After the last morsels of dessert had been cleared from their plates, Dumbledore stood up and asked the students to do the same. After they obliged him, he waved his wand and all of the tables zoomed back along the walls, leaving the floor clear. He then conjured a raised platform into existence along the right wall. A set of drums, several guitars, a lute, a cello, and some bagpipes were set upon it.

A band Avery knew to be The Weird Sisters now trooped up onto the freshly conjured stage to enthusiastic applause. They picked up their instruments, and the lanterns all around the hall seemed to extinguish in unison. Still holding her hand, Cedric stood and Avery followed.

"Come on! We're supposed to dance!" Avery heard Pavarti hiss at Harry a few seats away, and saw Harry trip over his robes as he made to stand.

The Weird Sisters struck up a slow, mournful tune as the champions and their partners made their way to the dance floor. Avery looked about as they went. With hundreds of pairs of eyes on her, Avery began to understand why Cho hadn't wanted to participate in this part of her evening. Avery looked to her right to watch Cedric as he led them to a far corner of the dance floor. He was practically glowing; he looked so confident, so truly happy in this moment. She tried to ignore the aching feeling in her chest that reminded her that it was not really her that he was so happy to be dancing with.

Cedric came to a stop and so did Avery. Stepping in close to her, he placed one hand delicately on her hip and held her outstretched hand with his other one. She looked up at him and returned his smile politely.

"Don't be nervous," he whispered before taking the first step. Having been distracted by his eyes, Avery fumbled and nearly stepped on his toes, but quickly recovered and began to match his steps perfectly. Cedric's grin grew broader as he lead them across the floor gracefully.

"See? You aren't a bad dancer at all," he whispered reassuringly.

"Just self conscious, I guess," Avery replied sheepishly in her best imitation of Cho's voice.

"Well, I'm glad you came," Cedric said. "I'm glad we're friends."

Avery furrowed her brow in confusion. He had called them friends. Did that mean this wasn't a date? Cedric seemed to sense her reaction and went on.

"We... are friends, right?" He looked concerned, and Avery couldn't help but notice his hand was barely touching her hip now.

"Uh, right," Avery stammered. She looked about to see that the champions were no longer the only ones on the dance floor. Many couples had joined them, including members of staff; Avery could see Dumbledore was waltzing with Madame Maxime, and Mad-Eye Moody was doing the two-step with Professor Sinistra, who's anxious expression could not be missed.

She stopped moving, and Cedric followed suit. He had removed his hand entirely from her waist now, and was only lightly holding her hand.

"W-Will you excuse me for a moment? I need to use the ladies room," Avery said. Cedric looked as though he didn't believe her, but nodded all the same. He let his hand drop from hers, brushing against her corsage as he did.

"I'll be right back," she promised, holding his gaze for a moment before turning and hurrying into the entrance hall, her mind buzzing. Cedric had implied that they had come to the dance together as friends. But this confused Avery. Cho certainly hadn't acted as though they were just there as friends. And she and Cedric had definitely dated in the past, and wasn't it a bit weird to invite your ex-girlfriend to a formal, romantic event if you didn't have romantic feelings for them?

Who are you to judge? You came with your ex-boyfriends identical twin, she thought peevishly.

Avery paused in the middle of the hall, thinking. What would she tell Cho? Was she really aware that Cedric intended them to come to the Ball as nothing but friends? Or did she think there was something more there between them? Avery somehow could not imagine that Cho thought they were there just as friends, and was mortified at the idea of being the one to tell her. However, she saw no way around it- if she didn't tell Cho verbatim what happened, it would cause confusion when she went back into the dance as herself, and they might be found out.

With this decided, Avery walked over the classroom where she knew Cho was waiting and went inside.

"How did it go?!" she asked excitedly, already turning to show Avery her back so that she could unzip the dress.

"Well, the dancing was fine," Avery said honestly. She unzipped Cho and turned around for Cho to unzip her while she continued to speak. "I went back in. Sat down. He asked me- I mean, you, to dance. Um, when everyone had finished dessert Dumbledore moved all the tables, the Weird Sisters came in and all the champions went onto the floor. We started dancing… He said he was really glad you came with him... And then…"

Avery was now completely undressed, exchanging Cho's silvery-blue gown for her own Navy one. Cho was beaming at her as she listened.

"He said he was glad that you were friends," Avery gulped, "and that was when I came back here."

As Avery expected, Cho's face fell. "Oh. He said… As friends?"

"Yeah… I didn't know how to react. I kinda… Well, I kinda did the same face you're doing right now," Avery said, half chuckling, but stopping immediately upon seeing Cho was certainly not taking any humor in the irony.

"Right," Cho said. She had been standing, still in her underwear, holding her dress. After a moment, she seemed to snap out of her trance and began to pull her dress on quietly. Avery decided to follow suit, slowly morphing her features back to her own as she went.

"Are you gonna be okay?" Avery asked quietly, after she was completely back to herself. Both of them were standing there, dresses on, but not zipped up yet. Cho was looking down at the stone floor, looking crestfallen. At Avery's question, she forced a smile and glanced her way.

"Yes! Fine, fine… We are friends. But he invited me to the Ball and... I had… I had just… hoped, you know?"

Avery did know. In this moment, she felt like she relate to Cho more than she ever had before. And even though there was a selfish part of her that was happy Cedric didn't want more from Cho, there was also a part of her that felt sorry for Cho. A part that knew the ache Cho was feeling.

"Yes, I know. I'm really sorry, Cho."

A pause stretched between them, Cho looking at the ground again and Avery watching her sad expression. Avery gestured for Cho to turn so that she could zip her gown. Cho did so obediently, and automatically did the same for Avery afterwards. Avery turned to face Cho and gave her a weak smile, which Cho did not return.

"What would you do? If you were me?" Cho asked somberly.

"About Cedric?"

"Yeah."

Avery stared at her for a moment, thinking. The problem was, she had been in Cho's position. And she had done nothing but pine for him from afar. And, considering how that worked out for her, she did not think it was advisable.

"I think you should talk to him," Avery finally said. "Lay it all out. Let him know how you feel… He may not feel the same, but at least you'll know you tried." It was the best advice she could give, and something she wished she had done herself. Cho nodded, looking thoughtful, but said nothing.

"I have to get back out there. George'll be waiting... Did you want to walk together?"

"No, that's alright. I think I'll… I think I'll wait a minute before I go back out. Thank you for tonight," Cho said, also flashing Avery a weak smile, eyes bleary. Avery nodded and left the room so Cho could be alone with her feelings.

As she made to cross the threshold and into the Great Hall, Cedric was crossing into the Entrance hall. Upon seeing Avery he gave her a half smile and stopped to talk to her.

"Hello. How's your evening been?"

"Fine, thanks," Avery said uncertainly, twisting her fingers. "Yours?"

Cedric shrugged noncommittally. "I was actually just looking for Cho. I'll be back in a bit." He made to move further into the entrance hall, but Avery instinctively grabbed his forearm to stop him. It might look suspicious if he were to see her come out of an empty classroom. And besides, Cho needed time to collect herself. Cedric looked at her curiously, and Avery wasn't sure what to say.

"What about my dance?" Avery said finally. Cedric looked anxiously in the direction of where the girls toilets were.

"I know. I just think I should see about Cho first," he replied.

"She's fine, I've just seen her in the ladies room," Avery said, thinking fast. "She said she just needed a minute and would be right back."

Cedric threw another look in the direction he believed Cho to be before relaxing his stance.

"Alright. A quick dance, then," he said, turning to walk back into the Great Hall with her.

The Weird sisters had already struck up another slow song, and couples were revolving in slow circles together all over the floor. Together, they walked out onto the floor and Cedric turned and placed one of his hands on each of her hips. Avery wrapped her arms around his neck, and they began to sway with the rhythm of the music.

When all is dark and there's no light

Lost in the deepest star of night

I see you

Your hands are shaking baby

You ain't been sleeping lately

There's something out there

Avery had a hard time deciding where to look. Into his eyes? Over his shoulder? At the floor? She bit her lip and found herself looking anywhere but as him as they danced. She caught a glimpse of George as she did. He was talking animatedly with Fred and Angelina, and beaming and laughing.

"So… You and George?" Cedric whispered finally.

At this, Avery looked him in the face and blurted out, "just as friends. We're just here as friends."

At that Cedric's expression changed in a way Avery couldn't explain. She thought maybe she saw a glimmer of something in his eyes- could it be hope?

"Really? Just friends?"

Avery could not keep her eyes off of him now, scrutinizing his every feature, trying to decipher if there was some sort of coded message in the lines around his mouth or the furrow in his brow.

"Yes," Avery said quietly. She felt a tension growing between them, and was suddenly very aware of how close their bodies were to one another. His hands were heavy on her hips, her arms tight around his neck, so that almost the entire length of their bodies were in contact. They continued to stare at each other, wordlessly. Again, Avery tried to determine if there was some silent message she was supposed to getting from the look in his eyes, or if she was the only one feeling the emotion ramping up between them.

The moon throws down its light

And cuts me to the quick tonight

The change is in the air

And nothing will ever be the same

You still look good to me

Oh but you're no good for me

Suddenly Cedric twitched his head as though uncomfortable, and looked towards his left shoulder. Avery realized she had been unconsciously tightening her grip, and her corsage was digging into his neck.

"Sorry," she laughed. He chuckled back. She relaxed her hands and brought them to rest on his broad chest instead as they continued to dance.

Cedric looked down at her hands on his chest, and a spark of recognition seemed to cross his face. He was looking at her wrist, at the flowers tied around them. Avery felt a surge of panic, sure that he would suddenly realize she had impersonated Cho earlier that night.

But the look left as quickly as it came, and he continued to sway, now looking back into her eyes.

This is the night

Oh yeah

This is the night

All right

This is the night

This is the night

The song was over now, and while all of the other couples had separated to clap for the band, Cedric continued to hold her. Avery did not move. She held his gaze, breathing deeply, sure now that there was something there. But why then had Cedric not invited her to the Ball? Why did they keep tip-toeing around the fact if they both felt the same way?

She needed to say something. She needed to lay it all out; to let him know how she felt. After all, hadn't she just advised Cho being honest was the best course of action? Hadn't she just been thinking that that is what she should've done long ago? With the words just beginning to form on her lips, Avery saw a flash of movement out of the corner of her eye.

It was George, and he was tapping Cedric on the shoulder.

"May I have the next dance?" he asked politely. More politely than Avery knew he could speak to Cedric.

"Of course," Cedric replied, releasing her at once and taking a large step away. "I need to find Cho, anyway. Have a wonderful evening." He nodded to each of them and then left, heading towards the Entrance Hall.

Avery looked to George and saw that he was smiling at her. He again bowed in mock seriousness and held out his hand to her. She chortled and took his hand. George had been nothing but a perfect gentleman that evening, and she wasn't going to ruin it for him by pining after Cedric. She was determined to show George a good time, and reasoned that she could talk to Cedric later.

They were joined on the floor by Fred and Angelina, who were dancing so exuberantly that people around them were backing away in fear of injury. For the next few songs, She and George danced near, but not too near his twin. They then decided to get a drink and take a walk through the gardens together. However, as they were on their way to the garden, Fred stopped them.

"George, Ludo is on the dance floor. We need to go talk to him," he said breathless from dancing.

"What business do you have with Ludo?" Avery asked quizzically.

"I'll tell you after! Meet you in the garden!" George called back to her as he and his twin darted through the dancers over to Ludo Bagman. Avery watched the twins accost him for a moment, before leaving the Great Hall and making her way to the garden past the front doors.

The fluttering fairy lights in the rose garden winked and twinkled as she went down the front steps, where she found herself surrounded by bushes. There were winding, ornamental paths, large stone statues, and even a fountain magicked there for the night's events. As Avery walked, she could see different couples sitting on stone benches together, talking. Just before she rounded a corner, she heard a pair of hushed, anxious voices speaking.

". . . don't see what there is to fuss about, Igor. "

"Severus, you cannot pretend this isn't happening!" Karkaroff's voice sounded anxious and hushed, as though keen not to be overheard. "It's been getting clearer and clearer for months. I am becoming seriously concerned, I can't deny it -"

"Then flee," said Snape's voice curtly. "Flee - I will make your excuses. I, however, am remaining at Hogwarts. "

Snape and Karkaroff's voices were becoming more distant, and Avery inched her way forward to try to keep listening in on their conversation. When she peeked around the corner, she saw they were heading the opposite direction and that Snape had his wand out, blasting rosebushes apart. Squeals issued from some of the bushes, and dark shapes emerged from them.

"Ten points from Ravenclaw, Fawcett!" Snape snarled as a girl ran past him in Avery's direction. "And ten points from Hufflepuff too, Stebbins!" as a boy came rushing after her. It was the couple Avery had arranged the date for. Neither of them seemed to notice her as they flew past.

"And what are you two doing?" Avery heard Snape say, barely visible any more he as so far down the path now.

"We're walking," Avery heard a young voice reply, "not against the law, is it?"

"Keep walking, then!" Snape snarled back, continuing forward and now completely out of Avery's view. Then, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley came around the corner, heading her way. At this point Avery doubled back and took another path so that she wouldn't have to bump into them.

Avery found a vacant bench and took a seat, contemplating what she had overheard. Karkaroff had said something about something happening… About something getting clearer and clearer...

She had already suspected that Karkaroff might have a hand in Harry's name being entered into the Goblet of fire. And Avery knew that both Snape and Karkaroff were former Death eaters. Was it possible that they had done it together to try to get Harry killed? That their conversation had something to do with their plot?

But Karkaroff had seemed afraid. In fact, Snape had even suggested he might flee because he was so terrified. What could that mean? Avery thought again of the letter he mother had sent, and felt more convinced than ever that something wicked was going on at Hogwarts. She had to talk to her mother, and soon.

Before Avery had any more time to think on this, someone emerged from the dark to stand before her. But it wasn't George, whom she had been expecting. It was Cedric. Avery looked back at him, bewildered. Hadn't he gone to find Cho? What had happened?

"I've been looking for you," he said with a half smile.

"Me?" Avery replied, still bewildered. Cedric took the seat next to her, and she angled herself to face him so that their knees were touching. Her heart was racing with anticipation; why had he left Cho? Had he come to tell her he felt the same things she felt while they were dancing? Between Cedric's earnest expression and the twinkling fairy lights around them in the beautiful garden, Avery thought that maybe this was it. That maybe the song they danced to before was right;

Oh yeah

This is the night

All right

This is the night

"I found Cho, and she told me what you did for her."

Avery balked. Cedric looked very pointedly at her corsage and then back up into her eyes.

"I thought there was something familiar about that," he chuckled. He grabbed her hand and held it tight, his grip warm and comfortable. Avery's breath caught in her chest. He didn't seem mad that she had pretended to be Cho, and for that she was relieved, but she was dying to know what else he was going to say.

"She also told me you gave her some good advice," he said, "She told me that she still wants to be with me. That she regrets wanting to see other people…"

Avery was now feeling very light headed and reminded herself to breath before saying, "And… And how do you feel about that?"

Cedric's eyes softened. "Well. I don't really know how to feel about it. I… I still care about her. She was my..." He hesitated, "My first love you could say… But, I also really care about you."

Avery inhaled sharply and exhaled shakily. Finally, confirmation that the feelings were real. That there was something there between them. She bit her lip and stared at him anxiously, not sure how to respond. They sat in silence for a moment, and the sound of another couple somewhere nearby carried over to them. They were laughing, clearly enjoying their evening.

"Obviously," Avery finally said softly, "I care about you, too."

Cedric's grip tightened around her hand. He leaned in slightly, even closer to her than before, their knees still knocking together.

"But," Avery continued, heaving a heavy sigh, "I think… I think you should figure things out with Cho."

Cedric leaned back, a look of surprise on his face. "What?"

"I really really care about you, Cedric. But I think you need to figure out whatever you're feeling with Cho first. I can tell she really cares about you, and I-"

"But I-"

"I couldn't bear it if you and I started dating and you never resolved those feelings- if you regretted not seeing it through with her. You said it yourself, she's someone you've loved. Maybe you still do, even. Maybe that's why you invited her to the Ball instead of me. There is clearly something that is keeping you connected to her... And if we're going to be together, I want you to be sure about me… I think you owe it to yourself and to her to figure it out… And to me. You owe it to me, too," Avery said, a note of finality in her voice when it was taking all she had to keep her voice from breaking.

Cedric's brow was furrowed, his eyes boring into hers. Part of her wanted to take it all back- to grab him and refuse to let him go. But the better part of her knew that it was for the best. That he should settle his feelings for Cho, someone who he was obviously drawn to and had a prior commitment to, before they got any more involved than they already had.

He continued to look at her, mouth slightly open, as though searching for words. Avery would've given anything in that moment to know what he was thinking, what he was feeling. But he did not belabor the point by explaining. Instead, he closed his mouth and nodded determinedly.

"You're right. You're right."

He released her hand and stood. Avery stayed seated, frozen to the bench.

"Thank you, Avery," he said. Avery finally turned to look at him, his face a mix of emotions, making it impossible to read clearly. "I'll… I'll be seeing you then."

Avery nodded, forcing a smile. Cedric did not seem to be able to smile back. Instead, he nodded once more before turning and leaving.

Avery watched him go until he was out of sight, tears welling in her eyes. Had she been right? Or did she just make the biggest mistake of her life?

A moment later, George appeared holding two glasses of what looked like champagne.

"There you are!" he said jovially, "sorry that took so long, I-" he trailed off, seeing the tears rolling down Avery's cheeks, glimmering as they reflected the fairy lights around them.

"What's wrong?!" he exclaimed, hurrying to sit beside her. He put the cups down on a free bit of the bench before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. Avery rested her head against his chest and half hugged him back as she wept.

She realized after a few moments cradled in George's arms that she had, indeed, made the right decision for both Cedric and herself. Being there- feeling the warmth of him, breathing in his scent- she knew needed to settle some of her own feelings, too.