the offer
Hogwarts was filled to capacity in her fourth year.
Mon was lucky enough to be in a generation where the Triwizard’s Tournament would be held; which also means she got to see other Wizarding schools and their respective students. For example, right now, Jim had binoculars stuck over her eyes for the longest time while she, Mon and Yuki stood at an empty Astronomy Tower.
“Oh my god you have to see this!” Jim kept saying the same phrase for the hundredth time while spying over the Durmstrang’s students.
“C’mon let me see it!” Yuki impatiently attempts to grab the binoculars, but unsuccessfully.
“Guys, we truly hit a jackpot! They’re all putting on this thick , furry coat….and their bodies ?” Jim fanned herself on a chilly mid-November. “I think we better rush to the Great Hall now before these boys make their way.”
Jim passed the binoculars to Mon before she quickly scrambled down the stairs, leaving behind her and Yuki. The latter finally had her turn to spy through the binoculars and it was her turn to be in awe. Mon, on the other hand, felt a strange breeze coming from the sky and in just a minute she saw a dot at a distance growing larger and larger.
“Yuki, look!” Mon pointed at the sky.
Yuki yelped when she held the binoculars through the sky. And sure enough, gigantic powder blue horse drawn carriages soared past their tower and pulled through the air by a dozen winged horses.
“That must be the Beauxbatons Academy!” Mon gaped in excitement, as it was her first time seeing flying horses.
Like Jim, who’s most probably got the best seats already, they sped off to the Great Hall where all of the students sat in anticipation. The excitement buzz went to a hush as soon as the Durmstrangs boys entered, all huddled in blood red robes and woolly fur hats. Majority of the girls and a handful of boys dreamily stared at them as they walked past.
Mon who sat facing the Entrance Hall opposite to the Ravenclaw table saw Sam’s indifferent look, an oddity among the girls beside her whispering and giggling behind their hands.
Next, came in the Beauxbatons girl cladded in pale blue robes made of fine silk. A gentle breeze and tiny white butterflies trailed after the girls; who all had tender-looking smiles while the senior of the group, Mon assumed, walked in just before their own Headmistress. She was tall and physically attractive; even the Ghosts had their heads turned.
Mon admitted the girl had a certain allure like a siren but what Mon didn’t know was that the girl would soon troubled her with matters of the heart.
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The first week of the students' arrival was such a frenzy. Durmstrang and Beaubaxton students also had to join some of their classes so it was a very interesting mixture. Much to the distaste of Sam, or so it seems.
For their fourth year, Mon now happened to share Charms class together with the Ravenclaw. Mon would say Charms was her best subject yet. When she had first gotten her textbooks, The Standard Book of Spells was the first one she had read, practised and memorised by heart.
Usually, Professor Finnigan would partner her up with students who needed much assistance or Mon would simply volunteer to guide them. But now some of the Beaubaxton’s girls had joined the class and she noticed these girls are more skilled than expected.
“Do you know how the lips are turned upside down when you’re unhappy?” Mon overheard one of the Beaubaxton’s girl asking Sam, who was her partner.
Sam merely grunted before the girl continued, “...Well, that’s the easiest hand movement for you to picture before you wave your wand. Try it.”
Mon watched at the corner of her eyes as Sam flicked her wand, not exactly the lips-turned-upside-down motion like her own expression.
“Sam, do you need any help?” Mon made her presence known, since her paired up partner had nailed the Summoning Charm.
Sam didn’t answer but only gave her a deadpanned look, which Mon assumed the girl might be internally screaming and also might need some help at the same time.
“Hello, I’m Nampetch! You can just call me Petch” The Beauxbaton girl held out a hand to shake, eyes sparkled bright with a wide smile.
“I’m Mon.” Mon took the offered hand and shook it.
“Nice to meet you, Mon.” Petch then proceeded to hold Sam’s wrist, repeating the hand movement again and again while the latter’s eye widened slightly, “Ok, let’s try again. Remember, sad face, unhappy face….and imagine the thing that you want to summon.”
“ Accio Textbook! ” Sam chanted.
And suddenly a surge of textbook all at once propelled forward from the table and anyone’s grip to land in front of Sam’s feet. Due to that, Professor Finnigan had to remind the class once again to be more specific with what they summoned.
“You did a great job, Sam!” Petch complimented, patting Sam’s head who was momentarily stunned by the touch. The girl then continued to float around and assist someone else, taking over Mon’s normal duty.
“What are you standing there for? Can’t you see the books on the floor?” Sam groggily asked, crouching down to pile up their textbooks.
“Very nice way to ask for help…” Mon huffed, but still helped said girl.
Once they’ve arranged the textbooks back in the tattered looking cupboard, Sam looked at her pointedly. “Well…where’s your Summoning Charm?”
“I’ve successfully done it way earlier than you did if you haven’t noticed.” Mon gloated slightly.
“Show it then.” Sam challenged.
“What do you want me to summon?” Mon questioned, not backing down.
They scanned their very busy Charms classroom to find anything interesting to use the newly learned spell and their eyes simultaneously landed on a flask standing nicely on Finnigan’s levitating high table. They looked at each other, Mon understanding at once when Sam arched her eyebrow, as if asking if she’s brave enough to summon that.
“You sure you want me to take that? I’m not trying to brag but I am the best in Charms for your information. That’ll be easy.” Mon indicated.
“Well, summon it while he’s drinking from it then.” A thin smile spreaded on Sam’s usual stoic face.
“You know I will get some points deducted for that.”
“Aren’t you a Gryffindor?” Sam taunted.
Mon sighed, arms folded while she turned to the girl, “What will I get out of this? What do you have to offer?”
Sam gazed at her for a few seconds before answering, “I’ll think of it once you do it.”
“It better be a good deal, Sam.”
And due to that, both Mon and Sam had been deducted 5 points each; Mon for summoning the flask and toppling the drink all over Finnigan’s robes and Sam for encouraging the behaviour.
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After the first round of Triwizard’s Tournament ended, there was a surge of gossip and murmurs of an event called The Yule Ball - which Mon concluded that said occasion exists after there was a requirement for them to bring dress robes this year.
“The Yule Ball is a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialise with our foreign guests….” Professor Longbottom informed the fourth years in his Herbology class, earning cheers and cat-calling when he mentioned ‘ socialise ’.
“Can we invite anyone, Professor?” a Hufflepuff boy raised his hand.
“Well the ball is only open to fourth years and above,” Professor Longbottom continued, “but well, you may invite a younger student if you wish – first and second years are off-limits! ”
Everyone was filled with a dose of serotonin once they exited out of the greenhouse heading back to the main entrance of the castle.
Yuki snagged Mon’s arm, “Have any plans to ask anyone out to the ball?
“Uhm….” Mon remained unsure although she had someone in mind but she was a bit shy to spill.
“I know that Durmstrang boy has his eyes on you, Mon.” Yuki gave her a wiggly eyebrow, “What’s his name again?”
“Nop?”
“Yeah, Nop!”
Nop was one of the Durmstrang boys who happened to share Potions class with her and the Ravenclaw students. He wasn’t the very best in Potions but he was always so willing to help (Sam called him a free-loader). Sam isn’t that friendly with anyone but she is exceptionally harsh with him.
“It seems that we need hairy caterpillars to brew a shrinking solution for our next class,” Mon skimmed through the ingredients.
“I can get it for you,” Nop volunteered, a smile plastered on his face.
“You can just pluck it from your eyebrow.” Sam slammed her book shut.
“Huh?”
“ Sam… ” Mon shook her head disapprovingly, knowing the girl was referring to Nop’s rather bushy eyebrows. But she won’t say that to him. “I guess you can help with that. I’m afraid my own source of caterpillars are sparse. I haven’t bought that much in the Apothecary.”
“Don’t worry, we’ve all prepared a lot of materials and ingredients before we sailed here.” Nop assured, “I’m sure a caterpillar or two will be around.”
“We need five of them.” Sam corrected.
“Okay, five then.” Nop cheerfully answered, either he was just positive in general or he was good at pretending to ignore the often death stare given to him from Sam.
“By the way, Mon'' Nop scratched his head, eyes averting her. Mon noticed amongst the rough and beefy looking students from Durmstrang, Nop was a noticeable change as he has a softer complexion - though his eyebrows were thick like the rest of the boys.
“I was wondering if you’re free later this evening…”
“Free?”
“Yeah, maybe we could meet up outside near the Entrance Hall later.” There was a hopeful glint in his eyes, “I want to ask you something.”
“Mon’s not free.” Sam answered, her arms folded.
“Oh, you’re not?” Nop turned to her to confirm.
“She has to be at the library with me.” Sam again answered on her behalf. A whole made-up schedule that Mon didn’t even know.
“Well, I guess…I’ll see you around dinner then.” Nop momentarily eyed Sam for a second, the latter not batting a single eye, before he left the class.
“I have to be at the library with you?” Mon questioned.
“Yes, there is something that I want to offer,” Sam merely said, walking ahead without turning to look at her. “Be there around 5pm will you?”
And the girl quickly left, not allowing Mon to say a single word; typical Sam.
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It’s almost Christmas and in the middle of winter, but here was Mon, palms sweaty and her steps faltering as she headed to the library.
Yuki was squealing in her ear the entire time during lunch today after Tee asked her to the ball; and the girl had all sorts of imaginations conjured up already while Mon remained - partnerless .
But she hoped that would change once she plucked up the courage to ask her. Yes, none other than Sam Anuntrakul . Don’t ask her why, but despite the death stare she had received from the girl the moment they had interacted, there were soft moments in between, something that only Mon had the chance to see. She hoped she could have the privilege to see it more; and the first step to do so was to ask Sam to the ball with her.
The people in the library were few and far between this hour; normally students who were about to sit for OWLS or NEWTS or just students like Sam, preferring a peace of mind in a secluded corner reading or finishing her homework would be here.
But as Mon made out Sam’s usual spot, she noticed the girl wasn’t there although her sling bag was on sight and so were some of her books. So Mon wandered the nearby aisles and soon saw Sam, her back leaning on the shelves, while another girl in a blue jumper stood very close and rather intimately , she might add.
Mon made herself known and it turns out it was the Beauxbatons Triwizard Champion, Nita. A hand placed on Sam’s shoulder while her head tilted close to the brunette.
“Mon,” Sam moved the hand resting on her shoulder, before walking to her, leaving Nita who curiously gazed at her.
“I thought you wanted to see me.” Mon’s inside squirmed, feeling rather green.
“Yes, I do.” Sam was about to take hold of her sleeve and leave but Nita interfered.
“I’m afraid we haven’t spoken before,” Nita glided towards her. A playful smile etched on her face, “I’m Nita.”
“Mon…”
Of course Mon knew who the girl was. Nita was the fastest champion to catch the cockatrice for the first Triwizard task. She’s tall, alluringly-beautiful, smart and had a huge number of boys and girls attention just by her mere presence.
“Are you Sam’s friend?” Nita asked.
“Y-Yes…”
“Cute,” Nita uttered, before her eyes raked over Sam’s, “The offer still stands, Sam. Oh, and don’t forget about the wormwood.”
Nita winked before she left the two of them alone. Sam sighed, looking mildly annoyed or that was just her default face. But Mon had more pressing questions.
“Are you betraying Hogwarts and siding with the enemy?”
“ What? ”
“What offer was she referring to?” A small frown growing on Mon’s face, “And wormwood? Are you supplying stuff to them?”
“It’s just an exchange.” Sam rolled her eyes and walked back to her table.
Mon trailed behind, “Why would you exchange with them?”
“Because they have the materials that I need.” Sam pulled out her chair and sat.
“What can you possibly need from them? Aren’t you always stocked up?”
“Do you always ask so many questions?” Sam asked in annoyance. And when Mon still looked suspicious, the brunette answered, “ Shrivelfig . I’m exchanging Shrivelfig with her while I give some of my wormwood supplies. It's for our Shrinking solution potion.”
“You didn’t get that in the Apothecary?” Mon took out her own chair and sat.
“I did but I want the best fruit.” Sam explained, “Beaubaxton has the finest garden. Would be a shame to not take advantage and use some of theirs when the opportunity presents.”
Mon remained quiet before she piped in, “What about the other offer?”
Sam merely shrugged, “Are you done interrogating me?”
It was Mon’s turn to shrug and her insides fluttered once more when she realised her initial main goal when she walked into the library. Now, Sam had turned her body, fully facing her with an indescribable look on her face.
With the way Sam was looking at her, Mon suddenly felt like a whole stampede was in her stomach. If she doesn’t vomit the question out now, she might actually vomit for real.
“Sam.”
“Mon.”
The both of them said at the same time but Mon quickly asserted, “Sam let me speak first.”
The brunette didn’t say anything and just nodded her head, allowing her to do so.
“I…I was wondering…” Mon took a couple of breaths, “I was wondering if you want to go to the Yule Ball with me?”
Sam remained silent for a few beats until she irritably groaned, turned her body facing the table and laid her chin on the stack of books. “I was supposed to ask you that.”
“Huh?”
“That was supposed to be my offer.”
Mon was finally able to exhale, though her cheeks felt red at Sam’s response. “You wanted to ask me to the Yule Ball too?”
“Yes, and you ruined it,” Sam turned her head facing her once again, “But that just means I can still offer something else.”
“Like what?”
“So many questions…” Sam clicked her tongue, “I’ll think of another one very soon.”
“Okay….” Mon timidly spoke, but then realised that Sam didn’t even utter an agreement. “Sam…you didn’t say if you wanted to go with me?”
“Which part of ‘I also wanted to ask you to the Yule Ball too’ means I didn’t want to go with you.” Sam propelled backward to sit on her chair properly, visibly irritated. But after seeing Mon’s noticeable pout, Sam quickly agreed, “ Yes, yes I’ll go to the ball with you.”
Mon only grinned at the answer, her cheeks felt hot while Sam glanced at her from time to time, unable to hide a smile growing from her own face as well.
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Everyone looked very self-conscious that night. Mon’s dormitory looked like a hell of a mess with Christmas gifts wrappers stashed on the floor, Witch Weeky magazines lay upturned at the corner of the bed while the girls took turns staring at the mirror; adjusting here and there.
Mon had her hair in long loose waves that weaved in the middle held by shing pearls as a clip. She had bought a dusty maroon dress that she spotted while shopping at Madam Malkin’s store in Diagon Alley. It wasn’t specifically tailored for her like some of her friends had, but when she put it on, Mon thought it fitted nicely and complemented her skin very well.
“Mon, does my butt stands out?” Jim was asking while she checked herself out in front of the huge long mirror.
“It looks fine.”
“Fine? I’m supposed to look like a bombshell!”
“We can’t wear provocative dress robes,” chimed Yha, another fellow fourth year.
“This is the least provocative look I’ve ever put on. Trust me.” Jim sprayed almost a whole bottle on her hair before she turned to Mon, “Now you…Sam will faint on the spot once she sees you!”
Mon clicked her tongue, hiding her shyness before she ushered all of them to quickly head out. There was no Christmas tea today, as the ball included a feast, and once they set foot out into the Gryffindor common rooms, it was full of people wearing different colours instead of the usual mass of black.
“Oh my God, that’s Tor” Jim excitedly waved at her date, a fellow sixth year student, waiting at the foot of the stairs near The Fat Lady Portrait.
Mon scanned at the boys and girls who were waiting, seeing if she could see a familiar face but to no avail. Sam didn’t say that she would come and pick her up, nor had Mon spoken anything about it as well. So she trailed behind Jim who was clutching Tor giddily and walked to the venue.
The Entrance Hall was packed with students, all milling around waiting for eight o’clock when the doors to the Great Hall would be open. Those people who were meeting partners from different houses were edging through the crowd, finding each other and Mon was once again one of them. Spotting Sam was normally an easy task for her but she wasn’t able to do so, and she was starting to wonder if Sam suddenly made a decision to not attend and her heart sank a little.
Mon rubbed her arms up and down as she was starting to feel the cold chill seeping into her bones; her neck craning left and right to find a familiar face when the oak doors opened. A surge of Durmstrang boys entered with their Headmaster, Viktor Krum. Nop immediately saw her and came to her side.
“You look beautiful, Mon.” Nop complimented, he was wearing formal blood-robes with an eagle emblem pinned in the middle, the sign of Durmstrang.
“Thanks,” she said, “Is your partner going to meet you in the Entrance Hall here too?”
Nop shrugged, “I think so. I haven’t seen a wink of Beaubaxton girls yet.”
Mon only realised the notion as she spotted the mix of crowd only consisted of Hogwarts and Durmstrang’s. After a few minutes, the oak door opened once more and glide in the bewitching Beaubaxton girls and they went to search for their partners.
“ Champions! Over here please!” Professor Granger called out.
Mon saw Saint, Hogwarts Triwizard Champion with his partner, Perth,the Hufflepuff Quidditch Captain and just behind them was Nita and to Mon’s surprise, Sam . Nita was clutching the girl’s hand, and judging by the way she was talking, Nita was in the middle of an explanation. But Mon only saw a mixture of green and red.
“...just for a little while, please ?” Mon heard the plea as she approached the two.
“Sam…” Mon looked warily at the girl, who looked absolutely stunning in her black velvet dress robes but she was too vexed to appreciate it at the moment.
Sam turned to her, dilemma in her eyes although Mon noticed her eyes flitting up and down checking her attire. “Mon…”
“Mon, can I ask you a favour?” Nita stood tall, her hands now switched to hold Mon’s own, “My partner fell ill after eating one of those pranked Canary Creams for Christmas lunch earlier. So I want to borrow Sam just for a bit for the Champions dance and I’ll give her back to you after that.”
Sam didn’t say a word but Mon can read her expression that she was very much not on board with this but Professor Granger almost had steams blowing out of her ear trying to organise the Champions as well as the students to enter the Great Hall.
“It’ll be quick,” Nita pleaded once more.
Sam caught Mon’s fingers, obviously looking like she wanted to say something but she just let her thumb caressed Mon’s hand, as if reassuring her. So Mon nodded in agreement and Nita soon, looking satisfied than usual dragged Sam away as they queued in line.
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The walls of the Hall had all been covered in sparkling silver frost, with fairy lights, mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The house tables had all vanished; replaced with hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people. It all looked festive and Mon should as well, but when her Yule Ball partner got snatched right under her nose, festive was far from her mind.
Miserably, she sat partnerless waiting and watching as the Champions first led the dance in the middle. For a person who appeared very much reluctant earlier, Sam was doing very great in steering her ‘partner’ Nita in the formal dance. Sam appeared serious while Nita smiled sweetly, arms clasped with Sam.
That should be me , Mon said in her head, she stood up and set over to tables filled with glasses of sparkling drink and took one quick swig. Once the champion was done with the dance, everyone else stomped to the middle with their own partners to fill the space. She thought Sam would trudge by to her but the champions were then ushered to the top table to feast with the headmasters and a representative from the Ministry of Magic.
Everything must be a joke for her today, Mon thought, looking at her plate of pork chops as she sat with other students who were too hungry to dance at the moment. She doesn’t have a single appetite. Glancing at the top-table time to time, and seeing Sam making small talk with other champions.
“Since when has she been into socialising that much,” Mon muttered under her breath. Her train of thoughts got interrupted when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
There was a hand held out to her and there stood Nop, a genuine smile plastered on his face. “I noticed you haven’t set foot on the dance floor. Do you mind if I ask you to dance?”
Feeling a bit unsure, Mon asked, “But where’s your partner? Would she mind if we dance?”
“Oh, it’s fine. She’s having fun with someone else too,” Nop heeded to the direction of Petch, dancing with a fifth year Slytherin prefect. “C’mon, Mon. Just one dance please.”
Mon looked back and forth between Nop and Sam at the table. Hmm, just one dance won’t hurt , Mon thought, before she took his hand.
The Weird Sisters struck up a slow tune; and Mon, like half of the students, doesn't have that much experience in dancing but she managed to not embarrass herself. Nop placed his hand on her waist and the other holding her hand. Mon kept her eyes fixed over the heads of the watching people, quite oblivious of the gaze falling on her from her dance partner and another, from the green-eyed monster at the top table.
She spotted Yuki and Tee who were also still dancing nearby, looking very much infatuated. Kirk on the other hand was dancing with a third year girl, the latter wincing frequently as he accidentally trod on her feet a fair few times.
Mon heard the final note from the bagpipe and the Weird Sisters stopped playing, applause filled Hall once more and they proceeded to strike a new, faster song.
“Shall we have another dance?” Nop suggested.
But then a clear voice spoke behind them, “I think that’s enough.” They spun behind to see Sam, arms folded, eyes sharp and cold.
“Oh, Sam…I thought you were with Nita still.” Nop spoke.
“Not anymore. I would like to take my partner back.” Sam stepped forward and grabbed her arm before pulling her outside the Entrance Hall, to the area of lawn right in front of the castle.
“ Sam …” Mon called out, loosening her hand from Sam’s grip.
They now stood in front of something like a grotto full of fairy lights - which might be actual, hundreds of living fairies in the rose bushes, statues of reindeers and all over the place.
“ You asked me to the ball and you dance with him instead ?” Sam scathingly asked.
“ You were the one who danced with Nita first.” Mon retorted.
“It’s just a last minute arrangement, I didn’t have a choice.”
“You can always say No.”
“And not get my Shrivelfig?” Sam huffed, looking away, “She hasn’t given it to me yet.”
“She’s blackmailing you.” Mon frowned.
“I don’t think that’s how blackmailing works..”
“She fancies you.” Mon blurted.
“Well, I don’t .”
“Really? Because you looked very much into it when you were dancing and eating at the table just now.” Mon doesn't know why her tumultuous emotions are getting the best of her.
“That’s formality, silly.”
“Oh, I’m silly am I?”
“Yes, you’re being unreasonable.”
“ You are being unreasonable.”
“Mon,” Sam grabbed her shoulder, pulling her into an embrace. They stood still for a moment, quite unsure of the position while their breaths bated in the cold night air. “Can we….can we just dance here?”
After a short moment of silence, Mon mumbled a small, “Okay”.
The tune from the Great Hall can still be heard from the place they stood rooted. They slightly detached themselves apart; Sam gently placing her hands on Mon’s waist while she encircled hers on Sam’s neck. They moved, awkwardly at first but soon found a slow, suitable rhythm.
It was Mon’s first time being this close with Sam; eyes never leaving the girl whom she noticed very clearly; long-eyelashes, big dark brown eyes and lips….very distracting looking lips.
“Remember my offer?” Sam broke their trance, their bodies still waddling about the vicinity.
“Yeah?”
Sam licked her lips, “I want to offer you a kiss.”
Mon blinked, unsure if she just heard Sam correctly. At her silence, Sam spoke again, “Do you accept my offer?”
Mon visibly gulped, licking her own lips as well. Her eyes looked up and down between Sam’s bewitching eyes and lips. She only managed a nod and noticed a small smile tugged at the corner of Sam’s mouth before she softly leaned down and captured her lips.
And somewhere not far behind one of those bushy rose bushes, Jim and her partner took a short break from making out and was about to go back to the Great Hall when she saw the scene unfolding ahead.
“Finally these two!” Jim clutched her hands to her chest, feeling like a proud mom.