This Year's the Year

[Rudolf Lagowski]

Rudolf was receiving some very concerned looks, but he did not care, because this year was the year! Phoebe couldn't possibly not say yes to being his Yule Ball partner when she was being asked in braille; and not just any braille, but a gigantic version of braille that covered quite a large space of the seventh floor corridor wall. He stepped back to admire his work. Now all he needed to do was wait for Phoebe to come down for breakfast and catch her on her way out of the common room.

 

[Phoebe Callwell]

Phoebe was tired - after a night without restful sleep the blonde teen was sure she was just going to pass out over her porridge. Still she wanted to stay in a good habit of rising early. Rubbing her eyes Phoebe blinked, sometimes forgetting that it didn't matter if her eyes were a bit crusty - it wasn't as if they worked after all. Standing she began getting dressed in a simple outfit, sweats and a t-shirt. After all, she didn't have classes making it easy for her to simply relax in some lazy clothing. Peeping out of the Common room Phoebe extended her point me cane and made her way down for breakfast.

 

[Rudolf Lagowski]

Rudolf's heart never failed to skip a few beats when he saw her. He was so taken aback by how beautiful she looked in sweats and a shirt that she almost passed him by before he remembered to stop her. "Pheeb!" he said, stepping forward and giving her shirt sleeve a gentle tug. "Pheeb, I need to ask you something." Given that it was November, and that he asked every year, she could probably guess what was coming. But she couldn't have guessed how it was coming!

 

[Phoebe Callwell]

Phoebe stopped the moment she heard her name, and smiled at the familiar voice. only recently had the pair gotten over their small squabble, and so Phoebe was glad he was seeking her out. "Rudolf." She greeted, turning around and following the sound of his voice to try and meet eyes with him - regardless of how unsuccessful she was. Upon hearing what he had to say the smile faultered and Phoebe closed her eyes sighing. She needed to give him the benefit of the doubt. "And what's that, Ru?"

 

[Rudolf Lagowski]

Phoebe was looking right over the top of Rudolf's head, but he didn't mind. Ignoring the falter in her tone, he took her by the hand and guided her towards the wall and away from the flow of students. "You have to feel the wall," he told her, hardly able to contain his excitement. He lifted her hand to the first braille marking. "Starting from here!" The Gryffindor stepped back and grinned. The braille said, will you go to the ball with me, Phoebe Callwell?

 

[Phoebe Callwell]

Phoebe's face twisted into a confused and worried expression. Tentatively she allowed Rudolf to lift her hand to the wall, praying that it wouldn't be gross or slimy - or some sort of prank. The first thing she felt was a bump, and then another bump. Before long Phoebe didn't need guidance, she realized she was reading braille. As the sentence moved on Phoebe's other hand covered her mouth, both in shock and guilt. He had learned braille to ask her to the ball?

Phoebe pulled her hand away before she'd even finished and backed up slightly. Rudolf would have to learn Braille to show her anything if he dated her. She'd never be able to read and essay he wrote. Phoebe wasn't Yule Ball material. She couldn't even see if her makeup was on right or if her shoes matched her dress. Why would he take a mess like her? The thirteen year old felt a tear escape her pallid eyes and she shook her head. "I can't." She barely squeaked out. "I... can't." With that she turned to leave back the way she came. Breakfast ruined by the nausea in the pit of her stomach.

 

[Rudolf Lagowski]

Rudolf held his breath, hoping that the hand over Phoebe's mouth was one of pleasant surprise, and not horror. But she didn't even get to the Phoebe Callwell bit before she stopped reading, and in an unfortunate twist, Rudolf was the one who ended up horrified. He'd made her cry! Of all the reactions! The Gryffindor had been so sure his gesture would be a success that he deflated on the spot, watching Phoebe hurry away without trying to stop her. One day, Phoebe Callwell, he thought sadly. Until then, it looked as if Reuben was his dance partner. Rudolf wondered how he was getting on...