Lorelai || Neville Longbottom

Chapter 10

Last week of November.

~~

In about a week, is the Yule Ball. And that's all anyone is talking about. That and the fact that McGonogall plummeted the Gryffindor party.

I couldn't get Ava's words out of my head, though. I felt as though she was talking about time at this moment. What if she was talking to Neville? What if she was telling him every bad thing about me? What if after he hears everything, he doesn't talk to me?

But, as I'm sitting in my dorm room, I'm trying to ignore these thoughts, escaping my reality. Not the best idea, but it works. Just then, Hermione comes rushing through the door, and shuts it, leaning against it with a smile.

"What?" I ask her with curiosity.

She squints her eyes shut. "Ernie MacMillan just asked me to the Yule Ball!"

I tilt my head with a smirk. "Mione oh my gosh!!" I jump up off of the bed and scream with her, both of us jumping around in excitement.

Suddenly, she stops. "Hey! Do you want to go dress shopping with me? We could bring Ginny, too!"

"I love that idea, yeah!" I exclaim, with extreme thrill for her.

But that soon turned into confusion.

What about Ron? Has she gotten over him?

I decided not to ask, afraid it was going to ruin the mood.

"Let's go ask Ginny!" I shout in excitement, quickly changing my mood, as I grab Hermione's hand and start to make my way down the dormitory stairs.

We make it to Ginny's dorm room, just in time to hear screaming.

In joy, I hope.

I give a couple knocks, signaling my presence. Ginny whipped open the door, with a smile ear to ear.

"Dean asked me to the ball!" She yells with enthusiasm.

"Oh my gosh, I got asked by Ernie! We both have dates!!" Hermione shouts, running towards Ginny. I watch them, standing by the doorway.

Oh, it seems like Im the only one without a date. I guess I could tag along with them...but I don't want to get in the way. Maybe I could tag along with Seamus, Dean and Neville. If they don't have dates.

Oh no.

What if they have dates? What if I'm the only one who doesn't have a date?

I start to silently worry, showing a look of anxiety on my face.

"Lo, are you good?" Ginny asks, while Hermione turns and gives me a look of concern.

"Oh, what's wrong?" Hermione asks, rushing up to me.

"Oh, n-nothing, I'm fine! I just...I gotta go down to the common room, I forgot something.See you guys later!" I blurt, turning around quickly.

Lorelai, stop. This is pathetic. You're fine. There's still a week until the Yule Ball. And who cares if no one asks you?

I do.

No, you don't! It doesn't matter!

But it does.

I smack my forehead in hopes to stop the bickering in my brain. What was wrong with me? It's really not that big of a deal. I walk through the common room, with my head down, and head for the library.

But before I escape, I hear Neville and Dean talking about Ginny. I stop, wondering if Neville has a date.

"So mate, you have anyone in mind?"

Actually, Ava asked me the other day."

Well, that answers my question.

So why did it hurt more when Neville had a date, but not when Dean did?

Why does it feel like my heart is being ripped to shreds?

I decide to not listen in anymore, growing a feel sense of sadness. Must be that time of the month, or something. Surely, I can't be thinking rationally.

Right?

Maybe the library has some books that can distract me for some time.

On the way there, to my shock, I bump into Theo.

"Woah, watch where you're going, sweetheart." He says, causing me to tilt my head.

I look up at him. "But, you ran into me?"

"Ooh, feisty."

I step out of the way, until Theo blocks my path.

"Don't you want to know why I'm here?"

"I just want to read..." I say quietly, until he interrupts me.

I'm here to ask you a question."

I hesitate, until I finally speak up."What's up?" I ask, curious as to what he's going to question me.

"It's your lucky day. Would you, like to accompany me, to the Yule Ball?"

What? "It's your lucky day?"

He was confident, that's for sure.

I was about to say no, until a thought popped into my head.

I was so worried that I wouldn't get asked to the ball. So, of course, it wouldn't be smart for me to say no, right?

I hesitate for a second, before saying, "you know what? Alright."

I don't feel like this is right at all.

In fact, this feels very wrong.

But...maybe once the Yule Ball comes, it will feel different. Hopefully.

Theo nods his head. "Alright, well, see you there." With that, he smirks, turning to leave.

I watch him walk away, confused at the whole conversation. Confused at this day.

Ava and Neville are going to the Yule Ball together.

Why am I so worried about this? It's not like me and Neville are dating or anything.

I decide to shut my mind up, by entering the library. I start to browse the shelves, until I hear snickering coming from an aisle over.

"I'm so excited! Are you going with anyone, Ava?"

Ava.

I don't want to eavesdrop, but I'm curious as to what she's going to say.

"Actually, Neville asked me yesterday," she says, while her friends gasp.

What? Neville asked her? I thought Ava asked Neville.

I should leave, but I continue to listen in.

"Yeah, it was so sweet. He gave me a bouquet of roses, telling me I was the prettiest girl he's ever seen."

He told her she was the prettiest girl he's ever seen?

I feel sick to my stomach. I leave as soon as her sentence is finished.

Tears well into my eyes, as I look for the exit, walking down the halls and into the common room as fast as I can.

Why am I so upset?

I don't know why this hurts as much as it does. It makes no sense, really. It didn't hurt me when Ginny talked about Dean.

I keep my head down as I walk through the common room, hoping to avoid confrontation from Neville and Dean. This was unsuccessful, though.

"Lo, are you okay?" I hear Dean ask, while Neville looks up with a concerned look on his face.

I wave them off, continuing to walk. "Yeah, Im fine! Just winter allergies, see you later!" I yell, running up the stairs.

I let out a huge breath of air as I make it to the dorm, unlocking the door. I lay down on my bed, as I start to drift off.

I fall asleep, staying that way for many hours, into the darkness.