It's not so much a lack of motivation to write, it's strangely a slight lack of motivation to publish... that makes no sense whatsoever

But enough of that; enjoy the second part of the Yule Ball

After some time, Harry suggested they go for a walk. Harry breathed out a sigh of relief as they escaped the majority of the people. The sound of splashing water, a fountain, helped calm him down a little.

"You having fun, Harry?" Fred asked, sounding anxious.

"Hm? Oh, yes! Most definitely. I didn't think I would enjoy the ball this much."

Fred relaxed. "Me, neither."

They heard a familiar voice coming from nearby.

"... don't see what there is to fuss about, Igor."

"Severus, you cannot pretend this isn't happening!" Karkaroff's voice sounded anxious and hushed, as though keen not to be overheard. "It's been getting clearer and clearer for months. I am becoming seriously concerned, I can't deny it—"

"Then flee," said Snape's voice curtly. "Flee— I will make your excuses. I, however, am remaining at Hogwarts."

Snape and Karkaroff came around the corner. Snape had his wand out and was blasting rosebushes apart, his expression most ill-natured. Squeals issued from many of the bushes, and dark shapes emerged from them.

"Ten points from Ravenclaw, Fawcett!" Snape snarled as a girl ran past him. "And ten points from Hufflepuff too, Stebbins!" as a boy went rushing after her. "And what are you two doing?" he added, catching sight of Harry and Fred. Karkaroff began nervously winding his goatee around his finger.

"Just getting some fresh air," Fred said.

"Well, get it somewhere else!" Snape snarled. He brushed past them with Karkaroff trailing behind.

"Wow," Fred muttered, watching them go. "Wonder what got him in a mood."

Harry shrugged. He had a good idea, knowing Snape's history, but he didn't think it would be appropriate to mention it here. "Can we just go back inside? I'm a bit thirsty."

"Well, we can't have that!" Fred said dramatically. "To the Great Hall!"

They headed back in, where they spoke to a few people here and there, then midnight came and ended the ball.

"Hey, Harry!" Cedric was running up to him.

"Hey, Cedric," Harry said. "What's up?"

Cedric's eyes flicked to Fred, who got the message and went off to give them privacy. "Listen..." Cedric lowered his voice as Fred disappeared. "I owe you one for telling me about the dragons. You know that golden egg? Does yours wail when you open it?"

"Yeah," said Harry.

"Well... take a bath, okay?"

"What?"

"Take a bath, and— er— take the egg with you, and— er— just mull things over in the hot water. It'll help you think... Trust me."

Harry stared at him. Mull things over in the hot water...?

"Tell you what," Cedric said, "use the prefects' bathroom. Fourth door to the left of that statue of Boris the Bewildered on the fifth floor. Password's 'pine fresh.' Gotta go... want to say good night—"

He grinned and went off to where Cho stood waiting for him.

"What did he want?" Fred asked as Harry rejoined him.

"He gave me a hint about the egg."

"You mean you hadn't figured it out yet?"

"No. He mentioned taking a bath with it," Harry said.

"A bath?" Fred raised an eyebrow. "Maybe I should join you," he joked.

Harry coughed a bit, face going very red.

Fred laughed. "I'm joking. Come on. I'll walk you back to the Ravenclaw Tower."

They walked in companionable silence until they reached the entrance. "Harry?" Fred said as Harry was about to step up to the eagle knocker.

"Yes?" Harry turned around and was completely taken aback by the pair of lips that gently but firmly pressed against his.

Fred broke away after a few seconds. "There," he murmured. "That's the one other thing I've been looking forward to." Without another word, he disappeared, off to his own dorm.

Harry blinked in shock and touched his lips. Kissing was something he had seen plenty of people do, but never did he expect to be kissed himself. Remus and Sirius would be pleased.

Remus and Sirius... Harry had almost forgotten he was to tell them about the ball. He gave the answer to the riddle— it took him a bit longer than usual to answer— and rushed inside to write a letter.

Fred entered the Gryffindor Common Room in a daze. Tonight had been the best night of his life. He felt his face heat up as he remembered the kiss. It had taken every single ounce of courage to do so, and it felt incredible.

"Well, if you don't like it, you know what the solution is, don't you?" he heard Hermione yelling; her hair was coming down out of its elegant bun now, and her face was screwed up in anger.

"Oh yeah?" Ron yelled back. "What's that?"

"Next time there's a ball, ask me before someone else does, and not as a last resort!"

Ron mouthed soundlessly like a goldfish out of water as Hermione turned on her heel and stormed up the girls' staircase to bed. Ron turned to look at Fred.

"Well," he sputtered, looking thunderstruck, "well— that just proves— completely missed the point—"

Fred shook his head. Personally, he thought Hermione had made a much better point, not that he knew exactly what that was.

"Blimey," Ron whispered. "I didn't know you were gay, Fred."

Fred quirked an eyebrow challengingly. "Got a problem with that?"

"Well, no, I'm happy for you," Ron said seriously. "It just surprised me."

Fred nodded, appreciative of his words. "Thanks for the support, Ron."

"So, how was it?" George asked as Fred came up the staircase and to bed.

Fred looked at him with a goofy grin on his face. "It was amazing..." He flopped onto his bed, not bothering with his robes. George took out his wand and changed Fred into his pajamas before getting into his own and settling down in bed.

"Night, Freddie."

"Nguh," was all he received.

I'm here for a supportive, non-homophobic Ron, how bout you?