Chapter 49

The ball was tonight and many people were buzzing with , Ginny, Luna and I were in the room of requirement getting ready together. It was the perfect place because it gave us an unlimited supply of whatever makeup and hair products we wanted.

It took a while but soon we were all ready. Hermione was in the same periwinkle dress as in the original timeline. She looked stunning with her hair in a elegant knot. "You look amazing Hermione." I told her with a smile.

"Yeah, Draco isn't going to know what hit him." Ginny added and Hermione's cheeks reddened.

Ginny was wearing a pretty silver dress with spaghetti straps and beading on the bodice. She had her red hair worn down. Luna was wearing a bright yellow dress that came down to her ankles. It seemed to sparkle as she walked and I had no doubt she had spelled it to do that.

I was wearing a strapless black dress that came down to my knees. It had a bit of red at the top and there was also black lace over the skirt. My hair was clipped out of my face so that it fell neatly down my back and stopped a bit below my waist. Ginny had also done my make up but it was nothing too noticeable. Just mascara, eyeliner and strawberry lipgloss.

We headed down to the great hall together. Ginny and I met with Krum and Harry in the entrance hall while Hermione and Luna went inside. We all had to enter together with Fleur and her date since we were the champions. This was going to be embarrassing.

Soon we were waved in and we walked into the hall with everyone's eyes on us.

...

Fred's POV

The moment Joanne walked in, I felt my jaw hit the floor. She looked so beautiful it her dress. Not that she didn't always look beautiful. George elbowed me and I composed myself again. I should have just asked her. Sure she could have said no, but she might have said yes. Now I'll never know and it was my own fault for waiting too long.

...

Joanne's POV

I talked happily with Victor throughout dinner and although I wasn't having a terrible time, I wasn't really enjoying myself either. I just wished Fred had asked me. I know he probably doesn't like me that way but I just feel like I want to be sure before I move on. I should tell him how I feel. But then again, if he liked me he would have asked me.

Once dinner was done, Victor lead me onto the dance floor for the champions' dance. I saw Harry step on Ginny's foot once or twice and winced slightly. Harry really wasn't the best dancer. I don't think Ginny cared though. She seemed perfectly happy staring into Harry's eyes. I know they hadn't admitted they liked each other yet but seeing them together just made me want to tell Fred how I feel more.

When the dance was over I asked Victor if I could speak to him for a moment. We moved to stand against the wall away from the large bunch of dancing teens. "Listen Victor, I think you're really nice but I shouldn't have said yes to you. I like someone else and I'm sorry if you feel that I've lead you on or anything." I said quietly. I felt awful but I really just wanted to go and talk to Fred.

"That ees okay." He sighed. "I hope dat we can steell be friends."

"Me too." I smiled at him.

We went our separate ways and I started looking for Fred. I spotted a flash of red hair but saw that it was Ron angrily storming towards the exit. I wonder what's up with him. It quickly left my mind though as I spotted Fred sitting at an empty table in the corner.

...

Fred's POV

I decided that I was just going to suck it up and tell her how I feel. It doesn't matter if she laughs in my face, I just need her to know. I started looking around for her but I didn't see her.

"Fred?" Someone said from behind me. I stood up and turned around to see Annie standing there looking nervous.

"Hi." I said. There was an awkward silence.

"I need to tell you something." We both said at the same time.

"Oh, Can I go first?" I asked. I just needed to say I liked her. How hard could it be? I could do this!

"Sure." She said.

"Well, I kind of...I think I...I um..." I trailed off.

"Yes?" She encouraged.

"I fancy you." I blurted. She looked surprised so I quickly continued. "I've liked you for a while now and I wanted to ask you to the ball but you were saying no to everyone who asked you and I was so afraid that you wouldn't like me back and I would ruin our friendship. I just had to tell you. It's fine if you don't feel the same way I-"

"Fred," She interrupted me mid ramble. "I was saying no to everyone because they weren't the person I wanted to go with. They weren't-"

"Victor." I mumbled looking sadly at the ground. "It's okay. I'll just let you get back to him."

I looked back up at her as she took a deep breath like she was gathering up courage for something. She then grabbed my shirt collar and pulled me towards her so that our lips met. I automatically wrapped my arms around her waist as she let go of my shirt and put her's around my neck. She tasted like strawberries. Our lips moved sweetly against each other. This was even better that the kiss under the mistletoe.

After a few seconds she pulled back. "You." She finished her earlier sentence. "None of the boys that asked me were you. I only said yes to Victor because I thought that you weren't going to ask me as you hadn't already."

"Would you like to dance?" I asked with a smile and offered her my hand.

"I would love to." She said with a grin and grabbed my hand. I lead her onto the dance floor just as a slow song came on. I could see George giving me a thumbs up behind Angelina's back as he danced with her. I grinned at him and gave him one back.

...

Ron's POV

I can't believe Hermione and Draco went together! I didn't even know they liked each other! I've had a crush on Hermione since third year but I was too chicken to ask her out. I thought that she liked me too but apparently not as her and Draco are slow dancing together at the moment. Seeing her and Draco like that made me jealous so I just gazed at the floor to avoid looking at the two of them.

I looked up again to see them kissing and it infuriated me. I abruptly turned and angrily stormed to the exit. I didn't want to do something stupid that I'd regret. I know I can never think strait when I'm angry.

I glared at the ground and moved faster through the great hall, not looking where I was going. This soon proved to be a mistake as I slammed right into someone and knocked us both to the ground with me on top. The anger faded away and turned into guilt as I heard a feminine groan from under me.

I quickly got off her and helped her up. "I am so sorry." I apologized quickly. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

"It's alright." The girl said kindly as she flipped her blonde hair out of her face and I found myself staring right into the blue eyes of Daphne Greengrass. "Why were you in such a hurry anyway?" She asked.

"I...Um...I..." I stuttered as I glanced back at the dance floor.

"It's Hermione isn't it?" She said knowingly.

"W-what?" I asked it surprise.

"I could see you liked her. Do you want to talk about it? I'm a great listener and my date is currently feeling up Lavender on the dance floor." She said pointing to Lavender Brown and some guy from Durmstrang groping each other.

"Um...I guess." I said, a little unsure. I don't really know why I said yes but I figured talking to someone would distract me.

Daphne lead me over to an empty table. I hesitated slightly before sitting down. I mean, she's a Slytherin. Then again, she has been perfectly nice so far. I suppose Joanne really was right about them. I feel kind of bad for starting all those fights with the others about it now.

We ended up talking for a while and it did make me feel better. We weren't only talking about Hermione though, Daphne also told me a bit about her life growing up and I told her about what it was like being the youngest brother of six. It was nice to just talk to someone without having them judging me. As much as I loved my friends, sometimes I just felt like they thought I wasn't good enough to be around them. They were all so brilliant and I was just...me.

I know I was being a bit silly though cause none of them would really think that. I did come up with most of the plan to take down Voldemort. Strategy was my strong point I suppose. That was something.

I pretty much told Daphne everything I could without giving away my friend's secrets. Something about her just made me want to open up. She also told me heaps about herself. She was so interesting. Once we had exhausted our life stories, we moved on to regular topics. She really was just great to talk to. I felt like we had been friends for years.

At midnight the dance ended and we all had to go to our respective common rooms. I reluctantly parted ways with Daphne and headed to Gryffindor tower. I could see Fred and Joanne walking in front of me holding hands and I smiled slightly at the sight. I had known that Fred liked Joanne. I was his brother after all, I know him quite well. Okay I admit it, George told me. Still, I was happy to see that he finally got her.

I also spotted Hermione walking behind them. For some reason, I didn't feel the usual butterflies I got when I saw her. I wonder why that is. Harry and Ginny were walking much further in front of Fred and Joanne. Joanne had told me that they both liked each other which I found confusing since they went to the Ball as friends. As weird as it was to think about my best friend liking my sister, I was mostly okay with it. I trusted Harry and it was better that Ginny going off with someone that could hurt her.

Once I entered the common room, I went strait up to the boys' dorm. I quickly changed into pajamas before climbing into bed. The last thought I had was of Daphne as I drifted off to sleep.

...

Ha ha, I posted on time! What did you guys think? I'm not the best at romance but I tried my best.

Review replies:

the quill12: House of Hades is amazing! Have you seen Sea of Monsters the movie? I can't believe how much they stuffed it up! Sorry again for not killing Umbridge but Joanne would probably get in trouble for killing Umbridge or orchestrating her death.

Blastbone: I can't tell you the plan but all will be revealed eventually.

sabrina-luna-potter: Thank you for your review!

Blenda73: Thank you!

Narnia and Harry Potter 4 EVER: Was how they got together good enough for you? I'm sorry he didn't take her to the ball but I liked what I did better.

PrincessWilla101 (Guest): Thanks for the review!

Potterpal1234: So that what happened in this chapter could happen. That's why :). Thanks for reviewing!

Sarah (Guest): Fred would never make Joanne upset like Ron did in the fourth book. Ron didn't even do it this time because he is a bit more mature in my story. House of Hades is amazing! And yeah Nico does... I think it's sweet.

EmpressLupin: Thanks for your review!

Hpisdabest: Awe, thank you!

Julsfree (Guest): Don't worry Joanne wasn't abused. It wasn't anything nice though either. Thank you for your review!

Violet8329 (Guest): LOL, thanks!

Guest: Yay you guessed part of it but it's so much bigger than that. You were the only one to guess anything close though so good on you. Have a virtual cookie! (::)