♡ Extra Chapter - Roses Are Red ♡ “I simply cannot wait!” Cleo jumped up and down in excitement. The St. Valentine’s Ball was that night, and every girl in Ravenclaw Tower was bubbling with anticipation. Only fourth years and older were allowed to attend, so Veronika's year barely made the cut. Veronika reached down into her trunk for her dress. She pulled it on and inspected herself in the mirror. Veronika’s soft pink dress went almost to her ankles and it was sparkled with little hearts. She put on her earrings and laced up her high heels. Veronika brushed her long platinum blonde hair into an updo, and turned away from the mirror, satisfied. “Who asked you all?” Art asked the rest of the girls in their dorm, "Would you believe I got asked by Seamus Finnegan?" "You're kidding!" Clara exclaimed incredulously. "It's true!" Art grinned. Veronika was so happy for her friends, but she had rally been hoping she'd get asked by... someone in particular. But they hadn't asked yet, so she was beginning to think he wouldn't. "Vera, you haven't said almost anything all evening. What's wrong?" Andrea asked kindly. "Oh, it's nothing really. It's just that he hasn't asked me yet." Veronika tried not to sound sorry for herself. "Vera, I can tell he really likes you. So I think he's going to ask you at the dance, that seems more romantic anyway." Cleo reassured her. "All right." Veronika could feel a smile coming to her face, "Y'all are the best!" The five Ravenclaw girls, dressed in their finest, walked up the Grand Staircase and stepped into the Great Hall. Veronika gasped, it was more beautiful than anything she'd ever seen. There were roses, everywhere. There were so many that it was no wonder the large room smelled amazing. More couples than Veronika could count were waltzing to a romantic melody Professor Flitwick was orchestrating. Veronika spotted Skye at the drink table and excitedly went over to her. "Hey Skye!" "Vera! You absolutely have to try the punch, it's better than anything I've ever tasted!" "Will do." Veronika laughed as she poured herself a cup, "Did you get asked?" "Not yet. You?" "No." "At least we have each other." Skye grinned. "Very true." Veronika smiled at her best friend, "To be honest, I have no idea how to dance." "Me neither. I mean, I did it once with my brother, but not like how they're dancing." Skye gestured to the couples. "Never too late to learn!" Veronika beckoned for Skye as she went out onto the dance floor. Skye laughed as she followed. "All right," Veronika said when the two girls became surrounded by the other dancers, "I guess we just try to follow what everyone else is doing." "Yeah, let's try that." Skye agreed. They had a bit of a rocky start. "Oops!" Veronika exclaimed, "Sorry, I stepped on your toe. I'm really not all that great at dancing!" She added, chuckling. "Haha, same." Skye stumbled a little. The two best friends continued to dance until they no longer stepped on each others feet, and were gliding across the dance floor with graceful movements. Draco suddenly showed up beside the two of them, "Hey Vera. Hi Skye." He said more politely than usual, Veronika thought. "Hey Draco." Veronika returned his greeting. "Um... Skye, I, erm, wanted to ask you if you wanted to dance... with me." "Uh- of course, Draco." Skye said nervously, but then smiled. Then Draco became noticeably more relaxed. Skye gave Veronika an apologetic look for having to leave her, but Veronika reassured her, “I’ll be fine, you both go have fun.” Skye and her brother hurried off to the middle of the dance floor, and Veronika watched them for a little while before she started to feel the slight loneliness setting in. Veronika walked back to the refreshment table and helped herself to a red, heart-shaped macaroon. "Hi Vera." Blake walked up beside her. "Oh, hey Blake." "Um- would you like to dance with me?" He asked a little nervously, but still confidently. Veronika hugged him and said, "Of course!" The two of them danced together the rest of the night, and Veronika couldn't wish for anything better.
Happy Valentine's Day! This is my Valentine's bonus chapter, and it is wholly dedicated to my bestie Skye. I can't even type the word "sky" without adding an "e" on the end anymore <3 You're the best, Skyeee <3333 I think for every chapter after this, I'm going to call Veronika "Vera" :)