the kiss list, adrian pucey
𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓, 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟐

chapter thirty
number 3: CEDRIC DIGGORY

✧ ━━━ · ✦ · ━━━ ✧

CEDRIC DIGGORY WAS OUT OF BIANCA'S LEAGUE. There is no sugar coating it or denying the facts of the matter, because, generally, everyone was. Cedric was too good for everybody. And not because he was ignorant, or believed himself to be better than everyone else, but because the Hufflepuff was probably the only decent guy in the entire student body.

You could of course argue that Malcolm Preece is up there in the "perfect boyfriend material level" but there was no doubt that Malcolm was always slightly overshadowed by Cedric. From the outside looking in, if you hadn't had one actual conversation with the boy, Malcolm Preece was just "the best friend". Sort of like how people saw Ron Weasley. Just the other Gryffindor, that hangs around the Chosen One all the time.

They were pretty similar in personalities and interests, but two very different people.

But that's not what we need to think about right now.

The topic of the conversation was how on earth Bianca was going to get a word in with Cedric Diggory.

Being the boy everyone wanted, Cedric Diggory was rather hard to get a hold of. Wherever he went there was usually a girl or two or three tagging along for the view. He was like a celebrity, except the only thing "celebrity-ish" about him was his looks.

Many could appreciate that Cedric Diggory was blessed on the looks front. The perfectly styled head of hair meant he didn't even need to put any effort into his appearance. The angelic and hypnotizing grey eyes, that, (of course Bianca wouldn't say out loud), weren't nearly as beautiful as Adrian's ─ but that's straying off of the point of the matter, but adorable to point out.

The point is, is that maybe the crowd of fans was slightly exaggerated, but you get the gist: the boy was attractive. Full stop.

Except, Bianca didn't even think about that. She was going for it. Pushing the boat out. Approaching the situation head-on. If she over-thought it, she'd never manage to kiss the damn boy.

Bianca liked to believe that being all dolled-up in a flashy dress and heels - oh wait. Whatever footwear and a fancy gown gave her some kind of lost confidence. This whole Kiss List business had had that effect on her.

Cedric Diggory was standing at the other end of the hall, somewhere Bianca hadn't expected him to end up: on the sidelines. He wasn't standing in an awkward kind of manner, but the rocking of his feet, causing the beverage in his glass to splash up the sides and the rim of the flute, like a boat at sea, and the occasional whistle as he watched the crowds dance about, told Bianca that he didn't want to be alone.

That was what she was counting on anyway.

Bianca approached the boy, making sure her smile was at its most welcoming point, and her persona was ready to be as flirtatious as possible.

Cedric gave her a cautious smile once he had noticed where Bianca's destination was, passing his glass into his other hand, "Uh hey, Bianca. H-how are you?" he slightly stammered his words, unsure of her goal or purpose. She hoped he was pleasantly surprised at least.

Cedric and Bianca were almost friends. They infrequently spoke in class, but only on a must basis. No harsh feelings towards the other, just two students, aware of the other's character.

"I'm alright thanks," she grinned.

Ungodly pause.

Cedric smirked, as he eyed the entirety of Bianca's body. Bianca bit the inside of her mouth, not because she felt uncomfortable - she knew she looked good like come on - but she just wished this could be over with already. Cedric was sweet from what she had experienced, so she hoped this wouldn't be as bad as Jeremy freaking Stretton.

"Can I help you with anything?" he asked, still very much smirking.

Bianca shrugged politely, gazing into his eyes, as he towered over her. "Nothing in particular." she crossed her hands behind her back. "I'm just curious as to why someone like you are at an event such as this alone."

Cedric cocked his head, "Someone like me?"

Bianca's head rocked, "You know, popular, good-looking, all that jazz." she said, with immediate regret.

"All that jazz?" she cursed herself for saying it.

Cedric chuckled, "All that jazz?" he echoed, his forehead creasing.

Bianca squeezed her eyes shut for a second, trying her best to erase whatever she just said, before opening them again, and offering the boy an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry."

He laughed again, "Oh don't worry about it." he said, followed by a lapsing of tense silence. "But, in that case, why are you all alone?" he said, dragging out his words.

Another false innocence shrug, "You tell me." she said, trying not to make this "flirty" side of Bianca turn into a childish seven-year-old girl. What with the hands behind her back and the constant shrugging, it was at a definite possibility of ending like that.

Another ungodly pause.

"You wanna get out of here for a bit?" Cedric's smirk continued to creep up his cheek, and Bianca was beginning to think what he meant by that. Was Cedric the midnight stroll, with teasing hand touching and skimming rocks across the Black Lake? Or was he the find a staircase and makeout under it kind of guy?

Unfortunately, Bianca wanted the second option.

Bianca nodded, biting her lip, as he softly took ahold of her hand, and led her out of the Great Hall. Adrian had stopped watching at this point.

Cedric picked up the pace as he guided Bianca down and out of the Great Hall, past paintings and up stairs, till it felt completely secluded. Their footsteps echoed as they clacked against the stone until they reached a broken-off corridor. "I didn't think you usually did things like this," he said.

Bianca felt herself blushing, as he inched closer to her, placing his hands behind her back. "I don't," she replied.

It wasn't the underneath of a staircase, but it was option two.

Bianca was surprised that he had initiated this whole encounter. Maybe he was more obtainable than she thought. Nope, that sounded wrong. Wrong on every level. Maybe she had just looked hotter than she granted herself.

She barely even knew him, and yet his lips crashed onto hers.

It was Jeremy Stretton all over again.

Bianca was screaming internally, as the two of them strolled back to where the ball was actually taking place. Almost trying to swallow her guilt. It was a bet. It didn't mean anything. He didn't know it was for a bet obviously. And Bianca was sure that it didn't exactly mean anything to him.

Bianca had told herself not to end up crossing another member of the Kiss List off via a hot, sporadic makeout session with an attractive Wizard, but, she had to do, what she had to do.

Cedric Diggory was a success.

The two of them made it to the entrance to the Great Hall, and stood out of the pathway of the open doors, "We should talk more often," Cedric suggested.

Bianca met his eyes. His lips still had the stains from her lipstick. She didn't tell him. If Adrian wanted proof, it didn't get much better than that. "Agreed," she replied, before sending him a short wave and a bite of the lip. Oh, she had used him. And badly.

That all quickly disappeared as she strode over to Adrian, still sat at the same table where they had played a game of "kiss, kill marry" about a half-hour before. Except now, Tamsin Applebee was sitting beside him.

Bianca stayed away from the table, momentarily, just so she could watch Adrian suffer from his date.

"Are you not going to ask me to dance or not?" She asked, her arms crossed, face tense with anger. "Well?" she reiterated after a second, since Adrian didn't answer, but simply sighed and buried his head in his hands. Bianca couldn't help but laugh to herself.

Adrian lifted his head and stared at the girl, "No. I'm not. We danced earlier. And I'm tired." his head returned to his hands.

"You weren't tired when you danced with that Gryffindor whore," Tamsin spat. Bianca wasn't particularly offended. She wouldn't say she was a "whore" or sorts, but she did just makeout with Cedric Diggory in a dark corridor. Speaks for itself.

"Okay, Tamsin, fuck off!" Adrian yelled, with wide eyes, and a reddening face.

"Have it your way," Tamsin flicked a piece of hair from her shoulder and strutted off in a strop. Bianca could have sworn the Hufflepuff glared at her on her way out.

"And that's what you get when you invite Tamsin Applebee to a High School dance," Bianca sighed, scuffing her feet on the stone floor, as she waltzed over to Adrian.

Adrian felt a breath of fresh air once Bianca was in view. He exhaled rather deeply, "Ah, back are we? How'd it go with Pretty Boy Diggory?" he asked, even though he wasn't exactly sure whether he wanted to know.

Bianca lifted her eye line, grinning profusely, "Well, what can I say?" she leaned down to where he was sat, and met his ear "Another one bites the dust, dingus." she whispered.

Adrian tried to hide his bitterness, mixed with the level of attraction he currently felt, with a dry chuckle, "That easy huh?"

As he asked, the images of her time with Cedric Diggory flashed before her. She could still feel his body pressed up to hers. And his hand, grazing her scalp. She could still taste the strawberry flavour of his lips. The boy had nice lip balm.

Bianca threw herself onto the empty chair beside the boy, and hummed, "Mhm." She clutched the stem of her glass, in a smooth sweeping motion, smirking broadly, "I bet you regret every decision you've ever made, right about now."

In truth, Adrian's decision to bet Bianca Larsson that she wouldn't be able to kiss twenty-one of Hogwarts' finest Quidditch players was perhaps one of the best he has ever made. One that has surely made him a lot happier, by all means. It made him wonder what he'd be doing at an event like this if he hadn't plucked up the courage to create such a bond that he now has with the girl that he has loved since first year.

So, no, Bianca, Adrian was not regretting every decision he has ever made in the current time. Leaving his team for a bet would be a bit upsetting, in all fairness. But not the point.

"Why?" he sneered, "Because you're going to win?"

Bianca scoffed as if it were obvious, "Too right I am."

Adrian took a sip of his champagne, laying it down beside him, and then shuffling closer to Bianca on his seat, "How many did you say you've kissed?" he asked.

Bianca shrugged innocently, "12-" she said hazily, before jumping in quickly to correct herself, "I mean 13."

Bianca was supposed to have kissed 13 people so far, and that's what she had told Adrian. In actual fact, Duncan Inglebee was a fat mess that blew up in her face, so she had lied from then on.

The girl had subtly bragged - the emphasis on 'subtly' (Bianca was a pretty crappy lier) - about her success with Duncan, and as much as it pained Adrian to see how well she was getting on with their little bet, he couldn't help but be impressed.

All Bianca had told Adrian was that she and Duncan had "re-connected after two long years of not talking to each other" and "that was that". Adrian was impressed because he assumed that Duncan would want nothing to do with Bianca after she rejected him.

Adrian assumed right. He just didn't quite know it.

Adrian's eyes narrowed a little, chuckling lightly to himself, "So you can't count now?"

Bianca's face had reddened, "No, no, it's 13." she bluffed.

Adrian didn't read into her mistake any further, shaking his head from his wandering thoughts, "Right, well, by my calculations-"

The girl lifted a single finger in his direction, "Not sure if I should trust those." she interjected.

Adrian rolled his eyes, his elbow now resting on the table, "By my calculations," he sighed, "you're only just on-track. You're not ahead, so who's to say you actually will win this bet?"

"You just said I'm on-track," Bianca replied, "and so what if I'm not ahead? Better off being at an average pace than being behind schedule. So, I believe I will win this bet." she held a hand to her heart.

Bianca was beginning to worry as to why she cared so much. For a strong-willed teenage witch that aimed to do well in life, that, considerably, had a lot on her plate, a juvenile bet with a boy she claimed to hate, was a pretty large and pretty tragic distraction.

And yet, it was almost as if the Kiss List was her number one priority.

Bianca sure did want to prove Adrian Pucey wrong.

Adrian made a face as if to say "fair point" and then, they lapsed into silence. A silence that wasn't much of silence. The orchestral blend of strings and keys on a piano bounced off of the walls and throughout the hall, mixed together with the hums of conversation, and muted laughter from the dance floor.

The two of them, however, were heaved back into the world of school formals, and out of the isolated, harmonic bliss of speechless sipping, when Malcolm Preece approached their lonely table, at the far end of the hall.

"You don't mind if I steal Bianca for a minute do you, Adrian?" Malcolm asked politely, startling the girl temporarily.

There were many a thing that Adrian wanted to reply with, at that moment. All of which included him denying Malcolm the privilege of spending time with Bianca. But then he thought about how she would want him to respond, and suddenly, all of those other responses made Adrian look like a prick.

Adrian tried to conceal his sigh, letting his arm fall onto the table from its once uprooted position. The knife and fork beside him, which were tucked into a napkin, shook a little in their white bed, "She's all yours, buddy." he said.

Bianca hadn't any issue with dancing with Malcolm. Sure, she may have forgotten that she had promised him a dance, but that doesn't mean that surprises don't come in cute, blonde, and dimpled packages, adorned in smart dress robes, and a sweet smile.

As Malcolm whisked away the girl of his dreams, her dress flowing behind her like it was enchanted to do so, Adrian heaved further into the back of his chair.

Now alone at the large, clothed, circular table, the noise from the center of the Ballroom seemed to mute itself. Like his ears had blocked out the happy sounds, because he himself was now bored and dismal, and all those laughs just filled him up with envy. It was like the dancefloor was encased in a soundproof dome, and he was on the outside looking in. Adrian felt stupid for feeling this way, he really did. But how else was he supposed to feel, at a scene like this one, with no company besides the temporary comfort of his tuna and red pepper mousse toast and single sausage roll?

He consumed the Hors d'Oeuvre in two bites. And still didn't feel any better.

The sight of Marcus Flint and Terrence Higgs not too far away, besides one of many drinks stands, gave Adrian a sense of "okay-ness" for about a second until he realized that the two of them would provide as much console company as two middle-aged men at a Football match.

So none at all.

"Oh, there he is," Terrence sang, as Adrian trudged over to the pair of them, his almost empty flute of champagne in hand.

Marcus patted Adrian hard on the back so hard it was more like a slap, "Been wondering where you got lost to, Ade."

"I'm fine," Adrian said, shaking his head in a supposed to be convincing motion.

"I bet you are." Marcus scoffed, "Got yourself a date, 'aven't you?"

Adrian's eyes darted up in Marcus' direction, frightened that Tamsin had said something to his two friends because she was looking for him. "Who?" he asked, his voice laced with unease, "Tamsin?"

Terrence laughed, "No, Bianca." he said, motioning to the girl, who was currently dancing with Malcolm Preece, amongst the crowds of couples, smiling far too much for Adrian's liking. "Although she is dancing with that Hufflepuff chaser, so," he trailed off.

Adrian shook his head, "She's not my date." he said, more regretfully, than irritatedly.

Terrence's expression lost any sense of pride, "Oh." his mouth stayed ajar just an inch after he spoke.

Adrian couldn't help but notice that that was the second encounter that night that someone had mistaken Adrian and Bianca to be a couple. First, it was Maxine O'Flaherty's mistake - someone Adrian didn't know all that well, but seemed rather smart - and now it was his best friend. Someone who should know Adrian rather well.

It must have looked like something. A spark between them that people around them could even notice. Terrence had obviously watched them talk, and that was enough to think that Adrian had grown the guts to ask her to this dance.

It was like the Universe was saying something.

Nope. Adrian was just being a lovesick saddo, that was getting too good at Wishful Thinking.

Adrian tipped his head back, sliding his free hand in his pocket, "Yeah," he took a swig of his drink, finishing the last drop. The liquid was still flat. And he experienced no final buzz as he swallowed, "oh." he repeated Terrence's last words.

There was a moment of awkward silence, which Marcus thought best to end, "So, who's this Tamsin chick?" he asked, his smirk returning, expecting a much more enthusiastic reaction than Adrian was now giving him.

Terrence turned to the table where he put down his glass, popped an opened bottle of virgin champagne, and refilled his glass. He glanced over to Marcus, then over to Adrian, "Tamsin Applebee?" he asked for confirmation.

Adrian tried to conceal his embarrassment, by a shrewd nod to confirm Terrence's curiosity and the refilling of his own glass.

Terrence lifted his now full flute to his lips, his eyes widening briefly, whilst he caught Adrian's eyes, "Woah." he hollowed out his mouth, looking slightly taken aback. Terrence knew. Terrence knew exactly what Tamsin Applebee was like. But could only offer his feelings of sympathy towards his friend, along with a face that read: "thank god that's not me"

Adrian rolled his eyes, "Yeah," he stuck his neck out, staring at Terrence directly in the eyes, "Woah." he repeated.

Marcus didn't quite know what was happening. "Better off with her, than without a date, though, I say, Ade." Marcus elbowed Adrian rather hard. Adrian noticed the gesture, but did not appreciate it whatsoever, "Whoever she is."

Adrian wasn't sure whether he trusted "what Marcus says". Besides, Adrian was convinced that Marcus Flint hadn't experienced even half of Tamsin Applebee than Adrian had already that night.

With another sigh, Adrian's eyes traveled back over to the dance floor, where, naturally, they started searching for Bianca and Malcolm, despite Adrian wondering why he was choosing to do that to himself. It didn't take long to spot the speck of drifting blue in the sparkling box of jewels. She was still smiling. And so was Malcolm. Of course Malcolm was, Adrian thought to himself. Why wouldn't he be?

Marcus broke Adrian's gaze, by lifting his glass, "Cheers, boys." he said, with a beaming grin.

Terrence met his glass to Marcus', "Cheers." he smiled.

Adrian feebly lifted his arm, their glasses clinking at the top, as he murmured a responding "cheers", his voice slightly croaky.

Terrence and Marcus broke into a semi-interesting conversation, upon noticing that they did not have Adrian's full attention. They did not, and Adrian, in his sullen mood, was feeling a little too sorry for himself than he actually should be. He did not own Bianca and there shouldn't be any hard feelings towards Malcolm. Adrian was beginning to wonder why he hadn't asked Bianca to dance for a second time whilst he had the chance.

Sure, she had made it clear that he was only permitted to one dance and one dance only, but she didn't necessarily state that "dance" meant strictly only ballroom and formal dancing. The kind that was done in a hold and in time with the music.

But what about when most of the teachers had gone to bed? And the lightweights had trickled off to their dorms. And the nerds had fled to make sure they got a good night's sleep? What about when the party actually started? No more annoying classical music, or silly dance steps. Like actual music, and actual alcohol. When the girls kicked off their heels (well, not in Bianca's case) and when a DJ was bought in. That's when he could get another dance out of Bianca.

And he knew just the song.

Malcolm and Bianca weren't sat together for dinner and split once the final song from the orchestra had ended; the two of them bowing and curtseying, with light applause, before the harmonious chatter started up, once everyone was sat in their designated seats, and the house-elves had started flooding out from the kitchens, trays in hand, embellished with treats and delights.

Conversation remained ripe over dinner, Leo and Alicia succumbing to one of the Weasley Twins' notorious over-food debates, that Leo had originally refused to participate in, seeing as he never did too well when up against Bianca during arguments.

With Goblets almost drained, and plates clean, Bianca was surprised that she didn't join in the debate herself. Although, discussions surrounding the legality of magic outside of school, wasn't really all that riveting to Bianca.

Lee Jordan, along with the redheaded brothers, believed it to be a very serious matter, that the three of them had argued their way through, enough to convince the rest of the table, that, they, single-handedly, might just be able to change the law.

At least that's what Leo and Alicia, along with Katie and Oliver, and Angelina and Maxine, had told the trio in order to shut them up.

Once the tables were cleared, and the string quartet, along with brass band were gathering their things, the party of the night was soon approaching.

Midnight was now not far along, and it was obvious that most of the teachers were becoming sleepy-eyed. To the student's delight, the obligation to perform a mandatory Waltz was now slim to none, and Adrian's chances of dancing with Bianca weren't quite so small.

Not wanting to come across as quite so eager, Adrian decided to sit through a mundane conversation about how the Appleby Arrows (an English Quidditch team) were supposedly tonnes better than the Chudley Cannons (another English Quidditch team), according to Graham Montague at least.

"I'm telling you," Graham drawled to his opponents, Cassius and Terrence, who were in favour of the Cannons, "Galvin Gudeon doesn't even compare to Gregory Cotton."

All their dates had left. A long time ago. Adrian couldn't blame them. No one should.

"Oh yeah," Terrence rolled his eyes, "Because I'm sure you know everything about being a seeker, don't you Gray?" he asked sarcastically. Adrian knew full well that Terrence was still bitter after he was de-bunked from Slytherin's seeker to the reserve Beater when Draco Malfoy bought his way onto the team earlier that year.

Graham scoffed, "I know enough to see that Gudeon's not cut out to be seeker on such a prominent team! He lets you down, mate," Graham said, grasping onto Terrence's shoulder. Terrence had always been a strong supporter of the Chudley Cannons. And yet, he and his teammates never always saw eye-to-eye on the British and Irish Quidditch League.

Miles Bletchley leaned over to a very-zoned-out Adrian, "Bonkers, aren't they?"

Adrian huffed slightly, his arms crossed as he lay back in his chair, "I think Graham has a point."

Suddenly all eyes were on him. Some glances came slowly at first, some like darts, that narrowed and settled on Adrian's steel-blue eyes.

"You what?" Terrence asked incredulously.

Adrian had always been a strong supporter of the Wimbourne Wasps, having grown up in Dorset, "You heard me." Adrian repeated with a chuckle, "The Cannons won the league 21 times, and yet, Cotton comes in, and there you have it: a sixteen-game losing streak resulting in their worst season in fifty years." Adrian said, sitting up a little straighter. Miles snorted from beside him, after seeing the look on Terrence's face form into one of severe annoyance and bitterness.

The Appleby Arrows (Graham's team) were typically the Wimbourne Wasps' traditional rivals, and yet, even Adrian could see that Graham had a point. Adrian tended to think that the Cannons were overrated anyway.

Graham stuck out an arm, in Adrian's direction, looking right into Terrence's soul, his eyes wide, proud of the fact that he had finally won an argument. With Adrian's help of course. "Thank you."

And for the next thirty minutes, Miles Bletchley sat and stared as Marcus Flint got involved, defending his own honour, as a proud fan of the Falmouth Falcons.

Miles refused to join in because he knew that that would mean bringing up his own team ─ the Holyhead Harpies. An all-female Quidditch team, that Miles was worried would turn the debate real sexist, real soon.

The 25th of December had come around faster than anyone could say "Quidditch" and the night was still very much alive.

Most teachers had gone to sleep, the lights had been dimmed, Hor D'oeuvres had been scoffed and mock champagne had been quenched.

It had gotten to the point that Bianca felt as though her feet could drop off, and her blisters could pop. But she sure was glad she wasn't wearing heels.

Wiping a tear of sweat from her cheek, Bianca politely pushed through the bustle of dancing and singing students, leaving the small group of Gryffindors partying away.

As she threw herself onto her table, exhaling deeply, quick to pour herself a glass of water from the icy jug resting in the middle, Bianca was starting to enjoy parties a lot more than she ever thought she could. Granted, this didn't start out as a party, but it sure as hell was going to end as one.

She let her desperation out in pants for air, her chest rising and falling, till it felt as though her eyes could flutter shut. Which she did not let happen, but she might as well have fallen asleep right then and there.

Adrian, on the other side of the dressed-up hall, was now being hammered with insults from Marcus Flint, who still very much believed his preference in British Quidditch team to be superior to those of his friends.

Upon spotting a lonely Bianca, sat at the far end of the ballroom, legs outstretched in front of her, as she gazed at the dance floor, a smile resting comfortably on her face, Adrian saw no point in staying to see Marcus attempt to convert his friends' alliance's to the Falmouth Falcons, rather than keeping their loyalties to their each individual preferences and decided to excuse himself, the first chance he got.

Before interrupting Bianca's "alone moment", Adrian wanted to take a quick pitstop to the booth in which the trashy DJ was perched, oversized headphones on, useless turntables at hand.

Adrian saw nothing tragic or embarrassingly sad about his plan. If anything, in his eyes, it was sweet and adorable, maybe even a little romantic and sentimental. Yes. That's the word, sentimental.

Dodging the most likely drunken students, Adrian hiked to the front of the dance floor, where the non-muggle DJ was sure enjoying himself.

Once he had caught the man's attention, Adrian uttered the special request, and with an understanding nod from the gentleman, Adrian knew his job was done.

With a slight skip in his step, he ventured off of the dancefloor and around the maze of tables, to the one he wanted to be sat at. He even heard Marcus Flint's muffled voice over the music, which had now just turned to monotonous drivel to Adrian, who tried his best to block it out, and not let ruin his mood.

"For someone that just managed another kiss, you look rather miserable," Adrian muttered, pulling up a chair, flipping it around, and sitting on it the wrong, untraditional way round. Bianca didn't see the boy approaching, and tried to hide the little jump her heart made at the sound of his voice. Not in a tender, amorous way of course.

"Maybe going alone wasn't the smartest of plans," he said, now watching the jumping students on a lit-up floor with swaying heads and floppy nests of hair, slick with sweat.

Bianca let out a deep breath, partly because she was still very much tired from dancing so much, and partly because Adrian Pucey had found another route to worm his way into her night. "You bought a nutjob for a date, so I really don't think you can judge me on my decisions concerning this ball." she smiled sarcastically, looking into the side of his head since he hadn't moved his eye line from the masses of dancing loons. It looked like, to Bianca, that he was waiting for something. She just hadn't worked out what yet.

Adrian dipped his head a little, "Touche. But in all seriousness, you are alone. Again."

Bianca sucked in more air this time, a sharp, leave-me-alone kind of breath, "I'm fine, thank you, Adrian. Not miserable at all, just tired."

"Oh well, that's not going to be very good come a minute's time." Adrian's smile slowly curled into a smirk that screamed of pride, as he finally looked in her direction.

Bianca squinted her eyes at the boy, "What do you mean?"

Adrian averted his attention back to the dance floor, where his ears pricked up a little. He definitely was waiting for something. There was no doubt about that. He knew it would happen sometime soon, and just that thought made a buzz ignite in his stomach.

"You'll be dancing again soon," he said in less of a suggestion way but more like an instruction.

Bianca scoffed, drawing her legs into her body, crossing her leftover her right, "Not with you I won't." she replied, making it clear she was comfortable where she was, sat alone at a table far from the action, "You've already used up your one "dance with Bianca for free" ticket. They are non-refundable, and I do not take redos."

Adrian's lips pouted, "I get it, I get it, but why are we jumping to conclusions, huh?" he inquired with a raised brow, meeting her wandering eyes. "I never said that I'd be the one dancing with you did I?"

"Okay, then." Bianca straightened her back a little, no longer slouching into her chair. She flicked the hair from her shoulder, folding her arms onto the table, and locking her fingers. "Who's this mystery dance partner?"

It felt only seconds ago that Bianca had sat down from her first round of dancing, and to be honest, Adrian wasn't the problem. She wouldn't mind it all that much if it was Adrian who was apparently going to dance with her in a minute's time, but her feet were more of a dilemma than her dance partner. She was certain that her feet were bleeding, and was too self-conscious that her deodorant had already worn off. She hadn't any plasters, and it felt as though her feet were too sore to even hold her weight.

So for the first time ever, Adrian Pucey wasn't the problem.

"Oh no, it is me." he grinned, with his teeth on full display, and his gums only just hidden. "I put in a song request," Adrian added, his lips now pressed together in an incandescent smile.

Adrian was happy with his plan to catch Bianca in a situation that meant she had to dance with him no questions asked, but whether Bianca was actually up for it, was a completely different story.

When the realization hit Bianca over the head she chuckled at how pathetic she thought Adrian's attempt at spending time with her was. "Wow, you must lead a sadder life than I thought."

"Not sad, just enthusiastic." Adrian's grin seemed to grow, as Bianca tried her best not to roll her eyes.

The famous drum riff rolled around, sending the crowd into fits of cheers, and applause for the intro to continue on.

Adrian slapped his knees as he stood up, inhaling that fresh, alcoholic, body odour air, before flaying his hand out for Bianca to take.

Her feet still aching, and her soles now worn down, Bianca reluctantly took the boy's hand in her's and let him drag her away from the emptiness of the dining area, and towards the boisterous laughter that is the dance floor.

If anyone were to see them, it would be as easy as anything to mistake them for a couple, or even just two friends tagging along because they had no one else to invite to be their date to such an event.

The set of violins unified with the drums and guitar, serenading the pair as Adrian led the way and they made it to the center of the tacky lit-up disco squares that assembled to make a dance floor.

"Now who's enthusiastic?" Adrian smirked, taking ahold of Bianca's other hand, and suddenly being surprised that she didn't immediately pull away.

Seeing no point in trying to hide the irritation that she apparently felt towards Adrian, and not wanting to be the only person supposed to be dancing that had an agitated expression, Bianca gave in and danced with the poor boy.

"If I'm going to dance with you for a second time, please refrain from making me look like a nerd," she yelled just loud enough so he could hear her calls, as the two of them continued to sway along with the lyrics and the clapping of the drums.

Share that beat of love

Adrian made sure to sing at the top of his lungs, before he answered, "How is dancing to Michael Jackson acting like a nerd?" he asked with an overly baffled look.

I wanna rock with you, all night

Watching him sing the chorus exceedingly keenly and out of tune, made Bianca grimace, and she stared at him with an expression that read "no, but is it not obvious what is the problem?". His eyes remained closed, apparently too lost in the rhythm to care. "It's not Michael Jackson that's the problem," she said finally.

Dance you into day, sunlight

Adrian opened his eyes, letting go of her hands, "Oh, so it's me?" he asked to confirm his worries.

Bianca nodded, with a fake sympathetic simper, her cheeks tensed and her lips straightened out. She watched him continue to dance, occasionally bumping into those around him, as she swayed, enjoying the song in a little more subtle way. "These dance moves seriously need a bit of work."

Adrian deliberately dramatized his dance moves now, heaving his arms about with emphasis to make sure Bianca felt exactly like she had asked him not to make her feel like: as if she was dancing with someone that was completely and utterly bonkers.

"I wouldn't say so." he defended.

"You also can't see yourself right now," she replied, the first chorus now coming to an end. It bled into the second verse.

"Don't need to." Adrian shrugged, "I bet I look hot."

Bianca hissed, "I wouldn't say "hot"." she held her fingers up like two bunnies.

Adrian toned down the dancing just a tad, "Really?" he asked with utter disbelief, "Hmm." he sang doubtfully.

The song continued, bass and all, Adrian having the time of his life and Bianca enjoying herself more than she wished to confess. The boy did not end up embarrassing Bianca, and not because he dampened his overly enthusiastic, "wacky" (as Bianca described them) dance moves, but because Bianca ended up having way too much fun than it should be.

Suddenly, her blisters didn't hurt. The blood that had squeezed itself out of her wounds had dried up and no longer affected her. And the aching in her soles had numbed. And her pain didn't matter.

Adrian gave a moderate applause as Michael Jackson's "Rock With You" came to a saddening end, in a way he was sure Bianca was the only one that could hear.

Bianca shook her head, mid-crowd, "You're so pathetic." she laughed, her voice still raised as the music reached its diminuendo.

Adrian nodded his head in agreement, "I know."

Michael Jackson's voice, married with the drums and guitar and violins, faded into nothingness, and was replaced by Starship's "Nothing's gonna stop us now". Adrian of course was beside himself, and couldn't help but grin further and shift closer.

"Did you request this as well?" Bianca queried, her head inclined.

Adrian shook his head nonchalantly in response, "Nope. But how about another round?" he offered out his hand.

"Starship? Really?" she replied, taking one look at his hand, then returning to his eyes.

Adrian rocked back and forth, bobbing his head heartily. Anybody'd think he was in a trance. "This is going to be the song for my first dance," he explained with utter confidence that Bianca chuckled.

"I can't believe you've thought about that," she replied. Bianca hadn't put one thought to the details of her wedding. If she was ever going to have one down the line.

Still not convinced he had persuaded her to stay, Adrian dropped the 'possessed by the music act' and stopped still, one arm relaxed, the other still held out for Bianca to hopefully take, "Come on? You can't walk away now."

Bianca scanned the floor around her. Almost everyone had paired up and were now wrapped in a slow dance hold, swaying with the music, engulfed in each others' arms. Bianca spotted Alicia, with her head burrowed under Leo's neck, their hands fumbling and fingers fighting playfully, eventually locking.

Bianca sighed, slightly envious, but dubious that she was willing to mirror a happy couple such as Leo and Alicia with Adrian Pucey. "Fine. But only because I don't know what else I'd be doing."

She took his hand in hers, and Adrian pulled her towards him, resting his right arm on her lower back, as she sunk her head into the crook of his shoulder, surprised as she settled in the hold. Bianca could smell him instantly. He smelled like blueberry muffins, with a strong side of his masculine cologne. It was a cute and manly mix that Bianca found herself admiring.

Adrian smiled to himself, curious as to how they ended up like this.

With their hands interlocked, Bianca closing her fist around Adrian's shoulder, reclining the weight of her arm onto his, the music floated around the room, and that was all that stayed. Life stopped. The world stopped spinning. Unlike the turntable at the front of the room, the world stopped spinning.

Let the world around us
Just fall apart

Bianca even felt her eyes flutter to a close before she stopped them. She lifted her head from Adrian's shoulder, who flinched a little, and raised his own to watch her meet his eyes.

Baby, we can make it
If we're heart to heart

And that was when it happened. Bianca wanted to. As she stared into those crystal-like eyes, that looked as if were made up of tiny shards of sparkling ice, Bianca wanted to. She felt as though she owed him that. She felt as though that she owed herself that. Bianca wanted to. She wanted to kiss him.

And we can build this dream together

As the lyrics continued, and the song paved its way through the Great Hall, Bianca leaned in.

Adrian had to blink and then blink again. And even though it hadn't quite set in just yet, Adrian leaned in too.

And that was when it stopped. The signal from her mind's eye to her heart told her to stop.

Bianca. No. Don't fuck everything up. No. Bianca.

She abruptly pulled away, sucking in the air from the world that had rebuilt itself around them, and life had returned to how it normally was. No romance. Strictly friends. Not in a little globe of their own, protected by the harmonies of song and slow dancing. Bianca, no.

Adrian blinked again, wondering whether he had simply imagined that had happened, and she was still peacefully nuzzled on his shoulder, stepping back and then forth in time with the music. And now he hoped he had just imagined it. Because now, everything was fucked.

Bianca opened her mouth, "I'm gonna go get a drink," she spoke hastily, and rather quietly, before pulling away, their fingers sliding along each other, and then she was gone. Fled from the scene of the crime. No other word uttered.

Adrian stood still, the only person on the dance floor, partnerless. Nothing had changed for them though. They all were still cutely placed like in-love robots, too perfect because Adrian had just lost what they still have.

Yes, Adrian. Everything is fucked.

It was pitch black outside, and anyone would have thought Bianca was mad for staying out there for so long. Adrian didn't. In fact, a midnight stroll might just be the break he needed from the lively rays of chaos of the Great Hall. And so, he hazarded to the outside courtyard, where Bianca just so happened to be, cherishing the coolness of the nightly breeze.

"Have you enjoyed your night?" he asked, stepping out from the canopied hallway, and onto the mix of grassed and stoned flooring of the courtyard, centered around four corridors.

Bianca had her hands held behind her back, as she stared up at the dark marvel above her, "Do you follow me everywhere?" she asked, silently trying to hide how awkward she felt. Had he chosen to forget to? Or was he just ignoring it?

You ignore it too then, Bianca. Ignore it, she told herself.

Adrian held his hands up to his sides in defense, "Just a question. I swear I'm not that desperate." he finished, walking up to her side.

Bianca chuckled, her head still hung low, as she watched the pebble scatter beneath her step, "Well, then, to answer your question, I think I should be the one asking you that, Adrian." she said, finally looking up to meet his eyes, "You're the one with the crazy date."

Ah, Tamsin Applebee. Not much of a date after all. Tamsin had gotten lost in the romantic escapes of making out at High School dances and had actually been the one to abandon Adrian only hours before. Adrian didn't know whether he should be offended or glad. But one thing was sure, that fifth-year Ravenclaw was probably not the luckiest of boys right about now.

Adrian couldn't help but laugh, "And you're the one without a date at all." he pointed out, his head tilted.

As Adrian gazed into her eyes, accompanied by a sense of loss, like something was missing or something was supposed to happen but wasn't, Bianca's expression softened through the pause, "It was very nice, thank you." she said finally.

The pair continued to stroll; the sky darkening and the temperature dropping. Their breaths out now forming clouds of steam that hovered for a moment, before evaporating into the night air.

"Mine wasn't too bad." Adrian said after a minute, "If you remove Tamsin from the equation."

Bianca nodded her head in agreement, "I think we all wish we could remove Tamsin from the equation."

Adrian didn't say anything, but an amused expression had settled on his face, and he felt as though that was enough.

It didn't take long for a walk in comfortable silence, to eventually turn their limbs to the point that they were numb, and for the wind to bite at their skin so much that it felt like a hundred needles, poking from all angles.

For some reason, Adrian hadn't taken notice of the iciness of the outside. And Bianca seemed too lost in her thoughts to care.

He wondered whether it was right to mention the elephant in the room. Well, the elephant in the courtyard. He wondered whether that would just make matters worse. Or whether it would be best to talk about it to clear things up. But then, for what so far had been a harmless walk outside, free from awkwardness would be ruined by the acknowledgment that Bianca had considered kissing the boy she was supposed to hate.

Adrian told himself not to bring it up. As hard as it may sound, dusting the elephant under the carpet and forgetting about it until it had to be spoken about, was the best option. Bianca hadn't mentioned it either, so, why should he?

Well, good luck dealing with that awkwardness future Adrian.

The two of them had walked circles around the large courtyard, had weaved in and out of freshly cut hedges and Adrian was beginning to wonder why Bianca had left already. It's not like they were lost in deep conversation that could keep them awake till the sun came up or until someone disturbed their tranquility.

After another minute or two, adrift in her own little world where the beauty stars were her only concern, Adrian stopped beside the stone entrance that leads back into the castle, and eventually down into the Slytherin Dungeons.

Bianca followed his lead, absent-mindedly for only a second more, where she stood in front of him, the pair now at a stop underneath the canopied exit from the outside courtyard. "I think this is where I should leave you," he said.

Bianca glanced over to the staircase, which was now clear to be the one that leads to his common room, once one had gone far enough, "Are you going to bed?" she asked with slight disappointment.

Adrian shrugged, "Tired."

He hadn't decided whether he was tired enough to go to sleep or not, because he wondered whether Bianca minded being up so late, alone with only him for company. Part of him felt as though she was only there for his benefit; because she felt bad to leave him.

So he left first.

"Right," Bianca said, with a feeble nod.

Adrian offered her a smile as if he saying "sorry for leaving you" even if he didn't know whether that was what she was thinking. "Goodnight Bianca," Adrian said.

Bianca had only just realized that by Adrian going to bed, it probably meant she should too. The ball was dying out, and she didn't see a problem with going to bed without saying a word to Katie or Angelina. She was sure they'd call it a night soon enough.

Bianca smiled, "Goodnight, Adrian."

Snow had now begun trickling down from above, light specks settling on their shoulders' like the stars were falling from the sky.

At the sight of the snow, something in Adrian's mind clicked. Something fitted in place. A puzzle piece, finding its match. But he knew it was wrong. He knew he couldn't do it. He knew he'd get the same reaction he did the last time he tried to kiss her.

But wasn't she the one that tried to kiss him, when their anthem was loud, and the world has dissolved around them? That didn't change the fact that Bianca had pulled away both times the pair were close to an embrace such as that. What was with her and sending mixed signals? What was he doing wrong?

But maybe, she only pulled away because she felt pressured? Maybe she would go forward with a kiss now? Perhaps, the atmosphere of the Great Hall wasn't what she wanted and she panicked and so that shit show of a "kiss" happened? What was he doing wrong?

He was overthinking. Adrian decided against it.

"Oh, and Merry Christmas," he said, softly, his smile sending Bianca a brighter sense of comfort than she ever thought possible from him.

Something now clicked in Bianca's mind. This whole time Christmas Eve had been unraveling before her eyes, and she had barely any time to acknowledge it. Midnight had long passed and to her pleasant surprise, December 25th had rolled around.

Unlike the temperature outside, Bianca's heart felt warm. "Merry Christmas, Adrian." she smiled back.

She seemed happy. She didn't seem awkward, she seemed happy. And okay with what happened. And mature enough to let it go. Maybe everything wasn't fucked.

Adrian offered a timid wave in her direction before his heels grazed the little patches of snow that had already come to rest on the gravel, and he turned away, scuffing the granite ground as he left for the night, his footsteps clicking down the steps.

Bianca hung back for a moment.

She had always loved the snow. But something felt different this time, to last time snowfall had greeted Hogwarts. It was warmer. More heartening and soothing.

Bianca took in a deep breath, absorbing the wonders of the fresh breeze, and the Christmas atmosphere, whilst snowflakes burrowed in the creases of her dress.

She had always stayed at Hogwarts for Christmas. There may have been a year or two when she hadn't, but they were all a blur of boredom, when all she had was a turntable and record rotating for hours on repeat, endlessly spinning till she fell asleep.

But as for the years that she remained in school, they all felt different to this one. It was suddenly clear that something was missing from the previous years that she spent with her house friends in the Gryffindor common room. Something Bianca now understood, that she had found this year.

Bianca glimpsed down at the ground. She watched the grey gravel turn a brilliant white at a slow and tedious pace. She got a quick flash of her trainers beneath her dress. They had been almost hidden all night, and it was only now that Bianca realized that she was a witch and all that hassle could have been avoided had she just remembered the magic wand thrown onto her bedsheets.

And yet, Bianca thought the Converse were more personal. Granted, she now has blisters that had blown up like balloons, and most likely small patches where the blood had stained, but they would all be tiny chronicles from when she had truly enjoyed herself. The shoes were just that little bit more special than the heels could have been, had she not been so short-sighted.

Bianca hadn't thought about her attempt to kiss the boy since she first saw him, walk out from the light of the castle before their stroll. Then, poof - she hadn't thought about it again until now. Maybe that was because she told her mind that she didn't want to think about it and her mind had trained itself to do so. Or maybe she had simply been forgetful because she'd been so caught up in a drama-full night, topped with boys and shoes and dancing and dresses and the odd smoked shrimp that it didn't matter.

But oh how it did. It did matter. It mattered to Adrian. It mattered to Bianca, whether she chose to acknowledge that or not. But it certainly did. It certainly did matter, Bianca.

Maybe Adrian had forgotten too. Hopefully, Adrian had forgotten too. Bianca was too content with life at the moment to let stupid, teenage crushes ruin her mood.

Stars shone as sugar spilled over the black marble sky, as the festivity in the air, combed through her hair and suddenly, it didn't feel that cold after all.