Yup…I'm back. Last chapter was a shortie, so I'm gonna try to make this one at least the usual length :

•••

Harry was feeling worried. The Yule Ball was tomorrow, and he had yet to find a date. Ron was feeling just as stressed. They were currently catching up on some homework in the common room with Hermione, Fred, George, and other fellow Gryffindors.

"What's the purpose of a moonstone, Hermione?" he asked.

"Honestly Harry! Do you pay any attention during potions?" she said exasperatedly.

"Honestly…no, not at all," he said, causing Ron to laugh and both Fred and George to smirk.

"Oh just give it here," said Hermione, indicating his moonstone essay.

"You're a lifesaver, Hermione," he said, taking out his Divination dream diary.

"Blimey, I'd forgotten about that bloody dream diary," exclaimed Ron, immediately handing over his essay to Hermione and taking out his diary. Hermione looked at him expectantly. Ron saw this and said, "I'm sorry Hermione, you shouldn't have to do my essay for me." Hermione nodded, looking proud. "You should do my Charms homework as well," said Ron, grinning, as he handed her The Standard Book of Spells (Grade Four).

"Let's see then, last night I has a nightmare that I was being suffocated by Hermione," said Ron, as he wrote in his dream diary.

"Hmm…I wonder why that could be?" said Hermione in mock-thought, glaring at him.

"Listen Hermione, I would let you do my Divination homework, too, but you quit Trelawney's class, remember?" he said, causing Hermione to glare at him with intense loathing.

Harry picked up his dream diary as well. "I dreamed that I went to the Yule Ball with one of Dobby's friends," he said, frowning slightly, as he began to write.

"Do my ears deceive me? The Famous Harry Potter, dateless?" asked Fred in mock-serious tones.

"Hey watch it there, Fred. I hear you were turned down by a Slytherin." Said Hermione, now smirking.

"True story. Wonder who Anna's going with?" said George, grinning to himself.

"Ok fine she turned me down, but at least I have a date, Ickle Ronniekins," said Fred.

"Oh yeah? Who're you going with?" demanded Ron, who flushed angrily at the use of his least favorite nickname.

"Angelina," said Fred.

"What? When did you ask her?" asked George, surprised.

"Good Point," said Fred, turning around. He spotted Angelina chatting with Alicia Spinnet by the fire. "Oi! Angelina!" he yelled, causing her to jump and look around at him.

"Yes, Fred?" she said.

"Wanna go to the ball with me?" he asked.

"Okay!" she said, turning back to her conversation.

"See, it's simple," said Fred, who was now packing up his books. "I gotta go, detention with Snape," he said grimly, exiting the common room.

"Don't you have detention, too?" asked Hermione, looking at George.

"Nope. I was sick the day Fred exploded his cauldron," said George proudly.

"So do you have a date for the ball yet?" Harry asked George.

"Yes," said George simply.

"I see…" said Hermione, a knowing look in her eye.

"Who-" began Ron, but then silenced himself upon receiving a glare from Hermione.

"So, Harry, when are you going to ask Ginny? I hear she's pretty sick of waiting for you," said George, changing the subject. Harry blushed.

"Oh. I'm sorry Harry but Ginny's already got a date," said Hermione sadly.

"Who?!?" shouted Ron and George together. Harry just got redder.

"Typical big brothers," said Hermione disgustedly. "Relax, she's going with Neville."

There was silence for a moment. Then Ron and George bursted out with uncontrollable laughter. Even Harry grinned a bit. Hermione looked disgusted and packed up her books. "I'm going to the library, I can't work in the presence of such immature buffoons!"
she exclaimed, and turned away.

"Just don't forget about my moonstone essay, Hermione!" called Ron, still laughing. Hermione glared at him, and stormed out of the common room. George, still laughing, got up and followed her out. She was halfway down the hallway already.

"Hermione!" he called. She turned around abruptly.

"Oh, it's you. What do you want?" she asked harshly.

"I need…some advice," he said.

"Hmm…I see…you need to know how to tell Fred about your Yule Ball date," she said knowingly, which became increasingly aggravating.

"Well, kind of," he said.

"Kind of?"

"I was wondering if maybe you could tell him for me," said George.

"George Weasley!" she shouted, suddenly resembling his mother. He backed away a few steps. "You need to pluck up the courage to go tell your own brother, your own twin that you are going to the ball with Anna!"

"You're WHAT?" shouted Fred, who had just come around the corner. George flushed and retreated immediately. "Thanks for telling him Hermione, I'm sure you can take it from here," he said, running away.

"Boys," muttered Hermione, as Fred rounded on her.

"You knew about this?" he said angrily.

"Well, kind of," she said uncertainly.

"What do you mean 'kind of'? When did he ask her?" he demanded.

"Yesterday!" she squealed, now positively frightened as to what Fred might do next. He noticed her sudden fear, and calmed down. "How do you know this?" he asked gently

"I talked to Anna, because…well…oh Fred he made it so obvious he liked her! I mean, he's your brother, shouldn't you want him to be happy?" she said.

"As opposed to what, exactly?"

"As opposed to trying to steal the girl he likes for your own personal gain!" she said exasperatedly. "Plus, practically the entire wizarding world know Angelina fancies you!"

"She does?" asked Fred weakly.

"Of course she does! How thick are you? Now go apologize to George for overreacting without knowing all the facts, or he'll be sleeping on the floor of Ron's dormitory!" she commanded, taking Fred aback.

"Y-Yes ma'm," he stuttered, tripping over his own two feet as he chased after George.

"Honestly, am I the only person around here with actual human intelligence?" Hermione asked herself defeatedly, as Filch came sprinting down the hall, brandishing what seemed to be a plastic sword, while shouting, "I will defeat the pranksters!" Hermione looked at him sadly.

"Point Proven."

•••

"Oi! George!" whispered Fred, beckoning for George to come over. George looked up hesitantly, then walked over to his twin, knowing he would have to face Fred's fury sooner or later.

"Listen, George, I'm sorry that I tried to steal Anna from you, I should have realized that you liked her," said Fred, as he bowed his head in apparent shame. This threw off George; he was not expecting an apology. "Oh…er…it's…er…okay I guess," said George uncertainly. "Okay good," said Fred, clearly relieved. He then stood up, and began to walk back to the common room. "Fred!" called George. Fred turned around and looked over at George. "Are you sure you're okay with me taking Anna?" he asked. "Yeah, it's cool with me," said Fred, and he went back to the common room, where it became common knowledge that Harry and Ron were taking the Patil twins.

"Oi! Ron, c'mere!" whispered Fred. Ron obliged begrudgingly. "What?" he demanded.

"Why the bloody hell aren't you taking Hermione to the ball?"

"Someone 'already asked her'. I think it's a load of rubbish."

"As do I. Why didn't you ask her first you bloody idiot?"

"I'm shy?"

"Git."

•••

It was the night of the Yule Ball. George Weasley was pacing anxiously around his dormitory.

"Calm the bloody hell down George," said Fred exasperatedly. He had long since grown tired of his twin's bizarre pre-dance antics. Lee Jordan, a good friend of the Weasley twins, came out of the bathroom.

"Ah look at him. The poor bloke looks like he's in love!" said Lee.

"How do we know he isn't?" grinned Fred.

"Gits. Shut it I'm nervous enough already."

"What's there to be nervous about?" asked Lee incredulously. "Obviously the poor girl is brain damaged, since she agreed to go with you anyway-watch it!" Lee ducked as George threw the water jug at him. George sat down with his head in his hands, looking defeated.

"I should just stay up here. I'm worthless," he said sadly.

"I'm sure that'll make a great impression on Anna," said Fred, smirking. "Plus, you're beginning to sound like Ickle Ronniekins."

"C'mon, we better get going or we'll be late for sure!" said Lee, and they all marched out the door.

•••

"You've got to be kidding me."

"C'mon Ron, it doesn't look that bad."

"Oh is that what you think Harry? Then clearly you can't see the lace and beading covering the whole bloody thing!"

"Maybe Harry can't see it, but I can see it pretty clearly!" said Seamus Finnegan, roaring with laughter. Harry, Ron, Seamus, and Dean were all in their dormitory. Neville was off doing things best known to himself. Ron had just pulled on his ghastly dress robes, which were maroon, and covered with lace and even some beading.

"Murder me, Harry."

"No time to, we're going to be late as it is!" And the four of them walked out of their dormitory.

•••

"Why won't my bloody hair just stay put?"

"Here, let me help you. Glossio. There, that's better."

"Oh dear lord, I look awful!"

"Anna! Are you joking? Trust me, I know George Weasley, and let me tell you, he's gonna be speechless when he sees you in this dress!"

Anna was in the girl's bathroom closest to the Great Hall. For evident reasons, she did not want to get ready for the Yule Ball in her own dormitory, which was full of Slytherin girls gushing over Draco Malfoy. She nearly gagged just at the thought of it. Katie Bell, who was also in fifth year, had offered to help Anna get ready. Anna accepted the offer because not only was Katie one of the nicest girls in the school, but she was also on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, which meant that she knew George pretty well.

"Aha! Now turn around so I can get a good look at you!" said Katie. Anna turned slowly, and found herself wishing she had never heard of the Yule Ball before. She looked at Katie, who seemed to be lost for words. "Anna, you look gorgeous," she said. Katie then looked up at a nearby clock. "Oh my God! We're gonna be late! C'mon!" and she grabbed Anna by the elbow, and the two of them sprinted towards the great hall.

•••

Fred, George, and Lee were in the entrance hall waiting for their dates. Right on time, Angelina and Alicia walked up to them. "Hey Lee," said Alicia, breaking the awkward silence that Angelina and Fred were suddenly causing. Lee noticed the awkwardness as well, and strolled over to Alicia, put an arm around her, and led her into the Great Hall. George just stood there awkwardly, as Fred gaped at Angelina. She was in a beautiful strapless gold dress, which stopped at about her knees. She had her hair up in an elegant ponytail, with a few curls at the end. She looked up at Fred uncertainly. Fred quickly pulled himself together. "Angelina, you look amazing." He said, as he put an arm around her waist and followed Lee and Alicia into the Great Hall. George just stood there by himself, half-hoping that Anna wouldn't even show up.

•••

Anna and Katie were both out of breath from their run. They stopped right around the corner from the entrance hall.

"Okay, Anna, go get him!" said Katie encouragingly, giving Anna a slight push. Anna's protests weren't heard as she stumbled around the corner, coming nearly face-to-face with George.

•••

George turned around, and couldn't believe his eyes.

"B-Bloody Hell."