Obliviate My Heart {Book 2}

23. The Most Awkward Task

"Potter! Weasley! Will you both pay attention?"

Ron and Harry had been playing with Fred and George's fake wands for the last ten minutes--having a mock fight with them-- irritating Hermione half to death. Gennie and I had found it rather funny, however.

Ron and Harry looked up, and hid the wands under the table.

McGonagall gave them both a withering look before continuing. "Now that Potter and Weasley have been kind enough to act their age," said Professor McGonagall, with an angry look at the pair of them as the head of Harry's haddock drooped and fell silently to the floor - Ron's parrot's beak had severed it moments before - "I have something to say to you all.

"The Yule Ball is approaching - a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above - although you may invite a younger student if you wish -"

Ball? Did this mean we had to go to a dance? Oh great, I hated those.

Lavender let out a shrill giggle. Parvati Patil nudged her hard in the ribs, her face working furiously as she too fought not to giggle. I'm not sure what was so funny, dances were social nightmares.

"Dress robes will be worn," Professor McGonagall continued, "and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then -"

Dress robes? Oh, that must be why Mrs Weasley bought me a dress...

Professor McGonagall stared deliberately around the class "The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to - er - let our hair down," she said, in a disapproving voice.

Lavender giggled harder than ever, with her hand pressed hard against her mouth to stifle the sound.

I bit on my lip. I saw what was funny this time. McGonagall with her tight buns, didn't look as if her hair had been let down at all.

"But that does NOT mean," Professor McGonagall went on, "that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way."

"A dance?" Gennie said, her eyes narrowed. "Well oh great. I was hoping to go home for Christmas!"

"You will stay though, won't you?" I asked anxiously.

Gennie nodded revently. "Oh, of course!" She re-assured. "I'm not missing a big party for anything!"

The bell rang, and there was the usual scuffle of activity as everyone packed their bags and swung them onto their shoulders.

Professor McGonagall called above the noise, "Potter, Oswin - a word, if you please."

 I wondered briefly if Harry was going to be told off for the fake wand. But if he was, why would I have to see her as well? Feeling confused, the two of us headed over to McGonagall.

 Professor McGonagall waited until the rest of the class had gone, and then said, "Potter, Oswin, the champions and their partners -"

"What partners?" I said with a frown. 

Profesor McGonagall looked suspiciously at me, as though she thought I was trying to be funny.

"Your partners for the Yule Ball, Miss Oswin," she said coldly. "Your dance partners."

 "Dance partners?" Harry's face turned bright red. "I don't dance."

"Neither do I." I added. "I thought it was just a fun celebration!"