obliviate // potterlock

c h a p t e r 1 5

Molly paces frantically around the Hufflepuff common room, her heart in her throat and her hands shaking by her sides.

"You're going to walk a hole in the floor if you don't stop pacing." Soo Lin Yao sighs, watching her dorm mate's anxiety rise through the roof with every second that passes. Molly glares at her friend but doesn't pause in her pacing. "What are you so anxious about anyway, it's just the Yule Ball?"

Molly stops.

"Why am I so anxious? Oh, I don't know, maybe because Sherlock is my date and I'm going to screw this up immensely!" Molly shouts and continues her pacing across the common room.

She's been pacing for longer than she can remember, but her feet are killing her. Why did she decide to wear ridiculously high heels anyway? Oh right, Soo Lin told her to! Molly can't seem to shut off her mind. It's filled with thoughts of how she's going to completely ruin everything with Sherlock. This is her one chance...what if he never speaks to her again?

"Hey, hey calm down Molly! You're going to do nothing of the sort, you hear me?" Soo Lin says softly, walking towards her friend and placing her hands on her shoulders. "Sherlock is lucky to have you as his date. So, you're going to go out there and show him what he's missing out on!"

Molly gulps nervously; her lips tremble. Soo Lin has always known how to calm down Molly. For six years Soo Lin has been the one to keep Molly afloat, seeing as her squad friends are always relying on her to do the same for them. When Molly is on the edge of cracking, Soo Lin is there to save the day and has been for their six years at Hogwarts. 

"You're right. I just...I don't want to screw this up, Soo Lin." Molly mumbles. Soo Lin cracks into a smile and squeezes her friend's shoulders.

"Of course I'm right Molly. I always am!" Soo Lin winks cheekily, which causes Molly to crack a smile of her own. "Right then! Now your meltdown is over, you can finally help me get ready!"

As the two Hufflepuff girls finish getting ready for the Yule Ball, across the castle the Gryffindor common room is in utter chaos. Fourth years run around rampant making sure that they look decent enough for the ball, and others practice their terrible dance moves. John, Greg and Mike watch in pure amusement, attempting to stifle their laughs.

"Thank Merlin they let the Yule Ball still happen! Watching this makes it all worth it!" John laughs. 

"Still, it's a shame they cancelled the Triwizard tournament. I suppose it's to be expected with..." Mike pauses, his eyes shifting towards Greg. Ever since the incident with Kitty, Mike has been very careful with not mentioning anything to do with it. Greg rolls his eyes; he's obviously noticed.

"I know right! I would've totally won that thing as well!" John boasts, causing Greg and Mike to snigger. "What? I would've just used my skills with a broom to soar through the competition. Quite literally!" 

"I have no doubt in my mind that you would've won John!" Greg replies sarcastically, clapping his friend on the back and flopping himself onto an empty sofa.

John was about to clap back with another sarcastic comment, when his eyes are caught by his seventh-year date, Sarah. His eyes grow wide, and his throat grows dry. She looks beautiful! Her gown reps the Gryffindor house colours - a deep red gown with gold sparkle reflects. 

"Holy shit!" John mumbles, his eyes failing to leave his date who hasn't taken notice to him. Even Mike hums in approval. "I'm gonna have the hottest date there, no doubt about it."

"No arguing with you there. Go talk to her!" Mike suggests, pushing his friend closer to the centre of the common room. John coughs; stretches his neck and straightens his deep red tie. He has no idea why he's nervous all of a sudden. Maybe it's because he has a date with the hottest Gryffindor in school and he feels way out of his league...yeah that has to be it!