Chapter 22- The Yule Ball
Nicole’s P.O.V
When I arrived back at the Gryffindor common room with Katie, Hermione, Angelina and Ginny I immediately rushed up the stairs to my dorm. Hermione and Ginny hurried off to get their dresses, shoes and make up and promised to meet us in our dorm. I grabbed the scented soaps Ginny had given me for Christmas and brought them into the bathroom along with my bath robe. I washed and rinsed my hair along with scrubbing my body with the delicious smelling soap bar. When I emerged from the toasty warm water fifteen minutes later I wrapped myself in my bathrobe and pinned my hair in a bun. I exited the bathroom allowing Katie to rush in her soaps in hand. I slowly walked over to my trunk and selected the makeup I would need. I hardly ever wore makeup as I hated being fake but I figured tonight was special and I could bear it. I carefully picked out black eye liner, a cream eye shadow and light pink lipstick. Angelina who was experienced with makeup generously offered to help me with my makeup and I agreed more than willingly. I watched as she quickly finished her makeup and started to do mine. It took her a while and by the time she was finished Hermione and Ginny had come into our dorm with their outfits in hand. Katie had also emerged from the shower and was beginning to start on her makeup. Since everyone had showered, I decided to do my hair next. I grabbed a curling iron and pins and walked into the bathroom to stand in front of the huge wall to wall mirror. Hermione soon joined me and I watched out of the corner of my eye as she tried to eliminate the business from her hair with a product called ‘Sleekeazy's Hair Potion’. It seemed to be working but I could tell it was going to take a long time. As I finished curling my hair and set down my curling iron, I attempted to make some conversation.
“Did Harry and Ron get dates for the Yule Ball?” I asked hoping at least Harry had.
“Yeah,” Hermione answered distractedly, “Harry’s going with Pavarti Patil and Ron’s going with her twin Padma.”
I nodded seeing she wanted to continue with her hair. I knew Harry probably hadn’t wanted to go with Pavarti but I was happy he had found a date all the same. Sighing in relief, I turned back to the mirror and put a few pins in my hair making it elegant but for the most part letting it flow naturally. Deciding I was finished with my hair I slipped out of the washroom and noticed Katie and Angelina had skilfully done their hair without a mirror and were changing into their dresses. Ginny had already changed into her dress and done her makeup and was now heading into the bathroom to perfect her hair. I gently slid past her and headed to my bed where my dress was laying. I picked it up and admired its elegance one last time before slipping it on. I bent down to put my shoes on and realised how bland my feet looked. Looking through one of my ‘WonderWitch’ books I managed to locate a spell that instantly painted and dried nails. I decided to go with a simple French manicure on both my feet and hands. Smiling at my handiwork I slipped on my shoes and tilted my foot admiring them. I glanced at Katie’s clock to see it was 7:00. I had arranged to meet Oliver at 7:30 so I still had a half an hour left to waste. I looked up and noticed Katie, Angelina and Ginny were all done and Hermione was slipping into her dress. They all looked beautiful and I was proud to call them my best friends. I hadn’t yet seen Angelina or Ginny’s dress but admired them now. Angelina’s was a striking yellow that complemented her dark skin tone amazingly. Ginny’s was a simple pale blue dress with a pink bow around the middle. There was only one word to describe it in my mind; adorable.
“You guys look amazing!” I breathed my breath taken by their beauty.
“Thanks! You look gorgeous!” Ginny said smiling.
The other two nodded their heads in thank you but didn’t respond. I knew they were feeling just as I had on my first date with Oliver, absolutely terrified. Hermione had also finished changing and was pacing around the room nervously.
“You look stunning Mione!” I exclaimed happy to see the straight to the rules Hermione out of her comfort zone for once.
She looked up appreciatively and smiled. “You look beautiful Nicole, as always!”
I thanked her and sat down on my bed waiting for time to pass. When I sat down something shiny caught my eye from my nightstand. I leaned over to examine it. It was the golden snitch earrings Oliver had given me. Smiling, I leaned forwards and picked them up and put them on. I admired them in my bedside mirror, glad that they matched the outfit so well. Looking at the clock I was shocked that it was 7:15.
“You guys ready?” Katie said abandoning her pacing.
“Yeah.” Ginny, Hermione and Angelina said gulping fearfully.
“Hell yeah!” I yelled excitedly doing best to lighten their moods.
It worked. They all laughed and looked somewhat more relaxed. Angelina headed out the door, closely followed by Ginny and then Katie. Hermione hovered nervously next to the door and I did my best to offer words of comfort.
“Hermione…you look amazing, trust me.” I said rubbing her shoulder sympathetically.
She nodded thankfully and offered me one last smile. She then headed out the door, her body flowing gracefully and elegantly. Now it was my turn. I took a deep breath and started to head out the door. If I couldn’t take my own advice and encouragement then nobody would.
Oliver’s P.O.V
I stood waiting at the bottom of the girls dormitories with Fred and George. Harry, Ron and Lee had just left to find their dates, leaving me to stand nervously attempting to straighten my already straight tie. I watched as Angelina gracefully walked down the stairs in a yellow dress and flowed to Fred’s side. He whispered something in her ear causing her to giggle and they headed out the portrait hole, Fred’s arm draped around her waist pulling her closer.
“Here comes Katie.” I whispered to George who was looking after his brother. He turned and looked up the staircase his eyes popping open with shock. Katie glided nervously to his side and allowed him to kiss her hand. I smiled at them and waved at them as they too proceeded out of the portrait. I looked back up the stairs, strongly expecting to see Nicole emerge next. However, Ginny was the next to come down, looking very cute. I smiled at her and she returned it as she grabbed Neville’s arm and hurried out of the portrait. Once again I looked back up the staircase getting anxious. Hermione rounded the corner next, a nervous smile playing on her lips. Knowing that she would have to walk down to the Great Hall alone, I wished her luck.
“You look great Hermione. Good luck!” I said giving her the thumbs up.
She smiled back at me and stood more confidently. “Thanks Oliver! I’m pretty sure Nicole’s coming down next!”
I smiled at this news and look back at the staircase straightening my tie one last time. Sure enough, Nicole rounded the corner a second later. My voice caught in my throat and my eyes widened in shock at her beauty. She was wearing elegant robes of pale gold and her hair hung gracefully in curls. As she got closer I noticed she was wearing the snitch earrings I had given her this morning.
“You look….wow.” I said lost for words.
“Thanks, you look amazing!” She said pulling me into a slow and passionate kiss. We pulled apart and grinned at each other. I was still standing dumbstruck the same though racing through my mind. ‘How the hell is she my girlfriend! I’m the luckiest man alive!’ Eventually I managed to recover from her heart stopping beauty and I linked my arm with hers, silently believing this was going to be the best night of my life.
Nicole’s P.O.V
After about ten minutes Oliver and I had reached the great hall and were taking seats at a table. I’m usually quite stable in heels but walking down hundreds of stairs to the Great Hall was a tad tiring. Eventually Katie and George along with Angelina and Fred joined us at the table. We laughed and clapped as the four champions entered the hall and took their seats at the front table. I glanced along that table admiring everyone’s dresses and suits and gasped when my eyes landed on Percy. He was dressed in a navy blue pin striped suit and looked more like a Ministry prat than ever. I drew my eyes back to our table and looked around at my friends. I knew Fred and George had spotted him as their faces were icy and stiff. After the Quidditch World Cup Percy had practically separated himself from the family, breaking mum’s heart. I was pretty quiet for the rest of dinner, attempting to avoid all conversations involving the ministry or Percy. After eating an especially superb dinner (which was saying something for Hogwarts) the tables vanished and everyone stood.
“The champions are going to lead the first dance now!” Katie excitedly said, motioning to Hermione and Harry.
When the music started I did my best to smother my laughter. Harry was barely moving and looked as though he was being tortured. When he turned in our direction Fred, George and Oliver all gave him the thumbs up and a sarcastic wink, earning a nudge in the ribs from their dates. With an arm of a chaser I nudged Oliver to hard, causing him to groan and massage his ribs.
“Sorry!” I whispered, feeling quite guilty. I continued to watch Harry and Hermione dance, happy that at least Hermione was enjoying herself. Just down from me I saw Ron glaring at Victor Krum. I sighed knowing that they were meant to be together and knowing they were the only ones who couldn’t see it. About a minute later Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall had joined the dance floor, signalling for everyone else to follow suit. As Oliver grabbed my arm and pulled me to the dance floor I noticed Harry immediately abandoned his partner and went to sit with Ron.
Refusing to let Ron and Harry’s troubles ruin my evening, I pushed them aside and enjoyed being with Oliver. As my favourite song ‘Can You Dance Like A Hippogriff?’ started playing Oliver and I began to dance radically. I laughed and smiled as Oliver spun me and our bodies rocks wildly against each other. After a few more fast songs and a couple intimate ones, Oliver and I decided to head out to the courtyard where we could have some more ‘enjoyable private time.’ On our way out we passed Harry who was dancing with a quiet yet brave and daring Gryffindor named Bella. Just behind them I saw Ginny glaring at her back, probably burning holes in the back of her head. As we entered the chilly outside I shivered, moving closer to Oliver. We passed Katie and George in a rose bush; they were locked in a tight embrace that made me realise why everyone complained when Oliver and I kissed in public. Eventually finding a vacant bush, Oliver and I crawled inside pulling close to each other. We sat kissing for a small amount of time before things started to go further than usual. Soon Oliver’s hand was trailing up my silky legs while mine were exploring his muscular chest under his dress shirt. Oliver slyly moved down to sucking on my neck, causing me to let out a soft moan that blew our cover.
“MR.WOOD, MRS.WEASLEY, 20 POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR!” Snape bellowed. Karkaroff stood behind him, rubbing his left forearm nervously. Oliver and I began to rush back to the Great Hall at a quick pace, doing our best to avoid Snape. As we approached the doors of the castle we burst out laughing thinking of Snape’s face.
“He’s just mad because he doesn’t have a girl like you.” Oliver said sweetly pecking my lips.
As we re-joined the dance floor I looked into Oliver’s milky brown eyes. “Maybe he’s upset he’s not as handsome as you.” I pondered.
Oliver laughed and spun me to the rhythm of the music. Pulling me close he silently whispered in my ear.
“Maybe”
I laughed at his fake big ego and giggled as he spun me again. Oliver and I spent the night dancing our hearts out and left only when we were the last ones remaining. It truly was a magical night.
