(( @KimmiChan1989: I'm so sorry, 2018 has been awful. and I've been on a lot of bedrest because of doctors orders. [pregnant] ))
He looked over at her and almost choked on his words, "Yes, it is beautiful in here." Internally he was arguing with himself and trying to give himself a pep talk. 'Come on Jason, pull it together. She's your friend, and holding her hand shouldn't change how you act around her. ' He was completely giddy that he had actually asked her to the ball, and that she had said yes. He still couldn't quite believe that it had happened. "The enchanted frost they put on the autumn leaves is a nice touch."

It wasn't really what was keeping his attention though, she was, and so were his panicked thoughts. He knew that he had to be braver about being himself. And part of that was admitting that he liked Julia more than just as a friend. Why had it taken him so long to realize that? "I didn't realize that this Thanksgiving thing could have decorations as grand as the Christmas decorations." At least his mouth and brain hadn't completely shut off.

(thank you <3)
"It would be really great if they could do a Yule Ball this year too. Do you think it's to show off that we have awesome holiday traditions here as well?" He smiled at her when she patted his back and tried to calm down, "sorry, I guess I'm a bit nervous. This is my first date. Er.. I mean!" He looked at her in shock and heat crept up his neck. "Not that it's a date of course, we're just friends. I uhhh."

He fell silent and nervously ran his hand through his hair. "What about that band huh. I wonder what kind of music they'll play." He was fully embarrassed that the track his mind was on had slipped out. She had never shown any indication of wanting to be more than friends with him, and he had only just realized he liked her that way earlier that day. So as he panickly indicated the band that was setting up on the dais where the head table normally sat, he mumbled barely out loud, and without realizing it, "unless you want it to be a date." It just have easily been a question for himself that he'd thought outloud.

Jason was incredibly confused as she took his hand and led him to an alcove where the noise of the students arriving and the band setting up was much quieter. When she spoke though his mouth comically fell open and his eyebrows rose.
Then she did the least expected thing of the night and kissed him on the cheek. His face flushed and he stared at her in shock. His hand actually raising to touch his cheek in surprise.
After a few moments his brain caught back up and he realized he'd left her hanging. "I would love this to be an actual date. I... I don't know when I got a crush on you." He looked down at the ground embarrassed, "I only realized it as a crush today when I was telling my friends off for treating you like they did."

"No never! I don't want to hurt anyone. " He kicked the ground with his toe in an embarrassed but frustrated way. "I don't even know why I was put in Slytherin. Me ? Ambitious and cunning? Those are probably the words I'd use to describe myself least. " He sighed and finally looked up at her, seeing the smile on her face. "You're a wonderful person Julia, not me. "
But a gentle smile snuck onto his face despite his gloomy nature. The band started playing some American muggle music and it was even harder to keep the smile from his face. Muggle music was his secret pleasure after all. "I think they'll be fine once they get over their shock. " He ran his hand through his hair in his nervous way, "so uhh, would you like to have our first dance as a date. Who cares what others think." He held out his hand and unknowingly held his breath. Their relationship was about to change, but he couldn't help but hope that it would all be for the better.

He let out his breath is surprise and smiled into the hug. This was actually happening, it wasn't a dream, despite it feeling like one.
Nervously he led Julia out to the dance floor, he never actually danced in front of people. Usually because the music he listened to was muggle music, which was often scoffed at by family as being any good. But as she twirled and smiled brightly enjoying herself, Jason began to relax and really get into the music.
If anyone was watching and whispering in surprise about 'Malfoy and Potter?' he was oblivious, and more, he didn't care anymore.

For once, Jason was all smiles with no nervous or worried frowns crossing his face. His cheeks were pink from dancing, and he was thrilled. A little out of breath as they walked to the food tables he looked at Julia, "that was so much fun. I don't think I would have actually danced if I'd come here alone or even just with the guys." His eyes roamed the buffet table looking for what jumped out the most, "think we should find a place to sit and just get a full plate instead of a couple pieces of finger food?"

If he was being honest with himself, his stomach was growling, and as much as he'd gotten into the music, he had used up quite a bit of energy.

Jason was super grateful when she filled up on food , his stomach was begging for a whole plateful. He happily filled up and followed her. "Yeah this spot looks great and great thinking." But a frown lit his face, had he been being a bad friend?
As he set down his plate and slid into the seat he glanced around trying to scan the crowd of heads. "I know they're here somewhere, I honestly forgot to look for them." He gave up searching, he was never good at finding anyone in a crowd even when he knew them well anyways, and looked down at his plate embarrassed. "What about your friends? We're they planning to come to the ball?"