Chapter 24

♗♗♗

"I still can't believe you rejected Krum like that." Y/N snickered playfully, earning a swat on the shoulder from the bushy-haired girl, accompanied with a glare as they ascended the staircase towards the Fat Lady Portrait, "If I hadn't have rejected him, you'd be opening the ball alone."

"Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night." Y/N scoffed, rubbing the spot on her shoulder as Hermione rolled her eyes playfully before muttering the password, allowing the Fat Lady portrait to swing open as they entered the Gryffindor Common room.

Noticing that Lizzy, Caleb, Aidan and Harry were already seated in front of the fireplace, they decided to join in, Y/N and Hermione took the empty seats beside the raven-haired boy who was zoned out.

Staring at the boy quizzically, she motioned her hand in front of the boy and snapped them causing him to jump and snap out of his thoughts as he turned to be met with the frowned expression from Y/N.

"What's up with you?" she questioned curiously, Harry seemed to still be slightly dazed as he stayed silent for a few seconds before shaking his head, "Nothing." he murmured lowly to which Y/N skeptically nodded at.

"Made any progress with the egg?" Lizzy questioned suddenly, everyone's attention was now laid on her as Y/N's lips pursed together, "No..not much." she responded with a slight shake of her head.

Just then, frantic breathing was heard from the entrance, catching everyone's attention as they wheeled their heads around to be met with a disheveled Ron, staggering his feet across the room and collapsed onto a chair as Ginny trailed beside him.

The group exchanged puzzled glances at the shell-shocked state of the red-headed boy before Caleb decided to speak up, "What happened to you?"

Though, Ron hadn't respond, he was too petrified that words couldn't form beneath his breath. Instead, Ginny who was fighting hard to suppress her smile helped him respond, "He's just asked Fleur Delacour."

A snicker escaped Y/N's lips, though she was quickly shutted up by a swat on the side from the bushy-haired girl accompanied with a scolding glare. Lizzy on the other hand seemed like she was not having it at all, "What!"

"What'd she say?" Aidan questioned amusingly, earning a scoff from the bushy-haired girl, "No, of course." she retorted, though a sudden doubt flashed through her as she eyed the red-headed boy, "She did say no....?"

Ron still couldn't form a single word as he only shook his head in response causing the Ravenclaw's eyes to widened, not realising the playful grin that formed on her lips, "She said yes!???!!!"

Instantly, her face scrunched up in pain as she felt a pinch being sent to her thigh, "Ow!" she yelped as she spinned her head to her side, being met with a stern glare from Hermione, her eyes narrowing immensely as the Ravenclaw shot her hands up defensively and nodded, "Okay, okay..don't need to be so violent, Granger."

"I don't know what got into me." Ron fretted, "There she was...walking by..." he spluttered out dreamily before turning towards Harry, "You know how I like it when they walk.."

The Ravenclaw couldn't help but let out a snort but quickly buried her mouth in her palms, trying very hard to fight back a laugh that was about to explode.

"And I couldn't help it...it just sort of....slipped out." Ron continued, the embarrassment beginning to fill his veins as Ginny watched amusingly, "Actually, he sort of screamed at her. It was a bit frightening."

"So what'd you do then?" Harry questioned curiously, earning an offended glare from Ron, "What else? I ran for it. I'm not cut out for this, Harry."

"Well don't go asking Eloise Midgen. She's taken." Hermione retaliated, earning a glare from the red-head boy, "It's not like you have someone to go with." Ron countered back, though his expression faltered into puzzlement as he noticed the sheepish grin on Hermione's face and the snickering coming from Y/N.

"Hate to break it to you, Ronnie but she does." Y/N retaliated proudly with a smirk as she motioned her hand down to Hermione's and intertwined it, lifting up so everybody could see, "And that's me."

Wide smirks and grins were now spread upon the group's faces as Hermione quickly ducked her head down attempting to hide her reddened cheeks, though the Ravenclaw had noticed her girlfriends flustered state as she let out a snicker before wrapping her arm around her waist, giving it a reassuring squeeze before turning back to the group.

"Finally the both of you made up." Lizzy scoffed, earning a hum from Caleb as he nodded his head in agreement, "Seriously, merlin, it was painful to watch the both of you lovingly hate each other."

Y/N squinted her eyes as she sent both of them bored looks, it was until she heard a snicker from Harry was when she broke her gaze away, shooting the raven-haired boy a scolding glare to which he playfully shrugged at, "It's true, I even placed a bet with fred on George."

"Harry! You did what!" Hermione snapped, startling the raven-haired boy, his eyes widening as he recalled what he had just spluttered out, nervously forcing out an innocent grin, "Uh..I placed a bet...? On you and Y/N...if she would bring you to the ball.."

The Ravenclaw laughed at the raven-haired boy's statement, though Hermione didn't seem to find it funny at all as her lips were pursed together tightly, "Honestly, Har, you placed a bet on me and Hermione when you can't find yourself a partner?" Y/N countered smugly, earning a glare from the raven-haired boy.

"Actually I think I can help with that." Ron chimed in as he turned towards his sister standing beside him, "Say Ginny, you don't have a partner do you? Why don't you go with Harry?"

Y/N noticed how her cheeks were now flushed with a bright pink, though Ginny reluctantly shook her head, "I can't I promised Dean, I'd go with him." she grumbled out, the Ravenclaw could make out the hint of irritation inside her voice.

"I'll be going to bed now." Ginny told quickly before she stormed off to the staircase leading towards the girl's dormitories, a sigh escaped Ron's lips as he turned back to the group, his shoulders slumping forward as his elbows were propped ontop of his knees, "We're done for, we're going to go the ball alone like bloody weirdos now."

Just then, giggles were heard entering the Gryffindor common room, once again catching the group's attention as they all shifted their gazes towards the two Gryffindor girls that had just entered, Lavender and Parvarti.

Harry's face lit up as he abruptly leaped onto his two feet from the sofa, "Wait here." he instructed as he walked over to the two gryffindor girls that were hand in hand with each other.

The group sat there and watched the raven-haired boy intently, it was until Pavarti sent him a smile before he motioned back to the group of friends, letting out a deep sigh of relief before he slumped back down to the sofa.

"What was all that about." Caleb asked as everybody stared curiously at the raven-haired boy, "I just asked Lavender and Parvarti if they could come to the ball with me and Ron, Lavender said Seamus had already asked her, though Parvarti said she'd come with me. Her sister Padma will be with you Ron."

Ron hesitantly nodded as a sigh escaped his lips before he slumped back onto the sofa, "At least, we won't be bloody lonely weirdos anymore." he muttered lowly, earning snickers from Y/N, Caleb and Aidan.

The Ravenclaw let out a yawn before she stood up to her two feet, checking the time on her phone as she rubbed her eyes, "Right then, It's getting late, I'll see all of you tomorrow then." she told as Lizzy, Caleb and Aidan took it as their cue to leave too.

They waved the others goodbye as the Ravenclaw bent over and gave a short peck on the bushy-haired girl's cheek, "Sweet dreams, Angel."

Just as she was about to leave she felt a tug on her wrist causing her to turn back towards the bushy-haired girl who held faked a pout look on her face, "Can't you stay a little longer." she pleaded to which Y/N rolled her eyes and scoffed at.

"We've got class tomorrow, besides I'll be all yours after tomorrow, considering it's the weekend." she stated, though that didn't seem to satisfy the bushy-haired girl as she kept her upset expression towards the Ravenclaw.

Y/N shot her a bored glare in return as she clicked her tongue, "I promise, you can cling onto me all you want after tomorrow, how does that sound?" she responded knowingly, earning an irritated huff from the bushy-haired girl before she hesitantly released her grip around the Ravenclaw's grip, "Fine."

A smile curled up the Ravenclaw's lips as she softly cupped the bushy-haired girl's cheeks, "That's my Angel." she beamed as she placed a short kiss onto her girlfriends soft lips before she trailed behind the others, waving one last goodbye to the golden trio as she exited the common room with Lizzy,Caleb and Aidan.

"Honestly." Caleb voiced out as he held a smug smirk towards the Ravenclaw, "Get a room."

Instantly, a swat was sent towards his shoulder from the Ravenclaw accompanied with a glare, "Shut up, McLaughlin." she scoffed as the others began snickering.

"I agree, you two are sickeningly adorable." Lizzy chimed in, earning a hum from Aidan, "It was torturing when you two broke up, literal torture."

The RAvenclaw shot her friends an unamused glare before rolling her eyes, "I hate all of you." she huffed in annoyance, earning a playful hum from the three of them accompanied by nods as Caleb swung his arm over her shoulders, "And we love you too, Y/L/N."

♗♗♗

"Come on, Y/N it's just for reference." Caleb pleaded with a pouted face to which Lizzy scoffed at, "Last time I remember I found another copy of my essay in your bag, coincidence?" she retaliated knowingly, earning an irritated huff from the dark-skinned boy as he slumped down onto the empty seat next to Aidan.

"It was only that one time." Caleb grumbled in annoyance, though the snicker coming from Y/N caused him to quirk an eyebrow up to the Ravenclaw, "What are you laughing at."

"Caleb, you borrowed my homework the week before you borrowed Lizzy's." Y/N stated knowingly, earning a hum from Aidan, "And you borrowed mine the week before you borrowed Y/N's"

"Just one last time, I promise!" Caleb pleaded, though Lizzy only shook her head disapprovingly in response, "No, Caleb, you need to start learning how to do your own homework." she countered, earning another irritated huff from the boy.

"Fine." he groaned irritatedly, "But if it was Ron who asked you wouldn't even think twice to say yes." he grumbled lowly, though he quickly shut himself up as he felt a slap being placed onto his shoulder from the blonde-haired girl, "Fine! Fine!" he shrieked as the others snickered at the two's interaction.

Just then, Y/N felt a vibration in her pockets causing her to avert her attention as she took out her phone, noticing a message from her girlfriend to which she beamed at.

📱Hermione Granger📱

Hermione GrangerHi love, could you meet me outside your common room? The others could come along too if they'd like.

Y/N Y/L/NSure...what for?

Hermione GrangerJust meet me, I'll explain.

Y/N skeptically closed off her phone, placing it back to her pocket before she stood up, earning the group's attention as they all sent her slightly curious looks, "Mione wants to meet me outside, she said you guys could come too if you'd like, sounded urgent."

The group exchanged curious glances before Aidan was the first to nod, "Sure, count us in, where is she?" he questioned as the Ravenclaw pointed to the wooden door of the common room, "Just behind that door."

The group nodded as they all stood up, trailing behind the Ravenclaw as she made her way to the wooden door, swinging it open to be met with the Golden Trio already standing there waiting.

Before the Ravenclaw had time to mutter a word, the bushy-haired girl had intertwined their hands and tugged her down the stairs, "Finally you're here, let's go." she said quickly as she dragged the Ravenclaw down the Ravenclaw tower.

"Uh, where exactly are we going?" Y/N faltered as she glanced over to Harry and Ron who to her surprise seemed to be as clueless as they all are. "You'll see, you'll see in a minute!" Hermione spluttered out excitedly as they were all now dragged along the corridor.

None of them had ever been here before as Hermione dragged them down a flight of stone steps, they found themselves inside a broad, stone corridor , brightly lit with torches and decorated with cheerful paintings that were mainly food.

Y/N still had no idea where they were heading, though Harry seemed to have a sudden hit of realization flash through his eyes, "Hang on..I know what this is about."

Everybody's attention was on him as they were halfway through the corridor, Harry nudged Ron and pointed towards a painting that showed a gigantic silver-fruit bowl. Instantly, Ron's face lit up as well, "Hermione! You're trying to get us in that spew stuff again!"

Y/N fell into a pit of confusion as she stared at the trio dazedly, though she was glad that she wasn't the only one as Lizzy, Caleb and Aidan shared the exact same clueless look she had.

"No,No! I'm not!" Hermione retaliated, earning a look of puzzlement from the Ravenclaw, "Um, what exactly is..spew?" she questioned curiously, though she had no idea why she earned a stern glare from Hermione.

"It's not spew, It's S.P.E.W." she grumbled, though that didn't help the Ravenclaw understand anything as her eyebrows were furrowed deeply together, "And what exactly is S.P.E.W?"

"It stands for the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare." Hermione stated knowingly, earning a scoff from Ron, "Ever since she met Winky back at the Quidditch World Cup she's been rambling on and on about justice for house-elves. Then, she came up with this whole spew-"

"S.P.E.W"

"Yeah, whatever and dragged me and Harry into it. I'm surprised honestly that she hasn't told you about it." Ron stated grumpily, earning an interesting hum from the Ravenclaw, "Hm, I wonder the same thing."

She shifted her gaze curiously towards the bushy-haired girl beside her, "Why have I never heard about this?" she questioned curiously, earning a shrug from her girlfriend in response, "Never had the right time to talk about it." she stated nonchalantly.

Suddenly, a grumble was heard from behind, the two girls glancing over their shoulder to the sound, noticing the dark-skinned boy clutching onto his stomach before sending everybody an innocent grin, "What? The pictures on the walls are making me hungry."

The bushy-haired girl rolled her eyes disapprovingly before she came to halt in front fo a picture of a giant fruit bowl, she stretched out a forefinger and tickled the huge green pear.

It began to squirm, chuckling, and suddenly turned into a large green door handle. Hermione seized it, pulled the door open and pushed Y/N and Harry hard in the back, practically forcing them inside.

They had a brief glimpse of an enormous, high-ceilinged room, large as the Great Hall above it, with mounds of glittering brass pots and pans heaped around the stone walls, and a great brick fireplace at the other end, when something small hurtled towards them from the middle of the room, squealing, "Harry Potter, sir! Y/N Y/L/N, miss!"

The next second, Y/N watched amusingly as all the wind had been knocked out of the raven-haired boy, the quealing elf had hit him hard in the midriff, hugging him so tightly the Ravenclaw thought his ribs might break.

Though she was surprised as she realised who the elf was, "Dobby?" she gasped, "It is Dobby, miss, it is!" squealed the excited elf, "Dobby has been hoping and hoping to see Harry Potter, sir and Y/N Y/L/N, miss, and they has come to see him!"

Y/N snickered under her breath as she watched Dobby finally let go of the raven-haired boy, leaving him slightly breathless at the tight grip the house-elf had.

Dobby however, looked the exact same as Y/N last saw him, though one thing different was the clothes he was wearing, instead of an old filthy pillowcase, he was wearing the strangest assortment of garments ever.

He was wearing a tea-cosy for a hat, on which he had pinned a number of bright badges, a tie patterned with horseshoes over a bare chest, a pair of what looked like children's football shorts, and odd socks.

"Dobby what are you doing here?" Harry questione in amazement, "Professor Dumbledore has given Dobby and Winky jobs here, sir!" Dobby squealed as a loud wailing sounded from a corner of the kitchen.

The elf was considerably smaller than humans, she had bat-like ears, a tomato-sized nose and huge brown eyes to which Y/N had assume was Winky.

"Would all you like some tea, sir?" Dobby questioned politely to which Harry slowly nodded at, "Er...sure." he replied as Dobby instantly skipped away to grab a pot and a few cups, just enough for everybody in their group.

Caleb and Ron seemed to have the time of their lives as a few elves from the hundreds filled in the kitchen were very happy to be giving out snacks that they had made to the group, Caleb and Ron didn't hold back as they stuffed their pockets with all the food they were given.

They sat down onto somewhere near the counter as Hermione began to talk with Dobby and Winky who kept crying louder and louder at each questioned she asked, it was mainly about the freedom of house-elves and wages.

Though, it only seemed as Dobby was willingly giving the best answers while the other elves didn't seem quite fond of it. Winky on the other hand, just kept bawling her eyes out. Hermione did try to comfort Winky though it didn't seem to help as she only continued to wail louder each second.

After a while the group decided it was their cue to leave, part of the reason was because Winky's crying had became so loud to the point they really couldn't have any sort of communication.

Harry had joined in with Caleb and Ron, stuffing his pockets with snacks from the elves as they made their way out, Hermione wasn't too happy with this though, she couldn't stop them because of how excited the elves were for giving out their food.

"Now that was brilliant." Caleb praised, earning a nod of agreement from Ron as he stuffed one of the snacks into his mouth, "Bloody Brilliant, we should come here more often."

Though, the two were given swat on the shoulders by Lizzy and Hermione as they made their way out of the corridor that was filled with food paintings, "Would you two ever stop eating?!" Hermione spat in annoyance.

"What else am I supposed to do with these big pockets of food! Leave them to rot?" Ron retaliated, earning an irritated huff from the bushy-haired girl and a disapproving shake of the head from Lizzy.

The Ravenclaw snicekred at the interaction before she went ahead and wrapped her hand around her girlfriends waist, pulling their sides closer together as they turned down a different corridor, "You know, I understand you're point of view about the whole S.P.E.W thing, but I think the elves back there really enjoyed what they were doing."

Though she was earned a stern glare in response, "Dobby'll be a good influence on them, they'll soon realise the greatness of being a free elf like Dobby." she stated as she fished into her pockets for something before she whipped out a badge with the words S.P.E.W on it.

She handed it to the Ravenclaw who had a raised eyebrow as she stared at the badge puzzledly, "We're recruiting members, it's two sickles to join, which gives you this badge, the proceeds will fund our leaflet campaign."

"It's not really a choice, you either join or get rambling about it everyday." Ron grumbled lowly, earning a harsh glare from the bushy-haired girl before she turned back to Y/N with a pleading one.

The Ravenclaw thought for a moment, flickering her gaze between the badge and her girlfriends pleading look before she hesitantly nodded, "Fine, it's only because you're the one asking." she stated as she took out two sickles and handed it to the bushy-haired girl who traded it for the spew badge.

"Thanks, Love." Hermione beamed as she pecked the Ravenclaw on the cheek to which she chuckled at, "Anytime."

_________________________________

Quick question for future use: Hermione top or Y/N top 😇