Pinky-Promise (Fred Weasley Fanfiction)

Chapter 7: Angelina Johnson

The Gryffindor common room was crowded to say the least. The twins had Harry on their shoulders, parading him around as everyone cheered. What was shaping up to be a great party was sure to break out at any moment. The golden egg Harry had snagged was being held by Seamus Finnigan. It was supposed to contain a clue for the next task. "Go on Harry, open it!" Seamus yelled, passing it up to Harry.

"Who wants me to open it?" Harry exclaimed, still high on the adrenaline of fighting a dragon.

The room erupted in whoops and cheers. Harry raised a hand to quiet the room, and unlatched the top of the egg. It fell open with an ear splitting screech, causing the twins to drop Harry as they, along with everyone else covered their ears from the god awful noise. Harry caught it on the ground and shut it quickly. "What the bloody hell was that?" A voice asked.

I looked over to see Ron, still holding a noise maker from the task. The room went quiet as he and Harry made awkward eye contact. "Alright everyone, go back to your knitting! This is going to be uncomfortable enough without all you nosy sods listening in." Fred said, and the crowd dispersed quickly.

It was no secret to anyone that Harry and Ron were fighting, but I had hoped they'd make up quicker than this. I followed Fred and George to our usual spot by the window. I sat on the window ledge while Fred and George took comfy armchairs on either side. "You reckon Ron's caught on that Harry didn't put his name in?" I asked, watching the younger boys awkward interaction.

"He must've after that. Ron's dense as hell, but he can't be that dense." George laughed.

"You have too much faith in our dear brother George. I say five sickles he's still angry with Harry." Fred challenged.

"Easy deal, mate." George responded, "He's got a soft spot for his friend."

We couldn't hear what was being said from where we were, so Fred and George took it upon themselves to narrate. "Oh Harry, I love you so much. I miss our cuddles at night." George crooned in a horrible Ron impression.

"Ron, I love you too. I fought that dragon for you." Fred began to imitate Harry.

I laughed with the brothers, each of us taking turns trying to imitate what was being said. Fred's laughter was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard, and I felt a swell of pride whenever I managed to pull a laugh from him.

Finally, Ron and Harry shared an awkward makeup handshake. Fred groaned when George turned to him, a smug smile on his face. "Well Freddie, looks like you owe me five Sickles."

*****

A week and a half after the first task, all the Gryffindors from years four to eight were summoned to an empty classroom by our head of house, Professor McGonagall. The boys and girls were separated, instructed to sit on benches on opposite ends of the room. I gave a puzzled wave to Fred and George, and found a spot on the opposing benches beside Hermione and Angelina Johnson.

A giant gramophone was set up just behind McGonagall, with Filch tinkering with the thing, trying to get it working. The room quieted as McGonagall began speaking. "It has been the tradition of the Triwizard Tournament to hold the Yule Ball. On Christmas Eve night, we and our guests gather in the Great Hall for a night of well mannered... frivolity."

"As representatives of the host school, I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward. And I mean that quite literally. Because the Yule Ball, is first and foremost, a dance."

Excited whispers broke out among the girls, while groans of disgust sounded from the guys. "A dance? Like, we're going to need a date?!" Hermione said, she sounded worried.