Let's Make a Date

Let's Make a Date

I saw her the first day I arrived at Hogwarts. There she was, along with all the other students. She looked preoccupied, her hazel eyes far away.... She was too thin, with long brown hair. But it was her eyes that drew me to her face. Even distant they were the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen in my life. I felt that if she tried she could look right into my very soul.

I saw her after that from time to time. She was usually in the company of her two best friends, Potter and another boy, I forget his name. I hoped to god that they were not more than just friends. I was so jealous of them! I wanted her so badly...but I could not work up the nerve to talk to her.

I tried to see her as often as possible. She was often in the library, so I followed her there and watched her from afar. She was far from pretty, but she was beautiful. Pouring over those old manuscripts with her long bushy hair falling over her forehead, she was a picture of concentration as her intelligent eyes flew over the pages. I needed to talk to her, to tell her how I felt.

One day I even got close to it. I had persuaded myself that I would not back out. I was walking over to where she was sitting when she looked up, and smiled. My heart was singing with joy thinking that perhaps she was smiling at me, but alas! It was the red-haired boy. They started to talk animatedly and I tried to make myself invisible. The two of them looked in my direction, exchanged a few words and left.

Meanwhile I was being scolded for not concentrating on the tasks at hand. I was expected to have more self-control. But I could do nothing properly. I was falling for her, badly. Yet how could I tell her? I had never felt like this before in my life.

I noticed that the tall boy stared at her a lot, as if unsure of what he was thinking. I realized that he had feelings for her. I watched to see whether she might return those feelings. She did look at him a lot; perhaps they were only friends? Yes, of course, that was it. The boy liked her, but she did not return his feelings....

When I heard about the ball, I knew instantly whom I wanted to take. But how could I ask her? Surely there were others who had noticed her beauty. I thought I would have to compete with many other young men. When the first week passed by I cursed myself, sure that I had missed my chance. But nobody had asked her yet! Ah, how misguided are these boys that they cannot see her for who she is, a woman above all others! I rejoiced at my fate, and resolved that I would ask her that very day.

She was sitting at her favourite table in the library, with as many as four books open in front of her. I had dressed carefully, trying to develop some confidence. I told myself that I needed to do this. This could be the most important thing in my life. I walked up to her. She had not heard me. I had expected that; it was usual for her to be completely engrossed in whatever she happened to be doing. Part of me felt that I should not disturb her, and there would always be another chance...but no, I had to do it now. I cleared my throat. She looked up at me with those incredible eyes. I opened my mouth, and no words came out.

'Yes?'

I gathered up my courage. Now or never.

'Vill you go o the ball vith me?'

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