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It was late in the night, snowflakes danced along the chilly breeze blowing through the castle's grounds, pricking the skin of children out of bed after hours and lovers sneaking around for a midnight rendezvous.
Intoxicating magic filled the air, seducing the young witches and wizards, drawing them in and welcoming them into the magnificent Great Hall.
The grandiose Hall was naturally decorated with snow and ice, giving the illusion of a winter paradise within the walls of the ancient castle.
Music flowed softly through the air, beckoning dancers young and old to have a twirl across the dance floor under the twinkling lights. Yet, with everyone enjoying the joyous atmosphere, there were a few lonely souls experiencing bitter heartbreak and rejection at the hands of their beloveds.
Standing alone in the dark seemed to make her feel better, almost as if the one she adored hadn't abandoned her for someone else. Her arms had long gone numb yet she couldn't bring herself to seek shelter in the warmth and comfort that the Great Hall promised.
Seeing him with her would shatter her. He'd asked her, hadn't he? He'd fancied her, hadn't he? Or was it all a ploy to get closer to her friend? Was she a mere pawn in his game?
She felt someone stand beside her, yet lost in her gloomy contemplation she paid them no mind.
"Why is a beautiful girl like you here?" He asked, a thick Bulgarian accent encompassing his words.
Snapping her head towards him she answered simply, "My date left me for my friend."
"That is rude," he said, slightly offended on her behalf. "My date left me, too." Eyes widening she stared at him in surprise. Before her stood The Victor Krum, Quidditch Heart-throb, confessing his date had abandoned him.
Giggling nervously she said, "Well, I suppose we're in the same boat."
"Yes."
"Since-"
"Would-"
"You go first," she said, curious to hear what he would say."Would you like to dance?" He asked her, gazing intensely at her.
"Out here?" She asked incredulously.
"Why not?" He responded, slightly smiling at her.
"There's no music," she said, still trying to process his request.
As soon as the words left her mouth, faint music from the Great Hall filled the air around them.
Grinning, Viktor stepped closer to her and offered his hand to her.
Gently placing her hand in his they moved closer to each other, swaying to the music in a classical waltz. Their feet moved of their own accord as they gazed into each other's eyes.
Breathless, he asked for her name which she gave away willingly. Whispering her name like an ancient oath, he smiled at her.
"How are you finding Hogwarts?" She asked, smiling at him happily.
"It is larger than Dumstrang, but it is quite magical," he said.Chuckling softly she added, "It certainly is magical."
"Do you miss it?" She wondered.
"Hmm?"
"Your home, do you miss it?" She asked again.
A nostalgic expression bloomed across his face as he sighed. "I do, but it is good to visit other places, yes?"
"It is. I've always wanted to travel," she sighed dreamily.
"If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?" He asked.
"Anywhere? Well, if I could, I would go to Paris. They say it is the city of love, yet I cannot find it no matter how much I chase after it."
"Perhaps instead of chasing love, you should let it chase you. Who knows, it might even be in front of you. Perhaps even dancing with you," he mused.
"Perhaps," she replied huskily as she looked into his eyes, hypnotised by his dark, obsidian orbs.
A strong gust of chilly air blew past the couple, raising goosebumps on her uncovered skin. Shivered against him she subconsciously stepping closer to him, trying to envelop herself in the heat radiating from his body.
Seeing her shiver, he unclipped his fur lined cape before laying it across her exposed shoulders. Nuzzling into the cloak she wrapped it tightly around herself, enjoying the remnants of heat that his cloak carried. It smelled intoxicating and so wonderfully him, it was almost addicting. Breathing deeply, she sighed, not wanting this moment to end.
Gazing at her wrapped in his cloak awoke a certain fondness in him and for the second time that night, he offered his hand and heart for her to claim. Accepting his invitation she moved closer to him, their bodies almost touching as they swayed to the soft music that filled the air.
~
Too soon the last note filled the air and silence settled between them, their movements halted yet they did not separate. Numerous students shuffled out of the Great Hall, exhausted from the ball yet the two stood stationary, unwilling to part from the other's company.
"I suppose we should go," she said, breaking the tranquility.
"We should," he said, his thick accent caressed the words as they poured from his mouth.
"I do not want to," she stated, unable to hold the truth back from him.
"I do not either," he said, longing tingeing his voice.
After a few moments he sighed before moving away from her, "It is polite to leave you at your dorm, yes?"
He asked rhetorically as he held out his arm to her.
Intertwining her arm with his, she smiled up at him saying, "It certainly is."
Smiling at the gorgeous woman beside him he started walking, asking her to guide him to her dorms.
After climbing many staircases and maneuvering through seemingly endless hallways they finally stopped at the entrance of her dorm.
Gazing at him, her hand encased within his, unwilling to part. "Will I see you again?" She asked softly.
"If you want," he replied, his whisper carrying softly to her ears.
Leaning in, as if revealing the secrets of the universe, she whispered back, "I would love to."
Feeling reassured, he smiled at her, not noticing the space between them diminish with every breath he took.
Leaning forward, she brushed her lips against his, almost meeting yet not quite.
As he was about to delve further into her, the sound of a door slamming shut echoed through the empty halls, startling them and breaking them apart from their dreamy reverie.
Looking down the hall they found no one. They watched each other with darkened eyes .
She squeezed his hand saying, "Until next time."
"Until next time," he said, as she let go of his hand and walked up the steps to her dorm.
Missing her warmth by his side, he watched her ascend the steps, her gown brushing against them as she moved.
He watched her walk away until she completely disappeared, before walking back to the Dumstrang ship, a wide grin on his face as he recalled the moments spent in the dark with the ethereal beauty and her promise to bless him with her company once more.