Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter, etc.

Air Element-Voila! Enjoy reading.

Stormy Bean- Your review made me happy J This chapter is for you.

2 Drunk Elves- Sure thing, I know I need to be more careful, but a lot of times I'm too impatient. I'll definitely work on it. And I must say, your pen name rocks.

Jodylicious- You're more perceptive than Katie J And 'especially' is a hecka tight word!

VisionGurl- Fred IS fabulous, what can we say?

Tribewar- Yeah, Katie/Fred is really rare, but I 3 it J Thanks for the review, you're too sweet.

Moony4Moony- Yeah, I'll post the list. I can't even remember all of it and I was the one who wrote it…haha. How sad is that.

VictoriaHumblydum- Thanks for being so positive, you made me smile :0

Iceangel998- Thanks! Hope you like the update too.

Immortaleyes- Don't you feel sorry for him! But don't worry, things--err--find a way J

wishing butterfly- how do you enable anon reviews? Haha, I'm such a techy's nightmare L Thanks for the hint though!

SpazZzZzAtTaCk- 'Hott' is definitely more descriptive, I'm glad you like it. And sugar ROCKS. Hehe.

X1. Must wear shoe size 11.

X2. Will play the piano most exquisitely.

X3. Has the ability to share what I'm thinking without me having to say it.

4. Will dance with me in the moonlight.

5. Will call me "Kate" instead of "Kates".

6. Never uses the word "chuckle".

X7. 6'2" (Changed by A.J. 11/05)

8. His wand's made of mahogony wood.

9. Teases me about being short, but won't let anyone else.

10. Has the perfect kiss.

/Are you listening, you b, and have you got it straight?

Because I forgive you, yes, for everything.

I forgive you for being beautiful and generous and wise,

And I forgive you, to put it simply, for being alive, and pardon you,

In short, for being you.

Because tonight you are in my hair and eyes,

And every street light that our taxi passes shows me you again, still you.

And because all other nights are black,

All other hours are cold and far away,

And now, this minute, the stars are very near and bright/

--Kenneth Fearing, "Love 20 Cents the First Quarter Mile"

I was even grumpier than usual the next morning, and when Alicia tried to wake me up I lashed out at her with so much anger that neither she nor Angelina were brave enough to speak to me that morning, and let me sleep in as much as I wanted. I woke up again to them leaving for breakfast. They were whispering to each other about me.

"Should we try and wake her up again? She'll miss breakfast--"

"That's probably her plan. You know Katie's only like this when she fights with Fred--and between you and me, I heard them arguing last night. It didn't sound pretty."

"Oh great. That's just what we need. Well, they'd better make up soon because our group's no fun when they're mad at each other."

"Tell me about it. Fred's in no mood to mess around with George when Katie's on his mind, and Katie--"

"Katie's not her usual, err, vibrant self when she's fighting with Fred. And then there's no one to laugh at."

"They belong together, but they'll never admit it. C'mon, we'll be late…"

I was annoyed at them for talking about me when they thought I couldn't hear, and especially irritated at Angelina for eavesdropping on Fred and me last night, but I let it go. They were my best friends, after all. And besides, I was very tired.

I finally forced myself up ten minutes before I was due in Transfiguration. My hair having formed into its natural wild and sloppy ringlets after my shower last night was tied into a ponytail and my bangs divided across my forehead and straightened. I spent about a total of five minutes with my makeup, only bothering to put on lip gloss, eyeliner, and mascara. I wore no jewelry but small hoops, and an old uniform that was lying on my floor. I was a wreck, but I didn't care.

When I finally slung my bag over the chair in the last row and collapsed in my seat, I was positive I would have done better to stay in bed. As McGonagoll droned on and on about our O.W.L.s, I couldn't help watching Fred and missing him already. We were maybe 100 feet apart, but it might as well have been miles. I was used to the freedom of knowing I could walk arm-in-arm with him if I wished, or lay my head on his shoulder, but now--after just a few harsh and quick words from me--I'd changed that. I felt like a total idiot, who cared if Fred didn't approve of my taste in guys? Did that really affect anything?

I was in the midst of wallowing in this kind of self-pity when Cormic Mclaggin whispered, "Psst, Katie!"

And slipped a note on my desk. Curious, I checked to see if McGonagoll was looking my way, and opened it up. I recognized Fred's handwriting immediately and quickly read on--

Kat,

I was worried when you weren't at breakfast…I'm not all that great with apologies, but I want you to know that I really am sorry for what I said last night. It was out of line. I still want to be friends with you, I miss you already. I really am glad that you're happy to have a bloke with you on Saturday. I mean it. I'm sorry that I overreacted. Friends?

-Fred

I couldn't help smiling a little at how ineloquent the letter was, but it made it all the more sweet to me. When the bell range, I sought him out in the crowd. He was talking animatedly with George and Lee about some new idea he'd had on some sort of new mischief.

"And so the whole idea is that if you're in some ruddy class you're dying to get out of, you could just--"

Lee interrupted by clearing his throat loudly and looking pointedly in my direction. I mouthed a quick 'thank you' and he winked in reply. Fred turned around and the look of annoyance quickly turned to one of pleasure and surprise.

"Kates," he said happily. "You--err--"

"I know you're dying to walk me to charms," I said, slipping my arm through his, and sparing him the embarrassment of reconciling with me in front of his friends.

"Thanks," he said, sounding relieved, and I let go of his arm once we'd reached a good spot to talk. "So, you, err--got my message?"

I laughed a little at how uncomfortable he was. "Yeah, I got it. And Fred, I'm sorry too, I --shouldn't have been so defensive."

He smiled and my stomach did sort of a weird flip-flop. Odd. Must be my nerves.

"So we've forgiven one another then?" he asked. He was mocking diplomacy, but I could see the relief in his eyes.

"I believe so, my friend," I said happily.

He grinned at me, and then stuck out his arm again. "And I believe you were right on the money when you said I was dying to walk you to charms."

I laughed and took it, and in that manner we walked to class, laughing and talking, the problem of last night completely forgotten…at least, verbally it was.

---------------------------------------

"Divide up into pairs, please, and practice your tickling charms. I know it seems rather silly, but it can be useful!" squeaked little Professor Flitwick as he scurried about the large classroom, making all the necessary preparations. "And it will show up on your O.W.L.s, I'm positive!"

Fred and I immediately partnered. Neither Fred not George were planning on passing their O.W.L.s, and they really therefore should have been together, but Alicia was insistent on being partnered with George, and so the rest of us conformed.

Today, I was particularly nervous about the spell being practiced. And unfortunately for me, Fred knew why. As we took our places across from each other, he turned and gave me his trademark devilish grin.

"Fred, no," I begged. "You know I hate being tickled!"

"Why do you think I'm grinning, Katie?"

"NO--Fred, NooooOOooAaaahheeheeheehee!"

I collapsed on the floor in a heap, giggling like a chipmunk as Fred laughed his head off, with tears in his eyes.

"You….insufferable...GIT!" I cried, between laughs.

"Okay, okay, Kat," he said, waving his wand and stopping the torture. "Just couldn't resist, you kn---owahahaha! Katie!"

Now it was I who had the pleasure of having my opponent completely at my mercy. Fred was laughing even harder than he had been at me. His long hair fell forward in his face as he doubled over and laughed uncontrollably. "Katie," he gasped. "This is--not---fair."

I smirked with pleasure, "Why?" I asked, circling him and twirling my wand in his fingers. "Everyone's doing it."

"Oh--very--very funny, Kates….KATIE!"

I laughed and released the poor boy, who aimed the charm and me again, but missed.

"Well, that wasn't very nice," I said reprovingly. "Highly uncalled for," and I aimed my wand at him again. But he dodged it and my spell hit Zackery Smith at exactly the same moment his partner's did and the Hufflepuff boy was blasted off the ground into the air, only to hit it again with a thud. Fred and I both stopped, looked at each other, and then burst out laughing.

"C'mon!" he yelled, suddenly, grabbing my wrist, and pulling me behind him as he sprinted up the stairs that led to the overlooking balcony.

"We can jinx them from up here!" he cried, and pointed his wand to the nearest Slytherin. "Got him! Yesss!" I laughed and watched the boy squirm, looking around for his attacker. I aimed my spell at a Ravenclaw girl I particularly disliked, and she started turning purple with laughter.

"Nice one!" Fred said, approvingly and we high-fived. By the time we'd jinxed about ten more people, w were laughing about as hard as they were, and collapsed on the beanbags that were scattered around the overhang.

"That," Fred said between breaths, "was the coolest lesson ever."

"You're telling me!" I breathed, "I haven't seen Warrington move like that since he was trying to dodge the bludger attack you and George launched on him last year!"

He laughed. "The goober was trying to take out Angelina, the least we thought we could do for him was to make him look like a git in front of the whole school."

I laughed. "I think he does that by himself, you know."

Fred stroked his chin. "This it true…true…"

I rolled over and watched Fred spin his wand between his fingers for a while. The wood, for some reason, looked a good deal different that the yew I was used to seeing.

"Fred, toss me your wand," I said, curiously. He complied, and I caught it, turning over the long piece of wood in my hands. It was different.

"Fred, this isn't your wand!" I said, looking over at him.

"Yeah it is," he replied, coming over to sit next to me on my bean bag.

"But it's--"

"Mahogany, yeah," Fred said casually, taking it back from me. "And dragon string. Mum got us all new wands after ickle Ronniekins broke his last year. Nearly broke the bank, but I'd had Bill's old one for a while…"

He stopped, looking a little uncomfortable. I felt uncomfortable, too, but for a different reason. I hadn't thought about my stupid list in a while, but there it was, thrown up again in my face.

"It's really nice, Fred," I said, attempting to take his mind off of money and mine off of that cursed list.

"Thanks," he said, and put it back in his robes. He yawned and layed down on the beanbag, motioning for me to do the same. I did, and instinctively cuddled in close to him, surprising myself. If Fred, thought it was awkward, he gave no sign, but put his arm around me. It felt surprisingly natural for me to be there lying next to him. I felt that same funny feeling in my stomach as I'd had when he smiled at me earlier that morning. I tried not to think about it too much, or how it only increased as he absentmindedly played with the ugly loose ringlets of my ponytail.

"Katie," he said suddenly. " I know I agreed not to bring it up again, but I have to ask--why are you interested in a bloke like Diggory anyway?"

I sighed inwardly, sincerely regretting the fact that Fred had just invited Cedric Diggory onto the beanbag with us. But I answered him anyway, trying to play down my obvious affection for Cedric.

"Oh, I dunno," I said, in a would-be-casual voice. "He's nice, considerate, gets good marks…"

"And the fact that every girl in this castle finds him unbelievable dashing means nothing to you, does it?" he asked slyly, raising his eyebrows.

I blushed. "Well, okay…that maybe has something to do with it…"

Fred sighed and stretched out. "That's what I thought," he mumbled, staring up at the ceiling.

I frowned. "Why does it bother you?" I asked. "I didn't say anything when you went out with Sarah Fawcett last year, and everyone knows she's the best looking girl at this school."

He laughed. "No she's not."

I smiled curiously. "And who is then, pray tell?"

He looked down at me and simply said, "You."

I punched him in the arm, but I didn't say anything. Why argue if you're being complimented, even if it isn't true? I was content to pull his arm tighter toward me and lay my head on his chest.

The time to leave class came too soon, and as wee headed out the door, I momentarily tuned out of Alicia's analysis of just how green George's eyes looked that day to listen to the group of 4th year Ravenclaw girls out in the hallway say:

"There goes Fred Weasley…Merlin, I'd give anything to have him say hi to me!"

"Oh, I know, Kari…talk about a hottie!"

And they all started giggling. They tossed their hair around and smiled when they passed the oblivious Fred, who just grinned goofily, and raised a hand to say hello.

I stopped a little short. Of course I knew Fred was good looking, but after 5 years of being his friends, I often forgot, and it never failed to take me off guard when others pronounced him so. For some strange reason, a twinge of jealousy took hold in me, and I walked up very near to him, speaking loudly, and putting my arm around his waist, making sure that the group of girls didn't miss it.

…Just in case.