Hey guys, Here's the next chapter. Hope you like it :)
Fred and George where leaning against the window frame of a large class room.
"what do you reckons happening?" Lee asked. Fred and George shrugging as they looked to Mcgonagall standing in the middle of the room. Filch off to the side with a record player.
"Reckon they're announcing the engagement?" George joked causing those around him to laugh. Mcgonagall eyed the boys side, lips pursed in a thin line before huffing and turning away.
George looked up and down the side of the classroom. All boys from 4th year and up where sitting or standing bored in the room. The same was said for the girls who where on the other side. George's eyes slowly flickered to the other side of the room, scanning the girls before he found the 4th year he didn't know he was looking for. She wasn't looking at him, whispering quietly to Lavender brown. Who George knew she wasn't all too fond of. Her eyes left lavender and found him, a smile breaking onto her face causing George to smile back.
"Now then" Mcgonagall spoke clearly. Walking further away from filch fiddling with the record player. "The Yule ball, has been a tradition of the triwizard tournament since it's inception. On Christmas eve night, we and our guest's gather in the great hall for a night of well mannered frivolity. As representatives of the host school I expect everyone of you to put your best foot forward, and I mean this literally because the Yule ball. Is first and foremost, a dance." The girls break out into excited whispers where as a loud moan seeps from the boys side. George once again watches Hermione. Didn't take her for one to be excited over a ball George thought
"I guess this is why we needed dress robes" Fred whispered to him. George giving a short nod. Mcgonagall called for silence before beginning a speech about house pride and what not.
"Try saying that 5 times fast" Fred whispered George finally turning to his twin from his spot staring creepily at Hermione
"babbling bumbling band of baboons" George breathed quickly
"babbling bumbling band of baboons" The two continued stopping in time to watch Ron get called up. The hall was in complete silence until Mcgonagall asked Ron to put his right hand on her waist at which point George let out a loud wolf whistle. Mcgonagall ignoring it to continue with her dance lesson. As the music started the twin's stared rocking and humming to the music.
"Oi!" Harry whispers leaning over in his chair. The two leaning over to him. "you're never going to let him forget this are you?" Harry asked, smiling.
"Never" The twins said smirking.
"Everybody come together!" Mcgonagall ordered. The girls standing instantly "Boys on your feet!" Mcgonagall called out. Slowly, Neville stood up walking awkwardly towards the line of girls, from there he seemed unsure of what to do.
"Come on. Before he embarrasses himself" George whispers to Fred and Lee the two quickly following him out after Neville.
"Me lady" George mumbles bowing down in front of Hermione ears ringing happily as she laughed. Looking back up George moved to hold her waist before remembering the wall incident, it was too late. She'd already reached out taking his half outstretched hand. Get rid of her before you step on her! George looked around worried as she stepped closer, no girl had moved towards Neville yet, lifting his hand up George spun Hermione once before pulling her closer.
"Go dance with Neville" He whispered into her peach smelling hair before moving away and grabbing Neville, shoving there hands together.
"Have fun kids" George sung before walking off. More of the guys where getting up now. Seamus was about to reach out for Alicia Spinnet when George placed a hand on the small of her back.
"Sorry mate" George said throwing a smile his way before dragging Alicia away. Alicia shot Hermione and Neville a confused glance before she placed her hands in the right places. It was awkward at first, their movements obviously off but the two soon just started laughing ignoring Mcgonagall telling them off the two danced a very exaggerated waltz across the entire room.
At the end of the dancing session George felt he actually knew less about how to dance than he had known before the lesson. Fred, Lee and George where making their way out of the room when Neville came up to him.
"Thank you." The boy sniffled.
"Uh.. For what?" George asked confused.
"Getting Hermione to dance with me" Fred head turned to his twin so fast George was worried he might snap it.
"No problem mate. Next time ask someone though. Girls love a man with confidence."
"but I don't have any" Neville said nervously.
"Then pretend you do." George said with a shrug. "the worse that'll happen is you get rejected. Who are you thinking of asking to the Yule ball? Maybe we can help you with asking them" George offered. Fred and Lee gave short nods to show they where on board.
"I haven't actually thought about it yet" He mumbled.
"Well I'm asking Angelina, Lee's probably gunna ask Katie"
"Yep" Lee admitted.
"And George is asking-" George could already tell where this was going.
"I haven't figured out who I'm asking yet. So apart from those two everyone is fair game" George encouraged, throwing an arm around the younger boys shoulders. "So any particular witch that catches your eye?"
"n..no"
A week later and date's where slowly getting together. Fred, George and Lee where still to ask someone and judging by the fear on their little brother and Harry's faces neither of them had found one yet either. George had taken to angrily glaring at Hermione whenever he knew no one would notice. Just ask her but what if she says no but what if she says yes oh god what if she says yes and you make a prat of yourself Ask her or someone else will! Some already had in fact, Something George was trying very hard not to brew over. He had sent the occasional glare at Neville as well. Poor sob had no idea what he was getting evils for.
It was a day later when Neville nervously stood in front of him, face red breathing laboured. Eyes looking manic and seriffed.
"I'm sorry!" He screamed George flinching slightly. His first thought was 'how does he know I'm pissed he asked Granger'. "I should have asked your permission first. Or Fred's. Or Ron's" now that's going a bit far. Why did those two have anything to do with Hermione's dating life "I just didn't think. I was scared and it just kind off came out. I promise I won't try anything!" well of course you won't she said no George thought confused. "Ginny's just really nice so I thought she might say yes and she did!"
"Wait what?! You're taking gin?!" George asked shocked, The boy in front of him gave a small nod. "Oh...Well.. Have fun then! Careful of hurting her, she deals a mean bat bogey curse" George said patting him on the back before walking off.
George tapped his quill against the table whilst chewing on one of the sugar quills he had liberated from Fred. The castle was getting chillier as the winter holidays approached, a light layer of snow coating the grounds. Everyone walking around in there Hogwarts sweaters, cloaks pulled tightly around them, scarves blowing behind them. George looked up to the chalk board, seeing more had been written slowly picked up his bed and begun to copy it down. Professor Binns was droning on about the giant wars. It was more a touch up lesson that anything. Reminding them of what they had learnt in their 4th and 5th years as the lesson's always consisted of when it was nearing the holidays.
There current topic was actually ancient Magic and the first magicians, which george was more than happy to stop learning about for a day. Binn's talking monotonously at them for two hours about Heka, learning of how the would put spells they had written into water and drinking the water once the words had seeped out. The potions they made seemed a lot cooler.
"Wrnach and Nagat, two brother's and some of the most famous giant's from the war. Wrnach was only a half giant where as Nagat was a large giant" George groaned to himself clunking his head on the desk.
"How do a human and a giant have sex?" Someone close to him whispered causing George to chuckle. He turned to Fred, ready to see how long they could go in playing a game of exploding snap before getting sent out only to see his twin was fast asleep, lying across the table drool coming from his mouth as Angelina scratched her quill across his arm, drawing what looked to be a giant.
"Wrnach was decidedly smarter than most giants. It is said his IQ was at least 80, most giants have an IQ of 50-60. Wrnach, although smaller in stature lived a good life for a giant, for the most part that is. Wrnach and his Brother both wanted to be free of the Giant wars and so, with Wrnach's brain and Nagat's large build the two got what they wanted." With nothing better to do, George begun listen to Professor binn's drawl. Somehow, listening to how Wrnach coached his brother through killing their entire group was a very uplifting story. If Wrnach could kill his entire tribe and live happily with his brother then George could grow some balls and ask Hermione to the damn ball. He wasn't entirely sure how he was relating to the story but here he was. Deciding life choices because of a murderous half giant.
"Wrnach and Nagat's reign on Ben Nevis mountain was ended when gifford Ollerton slayed them. This battle came when...yes?" Alicia had put her hand up, Mr Binns blinked at the interruption.
"Class has ended now" She said bluntly. Mr binns looking around before floating over to look at her watch.
"alright. Time does fly doesn't it? More about Gifford Ollerton next time" George left Angelina to wake up the sleeping Fred as he went to search for Hermione.
George found himself hiding behind a corner when he saw Hermione passing. Ask her now! No one's around. I can't she'll know I like her What would Wrnach do! Probably kill her George took a deep breath before jumping out from behind his wall only to see the hallway empty. Running down it he spotted Hermione round the next turn.
"Granger!" He called out the girl turning round spotting him and smiling.
"George! Hi. How are you? Sorry I haven't seen you much lately. Between S.P.E.W and Harry being in the tournament I've been a bit strung out" She said apologetically as they stopped in front of each other. Part of George remembered she had promised not to talk about S.P.E.W again but all in all he didn't care. She could talk to him about smelly troll feet and he'd still listen happily you're so whipped
"Well you could make it up to me" George admitted fuck are you really doing that
"And how would I do that?" The girl asked.
"Let me take you to the Yule ball" smooth as fuck George thought before he saw the girls face beginning to fall ABORT, MERLIN NO ABORT MISSION, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE KILL HER LIKE WRNACH WOULD "I mean as a friend of course! It's not like I'm asking you out or anything you know I just thought that we could just you know.. Go alone. Together. Be alone together. I you know?" He spluttered heart thundering, face pinking.
"That's really sweet George but...Someone already asked me and I said I'd go with them" She said awkwardly.
"Oh! Like a real date?" He asked trying to keep the bitterness out of his voice.
"Yeah" She said a blush lighting her cheeks, a sickeningly happy little smile filtering onto her face.
"Oh...right. That's. Great yeah that's perfect! I mean you know that...brilliant."
"If I had known you wanted to go as friends I wouldn't ha-" The girl started
"Don't be stupid Granger. I'm..glad for you. All grown up and dating. Uh...Good luck" George mumbled a fake smile plastered on his face.
"I'm sorry"
"Seriously don't be. I'm fine. Much better for at least one of us to have a real date" I'm going to kill whoever is taking you. "Anyway. I should be going. Need to meet Fred. Later Granger." George waited for her to nod before quickly walking away. Fred found him half an hour later brooding by a window.
"You alright?"
"Yeah great." George snapped. I wonder who she's going with. Harry? Nahh he's still looking for a date Ron? Pfft like Ron would even think about asking her until the last minute Fred? No he would never ask hermi-they went out. What if they're together again. George glared up at his twin.
"who are you taking to the Yule ball"
"I'm going to go with Angelina." The boy said honestly George narrowing his eyes before giving a quick nod and trying to think of who Hermione could be going with.Who else is there? Malfoy? No. that's ridiucl-holy crap Hermione is going to the Yule ball with Malfoy
"See you Later" George growled moving from his window seat.
"Where are you going?"
"To kill a ferret!" George screamed behind him. Storming through the halls he found Malfoy sloppily asking pansy to the ball. It would have been quite cute if George didn't hate the pair. Malfoy stumbling over his words to try and ask. Pansy screaming a yes a jumping him for a hug.
Another week and George still hadn't gotten a date, the winter holidays where closing in. The teachers had given up teaching, pretty much everyone was staying for the holidays unlike most years. Fred was insisting they send another Letter to Bagman asking about their money.
"We'll need an owl" George said, finally agreeing once he got to write it to ensure no blackmail was in it.
"Let's ask Ron for Pig" The two bounce down the stairs. Spotting Ron, Harry and Hermione sitting around the fireplace. The cards in front of Ron exploded, singeing his eyebrows.
"Nice look Ron. It'll go with your dress robes" Fred mocked as the two sat themselves with the trio. George trying to subtly sit as far away from Hermione as possible. Apart from the passing hello the two hadn't spoken since George failed at asking her to the Yule ball.
"Ron, Can we borrow pigewidgeon?" George asked polietly.
"No. He's off delivering a letter. Why?"
"George wants to ask him to the ball." Fred said sarcastically
"Because we want to send a letter you great prat!" George snapped.
"who d'you two keep writing to eh?" Ron asked curiously. George felt Fred tensing next to him.
"Nose out Ron, or I'll burn that for you too" Fred snapped threateningly waving his wand in their younger brothers face. "So...you lot got dates for the ball yet?" He asked after a second, slipping his wand back into his robes. George involuntarily flicked his eyes over to Hermione The girl didn't seem all too interested. Sitting reading a book as the four of them talked.
"Nope" Ron said casually.
"Well, you'd better hurry up mate, or all the god ones will be gone" Fred advised. George cursed himself once again for not asking the book worm sooner as his eyes traced her.
"Who're you going with then?" Ron asked
"Angelina" Fred said easily.
"What?! You've already asked her?" Ron said shocked.
"Good point." Fred mumbled before turning his body to face the girl, who was sitting talking to Alicia Spinnet. "Oi! Angelina?" The girl turned looking to him with a glare
"What?" She called back.
"Want to come to the ball with me?" Fred said flippantly but George could see his slightly flushed cheeks. The way he was licking his lips to must, the tell-tale signs of a nervous Fred.
"Alright then" She said calmly before turning back to talk to Alicia, George smiled at the grin on both his twin and his twin's crushes' faces.
"There you go. Piece of cake" Fred stood, faking a yawn and looking down to George. "We'd better use a school owl then" George was back to looking at Hermione "George. Come on" George blushed pulling his eyes away and following his twin from the common room. The second they where outside Fred collapsed against the portrait.
"She actually said yes mate!" He squealed. "I'm going to the ball with Angelina!"
"Congrats!" George said happily.
"I can't believe she said yes" His twin whispered in awe as George grabbed him, dragging him towards the owlery. It was once they where outside, traipsing through the cold night that Fred spoke about something other than Angelina.
"So who are you taking?"
"Uh..No one. I don't really know if I'm gunna go" George admitted. Since Hermione turned him down he'd been seriously contemplating just missing the stupid dance.
"what?! You can't be serious. It's a party! You're always up for a party" Fred cries.
"This one'll have teachers and fancy pants dancing. It's not exactly going to be fun!" George said.
"It has the weird sisters!"
"Not that into them" George mumbled.
"What's this really about?"
"Nothing, I just don't think it's my kind off thing"
"That's such bull. Come on George"
"I just... I don't have anyone to go with" George said, it was kind off the truth. Sure he'd only asked one person but still.
"Well then we'll find out someone to go with. Alicia's still not got a date. Ask her, she's had a crush on you since like 3rd year" Fred said happily, acting like the problem was solved.
"I don't want to go with Alicia" George said trying to end the conversation as they approached the owlery.
"Give me one reason why not!" she's not granger oh shut up you soppy git George thought crossly.
"I don't want to lead her on" George said.
"Then tell her you just want to go as a friend. Come on mate. It's mine and Angelina's first date you have to be there."
"You realise most people don't want their siblings there on a first date" George pointed out
"Did you hear about Ginny and Neville?" Fred said, finally letting them change the subject.
"Yeah" George said with a laugh, he felt pretty bad for his little sister.
It was two days later that Fred came up to him, grin splitting across his face. The two where in an empty common room.
"I asked Alicia out for you" The older announced.
"You what?!" George roared jumping from his seat and storming to his twin.
"You heard me. I told her you where to scared to do it because you thought she'd take it wrong."
"You what?!" George bellowed.
"I did you a favour mate" Fred said calmly George groaning.
"I'm going to go find her and tell her to find someone else."
"Nu-uh" Fred said grabbing the back of George's top. "This is a once in a lifetime thing. We're never going to be at Hogwarts for something like this again so suck it up and enjoy your date."
"bu-"
"Look I get it you struck out with the girl you wanted to take."
"What?! How do you know" George asked bemused.
"You have the face of someone rejected not of someone who just doesn't want to go. So who was it?" Fred asked curiously as he pushed his twin back onto the sofa.
"It's no one" George said
"It's obviously someone if you thought about not coming for it. Now I know it's not Granger because I haven't heard her talk about a date at all yet" Fred said causing George to visibly deflate. "Unless of course you didn't have the balls to ask her?" Fred pried.
"I had the balls to ask her" George spat, noticing his mistake a second late "I asked her after the girl I wanted turned me down. I thought at least If I couldn't go with her then I'd go with Granger, as friends you know?" George lied. "But then she's going with someone too so I figure if one of my best mates wouldn't even go out with me I'd give up"
"So who did you want to go with?"
"No one" George mumbled.
"Come on you can tell. I'm just surprised it's not Granger I thought you might finally be pulling your head out of your arse"
"It's...cho" George lied, the first name he could think of slipping out to interrupt Fred talking about Hermione.
"The girl you dated a few years ago?" Fred said, leaning towards George.
"Yeah.. That one"
"Why'd you wanna go with her?" Fred blurted, quickly looking apologetic afterwards.
"I dunno. She's pretty hot." George said with a shrug.
"Well you obviously don't like her that much if that's all you have to say about her. Come on please come to the ball with me."
"Are you asking me out Fred?"
"Why yes I am"
"I feel inclined to accept" George mumbled causing Fred to cheer.
The holidays rolled in and everything was going okay. People where practicing dancing everywhere. It was kind off scary, girls in hoards swaying with each other. Some, still looking for dates, looked to any guy who walked past with a predatory gaze. Alicia had asked George to help her practise a few times which George had begrudgingly accepted. The two waltzing around the common room. They'd occasionally be interrupted by someone sprouting feathers, turning into a large canary. Which George was extremely proud of, the twins had started selling their canary creams which gave them a small amount of sickles which Fred had insisted on the two sneaking to Hogsmeade with to buy the girls (angelina, George just bought some to shut Fred up) flower bracelet things that apparently went well with dresses.
It was in the library that Hermione and George next met. The two quite literally bumping into each other. George blushed as he realised his arms hand wrapped around her to keep her on her feet.
"Easy there Granger" He said awkwardly.
"George! You're in the library!" She said making George laugh.
"Yeah. Needed a potions book." George said, waving the book he'd just grabbed in the air. The girl gripped one hand on his sleeve, dragging him towards the back of the library to a little table. Krum was sat a few tables away from where Hermione's stuff was spread.
"Homework?" The girl asked, placing her book down and sitting.
"Shop work" George replied, trying to casually lean an arm on the table and look suave, instead his hand slipped on a piece of paper. Arm flying off of the table, his weight already displaced onto his top half meant he quickly fell forwards face slamming against the desk. George didn't move, face pressed painfully against the table please say she didn't see George hoped.
"are you okay?" She asked nervously. George sighed of course she saw you dunce George stayed face pressed against the cool wood for a few seconds before slowly lifting his face and smiling at her.
"Great Granger" He lied.
"That was really smooth" She said cheekily. George's entire body flushing.
"Shut it Granger." He mumbled causing her to laugh. I love her little buck...where are her buck teeth.
"Your teeth!" George all but screamed. Causing the attention of Krum to be drawn to the two. Hermione raised an eyebrow at him before her mouth was suddenly being pulled open. "they're not cute and rabbity anymore!"
"Cute?" Hermione slurred, fingers prying her lips open. George quickly pulled his hands away from her face jumping from her personal space.
"Yeah. You know..cute..like a hamster?" George said awkwardly
"I'm cute..like a rodent?" She asked, obviously offended. George opened and closed his mouth a few times before giving up.
"Don't change the subject! Your teeth changed."
"Malfoy hit me with a spell and my teeth grew into fangs. So I kind off...let Madam pomfrey shrink them a bit too much. You're the first to notice"
"Malfoy did what?" George snarled "How come no one told me about this? I'm going to kill the little Ferret fu-"
"Calm down George!" Hermione hissed "I'm fine" She said earnestly, doe eyes looking into his. "Are they weird?" she asked nervously after he'd calmed. "I thought that they where better but"
"No! They're great, just brilliant...teeth. You know very...tooth like" leave before you say something stupid. "Some of the best teeth I've seen really. You should be a tooth model. A Todel" You big prat
"Right..."
"Well..I'm going to go." George said quickly pointing behind him. Granger nodded.
"Who are you going with?" She suddenly burst out. George stilling in his attempt to leave. "to the ball? Who did you end up asking?" She clarified.
"Oh. Uh. I'm going with Alicia" George said awkwardly "who are you going with? I never asked"
"Umm.. I can't tell you"
"You can't tell me?"
"Well it's not that I can't it's that I don't want to."
"You don't want to tell me?" George repeated sadly.
"No! I mean, I don't mind you knowing but I'm just trying to keep the people knowing to a minimum. You'll see on the night though" She said nervously. George nodding, trying to swallow the lump in his throat she doesn't even trust you enough to tell you who she's going with.
"Right. Well..I'll see you around Granger." George said shortly before walking out of the library.
Christmas came too soon. Fred and George had to scrape every penny together to get everyone Christmas presents causing George to have a much harder time of trying to convince his twin not to blackmail Bagman.
Fred was first to wake up. Screaming Lee and George awake. Fred and George opened the jumpers first, throwing one to each other. This year Lee got one too, Instead of an initial he had a Christmas cracker knitted onto his.
"Aww I'm family" Lee cried throwing himself at the twins whilst they where pulling there's on. Lee pulled his own on with pride once they pushed him away.
"Mum's been meaning to do one for you forever. I guess this year she had the time with dad off at the ministry all the time" Fred said as they returned to their presents. Ron had got them each a small assortment of sweets. The twins had agreed not to get each other presents this year. Saving every knut they could for the future shop. Hermione came in as they where opening their last presents.
"Merry Christmas!" She called happily. George pulling the covers up to hide his quidditch pyjamas.
"Merry Christmas!" the three called in unison. Fred and Lee got up, moving to sit on the end of George's bed. Hermione taking the space next to him. The girl was already dressed. Donning her own Weasley sweater and a pair of jeans. Her arms held two presents.
"This ones for you Lee" Hermione said passing on of the presents to Lee. Fred and George looked to each other did she not get me something? George thought nervously. He ,looked back to her, the girl was wearing the pair of earring's he had bought her. Two tiny gold time turners, he bought them during the summer before she'd come for Christmas. Now George was embarrassed that he got her something so lame. His eyes moved back to Lee who'd finished tearing the wrapping paper off. It was a pair of omnioculars, like those sold at the quidditch world cup, a pack of sugar quills and a new, fancy peacock feather quill.
"Thanks Mione, this is great! Did you get yours?"
"Yes thank you, I love them" Lee had gotten Hermione a couple of books although George couldn't quite remember which ones now.
"I have a joint present for you guys" Hermione said, turning to the twins and handing them the other present. The two took it eagerly before digging into the paper. Inside was a box. The twins looked to each other before opening it quickly. Inside was an assortment of things. George picked up another, smaller box inside whilst Fred went for what looked to be booklets.
"Hermione" Fred whispered, George opening the box and blanking at what he saw inside. There where badges, lots of badges. Each coloured purple and orange, Weasley's wizard wheezes stood proudly on some, whilst others had One stop joke shop or Magical Jokes, Pranks and Novelties. The writing was a lime green.
"I know you haven't decided on a name yet. But when you do you can tell me and I can magically switch it. I just thought that would give the general idea.." the two said nothing still staring at the stuff. "You know what it's silly, don't worry about it I'll get you something else, change these to S.P.E.W stuff." The girl babbled.
"It's amazing" Fred said in awe.
"You did this?" George asked, moving to look at what Fred was holding. They where small booklets, the name printed on the front along with "product brochures" written on them. Fred flicked through, The first page had Ton-Tongue toffee's on it. The next had Canary creams, equipped with a magical photo of Neville turning into a large canary. The other's where blank.
"I thought you could fill them up as you go. You just need to add it into one and the other's will all change." Hermione said quietly. The rest of the box consisted of some flyers, Hermione said they could post those around once they had a shop so people would see them and go to the shop, Some potions and transfiguration books (to help them with making the products) and two little name badges. The kind that you clip on with a magnet, small square and fancy looking.
George Weasley
veteran prankster
"I don't know what to say" George said dumbly. Fred nodded. Looking up to Hermione with shinning eyes before crawling up the bed and wrapping her in a hug.
"Thank you so much. This is the best present ever. Seriously Hermione This is just..." Fred tampered off pulling away for a second before hugging her again tightly and moving back to look at the stuff again. George was next pulling her closer and clinging onto her.
"Thank you Granger." He whispers into her bushy mane of hair.
"you like it?"
"I love it" you His brain sings. George not even bothering to care about it at this moment. The spend a few more minutes sitting and talking happily about the future shop before Hermione bids them all a goodbye and makes her way off for breakfast with Ron and Harry. The three move to get ready for the day after that. They're just tying their shoes when George speaks.
"Freddie"
"yeah?" Fred says, looking over to his twin.
"How'd you feel about Weasley's wizard wheezes for a name?" George asks, looking up to meet Fred's eyes.
"Love it" Fred replies, smiles breaking out on both their faces.
"Let's go eat!" Lee interrupts. The two nodding and following him from the room.
The day Goes by quickly, before long The Weasley's, Harry and Hermione are all running throwing snow ball's at each other. Hermione says she won't play but a few times when George had his head turned he would get one to the back of it. Sticking into his ginger hair and every time he turned Hermione was 'inconspicuously' looking off to the air, a mischievous smile on her face. At 5 Hermione left to get ready leaving the boys to play in the snow as Ginny followed after her.
Ron and Harry left at 6:30 and when Fred and George made there way in at 7:15 Ron, Harry and their dates where already leaving. The twins rushed upstairs to get ready. Lee was already faffing. The two left their dorm at 7:40, 20 minutes before the ball was meant to being. At 7:47 their dates made the way down the stairs. Angelina was in front, dressed to the 9's in a beautiful red dress, Fred staring at her lovingly for a few seconds before she moved to meet him. Katie was next she wore a pale pink dress. Finally was Alicia, she looks nice George thought as she came up to him smiling. Fred was holding out his strange flower bracelet (or corsage as Fred called it) to Angelina. So George did the same with his.
"You look Beautiful" George said honestly.
"Why thank you" She said happily holding out an arm. The common room, which had been filled with a constant low chatter from bored boys waiting for their dates suddenly went quiet. George looking around pulling his arms back from securing the corsage. Everyone was staring at the girl's dormitory steps.
"Bloody hell" George looked to his twin who had just whispered.
"She looks amazing" Angelina murmured back to her date. George's eyes fell on the stairs case to see what everyone was looking at. He didn't notice his mouth falling open, staring up at Hermione as she slowly, glided down the stairs giving a nervous smile at those watching her. George felt his heart thumping quickly as he blinked at the girl. She was dressed in a periwinkle-blue floor length dress. Layers flowing down, slowly getting darker from below the waist onwards.
His feet dragged him forwards on their own George stopping at the foot of the stairs her stopping there a moment later. His eye ran over her face, she had make up on, not a lot but just enough to be noticeable, her usually bushy hair now sleek and shiny, tied neatly.
"You look ravishing" George breathed a blush colouring her features. Fred looked to Alicia watching as she looked on at his twin's and bookworms interaction and internally cringing. He quickly rushed forwards.
"You look great Hermione. Your date's going to flip when he see's you." He spoke the last words clearly, shooting his twin a look.
Date will love it The words churned in Georges head that's right, she rejected you
"You think so?" Hermione asked hopefully. Fred nodding quick
"Yeah Totally. Right George? Fred asked nudging his twin.
"Yeah. He'll love it" George croaked past the lump in his throat, his smile felt stiff. His muscle's not wanting to pull upwards to form it.
"Right. Well let's head off! Hermione you coming?" Lee said clapping his hands.
"In a few minutes" Hermione said the girls following after him towards the portrait.
"Come on George" Fred said gently pulling at his brothers arm to try and take his attention away from Hermione. George followed slowly. Eyes finally falling off of the girl to look at the floor a pained look on his face. Fred just kept pulling him, they couldn't talk about it right now. They had dates to get to.
Fred kind off wanted to stab himself, watching George in the common room was hard enough when the guy just had to remember Hermione had another date but when Krum walked in with Hermione he felt awful for him. Then they ate and Fred tried to keep both George and Alicia in the conversation, he, Lee, Angelina and Katie where having but George kept on looking over to the bookworm on the front table. Smiling and talking with the quidditch star and Alicia was watching her date watch another girl. When the two started dancing Fred really wished he had just let George not come. The girl looked so bashful yet proud, She was looking at Krum with a nervous excitement, Krum was looking at her like she was the most beautiful person he'd ever seen and George was looking at the two of them in turn. Hermione like she was the answer to all of life's problems, like she'd made the sun just for him and Krum like he'd just been punched in the gut. Fred officially felt like a piece of shit.
George finally tore his eye's away from Hermione when Lee and Katie got up to dance. Fred was looking at him and George gave a fake smile.
"Mind if me and Angelina go dance?" Fred asked a few minutes later, whispering it into his twins ear.
"No, go ahead." George said easily. Fred looked at him for a few seconds before nodding and turning to take Angelina's hand. George slowly turned his eyes to Alicia.
"You want to dance?" He asked awkwardly, it wasn't like he didn't know he'd been staring at a girl that wasn't his date this whole time, even if it was just a friend's thing, that's still got to hurt.
"If you want to" She said awkwardly.
"Hell yeah. Love a good dance" just let me stop torturing myself by looking at her please god distract me. The two danced for the next few songs before wandering to get a drink. Fred and Angelina where jumping around madly. Lee and Katie nowhere to be seen. Probably closer to the front of the crowd. George's eyes surfed through the crowd. Hermione and Krum also weren't in his eyeline. Harry and Ron sat grumpily at a table with their dates.
"You might want to go save your sister for a dance" Alicia said to him after a few minutes, pointing over to Neville once again stepping on ginny's toes.
"Will you be okay?" He said, already moving to help his little sister. To his surprise she stood up to, straightening out her dress.
"I'll take Neville for a dance and a drink. Make sure he's not lonely." George smiled at her and the two made their way over. George placing his hand on Neville's shoulder to stop him from dancing. The boy turned around nervously.
"Hey. Mind if I steal my little sister away for a dance?" He said Neville nodding quickly and stepping to the side. George swept in to grab his sister's waist and hand spinning the two further away from Neville and Alicia.
"Your feet okay?" He asked making her laugh.
"They could be better. He's not that bad, just nervous" Ginny said. Looking back to where Neville was.
"You look Beautiful by the way" George told him little sister.
"You look rather handsome yourself big bro" She said happily.
"So you going to ask Potter for a dance?" George asked a few songs later. Ginny quickly refused that idea. "Want to go get a drink then?"
"Sure" George led her out of the crowd, sitting her at Potter's table, the boys now missing their dates.
"I'll get them be right back" He got the drinks before rushing back over and handing one to Ginny who downed it quickly.
"Dance?" George asked Ginny who nodded and stood up. George taking a step with him before he turned back round. "actually. I should really get back to my own date. Harry, mind taking my place?" George said calmly as Ginny let out a small squeak. Harry looked up to him with a blank expression for a second.
"Sure" George watched, proud as Harry and Ginny made their way onto the dance floor. Harry was terrible, he didn't step on her feet but he seemed skittish and nervous. His movements to fast and jumpy.
"Georgie!" Arms where suddenly thrown around him. Fred and Angelina appearing on either side. "I see your trying to set up our little sister" Fred said mischievous.
"It's just one dance" George said as a denial although that was exactly what he was trying to do.
"Want some fire whiskey in that?" Fred asked pointing to the drink George was holding. George gave a nod and Fred quickly poured and Generous amount into his drink.
After the fire whiskey started flowing the night was a lot more enjoyable. Harry only did have one dance with Ginny but She'd joined the boys in the most pit they'd formed. Jumping around madly. Seamus, Dean and some random other students had also joined. When the music got slow again Fred and George had done an over dramatic foxtrot. Or at least attempted one. George and Alicia went against Lee, Katie and Fred and Angelina in who could do the best dance moves. The girls (and boys) running and doing grand dives into their partners arms whilst the partner tried to lift them majestically. Which lead to many bruised elbows and buttocks'. At one point George had seen Hagrid and Madame Maxime dancing, Dumbledore and Mcgonagall, dumbledore had even seemed to try and get Snape to dance to no avail.
Eventually, as the music got slower and people dawdled out of the hall George got left sitting alone with Alicia and a bottle of fire whiskey. Fred and Lee had disappeared to take their dates to bed. Neville and Ginny where back to dancing, now (after a shot of fire whiskey) Neville had seemed to relax and was dancing rather well with George's sister. The golden trio nowhere in sight. George was swinging on the fire whiskey. Leaning his head on the table when Alicia looked to him .
"I'm going to go to bed" she said, slowly standing her self up. George suddenly felt very guilty
"what! No don't do that. I'm sorry I've been a shitty date. But come on, lets go dance. I promise we'll end the night well." George said Watching as she looked over at him before sighing.
"You haven't been shitty George...Well. I mean, maybe you have. But I understand it" She said calmly, smiling lightly at him. "I had fun, maybe not at the start but I really had a laugh later on."
"Please don't leave" George whined "I can make it up to you"
"Go find her and ask her to dance. I saw Ron was being mean to her earlier. I think she could use some cheering up.
"I don't kn-"
"George. Please don't insult me like that, we both know who I mean and we both know you want to. So stop drinking away your sorrows and go take a chance." She ranted.
"I...She already rejected me. I asked her to this stupid thing" George groused out. Taking another swig.
"Had viktor already asked her?" George nodded stubbornly "Then of course she did. She's not just going to bail on a date because someone else asks her. She likes you George, everyone can see it. That doesn't mean she doesn't like him too but it means you have a shot so don't sit here and waste it."
"But"
"But what? They're not exactly serious. You don't have to make a move just let her know you would be an option."
"Ron..and Fred" George mumbled.
"Ron? Ron only just realised she's a girl he's not going to realise he likes her for a while and when he does he will latch on and never let go and she'll be happy so you'll never find out if she'd be happier with you because long as she's happy you wouldn't care. And Fred...Fred likes Angelina, so what the two dated last year. It didn't mean anything" George tried to find another excuse.
"Let me walk you to the dorm at least." He said defeated.
"You can walk me to the second floor" She said standing up and taking George's hand. The two walked silently to the second floor. Stopping on the landing.
"Goodnight" Alicia said sweetly. George wrapped his arms around her.
"Goodnight. You really do look amazing you know?"
"I know." She said with a wink before walking up the stairs. George slowly returned back downstairs. Stopping to take a few sips of whiskey. Harry and Ron running past him as he reached the first floor. He hit the staircase into the entrance hall and saw Hermione sitting slumped on the stairs. Her hair had fallen down, her shoulders shaking.
"Granger?" George said, catching her attention she turned to him, before quickly brushing away her tears. He moved to go down to her taking a deep breath make sure she's okay then drag her to dance George took the first step, Second step BAMGeorge toppled down 5 stairs. Rolling so he was sitting halfway down them. Hermione was staring at him with her mouth wide open, George felt his face flush as he quickly pushed his way down the last few to reach her.
"Are you okay?" She asked nervously.
"Fine. I just..tripped" George said, still blushing a bright red "Are you?What happened?"
"Your brother. Is a complete arse!" She growled out.
"What Ron do?" George said with a sigh, wrapping his arm round her shoulders.
"He was just. So rude. And he was saying stuff about Viktor and how I was 'fraternising with the enemy' and he's just so UHH" George ran his hand up and down her arm.
"Ron's an idiot. This entire thing is meant to be about us meeting new wizards and witches. You know international bonds and all that. He's just jealous Krum got to dance with you." George said kissing the hair on her forehead.
"He's just a prick"
"Very true Granger" George said causing her to laugh.
"come on. Only have half an hour left of this ball. Lets go dance and keep that smile on your face." He offered. Standing out and holding a hand out for her.
"I don't know. My feet hurt quite a bit because of these shoes."
"then take 'em of"
"but"
"Come on Granger. Dance with me" She looked to him for a few more seconds before accepting his hand, the two walked into the great hall arm in arm. Her bare feet padding lightly on the floor. There was a slow song on when they reached the dance floor. George pulling her close as they begun swaying to the music. Her face was still lined with tear stains, eyes still watery but still as they started to dance she started to smile. The two swayed slowly for a few songs,Suddenly a random beat started, something George had never heard before.
Dumbledore was chuckling. Muggle borns and half bloods where laughing and running to the dance floor. Hermione was pulling away a huge smile on her face. Suddenly they all started dancing, completely synchronized. George watched on confused Hermione letting out a roaring laugh.
"like this" She said as they all did a jump walking behind and grabbing his arms. She started moving them for him in time with everyone else. And then there hands where on his hips, her gyrating behind him as she got him to do the same. George had no idea what this cult dance shit was but whatever it was he loved it
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena
Heeeeey Macarena
AAAhAA!
It was easy to pick up and soon he was standing next to her doing it on his own laughing as everyone danced.
"what the hell is going on?" He yelped as 50 voices simultaneously shouted Heeeeey Macarena. After the song finished everyone was shouting for something called 'the cha cha slide'. Dumbledore stood making his way to the front.
"This is tonight's last song then if you would please go to your dormitories." He announced. A slow tune started, George grabbing Hermione's hand and swinging her towards him. The two where swaying. Hermione looking up to him smiling as if her earlier troubles where forgotten.
"thank you" She mumbled.
"any time Granger" George said quietly. Kiss her George felt himself leaning in slightly before he was moving away, forcing her into a twirl what are you doing? You should have kissed her.
"You're not a bad dancer Mr Weasley"
"Neither are you Miss Weasley" WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST SAY "I uh. I meant Miss Granger. I just.. You said Weasley, it confused me. I don't I mean I know you're Granger Obviously" George stuttered nervously. Hermione just started laughing. George smiled back nervously causing her to laugh more. Forehead hitting his collar bone as she leaned her head forwards.
"Idiot" She said affectionately making George snort. "Wait... Have you been drinking? What's that smell?" She asked puling her head away to look in his eyes and sniff the air.
"Uh... Maybe a little bit?" George said nervously. Don't ruin this now please
"You shouldn't do that" Hermione said seriously before leaning her head back on his shoulder "But I'll let you off tonight"
Oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance
Silver moon's sparkling
So kiss me
As much as George had wanted to he hadn't given into the allure of the song, and the girl, and kissed her. George had his arms wrapped around her legs, hers wrapped tightly around his neck as they where pressed flush against her. Not in the way George was having increasingly frequent dreams about though. It was in fact a piggy back.
"I'm can walk myself you know" Hermione complains into his ear.
"Yeah yeah yeah. Your feet hurt so I'm being a gentleman. Accept it." George said
"If you where a real gentleman it would be bridal style."
"don't tempt me" George says back making her laugh. They finally reach the fat lady, even with someone Hermione's weight carrying them up that many steps was still very difficult. Leaving George panting and red in the face. The fat lady lets them in after they recite the password. George putting Hermione down once they've reached the stairs.
"Goodnight Granger"
"Night George." Hermione reached forwards, quickly wrapping him into a hug before making her way towards the stairs. George watching as she started up the stairs.
"oh..and Granger" Hermione turned, eyes sparkling, It took everything he had not to walk over, grab her face and kiss her. "You look spectacular" He said, a smile forming on her face.
"I did didn't I? I look a bit run down now though" she said with a sigh.
"You still look perfect to me" you're sappy as shit
"I..um...goodnight" It a mass of blushing and stuttering the girl runs off to her dorm. Leaving George to waltz into his own room a lot happier than when he left a few hours ago. Fred was sitting on his bed. When he came in, quickly crawling off to walk towards him.
"I'm so sorry, for setting you up with Alicia, I thought it would be fun I didn't think you'd be all...Pining?" Fred said, begging for forgiveness.
"I was not pining!" George argued. Falling onto his bed trying to get the grin off of his face.
"wait.. Why are you so happy? I thought your night sucked. Wait. Did you and Alicia?"
"No! God no!" George said quickly sitting up, almost bumping their heads together "no."
"Oh..then why? Wait. You didn't dance with Granger did you?"
"Maybe" George mumbled trying to keep his smile down.
"YES!" Fred screamed, waking Lee.
"what's going on?!" Lee asked jumping from his bed confused.
"George and Granger danced!"
"What?! You did?! What was it like! Was it magical!?"
"You're both such girls. It was fine, it was just dancing" it felt like we where floating, there could have been no one else in the room and we wouldn't have noticed
"Try saying that without the grin" Fred Teased.
"shut up man"
"You like herrr" Lee sung jumping into his bed.
"No I don't" I love her "Go to bed I'm tired" George shouted, shoving his face into his pillow. Two sat on his bed for a little while before returning to their own. Leaving George running over the thought in his mind of how he hadn't flinched when he thought 'I love her'...that can't be true right?...nahhh just a passing crush. Nothing special.
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