Chapter 16

A month later, the first Triwizard Tournament challenge passed by successfully. It involved dragons and an egg, and the four champions did well. When it was Harry's turn, the dragon broke loose and ended up chasing him all over Hogwarts. Other than that, the first challenge breezed by. An announcement for the Yule Ball was made soon after, which caused all the girls to get excited and the boys to become rather upset. The term was coming to an end, and pressure was put on the boys, fourth year and above, to ask the girls to the Ball.

Sage had spent a lot of time with William in the past month. They were very close friends now, and she was hoping he'd ask her to the Ball. Her friendship with George had also grown, but they weren't as close as Sage and William. Walking through the corridors, Sage saw several girls whispering to each other. She rolled her eyes. They were all looking at Harry, who was looking nervous. Sage spotted a third year ask Harry to the Ball. He must have rejected her, because she walked away looking hurt. Sage laughed inwardly, but felt a pang of sympathy for the curly-haired girl. She waved at Harry, who waved back with a small smile. The girls who had been whispering glared at her, jealous that she was friends with Harry.

She went through her classes for the rest of the day anxious to see William. After she left History of Magic, Dean Thomas ran after her.

"Hey, Sage," he said, smiling at her.

"Hi, Dean," she said, looking up at him. He sure is good-looking, Sage mused.

"Really boring lesson back there, right?"

"Yeah. I think I fell asleep towards the end," Sage said, grinning. Dean laughed, but it was a nervous laugh.

"Yeah..." he trailed off. "So, listen. Would you, uhm... Would you like to go to the Yule Ball with me? You know... as friends?" Sage stopped in the middle of the corridor, surprised. She didn't know what to say. Dean was a nice guy and a great friend, but she wanted to go with William. She stood still for a moment, coming to a decision. She just hoped she wouldn't regret it later.

"I'm so sorry, Dean, but I'm going to have to say no," she said, awkwardly looking at Dean. His face fell.

"So sorry!" Sage said, looking apologetically up at Dean. He shrugged, a smile back on his face.

"No worries. I'll find someone else to go with," he said. "I'll see you around, Sage." With an understanding smile, he walked back to where Seamus was waiting.

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Stacy was walking to the Great Hall when someone grabbed her and pulled her into the corner of an empty corridor. She squirmed until she realized it was Draco. Smiling, she hit his arm.

"You could have just asked me to meet you somewhere," Stacy said, rolling her eyes.

"Do you want to go to the Ball together?" Draco suddenly asked her. Stacy thought for a moment.

"Well, we're supposed to be a secret, right?" she asked. "So if that's the case, we can't go together." Stacy frowned, wanting to go with him, but knowing it couldn't happen.

"Alright, so now what?" Draco said.

"We could go with different dates," Stacy suggested. Draco instantly shook his head.

"No. I'm not going to share you," he said with a small smile.

"That's sweet," Stacy said, "but I want to go to the Yule Ball really badly." She pleaded with Draco until he gave in.

"Fine," he said, upset. "Only because you want this so badly." Stacy smiled.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" she exclaimed, giving him a big hug. Draco sighed.

"I hope I don't regret this," he muttered. Stacy smiled.

"I promise you won't!" she said. Then she bounded away after giving Draco a kiss on the cheek.