Astra || H. Potter [1]

[31] Nicer Than You

[Outfit Above]

The next day instead of two periods of classes the Gryffindor's year four and up were gathered in one of the assembly rooms. Separated from their counterparts, Hermione and Ophelia sat beside each other amongst the other girls while both Harry and Ron sat with the boys. Professor McGonagall watched as Filch messed with the record player trying to get it set up, she nodded to him as a thanks and began addressing the students. "The yule ball has been a tradition of the tri-wizard tournament since its inception. On Christmas eve night we and our guests gather in the great hall for well mannered frivolity."

The older woman paused in her walk and looked around at the many Gryffindors. "As representatives of the host school I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward, and I mean this literally because the yule ball is first and foremost...a dance." Groans emerged from the boys who were listening while the grims seemed much more excited. Lavender released a shrill giggle which earned her a hard nudge in the ribs from Parvati.

"Silence." McGonagall called. "The house of Godric Gryffindor has commanded the respect of the wizard world for nearly ten centuries. I will not have you in the course of a single evening besmirching that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons." Ophelia covered her mouth with her hand as she stifled her laughter from watching George and Fred repeating her words. "Now to dance is to let the body breathe, inside every girl a secret swan slumbers longing to burst forth and take flight."

Ron leaned towards Seamus and began whispering something causing McGonagall to call on him. "Inside every boy a lordly lion prepared to prance. Mr Weasly, will you join me." Ron's eyes shot open wide and he looked up at her in shock. "Me?" He pointed to himself and she nodded before pulling him up out of his seat and onto the floor with her. "Now, place your right hand on my waist." She told him as she set her hands on his shoulder. "Where?" ron asked in horror.

"My waist." McGonagall answered shortly and moved his hand to the high of her waist much to his displeasure. As Ron set his hand on her waist a wolf whistle came from the crowd of boys making his jaw clench and he moved his hand only for Mcgonagall to put it back. "Now bend your arm." McGonagall looked over her shoulder at Filch. "Mr Filch..." The music began and mcGonagall worked on showing Ron the steps. "One two three, one two three, one two three." Hermione and Ophelia laughed when she saw the twins dancing, mocking Ron.

"Everybody come together." McGonagall instructed as she opened her arms and waved everyone closer. All of the girls instantly jumped up and walked forward but the boys all remained seated. Ophelia giggled at the slight fear in both Harry and Ron's expressions. "Boys, on your feet." McGonagall demanded earning quiet groans from the boys before they stood and each got a partner.

꧁꧂

The next week, most people had gotten their dates for the ball that was ending the week off before the second task the day after. Ophelia's next class she had with some of the Durmstrang students where she had become friends with Viktor Krum and was encouraging him to ask Hermione to the ball. When he finally did she squealed in joy and hugged both him and Hermione. What Ophelia hadn't known was that one of Viktor's closest friends had been seeking his help to work up the courage to ask Ophelia. In her seat Ophelia looked up to her left and found that Viktor was not the one sitting beside her but instead his friend Andrey.