The last week of term became increasingly boisterous as it progressed. Rumours about the Yule Ball were flying everywhere, though I didn't believe half of them (but I certainly encouraged them) - for instance, that Dumbledore had bought eight hundred barrels of mulled mead from Madam Rosmerta. It seemed to be fact, however, that he had booked the Weird Sisters. Exactly who or what the Weird Sisters were I didn't know, never having had access to a wizard's wireless, but I deduced from the wild excitement of those who had grown up listening to the WWN (Wizarding Wireless Network) that they were a very famous musical group. 

Some of the teachers, like little Professor Flitwick, gave up trying to teach us much when our minds were so clearly elsewhere; he allowed us to play games in his lesson on Wednesday, and spent most of it talking to Harry and I about the perfect Summoning Charms we had used during the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. Other teachers were not so generous. Nothing would ever deflect Professor Binns, for example, from ploughing on through his notes on goblin rebellions - as Binns hadn't let his own death stand in the way of continuing to teach, we supposed a small thing like Christmas wasn't going to put him off. Draco and I sat in the back row and made out as Binns droned on about bloody and vicious goblin riots. 

Professors McGonagall and Moody kept us working until the very last second of our classes, too, and Snape, of course, would no sooner let us play games in class than adopt me. Staring nastily around at us all, he informed us that he would be testing us on poison antidotes during the last lesson of the term. 

"Evil, the slimeball is." I said bitterly that night in the Gryffindor common room. "Springing a shitty test on us on the last day. Ruining the last bit of term with a whole load of fucking revision." 

"Mmm... you're not exactly straining yourself, though, are you?" Hermione said, looking at me over the top of her Potions notes. I was busy building a card castle out of Ron's Exploding Snap pack - a much more interesting pastime than with Muggle cards, because of the chance that the whole thing would blow up at any second. I winked at her. 

"It's Christmas, Hermione." Harry said lazily; he was rereading Flying with the Cannons for the tenth time in an armchair near the fire. 

Hermione looked severely over at him, too. 

"Gimme those, Daisy -" Ron placed the last two cards on top of the castle and the whole lot blew up, singeing his eyebrows. 

"Nice look, Ron... go well with your dress robes, that will." 

It was Fred and George. They sat down at the table as Ron felt how much damage had been done. Fred slung an arm around me and I felt my face heat up, George sending me a knowing eyebrow raise. 

"Ron, can we borrow Pigwidgeon?" George asked, referring to Ron's new tiny owl. 

"No, he's off delivering a letter to Sirius." Ron said. "Why?" 

The twins and I exchanged a glance. 

"Because George wants to invite him to the ball." Fred said sarcastically. 

"Because WE want to send a letter, you stupid great prat." George said. 

"Who d'you three keep writing to, eh?" Ron said. 

"Nose out, Ron, or I'll burn that for you, too." Fred said, waving his wand threateningly. "So... you two got dates for the ball yet?" He referred to Ron and Hermione. 

"Nope." Ron said. 

"Well, you'd better hurry up, mate, or all the good ones will be gone." Fred said. "I'm glad I got to Softpaw relatively quickly. She'd be snatched up just like that," he snapped his fingers, "if I didn't take her and Draco refused to go with her." 

I was all too aware of Fred's arm around my shoulders, his hand hanging just above my chest. He shifted his arm, and I felt his hand rest just above my left boob. I took in a deep, shuddering breath. 

"Too right." Ron muttered. He stopped feeling his eyebrows and looked across the smouldering wreck of his card castle at me. "You guys are dickheads for always stealing my crushes." 

"Hey, it's not like she's going with both of us, Ronniekins." George put his hands up, grinning. 

Fred got to his feet, yawning, and said, "We'd better use Snidget then, George, come on... Softpaw, you coming?" 

I scurried up, joining them as they slipped out the portrait hole. We headed towards the Owlery, chatting and messing about. 

"You finished the letter, then?" I asked as George slapped me around the head with the parchment after I jokingly shoved him. 

"Yeah." Fred slung his arm around me again, and I melted into him. George gave his twin a pointed look as Fred simply smirked, looking down at me. "Hopefully he responds. We need that money for WWW. Dick move if he just ignores it, to be honest." 

"He will respond." I told them, hyper-aware of Fred's fingers brushing my boob. It was almost as if he was doing it on purpose. "If he doesn't, I'll just send him to Hell." 

Fred and George snickered. I found Snidget and beckoned her down, tying the letter to her leg and feeding her all the treats I had in my pocket, scratching behind her ears. 

"Love you, boo!" I called out after her as she hooted at me happily, taking off. 

I turned, jumping as I came face to face with Fred, right behind me. The tall boy smirked lazily, calling behind him, "Bushy, keep a lookout for Harry and Draco, will you?" 

George rolled his eyes, amused, and stepped out of the Owlery, his hands in his pockets. Fred gently pushed me against the wall, fitting his mouth to mine, and I giggled in delight into his mouth as he hooked his arms under my legs, hoisting me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist, enjoying the feeling of his hands on my ass. I was soon lost in the feeling of his mouth on mine...

~~~

The Hogwarts staff, demonstrating a continued desire to impress the visitors from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, seemed determined to show the castle at its best this Christmas. When the decorations went up, I noticed that they were the most stunning I had yet seen inside the school. Everlasting icicles had been attached to the banisters of the marble staircase; the usual twelve Christmas trees in the Great Hall were bedecked with everything from luminous holly berries to real, hooting, golden owls, and the suits of armour had all been bewitched to sing carols whenever anyone passed them. It was quite something to hear 'Oh Come, All Ye Faithful' sung by an empty helmet that only knew half the words. Several times, Filch had to extract Peeves from inside the armour, where he had taken to hiding, filling in the gaps in the songs with lyrics of his own invention, all of which were very rude. 

"Oh, come on me, ye faithful..." The Insurgents heard as we passed a suit of armour that Filch was bustling furiously towards. Terry doubled over in laughter as I wrinkled my nose up, saying, "Oh, gross, Peevesie!" and the twins said, "Nice," simultaneously. 

Despite the very heavy load of homework that the fourth-years had been given for the holidays, I was in no mood to work (who am I kidding, I'm never in a mood to work) when term ended, and spent the week leading up to Christmas enjoying myself as fully as possible along with everyone else. So many people chose to stay at Hogwarts over the holidays and it was making this one of the best Christmas holidays I'd ever had. Gryffindor Tower was hardly less crowded now than during term-time; it seemed to have shrunk slightly, too, as its inhabitants were being so much rowdier than usual. Fred, George, Terry, and I had had a great success with our Canary Creams, and for the first couple of days of the holidays, people kept bursting into feather all over the place. Before long, however, all the Gryffindors had learnt to treat food anybody else offered them with extreme caution, in case it had a Canary Cream concealed in the centre, and the other Insurgents and I started making plans to work on something else. 

Harry overheard us, and sent to me, 'I'm making a mental note never to accept so much as a crisp from you four in the future.' 

I snorted. 

'I still haven't forgotten Dudley and the Ton-Tongue Toffee.' 

'Of course you haven't, Harry. We always aim to impress.' 

Coming out of the Great Hall, we heard Floppy's voice calling out, "Who're you going to the ball with, Weakling? My dear cousin has let it slip that he's going with Boot. Should've known that he was a fruit." 

I turned slowly, my heart pounding in anger. Terry stepped forward, snapping, "What the fuck did you just say?" 

Floppy smirked, folding his arms. "My cousin's a fruit. So who're you going with, Weakling?" 

"Me, you great ugly git. Now, shut up." Fred stepped forward, slightly in front of me. I blinked. Why? Is he trying to appear like he's protecting me or something? 

Floppy seethed. "YOU?" 

I rolled my eyes at him, tugging Fred, George, Terry, Harry, Ron, and Hermione up the staircase. Floppy can seethe about me going to a ball with my best friend all he likes, he's not entitled to expect me to go with him, and I would never consent to that anyway. 

"Why would you go with a Weasley when you could go with a Malfoy?" 

Fred and George whipped around, but I said loudly, waving to somebody over Floppy's shoulder, "Hello, Professor Moody!" 

Floppy went pale and jumped backwards, looking wildly around for Moody, but he was still up at the staff table, finishing his stew. 

"Twitchy little ferret, aren't you, Floppy?" I said scathingly, and we went up the marble staircase laughing heartily. 

"My hand hurts." Fred complained as we ascended. 

"Wanker's cramp?" Terry sniggered. 

George sent a knowing look my way, and Terry snorted loudly. Fred punched his arm, glaring at him with a red face. 

'I should never have told him what I was wanking off to last night... can't trust either of these idiots.' I read Fred's mind, and my eyes widened. I looked away, feeling a hysterical giggle trying to burst forth. 

Ron's tiny owl was twittering madly on the top of the icicle-laden banisters, a scroll of parchment tied to his leg. People passing him were pointing and laughing, and a group of third-year girls paused and said, "Oh, look at the weeny owl! Isn't he CUTE?" 

"Stupid little feathery git!" Ron hissed, hurrying up the stairs and snatching Pigwidgeon up. "You bring letters straight to the addressee! You don't hang around showing off!" 

Pigwidgeon hooted happily, his head protruding over Ron's fist. The third-year girls all looked very shocked. 

"Clear off!" Ron snapped at them, waving the fist holding Pigwidgeon, who hooted more happily than ever as he soared through the air. "Here - take it, twins." Ron added in an undertone, as the third-year girls scuttled away looking scandalised. 

Harry and I spent the evening replying to Sirius, giggling and enquiring about Emily, how he was getting on, and - 

"NO, we are not putting that -" Harry said in dismay, quickly scratching out the question I'd just scrawled out. 

"Aw, why not? I'd love to see if dear old Mr Padfoot is getting it on with his lady friend." Fred bent over my shoulder. I giggled breathily as I reacted to his body so close to mine against my better judgement. 

"I think we should see if dear old Mr Red here is getting it on with HIS lady friend." George bent over my other shoulder, wiggling his eyebrows at Fred. The two pulled back simultaneously, leaving me blushing and flustered. Harry sent me a questioning look before dipping his quill back into his ink pot. 

Christmas came so quick that it felt like a flurry of snowflakes. I was having way too much fun, having this much company around during a holiday was making this immensely enjoyable for me. I opened all my presents next to Fred, George, and Lee on Christmas morning, and I snorted as I saw what Fred had gifted me, swiftly hiding it under my pillow before anyone else could see. 

"Our friends with benefits thing is going quite well, huh?" Fred whispered to me, grinning, as we all made our way down to the snow-covered grounds for a snowball fight. 

"Give me more sexy benefits, and I'll consider answering that question." I hissed back to him, smiling cheekily, and turned to the other boys, whacking Terry with a snowball the size of a melon. 

~~~

The Gryffindor common room was crowded with students, everyone in differing bright colours. I waited, slightly nervous, at the bottom of the boys' spiral staircase. 

"Eh, Daisy, thanks for the fake eye, it was useful this morning!" Seamus yelled across the crowd. I stuck my thumb up into the air, acknowledging him through the throng. 

I had decided to switch it up this year. My long, black hair was tamed in defined ringlets, cascading down my shoulders and back, and framed my face nicely. My dress was ballgown-style, poofing outwards, and was in red and gold to honour my House. The red lace around my bust showed off the curves I was starting to get, exposing my collarbones and shoulders, and golden flowers were woven into my hair. Boys and a few girls were staring at me as they milled about, their jaws hanging open. I looked hot, and I knew it. 

"Woah." 

I turned towards the staircase again. Fred had stopped dead on the last curve, his eyes practically falling out of his head. He gazed at me, eyes sweeping up and down my body, taking in the sights. He bit his lip briefly, his eyes closing, then stepped off the staircase, holding his arm out. 

"M'lady." Fred said graciously. I giggled, taking it, and let him lead me through the crowd, admiring him too. He was in a black and gold suit, the gold matching mine, but without any red, so as not to clash with his hair. He looked... really handsome. Scratch that, really HOT. 

The Entrance Hall was packed with students too, all milling around waiting for eight o'clock, when the doors to the Great Hall would be thrown open. Those people who were meeting partners from different houses were edging through the crowd, trying to find each other. 

Over their heads I saw that an area of lawn right in front of the castle had been transformed into a sort of grotto full of fairy lights - meaning hundreds of actual living fairies were sitting in the rose bushes that had been conjured there, and fluttering over the statues of what seemed to be Santa and his reindeer. 

"You look so good, Softpaw." Fred said, his eyes back on me. He couldn't keep them off me, really. I grinned. 

"So do you." I said. Fred's eyes met mine. 

"Hey." Draco and Terry arrived next to us, Terry pulling Draco by the hand. Both were grinning madly. 

"Hot, Daisy." Draco commented, his grin turning into a smirk. Terry nodded, then turned back to Draco. I narrowed my eyes. The way Terry was looking at my boyfriend... hmm. 

The two were wearing matching tuxedos, the little purple, blue, and pink-patterned bow-ties slightly wonky. I grinned to myself a little at this, before we were interrupted by Harry and Ron, Harry standing on his tip toes to see over the crowd. 

"Looking gorgeous, sis." Harry said as he glanced at me grinning, waving Suzanne over. 

"Right back atcha, bro." I replied, grinning back. 

Just then, McGonagall opened the doors to the Great Hall, beckoning us Champions forward. Fleur went first with Rodger Davies, the captain of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, then Cedric with Cho. Cedric winked and nodded at me, and I rolled my eyes, grinning, and nodded back. Krum went next with Hermione, and she looked absolutely stunning in that dress Lavender, Parvati, and I helped her pick. She giggled, waving, and I mouthed to her, "Beautiful!" Hermione went pink and mouthed back, "Thanks, you too!" I noticed Ron's mouth hung open wide as she passed him. 

Then Harry and Suzanne went, Harry stumbling over his dress-cloak, and Suzanne tripping a little on her dress. Ron and I tittered at them, and they flipped us off as they swept through the doors. That clumsy pair are perfect for each other. 

Then it was Fred and I. This was natural to me as I was always the centre of attention, and we moved gracefully through the crowd, everyone staring and whispering. 

"Godric, she's beautiful." 

"She's looking so HOT tonight!" 

"I wish I was Fred Weasley right now." 

"She's usually gorgeous, but wow, tonight, she's out of this world..." 

"I'm DEFINITELY going to try to dance with her later." 

Lee and George were fanning themselves as we walked past; Colin was taking pictures; Pansy could not take her eyes off me. They were wide and shining as we passed her, her lips parted in an expression of awe. Floppy and the Three Douchebags were all wearing black velvet, staring me down as I passed, their expressions grudgingly impressed. Floppy licked his lips as his gaze dropped to my chest, and Fred sneaked out his wand and pointed it at him, whispering, "Engorgio!" 

I sniggered. "Thanks, Red." 

"Anything for the beautiful lady." Fred said, winking. 

The walls of the Hall had all been covered in sparkling silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The house tables had vanished; instead, there were about a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people. 

The Weird Sisters trooped up onto the stage to wildly enthusiastic applause; they were all extremely hairy, and dressed in black robes that had been artfully ripped and torn. They picked up their instruments, and I, who had been interested in one particular Sister, one about our age with short, dark hair and an incredibly handsome face, suddenly realised that the other champions and their partners were gathering in the middle of the dance floor. Fred tugged me along, grinning around at everyone who was beginning to surround us. 

The band struck up a ballad, and the champions started whirling with their partners. My heart fluttered when Fred placed his hand on my waist, and he directed me around gently. 

"How do you know how to dance so well?" I hissed at him as we moved around the dance floor gracefully. Everyone's eyes seemed to be on just us two. I caught George smirking at Fred, and Fred smirked back as we passed him and Lee. I noticed Amy was on George's arm, and I grinned at her. 

I could see Seamus and Dean waving at Harry and sniggering. 

The dance ended all too soon. I was disappointed; I loved being the centre of attention, and I loved Fred's hands on me even more. However, the band struck up a more lively, fast tune, and everyone else spilled onto the dance floor. Terry and Draco's hands were on each other's waists and shoulders, and Terry twirled Draco around, both laughing hard. Fred and I were dancing so exuberantly that people around us were backing away for fear of injury. I was having the time of my life. He was making my heart race, making me go all blushy and fluttery, making me feel crush feelings but at the same time I was having fun with my best friend. I've never felt this way with anyone before. With Terry, he just felt like a best friend that I made out with sometimes. With Draco, I just felt fluttering in my heart and soft, but it was just that - he never made me feel this carefree, this amused, this happy. Neither of them did. I just didn't know that someone could make me feel this combination of things. I thought it was fun with your best friend, and romance with your boyfriend. I never thought that the two could combine. 

After quite a few songs, my feet started to hurt. I sent Fred off to dance with Lee, and I meandered off to one of the tables surrounding the dance floor, hoping to find a seat to sit down at. 

I noticed the drummer of the Weird Sisters, that short-haired handsome one that seemed to be my age, fist-bump the guitarist and slip off the stage, grabbing a water bottle and downing it. Intrigued, I made my way over to the back of the stage. 

The drummer glanced up at me as I approached, lifting the water bottle and spilling the rest of the contents over her head. "Hey, you're Daisy Potter, right?" 

"You're a hundred percent correct!" I beamed. 

The drummer regarded me with amusement, her short hair dripping onto her ripped robes. "I'm Kylie Ford. Drummer of the Weird Sisters." 

"I know. That you're the drummer, I mean. I was -" 

"Watching me?" Kylie said, a slight smirk on her face. 

"Y-yeah." I stammered. Why was this girl making me flustered? 

"Well, I won't be the drummer much longer. I've been home-schooled until now, because my big sisters saw my talent as a kid." Kylie gestured to the stage. "But the Ministry is really up my mum's ass about OWLs. So I'll have to join fifth year here next year. What year  are you in? You're fourteen, right?" 

"Y-yeah. Fourteen. So, fourth year." I said, stepping closer. She's coming to Hogwarts next year? Nice. 

"So we'll be in the same year, then." Kylie said, leaning casually against the wall. "I'll be sixteen next year, but as I'm not taking any exams this year then I'll need to take fifth year OWLs next year." She regarded me again, looking me up and down lazily. "Yawn. This school talk is boring. How about we find somewhere more private to talk...?" 

I knew what she was hinting at. I nodded quickly, letting her lead the way into the Entrance Hall. My eyes fixated on her torn robes, her black ripped skinny jeans underneath her cloak, the tattoo of a bird on the back of her neck, the way her short hair was only long enough to sweep back in a small quiff, her jawline, her pierced lips, pierced tongue as she licked her lips as she turned around to me - 

I felt myself blush as she noticed me staring, quirking an eyebrow at me in amusement. "Anywhere private that you know of around here?" 

And a minute later, we were backing into an empty classroom, slamming the door behind us, Kylie's lips on mine. Her hands drifted all over me, and I yelped in surprise as she lifted me up with ease, dumping me on a desk. I grabbed at her hair, her hands snaking around my waist, her tongue licking into my mouth, and I moaned as I felt her tongue piercing move over my tongue. Her lip rings moved against my lips, and I grabbed at her, wanting her closer to me. My legs wrapped around her waist, pulling her in, and within minutes Kylie Ford of the Weird Sisters was dipping her head underneath my skirts, spreading my legs apart with her hands, and I was floating off into a dreamworld of pleasure and bliss. 

~~~ 

I stumbled back into the Great Hall, patting down my hair and ruffling my skirts. My first time with a girl went so well that now I couldn't walk properly. I collapsed into a chair facing the dance floor, noticing Kylie stepping back up to her position at the drums out of the corner of my eye. I glanced over at her as another song started up, watching her huge arm muscles as she banged furiously away, the sweat dripping from her face, her muscles flexing. I shuddered, forcing myself to look away. 

Draco and Terry were still dancing together. I frowned. Was this whole thing not just a friendship thing, a little joke or something? They both seemed to be quite happy. Draco was beaming wider than I'd ever seen him beam, and Terry was touching him gently, his hands moving from Draco's waist to his shoulders, to his cheeks - 

I jumped up from my chair. By the time I found the pair in the crowd again, Terry's hands were back on Draco's waist. I moved through the crowd to them, clapping my hands on both of their shoulders. 

"HEY! How's it going?" I shouted over the music, forcing a grin onto my face. The two jumped, turning to me with half-guilty, half-cheeky expressions on their faces. 

"It's going good, Softpaw! Your boyfriend's the BEST at dancing!" Terry told me, smirking at Draco. Draco went pink. 

"How about we get some fresh air, huh?" Draco took my hand and led me to the side, out of the crowd and over to a corner of the Hall, lit only by the soft glow of a nearby lantern. Terry watched us from the crowd, frowning slightly, before turning back and finding Fred and George, the three cheering and starting to dance jauntily. 

"Draco, what's -" 

Draco silenced me with a kiss. I responded, allowing his lips to move with mine. He pressed me gently up against the wall, his hands moving up and down my lace-clad sides and chest. I pulled him closer to me by his blazer, parting my lips as his tongue worked into my mouth, before I shook my head, pushing him back. 

"Dragon, seriously. You know you can tell me anything, right?" 

Draco bowed his head slightly. "I - I can't tell you this..." 

I stared at him. "You know everyone can see it, right?" 

Draco just stared back. His eyes were afraid. 

I sighed. "You know I'm bisexual?" 

Draco nodded slowly, never taking his eyes off mine. 

"You know that Kylie girl who's our age, from the Weird Sisters? You know, up there?" I pointed at her as she pummelled the drums. "We just fucked. Literally ten minutes ago. And I know that wasn't right, and I should've broken up with you before I slept with other people -" I held my hand up as Draco opened his mouth. "But you've been distant for some time, babe, and I know why. Emotional and romantic cheating is just as bad as physical. But that doesn't matter to me now. What matters to me is that you're happy. So go be happy, please." 

Draco looked as if he was considering this. "So... we're breaking up?" He said sadly, but I also detected a hint of relief in his voice. 

"Yeah." I patted him on the shoulder. "Go be happy, Dragon. I only ever want you to be happy." 

Draco looked back at the crowd, and his eyes landed on Floppy, who was sloping around the edge of the crowd, looking for girls to harass. 

"Don't worry about him. If he tries anything, I'LL sort him out." I said confidently. 

Draco turned back to me, his lips landing on mine once more. We kissed, hard, then broke apart, our hands squeezing together. 

"I just want to confirm, though." A hint of Draco's old smirk was back. "You and Kylie Ford from the Weird Sisters FUCKED?" 

"Sorry, what?" 

We turned as a voice came from behind us. Fred and Terry had came over to join the server. The two were grinning madly, though Fred and Terry for clearly different reasons than pure amusement. 

"Oh, shut up, you don't need to go spreading this around the school." I said. "For all we know, she could be closeted, so I'm not wanting to -" 

"Kylie Ford is a pretty out and proud lesbian, Softpaw." Terry pointed out. "She's one of the best gay icons for the gay wizarding community -" 

"Oh?" I turned to him, my eyebrow raised. "And you would know this how, Hopper?" 

Terry stammered, going bright red, shooting a glance at Draco. I smirked. 

"Softpaw, care to join me?" Fred extended his arm again, and I took it. He led me through the tables, and I sent once last fleeting glance at Draco, giving him an encouraging nod. 

Fred and I slipped out into the Entrance Hall. The front doors stood open, and the fluttering fairy lights in the rose garden winked and twinkled as we went down the front steps, where we found ourselves surrounded by bushes, winding ornamental paths, and large stone statues. I could hear splashing water, which sounded like a fountain. Here and there, people were sitting on carved benches. 

Snape had his wand out, and was blasting rose bushes apart, his expression most ill-natured. Squeals issued from many of the bushes, and dark shapes emerged from them. 

"Ten points from Ravenclaw, Miss Rolfing!" Snape snarled, as Amy ran past him, snickering. "And ten points from Gryffindor, too, Weasley!" as George went rushing after her. Score, George! "And what are you two doing?" He added, catching sight of Fred and I on the path ahead. 

"We're walking." I told Snape shortly. "Not against the law, is it?" 

"Keep walking, then!" Snape snarled, and he brushed past us, his long black cloak billowing out behind him. Fred flipped him off. 

"So..." Fred said, sitting down on a bench next to the fountain. I sat beside him. "You and Malfoy broke up, huh?" 

I nodded, leaning my head against his shoulder. Fred took a deep breath. 

"And you and Kylie Ford fucked?" 

"I guess so." 

"And Terry and Draco are apparently an item." 

"Appears like it." 

"What a wild night." Fred said, his gaze drifting off across the soft, glowing, multicoloured bushes. "It was definitely fun, though. We sold lots. Great business, when you're not being watched by teachers and Perce the Bighead Boy at every turn." 

I grinned at him. Fred and George had taken some order forms into the Ball, and had clearly made bank, judging from Fred's bulging pockets. Percy had also been sent as a representative from the Ministry in replacement of Mr Crouch, who was sick or something. 

"So now that pesky boyfriends are out of the way..." Fred said slowly. His hand landed on mine, and I laced my fingers through his. He looked down at me, his eyes softening. 

"You know, no one's ever made me feel like this before." I said, lifting my head from his shoulder to look him in the face. Fred raised an eyebrow. 

"Like what?" 

"Like..." I looked away, glancing across the top of the bushes. They glowed, and I could see the Lake in the distance. The trickle of the fountain behind me was gentle, and I looked back at him, smiling. "I've never felt this happy." 

Fred's eyelids fluttered slightly. A happy, goofy grin broke out across his face, and he leaned down, capturing my lips with his. He pulled me close to him, sparks shooting off in my chest, and I clutched him to me, moving my lips with his increasingly faster. Fred's hand cupped my face, and I made a noise into his mouth as I shifted closer on the bench. 

"Guys! Guys! Come quick!" George's voice shouted behind us. We broke apart, gazing into each other's eyes for a heart-fluttering moment, then turned to George. He was beckoning us furiously towards the castle. "Something's ha - ppen - ING!" 

We both scrambled off the bench, me attempting to pick up my skirts and run as fast as Fred. Fred glanced back, saw me struggling, and smirked. A moment later, I was swooped up into his arms bridal style, and we were sprinting towards the castle. I giggled loudly, Fred grinning down at me, his twin smirking at us both, and we entered the Great Hall, looking around wildly. George pointed, and I saw. 

"YES!" I screamed, fist-pumping the air. "FINALLY! So cute!" 

Terry and Draco were standing in the middle of a large circle on the dance floor, snogging. The two tuxedoed boys had their arms wrapped around each other, tight, and their lips were moving together slowly, looking as if they were never going to let go of each other. I beamed. 

This is one of the happiest nights of my life.