𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 \\ 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗷. 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

𝑋𝑋𝑋𝐼𝐼𝐼.

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙮-𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL HAD gathered all of Gryffindor house into her classroom. Benches had appeared, girls on one side, boys on the other, with a muggle record player that had been enlarged in the center beside the Professor. Mr. Filch was trying to get the record player to work as Professor Mcgonagall spoke.

      "The Yule Ball has been a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament... since its inception. On Christmas Eve night, we and our guests gather in the Great Hall for a night of well-mannered frivolity," Apparently, as she stated in a letter that arrived that very same morning, Eloise Jones had known of the Ball, and she was planning for Caroline, possibly accompanied by Harry to come home the morning of Christmas day. Jacob and Carson would already be at Carson's house. "As representatives of the host school, I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward. And I mean this literally because... the Yule Ball, is first and foremost... a dance."

      Chatter from the girls and boys began at their Professor's words. The girls were excited, and the boys were less than thrilled. Caroline nudged Hermione, a knowing look on her face. "Krum," she whispered. "He's sure to ask you." Hermione shook her head.

      "Silence! The house of Godric Gryffindor has commanded the respect of the wizard world for nearly ten centuries. I will not have you in the course of a single evening besmirching that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons." Professor Mcgonagall said. Caroline found Harry, tracing the scratch on his face with her sharp eyes, until he looked in her direction. She looked away quickly.

      "Now, to dance is to let the body breathe," said Professor Mcgonagall. She approached the girls' side. "Inside every girl, a secret swan slumbers, longing to burst forth and take flight," upon a comment made by Ron, the professor moved in his direction. "Inside every boy, a lordly lion prepared to prance. Mr. Weasley."

      "Yes?" Ron asked, casting his gaze downward.

      "Will you join me, please?" Professor Mcgonagall said, lifting Ron up and out of his chair by his sweater. Caroline saw Harry give him a little push, smiling innocently as the group of boys began to relentlessly tease Ron. Professor Mcgonagall led Ron to the center of the room. "Now, place your right hand on my waist."

      "Where?" a shocked Ron gasped. He looked over to Caroline, who was covering her mouth with her hand, overwhelmed with the need to laugh out loud at her best friend.

      "My waist," Professor Mcgonagall repeated as a whistle came from one of the boys. Ron put his hand on her waist. "And extend your arm. Mr. Filch, if you please." Mr. Filch began playing the music, and Professor Mcgonagall started waltzing with Ron, as Harry and the twins continued teasing Ron.

      "Do you know how to dance?" Hermione asked Caroline as they watched Ron and Professor Mcgonagall.

      Caroline nodded. "Dad taught me when I was little. I doubt any of the boys know how to properly dance, though." she remarked, and Hermione chuckled.

      "Everybody come together! Boys, on your feet!" the girls had stood, and Caroline smiled as Neville was the first boy to stand up. Others followed after him. And it was there, in that moment, that Dean and Caroline had promised each other that if they couldn't find a date, they would go with each other. But Caroline had her eyes on someone, and someone else had their eyes on her.

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

THE DAYS UNTIL the Yule Ball were fast approaching, and Hermione was the only one who had a date. Caroline was the only one who knew that. The girls, along with Harry and Ron were sitting out by the lake. Caroline was knelt on the ground, a small niffler at her feet. She gave it a shiny piece of metal she had found, and smiled as it stuffed it in its pouch. Viktor Krum walked by, being followed by a group of girls. His gaze landed on Hermione. It didn't go unnoticed.

      They were walking back to the castle, not really talking, when Cedric Diggory jogged over to Caroline, asking to speak with her. Caroline agreed, and she walked away with Cedric. Harry's unhappy stare into the back of Cedric's head went unnoticed to Caroline. "Is everything alright, Cedric?" Caroline asked once Cedric led them into the courtyard.

      "Yes, everything's fine," Cedric sat down on one of the benches and Caroline joined him, wrapping her scarf tighter around her neck. "The Yule Ball is coming up. You're going, aren't you?"

      Caroline nodded. "I'm planning on it. Are you?" she asked. Her curls were blowing in the light breeze, causing Caroline to grab them and pull it down.

      "I am, which is what I wanted to talk to you about. Would you like to go to the Ball with me?" Cedric asked, a light smile on his face.

      Yes, Caroline wanted to say. Of course I will, she almost said. But Harry. What about Harry? What about Harry? They were friends. Just friends. Always would be just friends. So why couldn't she just say yes? What was stopping her? And then she thought of Cedric. He was handsome, he liked her. She liked him. So why was the choice so hard? It shouldn't have been that hard. She was running out of time. Harry was running out of time.

      "Cedric, I really appreciate the invitation, I do, but I'm not sure it's the best idea. I was planning to go with my friend, Dean." Caroline explained gently. She expected Cedric to be upset, but he didn't seem to be.

      He smiled, despite the situation. "That's alright, Caroline. I just wanted to ask," Cedric said, standing up. He offered Caroline his hand, and she took it, matching his smile. "I hope you have fun with your friend."

      "Thank you, Cedric. I know you'll find an amazing date." Caroline said, and she and Cedric parted ways.

      Merlin, Harry, you better ask me now, Caroline thought as she walked back to the castle. Caroline felt guilty for telling Cedric she was going with Dean, when she didn't know if she was. She just hoped she didn't decline Cedric's offer for nothing.

     

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —