Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter 26: The feast and Hogsmeade
The next day was a free day, free for people to do what they wished. In the evening was the feast.
Dumbledore stood up and the Hall quieted.
"Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts! We had a rather rocky start and I'd like to take this time to have a moment of silence for two dearly departed students. Jacob Tellerman, in seventh year Ravenclaw, and Amanda Jackley, in third year Hufflepuff. Please bow your heads." Everyone in the Hall did so. After a moment passed, Dumbledore spoke again. "There will be memorials tomorrow, for anyone who wishes to go, and for close friends and family, the funerals will be on Wednesday." There was a small silence as some students composed themselves. "On a lighter note, we had planned to have a ball this year." Everyone looked slightly happier after that was announced. "Fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh years may attend," said Dumbledore. The younger students put their attention back on their desserts. "However, this is a different type of ball. A little bit like a masquerade ball. The girls will wear masks, so their identities are unknown. Then, as everyone comes down to the Hall, where the ball will be held, there will be two lines to get in. One for girls, one for boys. As you stand in line, the person who's in the same spot as you in the other line will be your date for the evening. Feel free to dance with whomever you want to, but always remember who your date is." Excited chatter broke out.
"That sounds fun," whispered Lily.
"Now, there's one more thing," said Dumbledore smiling. Everyone quieted down. "The girls will leave one thing out of their outfit, such as a piece of jewelry. The man will have to conjure the finishing touch for his date." The girls giggled. "The ball will be held three weeks from now and there will be two Hogsmeade trips for you to get everything you need.
"Now, we have three new members of the staff. Horace Slughorn will be taking over Potions. Thomas Finch will be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and Argus Filch will be our new caretaker," said Dumbledore. He gestured at each new staff member as he said their names. Argus Filch was an unpleasant looking man, with brown hair and a shadow of a beard. He was stroking a grey kitten, whom everyone recognized as Mrs. Norris, previously belonging to his father.
"Isn't he a Squib?" whispered James. Sirius shrugged.
"As usual, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden to all and you may find a list of banned items, outside of Mr. Filch's office," continued Dumbledore. "Now I'm sure you are all full of our excellent feast and would like nothing better than to go to sleep. Have a good night!"
There were simultaneous scraping sounds as the students pushed back their benches and stood up.
"Ms Evans," said Dumbledore, coming up to Lily. "I'd like to speak to you in my office in about ten minutes." She nodded and he walked away.
"Fortuna Major," said Remus and the Fat Lady let the Gryffindors into their common room.
"Lily, aren't you coming?" asked Ylan. They were walking up the stairs to the dormitories but Lily stayed behind.
"Yeah, soon. I just have to – do something first," she answered. Her friends sleepily shrugged and left.
Soon she was alone in the common room.
She was just about to leave for Dumbledore's office when the portrait opened. James walked in.
"Oh, hey," he said.
"Hi. Where were you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, just now. You came in after everybody else," said Lily curiously.
"I just had to talk to Dumbledore about something."
"About what?"
"It's nothing," said James, looking uncomfortable.
"Oh. Ok," said Lily.
"Yeah. Well, good night," said James and made to go up the stairs to his room.
"Wait!" James turned back around. "I – I just wanted to thank you."
"For what?"
"For saving me, back on the train. If it wasn't for you, I might not be here," Lily said. James nodded and grinned.
"No problem. Well, since I saved your life, would you want to go to Hogsmeade with me on Saturday?" Lily stared at him. Instead of answering, she made an exasperated sound and stalked out of the common room. James shrugged and went up to bed.
Lily knocked on the door.
"Come in," said Professor Dumbledore.
"Hi, Professor," said Lily and sat down in the chair in front of his desk.
"I trust you know what I want to talk to you about?" Lily nodded.
"The attack."
"Yes. They were there for you."
"I know," said Lily.
"We have to carry out the mission as soon as we can. Have you successfully transformed?" asked Dumbledore.
"Yes. It took me a while, but I did it," she answered.
"Would you mind showing me?"
"No problem, Professor." Lily stood up and walked over to a clear space in the room. She concentrated on the picture and soon changed into a beautiful tiger with a sleek coat. It was a little smaller than regular tigers, but still pretty big.
"Very good," said Dumbledore and she changed back. "That will come in very useful. As you know, in two weeks is the ball. We will perform the operation three days afterwards. I will send a member of the Order with you, but he will be in his Animagus form, because the Death Eaters will know to look for him, but have no idea of him being an Animagus."
"Who is it, Professor?"
"Do not worry about it, Ms Evans," said Dumbledore with a smile. "Do you have any other questions?" Lily shook her head.
"No, sir," she said.
"Very good. You may go now." Lily stood back up and exited the office.
Saturday came quickly. Lily, Ylan, and Jenna went together, not wanting to be around the Marauders after James' last attempt to get Lily to go out with him. Andrea was walking with Sirius, having forgiven him. The rest of his friends were walking with them too. She found the girls after they got to the village, and they went shopping together.
"How about this?" asked Jenna tiredly, holding up a pink gown.
"That's cute! Try it on!" said Ylan, searching for her own. She had rejected Jenna's last four choices, and Lily had gotten rid of the rest. Jenna was now getting tired and just wanted to get out of there.
"Hey guys," said Andrea, finding them again, after purchasing her dress, "you wouldn't mind meeting up with the boys after this, would you?"
"Um, let me think," said Lily. "Yeah, actually, I would."
"Oh come on, please!" begged Andrea. "I really, really want you guys to come!" Lily sighed.
"Fine," she said.
"Thank you!" squealed Andrea.
"All right, how's this?" asked Jenna, coming out of the changing room.
"No, no, no, absolutely not!" said Ylan. "It's too baggy and does nothing for your features! I guess pink just isn't your color! Here, try this one." She handed Jenna a golden, floor length dress. Jenna rolled her eyes and walked back into the changing room.
An hour and a half later, all four girls finally had their shoes, jewelry, and dresses and were ready to meet the guys.
"Hey!" said Andrea, bouncing up to Sirius and giving him a kiss.
"You're finally done!" exclaimed Peter. "We've been waiting for hours!"
"Oh, please," scoffed Lily. "It wasn't nearly that long."
"It's what it felt like," muttered Peter.
The girls sat down and ordered butterbeers. The group talked and laughed for a while after, each of the girls ignoring James.
"Lily," he said. She continued sipping her drink and listening to the others' conversation, pretending not to have heard him. "Lily!" he repeated, louder this time. She still ignored him. He gave an exasperated sigh. "Whatever. I'm out," he said and left the pub.
"What was that?" asked Remus.
"He's got issues, that one," said Lily.
"No, I meant, why were you ignoring him?" demanded Remus.
"He asked me out again," said Lily, clearly expecting Remus to side with her.
"Again? What do you mean, again? Notice how he didn't ask you out at all during the end of last year, the summer, and this whole week! You could give him a chance!" Lily was speechless.
"I – I-"
"Whatever. I'm going back to the castle. Coming, Pete?" Peter nodded and they left together.
"I guess we'll go too," said Jenna. "See you later, Andrea."
"Bye," said Andrea. The other three turned and left the Three Broomsticks, Lily still speechless.
That night, Lily, Ylan, and Andrea were still up at 12:00. Andrea wasn't back yet. They hadn't seen her since dinner.
"I wonder where she is," mused Jenna. Lily was silent, thinking about that day. Suddenly the door burst open. The three girls jumped. Miranda, Megan, and Tina (who had given up on Lily and stuck with Gina) didn't wake up, thankfully.
"Where were you?" whispered Ylan. Andrea looked flushed and happy. She was obviously really excited about something.
"Oh my God, you guys! You'll never believe it!" she said.
"What? What happened?" asked Lily, intrigued.
"Sirius and I did it! We went all the way!" squealed Andrea. The other girls were silent.
"You slept with Sirius?" said Lily.
"Yes!"
"Oh my God!" shouted Ylan, forgetting all about being silent. Megan, Miranda, and Tina woke with a start.
"Quiet down!" they shouted.
"Shove it," said Lily.
She, Andrea, Jenna, and Ylan walked down to the common room.
"Tell us all about it! What was it like?" asked Jenna.
"It was…great," said Andrea. "Unbelievable." The girls talked about it for a while longer and then moved on to other things. They talked all night, never going to sleep.
They were going down to breakfast, Andrea worrying all the way. Having told her friends all about it, she was now afraid Sirius would dump her.
"What will I do? What if he really does ditch me, now that I've given him everything?" she asked.
"He won't!" said Ylan.
"I guess," said Andrea uncertainly. But then she started worrying again.
"Andrea, come here," said Lily. She pulled her aside where no one could hear them. "Sirius would never do that to you. I can tell how much he cares about you. It's natural for you to be worrying about this – especially with a guy like Sirius. But I know he won't treat you like the other girls."
"Are you sure?" asked Andrea doubtfully.
"I'm sure," said Lily reassuringly. "Andrea, you're my best friend in the world. I don't know what I'd do if anyone hurt you. And if Sirius does, I'm going to have to kick his ass." Andrea smiled.
"Thanks, Lil. Do you really mean that though?"
"Of course! You mean the world to me. I know I sound like a lesbian right now, but-" Andrea chuckled. "- I love you more than anyone. Not the way I'd love my husband or something, but at the same level. I could never take it if you got hurt."
"Me too. Thanks, Lily." Lily smiled. They hugged and walked to breakfast together.
A minute later, unnoticed by either of them, Lucius Malfoy snuck out of the shadows and rushed out of the castle.