There were lots of mixed reactions about the Yuel ball. It seemed like most girls were excited but many boys were not, besides Neville. He had been practicing the steps McGonagall taught us nonstop. He's actually gotten pretty good as well. I've tried to help by being his partner a few times and I must say he doesn't step on my feet about 90% of the time now. He even asked someone to the dance! He hasn't told me yet but I was really happy for him. Harry and Ron were part of the group that was not excited. Walking to class Harry was staring anxiously at every girl who walked past. 

"Why do they always have to travel in packs? How are you supposed to get one alone to ask them..."

Snickering I give him a light pat on the back.

"Have some confidence! You can do it!"

His face didn't look like he believed me. Ron turned toward us looking just as defeated as Harry.

"Blimey Harry, you slayed dragons. If you can't get a date who can?"

"I think I'd take the dragon right now."

Both faces had paled as their eyes scanned the courtyard frantically trying to find someone to ask. I felt bad they were so nervous but they really didn't need to be. They're both great, I'm sure someone will say yes.

"You guys are so overcomplicating this. Just ask someone you like and I'm sure they'll say yes. And if they say no that's okay too! It's okay to go alone!"

Ron Let out a loud scoff, turning towards me.

"Right like you won't say yes to the first guy that asks you. Nobody wants to be the one git that goes alone."  

"Actually Ronald somebody has already asked me and I said no."

Both boys stopped in their tracks gawking at me. It was true, almost immediately after the news of the ball came out I was cornered in the library by Cormac McLaggen. Of course, the one guy who asks me has the biggest ego in Hogwarts. I couldn't imagine going to the dance with him. I did feel a bit bad for saying no but come on! The guy might as well take a mirror to the dance.

Harry held up a hand while his eyebrows furrowed

"Why would you say no!"

"Yeah and who was it?" Ron chimed in.

I placed a hand on my hip while I leaned onto the wall near us. Might as well since someone asking me to the dance is wild enough to halt our walk to class. 

"I said no because I don't like him like that and I didn't wanna lead him on. Plus he'll be happier going with someone who wants to go with him."

Harry only shook his head. Ron still stood there with a shocked look on his face.

"Well, who was it!"

God. Continuing on to class I could hear both boys tailing behind me.

"It doesn't matter I'm not going with him anyways."

"I thought you were supposed to be making us feel better. But now you're out here telling guys no. That does not raise my confidence."

Catching up Harry was by my side again with the same worried expression. I guess that wasn't the best pep talk, but I just wanted to prove going alone wasn't the end of the world. I know I'll probably go alone. I know I shouldn't but I really hope Ron asks me. But the likelihood of that is slim to nothing. Plus I don't think I would want to go with anyone else. I don't think I'm close enough with anyone besides Harry and Ron to ask to go as friends. I could just go with anyone without it meaning anything, but I know I'd be thinking of Ron the whole time. I don't wanna ruin anyone's night so I'd rather just go alone and hang out with everyone.  

"Sorry! Just try not to stress about it. It's just asking a girl to a dance. In fifty years it won't even matter."
Ron who has now caught up as well let out yet another scoff. Maybe it was useless trying to calm them down.

"That's easy for you to say! You're a girl, you don't have to ask anyone!"

Yep. Useless.

Being a girl doesn't mean shit. If I didn't think he'd run for the hills again I'd just ask him!

"Really? You wanna bet? I'll go up to any guy right now and-"

"No, it's fine lets just get to potions."

He quickly stocked away. Now it was me who was trying to keep up.

~~~

Potions lagged on. I hated just doing journal work, much preferring making actual potions. It seemed lots of students were distracted today. So many whispers about their dates for the ball, or what dress they're wearing. It was not lightening the boy's mood at all. More specifically Ron. Since the hallway, he seemed off. He looked angry or annoyed I don't know. Whenever he decided to actually do work it looked like his quil was going to break the way he was writing so hard.

"This is mad. At this rate, we'll be the only ones in our year without dates."

Stocking over snape raises a hand, bringing it down on the back of Ron's head. The pained expression on his face washed away quickly and he was ready to keep going.

"Well, us and Neville."

What the fuck did that mean? Scrunching my nose I tried to send Ron a warning look but he refused to meet my eyes.

"But then again he can take himself," Harry replied

What is wrong with them? I get that they're upset about the dance but they can't just make fun of my brother in front of me! Mione glanced at me with sympathy on her face.

"It might interest you to know that Neville's already got someone." Mione piped up.

At least Hermione hasn't lost her mind.

"Now I'm really depressed"

"What the fuck Ron?"

Completely avoiding what I said he still sat there sulking

A piece of paper came flying towards Ron. Opening it the message "Get a move on or all the good ones will have gone!" was messily scrawled across the page. Turning towards the direction of the throw, Fred sat eyeing us.

Ron asked who he was going with only to be met with Fred doing it right then and there. All he had to do was point towards Angelina and do a dancing motion and it was set. Looks like all the confidence got put into the twins and left Ron with nothing.

"Well Hermione, you're a girl" He questioned.

Hermione's head swung up from her notebook. Please tell me he's not doing this right now.

"Oh well spotted" she hissed.

"Do you wanna-" Mimicking the same motion as Fred he was slapped once again by Snape.

Hermione turned toward me swallowing hard. Harry did the same. This is exactly why I didn't want anyone to know. Watching this myself was already hard but having them stare at me knowing I was upset made it all feel worse. I couldn't take it. Looking down at my finished paper I could only sit there.

"Come on. It's one thing for a bloke to show up alone. For a girl, it's just sad."

That was it for Hermione. Slamming her book shut she shot up from her seat.

"I won't be going alone because believe it or not someones asked me"

Walking over to Snape she handed in her journal before coming back to grab her bag.

"And I said yes!"

Slinging the bag on her shoulder she stormed out of the room. I think I'd had enough too.

I grabbed my own bag and started shoving all my things inside.

"Where are you going?"

His face was still angry but I didn't care anymore.

I could feel the tears welling up but I refused to let any of them fall while I was still here. Standing up with my journal in hand I give him one last look.

"Anywhere away from you."

Turning in my notebook I stalked out of the room.

The walk back to the common room was a blur. Quite literally. Couldn't see much past the tears that flowed from my eyes. I hated crying. Especially in public. I always felt so embarrassed when strangers would look over just to whip their heads away trying to pretend they didn't see me. What was worse was when someone would come up asking what was wrong, drawing everyone's attention toward me. I was hoping to run straight to my room but the second I entered the common room I spotted a nervous-looking Hermione. When she heard me come in she immediately stood walking over to me.

"Mae I'm so sorry I didn't know he was going to do that."

Sniffling I mustered up whatever smile I could.
"There's nothing to be sorry for Mione, you were great. Thank you for sticking up for Neville."

Scowling she shook her head, her messy curly bouncing.

"I don't know what could have possessed him to be that cruel. First Neville and then everything with the dance? He has to know you like him I mean-"

"Mione, can we continue this in my room? I'd like to cry in private" I laughed.

"Right, yes of course."

Walking up the stairs I don't think I've ever been happier to get into my room. The second we opened the door I hightailed it to my bed, immediately yanking the covers down and getting inside. At this point, I didn't even care I was still in my school clothes.

Mione sat down at the end of the bed and gave me a sad look.

"I really am sorry. I don't know why he acted that way when he so clearly likes you."

Sniffling I shook my head.

"I don't know Mione. Every time I start to think he might feel the same way he pulls some shit like this. I just don't see a way he could like me and then not only insult my brother to my face, but also ask out one of my best mates."

Placing a hand on my knee Mione scooted closer

"Just try to take your mind off him. What do you usually do to relax?"

Go to the movie room with Ron

Go to the astronomy tower with Ron

Go to the quidditch stands with Ron

Go to the black lake with Ron.

Not helping.

"I don't know. I guess we can watch a movie. I wrote to Gran and got her to send me a few more movies so we can watch one of those."

"Brilliant. Which one should we watch?"

We ended up turning on Pretty in Pink. However, had I known what it was about I would not have picked that one. What's a better way to distract me from the dance than by watching a movie about a dance? Perfect. Hermione did seem genuinely interested in the movie though. That made me feel better about continuing to sulk, knowing she was too invested in the movie to see.

I hated that I let him make me feel like this. I hated that I cared enough to feel this hurt. But this was the last time. I always thought if I couldn't have him how I wanted at least I'd have him as a friend. But maybe everyone was right. Maybe this wasn't how friends acted. And if that's the case it might be good to take a step back. There's no way I'm getting over him if my life still revolves around him. 

Maybe I needed a break from Ron Weasley. 

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