homesick ☆ f.weasley

.:19:.

The moment Cedric asked Emmeline to the Yule Ball the blonde suspected she would explode. And then die. She couldn't believe it. Only a few days ago she was crying because he had asked Angelina. But now she was popular he wanted her!

Veronica had seemed to forgiven her but Emmeline still felt as though she was walking on eggshells. Emmeline had finally began to relax and feel excited about the Yule Ball. It was slightly bittersweet as she knew her and Angelina had been looking forward to spending it together. But now they barely looked at each other, and when they did, the glare was filled with disdain. It appeared the only one of her old friends that was still talking to her was Fred. His voice was slightly laced with a disappointment in Emmeline that she was oblivious to. The two of them were currently in the common room (Angelina and George had promptly dispersed due to Emmeline's entrance).

"I'm having the best day in the world," Emmeline gushed, ignoring the portrait door slamming from Angelina's force.

"Glad you're happy," Fred responded simply, his eyes locked on the crackling fire.

"Oh Fred I'm on top of the world! I can do anything! I could snog you right now!"

"Please do."

"In fact, I could go snog Cedric right now. I can do anything I want now I'm confident! I'm going to go find him and snog his face off. Did I tell you he asked me to the ball?"

Fred's face crumpled into a bewildered yet somehow amused look. "Only three times."

"I'm going to go and find him!" She shot up off her chair, beaming as though her birthday and Christmas had came at once. Confidence was radiating from her and adrenaline was surging her on.

"If you ever want to prank with us again, you can," Fred said before she left.

"I don't think-"

"Veronica would let you," Fred concluded with a roll of his eyes. "Forgot you had to ask Lord Veronica now you're all pretty and popular."

Emmeline giggled as the portrait swung open and she dashed out of it. Fred's heart sunk. He wanted her to stay and listen to him and return to her old self. This moment was bitter, for Fred Weasley was insanely in love with Emmeline. However, now at least, she finally realised how beautiful she was.

Fred remained in his chair, watching the dancing flames. If she hadn't have bumped into Veronica and became her friend, he would've asked her to the Yule Ball by now. He estimated she would say yes, just because there was an absence of anyone else. Now, she was throwing away everything that defined Emmeline as Emmeline. But it was her choice, and he thought she wore confidence well.

He remained still until Angelina and George burst into the room, hand in hand. They sat either side of Fred.

"You alright, Freddie?" George asked, viewing his distant gaze with concern.

Fred nodded. "Of course."

Angelina and George exchanged a knowing look.

"She looks ridiculous! That quiff looks like a mountain on her head and don't even get me started on that blazer-"

Angelina broke into an insurmountable grin. "You like her don't you."

Fred blushed and shrugged. "A bit," he mumbled.

"A lot," confirmed George, earning him a death stare from his twin.

Fred inhaled. "It's a lost cause anyway," he finally said in a quiet voice. "She's with Hufflepuff's golden boy."

"It won't last," Angelina assured him.

"I'm okay with it, it's fine." He stood up and walked away.

"He is most certainly not okay with it," George said.

☆

The night before the Yule Ball was manic. Emmeline had expected Veronica to do her make up, but the Auburn haired girl declared irritably her time would be consumed with getting herself ready. Emmeline was heavily relying on Veronica to transform her into a look that replicated her own. She knew if she was left to get herself ready, she wouldn't look adequate enough to have Cedric as a date nor to occupy a seat at Veronica, Vivienne and Velma's table. Fortunately for her, Emmeline had managed to alter the hue of her dress to resemble a gorgeous pastel pink. It contrasted greatly with Veronica's rather lurid magenta gown.

"It's too crowded," panted Veronica, fanning herself as she pushed past Velma to reach the mirror.

"I agree, perhaps Emmeline should sort her stuff out in her own dorm," suggested Vivienne balefully, glaring at Emmeline. Veronica nodded in a dismissive way.

"But....But." Emmeline struggled to justify why her presence was necessary but she couldn't go back to the Gryffindor dorms. These were her friends now, they couldn't just abandon her now!

Vivienne greeted Emmeline's stutters with derision. The Gryffindor looked at Veronica for defense but she was too busy trying to find her other shoe. She even offered Velma a hopeful glance, but the dark skinned girl was too preoccupied with sticking hair clips in her hair.

"Bye then," snarled Vivienne.

"Yeah bye," mumbled Veronica, now cramming her foot into a sparkled pink high heel.

"But I can come back right? Like in a bit once you've sorted everything out for tommorow?" Emmeline began.

"Hmm...probably not," Veronica said, beginning to look harried by Emmeline's persistence.

Vivienne shot a triumphant grin at Emmeline, which made her skin crawl. "Goodbye!"

"We will see you tommorow," Veronica said, now bewitching the shoe to make it a few sizes bigger.

"Tomorrow?!" gasped Emmeline. "But I thought I'd be getting ready with you guys!"

"You thought wrong," Veronica spat.

"As you can see there's not much room." Vivienne faked a sigh. "After all, you can't just expect to infringe on our friendship like this. Veronica and I have been friends since first year!"

The boast almost knocked Emmeline sick. Reality hit her like a slap around the face. Popularity had clouded her sense of judgement. The trio could drop her at any moment. She was a fool to believe they were equals now. As she shuffled miserable out their dorm, dread was beginning to drown her. The Yule Ball was sure to be a disaster.