Disclaimer: Oh please, I haven't own anything more than the plot and Ana since the beginning and you expect that to change now? Well, it hasn't. Read & Review!

Chapter 7

October flew by, but not without the marauders making sure it went out with a bang and quite literally. Throughout the annual Halloween feast, Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter saw it their job to randomly shoot off fireworks. To Lily's horror, Dumbledore was all smiles each time a firework went off. The show had been truly spectacular; perhaps some of the marauders best work. Even Lily let out a gentle, "Ohhh," at the finale, but she scowled at the pumpkins Sirius and James bewitched to duel one another before they left for their dorms that night.

Whatever happened in November was simply a blur for most sixth years. With the holidays fast approaching, professors felt a strong need to cram papers and tests in to an already hectic schedule. A small relief swept over the castle as December advanced, with the holidays, and ball just around the corner.

James approached Ana one night in the common room. "Ana, do you have a moment?"

"Sure, James," she put down her book. Sirius watched closely from a chair nearby.

"Um," he nervously ran his hands through his already messy jet black hair, making it that much messier if that was possible, "Lily isn't uh around is she?"

"No," Ana answered perplexed, "She had prefect duties with Remus tonight."

"Oh, right. Well I was just wondering since you're her best mate and all, do you think she'll go to the ball with me?"

"Oh, James," Ana sighed, "I honestly don't know. She's noticed you deflated your ego and she really is starting to consider you a friend, but I think she might like Amos Diggory. Listen, I'll ask her who she wants to go with and I'll even put in a good word for you."

"Diggory?" James repeated, looking crestfallen. Ana nodded. James threw himself into a chair and sighed. Before Ana could return to her book, James asked her who she wanted to go to the ball with. She felt her cheeks get warm and even worse she felt Sirius's eyes on her.

"I haven't given it much thought," she shrugged. Sirius and James laughed in unison.

"What a rotten liar you are, Anita! Has anyone told you that before?" Sirius snickered. James stopped laughing, "Anita?" he asked intrigued by what he assumed was a nickname.

"Yeah, Anita Hard-OUCH!" Ana had used her book to hit Sirius in the arm. She glared at Sirius, threateningly. He muttered a quick "never mind" to James as he rubbed his arm.

"So Anita-" James started to ask her again who she wanted to go with.

"Watch yourself Potter or I'll convince Lily to go with Amos to the dance."

"Sorry, did I say Anita, I meant Ana. Sorry, really truly, I am, sorry. Sorry." Ana smiled.

Sirius rolled his eyes, "Pushover. So come on King, tell your best mates who you want to go to the dance with?"

"I can't," she replied simply, "Remus and Lily aren't here."

"Ow," said James and Sirius pretended he was heartbroken. "That hurt you know."

"Yeah," chimed Sirius, "right here," he placed a hand over his heart, Ana rolled her eyes.

"She mocks us!" yelled James. Sirius frowned, "You should apologize."

"Or tell us who you want to go to the ball with."

"Or both."

"I'm sorry," Ana apologized dryly.

"I don't believe you," Sirius scoffed.

"Nor do I," agreed James.

"I demand you grovel at our feet until we decide to forgive you." Ana raised an eyebrow at Sirius, "or you could come with us to the kitchens and all will be forgotten, well, at least temporarily."

Ana agreed, "To the kitchens."

"I just love the snow," said Ana. She and Lily were walking down by the lake.

"Did you decide about going to dance yet?" Lily asked. Ana shook her head no.

"I'd like to go, but there's no way I'd go without a date."

Lily nodded understanding, "Hogsmeade is this weekend though and I'll need to get a dress, you'll come shopping with me regardless, right?"

"Of course, but wait, Lil, who are you going with?"

Lily blushed, "Amos."

"He's a good choice, but I really wish you would have considered going with James. He adores you."

"I know, but I just really like Amos and I thought he'd be a fun date. And, he did ask me first."

Ana smiled, "Right."

"Any chance Sirius will ask you?"

"We're just friends, Lily."

"Right," said Lily giving her best friend a look that read 'I'm not buying that for one minute.' "You know, Ana, Sirius hasn't dated at all this year. Don't you find that strange?"

"No."

"Well I do and I think it's because he has his heart set someone, you."

"Oh Merlin, you are mental!"

"Stop it Ana! It's obvious to everyone but you and if you weren't so godforsaken stubborn and blind, you'd see it too."

"You want to call me stubborn and blind? What about you, Lily? You like James, I know you do, but instead of admitting it you

deny it," Ana voice wasn't harsh, but rather soft.

"Potter err James, I have a proposition for you." Lily called after him in the corridor one day after class.

James turned around surprised, "Well, sure. What is it?" Lily noticed Sirius by James's side.

"I'll meet you later to discuss it." Lily turned around, making her way to her Ancient Runes class.

"Lily what is it you wanted to talk about?"

"Well to be frank-"

"Can't you be Lily? Sorry," James added after Lily glared at him.

"It's about Sirius and Ana.

"Uh?"

"Well I have a strong suspicion that Ana liked Sirius and was wondering if you knew if he liked her

too, because I think he does."

"Gee, I never gave it much thought." Lily rolled her eyes, 'Men'. James thought about what Lily

just asked. Sirius had thrown a fit last year the moment he found out Ana was seeing that

Slytherin fellow, but that may have been out of brotherly instinct as James had acted

similarly. Come to think of it, he had caught Sirius staring at Ana just the other day in Charms. And sometime last week, Sirius

casually mentioned that Ana looked, how did Sirius say it exactly? 'Bloody hot' in a fitted cream sweater, if he remembered

correctly. He then mumbled something James hadn't bothered Sirius to repeat. Then, a couple months ago he wore a

ridiculous pink dress because Ana dared him.

"Oi, Evans, I think you're onto something."

"Good here's my proposal- we get Sirius to ask Ana to the ball."

"Um, I realize you're new to this scheming business, but that's not much of a proposal."

"What are you saying?"

"Nothing," James said, not wanting to upset Lily. "But Sirius is going to have to want to ask Ana

on his own…and with a little help, I think I know how." Lily noticed a gleam in James's eyes and

was intrigued.

"Brilliant, let's hear it."

Love is in the air! Haha okay so it's more like conspiracy is in the air! This chapter was kind of short, I apologize.

Reviews? Please!