I felt like I could finally breathe again.

Cedric had managed to get through the first task in one piece. Just.

"If you thought the first task was bad, wait until you hear what I've got to do next," Cedric chuckled as he recovered in the hospital wing afterwards.

My blood went ice cold and it must have shown on my face because it made Cedric chuckle harder.

"Ow- stop making me laugh, Rory - it hurts!" He winced, pointing to the burn on his face which was covered in a yellow paste.

"How does me worrying about my brother make you laugh?" I scolded, feeling annoyed that he wasn't taking this danger thing seriously.

"Because I was about to say I've got to ask a date to the Yule Ball. It's imperative that champions have a partner, apparently."

"Oh." I said, feeling silly. "Who are you going to ask then? Why don't you take Fleur seeing as she's a champion already? I'm sure she'll go with you."

"Thanks little sis, but I think I can handle my own love life." Cedric smiled kindly, his visible eye twinkling.

"Love life?" I asked, shocked at the term. I had no idea about who Cedric was into. "Is there someone you had in mind then?"

He nodded, blushing slightly. "Her names Cho. She's in Ravenclaw. We've been... smiling and stuff."

"Woah - ease up there, Diggory! I hope you've been using protection!"

I snapped my head up to see Fred and George Weasley whipping open the curtained partition.

"Thought we'd give you a get well gift," George said, tossing a package onto his bed. "Hello Aurora - what's this about dating then?"

"Ced's got to take a date to the Yule Ball," I giggled, "he's going to ask a Ravenclaw called Cho."

"Hey!" Cedric yelled, whilst unwrapping what looked like to be a pack of custard creams.

"Oh, Chang?" Fred piped up, rubbing his hands wickedly, "she's a feisty one on that broom!"

"Word of warning," George said, nodding towards the biscuits in Cedric's hand. "Probably best not to offer her one of those right before you ask her."

"Do we all have to have dates?" I asked, my thoughts suddenly turning to a certain white-blond haired boy.

Cedric immediately narrowed his eyes, looking piercingly at me. "Why? I hope to god you are not thinking about Malfoy."

"What?" Fred snapped, looking at me horrified. "Aurora, don't you remember the Quidditch World Cup? He thought Muggle baiting was funny!"

"You'd be better off staying away, Aurora," George warned darkly. "Besides, I'm pretty sure Pansy will kill you if you try to steal her precious Drakie away."

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. "There is nothing going on." I gritted through my teeth.

And sadly, that was indeed the truth.

...

"I was thinking of asking that Ravenclaw chick to the ball."

"Cool," Draco murmured, moodily stabbing a fork in his sausage, barely listening to his friend.

"Or I could ask Diggory's sister, she might say yes."

"What?!" Draco spat, as his eyes immediately flew up.

Blaise chortled. "Knew it. You've got it bad, man."

Draco looked back down at his untouched food, hoping the heat he could feel in his cheeks wasn't showing.

Ever since the tree incident, he couldn't think of anything but her.

Of how he had wanted to kiss her.

He had barely watched the first task, instead never taking his eyes off of Aurora. When Cedric had gotten himself burnt after his labrador had failed to distract the dragon, it had taken Draco everything in his power not to leap over the seats to get to her and comfort her in her distress.

And now they were faced with this Yule Ball, and he was wondering how to approach her to ask her.

"Anyway," Blaise continued, "as I was saying, I was thinking of asking that Ravenclaw to the ball. Chang."

"You're too late," Theodore Nott piped up from across the table. "She's already going with Diggory. Gotta get in quick before the hot ones get taken up."

"Damn." Blaise muttered, sitting back heavily in his seat. "What about you Drac? Asked the sister yet?"

Draco shook his head, glancing up at the Hufflepuff table as he did so, watching as Aurora giggled and ruffled her brother's hair. He had never seen someone so enamoured with their sibling before. He wondered if it had a lot to do with them not having a mother. He couldn't imagine not having his.

His stomach twisted uneasily when he thought about what Potter had said about his father.

"I wouldn't waste any time, man. I see Potter has been sniffing around her a lot lately." Blaise muttered, just as Potter approached the Hufflepuffs.

Draco felt a wave of hot anger as Potter stood behind Aurora and placed a hand on her back.

Suddenly, the thought of her going with anyone but him made him feel sick. He should have asked her sooner. Panicked, he went to rise from his seat, but just at that very moment, a huge shriek made him freeze midway.

"DRAKIE!!!"

Pansy launched herself onto the empty seat next to him, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

"I've got the dress! Wait until you see it - it's just perfect!"

Draco blinked down at her. Dress? What in god's name was this woman going on about?

"I've gone for pink as mummy says pink brings out my eyes. Pink'll also look good next to your complexion. I was thinking you could wear something pink too so that we match, and so I've ordered you a pink silk tie and matching pink handkerchief. I've also opted for pink shoes which I hope won't be too much. I suppose I can also order them in cream, just in case. Perhaps we should have a little dress rehearsal later or something?"

She tilted her face, looking up at him through her eyelashes expectantly.

Oh, for fuck's sake.