You belong with me

Chapter 7: The Yule Ball

Fred was sitting at the Gryffindor table when he saw Ron sitting with Harry and Hermione. His heart gave a lurch when he saw Hermione, though he tried to ignore it as a plan formed his mind. He grinned as he started scribbling out a note to his younger brother, and George gave him a curious look as he wrote it out.

He shook his head at his twin silently and threw the note over to his brother. The opportunity to embarrass his brother was too good to pass up.... He was afraid he would miss it if he filled George in. George would just have to be in the passenger seat this time.

Fred watched as Ron read the note, and he gave him a look. "Who're you going to the ball with then?" Fred's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Ron to suddenly turn this around on him. Fred didn't have a date either, though he was trying to tease his brother about not having one.

"Good point," Fred said carefully as he tried stalling. His eyes suddenly landed on Hermione. Her head was bent over a book, and he found the fact that she wasn't even paying any attention to the conversation going on around her endearing.

He ripped another parchment off his pad and threw it in her direction. George's eyes nearly popped out of his eyes in shock and Fred could see Ron's face turning red as he watched the scene.

"Fred, for the millionth time, what have I told you about bugging me when I'm doing homework?" Hermione whispered without looking up.

Fred sighed as he threw another piece of paper at her. Hermione shut her book irritably and glanced over at him. Fred gave her a charming smile and she gave him a skeptical look. "What are you up to?"

"Come to the Yule Ball with me," Fred said quickly before he lost his nerve.

Hermione's eyes widened and she started gathering up her things. "I have to go....library," she said in a rushed voice.

Fred gave George a curious look, but his brother pushed him forward. "Go after her!" he hissed, shooing him away. "You started this....you need to finish this."

Fred quickly caught up with Hermione as she reached the top of the first staircase. "The library is that way," he said, nodding down toward the stairs.

Hermione sighed and looked down. "I still have to go," she said adamantly as she tried to take another step.

He purposefully stepped in front of her to stop her from taking that step. "You still haven't answered me," he said as he lowered his head to meet her eyes.

"You just...caught me off guard," Hermione said quietly.

"In a good way, I hope," Fred said, grinning. Hermione sighed sadly, and he frowned. "Hermione?" he asked her.

"I wish you had asked me earlier...I didn't want to answer in front of the others."

"You're right, I probably should've visited the library to ask you."

Hermione shook her head again. "I already told somebody else I'd go," she said apologetically.

Fred fell back a step in surprise. "Really?" he asked in an awed voice. A feeling grew in his stomach, one he didn't like. He wished he could go over to whoever asked her and give him a piece of his mind. "Who?" he asked in a funny voice. He could feel his cheeks growing warm.

Hermione gave him a curious look. "Are you ok?"

"Fine, fine," Fred said quickly, waving her off.

"Who are you going with?" Fred asked Hermione gently. Hermione's face turned red and her eyes darted around nervously. He placed a comfortingly hand on her shoulder. "You can tell me anything still," he assured her.