After patching things up between Fred and George—who were on speaking terms again—the rest of the day seemed to fly by. I met Leanne in the library to finish up a star chart for Trelawney, and later met up with the twins in the kitchens for an after dinner snack. At about ten o'clock—well past our curfew—the three of us ambled up to the common room, hoping to find Lee or somebody to play a round of Exploding Snap with.

Fred and George were walking extremely slow, so I decided to cut ahead of them in hopes of hurrying our trip back to the common room up. The two of them were busy talking over ideas for a joke shop they were intending to open up once out of Hogwarts, and I was bored of listening. Rounding a corner, I started up the marble steps leading up when I heard one of the twins snigger behind me.

"Nice bloomers, Kates." I felt my face burn, and I whipped around to the boys to tell them off. Glaring daggers at them, I found George to be the one who commented on my under things. He was grinning from ear to ear, and he had his hands shoved in his pockets. Both he and his brother had stopped a few steps below me now, and I wanted nothing more than to rush down and push the two of them down the stairs at that moment.

"George Weasley, don't you—I mean—you complete a—" But I was cut off from my yelling at him as Fred had walked up the remaining steps between us, gave my bum a nice hard slap, and continued onwards—a mischievous grin on his face.

"—Don't be such a tight arse, Katesy! I rather enjoyed the view, thank you very much." Whipping around to face Fred, still scarlet in the face, I balled my fists up angrily.

"Fred! I am going to murder you!" George was still sniggering uncontrollably behind me, wanting to stay out of it now. My anger towards him was channeled at Fred now, doubled.

Fred's grin only seemed to grow, and he went up another step as he spoke. "I'm sure you will, dear, but you'll have to catch me first!"

Beyond angry now, I flew after Fred, who had begun to run up the stairs away from me. I heard George a flight below us now, presumably doubled over laughing at the pair of us. Fred was half a flight ahead of me now, and I could see the stairs he was jumping onto begin to change. Cursing internally, I pushed the muscles in my legs to move faster, praying to whatever was out there that I don't fall down the stairs. I had flung myself onto the now moving staircase, almost where Fred was at. He had looked back with the grin still on his face, realized I was only a few steps away from him now, and flung himself into one of the halls on the fifth floor.

"Fred Weasley, you are going to die!" My leg muscles were burning now, and I was still red in the face. This only seemed to make him laugh harder now, and he almost doubled how fast he was going.

Damn him and his damnable long legs!

He rounded a corner up ahead, and I bolted after him. He was still laughing, and this made me even angrier. I heard him stumble up ahead as I rounded the same corner he had moments ago. I almost cheered upon seeing how close I was to catching him. Fred shot another hasty look back and saw how close we were. I reached my hand out to grab his sweater, but he rounded another corner, and slipped out of my grasp.

"Dammit!" I hadn't meant to shout, but it had slipped out before I could filter the words in my brain properly. Unfortunately, this was heard by none other than my head of House.

"Miss Bell!" I halted abruptly, almost colliding with my Transfiguration teacher as she stepped out of her classroom.

What kind of a professor is in there classroom this late over break?

"Someone's asking for a raise..." I muttered, once again hating that I had a big mouth, and prayed that she hadn't heard me. McGonagall only raised an eyebrow at my muttering, and put her hands on her hips.

"Miss Bell," Her voice was stern and unfaltering. I knew I was in for a punishment. "What on Earth are you doing out of bed this late? Or," She continued to speak, even as I opened my mouth to give her an explanation. "an even better question: What are you doing running down my halls shouting like an uncivilized ogre?"

I scowled, and crossed my arms lamely over my chest. "Well, you see, I have a perfect explanation for you, professor." At this, McGonagall raised another eyebrow, clearly wanting to hear what cock and bull story she thought I would come up with. "You see," I sighed, trying to catch my breath still from all the running. "I was chasing Fred Weasley. He's the one you'll want to see! He—"

But professor McGonagall only raised a hand to silence me. "Miss Bell, haven't I told you before not to blame other students for your wrongdoings?"

My scowl reappeared on my face yet again, and I nodded.

"Well then, off to bed with you. Not another word, either." I nodded again, still upset that she hadn't let me finish my story. This time it wasn't just another lame attempt to get out of trouble. Fred would pay for this when I found him again. I began to walk away when I heard my professor speak again. "And five points from Gryffindor, too, Miss Bell."

Fuming all the way back to the common, I came up with ways of how to torture Fred for getting me into trouble with McGonagall, and for slapping my bum.

The Fat Lady appeared to be fast asleep in her portrait, and I had to practically shout the password at her before she sleepily grunted and allowed me in.

I swung the portrait hole behind me with a little more force than was necessary, and scanned the circular room quickly for him. There was a couple in the back snogging one anothers faces off, two second years playing Wizard's Chess, but no sign of Fred or George. I sighed angrily, stomped up to the girl's dorms, and went to bed.

The next morning I was awoken by Angelina, who looked extremely worried. Grunting angrily and rubbing the sand out of my sleepy eyes, I sat up.

"Ange, what the hell is it?" I gestured to my messy bed, covers strewn about and pillows askew. "Clearly I was in the middle of some much needed sleep."

Angelina rolled her eyes and sat down at the foot of my bed. "I need to talk to you, Kat."

I could feel my brows furrow, and nodded. "Alright, shoot, then."

"It's about George."

Moaning agitatedly, not wanting to deal with this this early in the morning on Christmas Eve, I nodded again.

Angelina took this as her cue to speak, and made herself more comfortable on my bed. "Well," She began almost uncertainly, and I ran my fingers through my bed head. "I don't want to give George his Christmas present. It'll be too weird... I'm going to the ball with his brother."

"So? I got Fred and George something. What's the big deal?"

Angelina looked like someone punched her in the stomach. "Crap! Katie, I completely forgot to get Fred a present!"

I couldn't help but laugh as Angelina launched herself into her trunk, rummaging around for something that could pass off as a suitable Christmas present. She turned away for the smallest second, glared at me, and went back to searching her things. "Ange," I began, calming myself down. "I don't think he'll care either way if you got him a present."

Angelina looked at me like I was crazy. "But Katie," She spoke incredulously, tossing something aside. "I got George something. I can't go give something to his twin brother if I didn't bother to buy my own date something! What am I going to do?"

Angelina presented a good point. On one hand, it would look rather strange for her to give a present to George—the one she wasn't going to the ball with—and not her own date, Fred. On the other hand, this would be a huge sign to George, and even Fred, that she fancied George. I bit my lip, and Angelina looked to me for an answer.

I hopped off my bed and sat next to her on the floor beside her trunk. "Look, Ange, Fred really won't care if you got him something." She opened her mouth to speak, but I continued talking over her. "Honestly, I think George will be happy with whatever you got him. Just go down there and work your magic." And with a wink sent her way, I hopped off the floor, grabbed my things, and set off to get ready for the day.

Once my hair looked presentable, I had brushed my teeth, and pulled on an extra comfortable sweater, I went back into my dorm room I shared with Angelina and Alicia. No one was up there, so I tucked my wand into my pocket, grabbed the presents for my friends, and set off towards the common room.

There was a small tree tucked away in a lone part of the circular room, and it glowed beautifully against the rest of the somewhat darkened room. Atop the tree was a glistening golden star, and among the branches were small balls of glowing light, dancing gingerbread men waving at passerbyers, ornaments, Christmas cards, and the occasional clump of bewitched snow that never melted. The tree was very beautiful, and I smiled upon seeing how wonderfully the house elves had decorated it this year. At the base of the tiny tree there were mounds of gifts to other Gryffindors, and I lowered myself down to place my gifts for my friends among the others.

After I got up to admire the tree once more, I felt an arm snake around my waist and pull me against the unknown person. I squeaked a little, surprised, and looked up to see who the culprit was and smiled.

Fred Weasley was standing there with a goofy grin on his face, holding a candy cane in the hand that wasn't around my waist.

I elbowed my good friend in the ribs and side stepped out of his hold on me. He cocked an eyebrow at me, appearing confused as to why I would pull away from him. "Something troubling ya, Kates?"

I crossed my arms and glared at him from the corner of my eyes. "Yes. As a matter of fact, you are."

Fred placed a lopsided grin on his face, stepped towards me again, and put his hand back around my waist. "What'd I do this time? I was just admiring the view before you pulled away..." The grin on his face told me that he knew exactly why I was mad at him, but enjoyed teasing me anyway.

"Fred," I sighed exasperatedly. "I'm still mad at you from last night."

"Because I beat you back here? Katesy, we have to work on this problem of yours, dear. Just because you're a sore loser—"

"—And because you got me in trouble with McGonagall—" I cut in, although he just continued to talk over me.

"—Doesn't mean that you can still be a little upset at me, on Christmas Eve and all." He smiled down at me, and bit off a hunk of his candy cane. I huffed, and focused my attention back on the tree, and not how close we were, and how he smelled like peppermint, and gun powder, and summertime... "Now," Fred spoke easily, leading me to a pair of armchairs right beside the tree. "are you really going to continue being mad and ruin the Christmas cheer?"

By now, Fred had released me for a moment, plopped down onto an armchair, and pulled me down on his lap. I squeaked again, and attempted to get off of him, but to no avail. Fred had one hand tightly secured around my waist again, and wasn't budging. I was stuck on my best friend's lap, blushing like a bloody first year that had a huge crush on Gilderoy Lockhart.

I scoffed, and folded my arms huffily. I was half upset due to the fact that I was stuck here on Fred's lap, and half upset that I might actually be enjoying it. But never mind that. "Hmph. What Christmas cheer, might I ask? Everyone's probably down in the Great Hall for a late breakfast, or outside building sodding snowmen. We're the only two up here, with a tree."

"Ah, you present a very good point, Katesy, but—" And as Fred spoke, the portrait hole burst open, revealing George wearing a Santa suit, carrying a sack of presents over his shoulder. Angelina, Lee, and Alicia were in tow behind him, half amused and half excited looking.

"Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

I rolled my eyes. "It's not even noon, drongo."

Fred let out a heart laugh, and George turned to face the pair of us on the armchair. "Now, now, Miss Bell! Watch your mouth, or I might put you on the naughty list!"

"Oh, I'm shaking in my boots."

At this, Alicia rolled her eyes and plopped herself down on the floor in front of the tree. Angelina and Lee followed suit, sitting on either side of Alicia. I hopped off of Fred's lap and sat myself in front of the armchair, leaning back against it.

Fred too followed suit, and sat between Angelina and I, half leaning against the armchair next to me. I glanced at him, gave a small smile, and he winked. This made my face heat up, and I cursed myself mentally for letting my best friend have this effect on me.

By now, George had placed the sack of presents on the floor, pulled out his wand, and milk and cookies appeared. We all attacked the tray, grabbing a glass of milk and some cookies for ourselves in the process. Sure, we all acted like children at sixteen and seventeen years old, but we couldn't help it. It was Christmas Eve after all.

"Now," George said, spitting a little bit of cookie crumbs out as he spoke, earning laughs from the group of us. "let's begin!" His eyes twinkled, and his Santa suit disappeared with a wave of his wand. He was left sitting in a homemade Weasley sweater and a Santa hat. Sitting next to Angelina, he tucked his wand away and smiled brightly.

Alicia leaned forward towards the tree to grab a small parcel wrapped in paper that read Merry Christmas all over it, and handed it to Lee. "Merry Christmas, Lee! Hope you like it."

Lee took the present happily, ripped open the small package, and threw his arms around Alicia. "'Lic, I love it! Thanks a ton, I've been in need of a new set of Gobstones." Alicia smiled, popped another cookie in her mouth, and turned back to the rest of us.

Angelina went next, and tossed Alicia and I a present each. "Now, it's not much, mind you... I picked them up over the summer, and thought of you two straight away."

Alicia was carefully peeling away her parchment on her gift, wanting to save the wrapping like she did every year, while I tore the paper away.

"Watch out everyone, Kates here is like a wild animal! Don't get too close, or you might lose an eye."

I stuck my tongue out and threw the ball of wrapping paper at Fred, who laughed heartily. Opening up my package, I let out a loud squeal and flung myself at Angelina, hugging her tightly.

"Angelina, I love you! This is too much!" Angelina laughed and hugged back, and I felt Alicia launch herself at the pair of us.

"Ange, this is great! How'd you manage to get these?"

I leaned back against the armchair next to Fred and pulled out my brand new pair of Omnioculars. Fred leaned in to get a better look at my gift, and whistled appreciatively.

"Nice choice, Ange. That way Katie won't be talking my ear off at the next match, asking what happened."

"Git." I muttered, and shoved Fred over, who in turn spilled milk all over the front of his Weasley sweater, and I laughed. Pulling out my wand, I gave a quick wave and the milk was back in Fred's glass, and he was completely dry.

The next hour or so we all joked around, handing out gifts to one another, and receiving odd looks from other students who had since made their way back to the common room. George had just opened a rather large present from Fred, and tore the paper away greedily. Fred began to do the same with a present almost identical to the one George was tearing away at, and at almost the same time, the two of them sported identical grins.

"Freddie, you shouldn't have!"

"But Georgie-pie, how could I have not? Clearly you shouldn't have!"

The remainder of us had peered inside the twins boxes to see identical sets of dress robes in one anothers boxes. Only the twins would give one another the same exact thing, and still be thrilled about it.

I reached inside Fred's box and pulled out a pair of socks. I couldn't help but laugh, and hang them up for the rest of my friends to see. "You two dunderheads even got each other matching socks?"

Fred and George were busy thanking one another, making a big show out of their presents to the other one. Angelina laughed upon seeing the socks, and reached into George's box.

"That's nothing," She began, and pulled out something bright pink. "they got each other under things to match!" Angelina's face was bright red, and she glanced quickly at George, who had taken notice now to her holding a pair of his bright pink boxers.

"Ange, who'd have thought you were so eager to get a hold of my under things? All you had to do was ask!" If possible, Angelina turned an even deeper shade of red, threw the boxers at George's face, and went back to her cookies and milk. The rest of us erupted into fits of laughter when George couldn't pull the boxers free from his face, but subsided soon enough.

Eventually, Lee had declared he was in need of a fresh game of Gobstones, so he set off to find Seamus Finnigan or someone of the sort to play with. Alicia had slumped herself into a spare armchair by the tree, snoring quietly, and Angelina and George were busy flirting shyly with one another.

I smiled upon seeing this, and rested my head on Fred's shoulder. He had his left arm slung lazily around my shoulder, and was twirling a piece of hair with his fingers absentmindedly. To be quite honest with you, I felt perfectly content sitting here in Fred's arms by the Christmas tree with my friends. For one fleeting moment I had wished that I were the one going to the ball with him, and not Angelina. I tried to banish this thought from my mind, but with no luck. I gave up minutes later, deciding that there was no harm in thinking about something like that.

Eventually, George declared that nature's business called, and he hopped out of the portrait hole moments later. Angelina grabbed a book from Lee and went up to our dorm to put some of her presents away, leaving Fred and I alone with a sleeping Alicia.

"So, Katesy." Fred drawled slowly, still twirling my hair in his fingers.

I hummed quietly for him to show that I was listening, and began playing with some crumpled pieces of wrapping paper. Images of Fred and I at the ball tomorrow still danced around in my head, and I felt myself smiling.

"Excited to go to the ball tomorrow?" Fred sounded cheerful, but I couldn't help but notice some underlying resentment in his tone. I brushed it off though, thinking that he might still be a tad upset at me for ruining his plans to tell the girl he fancied how he felt about her.

I shrugged, still thinking about Fred and I at the Yule Ball tomorrow—not George and I. "Yes, I s'pose so."

Fred yawned, and stretched a bit. "You suppose so?" He laughed a bit, and I looked up at his bemused face. "You don't sound too pleased to be going with my brother." His eyes were twinkling, and he gave me another lopsided grin. My stomach did a weird flip-flop, and I wished that this effect Fred had on me would stop already... It was just getting plain weird. "Got a bloke on your mind?"

Another weird flip took place in my stomach, and I could almost be positive that I was blushing now. I couldn't tell Fred that I wanted to be with him at the ball now. No, not after practically ruining things between Angelina, George, Fred, and the girl he intended on asking.

So, I just shrugged, and crossed my ankles, not wanting to look at him. I couldn't let Fred—my best friend—know that I might fancy him. No, absolutely out of the question.

I felt his chest heave up and down as he sighed. "Katesy, you can tell me, you know."

Deciding to act like he did yesterday, I still did not look up at him, and nodded. "I know."

Catching on, I could almost tell that Fred was smiling now, just from the tone of voice he used. "Well then, will you?"

I shook my head. "You won't want to hear it."

I decided to peak up at Fred for a moment, and saw him rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You know... I remember telling someone something strikingly similar to that not too long ago." He grinned down at me, and I averted my eyes. "And they told me that it's never stopped me from spilling my guts before, so spit it out."

Sighing in defeat, I sat up to face him. "Well..." I mused, smiling now. "It's about a guy."

Fred cracked a grin. "Yes, we've established that this is about a bloke. Carry on, tell Freddie your woes."

Laughing slightly at this, I gathered up as much Gryffindor courage I had in me, and looked over at him. "So, thanks to me, I've mucked things up pretty well these past few days or so." Fred only nodded encouragingly, and I took that as my cue to continue. "You see, thanks to plans gone awry, we've both got dates." I took another deep breath, and continued on. "And I know for a fact that he fancies someone, but I just couldn't help myself from falling for him in the span of the past few days." Now looking down at the carpeted floor, I heard Fred give an understanding grunt.

"That's too bad, Kates. I'm sure loads of guys would've loved to go to the ball with you." I looked up at him, and he grinned widely. "Even though you can't dance for shit."

I laughed, and kicked him. "Shut up, Fred." He laughed, too, and told me to carry on with my story. I did.

"So, now that we've both got dates, and that he fancies someone, I don't know what to do." I felt a blush creep its way onto my face.

"Well, what's so great about him?"

I leaned back, and thought about that for a moment. "Well," I began, careful to choose my words, as to not give who I now fancied away. "He's very funny."

Fred scoffed, and made a face. "But not as funny as I am, right?"

I only smiled, and decided not to answer. "He's also really good looking." I laughed a little. "Not the kind of in-your-face good looking, but still a looker. Definitely my type."

Fred seemed a little shaken by that, and I saw him sit up a little straighter.

"He's always up to something, and constantly pulling me into things."

"He doesn't sound very reliable, Kates. Besides," He said, furrowing his brow. "who drags you around all the time?"

I ignored him, and still went on. "He drives me crazy, and he always speaks his mind, not caring what others think about him. And the worst part is, I don't think he even thinks about me like that."

"This guy sounds like a git, Kates. What do you see in him?"

This just caused me to laugh, and I got up and grabbed my things. "Never mind that, Fred. Anyways," I leaned over and patted him on the head and grabbed my gifts off the floor. "you don't need to worry about it. I'll see you later!" And I turned on my heel, leaving a confused Fred Weasley alone with a sleeping Alicia by the tree in the common room.