** DISCLAIMER: all characters (and everything) belong to JK Rowling, except for the plot.
Lily Evans was sick of James Potter. The arrogant, quidditch-obsessed prat who was in love with her. Why? She still had not worked that out.
It was an exciting year for the seventh years of Hogwarts - The Winter Ball was approaching, in exactly three weeks. Lily was admittedly the most excited she had ever been. She, of course, was going with her crush, Tanner Brown, the Ravenclaw quidditch captain - she was absolutely stoked.
Her whirlwind of thoughts was interrupted by her best friend Mary squealing excitedly.
"I just came back from quidditch practice... we're going to do absolutely fabulous! Potter is probably the bloody best quidditch captain we've had in ages! You're coming to the game against Slytherin in two weeks time, right Lily?" she screamed
"Of course! I'm not one to give up on house spirit!" Lily's green eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Ah, Lily nice to see you here... finishing up your Transfiguration essay, I see. Well, I've already finished it," James Potter burst in with the Marauders right behind him. He dangled his nearly perfect essay near Lily. "Let me know if you need any help, k?" he shot her a flirtatious wink
Lily growled. She HATED the way Potter made her feel. What an obnoxious snob... Beside her, Mary giggled
"Oh lighten up, Lils. He's just teasing. He's so in love with you! A lot of girls would die to be in your spot," Mary reminded her friend.
"Well I'm perfectly fine with Sev," Lily said, rather stubbornly.
"Well, anyway, in other news, the Winter Ball! I'm so excited! I haven't asked .. er.. him yet. I assume you're going with Tanner?" Mary said excitedly, also eager to bring the topic away from Severus.
"Of course! Tanner is awesome, Mary... I've never met a guy like him before. It's perfect!" Lily smiled.
"Aw well, bully for you, because I've still not got the guts to ask Sirius yet" Mary sighed, downcast. "I really don't know, though, if he reciprocates the feeling. I..."
Lily interrupted, "Mary, you're the smartest, boldest, and most confident seventh year I know! Just go up to him and ask him... it can't hurt!"
"Oh!.." Mary blushed with pride as her best mate complimented her. "Thanks Lils. I'll do it tonight at dinner".
"Great!" Lily said.
"So, uh, Sirius, would you go to the Winter Ball with me" Mary said, absolutely flustered, but relieved to have removed her burden.
"Oh, Mary...I'm flattered." Sirius winked, albeit uncomfortably. Mary giggled nervously. "But I, uh, already agreed to go to go with Viola. I'm utterly sorry, you're a great gal, it's just.. uh... maybe next time?" Sirius said apologetically.
"Oh yes, sure that's totally cool. Well, see you around!" Mary managed to make out, her eyes sparkling with tears. She ran back to Lily, who was discussing prefect duties with Remus.
"Mary!" Lily yelled as soon as she caught sight of her friend.
"Lils... he's going with Viola" Mary cried.
"Blimey, oh Mary, that's ... let's go to the dormitory," Lily felt incredibly bad for her friend.
After two long hours of consoling her best mate, Lily felt exhausted. She needed a long walk. She rose from her sleeping friend's bed, put on her robes, and headed out into the winding hallways of Hogwarts.
On her way, however, Lily found something that made her eyes quite literally pop out of her head.
"Tanner?" she whispered. She couldn't believe her eyes! There Tanner stood, passionately snogging a seventh year Ravenclaw. Lily was absolutely shocked out of her mind.
"Steleus!' she shouted, and hexed the Ravenclaw. Without turning her back to see what happened, Lily stalked away.
AHH THANKS FOR READING! EACH REVIEW = ONE MORE CHAPTER :)
~ TD