It was no secret that the bubbly, extroverted Hufflepuff, Holly Potter, had a crush on the Queen of Slytherin, Thea Riddle.
All the Hufflepuffs sent pitying glances towards the green-eyed girl making heart eyes towards the Slytherin table.
Thea was sat there elegantly among her sea of dedicated pureblood followers, entrancing them with her otherworldly beauty. (At least from Holly’s perspective)
What was not to love about Thea? Her black glossy hair ran down her back in a tight, high ponytail, and those stone cold eyes could melt any boys heart.
She was the picture of divinity, so proportional and enthralling.
Half of Hogwarts boy population were tripping over their feet for a chance to court the one and only Slytherin heir.
However, there was one girl that had Thea’s attention. Holly Potter, just a year below her with her dazzling green eyes and jet black curls. She was stunning above all else, and a total sweetheart too.
She was just what cold-hearted woman needed, a person that could break past her barriers and see her beyond her powerful influence.
The two of them met in the medical wing, Holly being an assistant to the medi-witch and Thea being sent there due to a potions accident from the hair-brained Dolohov boy that couldn’t make a potion for the life of him.
Holly wasn’t intimidated by the girl, simply treated her as she would treat any other injured.
In Thea’s mind, there was no other as Hufflepuff as this woman here. She shone with sincerity and the gentle tenderness of a caretaker.
Over time, Thea purposely kept taking trips back to the medical wing in hopes of seeing Holly again. She had never felt so drawn to one person as she was drawn to Holly.
Holly in turn started to become infatuated with the usually unfeeling Slytherin, despite her reputation.
Often they talked meaninglessly about life and their goals. Thea had learned that Holly intended to become an Auror, even though the girl spent so much time in the medical wing, and Holly learned about Thea’s goals to take over Wizarding Britain.
Even though these goals concerned the girl slightly, she was still supportive of her friend.
Now, looking back on her relationship with Thea, Holly realized that she thought of Thea as much more than a friend.
In muggle society it was frowned upon to look at a woman in such a way. In Wizarding society it was less frowned upon - but still thought of as odd.
Holly didn’t mind what others thought of her or her feelings, and with the upcoming Yule Ball she had the most perfect opportunity to express exactly how she felt for the other.
So she prepared for the day when she would ask the Slytherin to the Yule Ball. She went to Hogsmeade and purchased the finest pair of dress robes she could find, along with a bouquet and a dazzling ruby ring with protective runes inscribed in it.
She wanted to look her greatest for when she asked someone who was almost untouchable to all feelings to attend the Yule Ball with her.
So when the week came before the Yule Ball she mentally prepared herself for heart break, no matter how close she was to Thea.
For days she had seen others in the hall give their best attempts at asking Thea to go to the Yule Ball with them. Even the loony Lestrange boy had given his best attempt at her.
She would lie to say she wasn’t nervous when one of Thea’s closest friends had asked her to go with him, but was relieved when he was declined.
The day before Holly would ask she had been sending longing glances over the great hall towards the Slytherin table, sometimes catching Thea’s gaze full of mirth staring straight at her.
The day of asking Thea to the Yule Ball, Holly felt jittery and anxious, praying to the Gods that she would not get rejected. Tomorrow was the Ball and she couldn’t screw this up.
She approached the Slytherin table around lunch time, bouquet and boxed ring in hand, feeling the eyes surrounding her in disbelief as if they couldn’t believe she was actually doing this.
Her face flushed red from all the attention and she turned and glared defiantly at those close to her.
When she reached the table she noticed how Thea was smirking victoriously, as if she had won some grand prize, and all the hope she had before drained out of her.
Had this all been some scheme? Had Thea been faking her friendship this whole time just to get under her skin?
She shook those thoughts away and looked around the table. She wouldn’t stop now after she had come so far already.
All the Slytherins surrounding Thea were glaring at her as if she were dirt beneath their feet, their scathing looks didn’t bother her though, she didn’t care about any of them except for Thea.
She faced back towards Thea and gave a reassuring smile that was more for herself than anyone else.
”I- Hello, Thea- I mean Riddle,” She flushed at her mistake. All this pureblood etiquette would be the death of her.
”Hello Potter, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Thea said with that smooth voice that never failed to put butterflies in her stomach.
“I- it’s just, we’ve known each other for awhile and- and I uhm.” She looked towards the Hufflepuff table and got a supporting nod and thumbs up from her friend.
She took a deep breath before continuing, “What I’m trying to say is that I’ve had.. uhm, less than friendly feelings towards you for awhile now.”
Holly flushed and even brighter shade of red, What the bloody hell was that Holly?! Get a grip! Less than friendly feelings? You sound like a weirdo!
”I mean I love you!! I mean- fancy you- not love, certainly not that far yet. I uh- not the point! Do you want to go to the Yule Ball with me?” She shouted out and closed her eyes in embarrassment. A few snickers were heard from around the Slytherin table at her awkward display.
Just before things could get more embarrassing Holly felt a hand underneath her chin, forcing her to open her eyes.
Her eyes widened as she saw Thea standing and looking down at her with an expression she could swear was fond.
“I- uhhh..” Holly started but was cut off by Thea’s shushing, “Alright darling, that’s quite enough.” She said it with a slight smile.
“Of course I’ll go to the Yule Ball with you, why didn’t you ask earlier?” She titled her head, the hair not caught in her ponytail brushing along her delicate, pale face.
“Theaaaa,” she whined in embarrassment and shoved the bouquet of flowers and the ring into her hands.
The Slytherin studied her face for a moment before smiling and accepting the gifts, opening the ring box first.
“I think ruby looks quite dashing on you,” Holly explained, smiling bash fully at the floor.
“I think everything looks dashing on you, darling. Thank you for the gifts. I’ll be expecting you tomorrow night,” Thea smirked down at her with a slight pink flush to her pale features.
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” Holly gave Thea a large grin before parting ways with her.
On the night of the Yule Ball Holly waited on the staircase outside the great hall, fitted in her light blue dress robe with silver lace. Her wild Raven curls stretched down her back, as tame as she could get them to be for tonight.
She had been imagining just how gorgeous her date to the Yule Ball would be but she couldn’t believe her eyes when Thea walked in, stealing the spotlight which wasn’t unusual.
Her dress robes were silky black and ran like water all the way down her body, fitting her perfectly. Her hair was let down from her usual high ponytail, letting all her glossy curls fall around her face, framing her soft features.
She walked towards Holly, eyeing her figure and smiling before offering her arm towards the other.
They entered the great hall, Holly looking around in amazement at all the enchantments and magic, and Thea with a blank face.
They ended up by the food table and Thea was pouring the both of them drinks, which was probably spiked from the dumb Gryffindors.
“I just want to say.. Thea, you look gorgeous,” Holly started before blushing and waving her hands around, “Not that you don’t always look gorgeous! I mean you look like a Greek god, seriously your face was constructed by Aphrodite! I uhm.. yeah anyways.” She rubbed a hand on the back of her neck.
Thea let out a deep chuckle that sent shivers down her spine and handed Holly her drink, “My, you are quite skittish tonight.”
“You are quite enchanting too, with those bewitching green eyes of yours. What’s not to adore?” She smiled smugly at Holly’s red face.
“I- THANKS! Oh- I mean thanks,” Holly said awkwardly.
Thea took her drink and placed both of them on the table before extending a hand towards Holly.
“Dance with me, darling.” She said smoothly, giving her a charming smile full of teeth.
Holly gave her a smile back and took the offered hand with as much grace as a Hufflepuff could muster.
Thea pulled her out onto the dance floor where all the other young couples were dancing to the slow violin music.
They danced evenly together, Holly’s brutal flames being put out by Thea’s tranquil stream of water. Their magic sung together, as if it were meant to be intwined.
There were a few clumsy moments when Holly stepped on Thea’s feet but she didn’t mind and continued to smile down at the other girl.
When the song ended, Thea took Holly’s face in her hands and closed the gap between them. Their lips fit together perfectly in a gentle kiss.
When Thea pulled away all Holly thought about was how she wanted those soft lips on her all the time, but the night was still young, and there would be more chances to come.