Talk of the Yule Ball spread rapidly throughout Hogwarts. Everyone was buzzing with the news. Who was going to be taking whom, what that would mean for each individual. For days Lee Jordan complained to Fred and George about finding the perfect woman to go with. It seemed ages before he found the courage to ask Alicia.
Fred knew just who he wanted to ask: Hermione Granger. He wouldn't have to worry about her wondering if he liked her, they'd go as good friends, nothing more. Conversation was never amiss whenever Hermione was around, so there would be no awkward silences between them. Besides, Harry and Ron probably wouldn't think of her until the last moment. It was perfect. He would ask Hermione Granger.
But before Fred could find the time to ask Hermione, he had to deal with his brother. Why George was a Gryffindor, Fred wanted to know. His twin brother cowered in the face of Angelina. Fred knew George wanted to go with the woman, but just couldn't seem to form his words when he was around her. Of course, George hadn't said anything on the subject, but Fred knew better. He was pile of mud whenever Angelina was around, and Fred, as a good brother, knew that he would have to help him out.
One evening, Fred and George sat down next to Ron, Harry, and Hermione in the Gryffindor Common Room. "Ron, can we borrow Pigwidgeon?" Fred was tired of this. They needed to confront Bagman to his face. That was the only way they were ever going to get their money.
"No, he's off delivering a letter. Why?"
"Because George wants to invite him to the ball," Fred muttered sarcastically. Although, at this rate, George would have to take the bloody owl.
"Because we want to send a letter, you stupid great prat," George said. They were both in a terrible mood. This tension with Bagman seemed to have been slowly killing them.
"Who d'you two keep writing to?" Ron wanted to know.
"Nose out, Ron," Fred warned him. "So...you lot got dates for the ball yet?" He glanced over at Hermione for a moment.
"Nope," Ron said for them all.
"Well, you'd better hurry up, mate, or all the good ones will be gone."
"Who're you going with then?" said Ron. Fred hesitated for a moment. He could ask her right then. At that moment. He would take Hermione to the ball, they'd have a grand time, and a great memory they'd remember for years to come. But then he looked at George. The poor idiot was never going to ask Angelina himself. He needed help.
"Angelina," Fred stated without a hint of embarrassment. He could feel George staring at him in surprise.
"What?" Ron said, taken aback. "You've already asked her?"
"Good point," Fred murmured. He turned his head and called across the Common Room. "Oi! Angelina!"
Angelina, at the time, was conversing with Katie Bell near the fire. She glanced over at Fred, annoyance written across her face. She was not pleased with the interruption. "What?" she yelled back.
"Want to come to the ball with me?" Angelina looked at him in surprise.
"All right then," she returned. She was smiling when she turned back to her conversation.
"See, peice of cake," Fred told Harry and Ron. Fred stood up, yawning.
"We'd better use a school owl, then, George, come on..." As Fred and George walked out of the Gryffindor Common Room, Fred looked down at Hermione. She staring determinedly at the book in her lap. Just as well. If they had gone together, people might have suspected they were together or something. It was better this way.
George barely said a word to Fred as they walked to the Owlry. Even as they sent the letter, George was abnormally quiet and Fred knew why. "Will you just say it, George? You're not happy about me asking Angelina."
"I haven't anything to say about it. You can ask whoever you want to, really. I just didn't know you liked Angelina s'all."
"Come off it. You know I don't care for her like that, Georgie. Honestly, did you think I didn't know about you liking her?" George looked startled for a moment before anger crossed his face.
"You knew and you still-"
"Well, you wouldn't!" Fred interrupted loudly. George immediately told him to be quiet. It was nearing curfew as they walked back to Gryffindor Tower, they didn't need to be drawing too much attention to themselves.
"I was going to," George muttered stubbornly.
"No you weren't," Fred informed him. "You were going to wait until the last moment. In the meantime, another bloke might have snatched her up."
"That bloke was you," George said with venom.
"Ah, yes, but you see, dear brother, I have a plan," Fred told him. George couldn't find it in him to be angry at his brother upon looking at the mischievous look in his brother's eyes.
-----
On the day of the Yule Ball, Fred couldn't help but feel slightly anxious. He couldn't stop going over it in his mind. Ginny had said that Hermione was going with someone, but wouldn't say who. He knew it wasn't Harry and Ron, as they were going with the Patil sisters. (He honestly didn't know that Parvati had a sister. Hopefully, her nose wasn't crooked. Fred knew how much Ron would hate that.)
There was a lovely white blanket of snow on the ground and an idea formed in Fred's mind. It was Christmas Day, after all, and the whole point of the Triwizard Tournament was to bring unity among wizarding peoples. Smirking, Fred bent down and formed a small snowball in his hands, which he proceeded to throw at Michael Corner, the Ravenclaw.
Thus began the snow ball fight. Eventually, when the Durmstrangs and the Beauxbatons joined, it began Hogwarts against the other schools. It was a long fight, most of the students came out to watch or joined. Fred noticed when Harry, Ron, and Hermione came to help them pelt snow at the opposing schools.
He also, absentmindedly, noticed when Hermione left early to get ready for the Yule Ball.
-----
The Great Hall was completely transformed for the event. With Angelina at his arm, Fred strode into the Great Hall with confidence. He had a plan and it was a great one at that. "You really look great, Angelina," he told her. She blushed at his words, even though he'd said it when he'd first seen her, she still blushed at his words.
George followed him in, Katie Bell clinging to his arm. She looked beautiful as well in her vibrant blue dress. She smiled excitedly as she looked around.
The crowd of students formed in the Great Hall. Fred kept glancing around, subconsciously looking for his bushy haired friend. Where was she? He had spotted Harry and Ron easily when he, George, Katie, and Angelina had entered. So where was the better third of their trio?
Finally, the doors to the Great Hall opened. and the champions entered with their chosen partners. Fred's eyes skirted over Fleur and Davies, past Cho and Cedric, glancing at Harry and Parvati before his eyes fell on Hermione Granger, who was clutching Viktor Krum's arm.
She didn't look like the Granger he knew at all. Her bushy hair had all but vanished and was replaced with sleek and shiny brown locks twisted into an elegant knot at the back of her head. Her dress was a periwinkle-blue, a color Fred was certain he had never seen her wear before. And she was standing differently, holding herself differently. Maybe that's what her books did to her. Without her twenty or so books slung over her back, she was able to stand tall. She was smiling broadly at everyone.
Fred wasn't sure she was beautiful. No, that was the word he had reserved for Angelina and Katie. They looked beautiful. No, Hermione was completely iridescent. There was no one in the room that could compare to Granger that night, not even Fleur in her elegant silver and green. Hermione Granger was a goddess in the room, standing above all the others.
"Wow, Granger looks great," George murmured in his ear. Fred fell back to earth with those words. All he could do was nod in response.
When his blue eyes fell on Viktor Krum, anger surged through him. Hermione, with her periwinkle dress and her shiny brown hair, should have been clinging to his arm that evening, not Krum. She was with Krum. She had been complaining just the other day about how little studying she could do whenever Krum was in the library. How could she go with him?
Then his anger turned on himself. Why did he have to ask Angelina? He was going to ask Hermione. He was so ready. But he decided to help his brother instead. Stupid George. Stupid Yule Ball. Stupid Krum. Stupid Granger for looking so fantastic.
Fred took several deep breaths, trying to control the anger that was passing through him. Why was he acting like this? Granger was nothing but a friend to him. He should be glad that she was having a great time, that this was going to be a great night for her. Sighing inwardly, he looked down at Angelina. "Shall we find somewhere to sit?"
When the food appeared later that evening, Fred couldn't help but glance at Hermione. Certainly, she would have something to say about the way the food was suddenly appearing. All they had to do was stare at the plate state what they wanted. This must have been hard for the house-elves. She must have something to say about it.
But Hermione was in a deep conversation with Viktor Krum, barely noticing the strange arrival of the food. Frustrated, Fred returned to his own food and the lighthearted conversation he was having with Angelina.
When the food was gone, Dumbledore waved his hand and all the tables zoomed back along the walls, leaving the floor clear. He conjured a raised platform along the right wall, setting a set of drums, guitars, a lute, a cello, and some bagpipes were laid upon it.
The champions stood up and walked to the center of the room as the Weird Sisters began to play a slow, mournful tune. Fred kept his eyes off of Hermione and Viktor throughout the dance, choosing instead to laugh with George over how idiotic Harry looked when he tried to dance. The boy could fight a dark lord, but when it came to girls, he knew nothing.
Finally, Fred turned to his date for the evening and asked her to join him in a dance. Angelina was good dancer, he found. He had known for a quite a long time, but he knew she would never be able to tell the difference between himself and George, especially in this light. Fred twirled her in his arms, stepping away at just the right time for George to suddenly appear in his place. With this done, he took George's place, dancing with Katie.
"They are sweet," Katie told him. "How long do you think it'll take her before she notices?"
"A half hour at most," Fred replied confidently.
-----
Hermione Granger was having the time of her life. Never before had she felt so beautiful. More than once, she had been complimented on her appearance throughout the evening. And Viktor was quite charming. Sure, he kept saying her name incorrectly, but it could be worse. He was very wise, and nicer than she had anticipated. And he seemed to be the only one who was genuinely interested in S.P.E.W.
She found Harry and Ron sitting down in the corner. Of course, they were acting like prats and ignoring their dates. Parvati and Padma seemed to have run away from them. Smiling, Hermione headed over to them.
"It's hot, isn't it?" Hermione said, fanning herself. She had been dancing for nearly an hour at this point and was exhausted beyond belief. "Viktor's just gone to get some drinks."
"Viktor?" Ron said, giving Hermione a withering look. "Hasn't he asked you to call him Vicky yet?"
"What's up with you?" she said, looking at Ron in surprise.
"If you don't know," said Ron scathingly, "I'm not going to tell you."
Hermione stared at him, then at Harry, who shrugged. Harry seemed to be oblivious of everything.
"Ron, what-?"
"He's from Durmstrang!" spat Ron. "He's competing against Harry! Against Hogwarts! You-you're-" Ron was at a loss for words. "Fraternizing with the enemy, that's what you're doing!"
Hermione's mouth fell open in surprise. She would have thought that of everyone, Ron would have congratulated her the most. He adored Krum. Why was he being so rude?
"Don't be so stupid!" she said after a moment. "The enemy! Honestly! Who was the one who was all excited when they saw him arrive? Who was the one who wanted his autograph? Who's got a model of him in their dormitory?"
Ron ignored this. "I s'pose he asked you to come with him when you were both in the library?" Hermione blushed a little.
"Yes, he did. So what?"
"What happened-trying to get him to join spew, were you?" Anger surged through Hermione suddenly. Why did Ron have to ruin this perfect night for her? Why couldn't he just let it be? She glanced at Harry. Why wasn't he doing anything to stop this?
"No, I wasn't! If you really want to know, he said he'd been coming up to the library everyday to try and talk to me, but he hadn't been able to pluck up the courage!" Hermione blushed deeply at her own words. She hadn't believed him when he'd said it at first. But he'd been a perfect gentleman and it felt nice to be wanted for once.
"Yeah, well-that's his story," Ron murmured.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"He's Karkaroff's student, isn't he? He's just trying to get closer to Harry- get information on him- or get beat enough to jinx him-" Is this what Ron thought of her? That no one would want her unless they were trying to get closer to Harry?
"For your information, he hasn't asked me a single thing about Harry, not one-!"
"Then he's hoping you'll help him find out what his egg means! I suppose you have been putting your heads together during those cozy little library sessions-"
"I'd never help him work out that egg! Never! How could you say something like that- I want Harry to win, you know that don't you, Harry?"
Harry said nothing. "You've got a funny way of showing it," sneered Ron.
"This whole tournament's supposed to be about getting to know foreign wizards and making friends with them!" Hermione shouted angrily.
"No it isn't! It's about winning." People were staring at them now.
"Ron," Harry finally intercepted, "I haven't got a problem with Hermione coming with Krum-"
"Why don't you go and find Vicky, he'll be wondering where you are," Ron stated.
"Don't call him that!" Anger pulsing through her, Hermione jumped up and stormed off across the dance floor, disappearing into the crowd.
-----
Fred was having a terrible evening. After dancing nearly half the night with Katie Bell, him and George tried to confront Ludo Bagman. That went horribly. They had barely gotten a few words in with that crook before Percy accosted them for speaking with such a high Ministry worker. Percy was such a prat sometimes.
He dragged his feet up the stairs to the Gryffindor Tower. It was late. At this point, everyone had gone off to bed. George had disappeared later that evening with Angelina. Katie had left him later to spend some time with Alicia. Fred danced a little more with some of the girls in his year, but eventually started walking through the dark halls of Hogwarts.
The Fat Lady was asleep when he arrived before the portrait, and wasn't too fond of him waking her up. He had assumed everyone had gone off to bed and was surprised to hear the melancholy sound of a girl crying. He could see her sitting on the sofa before the fire, still in her periwinkle dress.
"Granger?" Fred said, taking the seat beside her. "What's wrong?" He put an arm around her and pulled her close to him. Her tears began to stain his shirt, but he didn't care.
It took him a while to piece it altogether. Ron had been an idiot. Again. Why couldn't he have just let Hermione have this one evening? This one night of blessed joy? Didn't he see how amazing Hermione had looked?
Carefully, he brushed the tears away from her face. "Don't listen to him," he told her. "Anyone would have been lucky to have gone with you." I wanted to, he thought to himself. "You looked really great tonight, Granger."
She blushed a little. "Thanks," she murmured. She sniffed and looked up at Fred. "You don't think Viktor was really just trying to use me to get to Harry, do you?"
"Of course not," Fred answered. "If he was going to do that, he could have just signed anything of Ron's. The git would have told him everything." Hermione laughed a little.
"Well, perhaps next time he won't ask me as a last resort. He didn't even realize I'm a girl."
"Well, I think it's safe to say he won't be making that mistake again." Fred certainly wouldn't be.