A/N: Ok, just a note for anyone that doesn't know what a Ceilidh (pronounced: Kay-Lee) is. A Ceilidh is basically like a dance. Except it's one big group of people doing the same steps with their partners. You do traditional Scottish dances in it, and it's really fun! Go to one if you ever get the chance!
Disclaimer: 'All You Want' belongs to Dido. I like the lyrics and I was listening to it when I wrote this chapter!
Chapter 6: The Christmas Ceilidh
The next weeks of school were simpler. With the Marauder's and Lily being the best of friends again, life couldn't be better for them. They held the world record of playing the most pranks on Snape and his new sidekick Malfoy. The most they had done was 112 in a week. It was amusing. Times were also busier, as Christmas was coming, and there was always a mad rush of students wanting to go to Hogsmeade to buy friends and family presents. The grounds of Hogwarts looked even more magical as a blanket of thick, white, crisp snow covered the grounds. It looked even more magical and mysterious, and it was beautiful to look at.
The Marauder's and Lily headed outside for a walk on the grounds. Everybody else had gone to Hogsmeade for the weekend and the large school seemed rather empty. Also, they didn't want to put up with some of the younger students in school. Lily stepped into the thick snow, it was quite deep. She trudged through the snow haphazardly, while James and Sirius ran in it. Remus, walked quietly beside Peter who was having trouble walking in such deep snow. Lily saw how the two crazy, child-like boys started to do other stunts in the snow. The started to do cart wheels in the snow, sliding on it and spraying snow everywhere, flopping down on it and making angel shapes and other things that seemed so childish. The two boys looked behind them and saw Lily and Peter walking with difficulty and Remus trying to help them. They looked at each other and grinned evilly.
"Hey Lily!" James shouted.
"Peter!" Sirius shouted a while later, as the two people on call looked up, they were hit square on the face with a cold ball of snow. Remus burst out laughing at the two shocked faces, as did Sirius and James.
"WHY YOU LITTLE…" Peter didn't finish as he started to charge at them, totally forgetting about the present problem he had walking in the snow. Snowballs from three directions started to hit him as he charged at them. Lily giggled a little at the snowball fight, and planned her own revenge for being hit. She brought out her wand, and all the snowballs aimed at Peter stopped in mid air. With a swish of her wand, they changed direction, aiming for the person who had originally thrown the snowball. The three convicts stared wide-eyed as the snowball started towards them. They started to run away from it. Hoping not to get hit by it. The snowball would follow them wherever they went.
"This is like running away from a bludger!" Sirius shouted as the snowball shot at him.
"Yeah I know!" James shouted as his snowball started to advance on him.
"Lil, I didn't throw any at you! I'm innocent!" Remus shouted as he ran away from the zooming snowball.
"That one's for Peter!" she said and winked at him. Peter grinned and watched in amusement as the three boys ran away from the snowballs.
James, Sirius and Remus lost their sense of direction, as they were too busy trying to avoid the snowball. They looked behind them and saw the snowball advancing on them. They ran faster not really looking where they were going. Then with a loud thud the bumped into each other, and then they felt the hard snowballs hit them. Lily and Peter burst out laughing at the three dazed boys lying on the snow. They got up a few minutes and glared daggers at the two laughing people. Soon, there was a huge snowball fight between the two 'team' of people. It was when they were all soaked that they finally stopped.
"I never knew Lily could throw that hard, maybe she should try for Beater on the Quidditch team. She could beat Sirius any day!" Remus said walking up to Lily and Peter.
"Hey!" Sirius said and playfully hit the back of his head. James chuckled.
"Man I'm soaked! We'd better dry up inside. Mind you, Filch will have our heads for coming in all soaked." James said looking at the state of himself and his friends.
"Excuse me? You are looking at the Queen of Charms!" Lily said, hands on her hips. She muttered something, and the five soaked people instantly dried up and were warmer.
"Begging you're pardon, you're highness," James grinned and bowed dramatically. The rest grinned and followed in suit. Lily smiled at the boys. She would laugh when any girl saw some of the most popular guys at school bowing before her!
"You may rise, my royal subjects," Lily played along. The all rose.
"Now, escort me all to the Great Hall for the grand feast. Because I don't know about you, but I'm hungry!" Lily said and her stomach grumbled. They laughed and walked with her back to the castle for dinner.
Dinner started when all the other students filed into the Great Hall for dinner. Food piled onto all the plates and jugs filled with every type of drink they would like (none were alcoholic). Lily helped herself to some Chicken Pie and salad. Remus had some Vegetable Quiche. Peter had Jacket Potatoes with a lot of cheese. James had some Shepherd's Pie, while Sirius helped himself to a little bit of everything. Stuffing everything into his mouth.
"You'd think he'd been starved or something." Remus muttered.
"Yeah. Sirius, calm down with the food." Lily said as he stuffed a potato covered in gravy into his mouth.
"I'm hungry." He said chewing on his food and stuffing more in his mouth.
"Ok, but let me warn you, I don't know any anti-choking charms." Lily smirked.
"Yeah…yeah," he muttered and continued to eat hungrily.
They continued to laugh and joke. And the hall burst into laughter as a rather amplified sound of Snape and Malfoy breaking wind could be heard.
"Farthings Fairly Ferocious Farting Powder! That stuff is dangerous!" James said, the table burst out laughing.
"POTTER! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Snape yelled from his table.
"What?! I'm innocent!" James said feigning surprise.
"The day James Harold Potter is innocent is the day Snape or Malfoy send me a declaration of love telling me I'm the sexiest girl in school," Lily muttered. All four boys looked surprised at Lily but laughed al the same.
After some more 'unexpected' pranks at dinner and dessert, Professor Dumbledore caught everybody's attention.
"Firstly, I would like to thank the infamous Marauder's for another, shall we say, amusing trick today," Dumbledore said, looking at the four boys with a warm look on his face.
"Secondly, I have the pleasure of announcing Hogwarts' 984th Christmas Ceilidh. Held every 20 years. Pupils from 4th year up wards may come; however, you may invite a younger pupil if you wish to. It will be held on 23rd December, and lists for people who will be staying at Hogwarts are now up in the Entrance Hall. Sign your name on it if you wish to stay. Thank you and good night," Dumbledore announced and let the students go.
"A Ceilidh huh? Cool. We go all Scottish!" Sirius said as they walked up to the common room.
"Yeah. So, are you all going to stay here for Christmas?" Remus asked.
"I'm staying, it's held every 20 years, and we won't get to go to it again." Sirius stated.
"I'm staying too. Nothing ever happens at my house at Christmas." James shrugged.
"I'll stay too. Sounds like fun." Peter said.
"Well if you're all staying, I'm staying! What about you Lily?" Remus asked.
"I don't know. I've never really been into any dances. I might just go home." Lily said as the entered the common room.
"WHAT! Lily, you can't go home! What about us? What about me? How am I suppose to survive two weeks with these lot?" Sirius pointed at the three behind him. They glared at him.
"You survived 4 years with them without me. I'm sure you can do it for two weeks!" Lily giggled.
"Yeah, but Lily, that's scarred me for life! You need to stay!" Sirius continued.
"I'll think about it. Goodnight." Lily finished and headed towards her dorm.
"Sirius, run!" James warned. With that, the three Marauder's chased Sirius all over the common room, throwing hexes at him.
James lay in his bed wide-awake. He couldn't sleep. He could hear snores coming from the rest of the guys. He sighed and tossed and turned in his bed, trying to get comfortable. He just couldn't sleep. He got out of bed and put on his glasses. He looked out of the window and gazed at the lake. He then looked up the stars. He was thinking of a certain smart, intelligent redhead, with brilliant green eyes, and with smooth skin. She was so beautiful, especially with her hair down. And running his fingers through her smooth, thick, silky red hair sent him to heaven. It was soft and gentle to touch. James sighed. She was so perfect. He admired her. He loved her. 'Snap out of it!' James thought, but he just couldn't get the image of the smiling girl laughing at him, winking at him, whispering something in his ear. He smiled as he remembered their time down at the lake. She leaned on to him, they held hands, his arm bringing her closer and warming her up. He wanted to do that again, maybe even have a chance to kiss her soft delicate lips. 'Keep dreaming lover boy' his annoying inner voice told him. James frowned and walked away from the window. He slipped on a jumper and brought out his invisibility cloak. He walked across the common room and headed towards the 5th girl's dorm. He opened the door silently and walked towards Lily's bed by the window. He gazed at her. She had her hair down, just the way he liked it. She had it to one side, and it swept down in waves. She looked so peaceful in her sleep. Like a delicate flower. So beautiful, so perfect, so angelic. James kneeled down, and listened to her steady breathing. It was music to his ears; he could listen to her all night. He felt her breaths gently touch his cheek, and gooseflesh covered him. He smiled a small smile and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. He turned to leave, having a last glance at Lily. As he left, a small smile was placed of Lily's lips.
After a lot of persuading, the Marauder's had finally convinced Lily to stay for the ceilidh. They had treated her to a shopping trip at Hogmeade when the other students weren't there. They took her through the secret passage and into the cellar of Honeydukes. They slyly escaped the crowd and headed for Mistress Mathers Robes for Exceptional Occasions (Mistress Mather's was Madam Malkin's sister-in-law). Lily made all the guys stay outside while she chose some robes to wear. She wanted how she looked to be a surprise. She didn't take too long to choose it. Later on, she bought gifts and then they headed back to Hogwarts.
On the night of the ceilidh, the four boys waited for Lily to come down. They were told not to get dates, because in a ceilidh, you can dance with anyone you like. James wore a black purple robe, Sirius wore a dark jade colour robe, Remus wore a navy robe with silver linings and Peter wore a deep red robe. Lily was the first to arrive from the girl's dorm. She wore a dark blue robe, which fitted her perfectly; they had patterns at the rim with sequences. He hair had been left down, but with two thin braid from the front of her hair wrapped around the top of her head and left to flow down at the back. She had a touch of make up on, but she looked stunning. They all gulped.
"Woah…Lil!" was all Sirius could say.
"You…you…look…" Peter started.
"Stunning!" Remus stated.
"Beautiful!" James stared. Lily blushed at the compliments she was receiving.
"Thanks. You all look very handsome! I'm sure the girls will line up to dance with all of you!" Lily said eyeing all of them.
"Lucky us. I don't want to dance ALL night." Sirius said.
"Well, why don't we head down." Remus asked.
"Sure," Lily said and the five made their way down to the hall.
They walked to the Great Hall where it was half filled with students. The Great Hall looked wonderful. Candle's lit the room, There were several huge Christmas Trees, and there was makeshift snow falling over them. There was stage where the Teacher's table usually was, and it was filled with a live band of witches. They had all sort of instruments.
"It's so beautiful." Lily whispered. Dumbledore stepped up on the stage.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce The Wailing Witches!" Dumbledore said and applause filled the room. Music started to fill, and people went to choose partners for the dance. Remus asked Lily and she obliged willingly. James felt a pang of jealousy, but quickly forgot about it. He danced with a 4th Year Ravenclaw, which was good enough. She was pretty. The dances were harder than they all thought, they were fast, and the steps seemed easy but doing it fast was difficult. They laughed as they danced and it was fun. Lily gathered the attention of quite a few. She danced quite a lot, but then stopped for a break. She went to get a drink and leaned on the wall relaxing. James joined her.
"Well, for someone who isn't into dance that much, you certainly know how to sweep the dance floor!" James said to her, drinking some juice. Lily smiled and her cheeks tinged with a slight red blush.
"Well, I don't like to refuse people who ask me to dance! But right now, I need a break!" Lily replied fanning herself. 'Right now, I want to dance with you!' Lily thought. James smiled at her. 'She looks cute like that.' James thought. A slow dance came on.
"Think you can handle a slow dance?" James asked, holding out his hand. Lily smiled prettily up to him.
"Of course I could." She took a hold oh his hand and they headed to the dance floor. Lily wrapped her hand behind James' neck, while he held her around the waist.
One of the witches started to sing.
I'd like to watch you sleep at night, to hear you breathe by my side
And although sleep leaves me behind, there's nowhere I'd rather be
And now our bed is oh so cold, my hands feel empty, no one to hold
I can sleep what side I want, it's not the same with you gone
Oh if you'd come home, I'd let you know that,
All you want, is right here in this room, all you want.
And all you need, is sitting here with you, all you want.
Lily leaned in closer until her head rested on James' shoulder, she closed her eyes. James' hands were on her back as they danced. It looked like they were dancing with an intimate hug. James would always remember the scent of her hair. They smelt of Lily of the Valley, suiting Lily perfectly. Lily felt so comfortable in James' arms, as if the world would crumble; she would be ok, just because she was in James' arms.
It's been three years, one night apart, but in that night, you tore my heart.
If only you had slept alone, if those seeds had not been sown.
Oh you could come home and would know that
All you want is right here in this room, all you want.
And all you need is sitting here with you, all you want.
I hear your key turning in the door, I won't be hearing that sound anymore,
And you and your sin can leave the way you came in, send my regards to her
I hope you've found that
All you want is right here in this room, all you want,
And all you need is sitting here with you, all you want
I'd like to watch you sleep at night, to hear you breathe, by my side.
The song faded out. James and Lily parted unwillingly, but turned to the band and clapped at them. They walked off the dance floor and grabbed another drink in silence, with a flush of colour rising at their cheeks. They watched the other couples dance and leaned against the stone cold wall. 'That was incredible.' James thought as his gaze shifted on to Lily. 'She's so amazing, I want to dance with her again.' James quickly looked away as Lily turned to look at him. 'James, he's so gentle, kind, caring. He almost seems innocent under this faint light! And, handsome, and wonderful and…great. I think I actually do love him.' Lily thought as she peered at the messy haired boy.
"Hey, Lily, wanna dance?" Sirius asked. Without even waiting for her reply, she was swept on to the dance floor, doing the different steps and doing the 'Dosy Doe' in the Waltz position. James watched in amusement as Lily bounced around everywhere, her hair flying as she was swirled. James walked over to Claris Denton, a Hufflepuff 5th year, and asked her to dance.
Remus was having the time of his life, he was dancing in every dance and most of the girls came up to HIM to dance. James was surprised to see the usually tired boy so full of life and energy. He smiled as Remus was pecked on the cheek by his latest partner, and grinned wider as he blushed.
Sirius was a danger to society as he danced. He would swing the girls everywhere as he swirled them across the room. But the girls seemed to enjoy it a lot. They didn't care about their sore feet, and twisted ankles, they were dancing with Sirius Black, one of the most popular guys at school.
Peter, had managed to ask some of the girls to dance. He was usually a shy and coy person, but the obliged to dance with him. But most of the time, he would stand out and eat most of the party snacks.
Lily danced at almost every dance. She was catching the eyes of some of the guys in the hall, but she didn't seem to notice their looks as she was too busy doing the dance right, or her mind would wander off to a certain boy with messy black hair and glasses.
James was dancing in some of the dances. He had made at least 13 girls blush when he asked them to dance. He was just as wild as Sirius when dancing, but he would be a lot gentler with some girls and a lot rougher when bimbo's asked him to dance.
The dance was closing to an end. They would end with a nice fast and furious song before all the students would go to bed.
"This is our last song, so choose you're partner and enjoy this last special dance." One of the witches said as her voice was amplified.
"Come on James! One last dance!" Lily said and dragged the slightly tired boy on to the dance floor. They lined up with their partner in groups of eight. Four girls made up one row, and four boys made up the other. Lily and James were at the end of one row and as the music started, it was the Virginia Reel, a very fast dance. They stepped up and performed the different steps they needed to do. They were very fast and then they had to hold hands and swing to the other side, followed by the rest in the group. Lily laughed as they jumped about, waltzed quickly and performed the different steps. James laughed too as they must have looked really stupid, but the dance was fun. They continued with this 8 more times until the song died away. They turned and applauded at the band who bowed. After a few finishing words from Dumbledore, they headed back to the common room. As they reached one of the couches, all five collapsed on to it.
"Now that, was fun!" Sirius exclaimed.
"Yeah, I'm glad I stayed for Christmas." Lily said.
"Yeah me too," James said looking at the ceiling.
"Well, I'm going to bed," Remus said, got up and stretched.
"Yeah, I'm heading for bed too," Peter said.
The two got up and headed towards their dorms. Sirius, James and Lily talked a little more and played a few games of Exploding Snap and Wizard's Chess. They played until they were too tired to stay up anymore.
"Good night y'all." Sirius yawned and headed up the stairs. James and Lily said goodnight to him, they noticed they were the only two in the common room now.
"Well, no use staying here all night." Lily said and got up from the couch and stretched. James watched her and stood up himself. Lily headed for her dorm.
"Wait Lily!" James called suddenly. Lily spun around to face him. James walked up to her.
"I had fun tonight, especially dancing with you." James started and blushed. Lily blushed as well.
"Yeah, I had fun too." Lily replied.
"But that's not why I stopped you." James said. Lily looked up at him. He looked kind of nervous, but cute all the same.
James bent down to her, until their lips met. Lily opened her eyes in shock at first, but then closed them. She kissed him back gently as he pulled her closer. It was soft, gentle, sweet, and exhilarating. James was so gentle with her, and Lily was so sweet. Lily felt how all the emotions that went through her while dancing with him come again, she felt secure, warm, safe, and mostly, loved. They parted slowly and gazed at each other with their faces inches apart.
"Merry Christmas Lily," James whispered. Lily nuzzled up against him.
"Merry Christmas James, I…love you." Lily whispered back. James pulled her closer to him. As if he let her go, she'd go away forever.
"I love you too Lily." James whispered in her ear and they kissed again, affectionately and full of passion. In that moment, the ocean stopped roaring, the moon stopped shining, the birds stopped singing, the snow stopped midway from falling, the world stopped spinning and time stopped just for those two. In that moment, hidden emotions that had been locked away suddenly burst open, as the two people stood kissing, with unconditional love, under the mistletoe.
All you want, is right here in this room, all you want.
All you need, is sitting right here with you, all you want
I'd like to watch you sleep at night, to hear you breathe by my side…
