A/N: Finally got this one! I wanted the REAL story to begin from here, so that is why it took some time. So here it is! :D I was listening to "I Can't Fight This Feeling anymore" while writing this

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

CHAPTER 9:

"The banners go here!"
"The tables go there!"
"Higher, higher… Perfect!"

Perfect, Lily thought.
A lot of hustle and bustle was going on since the two Heads had to plan for the Welcome Ball, which was being held on that day, the 15th. And Lily was enjoying it, although she had to scream out orders twice to make them happen. But she didn't mind. She was having fun.

She wiped a bead of sweat trickling down her forehead with her sleeve. Then she looked at the progress she had managed with the help she got, and she wasn't disappointed.

The ball was to begin at 7pm sharp, and according to the arranged time-slot, the progress was going good. She was in charge of designing the interior, and James was in charge of designing the exterior. It was pretty hard work, but they both knew they signed up for this.

The Great Hall that Lily was now designing looked vast than before, since the four tables were moved to the sides. The wall was like a festivity of colors; all clashing with each other so well, that they seemed to be celebrating on their own. Bits and pieces of decorations were flying here and there to speed up the process. The way they zoomed to and fro was just one of the reasons why Lily loved Hogwarts. The magic in the castle always ceased to amaze her.

James otherwise wouldn't tell her how his preparations were going. Every time she asked, she'd always get the same reply:
"You're gonna have to wait, Lily-dearest."
Knowing how stubborn James was once he had committed himself to something, she gave up the attempt to find out, and so chose to wait.

~X~X~X~X~X~X~

Once checking whether she had missed anything or not, she made her way towards their Heads' common room. Almost everyone had retired to their respective dormitories, seeking some rest till the Ball. Lily needed all the rest she could get.

The soft thudding of her shoes against the smooth marble floor was all she could hear. Then later, she heard a voice, call out her name:

"Oi! Lily!"

Lily turned around to see James Potter, looking disheveled as ever, running towards her. She sent a smile to him, and then responded, "James! Planning all done?"
He reached till her, and then gave a lop-sided smile. Her heart stopped for a moment, but then continued its rhythmic beating.
He nodded, "And about time, really. You can assume how… challenging, things can be when you have to work with a bloke like Sirius."
She laughed, and said, "I can imagine."
He chuckled deep in his throat, and resumed walking side by side with her.

They continued walking until they reached their Heads' Common room. Both Lily and James sat on their respective couches with a loud huff, clearly stating how tired they were. Lily picked up her book she left on the couch, and began reading it, just to pass the time.

Birds were chirping merrily outside the window, and steady gusts of the cool wind made the trees sway to and fro, making them seem as if they were alive. James found the sight mesmerizing.

While she read, James stole a glance towards her. It fascinated him, how Lily could dwell into her book with so much concentration, that even if she'd be reading in a crowded room, she wouldn't even bat an eye towards the surroundings.
She was rolled up like a ball against the arm of the couch, with her green eyes glued to the page she read. The steady beam of light that burst into the room seemed to ignite her hair, making them appear brighter than normal.
He smiled to himself. I just can't get enough of her, he thought.

Realizing he ogled at her for too long, he coughed uncomfortably, and looked out the window.

Lily looked up from the book to see James gazing out the window, lost in thought.

The light that spread across them illuminated James hazel eyes more than ever, which almost brought Lily into a trance. Her eyes wandered towards his high cheekbones, his strong jaw bones scattered with stubble, and then slowly trailing till his lips. Her eyes stayed on his lips for a moment too long. She noticed stubble growing on his upper lip as well.
She tore her eyes away, afraid for how much longer her eyes would linger on… his lips.
She hastily resumed reading, trying to calm down the sudden redness that appeared on her cheeks.

Lily had almost finished her chapter, when she heard a voice. She looked up to see James yawning widely, and then crinkled his nose.
She smiled to herself; He looks cute when he does that, she thought.
Lily gave him a nudge on his shoulder. He looked at her.

"Uhh, James," she said, "you might wanna take a nap."
He looked at her questioningly. "Of course not." he said, while stifling a yawn, "Wha- makes you- say- tha?" He asked, yawning throughout the question.

Lily raised an eyebrow.

He blinked, "Alright fine, maybe I am a bit tired."
"And maybe, you should go and rest", she countered.
James chuckled, rubbed his eyes from under his glasses, and said, "Yes, mother."

She gave him a playful push on the arm.

They both got up at the same time, and turned towards their respective dormitories. Her hand was on the knob, when he spoke, "Uhh, Lily?"
She turned and gave him a questioning look.
He said, "I'll be waiting for you on the stairs. It would be better, you know, if we go… together in this, yeah?"

Lily smiled, "I'd be glad to." and went inside her room.
"Great," James breathed out.

The four Slytherins waited in the now empty Slytherin common room; Bellatrix, Lucius, Mulciber and Severus were ready for the prom which was to begin in 15 min.
They were dressed in black, and all of them wore emerald-green masks, which covered half of their faces. All except Severus, who held the mask.

"Is everyone aware of the plan? Lucius asked.

They all nodded enthusiastically, eager to take action. But Severus did not move an inch.

"Why the long face, Sev?" said Bellatrix in mock-concern.

He looked at her darkly, but otherwise remained still.

"Sev, Sev, Sev," drawled Lucius. "Isn't this what you always wanted? To teach that Potter a lesson? To gain the respect you deserved all this time?"
He returned his gaze on his mask once more. Something about Lucius' voice was so convincing, so manipulating, that he couldn't help but agree. He did want to get Potter, after all. He wanted to teach him something, once and for all…

Severus lifted the mask, and adjusted ton his face, so that it covered only half of it. He looked up, and slowly nodded towards Lucius.

An evil smirk played on Lucius' lips. Mulciber and Bellarix gave a toothy grin, both feeling satisfied.

Lucius strode in front of the group, his dark cloak sweeping the floor as he moved. He raised his voice to discuss the room.
"Tonight, nothing should fail. Tonight, we will teach those two how to treat us Purebloods. WE will gain all the prestige, and respect we deserved!" Bellatrix cackled, and Mulciber was enjoying it all too much.
He continued. "We will teach those two some manners. But let's not forget. Tonight, we will have a new member join our little group. James Potter. Yes, we all don't like him, but he can prove to be a very beneficial person for us. So, remember your manners, people."

Severus froze. How could he convince Potter, to join the Dark Side? He despised us! He thought.

He shared his unease with Lucius. He smirked once more, and then said, "Oh, don't worry, Severus. We will give him some solid reasons on why to join us."

Severus' throat went dry. Deep down, he knew how he'd convince him.

And he didn't know whether he supported it that much.

~X~X~X~X~

Lily stared at her reflection n the mirror. She was ready for the ball, but she couldn't get up from the seat she sat on. She didn't know why.
She felt nervous. Her hands became slightly sweaty, and she couldn't stop the faint shivering in her legs.

It had been a long while since she had gone to any grand party like this. She was afraid on what was to come. She didn't know what to expect. Being the odd one out of all the Hogwarts' students was all so over whelming.
And what would be of the Slytherins? What would they do to me?

She pushed aside some of the loose strand from her face, and looked once more.

Maybe this night won't be so bad, she thought.
How will I ever know if I never try?

She smiled to herself.
Besides, she thought, I've got James by my side.

~X~X~X~X~

James straightened the collars of his shirt, and tried to pat down his hair t make them look presentable, but to no avail. They just wouldn't sit.
He huffed and gave up the attempt. They never sat down.

He made his way out of his room, and looked at Lily's room's door. It was closed.
Maybe she still hasn't gotten out, he concluded.

He resumed down towards the stairs, where he promised her they'd meet. She wasn't there either.
He stood at the edge of the stair case. He saw many girls walking down the staircase (some even casting lovey-duvey eyes at him, he noticed grudgingly) but still no sign of a certain red-head.

He waited for ten minutes there, until he looked up once more, to see Lily Evans there.

His heart stopped.

Many of the girls who crossed the staircase were pretty, but not as eye-catching as Lily looked tonight. She wore a simple, silk emerald-green dress, which reached some inches above her feet. It fitted her petite figure perfectly, and then flared slightly at her hips. The straps hung loosely at the edge of her shoulders, to show the pale, glowing skin, scattered with light freckles. She had almost put on no make-up, although James could've sworn her lips were redder than before. Her hair was tied up in a loose bun, with a few strands framing her face. Her eyes glittered with much more spirit, teamed with her dress and the contrasting color of her hair.

She smiled at him, and descended – floated, he thought – down the stairs. He noticed the golden shoes she wore.

Lily was equally startled to see James. He was looking quite handsome; he wore a black blazer with a blood-red button-down shirt underneath it. Below, he wore black pants. The bright red of his shirt seemed to bring more life into his hazel eyes, making them even more mesmerizing. She couldn't stop looking at them, no matter how hard she tried. He wasn't the scrawny boy anymore; He was now a well-built, handsome teenager.

She noticed he even tried to tame his hair down. It made her smile.

When they were side by side, they stared in to each others' eyes for another moment. Then snapping out of the reverie, James said, "Lily, you look… "He slowly shook his head, "beautiful."
Lily blushed, and said, "Well, you look quite… dashing yourself."

He flashed a grin. She could've sworn he saw his ears turn red.

Then, he extended his left elbow, and said in a deep voice, "Miss Evans, shall we go ahead towards this beautiful night awaiting us?

Lily giggled, and looped her arm around his, and said, "I'd be glad, Sir James Potter."
And together they descended into the night.

~X~X~X~X~

"Got the plan, Sev?" Mulciber asked Severus.
Severus slowly nodded.
They were standing at the far end of the Great Hall, waiting for their cue.

"Don't go all soft with that Mudblood Evans." Severus winced at those words.
"I… I won't."
"You better not." Mulciber grunted. "I'll be outside with the others." And with that, he left Severus alone.

It wasn't long, until he saw Lily enter the Hall. She looks beautiful, as always, he thought. But his heart clenched when he knew what was at stake in the plan.
Then he saw James enter, with her arm looped around his, both looking happy.

His heart filled with a burning rage, like a roaring fire. A fire so strong, that only one thing could keep it at bay.

Revenge.

A/N: YAY! Finally! This was a hard one! Please review, guys! I'll need it!