PART ONE, THIRTEEN: THE YULE BALL

I just needed to put it all behind me, I needed to be strong, I couldn't think about the consequences anymore, I loved him, and I knew he loved me too, even if it was hard for him to admit at the time. Just remember to have courage, don't be afraid.

The three Ravenclaws and one red headed Gryffindor were all giggling, talking the latest gossip as they opened up their parcel's from Sophia's mother who sent them all dresses for the ball tonight.

Sophia was currently putting Cheryl's hair in an elegant twist in very intricate way that Emma would have never been able to do. Nancy was currently taking out most of Sophia's beauty potions out of her purse.

"Oh dear Rowena, how many potions do you have Sophia?" Nancy said as she felt she was pulling out of the never ending pile

"A witch could never have enough, my mother sends them and I put them to good use" Sophia said as she does another braid into Cheryl's hair "Ow" Cheryl yelps as she grasps her head in pain.

"Stay still or I wouldn't have to be yanking your head" Sophia snapped as Cheryl growled at her in the mirror crossing her arms and legs as if she were a child.

"So Em, since Aaron can't attend the ball tonight, who are you going with?" Sophia asked

Emma turned away from eyeing her dress "Oh I asked Abraxas, we've been really close lately, more than usual." Emma said

Sophia gasped dramatically dropping the hairbrush to the ground, Cheryl turned in her seat as her mouth dropped open, and Nancy shook her head multiple times .

"Oh he's so cute, your such a lucky witch!" Sophia shouted.

Emma laughed "Well, I'll put a good word in for you"

"Oh I love you" said Sophia excitedly

Emma hadn't yet open up her dress package, she was sure it would be beautiful seeing the other girl's dresses.

It was a voluminous beautiful blue and white dress, it exposed her shoulders to the top of her chest, her arms bare, the dress was puffed up at the bottom creating a blue light wash, it showed off her long legs.

The other three girls huddled around the box as Emma untied the ribbon and cover revealing

They all gasped in astonishment "Emma its beautiful" Nancy said as she touched the fabric softly.

"Oh I know exactly what I'm going to do with you" Sophia said as she pulled Emma to the chair as she grabbed many of her beauty potions from the pile and into her hands as the girls got ready frantically for the ball.
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Tom brought a hand through his wavy dark hair as he waited for no one, he didn't ask anyone to be his date. He wanted to show Emma he was serious about her.

His dark robes looked straight, no wrinkles in sight, he had a smile to his face, showing the other students and professors his fake kindness. Abraxas waited next to Tom, his dark suit contrasting against his ice white hair

That's when Tom saw the white-blue dress coming down the steps, her blonde hair in loose wave-like curls the front tied back loosely, she was no doubt the most beautiful witch there.

Emma was nervous of course, she felt like she couldn't breathe in her dress as it magically sewed to her body, but with magic she felt comfortable, she couldn't help but feel the heat creep upon her neck, she felt everyone's eyes on her as she walked down the steps careful to not miss one and break an ankle.

Emma gave a nervous smile as her friends walked down beside her, she has finally reached Abraxas and he smiled at her.

Emma was originally going to the Ball with Aaron but with his injuries, he couldn't attend.

"Em, you look... beautiful" Abraxas complimented not showing his signature Malfoy smirk that he seemed to inherit but a genuine smile that he had only shown Emma and his mother.

"Thank you, you look great yourself, and thank you for letting me come with you, with Aaron being hurt and all" Emma told him looking grateful for always having him to count on whenever in need.

"It is a pleasure and honor to go with you Em, anything for you" Abraxas said touching her chin softly and letting his hand fall to his side.

Professor Merrythought came rushing to Emma's side, "Emma I'm glad I caught you just in time, are you and Tom ready for the dance?"

Emma bewildered at her question "what?"

Merrythought took a breath "Well yes of course, the Head girl and boy are to do a dance to open the ball, it is tradition, did I not tell you before?" She asked questioning herself.

"No professor" Emma said seriously.

"Oh well, now you do, have you seen Tom? we need to start" Merrythought asked as Tom made his appearance.

"I'm right here professor" Tom said as he stood next to Emma, Emma turned her gaze to him. She had to admit he did look handsome in his robes.

"Alright, shoes please, you both don't know the routine".

Emma and Tom took off their shoes, Emma's white silk heels sparkling as the light hit them.

Merrythought whispered a few incantations, and smiled when she finished "alright well that's done, Once you are ready come in".

Merrythought left the two seventh years alone as she ventured into the Great Hall.

"Tom do you mind" Emma asked as she pointed to her shoes, with having a big dress it was hard to put on shoes especially it took all three girls to help Emma.

"Of course" Tom kneeled in front of her grasping the delicate shoe and placing it one by one on her feet.

He stood up as he extended his hand and she softly placed her hand on top of his and just like always their magic sparked.

They smiled at eachother as they reached the double doors and opened automatically for the both of them.

The Great Hall was decorated like a snowy white winter wonderland, Students stood on either side of the hall leaving an aisle for Emma and Tom.

The girls gasped at the sight of Emma's dress and squealed at the sight of Tom, the boys staring intently at Emma, and grumbling at the sight of the girls looking at Tom.

Professor Binns, tiredly raised his wand towards the instruments and Tom and Emma took their places, the routines in their shoes already letting them do their magic.

The room suddenly got quiet as everyone watched, the room darkened as if they were the only two in the room, the midnight enchanted sky shining above them, the candles hovering above their heads, to Emma it felt like those muggle fairytale films she seen at the theater once with her father.

Emma faced away from Tom the light only casting upon her,  Emma felt the movement of Tom's hands move down her arms, eventually his hands reached her waist. They both swayed, he grabbed her hands and quickly spinning her around to face him, her breath hitched slightly. He guided her hands to his, as they got into position. The instruments got louder as they began their waltz slowly and then move around the room.

The dance started off slowly, but with each move the dance became more complicated, but they both made it look so effortlessly beautiful that everyone awed longingly.

Emma's dress danced beautifully with each turn, twirl, and spin, her hair looked darker from the eerie light, it made her look priceless, extravagant, Tom would've never thought in a million years he would ever try to win Emma Swan's affection, and he never thought how hard it could be.

Tom couldn't feel love, due to his mother Merope Gaunt mistake, but for some reason, Tom felt something that fateful night, something he thought he would never have, he remember the way his stomach flipped at the sight of her coming down those stairs ever so gracefully, Tom knew just then that she was the Queen to his King and would help him succeed to power, with her beauty, grace and intelligence he would be able to get just that.

Tom picked her up, and slowly back down and he twirled her once more, the students backing up to give them room as the music amplified and Tom picked her up from her waist and always bringing her down safely and they continued the rest of the waltz.

Their faces came close as they spin one last time and music slowly faded out as he dipped her their faces becoming closer and closer, Emma didn't even blink as the room went darker and the lights went out, Tom settled her back up on her feet as the lights came back on, The students clapped at the end of the dance.

Emma walked away from Tom as the music picked up once again and now the students and teachers joined them.

Emma wasn't sure what she was feeling, she felt out of place. Her head was spinning she didn't know what any of it meant.

She was snapped out of her thoughts when her friends came around to congratulate her

"Merlin Em that was beautiful, and haunting at the same time. Honestly it looked liked Tom was going to kiss you then" Sophia said, she laughed to herself at the end.

"Um, thanks. I need some air, so I'm going to go outside for a bit" she said not noticing the weird glances she was gaining from her friends.

Emma exited the hall, she didn't know where she was going but all she could hear was the harsh wind and the music distantly.

Emma stopped walking when she felt she was far away from the commotion, the wind picked up as she felt the goosebumps appear on her skin.

Suddenly cloth wrapped around her shoulder, Emma was startled and looked up to see Tom Riddle.

"Thanks" she said quietly

"Not a problem" he only said as they both looked out onto the Black Lake

"I'm sorry about leading you on, I wasn't aware that I was doing so. I thought you were just trying to be my friend when you started carrying my books to class, and starting up conversations with me and trying to make me laugh. So I'm sorry" said Emma breaking the silence.

Tom nodded but laughed  "You do not have to tell me your sorry, It's me who's sorry, and that is a word that I never use, but to you... it comes out a lot doesn't it?I'm sorry about hurting you...twice. I'm sorry about making our friendship more than it seemed, but... what I feel for you is real. I like you Emma. And I'm willing to fight for you, whatever it takes." Tom said, but little did she know he was lying about every single word.

Emma only looked at him as the words began pouring out of his mouth, she wasn't shocked by it. She sort of expected it. When he stopped speaking he didn't look at her not wanting to see the look on her face.

Emma took the jacket off her shoulders, her lips reached his cold cheek, Tom looked at her, he was shocked but didn't show it. She passed the jacket to him "I accept your apology"

Tom didn't say anything as he watched her retreat back to the castle, Tom didn't know it yet but Emma felt something in her heart that night.

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please vote!

THIS IS LIKE ONE OF MY FAV CHAPTER'S EVER WRITTEN, I LIKE THAT ITS SIMPLE AND SORT OF HEART WRENCHING AND FLUFFY. WE HAD A BIT OF DARK CHAPTERS LATELY AND I FEEL LIKE THIS ONE JUST LIGHTENS IT UP BIT. SO EMMA ACCEPTS HIS APOLOGY AND HE'S GONNA FIGHT FOR HER LOVE, AHHHH SO CUTE I CAN'T WAIT TO WRITE MORE. ALSO THEIR DANCE AND EMMA'S DRESS IS DIFFERENT BUT ITS AS BIG AS THE CINDERELLA DRESS JUST A BIT DIFFERENT. WHILE RE-WRITING THEIR DANCE I WAS LISTING TO YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL AND I FEEL LIKE IT CAPTURE'S THEIR RELATIONSHIP PERFECTLY. SO YEAH, HOPE YOU WITCHES LIKE THIS CHAP!!!