53 Having a Ball - part 3

The rest of our set went really well. Tina covered the nutbush, and it seemed like her friends had passed on the dance, and before we knew it, we had a proper line dance happening. Even Flitwick joined in. I was somewhat disappointed I didn't add the macarena to the setlist. 

People enjoyed themselves, even the Slytherins who had shown up. It made me think that not all of them were the same, and I should get to know them better. 

After our performance was done, I hit play on another mix tape and enjoyed the party myself. We still had an hour before curfew, so I danced and snacked, receiving pats on the back and good jobs from friends. 

At one point, I found myself with Luna. She was teaching me a dance she and her father do. I found it silly, but she was smiling, so I didn't comment—Luna's costume was an awesome unicorn costume with a rainbow tail. 

I saw Ginny at one point staring at Harry as he danced with Ron and Hermione; they were just goof child dances. Ginny looked pale and came as a quidditch player from the Holyhead Harpies. I didn't know the player's name, but she had Rath labelled on her back. 

Snape corned me during the night. "you did a good job controlling your magic. Mister Carter," he said in his slow voice.

"Thanks, professor; sorry about the bat jab," I told him.

"No need to apologise. I know what they say," Snape said, "but I do not care. What others think" 

"nor should you; you got that scary professor look down," I complimented him.

"marvellous once again, Mister Carter." Professor Flitwick came over to our conversation, floating on the magic carpet. 

"thank you, Professor. Might I say your costume looks great?" I said to the Professor.

"oh, it's just an excuse to get this dusty rug out of storage," Flitwick said."your costume seems well put together. Professor McGonagall would have been happy to see her students using transfiguration in interesting ways." 

"is she not here?" I asked.

"no, dumbledore only asked for two chaperones, and we both. Accepted," Professor Flitwick said, gesturing to himself and Professor Snape.

"I've been meaning to talk to you, Professor Flitwick", I said to him. "you know, one of your new first years, Luna Lovegood." when he nodded ", she seemed to have become the victim of bullying. Now, I wouldn't have brought it up if it was just name-calling, which is happening. They call her Loony Lovegood, but they seem to be stealing her belongings, and I'm sure theft is a more serious problem." Flitwick looked concerned at the information. 

"you're right, Mister Carter. Theft is not welcome at Hogwarts. I will investigate the matter seriously", Flitwick said in a stern, strong voice, which was hard because of its inherent squeakiness. He then floated off on his magic carpet with an angry face.

"I'm not sure that was wise, Mister Carter," Snape said after hearing the conversation.

"Luna is carefree and doesn't have a mean bone in her body. Although she understands she is being bullied, she believes they are just playing pranks, not being malicious." I sighed. "She needs someone to stand up for her as she can't do it herself. Otherwise, she will continue to be targeted." 

"and why you?" Professor Snape asked, looking interested.

"Because she's my friend, and others' darkness shouldn't crush her light", I confess sadly. Snape pondered my answer, then stormed off to stop Fred and George from setting off dung bombs. 

After the ball, I was resting in the Common Room of Slytherin house, sitting in a wingback chair near the fireplace, with a goblet of pumpkin juice and a dash of cinnamon.

"Hello, Eddie," a blonde-haired girl said as she sat down in another chair.

"Miss Greengrass", I said in greeting to Daphne. 

"It's odd seeing you in the Common Room", she said with curiosity.

"that is true, but I'm fond of trying new things," I said, taking a sip of juice.

"Well, I just wanted to say I enjoyed your music this evening." She smiled at me. "good night." she got up and left for her dorm.

"good night, Miss Greengrass.", I said as she left.

'Okay, so one peaceful interaction', I thought. 'Still half a goblet of juice left, however', my plan was simple: could I have a drink in peace in the Common Room? I figured now would be the best time to try. 

I was just about to finish that drink when I heard Draco's voice.

"is that Carter over there?" he said to someone. My back was to him, so I couldn't see who. I heard footsteps approaching me. "what are you doing here, Carter. I thought you were too scared to show your face in the Common Room." he sneered at me.

"Draco, I'm having some juice, if you must know," I said annoyedly. "And you are mixing up being scared and avoiding inconvenience." I drained the rest of the goblet and put it down on the coaster. I stood up. I was a few inches taller than Draco, so I looked down into his eyes. "like you, Draco, you are an inconvenience." I told him. He must have been talking to Crabbe and Goyle because they stood behind Draco by a few feet.

"Well, sorry to inconvenience you, mud blood." Draco sneered.

"Apology accepted, Draco," I said with a happy tone and a smile. "See, I knew we could work out our differences." I put my arm around him in a chummy gesture. "Now, about that mud-blood comment, I must say, it's weak. For I am as pureblood as you are, and you keep using it everywhere; it's running out of meaning." 

"wait, you a pureblood?" Draco sounded shocked.

"Yes, my family is from America. It's a long story, really. Like I said, learn some new insults, Draco; they lose meaning after a while and make you look dumb." I patted his shoulder and walked off to my dorm.