Chapter 17: The Winter Ball

Fourth year was fun. Voldemort became less of a worry to us because nothing had happened to Sirius and it had been nearly a year. We were back to being our usual selves, pulling pranks as often as possible. Things went smoothly all year. Except one night that stands out clearly in my mind. It might have been good for everyone else, but it was a nightmare for me. About a week before break, we were sitting in the Great Hall having lunch, when Dumbledore made an announcement.

"Students," he began. "We have decided to hold a ball this year the day before Christmas Break begins. It will be a formal occasion, so please dress appropriately. All students are invited to attend." He sat and we resumed with eating. Lily and Erin were talking excitedly.

"A ball. That's so exciting," said Erin. "I can't wait."

"I know," agreed Lily. "But what will we wear?" she realized suddenly.

"Oh no, what will we wear?" James mocked her in a girlish voice. Lily hit him on the arm.

"Ouch!" James pretended it hurt. Lily rolled her eyes and continued talking to Erin.

"We have to have dates," Erin pointed out.

"Yeah," agreed Lily. I noticed James and Sirius exchange glances.

After lunch, we went back to our dorm room. I kept on thinking about the ball. I'd heard lots of girls talking about finding dates.

"So, should I ask Erin to go to the ball with me?" asked Sirius.

"Yeah," said James. "At least you know she'll say yes."

"Are you going to ask Lily?" I asked James.

"Yeah, I'm going to try," said James.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" asked Peter. "Now is a good time to ask. They're in the common room."

"Now?" said James.

"Yeah, unless you want Lily to end up going with someone else instead," said Peter.

"Now is good," said James suddenly standing. What would I do? James had Lily and Sirius had Erin. I wished Addi were there. We went out into the common room and approached the two chairs that were occupied by Lily and Erin.

"Hi guys," said Erin.

"Hi," said Sirius. James nudged him. "Um, Erin. Would you like to go to the ball with me?" he asked. She smiled.

"Sure, I'd like that," she said with a smile. James stared at his feet awkwardly, looked pale. Lily looked at him, expectantly.

"Will you go with me, Lily?" he managed to mumble quietly.

"Okay," she agreed, smiling at the look of relief spreading across James' face. "Well then, what about Remus and Peter?" she asked. I shrugged.

"We'll find you two dates," said Erin, giggling.

"Oh, no," I moaned. "Please don't." They laughed.

"It's just for fun, Remus. Don't you want to have a good time?" asked Lily. I shook my head. I didn't want to be fixed up with someone that I couldn't stand.

"Well, you could always go with Peter," said Sirius, jokingly.

"No!" both of us shouted at the same time.

"You can find me a date in that case," I said, though I regretted it.

"Don't worry. You charming young bachelors wait here," she announced, giggling like mad. "Come on Erin, this'll be fun." They went to talk to some of their other friends. Meanwhile, I was sitting in a chair moaning.

"It won't be that bad Remus," said James.

"Yeah, who could be that bad?" asked Sirius. "It's only for one night."

"I guess," I mumbled. A few minutes later, Lily and Erin came back, giggling.

"We've found dates for both of you," said Erin.

"Who?" I asked.

"Well, Remus. You're going with Julia O'Keefe," Lily announced, looking pleased with herself. I moaned. Julia was one of the most conceited girls at Hogwarts. She was tall, taller than me, with a stick thin frame. Her mousy facial features were framed by short, golden brown tufts of hair, and she held her tiny pointed nose in the air with a great amount of conceitedness. I also was well aware that she was one of the biggest gossips in school. Every time I'd been near her, her loud, giggly voice was commenting on someone. ("Oh my gosh, look at her shoes! Those or so last year!" or "Did you hear that so-and-so is going out with so-and-so? Don't they make a positively horrid couple?"). I shuddered at the thought of spending an entire evening with someone so shallow, superficial and self-centered.

"Not that bad, huh?" I asked James sarcastically. He shrugged, only half paying attention, still caught up in a daze from the initial shock that Lily had agreed to go with him.

"And Peter," Lily continued. "You're going with Rosalind McLaughlan."

"Really?" asked Peter, sounding surprised. Rosalind wasn't exceptionally pretty, she was short, a bit plump, had a large nose, and her curly blonde hair was usually a mess. She wasn't very intelligent when it came to school, but she was at least better than Peter. Of course, it was a surprise to Peter to have any girl be willing to go to a dance with him. Not that he'd ever tried to get a girlfriend or anything. He usually just assumed no one liked him. He was grinning, and I was happy for him. Later that day, when he'd headed off for dinner, we talked to Lily.

"So, how'd you manage to get Rosalind to go with Peter?" asked Sirius.

"She was really worried that she wouldn't have anyone to go with," explained Lily. "And she doesn't seem to think Peter's that bad."

"Why Julia for me?" I asked.

"You don't like her?" Lily asked.

"She's annoying!" I said.

"Well, she was the first person I could find, and she said yes," said Lily. "She seemed happy. I think she really likes you."

"Oh great," I muttered. That was just what I needed, someone like that liking me. "Next time we have a dance, remind me to find my own date. Or better yet, I'll go alone." I told Sirius.

"Unless my sister is there, right Moony?" he teased.

"Shut up," I muttered. But he was right.

A week later, we were in our dorm preparing for the ball. We dressed in dress robes. James was trying to fix his hair, and failing, of course.

"I could try to transfigure it for you, James," Sirius offered. But James refused saying that it would probably end up worse than it was already. Sirius agreed that he was probably right. The two of them were so happy. They were going to the dance with girls they liked. And here I was, going to the dance with Julia, and still unable to get Addi off my mind.

"We should go. The girls are probably waiting," Sirius said, checking his watch.

"Great," I muttered. James drew in a deep breath, and attempted to straighten his face, which was plastered in the same stupid grin he'd worn whenever Lily had agreed to go with him. Sirius seemed the cool and collected one, as usual, taking one last glance in our mirror before heading out of the dorm.

"Cheer up, Remus," said Sirius. "This is going to be fun."

"Maybe for you," I said. "You're not going with Julia." He shrugged and continued out the door. I followed. We descended the staircase into the Gryffindor common room. The girls stood, waiting for us. James joined Lily, Sirius joined Erin, Peter joined Rosalind, and I stood, not wanting to join Julia. I took a deep breath and walked over. I could hardly believe how she was dressed. Her royal blue gown was tight and much to short in my opinion, exposing her thin bony features. Her pale face was now heavily plastered with layers and layers of makeup, including bright red lipstick and caked-on blue eye shadow. Her short hair was clipped back from her face in tiny barrettes. She stood haughtily, her hand resting on her hip impatiently, nose raised highly in the air in a look of superiority. I groaned inwardly.

"Hi, Julia," I said when I reached her.

"Hi Remus," she said in a voice that was much too cheerful.

"You look nice," I tried to complement her. She giggled and instantly clung to my arm, leading me off behind the others. I sighed. It was going to be a long night. We walked down to the Great Hall. It was brightly decorated with candles floating in the air, ribbons of house colors were streaming from all around, garland and red bows adorned the walls, and the floor had been bewitched to look like ice, reflecting the multicolored glow from the torches that floated overhead.

"This is it?" asked Julia when she saw it. "I can't believe this is all they did. I thought this was going to be a formal dance! I've seen muggle dances look better." I rolled my eyes. The music for the first dance started to play. I stood with her at the side of the dance floor, watching the other couples make their way out.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" asked Julia in an annoyed tone. She grabbed my arm and yanked me onto the floor. Then she put her arms around my neck. I reluctantly put my arms lightly around her waist, and we danced. I didn't look at her, instead I looked around at everyone else. James and Lily were dancing close, looking deep into each other's eyes, and smiling. Erin was leaning her head on Sirius' shoulder as they danced. Rosalind was frowning as Peter continually stepped on her feet as he tried to dance. My mind drifted off to Addi. I wished she were there. Then, the night would have been perfect. But instead, I had Julia.

"Would you at least look at me while we're dancing," she complained. "Agghh! You are so bad at this!" I sighed. It had only been five minutes, and this was already terrible. The song ended and we left the dance floor. Now, Julia dragged me over to a group of her giggly friends. They were three girls who seemed to act the same as Julia. One of them was with a Ravenclaw fourth year that I didn't know, another was with a Hufflepuff fifth year, and the third one appeared to be alone, until her date came walking over. It was Snape. Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, they did. Julia was still hanging on my arm.

"Guys, this is my date, Remus Lu-. What is it again?" she said.

"Lupin," I mumbled.

"Right," she said. "Remus Lupin."

"Hi," the others said cheerfully.

"Hi," I mumbled. I saw Sirius, James and Peter standing with Lily, Erin and Rosalind at the other side of the Great Hall.

"Why don't I go get us some drinks," I offered to Julia.

"Okay," she said. "Hurry back."

"Right," I muttered, walking away. I reached the other side of the Great Hall.

"Help me," I moaned to James. He laughed.

"It's not funny!" I shouted. "She's so annoying!"

"Having fun, huh Remus?" said Sirius.

"Oh, yeah, the time of my life," I said sarcastically. I noticed Julia waving for me to come back. "Well, duty calls," I said, walking back over to her.

"Let's go dance some more," she said, grabbing my arm and leading me to the dance floor. We danced next to Snape and his date. She and Julia were talking. Snape glared at me.

"Oh, you know Severus, don't you Remus?" Julia said after she noticed that we weren't talking.

"We've met," I said stiffly.

"So, you are a pureblood, right?" Julia asked as we danced.

"Yes," I said. "What does that matter?"

"Oh, well, you know," she answered. "We're the only ones that are real wizards. Those others are never as good at magic." She smirked. I was liking her less by the minute. It was only eight thirty, and the dance lasted until twelve. It was going to be a very long night. After the song ended, I was dragged back over to her group of friends.

"Oh my gosh! Look at her dress!" they were talking about some other girl. "That is so last year!"

"I know!" said Julia. "I would die if I had to wear that!"

"Look at that girl's hair!" Snape's date was pointing to Lily.

"Oh, that is terrible!" commented Julia. "Oh, and she's with your friend." She said to me, referring to James. "I would have thought he could do better than that."

"I think you'd better stop talking about my friends like that!" I told her. I was really getting angry with her now.

"Oh, sorry," she tried to look apologetic.

"Sure," I muttered.

"What was that?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing," I said.

"Well, then," she said. "Would you run and fetch me a drink? I'm really thirsty."

"I'm not going to fetch you anything," I muttered angrily. Who did she think she was? She frowned, looking a little upset.

"Then, I'll come with you," she said. We walked over to the punch bowl. Sirius and Erin were there too. Julia was getting herself a glass of punch, and Sirius was standing near her, holding one. He grinned his mischievous smile. I wondered what he was thinking, but it didn't take long to find out.

"Oh, I am so sorry," he said as he bumped into Julia, spilling punch all over her dress. He grinned at me, and I couldn't help laughing.

"You idiot! How could you do that!" she shouted at him.

"It was an accident," now Sirius was using his innocent look.

"You ruined my dress!" Julia wined. Erin grabbed Sirius's arm.

"Let's go," she hissed, pulling him away.

"Thanks," I mouthed to him as he left.

Julia dragged me to the other side of the Great Hall where there were chairs. She sat down.

"I can't be seen like this," she was in tears. "Your stupid friend ruined my dress! This is so humiliating!" I bit my lip, forcing myself not to laugh. Several of her friends came rushing over to see what was going on. She told them what happened.

"Oh, that's terrible," one of them said. Another turned to me.

"Can't you see that she's upset? You're supposed to be comforting her!"

"Right," I muttered.

"Sit down, Remus," Julia said to me. Reluctantly, I sat down next to her. "Oh, this is such a tragedy!" She wined, now leaning her head on my shoulder. I sat helplessly, unable to move.

"Uh- would you mind not leaning on me like that?" I asked. She sobbed harder and moved.

"Come with me, Julia," said one of her friends, putting her hand on her shoulder. "Boys are so insensitive," she muttered as they walked away. Finally, I thought. I went back over to Sirius.

"Thanks, Sirius," I said.

"Well, you looked miserable," said Sirius. "It was the least I could do." He grinned. "Next on the list of 'ways to embarrass Julia' is blue hair."

"You most certainly will not!" said Erin.

"Okay then, I won't," said Sirius. "Oh Jamesie!" he called to James.

"At your service," said James, coming over. Sirius talked to him quietly.

James laughed. "This'll be fun."

"What will be fun?" Lily came over.

"Oh, nothing, Lil," said James.

"Yeah, that's really the look you have on your face when it's nothing," she said, observing his grin. Just then, Julia and her friend came back into the Great Hall. Julia had stopped crying and was back to being her pushy, conceited self.

"So, Remus," she said when she came back over to me. "What are we doing with these people?" she asked observing my friends.

"What, we're not good enough for you?" asked James. Julia made a face.

"Oh no! I have to leave now! I'm not good enough for Julia!" said Sirius sarcastically. If looks could kill, he'd have been dead and in his grave. James slid his wand out of his pocket and let it fall to the floor.

"Oh, would you look at that," he said. "I've dropped my wand." He bent to pick it up, and as he did, muttered the spell for changing hair color. Julia's hair turned bright blue. He put his wand back in his pocket without looking at her.

"Feeling a little blue, Julia?" asked Sirius.

"Huh?" she said. We all laughed.

"Oh my gosh! Did I do that?" said James, pulling his best innocent look.

"Do what?" asked Julia.

"Your hair," said Sirius, between fits of uncontrollable laughter. She pulled some of her hair into view. She shrieked in a high pitched voice that sounded like it could shatter windows.

"My hair!" she wailed. "My beautiful hair!" I was nearly doubling over to keep from laughing.

"Oh, let me change it back for you," said James, holding his wand up. He waved it around and turned her hair green.

"Oh, no, that's not it," he said. "Let me try again." He once again waved his wand. This time her hair turned purple. "I don't understand," James said, staring at his wand. "I must have forgotten the spell."

"No!" Julia shrieked. "CHANGE IT BACK RIGHT NOW!" she wailed. There was now a considerable crowd around us. Lily grabbed James's arm.

"Change it back, James," she ordered him.

"But I don't want to," James pretended to wine.

"Change it!" Lily insisted.

"Oh, all right," said James, changing it back. Lily looked satisfied with herself at being able to tell James what to do.

"CHANGE IT BACK!" Julia still wailed.

"Uh, Julia," I said, fighting hard not to laugh. "It is back." She glanced at her hair.

"Oh," she grabbed my arm. "Well then, let's go, sweetie." I gave my friends a helpless glance as she dragged me away once again. Sweetie? I moaned. She insisted that we dance again.

"I can't believe you're friends with those jerks," she told me as we danced. "They're so immature." I wanted to tell her that she wasn't much better, but I didn't say anything. I just shrugged. The torture went on all night. James and Sirius gave up on traumatizing Julia because Lily and Erin yelled at them for it. Julia dragged me around with her friends, and she insisted that we danced about five more times at least. I kept thinking about Addi the entire time. She was the exact opposite of Julia. The exact opposite of Julia was a very good thing. I found myself wishing that it was full moon at one point. Then I stopped myself. Something has to be really horrible for me to prefer being a werewolf over it. A night with Julia definitely came close. After all that had happened, it was finally eleven forty five. The final slow song played. Julia once again dragged me to the dance floor. I couldn't help smiling, because I was so glad that the night was almost over.

"So, did you have a good time?" I asked Julia.

"A good time?" she spat. "Your friends ruined everything!"

"Oh, did they?" I asked, grinning. She stared at me, confused.

"I'm glad I got to come with you, though," she said. I rolled my eyes. She noticed. "Is something wrong?" she asked me.

"It's about time you asked!" I couldn't stop myself. "You have been making rude comments about me and my friends all night! You're a conceited, selfish, arrogant person with no respect at all for anyone!" She stared at me, blankly. Then, she laughed.

"You're funny," she said. What was with this girl? Didn't she see that I couldn't stand her? I just shook my head and sighed.

"I know you're not serious," she said, giggling. "You can't fool me." What was I doing still dancing with her? I wanted to shout at her and make her angry, then leave. But I remained calm, as usual. The song finally ended. I turned to go, but Julia grabbed my arm.

"Don't you know you're supposed to walk me back to the common room?" she asked. Then, as though it wasn't a question, she pulled me in that direction. I walked her, silently, back to the common room, following Sirius and Erin. When we reached the common room, she stood in front of me.

"Goodnight," I said.

"Well?" she looked at me. I glanced around. James kissed Lily goodnight, and Sirius noticed them, then kissed Erin. I moaned. I was not going to kiss Julia goodnight.

"No!" I shouted. "There is no way in hell that I would kiss you after the way you acted tonight! Now go away and don't ever talk to me again!" I don't know where the words came from, but they came out faster than I could think. Julia ran, crying, into the girls' dorm room. I didn't feel the least bit sorry. James, Sirius, Lily and Erin stared.

"Whoa Remus," said Sirius. "That was a little mean."

"I don't care," I said angrily. "She deserved it. They put her in the wrong house three years ago. She should be a Slytherin!" James and Peter still looked shocked to hear me talk like that, and Lily and Erin looked a bit disgusted. I had to laugh. Julia deserved every bit of it. I went to bed, glad that the night was finally over. Needless to say, Julia O'Keefe never spoke to me again.