A/N- Just a little note: I will be fast forwarding a lot. In other words, I'm really going through the most important events. The little details (such as Malfoy turning into a ferret) will not be in so much. As much as I love that scene, it isn't really important to the story.

Back to the Future

Chapter Ten

"Potter, Weasley, Jacobs, please pay attention!" Professor McGonagall snapped, sounding irritated. Lily, Harry, and Ron all jumped up. Ron and Harry had finished their work early, so they decided to play with fake wands. Lily had been clueless on how to turn a guinea fowl into a guinea pig, and had decided to join in. Lily blushed. It really had been irresponsible to join in. It was something that James would do, not her. Had time travel really changed her so much?

"Now that those three have been kind enough to act their age," McGonagall threw them a dirty look, "I have something to say to you all. The Yule Ball is approaching- a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open to fourth years and above- although you may invite a younger student if you wish." Lavender and Parvati tried and failed to contain some giggles. Lily looked at them in disgust and thought to herself that it was only desperation that made her become friends with them.

McGonagall went on, but Lily wasn't really paying attention. She wasn't going to be going anyway. No one would ask her out. She was the new kid, after all. At long last the bell rang. Lily sighed in relief. The worst class of the day (or second worse anyway. Snape was, after all, a teacher) was over.

Just as Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Lily were about to leave the classroom, McGonagall called out, "Potter- a word, if you please."

"Ooh Harry, you're in trouble now." Lily teased, even though she was thinking, 'We were all playing- well, except for Hermione- so why is he the only one getting in trouble?'

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Time passed by. It seemed that the Golden Trio and Lily were the only ones who weren't excited about the ball. Harry and Ron were nervous about asking out girls, and Hermione and Lily both knew that they probably wouldn't be able to go. But to Lily's surprise, a couple nights before the ball, someone approached her.

"Hey Lily, want to go to the ball with me?" Lily was shocked and horrified. Her only comfort was that Harry didn't know who she was. But then again, that wasn't much of a comfort if Hermione was right about him having a crush on her. Her horrified feelings must have showed on her face, because Harry quickly assured, "Just as friends I mean."

Lily sighed. "Let me think about it, I'll let you know by tonight."

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That night Lily made a pro and con list. Usually she saved these for only emergencies, but if this wasn't one, she didn't know what was.

Pro- I get to spend time with him

Pro- I get to learn more about him

Pro- It gives me an opportunity to talk to him

Pro- I get to go to the ball

Pro- I won't hurt his feelings.

Con- it is sick

Con- it could give him the wrong idea

That's all that she could come up with. Lily sighed. The problem was that even though there were more Pros, the cons outweighed most of them. So that hadn't helped. It was time for plan B, asking Hermione.

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As it turned out, asking Hermione hadn't worked. Hermione distractedly told Lily that she could do whatever she wanted. Lily got the impression Hermione wasn't really paying attention, and said, "Never mind." The one person who could help Lily decide wasn't able to.

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That night at dinner, Lily came up with her decision. She cornered Harry as he was about to enter, and said, "I'll go out with you." A huge grin spread out on Harry's face.

"Great!" He said. Lily sighed. She was regretting her decision already.

A/N- Next chapter is the Yule Ball! I wonder what's going to happen... And don't wory, I'm on Spring Break, so I plan to update again this week to make up for the long wait and short chapter.