Disclaimer: I own nothing but my character, plotline and a few other characters strewn out about the story. If I owned Harry Potter then I'd be currently having a relationship with James Phelps – who plays Fred – or even Oliver Phelps – George. But of course, I don't own Harry Potter, so I'm not dating an extremely attractive red head. Harry Potter belongs to J.K. ROWLING - the rather amazing author. However, I will use a few pieces of dialogue or so throughout the story.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Bah! Once again, I'm terribly sorry that I haven't updated in a while. It's been exams and what not, but thank the Lord I only have 3 left. Wish me luck since I don't want to take freshman year Science again! MAYBE if some certain readers reviewed more often or pm'd me saying to update. Nevertheless, I love you all. I hope you enjoy Chapter 6!

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Chapter Six

"The Yule Ball"

Before any of the students at Hogwarts knew it, the Yule Ball had come. There were decorations everywhere, including the common rooms and everybody was in a giddy mood. Except me.

As I rushed around my dorm room with the girls, I could honestly say giddy wasn't what I was feeling. Anxious, nervous nauseous – whatever word you chose to use, I was not giddy.

We hadn't gotten in our dresses yet, since we thought that it would be the very last thing to put on. So here we were, running around the room in our knickers and heels, asking others for help with our makeup or hair.

We were supposed to meet our dates downstairs in fifteen minutes and everybody was trying to get last minute prepping in. I was one of the first girls to be ready, so after slipping on my gown, I turned to help Ginny with her makeup.

She had always been like a little sister to me, so of course I had asked her if she'd like to come get ready with me and the other girls. Angelina, Katie and Alicia had been quick to nod, also feeling a rush of sisterly love towards her.

"I can't believe you're going with Calvin to the ball!" Ginny cried as I applied eye shadow to her.

I laughed. "I can't believe you're going with Neville", I replied. "I thought you were going to get up the nerve and ask Harry".

The other girls ooh'd from around the room, all knowing about the little third year's crush on the Boy-Who-Lived. A deep blush appeared on Ginny's cheeks and she tried to pull away from my hands, but I kept her in place.

"You're going to make me mess up your makeup!" I scolded playfully.

"You know Harry doesn't feel the same way about me", she said quietly.

Katie scoffed as she went by, "But I also know he doesn't feel a thing towards those Petal twins".

"It's the Patil twins, Katie", Alicia laughed from the bed as she was slipping on her dress.

"Does it really matter to me?"

I rolled my eyes at the two of them bickering as they usually did, finishing putting some mascara on Ginny's already long eyelashes.

"Don't bother putting blush on her, Ry!" Angelina called from the other side of the room, "Her cheeks are already red!"

"Hey!" the red-headed girl pouted, crossing her arms over her chest.

I laughed and stood up, adjusting the top of my dress. "Just get in your dresses; you're all acting like children".

"Oh and you never do?" Katie snickered.

I glared playfully and stuck out my tongue. "Keep your sharp tongue for Jean-Luc tonight".

Ginny sighed from beside me, now in her dress. "I was so sure that Fred was going to ask you, Ryleigh. No offense, Angelina."

"Oh, none taken, Gin. I was thinking the same thing. Merlin knows I would have never expected that he'd ask me to the ball", Angelina replied, smirking.

I was not in the mood for any talk of Fred and me going to the ball at the moment, even though I secretly wished he had.

"Well obviously he didn't want to since he never asked me, so drop it", I told the girls before looking in the mirror one last time. "Now come on, let's go meet the boys".

Taking my response as a reason to shut up, the four girls followed me quietly down the tower's stairs to the common room. There, we were greeted with the sight of Fred, George, Neville, Jean-Luc and Calvin all in stunning dress-robes.

Now, I'm not going to deny the fact that the first person I laid eyes on was Fred, his hair neatly messy and his robes certainly doing something for his appearance. He met my eyes and we both grinned, but the moment was quickly ruined as an arm slipped around my waist.

I looked up into the hazel eyes of Calvin, smiling at him. "You look nice", I told him.

He smiled back, placing a kiss on my cheek as he said, "And you look très belle, mon cherie".

I inwardly groaned. Why did he have to use that cute French talk so much? It made it hard for me to concentrate on how great Fred looked.

"Shall we go down to the Great Hall now?" George asked from beside me with Alicia on his arm.

We all nodded and exited through the portrait hole, walking in a fit of giggles down the hallway. Before I even knew what was happening however, I felt two pairs of hands pull me away from Calvin. Fred and George.

"Look at our little Ry!" George cooed from one side of me.

"All grown up and what not", Fred pinched my cheek.

I rolled my eyes, but grinned. "Wow, guys. Honestly?"

George looked shocked. "Yes, honestly. You look amazing, Ryleigh", he grinned back.

"Quite fetching, really", his twin added.

"Stunning".

"Breathtaking".

I couldn't help but burst out in a roar of unladylike laughter. These two always knew how to make me feel completely at ease. A few heads turned at my outburst seeing as we had just reached the Great Hall.

I guess you could say that I did look nice, what with my dark hair falling in loose curls on my shoulders and my chocolate brown eyes certainly did pop in the beautiful nighttime makeup that I was gracefully wearing. Although, I do think that the best part of my appearance was my dress robes.

It was a beautiful deep red silk gown that fell floor-length in graceful ruffles; the smooth material nipped in at my waist to emphasize how tiny it was and held up my bust in a way that wasn't too tramp-like.

"You two look rather dashing yourselves", I told the twins with a bright smile before entering the Hall.

It looked amazing and everybody looked so formal in their dress robes. I felt Fred give my hand a small squeeze before we parted to sit with our own dates at the large table that we were all going to share.

"This is so exciting!" Katie squealed as the doors parted for the champions and their dates to enter the hall.

We all watched while Krum, Cedric, Fleur and Harry got in place for the opening dance.

"Is that Victor Krum with Hermione Granger?" Angelina gasped. "She looks so different!"

I shrugged. "I never even knew that they talked".

"I don't think they do. Can Krum even say a full sentence?" George thought aloud.

I heard Angelina kick him under the table. "Hey!"

I couldn't stop a chuckle escape from my lips as the champions began dancing around the hall with their dates.

"Harry looks like he's about to make a run for it", Fred whispered from beside me, leaning in so close that I could feel his hot breath on my ear.

I smiled at him in response, knowing it was true but attempting to hide the fact that he sent shivers up my spine with just a few simple words.

Soon enough, other students were beginning to join the dance floor and Calvin was holding out his hand for mine.

"May I 'ave zees dance?" he asked me with a stunning smile.

I looked around at the remaining members of the table. Fred and Angelina were already out there, along with Katie and Jean-Luc. Alicia gave me an enthusiastic grin, George merely shrugged and Lee did the same. His date, however, looked incredibly bored.

I turned my gaze back to Calvin and returned the smile that he was sporting. "Of course", I said with a nod before placing my hand in his.

As we were walking away from the table, I could faintly hear Lee's date asking impatiently, "Aren't you going to ask me to dance?"

This was then accompanied by Lee scoffing playfully and responding, "I was just about to, love. Relax!"

A large smile was on my face as Calvin pulled me closer by the waist, reminding me of the kiss we shared a while ago. Secretly, I wondered if I'd get another one of those tonight, though I'd never tell.

My thoughts of the French boy's lips however, vanished as soon as I looked over, only to see Fred and Angelina dancing like idiots together.

"You look beautiful tonight", his smooth voice said, returning my focus to him.

My cheeks grew slightly pink and not just from my makeup. "You look handsome", I retorted, my eyes twinkling.

He dipped me slightly and I bent my head back, a giggle bubbling from my lips. When I was with Calvin, I didn't really think about anything else. But then when I wasn't with him, I found myself wondering why Fred wouldn't want to take me to the ball.

I mean, he said I looked good tonight right? Fetching, breathtaking – that's good! No, that's better than good.

He can't affect me, I thought. I won't let him.

It appeared I was too caught up in my own thoughts, since Calvin had placed a gentle hand on my face.

"Somezeeng wrong, cherie?" he asked, his tone concerned.

I found it incredibly cute that he could already tell when I was zoned out or something was on my mind.

"Nothing at all", I replied with a reassuring smile.

"May I cut in?" a voice said from behind my date and I realized it was George.

Calvin nodded with a grin, obviously trying to befriend the boys I hung around. "Of course", he responded before walking back to our table.

George quickly scooped me up in his arms exaggeratedly with a rather pompous smirk on his face.

"Shall we dance?"

"We most definitely shall!"

We then began to do a very dramatic and clumsy version of the tango, bumping into Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang along the way.

"Excuse, the lady, dear boy!" George called, still whisking my away. "She may not be very elegant, but she's quite well in the sack!"

"George!"

"What?" he asked, faking a shocked expression when I hit him. "Simply putting you out there".

I rolled my eyes, but nevertheless laughed as we began to simmer down and do our own type of waltz, faster than the original.

"Speaking of you out there", the redhead continued, "Have you given any thought of what I said about you and Fred?"

I sighed and looked at him warily. "Right when I got my mind off him. Thank you for that".

"Aha!" George exclaimed. "He was on your mind. So you do have feelings for him!"

"George!" I pleaded exasperatedly. "I do not".

"You're such a liar, you know that?" he pouted. "Why won't you just tell me? I'm your best mate, after all".

I bit my lip. He had me there, I'll admit that.

"I'll tell you that I have been thinking about it – and him", I said while choosing my words carefully, "And yes, I may be a bit put off that he hadn't asked me to the ball, but –".

"But what?" George asked, grinning widely. "But nothing. Listen, Ry, I know my brother and I know you. There's definitely some tension going on there".

"But –".

He slapped a hand over my mouth and grinned. "But nothing. Now, your little Frenchie is looking for you. We'll talk about how right I am later".

And just like that, he was gone.

I turned around and walked back up to Calvin, who was indeed looking for me. He greeted me with a dazzling smile which made my insides feel warm.

"Come with me", he said mysteriously, grabbing my hand and leading me out of the hall.

I honestly had no idea where we were going, but then I realized that he was leading me to the courtyard where snowflakes were falling all over. The fresh snow on the ground seemed to sparkle like everything else did tonight.

"Calvin", I breathed. "It's amazing".

He looked at me and smiled, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Yes, you are".

Yes, that was incredibly cheesy but would it be insane for me to say that it sounded cute coming out of his lips?

Speaking of lips, a pair of soft ones were suddenly on mine, kissing me as sweetly as he had that day in the corridor. I kissed back, my hands twining around his neck and my body pressing against his for warmth. Strangely, it didn't feel as great as it had that day.

"Ryleigh", he whispered against my lips once he had broken the kiss. "I know we 'aven't known eachother very long, but I zheenk I'd like to".

Yeah, and I'd like to know why Fred Weasley didn't ask me to the ball. But we can't all get what we want, croissant, I thought.

I didn't even realize he had asked me something until I noticed that he at me for an answer.

"I-I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention. What did you say?"

He chuckled slightly, sounding a bit nervous. "I said, would you like to go out with me? As in … be my girlfriend?"

Suddenly, my head was spinning just like when he asked me to the ball. So many thoughts rushing in and out of my head within such a little bit of time. I could honestly say that the first thought that popped up?

Fred.

"Uh, I – Could I get back to you on that?" I replied uneasily, avoiding his eyes. I wanted to talk to Fred and George about this; to get their opinions or maybe even … Fred's feelings?

Calvin looked disappointed to say the least, but nodded anyway, being the proper gentleman that he was raised as.

"Well, let's not let zhees ruin zee evening", he said with a fake cheer in his voice. "I believe zhat you owe moi a dance!"

I froze at his words. "Yeah, I'll be right in", I told him.

He looked at me oddly but left me be and I sat down on one of the courtyard's cold stone benches once he was out of distance.

I don't know why, but that statement caused me to look back on one of my favourite times with the twins during our fourth year.

"Where's my little Ryleigh?" called George, bursting through my bedroom door.

I was sitting by my bureau, staring into my reflection at a girl I didn't even know. It would be the first Lovette Family Ball without my mum. She had passed away last May and it just didn't feel right without her.

"Ry, you're missing all the festivities!" Fred exclaimed, following his twin into my room.

"The ball started almost an hour ago, love", George added.

"I don't feel like going down", I muttered.

"Your grandma gave us a good guess why", he replied, rubbing a comforting hand down my back. "We know you miss your mum".

I nodded slightly, knowing if I opened my mouth to talk that I would only start crying.

"You didn't cry at the funeral, you didn't cry at all these past few months. You've got to let it out, love", Fred whispered, taking my small hand in his.

I shook my head, the curls that grandma had curled so wonderfully bounced delicately around my shoulders.

"You've got to, Ry", George told me. "Your mum … she wouldn't have wanted you to be bottling it all up".

I looked down, knowing that they were both right. I opened my mouth to reply, but nothing came out. I closed it and took a deep breath, trying again; nothing.

Finally, something came out that didn't sound like my regular voice. It sounded weak and scared, like a child.

"I'm just trying to be strong", I said quietly, my voice cracking. "For daddy, for Xavier. I can't do this to them".

"Do what to them, Ry?" Fred asked while wiping the tiny tear that had escaped from my eye. "Have emotions?"

I considered what he was saying before looking down and beginning to cry. They both held me in their arms, forming somewhat of a group hug while whispering soothing words to me.

I don't know how long we stayed like that, but it was at most half an hour. Finally, all my tears were dried or wiped away and I smiled weakly at the twins.

"I love you guys, do you know that?"

"We love you too", they said in unison, both kissing one of my cheeks.

"I suppose we shouldn't let my dress go to waste after all the trouble Gran went to", I told them, glancing down at my appearance.

"I knew you looked different!" George exclaimed jokingly.

My smile grew less weak and I rolled my eyes. "I knew the sentimental twins couldn't last for long", I said sarcastically.

"I mean you look good – like a lady", he quickly saved himself. "Now come on, let's go downstairs!"

Fred grabbed my hand and nodded, pulling me to my feet. "Yeah, Ry. I believe that you owe me a dance!"

I snapped out of my trip to the past with a smile on my face, remembering how sweet the boys had been to me that day. It was then as I looked next to me that I realized I wasn't alone. Fred was right there on the bench beside me, watching me with an amused expression.

We both burst out in laughter, laughing at nothing in particular. It was simply the situation of it all.

I shivered, for the first time noticing that I was outside in December, wearing nothing but a silly gown. Fred noticed this and wrapped his arms around my body, pulling me towards him.

"I was just remembering something that happened when we were fourteen", I explained to him after a few minutes of comfortable silence, my head fitting perfectly into the crook of his shoulder.

But it's not like I noticed or anything.

"What?" he asked curiously.

I smiled and bit my lip, "When you said I owed you dance at one of my family's parties". Sure, I had left out a few details, but I didn't really feel like getting into them right now.

He smirked and nodded. "Well you did. And you still do".

"What? No, I danced with you that night Fred", I responded, my smile turning into a look of confusion. "I distinctly remember you swinging me around in a circle until we bumped into my great-aunt".

"Doesn't stop from me wanting one now", he sad simply.

I watched him getting up and holding his hand out for mine, observing his features all the while he was doing this. He was so attractive with those entrancing blue eyes, smooth to the touch red hair and not to mention his well toned body from all those years of Quidditch.

Fred bowed dramatically, "May I have this dance?"

I giggled and looked bashful. "Shucks, you wanna dance with little ol' me?" I asked while grinning. "Oh, alright".

As soon as I had placed my hand in the redhead's, he quickly spun me around and into him. I laughed as he spun me out again and settled one of his hands around my waist, the other in mine. We stood there for a few more comfortable moments, swaying to the music that could still be heard from the Great Hall.

"Since when did you become such a great dancer?" I asked after he spun me around once more.

He grinned. "When did you become so shocked of my dancing skills?"

"Touché".

"So won't your date be worrying about you?" he asked awkwardly.

I raised an eyebrow, but kept the smile on my face. "Won't yours?"

"Touché", he replied, mimicking my earlier statement.

I wondered if this would be the time to tell Fred about Calvin asking me to be his girlfriend and I decided against it. We just seemed more comfortable than we had in a while since Calvin entered the picture and well … I liked it.

"What's on your mind?" he asked me, his eyes swimming with curiosity.

"I was just wondering why you uh … why did you ask Angelina to the ball?" I replied and immediately I regretted it.

"What do you mean?"

"It was just on my mind", I shrugged, not wanting to really tell him what I wanted to say.

Why didn't you ask me to the ball? was what I was really asking on the inside.

"No, what's wrong, Ry?" Fred questioned, looking at me seriously"

I smiled and pinched his cheek. "Awh, is little Freddie worried about me?" I cooed.

He pouted and squeezed my waist. "No".

His eyes ratted out his lie though. I had craftily avoided the subject.

"Liar", I accused.

"Am not".

"Admit it".

"No".

"Admit it, or face the consequences".

He scoffed, "I'm not afraid of your consequences. You can't do any damage to me in a dress and heels".

I pouted. He had a point.

"Git", I muttered playfully.

"Hey", he said in a shocked tone. "I love you, alright Ry? That's rude!"

I rolled my eyes and stuck out of tongue. "I don't believe that".

He pulled me right against his body, so close that I could feel his heartbeat. It was beating fast and I don't know if he realized that.

"Believe it", he told me, his lips right against my ear. His hot breath against my skin, sent shivers up my spine while at the same time warming up my entire body.

"Make me", I replied, my voice just barely above a whisper now.

"I think I might just have to", he said with a smirk.

Unknowingly, both of our faces were drawing closer. I knew what was going to happen and something deep inside my mind was screaming "NO", while my heart was screaming "SNOG HIM ALREADY".

But I couldn't. I had just kissed Calvin tonight – I was here with Calvin tonight. That would make me as much of a tramp as that Daphne Greengrass or something.

Thankfully – or unthankfully, since I kind of wanted to snog Fred Weasley senseless – we heard Alicia's voice calling from the doors of the corridor outside the courtyard and we broke apart instantly.

"What are you two doing out there? You're going to catch your death!"

We both didn't turn to look at her yet, since I was still staring at him although my red cheeks wanted me to do anything but that. He seemed to be blushing as well and I couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if Alicia was just a few minutes late.

"Yeah, coming", Fred called, speaking first between the two of us.

He pulled me by the hand that was still holding the two of us together to the corridor, not letting go even when we reached in front of the Great Hall.

"I, uhm", I stuttered, not knowing what exactly to say after our adventure outside. "I guess you better go find Ang".

His face fell at this and he nodded solemnly. "Yeah, I uh – I'll go find her".

I was about to walk away, but then I realized that our hands were still connected and I blushed.

"Fred, you can let go now", I told him with a small smirk.

He shook his head. "Not yet, I want to answer your question".

"What question?"

"I asked Ang to the ball because well … who I really wanted to ask had too many offers that I couldn't compete with", he explained, his voice trying to point out what he really meant.

My heartbeat quickened inside my chest before I took a deep breath and said, "Which is?"

"I'm sure you can figure it out", he said before shooting me a dazzling smile that made my heart beat even faster than it had become.

He walked back into the hall, leaving me speechless like he was doing so often these days. I grabbed Lee's arm as he was lounging around the entrance with his date.

"Tell Calvin I'm not feeling well and I'm going back to the common room", I told him.

"Ry, what's wrong?"

"Never mind that".

"Oh, uh – alright, will do".

I bit my lip and walked back towards Gryffindor Tower, not knowing exactly what had happened that night. But I secretly hoped it meant that something was going to happen between me and Fred very, very soon.