Chapter 9

The next few months went lovely. The Marauders did millions of pranks as usual, and Lily tagged behind. She didn't do the pranks, and mostly while they did, she backed off and went somewhere else.

Halloween was coming up in three days and Dumbledore made a very interesting speech.

"I have some lovely news for you all."

The students started whispering to each other because they all had a pretty good idea of what he was going to say.

"This Halloween, there will be a Halloween ball. Only years 4 and up may attend. If you are in a younger year, and someone in an eligible year asks you to be his or her partner, you may go. Good day to you all."

As Dumbledore sat down, the Hall was so loud with students talking to one another, that you could barely here your own voice.

That evening, Peter was up in his room trying to get up the nerve to ask Lily to the dance. Little did he know that something was going on downstairs that would change his life forever.

James walked over to Lily who was on a couch reading, and came up behind her. He rested his chin playfully on her head.

Lily giggled.

"Yes James?" she asked.

James came around to the front of the couch, and sat down next to her.

"How did you know it was me?" he asked.

"Prongs, only you would do something like that, except for maybe Sirius, but I just knew it was you. And I also know that you want something."

"Oh wise one," teased James, "Since you are so smart, tell me what I want to ask you then."

"Oh come on James," Lily whined, "I don't know everything."

"Do you want to go to the ball with me Tails?" James asked bravely.

"You want Tails to go with you?" teased Lily, "I don't see why you would want a dog to be your date for a formal dance."

"Lily! Fine. Since I can't get Tails to go with me, I guess I'll have to settle for you Lily. You will come won't you?"

"Of course I will. But one thing."

"What!" exclaimed James.

"Are we going as friend or..."

"Or. Definitely or."

"Ok." Lily grinned, as did James.

James pecked Lily on the cheek, and went up to his dorm.

When James came up and plopped down on his bed, Peter went downstairs.

Peter shakily came up to Lily.

"Will you go to the ball with me Lily?" he said fast, trying to get it over with.

Lily looked up a little shyly.

"I'm sorry Peter, but I'm already going with James."

"Ok, whatever... It's fine." Said Peter, and he went back upstairs.

Lily felt a little sorry for the boy. She knew that he had a crush on her for years, and his heart must be broken now. Lily shook her head. She wouldn't feel bad if she didn't think about it, so she put it out of her head and didn't think about it anymore.
Peter grew more and more mad as he slowly walked up the stairs. How dare James ask Lily to the ball when he knew that he, Peter, had planned on asking her! Hatred grew in his heart towards James from that day on.

When Peter walked back in the room, all three of the other Marauders came on to him.

"I'm sorry Peter! I had to."

"Pete it's not his fault, really!"

"Don't be mad."

"Guys." Said Peter, "It's fine. She didn't even like me anyway. No hard feelings." He said this out loud, but his mind and heart were screaming at James, calling him all the bad words he could think of.

"Thanks for understanding Wormtail." Said James. He was visibly relieved.

With that in thought for both of them, they went to bed.