Off the Pitch

Chapter 13: Christmas Plans and Ball Gowns

"Your grandmother wants to speak with you", professor Snape said bluntly as I was about to step out of the classroom. 

"Thank you, professor", I said and told the twins I'd join them for dinner after I had spoken with McGonagall. I then headed to the first floor. I knocked on the door and walked in. 

"Ah, good", McGonagall said from behind her desk. "Sit down, please." 

I sat down in front of her and looked at her with slight confusion. 

"Is everything okay?" I asked. 

"Oh, yes", she said quickly. "I just wanted to talk to you about the Yule Ball – oh, and Christmas holiday." 

I nodded. "What about the Yule Ball?" 

McGonagall reached down to the floor and lifted a white box onto the table. "Your grandfather has sent you a dress." 

My eyes lit up. "Really? That's so sweet!" 

McGonagall smiled. "Well, take a look!" 

I lifted the lid of the box and was left speechless: in the box laid a beautiful, silvery satin dress. I gently lifted the dress out; it was gleaming and flowy. I looked at it in awe. 

"It's beautiful", I whispered, and a tear rolled down the side of my cheek. Grandmother gave me an affectionate smile. 

"It really is." 

"I'll send him an owl today and thank him", I said, wiping off another tear. 

"Now that you've got your dress, all you're missing is a partner", the older witch explicated. "I was thinking you could ask Cedric Diggory, he's a Prefect and a very nice boy–" 

"Actually", I interrupted, "I'm going with Oliver Wood." 

McGonagall looked baffled at first, but gave me a smile nonetheless. 

"I take it you two have been getting rather close lately?" 

Literally. 

"Yeah, you could say so", I tried to sound neutral. 

"Very well", McGonagall nodded. 

"He's a good guy, grandma", I said. 

"I know, dear", she smiled at me. "Anyhow, I wanted to talk to you about Christmas holiday. I'm going to visit your grandfather in Canada, we have just agreed that I will be spending Christmas with him. Is it okay with you if you stay here at Hogwarts over the Holidays?" 

I nodded, although I was a little disappointed; I would have loved to see grandpa. McGonagall must have noticed my bereft expression, because she quickly added: 

"You can join us after New Years for a couple of days if you'd like." 

I nodded again, this time with a smile. "Was that it?" I asked. 

"Yes, that was all." 

I took the box with me and walked out of the office. 

"Bye, grandma", I said at the door. I froze in place. Hermione was standing right in front of me with a pleased smile on her face. 

"I knew your last name was familiar", she said smugly. "Elphinstone Urquart, he's your grandfather, right? Former official for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?" 

"Please don't tell anyone", I coaxed. 

"Of course not", she replied with a friendly smile. "What's that?" she turned her gaze to the white box I was holding.