The Yule Ball was amazing, and Thea was certainly enjoying herself. She danced around with James and her other friends for ages it seemed. Max and Alexander certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves a lot. The entire time they hadn't let go of their hands and Thea just hoped it would lead into something more.

Thea walked over to her table and sat down discarding the shoes that Sadie had given her. It was the first time she had been given a breather since the morning it seemed. Too bad it was cut short by Cedric heading over to her.

"Come dance with me, Thea?"

"Of course."

Thea and Cedric danced around talking while they did it.

"Have you seen Max and Alexander?" Cedric said quietly like he was a girl being caught gossiping.

"Of course. I'm so happy for them!"

"Me too." Cedric grinned. "What about Marquis and Jax? I can already tell that they are going to be such a power couple."

"I can see it too! I just hope everything works out for those two, Merlin knows they deserve it."

"Yeah. Marquis was telling me this earlier, it's a huge deal for Jax. Only his closest friends and parents knew but everyone that was big."

"Yeah, those two deserve happiness."

"So..." Cedric started waggling his eyebrows. "What's the deal with you and James?"

"Nothing," Thea said slightly too quickly.

"Really? I don't believe that in the slightest."

"You need too. James and I are really good friends and I might never see him again after this year."

"Okay, fine." Cedric accepted defeat. "But you know it's part of my job?"

"Your job?"

"As the older brother, I mean. I've got to look out for you and any boys you decide to let into your life. It's my job and it always will be."

Thea chuckled before quickly embracing her brother. "Thank you, I suppose then."

"I better get back to Cho."

"Yeah, enjoy your time with her. It would be nice if she and I could actually hold a conversation, but it really doesn't matter."

"I'll mention it to her if you'd like?"

"Sounds good."

Fred Weasley stood on the other side of the hall watching the festivities take place. He was, of course, gutted that he didn't get to go with Max, the girl he had had a crush on for so long, but she seemed happy, she hadn't let go of that Alexander boy's hand the entire night. Fred had enjoyed himself dancing with Angelina was quite fun and the food was really good as usual. George had enjoyed himself as well, they had danced together a little bit as well. Lee clearly enjoyed his time with Sadie which was good as well I suppose.

"You alright, Freddie?" George asked appearing next to him.

"Yeah, I'm alright," Fred replied his eyes following Max and Alexander as they left the hall looking for some peace and quiet.

"It's her, isn't it?"

"Who else, George?"

"She seems awfully attached to that Alexander, one of Thea's friends."

"Really, George? I didn't notice."

"Sorry."

"It's fine," Fred said searching for a new topic to discuss. "Why do you bring Thea up so much in conversations, anyway?"

"No reason. She's cool."

"Oh yeah sure, that's the only reason," Fred muttered leaving George as Angelina arrived back from the bathroom with Katie. George was left there wondering why he did bring up Thea so much.

After saying goodbye to her brother, Thea decided to leave the hall searching for some peace and quiet, the loud music and conversation had given her quite the headache. She found a seat on the stairs and immediately regretted her decision as she was surrounded by either girls sobbing or couples snogging passionately. Making a sound of disgust, Thea was getting ready to leave when Alexander and Max appeared on either side of her.

Thea grinned as she observed their still linked hands. "How are you two?" Thea teased emphasising the 'two'.

"Never better," Alexander replied.

"That's good."

"How are you, Thea?" Max asked. "Enjoying your evening?"

"I have enjoyed it a lot. James and I have had a lot of fun tonight. Although I'm going to be left with a killer headache tomorrow because of all of this, she said gesturing around her."

"Yeah, I get you there." Alexander agreed.

"Well, what were your two's plans for the evening?" Thea asked.

"I don't know, maybe go for a walk?" Max replied, looking at Alexander.

"Sounds good. You could join us if you wanted to, Thea?"

"I'm good, I feel like you two need the alone time." Thea got up and left leaving her friends with those parting words as they both turned bright red.

"Well, Max," Alexander said recovering a lot quicker than Max. "A walk doesn't sound too bad. What do you think?"

Max observed the scene around her and watched as the girl closest to them broke down into tears.

"Yeah. A walk sounds good."

Max and Alexander walked beside each other through the corridors casually making conversation. After spotting their usual windowsill, they both sat down side by side admiring the beauty of the castle grounds and the slow falling snow outside.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Max said.

"Yeah, it is but not as beautiful as you."

Max turned back to Alexander to see him getting closer and closer, she couldn't breathe suddenly. Their lips finally touched, and they kissed. They both blushed bright red, trying to hide their embarrassment by looking elsewhere. After sitting there for a few moments trying to hide their embarrassment, Alexander took Max's hand again and lead her back to the Great Hall, keen to dance with her again.

Thea arrived at the Hufflepuff common room at the same time as Max and Alexander and the three of them walked up to the dormitories and as they had to part ways, Alexander kissed Max's cheek. Thea's heart soared.

The minute they got inside the dormitory, Thea let out a high-pitched squeal losing her composure spinning Max around and around out of her joy.

"I was right! I was right!" Thea screamed. "I knew I was right to leave you two! You guys kissed, didn't you? Not just on the cheek but actually on the lips, didn't you!"

"Maybe." Max blushed hiding her face behind her hair.

"AWW! I'm so happy. My two best friends, all grown up and sharing kisses together!"

"Please calm down, Thea. It's not like everyone needs to hear."

"Really? You think that. I want to tell everyone in this castle right now!"

"Thea, you better not." Max started but noticing Thea's Cheshire cat grin. "Don't you dare!"

"Ok, ok. I won't." Thea replied holding her hands up in defeat. "So, what happens now? Are you two dating?"

"I honestly don't know but I hope so, I really like him."

"Really? I didn't know that."

"I swear your sarcasm will be the death of me, one day."