2nd December

I think I voluntarily smiled at George today for the first time in three months. Don't get me wrong, I'm still pissed at him, but the letter has changed a few things. He arrived at breakfast, freshly discharged from the hospital wing looking like a new man.

I had an idea and took out a piece of parchment and wrote at the top 'suggestions for George', underneath it I wrote 'go for a week without getting into any bother with the teachers'. I passed the sheet to Hermione who wrote, 'don't hurt anyone's feelings'. Hermione passed it on to Angelina, who passed it to Alicia, to Katie, to Ginny, all around the Gryffindor table before it made its way back to me again. From this, I sat during my free period and made George a to-do list. He did say that he would do anything to win me back, I made a list of realistic things for him to do. It went as follows:

Dear George,
A list of ten points have been comprised of all the things people would like you do to, some of them were completely ridiculous, so I took them out, but there was one that made me laugh so much I almost got kicked out of the library for it, so I've left it in. Have fun. Most of them are anonymised, others ensured that I add their names.
1. Take me seriously, work with me and I will work with you
2. Don't hurt anybody's feelings (Hermione)
3. Don't be flirting with anyone else (Alicia)
4. A heartfelt apology to all your friends you have alienated this year (Ange)
5. Show that you are serious about pulling your grades up
6. Get your hair cut, man
7. Show a bit of maturity, come on you're turning 17 soon and acting like you're 3. (Katie)
8. McGonagall would very much like it if you were not in her office to be punished for as long as possible, she has promised me two ginger newts if you can go for three weeks/ Christmas!
9. Do something you normally wouldn't do
10. This is one of the main priorities in my eyes, apologise to Ginny, make everything right with her again, it hurts me to see her annoyed with you, she's my little sister, too.
Yours, Kathryn.

It felt so good to hand the parchment to George after dinner. The look in his eyes after he read it told me that this was serious for him and I appreciated that. First thing he did was politely ask Ginny if he could go on a walk with her. When they returned an hour later, they both looked like they had a good cry and everything seemed to be okay again. When Ginny cuddled into me and thanked me, I knew he had done right by her.

3rd December

I was in horrible pain as I entered Gryffindor Tower this evening, my stomach ached and the little energy I did have was draining from me faster than I could cope with. I was still out of breath from climbing the stairs as I had just been down to Madam Pomfery to get myself sorted and to get a strong potion. I felt like a dead weight as I walked, but forced myself to keep walking as normally as possible.

"Are you free?" I heard George ask sweetly as I walked past him. He was sitting on the sofa whilst Fred was sitting on the usual window seat. It was as though he was waiting for me.

I was quite glad of the break from walking and decided to sit down on the seat beside him, "Yeah, sure, what's up?"

"Are you okay?" he looked at me strangely, with a hint of concern in his eyes.

I nodded (quite pathetically) as I rested my head against the sofa and curled up into the fetal position, "I'm just tired, I was about to go up to bed."

"You look like you're in pain…" he commented, leaning forwards to feel my forehead, but I backed off, not allowing him. I didn't feel ready to let him be touchy-feely with me. I still needed time to forgive him. It doesn't feel like it did before, if you know what I mean.

"Top marks." I said sarcastically as I got another wave of pain.

"I know you, you must be in some pain for it to be taking this much of a toll on you," he licked his lips to moisten them, he must have been nervous, then he got serious again, "go on, up you go to bed, this can wait."

"Well, I'm here now and I don't sleep very well when I'm in pain." I snapped, even though I didn't mean it, "I thought you would've known that, since you're the knower of all things."

George leaned forwards again, shifting his whole body closer to me, looking just as I remember him when I was stuck in St Mungos. I must have looked awful, as he suggested, "Do you want me to come down to Madam Pomfery with you? Or can I go grab you something?"

I groaned in pain, "I'm just back. What is it you wanted to say?" I tried to distract myself from what was going on in my body.

George took his opportunity, "I just wanted to ask you something about the letter?"

"Fire away." I nodded, grunting slightly.

"First question, erm… when have I not taken you seriously?" he took out the letter which he had folded up in his pocket. It looked well read.

"Snape's class where you earned yourself a detention." I raised my eyebrows.

He opened his mouth to argue, but thought about it, "I'm sorry, I didn't make your life particularly easy, did I?"

"No, and in the section that Hermione suggested, I'm expecting a full apology to the two of us about how insensitive you were on the day of the first task. I'll leave you to figure that one out for yourself." I complained.

"Okay," he looked like he was being told off by his mum, "What do you mean by do something you normally wouldn't do? What do you want me to do?"

I groaned as I sat myself up a little better to look at him with all the seriousness I could muster, my stomach feeling like it was being stabbed repeatedly, "What do you want more than anything?"

"To win you back?" he said sincerely. I had to hold myself back from smiling, but being in this serious amount of pain helped greatly.

"Do that then, in a way that you wouldn't normally go about it." I smirked seeing is eyes light up as his imagination kicked in.

He nodded, clearly having had an idea, but his eyes filled with concern once more as he looked at me, "Can I really not get you anything? I'll run and get you a cuppa? Or some chocolate? I promise it'll be safe for consumption."

I shook my head, "No, it's alright. I'll head up to bed now, unless there's anything else you want?"

"Do you want a hug?" he stood and lifted his arms as I hauled myself off the seat, dragging myself towards the girls' dorm staircase.

"I think I'll pass." I walked past him, "goodnight."

4th December

"Can I talk to you two for a second?" George took a seat on the coffee table this evening as Ginny, Hermione and I were all sitting by the fire, drinking hot chocolate, talking about how men would never survive without women.

"Two? I'm sitting right here, George." Ginny pestered her brother by ruffling his hair, "you can add blindness to the list of a man's incompetence." She said to Hermione and me.

George grabbed her around the waist and tickled her, "You can join in the conversation too, I suppose." He said sarcastically, "As long as you sit down and button it long enough for me to say what needs to be said."

Ginny squeezed herself into the middle of Hermione and me and made herself comfortable. She folded her arms and then signalled to her brother, "You can begin."

George shook his head, "You've been spending way too much time with Kathryn…" he laughed to himself, "Any way, the reason we are gathered here today is in memory of the old George."

"Right…" I said crossing my arms like Ginny.

"Can't you tell he's nervous, Kathryn?" Hermione chided me, "Let him speak."

"Carry on…" I gestured.

George shook his head again and spoke, "I have realised that my behaviour at the first task was inappropriate and offensive… I shouldn't have made such horrible bets and emphasised the danger of the task… I knew you were worried and I tried to make light of it, but instead I ended up making you feel worse. I shouldn't have suggested that Harry could have died and that he wouldn't have won the task, not with you two as best friends… I saw you trying to teach him spells and studying in the library with him, I should have known he'd be just fine. I guess I have a habit of saying and doing inappropriate things when you're supposed to be serious. I just wanted to say… sorry."

"You are aware that I had to hold Kathryn back from hitting you or blowing you up, right?" Ginny added.

"I deserve everything I get." Was George's reply, "I've already spoken to Harry and apologised. I genuinely want to make everything right with everyone again."

A smile flickered on my face, I couldn't help it. I could see how difficult it was for him to ask for forgiveness, the palm of his hands were sweaty, he was pale and slightly shaky. I nodded to him in recognition.

"How are you feeling?" he asked me directly.

"I'm feeling a lot better than I was last night, but still not 100%" I said with a small smile, "Thank you for your apology."

George's lips curled, "And I was talking to Ange about you, she reiterated some interesting words you have used over the past three months to describe me… I always wondered what a knob-headed-douchebag was like or a douchenozzle or a f*cktard or a good old standard prick, apparently all I need to do is look in the mirror…" he tried to hold back laughter. I knew he knew it wasn't safe for him to laugh until I laughed. So I stared him out, "Do you really think my head looks like a penis?"

I burst out laughing, "I still think you're a dickhead, yes. And there were times over the past three months I wouldn't have minded murdering you in your sleep. But keep going this way, carefully completing the list and I might renounce some of those poorly chosen names."

"Might?" George pretended to be outraged.

"Might." I smiled.

Ginny interjected, looking at George inquisitively, getting off the seat and touching George's head, "Perhaps you do have a penis-shaped head and you'll just have to live with that for the rest of your life."

5th December

I eventually arose from bed around 10am this morning when Hermione dragged me out. I hopped into the shower just to annoy her and walked down the stairs from the dorms at a snail's pace. "Honestly, Kathryn could you do anything more to annoy me this morning?"

"Well, yeah." I said mischievously but she gave me a look, "but I'm not going to, obviously."

"You knew I wanted to get a head-start on learning the antidotes for the potions test next Friday." She moaned, clearly frustrated at my lack of urgency, "And I suppose you'll be wanting breakfast, too? I ate well over an hour ago."

I rubbed my eye, "It's not even half ten yet, can you take a chill pill?" The two of us sat in silence as I ate and Hermione looked through her notes, "You clearly don't want to be here. Go on. I'll meet you in the library."

"You're lucky I like you, but you are so annoying first thing in the morning." She snapped.

I finished the last of my coffee and stood to leave the Great Hall, "You woke me up. You know I'm exhausted."

"But you said you'd study with me." she said as we walked, "I don't fancy dying because I didn't have time to learn the entire anaphylaxis cure. I saw what happened to you last time. I'm sure you'll never forget how it felt. I really wouldn't put it past Snape to put you through that again." By this stage we were in the library and she was whispering.

I however spoke normally to get my point across, "Hermione. If you're going to be like this with me all day, you can sit on your own."

"She's being serious, you know." I saw George's head pop up from a pile of parchment.

"Oh, you know I am." I set my pile of books down beside him.

George smiled sweetly at me, "You're looking great, by the way."

"Your head is looking less penis-shaped by the day." I joked.

Hermione cleared her throat, "Are you two going to flirt all morning? Or are we actually going to get some work done?"

"I choose flirting." George and I said in unison.

"Will you two just get together already?" was Hermione's reply.

George bit his lip and winked, "I'm trying!" he pointed at his work, "I've been here from 9 this morning."

I ruffled his hair and whispered, "Don't let me distract you." I sat on the desk beside his work and jokingly played with my hair and swished my legs back and forth.

George pushed his chair back and took me by my waist and lifted me off the table, "I won't be able to keep my eyes off you if you keep sitting there. Now go revise for potions and let me concentrate."

I was in a bit of a tiz as I walked over to Hermione with a smile on my face. There was an added bounce in my step as I looked over my shoulder to see George staring at me. I forgot the feeling of George's hands on my skin. I didn't realise how strong he was as he lifted me with little effort.

"Well, he has certainly brightened up your morning." She smirked as I sat down.

"Shut up." I grinned, "What do you want to learn first?"

7th December

It was dramatically colder this morning as we attended our Herbology class this morning and I had to wrap my scarf around myself and put on a pair of gloves as we were outside for Care of Magical Creatures straight after. The only thing keeping my hands and feet from falling off were the blasts of fire from Hagrid's Blast Ended Screwts which were now over 6ft long and completely hideous. By the time I got to Maura's I was just so delighted to be indoors. There we discussed all that had gone on, she said that I was acting responsibly about George and what he was suggesting. She laughed when I told her about the letter of suggestions. "Only you would think of something like that." She hooted for the rest of the appointment. Thankfully nothing was mentioned about Oliver, I just wanted to forget him. After that, I went to the library and caught up on the work I didn't get done over the weekend and Hermione came to find me straight after her Arithmancy class.

"You have got to show me how to get into the kitchens."

"Nice to see you too, Hermione. I had a lovely appointment with Maura and I've caught up on Muggle Studies work for Wednesday. I'm feeling well, thanks." I said sarcastically.

She smiled at me, "Great, so you'll show me?"

"It doesn't look like I have a choice." I said, packing up my belongings. I lead Hermione down to the portrait of the fruit bowl, "Good afternoon Colonel Jones." I said with a smile to the portrait facing the kitchens, the two of us had met a few times before.

"It has been a while since I have last seen you, young Lady, and haven't you grown up?" he smiled appreciatively.

"Don't you be embarrassing me now, Jones." I joked.

Colonel Jones shook his head, "Your red-headed twin friends have been down here a number of times and your name has certainly been mentioned. Once a special request was made for a chocolate brownie and hot chocolate. He stood down here for ages waiting for the Elves to bake and prepare the requests."

I pulled a face, "Now I feel really bad…" I said, "We had a massive fight."

"More than massive, catastrophic, seismic. The two inseparable lovebirds had an argument that resulted in them unable to look at each other for three whole months. The brownie and hot chocolate, even though it was ungratefully rejected, and probably rightly so, has made it slightly easier for them to talk. This one," Hermione nudged me, "is making life very difficult for poor George."

"I see…" Colonel Jones grimaced slightly, "I do believe he is trying to woo you, young lady. He seems to have a deep interest in courting you and I do hope it all works out. I also expect an invitation to the wedding."

I laughed, "No bother."

"Emm, Kathryn?" Hermione interrupted my daydream, "Kitchens?"

"Oh, yeah, tickle the pear." I said and we stepped into the kitchens where we were quickly surrounded by half a dozen wide-eyed house elves.

Hermione stood tall and cleared her throat, "Can I have your attention for a minute please? My name is Hermione Granger and I would like to talk to you all about S.P.E.W. which stands for the Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare. I want to help end your enslavement, fight for fair wages and-"

"Dobby?" I said as I looked through the crowds of Elves who had put down their tools to listen to Hermione, most of them looking disgusted by her statement.

"You is Harry Potter's friend, Miss!" Dobby beamed, "You is very grown up now, Miss."

I smiled fighting the embarrassment, many people seemed to be saying that to me lately, "How is freedom treating you?"

"Dobby likes being free!" he continued beaming, "And Professor Dumbledore says he will pay Dobby, Miss, and Dobby gets a Galleon a week and one day off a month!"

"Dobby?" Hermione introduced herself, "Is that Winky?"

"Yes Miss, Winky is not adjusting to freedom like Dobby is. Winky misses her master. Winky feels she is disgraced." Dobby replied happily.

I couldn't help but pout, "Oh no…"

Hermione bobbed up and down on her feet, "You know what we have to do now, Kathryn? We have to tell Harry and Ron!"

"Harry Potter?" Dobby's eyes lit up even more at the sound of Harry's name.

"Let us go find him! Harry will be very happy to see you, Dobby!" I suggested and Hermione and I left. Halfway running up the stairs I saw Fred, George and Lee going quickly in the opposite direction.

"Kathryn?" George called me.

Nearly falling flat on my face, I stopped suddenly, "Yeah?"

"It's Ginny. She's having a crisis." George spoke quickly, "She's crying and she won't talk to me. I don't know how to deal with tears…" he looked panicked and Fred and Lee headed on down the stairs as George lead me to an empty classroom, "she won't talk to anyone… I thought you might be able to help, you're good with that sort of thing and I know you and her are good friends."

I stumbled into the empty classroom and found Ginny in the corner in floods of tears. I rushed over to her and got onto my knees beside her, "What happened?" I had never seen her like this before. Ginny was usually the strong, independent one who listened to me as I cried. This must have been bad. Ginny looked up, her eyes were puffy and her nose was red. She said nothing, then I realised why, "George, make like a tree and leaf."

"Huh?" he looked so confused.

"Go away. Girl time." I shooed him.

Ginny giggled in amongst her tears, "Make like a tree?"

"I'm not going anywhere girl." I smiled, stroking her hair gently, handing her a clean tissue, "do you want to talk about it?"

"I've just had the worst day ever…" she sobbed, "I made an idiot out of myself in potions class after lunch, I managed to spill the entire contents of my cauldron on the floor," she hid her face with her hands, "And it was a fully brewed shrinking solution, so – don't you laugh!"

I tried so hard to hold it in, but I could just imagine everyone in her class falling because their feet have shrunk then their backsides shrinking as they fell over and, "I'm sorry, please continue." I said as seriously as I could.

"I've got detention with Snape tomorrow because of it." She sighed, "It doesn't end there, I had my transfiguration test last thing, and I'm pretty sure I've just failed it, everyone was laughing at me and I'm just so worried about what Snape is going to do and now I'm going to have another detention for failing that test…" she got herself worked up again.

"Girl." I spoke clearly, "Breathe." I placed my hand on her shoulder, "Professor McGonagall is usually very understanding, you just need to apologise to her and I'm sure she noticed that the whole class weren't particularly focused, so you don't need to worry about that one. Your detention with Snape won't be that bad, only speak when spoken to and under no circumstances say something sarcastic, okay?"

She nodded, "But Kathryn…" she sniffled, "It gets worse…" she took the silver feather necklace I had bought for her birthday in hand and twiddled it between her fingers.

"Carry on…" I said and Ginny put her head on my outstretched legs and looked up at the ceiling and I played with her hair gently.

"The reason why I did so badly in potions in the first place is because one of the guys in my charms class told me that he thought I was pretty. Me. Like what was I meant to say to that? I've never had a guy look at me before."

I had to think about horrible things to stop myself from smiling, "Gin, your nickname is Desire and you are completely irresistible."

"That was a joke. This is real."

"You're growing up; boys are going to look at you! You should be flattered!" I assured her.

She shook her head, tears still streaming down her cheeks, "But I took a massive blush attack and Flitwick asked if I was alright. It was so embarrassing. I don't think I can show my face in that classroom again."

"You are so overdramatic!" I giggled, she reminded me of her brothers, "This is not the end of the world!"

"Yes, it is." She sat up straight and looked at me seriously, "Because before that I went to the loo and tucked my skirt into my knickers."

"Were they nice knickers?"

"That is not the point!" she was outraged, "But they are black lace."

"Oh Gin, you saucy minx."

She stared at me in disgust, "And have you seen my skin lately? I am the Queen of spots! I'm so stressed! I have a Herbology test tomorrow, an essay due for DADA and notes on predictions for Divination!" she lifted out a pile of pages from her bag and handed me them, "I have to learn all of that in one day!" she cried again.

"I'll help you, no bother!" I smiled, "But I think you ought to get some dinner in you first?"

She nodded and blew her nose before taking her notes off me again, "OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!" she yelled and burst into tears once again.

"What?" I got up off the floor quickly.

"I've got a bloody papercut!" she showed me and it was bleeding rather profusely.

"Accio First Aid Box" I said, "Your mother bought this for me to sort her kids out, I've realised." The box swooped into the spare classroom and into my hand and I grabbed a plaster out of it and placed it on Ginny's finger and kissed it better for her. That made her laugh. I got out another clean tissue and cleaned up Ginny's tears and with permission put on a little bit of powder to hide the puffiness. "You look gorgeous." I smiled.

"Thanks, Kathryn!" she said holding her head high as the two of us grabbed some dinner, I yelled at a guy for looking at Ginny too long (with hilarious results) and I sat with her later on in the library as she did all the work she needed to do for the next day. Thankfully by bedtime she was less frantic and happily went up to bed. I collapsed on the sofa to sort out my books for tomorrows lessons.

George sat down beside me, "You are a miracle worker."

I laughed, "I know."

10th December

On Thursday mornings we have Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. Today we were working on the theory of changing Guinea fowl into Guinea pigs and the uses of cross-species transfiguration. I really didn't see how this would be necessary in later life, which seemed to be the common opinion in our class. McGonagall was exasperated by the end of the lesson, mostly at Ron and Harry who were playing with Fred and George's fake wands that turned into fish (don't ask, George asked if it was okay for him to sell them and I said as long as it didn't get him yelled at).

"Potter! Weasley! Will you pay attention?" she raised her voice and both the boys, who were sitting in front of Hermione and me jumped and put the fake wands away, "Now that Potter and Weasley have decided to act their age, I have a message for you all." She said, "You will all be heading to the Great Hall for an announcement. Go."

Discussion started in the corridors of what the announcement could be. When we arrived, the Great Hall was filled with fourth years and above. Professor McGonagall stood at the front with all the heads of houses, "The Yule Ball is approaching,' she began, "a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialise with our foreign guests."

"Well, I sort of guessed, given the fact we had to bring dress robes." I whispered to Hermione.

McGonagall kept talking despite the air of excitement amongst the majority of the girls and the dread amongst the boys, "Now the ball will only be open to fourth years and above – although you may invite a younger student if you wish."

Hermione leant in closer to me, "I have no problem with dancing, it's just finding something who will go with me."

"I'll go with you." I said happily.

McGonagall continued, "Dress robes will be worn, and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight, in the Great Hall. Now then –" she stopped and sighed.

"I think the aim is that us girls find male partners." She commented, "But thanks for the offer." The two of us giggled. "Besides, you'll have no bother finding someone to take you, you'll just have to choose who you can tolerate for the night."

I laughed, "I don't imagine anyone would want to go with me."

McGonagall persisted, "The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to – er – let our hair down," She said in a disapproving voice, "but that does not mean that we will be relaxing the standards of behaviour we expect from Hogwarts Students. I do not want you all behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons, do I make myself quite clear?"

"I bet you a massive bar of Honeydukes finest chocolate that you'll have an offer by this time tomorrow." Hermione stuck out her hand.

"Deal." I said, "I want the honeycomb one."

"I think you'll find that you'll be buying me a mint flavoured one." Hermione chuckled.

McGonagall called out once again, "On Saturday morning at 10am, dance lessons have been arranged, these are compulsory." Then after another sigh McGonagall yelled, "Potter, Diggory, a word, if you please." The bell rang, signalling the end of break and the start of classes for many of the students, or in my case, the beginning of my free period. I slipped off to the library to work on my charms homework alone.

After DADA Hermione and I went to the library to finish writing the notes we were doing in class before heading down for a late dinner. I had sausages and champ with some baked beans and polished it off quickly before tackling the marble staircase.

"Kathryn!" Ginny puffed, "I've been looking everywhere for you." I noticed she had my jacket in her hand and said, "George has got his hair cut! I actually can't believe it! He's looking for you, too, to show it off! I probably shouldn't have ruined the surprise, pretend to be surprised, won't you?"

"Why have you got my jacket?" I asked.

She laughed at herself, "Oh yeah, he said he'd wait outside the front for you." Ginny handed me my coat and started climbing back up the stairs again.

I called after her, "Why is he outside? Ginny?"

"I don't know he said something about a letter? He reckoned you'd understand?" she shrugged her shoulders.

I turned and galloped down the stairs, putting my jacket on I pushed open the front doors of the castle. I saw George sitting on one of the steps and he got up to his feet as soon as he saw me, "So Ginny found you then?"

"She did." I smiled, "Nice haircut, by the way, pretty sure the person who wrote the comment meant for it to be shorter, but at least now it looks managed." I laughed.

"Who wrote it?" he asked, directing me down the steps to walk down towards the Black Lake alongside the Forbidden Forest where Harry had cast his patronus last year to save our lives.

"Now that would be telling." I jested, poking him gently in the ribs, "Besides, you might be able to work it out."

"Alright, alright." He smiled, "Just like you won't confirm that it was Angelina who was behind the alarm clocks."

I snorted, "Do you really think it was her, though?"

"Will you tell me some day?"

"Aye." I winked mysteriously, "Where are we going, by the way?"

George smiled thoughtfully, "You'll just have to wait and see!"

"George," I said glimpsing him in the light of Hagrid's cabin after walking down the steep hill, "have you got aftershave on?" I got a whiff of it after a gentle breeze. It was divine.

He smirked, "There's nothing like making an effort."

"You are up to no good, George Weasley. I know it. Who's going to jump out at me? Am I going to turn into an animal of some sort? Are you going to test a new product out on me?" I rambled.

"I solemnly swear that I have managed my mischief for one day and you are in safe hands." His fingers laced mine gently, "Trust me."

"Okay." I nodded.

I heard George take a deep breath, he opened his mouth to speak a few times and no words came out. He was acting really strange. When I was about to ask him what was wrong he spoke, "You're beautiful, you know that?" He stood on the spot and I could see how he was feeling etched in his face. He was nervous and excited mixed with a look of pure wonder.

I was stunned, unable to reply.

"I haven't told you how I feel about you enough. How I feel when I look at you. You make me want to be a better person! I've been in the library every day this week, and it hasn't been to annoy Madam Pince! I haven't been in detention. I've apologised to countless people, Ginny and I are talking and I just feel this intense happiness again that I've been missing for months now. I'm not looking to steal your freedom and I don't want to make you love me, I just want to take some of your time, so that you might be able to feel the same way…" He took me by the hand again and grabbed his broom which was sitting in the shed, "Hop on!" he smiled.

Despite the fact that I was wearing a skirt, I climbed onto the back of the broom behind him and put my arms around his waist and held on tight. He took off into the air and I rested my chin on his shoulder, and listened intently as he pointed out the spectacular view of the castle after sunset and told me a story about a secret passageway in the castle and pointed to where it leads to.

"Oh my goodness!" I spoke softly as I saw a shooting star.

"Make a wish." George looked at me peacefully, "I've already made mine."

I blushed, not that he could tell in the moonlight, shaking my head, uncontrollably smiling. I thought back to what I saw in the Mirror of Erised back in first year. I wished for that.

"What are you thinking about?" George asked inquisitively.

"Never you mind." I chuckled, "You'll find out if it comes true."

"I'm glad I'm part of it. You're part of mine, too." He said proudly, "In fact, I was just wanting to ask you something?"

"Yeah?" I nodded.

George pointed his wand at the ground and a hundred or so little candles in jars lit up forming the words,

Katy, will you go to the ball with me?

I nearly fell of the broom.

George grabbed onto me and held me tight as he brought us back down to the ground. "I promise that I will complete everything on your letter before the ball. I'm taking us seriously this time. I know I'm just an ordinary guy with no special talent and you're gorgeous and smart and funny and I don't deserve you. But I will do anything for you, to see you smile, to be worthy of your presence, of your love…"

I opened my mouth to speak but George pressed his finger to my lips.

"I'm never going to let you go. You are the one, Kathryn. So what do you say, will you go to the ball with me?" he looked at me sincerely.

I nodded, "Okay."

"What?" George's chin dropped.

"Yes, I'll go to the ball with you." I cupped his face in my hand.

"I can't believe it!" George picked me up and spun me in the air, "You said yes! I will not let you down, I promise!"

"You may want to set me down before you get a back spasm, though." I joked.

George set me down, "You are very negative about yourself… You are perfect, just as you are."

I rolled my eyes, "You need to stop with all these compliments, I'm going to the ball with you, now you can stop."

"Never!" he beamed, "I can't wait to tell Fred you said yes! I mean, you actually said yes!"

My facial expressions dropped, "How many people know?"

George laughed, "Just Fred and then when I tried to bribe Ginny into finding you, I had to tell her, too, but I made them swear not to tell anyone. I know you like things to be private."

"Can we keep this private?" I said, thinking carefully about how to word it, "I am in no way ashamed of going to the ball with you, so please don't take it that way, but I know there are a number of my friends who mightn't take well to the idea of me and you…? Do you know what I mean? I think I'll tell Hermione and the two of us can tell Gin. I still want you to work on-"

"You're babbling." He put a finger to my lips again, "I totally understand. I haven't fully redeemed myself yet. I'll play this by your rules. If asked I'll say I've got a date, but I'll be all mysterious about it. I'll keep working in the meantime to keep myself out of detention and to win your affections, though I do reckon that shooting star really came in handy! I couldn't believe my luck!"

"It was pretty perfect!" I admitted, "Thanks."

George took my hand and we walked back towards the castle, realising just how cold it was, "It was my pleasure."

"And God help you, George." I giggled, "I can't dance to save my life."

"And you think I can?" he laughed.

"Oh crap." I stamped the ground.

George stopped abruptly, "What's wrong?"

"I owe Hermione a massive bar of Honeydukes finest mint chocolate."