A/N: Here it is, the chapter that you've all been waiting for! Mwahaha… I can just see you all sitting at your computers right now, grins spreading across your faces… okay maybe not. Lol, an author can dream right?
Disclaimer: We've been over this! I own NOTHING!
A Story That Never Ends
Chapter Fourteen~ And then I Saw Her
It was almost like Christmas had come early for the small group of Gryffindor girls that evening on December 21st. The evening was perfect with the snow falling quickly, making the castle even more cozy and magical, and the stars in all the girls' eyes.
The boys didn't understand what all the fuss was about. To them it was just another excuse for the girls to see them all dressed up, hair slicked back.
So, after counting down the hours until they had to go upstairs to change and become Cinderella's (even if only Lily knew who that was), they were finally in their dorm a process on how to do this, assigned.
The girls were to each take a shower in one of the five stalls in the girl's bathroom with of course the Magical Hair Softener they had bought in Hogsmede, along with the rest of the beauty supplies. Then, they were to dry their hair, do their hair, put on their make up (all of this done by one of the other girls), and finally it would be time for the final piece- the dress.
It was like putting the finishing touches onto a painting. No one could wait for the final product and yet they had to.
* * * * * *
"I'm so glad that we don't have to do all the fancy-shmancy stuff the girls do." Sirius said as he came out of the bathroom in his dark blue robes.
"Well that's why we're guys." Fletcher said as he gelled his hair to stand up. "If we had to do that to, I don't think we could stay sane."
"First apply the blush on slowly so as not to cause blotching…" Quoted Frank.
All the guys chuckled and then took a look at one another- a once in a lifetime, sappy moment, occurring between them. They had always gotten ready for the dances together; it was a tradition between them, but never before had they all been this happy. And now that this good mood for all of them had come, this was probably one of the last dances they'd get together for.
For all these events Sirius and Fletcher usually had dates, but for some reason the steady girlfriends they had at that moment was a totally new experience.
The rest of the group was sometimes lucky to have someone to go with, but every now and then they'd all go stag and have fun anyway. And when they came back to the dorm that night, they'd hear about the wild adventure the other two had.
Now, it was an amazing and special even for all.
* * * * * *
"Ouch Viv, that huts!"
"Oh c'mon, suck it up a little! You're about to have the best time of your life with Remus Lupin and your complaining about your hair?"
Lily chuckled as she peeked up from over the compact disk she was using on Gabby, at Vivian. The girls had decided that doing two things at once would take less time, but so far Vivian hadn't been satisfied with her job on Gabby's hair, and already this was the fourth style.
"Just a little bit more pain, and then you'll be done." Vivian muttered to Gabby, to calm the girl down.
"Oka- ouch!"
Grinning, Lily began applying the eyeliner to her friend's face. Next, it would be Lily's turn for Gabby to do her hair and for Vivian to do the make up, and then Vivian would sit and Lily would do her hair and Gabby would do her makeup. They had always done this rotation for every ball, coming up with it in their fourth year.
"Done." Vivian said proudly, letting go of her friend's blonde hair.
Lily grinned, "That looks great Viv."
Gabby's hair was done in an elegant twist (no wonder it had caused Gabby so much pain) to the top of her head, a couple of shorter strands that wouldn't stay up in the twist, surrounding her face.
"I want to see!" Gabby whined.
"Not until Lily's done." Vivian said, "You know the rules."
"Fine."
Soon though, Lily was done with the silver eye shadow, the pale pink lipstick and the small amount of dust and glitter she put on her friend's face.
When Gabby turned to look at herself in the mirror, she grinned. "You guys rock."
"We know." Vivian and Lily said at the same time and then they all switched places.
* * * * * *
"James, no matter how hard you try that hair is just not going to stay down." Frank Longbottom said casually from his bed where he was playing Wizards Chess with Remus.
The boys had all finished doing their hair, showering, and putting on their robes, and were now just lying around, waiting to go pick up the girls. Unless you were James Potter though. He was currently trying to tame his hair.
"And besides, Lily likes your hair." Sirius said, "I'm not sure why though."
"Padfoot." James warned.
"Okay, okay." Sirius said. "But seriously though, she likes your hair! Leave it be."
"Fine." James sighed.
* * * * * *
"Okay Vivian, if you move one more time I think I'm just going to have to poke this mascara wand in your eye on purpose!" Gabby said, holding Vivian's face in her hand.
"I'm sorry! I'm just so worried that we're not going to be ready in time."
"We have thirty five minutes! That's enough time for our usual ritual." Lily said, sticking another bobby pin in Vivian's hair.
Their other ritual before a dance was that each girl would individually put on their dress, shoes and jewelry in the bathroom and then walks out and model for the other two. It was something they had thought up in fifth year during their Spring Ball, and it was something they loved doing.
"Okay, okay." Vivian said.
"I'm done." Lily said, poking the last bobby pin in to hold the elegant bun in place.
"Me too." Gabby said, applying the last amount of lipstick.
"Time for the dresses!" Vivian cried, and rushed for the closet.
Vivian was first to model for her friends, and quickly rushed into the bathroom all the supplies in her arms. The other two sat on the middle bed (Gabby's), waiting like children for Christmas to come. After about ten minutes the bathroom door opened, and out walked Vivian.
The half bun was held up half by bobby pins, but it was magnificent. Her make up, was simple and yet brought out the beautiful eyes that she really had, with a slightly heavy amount of black eye liner, but the red sparkles on her eye lids was a nice spice. Vivian's lips were a slightly shocking red, but not too shocking, and a nice coat of gloss on them.
The dress was a whole other story. It was silver and it had one strap that went across her right shoulder and then to the armpit of her left arm. The end of the dress ended just at the top of her calf. And on her feet she was wearing strappy heels that she had splurged on. And the jewelry was last but not least. It was Gabby's idea to work the red in from the eye shadow to her accessories. Around her neck was a sparkly red choker-like necklace. In her ears were ruby studs, and on her right wrist was a sparkly, thin, red bracelet.
"Oh my gosh! Sirius isn't going to know what hit him when he sees you." Lily said grinning at Vivian.
"Really?" Vivian asked, "It looks okay?"
"You look amazing!" Lily cried.
"There's just one thing missing." The until-now-silent Gabby said, "Hold on." And with that she slid off her bed and began rummaging through her trunk.
"Don't ruin your hair!" Vivian said.
"Here it is!" Gabby cried, coming up and facing them with a small red purse that matched her friends jewelry and make up. "Perfect."
"Okay, it's your turn Gabby." Vivian said, sitting down on the edge of Gabby's bed careful not to ruin her dress.
"Be right back." Gabby said winking, grabbing her stuff and heading into the bathroom.
"Notice how Gabby's been perky because Remus asked her to the ball?" Lily asked grinning.
"Yeah, I like this Gabby." Vivian said smiling.
Soon though, after the girls had waited for what seemed like a long time, Gabby appeared in front of them just like Vivian had.
Gabby looked nothing like her usual self. She looked like a porcelain doll; if you moved her too much she just might brake. Her hair, done by Lily, had been done in an elegant half bun, with the hair hanging loose, curled. The silver on her eyelids (surrounded by not so much eyeliner) was perfect considering it matched both the silver sparks on her cheeks, and on her dress.
The dress was deep purple spaghetti strapped and flowed down all the way to just above her knees, where a lighter floaty part of the dress went a little bit farther to the end of her knees. There were flecks of silver in the purple dress, which made it even more elegant. Her shoes were slip on, heeled sandals, that looked almost like glass slippers they were so pretty. Around her neck was a long silver necklace with an amethyst on the end of it. The earrings in her ears were long and dangly purple and silver stones and she had a silver ring on her right ring finger.
"Remus is going to be so happy he asked you to the dance." Vivian said shocked, getting up and circling her friend.
"You look so amazing." Lily said, standing up too admiring the pieces of jewelry her friend had chosen.
"Really? I want tonight to be perfect… I really do like Remus."
"We know." The other two said grinning.
"Okay, your turn Lily!" Gabby said, and as the other two sat down on the bed, Lily rushed into the bathroom with the stuff she needed.
Five minutes later, the last of the three friends carefully opened the door to the bathroom and stepped out, trying to get a feel for her heels. Lily's hair had been left down, yet it had been curled and so it cascaded down her back in ruby red waves. In the back of her hair it was slightly gathered into a sparkly red barrette, but still the hair hung down around her neck. Around her eyes was a light bit of pale white eye shadow, she had a tint of blush on her already rosy red cheeks and to top it all off her lips looked full and beautiful with the glossy color red that matched her dress.
Her dress was strapless and it was simple. No designs or other colors on the shocking and classy red that she had chosen. Along with it though, she had a shawl that was wrapped loosely around her elbows. The dress itself went all the way down to her feet, where you found simple, elegant red heels that just topped off the classy look about her. Around her neck was a necklace of, of course fake, rubies, and she had a matching bracelet along with it. She chose not to put any earrings in, as they would be hidden from her hair.
"James is going to freak when he sees you." Gabby said.
"I think every girl is going to be jealous of you at the ball, you look so amazing." Vivian breathed.
* * * * * *
"Are you guys ready?" Sirius asked, standing up and checking himself one last time in the mirror. It was just James, Sirius and Remus in the boy's dorm considering Frank, Fletcher and Peter had all left a couple minutes earlier to pick up their dates.
"Should we just go out there and knock?" James asked.
"Sure." Sirius said shrugging, "Why not?"
So off the group of boys went, taking the short journey from their dorm, to the dorm across the hall from them.
* * * * * *
Knock. Knock.
"Who is it?" Gabby asked as she looked at her other friend's, smiling.
"Santa Clause!" A voice said from the other side.
The girls laughed and called, "Come in!"
The three boys entered the room, each wearing a different colored robe. James was dressed in robes of powder gray, Remus was in robes of deep maroon and Sirius was in robes of dark blue.
"Why look at you lovely ladies." Sirius said grinning as his eyes landed on Vivian after skimming the other girls. He walked over, planted a kiss on her lips and said, "You my dear look like an angel."
"I must say you girls out did yourselves." Remus said as him and James walked into the room. Walking over to Gabby he kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"Princess Lily, are you ready?" James asked, bowing and kissing Lily's hand lightly.
"I am dear Prince, let's head down."
"Let's."
And with that the three pairs headed down the stairs, out of the common room and downstairs to the Great Hall.
* * * * * *
"There you two are." Professor McGonagle said spotting the Head Students, with robes of a light purple on instead of her teacher uniform. "Are you two ready for the dance to open up the ball with?"
"Yes, Professor we are." James said grinning, as Lily linked her arm through James'. "And I must say you look ravishing in your new robes."
The Professor blushed, and then walked away ushering students through the doors of the Great Hall.
The Great Hall looked fantastic. Floating candles were everywhere, and the place was decorated just in time for the Christmas Holiday's with mistletoe and wreathes, and holly everywhere. In the corner of the hall was a huge tree that Hagrid had brought in, and was decorated by Professor Flitwick.
There were many round tables towards the back of the hall, with gold plates, gold silverware, gold goblets and gold and white tablecloths. In the very back there was the Head Table where the teachers would sit. In the front of the Great Hall was a large area for dancing, and where the band was currently playing a light jazz as people entered the room.
"This looks fantastic." Gabby breathed, as the group of six headed to their own table where they met up with Fletcher and his date, Frank and his date, and of course Peter and his date.
After a couple minutes, the Hall was soon packed, the doors were shut and Dumbledore stood up.
"Hello and welcome to the Winter Ball! I hope you all enjoy yourselves tonight, and now on with the food!"
And as soon as he snapped his fingers tons of deliciously smelling food appeared at the tables. Everyone turned and began to eat while chatting with one another.
* * * * * *
"Well I'm stuffed." Vivian sighed, gently pushing her empty plate of what was chocolate cake, away.
"Me too." Lily said nodding.
"I don't think I'm ever going to eat again!" Gabby said, glancing at everyone else who all looked the same, including Sirius the master of food.
"Well, I'll take it that you have all had enough time to consume enough of the food that our kitchens prepared for us." Dumbledore said standing up once again and snapping. With that second set of snapping, the plates disappeared and all that was left was the butterbeer and goblets and each table. "And now, will you all turn your attentions to the dance floor where the two people that made this ball possible will open up the dance floor together, Mr. James Potter and Miss. Lily Evans!"
Everyone clapped as James and Lily headed out to the dance floor, nerves slightly overcoming Lily.
"Relax." James whispered as he took her hand, his other slipping around her waist and her free one going behind his neck. "You look wonderful and you'll do just fine."
"Promise?" Lily asked.
"Promise."
At first the two weren't sure of the flow of things, considering they had never danced together and since Lily didn't know how to waltz. She chose to give in to the flow and movement of James' body, and let him lead.
"Sorry." Lily whispered, as she stepped on the tip of James' right foot.
"It's okay." James whispered back, "You're doing fine."
Before they knew it the song was over, and another had started up, this time everyone was on the dance floor with them. Sighing, Lily leaned onto James' shoulder. The scary part was over, now she could enjoy the ball. Looking to her right she saw Gabby and Remus dancing, chatting lightly as they drew closer to each other. On the other side of them she could see Sirius and Vivian dancing slowly, both of their eyes closed.
* * * * * *
"You and James looked great out there." Vivian said as her and Lily sat down together, taking a break from all the dancing they had been doing.
"Really?" Lily asked, a tint of blush forming on her cheeks.
"Aw." Vivian said and smiled at her friend. "You're really that smitten with him, aren't you?"
"What can I say?" Lily asked, "He's the best thing that's happened to me in awhile."
"So what are you girls talking about?" Sirius asked, coming back from the new table that now held punch, setting a glass in front of Vivian.
"Nothing." Lily said.
"Right." James said, joining the group.
"Look at Remus and Gabby." Sirius said, glancing out at their other friends.
"I know, they look so happy." Lily sighed, "I heard he asked her out."
"Really?" Vivian said wide-eyed.
"Well I think that's what Gabby mouthed to me, I wasn't really sure."
"That's so cute!"
"I know, it's about time those two got together." Lily said. Vivian shot her a meaningful glance that said, 'look-who's-talking', but Lily ignored her.
"So, Lily." James said as a slow song came on again. "Care to dance?"
"Of course." Lily said and got up to join him on the dance floor.
"They better get together tonight." Sirius muttered as they left.
"Tell me about it." Vivian said, leaning into Sirius' arm.
* * * * * *
"You look lovely tonight." James said as him and Lily glided around the dance floor, jealous guys looking at the two. "I think every guy in this room wants to be me right now."
Lily blushed as she smiled up at him. "And I must say every girl wants to be me."
"Well what can I say?" James asked and Lily laughed.
The pair was quiet for awhile as they slowly moved together. James looked down at the redhead in his arms. She looked amazing tonight and he decided, now was a good a time as any.
"Lils?" He whispered, bending down to her ear.
"Mm?"
"I was wondering, would you like to go--- well err, steady?"
Lily shot her eyes open and lifted her head up too meet his gaze.
"Really?"
"Yes, really." James said, moving a curly strand of her hair away from her face. Their eyes met and then slowly their faces moved closer together.
When their lips met, it was like they had found the missing piece of a puzzle. It was a gentle and sweet kiss, but it meant a lot to the two of them. All their feelings for one another seemed to flood out into each other through that kiss. As they broke apart, Lily's eyes sparkled.
"I'll take that as a yes, then?" James whispered huskily.
And Lily leaned in and kissed James again, a little bit more passionately this time.
* * * * * *
A/N: Well there it is, the chapter with the romance. They've gotten together! Now all the fluffiness I've wanted to add can come!
Hope you all enjoyed it.
Please review!
