Angelina's robes were Icicle blue with a brocade pattern. It was very form fitting and the slits went all the way up her thighs. She stood watching her reflection feeling somewhat pleased with herself.
"I swear," Katie said turning around. "If Fred doesn't ask you out officially tonight then he's absolutely mental."
Angelina stood smiling at her reflection. It was strange to think of her and Fred as a couple. The six of them: the twins, Lee, Katie, Alicia, and herself had been friends since they were sorted into Griffindor, though Katie came a year later. Well, Angelina and Fred weren't exactly friends at first, if you count all the arguing. But they all did everything together. They were all going to the Yule Ball together, but Fred did make the effort to actually ask her. It was almost like it was a real date. And he had been much nicer to her, since the year started actually. He just seemed different. She looked at her hair, which she had swooped up and in curls. "You think so."
"Only she looks like she would ask him first." Alicia said, interrupting her thoughts. "I think someone is dreaming of being a Weasley."
"Well, at least I didn't do a Conjunctus charm, like someone I know, just to see what her and Oliver's kids would look like." Angelina teased back.
"I did not!" Alicia protested unable to hide her smile.
"Guys, we told the boys we'd meet them downstairs ages ago." Katie said looking at the time.
"Does it really need to take them this long to get ready?" George complained as he waited at the bottom of the staircase for the girls.
"I know. We see them everyday." Lee joined in. "I think we know what they look like by now."
"Wicked." Fred said looking up.
The girls stood at the top of the staircase. And were each equally pleased with the reaction of their partners.
"Glamor charm." Katie whispered to her female companions. "Works every time."
The girls came down the stairs like they were floating. The Glamour charm that Katie did, gave them all a glow and they guys could not take their eyes off them. Angelina's robe seemed to give off a different glow setting her apart from her friends.
"Wow," Fred said taking Angelina's hand. He had never seen Angelina dressed up. I mean he knew she was pretty and all that. But, he'd only seen her in her uniform and muddy Qudditch robes. She was a jeans and tank top girl when it came to Muggle clothes. But, he had to admit: she looked pretty good in that too.
"Is that good?" Angelina asked nervously.
"That's." Fred just smiled. "Wow."
Angelina just smiled and took his hand and let him lead her inside the Great Hall. She was too accustomed to being a tomboy, she almost didn't know what to do with herself. It wasn't the first time wearing dress robes, or attending a Ball. On the contrary, it was just the first time she cared if someone else liked how she looked. It was the first time she ever dressed up for, other than her mother's insistence.
They went over to find a good spot and were joined by Ron and his partner Padma Patil.
"Oh, Ginny you look lovely." Angelina said as they young girl joined them. "Hello Neville." Angelina said as the poor boy turned crimson.
When the Hall doors opened again the TriWizard Champions entered with their partners. Cedric Diggory entered with Cho Chang, Fleur De laCour entered with Roger Davies
"Figures." Ron muttered.
Fred and George just started laughing remembering Ron's last run in with Fleur.
Harry entered the hall with Padma's sister Parvarti.
But no couple got nearly as much attention as Hermione Granger entering with—
"No way!" Lee shouted.
Angelina and the other girls' jaw dropped in shock. "Viktor Krum!"
"That's wicked mate!" George said to Ron, laughing hysterically.
"That's two now." Fred said. "Hermione looks all right out of the library huh."
They started, once again to take the mickey, neither of them caring that Ron's partner was standing right there. But, Padma looked on like she couldn't be bothered.
"Well, done Hermione!" Angelina yelled. "Woo hoo!"
"Oi, what's all that?" Fred said returning his attention to his partner.
"What's the matter Freddykins?" Angelina said smirking. "You're the only one who can admire other people's partners."
"I wasn't admiring them."
Angelina just folded her arms in mock indignation.
"Besides," Fred said. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. "I've already got the most beautiful girl here."
It was such a pathetic line. But, Fred had that twinkle and gave Angelina that smile. Besides, he called her beautiful. Some allowances had to be made.
"Now Angel face, since only the people on this side of the room have seen you, let's dance." He said. "I want to make sure everyone is equally jealous."
They went out onto the dance floor. And although they had every intention of being calm and dignified like Magonogall said, it was not in their nature to not have fun together. They were Fred and Angelina. Pretty soon they were adding there own dance moves, copying each others and then it seemed to be an all out war on who could do the wildest dance. The crowd slowly parted for them giving them more and more room. Fred picked her up and spun her around and twirled her until she was dizzy.
Angelina finally stopped when she felt like she was going to pass out. They went to get drinks and both drank it in one gulp. They had no idea where their friends were.
"I'm so hot I think I'm going to die." Angelina said panting.
"Well, we cant have that." Fred said stroking a wet curl from her face. "Do you? Um, do you want to go outside? Fancy a walk or something?"
"Umm, sure, yeah sure." She was starting to get out of breath again. "Let me just go up for my jacket."
"No, wait here. I'll get mine for you." He bowed gallantly and quickly ran out of the Hall.
Angelina sat down at the nearest table. What a night!
"Huh! I suppose you're having fun." Draco said sitting beside her.
"What do you want Draco?"
"Who says I want anything?" He said folding his arms and throwing his right knee over his left. He slanted his eyes and looked at Angelina, listlessly. "So, is that how you plan on dancing at your Bewitching? I can't wait to see you and the Weasel there. I'm sure aunt Lucy--"
"Uhh, Great Merlin, you are so annoying!" Angelina yelled throwing her hands in the air in frustration. "Where is Pansy? Isn't she your girlfriend? Shouldn't you be bothering her and not me?"
"Hrmph! She went to freshen up, or something. How should I know?" Draco sat there silent for a few seconds. "Where's your Weasel--"
"Call, him that again Draco, I dare you." Angelina said whipping out her wand.
He quickly raised his hands in surrender knowing better than anyone not to be on the receiving end of her hexes. "You are so dramatic." He said quietly as she put her wand away. "Come on." He said grabbing her hand as he stood.
"Come where?" Angelina said looking at him in surprise. "What? You don't mean you actually want me to dance with you." She said rising.
"I'm bored." He said coolly.
"Well, if that's all." She made as if she were going to sit.
"Will, you just come on." He said trying not to smile.
"Fine." She said taking his hand. "But you say one thing to make me mad and I'm kicking you in the shin."
He led her onto the floor to dance. It was late. There was hardly anyone left in the Great Hall by this time but Angelina still looked around. Then again, Fred had to go all the way upstairs to their dorms to get his coat. She had at least ten full minutes before he got back. And it was Fred. No doubt he would run into someone or some distraction along the way. That gave her time for a quick dance and they would never need to talk about it.
"Are you afraid that Weas-" Draco caught himself, "Weasley is going to catch you."
"Shut up." Angelina still eyeing after he almost slipped up. "Besides, I thought you'd be worried that your Slytherin cronies would see you. Where are your flunkies Crabbe and Goyle?"
"Why should I care about anyone thinks?" He said haughtily, with only one quick look around. "You're one to talk."
"I'm not worried at all. Besides, I could always say that you Imperuised me and I didn't know what I was doing." Angelina said before they both laughed.
"Look, Ina, you can't be serious about this whole Weasley thing?"
"Oh, Dray, why did you have to ruin it?" Angelina groaned. "Look, who I date is my business all right."
"Not, for long." Draco replied.
"What's that's supposed to mean? Is that a threat?"
"I'm just saying. You're not going to be able to do that little dance with Weasley at the next Ball. You have to find someone more suitable."
"Of course." Angelina said suddenly smiling. "That's exactly what I have to do, isn't it? It doesn't matter who does it? It just matters who."
"What are you on about?" Draco said looking at the far away glazed expression on her face. "What?" He knew that look too well. It's gotten him into trouble before. "No! Whatever it is, no."
"Come here!" Angelina said grabbing his arm and quickly leading him out of the Great Hall. They quickly ducked out of the path of Professor Snape and went outside.
Fred racing and had gotten to the steps in time to see Angelina and Draco Malfoy go outside. No, it can't be. He decided to first go into the Hall, because he must have been wrong. It must be some mistake. He walked through the Great Hall twice and all he saw were the few remaining couples and Pansy Parkinson. She seemed to be doing the same thing he was: looking for someone. No, it was not possible.
So is this why she wanted me to leave to get a coat? So she could go off with Malfoy? It didn't seem right. He could not believe that he and Angelina had been playing this game for years only for her to be with Malfoy. And, he was two years younger. Fred walked outside and began to search the grounds. Snape was on the other side zapping couples out of their little hiding places but there was no sign of Angelina and Malfoy. He decided to go the other way. If Snape saw him at all Fred was sure he'd get detention and Snape would take fifty points from Griffindor for sure. They didn't exactly have a relationship built on what one would call trust. Speaking of trust, Fred thought as he finally heard Angelina's voice. She and Malfoy sat on one of the benches under the tree.
"It is enough of a shame that I'm in Griffindor." Angelina said.
"Yeah, Well I'd be ashamed too." Malfoy said.
"Shut up!" She said punching him in the arm.
"Hey, I'm not little Draco anymore. I could take you if I wanted to."
"I'd like to see you try!" Angelina said laughing.
Fred could hardly hear them. The cold wind was whipping past his ears and he could only hear bits and pieces. Fred moved behind a bush and started rummaging through his clothes. Damn Dress Robes. As he moved the coat from his right arm to his left he thought of one last hope. He was sure he had them. He was going to use them if the girls all disappeared to the ladies together, but he and Angelina sort of abandoned everyone else. He opened the jacked and looked in the inside pocket. Yes! Extendable Ears: never leave home without them.
Unfortunately by the time Fred got the Extendable Ears out the conversation consisted of Angelina screaming and laughing and Draco apparently wrestling her. He was tired of waiting.
"Come on Draco I'm serious. That's not what I came out here for."
"So, what exactly did you come out here for?" Fred asked from behind them.
Angelina by now was practically lying down on the bench with Draco leaning forward so he was almost on top of her.
"Fred." She said quickly getting up. "I can explain."
"Really, I'd love to hear this." Fred said through gritted teeth.
"So would I." Draco said smirking.
"Shut up Draco! Just go inside."
"Fine, but don't think that this changes anything." Draco said.
"Uhh!" Angelina screamed. "I can't do this right now."
"Then don't." Fred said as he began to leave.
"That's right Weasley." Draco said. "Give up. Some things are beyond the reach of your family."
"Draco, I swear." Angelina said. She ran forward to stop Fred leaving. "Fred please at least talk to me."
"Nice coat." He muttered glaring at her.
Angelina looked down at the expensive black velvet and fur that warmed her. She quickly pulled it off and threw it to Draco. "Could you please leave now? I have nothing more to say to you."
"Oh, you don't? Really?" Draco said. "Good. Then, I guess you know when I'll see you next." He walked away laughing under his breath.
Fred had until this point stood like a rock, completely immobile with his arms firmly crossed around his chest. All that anger however had only a matter of time before it was released.
"Fred please, I can explain."
"You can explain?" He yelled. "You can explain! Can you explain why you said you would go to the Ball with me if you wanted to spend the night with someone else? Can you explain why sent me to get a coat for you if it wasn't just to get me to leave the room? Can you explain why I had to spend nearly half an hour looking for you? Can you explain why I see you with Malfoy? Malfoy!! Can you explain how a guy supposed to feel when he finds his girlfriend alone in the dark with another guy?"
Angelina just stood there in shock. She had never seen Fred this angry before. I mean this was Fred! He had never—wait "Girlfriend?" She said. Somehow she could not quite remember all the other things he said. "You want me to be your girlfriend?"
Fred looked down at her. Her lips were pursed, as she tried to tolerate to cold and her eyes were like glassy pools of chocolate. "Of course." He said softly. "That's what tonight was supposed to be all about."
"Oh, Fred!" She said throwing herself in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck pressing her lips against his.
Fred stumbled back, not expecting that reaction. He wrapped his arms around Angelina's waist pulling her body against his. He was so engrossed in the kiss that for a few moments he forgot what he just saw. "Hey!" He said pushing her away from him. He had thought of kissing Angelina like that for so long, but tonight had not gone at all according to plan. "What are you trying to do, distract me so I'll forget about Malfoy?"
"No, of course not." Though that would be a very good idea right now. At least the kiss helped. He didn't sound nearly as mad as he did before. And at least he was no longer yelling at her. "Look, Fred. I'm sorry that you were looking for me but you know there is nothing to worry about. We were just talking. I mean Draco? Ew! The idea is apalling! Besides, why would I want Draco Malfoy, when I can have Fred Weasley." She finished putting her arms around his neck again. This time she did not have to pull him towards her. His arm immediately went around her waist and pulled her toward him.
This was it. It was really happening. Fred Weasley and Angelina Johnson were officially a couple.
A/N: Awww, they got together--duh. Is everything going to stay rosy? Is Fred really over the whole Draco thing? I doubt it. Where's the fun in that ;) And what's really going on with Angelina and Draco? Would she really be dating someone two years younger? Hmm, or is it something else. Imperius Curse? Blackmail? Author toying with your emotions to mislead you? Mwahaha!