Alicia slumped onto her bed and buried her face into her pillow. While she was up here swimming in her sorrows, everyone else was down in the dungeons for the Halloween party…except for Fred.
Why had he followed me in the first place? she thought, wiping away the tears that were shed. He was the only one who had, and yet she felt nothing but resentment towards him. She hated him…with a passion. She hated him for always going along with George's jokes…for standing her up at the dance…and then for coming up here to try and comfort her when she needed it most. Actually…that was really sweet of him, she thought. She sat up and smiled as she recalled how he blushed when he said that he was looking for his lucky owl treat. He's so cute when he blushes…
"Who are you trying to kid?" she asked out loud, laughing a bit. "You're in love with the boy!" She giggled, feeling a lot better, and bounced back downstairs to the dungeons.
"Licia!" Katie Bell cried, running towards her with Angelina close behind. "We're so glad that you're back."
"Yea, and we told off George for you, too." Angelina grinned with delight. "That old bloke…"
Alicia smiled. "Thanks guys…have you seen Fred? I really have to-…"
"He's gone," Katie said. "Ran out of here with George and Lee not long after you left."
Alicia's heart sank. "Oh…all right…"
"We would've told him off too," Angelina said, "but Katie wouldn't because she fancies him."
"Angelina!" Katie screamed, blushing and laughing. "You swore to secrecy."
"She's our best mate, Katie," Angelina said, grinning. "She ought to know."
"You fancy…Fred?" Alicia stammered, not wanting to believe her ears. "B…b…but I thought that you hated those two."
"Only George," Katie smiled. "And guess what else! I'm going to ask him to the Yule Ball as soon as I see him! And Angelina's going to ask George. You can ask Lee!"
"You're asking him to the ball?" Alicia asked, shocked.
"Well…yes," Katie said, confused. "Unless, of course, you still fancy him."
"Me? Fancy that git? I think not." Alicia stuck her nose up in the air and spun on her heels, running right into a tall red-haired figure. She stepped back quickly, realizing that it was Fred. He half-smiled when he saw her, then quickly looked away.
"Oh, Fred!" Katie squealed, running towards him and grabbing his arm. "Could I have a word with you?" Fred looked at Katie, then met eyes again with Alicia. He quickly looked away again.
"Of course," he said softly. Katie laughed and quickly led him away, gripping tight to his arm.