Cedric's Sister

Ch 9

Harry's P.O.V

I ended up going to the ball with one of the Parvati twins. The other went with one since he too didn't find a date yet. I was feeling really down that Penny had said no. I know she didn't mean it. But it still hurts.

The Champions had to make an entrance and had to take the first dance. I wished I had practiced as much as Neville did.

Before we could enter I heard my date say something like "She looks beautiful."

"Who?" I asked. She was looking up the stairs. And there she was, Penelope Diggory. She walked down the stairs gracefully. She had her brown hair down in wavy curls. She wore a long lavender color dress with ruffles at the bottom. She truly was a sight to see. My heart was skipping and I started to feel something warm inside me. Penelope is beautiful.

She made it to the end of the stairs, and I was on my way to talk to her and compliment her. But a horrid thing occurred. Malfoy.

The blond ferret walked up to her with a proud look all over his face and offered her his arm! She took it? She saw me and smiled innocently as they entered the ballroom.

Ron's p.o.v

"Is that Hermione Granger with Victor Krum?" The Pavarti twin asked me. I can never tell those two apart. Even though it really was Hermione with Krum, I still didn't want to believe it. How dare she go with him and me!

"Oh my! Look Ron. Look!" She sounded excited and she shook my arm. I rolled my eyes, getting annoyed.

"What?" I wasn't interested to hear what she had to say.

"On the dance floor. It's Penelope Diggory with Draco Malfoy!"

"What!?" I shouted. She pointed at the dance floor, and there they were. The evil Slytherin holding our innocent Penny so close to him in his arms. Are they smiling at each other?

Oh no. Merlin no!

Penny's p.o.v

I was having fun at the ball while the band was playing. Draco came up to me about a day or two after the Yule Ball was announced. I said yes because we are good friends. How could I say no to a friend? But I did feel horrible when Harry asked me a few days ago. Hermione kept on reminding me that it's Harry's fault for asking so late. Deep down though, I did wish it was Harry who I went with.

But what is done is done. Here I am with Draco having fun. Everyone was dancing, jumping, and cheering. Next thing I knew, I was lifted up by two arms and placed on two shoulders. Fred and George.

"Lucky Penny!" They screamed with joy. They did their best to get closer to the stage. The singer noticed us, and stood closer on the edge. He stretched his hand out towards me.

"Go on Lucky Penny! Hold his hand!" I hear my brother shout out through the music. So I reached out and managed to hold the singer's hand for a few seconds. And during those moments the crowd screamed louder than before. I couldn't stop my smile from growing bigger. After letting go, I was brought back down. I almost lost my balance, but thanks to Draco he caught me by the waist in time.

"Having fun, Penny?" he asked me with that smile I wish he showed around more.

"Yes, you need to smile like that more." He pulled me back up and kept showing me his happy face.

"Only with you. And you, Penelope, need to rest a bit. How about I will go and get us some punch while you sit at a table." I couldn't help but agree with a giggle. He is a good friend and a gentleman.

I looked around for a table and found Hermione, Ron, and Harry sitting in one. I decided to go and see my friends. I hope they are having fun.

Harry's p.o.v

"Victor has gone to get drinks. Will you join us?" Mione asked us. Before I could answer, Ron spoke up bitterly.

"No! We do not care to join you and Victor" Hermione was taken back by his attitude.

"What's got your wand in a knot?"

"He's a Drumstrung. You're franchising with the enemy."

"Hello everyone" A sweet voice appeared that made my heart skip a beat. Penny came up standing by Hermione. Her hair was in curls that I wanted to brush my fingers in and she was sparkling in that light color purple dress. She was breathtaking. How could Malfoy be with her?

Next thing I know, Ron was no longer sitting next to me. He was standing up facing Penny with a heavy glare.

"Don't 'hello everyone' Penelope! What are you doing with the enemy too?" Penny looked confused.

"The enemy?"

"Ron is furious that I am with Krum and you are with Malfoy for the dance." Hermione explained to her. Hermione too was giving him a matching look.

"Look, Ronald. You and Harry may not get along with Malfoy but Penny does. Like it or not, they are friends. As for Krum, was it not you who wanted his autograph?" That's true, Ron was his biggest fan.

"Isn't the whole point of all this to make friends?" Penny said. I couldn't handle it anymore.

"It seems Malfoy has a bit more than friendship in his mind." I muttered. By the time the words left my mouth, I winced and panicked. I saw the girls looking at me in shock. They heard me. Penny looked away hurt while Hermione was more of a look in disbelief. She looked at Penny by the arm and walked away far from us.

"How could they have done this? Especially Hermione!" Ron complained. What have I done? I know I'm jealous, but what right do I have?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Penny's p.o.v

The party was over and everyone was leaving. Draco insisted on escorting me to my dorm. It was just the two of us in the hallway.

"Thank you, Penny. For coming to the ball with me." Draco said.

"Thank you for asking me."

"I had fun."

"Me too. I wish this wouldn't end."

"It doesn't have to." He said looking hopeful and excited.

"What do you mean by that?" He held my hands to stop us from walking. I faced him and patiently waited to see what would happen. He let go of me and put his hand in his suit pocket. Pulling out a small blue navy box. He handed it to me, I slowly lifted the lid up and there was a Gold metal bracelet with a green stone in the shape of a flower Penelope. It is so beautiful.

"Draco-"

"It's a Christmas present. I hope that when you look at it, you'll think of this night, and me. I'll be doing the same with mine." He showed me his wrist and he was wearing a watch but in the clock there was a yellow dragon shaped stone.

"Draco, this is very beautiful, I love it so much! But... this is too much, I didn't even get you a present." I tried to hand it back to him, he held my hands and put them down.

"Don't worry about it. I've meant to give it to you for some time now." He has?

"Why?" He seemed surprised I asked him that.

"Because... we... are friends! You mean a lot to me. Look, I live in a world full of people who pretend to be something they are not. But I know that you, Penny. You are my only true friend."

I felt so moved by his words. I know what he meant. Growing up, so many people expect him to be like his father. And Mr Malfoy wants him to be more. But to me, Draco should be his own person and be happy. I hugged him.

"Thank you, Draco. I will cherish this. If there is one thing I know is that we will always be there for each other."

Draco p.o.v

I watched as Penny entered her House dorm. Once the door was closed, I was alone in the hallway. But I couldn't stop smiling and looked back at my watch, then back to where Penny was once standing. Thinking of what she just told me.

I know I'm fooling myself, she clearly sees me only as a friend. But I can't help it.

"All I know is that you're beautiful."