Chapter 383 - Yule Ball Ⅲ

Professor McGonagall, who was wearing red robes of tartan told them to wait on one side of the doors while everyone else went inside. They were to enter the Great Hall in the process when the rest of the students had sat down. Igor Karkaroff naturally stationed himself and his date right next to the doors. Jean Delacour, who was standing the closet naturally would go next with Rowan being the last.

As the crowd of people streamed past them more than one person whirled around to stare at Rowan in utter disbelief. She spotted a couple of friends such as Andrew Abbot escorting a girl from Ravenclaw. Waving at him, she watched him wave back, before smirking at Vern Crabbe. Ever since the strip poker game, Crabbe couldn't look Rowan in the face. Vern Crabbe hastily dragged his betrothed, Gertrude Fowl after him

Rowan hides a smile at spotting Severus seated next to his date, the ever lovely, Asha Patil. More than a few boys looked at Severus utterly dumbstruck and envy that he had somehow landed the gorgeous Ravenclaw seeker. And to be fair even Rowan still found herself amazed that said event had even occurred. But it just goes to show that when Severus put his mind to the task anything was possible, (except for somehow confessing his feelings to Lily).

Once everyone else was settled in the Hall, Professor McGonagall took the champions into the Great Hall with Elphinstone beaming at his side as he escorted her. Everyone in the Great Hall applauded as they entered and started walking toward a large round table at the top of the Hall, where the judges were sitting.

The walls of the Hall had all been covered in sparkling silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The House Tables had vanished instead, there were about a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people.

Dumbledore smiled happily as the champions approached the table. Professor Vulchanova did not seem pleased as usual, while Dano Amundsen happily joined in the applause. Madam Maxime looked lovely in her lavender silk robes that nicely contrasted with Hagrid's pine green robes. Mr. Flint wasn't present as he was off with his own family.

Once they reached the front table, Barrett elegantly pulled Rowan's seat for her earning gasps of envy and longing from the girls watching. Barrett neatly seated himself next to her as they glanced at the glittering golden dishes with small menus next to them. Dumbledore instantly said, "Porkchops!" And the pork chops appeared.

Rowan personally ordered the seafood risotto. She happily began to eat as Barrett and she remained silent during the meal each concentrating on the food before them. They heard Jean Delacour happily chatting to his date Apolline, who genuinely seemed interested in what he was saying. Igor Karkaroff's date, on the other hand, couldn't wait for the meal to end soon in order to be rid of him.

When all the food had been consumed, Dumbledore stood up and asked the students to do the same. Then, with a wave of his wand, all the tables zoomed back along the walls leaving the floor clear. And then he conjured a raised platform into existence along the right wall. A set of drums, several guitars, a lute, a cello, and some bagpipes were set upon it.

The Weird Sisters trooped up onto the stage to wildly enthusiastic applause. They were all extremely hairy and dressed in black robes that had been artfully ripped and torn. Rowan had the urge to say posers but tactfully kept silent.

The women picked up their instruments as the lanterns on the other tables suddenly went up as the champions stood up. Barrett offered his hand, which Rowan accepted and climbed onto her feet. Barrett neatly leads her onto the floor as the Weird Sisters began to play a slow, mournful tune. With ease, he put his hand on her waist as Rowan put her hand on his shoulder and took his other hand. The two of them eased into the dance as the crowd began to pour onto the floor.

Twirling about, Rowan spotted Severus with Asha Patil and gratefully muttered thanks to Aunt Georgine in her mind for forcing him to learn how to waltz. They had been both sorely vexed at the time as Severus kept stepping on Rowan's feet at the time. Thankfully he learned and now was a fair dance lead.

They weren't the only couples she spotted, but what caught Rowan's gaze was the couple of Professor McGonagall and Elphinstone Urquart. The two of them were gazing soulfully into each other's eyes. It would seem that Professor McGonagall might be ready to finally move on and officially accept the suit of Elphinstone.

When the final, quavering note from the bagpipe the Weird Sisters stopped playing. Applause filled the hall when the Weird Sisters stuck up a new song, one with a much faster tune. Rowan and Barrett both glanced at each other as he said, "Well, are you in?"

A slow grin appeared on her face in response as Rowan accepted his hand and began to dance. She rather enjoyed herself not realizing that a pretty flush could now be seen on her face. It wasn't just the boys who were staring at her but the girls as well. It was shocking to see the transformation of a smile and a blush could have on one person.

Naturally, even without the aid of Bertha Jorkins rumors were bound to sprout. Instantly, the rumors began that Barrett Bonne and Rowan Prince were madly in love with each other. By the end of the dance, the rumor had spread from one corner of the Great Hall to the other. A certain scholarly looking Slytherin appeared to rather hurt at the news, Darcy Travers.

They danced once more, before taking a break to drink some nice cold juice. The two of them watched the dancing crowd as Rowan said, "Thanks, Boone. I've really enjoyed myself."

Barrett flashes Rowan his trademark lazy grin again that causes her to hastily look away before her heart starts to pitter-patter again. "It was my pleasure, Prince. I've rather enjoyed myself," Barrett honestly explained.

Barrett froze at spotting his ex, Darcy Travers dancing on the floor. Following his gaze, Rowan suggests, "How about a walk to cool off?"

"That would be lovely," Barrett said as he forcefully tore his gaze away and led her out of the Great Hall and past the entrance hall. The front doors stood open, and the fluttering fairy lights in the rose garden winked and twinkled as they went down the front steps. A hint of summer was in the air despite the fact that beyond the rose garden it was stark, bitter, cold and winter.

They found themselves surrounded by bushes winding, ornamental paths; and large stone statues. They merely just walked under the moonlight in silence enjoying the rare spot of summer in the middle of winter. They came across a fountain where couples were sitting on craved benches, but they moved on. Several times they passed couples pressed close together in the shadows.

Finally, they stopped at a bench a good way's away and sat down. They merely enjoyed the silence as the faint sound of music from inside could be heard wafting through the air. They sat there in silence for a good while, before Barrett says, "Sorry, I didn't mean to ruin your night."

"I beg to differ," Rowan firmly replied. "I've vastly been enjoying myself. Even this is nice."

Barrett slowly chuckled at hearing the honesty in her voice. The chuckle dies off as he sadly says, "I've done a good job of pretending nothing has changed. But tonight, really stabbed it in the heart for me. He's gone."

"Then remember him how he used to be," Rowan said as she firmly stared at the fairy lights lest one of the nasty buggers get any other ideas! "He's your first love and I don't think there's anything wrong with remembering that."

"You're awfully open-minded, Prince," Barrett declared.

"Well, I was raised in the muggle world for the first eleven years of my life," Rowan grumbled. "I don't tend to see the wizarding world in the exact same as the rest of the pureblood Slytherins."

"I suppose not," Barrett concluded. The silence grows again until he says, "Do you think, I'll get over him?"

"That or you'll probably commit a dramatic suicide in the future," Rowan deadpanned.

Barrett chokes with laugher and wheezes, "I doubt that. I'm a bit too stubborn for that."

"As I said, you'll live."

"Yes, I'll live."

As if having gotten something off his chest, Barrett rises and offers her his hand again. "Shall we return?"

"Why ever not?" Rowan smiled and accepted his offered hand.

The two of them made their way inside, where they danced on and off again until midnight. Everyone gave the Weird Sisters one last, loud round of applause and started to wend their way into the entrance hall. Barrett escorted Rowan to the edge of the staircase leading the way to the dungeons. "Thank you I had a lovely time," Rowan earnestly said.

"So, did I," Barrett said, and with an impish look in his eyes. He leaned over and gently brushed his lips against hers.

Rowan just gaped at him as Barrett whispered, "For luck on my next fork in life."

Rowan snapped her mouth shut blushing bright red as her heart pounded ridiculously in her chest. Not able to think of a reply, Rowan fled down to the dungeons leaving Barrett chuckling behind her. More than one person witnessed the kiss and come the next morning it would be all over the school.

But for the moment, Rowan didn't care. She'd been kissed by a cute boy even if he was bent! And because even Rowan was still a girl at heart.