Misplaced Affections
*~Author's Note~*
Hello al! How'd y'all like my last part? Good, bad, so-so? Needs ROMANCE don't it? Yup! Like I promised in my last part I am FINALLY putting romance in this part!!! YAY! Heh heh I'm a bit hyper right now. My last part was kinda short huh? Oh well...I'll try to make this one longer. Thanks to Beth and Jennifer who have reviewed all 3 of my parts=)) Also thank you EVERYONE else who reviewed it and bother to even read them! Lol! I'm gonna go write the story now.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything....etc....etc.........but I own the plot and some of the characters. (you know who)
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It's all right
letting yourself go,
as long as you can
get yourself back.
~Mick Jagger
Part 4
There was a flurry of fists as Sirius and Josh, once pals, rolled upon the floor getting as many punches in as possible, neither boy looking ready to concede any time soon. Josh gave as many blows as he received and vice versa while Kally tried in vain to pry both furious men apart before they killed each other. Assisting a tearful Kalasin was Lily, James and Remus. The onlookers from the other tables cheered on the brawl, full of zeal. Slowly, but reluctantly, Kally persuaded some to help her calm down Sirius and Josh, which was a complete waste of time seeing as the professors had come over and yanked both apart, halting the scuffle much to Kally's relief.
Kally gasped at the sight of Sirius, who had a large cut on his lip that was bleeding profusely and both his knuckles were torn and bloody, and Josh who had a visible bruise rising on his left eye and a thin, bleeding cut on his cheek. She could see blood coming from his arms through his black robes. Despite the numerous bruises that coloured their arms, legs and faces and many cuts they received from the other, Sirius and Josh stood, restrained by two to three older seventh year boys, glaring at each other with undeniable hatred. Kally threw herself at Remus, burying her face in his chest because she couldn't bear the sight of Josh and Sirius in such a massive, bloody mess. I never could stomach such violence Kally thought to herself disgustedly as she kept her stomach from heaving. She prided herself on never crying, in public anyways, and rarely in private so she swallowed the large lump in her throat and didn't seem to hear Professor McGonagall screeching herself hoarse at such revolting behaviour and ordered the seventh years that were restricting the two boys to bring them to her office for punishment.
Sirius pushed back the boys who held him back the feeling of vivid abhorrence draining from him slowly and replacing it was shame and envy. He dragged his heavy feet meekly towards where Kally was with her beautiful face hidden in Remus' robes. "Kally I..." his voice trailed off and his gingerly put his hand on her shoulder. Feeling his hand on her shoulder, Kally stiffen and whirled around facing Sirius with dangerously blazing eyes that were full of anger.
"How could you?" Was all she managed to utter before she flounced out of the hall leaving Sirius feeling even more ashamed than he already was and allowed himself to be led to McGonagall's office with the rest of the hall listening breathlessly and staring after Kally, Sirius and Josh. The rest of the students babbled on about the just past events amazed.
"Well," James said shaking his head stunned. "Well, well."
"Yeah," Lily said frowning slightly flopping back down in to her seat. "I could feel THAT coming but I didn't know it would be between Josh and Sirius."
"More ham anyone?" Remus asked in false cheerfulness.
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Kally sniffled in the dark of the deserted Gryffindor common room and whipped a solitary tear away from her cheek. After stamping out of the Great Hall in fury, she had retreated to her room for a big cry releasing her feelings that were pent up inside of her for the longest time. It made her feel some what better though still depressed at the big mess that had formed in the matter of a couple of hours.
Shortly after she had shed shameful tears, very concerned friends accompanied her. Lily, James, Remus, Samantha (sort of), Arthur, and Aurora Chi, an oriental dark haired, dark eyed Gryffindor who was one of Kally's closest and dearest friends. After many hours of convincing them all that she was all right, they finally left to sleep while she quietly crept down to the common room to think by herself in front of the warm hearth.
She hugged her knees close to her body like shield only wearing a red football jersey that reached just a little above her knees that she had bought in Boston to commemorate her first muggle football game. She considered the jersey extremely special because her grandmother had taken her just before she past away. Kally felt so alone and desolate. Usually she had been able to call her grandmother who understood everything or she had told Sirius, but Sirius was part of the problem and now she no one to talk to about it. She hadn't bothered to do her tresses and let it go freely over her shoulders, the light from the fire showed the miniscule strands of hair to be a bronze kind of brown.
"Kals?" A soft but rough voice came from behind her. She recognized the voice to be Sirius' and she froze. She hadn't even heard him creep up behind her so she pretended like she didn't hear him hoping that he'd go away and leave her be so he couldn't see her tears in the light of the fire. Kally bit her lip to strangle the sob rising in her throat and only let out a soft sort of whimper. Sirius collapsed on the couch next to her and sighing heavily he put his arm around her shoulders. Kally shrugged his arm off roughly and refused to look at him or make another sound.
"Go away," she mumbled in to her shirt.
"Kally! Listen," Sirius' voice cracked which startled Kally in to looking at him, "I'm SO incredibly SORRY! I don't know what else to say except that I am extremely sorry!" The school nurse had healed his once bloody knuckles but there were scars slightly noticeable and his hazel eyes were unusually bright. Kally wasn't sure if it was from tears or not but as soon as their eyes locked he lowered his head so his hair covered them. She remained mute and she struggled to keep her eyes stone cold even though her heart longed to hold him and tell him it was alright but nothing justified what he did to Josh, or was there? He took her small hands in his big ones and held them making Kally's heart beat faster.
"Sorry doesn't excuse you from what you did today Siri," she said quietly and reluctantly yanking her hands out of his grip. Kally looked him squarely in the eye fighting to keep the tremble out of her voice and the tears out of her eyes. "Why'd you have to go and fight huh Sirius? Why? He didn't do ANYTHING to you! You started the quarrel! Before today you were such good friends with him! What changed all that?" A single tear squeezed out of her eyes and down her cheek and Sirius reached up and wiped it away tenderly.
"Well," he gulped, "I don't really know why I did it!" Sirius frowned thoughtfully and Kally knew he really did know why he did it but wouldn't tell her. "I just...I-I-I lost complete control of myself! I couldn't help it," he said with a slight muffled quaver in his tone, taking her hands again.
"Attacking him without REASON Siri?" Kally sobbed in a whisper, unable to keep it in any longer. Her chin trembled and she gasped for air between sobs. "How do you expect me to forgive you for assaulting Josh just because you couldn't control yourself? I don't know," she said slowly, "If we could ever go back to being friends because I'll always worry that you might kill him every time you see me with him! I can just imagine how you'll react when you see us at the ball together." She covered her bright violet eyes with her hands trying to stop her childish wailing.
"Don't say that!!!" Sirius exclaimed in the same low whisper seizing Kally's hands so she looked in to his own tear filled eyes. "I can't imagine life without being....w-without being your friend!! I won't do it again Kally! Believe me PLEASE! I can't express in WORDS how SORRY I am that I went off like that!" His voice was so remorseful that more tears tumbled out of Kally's eyes on to Sirius' hands.
"How can I?" she wept. "You could just go off and beat him up again without reason!"
Sirius hung his head and steadied his voice then he snapped his head back up to look back in to her eyes. " I think....I think I tried to hurt him because.....I couldn't stand the thought of you going with....my really good friend," he whispered carefully. "I don't want him to hurt you."
Kally shook her head in disbelief. "Siri! Thank you for trying to look out for me....but you should know me by now and know that I don't give my heart away as easily as that! I'm just going to the dance with him and maybe it will become more and maybe it won't!" Her tears stained her cheeks and she gave Sirius' hands a reassuring squeeze, her anger and tears draining away. "If he does hurt me, it's him you should be trying to defend, not me because when I'm through with him you won't have much left to defend."
Sirius gave a weak chuckle and grinned. "I suppose you're right."
"Of course I'm right," Kally said as a matter-of-factly. "Who's the one with the black belt in karate here? Me that's who!"
Sirius drew a shaky breath and held out his large hand towards her. "Friends? I promise I won't interfere again unless asked." His eyes pleaded with her and she smiled at him and took his hand.
Doing their secret friendship handshake, Kally pulled him in a hug and replied in a whisper with her arms wrapped around his neck, "Forever Padfoot. Forever and beyond."
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Needless to say, Kally and Sirius were even better friends than they had started out to be and in no time at all playing jokes on everyone and driving their professors insane! All of their friends were plenty surprised to see them joke around like before after their little squabble but all of them were too overjoyed to care.
As the date of the ball drew nearer, the level of excitement rose making everyone giddy with anticipation till the climax of the event had arrived, the Christmas Mistletoe Ball.
In Kally's Room.........
"Damn! Where is the darned hair spray?" Kally cried in frustration among 4 frantic girls searching around the Gryffindor sixth year girls' dorm that was set in complete disarray.
"Calm down," Lily said loudly, flipping through the dresses in the closet, "You don't NEED hair spray...but I need a gown! SO HELP ME FIND A GOWN TO WEAR!!!!!!"
Molly, who arrived in mid afternoon that day, groaned loudly ad whipped out an emerald green gown that had a low neck line, a delicate embroidering of deeper green rosebuds would surely cover her feet. Molly was already in a scarlet gown that had milky white beads lacing it gracefully. She had yet to fix her hair or her makeup but she still had time to help her frantic friends, being the levelheaded person in the group. She dug through the closet through shoes upon shoes till she found the ones she had obviously been searching for and then handed them to Lily who had gaped, wide eyed at the low neck line in the dress she was offered.
"I-I-I can't wear THIS Molly," she sputtered.
"Why the hell not?" Molly asked rolling her eyes vaguely and pinning her hair up with nimble fingers.
"Well...just LOOK at the neck line," Lily exclaimed acting as if it was the most evident thing in the world. "I can't wear that!"
"Don't be such a PRUDE Lily Clark!" (A/N: yes I am aware her real last name is Evans thank you very much) Samantha said slipping a lavender dress over her head. "It's not even THAT daring compared to what the other girls who have dated Chris Martins before have worn," she finished sounding muffled from under the folds of cloth. The gown was beautiful! It had a slight train from the back reminding Lily of a Cinderella tale. She was even wearing glass slippers and she had already done her hair up nicely with curls spilling around her slender face.
"Oh VERY sympathetic Sam," Kally said sarcastically. "Back off her," she scolded, "She's nervous enough as it is!" Kally winked at Lily who winked back appreciatively. She had been in the washroom finished the last touches on her dress and called out to the other three girls who yearned to glimpse at her dress that her parents had sent her especially for the ball.
"Hurry up Kally!!!" Molly called excitedly. "I want to see your dress before I turn fifty! You've been in there for at least four decades already!"
"Har har Molly," Kally said cynically and stepped gracefully out of the washroom provoking gasps from the three girls.
Lily had been coaxed to put on the jade gown but stopped half way staring at Kally's stunning dress in wonder. It was spaghetti strapped and a midnight navy blue and sparkled and shimmered with rhinestones that were sewn in portraying a starry sky. The waistline tampered at a narrow point and then curved down, covering her feet, and a silky translucent materiel swathed the bottom from the waist downwards. She had her hair straight and glossy like feathers, tinted brown in the light of the room and presented a crystal rose in her hair. Kally had done her makeup perfectly ensuring that she hadn't applied too much or too little. "Well?" she asked spinning around in a circle and waiting for approval or rejection. "What do you think?"
"It's so gorgeous," Samantha, breathed, "I am so jealous!"
"Absolutely stunning Kals!!!" Molly grinned energetically, smoothing her crimped tresses.
"Josh's eyes will fall out of their sockets! What are you trying to do girl?" Lily chided. "You are going to give poor Josh eyestrain and Sirius a heart attack!"
"Thanks guys," Kally said gratefully, her cheeks rosy from enthusiasm. "Well I can surely say the same thing about you lot! We'll all knock 'em dead!"
After about another hour or so, Kally deemed them all perfected to a 'T' and ordered them all out to go meet their dates. Lily twisted her hands anxiously around her purse turned to inspect herself in the full-length mirror one last time. She saw a tall, slender figure clad in a beautiful gown and with a lengthy crimson mane. Lily cringed at the sight of the plunging neckline and looked around to see if anyone was watching and whispered, "Heightious," and the shameful neckline moved up two inches. "Much better," she muttered.
"Yes, yes Lily dear, you are magnificent," Sam said hurriedly, "But we must hurry to meet up with our prince charmings. They can't wait around forever you know." She grabbed Lily's arm and yanked her out of the room where Kally and Molly were waiting.
"Times are a wasting girlies," Molly whispered. "Did the guys happen to tell any of you where we were going to meet them by chance?"
"Mine is going to meet me inside the Great Hall for the dance," Samantha said smugly, puffing up her hair.
Kally coughed, probably trying to hold back a laugh at the sight of toilet paper dragging on the heel of Sam's shoes. "Who are you going with anyways?"
Samantha regarded Kally suspiciously, wondering why Kally was going red in the face. "Remus of course." She plastered an innocent look on when the three girls had surprised expressions upon their faces and exchanged wary glances. "Who else would I go with?" Lily could think of someone but held her tongue.
They all made sounds of comprehension and continued their way down the stairs to the common room where Sirius, James, Remus and Arthur were waiting patiently for the girls to come so they could all arrive at the dance with their dates together.
Kally bit her lip at the unusual sight of Sirius dressed up in a handsome chocolate brown suit and his dark red tie. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the periwinkle blue carnation corsage he held in his hands and she regretfully remembered it wasn't for her, but for the stuck up Morgan Silva. She inwardly sighed and lowered her gaze so no one would spot the tears forming in her eyes but then rebelliously blinked them back and reminded herself she didn't feel a twitch for Sirius THAT way, even though he looked so attractive with his crooked smile and wild, black hair and mischievous hazel, gold-tinted eyes. Lily grabbed Kally's arm almost tripping on her too long gown and because of the fact that James looked absolutely striking in his navy blue suit but at the moment looked as if he was forcing a smile on his face. Molly ran in to the arms of Arthur who was wearing a dark green ensemble and spun her around and burying his face in her hair while Molly giggled happily while Samantha did likewise to Remus who grinned and told her how beautiful they all were.
Oh man, Sirius thought desperately, his eyes locking with Kally's violet ones, she's such a beauty. He was miserable. The one person in the world he'd like to go to the ball with was going with one of his close friends, and he couldn't do anything about it because he was too chicken and proud to admit his feelings. He didn't even notice that he was crushing Morgan's corsage while he surveyed how fantastic Kally looked in that gown. Sirius finally managed to jerk out of his trance when James nudged him for the second time in the stomach.
"Oof," Sirius grunted, "I mean, you all look like goddesses," he proclaimed jauntily and grinning from ear to ear.
"As usual of course," James added sending a dashing smile that sent shivers down Lily's spine. "Now we will escort you two ladies," he said to Kally and Lily," Till we reach our own dates. Shall we?" He offered an arm to Lily who was still a bit agitated at him but nevertheless took his arm apprehensively and touching up her hair to see that it was flawless.
"Onward comrades," Sirius bellowed putting his arm around Kally, who was blushing frantically as he steered her out the room, closely followed by the other three couples that were conversing in whispers. Kally laughed loudly as she allowed Sirius to drag her off to meet Josh and his own date.
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Along the corridors, Sirius and Kally tromped creating plenty of noise that was not unexpected from their friends who followed close behind.
"Guess who they hired for the group?" James asked Lily quietly smiling at her through some of his wild, jet-black hair.
"Who?" Lily inquired politely and a bit stiffly.
"The Lost Wanderers," James cried out, his eye as bright as a young boy's instead of a sixteen year olds. "Before our dates find us," James added looking uneasy while at the corner of her eye, Lily could spy Sirius nodding rapidly at him. Lily just looked puzzled and waited expectantly. "I was wondering..." he stalled, "If you'll dance with me to our song at the ball," he spat out quickly then clamped his hand over his mouth and his blue eyes were wide with amazement at what he had just said. Lily was startled and took one step away thinking that James had just made a cruel joke so she looked straight into his deep eyes through her thick, long lashes and searched, but not one trace of regret or mirth was in there.
Lily chuckled lightly. "We have a song now?" she joked mussing James' unruly hair. He nodded, completely mortified.
" 'I Will Always Find You' by The Lost Wanderers," he mumbled, tearing his gaze away from her watchful eyes.
Lily paused and thought a bit and then faintly remembered that that song played when they had danced first in their first year at Hogwarts. That's so incredibly sweet, she thought. "Of course I'll dance with you to 'our song' bud," she said smiling at him. James' features brightened but then darkened as someone grabbed him around his middle.
"Jamesie!" Mindy bounced in front of James in a silvery, sky blue gown and with her light blond curls framing her face she went to plant a kiss upon his lips but he moved his face at the last moment and caught it on the cheek. Lily looked deflated and turned her back to hide her tears and calmly walked to find Chris, un-noticed by everyone excluding James who was trying to pry Mindy off of him.
Remus, Samantha, Arthur and Molly and entered the Great Hall where the Christmas Mistletoe Ball was being held and blended in with the crowd of dancing teens. The Hall was decorated with Christmas trees, fake snow, candles, and, of course, mistletoe (A/N: Teehee). Dry snow softly descended from the ceiling creating a festive ambience while the mistletoe created a whole different sort of atmosphere.
Sirius entered with Kally a little while later with his arm still around her shoulder protectively, protecting her from the pushing crowds that knocked in to them as they made their way to the table the others had claimed, saving seats for them.
"Whew! Some party already," Kalasin commented inspecting the throng of students surrounding her. She laughed as Samantha dragged a unwilling Remus to the dance floor and at Arthur as he whisked Molly off her feet to dance.
"Hello Sirius," drawled a soft voice from behind where he stood with his arm around Kally. It was Morgan who was clothed in a light yellow, full length, strapless gown with her light brown hair flowing around her shoulders.
Kally saw his eyes go wide before he had even looked at her and wince. She snickered to herself and nudged him in the stomach. "Oh Siri. Your date is here. I think you'd better look at her if she's going to be your date you know."
Sirius looked annoyed but looked in to Kally's violet coloured orbs seriously. "But what if I don't want her to be my date?" he asked, barely above a whisper but no one except Kally heard over the deafening noise of the music. She opened her mouth slightly and stared back at Sirius who put his finger on her lips to prevent her from speaking.
"Well?" Morgan asked impatiently though her tone was honey-smooth. She pushed between Sirius and Kally and shoved the stricken girl aside. "Let's dance," she chirped cheerfully. Kally glared at Morgan spitefully and stomped back to the table.
"Don't you push her," Sirius said through gritted teeth, striving to sound civil. Morgan shrugged annoyingly and pulled him to dance, but he lingered and drew her to the direction where Kally was standing fuming.
She has SOME nerve, Kally thought venomously. How DARE she...that...that...-- her thoughts were cut short. Someone had sneaked up behind her and wrapped their arms around her waist tenderly. "Josh," she cried happily and threw her own arms around his neck. He was always hanging around with Sirius and her before the little mishap and she and him had become close friends indeed. He was wearing a dark blue suit that matched his soulful eyes though even in such formal wear he had that playful glint of his in there. Josh was just about to place a kiss on her lips when he was shoved backwards by Sirius who came with Morgan in tow.
"Sirius," Kally yelped horrified and pleadingly while she scrambled to help Josh up which was not necessary since he had been on his guard and was ready for the assault. He leapt up almost instantly and intently stared Sirius in the eye. "Siri! You promised," she whispered, tears forming. Something in Sirius broke and his hateful gaze softened at the sound of Kally's voice and he went on ignoring Morgan's pitiful whining.
"So sorry Josh," he said gruffly running his large hand through his hair. "I wish what happened didn't and I'd like to ask you to forgive me for my terrible behaviour towards my friend," he finished like a pro that made Kally extremely proud of him for being so mature about it, finally. He held out his hand and waited for Josh's shocked response.
"Well," Josh said massaging his neck, "I didn't quite expect that to happen. I kind of expected a punch or something but definitely not an apology. Er, not that I want a punch or anything, so don't get any ideas," Sirius chortled rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I'm sorry too old buddy," he apologized contritely and accepted Sirius' hand and shook. "We sure walloped each other good huh? Of course, I did teach you a few things about fighting, but don't worry, your little girly arms will become stronger with exercise eh," Josh said lightly punching Sirius in the arm will his dimpled smile clearly said that he was joking.
Sirius gave him a withering look and started reproachfully, "Don't go there girlfriend," he said mocking the girl from a muggle television show. "Your supposed punches wouldn't even bruise Snape the Sissy."
Josh shoved his hands deep into his pockets. "You bruised a fair bit," he reminded. "Besides, punching him is the least I could to Lucius and his posse," Josh broke off snickering. "Remember last May?" He and Sirius started to hoot with uncontrollable laughter.
"Come oooooonnnnnn Siri," Morgan whined, pulling his sleeve. No one calls him 'Siri' but me, Kally thought irately. Morgan fluttered her eyelashes at Sirius and he reluctantly left after something inaudible to Josh and rolling his eyes as he followed Morgan.
"Oh cripes I do not envy him in the slightest for his date," Josh said turning to Kally and gazing at her fondly. "Especially when I have you. You're beautiful as always," he said holding her out and allowingher to twirl around for him so he could inspect her midnight blue gown with approval. He kissed her on the tip of her nose and she blushed prettily as he took her hands in his as a slow song came on, her wrapped his arms around her and she placed her arms around his neck twining her fingers in the hairs at the nape of his neck as she laid her head upon his shoulder and he placed his hand warily on her bare back as they lost themselves in the music.
James too was on the dance floor dancing with his date, Mindy; while she snuggled disgustingly close, golden curls tumbling down his back, while Lily glared at the couple from her seat waiting for Chris to appear. While Lily glared at her shoes, someone held out a hand to her, she looked up to see a red, panting Chris.
"I'm so sorry I'm late Lily," he apologized quickly, "I just so wanted everything to be perfect so I had to go get a..." he trailed off and timidly pulled a beautiful and rare lily from behind his back. Lily gasped and marvelled at the exquisiteness of the bloom while Chris gingerly pinned it on her dress and then threw her arms around him and kissed him quickly on the lips then blushed at her own daring and looked away, down at her shoes. Chris grinned and took Lily's hands in his and put them around his neck while he laid his hands on her waist and swayed to the slow movements of the music not bothering with words.
James was gazing from over Mindy's shoulder envious of his rival. He felt a sharp pang in his heart and closed his eyes, burying his face in his partner's hair trying to block out his tears. He felt so silly for feeling that way but he couldn't for the life of him halt how his heart felt. He couldn't wait for their song to come on so he could be in Chris' place and be able to hold Lily close so he could soothe his growing affection for her.
1 hour later...
"Woooowwwwwiiieeeee this is SOME dance," Molly squealed elated. She wasn't in the least out of breath even though she and Arthur had danced to every song, fast or slow and Arthur was wheezing and panting for breath while his face was cherry red. "Wait," she said to the large group of talking friends. She held a hand to her ear listening. "IT'S A SWING SONG!!! C'mon Arthur. Let's SWING!"
Arthur looked at her like she had just asked him to perform heart surgery on the Minister of Magic and waved his hands at her, still out of breath. "We just DID swing! No more...need...air...Must...rest..."
"Don't be such a baby," Molly scolded placing her hands on her hips, "You are coming to dance. NOW MISTER WEASLEY!!!" She bellowed at the top of her lungs while dragging him to the dance floor with much difficulty and protests.
Sirius, James, Kally and Josh whooped and cat called at the pair and the girls just shook their heads laughing. Samantha took a large swig of beer and pulled Remus' collar looking at him seductively and leading him out to the corridors. Lily made a face and nudged Kally who was staring at Sirius without noticing it. Lucius Malfoy, from Slytherin house, with his white-blond hair and pale, pointed face was, as usual was accompanied by his two cronies Sirius had christened 'The Lumps' were with their dates (Sirius had no idea how they had gotten dates but reckoned their dates were bribed) and were torturing Danny Longbottom by pinching him mercilessly while he winced and danced with his date who got so fed up with Lucius' taunting that she slapped him neatly across the face. Sirius had rushed over to try and join the arising fight but the professors saw the chaos ling before and nipped it in the bud so he crestfallen had returned to their table to plan to spike the punch with Hairbloom. Even a sip of Hairbloom puffed someone's hair till it looked like an extremely large bird's nest. Sirius, of course, had bought it from Zonko's.
Mindy and Morgan had gone off to the ladies' room to freshen up with their noses in the air mumbling to each other about the 'trash' their dates hung out with whilst Kally was held back by Lily ad Samantha from severely injuring those 'snobby cows' as she later referred to them while Sirius silently agreed though he didn't let them know he had heard or he would have been expected to defend them, seeing as he was Morgan's date. Just a half an hour ago, Professor Dumbledore had let out floating mistletoe that drifted around the room while hovering over couples while everyone else waited for the couple to kiss. Sometimes it was an unfortunate match since a few times the mistletoe had found it's way to dancing pairs that had different dates. Kally went white when she had realized the mistletoe had found it's way over her own head when she was speaking with Sirius and each time she swiftly ducked out of the way and clung back to Josh.
After a time, Remus had returned with a sickly, green tinge upon his face. "Um, Sam drunk too much I think and got sick in the ladies' room."
This one comment provoked howls of laughter from the group of boys and sympathetic tuts from the Lily and Kally though neither got up to see how she was feeling. Lily had confided in Kally about her harbouring feeling of dislike towards Sam for her little flirtations with James but still insisted that she didn't like him anymore and that it was the principle of the fact that Sam had flirted with someone she knew Lily had liked so they had both resolved to tell Samantha a thing or two about real friendship afterwards.
"Have you anything to drink?" Remus asked concerned on behalf of Samantha, "Sam wanted something to get rid of the horrible taste of vomit," he said bluntly making Kally giggle insensitively.
"Oh yeah!" Sirius said loudly and shoving a cup of the punch that he had spiked with hairbloom, in to Remus' hands.
"Make sure she drinks every drop," Josh said smirking while James clapped Sirius on the back heartily.
"Gee, thanks guys," Remus said oblivious to Chris who was sniggering uncontrollably in to his hands. Remus curried off towards the ladies' washroom unaware of the spiked punch he was about to present to Samantha with good intentions.
Kally shook with laughter. "P-p-poor R-Remus," she sputtered.
"Poor Remus and Samantha," Sirius replied, his eyes glinting while he began to hand other people his special punch without guilt.
Many laughs, jokes, screams, drinks...and dances later...
"Well students, it's the last dance of the Christmas Mistletoe Ball," the booming voice of Professor McGonagall came on the stage over the microphone in front of The Lost Wanderers group while the whole hall became quiet with only little tittering noises. "As I had mentioned in my Transfiguration class, we will be having the 'Merry Mistletoe Couple' by the end of the ball. If any of you are unclear of the term it means that the floating mistletoe will be going around and whomever it hovers over, that particular couple will be the deemed the Most Perfect couple," she said in a tight voice with a sour expression, probably despising the concept. She walked off the stage stiffly while one of the members of The Lost Wanderers took over the speaker.
"You heard what your professor said. You all better grab someone special because our next and final song is called 'I Will Always Find You.' The band struck up a slow soothing tune while Kally saw Lily's eyes widen with fright as she saw James approaching her as promised.
Chris had already gotten up to dance with Lily while she just stood there helplessly as James tapped Chris on the shoulder crisply.
"May I cut in?" he asked straining to sound polite.
Chris looked ready to burst. His face went red with fury and opened his mouth but looked in to Lily's pleading eyes first. "Alright," he said reluctantly letting go of Lily but not before he kissed her hand. "I'll see you later?"
"Of course," Lily squeaked relieved that Chris was so sweet, putting her feelings first. She was grateful that he hadn't caused a scene. He left after punching James hard in the arm. James would have fought with him right there had Lily not restrained him and whispered in his ear, "Just dance." He relaxed and held her though he was uneasy.
Kally had made Rory (her name for Aurora) dance with Chris before Mindy had gotten her greasy paws on him and she herself was dancing with Josh though Lily noticed Sirius was about to cut in if she hadn't waved him not to.
When the conflict of who was going to dance with who stopped, Lily just concentrated on dancing with James. Being so close to him made her feel dizzy and light-headed as he twirled her in his arms, pulling her closer. She let the words of the song wash over her like a warm ocean breeze as she reached up to tuck a wisp of his wild, jet-black hair behind his ear.
When you feel lost and scared,
In the dark and cruel of the night.
Please believe me and know always,
That I'll be your tender, loving light.
The love we share, will always be there,
No matter if you are far away, night and day.
Our souls with connect, each other we reflect,
So never feel lost because I will always find you.
So you're not frightened any longer
Guiding you back to my heart,
You'll know it's love when you feel it,
Even when we are miles apart.
When you're forlorn and confused,
And your innocence is abused.
When you go astray and get lost on the way,
Never worry for I will always find you.
James took in Lily's scent of blossoms and attentive only to her, ignoring Mindy who was glaring open-mouthed as he danced. He was quite aware that Lily had stopped feeling so tense and collapsed against him, entwining her arms around his neck. He held her around her slim waist, holding her even closer making Lily weak in the knees as he looked in to her eyes as the song ended, much to both of their dismay, they let go of each other.
They hadn't moved away from one another but just stared in to the other's eyes wordlessly becoming conscious of the fact that everyone in the Great Hall were cheering and whistling. Confused, Lily turned to Kally who was at their table with Josh and Sirius who were laughing. Kally grinned and pointed up.
Lily, afraid of what she would see, looked above where she and James stood and saw the mistletoe hovering above them. Professor Dumbledore brought a sash to Lily and hung it over her and then did the same to James. James scratching his neck uncomfortably and still looked happy. He lifted the sash so Lily could see what it said and when she saw, her eyes widened and she gasped.
"Oh my gosh," she whispered. On the sash it read 'The Merriest Perfect Couple' in large red lettering. She blushed scarlet knowing what would come next. Already every student at the ball started to chant 'Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!'
James stood uncomfortably and shifted feet while digging his nails into his currently sweaty palms tensely. I'm going to screw it up some how, he thought panicked. She's so beautiful tonight. I love her almond shaped, emerald green eyes, so kind and innocent, and her gorgeous jade dress to match them.
Lily gulped as James moved closer to her again. Her first reaction was to run away but her feet seemed rooted to the spot as James bent over to kiss her and she could only close her eyes and kiss him back. Her breath caught in her throat as he laid the sweetest, softest kiss she had ever received. He took his right hand and put it on her cheek to steady the kiss and used the other hand to hold Lily up because if he hadn't, she surely would have fallen. James' warmth flowed from his lips to her own lips down to her very toes as he deepened the kiss and his tongue found it's way into her mouth and she moaned into his mouth but Lily moved back half-heartedly refusing to let it go further, remembering that she was with Chris who was watching from the other side of the room. Her head was swirling from the kiss James had given her and she gave her head a little shake like if she had just drank a whole case of beer by herself. James' kisses were intoxicating, though she wouldn't let on to anyone that they were.
She bit her lip and flushed even more crimson when everybody cheered wildly, excluding certain people, while James looked stunned and flushed. Lily avoided James' eyes and hurried over to where Chris stood with his arms crossed but he didn't look angry in the slightest. "I'm so sorry Chris," she said frantically, "I didn't mean to hurt you or anything but..."
He stopped her, "Don't worry about it love," Chris said pulling her into an embrace. "I know. You couldn't do anything about it. As long as it didn't mean anything." Lily buried her face into his shoulder not answering as the cheering subsided slowly. James was still frozen where Lily had left him and he touched his lips as Sirius came over and slapped him on the back congratulating him.
"You lucky duck you," Sirius chuckled ruffling James' hair. "I guess you won't be mooning over Lily anymore eh? I think you were only infatuated with her for the sport of it," he remarked quietly and a bit sadly.
"What makes you say that?" James asked, getting over his shock. Sirius shrugged and ambled over to their table where Remus sat, trying to calm down Samantha who was absolutely distraught over her hair that had puffed up till it was the size of a balloon while Mindy and Morgan tried to pacify her by telling her it didn't look THAT bad which only made her run from the room crying with Remus trailing her close behind.
Molly had tears streaming down her face from the restraining herself from laughing and burst out laughing once Sam had left the room. "HAHAHAHAAAAA!!! Oh my goodness! Ahem, anyways, Arthur has gone to get butterbeer for the little 'get together' for after the end of the ball," she said cheerfully, wiping the last of her tears from her eyes and smoothed out her scarlet gown primly
"C'mon guys," Kally called to the two boys, giggling, while McGonagall pronounced the Ball ended and the crowd dispersed back to their common rooms murmuring about how wonderfully grand the Ball was. Her hand was in Josh's and his blue eyes were gazing at Kally in adoration. "Arthur is having a party in the Gryffindor common room right now." Josh picked Kally up in his arms and carried her off towards the Gryffindor tower, while Sirius made a low growling noise in his throat and led Morgan by the elbow to escort her back to her Hufflepuff room seeing as she couldn't go to their Gryffindor even if Sirius had wanted her to which he didn't and James did the same with Mindy though his thoughts were completely on Lily.
What's going to happen next? He wondered as he and Sirius, in deadly silence, had reached the entrance of the party that was in full swing in their common room and climbed through.
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A/N: Well, that's a bit of romance there I guess...but it's not as romantic as I'm gonna make it later ^_~ Don't worry, it's not gonna get sick. Hopefully I will get to the more romantic parts later in the story. Keep reading to see what happens in Part 5 at the party. WOOOOOO!!!! Review please. Some parts of this story might be really weird cuz I am writing this extremely late. Must sleep...now...! Ciao Bellas^^
Ducks N' Daisies
~Kira
*~Author's Note~*
Hello al! How'd y'all like my last part? Good, bad, so-so? Needs ROMANCE don't it? Yup! Like I promised in my last part I am FINALLY putting romance in this part!!! YAY! Heh heh I'm a bit hyper right now. My last part was kinda short huh? Oh well...I'll try to make this one longer. Thanks to Beth and Jennifer who have reviewed all 3 of my parts=)) Also thank you EVERYONE else who reviewed it and bother to even read them! Lol! I'm gonna go write the story now.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything....etc....etc.........but I own the plot and some of the characters. (you know who)
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It's all right
letting yourself go,
as long as you can
get yourself back.
~Mick Jagger
Part 4
There was a flurry of fists as Sirius and Josh, once pals, rolled upon the floor getting as many punches in as possible, neither boy looking ready to concede any time soon. Josh gave as many blows as he received and vice versa while Kally tried in vain to pry both furious men apart before they killed each other. Assisting a tearful Kalasin was Lily, James and Remus. The onlookers from the other tables cheered on the brawl, full of zeal. Slowly, but reluctantly, Kally persuaded some to help her calm down Sirius and Josh, which was a complete waste of time seeing as the professors had come over and yanked both apart, halting the scuffle much to Kally's relief.
Kally gasped at the sight of Sirius, who had a large cut on his lip that was bleeding profusely and both his knuckles were torn and bloody, and Josh who had a visible bruise rising on his left eye and a thin, bleeding cut on his cheek. She could see blood coming from his arms through his black robes. Despite the numerous bruises that coloured their arms, legs and faces and many cuts they received from the other, Sirius and Josh stood, restrained by two to three older seventh year boys, glaring at each other with undeniable hatred. Kally threw herself at Remus, burying her face in his chest because she couldn't bear the sight of Josh and Sirius in such a massive, bloody mess. I never could stomach such violence Kally thought to herself disgustedly as she kept her stomach from heaving. She prided herself on never crying, in public anyways, and rarely in private so she swallowed the large lump in her throat and didn't seem to hear Professor McGonagall screeching herself hoarse at such revolting behaviour and ordered the seventh years that were restricting the two boys to bring them to her office for punishment.
Sirius pushed back the boys who held him back the feeling of vivid abhorrence draining from him slowly and replacing it was shame and envy. He dragged his heavy feet meekly towards where Kally was with her beautiful face hidden in Remus' robes. "Kally I..." his voice trailed off and his gingerly put his hand on her shoulder. Feeling his hand on her shoulder, Kally stiffen and whirled around facing Sirius with dangerously blazing eyes that were full of anger.
"How could you?" Was all she managed to utter before she flounced out of the hall leaving Sirius feeling even more ashamed than he already was and allowed himself to be led to McGonagall's office with the rest of the hall listening breathlessly and staring after Kally, Sirius and Josh. The rest of the students babbled on about the just past events amazed.
"Well," James said shaking his head stunned. "Well, well."
"Yeah," Lily said frowning slightly flopping back down in to her seat. "I could feel THAT coming but I didn't know it would be between Josh and Sirius."
"More ham anyone?" Remus asked in false cheerfulness.
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Kally sniffled in the dark of the deserted Gryffindor common room and whipped a solitary tear away from her cheek. After stamping out of the Great Hall in fury, she had retreated to her room for a big cry releasing her feelings that were pent up inside of her for the longest time. It made her feel some what better though still depressed at the big mess that had formed in the matter of a couple of hours.
Shortly after she had shed shameful tears, very concerned friends accompanied her. Lily, James, Remus, Samantha (sort of), Arthur, and Aurora Chi, an oriental dark haired, dark eyed Gryffindor who was one of Kally's closest and dearest friends. After many hours of convincing them all that she was all right, they finally left to sleep while she quietly crept down to the common room to think by herself in front of the warm hearth.
She hugged her knees close to her body like shield only wearing a red football jersey that reached just a little above her knees that she had bought in Boston to commemorate her first muggle football game. She considered the jersey extremely special because her grandmother had taken her just before she past away. Kally felt so alone and desolate. Usually she had been able to call her grandmother who understood everything or she had told Sirius, but Sirius was part of the problem and now she no one to talk to about it. She hadn't bothered to do her tresses and let it go freely over her shoulders, the light from the fire showed the miniscule strands of hair to be a bronze kind of brown.
"Kals?" A soft but rough voice came from behind her. She recognized the voice to be Sirius' and she froze. She hadn't even heard him creep up behind her so she pretended like she didn't hear him hoping that he'd go away and leave her be so he couldn't see her tears in the light of the fire. Kally bit her lip to strangle the sob rising in her throat and only let out a soft sort of whimper. Sirius collapsed on the couch next to her and sighing heavily he put his arm around her shoulders. Kally shrugged his arm off roughly and refused to look at him or make another sound.
"Go away," she mumbled in to her shirt.
"Kally! Listen," Sirius' voice cracked which startled Kally in to looking at him, "I'm SO incredibly SORRY! I don't know what else to say except that I am extremely sorry!" The school nurse had healed his once bloody knuckles but there were scars slightly noticeable and his hazel eyes were unusually bright. Kally wasn't sure if it was from tears or not but as soon as their eyes locked he lowered his head so his hair covered them. She remained mute and she struggled to keep her eyes stone cold even though her heart longed to hold him and tell him it was alright but nothing justified what he did to Josh, or was there? He took her small hands in his big ones and held them making Kally's heart beat faster.
"Sorry doesn't excuse you from what you did today Siri," she said quietly and reluctantly yanking her hands out of his grip. Kally looked him squarely in the eye fighting to keep the tremble out of her voice and the tears out of her eyes. "Why'd you have to go and fight huh Sirius? Why? He didn't do ANYTHING to you! You started the quarrel! Before today you were such good friends with him! What changed all that?" A single tear squeezed out of her eyes and down her cheek and Sirius reached up and wiped it away tenderly.
"Well," he gulped, "I don't really know why I did it!" Sirius frowned thoughtfully and Kally knew he really did know why he did it but wouldn't tell her. "I just...I-I-I lost complete control of myself! I couldn't help it," he said with a slight muffled quaver in his tone, taking her hands again.
"Attacking him without REASON Siri?" Kally sobbed in a whisper, unable to keep it in any longer. Her chin trembled and she gasped for air between sobs. "How do you expect me to forgive you for assaulting Josh just because you couldn't control yourself? I don't know," she said slowly, "If we could ever go back to being friends because I'll always worry that you might kill him every time you see me with him! I can just imagine how you'll react when you see us at the ball together." She covered her bright violet eyes with her hands trying to stop her childish wailing.
"Don't say that!!!" Sirius exclaimed in the same low whisper seizing Kally's hands so she looked in to his own tear filled eyes. "I can't imagine life without being....w-without being your friend!! I won't do it again Kally! Believe me PLEASE! I can't express in WORDS how SORRY I am that I went off like that!" His voice was so remorseful that more tears tumbled out of Kally's eyes on to Sirius' hands.
"How can I?" she wept. "You could just go off and beat him up again without reason!"
Sirius hung his head and steadied his voice then he snapped his head back up to look back in to her eyes. " I think....I think I tried to hurt him because.....I couldn't stand the thought of you going with....my really good friend," he whispered carefully. "I don't want him to hurt you."
Kally shook her head in disbelief. "Siri! Thank you for trying to look out for me....but you should know me by now and know that I don't give my heart away as easily as that! I'm just going to the dance with him and maybe it will become more and maybe it won't!" Her tears stained her cheeks and she gave Sirius' hands a reassuring squeeze, her anger and tears draining away. "If he does hurt me, it's him you should be trying to defend, not me because when I'm through with him you won't have much left to defend."
Sirius gave a weak chuckle and grinned. "I suppose you're right."
"Of course I'm right," Kally said as a matter-of-factly. "Who's the one with the black belt in karate here? Me that's who!"
Sirius drew a shaky breath and held out his large hand towards her. "Friends? I promise I won't interfere again unless asked." His eyes pleaded with her and she smiled at him and took his hand.
Doing their secret friendship handshake, Kally pulled him in a hug and replied in a whisper with her arms wrapped around his neck, "Forever Padfoot. Forever and beyond."
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Needless to say, Kally and Sirius were even better friends than they had started out to be and in no time at all playing jokes on everyone and driving their professors insane! All of their friends were plenty surprised to see them joke around like before after their little squabble but all of them were too overjoyed to care.
As the date of the ball drew nearer, the level of excitement rose making everyone giddy with anticipation till the climax of the event had arrived, the Christmas Mistletoe Ball.
In Kally's Room.........
"Damn! Where is the darned hair spray?" Kally cried in frustration among 4 frantic girls searching around the Gryffindor sixth year girls' dorm that was set in complete disarray.
"Calm down," Lily said loudly, flipping through the dresses in the closet, "You don't NEED hair spray...but I need a gown! SO HELP ME FIND A GOWN TO WEAR!!!!!!"
Molly, who arrived in mid afternoon that day, groaned loudly ad whipped out an emerald green gown that had a low neck line, a delicate embroidering of deeper green rosebuds would surely cover her feet. Molly was already in a scarlet gown that had milky white beads lacing it gracefully. She had yet to fix her hair or her makeup but she still had time to help her frantic friends, being the levelheaded person in the group. She dug through the closet through shoes upon shoes till she found the ones she had obviously been searching for and then handed them to Lily who had gaped, wide eyed at the low neck line in the dress she was offered.
"I-I-I can't wear THIS Molly," she sputtered.
"Why the hell not?" Molly asked rolling her eyes vaguely and pinning her hair up with nimble fingers.
"Well...just LOOK at the neck line," Lily exclaimed acting as if it was the most evident thing in the world. "I can't wear that!"
"Don't be such a PRUDE Lily Clark!" (A/N: yes I am aware her real last name is Evans thank you very much) Samantha said slipping a lavender dress over her head. "It's not even THAT daring compared to what the other girls who have dated Chris Martins before have worn," she finished sounding muffled from under the folds of cloth. The gown was beautiful! It had a slight train from the back reminding Lily of a Cinderella tale. She was even wearing glass slippers and she had already done her hair up nicely with curls spilling around her slender face.
"Oh VERY sympathetic Sam," Kally said sarcastically. "Back off her," she scolded, "She's nervous enough as it is!" Kally winked at Lily who winked back appreciatively. She had been in the washroom finished the last touches on her dress and called out to the other three girls who yearned to glimpse at her dress that her parents had sent her especially for the ball.
"Hurry up Kally!!!" Molly called excitedly. "I want to see your dress before I turn fifty! You've been in there for at least four decades already!"
"Har har Molly," Kally said cynically and stepped gracefully out of the washroom provoking gasps from the three girls.
Lily had been coaxed to put on the jade gown but stopped half way staring at Kally's stunning dress in wonder. It was spaghetti strapped and a midnight navy blue and sparkled and shimmered with rhinestones that were sewn in portraying a starry sky. The waistline tampered at a narrow point and then curved down, covering her feet, and a silky translucent materiel swathed the bottom from the waist downwards. She had her hair straight and glossy like feathers, tinted brown in the light of the room and presented a crystal rose in her hair. Kally had done her makeup perfectly ensuring that she hadn't applied too much or too little. "Well?" she asked spinning around in a circle and waiting for approval or rejection. "What do you think?"
"It's so gorgeous," Samantha, breathed, "I am so jealous!"
"Absolutely stunning Kals!!!" Molly grinned energetically, smoothing her crimped tresses.
"Josh's eyes will fall out of their sockets! What are you trying to do girl?" Lily chided. "You are going to give poor Josh eyestrain and Sirius a heart attack!"
"Thanks guys," Kally said gratefully, her cheeks rosy from enthusiasm. "Well I can surely say the same thing about you lot! We'll all knock 'em dead!"
After about another hour or so, Kally deemed them all perfected to a 'T' and ordered them all out to go meet their dates. Lily twisted her hands anxiously around her purse turned to inspect herself in the full-length mirror one last time. She saw a tall, slender figure clad in a beautiful gown and with a lengthy crimson mane. Lily cringed at the sight of the plunging neckline and looked around to see if anyone was watching and whispered, "Heightious," and the shameful neckline moved up two inches. "Much better," she muttered.
"Yes, yes Lily dear, you are magnificent," Sam said hurriedly, "But we must hurry to meet up with our prince charmings. They can't wait around forever you know." She grabbed Lily's arm and yanked her out of the room where Kally and Molly were waiting.
"Times are a wasting girlies," Molly whispered. "Did the guys happen to tell any of you where we were going to meet them by chance?"
"Mine is going to meet me inside the Great Hall for the dance," Samantha said smugly, puffing up her hair.
Kally coughed, probably trying to hold back a laugh at the sight of toilet paper dragging on the heel of Sam's shoes. "Who are you going with anyways?"
Samantha regarded Kally suspiciously, wondering why Kally was going red in the face. "Remus of course." She plastered an innocent look on when the three girls had surprised expressions upon their faces and exchanged wary glances. "Who else would I go with?" Lily could think of someone but held her tongue.
They all made sounds of comprehension and continued their way down the stairs to the common room where Sirius, James, Remus and Arthur were waiting patiently for the girls to come so they could all arrive at the dance with their dates together.
Kally bit her lip at the unusual sight of Sirius dressed up in a handsome chocolate brown suit and his dark red tie. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the periwinkle blue carnation corsage he held in his hands and she regretfully remembered it wasn't for her, but for the stuck up Morgan Silva. She inwardly sighed and lowered her gaze so no one would spot the tears forming in her eyes but then rebelliously blinked them back and reminded herself she didn't feel a twitch for Sirius THAT way, even though he looked so attractive with his crooked smile and wild, black hair and mischievous hazel, gold-tinted eyes. Lily grabbed Kally's arm almost tripping on her too long gown and because of the fact that James looked absolutely striking in his navy blue suit but at the moment looked as if he was forcing a smile on his face. Molly ran in to the arms of Arthur who was wearing a dark green ensemble and spun her around and burying his face in her hair while Molly giggled happily while Samantha did likewise to Remus who grinned and told her how beautiful they all were.
Oh man, Sirius thought desperately, his eyes locking with Kally's violet ones, she's such a beauty. He was miserable. The one person in the world he'd like to go to the ball with was going with one of his close friends, and he couldn't do anything about it because he was too chicken and proud to admit his feelings. He didn't even notice that he was crushing Morgan's corsage while he surveyed how fantastic Kally looked in that gown. Sirius finally managed to jerk out of his trance when James nudged him for the second time in the stomach.
"Oof," Sirius grunted, "I mean, you all look like goddesses," he proclaimed jauntily and grinning from ear to ear.
"As usual of course," James added sending a dashing smile that sent shivers down Lily's spine. "Now we will escort you two ladies," he said to Kally and Lily," Till we reach our own dates. Shall we?" He offered an arm to Lily who was still a bit agitated at him but nevertheless took his arm apprehensively and touching up her hair to see that it was flawless.
"Onward comrades," Sirius bellowed putting his arm around Kally, who was blushing frantically as he steered her out the room, closely followed by the other three couples that were conversing in whispers. Kally laughed loudly as she allowed Sirius to drag her off to meet Josh and his own date.
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Along the corridors, Sirius and Kally tromped creating plenty of noise that was not unexpected from their friends who followed close behind.
"Guess who they hired for the group?" James asked Lily quietly smiling at her through some of his wild, jet-black hair.
"Who?" Lily inquired politely and a bit stiffly.
"The Lost Wanderers," James cried out, his eye as bright as a young boy's instead of a sixteen year olds. "Before our dates find us," James added looking uneasy while at the corner of her eye, Lily could spy Sirius nodding rapidly at him. Lily just looked puzzled and waited expectantly. "I was wondering..." he stalled, "If you'll dance with me to our song at the ball," he spat out quickly then clamped his hand over his mouth and his blue eyes were wide with amazement at what he had just said. Lily was startled and took one step away thinking that James had just made a cruel joke so she looked straight into his deep eyes through her thick, long lashes and searched, but not one trace of regret or mirth was in there.
Lily chuckled lightly. "We have a song now?" she joked mussing James' unruly hair. He nodded, completely mortified.
" 'I Will Always Find You' by The Lost Wanderers," he mumbled, tearing his gaze away from her watchful eyes.
Lily paused and thought a bit and then faintly remembered that that song played when they had danced first in their first year at Hogwarts. That's so incredibly sweet, she thought. "Of course I'll dance with you to 'our song' bud," she said smiling at him. James' features brightened but then darkened as someone grabbed him around his middle.
"Jamesie!" Mindy bounced in front of James in a silvery, sky blue gown and with her light blond curls framing her face she went to plant a kiss upon his lips but he moved his face at the last moment and caught it on the cheek. Lily looked deflated and turned her back to hide her tears and calmly walked to find Chris, un-noticed by everyone excluding James who was trying to pry Mindy off of him.
Remus, Samantha, Arthur and Molly and entered the Great Hall where the Christmas Mistletoe Ball was being held and blended in with the crowd of dancing teens. The Hall was decorated with Christmas trees, fake snow, candles, and, of course, mistletoe (A/N: Teehee). Dry snow softly descended from the ceiling creating a festive ambience while the mistletoe created a whole different sort of atmosphere.
Sirius entered with Kally a little while later with his arm still around her shoulder protectively, protecting her from the pushing crowds that knocked in to them as they made their way to the table the others had claimed, saving seats for them.
"Whew! Some party already," Kalasin commented inspecting the throng of students surrounding her. She laughed as Samantha dragged a unwilling Remus to the dance floor and at Arthur as he whisked Molly off her feet to dance.
"Hello Sirius," drawled a soft voice from behind where he stood with his arm around Kally. It was Morgan who was clothed in a light yellow, full length, strapless gown with her light brown hair flowing around her shoulders.
Kally saw his eyes go wide before he had even looked at her and wince. She snickered to herself and nudged him in the stomach. "Oh Siri. Your date is here. I think you'd better look at her if she's going to be your date you know."
Sirius looked annoyed but looked in to Kally's violet coloured orbs seriously. "But what if I don't want her to be my date?" he asked, barely above a whisper but no one except Kally heard over the deafening noise of the music. She opened her mouth slightly and stared back at Sirius who put his finger on her lips to prevent her from speaking.
"Well?" Morgan asked impatiently though her tone was honey-smooth. She pushed between Sirius and Kally and shoved the stricken girl aside. "Let's dance," she chirped cheerfully. Kally glared at Morgan spitefully and stomped back to the table.
"Don't you push her," Sirius said through gritted teeth, striving to sound civil. Morgan shrugged annoyingly and pulled him to dance, but he lingered and drew her to the direction where Kally was standing fuming.
She has SOME nerve, Kally thought venomously. How DARE she...that...that...-- her thoughts were cut short. Someone had sneaked up behind her and wrapped their arms around her waist tenderly. "Josh," she cried happily and threw her own arms around his neck. He was always hanging around with Sirius and her before the little mishap and she and him had become close friends indeed. He was wearing a dark blue suit that matched his soulful eyes though even in such formal wear he had that playful glint of his in there. Josh was just about to place a kiss on her lips when he was shoved backwards by Sirius who came with Morgan in tow.
"Sirius," Kally yelped horrified and pleadingly while she scrambled to help Josh up which was not necessary since he had been on his guard and was ready for the assault. He leapt up almost instantly and intently stared Sirius in the eye. "Siri! You promised," she whispered, tears forming. Something in Sirius broke and his hateful gaze softened at the sound of Kally's voice and he went on ignoring Morgan's pitiful whining.
"So sorry Josh," he said gruffly running his large hand through his hair. "I wish what happened didn't and I'd like to ask you to forgive me for my terrible behaviour towards my friend," he finished like a pro that made Kally extremely proud of him for being so mature about it, finally. He held out his hand and waited for Josh's shocked response.
"Well," Josh said massaging his neck, "I didn't quite expect that to happen. I kind of expected a punch or something but definitely not an apology. Er, not that I want a punch or anything, so don't get any ideas," Sirius chortled rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I'm sorry too old buddy," he apologized contritely and accepted Sirius' hand and shook. "We sure walloped each other good huh? Of course, I did teach you a few things about fighting, but don't worry, your little girly arms will become stronger with exercise eh," Josh said lightly punching Sirius in the arm will his dimpled smile clearly said that he was joking.
Sirius gave him a withering look and started reproachfully, "Don't go there girlfriend," he said mocking the girl from a muggle television show. "Your supposed punches wouldn't even bruise Snape the Sissy."
Josh shoved his hands deep into his pockets. "You bruised a fair bit," he reminded. "Besides, punching him is the least I could to Lucius and his posse," Josh broke off snickering. "Remember last May?" He and Sirius started to hoot with uncontrollable laughter.
"Come oooooonnnnnn Siri," Morgan whined, pulling his sleeve. No one calls him 'Siri' but me, Kally thought irately. Morgan fluttered her eyelashes at Sirius and he reluctantly left after something inaudible to Josh and rolling his eyes as he followed Morgan.
"Oh cripes I do not envy him in the slightest for his date," Josh said turning to Kally and gazing at her fondly. "Especially when I have you. You're beautiful as always," he said holding her out and allowingher to twirl around for him so he could inspect her midnight blue gown with approval. He kissed her on the tip of her nose and she blushed prettily as he took her hands in his as a slow song came on, her wrapped his arms around her and she placed her arms around his neck twining her fingers in the hairs at the nape of his neck as she laid her head upon his shoulder and he placed his hand warily on her bare back as they lost themselves in the music.
James too was on the dance floor dancing with his date, Mindy; while she snuggled disgustingly close, golden curls tumbling down his back, while Lily glared at the couple from her seat waiting for Chris to appear. While Lily glared at her shoes, someone held out a hand to her, she looked up to see a red, panting Chris.
"I'm so sorry I'm late Lily," he apologized quickly, "I just so wanted everything to be perfect so I had to go get a..." he trailed off and timidly pulled a beautiful and rare lily from behind his back. Lily gasped and marvelled at the exquisiteness of the bloom while Chris gingerly pinned it on her dress and then threw her arms around him and kissed him quickly on the lips then blushed at her own daring and looked away, down at her shoes. Chris grinned and took Lily's hands in his and put them around his neck while he laid his hands on her waist and swayed to the slow movements of the music not bothering with words.
James was gazing from over Mindy's shoulder envious of his rival. He felt a sharp pang in his heart and closed his eyes, burying his face in his partner's hair trying to block out his tears. He felt so silly for feeling that way but he couldn't for the life of him halt how his heart felt. He couldn't wait for their song to come on so he could be in Chris' place and be able to hold Lily close so he could soothe his growing affection for her.
1 hour later...
"Woooowwwwwiiieeeee this is SOME dance," Molly squealed elated. She wasn't in the least out of breath even though she and Arthur had danced to every song, fast or slow and Arthur was wheezing and panting for breath while his face was cherry red. "Wait," she said to the large group of talking friends. She held a hand to her ear listening. "IT'S A SWING SONG!!! C'mon Arthur. Let's SWING!"
Arthur looked at her like she had just asked him to perform heart surgery on the Minister of Magic and waved his hands at her, still out of breath. "We just DID swing! No more...need...air...Must...rest..."
"Don't be such a baby," Molly scolded placing her hands on her hips, "You are coming to dance. NOW MISTER WEASLEY!!!" She bellowed at the top of her lungs while dragging him to the dance floor with much difficulty and protests.
Sirius, James, Kally and Josh whooped and cat called at the pair and the girls just shook their heads laughing. Samantha took a large swig of beer and pulled Remus' collar looking at him seductively and leading him out to the corridors. Lily made a face and nudged Kally who was staring at Sirius without noticing it. Lucius Malfoy, from Slytherin house, with his white-blond hair and pale, pointed face was, as usual was accompanied by his two cronies Sirius had christened 'The Lumps' were with their dates (Sirius had no idea how they had gotten dates but reckoned their dates were bribed) and were torturing Danny Longbottom by pinching him mercilessly while he winced and danced with his date who got so fed up with Lucius' taunting that she slapped him neatly across the face. Sirius had rushed over to try and join the arising fight but the professors saw the chaos ling before and nipped it in the bud so he crestfallen had returned to their table to plan to spike the punch with Hairbloom. Even a sip of Hairbloom puffed someone's hair till it looked like an extremely large bird's nest. Sirius, of course, had bought it from Zonko's.
Mindy and Morgan had gone off to the ladies' room to freshen up with their noses in the air mumbling to each other about the 'trash' their dates hung out with whilst Kally was held back by Lily ad Samantha from severely injuring those 'snobby cows' as she later referred to them while Sirius silently agreed though he didn't let them know he had heard or he would have been expected to defend them, seeing as he was Morgan's date. Just a half an hour ago, Professor Dumbledore had let out floating mistletoe that drifted around the room while hovering over couples while everyone else waited for the couple to kiss. Sometimes it was an unfortunate match since a few times the mistletoe had found it's way to dancing pairs that had different dates. Kally went white when she had realized the mistletoe had found it's way over her own head when she was speaking with Sirius and each time she swiftly ducked out of the way and clung back to Josh.
After a time, Remus had returned with a sickly, green tinge upon his face. "Um, Sam drunk too much I think and got sick in the ladies' room."
This one comment provoked howls of laughter from the group of boys and sympathetic tuts from the Lily and Kally though neither got up to see how she was feeling. Lily had confided in Kally about her harbouring feeling of dislike towards Sam for her little flirtations with James but still insisted that she didn't like him anymore and that it was the principle of the fact that Sam had flirted with someone she knew Lily had liked so they had both resolved to tell Samantha a thing or two about real friendship afterwards.
"Have you anything to drink?" Remus asked concerned on behalf of Samantha, "Sam wanted something to get rid of the horrible taste of vomit," he said bluntly making Kally giggle insensitively.
"Oh yeah!" Sirius said loudly and shoving a cup of the punch that he had spiked with hairbloom, in to Remus' hands.
"Make sure she drinks every drop," Josh said smirking while James clapped Sirius on the back heartily.
"Gee, thanks guys," Remus said oblivious to Chris who was sniggering uncontrollably in to his hands. Remus curried off towards the ladies' washroom unaware of the spiked punch he was about to present to Samantha with good intentions.
Kally shook with laughter. "P-p-poor R-Remus," she sputtered.
"Poor Remus and Samantha," Sirius replied, his eyes glinting while he began to hand other people his special punch without guilt.
Many laughs, jokes, screams, drinks...and dances later...
"Well students, it's the last dance of the Christmas Mistletoe Ball," the booming voice of Professor McGonagall came on the stage over the microphone in front of The Lost Wanderers group while the whole hall became quiet with only little tittering noises. "As I had mentioned in my Transfiguration class, we will be having the 'Merry Mistletoe Couple' by the end of the ball. If any of you are unclear of the term it means that the floating mistletoe will be going around and whomever it hovers over, that particular couple will be the deemed the Most Perfect couple," she said in a tight voice with a sour expression, probably despising the concept. She walked off the stage stiffly while one of the members of The Lost Wanderers took over the speaker.
"You heard what your professor said. You all better grab someone special because our next and final song is called 'I Will Always Find You.' The band struck up a slow soothing tune while Kally saw Lily's eyes widen with fright as she saw James approaching her as promised.
Chris had already gotten up to dance with Lily while she just stood there helplessly as James tapped Chris on the shoulder crisply.
"May I cut in?" he asked straining to sound polite.
Chris looked ready to burst. His face went red with fury and opened his mouth but looked in to Lily's pleading eyes first. "Alright," he said reluctantly letting go of Lily but not before he kissed her hand. "I'll see you later?"
"Of course," Lily squeaked relieved that Chris was so sweet, putting her feelings first. She was grateful that he hadn't caused a scene. He left after punching James hard in the arm. James would have fought with him right there had Lily not restrained him and whispered in his ear, "Just dance." He relaxed and held her though he was uneasy.
Kally had made Rory (her name for Aurora) dance with Chris before Mindy had gotten her greasy paws on him and she herself was dancing with Josh though Lily noticed Sirius was about to cut in if she hadn't waved him not to.
When the conflict of who was going to dance with who stopped, Lily just concentrated on dancing with James. Being so close to him made her feel dizzy and light-headed as he twirled her in his arms, pulling her closer. She let the words of the song wash over her like a warm ocean breeze as she reached up to tuck a wisp of his wild, jet-black hair behind his ear.
When you feel lost and scared,
In the dark and cruel of the night.
Please believe me and know always,
That I'll be your tender, loving light.
The love we share, will always be there,
No matter if you are far away, night and day.
Our souls with connect, each other we reflect,
So never feel lost because I will always find you.
So you're not frightened any longer
Guiding you back to my heart,
You'll know it's love when you feel it,
Even when we are miles apart.
When you're forlorn and confused,
And your innocence is abused.
When you go astray and get lost on the way,
Never worry for I will always find you.
James took in Lily's scent of blossoms and attentive only to her, ignoring Mindy who was glaring open-mouthed as he danced. He was quite aware that Lily had stopped feeling so tense and collapsed against him, entwining her arms around his neck. He held her around her slim waist, holding her even closer making Lily weak in the knees as he looked in to her eyes as the song ended, much to both of their dismay, they let go of each other.
They hadn't moved away from one another but just stared in to the other's eyes wordlessly becoming conscious of the fact that everyone in the Great Hall were cheering and whistling. Confused, Lily turned to Kally who was at their table with Josh and Sirius who were laughing. Kally grinned and pointed up.
Lily, afraid of what she would see, looked above where she and James stood and saw the mistletoe hovering above them. Professor Dumbledore brought a sash to Lily and hung it over her and then did the same to James. James scratching his neck uncomfortably and still looked happy. He lifted the sash so Lily could see what it said and when she saw, her eyes widened and she gasped.
"Oh my gosh," she whispered. On the sash it read 'The Merriest Perfect Couple' in large red lettering. She blushed scarlet knowing what would come next. Already every student at the ball started to chant 'Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!'
James stood uncomfortably and shifted feet while digging his nails into his currently sweaty palms tensely. I'm going to screw it up some how, he thought panicked. She's so beautiful tonight. I love her almond shaped, emerald green eyes, so kind and innocent, and her gorgeous jade dress to match them.
Lily gulped as James moved closer to her again. Her first reaction was to run away but her feet seemed rooted to the spot as James bent over to kiss her and she could only close her eyes and kiss him back. Her breath caught in her throat as he laid the sweetest, softest kiss she had ever received. He took his right hand and put it on her cheek to steady the kiss and used the other hand to hold Lily up because if he hadn't, she surely would have fallen. James' warmth flowed from his lips to her own lips down to her very toes as he deepened the kiss and his tongue found it's way into her mouth and she moaned into his mouth but Lily moved back half-heartedly refusing to let it go further, remembering that she was with Chris who was watching from the other side of the room. Her head was swirling from the kiss James had given her and she gave her head a little shake like if she had just drank a whole case of beer by herself. James' kisses were intoxicating, though she wouldn't let on to anyone that they were.
She bit her lip and flushed even more crimson when everybody cheered wildly, excluding certain people, while James looked stunned and flushed. Lily avoided James' eyes and hurried over to where Chris stood with his arms crossed but he didn't look angry in the slightest. "I'm so sorry Chris," she said frantically, "I didn't mean to hurt you or anything but..."
He stopped her, "Don't worry about it love," Chris said pulling her into an embrace. "I know. You couldn't do anything about it. As long as it didn't mean anything." Lily buried her face into his shoulder not answering as the cheering subsided slowly. James was still frozen where Lily had left him and he touched his lips as Sirius came over and slapped him on the back congratulating him.
"You lucky duck you," Sirius chuckled ruffling James' hair. "I guess you won't be mooning over Lily anymore eh? I think you were only infatuated with her for the sport of it," he remarked quietly and a bit sadly.
"What makes you say that?" James asked, getting over his shock. Sirius shrugged and ambled over to their table where Remus sat, trying to calm down Samantha who was absolutely distraught over her hair that had puffed up till it was the size of a balloon while Mindy and Morgan tried to pacify her by telling her it didn't look THAT bad which only made her run from the room crying with Remus trailing her close behind.
Molly had tears streaming down her face from the restraining herself from laughing and burst out laughing once Sam had left the room. "HAHAHAHAAAAA!!! Oh my goodness! Ahem, anyways, Arthur has gone to get butterbeer for the little 'get together' for after the end of the ball," she said cheerfully, wiping the last of her tears from her eyes and smoothed out her scarlet gown primly
"C'mon guys," Kally called to the two boys, giggling, while McGonagall pronounced the Ball ended and the crowd dispersed back to their common rooms murmuring about how wonderfully grand the Ball was. Her hand was in Josh's and his blue eyes were gazing at Kally in adoration. "Arthur is having a party in the Gryffindor common room right now." Josh picked Kally up in his arms and carried her off towards the Gryffindor tower, while Sirius made a low growling noise in his throat and led Morgan by the elbow to escort her back to her Hufflepuff room seeing as she couldn't go to their Gryffindor even if Sirius had wanted her to which he didn't and James did the same with Mindy though his thoughts were completely on Lily.
What's going to happen next? He wondered as he and Sirius, in deadly silence, had reached the entrance of the party that was in full swing in their common room and climbed through.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Well, that's a bit of romance there I guess...but it's not as romantic as I'm gonna make it later ^_~ Don't worry, it's not gonna get sick. Hopefully I will get to the more romantic parts later in the story. Keep reading to see what happens in Part 5 at the party. WOOOOOO!!!! Review please. Some parts of this story might be really weird cuz I am writing this extremely late. Must sleep...now...! Ciao Bellas^^
Ducks N' Daisies
~Kira