Diving Into You | Fred Weasley

30 | The Yule Ball

A/N: This is it, folks. You're in for a ride. Linked the song to this chapter, feel free to play it (you'll know when 😉) Naia's Yule Ball look 👆

Naia awoke excitedly on Christmas morning and sprung out of bed, eagerly freshening up and putting on her Christmas sweater.

She reached the common room where everyone seemed to be gathered by the tree and fire. "Happy Christmas!" Ron greeted, pulling her in for a hug. Hermione and Harry joined in and she laughed.

"Happy Christmas!" she said back, going to hug Neville and Dean. Suddenly, she was pulled into the air.

"Merry Christmas, Thunderbird!" George cried. She laughed and hugged him and Lee. "Merry Christmas!"

George put her down and she gazed up at a sheepish looking Fred. She had ignored him mostly and acted like him going with Angelina to the ball didn't bother her, but Fred knew her well enough to know she was still hurt by it.

He tried explaining to her that he had meant to ask her, but it still made no difference. To Naia, if he really wanted to go with her, then why did he jump at the opportunity to go with Angelina? Even if he meant what he said, he still owed it to Angelina to be a good date, and Naia did not want to step into whatever they had planned. Even if it hurt her heart to picture them arm in arm together later tonight.

But Naia had a new resolve now. She wasn't going to mope about it and remain petty. If that was the kind of night he wanted, fine by her. She was going to enjoy herself no matter the cost. She was done hoping on him.

But Fred was nowhere near done with showing her just how sorry he was, and he was planning on showing her just that, tonight.

And so, as they looked at each other that Christmas morning, Fred whispered softly. "Merry Christmas, Naia." He wanted to pull her close in a hug he only wished could communicate what his heart wanted her to know.

"Merry Christmas, Fred," she whispered softly.

It was nearing four in the afternoon when Hermione called Naia up to start getting ready for the ball.

"Naia, my curls, how should I style them?" Hermione asked.

"Put it in a loose bun I say. It'll go well with your dress since it's off-shoulder." Naia said.

"Help, please?" She asked, giving Naia puppy dog eyes. She laughed and nodded, helping her fix her hair.

"Ow! Hermione, you're gonna take my eye out-!" Ginny exclaimed, as Hermione helped her with the eyelash curler.

"I've seen my mum do this all the time, it's supposed to be like this!"

"Give it here," Naia said, and Hermione handed her the curler. Naia warmed the metal up slightly. "Curl it with it warmed, the lashes will stay up longer."

"Cheers," Ginny said, attempting to do it herself and poking her own eye.

"What do you think?" Hermione asked. She had gotten dressed and was wearing a gorgeous lilac gown that showed off her shoulders. The gown was perfectly dainty, with tulle decor that added texture and detail. "Hermione you look fantastic! Viktor won't be able to take his eyes off you." Naia said, her eyes wide.

"You think?"

"Ron will freak," Ginny scoffed.

"Good. Okay, you two get dressed, c'mon!" Naia took the gown her mother had sent and put it on. Her jaw nearly dropped as she saw her front. "Oh my god-"

"What is it?" Ginny asked. Naia walked out and her two friends' jaws hit the floor. "I'm pretty sure this violates dress code-!" Naia said shaking her head. How could her mum send her this to wear? The dress was made of beautiful off-white fabric. Given her mum's taste in fashion, she had gotten a dress from a muggle designer and enchanted the patterns to slightly move as she swayed. The dress was white and gold- the gold patterns shimmering as the fabric moved. It hugged her curves in all the right places and accentuated them, following an elegant mermaid cut that flowed past the floor, giving her a train. "You look like a greek goddess-!" Hermione said, hand to her mouth.