Without You

Cho Chang

Autumn was late to her Potions class the next morning. She had accidentally slept in, and Hermione wasn't there to wake her up. She must have left earlier than usual to study in the library. Hoping Snape wouldn't realise, she quickly made her way towards the front where Hermione, Harry and Ron sat together.

"Where were you?" Hermione mouthed to her, at the same time Professor Snape turned around.

"Oh, no, no. Miss Rosewood, you'll be sitting in Goyle's usual seat today as a punishment for your ...lateness."

Holding back her groan, Autumn took her books and moved to where Goyle usually sat. On her right, of course, was Draco Malfoy. He, surprisingly, did not nudge her as she sat down. He did snicker, however. He must have known it was a true punishment to sit beside him. Hermione, Harry and Ron looked back at Autumn apologetically, as if they were apologising on Snape's behalf.

On Autumn's left was Cho Chang. She was a black-haired Ravenclaw, who Autumn often saw in the hallways. Although they weren't really close friends, they would greet each other every now and then each time they'd pass by.

Snape was writing notes on the board, but no one seemed to be paying attention. Everyone seemed to be far more interested in the Yule Ball and who they were going with. Cho suddenly turned to Autumn, tapping her lightly on the shoulder. "So, Autumn, the Yule Ball. Are you going?"

Autumn nodded, a smile forming on her face. The thought of dancing with Cedric gave her butterflies. She had never felt so excited in her life before.

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world. How about you, Cho?"

She hesitated before shrugging. "I'd like to go, but no one has really asked me yet. I was hoping Cedric would ask me, but it seems like he had someone else in mind already." She chuckled, letting out a sigh.

Autumn nodded slowly, suddenly not wanting to reveal who her date to the Yule Ball was. Autumn would sometimes see Cho and Cedric walking together around the school grounds; they seemed to be very good friends. Autumn started to feel as though it were her fault Cho was not getting a date to the ball.

"I'm sure someone will ask you, Cho. A lot of the boys don't have the guts to ask girls. I guess we'll have to be patient, then."

Autumn was glad this brought a smile to Cho's face. Because of how sweet and kind Cho was to her, she was willing to give up her date to the Yule Ball. She didn't feel as excited as Cho did, anyway. Once Autumn's conversation ended with Cho, she decided to make small talk with Draco. With Goyle absent, his only choice to talk to was Crabbe, who seemed to be busy trying to ask the girl sitting beside him to go to the ball with him.

"Are you thinking of going, Draco?" she asked, raising a brow.

He scoffed in response. "Do I look like the type to go to a ball, Autumn?"

Ron, who was sitting in front of them turned around to face them, his eyes wide open. He was staring at Draco strangely, who frowned at the boy in response.

"What do you want, Weasley?"

"You just called each other by your first names..." Ron said, "Hermione, Harry, did you hear that?"

Hermione and Harry turned to face Autumn and Draco, who seemed to wish their conversation had not been heard at all. It was true; Draco never really called anyone by their first name. Especially not a girl.

"What are you three looking at? Turn around and mind your own business."

Autumn sighed at Draco's manner. She didn't understand why he had to be so mean all the time, especially to her friends. But Autumn also wondered why both she and Draco were so comfortable calling each other by their first names.

"It's not a big deal." Autumn whispered to herself, picking up her quill once again.

* * *

It was after lunch when Autumn decided to speak to Cedric about the Yule Ball. It was better to tell him early than later. Then Cho would be given the time to look for her dress and prepare for it. The ball was only two days away from now.

"Cedric, I would love to go to the Yule Ball with you, really," she paused, trying to explain as best as she could, "But there is someone who'd love to go with you even more. And I think you know who that is."

Cedric thought for a moment, then looked up at Autumn. "Cho."

Nodding, Autumn let out a soft laugh. "Cedric, you should really be asking her to go with you. Not me."

"What about you, then? Who will you go with?"

"I'll be going with another friend," she lied, "So don't worry about me. Ask her before it's too late, alright?"

"Alright, alright. I will, Autumn." he chuckled, patting her head, "I'll see you around, then."

As Cedric walked away, Autumn mentally scolded herself. She gave up her Yule Ball date to somebody else, and would probably have to end up with going with someone she didn't feel comfortable with. Hoping Harry and Ron did not have dates to the Yule Ball, Autumn rushed to her next class.

"Harry, Ron, please tell me the two of you have no dates to the Yule Ball."

Harry and Ron looked at each other before looking back at Autumn with a sorry look. Autumn already knew their answer, and sighed in defeat.

"What am I going to do now?" she whispered to herself.

"Hermione told us you were going with Cedric, so..." Harry trailed off. "Aren't you going with him?"

Autumn shook her head, "No, that isn't the case anymore. It's too complicated to explain, but I did the craziest thing in the world and gave up my own date for another girl."

"You shouldn't have done that." Ron said, laughing. "But who are you going with now?"

Autumn shrugged, "I think I'll pass. Dancing was never really my thing. Anyway, who are your dates to the Ball?"

"The Patil's." the boys said together. Parvati and Padma Patil often spoke to Autumn in class, especially before she had met the three. Now that she was sure Harry and Ron got themselves decent dates, she was now sure she had no choice but to stay behind.

She hadn't realised how upset she was about not going until the end of the day at dinnertime, when everyone was speaking so excitedly about the ball. Hermione noticed Autumn's downhearted expression, and put a hand on her friend's shoulder.

"Everything alright, Autumn?" she asked in a quiet voice.

Autumn nodded, "I'm just not hungry."

It was true; for some reason, she had no appetite. Not even the incredibly tasty food in front of her had cheered her up. Starting to get tired, she retired to her room an hour earlier than the others. Harry, Ron and Hermione watched her walk off with anxious expressions. But those three weren't the only ones worried about Autumn. There was one Slytherin that night who couldn't stop wondering about her.