Disclaimer: Anything you recognise from the book belong to the wonderful J.K. Anything that makes you say, 'What the?' belongs to me.

A/N: I don't know how I'll top the last chapter! This one has other characters in it. It's kind of tying up all the loose characters. I'm actually not really a Harry/Ginny fan either and you'll realise that as you read. Thanks for all the reviews! You guys rock!

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Chapter 10

As soon as Angelina and Katie left so did Hermione and Ginny. Ron, Harry Fred and Lee were the only ones left in the common room at 11 o'clock.

"I'm going to bed. You coming Ron?" Harry stood up.

"Nah, I'll stay up a bit longer."

"Ok. Night boys."

"What's up Ronniekins? You don't look so happy. You got the girl, what's the problem?"

"Mind your own business Fred," Ron snapped grumpily.

"Fred and I are experts when it comes to the opposite sex. For a small fee we can help you," Lee said.

"Get stuffed."

"Since you're family I guess we can help you for nothing."

"I don't want your stinkin' help."

"We know what we're doing. Katie can't get enough of me and Fred has Angelina wrapped around his little finger," Lee boasted.

"You're both whipped," said Ron sardonically.

"I'm going to pretend you didn't say that. So what's up? A little trouble in paradise?"

"Hermione not living up to your fantasies?" Lee grinned.

"It's got nothing to do with Hermione. It's Harry."

"Harry? What about him?"

"Well if he doesn't get a date then Hermione and I can't go together."

"So? It's Harry Potter. Girls love him. You know, cute and famous and all that."

"Well no one has asked him yet and time is running out. I think it's because he's you know...high maintenance. Would you want to get romantically involved with You-Know-Who's number one enemy?"

"You have a point there," Fred admitted.

"This is simple. Just persuade Ginny to take him," Lee suggested.

"My best friend and my little sister? Too weird," Ron shook his head violently in an attempt to banish the image from his mind.

"I don't like it either but it's your only choice," Fred said.

"What about Alicia?"

"No chance."

"How would you know?" Ron demanded.

"I've known her since I was about five years old. You of all people should know that she doesn't go for younger guys."

"Shut up Fred."

"What? What's going on?" Lee looked from one to the other.

"Young Ronald here used to have the biggest crush on Ms. Spinnet. He used to follow her around like a demented puppy dog."

"I was only nine years old and she was around our house all the time. Mum says it was only natural," Ron said as a blush crept across his cheeks.

"Ickle Ronnie likes Alicia," Lee cackled.

"Liked! I LIKED her!"

"He gave her a flower once. It was full of ants though. One bit her finger and she had some kind of allergic reaction. The swelling didn't go down for days. It was a classic," Fred recalled with a laugh.

"You two were no help at all!" Ron stomped up to bed.

Ron tossed and turned. He didn't want to take advice from Fred and Lee but much to his disgust they did make a little sense. Ron decided then that he was going to talk to Ginny in the morning.

Next morning...

George woke up at around four. His arm was feeling oddly numb because Alicia had rolled over and was lying on it.

George realised he had better get out before Angelina and Katie woke up and discovered them. He slid his arm out from under Alicia and opened the curtain as quietly as he could. He then noticed Tiger on the floor; he picked him up and put him beside the sleeping girl.

He kissed her softly on the forehead then closed the curtain and grabbed his shoes out from under the bed. He soundlessly tiptoed back to his own room.

Later that morning...

Alicia slowly began to wake and the events of the previous night came flooding back to her. She smiled and rolled over, her curtains had been fully opened and George was gone. Alicia clutched Tiger to her chest and sighed. She looked up and saw Angelina brushing her hair in the mirror between their beds.

"Good morning!" Angelina said brightly. "She's awake Katie!"

"About time!" Katie came running out of the bathroom and jumped on Alicia's bed.

"Good morning girls," Alicia sat up and the girls positioned themselves on either side of her. Alicia yawned. It was extremely unusual for the girls to be so cheery in the morning. Especially a Saturday morning.

"How was last night?" Angelina asked in an off hand manner. Alicia had a feeling that it wasn't really off hand.

"Um...it was interesting," she answered slowly.

"I bet it was," Katie giggled furiously.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Alicia asked cautiously. They didn't know did they? Angelina confirmed her fear.

"We saw George in your bed last night."

"Oh," she blushed a deep shade of scarlet.

"So what did you two get up to last night?"

"Don't you dare postulate," Alicia warned.

"Tell us what happened then!"

Alicia didn't want them jumping to conclusions so she told them the whole story, strawberries, letters and all.

"Girl, you are so smitten!" Angelina exclaimed.

"I am not!" Alicia insisted. They didn't believe her for a second.

"If you're not smitten then stop smiling," Katie challenged.

Alicia managed to keep her face straight for half a second before the corners of her mouth twitched involuntarily.

"Ha! You're swooning!"

She shook her head fiercely.

"You want him. You don't have to deny it."

"Ok, maybe I want him a little-"

"Leeshy likes Georgie!"

All three of them broke into a giggling fit. They only stopped when Katie rolled off the bed. It took the girls a long time to get ready this morning. As it was the first day of the holidays they didn't have to wear robes around school. (A/N Is this true? I don't think J.K really mentioned it. Let's just pretend they do anyway)

Once they were ready they all bounced happily down stairs. Fred was sitting on an armchairby himself.

"Mornin' Fred," Angelina ruffled his hair playfully.

"Hey, buttercup. Sleep well?"

"Not as well as Alicia. You ready for breakfast?" Angelina quickly changed the subject after a reprimanding glare from Alicia.

"I have to wait for Lee and George. Lee can't find his other shoe. We'll meet you down there."

"Ok. We'll save you seats."

"Buttercup?" Alicia questioned as they made their way down to the Great Hall.

"It's his new nickname for me. I don't know where he got it. I'm just glad he stopped calling me Angie."

"I didn't think you two were on a nickname basis," said Alicia.

Angelina told them about their broomshed escapade.

"Ah, the broomshed," Alicia sighed nostalgically. "Oliver and I used to go in there."

"I didn't need to know that," Angelina laughed.

"Too much information," Katie agreed.

Being the first day of the holidays meant there was an air of excitement in the Hall. The absence of the Slytherins only added to the student's happiness.

The three girls were waiting patiently for the appearance of the boys when Meenal approached them with a large smile on her face.

"What are you so happy about?" Katie enquired.

"Danny Johns just agreed to go to the Yule Ball with me!"

"Congratulations," Alicia grinned. She knew how much Meenal liked Danny.

"So are you going with Roger?"

Alicia immediately stopped smiling. She didn't want to talk about it; Angelina noticed this and spoke for her.

"She decided she could do better."

Meenal accepted this answer and bid them farewell and headed for the Hufflepuff table.

"Sorry to get into your business, George told us what happened."

"He didn't do it voluntarily though, we made him tell," Katie added quickly.

"Made who tell?" The boys appeared across the table.

"Never mind. Did you find your shoe?" Angelina asked Lee.

"Yeah, George accidentally threw it out the window yesterday."

"How can you accidentally throw a shoe out the window?"

Everyone looked at Alicia. She didn't know that George had gone on his rampage yesterday. No one wanted to tell her because she definitely wouldn't be happy about it.

"It happens," George answered as he glanced at Alicia. She blushed shyly and busied herself with her bacon and eggs.

Once breakfast was finished Ron asked Ginny to accompany him for a walk around the grounds. It took some persuading but she finally agreed.

"Wouldn't you rather walk with Hermione?" Ginny asked.

"Of course. I actually want to ask you something."

"Make it quick then."

He explained the situation then told Ginny, in no uncertain terms, that she had to go with Harry.

"You can't make me ask Harry. I'm trying to get over my crush and going to the Ball with him will not help."

"Then you still like him a bit so what's the problem?"

"He doesn't like me at all. I do not want to embarrass myself."

"I'll talk to him, make him agree."

"Fine, if you can get him to agree then I'll go with him," Ginny said.

"Deal," Ron felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Ginny grinned smugly at her brothers retreating back, he would never convince Harry to go with her.

Ron ran up to Gryffindor tower and found Harry by himself reading a book. He spotted Hermione sitting at a table with Neville. She was looking very frustrated as she tried to teach Neville a complex potion.

With Hermione occupied, Ron went and sat beside Harry.

"I need to talk to you," he whispered.

"Why are you whispering?"

"Ssh. Not so loud."

"What's going on?"

"Has anyone asked you to the Ball yet?"

"No. Why?"

"I know someone perfect for you."

"Who?"

"Ginny," Ron said.

Harry dropped his abruptly, "Ginny? You're joking!"

"Could you boys keep it down please?" Hermione looked over disgruntledly at them.

"Sorry."

"What's wrong with Ginny?" Ron demanded quietly.

"Well she's your little sister. I can't."

"Yes you can, you have to."

"I don't HAVE to do anything."

"But if you don't go with Ginny then I can't go with Hermione. Do it for me. Please. You don't even have to dance with her. Just go as friends."

Harry looked into his friends pleading eyes. He knew he didn't fancy Ginny but he did want Ron and Hermione to be happy.

"Ok, I'll go with her. Only as a friend though."

"Excellent!" Ron yelled.

"What's excellent?" Hermione asked. She had given up on Neville and gone to join the boys.

"Harry is going to the Ball with Ginny!"

"That's great Harry," she smiled widely.

Out by the lake...

The Gryffindor seventh years were relaxing in the sun. (A/N Ok I know it's supposed to be winter there but I'm writing this the Australian way. They get a nice warm Christmas!)

Angelina and Fred were arguing about Quidditch and Katie and Lee were doing 'couple' stuff. Alicia and George sat between the pairs in silence.

"Are you feeling better today?" George finally asked.

"Yeah, I'm much better."

That was followed by an extended silence. Alicia couldn't figure out was wrong. It was only George. Why couldn't she talk to him normally anymore? She found herself analysing everything he did. When they were walking and their shoulders touched she got goosebumps. She had never done that before.

Now as they sat on the grass George swept some dirt from his jeans and brushed Alicia's leg in the process. She felt more goosebumps creep up her skin and she quickly folded her arms so he wouldn't see. Had he meant to touch her? What was she suppose to do? Was he wearing aftershave?

"This is stupid," Alicia proclaimed suddenly.

"I know, it's my fault. I shouldn't have said anything."

More silence. Why couldn't she just ask him? It was George, he wouldn't reject her like Davies had.

"Look George, about the Ball..."

"It's ok, I wasn't expecting you to still want to go with me."

"I want to go with you," she blurted.

"You still want to go with me after...what happened?"

"Especially after what happened."

George blushed. He wasn't great at reading signs but that had to be something. Still, he wanted to be sure.

"So are we going as friends or as a couple?" He asked tentatively.

"What do you think?"

"I don't mind either way."

"Neither do I, you can decide."

"I think it's best if you decide."

"I'm not sure..."

"Just go as a couple before you drive us all crazy!"

Alicia and George stared at Fred.

Realising he had been caught, Fred put on the most innocent look he could muster, "not that I was listening or anything."

"Yep. That was subtle Fred," Angelina rolled her eyes.

"He's a pain but he has a point," Alicia turned to George. "What do you think?"

"I think it's the best idea my brother's ever had."

Six days later...

It was now only a week to the Ball and things were going swimmingly. (A/N That's for you Kaye) Alicia and George were going as a 'couple' and much to her distress Ginny and Harry were going as 'friends'. Then everything turned sour during a mid-afternoon Gryffindor training session.

"What's going on?" Katie stopped suddenly in mid air.

"Katie! What are you doing?" Alicia ran into her.

"Look," she pointed towards the ground.

The whole team stopped their flying drills and looked down. Lee, Hermione and Ginny were arguing with someone wearing a hooded jumper.

"Just go away!" Lee's angry voice carried as the team circled lower.

Alicia's stomach dropped as she realised who it was.

"What does he want?" She groaned.

"Who is it? I still can't tell," Fred squinted.

"It's Roger Davies."

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A/N: Ooh! A cliffhanger! Aren't I nasty? (The answers no) Ok next chapter coming soon. Keep reviewing!