Chapter 2

*(A/N) Thanks for the reviews! I added to chapter 1, by the way, about four more paragraphs.

*~*~*~*~*

Lily winced as James stepped on her toes. Again.

"You're a terrible dancer," she said.

"Not my fault."

"It hurts."

"That's not my fault either."

"Potter! Could you try dancing instead of trodding on Miss Evans' feet?" McGonagall snapped.

"Yes, Professor."

"Good," she said, seemingly satisfied. Lily winced again.

*~*~*~*~*

Two hours later, McGonagall waved her wand and the music stopped, much to the relief of many students.

"Now, the reason I asked you all to do that is to test your dancing skills, mostly for the waltz. Why? Because, as prefects, you all have the responsibility of having the first dance, with your fellow House Prefects. Yes, Mr. Potter?"

"Then can I change to the other prefect in my house? Evans isn't much of a dancer," James quipped, as the rest of the prefects laughed. Lily and McGonagall glared at him.

"Would you rather dance with Mr. Frank Longbottom? Though, I do believe, he has reserved his dancing with a Miss Cornelia Retule, as there is no other Gryffindor female prefect."

"Why couldn't I do that?"

"Because, Mr. Potter, Mr. Longbottom has my trust and respect. And he's a year higher than you."

James rolled his eyes.

*~*~*~*~*

"I swear, Sirius, the Hall looked too good to be true. Just think of all the possibilities it could lead to…"

"Huh?"

"Consider this: How mad do you think McGonagall would be if we exploded dungbombs in the bouquets of flowers?"

"Oooooo! And Filibuster's Fireworks in the soup!"

"What soup?" James asked blankly.

"There's not going to be any soup?" Sirius asked, clearly disappointed.

"No, but we could hide some at the bottom of the Slytherins' drinks. Sound and touch activated, I should think."

"How perfectly genius! And we'll need some other things, too, of course."

"Yeah. It's just plain-"

"Evil," Lily said, coming in through the portrait hole. "The most fitting word, Mr. Potter, is 'evil'."

"Gee, glad my name's got a proper title to it now, Miss Evans. And, FYI, I was going to say that it was 'brilliant'," James said. Turning to Sirius, he asked, "So, who're you taking to the Ball?"

"Hmm… Lily."

"You are?" James and Lily asked in surprise.

"Of course. Miss Evans, would you allow me to escort thee to the Ball?" Sirius asked, making a sweeping bow.

Lily laughed. "Of course, er, sir, but the Ball isn't for full month, in Easter."

"I shall wait, fair maiden, I shall wait whilst my anticipation devours my insides like a maggot does a dead horse…"

"Okay, that's gross. And, by the way, I wouldn't try to pull any of those pranks, if I were you. McGonagall took extra precautions, so, I doubt you could actually fool the anti-prank zone she put there. She's very serious about it all."

"Sirius? That's me!"

"Real funny, Black."