The Space Boy and The Red Head

16 - Pretty in Pink

Wednesday- 14th February 1996

The boys had nursed Apollo back to health exceptionally well. It had grown tiresome how much they had coddled him. Apollo had been feeling much healthier only a matter of days after the full moon but his friends had insisted on being his caretakers for the last nine days. Truth is the boys all knew Apollo was feeling well again, but the image of him, limp and bloodied in Hagrid's arms still haunted their sleep. On more than one occasion he had awoken through the night to find one of his friends checking his pulse, grumbling 'I just had to be sure' .

Today, the twins and Lee were distracted from their obsessing over Apollo. Today was Valentine's Day and they had a lot planned for this day. First, they had all temporarily coloured their hair pink. And George was impressed by how good pink hair looked on Apollo.

They had also been secretly selling love potion infused roses, the Amortentia making the flower smell like whatever one loved most. Apollo was certain the potion hadn't worked at first when they brewed it as they each were only able to detect a vague scent, pleasant and distinguishable but they didn't know how it related to what they had loved. Fred had smelt strawberry milkshakes, Lee had a the scent of toffee apples, George could smell a rich cocoa and Apollo was certain his was gunpowder.

McGonagall knew she shouldn't let her guard down today. The boys had been hinting at something since Monday and she hadn't been able to work it out yet. However it soon became evident when all the painting and portraits in the castle were confessing their undying love to her whenever she walked by. Sir Cadogan had practically chased her all over the school, trying to woo her with sonnets and prose of his own creation. She'd also somehow, during breakfast received the same hair treatment as the four Gryffindors. She would never admit to anyone for the rest of her days, that she had never tried to return it to its natural colour, enjoying the humour of the moment.

"We need dates! We spent so long working on how to get Minnie's hair pink that we forgot to sort out dates" Fred grumbled into his charms essay. They had a free period and were currently in the library, trying to catch up on homework.

"Maybe if you went up and spoke to a girl instead of us you'd have better luck" teased Lee

"I can get a date before you can" Fred challenged. And with that Lee and Fred had left. Lee had neglected to tell Fred that he already had a date, this was just a perfect excuse to go see her and procrastinate doing charms work. Apollo was meticulously going over his textbook, trying to make sure what he had wrote was correct. He noticed something was missing, staring off into the distance as he tried to think of how he could incorporate it into his writing.

"Oi, space boy. Come back to earth would ya?" George joked. Apollo hadn't realised how long he'd been in his own head for.

"Sorry Georgie" he said, turning slightly red. Not noticing the nickname having a similar effect on the Weasley.

"It's ok. Just wondered if you wanted to go for lunch. I'm getting hungry and I don't think those two will be back" he said, scratching the back of his neck.

Fred had reunited with them for lunch. Bragging about his new dinner date Angelina Johnson. Fred had been pining after the girl for a while now so neither George or Apollo were shocked.

"Well boys. Looks like Lee was wrong. Guess it will just be you three at dinner tonight" he gloated.

"Lee got a date for tonight on Monday, during Astronomy. That Hufflepuff girl he keeps talking to, Lottie? I think that's her name" Apollo said through a mouthful of his sandwich.

Fred's jaw dropped. Not believing that Lee had accepted the bet knowing he'd already won. He felt cheated but also proud of his devious friend. Lee really had been keen on this girl for a while now. He'd tried to hide his crush from the boys but they all knew.

"Just us two then, it's a date" George playfully winked, nudging Apollos arm. "Dress nice"

Apollo wasn't sure whether to laugh or blush.

"Lovely, candlelit dinner in the kitchen? We could do a Honeydukes run after dinner. All the Valentine's Day stuff will be dead cheap so I can get you a box of chocolates for the date" Apollo suggested, teasing George, who just nodded.

"Brilliant. Very romantic, sounds good, I think I still have some roses I can give you" he replied with a smirk.

"Ugh get a room you two. Not ours though, don't want to hear that" Fred said before running off to see Angelina again.

That night Lee and Fred had left early for their dates. George and Apollo, both unsure of how much of a joke this was both tried to subtly dress a bit nicer than usual. Trying to fix their hair or straighten their clothes as they met in the common room.

They walked down to the kitchens greeting the house elves who were hard at work preparing the feast for the rest of the students. They made their way over to a small table in the corner.

"Hello Mr Weasley, Hello Mr McLaggen. How can Figgy assist you?" A small house elf asked. She regularly assisted the boys when they would sneak into the kitchens.

"Hello Figgy. We're on a date. Do you think we could eat dinner here? Maybe light some candles?" George said. Wiggling his eyebrows at the mention of the date. Apollo wish he knew what this moment was, he hadn't really ever thought of going on dates before, but for some reason he wasn't finding himself as apposed to the prospect as he'd thought he might be. Apollo had deemed it to dangerous to find himself a partner, but George made him feel safe. That couldn't be a bad thing? He'd have to spend a lot of time with his thoughts for the next few days he decided. To give himself time to work out what his feelings were.

"Of course Mr Weasley. Figgy is very happy you are on a date. Figgy thinks you make a good couple. Not just figgy, many house elves have told figgy the same thing. I will get your dinner sorted now. And candles" she said fluttering back over the table.

The boys were both looking around the room trying to hide their embarrassment. Surely the elves hadn't actually mistaken them for a couple before? Across the room Figgy snapped her fingers. Candles appeared by the pairs table floating just above, casting a flickering glow. Illuminating their faces, Apollo suddenly felt like he'd never seen George's eyes before. Reflections of small flames danced in them, melting the chocolate irises into swirling pools.

Dinner soon followed and a natural conversation finally began. Ebbing away the awkwardness the boys were experiencing. Dinner turned into dessert and eventually the plates were cleared. The two had been there for hours. They were standing up to leave, planning to make a quick trip to Honeyduke's through the tunnel, then back to the common room.

"Oh, I forgot. I got you these" said George revealing a few of the love potion roses had been organised into a small bouquet. Apollo also noticed several other flowers arranged into the bunch too, picked by George himself.

"Thank you. It's beautiful! I love it" Apollo smiled brightly. Sniffing the flowers, now the scent of gunpowder was accompanied by something else, he couldn't place it yet.

"I made this for you, I know it's not much but I hope it's ok" Apollo said passing over an origami rose, made with notes the pair had been passing in class on a page torn out of a textbook. It coincidentally was the page that contained the method for brewing Amortentia, other petals making up the rose were made from the wrappers of each of the pairs favourite chocolates as well.

"That's incredible. Thank you" George hadn't been thinking when he leant over to place a kiss on Apollos cheek as a gesture of his appreciation. But when the other boy couldn't wipe the smile off his face, or look up from his feet he knew he didn't regret it.