Chapter 7
Izzy stood in front of the mirror one last time, transfixed by her reflection. She was wearing the dress her Aunt sent her and it was the night of the Yule Ball. The dress was made from deep midnight blue silk with gold embroidery on the bodice and was perfectly fitted to Izzy, cinching at the waist then falling in ripples to the floor. Alice had helped with her hair and it looked lovely, in gentle waves that reached her waist. Some hair was tied back from her face, entwined with delicate forget-me-not flowers and wisps of golden hair escaped slightly, framing her face. She took a deep breath and slipped on the high heeled shoes her Aunt had also sent her and shakily left the room.
Her roommates had got bored of waiting for her and had gone ahead, as Izzy was not sure she had even wanted to go at that point. She didn't really know now. Fred had asked Angelina and Izzy was now the dateless loser. What was the point of even going?
Izzy looked up hopefully as she heard someone whistle and burst out into laughter as she saw George waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs.
"You look gorgeous, what's the occasion?" he smiled putting an arm around her shoulder.
"It was not my idea trust me and you don't look so bad yourself" Izzy surveyed him with a critical eye before straightening the collar of his shirt.
As if reading her mind he suddenly burst out, "Fred's already at the ball".
"I know" she smiled but her face was saddened.
"Just so you know, I thought what you did to Ang was pretty funny" he nudged her elbow as they walked along the corridor towards the door.
"So did I, until I got a lecture from Mr High and Mighty" Izzy smirked, back to her usual self even though the thought of Fred stung her.
"Are you ready?" George offered her his arm and she took it gratifyingly. As they entered the room a spotlight suddenly appeared and the whole room gradually turned to stare at them in silence. Izzy grinned as she spotted Fred who must have been the last to turn around.
Fred didn't move a muscle as he watched Izzy come down the stairs on the arm of his brother. The spotlight disappeared after a few moments and people started dancing again; everyone but Fred.
"Isabella you look …" Fred trailed off, feeling idiotic. Izzy had so many things to say but every word got stuck in her mouth and before she knew her friends were dragging her off to dance to their favourite song. She was asked to dance a few times before the slow music came on and everyone started to dance with their dates, of which Izzy had none.
She stumbled miserably out into the cold night but took comfort in the fresh and that everyone else was inside not out here feeling sorry for her.
"Hey" there was a voice from behind her but Izzy already knew who it was.
"Hey" she gave a weak smile at just the sight of Fred as he came to stand next to her. "You know you don't have to stay here" Izzy stated after a few moments of silence.
"I know" he grinned and Izzy could not help but smile back. She linked her arm with his and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Ang is probably waiting for you in there" she pointed out with pain in her voice.
"I haven't danced with her all night; I doubt she wants me now" he gave a light chuckle and Izzy smiled broadly again.
"Well aren't you the charmer" she joked as she stared at the full moon that shone brightly above the trees.
"You look even more beautiful in the moonlight" Fred declared out of nowhere and Izzy suddenly realised he was watching her and she turned her head up to him.
"Really?" her eyes were full of anxiety as he turned to face her and lent his forehead against her own.
"Really, really" his warm breath tickled her face and Izzy could not help but shiver. Taking off his jacket Fred draped it around her shoulders then grinned and stepped back then offered his hand to dance. Izzy gratefully accepted despite her lack of skill when it came to dancing.
"Fred I'm sorry" Izzy finally let her words run free and found she couldn't stop. "I didn't think you cared about Angelina so much and I was jealous alright because … because…" she couldn't finish and her tongue stuck in the back of her throat.
"Because you love me" Fred's grin was larger than ever and his blue eyes sparkled so brightly Izzy almost agreed with him.
"Fred Weasley how dare you assume I …" she pulled back defensively but was cut off.
"You do love me" Fred repeated himself with equal enthusiasm.
"Fred you just ruined the most romantic moment of our lives" Izzy quickly changed the subject.
"You ruined it first" Fred laughed and grabbed her, hugging her to him.
"Say it" he threatened jokingly.
"No, you've ruined the moment and now you'll never know" Izzy smirked teasingly.
"Say it" Fred whined like a child and Izzy turned to face him and they faced each other, nose to nose.
"Fred Weasley, I …" she began but he cut her off with a gentle kiss that left her breathless.
"I'm sorry" he immediately apologised but Izzy was still getting over the adrenaline rush. Not waiting for another moment she pulled him towards her and kissed him so passionately she thought she might have died and gone to heaven. She didn't notice as she ran her hands through his red hair and he held her tightly to him.
Coming up for air Izzy looked into his beautiful blue eyes and smiled as he looked how she felt. "I love you" she couldn't fight it anymore and he grinned again.
"I love you more" he whispered back, making her feel a million stories high. "I've loved you for so long" he continued longingly and Izzy was surprised as he took her hand but didn't object as he slipped the gold ring off her finger.
"Amor" he whispered and tapped to ring with his wand and immediately an inscription appeared. In beautiful writing it simply read.
Forever yours x
