Chapter 14

Lily walked into the common room, deep in thought. She had sat with Olivia for hours talking with her. She was so unaware of her surroundings she walked into a solid object.

Stumbling, Lily looked up in shock, but then frowned again when she realized who it was.

James smiled awkwardly at her and steadied himself. "Fancy running into you, I was just looking for you." He said, his voice a tad higher than normal.

Lily looked at him suspiciously. "Me? What for?"

James looked around the room, and ran a hand nervously through his messy hair. She had never seen him lack for words before.

"I-uh, I wanted to ask if you," He cleared his throat. "hadadateforthehalloweenthing?" He mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck, trying to remember to breathe.

Lily tilted her head, confused. "Come again?"

James sighed. "Do you have a date for the Halloween…thing?"

Lily suddenly smiled brightly, almost on the verge of laughter. "Are you asking me?"

"Well if you don't want to you could just say no, you don't have to laugh." James said, a little hurt.

Lily pressed her lips together. "I'm not laughing James, I swear. I'm just a little shocked."

"Why?" He asked, genuinely curious.

Lily frowned. "Well, because I thought you hated me. Or at least didn't think much of me."

James tried to smile. He was guilty for many years of harassment.

"I didn't hate you, or anything of the sort. I-" He glanced around the deserted common room again. "I just didn't know how to talk to you."

Lily crossed her arms. "So you're trying now?"

"It's not going well is it?" He laughed nervously.

Lily laughed and shook her head. "Alright." She said with a nod.

James thought he must have heard her wrong. "You-you're saying yes?"

Lily nodded. "Why not?"

James thought he was going to lift off the ground he was so excited. He jumped and pulled her into a hug, spinning her around. She screamed, unexpectedly, and laughed when he put her back down completely red in the face, embarrassed.

"It'll be fun, I promise." He said breathlessly.

"I'll count on it then." She said with a smile.

A few days later, Halloween had made its arrival. The castle was decorated accordingly, and the school was abuzz with plans for the evening. The Headmaster had allowed the entire school to congregate in the Great Hall for a costume party, complete with games, entertainment and prizes to be won.

Lily woke up that morning feeling refreshed and genuinely happy. She rolled out of bed and stretched.

She heard a small tinkling noise. She turned her head to the side, and heard it again. How odd, she thought. What was that noise? She took a step forward.

It was her.

Every move she made, she made an odd jingling noise.

Lily searched her body, clothes, everything and still she couldn't figure out what was making the noise. She looked at herself in the mirror, lifted her arm and shook it.

It jingled.

Lily looked down at her foot, shook it, and got the same result.

She glared at her reflection angrily.

"SIRIUS!" She shrieked.

Olivia groaned in the bed next to hers. "What are you on about?" She asked groggily. She opened her curtains and peered over at Lily.

She was red in the face. "I jingle!" She stormed off, tinkling with every step she took.

Olivia couldn't help but laugh.

"SHUT IT!" She heard Lily yell from the bathroom.

Olivia got out of bed, dressed herself, and made her way to the common room. She had been avoiding Sirius like the plague since there fight in the astronomy tower. The common room was full of students, excitedly running about, talking about their costume plans for the party that evening. Olivia frowned, would she even go? She caught sight of James and instantly tried to duck behind a group of fifth years. He was quicker than she was, however, and pulled her into a corner.

"What is going on?" He asked. Olivia looked up at him and realized he looked concerned for her general well-being.

She frowned. "Nothing." She said, not altogether untruthfully.

James crossed his arms. "Sirius has been slamming things about and being an absolute pain in my arse. And you, you've been mysteriously missing from everywhere he tends to be. I'll ask you again, what is going on?"

She pursed her lips. "Same as usual. I heard you were going to the party with Lily, she likes flowers. I'd get her some if I were you."

"Don't change the subject." He said with a smile. "I will keep that in mind though."

Olivia couldn't help herself, she returned his smile and sighed. "I'm just tired of fighting with Sirius about everything, so I've been avoiding him."

James nodded. "I think he likes you."

"I know he likes me, and he's a ruddy prat for it." Olivia said, crossing her arms angrily.

"You like him too don't you?" James said with a mischievous grin.

Olivia glared at him. "Even if I did, what does it matter?"

James rolled his eyes. "You two are obviously perfect for each other. Why can't you two just get over it and just be with each other already?"

Olivia's eyes widened. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. What a terrible idea."

James laughed. "You two are the absolute most stubborn individuals I have ever known. You deserve each other." He said, turning to leave.

"You take that back!" She screamed at him.

James smiled brightly and waved at her as he left her there, fuming.

Olivia bit her lip angrily and thought about what he had said.

Just be with each other.

She let out a breath of air. If only it were that easy, she thought to herself.

Olivia turned when she heard the sound of bells, jingling up behind her. Lily was furious.

"Have you seen him?" She snapped.

Olivia tried not to laugh. "I haven't."

"Don't you dare laugh." Lily warned. She stomped off, in search of Sirius. Olivia shook her head and went about her business.

She kept herself busy all day, doing homework, writing an impossible essay for advanced potions, and trying to decide just how she should wear her hair for the party that evening. Before she knew it, it was dark outside.

Lily was studying herself in the mirror, dressed as a Celtic fairy. The green velvet dress she wore was elegant, and flowing, embroidered with gold floss, weaving in and out of the lining in intricate patterns. She had earthy fairy wings on, and thin gold jewelry on her neck and arms. Lily had even jinxed her ears to look pointed, and fairy-like. It really brought out the color of her hair and eyes.

Olivia smiled at her friend, she had never been so concerned with how she looked.

"Do you think this looks alright?" She asked, for the fourth time.

Olivia laughed. "You look perfect Lily, just stop already! James would think you were beautiful if you were only wearing a potato sack."

Lily looked at her, horrified. "He would not!"

Olivia nodded. "He's completely into you."

Lily bit her lip and fussed with her hair again.

Olivia shook her head and smoothed down her own costume. She was Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, who was worshiped for her beauty. Olivia couldn't resist. She wore a long, white gown that could almost pass for a night dress. It was thin, and layered with a sheer, see-through fabric to give it a shining, almost ethereal effect. The edges were trimmed with a thing, gold rope, and she wore a simple Greek headdress over her long, dark curls.

Lily finally stopped worrying about her appearance and looked at Olivia. "Are you ready to go down?" She asked nervously.

Olivia shrugged. "Why not?"