New Romantics | Hermione Granger Book IV

|67| Chapter Sixty-Seven

S I X T Y  S E V E N

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The fifth girl in Sage's picture wasn't finished playing just yet, no. As Saffron was about to find out, upon walking up the corridor only to find Olly Jowett standing there, as though waiting for her. To Saffron, it looked too good to be true and unfortunately that turned out to be the case.

Saffron was released from total control, all to ensure she got the brunt of the blow she was destined to experience. As she readied herself to ask Olly the question she had wanted him to ask her not only since the Ball was announced, but really since the beginning of the school year when she realised just how strong her feelings were. Saffron found a strange sense of courage to make a bold move and just ask him. She had always considered herself a confident person for the most part, but the build-up to asking him was horrendous, as many questions spiralled around her head.

Lavender had told her that boys were supposed to ask. So why hadn't Olly asked her? Was it out of nervousness? Or was it simply because he didn't want to go with her? Lavender and Parvati spoke about how he was boyfriend material and a true catch, hence why he ranked so highly in their list of fanciable boys. Hence, surely he could have had a large selection of people willing to go with them and chose one of them. That was a reason for Saffron to back out and allow them to continue being friends.

But on the flip side, Hermione's words echoed through her mind, if she never tried she'd never know, and at the end of the day, the worst that could happen was awkwardness between her and her Ravenclaw friends. But if he said yes, it would amplify everything and truly let out the feeling she had been experiencing for the past few months, but that had been boiling up since the day she met him in the Owlery, really.

"Hey," said Saffron softly and Olly turned around at a fast pace, striking her with his sparkling blue eyes that were enough to petrify her.

"Are you alright Saffron?" Olly greeted her with a small grin.

"Yeah, I was just about to head up to Gryffindor tower but I've been meaning to talk to you, and I figure I might as well do it now, if you don't mind,"

There was a prolonged pause as a result of Saffron's nerves. Olly broke it by asking:

"About... .?"

"About. . . "

"The Yule Ball," blurted out Saffron, suddenly feeling her throat try up and forehead ache with pain. Of course, she had to let her nerves consume her now right when she needed them to stay calm. Not to mention that her cheeks were warming forming a furious flush and her armpits were getting increasingly sweatier by the second. "Are you going?"

"Yeah, I mean who isn't?" he replied with a small laugh.

"Yeah, well. . . " said Saffron, sounding aimless even though she had a very clear aim that she wished to achieve by the end of their conversation, or whatever you would call an anxious Saffron spluttering words at the Ravenclaw. "Well, I- I was wondering if you wanted to go . . . um, well, with me, maybe?"

Saffron's heart sunk when she watched his eyebrows furrow.

"Did you not say yes to Neville?" he asked her confusedly. Saffron only listened to his voice for she couldn't bear to look at him. She furthered reddened in irritation at what was coming out of his mouth.

"What -----? No, I-- I said no,"

"Oh, right,"

Saffron dared to look up at him now but he too wouldn't look at her. She scratched her neck roughly, digging her nails into her skin at what was happening. She waited for him to respond, although he didn't for what felt like an eternity.