Authors Note: Hey all! Thanks for the reading as always.

Anyway just to clear up: I decided to not make James Head boy to steer clear of the usual plotline – though admittedly the rest is sorta cliché. In all honesty I had completely forgotten Hagrid told Harry in the first book that both his parents were Head students. I think I was sorta thrown off by Sirius in the 5th book saying "he spent too much time in detention with James." Sorry for the mistake…but I still think it makes things kinda interesting with James using different methods to prove he's 'all grown up' to Lily.

I was vaguely thinking about making some random twist to change the head boy situation….let me know if you think this is a good idea or its fine imagining it the way it is with Wood as Head boy.

Note: that if I do make the twist it'll be a little bit further down the line - not a crazy change that makes Wood an evil villain who gets expelled or something.…But the only way the decision will be easy for me is if you guys let me know… so PLEASE REVIEW and tell me your opinion! smiles sweetly - Pam xx

(FOR THE RECORD: a lottt of things happen in this chapter, hence the length)

And after that tediously long author's note…..On with the story…Please read the above by the way!


A Balmy Ball

The Halloween ball was in full swing as the feast came to an end. It was a rare occasion at Hogwarts to have a Dance because for the majority of Holidays part of the school was always away with family. The dance-floor was cluttered with couples as Celestina Warbeck sang a slow song with a husky voice. She was the newest smash hit singer in the Wizarding World and although she often sang upbeat music, it was no secret her true calling was her ballads which put everyone in the mood for romance.

Sirius shoulders slumped as Emmeline wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. He looked around uncomfortably feeling girls glaring at him over their partners' shoulders. Emmeline sighed as she rested her head on his own shoulder and unknown to Sirius, sent a huge smirk around the Grand Hall at the glowering girls. Sirius wasn't having a terrible time. Emmeline was pleasant enough, not annoying in the least…however she lacked one thing in Sirius' opinion. The ability to make good conversation. Ordinarily it wasn't difficult for Sirius to strike up small-talk with anyone; however talking to Emmeline reminded him of talking to a steel pole.

Not wanting to be impolite however, Sirius had desperately spent the last hour trying to get his date to talk about anything other than all the girls who'd nearly cursed her into oblivion when they found out who was taking her to the dance. After trying in vain to steer the conversation onto her rather than him, Sirius gave up and asked her to dance. They hadn't stopped since, but this was the first slow song being played and he was beginning to get bored just swaying slowly. Taking a good look around the Grand Hall he observed Diya and Remus kissing in a dark corner, which sparked a cheeky grin from Sirius as he shook his head laughingly at the inseparable-at-the-mouth couple. His eyes then wandered with amusement to James sitting on a chair nervously tapping his foot and absent-mindedly keeping his focus on the girl with auburn hair who was dancing with Wood a few metres away. His date sat beside him resting her chin on a propped up arm, occasionally blowing up so her purposely-messy light brown fringe shifted from over her eyes. She glanced at James once or twice but looked extremely bored. She shared this feeling with her friend who was sitting next to her looking openly disgusted at Peter as he ignored her due to being in deep conversation with Narcissa Black.

Sirius frowned at this. He knew his fair-haired cousin was attractive despite the disgusted expression she held permanently in her features, but she was a nasty piece of work and Peter knew it. Under the influence of her older sister Bellatrix, Narcissa loathed Sirius and his "muggle-loving" ways. Bellatrix, the oldest of three girls was already married to another ex-Slytherin, Rudolphus Lestrange and had proceeded to introduce her youngest sister to an older Lucius Malfoy to whom she was now engaged. He was sure Bella, her husband and Malfoy were in league with a powerful Dark Wizard, if the sullen conversations at the Black dinner table had told him anything. His family was definetly not a picnic. Other than Andromeda who, like him, had been burned from the family tree. She now lived in a remote part of London with her Muggle-born husband Ted Tonks and their daughter Nymphadora. He didn't see them much, however he did Owl his favourite cousin from time to time.

Feeling eyes on him Peter looked up and saw Sirius glaring at him. Looking terrified momentarily he gave Sirius a helpless look. Sirius couldn't be sure but he thought he had seen Peter discreetly whisper something to Narcissa. However her lips had curled into a smile and she got up and before shooting Sirius a hateful look, raised her wand at Peter. Though he felt in his gut something wasn't quite right, Sirius pulled away from his dance partner and hurtled towards his cousin, wand raised. James had also snapped out of his daze and turned to protect Peter. The pale headed Black stopped and snickered at the two Gryffindors who had approached her. Remus was now walking quickly towards the scene, however before he reached them Narcissa turned to leave with Regulus after saying spitefully,

"Ah, always the gallant heroes - these…Gryffindors. Good evening Pettigrew."

Then with a swish of silver robes Sirius' cousin had swished off with his brother to the far end of the Grand Hall to join a group of howling Slytherins.

Remus sighed and nodded towards his friends before returning to Diya. James irritated stuffed his wand back into his robes and glared after the Slytherins muttering, "Cowards…" before checking if Peter was ok.

Sirius however was red with fury. His anger was not directed solely towards the Slytherins, much to onlookers' surprise. "What were you talking to her about Wormtail?" he asked threateningly.

"N-Nothing Sirius..." Peter stuttered eyes wide with fright. The on looking Slytherins had now quietened down their laughter to smug grins as they watched Sirius stare at Peter angrily.

"I'd hardly call what seemed to be a deep conversation…nothing, Pettigrew," Sirius growled through clenched teeth.

Peter tried to direct a frantic, helpless look at James who was looking at Sirius puzzled. This went unnoticed however as James loyally allowed his best friend to interrogate Peter by staying silent throughout the exchange.

" I…I….She was…threatening me Sirius…I..I didn't want to get you lot involved because I wanted to help myself for once. I suppose that didn't go very well…" Peter reflected quietly looking down at his feet.

James softened as he had often felt pity for their tag along friend Wormtail. He patted Peter on the back reassuringly and told him, " S'alrite Petey mate, what're friends for eh?" Then he threw Sirius a meaningful look to indicate him to let it go. Looking sceptical, Sirius still seething nodded curtly at James and both boys missed the shudder Peter had displayed when James had patted him.

"I think I'll go to bed. Not feeling too well…" Peter decided breaking away from James and bidding his friends and date a good night.

"Yeah, good idea Pete. Watch your back alright?" Sirius replied as his way of apologising.

James and Sirius watched in silence as Peter retreated through the huge doors of The Grand Hall.

"Good job playing Prefect there Prongs…"

"Sirius, you were acting ridiculous. Pete is too pathetic to hurt a fly! Not to mention get in league with a bunch of Slytherins. If Moony wasn't around to make you feel bad, someone needed to play the responsible card here!" James shot back slightly offended.

"Yeh, yeh….There's something different about Wormtail lately though James…I can't put my finger on it…He's been acting well shifty lately!" Sirius countered ignoring the slight edge to his friend's voice. If there was one thing about his friendship with James he was sure of, it was that they could disagree without falling out.

James slapped his forehead and laughed. "Remedial Potions Padfoot! He's been taking remedial potions. He's ashamed…I mean who wouldn't be? Look, we've known Pete long enough to know he wouldn't go screw us over so don't act like such an over-suspicious dad Sirius!"

Sirius let out a bark of laughter despite pretending to be annoyed. "Remedial Potions? What a troll honestly!"

Then after punching James playfully in the arm he reluctantly allowed himself to be towed off by Emmeline to get something to drink. James grinned and turned to Steph who was tugging at the sleeve of his robes.

"James…if you're finished, can we pleasse get some dancing in?" she asked good-humouredly.

"Nice one, your friend is by the way…ignores me the whole bloody night and then leaves without so much as a goodbye. I can't believe I agreed to this Steph…honestly. I'm off to find someone who can at least vaguely show me a good time" her friend huffed and she stormed off to a group of boys nearby.


Steph just shrugged and pulled James to the dance floor. The band was playing a fast tune and Celestina Warbeck was dancing about as she sang on stage. James grinned at his date, even though the pit in his stomach had made yet another re-appearance. The dance would be over soon and he still hadn't talked to Lily. Steph had turned out to be more fun than he'd expected, but he could only focus on Lily at the moment. Seeing Lily sitting alone smiling at Wood who was dancing with his little sister, James excused himself politely and headed in her direction. Steph, though showing a little disappointment, merely waved her consent and began dancing with a group of her giggling friends.

Lily sat resting her feet as David danced with his fourth year sister. She glanced away for a second and saw a tall boy with glasses approaching her cautiously. Trying to avoid his gaze she looked towards Ivana who now had Marcus' hands slightly below her waist as they danced. This was not enough to distract her from the low voice that said into her ear,

"Evans, we need to talk…"

Turning her head, she was now aware of how close their faces were. Their lips only inches apart. Grudgingly she agreed.

"I suppose you're right…hang on a sec.."

James impatiently scuffed his foot on the ground as Lily went over to Wood to whisper something in his ear. Wood lifted his head to look at him and despite giving him a friendly smile and nod, James could see the warning he held in his eyes. Not knowing how to react James simply returned the nod and tried to stifle a shrug.

"Should we go outside then? It's a bit quieter" Lily was saying loudly over the music when she approached him. James nodded. He then gestured for her to go through the side door first after following her. After walking in silence for a while, to Lily's horror she found they were under the same dreaded beech tree. James' lifted his eyes which had been focused on the floor to meet hers as he opened his mouth to speak….


Remus was searching for some trace of emotion on Diya's face. They were sitting outside the Grand Hall on a bench in the courtyard because Remus had something to tell her. He had finally confessed that he was a werewolf to her. Their relationship had gotten too deep to not, Lily had told him when he confided in her. He sat now waiting for her reaction, dreading the thought of her hating him for this. For this curse he'd had no control over.

Diya sat silently running the new information over in her head at a rapid pace. Remus? A werewolf? Kind, calm, gentle Remus…She couldn't even imagine. She opened her mouth to speak…

" Oh Remus, it must be so difficult for you." She said her eyes full of worry.

Remus felt elated. She didn't hate him. He's finally confessed his secret to someone he really cared about. Diya was different to Marilee. He could trust her because he knew how she'd changed for him.

"Well…I'm sorta used to it y'know… I'm just glad you're not scared of me" he said shuddering at the thought.

"Scared of you? I couldn't be Remus, even if you tried. In fact…" she trailed off raising an eyebrow suggestively. "…it's sort of sexy."

Remus' eyes became round as she kissed him passionately. When they finally broke apart, he grinned impishly and held her hand as they crossed through the Grand Hall to exit on their way to Gryffindor Tower for some…alone time.


Sirius breathed a sigh of relief as Gregory Corner asked to cut in on his dance with Emmeline. She was getting quite exhausting really. Just as he went to sit down, he saw Remus pulled Diya out of the Grand Hall. She was giggling and hurrying after him excitedly. Sirius laughed and called out to his friend as the couple passed. Remus rushed over quickly and asked hurriedly, " What!"

"Where exactly are you two going?" Sirius questioned knowingly, unable to conceal the cheeky grin on his face.

"Shut up Padfoot!" Remus said beaming pushing his friend playfully off his chair. He then hurried back to the still giggling Diya and whispered something in her ear as they exited the Hall.

Sirius sat on the floor still laughing. He watched the couples dance a moment until his eyes came to rest on the familiar back of a familiar blonde Russian girl he knew. The something wrong with this picture however was that prick Forsynthe with his hands far far south of her waist. Sirius stopped laughing abruptly. He watched with narrowed eyes as the couple swayed to the ballad. Bloody Marcus Forsynthe thinks he can grope one of my best friends and get away with it?

Sirius scampered up and took two steps towards Ivana and Marcus. Just at that moment Marcus' hands were being slapped off by an angry Russian as she pelted him with insults clearly not in English. The confused look on Marcus' face was soon replaced however by embarrassment as the girl slapped him tightly across the cheek and stormed off.

Sirius fell back into the chair and laughed at him. He laughed so hard he fell off the chair and was promptly back to sitting on the same floor spot as he had been a few moments ago. Ivana approached him, her face changing into a puzzled smile.

"Um Sirius, is it cool down there or something? Is this what all the cool kids are doing now?" Ivana teased a smile playing across her lips.

"That…-jerk…..oh man you got him good…..gonna leave a right bruise on his cheek!" Sirius exclaimed between laughs.

Ivana laughed with him and joined him gracefully on the floor.

Sirius grinned at her. "Oh and the Russian! What a fiery touch…did you see the look on the idiot's face?"

Ivana grinned sheepishly and shoved Sirius lightly. They calmed down and both sat in silence for a moment. When a new ballad had begun Ivana wrestled with thoughts in her mind. Then without thinking for another moment she asked, " You feel like dancing?"

Sirius chuckled and nodded, " Yeh why not? I'm thinking even Dumbledore will think we're balmy if we sit here any longer. Mind you, he is dancing with McGonagall so I doubt he'd notice."

Ivana giggled and rolled her eyes, knowing that Sirius had it fixed in his head that the Headmaster and Transfiguration teacher would get together eventually.

They strode to the dance floor and Sirius put his arms around her waist. Ivana leaned into him draping her own arms around his neck. As they moved gently to the music, she tried to ignore the familiar heat creeping to her face as Sirius played with a strand of her long blonde hair. She smiled a little at this and looked up into his mysterious grey eyes.

"Ivana…"

"mmmm..?"

"You know your hair smells like apples right?" Sirius said in a playful tone.

Snapping back to reality Ivana forced a smile and nodded to Sirius. He was now looking over his shoulder.

"Look…look….I bet you a galleon he'll kiss her now…" Sirius said eyeing the two dignified teachers who were waltzing nearby.

"Alright, a galleon he won't!" Ivana countered, hastily trying to dismiss all hopes from minutes ago, that she herself was going to be kissed. Certainly not by Albus Dumbledore however.


James shut his mouth noting the look on Lily's face.

"James, first of all about what happened – you were completely wrong to do that! I have a boyfriend who I care about very much… and I'd appreciate if he didn't find out about the…you know."

"Yes Lily I do know. The kiss we shared perhaps? And I say shared…because it was obviously not a one-sided affair and you…know it" James pressed, his rehearsed lines abandoning him.

" James…it happens alright? I mean if you just spring it on me, accidentally I you know…kiss back" she argued wincing at the word kiss.
"Not the way you kissed me Lily. Don't tell me you didn't feel it? That instant connection? I've never felt that with anyone before! Don't tell me you didn't feel it too? Please…" he pleaded with her now, distress so clear in his hazel eyes.

Lily froze. She didn't know what to do. He was right. She had felt it. But it was something she had to ignore because she was with Wood. She wouldn't and couldn't care for Potter. Despite how much it might hurt him.

Mistakenly taking her silence as a good sign, James leaned forward slowly. Their lips were almost touching and he could feel the fireworks start until…

"NO JAMES…Dont! I'm sorry ok? I didn't feel it! I'm with David. I…I want him…not you!" she insisted weakly pulling away from him.

James looked crushed. Defeated, he nodded and turned from her taking a few steps towards the Hall. He then paused and turned around.

"I love you Lily Evans. I have for ages and I think you love me too…you just…don't know it yet."

With that, he trudged towards the castle leaving a bewildered Lily trying hard to blink back tears.


Sighing as he re-entered the building James looked around sadly. Every hope he'd had had come crashing down just moments ago. Every dream he had would never come true. She didn't feel it. And so, he'd have to give her up. Give up the love of his life.

Feeling utterly exhausted and depressed he decided to head for bed. But before he took another step a whispery voice ticked his ear.


Lily followed James back to the Hall and tried desperately not to think of the look of sadness on his face along with his last words. " I think you love me too…you just…don't know it yet." She had to find David. That would put an end to all her doubts. At least she hoped. Otherwise she had just made the biggest mistake of her life.

As she headed towards the exit, she noticed a brown-haired girl by the name of Steph something-or the-other pressed against the wall frantically making out with a tall, messy black-haired boy.

Approaching the entwined pair slowly she realised something.

"POTTER!"

James' face lifted off Steph's and turned to face Lily wearing a shocked expression.

"Love eh Potter? You could've fooled me…" Lily managed to burst out harshly.

She then walked from the Hall with as much dignity as she could possess, waiting until she was out of sight to collapse into silent sobs.


Long one I know…but I thought it was worth it PLEASE REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!

A/N: I'd like to thank the most recent reviewers for keeping me writing this story:

JeminaDOTM5: If you felt bad for Jamesie after the 6th chapter…there's a good chance you're feeling even sorrier for him after this one! I know I am. Haha

kuku-for-cocca-puffs: Glad you loved it! I'm really enjoying writing it. Strangely it keeps my need for a fix of HP at bay for a while.

ntcanc: thanks so much! I was so sad they cut Oliver Wood from the 3rd film, I think "his dad" deserved a place in this story to create some tensionn hahah. Oh and Sirius sadly still hasn't noticed Ivana!

nonierose: thanks a lot! Yeh, as I explained at the beginning that was a slip on my part. I think it worked out fairly well though. Let me know if you think I should add in a twist to make James Head boy