"Prepare The Masses"

By

A Change Of Pace

Written in 7 straight hours because I haven't updated in a while, so I rushed this.

The door was still open. Light flooded into the room. Both from the moon, candles and other man-made devices while some were magical. Students marauded into the hall. The hustle and bustle obvious to all. Chattering and clattering of utensils and mouths. Costumes and the occasional glitter caught her eye.

Her friends were talking to her but her ears paid no attention. Her head bobbled up and down in unknown agreement. Her throat laughed when those around her found something amusing.

She was blending in. Her eyes still darted around the entire Great Hall.

There were some odd things out of place her eye picked up. Such as a few missing decorations she had planned to set up but she guessed the Prefects missed it either accidentally or by just mere laziness. Luckily no one seemed to notice it, nor cared. But there were only a few things she was targeting for.

Wild black hair and warm hazel eyes that is owned by a certain male. Close to a third of the population at the Ball were wearing masks or had transfigured their looks to match their costume. Hair colors were dyed, paint was added to faces and Lily even swore she saw people with red eyes.

But he was nowhere to be seen.

Perhaps he really wasn't going to show up…

What an ass! She knew he sounded firm and resolved in his determination to not attend but she had no idea it was this strong.

Like everything else he used to say, she took it as a joke. She had to start using the new and improved James Potter as a template more often instead of basing all her assumptions on her personal history book.

20 minutes into it now. She was giving up now. Conquered and defeated, her listening slid into focus and she began taking in the sound of the crowd.

"Maybe, we'll see what happens." Someone said hopefully.

"Yeah, hopefully."

Lily was completely lost in this conversation.

"What do you think, Lily?" A Ravenclaw friend asked her. Her name was lost somewhere in Lily Evans mind and probably would register until someone called her.

"I honestly don't know."

She returned a look full of frustrated angst but probably didn't expect a better answer from the Head Girl. Realizing she was standing just next to the drinks, she turned around and helped herself to some punch.

Lily made for the scoop.

Now sit back and watch the story unfold
Of the fair Juliet and her Romeo
Two young lovers with one heartbeat
In a devoted grave is where they'll sleep
They are the passion in a city of hate
Watching two families quarrel, ruining lovers fate
You are the ones who took your children's lives
See your two martyr's dying in loves true light
Light

Sing me to sleep tonight, sweet Juliet
Two star-crossed lovers married looking for regrets
By daybreak I'll be gone and searching for your kiss
Leave me a drop of poison waiting on your lips

"Sorry. You go ahead."

The voice was familiar. She knew that voice, and its owner. It was nice and honest, the person wasn't trying to fake being polite.

"No, its fine. You go first, I'm right here anyw-" Lily stopped in her sentence when she looked up and saw Sarah.

She didn't have a costume. In fact, she was rather plain. Casual. She wore some jeans and a long sleeve black sweater for the cold. Lily got the impression that she only came to find someone and not to stay for long.

Lily on the other hand was dressed like a bumblebee. Yellow and black stripes complete with protruding antenna.

Scary indeed.

"Okay. Thanks, Lily." She said.

"Yeah, well, you helped out with the planning and all. You really didn't have to you know. It's the least I can do." Lily joked in grateful appreciation.

Sarah wasn't even a Prefect and didn't have the duty but offered her time and wand to the effort. She really should have been a Prefect. She and James were the most helpful. The Prefects didn't really give a damn. Even Remus claimed he was busy most of the time.

"It's our last year here, our last Halloween. Might as well it worth remembering."

"Really? That's a good reason I guess." Lily said, trying to keep the conversation alive.

The redhead didn't want to turn around and reenter the conversation with her friends' friends. Her acquaintances and mutual friends only discussed boys, what they were wearing and who's hot and who's not. Any other time it would have been fun to listen to what was being discussed but her brain was preoccupied as it played its own version of "Where's Waldo?" Besides the fact that it wasn't a book, his name was James and he wasn't wearing red and white striped clothing, she was failing spectacularly.

"Actually. I didn't want to go at first, sorry." Sarah laughed, "But James-"

'James!? Where?' Lily was keenly focused on Sarah's story now.

"-made me cause he said he didn't want to get bored."

Made her!? How could he possibly do that?!

"How could he make you?" Lily gave her mind permission to speak.

"I owe him I guess. And besides, he made Sirius go but he gave up after a day."

Lily remembered now. She remembered it all now. It wasn't even a week ago when they practically tore down the Great Hall and began decorating. They hung and planned everything and used magic to stow it away in the very top ceiling. When it was time for the party they would simply remove the House benches of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw and then summon down the decorations and remove the invisibility charm they had placed on it.

It was all James idea. This way, they could start setting up and have it all done days, maybe even weeks before it was scheduled to start. Saving time was like a mission for him.

Sometimes he himself didn't know where he was going, but he always seemed to be in a hurry.

"Here, just go up there and hang this up there." James commanded Sarah.

It was Lily, James, Sarah and Sirius Black of all people standing in one of the corners of the Great Hall as they attempted to hang the last of the spider webs so it would connect and give the impression that it was surrounding the hall.

"Why me?" Sarah argued.

"You're the tallest. So you can reach it easier." Sirius explained reasonably.

"What are you talking about? You and James are both taller than me."

"Tallest female. Now get up there." Sirius joked.

"Fine."

James and Sirius began piling wooden chairs one by one on top of each other.

"There we go." James declared.

"This doesn't look safe."

"Yeah, it really doesn't." Lily supervised.

She gave it a slight push and could feel them shaking.

"We'll just freeze it in place."

Sirius was a genius when he didn't have to do something. Casting a charm, the chairs became rigid. Even the ones that were only held up by one leg became stuck.

James gave his leaning tower a hard push.

"Assholes. Except you, Lily." Lily smiled sincerely.

Sarah climbed effortlessly to the top but fumbled with the hook.

It was then that Lily noticed both boys looking up at something that seemed to captivate their attention.

It wasn't the decorations…

"That's sexual harassment." A feminine voice stated.

Both guys spun around.

"Hey Karen." Sarah greeted.

Karen must be a friend of Sarah's. She had really short hair that barely touched the bottom of her ears but she wore it well. She was a cute Hufflepuff.

"What are you talking about?" James said.

"You two were staring at her butt."

"Oh yeah? Well, Karen, is it? I can harass you all day." Sirius offered and when she laughed at his advances, she began walking away.

"Hold up!" Sirius chased after her like a lost puppy.

Sarah then jumped down onto the hard wooden floor of the hall after finishing her task.

"Staring at my butt, James?" Sarah teased.

James blushed profusely. He was turning redder than Lily's hair.

Lily had to hand it to her, she knew what buttons to push when dealing with James. She would have to be more like her. Take a page out of her books. Hell, just take the whole book.

"I-You." James said lamely.

"Didn't do it?"

"You need some help with this, Lily?" James pointed at a group of Prefects working.

"It's all done, the Prefects look like they are just finishing up right now. I don't think there is anything you can do now-"

"Ah, I'll just check up on them." He said as he began walking away.

"You didn't answer me, James." Sarah chased after him and walked beside him, "So?"

She slapped his butt and gave him a squeeze.

He flinched and jerked forward with surprise.

"HEY! Sexual harassment is a 2-way street."

"Oh yeah?"

"Just because I'm a guy doesn't mean I won't report it."

They walked farther and Lily's hearing just wouldn't extend that far. But her eyes were still 20/20.

Her hand still rested on his behind while he laced an arm over her shoulder and they continued talking.

"Anyway, have you seen James?" Sarah said, concluding her story.

The conversation had landed on James Potter once more.

"No. Why?" Lily replied boringly, hoping she gave the look of someone who didn't care.

Being an actor is such a difficult vocation…

"He said he didn't want to go. I thought he was joking at first but I guess he was serious after all."

"That's the Head Boy for ya'. And I have to share a dorm with him." Lily commented.

Both girls laughed.

"I've been looking all over for him."

'Heh. Welcome to the club.' Lily thought.

It was then that Lily gave the idea a thought. She probably wasn't the only one looking for Potter. Eagerly anticipating his arrival that never came. How many other hopeless romantics littered the dance floors. Make-up, dress and costumes all carefully, meticulously done. Every attention paid to the details. And for what? She looked around the room. There were some girls sitting down in the chairs with a glass in hand.

Alone. All alone.

All alone, could they be playing the same game of 'Find The Head Boy' as well? Different teams, same goal yet no one scored a single point yet.

Pathetic. That's what Lily was being.

Even from the moment she realized she liked him. She knew she should begin getting over her feelings instead of giving into them.

He was the thing that was bad for her. Fuck drugs. It was him who messed her up. In the end, she would be only dreaming that he was missing her. Which was a fat chance now.

She just wanted to be where he was tonight. Lily had assumed that place was here.

"Well, I'll see you later." Sarah walked away.

"Alright, later." Lily returned to her group.

Turning back, she rejoined the conversation which was now delving into the topic of 'who had most sluttiest costume.' Lily smiled to herself, is sluttiest even a word?

In front of her she could still see Sarah walking around, her head swiveling on her shoulders, eyes landing on potential James Potter candidates but of course, none of them were.

Then. As if struck by lightning or a stunning curse, her body stopped moving. Frozen in place. More stuck than an ice cube in its tray.

She found him. Lily was sure of it. She'd stake her wand on it.

The smile that radiated on her features. The way her eyes lit up. But most of all, the way she held her hands together behind her waist and slowly glided forward.

"I'm going to get something to drink." Lily suddenly murmured.

"But you have a glass in your hand." Someone said.

"This one tastes funny." Lily lied, "I'll go try the other one."

This caused the girls to take a look at their cuts before placing it back down onto the table.

If it was any other day, Lily would have laughed but she had a destination for once tonight and her navigation system pointed her in the right direction. This opportunity will not go to waste.

Lily followed Sarah but stopped at the drinks. Picking up a glass, she figured out she was walking outside.

What was he doing out there? It was still early and most people didn't spend time outside until hours later.

Did he want to be left alone?

She moved over to the window pretending to be paying attention to the stars but she was really watching him.

He was leaning on the marble makeshift balcony. Looking up at the ominous, cloudy sky. Surprisingly, he actually wore something for the occasion. His costume was rather unique. He had long white robes which to Lily, resembled a Greek toga but like Lily, he had something protruding. Wings. He had two wings come from either side of his back. They weren't attached to his suit, but seemed to hover, not connected to his body at all. His wings were black though, which contrasted his white robes. A halo shone bright yellow over his head. Like his wings, they were unattached as well. Magically held up and followed him as he moved. Lily was sure that the halo would go unnoticed inside due to the heavy lights but outside in the darkened sky, it burned brilliantly like the sun.

Sarah approached him slowly and quietly from behind with two glasses in one hand.

She placed her free hand on his lower back, inches above his waistline and dangerously close to his behind.

"Thirsty?" Sarah lifted her hand that held the cups.

"Never." James mentioned sarcastically as he took one.

"Nice costume."

"Thanks. You better like it. You picked it." James threatened, "What am I suppose to be exactly?"

"A fallen angel." Sarah adored.

"Where's yours?" James pondered.

"Me?"

"There's no one else out here for me to talk to." James smiled, "What are you suppose to be?"

"A female student."

"Could have fooled me. Always thought you were the masculine type because- HEY!"

Sarah pushed him as hard as her muscles would allow her, causing him to spill his drink on himself.

James turned his smile upside down.

"F' you!" James said playfully as he jerked his cup forward quickly, emptying half of its contents on her face.

The attack shook her and she raised her hands up but she was too late. James smiled but it slowly evolved. It turned into a grin before he released a full out roar of laughter. He was trying to hold it in but it was too hilarious.

"Paybacks a bitch isn't it." James chuckled.

"Come over here!" Sarah grabbed James by the chest and pulled at his robes but he was too strong and too agile for her. Reading her movements, he used a hand to grab her and pull her close. Her body sideways and perpendicular to his. Sarah's arms were trapped in the between his torso and his hand that held her stiff.

"I make it rain!" James chuckled.

James tipped the rest of the liquid over the top of her head. Some of it deflected and splashed on his face and clothes but he didn't give a damn because her reaction was priceless.

"I can't believe you!" Sarah shrieked and touched her hair. Sticky and it smelled of juice.

She seemed visibly mad. James was in for it now…

"Err, I'll go get you a towel."

James released his hostage and took a few steps towards the noisy ballroom.

"Wait. James." She pleaded for him.

"Hmm?" James stopped immediately. The way she said his name. She was begging.

"I, um."

"Yes?"

"Can, well. You see-" She continued stuttering, unable to form a legit sentence.

"If you want me, I'll stay." James said romantically.

There was something charming about his voice that sent shivers down both Lily and Sarah's spine. It was husky, confident and caring.

Sarah merely nodded with a thin smile in acknowledgement.

"That would be nice."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I just overreacted."

She turned back towards the view of the forest as James walked back and hugged her from behind before standing beside her. They remained silent for a moment, his arm still wrapped around her shoulder.

His chin rested on her shoulder and he took in the smell.

"I like your hair like this."

"Really?" She said from underneath him. Lily saw her turn her head and smile happily at him.

"It looks like you just took a shower."

"Or like someone dumped their drink on me."

"If people ask, just say I pushed you into the lake." James said.

"My clothes aren't even wet."

"I tried to drown you face first?"

"Deal."

They remained quiet for what seemed like ages to themselves as they stared at the stars, clouds and the brilliant half moon.

"James." She said, killing the silence.

"Yeah?"

"How come we never…?" Sarah began but couldn't finish.

"I don't know. I don't know anything anymore."

Silence again. The curtains of silence draped itself over their lips.

Sarah turned to look him face to face. She was peering into his eyes as if looking for something.

He had always hated when girls did this. It drove him crazy. All this staring at such a close distance never did anyone good.

"What?" James whispered.

He had no idea why it came out like that. He honestly didn't mean to whisper it but his voice was lost. She was too close for comfort. He couldn't relax. In a bizarre way, she was scaring him shitless.

What girls found romantic, he found terribly horrifying.

"Nothing." She whispered back but kept her eyes locked on his.

But she leaned forward and stood on her toes. A hand that went by James undiscovered managed to touch the back of his head and he felt it pulling at his hair.

Her lips brushed his. Their noses grazed. Their bodies touched.

Lily turned away and left for her dormitory.

She had seen enough. She didn't need to see the rest.

Rating is T now.

All the rape, incest, druggies and other shit in M just disgusts me.