"The Yule Ball is a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament," Professor Snape announced in his usual icy tone, face expressionless. "It is open only to students in fourth year and above, though older students may invite a younger student if they wish. Proper dress robes, as listed on your school supply list, are required." He paused briefly, ignoring the excited chatter already beginning to spread through the common room. "The ball will be held in the Great Hall on Christmas night, starting at eight and ending at midnight."
As soon as Snape left, the excitement exploded into a loud, unabashed commotion.
After the announcement, Anne and Fanny returned to their dormitory together. Anne already had someone in mind to invite, and Fanny, who had known about the ball from the start of the term, wasn't surprised at all.
The next day, a Tuesday, the atmosphere at school was nothing short of electric. Every Head of House had made the same announcement the night before, and students in fourth year and up were chattering non-stop, dissecting every possible detail about the ball. The younger students, too, were buzzing with excitement, some hoping to get invited, others trying to find a way to sneak in.
With the Triwizard Tournament back after such a long hiatus and Hogwarts' usual isolation from big social events, the ball had instantly become the thing on every student's mind.
Yawning and munching on a piece of toast, Anne emerged from the Slytherin girls' dormitory alongside Fanny. Truthfully, she hadn't slept well, Pansy, Millicent, and Talia had spent most of the night gossiping and giggling about who they wanted to invite to the ball. Pansy had made it clear from the start that she was inviting Malfoy, but that didn't stop her from gushing over handsome boys from other houses.
"They're really enthusiastic about this ball," Anne said around a mouthful of toast.
"Of course they are, Anne!" Fanny replied cheerfully. "It's the Triwizard Ball, likely the only one we'll ever have during our seven years at Hogwarts. I've been to plenty of dances, but this one? I'm genuinely curious... I wonder how the professors will decorate the castle with magic…"
"If they hadn't kept me up half the night with their giggling, I would've cast a Silencing Charm on them. Oh, and guess what, Professor Dumbledore's invited the Weird Sisters to perform at the Yule Ball."
"Seriously? The Weird Sisters? The ones from WWN? Anne, how do you know?"
"Well, over the summer there was this… mistake. I accidentally sent them some handwritten songs, and they just wrote back a few days ago through an owl post. Turns out they liked them and wanted to perform them at the ball, knowing I'm a student here. I turned them down, though."
"What?! Why would you turn them down?" Fanny exclaimed. "It's the Weird Sisters! Loads of witches and wizards are obsessed with them!"
Because those songs were based on memories of music that already existed, not original compositions. The real songwriter, Taylor, would still be a child right now, assuming she even exists in the wizarding world version of America.
"I just… had to. Trust me. I couldn't deal with the attention if the songs became a hit at the ball," Anne said with a dismissive wave.
"Anne, sometimes it's impossible to figure out what you're thinking…" Fanny said with mock exasperation.
Anne shrugged. "Sometimes I don't even know what I'm thinking. Anyway, enough philosophy. Let's get to History of Magic class and claim a good spot for a nap…"
But getting to class wasn't so easy. As they reached the first floor of the castle, a blushing fourth-year Ravenclaw boy rushed over and nervously asked Fanny to the ball. She politely declined with a kind smile.
After he left, Anne teased, "Fanny, I think Pansy was right about something last night: 'Don't worry, Fanny, every house is bound to have someone who wants to ask you.'"
Fanny gave Anne a playful glare, but quickly broke into a smile. "Says the girl who got over ten Valentine's cards during Lockhart's event, Anne, I'd say the same goes for you."
Not long after, a fifth-year Hufflepuff came running around a corner and nearly knocked them over in his rush to ask Anne to the ball. She turned him down politely as well.
As the disappointed boy returned to his group of friends, Fanny covered her mouth, stifling her laughter.
"Alright, alright," Anne sighed in surrender. "Let's stop teasing each other and get moving. We're going to be late…"
And late they were, arriving just as the bell rang. On the way, Fanny was asked to the ball four times, and Anne twice.
Collapsing into the back row of the classroom, Anne caught her breath, pulled out her History of Magic book, and leaned on her hand to nap after muttering a few words to Fanny.
She didn't notice Hermione, seated at the front of the class, glancing back at her. Fanny noticed, though, Hermione only looked for a second before turning back around.
Something's going to happen soon. Fanny smiled slightly at the thought.
When the bell rang again, Fanny shut her notebook and nudged Anne's arm.
"What time is it?" Anne mumbled sleepily.
"History of Magic is over. It's lunchtime!" Fanny said, emphasizing the word lunch.
Anne blinked, scanning the classroom as students from Slytherin and Gryffindor began to file out.
Stretching, she packed her book, stood up, and left the classroom with Fanny.
"No classes this afternoon. After lunch, want to come with me to the library?"
"Not heading to the greenhouses today?"
"No need. The magical plants we just replanted are growing steadily, I can leave them for now. Besides, I've got some questions I want to look up, and I need to finish that Ancient Runes essay."
As they headed downstairs toward the Great Hall, a sixth-year Slytherin boy stopped Fanny. He asked her to the ball, and just like in the morning, she politely declined.
"He wasn't bad-looking, you know. And he's a senior from our house, we've seen him around the common room. It seemed decent. Not interested?" Anne asked, curious.
"He was handsome," Fanny admitted, "but I actually want to go with someone from Beauxbatons or Durmstrang…"
"Oh? Let me guess, you're hoping to talk to them about their schools, especially Durmstrang?"
Fanny laughed and nodded. "I've always been curious! And the point of the Yule Ball is to promote friendship between the schools, right?"
"Fair point. I'd like to learn more about magical education systems in other parts of Europe too. You know how what's in books often only scratches the surface…"
As they reached the doors to the Great Hall, they were stopped again.
A familiar-looking fourth-year Ravenclaw boy blocked Anne's way. He opened his mouth, face flushed, but no words came out. Anne tried stepping to the left to go around him, but he stepped the same way, cutting her off again. It was lunch hour, and people were streaming in. The moment turned awkward fast.
Anne gave Fanny a helpless look. Fanny, trying hard not to laugh, motioned for her to handle it herself.
"Hi there. Can I help you? If not, I'd like to get to lunch," Anne said coolly but politely, eyeing the boy who was about her height.
"Yes! I mean, yes…" The boy nodded rapidly, as if afraid Anne might vanish if he hesitated again. But then he froze, and cold sweat formed on his forehead despite the winter chill.
A few nearby students began snickering.
The laughter only made him more anxious, he turned red as a boiled shrimp.
"If…" Anne started, ready to end this quickly by saying she'd already accepted someone else's invitation. But just as she opened her mouth, the boy blurted,
"I want… I want…" He avoided Anne's eyes, glanced around at the spectators, and completely panicked. "I want to borrow your Transfiguration notes…"
There. Finally said it. Stay calm, Anne told herself. Just politely say no and make it clear you're already invited. Wait, what did he say?
Borrow… my Transfiguration notes?
Anne's face darkened instantly. Fanny froze in disbelief.
The boy seemed to realize what he'd just blurted, horror spreading across his face.
"No. Absolutely not," Anne snapped coldly, not even sparing him another glance as she strode into the Great Hall. Fanny followed, her expression shifting from stunned to someone barely holding back laughter.
But not everyone tried to hide it. Malfoy and Pansy laughed so hard they practically skipped from the entrance to the Slytherin table.
Standing beside the table, Malfoy even slammed his hand on it. "Hahaha! That was the funniest thing I've heard this year, no, since first year! Some guy stammering for ages just to ask to borrow your Transfiguration notes! Absolutely brilliant…"
"He's a Ravenclaw in our class too, right?" Pansy added between giggles. "What was he thinking?"
Laugh all you want, Anne thought bitterly. Choke on your soup later, and may that Ravenclaw never find a dance partner…
Feeling wronged, Anne looked toward Fanny for some sympathy, only to find her pressing her lips together, eyes sparkling with laughter.
Hmph. Anne huffed, turned her head, and picked up her cutlery. Two seconds later, as if responding to her mood, the table filled with food.
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