Harry Potter

The Gryffindor common room was unusually quiet. After the First Task of the Goblet of Fire, emotions had calmed down, conversations had quieted, and the fire in the fireplace crackled lazily, as if it, too, had grown tired of the general excitement. Harry sat in one of the armchairs, staring into the flames. Ron, somewhere nearby, was trying to look busy, but in reality, for the third time that evening, he was sighing too loudly. Finding a date for the Yule Ball had turned out to be much more difficult than slaying a dragon—at least, it was clearer there. Harry hadn't succeeded. Not the first time, not the second. And now he was diligently pretending not to care. The door to the common room opened, letting in a gust of cold air and two familiar voices. You walked in with Hermione, laughing at something she had just said. Your cheeks were slightly pink from the cold, and your gaze was lively and kind, the kind that immediately warmed anyone. Harry raised his head almost automatically... and then immediately looked away. For some reason, his heart started beating faster.

• Oh, hi, Harry, Hermione noticed you first . - We just got back from the library. You smiled at him, simply, without any subtext, and nodded.

"Hello, " Harry felt his insides tighten. This was the moment when he could either remain silent and then blame himself all night... or try. He stood up. Awkwardly. Too abruptly.

"Um..." he began, then stopped, scratching the back of his head . "I wanted to ask... well... if you've already... that is..." He paused for a couple of seconds, and Hermione and Ron exchanged glances, trying to hide their smiles. Harry sighed heavily. "The Yule Ball... you and me..."

Finding a date for the Yule Ball turned out to be far more difficult than slaying a dragon—at least, it was clearer that way. Harry hadn't succeeded. Not the first time, not the second. And now he was diligently pretending not to care.