All Over Her

Chapter 40: I Know You

"What do you mean you're not sure?" Ron seemed tenser.

"One of those options is my sister Harry so I better not hear you've been playing her or something."

"No of course not, it's just I haven't properly asked either and I don't know if either of them have a date. So I don't know if I'd dance with one of them or... I don't know... something." Harry seemed very disappointed with his indecisiveness.

I easily sympathized, "It's okay Harry, whatever happens happens."
Ziggy carried on my sentiment, "Exactly and even then you said you didn't properly ask either of them. Don't stress yourself Har, it's a party, let yourself relax."

I appreciated Ziggy saying that, even if it wasn't for me it still brought me comfort. I was still pretty broken up about how I ended things with Mattheo. I know I acted as if it didn't affect me but it did. Even though I really don't want it to. So maybe just ignoring it will help.

Ron patted him on the back, "Let's go Harry." He looked at Ziggy and I, "I'll see you ladies with my brothers downstairs."

We nodded as they left the room. Without the cause of the mess there, the room looked even more chaotic. Strangely enough, everything also seemed louder.

"What's up with you?" Ziggy asked bluntly.

"What do you mean?"
"Cut the shit Jamie, you know I know when something's up with you."
"I'm fine Zig."
"You haven't talked about everything with Mattheo since you came back from the night of your date. You debrief the same situations at least once a week, you don't stay this quiet."

"Just because I'm quiet doesn't mean something's wrong."
"Yeah okay, be honest please."

"See you're being really pushy and honestly that kinda sucks because like there's nothing wrong." I almost bit my tongue through the lie but maybe it was convincing.

She gave a face. It was not.

"Fine ugh." I groaned.

"Thank you, now what's up."

"It's just been bothering me because everything ended weird."

"Well, I get that. But you heard what I told Harry, don't focus on that today. Today is to have fun. We all need to relax since we're going on holiday so soon."
I smiled, "That's easy for you to say, you're perfectly happy in your relationship."
She pushed my arm, "That may be but that doesn't change the fact that at the end of the day the only person you have is yourself. Be happy with yourself before you share that with someone else."

I nodded.

"Let's go." She said, interlocking arms which I was relieved by since I was scared I'd trip and fall down the stairs.

Fred and George were waiting in front of the fireplace. Ziggy nearly tripped when she caught a glimpse of George, even though she was the one who chose his outfit. He looked very handsome, his outfit elegantly matched Ziggy's perfectly.He had on a white dress shirt but not a regular buttoned one. It was very flowy, it reminded me of a relaxed prince or maybe a pirate. He had a black vest over it with black pants to match. There was a silver brooch in the middle of his neck with a large deep red gem. He had a lapel pin with the exact same style as the brooch, a matching ring as well. To finish everything off he had black dress shoes. He was clean shaved and his hair was freshly cut, a bit shaggy but he knew that's how Ziggy liked it. The gem matching the colour of her dress was a nice touch.

I could almost hear Ziggy swoon under her breath. She walked over to him and they locked eyes, a glossy light shining over his gaze as he stared at her. Her eyes matched the notion. He took her by the hand, spinning her around and admiring her. Staring deeply before saying a single word to her.

"You look stunning Ziggy." He said quietly, as if it was a secret he wanted to keep between them.

She placed her hand on his chest, smiling greatly.

Fred interrupted the moment, "Let's get going shall we?"

Ziggy almost pranced forward, George in hand, as we trailed out of the common room.

I felt a mixture of different feelings. Some relief, because I knew I didn't have to worry about any sort tension with Fred at this point. Having my Fred meant more to me than anything at this moment, he always helped me relax. I also felt good about going to the ball on my own. I didn't want to go with just anyone so although I found Blaise to be very attractive it just didn't feel right for... varieties of reasons. But I'm so worried to see Mattheo. I feel like he hates me. Which wouldn't have bothered me in the past. I actually couldn't have cared less whether he even glanced at me a few months ago. But after everything I just felt like I created this weird atmosphere. Now I don't think I owe him anything. We never established that we were an anything, a fact of which was my doing.

We made it to the Great Hall, and it was beautiful. All the dining tables were gone and the areas to eat were replaced with circular tables off towards the sides. The entire room was an icy blue, with snow like fleks consuming the area. Large oak trees were set up towards the end behind the stage, they had snow covering the thin greenery. Icicles lined and cascaded down from the ceiling, varying in height and width the farther you walk into the room. Statues were placed in between pillars of the hall, it felt like a hidden section of the cathedral, only unlocked in the depths of dreams.

I looked around to find any familiar faces. Ron was over by the snack table, Lavender was wiping the corners of his mouth as he bit into a sugar cookie. He looked both awkward but relieved to be around her. She's always been such a sweet girl, as much as I'd love to see him and Hermione together, I hope he treats her right. Speaking of Hermione, she was laughing with Ginny as, to my surprise, Theodore Nott whisks her away to the dance floor. Some more people coupled up to dance: Luna and Neville, Seamus and Dean, Cho and Cedric, and even Harry and Draco. I looked at Harry especially to try and see how he was feeling. I could tell that both of them were visibly nervous.

I couldn't tell if it was because Harry had no clue how to dance and kept stepping on Draco's feet, or maybe it's simply that nervousness you get when you want to impress someone. Nonetheless I appreciated Harry's efforts to feel more comfortable.

"Hey, I'm going to go say Hi to some people, are you okay if I leave you here?" Fred asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah I'm okay Freddie, go on ahead, if anything I'll find you."

"Are you sure? I don't wanna just leave you alone."
"Go on Fred, I'm okay." I smiled at him, grabbing his hand off my shoulder and holding it with both hands.

He nodded, walking off to Lee and the Ravenclaw boys he introduced me to during the spin the bottle party.

It seemed as though the majority of my friend's were busy so I wandered around the hall. I didn't think anyone would notice my investigation of the architecture as the culmination of everything was to some level overwhelming. Some areas were much darker than others, hidden corners where people wouldn't see. As I walked around, I also watched my peers. I've gone to school with some of these people for, I want to say at least six years, going on seven next year. Some of them are much more eccentric than others. A trait I understood was hard to detect in a class setting.

I walked further into the dark areas of the hall. I saw two figures and tried to keep my distance while also trying to see who it was because I'll admit I was kinda curious. As I got close enough where the light would hit just right... my heart dropped.