human again / hp.

Chapter 69

The library was quiet, as it always was, but my thoughts were anything but. I sat at one of the long wooden tables, a thick tome about advanced Charms open in front of me. Sunlight streamed through the high arched windows, illuminating the pages, but the words blurred as my mind drifted.

The Yule Ball was only weeks away, and everywhere I went, it seemed like boys were mustering up the courage to ask someone to go with them. Over the past few days, I'd been approached by more of them than I cared to count. Each time, I had politely declined, always with the same excuse: "I haven't made up my mind yet."

The truth, though, was that I was waiting. Waiting for someone specific to ask me.

It wasn't as though I thought Harry would, not really. We hadn't spoken much this year, and when we did, it was friendly—cordial, even—but nothing more. Still, I couldn't help but hope. A foolish, stubborn hope that maybe he'd surprise me.

I sighed softly, forcing my focus back to the book in front of me. It didn't matter. If Harry didn't ask, it wasn't the end of the world. I could still have a nice time, right?

"Celeste."

I looked up, startled out of my thoughts. Standing on the other side of the table was Theodore Nott. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, as though he'd been running his hands through it, and his hazel eyes had a guarded but determined look.

"Theo," I said, closing my book. "What's the matter?"

He hesitated, glancing around to make sure we were alone. The library wasn't exactly bustling, but there were a few students scattered about, most of them too absorbed in their own work to notice us.

"I wanted to ask you something," he said, his voice quieter than usual.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on."

Theo took a deep breath, straightening his posture as though steeling himself. "Would you go to the Yule Ball with me?"

The question hung in the air for a moment, and I blinked, caught off guard. Of all the people I expected to ask, Theo wasn't one of them.

He misinterpreted my silence and quickly added, "I mean, if you don't already have plans with someone else. I'd understand if you did—"

"Theo," I interrupted gently, "it's fine. I don't have plans."

His shoulders relaxed slightly, but there was still an edge of tension in his expression. "So... you'll go with me?"

I hesitated, but only for a fraction of a second. It wasn't as though I had a better option, and Theo was a good friend. I knew he'd be a respectful and pleasant companion.

"Yes," I said finally, offering him a small smile. "I'd be happy to go with you."

Relief spread across his face, and for a moment, I felt a pang of guilt. Because while Theo looked genuinely pleased, my own smile felt hollow.

Inside, disappointment prickled at the edges of my mind. I had held onto that faint, silly hope for so long, and now it was slipping away. But I couldn't let Theo see that. It wasn't his fault.

"Great," he said, his usual smirk creeping back into place. "I promise, I'll make sure it's a night to remember."

I chuckled softly, leaning back in my chair. "I'm sure you will."

We talked for a little while longer, mostly about inconsequential things—classes, homework, the way everyone was buzzing about the ball. But even as I laughed and joked with him, a part of me felt like I was going through the motions.