13

                                    

                                          
If anyone told Harry he'd be attending a masquerade ball a week ago, he would've laughed in your face. He had no idea why he was going in the first place-the Yule Ball was his last straw. He was trying to convince himself that he was going for 'the change of scenery,' but he knew why he was truly going-he'd never admit that to himself.
                          
Harry didn't know why he felt the sudden need to be closer to Alura. She was like alcohol and he was the consumer-if he has a little, he'll want more, but then, out of a moment of weakness or conflict, he'll throw up the toxin-Alura-and he'll regret ever drinking the alcohol.
                          
As of now, Harry and Ron were getting ready for the ball. Ron was complaining about having to wear what he wore to the Yule Ball, while Harry was struggling to put on his tie. You'd think after five years he would have mastered it.
                          
"Ron, I've already told you, you can just wear something of mine," Harry laughed, looking at Ron's outfit.
                          
"Your clothes don't fit me!" Ron exclaimed. "Hey! Don't laugh at me!"
                          
Harry bit his tongue to suppress his laughs, but they were still coming out. "I'm sorry, honestly. Look in Dean's wardrobe or something."
                          
Ron huffed and turned to Dean's wardrobe. "You know"-Ron finally found something decent to wear in Dean's wardrobe-"I'll finally get to meet your new girlfriend or boyfriend tonight."
                          
"What? Ron, she's a girl, and she's not my girlfriend, nor are you meeting her tonight," Harry strictly stated, still struggling to put on his tie.
                          
"I'll see who you're dancing with, you know."
                          
"She'll be wearing a mask and I don't intend to dance with her."
                          
"Really?" Ron paused after stepping into Dean's pants. "Then why are you going, Harry? Last time I checked, you hated formal parties."
                          
Harry gulped before snapping, "just lay off it, okay?" He quickly realized his harsh wording and apologized, "sorry, I didn't mean..."
                          
"It's fine," Ron interrupted. "I get it: you snap at Hermione and me while we put up with your bull shit every day."
                          
"Ron, it's not like that."
                          
"It never is," he grumbled. "I'll see you at the entrance." Ron forced a half-smile at Harry before shuffling out of the room.
                          
"I fuck everything up," Harry said to no one in particular. "Great, I've finally lost it-I'm talking to myself."
                          
Harry was counting on Ron to help with his tie, but seeing as he wasn't around, he held his tie in his hand and hoped to run into someone willing to help.
                          
He quickly ran out of his dorm, hoping to find someone to help, but no one seemed to notice his presence. He finally gave up and decided to stuff his tie into his pocket. He tread to The Great Hall, and on the way, he ran into Blaise, who looked so put together. 
                          
I barely have the energy to get up every morning, how does he appear so... well put together? Harry wondered.
                          
"Harry, you look..." Blaise scanned his body, looking for anything to compliment him with. "...Dreadful."
                          
"Thanks," Harry said, apparent sarcasm in his voice. "You look quite dreadful, too."
                          
"Thanks," Blaise responded in the same manner. "Do you need help with your tie?"
                          
Harry huffed, knowing he desperately needed help. He reluctantly nodded and handed Blaise his tie.
                          
"You should really learn how to put on a tie. You kind of go to school where a tie is required in the uniform." He finished putting on his tie.
                          
"Thank you for the much-needed reminder," Harry said jokingly. 
                          
"And I expected a thank you."
                          
"Thank you," Harry stated, not sounding the least bit thankful.
                          
Blaise rolled his eyes and replied, "Well, have the worst night of your life!" He happily strode away.
                          
Harry rolled his eyes and finally entered The Great Hall. The sound of classical music and chattering voices filled the hall. The tables were moved for dancing, but the chairs for the teachers reminded.
                          
Harry's eyes scanned the hall for Ron's red hair and fortunately saw him standing at the snack bar. He appeared to be getting teased by Fred and George. Harry confidently began walking over to them, but he was stopped by a girl with blonde hair.
                          
"Dance with me?" she asked, but more like demanded.
                          
Oh, how amazing it is to be famous.
                          
"I'm actually-"
                          
"Just one song." 
                          
She didn't give him much of a choice since she pulled him by his wrist and led him to the dance floor. Harry was too scared to see what would happen if he tried to pull away so he danced with her for half of the song before it was time to switch partners-Much to his dismay since he was shit at dancing.
                          
God, I really should've paid attention to McGonagall during her dance lessons.
                          
Harry ended up holding a girl with raven hair, brown eyes, and the familiar scent of vanilla, who he immediately recognized to be Alura. (Google didn't give me shit to describe her so don't blame me for her shitty description lmao)
                          
Alura didn't seem to recognize Harry, she just thought she was dancing with some random person. Harry stepped on Alura's foot and instantly apologized, but she assured him it was fine.
                          
"So what brings someone with horrible dancing skills to a ball?" Alura asked with a small laugh, though she genuinely wanted to know.
                          
Harry sighed and thought carefully before answering, "I don't know, honestly."
                          
"I'm going to assume that you didn't just show up to a ball for no reason."
                          
Harry laughed. "Why are you here?"
                          
"I..." Alura gave up on finding an excuse and admitted, "I don't know, either, honestly."
                          
He laughed at the irony. "Well, two strangers having no reason why they're here. Sounds like destiny," Harry joked.
                          
"Well, maybe if you told me your name we wouldn't be strangers anymore."
                          
Just as Harry was about to make up a name, the partners switched back.
                          
"You'll find me," Harry answered quietly, thinking that Alura didn't hear him. But she did. Loud and clear.
                          
The blonde that Harry was previously dancing with asked with clear jealousy in her voice, "What was that?"
                          
"Nothing," Harry replied shortly. He then looked back to where he and Alura were previously dancing and saw her dancing with... 
                          
Cedric?! What the hell-
                          
"Excuse me?" the blonde shouted, making everyone turn to the two.
                          
The classical came to an abrupt stop and everyone went quiet.
                          
"I said that out loud, didn't I?" Harry asked, blushing from the embarrassment.
                          
"You sure did." She crossed her arms. "You are an absolute dick!"
                          
Harry's eyes widened as everyone was staring. "Just calm-"
                          
"What is it with guys thinking they can control us?" The blond shouted. "You haven't even asked me what my name is, dick!"
                          
"My name is actually-"
                          
"I don't care! You don't want to know my name, nor do I yours." 
                          
She stormed out of the hall angrily, pushing one of the servers who offered her a glass of sparkling cider. The server fell to the ground and the glass shattered from the contact. Harry scratched the back of his neck nervously.
                          
"Sorry...?"
                          
Alura shook her head in disappointment and McGonagall dragged Harry out.
                          
What a night.
                          
-
I've listened to SOUR a total of three times while writing this