D.M. Hate.

Ch.9

The proceeding weeks were uneventful. I distanced myself from Malfoy, and I did end up getting a date to Hogsmeade— Blaise. We had a rather lovely time together, surprisingly. But as in everything, I was quite disappointed to find that it was only temporary. Once we got back to the castle, he made sure that every student in the premise knew I had a massive crush on him while he hardly knew my name. I didn't mind. I never mind.
James and I regrew our relationship and spent almost all our time together that wasn't spent in class. I introduced him to Bells, and he already knew Lia and Lily so I didn't need to reintroduce them. He seemed to take a liking to Bells, which didn't surprise me. She was a flower. Not the kind thats fragile and sparkling, but the kind we learn about in the depths of a textbook that yields hidden remedies to every illness. 
Christmas was approaching and James and I had to decide where we would be going for the holiday. At the moment, we were staying at separate houses of our aunts, but it didn't seem fit to do that this year as we had finally found resolution in the strife between us. It was decided that we would spend it at Hogwarts, together.
When Christmas day arrived, it was practically empty at the school but for the very sparse group of Ravenclaw who stayed to study and a few selects from each house.
James and I had gotten each other some small presents to celebrate but nothing special.
I handed him a small pouch, "A watch!"
I smile, happy he liked it. He handed me a box.
I unfold the wrapping and inside the box is a small locket. I open it and see a photo of mom and one of dad on each side. I was almost moved to tears by it, and hugged James tightly.
"Thank you."
Our aunts had also sent us some things. I got a pretty plum knit sweater with a couple pairs of socks, and James got a green knit sweater along with a muggle book series called "The Lord of The Rings." They had apparently planned our gifts together and in the letter to us, said that this book seemed so very real it was hard to believe a supposed muggle had come up with it.
We also got early news of a Christmas ball Hogwarts was planning. They had originally planned for it to be before Christmas break but decided against it since they found it to be the perfect opening to the students return.
I had offered my assistance in planning the ball but ultimately, McGonagall had been so excited about it that I felt Id only get in the way of her eccentric ideas. It was rare to see her giddy, but whenever there was a dance to plan, I noticed a little skip in her step. It was nice to have her slightly off edge occasionally.
It was the day that students were coming back to Hogwarts and I waited excitedly to greet my roommates, sitting in the Great hall with James.
The doors opened and a rush of students came in.
James and I stood up and searched the crowd. Among them I saw Peter. The morning after I told James about what had happened, we learned he had been in the infirmary for a series of injuries. Since then, I rarely ever see him.
After a moment we catch a glimpse of Bells and she comes running over to hug me.
"Bells!" I say, she giggles, releasing me.
Then she and James laugh quietly, exchanging an awkward hug.
The meal began and I looked around the room to see if Malfoy was here yet. He was. And he was sitting next to Tracey again. The sight hadn't been a surprise as I knew they'd been catching on this past month. I learned from Lia that they'd been an unlabeled thing for two months. Everyone in their circle of friends, or the whispering gossips, spoke of how perfect they were together. Only now they'd decided to go public. It felt sudden given how certain I was that something had maybe grown between him and I but I supposed that I never was the best judge of character or intentions. Intention. His words echoed back in my mind.

"...you must know that my intentions have nothing to do with what you describe..."

I couldn't tell what it was he said I was wrong about, especially given the information Id gained of his blooming romance with another girl.
But I didn't mind it.
Dumbledore suddenly stood from his chair, silencing us all.
"We have some exciting news!" He trailed on about the plan to have a ball the next weekend, "... I know this is all very sudden and I apologize for the abruptness of this event but we all just could not wait to have some fun with you all!" He makes a pointed look at the excited and blushing McGonagall, "feel free to ask any questions about attire if it is unclear, but for those of you who had the privilege of attending our yule ball, prepare for a repeat in history! And as for those who did not get to share in that splendid night, think of this as your chance!"
But that only applied to 4th year and above, of course, so there were many sad young girls and boys stirring their potatoes and flicking their peas. I felt for them, but I truly was more elated in the plan than anything else. Oh, I was so excited! Bells and I spoke of what dresses we might buy to wear when the night came. She mentioned seeing a modest but elegant pale yellow dress during our last Hogsmeade trip, and said she saw another she thought quite like my character. James was still seated at the Hufflepuff table with us, and I knew he was not at all interested in the topic yet made several efforts to keep in tune with it anyway.
I glanced toward Tracey and Malfoy to see her giggling and chatting expressively about her plan for the dance. Malfoy was smiling slightly and I felt a tug. It didn't matter.
We all went to bed that night in high spirits, talking in length about so and so that happened during Christmas break, but most of all about the coming ball.
Lia and Lily didn't sleep of course, but chatted their tongues numb all night long. I heard short clips of what they were saying.
"—You look so lovely in pink!"
"—Did you hear about Sarah—?"
"—Davis and Malfoy!—"
My heart skipped but I put my pillow over my head and fell asleep.
The following morning we all headed down to the Great Hall to eat. As in every morning, or meal at that, I looked over toward Malfoy. He was alone this time but his eyes looked so sunken in and tired. What was going on with him?
Truthfully, and although I avoided the idea most of the time, I felt as though my entire body had begun shutting down as of late. I couldn't find refuge in Malfoy as I had begun to do, but I had others who cared. He was different though, there was a very certain quality about him I couldn't seem to ignore or place. I was drawn to him fully and completely and without urgency but with every bit desire. I couldn't breathe half the time he was around me, and even more so when I saw him with that girl beside him. I pushed it aside and kept myself and my mind moving. It was not a smart thing to ponder.
The weekend came and I ended up finding a dress while shopping with the girls and James. It was a beautiful purple dress that I had to admit made me feel very pretty.
Bells ended up getting the green and yellow dress she spoke of before. It really did suit her and she looked so beautiful in it I was almost speechless when she tried it on the first time.