𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦 | ✔︎

Chapter 22

Finally, the event everyone had been talking about arrived. Natasha had told the boys about her meeting with Dumbledore the day after, earning shocked looks from all three, though Fred's was slightly more angered. "You're sixteen!" he shrieked, pulling her into his arms. "No one will harm you Nat, I promise."

Currently, Natasha was seated in front of a large mirror Angelina had set up, getting her hair styled by Alicia, and her makeup done by Lauren. The four girls were already dressed, though when Natasha stepped out from behind the makeshift dressing room, they gasped in awe.

She was wearing a red gown, with a slit going up her left leg. It had a cross section at the back, with thin spaghetti straps, and she had black heels to match. Sirius had lent her Aurelia's ruby necklace and matching earrings after the meeting last week, and they complimented her hair perfectly.

"Done!" said Alicia, and Natasha looked up, gasping at herself. Her hair was in a half up bun, with her natural curls looking full as they tumbled down her back. Alicia had braided a gold leaf crown around the bun on her hair, mimicking a halo.

Lauren had put in just as much work on her makeup. Her eyelids were gold, with black wings on either side. The foundation she had used had a shimmer to it, illuminating Natasha's face.

"You guys are miracle workers," Natasha commented, and they all laughed.

"What can I say? I had the perfect canvas," said Lauren, causing Natasha to blush furiously red. With Natasha being the final girl to have her hair and makeup done, the four girls giggled as they tumbled out of the room, already getting butterflies as they walked with linked arms to the Great Hall.

Meanwhile, Fred and George, along with Lee, were waiting anxiously for the girls to arrive. Lee had ended up asking Alicia, whilst Lauren was going with a seventh year Ravenclaw. Fred kept on wringing his hands, just hoping his dress robes were good enough for Natasha.

"She loves you Freddie, stop stressing," whispered George, and Fred nodded, putting his hands behind his back. He noticed that Felicity Pearce was staring at him from the staircase, and he looked at her confused, before looking in awe at the girl behind her.

Natasha gracefully descended down the steps, trailing behind the three girls. She had a quaint smile on and looked completely different to the girl who pranked people for a living. There was no doubt the mischievous twinkle was still there in her eyes, but she looked grown up, like the child inside of her had been put to bed.

She grinned as she saw Fred, and once again, the child was out as she bounded down the stairs, running into Fred's arms. He lifted her up and slowly let her down, their chests brushing against each other as she stood on his feet.

"You look stunning Nat," he whispered into her ear. Natasha smiled and pressed a kiss to his lips.

"You clean up nicely yourself Weasley," she replied. George fake gagged, causing Angelina to hit his arm. He looked at her confused and she rolled her eyes, dragging him to the entrance of the Great Hall and leaving the two lovers to themselves.

"Shall we my lady?" Fred asked, extending his elbow. Natasha giggled and placed her arm in the crook of his elbow.

"We shall, my lord." And with that, the two Gryffindor's stormed into the ball arm in arm, directing each and every head to their direction as the King and Queen of pranking entered the ballroom.

~.~

Fred and Natasha were already tired from eating when the champions entered the ballroom, but that didn't mean they were full. With cupcakes in hand, they waltzed together, earning amused looks from Minerva and other staff.

At one stage, a Durmstrang boy tried to dance with Natasha, but he was quickly shut down as she belched, alongside Fred and George who had decided to have a belching competition. The Frenchies turned their noses up at the trio, but they couldn't care less.

When the boring dances were finally finished, the girls jumped up and ran to the front of the crowd, screaming their heads off as their favourite band, the Weird Sisters started to play, and Natasha nearly fainted as the lead singer, Myron Wagtail leant down and touched her hand.

The boys soon joined the girls, dancing along with them and helping carry Professor Flitwick over their heads, much to the dismay of Minerva, who threw her head into her hands. The. Hogwarts students were way past redemption as a seventh year Hufflepuff girl managed to strip down to her underclothes and threw her shoes around, quickly removed by some of the female professors.

It was then that Madam Pomfrey took a sip of pumpkin juice and realised it had been spiked by many students. It was then that the four Pranksters decided to ditch the ball, not really wishing to be handed a detention of Christmas Eve. "Hi Angelina, bye Angelina!" Lee yelled out as he was dragged by Natasha to the doors.

The four skidded to a halt once they were out, but Natasha's smiled faltered as she saw a sobbing Hermione seated on the steps. "Fred," she whispered, tugging his shirt. He instantly looked down when she called him by his name and not his nickname, and his eyes followed to where Natasha was looking.

"Go help her love. I'll be in my dorm with the boys," he said, pecking her lips one last time. Natasha sat next to Hermione, and without warning, the younger girl crashed her head into Natasha's lap, her sobs racking her whole body.

"Oh Mione, what happened?" Natasha asked stroking her hair.

"Ron was being an idiot, and I wanted him to ask me to the ball, but then Viktor did and now apparently I'm 'fraternising with the enemy'," she sobbed, and Natasha pulled her closer, her heart breaking for the young girl.

"Boys are dumb at this age Mione. Hey, I've been rooting for you and Ron since you guys became friends, and I know you'll get through this," she cooed, continuing to stroke her hair. Hermione sniffled and sat up, resting her head on Natasha's shoulder.

"Tonight, was going so well though Natasha. I mean, I saw you and Fred, you looked perfect. Viktor and I on the other hand were just as stiff as boards, we couldn't even dance together without feeling awkward," she commented, and the older girl nodded knowingly, rubbing Hermione's arm.

"Fred and I have also known each other our whole lives. We grew up together, we know how the other thinks; you've only known Ron for a few years, and Viktor for a few months." Natasha then stood up and helped the younger girl to her feet.

"Trust yourself Hermione, you choose how you live your life. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Hermione smiled slightly and threw her arms around Natasha quickly.

"Thanks Natasha. You really are the best person to talk to."