James' POV:
The day after the try-outs mum and dad sent us each a basket of sweets as a congratulations prize. I noticed that they had given up on sweets for Remus and had instead simply filled it with chocolate. I smiled at this, we all knew how obsessed Remus was about chocolate.
We had our first ever Quidditch match, against Hufflepuff, on November 15th. We won! Thanks to Sirius, not a single player was hit by a bludger; thanks to Remus, the Hufflepuff's never scored a single goal; thanks to ME we scored 50 goals; and thanks to Katie we caught the snitch within 20 minutes of play!
After much celebration we awoke the next morning in utter dismay to find my mother's owl sitting on my bed. I read the letter that she had sent and sighed in horror.
"What's up Jamesie?" Katie asked as she came over and put her head on my shoulder.
"Mum's…. you had better read it!" I groaned.
"Dearest James, Sirius, Remus and Katie, I am sorry I was unable to make your first match. I promise I'll make it up to you but Dad says you did brilliantly! Anyway, I'm just owling to remind you James, and to tell the others, that I expect you all looking presentable and dancing well for our Christmas Ball. See you in a few weeks. Mum." Katie read. "A Ball! How exciting!"
"Urgh!" Sirius moaned. "What does she mean presentable?"
"Dress robes!" I hissed.
"What!" Sirius exclaimed.
"I don't have any?" Remus sighed.
"Don't worry Reem. I'll get you some." Katie chirped.
"Nah. You got the broom, I'll get the robes. Don't even bother fighting Moony!" Sirius mumbled.
"Oooh! I can buy a new dress! How exciting!" Katie beamed.
"I cant dance!" Remus uttered.
"Me neither! Mum tried to teach me last year, it was awful!" I told my friend.
"Sirius and I can dance! We had to for such events." Katie announced. "I can teach both of you and Sirius can play the music!"
Remus' POV:
I was really worried about Katie's dance lessons. What if I trod on her foot? How was she going to teach us what to do? What if they all laughed at me? What if I was a horrendous dancer?
On Friday night we went straight up to our dorm. Katie placed a locking and silencing charm on the door so that we wouldn't be disturbed or laughed at.
Sirius put on the music with a flick of his wand and paused it quickly.
"C'mon James, you first." Katie declared as she took James into the middle of the room.
She put one hand in his and one on his shoulder, he did the same but instead put his free hand on her waist.
"Ok Sirius. ready? Forward, 2, 3. Left, 2 ,3. Back, 2 ,3. Right, 2, 3. Twirl me round and bring me back." Katie commanded as she slowly went through the steps with James.
He was a little awkward and clumsy. He stepped on her feet about 5 times but Katie didn't complain. Sometimes when he span her he'd let her go and she'd fall. One time James himself fell head first by tripping over his own two feet.
"Sorry." He muttered as he stepped on her feet yet again.
"That's ok. Sev used to fall quite on top of me sometimes." She chuckled. "Alright Remus, your turn."
I was shaking as I walked up and took my position. I was not as clumsy as James but I think I must of trodden on her foot more than him, much to my horror.
Katie was really a wonderful dancer. She was light and graceful. She twirled around like a fairy and moved with the posture and beauty of a swan.
"You did well Remus." She smiled at me after we had danced for about half an hour. "Both of you were very good. You need to be a bit more confident and hold yourself better. Watch your footwork too. I don't mind the odd broke toe but most girls wont be so nice about it. Sirius, come on. Show them how it's done."
Sirius smirked at Katie.
He marched up to her and bowed low. She in turn curtseyed and they took their positions. Katie was definitely a swan and Sirius was a lion through and through. He was everything you would need in a good dancer so I took many mental notes.
At the end of the dance they bowed and curtseyed again and James and I clapped loudly.
Katie beamed at us and Sirius punched our shoulders.
Katie's POV:
I woke up in the middle of the night and almost had a heart attack to see Remus' bed empty. I saw the light on in the bathroom though and peeked around the door. Inside I saw Remus was practicing very hard and trying out all that he had seen Sirius do.
"You are good Remus!" I whispered to him and he jumped out of his skin and blushed furiously.
"I didn't see you there." He mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Can I… correct something?" I asked nervously.
Remus blushed again and nodded.
He took my waist and we danced so well that I felt like it was me and Sirius dancing!
I kissed his forehead.
"You do dance beautifully Moony. You just need a confidence booster." I told him.
He blushed again and I grabbed his face and pulled it closer.
"Why are you blushing Remus? you are good, you are handsome, you are funny, you are clever, you are a great friend and you are my brother. And I love every part of you, as do James and Sirius. so stop blushing and believe us!" I pressed.
He blushed again and I lightly slapped his arm.
"Sorry." He mumbled and I hugged him.
"Now can we go to bed? It's 3 am and you woke me up!" I mock begged.
Sirius' POV:
On December 15th we were all piled onto the Hogwarts express so that we could go home for Christmas. Katie was practically bouncing at the idea of dress shopping! James and Remus had steadily improved to the point of being fantastic dancers. James kept moning that Dorea was going ot be really mushy and gross when she saw us.
We spent the train journey running over what usually happened at the ball.
"Don't be alarmed if older and important people ask you to dance." James warned us. "They are very….. proper and have appearances to uphold. As wards of the house of Potter you will be very…. Acknowledged at the party."
Katie and I had been to many balls and dinners. We understood all about the reputations and appearances of important people. Remus however was actually making notes! I felt a bit sorry for poor old Moony. He was very nervous about the whole affair. I recon he thought that someone would somehow realise his affliction. We knew this was far from likely as full moon had been the week previously. Even if they did work it out, James assured Remus thea they would be just as accepting as his parents. Katie and I knew that it would be better for him at the Potter's than if he came to one of our balls. But I very much doubted that they would be as lovely about it as Charlus and Dorea.
When we departed the train Dorea welcomed us all with a warm hug.
"How lovely to see you all! You've had a good term I take? Right, shall we go? much to do! We'll go shopping tomorrow but tonight we must see to your dancing." Dorea greeted and we all smirked as she mentioned the dancing.
When we got home we had a similar greeting to that of Dorea's.
We were marched into the ballroom, a room so ginormous that it was quite intimidating, even without it filled with Lords and Ladies. Remus looked like he was going to pass out, so I put my hand on his shoulder to steady him. He smiled weakly in thanks.
"Alright James, you come first. I know there is no hope but perhaps if you've improved a little over the course of the year." Dorea sighed.
Katie stepped up and protested. "Actually Dorea, I've been teaching the boys to dance. They really are rather good now."
Dorea raised an eyebrow.
"Very well, show us what you've taught James. Then we can see how the others are doing." Dorea grinned.
Charlus flicked his wand and the music began. James and Katie bowed and curtseyed and took their positions. As they danced Remus and I snickered at the Potter's shocked expressions.
When the music ceased the pair bowed/curtseyed once more and then turned and smiled at Charlus and Dorea.
"Merlin's Beard!" Charlus gasped.
"Katelyn Arianna Snape! You're a saint! Truly you are. How o earth did you teach him to dance so magnificently?" Dorea exclaimed.
"Katie's a wonderful dancer, Mum." James smiled.
"She really is! Mother and Father had to summon her every year to go over steps with me before our balls!" I seconded.
"I had never danced before. She's very patient and generally a very good teacher." Remus agreed.
Katie blushed furiously and James put his arm around her shoulder.
"Shut up and accept the compliments, Kate." He chuckled.
Then Remus was brought up. He was, if possible, even better than James and I!
"Remus Lupin! Have you been having extra lessons!" I teased in mock horror.
Remus went scarlet and Katie started laughing.
"Yes, actually he has. He woke me up by accident at 3 am once and we started to dance at night after that." Katie admitted.
"You're very good Remus dear." Dorea told Remus who blushed again.
"Alright Padfoot. Come on and lets get this over with." Katie sniggered and I grinned wickedly.
James' POV:
The next day, Mother dragged us out of bed at 7 am! Katie was dressed in what seemed like seconds and had already finished breakfast by the time we stumbled sleepily downstairs.
As soon as we were all fed and ready, we were all pushed into the fireplace and stepped out at Diagon Alley. Mum then took us to Gringotts to take out some money and then we headed for Twilfit and Tatting's.
It took an hour before Mum and Katie had given their approval on a set of robes for each of us boys. It then took another whole hour for Katie to find a dress; not that we were allowed to see it, we had to wait outside!
When we got home it was clear that Katie was absolutely buzzing for the party day to hurry and arrive. And I suppose she got her wish. The days rushed past us as our parents got the manor ready and the house elves sorted the guest lists and food and what not.
Finally Christmas Eve arrived and with it the party.
At 5 pm we were all sitting in the lounge gazing longingly at the piles of presents under the tree whilst we nibbled on our cookies.
"Alright you four, upstairs now and get ready!" Dorea instructed as she stuck her head around the door. "Katie dear, why don't you get ready in my room?"
Katie nodded excitedly and rushed upstairs. We followed at a slightly slower pace. I couldn't believe that she was so excited about a …. Ball!
Sirius complained the entire time that we were getting dressed. He would say something like, the neck's too tight or I hate these shoes or I look like a Malfoy! Or even I feel like a Black!
Remus, on the contary, was silent as a mouse as he dressed himself in his new dress robes.
"Are you alright Moony?" I asked.
Remus took a deep breath and nodded.
Not long after we heard people arriving.
"We'll be presented to the guests once everyone is here." I told my friends.
Katie was still no where to be seen when Mum had Lipsy the house elf come and collect us. We waite just outside the Ballroom door.
Then we heard my Father's voice.
"May I present my son James Potter." He announced. I walked in and stood in front of my Mother. I bowed low and the gentry bowed/curtseyed back.
Remus' POV:
Then Dorea spoke up.
"And might we present also our wards, Sirius Black…"
Sirius walked in and copied James in his bow.
"….Remus Lupin….."
Nervously I made my way into the room and stood beside Sirius. I bowed low and smiled slightly as they bowed back.
"….And Katelyn Snape…."
The three of us turned to see Katie walk in.
She was wearing a midnight blue, just-below-the-knee dress that came in and clung in all the right places. Her raven hair was curled and put up to at her left side. The dress made her Safire eyes twinkle and glow.
She was beautiful.
She stood beside me and curtseyed.
Everyone applauded us.
I knew I was probably shaking with nerves because Katie took my hand and pulled me out to dance.
I had actually been very nervous myself. Not about the guests or the dancing, but of what my friends thought of me.
As Remus and I danced I couldn't help but smile. And he smiled too. Perhaps I… we could make tonight fun for him after all.
I danced a lot that night. Usually with James, Sirius, Remus and occasionally Charlus; but if a Lord asked me to dance I never declined. Such opportunities would build up a good reputation for myself. Having allies in the gentry was always good for such times when I needed some law pushed through or a job or such things that would be far into the future…. But if I had learnt anything in my time as a Snape, it was to start young.
Of course, after hearing mine and Sirius' names there no doubt be much talk. It was unheard of for people of the light, such as the Potter's, to take in dark children like Sirius and me.
Later on I was sat at one of the tables when a Lord approached me, not to dance but to talk.
"Miss Snape? My name is Lord Danvers. I believe I have a son in your year. He's a ravenclaw." Lord Danvers introduced.
"A pleasure Lord Danvers. Might your son be Cuthbert Danvers?" I replied.
"Yes, he is. You dance well Miss Snape."
"Thank You your Lordship."
"I was wondering if you might like to tell me a little about how you came to be with the Potter's."
"Oh, my parents were not very good to me, Sir. Nor Master Black's. I am not of importance to them."
"Oh dear. How awful for you."
"I do not wish to sounds disrespectful to my parents, you Lordship, but I am glad in a way. I am most happy with the Potter's. they are very kind to us."
"Yes. Lord and Lady Potter are pure good. They are very highly thought of amongst the gentry."
"It does not surprise me Lord Danvers."
"You know, Miss Snape. I think you are a good young lady. Who will make a wonderful gentress one day. I do not wish to blow my own trumpet, but I am rather powerful within the ministry. If you ever need an ally I would be more than happy to help."
"you are most kind Lord Danvers."
"Do you have a book?"
"No sir. I have had not a need for such a thing before now."
"perhaps I shall get you one. I have many acquaintances here and there who would be interested in being one of your contacts. I am sure I can persuade some on the ancient houses to be of assistance, if you ever need it."
" My great thanks Lord Danvers. You are most kind."
'Well' I thought as the young man walked away. 'I have already begun finding allies in the world. I shall be well connected by the time I leave school at this rate!'
