Her vain hope of Rabastan calming down were for naught as he continued to stutter his words and trip over his own words. She was surprised he was actually standing upright! She took her books with a smile and shook her head.
"No need for you to follow me inside, I can take care of them. You have my deepest thanks for helping me with all of these though. I fear I would have taken at least an hour more to get back with all of the books in tact." She gave him another smile and saw she was going to lose him. Well, may as well be blunt about it.
"Rabastan, I seem to be in need of a date for the Malfoy Ball coming up. I assume you know of this event?" She raised an eyebrow. "My parents would find it disgraceful if I were not to attend with a proper pureblood gentleman. I was quite hoping you might be interested in going?" Ugh, it was terrible that she had to ask her own date out. Yet, the look on Rodolphus' face would be good enough for her.