Intro note: Hello, everyone! Once again, allow me to apologize for my lengthy hiatus. Last year was a tough one, and I didn't have a lot of energy for my ongoing projects (although I managed a few oneshots for other hp couples, so check them out if you're curious:) I hope all of you are doing well during this difficult time. Thank you for sticking with me until now! And without further ado, here's a chapter that's been a long time coming…

- 6 -

Love Songs

*.*.*.*

.

-The Hogwarts Herald-

June 1, 2021

"Muggle-themed Ball Comes to Hogwarts"

By Molly Weasley

.

Hogwarts continues its new tradition of introducing Muggle pop culture to the magical community with an end of the year ball known as "The Prom." Fifth-years and above are encouraged to forgo their dress robes and attend wearing Muggle formal wear (i.e. fancy gowns and suits). Dates are not required, so all of you single witches and wizards can come with a group of friends.

The Muggle Studies Pop Culture Club are the gracious organizers of the event. Due to the popularity of the hit Muggle TV show 'Stranger Things,' the prom committee has decided to play songs from the 1980s. As children of that decade, Professors Harry Potter and Hermione Granger have volunteered as DJs.

Decorations will remain a surprise, but the president of the club provided us with a sneak peek. "The ball is going to be outside," Freddie Weasley said. "We've got some special things planned." When asked about the possibility of rain, the president assured us that a weather-proof barrier would be erected. "We all know how unpredictable the highlands can be, but cold and damp won't ruin the night."

Prom has traditionally been a perk for upperclassmen only, which is why younger students cannot attend. Invitations will be sent out to fifth, sixth, and seventh-years this weekend with further details.

/

Hogwarts School

of Witchcraft and Wizardry

cordially invites,

Miss Lily Rose Potter,

to attend their first annual Prom.

*.

Location: the Quidditch Pitch

Date: June 12th at 8 PM

*.

Please bring this invitation with you

for admittance.

/

Flickering torches lined the path as Lily Rose and her friends headed for the Quidditch Pitch. The air was chilly, but a sky full of stars promised a rain-free night. Louis offered his arm like a gentleman. "You look really beautiful, Lily."

"Thank you," she said, slipping her arm through his. "You look quite handsome yourself." Louis was the tallest in their group now, which still caught her off guard. She glanced at his profile, taking in his perfect nose and chiseled jawline. He was starting to resemble his father more every day. It's no wonder that half the girls in the school are in love with him, she thought. He'll be in high demand tonight.

He smiled at her. "Will you save the first and last slow dances for me?"

"I already promised the first dance to Scorpius, but you can have the last one. Your fan club will be disappointed though," she joked.

"Let them. You'll always be the most important girl in my life."

His tender expression made her stomach lurch. It felt as though she'd missed a step going down the grand staircase. Lily Rose wasn't oblivious; she had noticed Louis getting bolder during the past few weeks. She could tell that he was leading up to something big, and she didn't need to be a Seer to know that whatever he was planning, it would probably take place tonight.

Someone stumbled into her from behind. "Sorry, Lily Rose," Selena apologized. "I'm not used to walking in these heels."

"That's okay."

Once Selena had righted herself, Louis asked Lily Rose what her shoes looked like.

She lifted the hem of her long skirt to show off a pair of strappy silver sandals. She'd painted her toes with the same glow-in-the-dark polish as her fingernails.

"Woah, nice nail polish! Is that from my uncle's shop?"

"Yeah, the WonderWitch line. I thought it would look cool in the dark."

"It does. I like the purple."

All of her roommates used a different color: neon pink for Selena, neon blue for Aisling, and neon orange for Tulika.

Molly and Freddie were checking invitations at the gate. His face lit up as they approached. "Hey! I saved us a table. Molls, can you take care of things here while I show them where it is?"

"Sure, but don't be too long." Molly met their gaze. "We've already caught five underclassmen with fake invitations. The real ones have an invisible seal. Watch." Molly pointed her wand at Lily's Rose's card and murmured "Revelio." A gold crescent moon encircled by stars glowed in the center like a hidden watermark. It was most definitely Professor McGonagall's doing.

Freddie led the way through the gate, giving Lily Rose an excuse to stare at him. He looked almost like another person with his newly shorn hair and impeccably tailored clothing. His pristine white shirt and charcoal gray trousers were fitted enough to show off his muscular physique. It was a far cry from the baggy school uniform that he usually wore.

"What do you guys think?" Freddie asked, glancing over his shoulder.

Lily Rose blushed when she realized that she'd been too busy admiring him to even notice anything else. She pulled her eyes from Freddie and took in her surroundings. The Pitch had been utterly transformed into something right out of a fairy tale. White marquee tents strung with champagne-colored lights were set up along the perimeter of the field. But the dance floor was the real stunner; it sparkled like the starry sky above.

"Wow, you did an amazing job with the decorations!"

Freddie beamed at her. "Thanks, but I can't take credit for the dance floor. Your mum is the one who did the enchantment."

"It doesn't even feel chilly in here," she commented as they walked towards the tents.

"Yeah, that's the weather-proof barrier." Freddie pointed upwards. "There's an invisible roof over our heads – kinda like a giant bubblehead charm. But we'll lift it at the end of the night when we set off the fireworks."

Lily Rose took off her short cape and draped it over the back of her chair. The Weasley boys were gaping at her when she glanced back up. She gave them a shy smile. The bodice of her white dress had a strapless sweetheart neckline embellished with sparkly jewels. It was a true "princess gown" right down to the poufy tulle skirt and tiara-style headband. She'd even tamed her frizzy curls into smooth, rippling waves.

Freddie let out a low whistle. "You all look fantastic," he said while staring at Lily Rose.

Lucy breezed over in a slinky gold dress with a plunging neckline and black elbow-length gloves. Her long hair was tucked under in an elegant faux bob, and her red lipstick and smoky eyeshadow were the epitome of glamour. "What about me? How do I look?" she asked, striking a pose.

"Like a 1920s starlet," Lily Rose replied.

Freddie, on the other hand, was not impressed. "What in Merlin's name are you wearing? You look about twenty-five in that get-up!"

"That's the idea, darling," she drawled in a posh accent.

"It's completely inappropriate!"

She wagged a satin-gloved finger at him. "I'll have you know that Auntie Fleur helped me choose this dress, so you aren't allowed to criticize it."

He opened his mouth to say something else, but Lily Rose placed a hand on his forearm. "Let it go, Freddie," she said quietly. "Lucy's just trying to wind you up."

He exhaled. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Lils." His expression softened as he met her gaze. "Will you save me a dance tonight?"

Her heart skipped a beat. "Of course."

It took him a few seconds to look away. "Well, I should get back to Molly. See you guys in a bit!"

'Every Little Thing She Does is Magic' blared over the speakers and Lucy insisted they go out on the dance floor. Lily Rose laughed as they moved to the music. It felt good to just let go and have some fun. The song was quickly followed by 'I Think We're Alone Now' by Tiffany. Lily Rose, Aisling, and Selena belted out the chorus. The dance floor slowly began to fill up, but she needed a break after about ten minutes.

Lily Rose sat beside Scorpius, who hadn't come out with them. "Are we still on for the first slow dance?" she asked, taking a sip of Butterbeer.

"Yeah. I just feel weird during fast songs. I don't know how to dance like everyone else does."

"There's nothing to it really. I'll show you."

When the first slow song started playing, Scorpius stood up and extended his hand in a courtly gesture. "Shall we, milady?" She took it, smiling, and they made their way out onto the dance floor. With her heels on, she was nearly as tall as him. The sides of their heads brushed as they swayed to 'Heaven' by Bryan Adams.

"Other girls will probably ask you to dance," she pointed out.

"Yeah, I know. I don't mind if it's just a dance… I just hope no one asks me out. What am I supposed to say if they do?"

"Hmm, well you could always say that you like someone else," she replied. "That's what Freddie said when he got asked out on Valentine's Day."

"Yeah, I suppose lying is better than saying I'm not interested in dating." He frowned. "What if they ask who I like though?"

"That's none of their business, but if you want to keep it polite, just give them my name. We're usually together anyway." In fact, many people already thought they were a couple.

When a fast song came on afterwards, Lily Rose attempted to teach Scorpius how to dance, but his movements were too stiff and self-conscious. She took pity on him and they returned to the table.

Lily Rose nibbled at a cauldron cake while she scanned the crowd for Freddie. She spotted him in a group with Baz and some of his other Gryffindor mates. He was laughing as he did the robot dance to New Order's 'Blue Monday.' Seeing him having so much fun made her smile. There he is… always the life of the party, she thought fondly.

When he came back with Baz, she noticed that he'd rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and removed his bowtie. Freddie's light brown eyes were still shining with high spirits. She tried not to watch him as he downed a bottle of Gillywater. He was joking around with Baz when a petite girl came up to the table and shyly asked him for the next slow dance.

"Sure, love. What's your name?"

"Andie Hooper," she replied, going pink.

"Nice to meet you, Andie." He held out his hand. "I'm Freddie Weasley."

"Yeah, I know. I cheer for you at all your matches."

He flashed her that irresistible grin of his. "That's really sweet of you. Thanks so much for your support. Here, why don't you sit down?"

Lily Rose hid her amusement by raising her glass to her lips. Louis was usually the one who got all the fangirls, but Freddie had his fair share, too. They chatted until 'Take My Breath Away' by Berlin started playing. And then she watched him leave with the adorable Andie on his arm.

"Hey, you wanna dance, Potter?" Baz asked, snapping her out of it.

"Yeah. I'd like that."

Baz was usually flirtatious, but he kept a respectful distance between them while they danced. His black hair was spiked up, making him appear more roguish than usual. He winked at her and started singing "take my breath away" in a shrill soprano voice that earned him more than a few glares.

Lily Rose broke into a fit of giggles. "You're such a goofball! It's no wonder you get along so well with Freddie."

"Speaking of my partner in crime, you gonna ask him for a dance?"

"Oh, he already asked me to save him one."

"Make sure it's a real sappy love song." Baz gave her a wink. "Freddie's a closet romantic, you know."

She laughed. "Is he?"

"Yep. Like when we were at Quidditch camp, he'd give Bianca bouquets of flowers." Baz wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Not to mention all those tooth-rotting displays of affection that I was forced to witness."

Her stomach sank. "If it was going so well, then why did they break up?"

He shrugged. "All Freddie told me was that Bianca didn't want a long-distance relationship, but if you ask me, I think something dramatic happened between them. Cause one day, she just started ignoring him."

"That doesn't make any sense," she said, frowning. "I can't imagine Freddie doing something wrong. I mean, according to you, he was the perfect boyfriend."

"Yeah, it's a mystery all right."

After the song ended, they went over to the refreshment table together.

"By the way, what did Bianca look like?" she asked, trying to act nonchalant.

"Smoking hot… fit body, long brown hair, green eyes." He gave her an appraising glance. "A bit like you actually." The he let out a bark of laughter. "Bloody hell, I think I just figured it out! I can't tell you though – Freddie would hex my bollocks off if I did."

"Come on, you can't say that and then not tell me!"

"Nope. It isn't worth my life." He tapped her on the forehead. "You're a smart girl, Potter. I'm sure you'll work it out. By the way, d'you think Selena would dance with me if I asked?"

That surprised her. "Yeah, I'm sure she would. Most boys tend to keep their distance because they're intimidated by her gift."

"Not me! I think it would be dead useful to know what's going to happen." He cocked an eyebrow. "Think she'll tell my fortune while we're dancing?"

She gave him a sly smile. "There's only one way to find out."

"I better go ask her then! See ya around, Potter."

"Yeah, see you."

She went to the restroom, her mind still whirling from Baz's revelation. Could Freddie have gone out with Bianca because she resembled me? And if he did, could she have found out about it somehow and then broke up with him because of it?

"You shouldn't frown, dear – it makes you look constipated," the mirror chided while she washed her hands. "And may I suggest a bit of color for your lips?"

The mirror had a point. She dug around in her skirt pocket for her tube of pink lipgloss.

"Yes, that's much better, dearie. You have fun out there tonight!"

She smiled at her reflection. "Thanks, I will."

"Lily Rose!" someone called out as she left the restroom. She turned to see Adam Bentley coming towards her. They had barely spoken to each other since their very public breakup in the Great Hall.

He raked a hand through his hair. "Umm, I was wondering if we could talk for a few minutes? There's something I need to say before I leave school."

"Yeah, all right."

"Let's go outside. It's too loud in here."

She nodded and they headed for the exit. A blast of cold air made her shiver as she stepped onto the grounds. Lily Rose cast a wandless warming charm to protect against the chill. A couple was snogging near the doors, so they started walking down the graveled pathway.

"I want to apologize for everything that happened two years ago," Adam said after a moment of silence. "I was an immature arsehole who treated girls like dirt. I have a lot of guilt for that." He met her gaze. "I'm sorry for cheating on you, Lily. I feel terrible for hurting you back then."

Her nose tingled with emotion. "Thank you for apologizing. And I'm sorry, too… I shouldn't have slapped you like that."

"Nah, I deserved it."

"Yeah, maybe you did," she agreed, chuckling. "So, what are you doing after graduation?"

"Oh, the Montrose Magpies invited me to their training camp this summer."

"Wow, that's great! Congratulations."

He smiled at her. "Thanks. I'll try my best to impress them. Anyway, are you enjoying yourself tonight?"

"I am. What about you?"

"Yeah. I came with my girlfriend. We've been going out for nearly four months now, which is the longest relationship I've ever had. She's the one who encouraged me to apologize to all the girls I've hurt."

"And how has that gone?"

"Not so good. A lot of cursing and hexing, mostly. That's why I really appreciate you hearing me out."

"To be honest, I was always hoping for an apology from you. It feels good to get some closure."

"Yeah, definitely," Adam agreed. "It's a weight off my shoulders. Now I can graduate without any regrets."

They made small talk for another minute before turning back. Lily Rose said goodbye to her ex-boyfriend at the gate and found Selena and Scorpius sitting at their table. "You'll never believe what just happened." And then she proceeded to tell them.

"Well, I was not expecting that," Selena commented, pushing up her light pink glasses.

"You mean, something actually escaped your inner eye?" Scorpius teased.

She sniffed. "I never claimed to be all knowing."

"I think it's better that way," Lily Rose added. "Life should contain the occasional surprise. It makes things more interesting."

Molly stopped by to take some photos. She also let them use her Muggle instant camera. Lily Rose was able to get a selfie with Freddie. For those few seconds, his cheek was pressed against hers. She could smell the woodsy scent of his cologne.

They watched the photo develop with their heads bent close together. "Oh, that's a good one! Can I have it?" he asked eagerly.

"No, but I'll make you a copy."

"Aww, come on – it's not the same thing. I want the original." And before she could reply, he snagged the photo away from her and tucked it into the back pocket of his trousers. "Thank you, Lilybud," he said, flashing her a cheeky grin.

"Freddie, give it back!"

He dashed away and called out, "We'll get another one this summer, okay?" before disappearing into the crowd.

She heaved a sigh. That boy really is insufferable. But she couldn't keep the smile from her face. If he wanted the photo that badly, then it must have meant as much to him as it did to her.

*.*.*

Freddie kept an eye out for Lily Rose throughout the night. When 'Just like heaven' by the Cure started playing, he suggested they all get up and dance. And once they were out there, he grabbed her hand and spun her around. He even dipped her once or twice. Lily Rose grinned up at him, her eyes sparkling under the lantern light. Sweet Godric, she's gorgeous… It took all of his willpower not to kiss her right there and then.

As he'd anticipated, the next song was a slow one. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Can I cash in on that dance you promised?"

"Of course."

He placed his hands on her waist and Lily Rose draped her arms about his neck. A spark of attraction surged through his body when she pulled him closer. They were practically hugging now. Freddie breathed in the intoxicating scent of her perfume.

"You smell nice. What's that scent you're wearing?"

"Vanilla orange blossom," she replied softly.

It reminded him of warmth and sunshine and home. He closed his eyes and listened to the sappy song lyrics.

"I don't mind not knowing what I'm headed for… you can take me to the skies… it's like being lost in heaven, when I'm lost in your eyes. I just fell – don't know why… something's there we can't deny… and when I first knew, was when I first looked at you."

Merlin's pants, I can't even make fun of it because that's exactly how I feel about her. As the song drew to a close, she shifted her hands to his shoulders and gazed up at him. The loving expression on her face made his heart set off at a gallop.

"Freddie, I—"

But he couldn't let her finish that sentence. If she did, there would be no going back. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Thank you, Lils. That was lovely." And then he stepped out of her embrace and left the dance floor. He needed to put as much distance between them as he could before he did something unforgivable.

The cold air outside was like a shock to his system. He took in several deep breaths. Once he had his bearings, he strode down to the lake. The moon's reflection shimmered on the water's surface. Freddie leaned against a boulder and stared up at the endless sky full of stars. It was an awe-inspiring sight.

"Freddie!" He spun around and saw Lucy walking towards him. His cousin had a jacket draped over her skimpy dress. "Hey, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just needed some air."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Are you sure it wasn't because of your slow dance with Lily?"

"Why would it be?" he shot back.

"Uh, maybe because you're completely in love with her," she said sarcastically.

He blanched. "Was it really that obvious?"

"To me, yes, but that's because I know you so well." Lucy leaned on the boulder beside him.

Freddie swore under his breath. "I hope Louis didn't see us."

"Will you forget about him for one bloody minute?! He's my cousin too, and I care about him, but he has to get over this one-sided crush! Louis is wrecking both of your lives, and Lily's too. You've no idea how frustrating it is to just stand here and watch it happen!"

"You think this is any easier for me? Because it bloody well isn't!" he bellowed. It was the first time he'd allowed himself to get angry over the situation. Freddie let out a long exhale and tried to regain some composure. "There's nothing I can do about it, Luce."

She scoffed. "You could tell Lily how you feel for a start."

He shook his head. "That's not even an option. You don't get it because you're a girl, but for blokes, there's an unwritten code; we don't go after the same bird. It's a territory thing."

"Oh my god, do you even know how sexist that sounds?!"

Freddie ran a hand over his much shorter hair. "I didn't mean for it to come off that way. I just want Louis to get his chance. He's finally worked up enough courage to make a move and I'm going to respect that. This is his night, not mine."

"Yeah, and I think we both know how Lily will respond."

He heaved a sigh. "We can't be sure of anything, Luce."

"Are you blind? You're the one she fancies!"

Freddie thought of that moment when Lily Rose had started to say something before he'd run away like a coward. He looked out at the water. "Even if that's true, she might go out with Louis anyway. She might give him a chance."

"No, she won't. Lily's too madly in love with you to say yes to him out of pity."

Hope bloomed inside his chest and it made him feel like a traitor. Freddie hated the fact that his own happiness depended upon his cousin's heartbreak. I'm disgusting.

She placed a hand on his arm. "You're not a bad person, Freddie."

"Then why do I feel like one?"

"Oh, please! If you were, you wouldn't be fighting against yourself right now." She rolled her eyes. "You Gryffindors and your obnoxious honor."

He cracked a smile. "Well, we can't all be self-serving Slytherins like you."

She punched his bicep. "Don't you bloody start!"

Freddie only laughed. Lucy hadn't put much strength behind it.

"Seriously though, I want you to know that I'm on your side," she said, her tone softer now.

He slung an arm around her shoulders. "Thanks, Luce. That means a lot."

"Are you ready to go back?"

Freddie gave a nod. As they headed towards the Quidditch Pitch, he wondered if anyone else in his family would be as understanding. Somehow, he doubted it. If I go out with Lily, Louis might never speak to me again. Freddie couldn't be responsible for causing that kind of rift in the Weasley clan. He'd hate himself if he did.

"I'm only going say this once so listen up," Lucy declared, interrupting his self-loathing thoughts. "Lily isn't a prize, and she doesn't belong to Louis. The sooner he grows up and realizes this, the better off he will be. His fixation on her isn't healthy."

Freddie couldn't disagree, but he kept quiet.

"Once Louis leaves for Beauxbatons, you'll have your chance," she continued.

"I'm not thinking that far ahead right now. I don't even know if I'm gonna do anything about it."

"Oh, yes you will; because if you don't, I'll tell Lily the truth."

He released her. "Luce, I swear to Godric if you do—"

She cut him off. "I won't stand by and let you sacrifice your happiness. You and Lily belong together! And we both know that you'd be a couple right now if it wasn't for Louis. But with some time and distance, he'll get over it. He's more resilient than you think."

Freddie sighed again. "I hope you're right. For his sake."

"I am. I might be younger than you, but I have a keener understanding when it comes to human nature."

"Yeah, that's probably true. Look, I appreciate your support, but please let me deal with this on my own, all right? Louis is like a little brother to me. I don't want to lose him."

"I know. Tell you what – I'll give you until next January to tell Lily how you feel." She wagged a finger at him. "But you better not take that long."

He chuckled. "Fair enough. Thanks for yelling at me, Luce. I needed it."

"No problem. Yelling at you is my favorite pastime after all," she added with a smirk.

"Haha. Go on, miss Queen of Snark. Your boyfriend is waiting for you."

"Bye, Freddie. Have fun tonight and don't overthink it!"

He tried to follow her advice by dancing with each of Lily Rose's roommates. He'd been expecting Selena to say something about his complicated love life, but she surprised him by mentioning Baz instead.

"I danced with your friend, Basil. He asked me if he'll be a professional Quidditch player."

"Oh? And what did you tell him?"

"That I didn't know, but I offered to consult the cards. Truly though, something like that cannot be predicted. There's far too many variables to consider." She gave him a secretive smile. "I'm going to tell him that he will, though. One should never underestimate the power of positive thinking. He can make his own dream come true as long as he believes in himself."

Freddie softened when he heard this. "That's sweet of you, Selena. Baz likes to project an air of confidence, but he can be very insecure deep down."

"I guessed as much. People who are struggling seek me out because they want reassurance and comfort, and I'm happy to give them that. I like to think of myself as more of a Seer Psychologist."

"That's good to know because from what I've heard, your aunt isn't very tactful when giving predictions."

Selena chuckled. "You're right about that."

Freddie hung around with a different group during the last hour. He didn't want Lily Rose to ask him for another dance. But he caught the occasional glimpse of her with other blokes, and he felt a pang every time one of them made her smile.

Baz found him eventually. "Where have you been?"

He shrugged. "Around."

"And avoiding a certain someone I gather." When Freddie didn't respond, he said, "You're the only bloke I know who would stand aside like this."

A muscle in his jaw twitched. "Lucy already gave me a telling off tonight. I don't need to hear it from you as well."

Baz held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, mate, I'm not judging you – I'm only making an observation. I might not understand it, but I don't belong to a tight-knit family either."

When the last song was announced, Freddie glanced towards their table and spotted Louis escorting Lily Rose onto the dance floor. He chewed on his bottom lip. She'll turn him down, won't she? Freddie had seen her with a boyfriend once before and that had been bad enough… but his feelings were even stronger now. He didn't think his heart could take it if she started kissing Louis in front of him. Would I be able to pretend that I was okay with it? Freddie used to be the type of person who hated artifice of any kind, yet he'd been wearing a mask for nearly two years now. Sure, Aisling, Lucy, and Selena had all seen through it, but he was still lying to the two people who mattered the most to him. That's what he couldn't stomach.

"We better head up to the Quidditch stands now," Baz said. "It's almost time to set off the fireworks."

"Yeah. Let's go." Freddie led the way up the stairs.

"You know, Potter talked about you the whole time we were dancing."

"Yeah?" The traitorous flash of hope was back again. "You didn't mention anything incriminating, did you?"

"Course not, but tell me the truth... did you say Lily's name while getting hot with Bianca?"

Freddie tripped up the stairs, his face flaming.

Baz let out a peel of laughter as he hauled him to his feet. "Guess that's my answer. Man, I can't believe you did something so bloody stupid!"

Freddie couldn't either – it was the worst mistake he'd ever made. But in the dark, Bianca could have passed for Lily Rose, and her name just slipped out. What transpired after that had been extremely ugly. She'd accused him of using her, and he supposed he had in a way – albeit unintentionally. Hell, Freddie hadn't even realized that he'd been thinking of her as a replacement until that precise moment.

When he got back home, he'd written Bianca a long letter of apology, but she hadn't responded. It wasn't depression that Freddie had felt after their breakup, it was an overwhelming guilt. For hurting her… for not being honest with himself… for his impossible situation. Those weeks had been unbearable.

"Thank you for reminding me what a piece of shite I am," Freddie said, his tone bitter.

"Hey, it's not like you meant to do it. But you should really start being more honest, mate. Secrets have a way of coming out and ruining everybody's lives." Baz would know all about that; it's the reason why his parents were now divorced.

"Yeah, I know." Freddie wondered how long he had until this whole charade blew up in his face.

*.*.*

Louis held Lily Rose close as they danced to 'Eternal Flame' by The Bangles. The song hadn't even ended when a firework went off. Lily Rose stepped away from him and tilted her head up, an expression of wonder on her pretty face. As they stood side by side, he felt like they had gone back to that moment last summer when he'd wanted to tell her just how much she meant to him. Louis hadn't been able to get the words out then, but tonight, he would have another chance.

When the fireworks show concluded, Louis took her hand. "Will you come down to the lake with me?" he asked, his heart racing. "There's something I need to tell you."

She hesitated. "Umm, I'm supposed to go back with my roommates."

"Please, Lily? It's important."

"Okay… just let me get my cape first."

Louis didn't want to stop at the table because he was afraid someone might try to tag along. He pulled out his wand. "Accio, Lily Rose's cape." Louis caught the lightweight fabric with one hand and swept it over her shoulders.

"Thank you," she said, doing up the clasp.

Louis placed a hand on her back as they navigated their way through the crowd. "The grass might be slippery," he said, offering his arm when they got outside.

She took it and they strode down the small incline. Clouds scudded across the sky, obscuring the moon from view. Louis frowned. I hope it isn't going to rain…

"Did you have fun tonight?" Lily Rose asked when they reached the lakeshore.

"I suppose so. What about you?"

"Yeah, I had a great time. I didn't see you around much though."

"I know… I'm sorry about that. Girls kept asking me to dance, and then my Quidditch mates invited me to sit at their table, so I really couldn't get away."

"It's fine, Louis. You don't need to apologize for hanging out with other people."

"Well, I'm sure I would have enjoyed myself more had I been with you." He smiled at her. "But at least we can spend some time together now."

Lily Rose turned to look at him. "Louis, about that—"

"Please, just let me say this before I lose my nerve." His heartbeat was thudding hard against his ribcage. Trembling, he took her small hand in his. "I love you, Lily. I think you're the most beautiful, brilliant girl that I've ever met. You have this incredible kindness that cheers me up whenever I'm with you. I know I should have told you this a long time ago, but I hope it isn't too late for us." He used his other hand to cradle the side of her face. "Lily Rose, you mean everything to me."

She gazed up at him, her eyes sparkling with emotion. "Oh, Louis…"

He leaned down, and as he brought his face closer, her eyelids fluttered closed. "Can I kiss you?" he murmured, pausing an inch away from her lovely mouth. Lily Rose gave a little nod. Warmth bloomed inside him like a flower when their lips met. He kissed her gently, almost reverently. It was a moment of divine transcendence. Louis rested his forehead against hers. "Lily, will you be my girlfriend? You don't have to answer right now, but please think about it."

"Okay… I'll let you know," she whispered.

Louis folded her into an embrace. "Oh god, I love you so much." Lily Rose trembled in his arms. "Are you cold, sweetheart?" Another nod. Louis released her, shrugged off his jacket, and draped it around her shoulders. "Is that better?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"We should probably go back to the castle." Louis enveloped her cold little hand in his. He was too elated to say anything for a while. It took a strong gust of wind to bring him back to the present.

"I think it's going to storm," Lily Rose declared, breaking the silence.

"Seems like it. We'd better hurry."

They picked up their pace and were in sight of the castle when the first raindrops pattered down from the sky. Louis cast a shield charm to keep them dry; lifting it only when they stepped through the double doors. The bright lights in the entrance hall made him blink. There were a lot of people milling around despite it being after eleven o'clock. Louis glanced over at Lily Rose, who seemed just as dazed as he was.

"Can I escort you back to your common room?"

She focused her green eyes on him. "What did you say?" He repeated his question. "No, that's all right. But thank you for the offer."

"Okay. I'll say goodnight then." He leaned down to kiss her cheek. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

Lily Rose gave him a shaky smile. "Absolutely. G'night, Louis."

He watched her climb the stairs, admiring the way she looked in his navy-blue jacket. Once she disappeared from view, Louis turned to the left and walked towards the basement. Smiling dreamily, he touched a finger to his lips. He could still feel her kiss lingering there. No matter what tomorrow brought, Louis would always have tonight.

Closing note: The song that Lily Rose and Freddie danced to was 'Lost in your Eyes' by Debbie Gibson, which is super cute and one of my favorites ;) I chose 'Eternal Flame' by The Bangles for Louis and Lily Rose because it's more one-sided (and it sounds a bit sad). I've posted a link to the 80s prom playlist on my livejournal – along with moodboards & character profiles for Lily Rose and Freddie ^.^

The next chapter is basically part 2 of this one, and it will focus more on Louis and the aftermath of prom night. No promises, but I'll try to have it ready in April. Until then, please take care of yourselves! Love, D