The one where Lily attends the Yule Ball
Sirius did a twirl for his fellow Marauders and grinned. He was wearing dark red dress-robes that had golden ancient runes at the hem. It really did go well with his coloring and whoever the lucky lady was would be happy. James whistled loudly. Sirius pretended to blush.
'Oh you!' He made his voice high and added a giggle for good measure. 'I hope Debra doesn't take as long as some girls I know.' Sirius had a coughing fit that sounded remarkably like Porcia.
'Are we all going with Gryffindor girls?' James asked, fighting the urge to fidget. He was nervous about attending with Lily. It was their first real date.
'I'm going with Cynthia.' Remus put his head in his hands. 'I mentioned Christmas and suddenly I was being talked into going to the Ball with her.' Sirius patted his friend on the back in sympathy.
'Better than going with Alexia. She's so quiet.' Peter said, looking like a round ghost with his silver robes and pale complexion. His date had returned early because her parents couldn't take anymore time off work.
'Not happy with your dates then, men?' James asked, amused. 'I couldn't be happier.'
'Stop being smug, you prat.' Sirius laughed. 'Just because Lily is the perfect girl for a Marauder does not give you the right to rub it in!'
'Alright, alright, sorry guys.' Prongs grinned.
A fourth year named Kylie appeared on the landing. 'Ok, folks, get ready for the lovely ladies.'.
The first girl to walk down was Debra. She looked like the ice queen in her blue dress and silvery blue eye make up. Sirius gave his friends a long-suffering sigh and went to collect his date. She seemed oblivious to the fact he didn't seem over enthusiastic at her appearance.
Cynthia came down the stairs, dirty blonde hair in a knot at the back of her head. Remus stood up; squaring his shoulders and taking it like a man. 'You look nice, Cynthia.'
'Thanks, Remus.' She blushed and walked over to him.
They walked out of the Common Room, talking softly. Kylie was doing her best imitation of a trumpet fanfare. 'Here's Alexia!'
James held his breath without even knowing it. A slight girl with dark hair and eyes came down hesitantly. Her dress was a deep purple, almost black. Alexia, the shy girl who always had a nose in a book, looked damn nice. Peter was looking at her, mouth hanging open. James gave him a nudge and he recovered.
'Alexia...wow.'
She blushed. 'Thanks, Pete.' Her voice was timid.
Peter took her hand and they walked out of the portrait. Kylie called from the girls' room "James, Lily's coming!'
He looked up at the staircase and his breath caught in his throat. Lily stood there, a gloved hand on the rail, looking down at him, smiling. Her hair fell down in rich red cascades, giving it a tamed wild look. Her skin matched the creamy color of the dress. Stunning as she was, James felt like Lily was missing something.
She reached the foot of the stairs and smiled at him. 'Oh, James. The blue really brings out your eyes.' Lily murmured.
James walked over to her and took a hand, entwining the fingers. 'Lily, you need some green...' He pulled off a pin he had slipped in his robes. It had an emerald on the top of it and was a gift from his mother. Using his wand, he transfigured it into a small pendant for her. His fingers grazed the soft flesh of her neck as he attached it, giving them both shivers.
'There, perfect.' He kissed her softly, as not to smudge her make up.
'Thank you, James.' She smiled.
He opened the door and waved her through. 'After you, milady.'
Severus Snape sneered at the couples entering "fashionably late". He and his date had arrived on time, no messing about with pleasantries. He had knocked on the door and hollered for Elizabeth. At least she dressed in Slytherin colors, he thought, even if they didn't suit her. He himself wore black. It was practical and always looked good.
'Ah, Mister Snape.' He looked up and met the Muggle Loving Headmaster in the eye. 'I see you have taken my festive dress code rather independently.'
'I find black goes well with most occasions, sir.' Severus smirked.
Dumbledore smiled kindly at the lad. 'Next time don't make me have to choose your clothes, please.'
Much to his horror, the headmaster had changed his simple black robes into canary yellow ones. With frills! His face blushing brick red, he ducked out of the hall.
At that moment, Lily Evans and James Potter entered the hall. They looked splendidly elegant, especially for a pair of teenagers. All noise ceased except for the sound of their shoes clicking on the floor. They made their way to where Remus, Sirius and Peter had saved them seats. Once seated, the music and conversations resumed. One could still catch someone trying to get a glimpse of James and Lily.
'Look who has become the King and Queen of Hogwarts.' Sirius said dryly, pouring them both some Butterbeer. 'Oh, you should have seen Snape. Dumbledore turned his gothic threads mellow yellow.'
'I thought I saw a giant bird fly past.' Lily laughed, eyes twinkling.
'You'd better finish that drink quickly, my dear, because I am going to take you on the dance floor the moment you do.' Remus said, grinning. Before James could protest, he said, 'Come on man! You've got her all night. Let me take her out for a spin!'
The girl in question laughed, putting a hand on her date's arm. 'You can have the next dance, I promise.' She drained the glass and let Remus lead her out to the main part of the hall.
Sirius threw a charming smile at Debra so she wouldn't leave him. 'We'll go dancing the next song.' He leant forward so only James could hear. 'I don't know why I didn't go stag.'
'Because all the Slytherin girls would hit on you and try to poison you.'
Sirius' mouth dropped open. 'Slytherin girls hitting on me! AAAAGH!'
The music stopped and a breathless Lily came back. 'Thanks Remus. That was great. Come on, James.'
'Debra, ready to dance?' Sirius asked, taking his date's hand. The two couples moved on to the floor a moment before the music started.
Much to James' amusement, Severus had to dance in his brown robes (despite his best efforts in transfiguration, he could only change the robes to a disgusting coffee color). He was holding on to the girl limply, as if he found her below him.
'Oh, lighten up, Snape.' James grinned.
'She won't bite if you hold her closer.' Lily added, squeezing James' hand that she held.
'Get lost, Potters.' Severus spat, moving Elizabeth and him self away from them.
'Was it something we said?' He grinned.
Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall came around, dancing very exuberantly. Lily and James had to stifle laughter. 'Hello there, Mr Potter and Miss Evans.' The Headmaster said, smiling.
'Good evening, Professor,' they said in unison.
'Looks like you've become quite the talk of the school. Soon we'll have all the girls charming their hair red, and boys wearing fake glasses.' The old man gave a chortle.
'Don't scare them, Albus.' McGonagall said sternly, then smiled. 'Enjoy yourselves.' They turned back to their wild dancing, Professor McGonagall doing a twirl and Professor Dumbledore preparing to lift her up in the air.
'Wow, they are full of energy!' Lily said, laughing.
'You better believe it. Dumbledore would never let something as trivial as age get him down.' James smiled. 'Do you think we people really will act like us?'
'James, the boys already put gel in their hair to make it as messy...I mean adorable, as yours. If they start wearing fake glasses, I won't be surprised.'
They smiled at each other and continued dancing.
Peter sat with Alexia on a seat in the garden. The snow that had been threatening to fall all day finally began and soon the sky was full of snowflakes. They caught in their hair and their clothes, making everything glisten. Both of them laughed nervously.
'I've been seeing the way you act around Lily.' Alexia said quickly. 'Either you have a crush on her, or you hate her.'
Peter was at a loss for words. 'Uh...'
'I don't mind if you have a crush on her. It wouldn't be too hard to understand. She is really graceful and has really nice skin, no spots or anything. And her hair is really thick.' Her voice trailed off as she listed Lily's attributes.
'I don't have a crush on her!' Peter said loudly.
'You mean you hate her?' Her eyes narrowed. Why on earth would anybody hate a girl who was so nice?
'I don't hate her...she just...gets on my nerves.' It was almost as if he was testing the excuse. 'She's made James forget all about me.'
Alexia took his hand in hers. 'If you like boys, I don't mind.'
He looked repulsed. 'No, I do not like James like that! No! Ugh! James used to help me out. I used to be a part of the group, now Lily Evans has taken my job.' Peter let the words flow out of his mouth. It was good to be able to tell someone about his feelings. Even if it was Alexia.
'Peter, I'm sure the boys don't mean to lock you out of the group. Maybe you should talk to them. Maybe you should talk to Lily, too.' She let go of his hand and stood up. 'It's getting to cold out here. I'm going back to Gryffindor Tower. I'll see you later, then. Bye Peter.'
She left him in the softly falling snow, cold and miserable. Peter didn't know what to think now.
'James? Can I talk to you?' Peter's quiet voice interrupted his train of thoughts. Lily stopped kissing her boyfriend and looked into his eyes.
'You'd better go talk to him.' She gave him another kiss, on his cheek.
James wiped lipstick from his mouth, combed his hair into some resemblance of order and tugged at his dress robes. He walked over to the door and yanked it open, clearly angry at the interruption. Peter was standing there, wringing his hands.
'Peter, what are you doing here so late?' He asked tersely.
'I need to talk to you.'
'Can't it wait until morning?'
'James, I really need to get this off my chest.' Peter whimpered.
'Peter, James, I'm going to bed. See you in the morning.' Lily called.
'Dammit, Pete! We'll talk about this in the morning.' James said. 'Good night.' He walked off to the boys' rooms.
But in the morning, Peter seemed to have forgotten his need to speak to James. Lily was keeping a close eye on him and distinctly noticed him linger at the Slytherin table as they left the Great Hall for the library to study. Voldemort's powers were steadily growing. Soon Peter wouldn't be satisfied with the safety that Sirius and James could give him. He'd go over to Voldemort and betray James and herself.
What a charming thought, she mused, dipping her quill into some ink. She pushed the thoughts of the Dark Lord and betrayal to the back of her mind, after all, it was about time she finished that blasted essay on the morality of Dark Creatures.
Author's Note: Ok, thanks to Darth Flirt for reviewing last chapter, and for the understanding. I try to avoid plots with loads of time travel. This time I have no bloody choice ;). P.S, the ultimate crossover is really funny!
Sorry for the fact that this was short, but I have the W.B word. Don't say it! Thanks to Luke for understanding me too!