The Great Hall was pretty full by the time Lily got down to breakfast, having slept in later than usual. It was by chance, however, that some of the only seats left at the Gryffindor table were by the marauders, as everyone knew that sitting next to them was risky – whether it was being the victim of a prank or food fight, everyone had learned to keep their distance. Sighing, Lily made her way over to them.
"I swear Padfoot, that's what she said!" James was saying enthusiastically. "She really did say –"
"Good morning Lily," Remus said loudly, cutting off whatever James was saying. Lily wasn't sure she wanted to know, but smiled and sat down beside the werewolf nonetheless.
"Morning everyone," Lily greeted. "It's nice to see everything is back to normal."
"What do you mean, back to normal?" James asked immediately, but Sirius elbowed him in the ribs to shut him up.
"I meant between you and Sirius," Lily replied. A look of relief crossed James' face, making Sirius roll his eyes.
"Really subtle, Prongs," he muttered.
Thankfully, there was a loud tapping of glass from the teacher's table and McGonagall stood up.
"May I have your attention please? I trust that the news I am about to announce will be spread amongst the school quickly so that those who are not attending breakfast will hear of it soon enough. It has been decided amongst the staff that a Christmas Ball will be held for the students." Excited whispers broke out, but McGonagall kept speaking and they silenced soon enough. "We trust that students will behave appropriately, pranks will be non-existent on that night and let it be known that any wrongdoers will be told to leave." Her eyes narrowed in on the marauders, who each had identical sheepish grins on their faces. "The ball will be held on Christmas Eve, so that leaves a little over two months for you all to organise appropriate attire. More information will be posted around the school by the Head Boy and Girl. Thank you."
Professor McGonagall sat and the hall became so noisy Lily could barely hear herself think. The marauders had put their heads together and were muttering to each other, Remus shaking his head far more than the other three. Lily smiled and finished her breakfast quickly, then stood to leave, making her way out of the Hall easily.
"Lily! Wait!"
Mary MacDonald came hurrying up to Lily, smiling and looking slightly flustered. She linked arms with Lily and began walking at a more dignified pace.
"A ball, can you believe it? Do you know that this means?"
"Dancing?" Lily guessed dryly. Mary giggled.
"Yes. And dresses, and dates, and…"
Mary smacking into the barrister on the staircase face-first cut off whatever else the ball entailed. She let out a long groan.
"I think I'm going to go to the hospital wing," she mumbled, cradling her mouth. Blood was pouring out and she'd lost at least one tooth.
"Try not to take that as an omen!" Lily called after her, making Mary laugh.
"It'll take more than that to deter me, Lily!" Mary's words came out jumbled due to the lack of teeth and a mouthful of blood. Wincing, Lily made her way up the castle to the Divination classroom.
Lily was pleasantly surprised when she found herself intrigued in such a vague form of magic. She loved the idea of seeing the future and loved that it was so vague yet so common that there were enough books and magical theories on it to be made into a class. Whilst Lily loved the facts, she enjoyed possibilities more.
The marauders were different. None had time for such sketchy magic and instead chose Care of Magical Creatures, which they all found incredibly amusing due to their animagi and werewolf abilities.
"Are you going to ask Lily to the ball, Prongs?" Sirius asked as they traipsed along the grounds. James looked at Sirius suspiciously from the corner of his eye.
"She's only just admitted that we're friends, I'm not going to rush into anything," James said proudly. Remus patted him on the back softly.
"Nice to see you're maturing, mate."
"Shove off, Moony."
"What if someone else asks her first, though?" Peter questioned.
James thought about it for a second before saying, "Well, just because I'm waiting for her doesn't mean she has to wait for me."
"Okay, I was being sarcastic when I said it before, but now I really mean it when I say it's nice to see you're maturing, James."
"I was being completely serious before, Remus, don't make me repeat myself. Who are you guys going to ask?"
Peter reminded James that he had to return home for Christmas for his family get-togethers, and Remus shyly admitted he wanted to ask Mary.
"Go for it, mate," Sirius said cheerfully. "What's the worst that could happen?"
"My furry little problem?" Remus suggested, lowering his voice due to their nosy classmates. Sirius shook his head.
"That's way before Christmas, it won't be a problem."
"Well who are you going to ask then? Marlene, I bet."
"What's wrong with Marlene?"
"Shut up, guys, class is starting," James hissed.
"You are going to have the night of your life in roughly two months time," Marlene predicted, staring into the crystal ball in front of her with her best mystical voice. Lily stifled her snickers. "And you are going to find a charming man with a gorgeous smile and amazing snogging skills."
"At the ball or just in general?" Lily asked, feigning seriousness.
"Well hopefully in general, Lils, honestly." Marlene fixed Lily with a worrying stare. "Lily, sweetie, I've known you for six years, and not once have I ever seen you snog a guy," she said earnestly. "I cannot possibly have a friend who hasn't kissed a boy by their last year at Hogwarts."
Lily blushed. "Marlene! I have kissed people, just because you like to scar everybody with your public displays of affection doesn't mean we all do! I just prefer privacy."
"The crystal ball says otherwise."
"You and I both know you can't see shit in that fog," Lily said, snatching it away from Marlene with a giggle. She stared into it half-heartedly. "Who are you going to take to the ball?"
"I am not taking anyone," Marlene said snootily, and Lily looked up in surprise only to find Marlene grinning. "Somebody will be taking me. It's the boys' job to ask the girl, Lily."
"And I'm sure you'll have no shortage of suitors," Lily laughed. She raised a brow. "Sirius?"
"You never know. James might suddenly not be all that keen on you by Christmas, maybe he'll ask me."
"Doubt it," Lily snorted. Marlene looked at Lily in shock.
"My, my. Is that possessiveness I hear? In relation to James Potter? What have I missed out on?"
Lily sent Marlene her best secretive smile. "Never you mind, Marlene. The crystal ball says now is not the right time to discuss such matters."
"We definitely mustn't argue with the crystal ball, then."
Oh, she did love to tease her friends.