Chapter 19- The Invites
Nicole’s P.O.V
Since I had come to Hogwarts in my first year I was well known and liked for being Fred and George’s sister. However, I never knew I was liked enough to get around five invites to the Yule Ball within the first week of it being announced. It was December 20th and I had already rejected enough guys and felt enough guilt and sympathy for a life time. I had been asked by Seamus Finnigan, Michael Corner, Anthony Goldstien, Justin Finch-Fletchy and the most horrifying and heart breaking, a 3rd year, Colin Creevy. Today was a Hogsmede trip and I had planned to go with Hermione, Ginny, Angelina and Katie to buy our ball dresses along with Christmas gifts. I was walking back from the common room when I heard fast footsteps and someone calling my name.
“Nicole! Nicole! Wait up!” a familiar voice called.
I turned around to see Cedric Diggory running towards me, a huge grin plastered on his face. I gulped in fear, his smile reminding me of Colin Creevy’s when he had asked me. When Cedric was a foot from me he beamed down at me.
“Yes?” I said politely and bravely as I could.
“I was wondering if you would like to…you know…go to the ball with me?”
My heart sank. I really didn’t feel like hurting anyone’s feelings today, especially Cedric’s who was always very nice to me.
“Oh…I’m sorry Cedric…I’m already going with someone.”
His smile faded and his eyes lost their shine. ‘At least he wasn’t crying like Colin…’ I thought to myself, trying to lighten my guilt.
”Okay…who are you going with?” He said slowly backing away.
“Oliver…Oliver Wood.” I said proudly yet feeling sympathy for him all the same.
He nodded curtly and proceeded down the stairs without another word. As he turned the corner I could have sworn I saw his eyes watering. Feeling guilty and horrible I dragged myself back to common room to talk to Hermione , Katie, Ginny or Angelina, otherwise known as comfort.
When I gave the password (Magic Mistletoe) I slouched inside a small grimace on my face. Spotting my face, I was immediately bombarded by Oliver.
“Who do I have to beat up?” He said jokingly. I was very appreciative of the way he responded to me being asked to the Yule Ball and was overjoyed that he trusted me unlike most guys who would die of jealousy.
“Ha ha,” I said sarcastically, “Cedric just asked me to the ball…I think I made him cry.”
“Ahhhh.. Hermione and Ginny are in Hermione’s dorm and Katie and Angelina are in the library.” He said directing me to ‘girl comfort’.
With a departing kiss to Oliver I slowly walked up the stairs leading to Hermione’s dorm.
When I reached it I pushed open the door revealing Hermione and Ginny bouncing up and down.
“What happened?” I said laughing.
“Hermione just got asked to the ball…by Victor Krum!” Ginny screamed in a whisper.
“Good job Mione, a champion!” Then remembering why I had come up here I added, “I just got asked by Cedric.”
At this news Hermione and Ginny stopped bouncing and turned to look at me.
“Well…what did you say?” Ginny nervously asked.
“No of course! You twit! I love Oliver!” I said smiling at the last bit.
Both of their moods lightened at this and they sank onto empty beds grinning. For a while we talked about what we were going to buy in Hogsmede. We obsessed how great it was that Ginny had been asked by Neville and we would all be able to go. When an hour had passed I ran up to my dorm to grab a jacket and purse and rushed back down to the common room. Ginny, Hermione, Angelina and Katie all stood waiting, grins plastered to their faces. As we walked out of the common room, prepared to go to Hogsmede, I heard Oliver and Lee jokingly yell out behind me.
“Buy me something nice!”
Laughing, I set out with my best friends on a deadly adventure of finding presents for our loved ones and a perfect dress for the Yule Ball.
