Hopeless : Sirius Black's daughter Book 2

Dance Patners

That evening we hosted a party in the common room for Harry. There was food and drinks everywhere but I felt so alone. I spotted Ginny with a couple of third years and went up to her.

"Gin, can I talk to you?" I asked. She eyed me suspiciously before coming with me.

"I'm sorry Ginny for snapping at you and being so difficult and distant. I'm really sorry." I said.

"It wasn't like you Miley, these past few weeks you've been different." she said.

"I know. It is my powers. I think they are taking their toll. I'm really sorry." I said.

"You are my best friend Miley, I want you to talk to me okay? It's fine." said Ginny. I smiled.

"Speaking of talking, I have a lot to tell. Sleepover tonight?" I squealed. Ginny raised her eyebrows, I forgot sometimes that she's not a girly girl like me. We watched as Neville turned into a canary for a minute after eating my biscuit.

"You rock Miley!" shouted George and I gave him a thumbs up.

During our sleepover I told Ginny everything. And I mean everything.

December came with its harsh cold and my mood swings did nothing to improve. It worried me greatly because I was highly irritable. For instance Hagrid tried to make us pack the Skrewts into boxes but they started emitting fire. We fled into Hagrid's cabin but a few others (Harry, Ron, Hermione and other Gryffindors) stayed to help Hagrid out but I couldn't as I had an aversion to fire.

"This place is filthier than a stable." said Draco looking around in disgust.

"I know." agreed Blaise, " Our servants quarters- and we have many -are better furnished than this. They have-" he continued but I overrode him.

"Stop. No one wants to hear you brag about your homes again okay. You guys are cowardly hiding in here, I would think you'd be more appreciating." I snapped.

"Oh? And why aren't you out there helping the rest of the good kids?" Blaise asked in anger. I had hurt his fragile ego.

"Oh, I don't know maybe because I have had a bad experience with fire?" I said. His anger melted.

"I'm sorry Camilla, I-" he started but I left the cabin before he could say anything else. To my surprise Rita Skeeter was out there but I didn't care. I walked away.

****

"Death. It circles overhead the castle. Ever lower..ever lower.." said Trelawney looking at Harry. I could see it too. The dark veils of darkness over the castle. Hogwarts would lose a student this year. After the lesson Trelawney took my arm. "The answers you seek can only be found within. As it was her destiny, so she made it yours..." she said before turning away. I hurried off to Transfiguration and spent the entire lesson musing over her warning. Her destiny? Who did she mean?

"Miss Black! Pay attention." said Professor MacGonagall.

"As I was saying, the Yule Ball is approaching, it is a traditional part of the Triwizard Tounerment. It is open for fourth years and above although you may invite a younger student if you wish."

I giggled, as did Lavender. Hermione shot me an annoyed look.

"The Yule Ball is a chance for us all to -er let our hair down." said MacGonagall disapprovingly. While Lavender and Pavarti stifled their giggles, I burst out laughing at imagining her putting her hair down.

The Yule Ball was a hot topic in the girls dormitories.

"Do you want me to crystal gaze who you will go with Lavender?" I asked when her musing became annoying.

"Ooh, yes please." she said. I gazed into the crystal ball that uncle Remus had gotten me last year. I saw her on Seamus arm.

"Seamus." I told her and her giggles intensified.

I wanted some peace so I decided to go to the greenhouses. On my way there I was intercepted by Fred.

"Hey Fred." I said.

"Miley! I was looking for you.." he said.

"Really?" I asked suspecting that he was up to his old jokes.

"Yeah. So do you want to go to the Ball with me?" he asked. Ha! I knew it. I burst out laughing.

"Honestly Fred, are you ever serious?" I shook my head and went on. But when I turned back he looked crestfallen. Wait, was he serious?

I found Cedric behind the greenhouse.

"Hey Miley. I was hoping you would come." he said flashing that killer smile that made me want to faint.

"Were you? Did you miss me or something?" I blurted out.

"Of course, I did. Come sit down." he said patting the space next to him.

"I don't understand why you come here. I mean I have no life so its understandable that I come here. But you are a good looking, popular guy and-" I said and oh Merlin's beard, I had to stop before I said anything to make me any redder.

"You think I'm good looking?" grinned Cedric. I went if possible redder. "Anyway, Miley, will you go to the ball with me?" he asked. I stared at him. Did the most popular guy at Hogwarts just ask me to the dance?

"As-as friends?" I stuttered my heart racing.

"No. Not as friends." Cedric whispered.

I was just about to say yes when my intuition said no.

"I-I want to but I'm not supposed to." I said.

"What?" he asked.

"I can't. You have to go with someone else." I said trying not to cry.

"Are you psychic or something?" he asked.

"Yes. And I don't go to the ball with you." I said breaking my own heart.