Disclaimer: I don't own anything, well I own some things but I'm just too
lazy to list them out.
Readers: Check out Kelly the Maiden's mystery story "Harry Potter's Unusual Summer Holiday." It's really awesome! Ms. Figg plays a big role in the story as well as her granddaughter, Athena, and of course Harry, Sirius, and Lupin are in there. Well, even the twins are mentioned. READ IT AND REVIEW IT! It's really funny as well as engaging! I mean it!!!
A/N: I'm am just close to tears! I never imagined people would like this story this much. It really was just an idea that turned into a rough idea. To be honest, the very first thing I ever wrote on this story was the boggart scene. Look what it all turned into and it was all thanks to you guys!
Thank you to Chained Dove who was my 100th reviewer. She's been reviewing for some time now and I'm so happy she comes back to read the new chapters! Yeah, I seriously considered having Harry reach in her robes but I thought it would be a little OOC for him to do so. Thank you, Chained Dove!
Thank you to all the reviewers of chapter ten (well the end) and eleven: Hico (pass me a napkin!), luisa, (you're too kind!) wicked one, (I'm flattered!) tangible visions (you schizo!), Mionee (Thank you! You made me smile with your review!), Potter-Princess (Thanks for reviewing! No, Alicia doesn't have the photo but you'll find out who does in this chapter. Well, it's really not that big of a deal), Biobud (Don't worry, I'm such a blabber in my writing this will last at least two chapters after this one! Well maybe.), Noodlejelly (Yes, I don't think you have to worry about the Yule Ball!)
I hope you like this chapter. So far, this one has given me the most trouble. It took me so long to know what to have everyone do and I hope you like it!
George's POV
"Yes, George, I'll go to the Ball with you…"
Alicia's words still echoed in my head even days after she'd said them. Lately it wasn't easy to act like George "mischievous and confident" Weasley. I think I'm doing all right, though. I mean, it's not like I'm staring at her with hungry eyes or my mouth open. I do have SOME self- control. (More like I have standards for myself)!
The Yule Ball was creeping up and I knew it would be the main topic of everyone's conversation. The common room was filled with chatter Thursday night, and every now and then you could hear snatches of conversation. "I wish I could go!" a second year moaned. "Did Sean ask you yet?" another girl asked. "No! I don't know what's taking him so long!" someone answered her.
"George, it's your turn," Ron said, gesturing toward the chess set. (Harry had joined Lee, Katie, and Alicia in playing Exploding Snap after losing to Ron three times in a row). Fred and Angelina were Merlin-Knows- Where and Hermione had decided to stop studying her Ancient Runes charts and watch Ron beat me instead.
"It's not fair! I'm the elder brother here! I should be beating your arse at chess!" I fake sniffed, as Ron cheerfully called "Check- mate!" under the watchful gaze of Hermione.
I got up and headed toward the loud conversation that was going on at the Exploding Snap table. Parvati and Lavender, who were sitting next to Ginny, Harry, and Lee, were fooling around with some muggle paint; nail pollen or something like that.
"Yeah, isn't it fantastic? It dries just like that! I think I'm going to wear it for the Ball!" Lavender said to Katie.
"Alicia, who are you going with to the Ball?" Parvati said, loudly enough for me to hear as I made my way over.
"George," was her soft reply. I glanced at her to see if she looked up towards me. She hadn't.
"Really? Are you two going as a couple or just friends?" She asked us both seeing me.
Silence. Alicia's hesitation was enough for me to gaze at her expectantly. If she wouldn't answer, I would. The trouble is what would I say? She looked up at me, doubt in her eyes. Doubt we'd ever be more than friends…my heart sank. I felt like a fool.
"Friends," I answered abruptly. Alicia looked down. I felt like adding 'But I'd like to be more…' but before I could say more Katie jumped up and grabbed Alicia by the arm.
"Oh Alicia, you HAVE to see what I got Angelina for Christmas! It's absolutely fabulous! You were SO right in saying that a creamy white would be the best color…" Katie said leading Alicia away.
"Hey, what about our game?" Lee called after Katie.
Alicia's POV
"Thanks Katie," my voice cracked unnaturally as I closed the door to our dorm room. Katie was always great at making up fast exits…even if that one had been a little overdone.
"Hey, hey!" Katie said, seeing my face. "It wasn't your fault! That was an awkward situation! Parvati was the one who-"
"But it was GEORGE who said we were just friends!"
"You guys ARE just friends!"
"And that's all we're going to be," I said as mournfully as Nearly- Headless-Nick.
"With that attitude, yes," Katie said. "With another, maybe-"
"Please! Let's just talk about this in the morning before I rip my kidneys out!"
"Okay, okay!" Katie said as I tore my curtains open, climbed into bed, and shut them with a loud sigh. I lay down feeling one tear run down my cheek……….
……….The smell of fresh grass filled my nose as I wandered on the Quidditch field. Strangely enough, it wasn't December. In fact, it seemed more like spring. Why am I here? I wondered. I appeared to be alone but a voice appeared to be calling to me…..
"Alicia…Alicia!" A girl's voice cried.
I turned slowly, seeing the blonde walking toward me; her Beaters club over one shoulder. She appeared to be smiling though the smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Who are you?" I asked desperately.
Her smile deepened and she stopped walking. "I think you know. I'm surprised George never told you about me…but I know you know about me...you saw the picture of me, didn't you?" Her tone was purely angelic.
I narrowed my eyes at her. "How can you know that?"
"I know everything. And know this-" her voice lowered dangerously. "- George doesn't like you! Why do you think George never mentions me?" She asked, coming closer to me.
"I have no idea!" I said in surprise.
"Because he doesn't want to hurt your feelings! You're a good friend of his and he knows you fancy him. George is just too nice to tell you!" She said in glee.
I just stared at her. She started to circle around me much like the way Snape had circled around George.
"He's known it for a long time, ever since Fifth year. C'mon, do you really think he's that dim not to see the way you look at him! No, my George isn't thick; he's got brains in that cute head of his!"
"You're disgusting!" I snarled at her.
"Am I?" she said, smiling nastily. She didn't look remotely pretty any longer.
"Yes you are!" I snapped, looking in her cold blue eyes. "Come any closer and I'm going to beat your arse," I said calmly.
"You wouldn't dare," she said, stepping closer.
"Try me!" I roared, lunging towards her. I grabbed her neck and squeezed with all my might. Someone was grabbing my arm rather forcefully. "Please stop, Alicia!" George's voice came from above me. "Stop, stop!"……
"STOP, STOP!" Angelina screamed at the top of her longs. I woke up; suddenly aware I was on the floor clutching my pillow.
"What happened?" I gasped, weakly propping myself up on the bed.
"I though you were going to kill me AND your pillow!" Angelina said, sounding panicky. "I went to get a glass of water and I was nearly clobbered."
"I think you're being a bit dramatic," I said calmly.
"Dramatic!" she said in disbelief. "You were the one-"
" Well I was the having a very bad dream."
"Must have been!" Angelina said, calming down. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"It's pretty disturbing…" I said.
"You need to get it out of your system," Angelina said logically.
"Well, okay…"
George's POV
"Hey, what about our game?" Lee asked, as Katie and Alicia ran off. Silence. Parvati and Lavender had gone pack to painting, both being unusually quiet. Harry stared at the wall. Luckily other noise in the common room more than made up for it.
"I'm going up to bed," I said gloomily.
Lee looked at me sympathetically but didn't say anything. Actually, I'm glad he didn't. I didn't feel like talking about it.
I didn't exactly want to sulk but sulk I did. My mood sunk to an all-time low when Fred came in our dorm a few hours later whistling. Fred never whistles. NEVER! It must have been caused by an * enchanting * evening with Angelina. Usually I'd be happy for him; I knew he cared a great deal for her.
He stopped whistling when he failed to get a response from me. In fact, his whole face fell, mirroring my own dismal one.
"What did she do to you?" he asked, knowing I'd know exactly who "she" was.
"That's the thing, she didn't do anything."
I explained the whole situation and when I finished Fred shook his head. "That doesn't prove anything! You just haven't used your natural charm!"
"Why, did you use yours tonight?"
"Maybe," Fred smiled.
"Listen to us! Lately girls are all we talk about!"
"Yeah, we're growing up!" he said, fake swooning.
"No seriously! Do you notice our plans are falling by the wayside? Canary Creams were last year, what happened to this year's Christmas?
"Yes, I think people are going to get suspicious if we don't do something soon!"
"I agree, brother!" I smiled. "We can't disappoint them, can we?"
"Absolutely not! You haven't forgotten about our Jelly Jiggles? We can put them in a bowl near the other food just before the Ball in the common room."
"Or at the Ball!"
"My, George, you've grown bold! If you'd only be that bold around Alicia!"
"Keep her out of this!'
"Well," Fred said, scratching an imaginary beard (maybe because of last year), "It HAS been a long time since we've had detention."
"Too long!" I agreed solemnly.
"Imagine what people would look like trying to dance after eating just one!"
"We'd better stick to the common room-"
"And have just the Gryffindors look like fools!"
"It wears off in a couple hours!"
"So?"
"So what?"
"So, what are you going to do about Alicia?"
"Tomorrow?"
"No, this minute, prat!" Fred said sarcastically.
"I don't know! I'm going to sweep her off her feet, reciting romantic sonnets and showering her with sweets and kisses."
"Well if you want to look like a lovesick fool you COULD do that!"
"Or NOT!" Come on, am I really the sonnet kind of guy?"
"Well no. Unless you wanted to be a poofster!"
"Which I am NOT!"
"Well, you have to do something."
"No, I figured I'd do nothing!" I snapped.
"Touchy, touchy."
"Let's put them out tomorrow for Christmas Eve," I said, switching the subject back again.
"Put what out?" Fred asked.
"The Jelly Jiggles! Honestly, have you suddenly gone dim? I guess that night out with Angelina used all your remaining brain cells for the evening!"
"Take that back!"
Alicia's POV
I woke up the next morning but was in no hurry to get out of bed after last night. I decided to finish my Transfiguration homework and wrap Katie's gift before heading down to breakfast. I glanced out the window and sighed. It had snowed last night… The sight of the sparking frost- covered trees and the glimmering, startlingly white ground made me smile.
I loved the holidays! You didn't have to get up at a certain time which explained why the curtains of Angelina's and Katie's beds were still shut. I walked down the staircase to the common room and froze. Fred and George were down there already. They were sitting in armchairs looking extremely pleased with themselves. They hadn't seen me but I decided to continue walking.
"Isn't it just a beautiful morning?" Fred said cheerfully to me as I reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Yeah, I guess so. What's got you in such a chipper mood?" I asked him.
George got up and walked towards me. "You mean 'whom'," he smiled. "Don't eat the Jelly Jiggles," he whispered.
"The what?"
He pointed to the empty bowls near the fireplace. "The house elves are going to bring down crisps and more food after dinner tonight. We've added something to the menu for everyone's * entertainment *. He held out something in his hand. "We put a Jelly-legs Charm on them so when-"
"Say no more! I'm just glad you warned me."
"Of course I'd warn you," he said. "It's part of my duty as an honorable male! Shall we go to breakfast, then?" he said, holding his arm out in a mock chivalrous manner.
"We shall!" I giggled, taking it. It was no use talking about last night. It would only bring uncomfortable silences and embarrassment to myself, I thought smiling at him.
George's POV
Of course I'd warned Alicia but that evening it was apparent that it had slipped Fred's mind to warn Angelina.
"They look like Gummy Bears," Hermione said, eyeing the bowl. Several people had gotten some but I hadn't seen anyone eat one yet.
"What are Gummy Bears?" Angelina asked, popping a Jelly Jiggle in her mouth.
"Uh, Fred," I said weakly. Fred, who'd been chatting with a younger Gryffindor, Kelly, turned to me and saw where I was looking. His eyes widened and he scrambled over there, catching Angelina just in time before her legs gave out.
"Angelina! Did you eat one? I should have told you-"
"Fred Weasley!" Angelina thundered.
Alicia's POV
I may have never eaten a Jelly Jiggle but I sure felt like I had the next day getting ready for the Ball. The turkey I had at the lunch banquet rumbled unpleasantly as I gathered my curls on top of my head. My hands were shaking visibly as I clipped my last barrette into place and my fingertips were like ice. It was a good thing I was sitting down because I was sure I'd collapse if I were standing up.
"Please Alicia, let me use the mirror," Katie begged, her brown plait only done on
one side. "This braiding charm I did is going crooked!"
"Okay, it looks like you need it more than I do," I said, getting up.
"Thanks a lot!" she said, sounding offended.
"No really, you look great!" I said, meaning it. She was wearing robes of azure blue and the beginnings of her braid looked really good. Katie was always overly critical with herself. Especially with stuff that has anything to do with Lee Jordan… (Don't tell her I said that!) "Do you need any help?"
"Okay," she said, sitting down. "How did you do that to your hair? It looks really pretty! And your robes! I love that pale mauve on you!"
"Thanks, I just did it the old fashioned way," I said, concentrating on her hair. Just then Angelina came out from the adjoining bathroom wearing shimmering golden robes. Her black hair was long and sleek on her shoulders. "Wow, Angelina!" Katie said.
Angelina smiled. "You two look so pretty! This is going to be so much fun!"
George's POV
"This is not going to be any fun at all!" Lee said, in front of the mirror in our room. He'd been staring a speck on his face for ten minutes now.
"Come on, Lee. You're going with Katie," Fred cajoled. "Don't act like such a ninny!"
"I'm not a ninny!" Lee snapped, jumping up.
"Good, now I'm going to get to use the mirror," Fred grinned. I laughed as he tried to comb his red hair straight. He had the same problem as I had. No matter how hard he tried it wouldn't smooth all the way down.
"I think it's a new record for Fred Weasley," I announced to the room. "He's now been in front of the mirror for a total of eleven minutes and twenty-two seconds.
"Oh shut up!" Fred said.
"Dear brother, you don't have to worry! You look absolutely spiffing!"
"Shut up!"
Just then Ron poked his head in our room. "Thanks for the dress robes," he whispered.
"You're lucky Lee made us put the maroon ones back!" I called after him.
"Hurry up Fred, we have to meet the girls downstairs in a minutes!"
"Calm down, Lee!" Fred scolded Lee, who was pacing.
"Easy for you to say! You went with Angelina last year-"
"Yeah but still!"
Five minutes later we came down to the common room. Groups of people were already down there, each in a different colored robe. Most of them were guys waiting for their dates.
Katie came down first. Lee stopped in mid-sentence about the commentator for the last Wimbourne Wasps game and walked over to her. I didn't hear what he said to her but I saw Katie's smile widen and she held out her hand to him.
I turned to Fred to remind him that we'd tease Lee later but Fred was looking at the staircase with widened eyes. I followed his gaze. Sure enough Angelina was coming down shimmering in robes of gold. Fred swallowed hard, lost for words. I smiled. It wasn't often that Fred was speechless. I glanced expectantly at the top of the stairs and nearly did a double take.
Alicia stood there looking down on the common room. Her eyes found me in seconds and her lips turned up into a soft smile. She almost seemed to float down the stairs, the way she moved so gracefully. I waited a second, stepping slowly over to her, careful not to trip over my own two feet.
Alicia's POV
I watched as Angelina headed for the stairs down to the common room. My heart seemed to pound three times faster than normal. Maybe I should have gone first. Katie should be down there by now. Angelina dropped out of sight heading down the stairs. "Oww!" I said, nearly tripping over my robes. Nearing the stairs I straightened my posture and licked my lips. I took a deep breath and stepped down on the staircase. My hand found the railing and I scanned the common room for George. He was calmly standing there next to Fred smiling when his brown eyes looked up and found me. His smile dropped for a split second but it was immediately replaced by a shy grin. I'd walked down these stairs a thousand times during my time at Hogwarts but it never seemed to take this long…
"Hey, you look great!" George said easily. His red hair was combed slightly neater than it normally was and there was a twinkle in his soft brown eyes. He offered me his arm which I immediately took.
"You don't look so bad yourself," I teased. "Not that you don't always look great."
"Oh stop it you two!" Angelina smiled, holding Fred's hand.
George's POV
"Aren't the decorations gorgeous?" Alicia commented as we entered the Great Hall. She was absolutely right. The Hall seemed to glow with an elegant white sparkle.
I knew Professor Flitwick had been one of the main people in charge of the decorations.
"I couldn't agree more. There's supposed to be ice sculptures outside made by the Swedish Dragons. My brother Charlie told me he'd be here taking care of them."
"Oh, I'd love to see them. And I'd like to meet your brother."
"I'm sure we'll see him sometime. Are you thirsty?" I asked, seeing Fred ask Angelina for a drink.
"Actually, yes."
"What would you like?"
"Pumpkin juice."
"I'll be right back," I said.
Alicia's POV
"Don't be long, Frederick!" Angelina teased.
"I'll be right back," George smiled, following Fred and heading over to get us some pumpkin juice.
"Did you see how Fred looked at you when we came down?" I asked her gleefully.
"Yeah, and when you came down I thought I was going to have to pick George's jaw off the floor!"
"Ah, Ms. Spinnet, Ms. Johnson."
I turned to see Madame Hooch next to me. "Great game last week," she commented.
"Yes, wasn't it?" Angelina replied.
"Oh!" she snapped her fingers and turned to me as if she remembered something. "I believe this is yours. It was left on the Quidditch field some time ago," she explained, handing me something.
It was a wizard photograph slightly covered in mud. I recognized George and I as fifth years, gleefully hugging after winning the Quidditch Cup. I chuckled as I saw a very emotional Oliver Wood in the background. "Whoa, this is old! How did you-" I stopped. She'd already walked away.
"Holy cricket!" Angelina squealed, seizing the picture. "That's the picture I saw when I stopped in Fred's room a while back!"
I frowned. "This was what was on George's nightstand?"
"Well, yes! I thought you knew!"
"That's not what I found!" I said, snatching it back.
"What did you find?"
"A picture of George and some other girl! And they looked more than chummy! I think he may fancy her! And then she turned up in my dream the other night!"
"Who are you talking about? I was wondering why you were so upset! It all makes perfect sense!"
"What makes sense?" Katie asked, coming over to us with Lee.
"Blimey! Where did you get that?" Lee asked, his brown eyes wide, seeing what I had in my hand.
"Madame Hooch gave it to me."
"How could she have had it when George has been carrying it around the whole-" Lee smacked his hand over his mouth like he'd said something he shouldn't have.
"What do you mean George carries it around with him?" I said in surprise.
"Well maybe not carries it around but has it-" Lee hurried to explain.
"What are you saying? What is going on here?" I demanded.
"Why don't ask George yourself? He's coming straight toward us," Katie whispered.
I looked up. George was carrying our drinks and talking with Fred, not looking directly at us but coming closer.
"No way!" I panicked, grabbing Angelina's hand and running in the opposite direction toward the girls' toilets.
"What are you doing?" Angelina screeched as I increased our speed, nearly tripping over our own dress robes. We reached a powder room before the bathrooms (installed during our fourth year courtesy of Lockhart).
"I can't believe this!" I wailed as I sank down on a cushion. I stared at my flushed face in a long oval-shaped mirror.
"Calm down, Alicia," Angelina said comfortingly. "I tried to tell you."
"I wouldn't listen…I had my own insecurities…All those times I thought he felt nothing for me…Maybe he's fancied me all along…" I trailed off. Angelina remained silent.
"The boggart...the photograph…the detentions after those potions disaster…that time after the Slytherin fight…asking me to the Ball…"
"By George, I think she's got it!" Angelina said smiling.
Readers: Check out Kelly the Maiden's mystery story "Harry Potter's Unusual Summer Holiday." It's really awesome! Ms. Figg plays a big role in the story as well as her granddaughter, Athena, and of course Harry, Sirius, and Lupin are in there. Well, even the twins are mentioned. READ IT AND REVIEW IT! It's really funny as well as engaging! I mean it!!!
A/N: I'm am just close to tears! I never imagined people would like this story this much. It really was just an idea that turned into a rough idea. To be honest, the very first thing I ever wrote on this story was the boggart scene. Look what it all turned into and it was all thanks to you guys!
Thank you to Chained Dove who was my 100th reviewer. She's been reviewing for some time now and I'm so happy she comes back to read the new chapters! Yeah, I seriously considered having Harry reach in her robes but I thought it would be a little OOC for him to do so. Thank you, Chained Dove!
Thank you to all the reviewers of chapter ten (well the end) and eleven: Hico (pass me a napkin!), luisa, (you're too kind!) wicked one, (I'm flattered!) tangible visions (you schizo!), Mionee (Thank you! You made me smile with your review!), Potter-Princess (Thanks for reviewing! No, Alicia doesn't have the photo but you'll find out who does in this chapter. Well, it's really not that big of a deal), Biobud (Don't worry, I'm such a blabber in my writing this will last at least two chapters after this one! Well maybe.), Noodlejelly (Yes, I don't think you have to worry about the Yule Ball!)
I hope you like this chapter. So far, this one has given me the most trouble. It took me so long to know what to have everyone do and I hope you like it!
George's POV
"Yes, George, I'll go to the Ball with you…"
Alicia's words still echoed in my head even days after she'd said them. Lately it wasn't easy to act like George "mischievous and confident" Weasley. I think I'm doing all right, though. I mean, it's not like I'm staring at her with hungry eyes or my mouth open. I do have SOME self- control. (More like I have standards for myself)!
The Yule Ball was creeping up and I knew it would be the main topic of everyone's conversation. The common room was filled with chatter Thursday night, and every now and then you could hear snatches of conversation. "I wish I could go!" a second year moaned. "Did Sean ask you yet?" another girl asked. "No! I don't know what's taking him so long!" someone answered her.
"George, it's your turn," Ron said, gesturing toward the chess set. (Harry had joined Lee, Katie, and Alicia in playing Exploding Snap after losing to Ron three times in a row). Fred and Angelina were Merlin-Knows- Where and Hermione had decided to stop studying her Ancient Runes charts and watch Ron beat me instead.
"It's not fair! I'm the elder brother here! I should be beating your arse at chess!" I fake sniffed, as Ron cheerfully called "Check- mate!" under the watchful gaze of Hermione.
I got up and headed toward the loud conversation that was going on at the Exploding Snap table. Parvati and Lavender, who were sitting next to Ginny, Harry, and Lee, were fooling around with some muggle paint; nail pollen or something like that.
"Yeah, isn't it fantastic? It dries just like that! I think I'm going to wear it for the Ball!" Lavender said to Katie.
"Alicia, who are you going with to the Ball?" Parvati said, loudly enough for me to hear as I made my way over.
"George," was her soft reply. I glanced at her to see if she looked up towards me. She hadn't.
"Really? Are you two going as a couple or just friends?" She asked us both seeing me.
Silence. Alicia's hesitation was enough for me to gaze at her expectantly. If she wouldn't answer, I would. The trouble is what would I say? She looked up at me, doubt in her eyes. Doubt we'd ever be more than friends…my heart sank. I felt like a fool.
"Friends," I answered abruptly. Alicia looked down. I felt like adding 'But I'd like to be more…' but before I could say more Katie jumped up and grabbed Alicia by the arm.
"Oh Alicia, you HAVE to see what I got Angelina for Christmas! It's absolutely fabulous! You were SO right in saying that a creamy white would be the best color…" Katie said leading Alicia away.
"Hey, what about our game?" Lee called after Katie.
Alicia's POV
"Thanks Katie," my voice cracked unnaturally as I closed the door to our dorm room. Katie was always great at making up fast exits…even if that one had been a little overdone.
"Hey, hey!" Katie said, seeing my face. "It wasn't your fault! That was an awkward situation! Parvati was the one who-"
"But it was GEORGE who said we were just friends!"
"You guys ARE just friends!"
"And that's all we're going to be," I said as mournfully as Nearly- Headless-Nick.
"With that attitude, yes," Katie said. "With another, maybe-"
"Please! Let's just talk about this in the morning before I rip my kidneys out!"
"Okay, okay!" Katie said as I tore my curtains open, climbed into bed, and shut them with a loud sigh. I lay down feeling one tear run down my cheek……….
……….The smell of fresh grass filled my nose as I wandered on the Quidditch field. Strangely enough, it wasn't December. In fact, it seemed more like spring. Why am I here? I wondered. I appeared to be alone but a voice appeared to be calling to me…..
"Alicia…Alicia!" A girl's voice cried.
I turned slowly, seeing the blonde walking toward me; her Beaters club over one shoulder. She appeared to be smiling though the smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Who are you?" I asked desperately.
Her smile deepened and she stopped walking. "I think you know. I'm surprised George never told you about me…but I know you know about me...you saw the picture of me, didn't you?" Her tone was purely angelic.
I narrowed my eyes at her. "How can you know that?"
"I know everything. And know this-" her voice lowered dangerously. "- George doesn't like you! Why do you think George never mentions me?" She asked, coming closer to me.
"I have no idea!" I said in surprise.
"Because he doesn't want to hurt your feelings! You're a good friend of his and he knows you fancy him. George is just too nice to tell you!" She said in glee.
I just stared at her. She started to circle around me much like the way Snape had circled around George.
"He's known it for a long time, ever since Fifth year. C'mon, do you really think he's that dim not to see the way you look at him! No, my George isn't thick; he's got brains in that cute head of his!"
"You're disgusting!" I snarled at her.
"Am I?" she said, smiling nastily. She didn't look remotely pretty any longer.
"Yes you are!" I snapped, looking in her cold blue eyes. "Come any closer and I'm going to beat your arse," I said calmly.
"You wouldn't dare," she said, stepping closer.
"Try me!" I roared, lunging towards her. I grabbed her neck and squeezed with all my might. Someone was grabbing my arm rather forcefully. "Please stop, Alicia!" George's voice came from above me. "Stop, stop!"……
"STOP, STOP!" Angelina screamed at the top of her longs. I woke up; suddenly aware I was on the floor clutching my pillow.
"What happened?" I gasped, weakly propping myself up on the bed.
"I though you were going to kill me AND your pillow!" Angelina said, sounding panicky. "I went to get a glass of water and I was nearly clobbered."
"I think you're being a bit dramatic," I said calmly.
"Dramatic!" she said in disbelief. "You were the one-"
" Well I was the having a very bad dream."
"Must have been!" Angelina said, calming down. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"It's pretty disturbing…" I said.
"You need to get it out of your system," Angelina said logically.
"Well, okay…"
George's POV
"Hey, what about our game?" Lee asked, as Katie and Alicia ran off. Silence. Parvati and Lavender had gone pack to painting, both being unusually quiet. Harry stared at the wall. Luckily other noise in the common room more than made up for it.
"I'm going up to bed," I said gloomily.
Lee looked at me sympathetically but didn't say anything. Actually, I'm glad he didn't. I didn't feel like talking about it.
I didn't exactly want to sulk but sulk I did. My mood sunk to an all-time low when Fred came in our dorm a few hours later whistling. Fred never whistles. NEVER! It must have been caused by an * enchanting * evening with Angelina. Usually I'd be happy for him; I knew he cared a great deal for her.
He stopped whistling when he failed to get a response from me. In fact, his whole face fell, mirroring my own dismal one.
"What did she do to you?" he asked, knowing I'd know exactly who "she" was.
"That's the thing, she didn't do anything."
I explained the whole situation and when I finished Fred shook his head. "That doesn't prove anything! You just haven't used your natural charm!"
"Why, did you use yours tonight?"
"Maybe," Fred smiled.
"Listen to us! Lately girls are all we talk about!"
"Yeah, we're growing up!" he said, fake swooning.
"No seriously! Do you notice our plans are falling by the wayside? Canary Creams were last year, what happened to this year's Christmas?
"Yes, I think people are going to get suspicious if we don't do something soon!"
"I agree, brother!" I smiled. "We can't disappoint them, can we?"
"Absolutely not! You haven't forgotten about our Jelly Jiggles? We can put them in a bowl near the other food just before the Ball in the common room."
"Or at the Ball!"
"My, George, you've grown bold! If you'd only be that bold around Alicia!"
"Keep her out of this!'
"Well," Fred said, scratching an imaginary beard (maybe because of last year), "It HAS been a long time since we've had detention."
"Too long!" I agreed solemnly.
"Imagine what people would look like trying to dance after eating just one!"
"We'd better stick to the common room-"
"And have just the Gryffindors look like fools!"
"It wears off in a couple hours!"
"So?"
"So what?"
"So, what are you going to do about Alicia?"
"Tomorrow?"
"No, this minute, prat!" Fred said sarcastically.
"I don't know! I'm going to sweep her off her feet, reciting romantic sonnets and showering her with sweets and kisses."
"Well if you want to look like a lovesick fool you COULD do that!"
"Or NOT!" Come on, am I really the sonnet kind of guy?"
"Well no. Unless you wanted to be a poofster!"
"Which I am NOT!"
"Well, you have to do something."
"No, I figured I'd do nothing!" I snapped.
"Touchy, touchy."
"Let's put them out tomorrow for Christmas Eve," I said, switching the subject back again.
"Put what out?" Fred asked.
"The Jelly Jiggles! Honestly, have you suddenly gone dim? I guess that night out with Angelina used all your remaining brain cells for the evening!"
"Take that back!"
Alicia's POV
I woke up the next morning but was in no hurry to get out of bed after last night. I decided to finish my Transfiguration homework and wrap Katie's gift before heading down to breakfast. I glanced out the window and sighed. It had snowed last night… The sight of the sparking frost- covered trees and the glimmering, startlingly white ground made me smile.
I loved the holidays! You didn't have to get up at a certain time which explained why the curtains of Angelina's and Katie's beds were still shut. I walked down the staircase to the common room and froze. Fred and George were down there already. They were sitting in armchairs looking extremely pleased with themselves. They hadn't seen me but I decided to continue walking.
"Isn't it just a beautiful morning?" Fred said cheerfully to me as I reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Yeah, I guess so. What's got you in such a chipper mood?" I asked him.
George got up and walked towards me. "You mean 'whom'," he smiled. "Don't eat the Jelly Jiggles," he whispered.
"The what?"
He pointed to the empty bowls near the fireplace. "The house elves are going to bring down crisps and more food after dinner tonight. We've added something to the menu for everyone's * entertainment *. He held out something in his hand. "We put a Jelly-legs Charm on them so when-"
"Say no more! I'm just glad you warned me."
"Of course I'd warn you," he said. "It's part of my duty as an honorable male! Shall we go to breakfast, then?" he said, holding his arm out in a mock chivalrous manner.
"We shall!" I giggled, taking it. It was no use talking about last night. It would only bring uncomfortable silences and embarrassment to myself, I thought smiling at him.
George's POV
Of course I'd warned Alicia but that evening it was apparent that it had slipped Fred's mind to warn Angelina.
"They look like Gummy Bears," Hermione said, eyeing the bowl. Several people had gotten some but I hadn't seen anyone eat one yet.
"What are Gummy Bears?" Angelina asked, popping a Jelly Jiggle in her mouth.
"Uh, Fred," I said weakly. Fred, who'd been chatting with a younger Gryffindor, Kelly, turned to me and saw where I was looking. His eyes widened and he scrambled over there, catching Angelina just in time before her legs gave out.
"Angelina! Did you eat one? I should have told you-"
"Fred Weasley!" Angelina thundered.
Alicia's POV
I may have never eaten a Jelly Jiggle but I sure felt like I had the next day getting ready for the Ball. The turkey I had at the lunch banquet rumbled unpleasantly as I gathered my curls on top of my head. My hands were shaking visibly as I clipped my last barrette into place and my fingertips were like ice. It was a good thing I was sitting down because I was sure I'd collapse if I were standing up.
"Please Alicia, let me use the mirror," Katie begged, her brown plait only done on
one side. "This braiding charm I did is going crooked!"
"Okay, it looks like you need it more than I do," I said, getting up.
"Thanks a lot!" she said, sounding offended.
"No really, you look great!" I said, meaning it. She was wearing robes of azure blue and the beginnings of her braid looked really good. Katie was always overly critical with herself. Especially with stuff that has anything to do with Lee Jordan… (Don't tell her I said that!) "Do you need any help?"
"Okay," she said, sitting down. "How did you do that to your hair? It looks really pretty! And your robes! I love that pale mauve on you!"
"Thanks, I just did it the old fashioned way," I said, concentrating on her hair. Just then Angelina came out from the adjoining bathroom wearing shimmering golden robes. Her black hair was long and sleek on her shoulders. "Wow, Angelina!" Katie said.
Angelina smiled. "You two look so pretty! This is going to be so much fun!"
George's POV
"This is not going to be any fun at all!" Lee said, in front of the mirror in our room. He'd been staring a speck on his face for ten minutes now.
"Come on, Lee. You're going with Katie," Fred cajoled. "Don't act like such a ninny!"
"I'm not a ninny!" Lee snapped, jumping up.
"Good, now I'm going to get to use the mirror," Fred grinned. I laughed as he tried to comb his red hair straight. He had the same problem as I had. No matter how hard he tried it wouldn't smooth all the way down.
"I think it's a new record for Fred Weasley," I announced to the room. "He's now been in front of the mirror for a total of eleven minutes and twenty-two seconds.
"Oh shut up!" Fred said.
"Dear brother, you don't have to worry! You look absolutely spiffing!"
"Shut up!"
Just then Ron poked his head in our room. "Thanks for the dress robes," he whispered.
"You're lucky Lee made us put the maroon ones back!" I called after him.
"Hurry up Fred, we have to meet the girls downstairs in a minutes!"
"Calm down, Lee!" Fred scolded Lee, who was pacing.
"Easy for you to say! You went with Angelina last year-"
"Yeah but still!"
Five minutes later we came down to the common room. Groups of people were already down there, each in a different colored robe. Most of them were guys waiting for their dates.
Katie came down first. Lee stopped in mid-sentence about the commentator for the last Wimbourne Wasps game and walked over to her. I didn't hear what he said to her but I saw Katie's smile widen and she held out her hand to him.
I turned to Fred to remind him that we'd tease Lee later but Fred was looking at the staircase with widened eyes. I followed his gaze. Sure enough Angelina was coming down shimmering in robes of gold. Fred swallowed hard, lost for words. I smiled. It wasn't often that Fred was speechless. I glanced expectantly at the top of the stairs and nearly did a double take.
Alicia stood there looking down on the common room. Her eyes found me in seconds and her lips turned up into a soft smile. She almost seemed to float down the stairs, the way she moved so gracefully. I waited a second, stepping slowly over to her, careful not to trip over my own two feet.
Alicia's POV
I watched as Angelina headed for the stairs down to the common room. My heart seemed to pound three times faster than normal. Maybe I should have gone first. Katie should be down there by now. Angelina dropped out of sight heading down the stairs. "Oww!" I said, nearly tripping over my robes. Nearing the stairs I straightened my posture and licked my lips. I took a deep breath and stepped down on the staircase. My hand found the railing and I scanned the common room for George. He was calmly standing there next to Fred smiling when his brown eyes looked up and found me. His smile dropped for a split second but it was immediately replaced by a shy grin. I'd walked down these stairs a thousand times during my time at Hogwarts but it never seemed to take this long…
"Hey, you look great!" George said easily. His red hair was combed slightly neater than it normally was and there was a twinkle in his soft brown eyes. He offered me his arm which I immediately took.
"You don't look so bad yourself," I teased. "Not that you don't always look great."
"Oh stop it you two!" Angelina smiled, holding Fred's hand.
George's POV
"Aren't the decorations gorgeous?" Alicia commented as we entered the Great Hall. She was absolutely right. The Hall seemed to glow with an elegant white sparkle.
I knew Professor Flitwick had been one of the main people in charge of the decorations.
"I couldn't agree more. There's supposed to be ice sculptures outside made by the Swedish Dragons. My brother Charlie told me he'd be here taking care of them."
"Oh, I'd love to see them. And I'd like to meet your brother."
"I'm sure we'll see him sometime. Are you thirsty?" I asked, seeing Fred ask Angelina for a drink.
"Actually, yes."
"What would you like?"
"Pumpkin juice."
"I'll be right back," I said.
Alicia's POV
"Don't be long, Frederick!" Angelina teased.
"I'll be right back," George smiled, following Fred and heading over to get us some pumpkin juice.
"Did you see how Fred looked at you when we came down?" I asked her gleefully.
"Yeah, and when you came down I thought I was going to have to pick George's jaw off the floor!"
"Ah, Ms. Spinnet, Ms. Johnson."
I turned to see Madame Hooch next to me. "Great game last week," she commented.
"Yes, wasn't it?" Angelina replied.
"Oh!" she snapped her fingers and turned to me as if she remembered something. "I believe this is yours. It was left on the Quidditch field some time ago," she explained, handing me something.
It was a wizard photograph slightly covered in mud. I recognized George and I as fifth years, gleefully hugging after winning the Quidditch Cup. I chuckled as I saw a very emotional Oliver Wood in the background. "Whoa, this is old! How did you-" I stopped. She'd already walked away.
"Holy cricket!" Angelina squealed, seizing the picture. "That's the picture I saw when I stopped in Fred's room a while back!"
I frowned. "This was what was on George's nightstand?"
"Well, yes! I thought you knew!"
"That's not what I found!" I said, snatching it back.
"What did you find?"
"A picture of George and some other girl! And they looked more than chummy! I think he may fancy her! And then she turned up in my dream the other night!"
"Who are you talking about? I was wondering why you were so upset! It all makes perfect sense!"
"What makes sense?" Katie asked, coming over to us with Lee.
"Blimey! Where did you get that?" Lee asked, his brown eyes wide, seeing what I had in my hand.
"Madame Hooch gave it to me."
"How could she have had it when George has been carrying it around the whole-" Lee smacked his hand over his mouth like he'd said something he shouldn't have.
"What do you mean George carries it around with him?" I said in surprise.
"Well maybe not carries it around but has it-" Lee hurried to explain.
"What are you saying? What is going on here?" I demanded.
"Why don't ask George yourself? He's coming straight toward us," Katie whispered.
I looked up. George was carrying our drinks and talking with Fred, not looking directly at us but coming closer.
"No way!" I panicked, grabbing Angelina's hand and running in the opposite direction toward the girls' toilets.
"What are you doing?" Angelina screeched as I increased our speed, nearly tripping over our own dress robes. We reached a powder room before the bathrooms (installed during our fourth year courtesy of Lockhart).
"I can't believe this!" I wailed as I sank down on a cushion. I stared at my flushed face in a long oval-shaped mirror.
"Calm down, Alicia," Angelina said comfortingly. "I tried to tell you."
"I wouldn't listen…I had my own insecurities…All those times I thought he felt nothing for me…Maybe he's fancied me all along…" I trailed off. Angelina remained silent.
"The boggart...the photograph…the detentions after those potions disaster…that time after the Slytherin fight…asking me to the Ball…"
"By George, I think she's got it!" Angelina said smiling.
