Hey everyone,
IMPORTANT UPDATE! This will be the last month where I will be updating all 14 stories at the end of every month. I am just going to do the same thing everyone else does; either fully finish a story and then post the full thing or finish a chapter and then post it once it's written. However, there are stories, like to Read Into The Universe, where I will probably try to finish the whole thing and edit out the mistakes and whatnot and only then post the finished product.
I'm sorry if this upsets some of you, but I know about myself that I NEED to do this. Over the course of the last few months, I just haven't felt as if I have given these stories the attention they deserve and while I am happy with some stories and how some chapters are written, do I just feel lost and disappointed looking back on others. I'm just starting to feel like thinking: "I could have done better." when looking back at some of the chapters I wrote, so I made this decision. Onto the story.
Here we are! I'm sure some of you have been sitting on pins and needles waiting for this chapter to come. And trust me, I was feeling kind of guilty that my time restraint of last month made me have to cut the whole Yule Ball in two after needing so many chapters to just get to the blasted thing. but I do promise one thing; This is a chapter that is going to get my full attention and I am going to make it Disney Princess levels of romantic.
I solemnly swear it,

Venquine1990
Shout-Out To:
Ravenshadowclaw07
Knight5946
Lilly-flower15

Chapter 28
The Yule Ball – Part 02

24th of December 1994
Great Hall, Hogwarts
Jillian's POV

Something bright green is shot at me from an angle that confuses me as the sight of this horrifying color reminds me of all those nightmares I used to have growing up, of the curse that Fake Moody taught me to be the Killing Curse, the curse that took me my birth parents all those years ago. But before I can comprehend how a curse like that can be shot at someone with a bow like this, does dad suddenly jump in front of me.
I shriek out in horrified fright at this, but then the man shouts: "EVANESCO!" And aims his wand at the bright green, which I only then realize isn't a spell – but a plastic bag filled with something made of bright green liquid. The bag and the content in it vanishes as the spell hits it and Sirius follows this up by yelling: "Mr. Captains, you were allowed to attend even as a Hyena and now, you've ruined that right. Leave the hall this instance. Now, Mr. Captains."
And while the elder lad glares at my father, does he storm past us. Yet as he passes me, does he still hiss: "I was just going to show everyone who you really are, Potter." But I ignore him, remembering what I promised myself. "I am not going to let my night be ruined by petty Hyenas." And after the boy has slammed the doors behind him, probably alerting Professor McGonagall, does dad turn to the Great Hall at large and say:

"Two words to all of you who still think like that; final warning." And with that does he take his place beside me again, take my arm back in his own and gently lead me further into the Great Hall. And now that I am not being spooked by something that looked just too much like the curse that first ruined my life, do I find myself properly appreciating how gorgeous the whole décor looks and how much the teachers and House Elves must have worked on it.
Just read the Goblet for the description. Sorry, not sorry.
I notice that there is a gap of four empty seats at the Head Table at the back of the Hall and that Headmaster Dumbledore is on one side of the gap and Madam Maxime on the other. And Sirius guides me there as I spot it, actually holding my seat out for me before taking his own seat. Yet while I feel incredibly grateful, does this also remind me of what had been going on the last few days, with the teens that wish for their single mothers to be the next Lady Black.
And taking a quick furtive look around, I sigh as I notice that there are indeed quite a few girls giggling amongst each other while obviously staring at us and that a few guys are looking at Sirius in intrigued appreciation. Obviously all of them are imagining Sirius doing the same for their own mother one day. "This is your night, honey, remember that. And that I'm your father, not theirs." Sirius whispers at me and I smile at him.

Then the doors open and while I had already seen all of the Champions, do my eyes still widen in awe at seeing them walk into the Great Hall. Fleur and Bill actually look perfect together and Cedric and Angelina make me feel beyond happy that they are mine as the whole Hall is either staring starry-eyed at the two – especially Cedric – or glaring at me in annoyance and envy. And while I know it's not right, do I feel like this is a proper form of karma or something.
The two pairs take their own seats, Angelina to my left, Sirius to my right and Cedric on Angelina's left. And while I can instantly see how this seems to make some of the girls around the hall look as if they are cooking up plans, do I suddenly realize something. "They don't get it. They don't get that, while Cedric is bound to me, he's seated like this to prove that I'm not the Champion's date. That he's doing this for me."
And while I feel a little giddy for how stupid these girls are – and spot that a few of them are actually Ravenclaws – do I also feel my heart beat faster in loving excitement over how sweet and caring my boyfriend is. And my heart misses a beat yet again as I mentally address Cedric as my boyfriend, just like it does every time I do so. I turn to give Cedric and Angelina a dazzling smile and then turn my head the other way as Dumbledore says:
"Porkchops." And I notice him reading it off of a small piece of paper in his hands before, to my slight shock, a delicious set of porkchops appear on his place, covered in a rich looking gravy. I look down and notice a similar looking card on my own plate. I happily take it and read the menu that is written on it before I mutter: "Chicken Caesar Salad." And a delicious plate of lettuce leaves, small rips of chicken and other vegetables appears before me, all of it covered in dressing.

I turn my head and notice that Sirius has picked a Chicken Salad as well, but then with small bits of orange fruit that look like a mix between oranges and mandarin mixed with the rest. And, as if the elves know that Sirius is the one to order it and that he is a canine Animagus, do I also notice that his plate has mostly chicken on it and that the man is actually dividing this from the rest, obviously saving it for last which he usually does.
Angelina is actually eating some goulash and Cedric has a plate of Bouillabaisse in front of him, a dish made of shellfish stew and that has been set at the House Tables every so often ever since the arrival of the other schools. Then, as we begin to enjoy our meals, small-talk starts to erupt all over the table as well as over the rest of the Hall. Yet while I just know that girls are staring at us, hoping for me to make a mistake, do I just enjoy myself.
Cedric even leans over Angelina a few times, either to steal a bite from me or to feed me some of his own meal and Angelina and I happily do the same to and from him. Madam Maxime does seem to have a bit of a problem with this at first, but the Headmaster just gives her a friendly smile and says: "Teenage romance, isn't it just the most wonderful thing, Olympe?" And this seems to warm the woman up to it. And to then see Bill and Fleur do the same seems to hit the nail on the head for the gigantic woman.

And then things get better as, after the disappearance of the small remains of our meal, Angelina suddenly picks up her menu and says: "Molten Chocolate cake – for three, please." And to my shock, does my own plate disappear alongside Cedric's and does Angelina's turn from a golden round plate to a huge silver straight one. And the cake that appears on the plate, which is actually covered with a small tower of vanilla ice cream and molten chocolate sauce makes my mouth water, even though I only just ate my meal.
Angelina hands us both a spoon and whispers: "Let's enjoy ourselves." And Cedric raises his offered spoon as he says: "To the Yule Ball." And while I know that others might call it corny and cliché, do I feel my heart melt like the chocolate sauce on the cake and the ice cream as I raise my own and sigh: "To our future together." And the two beaming faces that greet me at this makes me ignore just about everything around me.
We enjoy our treat, laughing and snickering when one of us gets a bit of either chocolate sauce or ice cream to seep from our lips and Cedric even seems to whisper something in Angelina's ear that makes her try to keep from blushing before she hurriedly uses her napkin to wipe away the sauce. Then even the delicious cake – or better said the few crumbles and sauce that remain – vanishes and Dumbledore stands up as he loudly states:

"Now that we have all enjoyed our meal, it's time for our two Champions to open the dance part of the Yule dance with the first dance, the Wizarding Waltz. And for those of you few wondering where Champion Krum is, unfortunately he decided not to attend the Ball in protest to the actions of Headmaster Karkaroff in regards to his previous date." Yet as he says this, do I grimace and think: "In all honesty, that's really not fair.
In the end, Karkaroff still won, he still ruined the night for Viktor, who just wanted to create a bond of interschool unity between Beauxbattons and Durmstrang. And he obviously did like Fleur, so that just makes it all worse, even if Fleur does seem to like Bill a lot more." And while two friends and my two partners head out over to the large round raised dais that serves as dance floor, do I start to silently think to myself on how to fix this.
Yet then the music starts and my mouth drops just a little as the sight of Cedric and Angelina dancing with each other has me in awe. The two are utterly gorgeous and amazing and the way they dance together has me mesmerized, has it so that I just can't focus on or even see anything other than the two of them. It almost feels as if a huge cloud of mist covers everything and everyone except me and my two partners, making it so that I feel as if we're all by ourselves.

And while Fleur and Bill do pass between the two of us and while, after a while, other couples also start to dance and pass through my sight, do I not care as I just stare at my two partners. Yet the longer the waltz lasts the more I feel like I have to tilt my head either to the left or right and then suddenly Dad mumbles: "Now that is just sad." And I turn from my two partners to him as he says: "Those girls are purposely dancing in front of you."
This really annoys me and Sirius gets out of his seat as he says: "Come on, let's put a stop to this." And while I agree, do I wonder why he has his hand reached out to me. This wondering lasts only a second and I smile brightly at my father, happily taking his hand and allowing him to guide me onto the dance floor. The man takes me in his arms and just like always do I feel special and safe as he holds me, gently guiding me as we wave to the music.
From the corner of my eye I notice a few girls either giggling or smirking at me, but they seem so confident in the belief that their little plans worked that they don't notice how, slowly but surely, dad is leading me over to where Cedric and Angelina are dancing. Yet the man also actually sways and swirls me in several circles around the two for a couple of tunes before he moves over and asks: "Care for a switch?"

And Cedric, who seems to have noticed us, smiles and shakes his head. The two men then seem to agree to a certain plan and, in a motion that absolutely astounds and amazes me, do they both move in such a way that Angelina and I get gently swirled over to the other. And the feeling of Cedric's arm wrapping itself around my waist and his other hand grabbing mine makes me feel as if the cloud of mist is back, this time encasing Cedric and me only.
The look in his eyes as he smiles at me is beyond dreamy and I actually feel tears of joy prickling in my eyes. I blink them away and Cedric whispers: "Let me make your night perfect, my precious princess." And just the fact that he calls me his makes me feel as special as the nickname and I give a weak but loving nod before just letting my body focus on following Cedric's motions.
Yet then I suddenly notice that the music has picked up and while it's no longer a waltz is it not anything too crazy either. Cedric's pace also speeds up a little, but he keeps his arm wrapped close around my waist and my hand tightly within his own. Yet this change of tune reminds me of what I had been thinking of earlier and I whisper:
"I've got a plan. One to help Viktor have the same magical night we're having. It's not fair that he has to miss out on this just to go against the bad behavior of his Headmaster." Cedric nods in agreement to this and asks: "What is your plan?" And I actually notice that Angelina is moving in circles around Sirius behind the man, obviously on purpose, as I whisper: "Just wait for the music to pick up some more and then guide me out the room."

Cedric nods at this and I notice Angelina sending me a smile before Sirius guides her further away but still within viewing range. I turn back to Cedric and just focus on how the music has picked up and how Cedric smiles brightly as we just start to enjoy ourselves. And then suddenly the music stops, making us all turn to where the orchestra is at. Professor Flitwick steps up and as he does, does a podium seem to raise out of the ground.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, students of Hogwarts, this is what you have all been waiting for. You have done incredibly well – a few escalations not included – and have shown each other the best of each of Hogwarts, Beauxbattons and Durmstrang. Now it's time to just let your hair loose, your wild spirits go and to really enjoy yourselves. Boys and girls, I give you – the Weird sisters!" And while this makes the whole hall erupt in wild cheers, do I whisper at Cedric:

"Now." My partner nods and I give Angelina a quick hand motion. And while Sirius actually also follows us out, do I feel amazed that there really is no one who even looks up from their cheering and screaming, even the few that we accidentally bump into in our need to get outside. We reach the Hogwarts grounds and head out over to the Durmstrang ship which is still docked at the Black Lake. And as we traverse, do I start to hear the band in the distance.
"Not exactly the most romantic music." Angelina mutters and I smile as I say: "That's why we'll be providing our own bit of music when we get to Viktor.""So that's why you guys left." A voice suddenly sounds behind me. I turn around shocked and spot Bill and Fleur walking behind us, the two of them smiling at us in pride.
"Okay, now people are going to notice." Dad mutters, but I shrug and say: "It doesn't matter. Professor Flitwick said it himself, we've done our jobs for the night." The others all nod at this and I take a deep breath, pull out my wand and tap the top of my dress again, feeling perfectly confident to drop the colored glamour spell over the top of my dress. "Wow, that looks amazing.""It's the natural state of the dress. I just – didn't feel confident wearing it like this – inside."
Bill nods after complimenting me and Fleur smiles at me as she says: "You were brilliant, sweet Jillian. You can be proud of yourself, both of how you behaved during the ball and for what you're about to do." I smile at her as Fleur still considers me little, but has also admitted that she is slowly but surely starting to see me as her little sister. And while I know that she actually has a younger sister and feel like meeting her, do I turn around.

And after a few minutes do we reach the Durmstrang ship and I softly call out: "Dobby." And the ever excitable elf appears as I whisper: "Go see if you can get inside and if not, if you're held back by other elves, go tell them that the Champions are here to see Viktor." The elf nods and a few minutes later, while I notice that the sound of the Weird Sisters is almost inaudible from this point, Viktor comes out, actually looking pretty simply dressed.
But this really doesn't matter to me and the Bulgarian Champion comes down as he asks: "What are you doing here? What of the ball?" At which I turn back to Dobby, who happily snaps his fingers. And the grassy terrain under our feet flattens out, gets completely cut and gets its grass fully removed before a soft, melodic tune starts to play. And Angelina steps forward, reaching an arm out as she says: "That's exactly what we're here for, Champion Krum."
The slightly older teen's eyes widen for a few seconds and then he shows us all a grateful smile. And while Bill takes Fleur in his arms and Cedric gently pulls me back in his, does Viktor happily accept Angelina's hand and take her in his own arm. And the rest of the night, while Angelina, Fleur and I actually switch between partners every so often, do I feel like I'm experiencing the perfect night. I may not be inside, but I feel like I'm at the ball. "I am basically Cinderella." Is my thought through most of the night.

Wow, can I get anymore corny?
Honestly, I don't care if I could or not, I LOVED that ending. It was beyond unexpected and yet, I am going to be honest, I would have LOVED it if I had a date to the Yule Ball – or any ball – and my date suddenly did something like this. I considered it beyond romantic and just had to add it to the story. Also, the whole thing with Hagrid and Skeeter and Snape catching students out of bonds, just forget about that, that's not happening.
Sorry, not sorry,

Venquine1990