Chapter Two : Shopping
After only a week, Professor McGonagall handed back their reports.
"Very nice Sirius, but next time, try to do your essay at least two nights before hand."
"How did you kn..."
"It wasn't that hard to figure out, Black. You haven't done a report for me more than a night before hand since your very first essay in your first year. I didn't expect you to change for this essay."
Sirius grinned. "Ah yes, I remember being a firstie...Needles into toothpicks. Those were the days."
McGonagall gave a slight smile, although it looked a little painful for her to do. She continued to hand back more papers.
"Good Potter, though yours had some odd resemblances to Sirius' at the end."
James and Sirius looked at each other and smirked.
"Excellent work, Natalie. I did enjoy reading yours."
"Thank you Professor."
"Abby, please try for neater handwriting next time. Although it was good, I'm not sure about your theory of turning muggles into frogs when they become too curious of magic people..."
"Awww, come on Professor!" Abby said with a grin.
"Lupin and Pettigrew: Very good. But Peter, keep in mind that this is Transfiguration class, not Charms."
She continued on.
"Miss Evans, full marks as usual."
"Thank you, Professor."
Once she was finished handing back the scrolls, she walked up to the front of the room and called for attention.
"Alright, alright. Settle down, Black. As you all know, the holiday vacation is quickly approaching,"
"I'm counting down the days." Sirius interrupted.
McGonagall shot him a warning look. "And whereas most of you usually go home for the winter break, you might want to consider staying back this year. On Christmas night, there will be a Yule Ball. This has been done before, but not since when you all were second years, so of course, you weren't able to attend. I wanted to give you all good warning, incase you felt the need to bring a partner. (Natalie giggled) Only dress robes will be allowed. (Natalie giggled again) If you don't have one, I would suggest going to Gladrag's Wizard Wear during the next visit to Hogsmeade, which will be next Saturday. I must remind all of you however, that you must present your best behavior, and do NOT disrespect any of the other Houses." She glanced over at Sirius and James. Both boys had a tendency to get into fierce duels with Severus Snape (A greasy black haired boy with an odd obsession in the Dark Arts) and other Slytherin house members. "If you do, I will not go lightly on punishments. That is all. You are dismissed."
As the Gryffindor 6th years flooded out of the transfiguration room, all that was on everyone's mind was the Yule Ball. While Lily, Abby and Natalie walked up to the Gryffindor common room, Natalie wouldn't stop talking about how she would do her hair.
". . .Maybe I could do curls. . .or I could put it up in a bun. . .no, that's too bland. Abby, you are going to let me do your hair right?"
"Are you crazy? What's next? Makeup?"
"Oh you gotta let me, Ab-BEE. Oh you'll look SO gorgeous!"
"What? Are you saying I don't now?"
"Not entirely. . .You're just so much of a tomboy. . . "
"Whatever. I gotta run, James will be mad if I'm late for practice." Abby was one of the beaters for the Gryffindor House Quidditch team. James had a reputation for making latecomers run laps around the Quidditch pitch.
"See you at dinner, Ab." Lily called as Abby ran down the corridor.
"So, Lil. . ." Natalie turned and grinned at Lily. "Who, What, and What?"
"What?"
"Who are you going to go with, what are you going to wear, and what are we going to do with your hair? Ha! That rhymed!"
"I don't know, I don't care, and what's wrong with my hair?"
"Ha! You rhymed too! What do you mean you don't care?"
"Well, I already have some dress robes, I'll just wear one of those."
"Those things? They're so. . .DULL. You need to get some new ones."
"Why? I already ha. . ."
"Stop right there! You are getting new robes whether you like it or not!"
There was no point in arguing with Natalie. The longer you argued with her, the angrier she got, and Natalie always wins in the end, so it's best to just keep her happy.
The rest of the week went without major events. (Unless, you count Sirius turning one of the 7th year Slytherins into a human flower) Natalie wouldn't stop talking about the Yule Ball. Abby even threatened to curse Natalie a few times, but nothing would work. Finally, during breakfast one morning, Remus used a harmless curse that put an invisible piece of duct tape over Natalie's mouth. Everyone could tell that Natalie was madder than manicore, and Abby thought it was the funniest thing she had seen all week, other than the human flower of course.
On Saturday, everyone went to Hogsmeade. It was a cold day, and snow was gently falling to the ground from the gray sky above. Abby and Lily convinced Natalie to stop at the Three Broomsticks for a few butterbeers before they went to Gladrag's. The boys were nowhere to be seen. \\ Probably lost somewhere in Zonko's. . . \\ Lily thought. After a few warming butterbeers, the girls walked over to Gladrag's, stopping once at Honeydukes for some chocolate. As the approached the Gladrag's doors, four of the most unlikely people walked out. The Natalie and Lily stood in shock as James, Remus, Sirius, and Peter all exited from Gladrag's, each with bags in hand.
"Hey, girls! See you later in the common room!" Remus shouted as the boys walked down the street.
Lily saw James and Sirius wink playfully at the girls as they walked away.
"Am I dreaming," Natalie asked," Or have my dreams come true?"
"I don't know, but it's cold out here and let's get inside." Abby replied. She was the only one who wasn't fazed by the boys.
Gladrag's was packed with students. At first, it was hard to even glance at any of the dress robes, but Natalie changed that. The younger years seemed to understand that Natalie would start cursing them if they didn't move out of the way. Abby laughed.
"I guess there are some good things about having a fashion guru as you friend." She whispered to Lily.
As the girls searched all of the racks in the store, Lily was the only one who didn't find anything that she liked. Natalie kept giving suggestions, and when Lily would turn it down, Natalie would just keep it for herself to try on. Even Abby had better luck than Lily, but then again, Natalie was throwing things into Abby's arms before Abby could even get a word in. After an hour and a half, Lily gave up.
"Sorry, girls. I guess we are just stuck with one of my old robes."
"Oh fine. You are no fun." Natalie replied. "But. . .in the meantime, you can help me pick out a robe. Lemme go start trying them on. When I come out, you need to give me your HONEST opinion! You too, Abby."
"Hey! I'm gonna be trying on my own robes. Lil, would you mind seeing mine also?"
"No problem, Abs."
After about a minute, Natalie came out with her first choice. It was a bright pink robe, made of a satiny material. Lily hated it at once. Natalie frowned, but then agreed and came out in another robe a minute later. This one was black, with silver glitter all around the bottom. Lily admitted that it wasn't as bad as the pink robe, but didn't like it either.
Abby's first robe was perfect. It was a deep navy blue robe made of silk. It fit Abby to a T, and Abby even looked pleased with her pick.
"Abby! It's perfect! Don't even bother trying any others on!" Lily said in awe.
Natalie heard Lily, and came out with a different robe on, this one was completely silver.
"Oh! Abby!" she squealed. "It's PERFECT!"
"Yours however," Lily said, "Is not. Go right back in there and try on another."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Natalie's next few robes were just as bad as the pink one. All she had to do was show an arm, and Lily and Abby would tell her to try on another. But after about ten minute more of failures, Natalie finally came out with the right one. It was a very pale blue that made her eyes sparkle like diamonds. And it even was better after Natalie did a spin for the girls. While she was spinning, Lily and Abby noticed that the dress was iridescent, and it shimmered back and forth between the light blue, and a very pale aqua green. Natalie saw how happy Lily and Abby were, and immediately decided to buy it. Although relieved that her friend was happy (and didn't choose the bright pink robe), Lily still felt depressed inside that she wasn't able to find a new robe for herself. Of course, she had the other robes, but she had worn them all a few times before, and she would have loved a new robe to stand out in. As the girls left the store, Natalie noticed how spacey Lily was acting.
"Lil, what's up? You don't seem like yourself."
Lily snapped out of it and put on a smile.
"What are you talking about? I was just thinking a little about who I should hook you up with."
"OH! Well, then in that case, I already have a few ideas. . ."
Abby looked at Lily and scowled.
"You just HAD to bring up dates didn't you?" Abby whispered angrily.
Lily laughed. Natalie was still talking about all the different guys she was thinking about going with, and didn't really realize that Lily was not paying attention to her.
When they got back to Hogwarts, their cheeks were rosy, and their hands felt frozen, but their clattering teeth couldn't hide their smiles and laughs. After they told the password to the Fat Lady, the girls walked into the common room, only to see Sirius modeling his new dress robe for some third year girls, well, more like flexing his muscles in his new dress robes. The girls were cat calling and whistling, and it was obvious that Sirius was enjoying every second of it. Sirius didn't notice Lily, Natalie or Abby, so Abby decided to play a joke on him. Lily heard Abby whisper something under her breath, and the next thing Lily knew, Sirius was standing there, in nothing but his boxers. At first he looked embarrassed, but then he realized what happened. He whipped around and walked over to Abby, who was laughing so hard there were tears flowing out of her eyes. Even though she was fighting to hold back a smile, Lily had to admit, Sirius had a really nice body.
"Think that's funny do ya? Sirius said to Abby.
"No, I think it's HILARIOUS!" Abby shouted in his face.
"You know you did that just so you get some of this good stuff. . ." And then Sirius began flexing his muscles for Abby. Abby started to laugh even harder.
"Oh yeah, that exactly what I was trying to do." She said sarcastically. "I want you. I want you so bad." She said even more sarcastically.
"Well, you can have me . . .Will you go to the Yule Ball with me?"
Abby stopped laughing. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah I'm pretty sure I'm Sirius. It's what every calls me. . ."
"Sure I'll go!"
"Sounds good. Can I have my clothes back?"
"Yeah, Ab. He might need that dress robe now. . ." Natalie said. Her grin was wider than Sirius'.
Abby grinned. "Aww. . .I guess. . ." and with a flick of her wand, Sirius was dress again. The third year girls sounded disappointed.
"Sorry girls! Show's over!" Sirius said, and after he gave Abby a kiss on the cheek, he ran up to his dormitory.
After only a week, Professor McGonagall handed back their reports.
"Very nice Sirius, but next time, try to do your essay at least two nights before hand."
"How did you kn..."
"It wasn't that hard to figure out, Black. You haven't done a report for me more than a night before hand since your very first essay in your first year. I didn't expect you to change for this essay."
Sirius grinned. "Ah yes, I remember being a firstie...Needles into toothpicks. Those were the days."
McGonagall gave a slight smile, although it looked a little painful for her to do. She continued to hand back more papers.
"Good Potter, though yours had some odd resemblances to Sirius' at the end."
James and Sirius looked at each other and smirked.
"Excellent work, Natalie. I did enjoy reading yours."
"Thank you Professor."
"Abby, please try for neater handwriting next time. Although it was good, I'm not sure about your theory of turning muggles into frogs when they become too curious of magic people..."
"Awww, come on Professor!" Abby said with a grin.
"Lupin and Pettigrew: Very good. But Peter, keep in mind that this is Transfiguration class, not Charms."
She continued on.
"Miss Evans, full marks as usual."
"Thank you, Professor."
Once she was finished handing back the scrolls, she walked up to the front of the room and called for attention.
"Alright, alright. Settle down, Black. As you all know, the holiday vacation is quickly approaching,"
"I'm counting down the days." Sirius interrupted.
McGonagall shot him a warning look. "And whereas most of you usually go home for the winter break, you might want to consider staying back this year. On Christmas night, there will be a Yule Ball. This has been done before, but not since when you all were second years, so of course, you weren't able to attend. I wanted to give you all good warning, incase you felt the need to bring a partner. (Natalie giggled) Only dress robes will be allowed. (Natalie giggled again) If you don't have one, I would suggest going to Gladrag's Wizard Wear during the next visit to Hogsmeade, which will be next Saturday. I must remind all of you however, that you must present your best behavior, and do NOT disrespect any of the other Houses." She glanced over at Sirius and James. Both boys had a tendency to get into fierce duels with Severus Snape (A greasy black haired boy with an odd obsession in the Dark Arts) and other Slytherin house members. "If you do, I will not go lightly on punishments. That is all. You are dismissed."
As the Gryffindor 6th years flooded out of the transfiguration room, all that was on everyone's mind was the Yule Ball. While Lily, Abby and Natalie walked up to the Gryffindor common room, Natalie wouldn't stop talking about how she would do her hair.
". . .Maybe I could do curls. . .or I could put it up in a bun. . .no, that's too bland. Abby, you are going to let me do your hair right?"
"Are you crazy? What's next? Makeup?"
"Oh you gotta let me, Ab-BEE. Oh you'll look SO gorgeous!"
"What? Are you saying I don't now?"
"Not entirely. . .You're just so much of a tomboy. . . "
"Whatever. I gotta run, James will be mad if I'm late for practice." Abby was one of the beaters for the Gryffindor House Quidditch team. James had a reputation for making latecomers run laps around the Quidditch pitch.
"See you at dinner, Ab." Lily called as Abby ran down the corridor.
"So, Lil. . ." Natalie turned and grinned at Lily. "Who, What, and What?"
"What?"
"Who are you going to go with, what are you going to wear, and what are we going to do with your hair? Ha! That rhymed!"
"I don't know, I don't care, and what's wrong with my hair?"
"Ha! You rhymed too! What do you mean you don't care?"
"Well, I already have some dress robes, I'll just wear one of those."
"Those things? They're so. . .DULL. You need to get some new ones."
"Why? I already ha. . ."
"Stop right there! You are getting new robes whether you like it or not!"
There was no point in arguing with Natalie. The longer you argued with her, the angrier she got, and Natalie always wins in the end, so it's best to just keep her happy.
The rest of the week went without major events. (Unless, you count Sirius turning one of the 7th year Slytherins into a human flower) Natalie wouldn't stop talking about the Yule Ball. Abby even threatened to curse Natalie a few times, but nothing would work. Finally, during breakfast one morning, Remus used a harmless curse that put an invisible piece of duct tape over Natalie's mouth. Everyone could tell that Natalie was madder than manicore, and Abby thought it was the funniest thing she had seen all week, other than the human flower of course.
On Saturday, everyone went to Hogsmeade. It was a cold day, and snow was gently falling to the ground from the gray sky above. Abby and Lily convinced Natalie to stop at the Three Broomsticks for a few butterbeers before they went to Gladrag's. The boys were nowhere to be seen. \\ Probably lost somewhere in Zonko's. . . \\ Lily thought. After a few warming butterbeers, the girls walked over to Gladrag's, stopping once at Honeydukes for some chocolate. As the approached the Gladrag's doors, four of the most unlikely people walked out. The Natalie and Lily stood in shock as James, Remus, Sirius, and Peter all exited from Gladrag's, each with bags in hand.
"Hey, girls! See you later in the common room!" Remus shouted as the boys walked down the street.
Lily saw James and Sirius wink playfully at the girls as they walked away.
"Am I dreaming," Natalie asked," Or have my dreams come true?"
"I don't know, but it's cold out here and let's get inside." Abby replied. She was the only one who wasn't fazed by the boys.
Gladrag's was packed with students. At first, it was hard to even glance at any of the dress robes, but Natalie changed that. The younger years seemed to understand that Natalie would start cursing them if they didn't move out of the way. Abby laughed.
"I guess there are some good things about having a fashion guru as you friend." She whispered to Lily.
As the girls searched all of the racks in the store, Lily was the only one who didn't find anything that she liked. Natalie kept giving suggestions, and when Lily would turn it down, Natalie would just keep it for herself to try on. Even Abby had better luck than Lily, but then again, Natalie was throwing things into Abby's arms before Abby could even get a word in. After an hour and a half, Lily gave up.
"Sorry, girls. I guess we are just stuck with one of my old robes."
"Oh fine. You are no fun." Natalie replied. "But. . .in the meantime, you can help me pick out a robe. Lemme go start trying them on. When I come out, you need to give me your HONEST opinion! You too, Abby."
"Hey! I'm gonna be trying on my own robes. Lil, would you mind seeing mine also?"
"No problem, Abs."
After about a minute, Natalie came out with her first choice. It was a bright pink robe, made of a satiny material. Lily hated it at once. Natalie frowned, but then agreed and came out in another robe a minute later. This one was black, with silver glitter all around the bottom. Lily admitted that it wasn't as bad as the pink robe, but didn't like it either.
Abby's first robe was perfect. It was a deep navy blue robe made of silk. It fit Abby to a T, and Abby even looked pleased with her pick.
"Abby! It's perfect! Don't even bother trying any others on!" Lily said in awe.
Natalie heard Lily, and came out with a different robe on, this one was completely silver.
"Oh! Abby!" she squealed. "It's PERFECT!"
"Yours however," Lily said, "Is not. Go right back in there and try on another."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Natalie's next few robes were just as bad as the pink one. All she had to do was show an arm, and Lily and Abby would tell her to try on another. But after about ten minute more of failures, Natalie finally came out with the right one. It was a very pale blue that made her eyes sparkle like diamonds. And it even was better after Natalie did a spin for the girls. While she was spinning, Lily and Abby noticed that the dress was iridescent, and it shimmered back and forth between the light blue, and a very pale aqua green. Natalie saw how happy Lily and Abby were, and immediately decided to buy it. Although relieved that her friend was happy (and didn't choose the bright pink robe), Lily still felt depressed inside that she wasn't able to find a new robe for herself. Of course, she had the other robes, but she had worn them all a few times before, and she would have loved a new robe to stand out in. As the girls left the store, Natalie noticed how spacey Lily was acting.
"Lil, what's up? You don't seem like yourself."
Lily snapped out of it and put on a smile.
"What are you talking about? I was just thinking a little about who I should hook you up with."
"OH! Well, then in that case, I already have a few ideas. . ."
Abby looked at Lily and scowled.
"You just HAD to bring up dates didn't you?" Abby whispered angrily.
Lily laughed. Natalie was still talking about all the different guys she was thinking about going with, and didn't really realize that Lily was not paying attention to her.
When they got back to Hogwarts, their cheeks were rosy, and their hands felt frozen, but their clattering teeth couldn't hide their smiles and laughs. After they told the password to the Fat Lady, the girls walked into the common room, only to see Sirius modeling his new dress robe for some third year girls, well, more like flexing his muscles in his new dress robes. The girls were cat calling and whistling, and it was obvious that Sirius was enjoying every second of it. Sirius didn't notice Lily, Natalie or Abby, so Abby decided to play a joke on him. Lily heard Abby whisper something under her breath, and the next thing Lily knew, Sirius was standing there, in nothing but his boxers. At first he looked embarrassed, but then he realized what happened. He whipped around and walked over to Abby, who was laughing so hard there were tears flowing out of her eyes. Even though she was fighting to hold back a smile, Lily had to admit, Sirius had a really nice body.
"Think that's funny do ya? Sirius said to Abby.
"No, I think it's HILARIOUS!" Abby shouted in his face.
"You know you did that just so you get some of this good stuff. . ." And then Sirius began flexing his muscles for Abby. Abby started to laugh even harder.
"Oh yeah, that exactly what I was trying to do." She said sarcastically. "I want you. I want you so bad." She said even more sarcastically.
"Well, you can have me . . .Will you go to the Yule Ball with me?"
Abby stopped laughing. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah I'm pretty sure I'm Sirius. It's what every calls me. . ."
"Sure I'll go!"
"Sounds good. Can I have my clothes back?"
"Yeah, Ab. He might need that dress robe now. . ." Natalie said. Her grin was wider than Sirius'.
Abby grinned. "Aww. . .I guess. . ." and with a flick of her wand, Sirius was dress again. The third year girls sounded disappointed.
"Sorry girls! Show's over!" Sirius said, and after he gave Abby a kiss on the cheek, he ran up to his dormitory.
