The Girl Who Hid | George Weasley

ch 23 : longbottom

Everyone sat at the dining table for dinner later that week, and many of the students around you were discussing who they hoped would ask them to the dance. You were absentmindedly munching on some potatoes, trying not to think about how you hadn't been asked yet.

Megan and Hannah slipped back off to the dorm a little bit earlier, so you all felt confused when Neville approached your table. You shared a worried glance with Susan. He awkwardly looked around at everyone at the table and smiled softly. You grinned back at him but blinked when his eyes stopped on you.

Uh oh.

He cleared his throat and murmured, "Um, Y/N. Could I talk to you for a moment?"

You nodded and stood up to follow him out of the Great Hall, casting a questioning glance towards Susan as you left.

The two of you stepped into the hallway, and he pulled a sunflower from behind his back. Your heart instantly melted. He stammered, "Um, so, I was just wondering, you don't have to of course, but I was just curious if you'd like to go to the ball with me?"

He anxiously stuck the flower out towards you with a stiff arm, and you graciously accepted it. Smiling at him, you sighed, "This is so sweet, and I'd love to accept, but I'd be a terrible friend if I did."

He spluttered, "Wha-what?"

You chuckled and wondered, "Do you know my friend, Hannah?"

His cheeks turned pink, and a small smile graced his face. He nodded enthusiastically and murmured, "She's the prettiest girl I've ever seen... No offense."

You giggled and waved him off before leaning close and whispering, "I promise if you ask her, she'll say yes." You pulled away and added, "But she would love for you to ask with a rose, not a sunflower."

"Me?" He inhaled suddenly.

Giggling, you nodded vigorously before lifting your finger between the two of you and declaring, "But you can never tell her I said a thing. Okay?"

He stared at you with big eyes like a puppy before squashing you in a hug. He breathed, "Thank you."

You lightly hugged him back. You offered the sunflower back to him and apologized for having to say no, but he shook his head and said you could keep the flower. He bounced down the hall, humming on his way to get a rose.

Hannah was going to be bouncing off the walls once he asked her.

You scurried back into the dining hall with your flower. You glanced over at the Gryffindor table to find George scowling. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion before plopping down next to Susan. She looked at the flower and raised her eyebrows.

Shaking your head, you told her, "He asked me, but I said no."

Cedric messed with your hair and joked, "Aw, did you break Longbottom's heart?"

"He seemed alright after our talk." You shrugged and looked to Susan. You gave her a knowing smile, and she looked at you with huge eyes.

She whispered, "You didn't."

Winking, you laughed before digging back into your dinner. When you looked up at the Gryffindor table, you saw Fred looking at you with a single eyebrow raised. You shook your head at him, and he mouthed, "You said no?" You simply nodded while shoving potatoes in your mouth.

He nodded before turning back to his dinner as well. Cedric bumped his shoulder against yours and asked, "Waiting for someone special?"

You shrugged your shoulders and chuckled, but Cedric noticed the sly grin on Susan's face and declared, "You better tell me what Susan knows later. I am offended that you told her first."

When Susan barked out a laugh, you shoved her and groaned, "Ugh, no. You'll know who it is if they actually ask me, although I doubt it."

Susan sang, "I bet he will."

Nodding, Cedric noted, "So, it is a he, huh?"

You playfully hit his arm before chuckling and flicking your eyes up to look at the Gryffindor table.

George was already looking at you as your stomach flipped.