Formal
"Honestly mate, it's fine."
Remus was reassuring James about his current situation, about to attend the "Slug Club" formal Christmas party that was being hosted by Professor Slughorn that evening. He had on very expensive high quality dress robes as a gift from his parents.
Behind the two, Sirius, the cause of the "situation," was sitting on his bed with a dark look on his face as he said, "Prongs, when you said you were going to that party, I thought that it was a sad attempt at a joke! You can't leave tonight! We have plans! This is our last chance; it's our seventh year!"
Peter looked on nervously as Sirius glowered at his best friend. James sighed.
"I know, I'm sorry, but I can't turn Lily down! I told her I'd go with her already!"
Sirius replied, "Well you shouldn't have!"
Remus, ever the voice of reason, chimed in to say, "Sirius, what's done is done, we'll have to manage without him. Let him go, for god's sake!"
Sirius had tackled James to the ground and was currently pinning him down, whether to keep him there or to spite him was left undetermined. James shoved him off in his moment of distraction provided by Remus and backed away towards the door. He looked in Remus' direction for a nod to show that he would handle Sirius and left quickly.
At the party, James took in the sight of Lily in a beautiful emerald dress that matched the color of her eyes and contrasted with her dark red hair. It didn't clash; it made it all the more stunning.
"Evans," James said, and she looked at him.
"Yes?"
"Fancy a dance with me?"
She smiled and took the hand that he offered.
"I wouldn't miss it for anything, James."
As they turned slowly in a circle, Lily rested her head on his shoulder. He took in the scent of her – she smelled of vanilla, it was nice, he thought.
Instantly, a bang could be heard from somewhere else in the castle along with shrieks of many a student who must have witnessed whatever had caused it. Lily looked up with accusation in her eyes.
"James… what was that?"
He laughed out loud and said, "For once, I had nothing to do with it!"
She raised an eyebrow. "Somehow, I don't believe you."
He made a serious face and said, "No, I swear. The Marauders are down a man tonight, I can honestly say that I'm clear of any and all mischief in the castle tonight."
He ran a hand through her hair and leaned in closer. "I wouldn't miss this, miss you, for the world."
