New chapter! Takes place at the Yule Ball. Please RnR! Thanks!

Songs featured (where I got my inspiration for some of this chapter):

"Golden Slumbers" - Ben Folds, "Across the Universe" - Rufus Wainwright (both J.Lennon songs, but the covers are awesome).

That night, I changed into my dress robes, my heart thumping raucously inside my chest. Nervous as I was, I could tell Fred was just as uneasy as every other guy in the common room. "Everythings going to go great, Fred," I reassured him, laying a hand on his shoulder, "What are you so anxious about"
"Oh, just...well...everything," he turned to me and grimaced, "I was never a good dancer, George. We both know that."
I sniggered, "Well I was always the more artistic one."
"Shut up," Fred laughed, "Who's the one that can hold a tune longer than five seconds?"
"Me."
"Yeah, you wish George."

We left together, Fred having told Angelina he'd meet her just outside the Great Hall. "Remember what you promised me Fred," I whispered, squeezing his hand as we made our way down the stairs, "I'll be waiting all night."
"George, like I'd forget my promise. Just...dont yell at me if I accidentally step on your toes."

We found Angelina standing just outside the Great Hall, Katie Bell at her side. "Hey Fred, George." She greeted us both with a kiss on the cheek, "Listen, Katie's without a date...so I figured, maybe you'd like to dance with her a bit, huh George?"
I flinched, "Yeah, sure. I wasnt planning on dancing all that much but, all right."

Katie was beaming. Her blonde hair all in curls that framed her face, silver rhinestone combs holding back a few locks. She wore a full length ball gown, pure white. I could hear the several layers of taffeta rustling underneath her skirt as I led her out into the Great Hall, her hands gripping my arm tightly, "Oh I just love the decorations! Dont you?"

"Sure," I agreed, trying my best smile. I owed it to her to give her the best time possible. She looked lovely. I could tell alot of work went into the hair, and the makeup. Probably the picking out of the shoes and the dress as well. It would be a shame if I was a crap date, having her end up in tears by the end of the night.

Just then, the lights dimmed, and the fanfaire played as the Triwizard Champions entered, Harry and his date pulling up the rear. I caught a glimpse of Fred across the room, he was chuckling with Angelina, doing his own impression of Viktor Krum strutting across the center of the crowd.

Katie and I watched on while the champions took the first dance. Occasionally I would hear her gasp with delight when the girls were twirled by their partners, "Oh, oh George, look!" She'd yank on my arm until she was sure I was paying attention to whatever she was pointing at. I'd nod, and utter a "Lovely," or a "Brilliant, isnt it?" Then, my mind would float back to whatever thoughts I had just left previously.

After the couples had finished their waltz, the announcement that the Weird Sisters were going to take the stage had most of the girls in a screaming frenzy, including Katie. "Oh my God! Oh my God! George! I can't believe it! THE WEIRD SISTERS! OH MY GOD I LOVE YOU!" I had to cover my ears as she screamed at the lead singer once he came on stage. I found myself surrounded by Angelina (who was screaming along with Katie) and Fred (who had his fingers in his ears).

"Want to get a drink then!"

"What!"
"A drink!"
I could barely hear Fred above all the screaming and bouncing girls who were already taking off their first pairs of high heels and throwing them to the side of the dance floor. Fred motioned drinking, and I finally understood that he wanted to get out of the craziness for the moment. Of course, Fred and I would usually be the first in a crowd like that, it was just the high pitched shrieking and screaming that caused us much pain.

I followed Fred out to the refreshments table, spotting a very sour faced sibling of mine. "Oy, Ron!" Fred made his way over to our brother who was sitting next to Harry, his arms crossed, his date looking rather irritated, "Why dont you ask this lovely lady to dance?"
"You see her dont you!" Ron pointed a finger into the dancing crowd, "Dancing with that ruddy pumpkin head. That...that..."
"Bulgarian Bon Bon?" Fred and I sniggered, "Honestly Ron," Fred continued, "Just have fun. Don't worry about what everyone else is doing."
"Well where's your dates anyway?" asked Ron angrily, "Abandoned them already?"
"No, we thought it best that they spend some of their energy screaming up front for a while," I said with a nod, "Practically got killed in the wild high heeled stampede once the Weird Sisters came out."

I could tell Harry kept trying to catch my eye, but I wasnt giving in. Not now. Not tonight. After Fred and I had proper refreshment (a couple spiked butterbeers and three pieces of cake each), Katie and Angelina dragged us both out onto the dance floor as a slow ballad began to play.

Katie wrapped her arms around my shoulders. I put my hands on her waist as the Weird Sisters began to play "Golden Slumbers", a John Lennon song that Fred and I had always heard on Muggle radio. I smiled at Fred, I could tell by his expression that he recognized it immediately, mouthing the words along with me. Katie rested her head on my chest, I spotted Fred leaning his head against Angelina's, making kissy faces in my direction. "Sleep pretty darling, do not cry. And I will sing a lullaby..." I sung quietly along with Fred.

I felt like I was at my own wedding, Katie my bride, Fred my best man. A new beginning that I didnt want to start, not without Fred in my life. Forced into something that I knew would only end up in tragedy. "George?" whispered Katie, looking up from my chest and into my eyes, "George I want to tell you something. Something I've been wanting to tell you for a while."

"Yeah?" I was too busy watching Fred and Angelina too notice Katie's longing expression.
"George, are you listening to me?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I am."
"What I've been trying to say to you is," I could hear her sigh, and I looked down, her curls hanging hopelessly around her face, "I really like you George. I've liked you for a while."

"You, what?"
Before I could even get any other words out, Katie stood up on her toes and planted a kiss directly on my lips. "Golden Slumbers" ended, and "Across the Universe" began, another John Lennon song I recognized from all those lazy summer days of listening in on Muggle radio.

Katie pulled away, an embarassed smile spreading across her pink glossed lips, "How was that?" "It was..." I was a little too shocked for words actually. Sort of still registering what just happened. I looked over at Fred who looked as if he was trying to hold back a roar of laughter, Angelina's fingers twirling around the red strands of his hair.

"Katie," I began, "We dont know eachother that well. And I'm not sure. "
"But we can get to know eachother!"
"Would you let me finish?"
"Sorry."
I hesitated, I could I put this without making her feel terrible? "Katie, listen...your a really nice girl."
"But-"
"But, I dont really - like you that way."
"But you could learn to like me!" There was a hint of desperation in her voice. I knew this was going to be hard. "Katie, its not even that. Your a really lovely girl, really pretty even - "
"So then why dont you like me?"
"Its more than that! I have to know you really well before I'd even consider anything!"
Katie looked horrorstruck, "But I thought for sure that you'd..."
"No! Katie, listen. Your really sweet, and I'm sure any guy would be lucky to have you. But right now, I dont think I'm even suited for a girlfriend at the moment."

Katie looked up at me again, black mascara running down her cheeks. The music had changed to something fast, and up tempo, something I didnt recognize. Wiping the her eyes, Katie streaked eyeliner and wet mascara all over her cheeks and hands, "I should have known, someone like yourself!"
"What do you mean someone like myself? Katie, please let me get you a tissue or something...your dress-"

"I DONT CARE ABOUT MY DRESS! I CARE ABOUT YOU!" She let out a high pitched wail, that caused several couples to stop dancing (including Viktor Krum), and turn to watch the unfolding drama. "ALL I'VE EVER DONE WAS TRY TO GET CLOSE TO YOU! QUIDDITCH, CLASSES, EVERYTHING! AND ALL YOU CAN SAY IS, IS THAT...I'M A NICE GIRL!"
"But Katie..I-" It was beyond hope now, her entire face had taken on the color of her lipgloss, mascara streaks still flowed freely, her hair - once glossy and curled, now frazzled and dishevled.

"Katie, please-"
"GEORGE WEASLEY...YOU HAVE BROKEN MY HEART!" She let out another high pitched bawl and stormed out of the Great Hall, Angelina at her heels. There was silence for a while. No one spoke. Everyone stared. Most of the girls were frowning, whispering to one another behind their hands, casting me accusing looks. The guys were smirking, having witnessed such a dramatic experience that they thought truly funny.

The only person who felt courageous enough to say anything was Seamus Finnigan, "Wow, I thought that was gonna be just like Carrie and she'd kill us all." He let out a snort of laughter and then instantly stopped, realizing he was the only one laughing. Fred just sort of stood there looking at me, "I guess um...she's not for you mate."

"Someone obviously has no idea how to handle girls," I heard Malfoy sneer to one of his cronies, "Honestly. Leave it to a Weasley. Especially a gay one."
With that, Fred spun around on his heel, facing Malfoy, "What did you say, Malfoy?" there was such malevolence on the word Malfoy, that I thought Fred was going to attack. Draco's face went pale, (paler than usual), "Y-you heard me," his confidence suddenly returned, "It's just like a Weasley to do something like that," his ruby lips curled into a vicious grin, "Especially a gay one."

On the other side of the room I heard a roar of anger and caught sight of a blur of maroon and green robes shoot towards Malfoy, knocking him off his feet. I watched as my own brother, Ron, started pummeling Malfoy, bloody squirting out of the Slytherin's nose, an un human howl erupting from his lips. "YOU SHUT YOUR FACE MALFOY!"

"Looks like Ron's already shut it for him," sniggered Fred, cheering Ron on. "STUPID GREASY GIT!" screamed Ron, "YOU SHOULDNT TALK ABOUT THINGS YOU DONT EVEN KNOW!" It took Viktor Krum, Cedric Diggory, Harry Potter, and Dean Thomas too pull Ron off Malfoy, though Ron still wasnt giving in, "LET ME AT 'EM!" he cried, still hopelessly flailing his arms around, kicking at Krum's legs, "GERROFF!"
Harry pulled Ron out of the Great Hall, his face matching the color of his hair.

"RON YOU SPOIL EVERYTHING!" I could hear Hermione screaming outside the Great Hall as Harry led him out, "THE ONE GOOD NIGHT OF THE YEAR AND YOU GO INSANE!" Viktor sort of stood there, a clueless expression plastered across his face, "Herm-own-ninny, vere are you going?"

"TO BED!" she roared, audible snuffles and tears running down her face.

"Well alright then!" The lead singer of the Weird Sisters called out, "Now that the drama is over...who's ready to party?" Everyone cheered, the drama forgotten as a new song started up. "Wanna dance with me?" asked Fred, holding out his hand. "Ask properly," I said playfully.
"Okay then," he smirked, and then bowed very low, "May I have this dance."
"Why yes good sir." I curtsied, and Fred sniggered, "Holy shit George. That was actually pretty good."

I took Fred's arm, and he led me out onto the dance floor. The crowd had pretty much disapated. Most of the teachers having gone to bed. The only adult around was Filch, who was supposed to be supervising, but he was asleep in a chair with Mrs. Norris curled up in his lap. Fred wrapped his arms around my waist, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. "George," he whispered in my ear, "Can I kiss you? Right here, right now?"

I looked around at the other couples still left in the Great Hall. "Infront of everyone"
Fred nodded, "l really want to George. It'll be like - we're finally coming out. For real this time"
I nodded, "Okay Fred...if you want too"
Fred smiled and tilted his head to the side, I tilted mine the opposite. His lips inched in closer, and they brushed against mine. I ran my fingers through his strands, my own lips sucking the fullness of his bottom lip, my tongue running against his. It felt as if time stood still right before us, the air around us getting hazy, everything becoming quiet.

We pulled apart, my eyes still closed. "Fred," I whispered, "That was probably the best kiss of my life."