Acceptance: Hogwarts Legacy Continued

Chapter 95: Poppy- damage control

The dance had been on a Tuesday night, which meant that they had five days until term resumed. Most of the students who attended the ball opted to just stay at Hogwarts rather than travel back home, but there were some who left. Thankfully, one of those students had been Garreth Weasley.

Poppy had noticed a change in mood even from across the room when she looked over at the couple. The song had ended and it was announced that for the next dance everyone was to find another partner. She stepped away from Lucan, towards the other two so she could suggest they just switch dates. When she saw the red head leaning over Diana though, and her friend looking like she was about to pass out- it was evident that things weren't going well.

Thankfully before she could get there Sebastian intervened, giving her friend the space she so desperately wanted. Garreth on the other hand looked like he was about ready to fight the other boy. By the time she got there Poppy was basically pulling the Gryffindor away from the other two. But with a cue from Diana, eventually he gave in and went with her.

As the music started Garreth held onto Poppy with half hearted conviction, looking around trying to spot his actual date. His eyes looked a little bit wild, and it made Poppy feel a little uneasy.

"Garreth- she's fine. It's just Sebastian."

He snapped towards her, looking like he had forgotten she was even there.

"I- I know, it's just... he came at a bad time..."

"Mmm I could tell, things looked like they were a little tense. Did you two fight?"

"What? No! The opposite!" At the declaration his ears started immediately turning red and Poppy's mouth opened wide.

"Did you confess to her???" He didn't answer her, just turned back to trying to find her in the moving crowd.

So he had finally told her how he felt... well then the palpable tension made sense... sorta. It seemed more to Poppy a large level of discomfort rather than just shock. Diana looked like she was beyond terrified, so much so Poppy was surprised she hadn't run away.

"Did... did she say anything?" She didn't want to press too much, but honestly she was so surprised that it happened she couldn't help it.

"No... she didn't really have a chance before Sallow stepped in..." Mmmm, something in his words made her think that maybe her friend did have the chance, but did not take it.

The more she thought about it, the more she realized this guy had probably made a big mistake. Not only was he dropping a huge shock onto Diana, who was clueless, but he had done it in an environment she was already uncomfortable in. She was already horribly nervous about this whole night, and even though it had been well over an hour- she still hadn't loosened up. And now....

"Why did you tell her here??" She didn't want to make him feel bad, what's done was done, but it was like he didn't even know her.

"Ah I just... I couldn't hold it in anymore..." He stopped scanning the room and rather looked down and to the side. It seemed like maybe he too was just processing what had happened.

"Look, I know you've liked her for a while now, and I'm not against you telling her but... Garreth you should have at least gotten her alone." He looked up at her now, tears starting to form in his eyes. Oh no...

Poppy stopped their movement and dropped her hands. Then she grabbed his arm and started pulling him off the dance floor. Like a mother bringing her child over to discipline them, she moved him towards a bench at the back of the hall and sat him down. He took his seat, again choosing to look down this time at his feet.

"Listen, I'm going to tell you the truth. I think you may have messed up. I don't really want to bring this up now because I'm sure it all feels very raw to you, but I think you need to hear it-" he didn't say a word, rather just nodded his head.

"-what I am assuming you shared with Diana was very important to you, and it was something you really wanted her to know. That being said, this was a horrible place to tell her. Have you not noticed how on edge she's been all night?? You wanted to drop something this big on her when she is already overwhelmed??"

"But it shouldn't be that big! I mean, she had to have already known-" he looked up, eyes wet and desperate.

"Garreth. This is Diana we are talking about. When it comes to matters of the heart she could wacked up the side of the head with them and still not realize they are there. I had to literally create code words for her to learn so that when she was with me and Lucan she would know to leave and stop third wheeling. She's utterly clueless."

"But I feel like I've been so obvious! I mean especially within the last few months...." he paused, hands running through his hair. "Does... does that mean she doesn't like me??"

"Honestly, I don't know. And even more honest- I don't think Diana does either. I think after hearing what you told her, she will have to spend a lot of time going through her feelings."

Poppy looked the boy over. He seemed utterly devastated and panicked. It seemed that the truth of it all was a lot more clear now. Looking at him though she felt a twinge in her heart- as dumb as he may have been, she knew his intentions were probably good.

What added to the whole mess was when they heard a clambering of footsteps, and both of them saw a group flash by them. Running out of the hall was Sebastian, Ominis, and Diana... Poppy could literally hear Garreth's heartbreak. Horrible, horrible timing.

She kneeled down beside him.

"Look- how you feel about her is real, and you are allowed to express that to her. But in turn, you needed to do it in a way that would allow her to hear it. You should have told her in a place where she felt safe and calm. You didn't do that and you can't change it now. But what you can do for her is give her the space she needs to work through what you said."

He didn't look at her, but she saw the tears dropping down from his face- hitting his shoes. She reached out for his hand, patting it lightly.

"I know Diana cares about you, and she would never intentionally hurt you. Her running away tells me that she feels she has no other options right now. So let her run, until she's ready to come back to you. You can give her that, right?"

She didn't hear a reply, but as she waited the music stopped and Lucan quickly made his way over to her. He looked concerned when he saw them, but Poppy just shook her head. She asked him to find Leander and bring him over.

Her cute date quickly obeyed and rushed off to find the older boy. She smiled as she watched him go. Not too much later he returned, bringing the dateless Gryffindor with him. Poppy vaguely explained what happened to his friend, and suggested maybe the two of them head out for the night.

With a care that she never would have expected from Leander, he helped his friend up, and together they walked out of the hall. It was hard to see them go, but she felt a little bit better when her Gryffindor wrapped his arm around her. She smiled at him, allowing him to lead her back to the dance floor.

She tried to put everything out of her mind as the music started again. She knew Diana would be okay now that she was away from everything- and she had Sebastian and Ominis with her. If the events had happened to anyone else, she would think the girl was a terrible person for running away. But she knew the Hufflepuff too well. Whatever the details, she would find out soon enough. For now, she turned her attention back to Lucan, and enjoyed the rest of the ball.