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Millicent had noticed Harry from the first day of school. He was just so cute with his spiked up, messy hair and those precious round spectacles of his. She hated how her housemates constantly mocked him. She tried not to be dragged into the conflict in any way. For the most part she was successful. She kept hoping he would notice her. He never did. He was too busy with his friends Ron and Hermione. It seemed that Harry Potter was just like everyone else. Even he didn't take any notice of a wallflower named Millicent Bulstrode.
Millicent sat in the library two tables down from Hermione. Harry wasn't sure why he was so nervous. He was simply going to ask her what assignments he'd missed in Defense, the only class Hermione didn't excel in, aside from flying class. It wasn't as if he was asking her out or anything. It was a simple homework request. 'So why were his palms so sweaty and his heart pounding like crazy?' It had to be because she was a Slytherin and he had mostly bad experiences with them.
He took a deep breath and walked over to her. Before he could even open his mouth, he was shoved from behind. "Oi, Potter, wrong table! Keep to your own part of the library!" Crabbe and Goyle shoved him back over to Hermione's table as Malfoy, Zabini, Nott, Parkinson and Greengrass took seats all around Millicent. She had looked, startled by the commotion.
She watched as he slowly sat down at Hermione's table. He kept stealing glands over at her. 'Why had he approached her table? If only she'd looked up before they shoved him away!' she looked back down at the assignment she was working on. "Oi, Millie, we're going into Hogsmeade this evening. You're coming, too. No arguments! Yes, you do something to wear and we'll be doing your hair and makeup." Pansy announced, squeezing her hand. Millicent resigned herself to the outing. When Parkinson made up her mind, it was made up!
Harry overheard the words and immediately determined that somehow he was also going to Hogsmeade. He just needed the right excuse. Ron and Hermione would definitely go with him. He'd see if he couldn't also get Neville, Hannah and Luna on board. If she was going to be in a crowd, then he needed to be as well. That way, it wouldn't draw attention to the fact that Harry Potter was following Millicent Bulstrode all over Hogsmeade!
"Ron. Hermione. Fancy a trip into Hogsmeade? We could get Neville, Hannah and Luna, too. What do you say, mates?" he asked, knowing that Hermione already knew why he wanted to go. She'd been trying to encourage him to speak to Millie for years now. He'd noticed her watching him halfway through first year. It had intrigued him enough to return the interest. Now he desperately wanted to ask the girl to the annual Yule Ball but the task seemed insurmountable. Between the Slytherin/Gryffindor house and Quidditch rivalry plus he and Draco constantly clashing, he wasn't sure Millicent would even want anything to do with him.
"Of course, we can go. I'll speak to Hannah and Luna. You two round up Neville." Hermione packed her books and stood to leave. Ron and Harry jumped up and gathered their belongings. There was no way to tell where they'd find Neville. He could be in the common room, the greenhouses or down by the Black Lake, visiting the Giant Squid. They opted to start outside. It was a beautiful day and that's when Neville tended to stay out of the castle every chance he got.
Millicent watched him go wistfully. "Come on, Millie. Don't moon around after him. You know what would happen if you got with him. The first time you did or said something he didn't like, he'd dump you without a thought. They don't forgive or forget. Remember Snape and his mother? Best friends since childhood, according to ALL our parents, and one slip of the tongue while being humiliated destroyed their friendship. Best not to even chance it." Pansy told her, heartsick over who her friend liked. If there was any way in the world she knew Harry Potter WOULDN'T break Millie's heart, she'd be supporting them 100%. But she just didn't trust him.
The two groups departed within minutes of each other. Harry's group left first. He wanted to get into a good position to keep an eye out for Millie. He figured his best chances to speak to her would be either Honeydukes, Zonko's or Tomes and Scrolls. Her friends would be distracted in either of the three shops. He might have a chance to actually talk to her with no interruptions.
Millicent was walking down the sidewalk with Pansy and Daphne when a man jumped at them from the alley, snarling. The girls screamed as they drew their wands and tried to get away. From inside Zonko's, Harry saw what was happening. Without a thought to his own safety, he drew his own wand and dashed outside. He got between them and fought the werewolf until the Aurors were able to round him up.
Pansy would never have believed it but Harry Potter had actually saved them! This was the sign she'd been waiting for. She hugged Millie, pushed her into his arms and said, "Three Broomsticks in one hour for lunch, aye, Potter?"
Harry smiled proudly as he held Millie against him. "One hour. See you there, Parkinson."
He looked down at Millicent. "I've been meaning to ask you something. Would you go to the Yule Ball with me?" he spoke quickly before he lost his nerve again.
She smiled as she hugged him. "I'd be honored to go with you."
He couldn't help himself. She was so beautiful. He pulled her close as he kissed her gently. It was Millie's first kiss.