The Legacy

Chrismass is here

The corridors of Hogwarts were buzzing with excitement. Girls were giggling and whispering to one another, their voices high with excitement. You could hear them shrieking with laughter as boys passed by, comparing notes on what they were going to wear for the Yule Ball on Christmas night. Everywhere you turned, there was talk of dresses, dates, and who was asking whom. It was almost impossible to escape the feverish energy that had taken over the school.

Despite the fact that word had spread like wildfire that I was going to the ball with Selena, that didn't stop some girls from asking me to go with them. I had been approached by girls from all three schools—Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and, of course, Hogwarts. It was flattering, but at the same time, it had become a bit awkward. The last time, a first-year Gryffindor asked me, and I hadn't known how to say no without making a complete fool of myself.

Selena, of course, found it hilarious. She was laughing beside me as we sat at the Gryffindor table for dinner, Harry, Hermione, and Ron seated around us. The firelight flickered from the nearby torches, casting a warm glow across the Hall as students excitedly chattered about the upcoming event.

"I find it funny," Selena said between bursts of laughter, shaking her head as she wiped a tear from her eye. "The look on your face when that first-year came up to you—I thought you were about to faint!"

"I mean, come on!" I said defensively, though I couldn't help but grin. "I've got nothing against people asking me, but when there's literally almost a ten-year age difference, I can't just say no without making a weird face!" I groaned, remembering the poor girl's disappointed expression.

Harry chuckled beside me. "You think you've got it bad? At least you've been asked. I'm still trying to figure out who I'm going to ask without making a fool of myself."

Hermione gave him a pointed look, raising an eyebrow. "Well, maybe if you stopped thinking about it so much, you'd have already asked someone by now."

Ron leaned forward, his mouth full of food. "You should just ask Cho," he said, spraying crumbs onto the table. "She's already going with Cedric, mate, but you never know! Maybe he'll drop out or something!" He grinned, oblivious to Harry's exasperated expression.

Selena looked at me, her grin softening into a warm smile. "You know," she said in a quieter voice, "it's kind of cute, though. You've been getting all this attention, and yet, you still chose me." She was clearly teasing, but there was a hint of genuine warmth in her tone.

I felt my face heat up as I shrugged. "Well, it's not like I really had a choice," I joked, trying to play it cool. "I mean, who else could compare?"

Selena rolled her eyes but smiled wider, nudging me with her shoulder. "You're lucky I'm not one of those jealous types."

Dinner continued, the conversation flowing easily between us as we laughed and joked about the upcoming ball. Every now and then, I'd catch Selena glancing at me, her green eyes sparkling in the candlelight. I couldn't help but feel lucky to have her by my side.

As the meal came to an end and students began to filter out of the Great Hall, Selena and I lingered behind. She tugged on my sleeve gently, pulling me to the side near the entrance.

"Hey," she said softly, her voice almost lost in the din of the students filing out. "About the ball... I was thinking maybe we could meet up a little early? You know, just us before the whole chaos starts."

I raised an eyebrow, smiling at her suggestion. "That sounds perfect," I replied, feeling a warm glow in my chest at the idea of spending time with her before the big night.

"Good," she said with a grin. "It's a date then."

We walked out of the Great Hall together, the cold December air biting at our skin as we headed back to the common room. The excitement for the Yule Ball was palpable, but for the first time, I felt completely calm. I had Selena by my side, and that was all I really needed.