It was a long time after that anything exciting truly developed between the four of them after that, the two pairs experiencing everything going on in the wizarding world at the same pace as everyone else. Naturally the girls nearly had Malfoy's for head mudblood comment made to Hermione, especially Ruby who was in Slytherin house. When they found out Ginny had been the target of the Dark Lord, they had become her bodyguard the rest of the years to follow. That had been their fourth year though, which also came with the little plan to save Harry which hadn't surprised the girls any when the boys pulled that off. It also hadn't surprised the girls any when they learned that the Dark Lord had been leaching off on the back of Professor Quirels head, thinking he was rather odd in their third year. The only truly exciting things that happened were when they met Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, only having known them through the infamous Marauders Map which the boys had helped them steal during one of their detentions early on in their school career. What always confused them, until their fifth year that is, was who the hell was Peter Pettigrew and why was he always in the bed of a young Weasley? That was quickly explained, though made slightly worrying, by the news that he was an animagus who had been the Wealeys' pet rat Scabers all these years. But the truly exciting times came now, during their sixth year. Not all of it was good of course, like the chaos at the Quidditch World cup which they had been going through with their families. They had all survived of course, having flown home as soon as the chaos broke out, but that didn't change how worried they had been for the golden trio and the rest of the Weasley clan. Though that was put to ease by the girls hearing from the twins not too long after and seeing them again on the train to school. The other excitement came from the Triwizard Tournament which was now being hosted at their school. Naturally they enjoyed the theatrics of the other schools, especially when it meant seeing their little sisters who went to Durmstrang and Beauxbatons respectively besides for the middle children of their families who went to school at Hogwarts with them. They also broke out laughing when Fred and George failed to enter to compete, reminding them they could take bets which made the twins very happy at the idea. The other bit of excitement that came was at the Yule Ball being announced which gained attention from both pairs. Of course there had been plenty of school dances since their fourth year, but this was the first big and all four of them knew that. The boys in particular this year felt a good bit of pressure to ask the girls to go this year and for good reason. See, there were lads from both of the other schools lining up to try and get the two foreigners to go with them to the dance. Especially when they heard of their exploits from their younger sisters, which made the two a bit more anxious in asking them. They had never felt this pressure to ask them to go before though, especially with the new found attraction the two had for the girls and with how well they were growing into women instead of girls. This led them to now, the boys practically doging the two youngest of the two clans they belonged to for dirt on how the girls wanted to be asked. This was annoying the Durmstrang and Bauxbaton students respectively, especially when they were listening to their fellow classmates constantly complain at their sisters rejecting them as they waited for the twins to ask them to the dance instead. It was like some sort of sick cycle, knowing the girls couldn't ask the guys otherwise this whole conversation wouldn't be happening right now. It was like the headmaster loved to torment young couples by having this archaic rule in place.
"Please Amethyst! Please Citrine!" George begged, sitting down in front of the two girls in the courtyard as the duo rolled their eyes in their uniforms. This was pathetic to them, knowing the two boys had more courage than this and far more dignity than to be pleading with fourteen year olds for information that they didn't really need.
"If we don't ask them soon then they'll eventually take up someone else on their offer! Just tell us what their ideal dance proposal would be and we'll leave you be!" Fred added in, sitting down with his brother as the two girls rolled their eyes again. They had been able to dodge this conversation till now, but that wasn't happening anymore. They had them cornered and, even though winter break would soon be in full effect by the time dinner was done tonight, they couldn't get away from the twins right now. They both looked at the twins then at each other, debating on saying anything then nodding to each other before looking back at the boys.
"If we tell you, then you have to leave us the rest of the time we're here unless you're with Rubes or Em. Got it?" Citrine hummed, earning an agreeing nod from Amethyst which showed she was okay with this arrangement as well. Honestly, with how close the two families were, the boys were surprised that they weren't just one big family and all considered sisters at this point with how little talking they had to do to communicate with each other.
"Of course! Whatever it takes to get the girls to agree!" Fred said, soon earning an elbow from his brother and a questionable look from the girls on the bench in front of them.
"Without using magic on them of course." George clarified, his brother nodding in agreement and the girls rolling their eyes with small sighs of their own passing by their lips. They then looked to each other with knowing looks and Citrine nodded, motioning to the twins before something behind them caught her eye which she pointed out to Amethyst as discreetly as possible. This earned a small smirk from the girl and that wasn't necessarily a good thing, but the boys didn't know that quite yet.
"You really wanna know what makes for the perfect dance proposal to Rubes and Em?" She asked the two boys, earning rapid nods from the boys in question as they kneeled there in front of the girls despite the snow on the ground already which was eating away at their bones. Both girls then chuckled and gripped the boys gently by the head, smirking as they did so with a hum and a snicker passing by their lips.
"Then why don't you just ask them yourselves?" Citrine suggested before the two turned their heads to show, sure enough, Ruby and Emerald standing there staring down at the two boys with their arms crossed over their chests at the moment. The boys both gasped, scrambling to their feet as both sets of girls laughed while Citrine and Amethyst ran away into the castle.
"Yes~. Why don't you two ask us what makes the ideal dance proposal in our eyes~?" Emerald teased the duo, Ruby leaning against her cousin as they both looked at them with playful half-lidded eyes. Both boys were cussing under their breath now, scrambling to their feet as they stood in front of the well dressed girls now.
"Because we didn't want to make it obvious we were going to ask you." George murmured out, earning a soft elbowing back from his brother as the two somewhat glared at each other. The two girls both laughed once again, a soft chuckle coming from Emerald while Ruby was giggling and both boys relaxed at that sound. It was soothing to their ears really, hearing the girls laugh even if it was at them. Emerald's reminded Fred of a rainstorm, finding the sound relaxing the drops hitting his window pane. For George though; Ruby's little giggle reminded him of a warm campfire, like the bonfires they would have over at the girls house or at home with the Weasley clan.
"If you two had just come to us and asked us out right, we would've been happy~." Ruby hummed, reaching up and gently patting George on the head who's cheeks went a rosy pink hue. Though now it wasn't just from the cold air around them.
"Yeah, you big fucking goofballs. We would've gladly said yes if you had just asked us. We don't need any of that ass backwards pageantry the other girls want." Emerald said, lightly and carefully slugging Fred in the arm which earned his own rosy pink blush out of him. What could he say? He liked a strong woman and Emerald certainly was quite in shape. The two boys then looked to each other, laughing a little which would've made the girls swoon themselves if they hadn't been leaning against each other. They knew how well the two boys were growing up, knowing they were handsome, strapping, young men that they wouldn't deny they were attracted to. They just didn't know how far that attraction went, even if they found the boys' voices rather soothing in their own way. For Emerald; Fred's laugh was like that of a lightning strike to her system, making her tingle in excitement. While with Ruby; George's laugh was like ashes from a phoenix's fire, soothing her skin and making her feel warm.
"I suppose you're both right." George hummed, catching both of their attention once again as Fred nodded his head in agreement once more. Both girls went pink at that, fond of being told they were right by the boys because it showed just how different they were from some of the others who tried to ask them to the dance. Those boys tended to always think they were right, that these two could be tamed if they played their cards right. That's what got them in trouble though, often earning shocks from the impulsive Thunderbird girl that was Emerald and burns from the insulted Phoenix girl that was Ruby.
"Yeah. Not to mention if we had asked you guys out right first, we might have saved you a few punishments alongside some house points and less Medical Wing visits from you two going off on people." Fred hummed, earning an elbow from Emerald this time who huffed out in annoyance as the male chuckled at her.
"They deserved it and we all know that. Especially with how many times they tried to get handys with us." Emerald huffed, earning a slightly hesitant nod from Ruby as it became clear both girls didn't find those incidents funny. The boys looked at them in shock, not having known that part as the girls shouldn't have been punished for defending themselves and they both knew that. Their mom raised perfect gentlemen and that meant when it came to these things.
"I'm sorry. W-We didn't-."
"Save it George. We know you didn't know." Emerald huffed, interrupting the softer of the two twins. This earned a hand on her shoulder from Ruby, recognizing her cousin's temper flaring as she looked up at the two boys.
"We didn't want you guys to know. We handled it just fine and didn't want you guys getting in trouble too over it." Ruby explained, the boys nodding in understanding though they still were just a bit hurt that the girls hadn't told them. They talked about everything together, even their periods and their solo time even if that second one was mostly in terms of joking around when they were in bad moods.
"Then I guess that's settled then." Fred hummed, earning a confused look from everyone before he continued on.
"I'll take Emerald to the Yule Ball and George will take Ruby? Right?" He asked, earning laughs from everyone else as they nodded in agreement over the idea.
~Time Skip~
"Damn these things. I hate ties." Fred muttered out with a sigh, getting frustrated with the plaid yellow tie he had on. He was standing in a corner of the common room, fiddling with his tie and trying to get his suit tie perfectly straight and at the perfect length that it was the standard definition of perfection. Obviously; it wasn't necessarily working since the ravenette was still bickering and annoyed by it. This earned a chuckle from his brother, not realizing that he was still standing next to him and that they were still waiting for the girls to come down stairs. His brother gripped the fabric, smiling as he pulled his brother toward him to fix the pesky piece of fabric. They had been lucky to have money for new dress robes, which both of them were wearing this year thanks to the girls and them having made plenty of money from the betting pools they ran during the tournament. It was what funded them in their endeavors this year and a possible shop in the future of course.
"Honestly brother. What would you do if I wasn't here to tie these things for you." George asked, earning an eye roll from his brother as they both made sure the other was dressed properly for the event. George's robes were crooked, nothing new there of course as this earned a chuckle from Fred. He then grabbed the other's robe, straightening it out and smoothing it out for the stockier male of the duo.
"And what would you do if I wasn't here to get your robes straight and smooth. You would be a mess without me too." He joked back, earning an eye roll from George who chuckled alongside him. The twins were well aware of the fact that the duo couldn't bear to be without each. That they needed each other to truly live long and happy lives since they were each other's best friends and closest confidants. That didn't change the fact that they wanted women to be with as well. That they wanted wives and children of their own someday in the future, just like their mom and dad. They needed either one girl who could handle the two of them or two girls just as close as they were to make the relationships work. Like them and the girls were now. This must have been the thought process both of them had been going down, both of their cheeks going bright red as they shook their heads clear of the mere idea of it all.
"We can't be…interested in the girls that way…Right?" Fred asked his brother, drawing his hands back in the process as his brother nodded in agreement.
"R-Right! N-Not a chance in the world!" George replied, his face equally as red as he drew his own hands back from the other's tie as he did so. The two were dressed nicely, both in plaid suits with black dress robes over them and white suit shirts underneath them. Fred's was a yellow color, doing so to match Emerald and the yellow in her dress and hair. George's suit on the other hand was orange plaid, matching both his brother in pattern and Ruby's hair and dress in color. Their hair was nicely brushed out, doing so to make themselves look nice tonight and to tame their hair which had gotten a bit longer than they would've intended it to get. Their dress shoes were brown, them being the only ones they could find to wear with such suits without looking out of place if they decided to take their robes off at all to dance tonight. This was to be their best night ever, especially with their plans for the future by joining the Order of the Phoenix and opening their joke shop soon too. They needed to make tonight the night to remember if this was their plan. It was only a few moments later though that they heard the chime of the clock, indicating it was time for the dance and that meant they were to go meet the girls down in the Great Hall. They were doing so since they were getting ready with their sisters, having some down time with the other four girls so they could have a good night together. This meant meeting them somewhere else and they just settled on meeting them at the Great Hall. They got there in no time, patiently waiting for the duo to show up down in the Great Hall with each other. They looked into the space, seeing everybody else there yet no sight of the girls. Not until they heard two throats clear behind them, earning a small smile from the boys who turned around. Sure enough, standing there in all their glory, was the girls who were looking absolutely stunning before them. Emerald was wearing a sleeveless dress who's neckline matched her bust, the top made of blue, green, and yellow glitter on the fabric. It had a blue sash around her culminating in a blue and gold flower above just under her bust. Fred couldn't see her heels, but knew she was wearing them from how she was standing just a tad bit taller than before since the heels were covered from the skirt of green, yellow, and blue silky fabric. Her multicolored hair was up in a high ponytail, the bangs braided back and her eyes coated in an ombre of eyeshadow that matched her hair yet was darker. Her lips were the same dark blue color as the eyeshadow which had white cat eye eyeliner sharp enough to cut marble with. On top of it all though, she had gold and emerald jewelry on as well. Ruby wore the same kind of dress, her dress being made of hues of red, orange, and purple. Her sash had a more silver shade in it and was made of orange instead of the blue color her cousin's was made out of. She also had heels on, but once more they couldn't be seen thanks to the long dresses they had on. Her hair was also pulled back with the bangs mostly braided back, only her's was into two low pigtails instead of one high ponytail. Her eyes were also coated in an ombre of eyeshadow that matched her hair, only her ombre went up instead of from corner to corner while her sharp cat eye eyeliner was in black like obsidian. Her lipstick was the same red color as her eyeshadow and hair, her jewelry silver with deep purple amethyst stones set inside them. The boys were hypnotized and, if they didn't know any better, they would say they were well and truly in love with the girls. They wouldn't admit that though. They would just have to tell themselves that the girls were still cute, gorgeous, stunning…everything the boys could think to call girls who were pretty like them. Though pretty felt like it was under doing it just a bit, selling their beauty short by using that one simple word. It didn't feel right to just call them pretty. Emerald chuckled, earning a small shake of the head from Fred who didn't realize till now that he was staring at the green eyed Gryffindor girl. Ruby wasn't too far off from doing the same thing, letting out a small giggle which earned a small head shake from the red eyed Slytherin girl.
"If you two are done staring at us, it's time for us to head into the dance." Emerald chuckled, reaching up and gently taking Fred by the hand. She pulled him close to her, the male chuckling as he looked down at her with his own playful eyes.
"But of course." George hummed out with a smile, earning a nod from Ruby as the two of them followed the boys in. The Great Hall was beautifully decorated, but that's not what had the girl's attention. The boys were. They were distracted by how handsome yet absolutely ridiculous the duo looked, their dress robes suiting them nicely yet they were wearing plaid suit jackets and pants. It was something the girls knew to expect, but the duo still looked so handsome and they couldn't focus on the world the Great Hall had become for the Yule Ball. It was honestly something that had happened once or twice before, but none of them would dare to admit it to the other duo. Fred and Emerald were the first ones to make it to the dance floor as a slow song began for everyone to dance to. It only took a small swing of the arm before they were in the perfect position to dance, Fred smiling as they're already linked hands made it easier to get into position and waltz. His hand softly gripped her waist, feeling the silk fabric of her sash in his hand as he did so. She on the other hand placed her hand on his shoulder, smiling as she slid it under his robe to get a good grip on the cloth of his suit jacket which was smooth in her hand. George and Ruby joined them not too long after, the red headed male slowly spinning her into his hold as well. His hand also softly gripped her waist, feeling the silk fabric of her sash in his hand as he did so. She on the other hand placed her hand on his shoulder, smiling as she slid it under his robe to get a good grip on the cloth of his suit jacket which was smooth in her hand as well. The two boys smiled at each other and the girls did the same before they began to dance with the girls, leading them in slow waltz around the room away from each other. It was here, in this moment, that Fred found himself getting lost in her emerald orbs. It was like looking into those gemstones, their beauty everlasting and great as he kept swaying with her. Her on the other hand, she found herself getting lost in his chocolate colored eyes. Eyes that looked like melted pools of the sweet treat she loved so much, had her captivated so easily like a fly in honey. George on the other hand, on the other side of the room, found himself caught up in the ruby gaze of the girl bearing the gemstones name. They were so warm, so everlastingly beautiful, that he simply couldn't tear his gaze away from her own. Ruby on the other hand was much in the same trouble as Emerald, unable to tear herself from his chocolate colored eyes. Eyes that kept her glue into place with his steps as she gazed in them, melting in his hold like the sweet treat. This felt so natural, so carefree. They hadn't even noticed that they were on completely different ends of the ballroom's dancing space by now. It just felt so natural for the pairings to be together, even if their brother or cousin wasn't there to keep them safe. Because they knew they were safe together, that no matter what happened they would protect each other in the end. It didn't matter how far apart they were right now. They were with someone they knew they would be okay with and just felt so comfortable with that this world was simply melting away from them. That's when it struck them that they were in love with the person they were dancing with. Not the kind of platonic love you felt for friends you had known for that long. Not the kind of familial love you felt for a sibling or a very close cousin you spent all your time with. No, this was the kind of love that was truly romantic and sweet. Like what you would find in couples who had been together for years. Who knew each other's darkest secrets or most tame fantasies. The person you married or simply stayed with the rest of your life. The person you settled down with and had kids of any variety with. They all realized this as they danced to that sweet slow tune that filled the room. That they wanted each other, even if not in a manner that was platonic or familial. No, it was a romantic sense of rightness and longing that hit them. Fred couldn't imagine falling asleep with anyone besides Emerald in his arms and George craved waking up to see Ruby in his arms first thing in the morning. Emerald wanted to share her dying breaths with Fred and Ruby wanted to bring new life into this world with George. No one, not a single one out of the four, could imagine their lives any other way than with simply being together. They didn't want to admit it to themselves, not with the war that might be waging on outside their sweet bubbles of comfort, but they were in love with each other and couldn't live their lives any other way. They would all just hope and pray that no one came along and stole their love away.