Chapter 15

Lily took a deep breath as she left the dormitory. Brady was waiting for her in the common room, wearing black dress robes.

"You look great," she told him.

"I know, let's go," he said taking her hand and practically dragging her to the great hall. When they got to the entrance, Brady walked in without her; a crowd of dateless girls followed him.

Lily sighed and walked in. There was slow-ish music playing, and for a moment all eyes were on her and she did feel like a princess. That moment was over quickly though, when all eyes left her.

Except one person who continued to stare. She looked up and saw Fred. He choked on his drink, which caused her to giggle. Their eyes locked, and he smiled, leaving her with a warm tingly feeling.

Everyone paired up and went onto the dance floor. They were about to do the main dance. She was happy to be with one of the best dancers at Hogwarts, but she'd prefer Fred's gracelessness.

Brady's right hand on her hip. Her right hand on his shoulder. Left hands entwined together. His left foot forward, her right foot back, his right foot forward, her left foot back and one, two, three. His right foot right, her left foot right, his left foot right, her right foot right and twirl, two, three. Just like the first time she'd seen him do this dance with Leigh. She looked around and noticed that Angelina was dancing with George and Fred was sitting alone, watching her with Brady.

'Look at him,' Fred thought, 'he's all over her!'

Fred was overjoyed when the dance ended.

"Mate," George sat next to Fred. "why haven't you made your move?"

"She won't wanna talk to me,"

"Okay, I'm going in," George said and left.

Lily was about to take a drink of her Butterbeer when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned, curls falling in her face.

"Georgie!" she said happily. She missed spending time with George. It seemed like forever since she had. He bowed and held out his hand.

"May I have this dance?" he grinned.

"Why of course," she curtsied and took George's hand and he led her to the dance floor.

"Merlin, Lil, it's been ages since we've hung out," he said as they danced.

"I know things have been a bit" she searched for the right word, "complicated,"

"I know, Fred told me everything,"

"What?"

"Yeah, today, he told me everything that's happened between you since Hogsmead,"

"I, uh, I-"

"It's okay Lil," he gave her a forgiving smile, "you know, he only asked Ange out to hurt you,"

"Yeah, well, it worked,"

"I know, so does he,"

"What is the point of this George?"

"He loves you; you love him, that's my point,"

"I know," she looked at the tall redhead boy sitting by himself, "but it would never work, even if we wanted it to,"

"How do you know that?"

"We just, come from different worlds, metaphorically of course,"

"Just try Lily,"

"We did, it didn't work out,"

"You haven't tried in public," he raised an eyebrow at her and walked off to Angelina.

Lily found Brady, trying to take her mind off of Fred. She and Brady danced to upbeat music for a while but it only distracted her for seconds at a time.

"Let's go somewhere quieter," Brady suggested and led her to an empty corridor, "now that we're alone," he smirked evilly and pressed his lips down to her.

It wasn't the same as when she kissed Fred. It didn't have any of the emotions Fred's kisses had; there was no passion, love, desire, heat or longing. Her hands didn't take on a life of their own so they sat by her side, unsure of what to do with themselves. Most of all, he didn't taste like sweets, the way Fred did. Fred tasted like some sort of new candy with every kiss.

Brady tasted like saliva. He really wasn't a very good kisser. With Fred, their lips melted together and their tongues danced with perfect rhythm. Brady, well he just kind of ate her face.

Lily struggled but eventually pushed him away. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand and Brady's smirk turned into an angry frown.

"Look, Lily, you're hot, but you're no fun," he said spitefully before pushing her against the wall. He placed his hands on her shoulders firmly, as if keeping her in place. She tried to shake him off, but he was too strong, pushing her back once more.

His hands remained on her shoulders, pinning her against the cold stone wall. His mouth engulfed hers once more, and then moved down lower to trail her jaw with small kisses. He began to pepper her neck with small kisses.

She thrust her shoulder forward, knocking him away. He looked at her, and his hand began to lightly track her collarbone. His cold fingers tickled against her pale chest. His fingers stopped, lingering on the hem of her strapless dress.

"You know, there are ways you could make this night better," he said grinning evilly.

"You're foul," she hissed under her breath. His expression turned cold and he grasped her arm, he gripped it tightly causing Lily to wince in pain. She could feel the bruises start to form in the shape of his fingerprints.

"Oh come on, you know the reputation you have. Why stop now?" he asked, leaning in closer.

"Get off me!" she screamed.

Fred watched George dance with Lily. He wondered what they were talking about. He felt kind of bad for taking Lily away from George.

Lily went to Brady as soon as George left. Maybe she was starting to like him. He watched her dance and wished it was him she was dancing with.

He missed her smell. He missed her warmth. He missed the way her body moved against his. He missed her.

He got up to leave, and didn't even realise she already did. He stepped into a corridor and heard Lily's voice. He stopped dead in his tracks.

"Get off me!" he heard her shriek.

Hearing this, he immediately bolted around the corner and saw her pushed against a wall with Brady digging his fingers into her arm and his body roughly against hers.

"Get the fuck away from her you filthy little bastard!" Fred shouted. Lily and Brady both saw him at the same time. Lily never wanted Fred to see her like this.

"Make me Weasley," Brady challenged.

He didn't expect Fred to pull out his wand and shout "incarcerous!"

Long ropes shot out of the end of Fred's wand, and wound around Brady tightly. Brady lost grip on the Slytherin girl's arm. He fell to the floor with a vociferous thud.

"I thought you would've learnt last time, that when it comes to her, you don't mess with me," Fred growled and raised his wand again, "Furnuc-"

"Fred, don't!" Lily said sternly.

"Why are you protecting him?" Fred asked angrily, "he could've…" Fred's face flashed with pain at the thought of what Brady could've – would've – done.

"I'm protecting you, moron! You could get expelled for using that curse!"

"Fine," he said calmer, before turning back to Hankins, who was still on the floor, bound by magical ropes, "avis," Fred said and a flock of small pale blue birds appeared out the end of his wand, "oppugno!" the birds turned ferocious and started to attack Brady.

"Lil-" he took a step further, ignoring Brady who was being attacked by birds.

"Fred," she pleaded, "I'm not in the mood to fight,"

"Then we won't fight," he walked over to her, there was only inches between them. The beautiful kind of butterflies in Lily's tummy took flight, making up for lost time.

"I can't do this right now," Lily pushed past him. She went back into the crowded Great Hall, so he wouldn't make a scene. She felt his hand on her arm. Lily spun around so they were face to face.

"Lily, listen, I love you. Okay? I do. I know for a fact that you love me too so I'm not just going to give up on us!" neither of them noticed everyone, even the band, had gone quiet to listen, "I love your name. I love the way you smell. I love how big your heart is. I love the way you wiggle when you walk. So, Merlin, help me, I won't just stand by and watch you throw it all away!" he walked off, leaving a stunned and slightly red Lily behind.

Then, to everyone's surprise, even his own, he turned around and walked back to her. Before he could even make sense of what he was doing, he pulled her to him in one swift movement, and brought his mouth down onto her cherry flavoured lips in a passionate and hungry kiss, before leaving the Great Hall.

The hall burst into whispers, a few cheers and claps, and a lot of narky comments.

Lily stood there, completely paralysed. Not knowing what to do.

"Miss Scott," she heard Professor McGonagall's voice, "what are you still doing here? Go get him,"

That was all she needed. She was out of there quicker than a golden snitch. She ran down the corridor until she saw Fred walking up a set of marble steps.

"Fred!" she shouted. He stopped and turned around. He was didn't get a chance to speak though, because he was attacked by kisses.

"You mean-" he managed to say as Lily continued to ambush him with kisses.

"I love you!" she pulled him into a tight embrace, not knowing if she would let go. Fred pulled away just far enough so he could see her properly.

"You know what this means," he said.

"Everyone knows," she smiled.

"But-"

"I know; we have to tell my father. But we can worry about that tomorrow. Let's just enjoy tonight," she said kissing him once more, getting the same electric shock she got from their first kiss.