I hope I updated fast enough ; ) I actually had this chapter written out, I just needed to look it over before I posted it.
The ball was to start in an hour and Rachel was only just getting ready. It had been a long day and all she wanted to do was sleep. All the same, she couldn't back out now regardless of how dreadful she felt. She took a twenty minute shower and spent the rest of the hour getting ready. She pulled out a magnificent, strapless teal dress and put it on; it fit her perfectly. It was her most cherished possession as it had been her mother's. She let her hair down and fashioned it in such an elegant way that she surprised herself. She picked up the necklace that went with the dress and fastened it around her neck. The only thing left was make-up. She pulled out the small amount of cosmetics she owned and sighed. Since she only wore make-up on special occasions, she didn't really know what to do.
"Lily," she called. They were the only two left in the room.
"What is it?" she asked, not turning from the mirror.
"Umm, can you help me with the make-up?"
"Sure, let me just finish here," she said as she pinned up her hair. "Ugh, straight hair is impossible, but I'm done." She turned to Rachel. "Oh Ray, that dress is lovely!"
"Thanks," she smiled. Rachel was surprised that it only took about ten minutes to do her make-up.
"There, you look great. Ryan and Sirius will be amazed."
Rachel looked at herself in the mirror. She had to agree with Lily. The dress complimented her body and the colour brought out her red hair. The make-up added a nice touch, and she still couldn't get over how great her hair looked.
"What do you mean?" she asked Lily, finally processing what she had said.
"Just what I said. Don't act like you don't know that Sirius fancies you. And I know you fancy him too, even though you're seeing Ryan."
"I do not. Padfoot is just someone I put up with."
"He denies it too, but everyone sees the truth."
"It's almost seven, we should head down."
"Okay, but just pay attention to how he looks at you."
Sirius and James were waiting in the common room for Lily and Rachel. Sirius was supposed to meet Jaclyn in the entrance hall but he agreed to walk down with the others. However, Melody and Julie got tired of waiting so they left, taking Remus with them. Both boys were wearing fine dress robes; James' were a deep red and Sirius' were the same the shade of grey as his eyes. They weren't talking much since James was nervous.
The girls finally came down. Lily had on a green dress and looked pretty, but that isn't what caught Sirius' attention. His gaze was on Rachel; her appearance mesmerized him.
"I'm sorry we took so long," Rachel said mostly to Sirius since James and Lily were talking.
"No problem, er, you look nice," Sirius said, though in his opinionnice was an understatement.
"Thanks, you look good too. I think we should get going," Rachel said. She couldn't help but notice that Sirius looked extremely handsome in robes of grey which showed off his muscular frame.
"I agree, since Prongs and Lily are too busy to realize we're here," Sirius said. They were being rather friendly with each other, it was odd for them both.
"Where are you meeting Stanton?" he tried to ask casually as they made their way downstairs.
"In the entrance hall. I assume that's where you're meeting Jaclyn?" Rachel asked offhandedly.
"You assumed correctly. How are things going with you and Stanton?"
"Fine, he's a good guy. How about you and whoever you're seeing these days?"
"I'm not seeing anyone. I only just asked Jaclyn out yesterday but we're not going out."
"Oh."
"Listen Belle, I want to tell-"
"Rachel," Ryan said as he spotted them walking down the staircase. He took in her appearance, "you look simply stunning."
"Thank you," Rachel said quietly as she took his hand and stood by him. She was burning to know what Sirius was about to say, and part of her wanted to stay with him.
"Hey Sirius, how's it going?" Ryan asked.
"Fine, and you?" Sirius tried to be polite though all he wanted was to punch Ryan for taking his girl.
"I'm doing great. Who wouldn't be if they had Rachel standing next to them?"
"Naturally," Sirius responded rather stiffly, "If you'll excuse me, I need to go find my date." Rachel watched him go with a twinge of regret.
"Have I told how amazing you look?" Ryan asked playfully.
"I believe you have," Rachel smiled. She studied Ryan. He was a good looking guy, she could see why a lot of girls liked him. Today especially, in his midnight blue robes he made quite a impression.'But he's not Sirius' said a nagging voice in the back of her mind.
"Shall we?" he asked, taking her hand and leading her the double doors into the Great Hall.
Rachel was so deep in thought that the only change she noticed in the Great Hall was that the four house tables were gone. In their place were small round tables throughout the room, leaving a large opening in the middle for the dance floor.
"Where are we going?" Rachel asked as Ryan led her to the front.
"I keep forgetting you're new! It's tradition for the Head Boy and Girl, and their dates, to sit up front. Then the Prefects and their dates sit on either side of us," Ryan explained.
"Oh, that's, uh, cool," Rachel said, hating the idea.
"Don't tell me you're shy!" Ryan was clearly amused.
"I'm not. . . well, maybe just a little. I just don't like being in the spotlight."
"Even if you weren't up here you'd still be in the spotlight. I mean, look at you. You're the belle of the ball."
Belle. Rachel almost laughed at the irony. Remus, Melody, Lily, and James took seats to their right. Rachel caught sight of Sirius and Jaclyn a few tables away. Once everyone was seated, Professor Dumbledore stood.
"Welcome everyone to our annual Yule Ball. I know you are all eager to begin, so I will keep this short. Tomorrow is the beginning of your holiday leave and for those of you whom I will not see, happy holidays. I hope you all enjoy this night. Let the feast begin!"
The food was better than usual, if that was even possible. Rachel found herself enjoying the ball thus far rather than enduring it. It was fun eating and talking to her friends and Ryan, until Lily whispered in her ear, "Sirius can't seem to take his eyes off of you."
"Stop teasing Lily, he's not looking at me. He's just admiring the tree behind us," Rachel said, more to convince herself than anything.
"Believe what you will," Lily grinned, turning back to James.
Rachel couldn't help sneaking a glance at Sirius. Why did Lily always have to be right? He was looking at her intently. 'Well, it's his fault. He could have asked me' she thought to herself. She finished her meal and tried to forget about Sirius. When everyone had finished eating, the food vanished and the lights dimmed.
"I forgot to mention that the Head Boy and Girl and their partners open up the dance," Ryan whispered to Rachel as he stood up and held out his hand to help her up.
"You seem to have forgotten to tell me a lot," Rachel smiled nervously.
"Don't worry, just follow my lead."
The two couples stood at the centre of attention. A slow song began to play and the dancing started. Rachel was relieved when other couples joined them because she wasn't comfortable with so many people staring. The song ended and a faster one came on. They danced for what felt like hours after which Rachel was tired. She and Ryan went to get a drink and walked out on the grounds. The crisp air felt good after all that dancing. Neither of them spoke until they reached a bench.
"I thought you said you couldn't dance?" Ryan asked a bit out of breath.
"No, I just said I didn't like to," Rachel clarified.
"Oh." Ryan sat and simply admired her beauty.
"What is it?" Rachel asked, thinking something was wrong.
"Nothing. You're just about the most gorgeous girl I've ever seen."
Rachel blushed a little. "Thank you," she said shyly.
He leaned in and gave her an innocent kiss. Rachel couldn't help but notice that when he kissed her, she felt nothing. Not like when Sirius had kissed her. . .
Ryan pulled away and took her hand. His eyes searched hers as he said, "Rachel, I really like you. Will you be my girlfriend?"
I'm so sorry hpfan4ever and everyone else, Sirius still hasn't revealed why he did what he did, but he will next chapter, I promise! I have that one written, I just need to type it. Might be up by tomorrow. I'm having a bit of trouble choosing between Ryan and Sirius. . . Ryan is so sweet, why should Rachel reject him?