falling ; hp

─── six

"Potter, Weasley! Will you pay attention?!" Professor McGonagall said, irritated as Willow stiffled a laughter.

"Now that Potter and Weasley have been kind enough to act their age," said Professor McGonagall, still glaring at them. Gryffindor students were assembled together for some 'meeting'.

"I have something to say to you all." She started off.

""The Yule Ball is approaching - a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above - although you may invite a younger student if you wish -" Lavender Brown giggled as Professor McGonagall ignored.

"This isn't fair," Harry muttered as Willow heard it.

"Just listen to her, Harry," Willow said with a chuckle as Harry nodded his head blankly.

"Dress robes will be worn," Professor McGonagall continued, "and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then -" Professor McGonagall stared deliberately around the class.

"The Yule Ball is, of course, a chance for us all to - er - let our hair down," she said, in a disapproving voice. Willow snickered as she received a glare from McGonagall.

"But that does not mean," Professor McGonagall went on, "that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way.

The bell rang, and there was the usual scuffle of activity as everyone packed their bags and swung them onto their shoulders.

Professor McGonagall called above the noise, "Potter - a word, if you please." Harry excused himself from his friends and walked to Professor.

Willow, Ron, and Hermione waited for Harry to come back.

"How can she scold us and not the girls? This isn't fair at all. " Ron threw a tantrum as Willow shook her head in fake disappointment.

"Stop with your antics, Will. I'm serious, " Ron said.

"I'm sorry, but aren't you Ronald Weasley? Since when did you call yourself Sirius?" Willow threw a little joke as Ron controlled himself from hexing his best friend.

But their bickering came to an end when they noticed Harry walking out with his head hung down. Willow and others stood beside him as he heaved a sigh.

" I'm supposed to find a dance partner. It's a must, it seems, " Harry said defeatedly as Willow's heart gave her a little hope. What if he asks her for the dance? A small smile crept to her lips, but that faded when the bad Willow entered with her thought.

He's gonna ask Cho. Stop with your imaginations.

Willow obeyed her thoughts in order to avoid getting disappointment at the end of the day.

"Who are you gonna ask then?" Ron asked as the quartet started walking towards their dorms. Harry's cheek went red at his question, which made Willow's heart sting.

"Is it Cho?" He went in a deep shade of red as Willow confirmed it. Willow wanted to get out of that place as soon as possible. Somehow, instead of Hermione, Ron noticed Willow's behavior, but he remained silent.

Willow didn't dare to open her mouth.

"Um... I don't know... maybe, " Harry stumbled over his words. Hermione silently interlaced her fingers with Willow in a comforting way.