𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥? 〚𝚍𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚏𝚘𝚢 〛

Chapter 14

For the next week, Harry and I had something in common. At every moment of free time we had, we were focused on Draco Malfoy. 

It had been announced that the winter ball would be taking place the day before students returned to their homes for Christmas. The moment it had been announced, Charles smirked and turned towards me with a wink, reminding me that I was to be his partner. 

Draco, on the other hand, frowned, refusing to meet my eyes. 

As much as I missed my parents, I couldn't afford to return home for Christmas. However, Dumbledore had hinted that I would be able to have service at certain areas of Hogwarts, especially at the top of a tower. 

The moment students were out the door, I would be raiding the school in search of a broom. I hadn't used my phone since I had left London, I prayed that it wasn't affected by magic and that the battery still worked. 

I would die of shame if I couldn't talk to my parents on Christmas. 

I hoped Mildred had some clever plan that would ensure that the police weren't called. Knowing them, my face would be on the cover of every newspaper after one week without any news. So four months.... 

A week had passed since our victory against Ravenclaw, but it seems that I had won the respect of the Slytherin house. 

I sighed tiredly, knowing I should get up. It was nearly two o'clock in the afternoon and I still hadn't gathered the strength to get out of bed. 

I was exhausted, having spent the week reviewing runes with Hermione and teaching Luna about the proper ingredients to put in a sleeping potion. 

I had watched Malfoy from the corner of my eye, making sure that he didn't do anything stupid. Between that, worrying about quidditch, reading and writing parchemin upon parchemin of homework, not to forget that I had a reputation to maintain... things were getting hectic. 

My brain was foggy and I was looking forward to Christmas break. 

The door to my room was thrown open and Millicent waltzed in with a wide smile.

"Up, up, up! It's time to get ready!"

She tugged open the blinds, letting sunlight flood the room. I squinted.

"I beg your pardon? The ball begins at eight," I protest.

"Beauty takes time," she said, as if it was a valid reason to burn my eyes.

Suddenly, I felt as if I could play twenty quidditch games in a row instead of facing this madness.

She sat me down on a stool and left for a moment. I shifted on the stool, thinking that this was in fact a very bad idea. I shouldn't even attend the ball, I hated gatherings. And I detested gatherings that involved more people than necessary. 

But just as I was ready to stand, Charles' excited expression appeared in my mind. My resolve weakened. I had promised Luna that I would dance with her. I had told myself that I would watch over Ginny if she was surrounded by too many boys. 

I sat back down as Millicent reentered the room.

"No makeup, alright?" I whispered.

She smiled widely and started unbraiding my hair.

Anxious, I tried to distract myself. "Was there any additional information on the ball?"

"Oh! I forgot that you weren't here two years ago. You know how to waltz I hope."

"Yes."

The lessons were permanently etched into my mind, along with the scowl of the elder lady that taught me every time I messed up.