CHAPTER 5: what a night!

FRED'S POV

George stared at me while i decided to let myself fall on my bed

"so how did-"

"she was already asked by someone else" i murmured as i sat and looked at george

"and bad news, katie spread the news that i asked her! ugh that woman will be the death of me!" 

george patted my shoulder. "then ask someone else. shove it in her face that you never asked her in the first place. " he grinned as i think of who else to ask

"i already asked angelina out. so no she's not available" george said with a stern look

i rolled my eyes and laughed "don't worry i wasn't going to ask her. how about a friend?" 

george tapped his chin with his finger pretending to think "who then?" he saw a little black box at the top of my desk.

"did you give it?" i nodded absentmindedly 

"i also left too so that she won't return it to me. it fits perfectly. " i sighed

"i'm gonna take a shower. you should go to bed" i grabbed my towel, when george slips his jacket on and left the common room "or not." 

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The great hall

george and i agreed to meet at the hall to look for my new and real date. i ignored katie as she called my name out. i sat next to ron and harry because they look more problematic than ever. 

"what's wrong boys?" 

"ron hasn't ask anyone out yet" harry grumbled as he continues to do his homework

"and that snape made us do our homework until noon" ron said

"well shame. by the way where's-"

"hermione?  at the library and tonight's the ball! she never gives time for herself" ginny said 

"hello siblings. harry. where's dear granger?" george asked he and angelina sat beside me.

"library" we all said at the same time

"so fred asked anyone in particular yet?" ginny asked

"already asked by someone else" she frowned "i'm sorry brother.  but you were too slow" 

"yeah don't remind me about it" i grumbled. 

"we're here to look for someone to ask to the ball" george said

"well... better act quick or all the good ones will be takeeeeen" ginny teased

 i look around to look for familiar faces when someone sat beside harry 

"hello everyone" katherine smiled

"hey kate, we haven't seen you around" she rolled her eyes 

"i've been a bit busy. i forgot to congratulate harry for his success at the first task" harry smiled and thanked her. 

"so how are you guys?" she asked as she opened the newspaper.

george and i looked at each other and smiled

"kate has anyone asked you to the ball yet" george asked

"yes. but i turned them all down. why?" she asked curiously

"fred" i smiled and looked at her

"wanna got o the ball with me as friends?" she looked at me confusedly

"i thought you already asked that bell. i've been hearing he brag about it and it's annoying" 

"that's not true. i was supposed to ask hermione-"

"but?"

"he was too slow" everyone said and laughed including katherine

"hey! don't tease my brother unless you're me" ginny said and we laughed harder

"well..." she said as she thought of the situation

"sure why not" she said and smiled. she looked at her watch and bid goodbye 

"so, what's your next move?" george asked.  i grinned

"to get ready brother" i winked and left.

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Hermione's POV

after a little research at the library i went back to the common room to get ready for the ball. i saw ginny looking at the mirror whether to let her hair down or to put it up. i smiled and dropped my bag on my trunk.

"hey gin"

"hey mione. where have you been?"

"the usual, at the library" i said as i summoned my make up and bathrobe

"fred told me that someone already asked you to the ball. who is it?" she turned to face me smiling

i rolled my eyes  and looked at the mirror "you'll see him later ginny" and went inside the bathroom for a shower

ginny and i were almost done when i heard a knock on our door. ginny opened the door as i continue to fix my hair. 

"harry!" she squealed and gave him a hug. he smiled and kissed her hand. harry was staring at me while i tame my hair. 

"Woah...  hermione? you look... beautiful" i blushed at his compliment

"thank you. you look very handsome in your dress robes. how's ronald with his?" he stifled a laugh

"well, you'll see it later. he's waiting for me and ginny. how about you? who's your date?" 

"you'll see later. " 

"you won't join us?' harry asked

"i'll catch up. " i smiled and continue to stare at myself. i breathed in and out. i looked at the ring fred gave me. should i wear it or not? i don't want to lose it in a big crowd. i sighed and grabbed my wand and closed the door. i can do this.

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Fred's POV

i was at the entrance as i wait for Katherine. George was fixing his bow as angelina walked towards us gracefully.

"pretty in silver" george chuckled and bowed to angelina. she laughed and went together inside the hall

"hey stranger" i turned around and saw kate in a long dark green gown with sleeves up until her elbows. her hair in curly waves. i smiled and bowed jokingly.

"hello milady. shall we enter?" 

"we shall" she said and smiled. we were about to go in when katherine pulled me back and motioned her to look at the stairs. i turned and there she was. Hermione Granger in a pink gown, her hair tied up and she was gorgeous. but what shock me was viktor krum at the end of the stairs and went inside the hall together smiling. 

"she wasn't even wearing my ring" i mumbled. i looked at katherine and she gave me a small smile

"then it means it's too valuable. we're partying are we? she might lose it. and she doesn't want that. come on. the champions are going to enter in 5 minutes" i nodded and went inside. i saw how hermione smiles as she and krum were dancing. after that we all joined and danced. 

a famous band was playing and viktor and hermione were having a great time. ron was on his seat drinking. harry and ginny were also dancing in the crowd. katherine was with her friends. i sighed and decided to leave when someone pulled my arm

"how could you do this to me?!" katie said, her make up is a bit messed up because she looked as if she's been crying all night.

"what?" i said glumly

"why are you with that slytherin girl?! you're suppose to take me!"

"i don't even want to see you katie! i told you i love hermione" good thing we were far from the crowd. i was about to leave when she pulled me back and was about to say something else when a hand slipped on top of my shoulder. 

"Katherine" i said in monotone

"Fred. my dear do you have a problem with my date?" she said calmly but started glaring at her. 

"you are! i want fred all to myself! and now you're in my way!" she said as she clawed herself to katherine. 

"let her go and sit down Fred. i can handle this" she smiled. i had second thoughts but i can't contain katie's tantrums so i let her go. she ran towards katherine but she moved to the side and tripped katie. i laughed so loud and continue to watch. even the others were starting to watch the scene

"stay away from my fred!" she screamed. Katherine crossed her arms and smirked

"delusional bitch. Fred is not an object. and he doesn't love you. he's madly in love with hermione. now either you top this madness or you're going to humiliate yourself" she said

"no! fred is mine! he's not dating anyone else" she said and grabbed her wand. oh this won't end well. Katherine winked and walked out of the hall and into the snow. katie followed her as other people followed including me. hermione was with viktor and i know she'll be safe. 

when i got there, katherine pinned katie into the ground. her wand on her right hand. and knocked her out. i can see her lifeless eyes and exhaled. she shivered and stood. "take miss bell to her common room" and obeyed. i took my coat off and draped it on her shoulders. 

"she'll be fine. and you shouldn't have to do this. go get hermione. i'm sure she would love to dance with you. " she kissed my cheek

"thank you for today kate. i owe you one"

"you owe me a butterbeer" i chuckled and nodded "noted. bye kate"

i ran back inside and saw hermione sitting beside viktor. they were having a great time and decided to leave. only a few were still dancing. i ran to the common room instead and wait for her there.

as i changed into my normal clothes and sat on the couch, i heard the portrait open and saw hermione smiling to herself. i stared as she continue to walk and suddenly saw me. i gave her a small smile.

"hey fred. how was your night?" she said as she sat beside me and kicked her shoes off. 

"well... it was quite alright" i said making a face. she giggled. "how about you?"

"it was an amazing night. viktor introduced me to his friends. then we just talked... it's nice to make new friends" 

"just... uh. a friend? viktor?" she looked at me and nodded. 

"you don't like him more than that?" her eyes stared at the fireplace as she answered

"no. i like- no. i love someone else. " she said as she rested her head on my shoulder. 

"you really look beautiful tonight.  but you always look beautiful to me everyday" i said as i stroked her hair. 

"hermione?"

"yes?" 

"i'm glad you had a great night" she stayed closer to me. next thing i knew she was snoring. i chuckled and carried her to her room. i lay her down and covered her with a blanket. i saw the ring on her jewelry box and stared at it. i took the ring and slipped it on her finger. it fits perfectly. i kissed her hand, then her forehead. 

"i love you so much mia" i whispered.

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Hermione's POV

i felt myself floating until i felt something soft.  then i felt something on my finger. i'm sure it's the ring. i was drifting to sleep but when i felt his lips on my hand, i stiffened. then on my forehead. 

"i love you so much mia" he whispered. what?! merlin! how am i gonna react if he knows i'm already asleep? when i heard the door closed,  i immediately sat up and looked at my ring. my heart is unable to calm down. 

"i love you too" i whispered. 

Morning came and everyone continue to talk about the ball last night. Everyone was looking at me because i was the lucky girl who went to the ball with Viktor Krum. lovely. i internally groaned.

Ginny sat next to me asking how viktor asked me to the ball. i told her the story and she giggled like a fangirl

"what is ginny giggling about?" harry teased as he sat next to ginny. 

"just asked hermione here how she was asked by viktor"

"so how was it like to be asked by a famous seeker?" harry teased. i rolled my eyes

"well i never thought of viktor as a famous seeker when he asked me. i saw him as a student of durmstrang and i really have no interest. i was just flattered." 

"hermione is hermione. she was never attracted to guys like krum" harry said as he grabbed bread and stuffed it in his mouth.

"but still! he's Viktor Krum! he's very famous in the quidditch world" Ginny said in a dreamy way. harry coughed annoyingly. 

"but Darling, you're still the best for me" ginny leaned and kissed him on the cheek. i smiled and minded my own business. 

"did viktor gave that to you?" ron suddenly sat next to harry and grabbed what he can and started to eat. asking me about the ring i forgot to take off. Ginny and i looked at each other.

"uhm... no. i uh...-"

"We bought it before we went back to school ron" ginny said in a cool way. 

"well it looks pretty on you. by the way mate, have you figure out about that egg?" ron diverted his attention to harry so i can calm down now. 

"yeah harry. the 2nd task is what a week or two away. " i gave him my worried look.

"i know. i'll figure it out soon. VERY soon" he said as i was going to ask again. we sighed and minded our business. 

the day was tiring so i was on my way back to the dormitory when i suddenly bumped into someone. 

"you know 'mione, we should stop bumping into each other like this" he smiled as he grabbed a few of my things before they fall. i smiled.

"i need a new bag though, thank you fred. where are you off to?" i asked as i stuffed everything back to my bag. we were both walking back to the dormitory.

"i was about to get some fresh air when i saw a lovely Hermione Granger struggling with her things, so i decided to bump into her" i laughed as we went inside. i dropped my bag on the table and let myself drown in the warm couch in front of the fireplace. 

"hermione" fred whispered. i smiled. i looked up and saw fred's serious face.

"is there something wrong?" i whispered back

"can we go somewhere? i wanted to talk.... to you." he said. i can see the sadness in his eyes. 

"sure. i'll change into something warm. i'll borrow harry's cloack. wait for me here?" he nodded and left. since harry was around i ask to borrow the cloack and went to the girl's dormitory to change.

i have a bad feeling about this. 

i grabbed my wand and the cloack and hurried down stairs. Fred was sitting on the couch silently. i sat beside him and saw that he was deep in his thoughts. i wanted to hold his hand but i was nervous.

"whatever you're thinking right now, just do it" he said with a disappointed tone. i sighed and tried  not to make a big deal out of it and slowly grabbed his hand. i intertwined our fingers and stared at him.

"let's go?" 

he stared at our hands for a while and i felt his grip tightened like he doesn't wanna let go.

we went to the astronomy tower and stared at the night sky. 

we were sitting next to each other, holding hands. i can feel something's bothering him but i was just here waiting for him to say something

"mia." he said

"yes?"

"what would you do if.... a close friend... suddenly admits that he fancies you for a really long time?" he said and exhaled. 

"well... i'll be flattered. but i will like to be with that person as friends" unless it's you then i'm thrilled  i thought.

"oh. then... may i know who you fancy then?" he said. i smiled and rested my head on his shoulders.

"he's funny. tall. caring. and incredibly handsome." i said he turned his head to face me.

"he's always there for me when i'm down or irritated because i have bad days and all. we always hang out but... i don't know if he know that i'm falling for him" 

"why do i feel that he's me?" he said and i laughed

"but if this guy doesn't know how amazing you are as a person then ignore him. any guy would love to be with you. i know i am" he said in a proud manner and i laughed harder.

"listen hermione-"

"Hermione!" we both looked at the stairs and saw ron coming up. 

"ron what's wrong?"  i asked

"harry found out about egg. he needs you. come on!" he said and ran back down.

i closed my eyes and sighed. 

"fred-" i stiffened when i felt him hug me from behind.

"i'll tell you after harry's 2nd challenge. but if you don't mind, do you want to stick with me for a while? i miss you" he whispered. i hope he doesn't feel my heart beating too fast

"yeah. of course. i'd like that. i missed you too" please don't let go yet

but he did and we both went back to the dormitory. 

ron and harry will be the death of me. and my love life.

But fred and i kept our word. before the 2nd task, we had our free time and spent the rest of the day with each other. but during the tournament, ron and i were special people to the champions so, we were rescued by them. i was thankful for Viktor but after we were given bath robes and towels to get dried and warm, i ran into fred's arms.

"you alright? i was worried. you were never at the castle or at the crowd. then i saw you with-"

i hugged him tight. "i'm fine now. "

Harry was rewarded after the task. 2nd place! we had to celebrate with hagrid but we saw something at the forest. 

Mr. Crouch was dead at the forest. and we have no suspect. who would do this? there's something really wrong with this tournament. and harry needs to be more careful than ever.