IT'S THE DANCE!

But I can't promise you anything. It's the chapter where the Yule Ball happens and at the same time the title says Strike Three.

Well, then. The good news is that there wouldn't be any strike four. I mean, it kind of naturally always stops at strike three, right? And after strike three, the good things come. Oh, I just sounded ironic but then, I'm not really sure if I'm making any sense.

Alright, just a little recap: James is still taking Sarah Cramer to the dance. Why? Well, some sort of… twisted… explanation is in there… somewhere… in the chapter. And who's taking Lily to the dance? Hmmm… James also wants to know that.

And another one, James and Lily haven't talked about James being an Animagus. Things are complicated enough. Besides, Lily has already talked with Remus.

So, as usual, first, I'd like to thank the following people:

Erika Skyfire

Anarane

lilybird

Alana

mutsumi

cRaZiiBuM316

tom girl

Angelxd14

oobergoober: now, you will know what happened in Dumbledore's office. Poor Malfoy. That's all I can say for now. And about the Matrix? Well, I've seen it twice. First with my family then with my friends. Finally I was able to understand it the second time. But I like the first one better. Some scenes in M2 were dragging.

Little House Girl

SpiritedPhoenix: Yes, James is going to learn how to dance. But will it be for Lily? We will see.

moozy

heavenly182angel: Um, it was only during that night when Lily saw everyone transform into animals that Lily knew about them being Animagi. So, James knew that Lily already know about them. But then, I'm not really sure if I'm answering your question right. Sorry, if I'm not. :) And about the letters above the head thing, it was to infuriate Malfoy even more. And probably to embarrass him by making him seem to be damn proud of something that wasn't actually true. Oh, anyway, Malfoy is going to be punished.

Hermione101888

angkat14

Andufeniel

Frankie

Moonlit Stars: Well, it's safe to assume that. Since Sirius did it. Probably James also did it.

Treeling11

Potterfan18

sirius's fan

Sayo

Now, I'm sure you're familiar with JK Rowling but just in case, she owns everything. And I? I own the rest… uh, those are the things you don't recognize. :)

So, read, enjoy, and review!

i wish i had those times again... cause something that you said... keeps ringing in my head... 'someday you're gonna wanna come back... and you're gonna wanna treat me fine...' -- train, "respect"

~*~*~*~

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO: Strike Three

So far, the walls of the Great Hall were already decorated, thanks to Lily and Professor Flitwick. It was eight in the morning and they had only been floating streamers and ribbons and curtains for the past hour. The tables and chairs were not yet moved from the Hall as they were only starting the decorations; but as far as anyone could see, they were doing a pretty good work.

Toni and Sirius were also there. They decided to help Lily and the professor with the decorations as they waited for Kiara to arrive – hopefully with Vince. But then, Sirius was hoping that Toni would just forget about it and let him go back to his bed and do some more of the lovely sleep that he was interrupted from.

"So, where's – uh – James?" Toni asked as casually as possible. As friends, they had the privilege of knowing about the 'I love you' and the question of sanity between James and Lily. But through Lily's request, it couldn't be talked about even between them.

Lily suddenly stopped what she was doing and turned to her friend.

"I mean he's Head Boy, right?" Toni abruptly explained her statement not really knowing if Lily was glaring at her with stabbing looks or just plain looking at her. "He's supposed to be here."

"I don't know," Lily replied with a shrug. She went back lining the edge of the stage – the platform where the teachers' table were located that would be transformed into a stage for that night – with streamers.

"Oh," Toni muttered under her breath. She was beside Lily and also helping with the stage decorations. "Hey, Sirius, where's James?" she asked, not really looking at him. And when she didn't get any response, she looked up and saw no one else standing in the room but the professor and Lily. "Sirius?" she called as she scanned the Hall. Then, when she looked to her right, she saw a knee peeping from behind the house table located at that side. She rolled her eyes and with hands on her waist, she walked to the knee.

Toni knew what she would see behind that table. She would see… Sirius comfortably lying on the stretch of the seat with one hand under his head, and one knee up with his foot on the bench. She narrowed her eyes and glared at him as if he could see her through his very much closed eyes. And when she realized that he couldn't even feel that a person was standing beside him, "Heeeeeeey!" she groaned as she woke him up by shoving his knee to put him out of balance.

Sirius would've fell flat down on the floor if he wasn't quick enough to grab hold of the table beside him. And when he was finally back to his awakened senses, he looked up to the person who pushed him. "What?" he demanded, as he tried to focus his eyes irately at the blurred figure standing in front of him. It was only after a second when he realized that that person was Toni – flashing a menacing expression. "I was just – I was just resting my eyes," he explained trying to sound believable and begging at the same time not to kill him.

Toni smirked. Yeah. Right. He was just resting his eyes when he was practically snoring. "Yeah. I can see that," she said sarcastically.

She was about to cut short whatever Sirius was about to say, when they all heard Kiara's voice coming into the Hall.

"Good morning!" came Kiara's cheerful tone that could lift up anyone's mood.

They all turned to her and greeted her back. And to Sirius' dismay, Kiara was practically dragging Vince alongside her.

"This is totally embarrassing," Vince muttered to Kiara as he let himself be yanked deeper into his doom.

"It's for a good cause," Kiara answered back, pulling Vince toward Sirius and Toni.

Toni smiled widely at Sirius. "Alright, here they are," she said, as she extended a hand for him to take.

And hesitantly, Sirius took her hand and let himself, too, be hauled over to meet Kiara and Vince.

"Hey," Vince mumbled to Sirius, with a nod of the head.

"Hey," came Sirius' response, doing the same gestures.

There was a pause. Sirius and Vince stood in front of each other saying nothing. What more could anyone expect? They couldn't even look at each other. Seemed like pride was getting the best of them – or maybe embarrassment.

Kiara clapped her hands to produce some sound amidst the dead silence. "Oookaaay…" she began in a singsong tone, not being able to hide the smile across her face. That was because laughing at the way the two guys looked like would be a little too much. "I guess that means 'I'm sorry' and 'I forgive you' in normal human language…" she commented translating the heys and the not-being-able-to-meet-each-other-in-the-eye behavior into more comprehensible words. "So," she said, turning to Vince. "How are we going to do this?"

Vince was suddenly in a loss. He looked at Kiara in confusion and answered, "I was hoping you'd tell me."

"Uh… no," Kiara replied flatly.

Vince rolled his eyes at the very said of that. "Fine…" he groaned. He stepped back from them and with a flick of his wand, the tables and chairs were all pushed to the sides in order to free some space in the middle where they could dance. Vince took a deep breath. This will be quite a morning, he thought to himself as he walked to the music player that was already set on the platform.

"Hey, Lily, where's James?" Kiara called to her friend, who was still busy with the stage, remembering that it wasn't only Sirius who wasn't exactly gifted with the gracefulness of dancing.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" Lily complained, sighing audibly.

"Fine," Kiara replied in a tone like saying, 'you don't need to sound so defensive.' Then, she turned to Sirius and asked, "Where's your friend?"

"I have no idea," he replied with a shrug. "He wasn't in the dormitory anymore when somebody," he turned to Toni at the said of that, "came knocking furiously at the door like she was being chased by a humungous three-headed dog and woke me up." He lightly pinched Toni's nose when she just smiled at him ever so widely as a response.

Music started playing as Vince walked back to the three who were waiting for him. Well, Sirius was praying for some sort of voice of reason to tell him that he should go back to bed, but then on that morning, that was very far fetched.

"Alright, face each other," Vince told Toni and Sirius gesturing the two to position themselves properly.

"No," Toni interrupted just when Sirius was halfway about to take her hand. "I thought you are going to teach him," she said to Vince.

"But this is better," Sirius muttered to Toni.

"I know," Vince replied looking at Toni, without taking heed of what Sirius just said. "But are you really expecting that I dance with him?"

"Well, yes," Toni replied like it was too obvious to miss.

"No…" Sirius muttered again. But so far, no one was really paying attention to him.

"That's not the way it works," Vince negated what Toni just said.

"Thank you." Again it was Sirius – without anyone listening to him.

Vince, desperate to shed some light on his friend – and more desperate not to dance with a guy – neared Toni and put a hand on her shoulder while looking at her in the eyes. "You're the girl," he declared like it wasn't apparent enough.

"Exactly!" came Sirius' utter affirmation. Unfortunately, Toni glared at him to shut up after that. "I'm keeping quiet," he said.

"Fine…" Toni groaned as she rolled her eyes. She turned to Sirius and took her place in front of him. "You're not allowed to step on my toes," she said, as she pointed a threatening finger at him.

"Fine. Fine. Fine," Sirius replied, as he pulled Toni closer to him. No matter what she said, having Toni near him was good enough to compensate. Yeah.

* * * * *

So.

Where was James?

As far as it wasn't a big deal for Lily that he wasn't around that morning – for the reason that he had been doing most of her errands for the past week anyway – it was a big deal for somebody else. No. Not that he wasn't in the Great Hall that morning. But because he was somewhere else…

"So, does this really have to be top secret?" Emma Creton mocked, the moment James walked in the door. She had been waiting in one of the rooms that had been unused for a long period of time. She stood up from where she was sitting and neared him. "And before you say anything," she interrupted when he opened his mouth to speak. "I'm not here to joke around with you."

But in spite of what she said, she expected James to throw in a joke or some kind of 'c'mon, I thought we're friends' thing. But, instead, she received quite a surprise.

"So, how are you?" James asked. That was the surprise. And to more surprise, he sounded sincere… and, geez that morning was full of surprises for Emma… because he also sounded, simply put, sorry.

Well, for any reassurance, from the moment that James – with head bowed down so low it could almost hit the ground – went to her to ask for one 'stupid' favor, Emma knew that something in him was changing or had changed. "I'm fine," she replied with the same tone and a shrug. "I've been fine for a long time," she added, nodding with affirmation.

"Good."

"Good," Emma reiterated.

And then a pause.

"Well," James interrupted the silence and then took a deep breath.

"James," Emma chirped in before James could continue whatever he would try to say. She was back into her bubbly self again. "Forgive me if I'm dying of curiosity here but why me? Of all the people you can share this ridiculous – pardon the term – fact with, why do you come to me?" she whispered the last word, mocking with the fact that James wouldn't want anyone to know what was happening right then.

"Look," James began, as he shook his head with himself not knowing the answers to the question. "W-well, you're the only person who can help me with this."

"Hmmm…" Emma hummed as she walked to a music player that she brought with her and played the music. "Isn't your girlfriend going to freak out when she learns about this?" she asked, enjoying the fact that she was comfortable in their situation. James wasn't.

"Are you going to help me or not?" James blurted out, apparently affected by Emma's way of torturing him. "I'm desperate, okay?" he added ever so tactlessly.

"No, James. I'm sure you can always explain yourself," Emma replied, as she walked back to him. "And thankfully I don't have the case of the ex." She smiled widely at the said of that as she extended a hand for him to take.

And in case some confusion started bubbling around… James took her hand – with much no clue what to do – and began his dancing lessons. Oh my, Sirius would be laughing his face off if he learned about this.

Smoothly, Emma led James through the first… line… of the song and then…

"Aw!"

"Oh my god. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry," James babbled as he removed his humungous foot from Emma's. Well, Emma would have a foot of dead toenails at that moment if they weren't dancing to slow music.

"That's okay," Emma reassured as she cleared her throat. It hurt. She looked up at him trying to keep a straight face and then continued. "Okay, James, let's go by the rules first," she said. "Rule number one. Don't step on my toes," she uttered, mockingly pleading for him not to do it. Ever. For heaven's sake!

James' cheeks turned pink and bowed down to the floor instead.

"Rule number two," Emma continued. "Don't look down to the floor to make sure you don't step on my foot."

James looked back up at her. "Okay. Okay," he said, taking deep breaths like he was getting ready for a fight. "I can do this. I can do this." He was starting to talk to himself by the way.

Emma started dancing to the music again. And well, James was trying so hard not to step even on his own foot.

"And rule number three. Be sure why you're here."

James knitted his brows and looked at her like she just spoke in Greek. "What's… that supposed to mean?"

"James, you're a senior. You've been attending the Yule Ball since you were fourteen. Are you doing this for the dance? Or for yourself?" Pause. "Is this for Sarah… or for Lily?"

Everywhere he went…

Everyone felt like they knew better than him.

Well, that was what he was thinking right then anyway.

James rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry. I can't answer that right now. I'm busy concentrating not to step on your toes," he said in quite a lively tone that would very well mean, 'get off my back, please' and smiled.

* * * * *

"Sirius!"

Everyone in the Great Hall turned to where the shriek of pain came from.

"Toni, I'm so sorry," Sirius said in a tone like he was begging for his life. When everyone spotted where he was, he was already kneeling down before the now-seated Toni as he checked her foot if there was any damage.

"That was your whole foot on my toes," Toni declared the obvious, looking at the person in front of her with wide eyes.

Tsk tsk. Poor Toni. When Vince told them to turn, they turned alright – in clashing directions. So, Sirius ended up stepping down… not quite on the floor.

"You're not wearing metal shoes, are you?" Kiara joked.

"No…" Sirius replied with a pout. He sat beside Toni and then smiled ever so widely. "Well, I don't mind if you're physically incapable of dancing tonight."

Toni suddenly narrowed her eyes at him. "Uh – d – how – how many times do I have to tell you? I'm not gonna do what you have in mind," she said, shaking her head NO.

"Well, can you at least walk?" Sirius asked, concerned.

"Yes, of course," Toni answered with much assurance. "As long as you don't step on me again, I can."

* * * * *

By noon, Professor Flitwick, Lily and her friends – including the still-walking Toni – took a break since the students were going to have their lunch. After which, they resumed whatever they left doing.

By then, most of the hall was already decorated. And by then, James came in the Great Hall feeling quite… he just learned something new. Like, to dance.

"Hey, where have you been?" Kiara greeted him.

"Nowhere," James replied with a shrug, as he made his way towards Lily and the Professor.

"You're in this too."

James suddenly stopped and turned to Kiara. "What do you mean I'm in that, too?" Then, for the first time, he noticed that it was Sirius – Sirius, his friend! – who was letting himself be ordered around on how to act.

"DON'T!" Sirius exclaimed when he saw that James was trying so hard – and not so successfully at that – to hide his grin. "Don't you even dare think of saying anything."

James chuckled. "I'm not," he denied.

"You're in that too because you're worse than two left feet," Lily's voice interrupted James.

James turned around and saw her standing beside him. "Well, as far as I know I'm in here to help with the decorations."

"When were you planning on telling me that the Head Boy and Girl opening dance is going to be a problem?" Lily demanded. Same ol' Lily. Very familiar demanding Lily. Apparently, the two of them had been quite comfortable with each other lately.

"It's not going to be a problem."

"Then why'd you always turn into that unexplainable worried face every time I mention the opening dance?" Lily retaliated, crossing her arms.

James looked up the ceiling as if he was talking to an incorrigible little kid. "Because…" he started with an audible sigh. "Because back then, it was a problem. Now, it's not anymore," he said, complete with gestures of his hands from left to right – then and now.

Lily pursed her lips, doubting James for a minute. Then, she shrugged with contentment. "Suit yourself."

* * * * *

Finally, the long awaited ball. After Sirius caught up with the dance steps – all the while scared of stepping on Toni's feet again – and after James learned the basics, they were ready.

Well, they felt that they were ready. They had no choice. By six pm, the girls decided to get ready for the Ball.

"It's two hours before the dance," Sirius complained when Kiara called Toni and Lily back into the dormitory to prepare for the dance.

"I know that," Toni replied, smiling at him. Then, she gave him a peck on the cheek and waved. "See you later."

And so almost two hours had passed and it was a quarter before eight. The guys, who were taking girls from their house to the ball, were all waiting anxiously in the common room. And to prove how nervous some of them were about the dance, just ask Sirius why he was practically doing jumping jacks in order to calm down.

"What are you doing?" James demanded, looking at his friend like he could see a giant mole on Sirius' face.

"Trying to calm down," Sirius replied in between jumps. Then, realizing something not quite right, he stopped and looked at James. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be meeting with Sarah?" he asked teasing, at the same time sending the message, 'choose or you'll die unhappy.' He had been telling James to be honest with Sarah and the friend just kept on insisting that she might not be able to take it given that the ball was, like, that week – or that day, for that matter.

James didn't say anything. He knew that Sirius knew why and he knew that Sirius was right. He was being unfair to Sarah. That was why he had come down to a decision. It was only fair. And it was only right. And he would do it that night. And Lily might kill him altogether but the Yule Ball preparations were over. Soon enough, the dance itself would be over. Soon enough, they would have nothing else to talk about. And before everyone went home for Christmas… before Lily would go home – away – for Christmas, he wanted everything to be cleared once and for all.

A few minutes later, Vince went down from the boys' dormitories. And he met the previously-anxious-now-impatient Sirius.

"Just out of curiosity," Sirius began, the moment Vince stepped onto the floor of the common room. "Are your friends ever going to get ready?" he asked pertaining, of course, to Toni.

"They're women. What do you expect?" Vince replied, as he sat in front of the fireplace.

Then, as casual as he could pretend to be, James approached Vince and asked, "So… who's taking Lily?"

Vince opened his mouth to answer the question but even before a sound came out, a female voice dominated the common room.

An ever so cheerful, bubbly voice.

"James…" she called.

Oooh… who else had that ever so cheerful, bubbly voice who sounded like she escaped from planet chirpy?

James turned around to see Sarah followed by Peter. He was feeling confident that no one from another house would be able to get through that portrait… until that night. "Sarah," he greeted, with all smiles – probably trying to match her liveliness. "How'd—?"

"Peter let me in," Sarah replied, knowing what James was going to ask. "I've been waiting for you in the hallway and I guess I just grew impatient," she said, still talking like she just had a fill of energy.

"I… was… just on my way… to meet you," James replied – lied, for some part actually.

"I know. But," Sarah grabbed his hand, "I want us to have our pictures taken before the dance. You know, with the rest of my friends."

James was about to hesitate. Oh, he was about to show the most reluctance at that idea but then… Sarah did not allow him to say anything more and just dragged him out of the common room.

* * * * *

Students started to gather in the Great Hall. And as they stepped in, they were greeted by a beautifully decorated room. Curtains of silk decorated the walls. The house tables were removed and round tables were arranged around the room, giving a wide space for the dance floor. And as the students were coming in, some music was playing in the background.

James had been looking for Lily since Sarah dragged him to take pictures then finally into the Great Hall. First, he saw Sirius enter, with Toni of course. Then, Remus and his date. Then Peter and his date. But no Lily.

After a few minutes. Still no Lily.

And another few minutes later, the music stopped. James turned to the stage and saw Dumbledore had finally took over the stage. He still couldn't see her anywhere.

Dumbledore started his opening speech.

James still couldn't see her.

He tried to listen to what Dumbledore was saying but he couldn't concentrate. He was busy with something else. He was busy craning his neck to look for Lily.

And finally…

Halfway through the speech, James saw Vince… and then Kiara… and then Lily.

Lily…

Lily entered the Hall with Vince and Kiara… and no one else. James realized that she braved to come to the ball without a date.

And he just watched her. He just stared at her direction and forgot that someone – important, for that matter – was talking on stage. The lights were dimmed and he couldn't really picture her entirely, but James just felt right, looking at her.

Then, all of a sudden, a light shone on him. He listened and realized that Dumbledore had stopped talking. It was time for the opening dance.

He stood up. And walked. No one needed to tell him to near her – Lily. His feet seemed to already be moving by themselves… toward her… to her. And those feet knew the way to her.

Then, a light shone on Lily.

This time, he finally saw her clearly.

And she looked… as he could only describe as… just beautiful.

Her red hair was pulled up, forming a stylish chignon, letting a few curls fall on the sides of her face. And in her dazzling white robes, she walked toward him as her dress fell elegantly to her feet like soft glittering waves of mist.

Looking at her, James was reminded of the picture of the Head Girl that they found in the Head Prefects Room. That girl looked like an angel, as Lily said. But to James, Lily captured that essence more precisely.

They met. And she took his extended hand. And as they danced, he didn't dare take his eyes off her.

"You look… beautiful."

Lily smiled sincerely. "Thank you," she said, and then pretended to look at James from head to foot. "You don't look bad yourself."

No words. James just wanted to relish the moment. Every second.

Then, he spun her around.

"I see you weren't lying when you said you learned to dance," Lily joked.

"I have my ways," James replied. If only Lily knew how many toes he accidentally stepped on to perfect that move.

"Oh, do these ways have a name? Cause whoever that is did a pretty good job."

"You don't need to know her name."

Lily couldn't help but smile widely. "Aah… It's a she," she delightfully concluded. "You admitted to a girl about your fault. You're changing, James," she said. And she meant it. And she didn't know why, but she believed it.

James turned her around again without saying a word. They danced together… in silence but the music playing softly in the background. And he just stared at her.

Lily knew that most of the students in the Great Hall were watching them. But she really didn't feel the least comfortable when James was watching her, too. "Please don't look at me like that," she said, knowing that something was brewing in his mind. She couldn't tell it exactly, but she could feel it.

And she was right.

"I'm ending it with Sarah," James muttered out of nowhere that took Lily quite by surprise.

"What?"

"Tonight… after the ball."

No. No no no no no no. It was fine until that. They were fine until that. No. Not that again. "You couldn't have chosen a better timing, could you?" Lily muttered through gritted teeth.

They were fine…

What was the matter with him?

"I'm through pretending."

"Don't say that," Lily pleaded because she knew what was next.

"I love you, Lily."

That was next.

The music stopped and Lily quickly pulled away from him. Another song came on and the students started to crowd the dance floor.

James tried to hold her back but she hurriedly walked away. He almost lost her in the crowd.

Almost.

Then, he saw her getting out of the Hall.

And dodging the students who were in his way, he walked through the crowd and ran after her.

"Lily, wait!"

* * * * *

"Lily, wait, please," James called as he still ran to reach her.

Lily stopped and turned around. "James, why can't you understand? You're just going to hurt yourself even more if you insist on this," she said, almost pleading.

"I'll change. I swear."

She looked at him. Her feelings were mixed. She waited for this moment… six years ago. But that was six years ago. And that wasn't anything serious. That was something so petty. And that… that was her emotions. Now, she just couldn't afford to be engulfed with her feelings. Now, all she could do was listen to her mind.

And with more pity than sadness in her eyes, her mind kept on saying, "But I don't love you, James." And that was what she said.

James was taken aback. Torture. That was just complete torture. He couldn't be more hurt. And in that place where he was standing, he froze unable to process what he was feeling right then. Lily turned and walked away from him. And he just stood there.

But no. He couldn't just let her go like that. It couldn't just end like that. He ran after her. And in a second, three things happened.

Her grabbed her hand.

Turned her around.

And kissed her.

And in another second, Lily pulled away. She couldn't believe that James would just do something like that. And so, she raised a hand and with all the emotion built up inside her, she slapped him hard. It was hard and it hurt. She wished it really hurt. Because she never felt violated like that before.

James felt his face redden. But that wasn't the case. He, himself, was shocked by what he did. He looked at Lily, and with pleading eyes, he whispered, "I'm – I'm sorry."

"I hate you," Lily said coldly. And without another word, she ran away.

* * * * *

She ran away and James couldn't do anything else but to watch her go. He was beginning to feel hopeless.

No. He was beyond that. He was past that. Hope had flown out the window the moment she said the word hate.

James decided to stay for a while outside. It was freezing cold but he didn't care. In fact, he just preoccupied himself thinking of how to undo the most stupid thing that he just did. He was lost in his thoughts when a female voice interrupted his silence.

"I saw that," came the voice from behind him. The voice was calm and composed.

James turned around and saw Sarah Cramer standing just outside the door of the Great Hall. Sarah, his date. Sarah, the girl he was supposed to break up with. Sarah, the one who didn't deserve all those unfairness. "Sarah."

For once, she wasn't so cheerful. For once, she proved that she was actually human – normal. "I saw… what you just did," she said, trying hard not to sound like she was choking. "I heard… what you just said."

"Sarah, I'm sorry—"

"I know," came Sarah's assurance. "I knew actually. I was just the one who was stupid enough to believe that you don't really feel anything about her."

James neared her. This was the moment he was planning for the night. But he was wrong. He couldn't handle that right then. Maybe some other time? "Sarah, listen—"

"I'm not mad," Sarah insisted, still trying to keep her composure. "It's not like I didn't expect this."

"What do you mean?"

"James, everyone's been telling you that. Even I believe that. But… I thought… maybe… as long as you don't believe that you love her… we'll be okay," Sarah admitted to the fact. The fact that James loved Lily Evans and only him was the one who spent the longest time in realizing that. And the fact that she knew someday, James would admit to that and when that day finally came, she was out of the picture.

A slow song started playing in the Great Hall. "This is my favorite song," Sarah said, smiling weakly at James. "Can I have just one last dance?"

James led Sarah into the dance floor. And to the soft, slow music, they danced. In five minutes, she would finally let go. And in five minutes, he would end up with… no one.

After the song, Sarah reached for James and gave him a hug. Tears were starting to well up in her eyes. But she knew better than to hold on to someone while expecting nothing in return. "James," she whispered in his ear. "Everyone can see how you see her. Please don't waste the chance now that you've realized what she means to you."

And then, she let go.

And, he ended up with no one.

* * * * *

"Where's Lily?" Toni asked after the dance. There were only a few students left in the Great Hall and those were her, Sirius, Kiara, Vince, Remus, Peter and their dates and…

"Where's James?" Sirius said as a reply for Toni's question.

"I'm going to find her," Toni said. She was about to walk a step further when Sirius jumped and held her back.

"No…" Sirius groaned, holding Toni's hand. He was sounding like a kid throwing some kind of weird tantrum but from the look on his face, he was more excited than irritated. Then, he seated Toni in a chair and said, "Stay," complete with hand gestures. "Maybe she just got tired and went back to the dorms."

Toni looked at him. Then at Remus and Peter who were seated comfortably with their dates. "What? The dance ended half an hour ago."

"Yeah – Sirius, what is this about?" Kiara asked impatiently.

"I told you I have a surprise," Sirius said as he jumped up and down like doing that would make his companions any less impatient.

"Stop that," Toni ordered. And Sirius stopped. "We've been here for half an hour and – what the heck is this surprise you keep on saying?"

"Just wait and see, okay?" Sirius replied. And at the said of that, the door of the Great Hall opened.

Not really knowing who was coming in through the door, they all turned and looked.

Sirius sat beside Toni like he was about to watch a movie.

And to everyone's surprise, Malfoy, with his ever-loyal Narcissa, came in with pails and mops and a couple of enormous trash bins. Apparently, their meeting with Dumbledore a couple of days ago resulted with a punishment of cleaning after the Ball – without magic.

And it didn't take another second for Malfoy to realize that the two of them weren't alone in the room. That was because some kind of evil boisterous laugh suddenly filled the silence of anticipation.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I think that was me… laughing my ass off!" Sirius declared after he let out that wicked all-too-delighted laugh. After which, everyone else in the room joined in the spirited mirth.

Malfoy stiffly turned to look at Sirius and amidst the mop he was holding in one hand and a pail in another, he managed to throw him a menacing look.

"Malfoy!" Sirius began in such a delighted, cheerful tone. "Glad to see you're not trying to escape detention. Oh, what was that again? Oh yeah, you're going to clean up this enormous hall… They didn't call it Great Hall for nothing."

"Shut your hole before I shove this mop up your nostrils."

"Oh, I'm scared," Sirius mocked, putting a hand on his chest. Then, he chuckled. Wow, he was happy that night.

"Get out," Malfoy ordered.

"Yeah… that would be nice…" Sirius trailed, in a tone as if he was considering on doing what Malfoy just told him. "Wouldn't it?" he said, instead, and stayed put where he was sitting.

Then, Filch came in and noticed Malfoy and Narcissa doing nothing. "It would take all night to clean up this mess without magic," he said, ignoring the other students in the room. "Better start right now or you wouldn't be able to catch the train home tomorrow."

And so the entertainment began. Unfortunately, James wasn't there to witness it. Malfoy mopping the floor. Malfoy picking up rubbish. Malfoy, and his hair that was stubbornly still neatly sleeked at the back his head, was cleaning up after people…

Hilarious. That Sirius just had to snicker every time he thought about it. "Hey, you missed a spot," he said, pointing to the floor where pumpkin juice, that was spilled earlier during the dance, had dried up.

Such a night.

* * * * *

The next day, all students who were going home for Christmas were already gathering in Hogsmeade station and loading the train. Everyone came early.

James came early. Although he had been there for the past hour, he wasn't getting on the train. He was just… standing near the train with no companion but his luggage sitting beside him.

"Aren't you coming in?" Remus and Peter asked James when they entered the station and saw him almost shivering in the cold.

"I'll be in a while," James replied as he pulled his coat closer to him. "Go ahead."

Remus and Peter went ahead. They knew why. James didn't need to explain. He watched his friends get on the train as he endured the cold winter from where he was standing. He looked back to the crowd. He couldn't afford to miss her. He couldn't afford to just let her go.

But instead, he saw Sirius getting in the train, together with Toni. However, Sirius saw him and signaled Toni to go ahead.

"Are you planning to send home your frozen self instead?" Sirius asked sarcastically when he reached James.

James rubbed his arms. Yes. He would probably freeze in the cold but he had a more important thing to think of. Like… where was she?! "She's going home, right?" he said as a reply, as he looked around. "I mean, she's gotta be here."

Sirius rolled his eyes. James. James. James. If only James could see himself. If only James could hear himself. If only… Remus had that video camera a few days ago! "Look, maybe you should give her more time," Sirius suggested with a shrug.

James snorted. "Why does everybody keep saying that?" Well, not really everybody kept saying it. Only he was growing impatient of waiting. Maybe he was saying it to himself?

"C'mon. Look at it reasonably," Sirius started again. "She's also still broken hearted right now. As much as any of us hate to even think about it, she really liked that git, Malfoy." James glared at him like he was about to be killed in a matter of seconds. "I said liked!" Sirius suddenly blurted out, raising his hands in defense. "It's all in the past, mate."

Then, without saying another word, Sirius found himself pushed aside by his friend. Apparently, James just spotted the girl he was waiting for.

James ran to Lily who was just getting on the train. "Lily!" he called.

All she did was glance at him but it seemed like he was invisible. It was like she just heard a voice calling out her name… that turned out to be somebody else's name.

"Lily, I'm sorry," James pleaded. He was standing beside her. He was looking at her. He was within arm's reach from her. But she wouldn't even look at him.

Lily ignored him like he was a ghost – completely unseen, completely unheard. She just continued to walk into the train.

Until James was left standing outside as students pushed him out of the way. "Dammit!" he exclaimed… to himself.

It was hopeless.

He was hopeless.

~*~*~*~

i tried to make you happy... i did all that i could... just to keep you... but you left anyway... -- simple plan, "addicted"

i'm dressed all in blue and i'm remembering you... and the dress you wore when you broke my heart... -- rhett miller, "come around"

Now, wasn't that just a bummer!

But I hope you still review! :)