I walked back inside, my shoes were a little soggy and my body was cold. I insisted Fred go join his friends while I warmed up for a few minutes back in the common room. After arguing for a while he caved and we were back inside the castle.

I watched as he ran back into the Ball, the blue light reflecting off his freckled skin. His body tossing around in arrogance with his friends bopping to the beat. I barely got much sleep the night before and I was feeling spent. I knew Fred was only just getting his night started.

He smiled back at me blowing kisses as I turned away and around the corner to the stairs ready to make my way to the common room.

I looked down at my shoes feeling happier than I had in a long while. I wanted to skip. I was so content, that was until I heard a girl's sniffles not too far away from me.

There I saw in front of me a crying girl, removing her shoes and sobbing into the palm of her hands.

Her dress was different shades of purple and flowed all the way down her body, her hair twisted up perfectly curled, framing her face. I rushed over.

"Hermie, you okay?" I spoke softly as if I raised my voice just a little she would break.

Hermione's head shot up, as she quickly dragged her fingers to wipe away the escaping tears. "I'm fine, I'm fine, sorry I was just about to head up Miranda. No need to worry" Herimonie stuttered.

"Hermione, you know I will always be here for you." My sudden protective urges came over me. Being an only child I had opted for caring for the younger students in the school in hopes I could find my big sister role. Although this year, Hermione had taken up a special place in my heart. I knew Fred was close with her so my protective instincts were stronger than ever. I placed my hand on her back gently as I sat down next to her. I could see her contemplating whether or not to confess to me.

"Look, Ronald is just particularly incompetent tonight." Her face became lost in thought, her eyes pricked with tears again.

"I know this too well my girl. Weasley men are hard to deal with" I cut in.

"You can't talk, Fred's amazing. Ron just does not get it." Hermione blurted. A small smile crept across my face as I recalled dancing in the soft snow with Fred tonight.

"I'm sure you could snag George if you ask nicely," I quipped. Humour was always the best solution in damp cases like these.

Hermione's face turned from sorrow to laughter in a second. The smile intrigued her face with great shock and amusement. The giggles died down and she looked at me a little lost. I decided to offer my advice.

"For now, give him a minute to realise how he has fucked up" Her eyebrows raised at my swearing, I continued with a slight chuckle "and then... go for it"

"What!" Her shout shrieked and a few people heading up to bed stopped in their tracks. The blush that she tried to conceal dashed through her cheeks.

"Hermione, you are wasting so much time. Do it. Be brave. Use your Gryffindor courage." I smiled down at her. "Make me proud Granger." Hermione's eyes were fixed on the ground as she played with the hem of her dress.

"I don't even think he fancies me the way I do him. I mean look at my hair, my teeth have only just changed. If anything, sometimes I wonder if Ron even wants to be my friend." A small accepting smile played sadly across her face. It was my turn to shriek.

"What!" Hermione turned her face up to me looking alarmed. I continued. "Brightest witch of your age and you can't even see what's right in front of you. You must have seen the way Ron trips over his words when looking you in the eyes or how he looked at you tonight, come on Hermione!"

"What but I never, I-"

"And don't get me started on when he brings up S.P.E.W. so he can talk to you more, even when you are angry! Ron likes you more than you like him and I'm so sure I would willingly bet my Gringotts vault on it." I went overboard, I thought. I was an observant person of course, but I never let people know that. Maybe that was too much?

"Oh my god," Hermione stared at me much like a deer in the headlights. I only smiled back. Something inside Hermione's head had clicked, it was like finally watching clogs turning. I knew I had made the right decision bursting out like that when her fingers dropped from the hem of the dress.

"I bloody hope you're right" She breathed.

***

After walking Hermione up to the dorms. I brought a blanket around my shoulders and sat in front of the common room fire. I couldn't tell you where my boldness came from when talking to Hermione, I didn't even know her that well. Maybe Fred was rubbing off on me.

I saw her with Ron, hell anyone with eyes in Gryffindor saw the way they looked at each other. Fred was always letting little things slip when we were friends again, moaning about Ron needing to man up and ask her out.

Someone burst into the common room stopping me from throwing another thought into the jumble of mess that was tonight.

"Angelina." I whipped my head to see her standing there with glossy eyes and ruined makeup.

"Miranda, Randy, I have been looking for you everywhere." Angelina came running toward me.

"Woah, slow down Ang," I cautioned. As she came to a halt in front of me I tapped the spot on the couch next to me. The common room was vacant with the exception of us two.

"Look I'm sure I have to be quick but I'm so so so sorry-" tears streamed down her swollen cheeks "- Miranda I can't believe I yelled at you like that. I am such a shitty person" Ang pulled her hair in frustration. "In fact, it wasn't even you, it was something completely-"

"I know," I interrupted Angelina with a sincere smile. "It's okay Ang, really."

"No, no it's not you can't forgive me that easily, I messed up." Angelina looked at me hopelessly and tried to reason me into being angry with her. But I wasn't, to me anger was and is always going to be a waste of time on the people you love. It didn't make me weak, it made me smart. I knew Angelina was angry. I knew that she messed up but, to be honest, I didn't care. I still loved her, my best friend has done so much for me I wouldn't let a one-off moment get in the way at all.

"Well I do and there's nothing you can do about it." I smiled at her tear-stained face.

I spread my arms open to hug Angelina and she jumped at the embrace, squeezing tightly. When Ang pulled away she looked up at me.

"I have something to tell you, Randy..." Angelina took in a shaky breath before she spoke again. Her crying had subsided completely now, all that was left were her tear stains dripping down her face.

"I'm pansexual."

"I know," I smiled.

Silence.

I could see Angelina was thinking, in deep thought. Couldn't she see how obvious she had made it to those around her? I guess not. She may be the smartest in History of Magic and tactically on the Quidditch Pitch but certainly not when hiding her emotions.

"You what?" Angelina whispered.

"Yes, I don't think any different of you at all." I was relieved that a sign passed through Angelina's mouth. I decided to make sure she knew why I understood so well. "In fact, I'll let you in on a little secret; I'm bi."

Angelina's jaw hung slightly open. I didn't ever really see the need in telling people, Frankie knew, she had asked me a while ago though. I hate that people who aren't straight have to 'come out.' It's stupid. Why don't straight people have to go through the same process? There is so much added pressure with labels. I chuckle and turn back to Angelina whose jaw is still open.

"Oh and hey if Fred and I don't work you'll be the first to know." I winked at Angelina leaving her in shock.

"I hate to break it to you but I just don't think I'm ready for that commitment. Have you seen the work Fred put into you, he must be exhausted!" Angelina and I laughed. Our sides started to hurt and our stomachs knotted. Just as we began to recover another familiar face burst through the door.

"KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF HER ANGELINA" Fred shouted. Fred had stormed into the common making a grand entrance as always. Some of tonight's outfit must have been discarded because he was only wearing his white button-up shirt and black dress pants.

"Wowie someone's possessive," I laughed, harder when I realised Fred must have not heard our last conversation "Angelina and I were just having a lovely chat, why the need for such an intrusion?" Fred, although still mad, looked visibly more comfortable.

"You with me." He pointed toward me and started to march forward. He arrived in front of me at the sofa and threw me over his shoulder. I screamed in a little excited shock. "And you," he pointed to Angelina. "I'm still mad at you."

I laughed in shock as he marched out of the room still holding me on his shoulders.

When I had finally been put down Fred turned to me.

"Hello, darling." He leaned into a quick peck while placing his hand on my cheek stroking it softly. After pulling away, he moved to my ear and whispered.

"I would also be delighted to punch the living shit out of Angelina if she ever tries that behaviour again." I could see how stern he was being, but I couldn't help giggling.

"Your ego is way too high, Weasley" I slapped his chest and moved along. "Come on, I know a place." Winking I dragged his hand down the empty hallway, the soft violin still echoing through the walls of the castle.

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