Happily Ever After?
By: TheFifthCharmedOne
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or the fairy tale Cinderella; they belong to J.K. Rowling and the Brothers Grimm respectively.
Summary: "This year the Christmas Ball is going to be slightly different," said Dumbledore. "There is going to be a theme. You're familiar with Muggle fairy tales, correct?" L/J implied Sirius/Marlene and Alice/Frank
-X-X-X-
Chapter 2: Of Dates and Girl Talk
We just stared at the old Headmaster like he had gone nuts. Which, theoretically, he might have.
Had he been completely oblivious to the Lily Evans/James Potter Debacle? (Fifth year incident) Had he not seen any of our arguments? Had he not watched me turn Potter down like the scum I thought he was?
"I understand your surprise, but this was not my idea. One of the Prefects suggested it, and Professor McGonagall agreed it would best suit your positions."
"But Professor," I said. "Our job is to lead the school and go on rounds. What-"
"You're forgetting one thing, Miss Evans. Your job is not only to secure and keep the school in working order, it's also to inspire the younger years and set a good example. What better way then to show them that you have put aside your differences from previous years?"
I opened my mouth to object, but James cut me off.
"Just out of curiosity Professor, who suggested this?" He probably thought it was Sirius or something, or Remus more likely. Sirius wasn't a Prefect, but Remus was.
"I suppose it's not wrong to tell you," he said. "It was Marlene McKinnon, of your own House."
My blood boiled. Marlene is going to die tonight. It'll be easy. Alice will cover for me and if anything goes wrong, I'll claim insanity. I'll probably still end up in Azkaban though, so maybe not the best idea….
Not noticing the clear look of loathing for Marlene in my eye, Dumbledore went on as if this were ordinary business.
This was anything but ordinary. But going back to what he said about Muggle fairytales. Yes, that seems like a safe topic. I stored my Marlene-murder plans in the back of my mind and played up the façade that this didn't bother me at all.
"Another Prefect suggested the tale of Cinderella as our theme. You two are going to be the main roles." he informed us. My stomach turned uncomfortably.
"All right." James cut in once again.
I had always loved the tale of Cinderella as a girl, but bloody hell, James had no idea what he was getting us into. He was a pureblood; he had never heard Muggle fairytales in his life!
"The dance is set for Christmas Eve, and it's going to start at 7:30, in the Great Hall."
We didn't reply, but the easy smile on James's face spoke for the both of us, oddly enough. "Do you have any questions?"
"No Professor," I said.
"Then you may return to your Tower."
-X-X-X-
We left his office and I asked James if he knew anything about the story of Cinderella.
"No, not really," he admitted. Then he smiled. "How about you tell me about it, say Saturday? Over a couple of butterbeers? My treat."
I felt a blush creeping up my neck. Was he asking me out? He hadn't done that all year, and I thought he was over me. Plus, I was kind of starting to miss his constant requests. If they hadn't been so arrogant and prat-like, then I might have gone out with him a long time ago.
He waved his hand in front of my face and snapped his fingers.
"What?" I snapped. "Sorry. Sure, I'll go, but this is just between friends."
His response both unnerved me and made my stomach drop to my feet.
"Sure. What else would it be?"
See? Told you.
-X-X-X-
Later, when I went up to the Head Tower, Marlene and Alice were waiting for me. I really should talk to James about changing the password.
Alice was sitting on my bed, and Marlene in my desk chair. They had to have been waiting a while, I saw a game of Wizard Chess that had been abandoned.
"What are you guys doing up here?" I asked them, going to my bed to pull it down. Alice moved and sat in my usual reading/studying chair.
"Nothing much, just trying to figure out why our dear friend has gone against her vow to hate a certain James Potter for, what was it Alice? All eternity?" said Marlene casually, inspecting her nails. I looked at her sharply.
"What makes you think I've gone against it?" I asked.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe the fact that you're bloody in love with him and everyone can see it? Not to mention, you're going on a date on Saturday." said Marlene, staring me down with her intense blue eyes.
Blood rushed to my face.
"One, I am not in love with James Potter. And two, it's not a date. He's just being a good friend and we're going to Hogsmeade to have butterbeers. Why is that so wrong? Andy why do you have to make such a huge deal about something that isn't worth being made a huge deal about?"
"Because Lily. It's obvious you fancy the guy at least. You wouldn't be blushing now if you didn't. And why did you decide to have a few butterbeers with him of all people?"
"I don't fancy him." I said, my voice catching pathetically. Alice and Marlene looked at each other and then looked at me. "I don't!"
"Sure you don't." said Marlene sarcastically. "You're just going on a date with him after years of denying his requests."
"It's not a date!" I practically yelled, before remembering that James was in the next room. Good thing there's Silencing Charms on these rooms. (A precaution I put in just in case something like this happened. Not this exact situation, but something relatively close, knowing Marlie and Alice.)
"Okay, let's say it isn't a date." said Alice, knowing that this wasn't going to go anywhere good with Marlene in charge. "Then why are you going to have butterbeers?"
"Because I have to explain Muggle fairy tales to him." I said. "See, a simple friendly conversation for a simple friendly day out."
Marlene snorted and Alice threw her a cross look. She turned back to me.
"All right, so do you want it to be a date?"
I bit my lip.
"No….not really…." I said slowly. Marlene threw Alice a triumphant look. Alice and I both rolled our eyes. "Look, can we analyze this in the morning?" I asked them, yawning. "Even though it isn't worth analyzing?"
"Fine, it's almost time for curfew anyway." said Alice. "Let's go Marlie."
She got up and walked to the door.
"Oh, and by the way," she said. "We're only doing this because we want you to be happy. We know James will do that for you. You just need to figure it out for yourself."
She walked away, and I was left with my thoughts.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
A/N: No, Lily didn't kill Marlene. I made it so she forgot, considering she has a 'date' with James, and that made her forget. Anyway, how did you like this chapter? Let me know what you thought with a review!
~Charmed