Bleville AI Oneshots

The Yule Ball (Part 3)

The Great Hall had been transformed into a shimmering winter wonderland. Snowflakes drifted lazily from the enchanted ceiling, and the tables had been replaced with a grand dance floor, surrounded by twinkling fairy lights. The soft hum of music filled the air, and students in their finest robes were already making their way onto the dance floor.

Neville stood at the entrance, staring at the spectacle before him, trying not to panic. His arm brushed against Blaise's as they walked inside together, and the small contact sent a shock of nerves through him. He couldn't believe he was here, at the Yule Ball, with Blaise Zabini.

"You're going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep fidgeting," Blaise murmured, glancing down at him with a smirk.

Neville flushed, forcing his hands to stop twisting the fabric of his robes. "Sorry. I just... This is a lot."

Blaise's expression softened, and for a moment, Neville saw something other than his usual calm confidence-something more genuine. "Relax, Longbottom," he said quietly. "You're doing fine."

Neville wasn't sure how to respond to that, so he just nodded, his heart racing as they moved further into the hall. He could feel eyes on them-whispers following them as they passed. After all, no one had expected this pairing. But Neville did his best to ignore it, focusing instead on Blaise's steady presence beside him.

They made their way to the edge of the dance floor, where students were already twirling gracefully to the music. Neville's stomach flipped as he watched the couples spin, their robes swirling elegantly. He wasn't exactly... graceful. The thought of tripping over his own feet in front of everyone, in front of Blaise, was almost too much to handle.

As if sensing his anxiety, Blaise turned to him, his eyes soft. "Dance with me?"

Neville's throat went dry. "I-I don't know how to-"

"You'll be fine," Blaise interrupted, his voice gentle but firm. "Just follow my lead."

Before Neville could protest, Blaise held out his hand, and after a moment of hesitation, Neville took it. His pulse quickened as Blaise led him onto the dance floor, the warmth of his hand steadying him, even as his nerves screamed at him to run.

The music swelled, and before Neville could fully process what was happening, Blaise had his other hand on Neville's waist, pulling him close enough that Neville could feel the soft brush of Blaise's robes against his own.

"Just breathe," Blaise murmured, his lips close enough to Neville's ear that it sent a shiver down his spine.

Neville swallowed hard and nodded, trying to relax as Blaise began to guide him through the steps. At first, Neville stumbled, his feet awkward and unsure, but Blaise was patient, his touch gentle as he corrected Neville's movements, guiding him with an ease that made Neville's heart pound.

Gradually, Neville found his rhythm, and as they moved across the floor, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. The music, the crowd, the whispers-it all blurred into the background, leaving just the two of them, dancing together in the softly lit hall.

Blaise's hand tightened slightly on Neville's waist, pulling him just a fraction closer, and Neville felt a warmth spread through his chest. For the first time that night, he wasn't thinking about what could go wrong. He wasn't thinking about tripping or making a fool of himself. He was just... there, with Blaise, moving in sync, like they'd been doing this for years.

"You're doing well," Blaise said softly, his voice a low rumble that sent another shiver down Neville's spine.

Neville looked up at him, his heart skipping a beat at the way Blaise's dark eyes were watching him-intense, focused, like Neville was the only thing in the room that mattered.

"Thanks," Neville murmured, his voice barely audible over the music.

They danced in silence for a while, the soft strains of the waltz guiding their steps. Neville's nerves had settled, replaced by something warmer, something that he didn't quite have a name for. It felt... right, being here with Blaise, like all the nerves and self-doubt had faded into the background.

When the song finally came to an end, Blaise slowed their movements, his hand still resting on Neville's waist, his thumb brushing lightly against the fabric of Neville's robes. They stood there for a moment, neither of them moving, neither of them speaking, as if they were caught in some kind of spell.

Blaise's lips curved into a small, genuine smile, and he leaned in, his voice a soft whisper in Neville's ear. "You really have nothing to worry about, Longbottom."

Neville felt his cheeks flush, but for the first time all night, it wasn't from nerves. He smiled back, his heart swelling in his chest. "Maybe not."

Blaise's eyes sparkled with something that made Neville's stomach flip, and for a moment, they just stood there, caught in the glow of the fairy lights, the rest of the world melting away.

Neville wasn't sure what would happen after tonight, but for now, he was exactly where he wanted to be.