Sometimes you wondered why you were friends with Ginny. She was far more outgoing than you and somehow she could convince you to do stupid things sometimes, or at least what you deemed stupid.

You weren't too happy about the concept of the yule ball, but you did have someone whom if they asked you'd be more than thrilled to go with. As Ginny knew all too well, you had a crush on Neville, and you were pretty sure that he didn't even know you existed. From what Ginny had found out through questioning her brother and his friends, Neville hadn't asked anyone to the ball yet, and more importantly he hadn't asked you. As well as this you hadn't been asked by anyone either, not that you had expected to have.

Although you had been prepared to just give up and be dragged to the yule ball by Ginny, she had encouraged you to just ask Neville instead of waiting for him. She was certain that he liked you in return but was probably too anxious to ask you just in case you turned him down.

It seemed liked a completely stupid idea. He wasn't going to say yes, but having to put up with Ginny's incessant encouragement you'd sparked up the courage to stride up to him and ask.

Luckily you found him alone in the corridor, so you asked if you could talk to him for a moment.

"Um... well... I don't know whether you wanted it to go... well... I mean... Ginny said you haven't asked anyone. I don't know if you planned to ask someone... but... um... I wanted to know if... it's okay if you don't... maybe... er... would you want to go with me? To the yule ball I mean," you smiled awkwardly.

Usually you were a bit more articulate but you were nervous, and uncertain meaning any words were practically impossible to form.

"Oh... urm... shouldn't I be asking you?" He questioned, seeming as though your rambling had knocked him off guard.

You raised an eyebrow at him, gaining slight hope.

"I wasn't going to wait around forever," you smiled softly. "Also don't be dumb Neville, why should we conform to gender stereotypes?"

His cheeks began to flush slightly, as he lowered his head to try and hide that fact.

"Sorry. I would love to go with you. I was going to ask, I just didn't think you would say yes. I am also glad you asked me, I would have made a fool of myself if I had tried."

You couldn't help your growing smile.

"I should get going, but I'll talk to you later," you grinned, stepping onto your tiptoes so that you could kiss his cheek before walking away. 

~*~

Written by Charlotte

Requested by 17gnomes-ina-coat and iitsphxn.