A/N: WOW. okay, so I've been busy this weekend. Therefore, I'm a bit late with this. Sowwy.
"Would you like to go to the Yule ball together?" George burst out.
It was such an easy question, but it took every ounce of courage George had ever stored inside his heart to ask Hannah that precise question.
Fred and George had spent the entire day thinking of a good enough prank as revenge for what Malfoy said to Hannah at the Three Broomsticks. They had successfully created a very fine powder, with the help of some ingredients from Snape's private storage that would hopefully cover Malfoy's skin with red dots that would itch like a thousand feathers.
"Do you know if Hannah has any date yet for the Yule ball?" George asked, as the twins were getting ready for bed at the end of the day.
The prank-powder they had created for Malfoy was now well hidden inside his pillow, where, thanks to a whole lot of safety traps, perhaps the safest spot in all of Hogwarts was.
"I don't think so." Fred said and got up on George's bed.
"Maybe she'll go with Malfoy."
"Don't say that." George burst out and hit his brother hard on the shoulder.
"I'm serious about this."
"Well, I was being serious too." Fred said.
"The ball is the day after tomorrow, George, and Hannah is a pretty girl. I'd be surprised if no one hasn't already asked her."
George frowned and bit his lip. Of course he couldn't deny it. Fred was right, and that was what scared him. He had tried several times these past weeks to ask Hannah if they could go together, but his nerves always got in the way, his face looked like a canvas covered with red paint. No matter how hard he tried, his mouth never seemed to form the words he needed them to utter so badly.
"You ask her then, if she wants to go with us." George said and pushed Fred off his bed.
"Tomorrow. Yes, you should definitely do it tomorrow."
"No I'm not asking her." Fred said and got into his bed.
"If you want to go with her to the ball so badly you should ask her."
Fred gave out a loud sigh and looked over at his brother who seemed to be fighting a war inside himself. To be honest, Fred had done a lot for his brother's sake; letting him sit next to Hannah during breakfast and classes. He had even denied helping Hannah with cleaning duty so George could take his place. This was starting to turn into a ridiculous game.
There was a war inside George's heart. He was furious with his brother for not helping him at his time of need but didn't dare say anything to him. Otherwise Fred could suspect his feelings for Hannah.
The two boys eventually fell asleep with their heads filled with dilemmas, thoughts and feelings.
The very next day was the day before the Yule ball. You could almost touch the suspense in the air, all the students were eager to show off their ball gowns and just have a night filled with laughter, dancing and perhaps even some kissing. To wait one more day for this magical evening seemed to much!
One of the not so hopeful ones was George. He spent the entire day sulking, watching as the clock ticked closer and closer to the 25th and feeling the panic rise inside of him like a flood.
"Is something the matter, George?" Hannah asked during lunch, giving him a concerned look.
George woke up from his daydream and noticed that he had not even had one bite of his lunch. It wasn't very like him.
"I'm sorry." He said and gave Hannah a weak smile.
"I'm just a little tired from all the homework this week. It's been insane."
"I've told you before that you can always ask me for help." Hannah said.
"If it's that much homework that you won't even eat your lunch…"
"Hannah, it's okay." George cut her off.
"I'm fine, I'll eat now. See?"
He took a piece of his omelet and put it in his mouth, chewing it like it was a big piece of meat. Hannah laughed, even though George didn't think his exaggeration was that funny. But then again, Hannah was always close to laughter.
"Fine, but next time just ask me." she said and returned to her meal.
George looked down at his food, the sight of it making him sick.
Late in the afternoon, after all the classes, Fred and George went to the library to find Hannah. Almost every alone moment, she used to retreat to the library, when she wasn't with the twins or Hermione that is. She loved to drown in her books, get absolutely absorbed by them. The knowledge she had access to here, in Hogwarts gigantic library, was to her, priceless. Dumbledore and Madame Irma Pince had even given her the eligibility to access some of the closed sections of the library, knowing she would do nothing but good deeds with the information. Hannah had not know what to say when Dumbledore had told her the news, only hugged him tightly and crying silently against his chest.
Fred and George found Hannah sitting in her usual spot, a window-seat with a beautiful view over the school grounds. Her black glasses had slid down on her nose but she pushed them up with her middle finger, like she always did. Birdy was sitting on her shoulder with his eyes closed, his big fluffy chest slowly sinking and rising. She didn't notice them at first, even though the twins were standing right in front of her, but when Fred leaned in to look at what she was reading, her concentration broke and with a twitch, she looked around her like she just woke up. Birdy flew away from her shoulder, but only after sending Fred and George each a very annoyed look for waking him up.
"Fred, George, I didn't see you." Hannah whispered, still in shock.
Fred and George laughed silently and sat down next to her in two of the comfortable armchairs in the library.
"What are you reading, Hannah"? George asked as quietly as he could, casting a wary glance towards Madame Pince.
"I've finally made my way to the section about Dragons." She whispered, filled with excitement.
"I never knew they really existed, dragons truly are enrapturing creatures."
"So, do have a date yet for the ball tomorrow?" Fred suddenly asked, receiving a surprised look from George.
"Why in the world are you dragging this up now?" George said through their twin communication-system.
"Shut up, I'm doing this for you." Fred answered.
"I was planning on going with Hermione, but it seems she has a date." Hannah explained.
"There have been some guys who have asked me, but I haven't said yes to any of them. I guess they would like an answer soon, huh?"
She gave them a weak smile and closed her book.
"George doesn't have a date either." Fred said and this time he received a hit from his brother.
Madame Pince cast them a warning glance, and Fred put a finger to his mouth, gesturing they would be quiet from now on.
"Do you have a date Fred?" Hannah asked, her eyes darting around the room but not focusing on any of the twins.
"No, not really." Fred answered and shrugged.
"But hey, you should answer the guys soon. I mean, the ball is tomorrow."
"I know, but it's all really embarrassing." Hannah said and looked at Fred with pleading eyes.
"I'd rather go with someone I already know."
"Would you like to go to the Yule ball together?" George burst out.
Hannah and Fred both looked at George, Madame Pince hushing at them in the background. He couldn't believe it, that he had actually asked Hannah to go to the Yule ball with him! It took him all the courage he had every stored up in his heart, but now it was done. It was like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders and heart, he felt as light as a feather, maybe even a bit lightheaded.
"You mean we three could go together?" Hannah asked, her cheeks turning a bright pink color.
And the weight was back in his stomach. How could she have misunderstood that? This was not the way George wanted it to be. He took a deep breath and noticed he had held his breath after asking the question, air streaming down his lungs.
But it was better than nothing.
"Yes, we could all go together." George said with a forced smile.
Hannah beamed a smile right back at him, obviously happy with the suggestion.
"I'd love to, if that's okay with you Fred?" Hannah said and looked at Fred with hopeful eyes.
"Sure, that sounds great." He said and smiled back.
"Then, I guess you better go decline to all those guys."
"I guess I better do that." She said with a laugh.
And so it was settled.
