Disclaimer: Anyone you recognize is probably J.K. Rowling's creation. Anyone you don't recognize is probably mine, a.k.a. Andrea Davenport and Theresa Huntwood.

A/N: It didn't take me as long to write this one as I thought it would... I'm not really sure how long it will take me to write the next one either, but that's about the Christmas Ball! Oops, I gave it away...silly me...

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A few days later, James and Lily were in the Great Hall eating breakfast, when a large brown owl swooped over them and dropped a letter. James caught it, and opened it to read it.

"Lily, it's for you, too." Lily leaned over to read as well.

Miss Evans and Mr. Potter,
As you are the Heads of the school, you will be in charge of planning our school's annual Christmas Ball. Please discuss ideas and owl me with a date for us to meet. I will expect an answer within a week.
-Professor Dumbledore


"Oh, James, a Ball!" Lily breathed.

"And we have to plan it..." James groaned.

"We don't have to, we get to! This is going to be so much fun!" Lily squealed with delight and threw her arms around James's neck. "Let's get started!"

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Lily and James worked hard all next week to make plans for the ball. After owling Dumbledore with their ideas, he owled them back saying he wanted to meet to finalize their plans. Using his password, "rigatoni," they met with him in his office. After much discussion, everything was set.

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Two weeks later, the announcement came during breakfast.

Using a magnifying charm, Dumbledore's voice boomed throughout the hall.

"I am pleased to announce," he began, "that there will be a Christmas Ball on December 20th, the day before everyone goes home for the holidays. Fourth through seventh years may attend, younger students may attend but only if invited by an older student. Dress robes are not required, but this is a semi-formal ball. Enjoy!"

A buzz of excitement went through the hall. Girls started whispering in groups, wondering if their crush would ask them or if they should consider asking them. Guys started glancing at the girls they wanted to ask, but were too shy. Couples looked at each other, smiling.

The Marauders, Lily, and her friends were no exception. Lily glanced at Theresa and Andrea smiling evilly; they saw her and smiled, nodding. The Marauders had played a few harmless tricks on them lately, like charming their mirror to insult them or putting dungbombs in their room. This would be the perfect opportunity to get them back, harmlessly of course.

"So," Lily started, "Andrea, who do you think you'll go to ball with?"

"Oh, I don't know..." Andrea sighed, "I was thinking about asking Remus..." she glanced at him. Remus looked away, and on the other side of her Sirius's smile vanished. "What about you, Theresa?"

"Well, everyone knows that I've got it for James," she said, fluttering her eyelashes at him from across the table. James's eye opened wide.

"Oh no!" Lily groaned mockingly, "That leaves me with Sirius! Maybe I just won't go..." She buried her face in her hands, trying so hard not to laugh.

The three boys looked at each other, a little bewildered. James spoke up. "Um, did we miss something?"

The girls burst into a fit of giggles. "Oh please," Andrea choked out, gasping for breath, "you did not fall for that. You can't be that dense! My gosh, as if we don't already know who we're going with."

"On a more serious note," Theresa said, regaining her composure, "when are we going robe shopping? We have nothing to wear!"

Lily thought for a second. "Do you want a suggestion or a plan?"

Everyone answered, "Plan."

"Alright then. On Saturday we'll leave after breakfast for Hogsmeade, We'll all go robe-shopping first, then the guys can go to Zonko's while the girls buy shoes, get their hair and nails done, you know, the works. We'll meet at the Three Broomsticks by five. Sound like a plan?"

She heard a resounding "Sounds good," from everyone.

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For the girls, Saturday didn't come fast enough. For the guys, it came all too soon. Lily, Theresa, and Andrea literally had to go up to the guy's dorm and drag them downstairs. Finally, after much protest, they were on their way.

Once in Hogsmeade, they went straight to get their dresses and robes. The guys, of course, found theirs right away. Remus found dark cobalt blue robes, Sirius, in jet black of course, and James in dark heathered gray robes.

"Can we pleeeease leave?" Sirius whined.

"Fine guys, go to Zonko's. You just won't get to see our dresses until the ball, then..." Andrea said, but the guys were already out the door. "Ok, girls, let's get started!"

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For the next three hours, the girls tried on dress after dress. They traded and fought (good-naturedly) over dresses, only deciding later that it wasn't right for either of them. Finally, they emerged from the dressing rooms for the last time. When they saw what the others were wearing, they squealed with delight! Calling the shopkeeper over, she fitted their robes for them. They paid and left for the Three Broomsticks... it was almost five.

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When they got there, Sirius, Remus, and James were already seated and waiting for them. The girls came over and sat down.

"Sure took you long enough, what did you do, try on every single dress in the store?" James asked, rolling his eyes.

"Pretty close," Lily admitted, smiling. "We're tired now, but it was worth it!" She put her head on the table, using her arms as a pillow, and closed her eyes.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I could fall asleep right here and now..." Theresa said, letting her head rest on Remus's shoulder.

"Boys, we seem to have a problem," Sirius said, faking concern. Andrea's head was on his shoulder, her eyes were closed as well. "If these ladies fall asleep, we'll have no way to get them back to the castle. What do you propose?"

James got a twinkle in his eye. Without a word, he stood up and picked up a protesting Lily. Remus and Sirius followed suit. Carrying three blushing and protesting girls, along with all their baggage and receiving strange looks from the people in the shop, they left. Finding their broomsticks, they got on, still holding the sleepy girls in their arms, and flew back to the castle.