Disclaimer: I don't own any of J.K. Rowling's thoughts, ideas, or characters. I just own my characters and this plot.

Summary: Go back to Chapter One. You do not have to pay the entrance fee.

Author's Note: I know I keep saying this, but I really am sorry that I keep forgetting to update. I've been really out of it (as you've probably all noticed since I haven't updated since last year). I wouldn't be surprised if you are a little upset but I do hope you read on and enjoy!

Glitter and Rocks:

Slowly and gingerly, the masses of students traipsed their way into the Great Hall and were wowed by the spectacular brilliance of the set decorations. The magical ceiling mirrored a glittering summer night sky and the false full moon and stars cast a subtle glow that filled up the entire dance floor. Tables were set along the sides of the hall, decorated with intricately woven napkins and elaborate centerpieces. Four ice sculptures posed with their backs to the walls, carved to shape each of the house's mascots. Their blank stares took in the feeling of wonder and anticipation that radiated from the students.

Janette made a beeline toward Dennis, not caring that in her haste, she nearly tripped a fourth year Hufflepuff trying to carry five cups of punch in her arms. The gang's eyes followed her and ended up gazing upon a blonde haired boy with a cocky grin. Seeing her hook arms with the boy they presumed to be Dennis, the gang knew they wouldn't see her for the rest of the night.

"Hey, guys," cried Sirius, his left arm hooked around Crystal's waist while the right looked cemented onto a cup of punch. "Enjoying the par-tae?"

"Padfoot, you said you'd wait for us outside of the hall! We waited for fifteen minutes," James questioned as he fussed with his hair. Lily rolled her eyes towards Alice, who in turn giggled.

"I was going to but Crystal insisted on dancing right away."

"Aw, sweetie, I told you! I told you that you can call me Crissy," squeaked Crystal, her voice unusually high pitched. Fluttering her eyelashes and wrapping her arms around his waist, Crystal waited for a reply while showing him off to all the other girls, as if he was a new doll. As if he was Crystal's property.

As if you could ever control Sirius, thought James, smiling inwardly. Not even Merlin himself could gain control of Sirius Black.

"Crissy wanted to dance," mumbled Sirius, gritting his teeth together. He couldn't stand this woman for one more second. Everything that came out of her mouth was like verbal bile.

"In ten minutes you're going to tell me that you have a broken foot and we're getting the hell out of here, away from this mad girl." The whispering for the night had begun.

"Hey, you asked her out, mate, you have to handle her. I'm here for the night. Can't let these dress robes go to waste, eh," whispered Prongs back to Padfoot, motioning lightly towards Lily with a small nod of his head.

"Fine. Some friend you are, Prongs. How about you, Mooney? Up to leaving this joint and heading out to Hogsmeade? The corridors should be empty due to this snorefest."

"You've got to be kidding me! I've only just gotten here," Remus answered, totally oblivious to the pleading glares given off by his fellow Marauder.

"You both are awful. You call yourselves Marauders. The Marauders is a formation of brothers! We are supposed to be a brotherhood! And brothers are supposed to help one another in times of need, especially when one of their dates turns out to be-"

"What are you boys whispering about, sweetie?"

"Nothing…Crissy," Sirius shuddered. "Want to come over to my dorm? We can…hang out?"

"Sure, let's go!" And with that, the dynamic duo left the Great Hall, leaving jealous looks and broken hearts in their wake.

"Why's Sirius bringing Crystal to your dorm if he hates her," wondered Lily, while scooping up a ladle filled with punch. Taking a sip, she realized there was an extra zing in the flavoring. Firewhisky.

"Well, Sirius's logic is that even if the date's a dud, it doesn't necessarily mean that she'd be a bad snog."

Remus shook his head and smiled, opening up to the atmosphere around him. The dance floor was crowded and a live band was called to play. Hearts were soaring and he could see the desire and shyness in many a face as they danced close to their loved ones. Loved ones…he sighed. Then again, there were the occasional one night stands that didn't care for emotional attraction. A night of rushing hormones and then it's off to the exchange counter for their dates. Just like Sirius and James…before he met Lily.

"Excuse me but I promised Frank I'd meet him at the Entrance Hall at nine. I'll see you all afterwards!" Alice scurried to the giant oak doors, her heart aflutter and her eyes bright with hope. Lily waved her off and then grabbed another glass of firewhiskey punch.

The trio stood awkwardly, glancing around the room at the couples that came together, their different dress robes, and to see if there was any drama that was about to unfold. Seconds turned to minutes and the minutes slowly accumulated until half an hour crashed right on by without turning any heads.

"So, no date?" James tried to ask Lily as cool as he could, without realizing that it wouldn't end pretty.

"What about it?" Lily stood with her hands on her hips, her raised eyebrow accusing him of judging her.

"Nothing! Nothing…just, you didn't run off like your friends did."

"I came for the music, and the dancing, and the food…there's no harm in going stag is there?" Lily crossed her arms and Remus gave her a pitying look. She clearly wasn't having any fun.

"Uh…stag?" James cast a nervous glance toward Remus, while Remus shook his head.

"You know, going without a date. Solo. By yourself!" Lily's nonchalant attitude started to break and her outburst shocked all those in the general vicinity. "Sorry…"

"Um," James took in a deep breath. It's now or never, mate. "Would you like to dance?"

Lily grabbed another cup full of punch and gulped it down, shocking both James and Remus, both who hadn't had a sip to know what was truly in it. "Sure."

Feeling stupefied, James took her hand and lead her onto the dance floor just as the band started up a nice, slow number. Holding her close, he could breathe in the scent of her shampoo interwoven with the lightness of her perfume. With her head lying on his chest, he worried that she'd be able to hear his racing heart beat. Paying constant attention, James successfully spun her around the floor, smoothly and delicately, as if she was a dew drop on a flower petal. Though overcome by nervousness and anxiety, his feelings for her were stronger. He was comfortable with her there in his hands. She was delicate but strong. She could carry the world's weight but couldn't understand herself at all. She was a small, confused thing. She was his small, confused thing.

A high-pitched scream broke through the dancers' dreamy states. The band stopped abruptly and the professors tried to make way towards the garden just outside as fast as they could. Hearing Janette's voice, Lily dragged James towards the door. Remus followed in close pursuit.

"Stop! Please stop," cried Janette, her hands grabbing the ends of her skirt as she tried to run as quickly as she could away from her shadowed assaulter.

"Janette?"

"Leave me alone! Just…leave me alone!"

"JANETTE!" The trio had finally found her, huddled on the grass, trying to shrink away from none other than Dennis Rovman. "Get away from her!"

Dennis lunged towards Janette but James and Remus intercepted, pushing him back into line. Janette continued to sob, while Lily tried to comfort her.

"What are you trying to do, eh, Rovman," asked James, his anger bubbling inside of him. What did this guy to do upset his friend like this? From an excited teenager into a bumbling mess, he had driven Janette to the bottom of the pit of despair. "What are you trying to get at?"

"Just trying to have a little fun, mate. No need to cause trouble. No harm done."

"No harm done? She's crying, can't you hear her? CAN'T YOU HEAR HER?"

"She's only trying to fight herself, man. She wants to have fun as much as I do. I know so."

James gave Dennis a shove, pushing him backwards into the stone wall of the tower. Remus rushed off to find a professor before his friend would get into any trouble. It was hard to pull James back into reason after he gives into his anger.

"Did she say she wanted to be with you tonight, Rovman? DID SHE SAY ANYTHING AT ALL?"

James punched Dennis in the jaw, a meeting of bone and bone had begun. Dennis slid down the wall, his hands guarding his mouth like a shield. James took the chance to kick Dennis in the side, making close contact with his ribs. Like a soundtrack to a movie, Janette's wailing filled the background of Dennis's beating. Blood dripped from the corners of his mouth, creating little streams of shame and destruction that seeped into the soil.

James kept on beating Dennis. Punch after punch, each hand lay a different meaning. From his hurt friend to a lost friend, from a shadowed love to recovering brother. His frustrations and confusion fueled his anger and Dennis was feeling every bit of it. Dennis's body was being forced to take each and every blow.

"James Potter!" Professor McGonagall pulled James away from the shivering body. The crowds were forced to part and go back inside to the party as the professor swiftly pulled Dennis to his feet. Taking an alternative route, the professor and Dennis made their way toward the Hospital Wing, leaving Janette, Lily, James, and Remus alone.

"Janette?" Janette shook her head and cried softly into Lily's shoulder. "We're going to go the dorms. I think it's been a- a rough night." Without looking once at James, Lily wrapped Janette's arm around her neck and the gang walked back to the dorms in a solemn silence.

As Remus helped carry Janette up the dorm room steps, Lily stopped James in the common room. Her eyes filled with a question for all to see but she just couldn't find the answer. Running her fingers lightly across his cheek, she slowly walked up the stairs to her room. Without a word, the two girls fell asleep, both unsure about what lay ahead.

Author's Note: I hope this chapter was ok! I haven't written fanfiction stories in a while and just recently I realized how much I missed it! With time, I will get back on the wheel! I just need some reviews to egg me on! (hint, hint) Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

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