This story takes place assuming the Yule Ball happens every year. It is James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter's 7th year, and the Yule Ball is quickly approaching.
The corridors of the Hogwarts castle were getting chillier as the cold weather was beginning to settle in. James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were walking down the staircase of the entrance hall, making their way to the Great Hall for dinner.
"Volunteer for the Yule Ball planning committee! Only a month away!" two Ravenclaw girls were beckoning as they handed out fliers to students making their way into dinner.
"Awesome, the Yule Ball only means one thing," said James, slyly looking towards his friends. Sirius gave him a rueful grin.
"Well, two things," said Sirius, "girls and alcohol". James laughed and gave his best friend a slap on the back.
"I'm glad I have a built in date this year," said James, who had recently started dating Lily Evans, one of the prettiest girls at Hogwarts.
"Yeah not worrying about who you're taking to bed at the end of the night will give you more time to plan the after party," smirked Sirius.
"Honestly, I am so surprised you guys have never been caught throwing a post-dance party in the Gryffindor common room. You do realize how much trouble you could get in if you're caught, right?" Remus chimed in. By now, he was used to his friends' antics, but the Prefect in him still felt the need to speak out.
"Moony, relax! James is Head Boy there is not way we will get caught" Sirius said, unworried.
"Plus, we have to go hard. This is our last Yule Ball. I'm pulling out all the stops for this year's after party," James added.
Remus simply rolled his eyes, even though everyone knew he would be right in the thick of the action as well come time for the after party.
"Anyway, did you guys think about who you're asking yet?" James asked his friends as they sat down at their usual seats at the Gryffindor House table and began loading their plates with a hardy meal.
"I'll probably just take Helena," Sirius said casually as he scooped up a spoonful of mashed potatoes, referring to Helena Ross, a sixth year Gryffindor who was in a sort of friends with benefits arrangement with Sirius.
"Why don't you two just date?" Peter asked.
"Are you kidding, Wormtail? And be tied down during seventh year? No thanks; this is a good arrangement. She's hot and also has no interest in commitment so basically a match made in heaven," Sirius shot back, "Anyway, what about you Wormtail? Who are you gonna ask?"
"I have no idea", Peter replied, looking down at his plate and turning a shade of red.
"We'll get you someone. It's fine," said James, "And you, Remus?"
"I'm not sure yet," Lupin said questioningly but not particularly concerned.
"C'mon Moony, what about the cute Hufflepuff in Charms?" Sirius asked.
"Oh you mean Eleanor? I don't know. We're just friends," Lupin replied, "I'm not worried yet".
"Alright fine", said Sirius, losing interest in the conversation.
Just then, Lily sat down next to James with two of her friends, Catherine Carter and Grace Lin. She and James shared a quick kiss.
"Hey guys!" Lily said to the rest of the guys, "What's up?"
"We were just talking about the Yule Ball. Who's your date?" Sirius replied with a chuckle.
"Funny, funny," Lilly answered, "I could ask you the same".
"Helena," Sirius replied, "I didn't ask her yet but you know she'll say yes."
"Right, well just keep it down afterwards. I actually might want to get some sleep that night, "Lilly retorted.
"Yeah, you're one to talk!" Sirius exclaimed. James laughed and Lily looked slightly embarrassed but flashed a smile.
"Ugh, I love the Yule Ball. It's just so stressful waiting to get asked", Grace added, quickly glancing at Lupin who didn't seem to notice here. It was well known that Grace had a crush on Lupin.
"I need a date too," Peter added. Grace just shot him a disgusted look.
The group continued to talk about the Yule Ball, classes, and school gossip for the rest of dinner, cracking jokes and enjoying the rest of their night.
A few weeks have passed and it is now about 2 weeks until the Yule Ball. Sirius asked Helena to be his date and she agreed. Lupin still does not have a date and is dodging the question every time it's asked, but is still unconcerned. Peter doesn't have a date and has been moping around, assuming he won't find anyone who will say yes to his invitation. Currently, the guys are in the common room, planning the after party.
"Alright so like next Friday I'll probably sneak out of the castle with my cloak and go over to the Hogs Head to pick up the booze. Luckily Lupin's little time of the month happened last week so we don't have to worry about that. Have you been collecting the money from people who signed up?" asked James.
"Sure have," said Sirius, pulling a fat bag of coins out of his pocket.
"Excellent. This'll be one to remember" said James.
As James and Sirius planned their post Yule Ball festivities, Lupin sat by the fire reading a book and Peter listened eagerly.
"I still need a date. Go figure I'd be all alone for our last Yule Ball," Peter moped.
"Wormtail, relax. We will not let you go to the dance alone." James said
"Alright, well who'll go with me then?" Wormtail asked, concerned and slightly annoyed.
"First of all, you're in Gryffindor. Girls love that. Secondly, you're best mates with James Potter and Sirius Black. You will have a girl." Sirius said.
"Plus I date the hottest girl in the school. She has cute friends who live in her shadow and will be desperate for an in with our group." James added
"Desperate?" Peter repeated, sounding slightly hurt.
"You know what I meant. Anyway, do you want us to set you up with someone or not" replied James.
"Yes!" said Wormtail, forgetting that James had backhandedly insulted him a moment ago.
"Alright then don't worry. Right now worry about learning how to hold your liquor within the next two weeks. You remember last Yule Ball, don't you?" asked James.
"Yeah" said Wormtail, blushing. Last year, Peter had thrown up all over his date (also a set up) at the after party after only two shots of fire whiskey.
"Alright, Moony?" Sirius asked Remus, who had been sitting quietly the whole time.
"Yes, fine" Remus replied, marking his place in his book. For not having a date so close to the dance, he still seemed very unworried. Sirius just shook his head. He stopped trying to understand Remus's sometimes-strange behavior years ago.
"Alright well as Head Boy, it is my job to inform all of you that all the fourth through seventh years are due in the Great Hall in ten-minutes to discuss the rules in place for the Yule Ball. We better go so McGonagall isn't on my ass. It'll me it easier to get away with the after party," said James as the boys packed up their stuff and climbed through the portrait hole with other students making their way to the Great Hall.
All of the Hogwarts Fourth to Seventh Year students, those allowed to attend the Yule Ball, filed into the Great Hall. The long house tables were gone and instead, chairs were set up in rows facing the head table. All of the Heads of Houses were sitting at the Head Table, with McGonagall and Dumbledore standing in front of the table. Friend groups sat together and the buzz of chitchat spread across the room as the students waited for the assembly to begin.
"What an important meeting. I will feel so incomplete if I don't hear this information," said Sirius, sarcastically.
"There's Lily," said James, waving to her so she could see where he was seated. Lily and several of her girl friends joined them. James and Lily kissed. Sirius began flirting with one of Lily's friends, Lupin talked with another girl about a very difficult potions lesson they had just endured, and Peter was sitting awkwardly watching everyone.
Students kept filing into the Great Hall. A large group of Slytherins entered very loudly. Between the joking and shoving boys, walking off to the side sort of by himself was Severus Snape. He caught sight of James and Lily and quickly looked away.
"There's Snivellus. Look at his greasy hair. I don't know why he even bothered coming to this meeting; it's not like he'll have a date." James scowled.
"James, stop," Lily replied curtly.
"I don't know how you can defend him even after the horrible things he's said to you," replied James, indignantly.
Before Lily could reply, Dumbledore raised his arms to signal the beginning of the meeting. Everyone in the Great Hall fell silent.
"Ah, good evening everyone! We're here to discuss something very exciting! I know how much you all enjoy the Yule Ball, but like everything in life, this event comes with rules that must be followed. I'm going to turn this meeting over to Professor McGonagall now and she will gladly inform you of all the procedure you must follow when you attend our special event," said Dumbledore, much like he was discussing the weather and not opening a long and boring meeting.
"Thank you, Headmaster," replied Professor McGonagall with a much less cheery tone, "as you are all very well aware, the Yule Ball is coming up in a few weeks. As it has so happened in the past, we always have some trouble with the rules" McGonagall looked suspiciously towards James and Sirius.
"Anyway, we are about to go over the rules you are to follow on the night of the Yule Ball. I hope that no detentions need to be given out at the Ball.
Firstly, formal dress is required to attend this event. You need to wear dress robes. Also, when you and your date enter the Ball, you need to present your tickets. Tickets have been on sale all month, and will continue to be on sale until 3:00 p.m. on the day of the Yule Ball, so there are no excuses for saying you forgot to purchase one.
Next, you are, under no circumstance, permitted to show up to the Yule Ball under the influence of any substance, especially alcohol. We have had issues with this before," she looked right at Sirius, who last year began drinking at noon and fell asleep in his dinner plate when the Ball started, "if I or any other staff member fells that you are intoxicated, the consequences will be very serious."
Professor McGonagall went on about the rules, including table arrangements for dinner, policies for bringing anyone younger than fourth year as a date, and other routine information.
"Now, I am going to discuss something extremely important, so if you are not listening, you better start now. Every year, we have issues with unauthorized events held after the Ball ends, or 'after parties' I heard they're called. We will have none of this. After the Ball ends at midnight, you are to go back to your common rooms and go to bed. I have already told the school house elves that they are to report any excessive messes left behind in common rooms and other measures are in place to ensure these after parties do not happen, am I making myself very clear?" she added.
"Yes," all of the students replied dully.
"Further, under no circumstances are any students permitted to enter the dormitory of the opposite sex. Is that clear?"
"Yes"
"Well with that, are there any questions?" McGonagall finished. No one raised their hand. "Professor Dumbledore?"
"Yes! Well you may now return to your common rooms! Sleep tight!" said Dumbledore. The sound of hundreds of people rising from their chairs filled the Great Hall.
"So how are we still going to have the after party with all these extra measures?" Peter asked James as they all headed to the entrance hall to return to Gryffindor tower.
"Relax Wormtail, they have these rules every year," replied James, unworried. Lupin rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, we are still having the after party. It's seventh year there's no way—ow! Hey watch it, you scum!" Sirius was cut off as Snape ran into him; both boys drew their wands.
"Maybe you should look where you're going rather than brag about your parties", said Snape coolly.
"Both of you knock it off!" exclaimed Lily. Snape glared and turned towards the dungeons while the rest of them pulled Sirius away and continued to the Gryffindor Tower.
With one week left until the Yule Ball, James has successfully snuck out of the castle to purchase alcohol for the after party. Lupin still doesn't seem to have a date, but still seems calm. Peter has begun to panic even more, as so far attempts to set him up with Lily's friends have failed. The Marauders are spending a free period in an empty classroom.
"God, I'm tired. I wish you and Lily could find a place to shag elsewhere. You guys are so loud," Sirius yawned.
"You're a wizard; cast a silencing spell", James replied unconcerned, playing with a snitch he took from the Quidditch pitch.
"Guys, I'm serious, how am I going to get a date?" Peter chimed in.
"We'll get you someone. A week is a long time," said James.
"Yeah, don't worry. We haven't asked anyone in second year yet!" Sirius exclaimed, laughing. James joined in with the joke while Lupin shot them both looks.
"Peter, you'll have a date that's not in second year, don't listen to them," said Lupin.
"Well what about you? You don't have a date yet either," said Sirius to Lupin.
"Yeah you should probably hurry up. All the good girls are sure to be taken soon," added James.
"If you want, I could talk to Lucinda Talkalot for you. She's decent," said Sirius.
"No I'm fine," replied Lupin.
"How about Bertha Jorkins? She's stupid but I heard her mouth works wonders," James winked, elbowing Sirius. The two laughed.
"Elaine Caufield?"
"No"
"Theodora Dent?"
"No"
"Pam Stebbins?"
"No"
"C'mon Lupin you don't want to be stuck without anyone", said James "How about Grace, Lily's friend?"
"No, I told you guys! I don't need your help!" Lupin snapped, slamming the book he was reading shut, causing Peter to jump.
"Gee Moony, calm down. We just wanted to make sure you got a date," said Sirius.
"Well for your information, I have a date. Thank you very much," Lupin replied hotly.
"You do? Who? Why didn't you tell us?!" exclaimed James.
" I didn't think it was the whole world's business," said Lupin, reopening his book.
"You have to tell your best mates! Who is it?" prodded Sirius.
"You'll find out," said Lupin, trying to ignore them.
"Tell us now," said James.
"Yeah, come on Remus!" Peter chimed in.
"I'll be you don't want to tell us because you don't have anyone. You just don't want to be embarrassed," snarled Sirius.
"Julia Nott," Lupin looked up, "I'm taking Julia Nott, okay?"
"Who?" said Sirius.
"Julia Nott?" said James, surprised.
"Who is that?" Sirius asked James.
"You are taking Julia Nott to the Yule Ball?" James asked again, sounding more and more surprised.
"Yes," said Lupin, calmly.
"Who is Julia Nott?" Sirius asked again.
"Why?!" James exclaimed.
"For your information, it's because I like her! This is why I wasn't going to tell you guys. I knew you would act like this!" exclaimed Lupin.
"WHO THE BLOODY HELL IS JULIA NOTT?!" Sirius now yelled.
"She a prefect with us. She's a Ravenclaw, fifth year," Lupin replied calmly.
"Well, what's wrong with her?" Sirius asked.
"Nothing," replied Lupin.
"Nothing? She looks like a frizzy mouse that got drowned in the lake and beat by the Womping Willow!" James exclaimed. Remus looked offended.
"So she's ugly?" Sirius asked
"Yes!" said James.
"No!" retorted Lupin.
"Alright," Sirius chuckled, "So tell me, Moony. How'd you get the lovely and vivacious Julia to agree to come to the Yule Ball with you?"
"She and I did prefect rounds together earlier in the year and we really hit it off. She's great. Smart. Kind. Thoughtful." Lupin explained, defending his choice of date.
"She's a little know-it-all. Fun-killer is what she is. I wouldn't be surprised if she went and told the teachers about the after party," James snarled.
"She would not do that!" Lupin replied, "I told her it was happening and she was fine with it. She is fun, you'll see!"
"Alright, fine" said James, looking away.
"Well look at that," said Sirius, chuckling again, "seems like we all have dates now but ole Wormtail. I guess we'll have to work on that one."
It's the day of the Yule Ball and excitement is buzzing around the school. Boys who couldn't get dates and girls who were not asked have all mysteriously disappeared to their rooms to sulk. Peter finally got a date with Lily's friend Catherine, but only because Catherine's original date caught dragon pox at the last minute. The Marauders are in their dormitory, getting ready for the dance before it is time for them to meet up with their dates.
James attempted, with no avail, to tame his wild hair in the mirror of the dormitory while Sirius was using a spell to get the wrinkles out of his dress robes and Lupin was tying his tie in a perfect knot. Peter was nervously pacing around the room, anxious to spend the whole night with a pretty girl like Catherine.
"Whatever, my hair is just going to be a mess," James gave up.
"It'll just get messy when you get in bed tonight," Sirius replied with a wink. The other boys chuckled.
"Yeah, I'll be Lily will be looking gorgeous tonight," James said dreamily.
"And I bet Helena will be wearing something low cut," Sirius added with a smirk, "I wonder if I'll make it all night without ripping her dress right off her."
"You're gonna have to with the amount of alcohol we have for the after party," said James as he began working on his necktie, "I'm predicting a real shit show.
"How about you, Moony? Are you gonna mess up your hair tonight?" Sirius said with a laugh
"I don't know," Lupin replied more seriously, "I don't want Julia to feel pressured."
"Remus, you said yourself that you don't want to leave Hogwarts a virgin. We only have six month left here. It's not or never!" said James.
"Yeah hasn't years of listening to James and me making girls moan gotten you just a little curious?" Sirius leered.
"It's not like that. I like Julia. I don't want to complicate things." Lupin said, sitting on the bed and staring off into thought.
"Alright whatever, your call," said James, "What about you Wormtail? Gonna get Catherine to come to bed with you?"
Sirius barked a laugh, finding this very entertaining. Even Lupin, who was normally more sympathetic to Peter, grinned at the unlikelihood of this happening. Peter looked like he could be sick.
"What time are you meeting Julia?" Sirius asked Lupin, pulling a bottle of gin out from under his mattress.
"In like fifteen minutes outside the Ravenclaw common room," Lupin replied, "Are you seriously going to pregame this even when they said they'd be watching out for this?"
"Hell yeah I am," replied Sirius, pouring a shot for each of the Marauders, "and you're having a shot before you leave this room"
Lupin rolled his eyes as he took the glass from his friends and swallowed back the gin. Better to just take the shot than argue with Sirius. James threw back his shot and Peter held his breath before taking his, his face already turning red from the tiny bit of alcohol.
"Alright well I better go meet Julia then. I'll see you guys in the entrance hall" said Lupin with a slight cough from the shot.
"Good luck!" said James
"Yeah go get 'em, you dog," Sirius added. The others laughed as Lupin left.
Lupin is waiting outside the Ravenclaw common room for Julia to meet him. He is nervous. He really likes Julia and wants this night to be perfect. He is hold a single rose to give to his date that he has bewitched to look like it is sparkling with a light coat of snow.
Lupin paced around the hallway, waiting for Julia to emerge. A few times, the door to the Ravenclaw common room has swung open, but so far none of those who stepped out have been Julia. Finally, the door opens and she steps out. Lupin is speechless.
"You, you look absolutely beautiful!" Lupin breathed, unable to take his eyes off the girl before him.
"Thank you," the short, petite girl that was Julia blushed.
Julia, who normally had frizzy, red brown hair had tamed her locks into a long shiny mane that glistened in the light. Normally with a face that wasn't the clearest, she looked as through her complexion belonged to a beauty queen. A dark turquois, strapless gown matched her hair wonderfully. She was wearing a pair of shining silver heels that made it easier for Lupin to see her chestnut colored eyes, gleaming with excitement.
"Well, er, are you ready?" Lupin asked. He couldn't wait to show off Julia to everyone in the castle.
"Yes," she replied, "You look very handsome by the way."
"Oh, thank you. You look much better." Lupin nervously replied.
The two made small talk as they made their way to the entrance hall, getting more and more comfortable on the way. By the time they had descended the marble staircase, they were joking and laughing just as the always had on their prefect rounds. Lupin caught sight of Lily's red hair and her equally red ball gown, and knew his friends were close by.
Remus and Julia made their way through the crowd, many stopping and staring at Julia as if they couldn't recognize her. Finally, they reached the rest of the Marauders and their dates.
James was wearing a well-tailored black tuxedo with a red tie that matched Lily's mermaid cut, form-fitting gown. Sirius wore a dark green suit that matched Helena's deep v cut gown. Sirius was right, she was wearing something very revealing. Peter wore ruffled looking plain black dress robes that did not match his date, Catherine's, pale pink princess cut gown at all. Catherine looked like she would rather be anywhere else and was doing her best to avoid touching Peter.
"Julia, you look stunning!" Lily was the first to see Julia and Lupin. Knowing Julia from also being a prefect, Lily was just as surprised to see the normally reserved girl's magnificent transformation.
"Thank you," Julia blushed even more, flattered that Lily Evans gave her such a compliment.
Everyone exchanged hellos and lined up to enter the Great Hall. Sirius and James both smelled strongly of the gin that Lupin assumed they had finished, but James was doing much better at hiding his drunkenness. Sirius was stumbling slightly and laughing heartily at stuff that was only slightly funny. Helena seemed to be just as drunk. Julia looked on, a little stunned.
"Don't mind them," Lupin told her, "They'll sober up at dinner." Julia smiled at him.
"Look there's Snape. I'll put a hex on him," said James, drawing his wand.
"Stop, that's the alcohol talking," Lily said, rolling her eyes and replacing his wand in his jacket pocket.
"Why is he walking over here? I just showered I don't need grease on me!" Sirius said rather loudly. Lupin was sure his volume was definitely due to the alcohol.
Snape approached the group. Everyone sneered at him and he returned the look.
"Hi, Lily. You look lovely," Snape said to Lily. The awkwardness for the two's falling out could still be felt.
"Oh. Thank you, Severus. Do have fun tonight." Lily replied, still kind to her former friend.
"Get put of here Snivellus, if you know what's good for you," James growled.
"I was planning on it. I didn't want to be suffocated by your enormous head taking up all the space," Snape replied coolly.
"Yeah, go back to your date. Oh yeah, you don't have one you're third wheeling on all your snotty friends," Sirius chimed in, getting his slurred words out with great difficulty.
"You might want to lay off the bottle there, you dog," Snape snarled at Sirius, "And maybe you should just head to bed after the Ball…if you know what's good for you".
"Yeah well the difference between you and me is that'll I'll have a smoke like this in my bed," Sirius pulled Helena against him. She clearly had no idea what was going on but stood tall in defense anyway, "and you'll just have your grimy hand".
Snape drew his wand, ready to strike, just as a rough voice snarled "NEXT!"
Mr. Filch called for the line to move forward. The Marauders and their dates were next. Snape slipped away and rejoined the group of Slytherins further back in the line.
"Alright, alright give me your tickets then," Filch said, glaring at the group and eyeing them suspiciously. Lupin could feel Julia clutch his hand harder. She was clearly nervous.
"Well, well there Black," Filch eyed Sirius suspicious, "You smell awful strongly of alcohol don't you. I think I better get Professor McGonagall over here".
But just then, a fourth year girl, the date of a Slytherin sixth year, vomited all over the entrance hall, causing Filch to let out a yelp and run over to the scene.
"Ugh, too much fire whiskey," said Lily looking at the girl and shaking her head. With Filch out of their way, the gang walked into the Ball to find their seats.
The Great Hall was decorated magnificently. The ceiling were bewitched to appear as if thousands of shining icicles were hanging down, and snow danced around. Dozens of Christmas trees, each the size of a giant, lined the walls. The floor was magically transformed to appear as though guests were walking on a frozen lake. The long house tables were replaced with dozens and dozens of circular tables, each covered with a pure white tablecloth and adorned with a magnificent ice sculpture centerpiece.
"Wow, it's beautiful!" Julia exclaimed, looking at the Great Hall in amazement. Remus looked at her and smiled; ready to spend the night with the girl he wanted to be with the most.