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EIGHT
THE UNEXPECTED TASK
"POTTER! WEASLEY!WILL YOU pay attention?"
Professor McGonagall's irritated voice cracked like a whip during Transfiguration class on Thursday, and Harry and Ron both jumped and looked up as Valentina rolled her eyes at them once again.
It was the end of the lesson; they had finished their work. The bell was due to ring at any moment and while the rest of the class were awaiting for Professor McGonagall to speak, Harry and Ron were having a sword fight with Fred and George's fake wands.
"Now that Potter and Weasley have been kind enough to act their age," said Professor McGonagall, with an angry look at the pair of them, "I have something to say to you all.
"The Yule Ball is approaching — a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialise with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above — although you may invite a younger student if you wish —"
Valentina internally cringed as soon as Lavender Brown let out a shrill giggle. Parvati Patil nudged her hard in the ribs, her face working furiously as she too fought not to giggle. Professor McGonagall ignored them.
"Dress robes will be worn," Professor McGonagall continues, "and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then —"
Professor McGonagall stared deliberately around the class.
"The Yule Ball is, of course, a chance for us all to — er — let our hair down," she said, in a disapproving voice.
Lavender giggled harder than ever, with her hand pressed hard against her mouth to stifle the sound. Valentina took deep breaths to prevent her from strangling the teenager.
"But that does NOT mean," Professor McGonagall went on, "that we will be relaxing the standards of behaviour we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way."
The bell rang, and Valentina was the first out of that room. She hadn't even thought about that stupid ball, let alone a date.
As the weeks progressed the students of Hogwarts were brewing with excitement as the date drew nearer and nearer. Valentina noticed the strange shift in the air as all the students seemed to be coupling up. She felt out of place and could feel emotions she hadn't felt in a long time. Insecurity? Anxiety? No, she laughed off the thought. She was Valentina Lestrange. She didn't do nervous.
It wasn't as if no one had asked her, or at least attempted. Valentina was stunning and had many boys drooling over her, however, she was too intimidating. One boy looked as if he was on the verge of tears when he approached her, another too daft for her to even breathe the same air and some were just too cocky. Valentina was quick to turn all of them down. Merlin, if she didn't find a date she'd have to go alone. The only worse thing she could think of than going alone is going with Fred Weasley. She shivered at the thought.
