Only two days remained until Christmas night and the long awaited Yule Ball. The castle was filled with excitement. Decorations shimmered across every corridor, icicles glittered from the enchanted ceiling, and the scent of warm cinnamon floated through the Great Hall each time the doors opened. Students from all three schools gathered under the twinkling lights, their excitement bubbling over. Most had already secured a partner for the dance, but some still rushed with wild desperation, hoping to find someone before it was too late.
Near the edge of the hall, Eira and Fleur stood with Ginny. All around them, voices rose and fell from groups in conversation. Hogwarts students nervously approached visiting champions or fellow classmates, hoping for a yes. Each rejection sent others into renewed panic to find their chance before someone else swooped in.
Ginny tugged lightly at her sleeve, sighing as she observed the chaos.
Eira tilted her head. She asked in a curious tone. "So who asked you to the Yule Ball, Ginny Since you did not want to go back home this holiday."
Ginny groaned softly and rubbed her cheek. "Neville Longbottom asked me. And I said yes."
Eira blinked. "That is wonderful. So why are you sighing as if you dislike the idea"
"It is not that I dislike going with him," Ginny insisted quickly. "Neville is very kind. Really he is. But everyone knows the only reason he asked me is because Hermione rejected him. I was not his first choice. I was the last resort. Since I wanted to attend the Ball I said yes, but it still feels like I was the leftover option."
Fleur folded her arms lightly and regarded Ginny with compassionate interest. "Who did you want to ask you then"
Ginny froze. Her face turned pink instantly. The tips of her ears flushed vividly red. She tried to avoid eye contact with the both of them.
"You know," she mumbled. "That person is so dense he does not even notice me. He does not even see me as a girl to begin with."
Eira wrapped her arm around Ginny's shoulders and squeezed gently. "You are beautiful. That person must be blind to ignore you. Or perhaps he prefers the other side entirely."
Ginny swatted Eira's hand lightly while trying not to smile. "You are only saying that to make me feel better. And it is working a little. Thank you. But truly I do not care anymore. I just wanted to attend the Ball and have fun. That is all."
Eira lifted Ginny's chin with a playful expression. "I was not saying it just to comfort you. If I were a boy I would absolutely fall in love with you. Your beautiful red hair reminds me of roses in full bloom."
Fleur suddenly cleared her throat. A very pointed sound.
Her icy blue eyes narrowed. "Oh really. So you like red hair"
Eira blinked and smiled innocently. "I like silver hair as well."
Fleur leaned closer. Her voice dropped to a soft but demanding tone. "Oh, so do tell me what it reminds you of when you see silver hair."
Ginny burst into laughter, stifling it behind her hands. Eira opened her mouth to answer but she was interrupted by a sudden and all too familiar voice.
"H—hi,".
The voice cracked badly.
They turned toward the source and found Ronald Weasley standing there, his face glowing crimson. Snowflakes clung to his hair and robes. It appeared he had just run in from outside. His eyes were locked entirely upon Fleur as if nothing else in the universe existed.
Fleur tilted her head slightly, regarding him with polite confusion.
Ron's mouth opened. Then closed. It appeared his brain had abandoned him at the worst moment. Finally he forced the words out.
"Yule Ball," he blurted at last. "D'you—want to go—to the Ball? With me?"
The short sentence came out clunky and panicked, like he had rehearsed it a hundred times but forgot every version.
There was a pause. A thick silence that stretched painfully.
Fleur stared at him. Not angry. Not even offended. Just staring. As if she was struggling to understand what exactly this tall red haired boy believed he was doing.
Ron's ears burned hotter. His palms shook. His shoulders tensed as laughter started to spread quietly among a group of students who had overheard.
Seconds passed. Fleur still had not responded.
Her expression shifted only slightly. From blank curiosity to mild polite confusion. But that tiny change was enough to make Ron break.
He stumbled backward, muttered something that could not possibly be real language, spun around and fled out of the hall so fast his cloak nearly caught on a nearby chair.
Laughter erupted more openly then. Some students clutched their sides. Others tried to hide their amusement but failed miserably.
Ginny groaned loudly and covered her face. "He is going to die from embarrassment. I swear he will stop speaking entirely after this."
Eira turned to Fleur slowly. "Why was your allure not under control?"
Fleur tapped one finger against her lips. "Sometimes it happens. I did not realize it was affecting him so strongly."
Eira narrowed her eyes just slightly. "You said you could control it."
Fleur looked away, wearing a very not guilty expression. "Well. Mostly."
Ginny dropped her hands from her face with a resigned sigh. "I have to go after him. If I do not stop him he will bury himself in the snow and refuse to ever come out again." She nodded at both girls. "See you later."
Eira gave her a soft nod, and Fleur offered a small apologetic smile. Ginny hurried away toward the doors where her brother had vanished.
As the hall settled into buzzing whispers again, Fleur smirked. "Did you see his silly expression It was absolutely priceless."
Eira rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "You did that on purpose."
Fleur lifted her chin proudly. "Who knows? Anyway, I'm going back to see Gabrielle."
Eira shook her head though her smile betrayed her amusement. "Come on then. I want to check on Gabrielle too. I am not busy today."
"Then let us both go," Fleur said brightly.
They left the Great Hall together, stepping into the cold but crisp winter air outside the castle. Snow sparkled across the courtyard, reflecting the pale afternoon light. Their breath came out in tiny white clouds as they walked side by side along the stone path.
Fleur kept glancing at Eira's red lips as if contemplating whether she should take it and suck it or not. This time she did not reach for it. Too many eyes were around.
As they neared the courtyard's center someone suddenly stepped into their path.
Draco Malfoy.
He stood tall with snow dusting his platinum blond hair. His expression carried a mixture of confidence and calculated charm. He placed a hand over his chest in a polite gesture that did not suit him entirely.
"Eira," he greeted, voice smooth. "I was just looking for you."
Eira lifted a brow. Fleur stepped slightly closer to her.
Draco glanced at Fleur but clearly believed she did not matter in this particular moment. His attention returned fully to Eira.
"As you know," he began, "the Yule Ball is a prestigious event. I have been instructed by my father to secure the most suitable partner. And clearly that is you. It would be an honor if you attended the Ball with me."
Eira opened her mouth. But Fleur stepped forward at once, blocking Draco's view with absolute elegance.
"She already has a partner," Fleur said, her voice sweet but sharp enough to cut glass.
Draco narrowed his pale eyes. "Who"
"That is not your concern," Fleur replied before Eira could speak.
Draco tilted his head, studying Fleur with new irritation. "You speak as if you have the right to answer for her."
Fleur smiled dangerously. "Perhaps I do."
Draco turned his gaze back to Eira. "So who is it Who dared to ask you first Who believes they deserve to escort the head of the White family You should show me this brave soul."
Eira's expression remained calm, though inwardly she found his audacity entertaining. She folded her hands in front of her and spoke with soft authority.
"It does not concern you Mr Malfoy. You should hurry and find a partner before it becomes too late."
Draco stared at her for a long moment. His jaw tensed slightly. Then he forced a stiff nod though his pride clearly stung.
Fleur took Eira's hand then. Not a subtle gesture. Not a gentle suggestion. A very clear statement of claim. She guided Eira past Draco without a single glance backward.
Draco remained rooted in place, watching them walk away toward the towering Beauxbatons carriage. Snowflakes continued to fall around him, but he did not move.
"My father will not be pleased," he muttered to himself in growing frustration. "He will be furious that I could not secure Eira as my date. How am I supposed to explain this now"
He kicked at a patch of snow in annoyance before turning sharply and heading back toward the castle.
Meanwhile Eira allowed Fleur to lead her by the hand, but she finally spoke when they were a fair distance away.
"That was bold," Eira said quietly. "Very bold."
Fleur lifted her chin proudly. "He annoys me. And the thought of him near you annoys me even more."
Eira stopped walking. Fleur did too, turning to face her.
Then Eira pulled her closer, hands firm at Fleur's waist as she bent her gently backward. Their lips met in a deep, breath-stealing kiss. As they started to suck on each other's lips. Snow drifted softly around them, settling on their hair and shoulders as the moment stretched on, minutes passing in quiet bliss. When Eira finally drew back, she straightened Fleur with care, helping her stand upright once more. They remained silent, faces warm despite the cold, snowflakes still falling like whispered secrets from the sky.
Fleur smiled, triumphant and satisfied, and resumed walking with her beloved close beside her.