Never Is Our Always

The Yule Ball is Approching 4

(Minnie pov) (a week later)

"Miss Jordan!" I groaned as I rose my head up, "thank you," Professor McGonagall said firmly. "Now, since Miss Jordan has kindly given us her attention," I just glare.

"I have some some news," Professor McGonagall said, "The Yule Ball is approaching. A traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above- although you may invite a younger student if you wish."

"Dress robes will be worn," Professor McGonagall continued, "and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then-"

Professor McGonagall stared deliberately around the class.

"The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to... er... let our hair down," she said, in a disapproving voice.

"But that does NOT mean," Professor McGonagall went on, "that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way."

The bell rang, and there was the usual scuffle of activity as everyone packed their bags and swung them onto their shoulders.

"Miss Jordan," McGonagall said sharply, "it means you're going too." I just groan as I left the classroom.

"No I'm not!" I shout back to McGonagall while trudging my way down the hall for our next class which was Charms.

-

Some of the teachers, like little Professor Flitwick, gave up trying to teach us much when our minds were so clearly elsewhere; he allowed us to play games in his lesson on Wednesday.

"Alice!" Flitwick scolds, I was making a piece of scrunched up parchment float while it burned.

"I was practicing?" I reply and he rose an eyebrow at my answer.

"Are you feeling all right, dear?" He said in concern.

"No," I answer honestly, "I didn't sleep."

"Oh dear," Flitwick replies, "when lunch comes around why don't you go to your dorm and have a nap?" He advises.

"Good idea," I say, rubbing my neck, it hurt from how much I've been sleeping on the couch, maybe it was taking a small toll on my body.

"Maybe if you didn't sleep on that bloody couch all the time maybe you'd sleep better," Fred said to me, the first words in a long time he's said to me.

It took me all my strength to not hit him in the head with my book.

"Come off it, Weasley," I hissed as the bell rang and I collected my things hurriedly, leaving in an instant.

As soon as I got out into the hallway I was grabbed and then shoved into the wall. I jump in fright as I look up and saw Fred staring down at me.

"Why are you avoiding me?" He said angrily. It struck fear through my body as he pinned me against the wall.

"L-Let me go! You're hurting me!" I yell, he looks at my arm as I started hyperventilating from his grip.

Fred let me go quickly and I ran away from him, holding my arm.

-