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Chapter 10 – Preparation for the Christmas Ball

It had been an extremely cold November and the only thing keeping all fifth, sixth and seventh years going was thoughts of the Christmas Ball – the highlight of the year. Last years Ball had been so spectacular (largely due to Lily and Remus's input and help) that this year, it not only had to be equally successful but there were hopes of it being even better.

James Potter, in particular was looking forward to it – he and Sirius had spent the entirety of it last year without a partner as they found it easier and more fun to pick up girls without dates as they were more eager to have fun. They preferred this easy option compared with the hassle of finding one girl, asking her, and then having to spend the whole evening applying all attention solely to them.

He had fond memories, even though Sirius had beaten him in dancing with six more girls than he did. He then sighed. He knew that this year, Sirius was going to ask Cassie, as he seemed quite besotted and it just wasn't the same as going with Remus and Peter. Remus because he likes to value a girls company and pay complete attention to her, and Peter because he was absolutely useless with girls – the only dates he had were merely because of his association with the rest of the Marauders.

Most of the jobs to do with the Christmas Ball had fallen to Lily and Remus partly due to their amazing success last year, but also because the seventh years were so busy preparing for the NEWTS. While he had begun to think of Lily, he couldn't help but smile knowing that it had been a week since detention when they were on speaking terms. They hadn't really spent a lot of time together but it was definitely a step in the right direction. Even more astounding than that, it had been a week since Sirius had known about his crush and the information had not even reached Cassie yet which was an achievement in itself.

While lost in thought, he felt a smack on his back,

"Prongsie my boy, how are we today?" Sirius said, looking very cheerful.

"Alright, just finishing this Defence Against the Dark Arts off" James responded putting his parchment down.

"And daydreaming about a certain Prefect?" he said knowingly.

"I don't think about Moony that way" James said smirking.

"Very funny, well I was going to finalise plans with Cassie who I know is helping Miss Evans decorate the Great Hall if you wanted to join me as an excuse to talk to her"

James wondered if he should, knowing that she might want to get on, but then again he could offer assistance.

"Sure, why not. Though I'm not too happy about you getting a date for the Ball, what about our ritual?"

Sirius laughed, "I know mate, never thought I'd be the type to settle – always thought you'd be first"

"Soon she'll start talking about a wedding and having a family" And upon the horrified look on Sirius's face, James began walking in the direction of the Great Hall. However Sirius couldn't stop talking about how serious Cassie thought they were.

"So do you think I should go alone to the Ball just to prove a point that we aren't too committed then?"

James laughed, "Do what you want – you should go with her though, or you will only get nagged at for a month after"

They had just walked into the Great Hall so Sirius began whispering as Cassie was in the right hand corner pinning banners to the wall with Figgy and could have been in hearing distance.

"What if I gave a legitimate reason? I could twist my ankle and then not be able to dance and then suggest it would be better if she had another partner – that way I would be a kind partner also" He waited for a response from James but he got nothing.

"Prongs" He loudly whispered wanting an answer.

James looked a little befuddled, "uh yeah you could do".

Sirius looked around and finally understood why James' behaviour had suddenly changed. There on the other side of the Great Hall was Remus and Lily messing around with the decorations. She had wrapped a really long banner around him so he couldn't move and then Lily pushed her head into his shoulder because she couldn't stop laughing so hard. It was clear James looked a little envious of their fun as he couldn't stop staring at them.

Sirius, not known as the observant one had actually noticed this.

"Don't worry mate, they have to work together, they're Prefects"

"Yeah I know it's just -" He stopped, not really knowing what he had a problem with.

"Suddenly Remus and Lily both turned around hearing Cassie shout Sirius over. James followed him debating whether to leave or not. As he passed Remus, he just nodded his head coldly and upon seeing a guilty look on Remus' face, knew that the message had hit home.

As James, Sirius, Cassie and Figgy were talking, Remus unwrapped himself and walked over hoping that he hadn't upset his friend too much.

"So you're definitely gonna show up" Cassie told Sirius making eye contact "Because if you don't…"

"I'll be there, I said" Sirius said, getting slightly annoyed now.

"Well I had better get a corsage, then I can keep it, and then show our kids when they grow up."

James shot Sirius an 'I told you so' look, just as Cassie and Lily burst out laughing.

"I was only joking" She said through the laughter.

They took about a ten minute break when Lily began to get into work focus again,

"Remus, are you coming to finish off the centre?" She asked

He looked at James who looked away, "Um sure, can I just have a quick word with James outside, and I'll be there in a second"

"Sure" She said whilst walking over to her area.

James followed Remus nonchalantly until they reached outside.

Remus began talking in quite an accusatory tone. "What's your problem?"

James looked as though Remus was from another planet, "You should know" He folded his arms.

"Well I can hazard a guess at it being because Lily and I were working together"

James shrugged, "You weren't just working with her though. You knew I liked her and you're making moves on her yourself. If you liked her you should have just said and I would have stepped aside rather than you being sneaky and underhand about it. I always knew you had a thing for her" He finished ranting taking a breath.

Remus looked quite hurt, "We're friends and that is it. You haven't even been out on a date yet and you are already acting as if you own her. Why isn't she allowed any fun?"

"Don't give me that – just admit you like her and you betrayed a friend" Said James, his temper getting the better of him.

"It's nothing like that and if you don't believe me, go in – ask her yourself, admit you like her." James' face was vacant "No I thought not, never thought I'd see the day when James Potter became the coward Peter is".

James got lost in his thought, "I can't, she doesn't like me like she likes you – I'm sure if you went in and told her you liked her, she'd welcome you with open arms"

Rmeus nodded knowingly, "So that is what all this is about – you're just jealous cause you don't know Lily like I do"

He nodded slowly, "I suppose so" He paused for a moment, "Sorry mate I should have known you wouldn't have gone behind my back. But just to get things straight once and for all – you don't like her?"

"No, she's just a good friend. Look why don't you take my place? Say I felt ill and suggested you help instead. Go and get to know her"

James smiled, "You sure?"

"Yeah, course" and Remus went back to the dormitory as James shouted "Thanks Moony"

As James walked in, Sirius caught his eye, suspecting what had gone on between those two but as James smiled at him as a way of letting him know everything was ok, he went back to talking to Cassie.

James took a deep breath and went up to Lily. She looked a little confused when she saw him come alone.

"Where is Remus?" she said as she took a lot of tinsel out of a box marked 'decorations'.

"He wasn't feeling well and asked me if I'd help you, he didn't want to leave you stranded"

She smiled, "Thank you, it doesn't look as if Sirius and Cassie are doing a lot and all the other Prefects have long gone, so I could use the help"

"Great, I've just finished that History of Magic parchment – was the most difficult piece of work I've been set this year"

Lily turned, surprised to hear him say something sensible, "I thought it was ok, I could give you some help if you want, as you did so kindly offer assistance with Transfiguration at the beginning of the term"

James squirmed, "Yeah, sorry about that"

Lily chuckled, "Don't worry, the competition alone makes me work harder"

"Glad to be of some help" He climbed up the step ladder to put some tinsel on the tree, glad that she had lightened up a bit.

"So are you going to the dance alone again this year, hoping to be twenty girls' knights in shining armour?" Lily asked cheekily.

James looked surprised, she hardly ever initiated conversations about dates, "Hey! How'd you know about that?"

"I was one of the many who you asked to dance with last year"

"And you turned me down? This could be what has caused by compulsive dating disorder! See it's your entire fault" He smiled to himself, were they flirting?

"I'm sure you wouldn't have noticed, the amount of girls who you had actually managed to win over"

"You sound impressed!" He said hoping to secure her attention.

"Hardly" She replied, beginning to put the ornaments on the tree.

He got down off the ladder and began helping her, "So what about you? Going with Joseph again?"

She blushed a little, "Um, no Amelia will be going to this one so they're going together – I'll be flying solo also"

"And if I asked for a dance this year, would I be rejected again?" He asked, trying his luck, after all Remus did give him this opportunity to take a chance.

"Of course" She smiled. "However if you find yourself alone for five minutes, you will be welcome to come and sit with Figgy and I, if we also are alone."

Well that was something, James had thought and not an entirely wasted afternoon.

"Well I think we're finished, thanks for your help"

"Sure not a problem, um I just thought, aren't Prefects supposed to open the Ball?" James asked curiously.

"Only the heads and seventh year Prefects.have to, thank Merlin" she said with relief, "Thanks again for helping, and if you did need any help with that homework, I'll be pleased to return the favour!" She finished politely.

James hesitated, keen to test the water on how much fun Lily was willing to have, "Is ok Evans thanks, I've finished it and with your past experiences with leaking quills, I don't want to chance it to get ruined" He grinned.

And most surprisingly, she grinned back, "Well it wouldn't matter either way; it would still be a T!" James was pleasantly amused and laughed very loudly.

"Nice one Evans"

"Thanks, anyway I'd better be going, see you later".

James went back to his dorm with a smile across his facing – he thought he had just made a friend.

He went back into the dormitory knowing he would have to make amends with Remus; Remus who he had accused of betraying him, when really he had given him this opportunity of speaking amicably with Lily.

"Hi Prongs, how did it go?" Remus looked up from his book smiling.

Sirius interrupted his two good friends as he waltzed it making his entrance, "well from mine and Cassie's perspective, very well eh Prongs?"

"Ha-ha, yeah, it was ok we talked like friends anyway. Listen Moony-"

"It's ok; I understand what you must have thought. I'm just glad you're getting somewhere."

James thought he should be honest with himself, "Truthfully, I'm not anywhere yet. I plucked up the courage to ask her for a dance at the Ball on Saturday and she politely and subtly turned me down."

"Well you've just got to keep talking and being friendly – I've come to realise you two make a good couple. And I'll put in some good words for you"

James smiled, "Thanks, just don't make it too obvious. Anyway Padfoot, you stuck with your date"

"Yes actually, but she did say I was free to dance with other girls, so long as she can with other lads."

Remus put down his book again, "And are you sure you are ok seeing her with other lads. I couldn't let a girl I was seeing, do that" he said thoughtfully.

Sirius looked deep in thought, "Well it's not as if we're a committed couple so it should be ok."

And as the Marauders were carrying on discussing the Christmas Ball and laughing at Remus for not having a date at the Ball, the girls were also in their own dormitory talking about Cassie's date with Sirius.

"So you're gonna let him dance with other girls, while he's with you knowing what he is like?" Figgy asked suspiciously.

"It's what he wants, and don't think for one minute I'll be moping in the corner, I'll find someone else to dance with"

Lily laughed, "You did make me laugh when you talked of his kids"

"That was priceless Cas" Figgy added.

Cassie then turned to Lily, "Speaking of this afternoon, Lily did you have fun with James; Sirius and I were just saying how good you two look together"

Lily blushed and looked away, "Don't be silly, he just helped me with the decorating as Remus felt ill."

Cassie, who enjoyed making Lily squirm continued, "had a lot of fun though, didn't you? How good would it be if you and James got together – we could go on double dates".

Lily shook her head fiercely, "That is just a ridiculous suggestion – Potter and I will only be acquaintances throughout the whole of our lives, if that! He's too arrogant for us to be anything else"

"He's hot though, right?" Cassie said smirking.

Lily blushed yet again, "He's attractive – anyone would admit that but just because someone is attractive doesn't mean they can win someone over. They've got to be nice, and in Potter's case, has to have the ability to treat women with respect."

Figgy then decided to intervene, "Well you were having fun with Remus as well – I think you should tell her what is going on, we are your best friends!"

"I agree, I tell you everything about Sirius, and then Figgy tells you everything, not that there is a lot to tell" And Cassie got a dead arm on that last comment.

"Well there is nothing to tell, Remus is great as a friend and Potter is only barely a friend – so now you can both stop conspiring against me. I promise I'll tell you if anything happens between me and anyone." She laughed.

"And so you should" Figgy said.

"Well let's just see what happens at the Ball shall we" Lily finished.