Chapter 3

"The Yule Ball". Izzy looked up from her hand which she had been doodling on during assembly.

"What did he say?" she whispered to Alice who sat beside her and who shrugged her shoulders in response.

Izzy soon found out all about it when she sat with the rest of her house watching Professor McGonagall dance with Ron only just restraining her laughter.

"So who are you planning on going with?" Saskia looked at Izzy with suspicious eyes causing Izzy to momentarily splutter with laughter making Professor McGonagall's head snap round like an elastic band.

"Miss Hartwell if you find it so funny perhaps you would like to join in" she snapped. Pulling a face of despair, Izzy groaned and got up.

"But Professor I have no one to dance with" Izzy pointed out in a drawling tone. "Err, Fred dance with Miss Hartwell". Izzy face went cold and bitter when she saw Fred's laughing manner go to one of grumpiness and misery. Stupid ginger git Izzy thought to herself as she joined him in the middle of the room. They hadn't spoken since Tuesday and the Malfoy incident because Fred had not apologised and was constantly avoiding her.

"Fred we need to talk" Izzy hated that line but it would have to do as she stumbled around the dance floor.

"Really?" he replied sarcastically and Izzy frowned even more.

"See this what I'm talking about, why are you acting like such a Slytherin? Whatever I did I'm sorry ok? I'll make it up to you" she gave a weak smile and looked into those playful blue eyes that looked reluctant to forgive her.

"That's the thing" he hissed making up his mind, "you're too forgiving for Merlin's sake and you haven't even done anything wrong". He looked so frustrated and angry it made Izzy's heart cry out and her eyes started watering.

"Fred why can't you be my friend again?" she said in less than a whisper, her lip trembling, "I miss you and George. Especially you. I feel like I haven't laughed in a year but all you can ever think about is yourself" and with that she quickly dashed out the room her eyes streaming. What's happening to me?

She sat in the girls' toilets whimpering softly to herself feeling like a complete utter idiot.

"Izzy?"she looked up to see Hermione standing there looking very uncomfortable.

"Oh hey Mione, sorry you just caught me at a bad moment" Izzy spluttered wiping her bloodshot eyes. Hermione sat next to her and put a petit arm around her trembling body.

"Trust me I know how you feel. I've had to deal with Ron being like that for years" she smiled softly and Izzy could not help but giggle.

"Come on" Izzy took a deep breath and got up, back to her usual self. "Let's get back in there and show them who's boss" she winked at Hermione who smiled broadly back. At least some people are easy to please Izzy thought to herself as they entered the hall.