Dress

"Fucking hell Sophie, don't you knock! Doesn't anybody knock!" Lily said angrily. It was more of a statement rather than a question. She was pacing before the lounge facing the fireplace. Sophie was sitting on the lounge looking guilty and ready to be punished. It seems Sophie had woken up and finding no one, gone out into the corridor looking for Sirius. Seeing no one, she came back in and assumed Lily would be asleep as she was usually no party animal. So it came as quite a shock for Sophie to find Lily in a compromising position with only her underwear on. Fully clothed, Lily was now telling Sophie off for intruding. "It's almost as if no one wants us to have sex!" She sighed sitting down beside Sophie.

"I'm sorry," Sophie said smiling guiltily at her.

"I know you are. That's the second time now though. I am starting to think it's never going to happen."

"What's with the change, before you said you weren't sure and now you are disappointed that I walked in on you?"

"I know, it's the alcohol, it's starting to wear off now though, I don't know I was just very relaxed."

"Yes, very very relaxed by what I saw."

"You don't get to crack jokes, I haven't forgiven you yet."

"Oh right, sorry."

"You know what the scariest thing is?"

"What?"

"James wanted me to stop, I remember that much, he didn't want to do it while we were drunk and I kept saying that I did."

"And did you?"

"I don't know. I don't think so, yet the completely drunk me did."

"Well, wait til you're no longer drunk and see how you feel then. I am sorry though," Sophie said sincerely.

"Yes, it's ok. Go to your dormitory now, you need some more sleep, so do I."

"Yeah, you're right, I'll go now, apologise to James for me," she said as she stood up and straightened her shirt.

"I think he was actually thankful, but I will anyway and please don't tell anyone else just yet, save the embarrassment for tomorrow."

"Sure thing, goodnight."

"More like good morning," Lily said turning back to her bedroom. Opening the door she found James still on her bed. He was sitting on the edge holding his belt in his hands. He looked up when he heard the door click shut. "Sophie's sorry," she said coming over to the bed to sit beside him.

"She should be," he said grinning.

"I'm sorry too, I know you didn't want to do it, I'm sorry for persisting," she said quietly.

"Lily, I think you misunderstood me. It's not that I don't want to, I love you and I do want to be with you that way. But not when we're drunk, I mean tomorrow or today or whatever, we might not even remember all of this, is that how you want it to be?"

"No." Lily kept her eyes down. She was feeling embarrassed and ashamed of the way she had acted.

"And I don't want it to happen like that either. I've done it before Lily, I've had sex a fair few times and I don't want this to be like the other times. I want to remember it, and not because it was a mistake."

"I feel the same. I'm sorry; I don't know why I did it, let's just forget about it and move on."

"Lily," James said. He took her face in his hands and turned her head up to him so that she had to look him in the eyes. "I don't want you to feel like this. It's not something to be embarrassed about. You think that's bad? That's nothing compared to half the stuff I've done while drunk, so don't worry about it. Please!" he almost begged her.

"Ok, just promise me next time I throw myself at you while drunk you'll throw me back off you," she said smiling weakly.

"Next time you throw yourself at me I won't be able to say no."

Lily laughed and wrapped her arms around him, burying her head in his neck. He tipped his head so that it was resting atop of hers. Lily felt her embarrassment deplete as she sat there with him. She thought it strange, the way that he made everything feel ok for her. No one else could do that, she was always feeling uptight and even when she was relaxed it wasn't a totally relaxed state. She was usually worrying about something or another or regretting something she had or hadn't done. No one else could, not even her best friends. They came close, but they just couldn't do what he could. She found this interesting. What did it mean? Were her feelings stronger than she thought? Was she doing what she had dreamt about yet tried to run from? Was she falling in love with the one person she had thought she'd hated? Why had she totally ignored what seemed to be an amazing person for half her life? Why hadn't she seen it in the first place anyway?

"I'm really tired," she said breaking the silence.

"Ok." James released her.

"We've got to figure out some more stuff for the Valentine's Day Ball tomorrow; it's only a couple of weeks away."

"Yeah, we'll we'd better get a good mornings sleep then." James stood up and moved in front of Lily.

"Goodnight," she said sleepily.

James leant down and kissed Lily on the forehead. "Goodnight." He exited her room through the bathroom door. Lily sighed and stood up. She pulled the covers down, took her jeans off again and slipped into the bed. The pillows seemed to swallow her up and soon she had drifted off to sleep.

What felt like only two minutes later, Lily was woken by the warm sun on her face. She stretched and kicked off the covers. Sitting up, her head began to throb. The alcohol hadn't worn off then. "Argh," she grunted, holding a hand to her head and lying back down. Maybe she could sleep a bit longer. Besides, James wouldn't be up for ages and she could do with a couple more hours sleep. She rolled over and tried to fall back into a world of dreams.


"We have to organise music, food, decorations and seating."

"Ok, when do we have to have it all done?" James asked leaning across the table to look at the sample decorations Lily had spread across the coffee table. They were seated cross legged on the floor around the coffee table. Lily was craving a strong cup of coffee to keep her awake. The couple more hours of sleep hadn't made her feel any better and James wasn't looking to crash hot either. In all honestly, Lily wished they could just go back to bed but she knew that they had to start on the preparations for the Valentine's Ball. McGonagall would be pestering her if she didn't.

"Professor McGonagall wants a rough idea in a week so that she can get anything done that we need her to do."

"Right. So, how long do you think it's going to take to figure it all out?"

"Why, have you got some other plans?"

"No, I'm just curious. I mean, some people could take twenty minutes to do it all, others might take a few hours."

"We don't have to do it all today if that's what you're worried about."

"No, I'm not complaining. I like these hearts," he said pointing at one of the decorations.

"I like them too," she said, snuggling up to him.

"Will you do me a favour?" he asked, allowing her to rest her head against his chest.

"What?"

"Will you go to the Ball with me?"

"Yes."

"Good. Do you think we could get these ones to fall from the ceiling like confetti?" Lily smiled at the casual way he had thrown that into the conversation and then continued on with the plans.

"Yes, we can do that. I really like this," she said pointing to a piece of silky material. "I think we could drape it around the stage."

"Ok. What kind of band should we get? We had the Connected Wands for the Halloween party."

"Rock isn't very romantic though," said Lily.

"Well, what kind of music is?"

"I don't know it depends on the person. But I think love songs and stringed instruments and a piano, that's what I think is romantic music."

"It sounds nice."

"It is nice."


The upcoming Valentine's Day Ball had put the female students into an excited frenzy. They would whisper excitedly in the corridors, giggle as they saw boys pass them and they were all discussing their dresses for the night. The male population however were dealing with a different problem. They were feeling the pressure to find a date. Some knew exactly who they wanted to ask but couldn't fight the nerves and ended up chickening out. Others completely avoided the matter, much to the disappointment of the girls that were hoping for an invitation from them. A Hogsmeade trip was arranged so that students could shop for their outfits. The flow of students in the village on the chosen weekend was expected to be big. Luckily the ball was only for fourth year and above so that excluded the third years and any of the first or second years that would have been given special permission.

The morning of the trip, Lily, Sophie and Charlotte had organised to meet with Theresa and Tasha in the Great Hall at eight thirty so that they could get breakfast and go down to Hogsmeade early to beat the crowds. They all sat at the Gryffindor table chatting about what kind of dresses and accessories they wanted to buy. "I want something short. Not too short, I think to the knees," Tasha said between gulps of juice.

"I have no idea," Theresa said.

"Me either, I just want something nice," said Lily.

"And sexy," Charlotte added.

"And stylish," Sophie continued.

"No, just something that looks good on me."

"Whatever, can't it be sexy and stylish too?"

"Yeah, but I'm not going to pick something solely for those reasons."

"Good for you."

"Tash, do you have a date yet?" Sophie asked.

"No, why are you asking?"

"I don't know, it's just everyone else does and pretty much all the Mauraders are taken."

"And your point is?"

"Her point is," Charlotte said taking over. "That we think you should ask Harry."

"Why the hell would I do that?"

"Because you like him," Theresa told her.

"Who ever said I liked him?"

"You did, when you told us you dreamt about him."

"I never said that, I just dreamt about him."

"And you enjoyed it," Lily reminded her.

"Oh my God, please leave it alone, I'll find a date."

"Yeah, I'm sure Amos is free," Charlotte mocked.

"You're really slack to me, you know that," she said pretending to be pissed off by her comment.

"It's my job honey, it's cos I love you."

"Haha and you expect me to believe that?"

"No, I don't actually care if you believe it or not. Hurry up and finish so we can go."

"Wow, what is happening to the world? Is Charlotte Shaw actually finished eating before everyone else?" Theresa mocked.

"Oh that was funny."

"I thought so, didn't you Soph?"

"Indeed I did. But Charlie has a point, hurry up before more people turn up and get to Hogsmeade before us."

"Ok, ok, I'm finishing," Tasha said, pushing her bowl away from her.

As they were leaving, the girls found Harry going in for breakfast. "Tasha, can I talk to you for a second?" he asked.

"Yeah, what?" she asked rudely, hands on her hips and tapping her foot on the ground.

"Umm, I meant in private."

"No, I don't really want t-" she started to say but she was interrupted by a forceful jab in the back from Theresa. "Do it," she ordered, whispering in her ear.

"Alright," she said, leaving the other girls and walking to the other side of the door way.

"We'll wait for you outside," Lily called out, a huge grin spread across her face. Tasha's facial expressions melted away as she watched her friends leaving.

"Yes?"

"I, uh." Harry was having trouble forming words. His mouth hung open as he stared at Tasha.

"You what?"

Silence. He couldn't speak. Tasha was about to hit him over the head when he turned and ran away from her, leaving her confused in the doorway of the Great Hall. In utter confusion, Tasha went to find her friends. "What did he want?"

"Did he ask you to the ball?"

"What did he say?"

"He didn't say anything so don't get so excited."

"What do you mean he didn't say anything?"

"I mean he didn't say anything at all. Seriously! He just stood there with his mouth open and then he ran away."

"Ha ha ha, you're kidding right?" Sophie asked.

"No, I'm not."

"Sucked in to him, I am never going to let him live that down."

"Oh my god, I bet he was going to ask you to the ball and got scared!" Charlotte said excitedly.

"I don't think so. So how about we focus on shopping now."

"Yeah, I completely forgot, we've got to buy Valentine's Day gifts!"

"We do too," Sophie said, remembering Sirius.

"Well, I don't have to."

"That's cos you're single Tash and it's not exactly something to be proud of," Theresa said.

"Hey, I am perfectly comfortable being single."

"Mmm, sure you are."

"Look, we're nearly here, can we spend today not bagging me out? That would be nice."

"Someone's touchy today."

"I am not, I am just sick of crap."

"And you consider my teasing of you in a joking manner crap?"

"Yes I do."

"You're killing me Tasha, you really are," Sophie cried, clutching her chest where she thought her heart would be.

"Shut up, can we just go and shop?"

"As you wish." Sophie bowed down to her as they approached the village. Entering the first shop, they immediately began scouring the racks for any options at all that they thought would be possibilities. Tasha had about ten different dresses in her arms, so the others banished her to the change room. She tried on orange dresses, red dresses, pink dresses, yellow dresses, purple dresses, long ones, short ones, frilly ones, lacy ones and patterned ones. The shop assistant, who had come over to replace all of the unwanted choices, marvelled at the number of dresses Tasha had gone through in the time she had.

Meanwhile the rest of the girls had picked one or two dresses that they liked and took turns in the other small change room trying them on. Charlotte insisted on trying one on that was black, tight, strapless and had a slit that reached her upper thigh. It squeezed her breasts together so that they sat dangerously over the top of it and held her legs in tight so that when she walked, she was spindle legged. Lily, Theresa and Sophie burst into endless fits of laughter as they watched her struggle out of the change room and attempt to walk towards the mirror at the far end of the room.

"Please, get out of that thing now before I wet my pants," Sophie said, patting Theresa on the shoulder who was doubled over in laughter.

"Believe me, I'm trying to," Charlotte hissed, pulling aggressively at the zipper.

When she had finally been released, Sophie tried on a long blue satin dress with an open back and a thin halter neck strap. The only problem though, was that it wasn't quite big enough for her 'front'. Hearing the stitches snap with the pressure, she got the dress of quicker than Theresa could say Dumbledore's full name, which technically wasn't that quick considering it took Theresa a fair while to say his name.

Theresa was next into the change room with a sage green coloured strapless dress. She put it on and pulled back the curtain, waiting for the response from Charlotte, Sophie and Lily. "That dress-"

"Looks amazing-"

"On you."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, take a look." Lily gestured to the mirror. It was made from bella chiffon and satin charmeuse. It had a shirred bodice and beaded trim with a charmeuse panel down the front and back. It had a sweep train and reached her ankles. It fit her body perfectly and hugged all the right curves. "Wow, I look different."

"No you don't, it's just brought your sexiness to the surface," Sophie said.

"Sometimes you weird me out, you know that?"

"Yeah, I do it to everyone. So are you going to get that dress because honestly if you don't you must be crazy."

"Yes of course I am. I don't want to spend all day looking for something I've already found."

"Then it's settled, go and pay for it," Tasha ordered, pointing to the register on the other side of the shop.

Exiting the shop, they scanned the street for the next shop that would hopefully supply some more choices. As soon as they set foot in the next store, Tasha began her search again. Within minutes she was squealing in delight. The other's rushed over to see what she had chosen. It was a strapless blue knee length dress with tiny sparkles set into the material. A lighter blue ribbon pulled in the waist and was tied into a large bow at the back. "It's what I've been looking for!" she screamed.

"Yes, ok, stop screaming and go and try it on," Charlotte said pushing her towards the changing rooms.

"I'm going," Tasha said, practically running to try the dress on. She emerged minutes later wearing the dress and looking like she was going to hyperventilate.

"I take it this is the one you're going to buy."

"YES! YES!"

"Oh my god, would you calm down for Christ's sake, it's a fucking dress," Sophie said. Tasha glared at her and went back to the mirror to admire her appearance some more.

"At least now she's found it she might shut up for a bit."

"I highly doubt that, think of all the accessories she's gonna have to buy."

"Shit," Sophie said rolling her eyes.

"Exactly."


Several shops and hours later, the girls sat around a table in the Three Broomsticks drinking butter beer. Each had been successful in choosing a dress except Lily who hadn't really seen anything that had taken her fancy. Tasha had bought more makeup and some shoes, Sophie and Charlotte some jewellery and Theresa some hair accessories and a clutch purse. They had decided to stop for a bit to energise so that they could continue and Lily could find her dress.

"You know, there's only one shop we haven't been to yet and if you don't find something there, I'm not going to go back to all of the others again," Sophie said honestly.

"I'm not asking you to. If I don't find anything in the last shop you guys can go back and I'll shop alone."

"No, you won't, I'll stay," Theresa said.

"Thanks but you guys don't have to worry, I have a good feeling about that shop."

"What kind of a good feeling?"

"I don't know exactly, but I'm trying to be positive."

The bell on the door tinkled as Remus, James, Harry and Sirius entered the pub. Spying the girls sitting in the middle of the room, Remus led them over to the table where they pulled chairs from another table over and ordered another round of drinks for all of them.

"So how has the shopping been ladies?" Sirius asked in his most charming voice.

"Fun."

"Stressful."

"Tiring."

"Depressing."

"So why do you put yourselves through it?"

"Do we have a choice?" Charlotte asked.

"Yes, you don't have to go shopping. You don't have to go to the ball."

"Tasha doesn't seeing as she doesn't have a date yet, but the rest of us, well we wouldn't want to let our partners down."

"And who's says they'll be let down, I'm sure they don't want to go."

"Shut up Sirius," Charlotte said, throwing the cap of one of the bottles at him.

The rest of lunch was spent talking about plans for Valentine's Day and making fun of the people that they thought wouldn't end up with dates. They laughed hysterically at imagining the professors taking each other and them after a couple of hours drinking what was going to end up spiked punch. At one o'clock, the girls decided to head back out into the street to continue the search for Lily's outfit. As they were leaving, Harry shot out his hand and grabbed Tasha's wrist. Tasha turned round, ready to bite his head off but she was beaten to it by Harry. "Can I have a word?"

"If you must." Harry led her into the corner. "What is it?" she asked impatiently.

"I was wondering if you would be my date for the ball."

"WHAT!" she almost shouted in shock.

"I was wondering if you would-" he started to repeat.

"No, I heard you, it's just you can't be serious, right?" she asked, half laughing.

"Actually, I am."

"But, you hate me, don't you?" Tasha didn't seem to understand. Truthfully that was what she had wanted him to ask her but she couldn't act happy about it, especially if he was doing it as a joke.

"No Tasha, I don't hate you. Can you answer me now?"

"Yes."

"Yes what?"

"Yes I can answer you and yes I will go with you, now is that all?"

"Hang on, what?"

"Yes, I will go with you. If that's all, I've kind of got to go, they're waiting for me," Tasha said pointing at the door.

"Ok."

"Right, wear something nice that will go with this." She pulled the end of the dress up out of the bag to show him the colour.

"Alright."

"What did he want?" the other girls asked as soon as she got outside.

"He asked me to the ball."

"And?"

"And I said yes."

"Woo!" Charlotte said, punching the air.

"Calm down, it's not a big deal. Let's just go."

"Not a big deal, of course it's a big deal, the guy you like just asked you to the Valentine's Day Ball."

"I never said I liked him."

"Whatever."

"Shall we focus on getting Lily a dress and stop worrying about my social life?"

"God, I never thought I'd hear you say that," Theresa said.

"There's a first time for everything isn't there. Now get in there Lily and pick a dress," Tasha said as they approached the shop front.

"I'm going," she said stumbling over the doorstep thanks to the sharp nudge from Sophie.

They began the search. Lily looked carefully, rack by rack for something she would like. Sophie yawned, picking random dresses up and holding them up for Lily to look at. After ten minutes Lily pulled out a dress. Before the others could see what she had selected, she made her way across the shop and pulled the curtain closed. She slipped the dress on over her head. Doing the zipper up, she noted the comfortable feel of the material against her skin. Anxiously, she pulled the curtain back and waited for the teasing to commence.

"Wow."

"Is it bad?" She couldn't bear to look in the mirror.

"No, no it's definitely not bad," Charlotte said with a small smile on her face.

"It's very very good," Tasha added.

"It feels good," said Lily, running her hands over the material.

"It looks good."

"This is the one," she said happily.

"Good, so can we go?" Sophie asked.

"Yes, we can go." Lily went back to change out of the dress and took it over to the register.

"Hurry up and pay for the thing."

"Shit, did you see how much it is?" Lily said, eyes goggling at the price tag. Theresa snatched it from her grasp.

"Oh come on, it's not that much."

"I never spend this much money on me."

"Like Tasha said, there's a first time for everything. Now don't pretend that you don't have the money, I know you do."

"So hurry up."

"God Sophie, shut up and give me a chance," Lily snapped. Sophie closed her mouth and started to tap her foot.

"Seriously, shut the fuck up!"


A/N: now come on people! i love you all but i am not loving the lack of reviews. from now on, if i don't get a sufficent amount of reviews then i won't be updating. lucky for you i had to update this chapter to tell you that, otherwise i wouldn't have for a very long time.

thanks to those who reviewed Chapter 28 Freedom To Be: TDsmiles, ivy smiles, brie smiles, niiic smiles, szabatka2 and sncaggie

pointing out something here that stands for the next chapter too: everybody picked their own dress. i have pictures for most of them that i would love to show you. i had the url here for the site to see theresa's but it didn't come out so never mind.

next chapter is the ball. i hope you enjoyed this one. once again, if i don't get enough reviews i won't update so it's all up to you guys now.

love you all, even when you don't review

anie oxox