Chapter 37

As the trumpet sounded again Sirius looked sideways at Amanda and Peter. It was obvious what was about to happen. They had allowed the Hogwarts dance to go on long enough without interruption. It seemed that they were about to start with the traditional dance for the Pure Ball. The man's voice rang loudly.

"Will all students please clear the dance area."

It almost sounded like a question but Sirius knew it to be a command. He watched as the floor cleared and he spotted James with an arm around Branwen looking in their direction. A voice sounded next to his ear and he looked at his father.

"Go ask one of these girls to dance with you."

He looked sideways to Amanda but found that she was holding Snape's arm looking towards Peter who had been dragged off by his father towards some girl. Turning again he saw Andi looking around just as Snodgrass the Slytherin keeper made his way towards her. Sirius was quick and within seconds was offering her his hand.

"May I have this dance Andromeda?"

"Why of course Sirius."

She smiled at him as Snodgrass walked away towards another girl and slowly he led Andi to the dance floor. She smiled at him as the music started and they began to dance slowly together, everyone around them was watching and Sirius felt like he was on display.

"You look beautiful tonight Andi."

"Thank you. If I had known it was the Pure Ball mind I would have come scruffy."

"I think Amanda would agree with you there."

He watched as Andi spun in his arms. Her white dress spun out behind her and she pulled herself back into his arms.

"Speaking of Amanda she looks lovely in that dress."

"Hum."

Andi shot Sirius a look and he smiled slightly.

"I didn't want her to wear it. Okay she looks beautiful in it but now all the guys know it."

"Oh and you don't want competition."

"No I don't want to have to chase all those boys away from her."

Andi laughed as they passed by Ted and Sirius saw the look she shot at him.

"Do you think there's any chance I could sneak away and not be noticed?"

"Depends on when our dads stop looking at us."

"Bet they're mad because you chose to dance with me, and you're family. They're so hoping I'll fall for a nice pureblood and leave Ted."

"But they're going to fail right."

"Of course."

The song ended and Andi looked around as if worried about who she could dance with next.

"Pete is just by there go ask him for a dance. He won't try anything on and then there's always Regulus before you run out of decent people, or family."

She smiled as she headed towards Peter and Sirius quickly turned to reach Amanda, but as he got to her shoulder he noticed somebody slip their hand in hers. He looked to see Regulus standing there smiling at them.

"What you up to runt?"

"I'm going to dance with the prettiest girl at the ball."

Amanda turned to Sirius with a smile on her face and laughter in her eyes.

"Regulus that's so sweet. Of course I'll dance with you."

Sirius saw her wink at his brother as she went onto the dance floor with him. Sirius stood by the side and noticed Katherine Hoptrott edging closer to him. His father was shooting him angry looks so he took her hand and led her to dance.

This song unlike the first seemed to last an eternity what with the fact that Katherine kept laughing every few seconds and it wasn't a nice laugh but one that sent shivers down his spine. Finally the song ended and Sirius smiled as he stepped away from the girl.

He could see Lestrange heading towards Amanda and he quickly ran over there reaching her at the same time that Lestrange did. He pushed in front of the Slytherin and turned to look at him.

"Amanda promised me a dance after Regulus. So buzz off Lestrange."

The boy looked like he was about to say something when Amanda grabbed Sirius and pulled him away to dance.

"I hate this. I thought that by staying in Hogwarts I'd miss this stupid dance."

"I know. Bet you wish you'd listened to me now and changed."

Amanda stuck her tongue out at him and he quickly grabbed for it.

"Look I've got your tongue."

She bit at his fingers and he let her tongue go just as they passed their mothers. Sirius was sure he saw his mother nod towards Amanda's and he shot his friend a look but she just shrugged. As the song ended they found themselves standing by their friends.

Both quickly pushed their way into the Hogwarts students and Sirius came to a stop next to Ginny.

"Would one of you lovely girls like to dance with me and save me from those horrible Slytherins?"

Sirius watched as Branwen looked towards the dance floor and nodded.

"I'll dance with you."

Sirius bowed to her and took her hand. As they reached the dance floor he noticed all the looks they got.

"Everyone's staring."

"Only because you look so beautiful tonight."

He spun her and saw that Amanda had pulled James onto the dance floor. As if that was a cue Andi had pulled away from Snodgrass who had finally got hold of her and gone to Ted leading him too onto the dance floor.

Sirius was aware of the killer looks he was getting but didn't care as he and Branwen danced. As he got closer to Amanda he grinned and releasing Branwen he took hold of James' arm and continued to dance laughing at the looks that everyone was giving them.

The song ended and he felt a hand grab him as he was pulled backwards. Amanda was quickly following him towards the mass of people standing there. Bootés looked down at the pair of them.

"What do you think you're doing? This is the Pure Ball you are only to dance with purebloods."

He didn't open his mouth to respond when Amanda's answer rang clear.

"This is also the Hogwarts Christmas ball and therefore we can dance with whoever we like. Nevertheless if you insist on it being a pureblood then you won't have anything to say about Sirius dancing with Branwen because she is a pureblood."

Sirius grinned slightly as Amanda turned to leave but came face to face with her father.

"Lestrange is over there go dance with him."

"Sorry but I'm no longer at the Pure Ball, I'm at the Hogwarts Christmas ball. Therefore I can dance with whoever I want."

She moved over to the dance floor and took hold of Lily's hand and started to dance with her and Remus. Sirius just smiled as he heard Alistair swear under his breath. Sirius though liked Amanda's idea and with a nod to Pete they both moved to the dance floor and their friends.