Alina was only half paying attention to the conversation of her friends, meticulously planning their preparations for the Yule Ball. She picked at her fingernails, still undecided if she would even go. It's not that she worried too much about having a date, but the fussing wasn't her normal style. Attention was a foreign concept for Alina, whose talents lay in the less traditional forms of magic while she made only due in the core curriculum.

It is only after Genya said her name a few times that she realized her group had stopped several feet behind her along with Bill Weasley who had also called her name. Genya and Zoya flashed Alina knowing looks before they link arms, laughing as they left to give the two privacy. Alina covered her face with her hand lightly, trying to hide her flush.

"Bill," she was almost surprised, wondering what this could be about. "Of course, although if you're looking for someone to practice for the charms exam, I should let you know I've been lost for weeks now."