth year! What was...? I was internally freaking out and I started shaking.
"Gemma Skye Williams, will you...go to the Yule Ball with me?" He asked me smiling, out of thin air a single dark green rose appeared in his hand, and he handed it to me.

I felt like I couldn't breathe. I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him, I could feel him smiling. "So I guess that means it's a yes?" He asked. "Yes!" I answered kissing him again.