A Forbidden Love

Chapter 45: The Yule Ball

After task one, comes task one and a half. It's not really a task, but it's one of the most important parts of the tournament. Everyone has to find a date to the Yule Ball. Thankfully, I've already found mine.

I can't wait for him to ask. Most of the time, people make creative posters with puns on them. I want to see what he comes up with.

It finally happens about two weeks before the dance. I swear he was trying to annoy me. He knows I hate planning things last minute.

It happens right outside the Great Hall before breakfast. I see him standing by the door, hands behind his back, waiting. As I walk up, he whips out a poster and a box of chocolates, and not just any chocolates, but my favorite chocolates: dark chocolate filled with almond butter. The poster reads:

Don't make me use Accio. Make my experience magical and join me at the Yule Ball.

It's so cringy, I wanted to say no. Obviously that's not true, but it was cringy. I hugged him and kissed his cheek. Then we walked into the great hall holding hands. Everyone applaud as we walked to our seats. Boy are people annoying sometimes.

The last two weeks leading up to the ball are very hectic. We have to pick out dress robes and shoes; I have to figure out what hairstyle to do.

Harry also convinced me to join decorating committee, so I've been worrying about that as well. Many color schemes and themes are tossed around, but it takes us a while to finally decide on one. Some suggest the house colors; others suggest specific house colors. We don't  want to do either of those because they're exclusive to the Durmstrang and Beauxbaton students. Some themes that are suggested are 80s (the muggle horns suggest that one) or under the sea. Unfortunately, not enough wizards would understand the muggle 80s, and we decide under the sea is too childish. That was not my vote. Personally, I love The Little Mermaid and could've really flown with the latter. In the end, we decide on a simple and mature winter theme with white and blue as our color scheme. It's boring but I think it could turn out well.

After the decision on decorations comes the one for music. Again, the mugle borns suggest 80s. It's immediately shut down, as no one understands. One muggle tradition that is understood among wizards, however, is Christmas music. In fact, wizards love Christmas music. In the end, we decide on every Christmas song we can possibly get out hands on.

Just when I though we couldn't plan anything else, they announce that we need to decide on food. I suggest that we get cure deserts like cakes and rice cakes with snowflakes or white and blue sprinkles all over. They agree. We also choose a cracker plate including pepperoni slices, salami slices, and cheese. We also order a few vege trays. And finally, we decide its not a Christmas without Gingerbread cookies or apple cider. Once all the food is ordered, the meeting is adjourned.

Finally, after the planning is finished, and two weeks have passed, it's time for the dance. We are off of classes today so we can get ready. Harry and I decided on slick black and silver. My robes are black with a silver bowtie, and his are the opposite. I decide to just do a simple comb style and don't waste too much time on my hair.

About halfway through the day, right after lunch, Harry and I head down to the Great Hall with the rest of the decorating committee. Waving our wands like lunatics, we eventually have the Great Hall covered in blue and white banners. In the center of the room is a fountain, and we even got it to snow. We also stack a bunch of records of Christmas songs by the record player. We test a few to make sure it all works. Standing in there, with the music playing, even before the dance, it feels surreal. I love it!

Before long, it's time for the official dance. I finish getting ready and go to pick up my boyfriend. He's just walking out the door of his common room when I arrive. We link arms and walk to the Great Hall.

Despite being there as the hall was decorated, both Harry and I were still shocked with its beauty. Harry immediately drags me to the center of the dance floor and gives me a spin to the tune of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." I almost fall over and we all start laughing with the rest of the crowd.

We dance all night, until it's time for the dance of the competitors. First comes recognition. When their name is called, each competitor walks out with their date (yes I get to be one!) and lines up in the center of the dance floor. Then, the song "Marshmallow World" switches to "The First Noel" for our slow dance. Harry pulls me close and our hands go up into slow dance position. For the whole song, we stay like that, swaying to the beat. It was a beautiful moment.

Immediately following that song was "White Christmas," another slow song. This one was for all of us. I threw my arms around his neck comfortably, as his hands fell to my waist. We swayed with this song as well. It is the most wonderful feeling dancing with your boyfriend.

A few more up beat songs follow and play until the end of the night. Of course, the song ending the night was "Silent Night," the most classic Christmas song of all. After the last slow dance, each of us grab another glass of apple cider or pumpkin juice and a cookie. Then we all head back to our common rooms.

All of us are super tired, so there's not even a party after the dance. Each of us just heads to our dorm and plops down on the bed. I lay there for a while, reflecting on the night. It was a lot of fun. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Thinking back on Harry's face and perfect eyes in the setting of the Yule Ball, I finally fall asleep.