The Raven's Call

Dance Lessons

Friday, December 2nd 1994 

It's even colder now that Winter has arrived, snow has been starting to fall. I sit with Luna and Cho at the breakfast table in the Great Hall, chatting away. I eat my cereal as the girls talk about an upcoming ball this month, something called the 'Yule ball.' That is mandatory we attend. Great, so now I have to find a date. My eyes wander over to the Gryffindor table, seeing a stitched up Harry glancing towards Cho. Did he have a crush? The tea is piping. "Cho-" I whisper, she and Luna leaning forward to hear. "Harry's looking at you." I say with a grin. The girls turn curiously, to meet Harry's gaze. He's taking a sip of pumpkin juice as the three of us look towards him. He smiles, accidentally expelling the liquid instead of swallowing, causing Luna and I to giggle in response. "Shush!" Cho turns back to us before gazing back at Harry. Did she have a crush on him too? "You should go to the ball with Harry." Luna suggests, grinning wildly at Cho. "Really? Maybe.. but I want him to be the one to ask me.." Cho answered quietly, she was always quiet.  "I just hope he doesn't miss out." I say before taking another bite of cereal. 

My eyes wander back to the Gryffindor table where the Weasley twins, Asteria and one of the girls from their Quidditch team sat together, just down from Harry, Ron and Hermione. I see Astra and George rather close, almost cuddling beside Fred and Angelina. My eyes dart towards them and I see the way Fred looks at her. Of course, I was being stupid. Fred and I are just friends. And that is all we could ever be. I continue to scan down the table, seeing Ron stand, holding up an item of clothing to his body, a rather distraught look on his face. He waddles over to his sister as I hear a part of their conversation. "Ginny, these must be for you." "I'm not wearing that, it's ghastly!" She replies, cringing at the material. Hermione starts giggling, Asteria joining in a moment later. "What are you on about?" Ron asks, turning towards the girls. "They're not for Ginny." Hermione says through giggles. "They're for you!" Astra joins in, causing a few students around them to blurt into chuckles. "Dress robes!" They chime together, laughing along. I smirk to myself, he is going to look ridiculous

***

 "The Yule Ball has been a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament since its inception. On Christmas Eve night, we and our guests gather here in the Great Hall for a night of refined playfulness." Flitwick announces, standing on the stage where the teachers have their table, looking out at the sea of Ravenclaw students. "As representatives of the host school, I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward. And I mean literally, because the Yule Ball is, first and foremost, a dance." He continues, I hear a few of the boys groan, mumbling curse words under their breath as a few of the girls giggle and whisper to each other. "Silence, boys take the left and girls on the right, please." Flitwick announces, ushering with his hands for us to go off in either direction. "Every girl possesses an innate grace and mystery akin to a feline. On the other hand, every boy harbours a readiness and cleverness like a raven poised to seize opportunities. Now, who here can dance?" He first looks off towards the girls, a handful of them raise their hands, one being Cho Chang, who Flitwick calls upon, to meet in the middle of the room. He then turns his attention to us boys, posing the same question. My hand slowly rises. Only my hand. No one else. Crap. "Mister Grey, come on up." Crap. Crap. Crap.

"Alright, let's show everyone what you've got!" Flitwick exclaimed, flicking his wand towards a gramophone, playing a record of some slow dance music. I take a deep breath as I approach Cho, a friendly smile on my face. The soft melody of the slow song creates a laid-back atmosphere, perfect for a casual dance with a friend. I extend my hand towards her, inviting her to join me. I just wish I wasn't being watched with a thousand eyes. Cho returns my smile, and accepts my hand. I move my hands onto her waist, her putting hers on my shoulder in return. We sway to the music, giggling at each other's awkwardness.