Chapter Thirteen

November brought cold weather upon the school. For the seventh year in a row Sirius was taking monetary bets on when the first snowfall would be. "I don't know why you bother," Remus said. "For the past six years I've won the competition."

"You've just been lucky," said Sirius, collecting money from many of the Gryffindors in the common room. "But your luck is finally going to run out this year! I have a fool proof method!"

Sirius left Remus standing, shaking his head. He looked down at Abby, who was sitting down beside him, and whispered, "They're all so dumb. I just check the damn weather." Abby laughed.

James had led the Lions to victory over Hufflepuff in their first match of his last season. The Chasers had done a superb job, but the Keeper, Alice McHugh, had nearly lost them the game. Thankfully, Seeker Frank Longbottom was able to catch the Golden Snitch before the score had gotten too bad.

James had been spending most of his time with Alice out on the Quidditch Pitch training. This left Lily to deal with Sirius' betting habits and Remus' eye rolling.

It was just over three weeks into November when the numbers finally came in. A very muddy James entered his and Lily's common room soaked to the bone from the torrents of rain. Lily was on the couch and tears were rolling down her face.

"Hey, Lily," he said. "What's wrong?"

"The numbers…"

James walked over and took the parchment that Lily was studying out of her hands. "How did this happen?" he asked. "We cut as many financial corners as possible! The numbers can't be right."

"I redid them myself," said Lily. "They're right and we have almost no money left. I have no Christmas Formal!" Lily began to cry harder. She got up and locked herself in her bedroom without another word to James. This had been what she wanted since she found out that she had made Head Girl, and James had single handedly ruined it for her with his stupid carnival idea.

What was he going to do? "I've got to get this Formal," he said to himself.

---

Sirius was skipping down by the lake. Yes, skipping. Was it so wrong that the boy liked to skip from time to time? Suddenly, the ground began to shake violently. He fell, wondering what was happening…

"Sirius!" James hissed, shaking his slumbering friend.

Sirius shot up. "EARTHQUAKE!"

"No, shh! James."

Eyes focusing, Sirius groaned. He fell flat on his back, head on his pillow, and said irritably, "What do you want, Prongs?"

"Your help," James said.

"Wake Remus," Sirius muttered, drifting back into dreamland. "He's smarter than I…"

James let out a frustrated sight. Taking up his wand he shot a jet of cold water onto his best friend's face.

"Fine! What?" an irritated and soaking wet Sirius Black growled.

James explained the money situation to Sirius. "-and I just feel really guilty because the Halloween Carnival was my brainchild."

"And you are waking me up why?"

"I want to do the Formal," James said. "I want to pay for it."

"You're going to pay for it yourself?" Sirius asked, sitting back up. James nodded. "You've lost it!"

"Come on, Sirius," James said, pacing. "I owe her…and it isn't like I don't have the money."

Sirius sighed, rubbing his eyes. "What do you want me to do?"

"Get me Witching Hour."

"What?!"

"Come on, Sirius, I know you can."

Sirius bit his lip. "Fine," he said. "I'll write the letter in the morning…you're going to owe me big time, James. You know how I feel about my family, regardless of the fact that Bonnie isn't into the Dark Arts."

"I'll owe you my life!" James said, bowing to Sirius. "Tell her I'll pay any price."

Sirius nodded. "Now leave. I. Am. Tired."

---

Lily didn't show herself in the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning. It was a Saturday and Hufflepuff was taking to the air against Slytherin at noon.

"James, Sirius told me about the budget," Remus said. "Are you insane?"

"Yes," James said matter-of-factly. "And I'd appreciate it if you would keep this quiet."

"You would have told him anyway," Sirius said, drying the ink on his parchment with his wand. He folded the letter and set it aside to wait for the post to arrive.

"Did you even ask Dumbledore if this was alright?" Remus asked. "They took it away from us for a reason."

"Dippit took it away from us, which is the point," James said. "Dumbledore is a fun-loving man."

"That doesn't mean-"

"I asked him last night if Lily and I were allowed to put together holiday events at our own discretion. He said yes."

"So what are we talking about here?" Remus questioned.

"We are talking about the most insanely large scale dance you can imaging times seven."

"But why?"

"Consider it my Christmas gift for Lily," James said. "This is important to her."

"…alright…Remus Lupin at your service."

---

James knocked, but there was no answer. He knocked again. "Looking for me?" came a voice from behind him. He jumped and turned to see Lily Evans, standing very close to him.

"Merlin, Lily, you scared the living crap out of me!" he exclaimed. Breathing heavily for a moment, he asked, "I came to see how you are. I haven't talked to you all day."

"I'm fine." Lily pushed passed him to enter her room.

"I'm going to make it up to you, Lily," James said following her. He took a seat on her bed.

"I'm not mad at you," she said.

"The fact that you brought that up unprovoked just proves that you are."

"Oh shut up, James." Lily sighed. "I suppose we can just use what's left for Valentine's Day or something."

"Yeah, we can do that," James said offhandedly. "You don't want to do anything else for Christmas?"

"No," Lily said, disappointment dripping off of the tiny word.

Perfect! James thought. Now he knew she wouldn't be getting in his way with conflicting Christmas plans.