??????? ??????, ????????? ???

✧.* Wherever the wind blows ✧.*

The next few days, the halls were abuzz with students making proposals to one another. It seemed like everyone already had a date to the ball. Emerson observed this with a mix of amusement and anxiety, rolling her eyes while biting her fingernails.

Any grand gesture would have sufficed. Who wouldn't be flattered by something impressive and special? But Emerson couldn't shake the question: would Marlene appreciate it? In every lesson she sat through, her mind raced with ideas. She felt a sense of urgency, fearing someone else might ask Marlene before she did.

"There's no more nail for you to bite," Barty whispered to Emerson, a teasing grin on his face.

"Oh, shut up," Emerson muttered, shoving him lightly. Despite her words, a small smile tugged at her lips.

Barty leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "What's got you so worked up anyway?"

Emerson sighed, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. "Promise you won't tell."

Barty's eyes twinkled with mischief. "You know me."

Emerson rolled her eyes. "Seriously, Barty."

Barty lifted his hands in surrender. "Not a word."

Emerson took a deep breath, lowering her voice. "I'm planning on asking someone to the masquerade ball."

Barty's grin widened, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, I'm flattered, but I'm not interested."

Emerson rolled her eyes again. "Not you, you idiot!" She whispered. "You're obviously going with Rosier, aren't you?"

Barty looked taken aback by her statement. "Whoa, who even said I was going to that stupid thing?"

Emerson raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Oh, come on. You're telling me you're not going?"

Barty shrugged, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his voice. "I don't know. It's just a ball."

"Exactly," Emerson said, her tone serious. "You love balls."

Barty choked on his own saliva when he heard that comment. His eyes widen while Emerson was laughing to herself. 

"The hell is wrong with you?" Emerson shrugged at his words and turned her attention back forward to the board in front.

Barty sighed, looking away for a moment. "Alright, alright. Maybe I was planning on going. But what's the big deal? Who are you planning to ask?"

Emerson hesitated for a moment before finally revealing her secret. "Marlene McKinnon."

Barty's eyes widened in surprise. "McKinnon? The Gryffindor?"

Emerson nodded, her expression serious. "Yeah, and you can't tell anyone. If my mother finds out-."

Barty's teasing demeanor softened, and he gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "She won't."

Emerson smiled, feeling a bit more confident. "Thanks."

ੈ✩‧₊˚

In the meantime, Marco was wrestling with his own anxieties. The full moon was approaching, and his emotions were becoming harder to control. The masquerade ball was also on his mind, and he couldn't shake the thought of asking Remus Lupin. The idea felt daunting, but as time ran out, he knew he had to take his chances.

And finally, he had his moment. From the corner of his eye, he spotted a very anxious Remus Lupin walking down to the infirmary. That's also where Marco was heading off to. Deciding to take a chance, he called out his name.