the common room at full speed, paying no mind to her surrounding or the students around her.

"Hermione!" Octavia babbled, running over to the girl who was sitting by the fire.

Hermione popped her head up from her book with a curious glance.

"You'll never believe what just happened." The brunette breathed.

"What?"

"Something about a ball—" Octavia hinted, still in a daze.

"What happened?" Hermione immediately became more alert and her eyes widened, "Did Harry-"

"Cedric asked me to the ball!" Octavia couldn't hold it in any longer as the words came falling out of her mouth, "Wait, what were you gonna say about Harry?" Octavia raised an eyebrow.

"Oh nothing never mind. That's amazing!" Hermione lied through her teeth, giving her a smile.

"I know!"

Octavia heard a small creak as she was with Hermione chanting 'Cedric asked me to the ball!'. Then as Hermione turned to see who is was her face immediately fell, and she took a step back from the dancing brunette.

"So that's why you skipped detention." Harry said with a large frown apparent on his face."

"Oh yeah, I'll just make it up some other time." Octavia shrugged, thinking the littlest of the situation.

"Yeah." He walked straight up to his room without a second glance and scowl growing as did so.

"Why does he have a wand stuck up his arse?" Octavia grumbled rolling her eyes and crossing her arms.

"Um I don't know" Hermione shrugged with a frown, but her eyes continued to look to the boys dorm where Harry had just disappeared.

||

"We have to what?!?" Octavia spit out her drink into a napkin. She wasn't sure how her morning could have gotten worse after hearing this news.

"Dance," Cedric nodded with a hesitant expression,"For the the beginning of the Yule ball."

"The whole school will be there!"

"Yep."

"Fantastic."

"Good thing I've got a cute date" Cedric consoled flirtatiously.

"Damn straight." Octavia blushed while hitting her lip.

"Don't you think you should go back to the Hufflepuff table Cedric?" Harry cut in, slightly more aggressive than intended.

"Oh yeah, I best be off." The sandy haired boy smiled, shooting Octavia a wink as he walked off.

Octavia quickly slapped Harry's arm as soon as he was out of ear shot, "What was that about?"

"What?" Harry said innocently, not looking up from his toast.

"Kicking Cedric out!"

"I did no such thing." The boy mumbled turning back to his food.

Octavia huffed and turned back to hers as well.

Harry kept this act up for another three days leading up to the Yule Ball. Whenever Cedric came over there was an excuse for one of them to leave, or for a moment to be ruined.

Finally it was the night of the Ball. The Gryffindor common room was bustling with excitement. Even the boys seemed to be smiling more than usual as their mix of nerves broke loose. Once the boys finished they went to the great hall to wait for their dates, straightening their dress robes. The girls were still getting ready in their own dorm. Octavia slid on her navy gown and had Hermione zip her up. She already had her beautiful periwinkle gown on.

"You look incredible!" Hermione complimented, truly taken a back at Octavia's gown.

"Oh not nearly as good as you!"

"Don't be silly, your going to be prettiest one out there"."

Octavia gave her a small twirl sending her long side braid into her face.

Then together they walked down towards the Great Hall. Hermione went down the stairs first, Viktor was beaming the whole time. Octavia couldn't be happier for Hermione.

Then it was her turn. Octavia had her fair share of fancy events with her uncle in New York, so she was accustom to walking in heels. The small taps of her shoes on the stairs made everyone turn her way. Octavia saw Harry staring at her as she walked down until she made eye contact with Cedric. He looked quite handsome and Octavia couldn't help but blush as he held his arm out for her.

"Ready to dance?" Cedric whispers.

"Of course" Octavia whispered back as they walked into the Great Hall and the music began.

Cedric and Octavia were the power couple of the night, dancing circles around all the other couples. They even gave Dumbledore and McGonagall a run for their money.

Eventually they broke off and found Hermione and Viktor, both of whom were having a great time. The boys went to get drinks, so Hermione and Octavia walked over to see Harry and Ron.

"Hi guys" She smiled as Padma and Pavarati were stomping off.

"Hey" The boys shrugged not looking up, angry expressions on their faces.

She looked at Hermione and raised an eyebrow.

"Want to come dance with us?" Hermione asked trying to remain bubbly.

"Yeah Cedric and Viktor should be back soon!"

"Oh yes precious Viktor" sneered Ron, "Why don't you go snog his face off somewhere"

Hermione had tears welling up in her eyes, obviously hurt by his outburst.

"You're fraternizing with the enemy!" Ron spat with venom in his words.

"Just because you missed your chance Ronald doesn't mean- argh!" She ran off to go find Viktor in a huff.

"You're welcome to come Harry" Octavia said as she began to follow Hermione.

No response.

Octavia trailed after Hermione and they went and found our dates. Eventually Hermione let go of her little spat with Ron and the two had a good time. They danced for what seemed like hours. Eventually people started to filter out. Soon it was down to just a few couples. Viktor took Hermione back, but Cedric and Octavia walked around for a bit.

"I had a really nice time"

"So did I" Cedric smiled, "You were fantastic"

Octavia blushed, eventually reaching the common room.

"Goodnight" Octavia smiled.

"Goodnight" He lent in and kissed her cheek

A blush and smile crept onto her face as Octavia said the password and stepped into the common room.

She walked in and saw Harry sitting by the fire, she walked farther in and saw Harry look at her.

"Have a good time?" Harry asked, annoyance lacing his words.

"Yeah I did" Octavia nodded.

"I bet" He said with a snarl.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Her face got red, not a blush, but an angry red.

"I've heard Cedric's quite the ladies man" He scoffed.

Octavia stayed silent.

"Or is that why you liked him in the first place, a snogging partner"

"What's going on with you?!" Octavia stepped back.

"I'm just trying to warn you!" He turned to her with a hard expression.

"You're not my father!" She yelled.

"Well maybe you need him!" He yelled back.

"Maybe I do!" She screamed "But my father is dead!"

Harry went silent. Regret in his eyes.

"What, shocked to find out you're not the only one with dead parents?" A tear dripped down her face,"Not everyone can be a famous orphan Harry"

Octavia turned and started for the stairs.

"Tavia, wait!" He called.

The name sent a chill down her spine as she steered around.

"Don't EVER call me Tavia" Octavia screamed at the top of her lungs as tears continued to stream down her face.

She ran up the stairs barley holding herself together. Mascara flowed down her face. Octavia ran into the dorm to find Hermione sitting there with tears in eyes.

"Boys suck" Hermione said wiping a tear.

"Yeah," Octavia walked over, "They really suck"