You guys didn't think I'd be gone for long, did you? This is going to be yet another story that I thought was going to be a one-shot but spun into a multi-chapter story before I even started writing. Remember I don't own anything.
-ninjanervana
"A ball?" Lily said incredulously, her green eyes widening slightly. When she and James had received a note from the Headmaster stating he needed to see them after dinner, she assumed it was something serious. Maybe it was about the growing unease within the castle walls, the tension that laid over them like a heavy cloak, the constant fights that broke out in the halls. Maybe it was about the escalating violence outside of the safety of Hogwarts, the terror and fear brought to the students, courtesy of their subscription to the Daily Prophet. Even James, always quick with a clever comment or a joke, turned serious when he learned about the Headmaster's note. Things were getting bad, people dying and disappearing; now hardly seemed like the time to throw a ball. But she had a feeling she would have a hard time convincing the Headmaster of that. Not for the first time, Lily wondered if the Headmaster was off his rocker.
She looked over at James, hoping the Head Boy could explain the brief fit of insanity that had obviously over taken their Headmaster, but he looked just as shocked as she felt. His hazel eyes turned toward her for a moment before refocusing on the elderly wizard sitting across from them.
"A ball," Dumbledore echoed, his blue eyes twinkling behind his glasses. "It's no secret that the mood around the castle is more somber than it has been over the years. I think the ball would give the students something cheerful to look forward to, something to raise the school's morale. A chance to bring the school together as one unified group. What could be better than a Christmas ball?"
"But Professor," James replied, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "It's already mid-Novemeber. How in Merlin's name are we going to have enough time to plan a ball? It's not like throwing a Quidditch victory party in the common room. Not that I would know anything about that," he added hastily. "But it takes a lot of planning."
Dumbledore nodded in agreement. "Which is why I've decided to call upon the two most capable students Hogwarts has to offer. I know you have your plates filled with your Heads' duties, as well as being Quidditch captain, Mr. Potter, but I feel you'll be able to rise to the challenge. In these dark times, we need strong leaders to keep our hope alive."
Lily twisted the ends of her red hair as she listened to the Headmaster. She couldn't deny that he was right; the students desperately needed something to boost their spirits. It wouldn't be easy, but maybe Professor Dumbledore was on the right track. "Alright," she agreed after a moment, feeling James's eyes on her as she spoke. "A Christmas ball. It'll be great. What do you think, James?" she asked, turning toward him.
James smiled, his eyes shining with amusement and mischief behind his wire-rimmed glasses. More than once that look had given Lily reason to worry, but now the look gave her a measure of comfort and hope. If she was going to take part in this insanity, she couldn't think of a better partner than James Potter. "I'm with you," he replied. "Who doesn't love a good party?"
"Splendid," Dumbledore said, clapping his hands together. "It will be held on the evening of December 20th since students leave for the holidays on the 22nd. We wouldn't want anyone oversleeping and missing the train home. For now I leave the planning in your capable hands. I trust you'll let me know if you need any assistance."
"Of course, Professor," James answered easily, stretching his long legs in front of him. "Lily and I can handle it."
"Then I won't keep you any longer. I'm sure you've had a long week and are looking forward to some well-deserved rest," Dumbledore said. "Enjoy your evening."
Lily nodded as she stood, heading toward the door. "Goodnight, Professor," she called before stepping out of the room, closely followed by James. The pair walked half way down the hall before James broke the companionable silence.
"Well," he said, his hand ruffling his hair absentmindedly. "I thought Dumbledore was a bit crazy before for making me Head Boy, but now I know he's absolutely barking mad," James laughed. His grin widened as Lily joined him, her soft, lilting laugh blending with his lower, rumbling chuckles.
"He must be," she agreed as their laughter died down. "He's given us what, four weeks? five weeks? to plan a school-wide ball. It's absolutely madness.
James nodded in agreement, draping his arm across her shoulders as they approached the Heads' dormitory. "Well I'm mad and you're brilliant so between the two of us, we should be able to pull this whole thing off," he said confidently.
"You really believe that?" Lily asked, looking up at James.
"Absolutely," he answered. "Stranger things have happened here; I'm Head Boy, for Merlin's sake."
Lily laughed, shaking her head. "Don't sell yourself short. You're a great Head Boy."
He gasped dramatically, his free hand pressed against his chest. "Lily Evans, did you just compliment me?" he said, a grin spreading across his face.
"I did, but don't let it go to your head," she teased, elbowing his side lightly. "You've only just deflated it to a manageable level.
"Wouldn't dream of it," James replied with a smirk as they approached the painting outside of the Heads' dormitory. "Mandrake root," he said, gesturing for Lily to enter before him as the portrait swung open. "I think this is a good idea, even if it's nearly impossible to pull off," he said as he plopped himself onto the armchair beside the fire. "Hogwarts could use some more cheer."
"You lot could always pull more pranks," she joked as she sat down beside him, toeing off her shoes before curling up on the couch.
James laughed loudly, "Don't let Sirius hear you saying that or they'll be no peace for anyone."
"Pranks are alright as long as no one gets hurt," Lily clarified, releasing her hair from its ponytail. "Maybe we should wrangle your Marauders into helping us with everything. Merlin knows we can use all the help we can get. Might as well use their energy for something productive."
He sat up straighter as he watched her, a grin spreading across his lips. "Lily Evans spending time with the Marauders? Won't Hogwarts be shocked?" he teased.
"Piss off," she replied without heat, throwing one of the couch pillows at him. "We've all been mates since last year. The novelty has worn off by now."
James easily caught the pillow, tucking it behind his head with a smirk. "That just shows you don't listen to the gossip in the halls enough. Half the school is convinced we've Confunded you."
Lily shrugged her shoulders, "I've got more important things to do. Like plan a ball."
"Well the first step will be getting the invitations out, won't it?" James commented. "Everyone will need time to get their clothes sorted. It'd be best if we can get the invitations ready for Monday."
Nodding, Lily grabbed a scrap of parchment and a quill off the coffee table. "Maybe we should keep the invitations simple. Something in black and white perhaps."
"I was thinking more red and gold," James retorted with a grin.
Lily rolled her eyes. "This is not the Gryffindor ball; it's the Hogwarts ball," she answered. "No house favoritism."
James sighed dramatically, slumping in his seat. "Take all of the fun out of it, why don't you?" he said. "I guess black and white will be fine. But the lads and I are going to find some way to make it more fun."
"Wouldn't expect anything less from you lot," she answered easily as she made notes on the parchment. "What about the wording of the invitations?"
"I've got that covered," James said before clearing his throat loudly. "The famous Marauders and Lily Evans cordially invite you to the Hogwarts ball-"
"Absolutely not," she laughed. "We are not starting like that."
"Open to all years, but those below fourth year will be sent back to their common room by 10:30-"
"That's not a bad idea-"
"Slimy snakes are invited but they are not welcome-"
"James, you can't say that-"
"As a matter of fact, we'd prefer you not come at all-"
"James-"
"Please do us all a favor and stay in your dungeons. It can be your Christmas gift to the entire school-" James's rambling was cut off abruptly as Lily stood up, smacking him with a pillow.
"You're such a git," she laughed as she hit him repeatedly with the pillow. "We will not put that in the invitations."
"Violence!" James shouted dramatically, covering his head with his arms. "Behavior unbefitting the Head Girl!" With a laugh, he playfully tackled her onto the couch, trying to wrestle the pillow from her grasp. "Surrender!"
"Never!" Lily retorted, laughing as she tried to force him off of her. "Get off of me, James Potter!"
The pair fought for control of the pillow for a moment, their laughter covering up the sound of the portrait hole opening and footsteps approaching them. "Well what do we have hear?" a voice called from the other end of the couch. The pair paused their fighting, looking up at the smirking face of Sirius Black and the exasperated face of Remus Lupin. "I thought the Head Boy and Girl were supposed to discourage this type of behavior. You two are looking rather cozy with each other."
"I tried to convince him to leave, but you know how Padfoot is," Remus apologized, sitting down on the empty armchair as Lily and James untangled themselves from each other.
"Why would I leave when things are finally getting entertaining between these two?" Sirius retorted, perching on the arm of Remus's chair. "This is the most action Prongs has ever gotten from Lily. Wormy's gonna be pissed he missed all of this because of detention."
"Sod off, we weren't doing anything," Lily answered, brushing her hair from her blushing face as she sat up. She turned toward James, rolling her eyes. "It was a bad decision to give them the password."
"I asked you first and you said it was alright," James reminded her as she settled onto the couch beside her. "Just means we can start working on things tonight instead of trying to track them down tomorrow."
Remus raised an eyebrow, "Working on what?"
James grinned broadly, leaning toward Sirius and Remus. His hazel eyes were bright with the familiar look of mischief, one that hadn't changed since he was a first year. "Gentleman, we've been given the Headmaster's permission to throw a party."
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