George stared out at the snow falling lightly outside the window of the common room. Actually, he had been staring at Angelina, who had happened to be conveniently positioned in front of the window. She was chatting to Alicia and Chuck. George couldn't help but stare, she was gorgeous.
"Are you staring at my lady?" Fred asked, shaking George out of his trance.
"Chuck is not your lady Fred." George replied.
"She sure is my lady. Or at least she will be." Fred grinned. "Who are you staring at the then, if you aren't staring at Chuck?"
"The snow." George lied easily.
"Or was it Angelina?" Fred prompted.
George looked up at his twin. There was no lying to him now. George knew that all the signs of embarrassment he normally hid from everyone else, Fred would spot in and instant. So George sighed heavily and nodded.
"I knew it!" Fred exclaimed. "You should ask her to the Yule Ball."
"No," George shook his head, "She's one of my best mates, I'm not going to wreck that."
"It's just a dance Georgie." Fred replied. "Besides, who else are you going to go with?"
"I don't need a date Fred, I'm a lone wolf." George replied with a wink.
"Alright, fair enough." Fred laugh, clapping a hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Can we please focus on more important things now?" George asked.
"Yes, we need to send this letter to Bagman." Fred said pulling a piece of folded parchment from his pocket.
"Let's go ask Ronald if we can borrow Pig." George nodded standing.
The two walked over to a table, occupied by Harry, Hermione and Ron. George was deep in his head, thinking about what Fred had said. He was asking Ron to borrow Pig, he could hear Fred make some snarky comments, but he wasn't fully there, in the conversation. He vaguely noticed Chuck coming to join them, and he heard Fred start up on the Yule Ball again. Why Fred was so obsessed with the stupid dance he couldn't understand. Then he heard something that snapped him straight back into the conversation. Fred had said Angelina's name.
"You've already asked her?"
It was Ron's voice, George noticed his was looking at Fred incredulously.
"Good point." said Fred.
George was confused as to what was happening. Why was Fred talking about Angelina? Then he watched in horror as Fred turned to Alicia and Angelina.
"Oi! Angelina!" he called across the common room.
"What?" she called back.
"Want to come to the ball with me?"
George glared at his twin. He had clearly lost his marbles. Angelina was glancing over at Fred. She couldn't actually be thinking of saying yes. George looked over at her, silently praying she'd glance his way. Then, ever so slightly, she did. For a split second her eyes met his, then she was looking at Fred again. He was sure no one else in the room had noticed.
"All right, then." she said.
George's heart sunk to the pit of his stomach.
"There you go." Fred was saying to Ron and Harry, "Piece of cake."
Then he stood and yawned, he mumbled something about using a school owl. George nodded and stood to follow. It wasn't until then that he noticed Chuck's face. She looked as angry about as he felt as she glared up at Fred.
"C'mon Chuck, you can come too." Fred said offering her his hand.
"Well thank you for the offer, but I really would rather be anywhere else." she seethed.
She stood so swiftly that her chair toppled over backwards. She made no attempt to pick it up, instead she turned on her heel and stormed off to the girls' dormitory. Fred glanced at George.
"Any idea what her problem is?" Fred asked timidly. George didn't but by the look on Fred's face, he was sure Fred had some inkling.
"Come on Fred, we've got a letter to send." George replied stalking out of the common room.
Fred followed George out of the portrait hole. George walked down the corridor, both hands shoved in his pocket. Fred knew he was in trouble.
"Georgie?" he asked timidly.
George stopped and turned to face his twin glaringly.
"Two things, why would you ask Angelina to the Yule Ball? And what in the name of Merlin did you do to Chuck?" he fumed.
Fred laughed nervously, then cautiously took a few steps closer to George.
"Chuck might have taken some things I said to her and inferred things that I may or may have not meant." Fred explained rapidly.
"That made no sense." said George with a shake of his head.
Fred sighed heavily and clapped his hands, rubbing them together anxiously. George was not going to be happy.
"Well, I asked her if she was going to the Yule Ball, when she said no, I may have suggested to her that she should go." said Fred.
"Fred." George sighed shaking his head.
"But I never asked her to go with me!" Fred said throwing up his hands in defense. "Well, not directly anyways."
"Alright Fred, you messed up. And for that, you're going to have to pay. Now explain to me why you asked Angelina to the Yule Ball not minutes after I expressed to you how I felt about her?" George asked, crossing his arms across his chest.
At this Fred grinned. His eyes turned mischievous, and George knew his asking Angelina had not come about without any thought.
"Ah brother, you were the one who said you didn't want to ask her. Besides, I'm doing you a favor." Fred smirked.
"How exactly?" asked George.
"Well, next time we have a ball you'll think twice about not asking Angelina won't you?" Fred asked smugly.
"I'm going to punch you now." George warned.
Fred stared at George for a split second, testing his brother's warning. George advanced on him and Fred turned and bolted.
"I'm sorry Georgie, but it's for your own good!" he called to George behind him.
"Send the bloody letter you great prat!" George yelled.
Fred threw his hand up in the air, showing George a thumbs up. George stood fuming for a moment, then walked back to the common room. He wouldn't be mad at Fred forever, in fact, the anger was already subsiding. Still, Fred needed to pay for what he had done. When he climbed back into the common room through the portrait hole, he made his way over to Angelina and Alicia and stopped in front of them.
"Alicia, will you do me a favor?" he asked, unable to look Angelina in the eye.
"Sure, what is it?" she asked looking up at him confused.
"Will you go get Chuck for me?" he replied .
She nodded and went off to the girls' dormitory. George crossed his arms and stared off after her impatiently.
"George?" came Angelina's voice.
"Hmm?" he asked turning. He tried to keep his face as straight as possible, she couldn't know how angry he was.
"Are you alright?" she asked softly.
"I am spiffing." he said forcing a smile.
Angelina looked at him skeptically. George knew she wasn't buying it, but he couldn't tell her the truth.
"What do you want George?" Charley had come down the stairs with Alicia trailing behind.
She stopped in front of him and stared angrily with her hands on her hips.
"No Chuck, you don't get to be mad at me." George said sharply, "Lee and I warned you."
Charley sighed and let her arms flop submissively to her sides. She nodded at him somewhat reluctantly.
"Alright, you're right. So what is it?" she asked.
George glanced down at Angelina briefly, then he turned his attention back to Charley. He moved in closer to her.
"You and I are going to the Yule Ball together." he said.
"George, no, I'm not going." she said shaking her head and looking down at her feet.
George took another step closer and lifted her chin forcing their eyes to lock.
"Chuck, you and I are going to the Yule Ball together." he said again, this time with more authority.
She held his gaze for a moment, trying to understand what he was trying to tell her. Then she nodded slowly.
"Alright, I'll go to the Yule Ball with you." she said.
"Good." George smiled.
He kissed her cheek and left through the portrait hole. Charley shook her head in confusion. The Weasley twins were going mad, that's the only conclusion she could come up with.
"Well, this is all utterly insane." Angelina said abruptly.
She passed Charley without so much as a glance and trotted up the stairs to their dormitory. Charley turned to Alicia, who shook her head, apparently just as baffled as Charley was.
"Who are you going with then?" Charley asked, trying to alleviate the tension.
"A Hufflepuff, his name is Blake." Alicia replied.
"Bet there's no drama there." Charley sighed.
"None at all." Alicia smirked.
Charley shook her head and laughed. This Yule Ball was going to cause more madness than it was worth before it was over.
In the weeks leading up to the Yule Ball, everything had gone back to fairly normal. Fred and George were back to causing shenanigans. Angelina no longer seemed angry with Charley. George could once again look Angelina in the eye. The only thing that hadn't gone back to normal, was Charley and Fred. He had expressed to her that the whole thing had been a misunderstanding, to which she politely asked him to "piss off". They hadn't spoken since.
Fred stood next to his brother on the night of the Yule Ball. They were both looking in the mirror as Lee ran around the room frantically, trying to finish getting ready.
"Ready Georgie?" Fred asked grinning at his brother's reflection.
"If you kiss her, I will punch you." George said to Fred, "And for real this time."
"Yes, I got it." Fred nodded. He looked down at his feet. "You know, I feel badly about Chuck. I hope she isn't too bothered about not going." he said.
It was George's turn to grin at his brother. He had told Chuck to tell Fred she wasn't going after all, and had asked Angelina and Alicia to keep quiet on the fact that he was actually her date. Fred still needed to pay for what he had done, and George couldn't think of any better way.
"I talked to her earlier, she tried to act like she wasn't phased, but I think she is." George replied sadly.
"Bollocks, I messed up." Fred said shaking his head.
"Don't worry brother, she'll forgive you eventually. You're going to have to kiss a lot of arse though." George grinned.
"Alright!" Lee gasped from behind them, "I am ready!"
"Finally." Fred and George said together.
The three boys walked down to the Great Hall and stood amongst the crowd of students. The excitement was tangible as everyone ran around looking for their dates. Lee's date, Katie Bell, was the first to show from their group. George smiled as Lee stepped forward to take her hand, he knew how fond Lee was of her.
"Hey Georgie, its Ange." Fred said with a nod to the stairs a few moments later.
George didn't want to turn around. He didn't want to acknowledge the fact that she would spend her night in Fred's arms. But he knew that wouldn't work, he would have to face the facts. So he took a deep breath and turned to face her.
He felt as though his heart had caught in his chest. She looked gorgeous. Her dress was dark red and fit her in all the right places. She had pulled back her hair into a loose bun, a few stray strands fell gently on her neck. She gave George a small smile, then went and stood next to Fred.
"You look stunning Angelina," Fred said, "George doesn't she look stunning?" Fred elbowed George in the ribs.
"Yes, of course, Angelina, you look amazing." George said smiling at her.
"Thank you George." she replied, George could swear she blushed.
"Well then, it seems we're all here, shall we go in?" Fred asked offering his arm to Angelina.
"Oh I don't think so Fred, my date has yet to arrive." George smirked.
Fred stared at him bewildered.
"You said you didn't have one." Fred sputtered.
"Well, I lied." George shrugged.
He looked up at the stairs and smiled, he couldn't have planned her timing better.
"You didn't." Fred breathed.
Fred turned to the stairs and swore under his breath. Charley was descending, looking as beautiful as ever. She wore a lavender colored dress and her hair was pulled half up, while the rest lay in curls down her shoulders.
"I told you, you would be punished." George said into his twins' ear. "Hello, Chuck." he said taking her hand in his.
"Hello George." she beamed.
"I thought you weren't coming." Fred said bitterly.
"I changed my mind." she snapped.
"Let's just go inside." Angelina sighed, pulling Fred into the Great Hall.
George and Charley sat alone at a table, as far from the dance floor as possible. George was slumped forward over the table, turning a pastry into crumbs. Charley had crossed her arms and the table, resting her head on top of them. Both looked utterly miserable.
"I hate dances." Charley mumbled. She pulled a strand of her hair forward and began examining the ends.
"Tell me about it." George sighed. "Did you want to dance?"
"Merlin no." Charley scoffed.
"Are you thirsty? Hungry? I want you to have a good time." George said setting down the crumbling pastry and turning to face Charley.
She sat up and smiled at him.
"Thanks George, you're fine though." she said patting his arm.
"I feel like I'm ruining your night. You look amazing, you deserve an amazing night." said George, he gave Charley an apologetic look.
"Trust me George, it isn't you that's ruining my night." she said looking out at the dance floor.
George followed her gaze and saw exactly what she was looking at. Angelina and Fred were dancing in quite a vulgar fashion across the floor. Fred was now punishing him, it was a vicious cycle, which he had every intention breaking. He knew Fred would go farther than he would and he couldn't stand the thought of Fred snogging Angelina.
"This whole thing is a mess." Charley sighed.
George glanced over at her for an explanation.
"Well, what I mean is, you really want to be here with Angie, who I'm pretty sure only said yes to Fred to make you jealous. Only now she's angry with me for coming with you, which we only did to get back at Fred. But what really baffles me is, why Fred had to even start all of this in the first place?" Chuck explained in a frantic voice.
She looked up at him, expecting him to say something. Instead she found him staring at her open-mouthed. She raised an eyebrow and he shook his head, then looked at her quizzically.
"I'm sorry, did you say Angelina was trying to make me jealous?" he asked.
Charley's eyes widened, she let out an uncomfortable laugh.
"Did I say that?" she asked shaking her head slowly.
"Yes." George nodded.
"Well, its obvious isn't it? I mean, you didn't honestly think she fancied Fred?" she asked, "Did you?"
"Why not? You do?" George smirked.
"No George, I don't." Charley shook her head.
"Then why are you so angry with him? He never technically asked you to be his date from what I hear." George asked crossing his arms.
"I'm angry because he led me to believe that that would be the situation, then he just bailed on me for someone else." she replied heatedly, "And George, I do not like getting bailed on." she poked him firmly in the chest with each word.
"Alright, alright." George laughed. "I won't bail on you."
"You will absolutely bail on me, but only because I'm letting you." Charley smiled.
"What are you going on about?" George asked.
"We're going to get you with Angelina." Charley said beaming.
"Chuck no, I don't think that's such a good idea." George said quickly.
"She is out there, dancing with your ruddy twin, because you are too much of a scardey cat to do anything about your feelings for her." Charley spat.
George looked down at her, then turned his attention to Fred and Angelina. A slow song had begun playing, they were moving in closer, Fred was touching her waist. George's fingers clenched into fists beside him, Chuck was right. He looked down at her, ready to ask her plan. Instead he found she was offering him her hand.
"Shall we dance?" she asked with a sly grin.
"We shall." he replied taking her hand.
"You promised that once he saw us dancing together he'd break it up. You weren't lying to me were you Fred?" Angelina asked of Fred as they began to slow dance.
She was angry, Fred could tell. Apparently he had put a little more faith in his brother than he should have. He thought for sure once George had seen them gyrating across the dance floor he would break it up immediately. Instead he and Chuck had moped across the room, forcing Fred to think of new antics.
It wasn't until Fred was wrapping his arms around Angelina's waist that George actually moved. Fred watched as he and Chuck made their way to the dance floor. He grinned at his dancing partner, knowing this was it.
"They're on their way." he said in her ear.
She looked up at him with wide eyes, a faint blush hidden in her cheeks. Then her face broke into a large smile.
"Oi, Fred, do you mind if I cut in?" George asked his twin.
"Not at all brother," Fred said releasing Angelina. "But whoever shall I dance with?" Fred said looking suggestively towards Charley.
Angelina and George were lost to them. They were smiling at each other in a ridiculous fashion, Fred thought they looked quite goofy. Needless to say, they hadn't heard Fred's comment.
"So what do you say Chuck?" Fred asked offering his hand.
She looked down at, then up at him, and then she began laughing. She was laughing at him, uncontrollably. Fred's ears reddened.
"I'm sorry, you want me to dance with you?" she asked between giggles.
"Yeah." he replied sourly.
"Nope, I'm going to bed." she said patting him on the shoulder.
She turned and began to walk away. Fred, not knowing quite what else to do, followed her like a lost puppy. Charley stopped abruptly and turned around to face him.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Well, I'm not just going to roam the Ball alone." Fred shrugged.
Charley sighed and glared up at him.
"Why don't you go find a Beauxbatons girl to snog. They all seem to be your type." she suggested.
Fred considered her for a moment. Then shook his head.
"No, I think I'd have more fun with you." he smirked.
"Well, fine, but I'm not staying here another moment. So you better thing of something for us to do, and quick." she said placing a hand on her hip.
He stood for a moment, looking down confused, then he looked up at her with a mischievous grin.
"Oh, I've got an idea." Fred said grabbing her wrist.
Fred led her up to the seventh floor, where they wandered down the corridor. He seemed to be looking for something. When he couldn't find it he dragged her back down the hall.
"What are we doing?" she asked sleepily.
"I'm looking for a closet, George and I hid from Filch there once, we left a stash for firewhiskey in there." he said with a devilish glint in his eye.
"Oh, so you plan on getting me drunk tonight?" she said raising an eyebrow.
"That was the plan," he said absent mindedly, "I can never find it on the first go around." he said dragging her back.
"Fred. Is this it?" she asked stopping in front of a small door.
He turned and caught sight of the door.
"You're brilliant Chuck." he said beaming down at her.
"Well I do try." she replied curtsying.
He laughed and led her into the broom closet. The box of firewhiskey stood in the corner, just as full as he and George had left it last. They only used it on important occasions. He grabbed a bottle and popped it open.
"It seems bigger than it did last time." he said glancing around the room.
He took a swig from the bottle, then handed it off to Chuck.
"Also, I don't remember that bed being here?" he said glancing at the comfy looking bed behind Charley.
She turned and smiled.
"Oh good, I'm so sleepy." she said hopping up on top of it.
She took a drink of firewhiskey, then patted the bed next to her. Fred took the invitation, quite surprised. He hadn't realized Chuck had suddenly forgiven him. Apparently Chuck became less angry when she was tired.
"I must say, this is rather bizarre though." he said glancing around the room, "I'm sure there wasn't a bed when George and I hid here."
"Well, you were probably too scared to even think on it." Charley shrugged passing him the bottle.
Fred nodded, taking a drink. He thought back to the teeny broom closet he and George had found. They had been practically on top of each other, there was no way a bed could have fit in it.
"Look Fred, its Hogwarts, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a swimming pool hidden some where." Charley said with a laugh.
Fred joined in her laughter. She was right, it didn't matter. And the more drinks he took of firewhiskey, the less anything mattered.
Hours later Fred awoke, he was groggy and his head was pounding. There was a light pressure on his chest and he glanced down realizing it was Chuck. He smiled, then tried to remember exactly how they had fallen asleep. She stirred and opened her eyes.
"Morning." he smiled.
"Morning." she replied returning his smile.
"Do you remember anything from last night?" he asked running a hand through his hair. "I sort of remember playing spin the bottle, did I kiss the wall?"
Charley laughed, then stopped dead. He heard her intake a sharp breath. A rush of images flooded into Fred's brain. They had kissed, definitely. He had fumbled with her dress, she had unbuttoned his shirt.
"Fred," she said in a small voice, "are you naked?"
Then Fred remembered everything. The night suddenly became extremely clear. There was no denying what had happened, that was certain.
"Sure am." Was the only thing Fred could possibly think to say.