𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 | √

⎡105⎦

I spent the rest of the break over at the Weasley's never feeling more at home. When I returned, Astoria and I spent time in our old dorm. She had a new roommate who she said didn't compare to me. We recalled all our memories and talked about everything.

"So, how are you and Draco?" she asked, clearly wanting the scoop of our life.

"Er, fine I guess."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah but you obviously like him. Isn't he cold and introverted?"

"Draco's like... snow," I said. "It's cold and cruel, to begin with, but it's somehow beautiful, and you miss it when it's not there. And if you hold it in your hands close enough and long enough, it changes. It melts."

She nodded as she took in what I said. "Did you know that I had a crush on him in my first and second year?"

"Really?" I asked, shocked. "I liked him during my first to third year."

"I know you did. I never made it prominent. But then in your third year, it was evident that he liked Pansy, so that was when I completely backed off."

"Wow, to think that we both had a crush on the same guy at the same time and didn't say anything to each other!"

"Oh, I knew you had a crush on him. You were completely smitten when you were thirteen sweetie; he was just a little too young to comprehend his feelings for you. But I think we both know that we weren't the only ones who thought he was attractive. I swear he could've had an army of girls that were obsessed with him."

We both began to laugh hysterically imagining Draco with an army of girls. Once we had calmed down, I asked, "Surely you like someone now don't you?"

She blushed. "I have a crush on Blaise. His mother was sent to Azkaban recently when they learned about her murdering all of her husbands. Blaise's mother was the only one who gave him constant support, and he's been in a state of denial. I've been there for him. He's just so broken; I wish there were more I could do for him."

I nodded understandingly. "I guess we both have broken boys. It's hard for Draco to sleep at night. Sometimes it's better for the both of us if I join him."

Astoria grinned widely. "That's so sweet!"

I shrugged. "It's the only way for us to have a dreamless sleep."

There was so much I learned about Astoria that night, and it made me question what life would have been like if she dated Draco while we both had feelings.

. . .

"As you all are aware, the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts is coming up," McGonagall announced to the Prefects and Heads. "And in honor of our victory and to mourn those who died, Hogwarts will be hosting a masquerade ball. The masks will be used to mourn while the dance will be used to celebrate. I have called you all here because I need you to help organize it. May 2nd is coming up soon, and we need to be prepared. I am entrusting the Heads to organize this ball, and I expect great things from it."

With that, she left the room leaving Draco and me to our own devices and no preparation. The prefects turned to us.

"Uh, okay I had to do this for the Yule Ball, so I have a slight idea how this is supposed to go. I assigned each house a different job, um, Hufflepuff you're in charge of getting food options and reporting back to me. Ravenclaw, make posters around the castle and send out extremely formal invitations. Gryffindor and Slytherin, you can help Draco and me with planning the decorations."

The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws left the Great Hall, and the Slytherins and Gryffindors stayed. We all sat down at one of the tables and began to discuss the theme. I don't know if I can handle a ball. The last one was a minecart ride down Gringotts in itself.