[1] Lemons into Lemonade ✓ | FRED WEASLEY

Chapter Twenty Five

Usually, after Divinations class, Fred and Lexy would just head straight to the Great Hall but today, it was announced that all the Hufflepuffs should go to the common room for a special announcement. Once they were there, Lexy squealed excitedly as Professor Sprout was stood there, a notice clasped in her hands.

"Angela told me something special was happening," She clapped her hands, "Oh my God, I'm so excited."

"You don't even know what it is yet, hon," Fred whispered back, his interest more taken by Ludo Bagman who was standing tall behind Professor Sprout. Curiously, as he entered, Ludo's eyes did flick to Fred before quickly looking elsewhere, which heightened Fred's already big suspicions of the man.

"Take a seat everyone," Professor Sprout said, "There's room at the back ... or just stand, even sit on the floor! Just make sure everyone can hear."

The dull hum of chatter slowly quietened as the Hufflepuffs turned their attention to Professor Sprout who was grinning widely ear to ear. Fred and Lexy took a seat on a sofa arm, forced to cling to each other to stop themselves from falling off onto some random boy's lap.

"Okay, I think some of you have probably heard this or those who read a book on the tournament will know too," Professor Sprout paused slightly, grinning at them again, "But the Yule Ball is approaching, which is a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament, a chance for us all to have some fun and get to know our French and Norwegian guests! Hold on, I have it written down here, the ball is only available to those under Fourth Year ... wait, that can't be right."

Ludo stepped forwards, correcting their teacher who gave an awkward laugh, "Ah, that makes more sense, thank you Ludo. The ball is available to those in or above the fourth year but older students may ask younger students should they so wish."

At this, Lexy gripped Fred's arm so tightly that she temporarily cut off the circulation and Fred almost slipped off the sofa arm, "Lex, that hurts!"

Lexy blushed slightly, "Oh goodness me, I'm sorry."

"The Dance will be on Christmas Day and run from eight o'clock to Midnight," She gave a smile, "So, all I can say is make sure you find yourself a date but even if you don't date, you can have plenty of fun solo!"

Lexy sniggered slightly, nudging Fred who wasn't really sure why but grinned back anyway. Throughout the speech, Fred had hardly heard a word Professor Sprout had said, staring at Ludo who looked incredibly shifty ... although that could just be because a Sixth year was staring intently at him. It didn't matter though; Lexy and Angela made sure to fill him on every detail of the ball later that day at supper, the two of them speaking so fast it was almost hard to understand them. Despite the fact that Kenny was still angry at him, the two did exchange an exasperated look across the table which brought a smile to Fred's face.

"Kenny, we're going to have to be matching," Angela stated firmly, "I want to wear red so you have to wear red somewhere too, like your tie or your shoes - "

For once, Kenny stood up to his girlfriend, shaking his head, "Ang, red shoes are not my colour."

"Dye your hair bright red?" Lexy suggested before letting out a giggle, "Ha, you'd look like an ugly tomato! Sorry, about the ugly part but the tomato part still stands."

Kenny hunched over, crossing his arms, "Well, I'm not doing that either, I'm just going to do the tie."

Angela gave him a smile, "Yeah, that would suit you, despite what Lexy said, red does not make you look like a tomato. We should go to Gladrags sometime before all the good stuff is gone and we're left with some hideous frock from the 1800s."