The night crept out of its eternal cave. The stars shone like cameras. It was too dark to be outside, but still bright enough to be surrounded with a soft glow. Hogwarts had taken full advantage of the celestial beauty and created the spectacle of the Yule Ball. The windows were frosted clean, air wintry. But the chandeliers, festive food and mesmerising dancing took the weather out of everyone's minds. Besides, it was the Yule Ball. Nothing could stop the whirlwind of a thing.
The champions had already begun dancing, Leta in Theseus' arms, Amelia in Henry's, smiles plastered all over. Newt was heart stricken, for it had been at least thirty minutes in a spiral of wait. Everything around him gleamed with excitement, but his internal self could feel nothing but embarrassment, shame and angst. Had his girl betrayed him? Surely not! But his thoughts led him to such a conclusion, and the insecurity was attempting to take over. He listened to them with caution, before coming to a consensus.
"Look." They echoed, "You had fun while it lasted, but she's given up on you. Headed for the extroverts and social beings. I have to admit, Newt, you aren't like that. She's dumped you, for real." He sighed and slumped down, scanning the surroundings. He saw many of her stature and mannerisms, but not her.
"Maybe she's preparing…" He muttered, settling for optimism. "She wouldn't settle for less, right? In my case, she was petrified without me! Come on!" His tie was loose, so he straightened it. Hair was also untidy, so he made it a priority to fix that. The dishevelled appearance was like a bad habit to him. Something that couldn't be stripped away. His eyes blinked slowly, almost into a mellow sleep, until he spotted Theseus pausing on Leta and coming to his aid. Newt couldn't tell whether he was grateful or not.
"What's wrong?" He scolded, tone hitting a confused Newt like ice, "It's the best night of the year. Cheer up!" He slapped his shoulder, and the brother dismissed him. It wasn't comfort, it was a beating.
Newt sluggishly made for the table of food and drinks. He was underage for alcohol, but he felt like he could use one. The sharp tang of the Butterbeer shot cut to the core, but that aspect didn't help. His head was freezing up, and for whatever reason, that satisfied him, so he took two more full glasses in his hands and sat back down. He'd left his case in the dorm, hoping to give it up just once! His insides churned with a fuelled feeling known as disgust. He was disgusted by his own actions, but mostly disgusted at her. Noelle. The pure soul that only complemented him more. The girl that shone of brightness. The person that acknowledged and accepted his controversial interests. The stranger that brought him to life.
As much as he tried, he couldn't let her go. He wasn't even trying to break up. His mind had changed, grown manipulative to hijack his own self. What was even going on? And all of a sudden, she appeared. Stunningly dressed in turquoise, hair pulled up neatly in a bun with two tailing strands by either of her ears. There was no makeup on her porcelain skin, only little specks of jewellery made with silver and what appeared to be sapphires that were subtle but gorgeous nonetheless. Her smile was beaming, as expected but as she laid eyes on him, it drooped down. Her eyes grew wide with trouble.
"Newt, what's wrong?" Her voice was soft but distressed as she held her dress with care and sat down. "You can tell me… Is it your brother?"
His eyes were glued to the floor. Not the girl. His lips were sealed. He had nothing to say.
She went on, "I know you're shy, but something is wrong. You are sprightly around me. Peppy and joyous! But you speak of your own accord. I can't force you…"
He mumbled something under his breath, ruffling his hands through his hair. He looked around for the Butterbeer, drinking from the one at his right, considering that the other, presumably fresher one and Noelle was on his left. He pushed it over to her, and she willingly drank.
"So, you're ok to drink and talk, huh? I understand that I'm contradicting myself, but I want you to say something." She placed a tender, heated hand at his frosted cheek, and he smiled without looking up. He took another swig.
"It's you." He whispered, just audible to Noelle. It wasn't satisfactory.
She glanced around in a pretend, almost mock surprise, "Oh, I didn't hear that. Could you say it again?" Their hazel and dewy blue eyes made contact, and Noelle was stunned in shock. She couldn't believe that she persuaded him!
"You."
"What about me?" Her heart fluttered in her chest. She was truly touched. She couldn't tell whether it was his slightly drunken state, the hidden mishap yet to uncover or just the season.
"Special. But you were away for so long, I thought--"
"As if!" She screeched to herself, feigning back hysterical laughter, "No, no, no, Newt, no…" She took a deep breath in and composed herself, "I'm not straying away from your wonderful soul. I was just preparing myself, practicing the dance in my PJs, realising that my dress was too small, and luckily for me," She chuckled, "The owls delivered another one!" He tilted his head and smiled a little more at the mere mention of owls. He couldn't help it. "And here I am. So, are you ready?" She stood up, caressed her dress, and held out her glistening hand. He didn't take it fully, only holding his in hers, feeling for all the sensations. The smooth edges. The tempered warmth. The laced precision of reaching her fingertips and the slow, delicate movement of intertwining. A sudden wash of realisation was cast over him. How he now longed for her touch! He knew that her hands hadn't been toying with some other man. They had remained faithful all the while. His heart was beating fast and strong, and his mind couldn't halt the temptation. His mind was leaning into her, chanting, "Go! Go! Go!" So, he did. Taking her hand for real, they beamed at one another, overflowing with harmony.
"Do you know the dance?" He said.
"I did, but that's been long forgotten. Do you?" They stood still, swaying gently in rhythm.
"As a matter of fact, yes!" He was elated to be the teacher once more, and they circled and moved just as Leta had taught him, and as Newt had passed onto Noelle. He spied his brother in joyous company, as Noelle did with her sister. They were both kissing, and neither could take back the shared grimace and slight revulsion. So, the pair looked past their siblings and revelled under the chandeliers, dancing, drinking and talking like adults, teasing and playing like children until everything was magically packing up around them and the majority of the students, teachers alike, were clearing out. Noelle and Newt waited until they were the last ones left, not even Filch to chide them away, sneaking out into the forbidden depths of darkness. They could do what they wanted.
"It's nice to rebel once in a while…" They both thought.
It was shadow by shadow, silhouette by silhouette. The luminescence was still twirling through the sky like a flock of birds. The Christmas star was in their sights like an overhead comet. Everything was perfect.
"We have all the time in the world." She susurrated.
"I know." He held his hands at her shoulders. There was only one thing left to do. They lip-locked rather violently, but it was all they both ever desired. Long and breathless they both were, and the moonlit horizons made it all the more memorable. "I don't ever want to let you go." He said, bright and passionate.
"Neither here nor there, Newt. You'll never be out of my sights."
"Aww…" He muttered under his breath, letting the words seep in. He struck up a different conversation, but one that he'd been meaning to share. "Wanna come back to the case? I built a new enclosure!" He smirked.
"Sure." She smiled with innocence, following his lead. Down through the corridors and descending the stairs, creatures all in good company, being constantly cared for. They were all asleep, so he dimmed down the lights and showed her.
He was a bit of a nervous wreck now. It sounded better when he said it outside. "It's called a portable bedroom."
"What?" She said, incredulous.
"Beds." He repeated. "One for you, one for me. In the case, too. We'll be here for ages. Always and forever." He sighed, exhausted but somewhat disappointed. He expected elation. Maybe she was just tired too? And she kissed him again. It took him several moments to realise, but when he did it was explosive. They slowly moved to beds and let go.
"We aren't ready for that yet…" Was all their brains coerced, so, they talked some more, Newt finishing off a few sketches. Once he had finished, they took turns changing in a nearby dressing room he spelled up, and after that he was asleep within minutes, Noelle watching on lovingly, and they were closer than ever before.