Seeing as I had stomped away from kissing my best friend in the snow I decided to skip out on the Christmas Eve feast. I wasn't about to come face to face with him for a while, and sitting at my usual place between him and George would be too much to handle.

Luckily I had made it up to my dorm I shared with Angelina and Alicia without spotting anybody from my group of friends. I stripped away my soaking wet clothes and dried them quickly, tossing them into my trunk without bothering to fold them. I threw on some pajamas and grabbed a sweatshirt without thinking, but threw it onto the ground when I realized that it was Fred's. Proceeding to rummage through my trunk to find a sweater that didn't come from one of the Weasleys, I finally pulled out an old Appleby Arrows sweater, tugged it on, and hopped into bed for the night.

…...Christmas...

It was childish, but I didn't even go down to breakfast that morning. I was still too afraid to confront Fred and the rest of my friends, so sure that he had blabbed to all of them that we had kissed me and I run off. I would be the laughing stock of our group for the remainder of the year, and probably have to listen to George and Angelina berate me for the stupid plan I had come up with to get them together at the ball. Surely he had told everyone everything about the events of the past week or so.

So instead I threw my hair up into a sloppy bun atop my head, slipped a pair of old slippers on and slipped out the doors while I knew everyone was down eating breakfast. By some stroke of luck I had slipped by in the castle without running anyone yet again down to the kitchens.

Tickling the pear, I let myself in. A familiar house elf grabbed my hand and led me to an empty seat, handing we a warm glass of cider with a hot piece of jam covered toast. I thanked the sweet elf profusely and patted them on the head, turning to eat my toast in peace while the elf thanked me profusely, muttering about what a nice witch I was.

I took my time down in the kitchens, eating slowly and trying to find something to do down there to pass the time. I knew that everyone would be up in their common rooms by now, so with a heavy heart, I trudged up to Gryffindor Tower.

As the portrait hole swung open and I stepped in, I was met with three pairs of eyes. Lee didn't look like he knew what to say, and Angelina and Alicia exchanged nervous glances before turning back to me.

"Um, happy Christmas everyone." I was timid—something I never was—and took a few steps further into the cozy room. Sitting down on the floor, my back to the crackling fire, I gave a smile to my friends. Angelina looked skeptical of me, and Alicia turned to Lee for help. He shrugged, and went back to reading a book about Quidditch. Alicia sighed heavily and turned to face me, clearly frustrated with the lack of help she was receiving from Lee.

"We missed you yesterday, Kat." Angelina was the one to speak, still eyeing me skeptically. I quickly became self conscious about how I looked, seeing as my hair was a wreck and I was still in my pajamas.

"Yeah, you totally ditched us and skipped on dinner and breakfast." Alicia pouted, tossing a pillow at me. "What gives?"

I shrugged, but was pleased that Fred had appeared to have kept our kiss a secret and not blab it to our friends.

"Dunno, I guess I just wasn't feeling too great."

Alicia seemed to be okay with this answer, but Angelina was still eyeing me up and down, unsure of my answer. She was waiting for me to crack, and I was very close to spilling the beans. How long could I manage without telling my two best girlfriends everything that had happened within these past few days?

"Right. Well 'Lic and I are gonna be heading upstairs soon to get ready for the ball, and we need you." Right. So that meant girl talk.

I nodded, but decided to annoy her a bit. "But it's still hours until the ball tonight! It's not even noon!"

Angelina glared daggers at me and I gulped.

"Well our hair is going to take a while, and we'll be needing to do each others make up, too."

I groaned. "Ange, c'mon, can't this wait until later?"

"No, it can't. Don't make me drag you up there, Bell."

I laughed, rolling my eyes. "Fine, Ange, you win. I'll meet you two up there in five."

It was Alicia who piped in next. "No chances, Katie. Last time we left you alone we didn't see you for nearly a day." Damn it. I was stuck having a whole day of girl talk and having the two of them play Barbie on me for seven hours.

"I'll make sure she doesn't run off, 'Lic." Lee set down his book and saluted the girl. "'Sides, I've got nothing better to do."

The girls exchanged looks, but nodded and thanked Lee, heading up to our dorm. I sighed exasperatedly and plopped down next to Lee on the sofa.

"Thanks, Lee, I owe ya one."

He shrugged, and turned back to his book. "It's no problem-o, Katie-o."

I rolled my eyes. "You're a comedic genius, Lee. A real stand up kinda guy."

"Whatever. Now why did you run off, anyway?"

I averted my eyes and fiddled with a hole in my pants. "I told you, I wasn't feeling too great."

"Cut the crap and tell me the real reason."

I scrunched my face up and poked him hard. "Ya know, I think you've been hanging out with Fred and George too much. They always know when I'm lying."

Lee let out a loud laugh and swung an arm lazily across the back of the sofa, turning to face me. "C'mon, Kates. After you left Fred's been up in our room and the only one he'll let in is George. Did you two get in a fight?"

Biting my lip, I resisted the urge to tell Lee what had happened between Fred and I last night. I felt horrible that he seemed to only be speaking to his brother, but I decided to keep my mouth shut. If Fred and George hadn't told Lee, their best friend, I wouldn't be the one to.

"Something along those lines, I guess."

Frustrated, Lee looked up to the stairs and back at me. "Stop beating around the bush, Kat. The two of them won't let me know what's up and now you won't either."

"I'm really sorry, Lee, but I just can't." I turned my head to the stairs, hearing a pair of feet clunking down. "Anyway, I've gotta go help the girls get ready. I'll see ya later!"

And before Lee could retaliate I had hopped off the couch and bounded up the stairs towards the dorm room I shared with Alicia and Angelina.

"There you are!" Angelina exclaimed, grabbing my arm roughly and practically throwing me onto the bed. "We were just about to come down and jinx you up here." She turned to the door and locked it swiftly. "Now, tell us everything."

I gulped, and sat on my bed as Alicia began brushing my hair. "Well, I think I might fancy Fred." My voice was so low by the time I had finished I could barely hear myself speak.

"Sorry, dear, what was that? I couldn't quite hear you." I could practically hear the smirk in Alicia's tone as she continued to run the brush through my chocolate brown locks.

"I fancy Fred." I muttered, just loud enough for them to hear. Alicia's hands and brush fell from my hair in an instant, and her and Angelina were squealing and jumping up and down excitedly like two pre-pubescent girls at a Justin Beiber concert.

"I knew it!" Angelina plopped down onto the bed excitedly and began helping Alicia with my hair. "Didn't I tell you, 'Lic?"

Alicia let out a squeal and tugged on my hair a little too roughly. "You were right, Ange! I didn't wanna believe it, but thank Merlin you were right! Oh, this changes everything!"

"No, it doesn't!" I whined, burying my face in my hands. "I'm going to the ball with George, he's taking you, Ange, and I shouldn't have let him kiss me last night! Now everything—"

"Wait, you what!" The two of them pulled me around to face them excitedly as they spoke. Their eyes were wide and large grins were on their faces now.

Crap. "Nothing! I—"

"Katie Bell, you kissed him? Details!" Alicia spun me around again and went back to styling my hair, chattering excitedly to Angelina.

"Well we were in the snow, trying to fight each other. George had run off, and he ended up pinning me down—"

I was interrupted by fits of laughter and dirty insinuations. I waved them off and continued telling the story. They were busy breaking down every little detail, and made me tell them the events of the week that had taken place. By the time I had finished I was both relieved to have the situation off of my chest and frustrated at myself for letting it slip at the same time.

Angelina and Alicia were too busy trying to come up with a master plan to get us together tonight at the ball, picking out the color scheme of our wedding, and the names of our future children to notice the dilemma I was in. By the time my hair was done I had turned around to face the two of them and tell them off right then and there.

"You two dimwits do realize that nothing is going to happen between the two of us, right?" This seemed to catch their attention, and they both turned on me like hawks simultaneously. The looks on their faces and the glean in their eyes told me to be very afraid.

I gulped, but stood my ground.

"Katie, darling," Alicia began, her voice dripping with venom.

"You do realize that he kissed you." Angelina cut in for Alicia, her gaze never leaving mine.

Being the stubborn girl I was, I decided not to give in. "That doesn't mean anything. 'Sides, I don't even know if I like him like that."

"But you just told us that you fancy Fred!" My eyes widened and I flung a pillow at Alicia's head to shut her up.

"Mind being a bit louder next time, 'Lic? I don't think everyone in the tower heard you!" Frustrated, I laid back down on the bed, covering my face with my hands. Almost instantly I was snatched back up by Angelina, her fussing over my now curled hair.

A collective sigh was heard from my two friends, causing me to roll my eyes. Leave it to them to make something into much bigger of a deal than it really is. Fred kissed me. I fancied Fred. Fred and I are not attending the ball together tonight. It's as simple as that. Nothing would happen, and we'd forget all about it by the morning.

So to busy myself I began twisting Alicia's hair into an elegant updo. Angelina was busying herself with her hair, braiding it all over the place. The room was silent for a long while before anyone dared speak.

"Kates, I think Fred really does like you. Heck, I think he might even fancy you."

I glanced at Angelina for a brief moment, but quickly returned my attention back to Alicia's hair. "Don't be silly, Ange." My voice was quieter now, almost defeated sounding. "We're just friends. Nothing more." It hurt to say, but it was true. Neither Fred nor George had ever been interested in serious relationships before, and never went about to fancying someone for extended periods of time. What had happened earlier today was a small mishap, but I'll be damned if I let it ruin the friendship Fred and I shared.

And before either of them could open their mouths to voice their opinions to make me think otherwise, I shut them up. "Can we just drop it? Please?" And for once, the two of them had listened to me. Maybe it was something in the sound of my voice, or perhaps it was the way that I wasn't sitting as straight as I normally did, but they had listened and thankfully shut up.

…...Hours later...

The rest of our time upstairs had flown by with talk of the tournament and professional Quidditch teams. Alicia and Angelina were arguing the pros and cons of working at the Ministry after Hogwarts, and I had discreetly put in that I'd like to become an auror when school is all said and done with. Naturally they had told me that I was being stupid, and that being an auror was much too dangerous.

They even had the nerve to tell me that I'd be better suited working at Flourish and Botts rather than hunt down dark wizards. Said I had too much of a temper on my hands, and I didn't think enough before making decisions.

Well, we all know who will be getting some puking pastilles in their breakfast tomorrow.

When all was said and done, Angelina, Alicia, and I had decided to make our way down to the common room to meet up with the boys there. Lee was already waiting for Alicia with a yellow rose in hand for her. She accepted it graciously, and even rewarded him with a peck on the cheek as a thanks. I swear I had never seen either of them so red in the face before in my life.

Angelina and I were busy poking fun at them as they exited through the portrait hole when Lee yelled a weak insult back at us, which just resulted in more laughter. Nearly twenty minutes had passed while Angelina and I were waiting upstairs before we brought up the subject of Fred and George.

"I swear, those two are the biggest dunderheads I've ever met. Hadn't we all agreed to meet up here before the ball?" Angelina got up off the couch and began walking over to the portrait hole. "I'm going to head down and find them, you coming?"

I bit my lip in contemplation before shaking my head. "Nah, I'll wait up here a bit longer for them. Who knows, maybe they're still up in their rooms doing Godric knows what."

Angelina threw me a disbelieving look. She was wondering if I was going to ditch them again.

Waving her off indifferently, I plastered a smile on my face just to re-insure her that I wouldn't pull another Houdini. "I'll catch up with you in a bit, Ange. I promise."

So with a nod she was off, and I was finally alone. Sinking to the floor, I pulled my knees up to my chest, and stared into the fire. What would I do when I got downstairs? Surely I couldn't avoid any of them much longer. I wonder if George knew about Fred and I's kiss? If he did, what would he think? Would he be upset with us? More importantly, what did Fred think of all of this?

Katie Bell, stop being a coward and get your ass down there. You aren't a Gryffindor for nothing.

That thought brought a smile to my face, and I hoisted myself off and brushed the long dress off for good measure. I would go downstairs, dance with my friends, and have fun. My mind was set, and I was done hiding. I could do this.

…...In the Great Hall...

Sulking more than I thought possible, I crossed my arms angrily over my chest, glaring at the students and their dates.

Couples really made me sick sometimes. I watched enviously from my chair next to Harry Potter and Ron Weasley the happy, smiling faces of the people twirling around. One pair caught me eye in particular.

Across the sparkling Great Hall was Angelina and a certain red head spinning crazily to and fro all over the place. The pair of them were dancing so wildly that people had begun to back away from them, and even a few had stopped dancing to watch them.

Next to me, I heard Ron speak. "A bit jealous there, Katie?" I didn't take my eyes off of the pair, but shrugged my shoulders to Ron in a means of acknowledgment.

"I don't know what you mean, Ron." I spat.

Ron barked a laugh and nudged my shoulder with his. "C'mon now, I know you better than that. You fancy him, don't you?"

I could feel my face heat up, and I sat there spluttering for a few solid moments before I finally began to form words. "I—you—could—it's nothing—I mean—"

Harry finally joined in, trying not to laugh. "Katie, it is a bit obvious, don't ya think?"

I rounded on Harry, ready to chew him out. What did he know anyway? "Well what about you?" I pointed icily at Hermione Granger and the famous Quidditch player Victor Krum dancing together. "Everyone knows that you're sitting over here not dancing because you fancy Hermione Granger. Isn't that right, Ron?" I smiled sweetly, but the icy look on my face hadn't left. It was Ron's turn to sit there spluttering, and Harry gulped nervously, still trying not to laugh. "Why didn't you ask her anyway, Ron? Are all of you Weasleys that daft?" And with that I angrily shot up from my seat and left the two Fourth years without a goodbye. I stomped away from them and leaned against a pillar, folding my arms angrily over my chest.

My scowl found it's way back onto my face as I watched Angelina and Fred twirl around crazily on the dance floor. People were cheering for them which only made me more upset about my situation. Sure, I knew that Angelina didn't fancy Fred, but she didn't have to look so bloody happy while being with him.

I sighed angrily, knowing how over dramatic I was being. It was my own fault that I wasn't his date anyway. It was also my fault that I had ran off after we had kissed yesterday like a sodding coward.

"Ah, Kates, just the person I've been looking for." My scowl deepened. I knew that voice.

"Sod off, Weasley."

His laugh sounded behind me, and I jumped a little at his proximity. Before I knew it, his head was next to mine, and he pointed to the pair dancing crazily across the hall. "What's the sour look for, Bell? You're not... jealous, are you?"

It took all of my will power to not round on him and give him a black eye. Instead I found myself avoiding his gaze, my eyes still following Angelina and her dance partner. "You know I am. Stop asking stupid questions."

Another laugh was heard from him. Why couldn't he just bugger off already?

"Well then, why don't we give them a run for their money? Care to dance?"

I turned to face him, and he stood there with a grin on his face and a hand extended towards me. I raised an eyebrow at him, but his grin only grew larger.

"Well?" There was something in the tone of his voice—something was off. "Shall we?"

Shock and recognition flooded over me like a large wave had hit. Before I knew it, a grin of my own was on my face to match his. I took his hand and followed him further into the Great Hall.

Another song had started up, and he pulled me close to him and we flitted across the dance floor swiftly. Midway through the song I saw him shoot a wink to his brother across the hall from us with Angelina.

I smiled up at him. "You're a very good dancer, Fred."

Immediately his wide eyes flew down to meet mine in shock. "How did you know?"

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, but I didn't look away. "It's not too hard for me to tell you and your brother apart, you know. Although I'm not going to lie, you had me fooled for a while."

If possible, his grin spread even larger than before. "So you're not mad? You're not going to run off on me again?"

As soon as he had finished speaking, I got up on my tiptoes and pressed my lips against his. This kiss was different than yesterday's. It was short, yes, but the words that both of us had been too afraid to speak for who knows how long had seemed to pass between us in that kiss. Almost as quickly as the kiss had started, I had pulled away. "Does that answer your question?"