The Great Hall bustled with energy.  All of the students were beaming with excitement about the upcoming Yule Ball, Even some of the teachers seemed to be excited-  but Rowan and Astrid were sitting at the Ravenclaw table dreading the upcoming event. They had shared the same issue…  wanting a certain red-headed boy to ask them to the Yule Ball.

“He is so oblivious,” She spat, full of disappointment and anger. Astrid shared her feelings making her let out a heavy sigh trying to get the weight off her chest. 

“They both are,”  Astrid murmured,  staring at the empty space in front of her, “Didn’t Barnaby ask you? You should just go with him.”

Astrid could see Rowan’s face contour into deep thought as she mulled over Astrid’s words. “What about you though? I don’t want to leave you in the common room all alone.” She gave Astrid a pout making her chuckle slightly. Astrid opened her mouth to give her a proper answer but before she could give one, Charlie, Bill, and Andre sat across from them. 

Astrid could feel a pit in her stomach grow once Charlie laid his eyes on her. 

“Hey! How are you lot?” Andre asked in his usual cheery tone, bringing her attention away from Charlie’s gaze. She could sense Rowan’s slight discomfort. 

“I forgot my books in the common room,” Rowan mumbled as she picked up her bag that was bulky from the multiple books she had stashed in it. Astrid started to protest, not wanting to be left alone with the boys but after seeing the look Rowan gave her, she decided not to continue.

“What’s her deal? Bill asked, watching her as she left the hall,  Astrid shrugged her shoulders as she rested her cheek on her fist. She knew the answer, but she wasn’t about to spill it to Bill.

An awkward silence between the four of them filled the air until Andre spoke up, “Who are you going to the Yule Ball with, Astrid?”

She bit the inside of her cheek, not really wanting to tell them she didn’t have a date but decided it would be rude if she said nothing. So she kept quiet for a bit longer chewing on her cheek before she gave a proper response. 

“Erm, I don’t think I’ll be going,” Astrid said immediately looking to her lap so she didn’t see how they reacted. Feeling the anxiety getting to her, she stood up from the bench and gave them a small smile. “Excuse me,” She said making her way toward the corridor. She took a sharp turn toward the library hoping she could hide behind a bookshelf. Astrid was almost to the library when she heard footsteps rushing toward her, she spun around to face who could possibly be running toward her, and came face to face with a familiar freckled face.

“Merlin Charlie! You gave me a heart attack,” She hissed taking a step back so she didn’t fall

The pounding in her chest was probably noticeable to the Slytherins in their common room. He was about a foot away from her. He seemed to notice this as well.

“Oh, shi- I’m sorry, Astrid.” He said awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck while taking a step back

“Why were you following me?” Astrid asked trying to make this conversation quick

“Oh, right- why aren’t you going? He asked looking at Astrid with a quirked brow

“Going where?” She asked, her mind not working at that moment, “Oh the ball, I just don’t have anyone to go with, and I don’t exactly fancy third-wheeling with Rowan. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get some books from the library.” She turned on her heels once more and took a step trying to leave when Charlie grabbed her wrist and whirls her around to face him once more. 

“Why didn’t you tell me you didn’t have anyone to go with?” He asked sounding a bit hurt, making her feel a bit guilty

“You never asked me,’’ Astrid mumbled, staring at her feet. I looked up at him and I saw him staring at her with a small smile.

“Well, I don’t have a date either,” He said sheepishly, his lips barely moving as he stared into her eyes. Astrid’s stomach began to fill with thousands of butterflies. Heat began to rise to her cheeks, quickly becoming a very noticeable blush. 

“Will you do me the honour of going to the Yule Ball with me, Astrid?” He asked smiling, his grip on her wrist loosening as he glided it down toward her hand. He gave her hand a tight squeeze as she struggled to find her voice.

“I’d love to Charles.”