Chapter 10

The Slytherins sat in their common room, awaiting an announcement from Snape. When he uttered the word 'ball' the room erupted into gasps and squeals from the girls, and sighs of disappointment from the boys. Snape ignored it and continued telling them about the impending ball. It was quite funny really, Professor Snape talking about dates and dances.

He called upon Leigh Jackson and Brady Hankins to show the class how to dance correctly.

His right hand on her hip. Her right hand on his shoulder. Left hands entwined together. His left foot forward, her right foot back, his right foot forward, her left foot back and one, two, three. His right foot right, her left foot right, his left foot right, her right foot right and twirl, two, three.

The boys mocked Brady Hankins for dancing in front of the class. Slytherin boys shouldn't do that, they had reputations. The girls swooned at the sight of the lean, shaggy-haired boy.

The music ended and the Slytherins clapped and cheered.

Lily left the common room with Tina Raven and they walked to the library. Lily dropped her books carelessly on the table and took a seat. Tina sat next to her.

"I can't wait for the ball," Tina whispered excitedly.

"I know! Its going to be bloody brilliant!" Lily beamed.

"/I'm/ planning to go with Draco, well, if you don't mind" Tina said with seemingly innocent eyes.

"Why would /I/ mind?" Lily asked slowly.

"Well I know you guys are friends, and everyone agrees you two are going to happen sooner or later,"

"Me...and Draco?"

"Well, yeah? Don't you like him?" Lily laughed. It's not that she didn't like Draco, and it had nothing to do with the fact that her heart fully belonged to Fred, she just didn't see herself dating Draco.

"Trust me, he's all yours," Lily said, causing Tina to hug her and thank her a trillion times.

George walked into the library and sat with Lily and Tina. Tina was one of the few Slytherins that didn't care that George was a Gryffindor or that he was Lily's friend.

"Hey Georgie," Lily said and ruffled his hair. "Where's your shadow?" she said referring to Fred.

"He should be here soon,"

"DidMcGonagalltelltheGryffindorsabouttheball?" Tina asked all in one breath, unable to get the ball off her mind. Lily rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Yes she did, and I tell you, there's gonna be some bloodshed over dates," He said slyly.

"Ooh gossip, what do you know?" Lily asked, she and Tina leaning closer.

"Well, apparently, Hannah Abott wants to go with Neville Longbottom, but everyone suspects he and Seamus have eyes for that Lovegood girl. Ginny wants to go with Harry, Harry wants to go with Cho and Cho's ALREADY going with Cedric. Ron, he's too chicken to ask out Hermione and everyone knows he wants to. And Lee wants to go with Angelina, but Angelina wants to go with Fred," Lily flinched when George said that last sentence. She all of a sudden got jealous and protective, but suppressed those feelings.

"Wow, all that in a day. So who does Fred want to go with?" Tina asked curiously.

"Ah," George tapped the end of his nose with his fingertip, "That's my secret," Tina gave him a fake evil look for not telling, but she didn't push to find out.

"I'm going with Draco," She told him.

"She hopes," Lily added.

"And what about you Lil?" George looked at her.

"What? Me? Uh, I hadn't thought about it" That was a lie. All she thought about was dancing with Fred.

"What about him ay?" George nodded towards Brady Hankins, the Slytherin boy who had demonstrated the dance earlier this morning. He was talking to a bunch of girls, but staring at Lily.

Fred walked into the library and towards the three, taking Lily's attention away from the Slytherin boy.

"He's not my type," she shrugged and looked back at Tina, who had a stunned look on her face. Fred sat across from Lily, making her look down to hide her smile.

"He's Brady fricken Hankins!" Tina shouted, forgetting they were in a library. She retreated a little. "he's rich, fit, popular, he's everyone's type! AND he's totally checking you out! What more do you want?" She whispered loudly.

'What more do I want? Red hair, freckles and a love of practical jokes is a start,' Lily thought to herself.

"What are you talking about?" Fred asked looking a bit puzzld. Lily loved it when he was confused. His brow furrowed and Lily thought it was extremely cute.

"Dates to the ball," George winked.

"Lily doesn't want to go with Hankins, who, by the way, is completely into her," Fred turned around to see Brady still staring at Lily with a lopsided smile. Fred wanted to hex him right then and there.

"Oh, why not Lil?" Fred pretended to encourage his friend.

"I have my reasons," she smirked.

"What about you Georgie? Who do want to take?" Fred.

"Maybe Leigh Jackson,"

"Good choice my man! She's a pretty one," Fred cheered and Lily shot him a sideways glance.

A little while later, they all left the library. Tina went to find Malfoy, and George went to look for Leigh. Fred and Lily went for a stroll around the back of Hogwarts, where other people rarely came.

"Brady Hankins? Really?" Lily could hear the jealously in Fred's voice.

"What about him?" Fred just looked at her, "you're jealous!" she exclaimed.

"No I'm not," he scoffed. Lily stopped walking and stood in front of him. She out her hands on his chest and took a step closer. She looked up at his shiny blue eyes and raised her eyebrows.

"Freddie, it's okay to be jealous. I'll even admit that, I get a little jealous of..." she didn't want to even say her name "Angelina," she said quickly. Fred just burst into laughter, "what's so funny?" she whined. It wasn't funny to her.

"I'm sorry, nothing, but why would you be jealous of Angelina?"

"You don't know?"

"Don't know what?"

"She likes you! George said she wants to go to the ball with you,"

"Lil, you have absolutely NOTHING to worry about," he took her hands which were still on his chest, "she's not the one I want to go with,"

"I see why you'd like her, I wouldn't be mad if you did a little bit. Well okay I would be mad, but not for long. She's smart and pret-"

She started to protest but was cut off by Fred's lips.

"Lil, she might be smarter, and she might be prettier, but she's not you," he said and gave her a kiss on one of her slightly red cheeks.

Lily smiled and stood on her toes and gave Fred a soft kiss, before her smile faded.

"You think she's prettier than me?" Lily asked offended. Fred just laughed and shook his head before turning and walking back to the castle with Lily.