CHAPTER THIRTEEN - THE YULE BALL
The Great Hall was full of students who were eating, discussing, laughing. Xmas holidays were approaching and they were planning it. The dinner was longer than usual and at the very end of it the headmaster spoke.
'As you all know, Xmas is soon and we have a very nice surprise for you. We decided to organize the Yule Ball this year', he stopped and smiled when the Hall full of students laughed and shouted with a huge approval. 'The ball is going to take place on the Xmas Eve. Students, who want to go home after that are to sign up lists at their House's Heads. Full dresses are obliged. I hope we all will have fun that evening. Oh, the beginning will be at 7pm. Oh, you can talk now!', he laughed and sat down.
*
The school had now a huge subject to discuss: dresses, coiffures, make-ups, dates, and so on. Who's going to ask whom? Who will be refused?
'God, how boring they all are', sighed Julia when looked at girls who were watching pages from an 'Owl Style Magazine', looking for dresses and other stuff. Since the announcement nobody had read any book, done homework or slept. Girls were sitting in their dorm, Lily choosing her dress, Julia reading "The Daily Prophet".
'C'mon, Jill', Lily giggled. 'Don't say you do not have a dress.'
'Well, of course I have a dress, but I see no point in talking about this all the time!'
'You know, the old, outsider's part of your soul is now on the top!'
'It's not the old part, but my first name!', girls laughed and then Lily gently asked.
'So he haven't invited you yet?'
'Nope. Why the world is so complicated that a boy you don't want to date asks you every single hour and that asshole haven't even mention the word 'ball' while with me!', Julia was a little mad about Sirius and finally decided not to care about him anymore.
'Maybe you should ask him out?', that was a stupid question and Lily knew that. Thousands of pillows hit her body. Very stupid, indeed.
* *
In another dorm, boy's one, two friends were discussing. James looked sad, why she doesn't want to date him during that fucking ball!!!
'Women!!', James swore and groaned. 'It's impossible to understand them, isn't it? Hey, Padfoot, am I right?'
'Sure', Sirius' voice was absent. Who would understand him? He refused several girls but wasn't brave enough to ask Julia, he couldn't stand her refusal.
'Hey, man, just ask her. You're so boring. Who do you want to cheat??'
'I'm not gonna cheat, damn it James. I am so afraid', God, I can't believe I've said it, Sirius looked at James, he wasn't amused.
'Of her refusal?', he asked, gently. The world is going to collapse, gentle Potter!
'Yeah. And. What if she agreed? This is so serious. So eternal!!'
James watched his friend closely, then smiled.
'This is very strange. You know you've found a woman forever. The only one. Perfect! And you're scared. Of the chains or something. Of loosing freedom. Man, she is your freedom. Just go for it!!'
'I think she doesn't want me, Jamie', he tried to smile and kicked Potter lightly. James answered and they fought for a while. James knew about the talk with Snape, he didn't want to but believed it, too.
*/\*/\*/\*/\*
The Marauders were sitting in the common room, full-dressed, waiting for everyone else to leave for the ball. The great, famous, good-looking James and Sirius, didn't have a date for the ball. They blinked at Lupin who was dating Mavis Allen, and sighed as the couple left.
James looked strange and quite perfect with his messy hair and brown eyes and dark brown robes with a yellow shirt underneath. He knew girls would faint. His casual style connected with the official culture gave amazing outlook. He put his legs on the table and was throwing cherry pips on Sirius.
Sirius couldn't have looked better. Dark hair were falling gently onto his forehead and eyes, gleaming by the fireplace, warm and chestnut. His smile was a little slanting.
He wore black robes that stressed his muscular, but lean body. He had black jeans underneath and a green shirt. Other guys looked jealous as their dates sighed at Black. These girls were jealous as well, for Padfoot never returned the glance.
'Stop it, Prongs', he hissed and said loudly pretending an intelligent, gentlemen's discussion. 'you will mess my shipshape dress!!'
'I couldn't do this, dear', James was playing. 'You're so charming.'
'You're charming too, dear', they couldn't help laughing. But James stopped suddenly, embarrassed. Sirius turned around and saw 'their' girls. Julia followed Lily. Boys stood up on their heels as quickly as possible. The atmosphere of their funny chat disappeared.
James hardly could swallow as he saw Lily. She was smiling, but avoided his eyes. She wanted to be alone, one more year alone. He knew this and felt very sad inside. Lily was wearing a purple, taffeta dress. Her long hair were tied in a topknot. Her eyes were gleaming and lips as deep red as the dress. James sighed, not loudly. God, I need her.
Sirius stared at Julia, was looking much prettier than usual. That was for him quite impossible. She had a long, green dress. The top fitted tight her breasts, the skirt was wide and made of thousands of watery layers. Like a mist. She was wearing high heels and was much taller than normally. Her short, chocolate hair were taken out of her forehead with silvery hair- clips and behind her little glasses he saw wonderful, green, cat eyes. So sexy.
She smiled at him viciously and a drop of bitterness fell between them. She was cool and haughty.
'Black', she said with liters of bitterness in her voice. So malicious! 'Would you please stop staring at me.'
'I can't', he said, trying hard to be charming and seductive. She was hard and avoided his sex appeal, but couldn't help breathing faster. 'You look so beautiful.'
'I know', she looked into his eyes, bravely. He never wanted to catch her eyes like that again. So cold, so distant. 'Lily, let's go!'
Girls left through the portrait and guys were left alone once again.
'This won't be an easy evening', said James, breathing deeply. Sirius could only nod.
*\/*\/*\/*\/*\/*
Julia and Lily were talking, loudly and happily, standing next to the tables, full of food, drinks and candles. They were laughing about a joke one boy had told. Julia was eating an apple-pie. Her laugh was clear and cheerful. She didn't realize that Sirius Black stood behind her. Lily's surprised face told her about this.
'Yes, Black', she asked, bored and beautiful he thought. 'What's now??'
'I was wondering. Would you like to dance?'
Julia stared at him from over her glasses. Then took a glance at the ceiling (stars shining, slowly little clouds) as if thinking.
'You know. I don't feel like dancing. Sorry, you interrupted', she turned to her chat-mates.
'Hey, Julie', he almost begged. 'Let's dance.'
'Sorry, Sirius. I'm busy right now.'
'I thought we were friends!', he hissed into her ear. Julia blinked her eyes and laughed without a sound.
'Oh, we are friends, I think. Now, excuse us!'
He turned and went away, the red colour on his face couldn't damage his cuteness. Angry one, Julia thought and turned to Lily. Now, Lily was angry too.
'Look, Julia', she cried. 'They can't be serious even at Ball!', this was of course about Sirius and James. Lily pointed a bowl with pineapple juice and people who walked away from it as if drunk. 'They should stop these stupid pranks. Jill..', she wanted to add, but Julia smiled at the thought of potion they added to the bowl. Lily gazed at her with disapproval and continued.
'Will they ever grow up? I don't understand. Oh, I know you find it quite funny too, but Julia, people want to have fun. When will he stop!!', the last part was absolutely about Potter.
'When he dates you, Lil', Julia smiled and took another piece of cake. The food was so delicious, music loud and hard, people not interrupting in general. They stood in the corner, not dancing. James and Sirius were rambling around, doing nothing. Girls definitely didn't want to talk to them, ok, we'll survive. Hardly!!
*
'Ask her once again, she refused only once, Lily did so thirteen!!', James urged Black to follow his feelings and desire. Julia was standing under candelabra, the light glowing on her hair, her wonderful smile was for all of her companions, not for him. He came closer and asked.
'Julie.', she rolled her eyes with a meaning 'don't make me hex you' and whispered "what?"
'Let's dance. Let's talk. Let's go.', oh, no, pretty boy, not this time, your charm had disappeared years ago.
'Dennis', she turned to a tall Ravenclaw boy with blonde hair. 'Yes.', and before Sirius could do anything she danced.
He walked slowly to Potter who also seemed sad. He watched Julia for a while. So she didn't wanted to dance with him!!! Now the hope he grew in his heart was gone. He was hurt and decided to stare at her. This won't be a pleasant night for her as well!
Julia's eyes were absent. She didn't care about her partner in dance, just drifting away in her thoughts, eyes were following the candlelight.
His eyes were furious, offended and full of reproaches. They followed slowly Julia and Dennis. Constantly, stubbornly he drilled with his dark eyes Julia's hair, waist, hands.
Oh, it's so useless, this dance. Maybe I should stop. - Julia thought - The candles are so beautiful, these green simply perfect. God, can this guy count. I don't feel like dancing waltz to this music! And why the hell is he watching us. What???
'What??', she hissed in Dennis' ear. What did he say?
'He's staring at us. Why does he do this??'
'Who', stupid question, but Julia wanted to be sure.
'That Sirius Black, awful eyes he has', Julia smiled to herself thinking about Sirius' marvelous eyes. Sting was a little livid about such behavior of Black and when they turned around, she found his glance: mad and jealous. Oh, we're not going to play like that. Maliciously, she smiled and closed her eyes, her hand still around Dennis' neck.
They turned again and Julia gazed at Sirius provocatively. That was painful. He gave her a look of sorrow and hatred.
He quickly run out of the Hall and shut the door with a huge noise.
The Great Hall was full of students who were eating, discussing, laughing. Xmas holidays were approaching and they were planning it. The dinner was longer than usual and at the very end of it the headmaster spoke.
'As you all know, Xmas is soon and we have a very nice surprise for you. We decided to organize the Yule Ball this year', he stopped and smiled when the Hall full of students laughed and shouted with a huge approval. 'The ball is going to take place on the Xmas Eve. Students, who want to go home after that are to sign up lists at their House's Heads. Full dresses are obliged. I hope we all will have fun that evening. Oh, the beginning will be at 7pm. Oh, you can talk now!', he laughed and sat down.
*
The school had now a huge subject to discuss: dresses, coiffures, make-ups, dates, and so on. Who's going to ask whom? Who will be refused?
'God, how boring they all are', sighed Julia when looked at girls who were watching pages from an 'Owl Style Magazine', looking for dresses and other stuff. Since the announcement nobody had read any book, done homework or slept. Girls were sitting in their dorm, Lily choosing her dress, Julia reading "The Daily Prophet".
'C'mon, Jill', Lily giggled. 'Don't say you do not have a dress.'
'Well, of course I have a dress, but I see no point in talking about this all the time!'
'You know, the old, outsider's part of your soul is now on the top!'
'It's not the old part, but my first name!', girls laughed and then Lily gently asked.
'So he haven't invited you yet?'
'Nope. Why the world is so complicated that a boy you don't want to date asks you every single hour and that asshole haven't even mention the word 'ball' while with me!', Julia was a little mad about Sirius and finally decided not to care about him anymore.
'Maybe you should ask him out?', that was a stupid question and Lily knew that. Thousands of pillows hit her body. Very stupid, indeed.
* *
In another dorm, boy's one, two friends were discussing. James looked sad, why she doesn't want to date him during that fucking ball!!!
'Women!!', James swore and groaned. 'It's impossible to understand them, isn't it? Hey, Padfoot, am I right?'
'Sure', Sirius' voice was absent. Who would understand him? He refused several girls but wasn't brave enough to ask Julia, he couldn't stand her refusal.
'Hey, man, just ask her. You're so boring. Who do you want to cheat??'
'I'm not gonna cheat, damn it James. I am so afraid', God, I can't believe I've said it, Sirius looked at James, he wasn't amused.
'Of her refusal?', he asked, gently. The world is going to collapse, gentle Potter!
'Yeah. And. What if she agreed? This is so serious. So eternal!!'
James watched his friend closely, then smiled.
'This is very strange. You know you've found a woman forever. The only one. Perfect! And you're scared. Of the chains or something. Of loosing freedom. Man, she is your freedom. Just go for it!!'
'I think she doesn't want me, Jamie', he tried to smile and kicked Potter lightly. James answered and they fought for a while. James knew about the talk with Snape, he didn't want to but believed it, too.
*/\*/\*/\*/\*
The Marauders were sitting in the common room, full-dressed, waiting for everyone else to leave for the ball. The great, famous, good-looking James and Sirius, didn't have a date for the ball. They blinked at Lupin who was dating Mavis Allen, and sighed as the couple left.
James looked strange and quite perfect with his messy hair and brown eyes and dark brown robes with a yellow shirt underneath. He knew girls would faint. His casual style connected with the official culture gave amazing outlook. He put his legs on the table and was throwing cherry pips on Sirius.
Sirius couldn't have looked better. Dark hair were falling gently onto his forehead and eyes, gleaming by the fireplace, warm and chestnut. His smile was a little slanting.
He wore black robes that stressed his muscular, but lean body. He had black jeans underneath and a green shirt. Other guys looked jealous as their dates sighed at Black. These girls were jealous as well, for Padfoot never returned the glance.
'Stop it, Prongs', he hissed and said loudly pretending an intelligent, gentlemen's discussion. 'you will mess my shipshape dress!!'
'I couldn't do this, dear', James was playing. 'You're so charming.'
'You're charming too, dear', they couldn't help laughing. But James stopped suddenly, embarrassed. Sirius turned around and saw 'their' girls. Julia followed Lily. Boys stood up on their heels as quickly as possible. The atmosphere of their funny chat disappeared.
James hardly could swallow as he saw Lily. She was smiling, but avoided his eyes. She wanted to be alone, one more year alone. He knew this and felt very sad inside. Lily was wearing a purple, taffeta dress. Her long hair were tied in a topknot. Her eyes were gleaming and lips as deep red as the dress. James sighed, not loudly. God, I need her.
Sirius stared at Julia, was looking much prettier than usual. That was for him quite impossible. She had a long, green dress. The top fitted tight her breasts, the skirt was wide and made of thousands of watery layers. Like a mist. She was wearing high heels and was much taller than normally. Her short, chocolate hair were taken out of her forehead with silvery hair- clips and behind her little glasses he saw wonderful, green, cat eyes. So sexy.
She smiled at him viciously and a drop of bitterness fell between them. She was cool and haughty.
'Black', she said with liters of bitterness in her voice. So malicious! 'Would you please stop staring at me.'
'I can't', he said, trying hard to be charming and seductive. She was hard and avoided his sex appeal, but couldn't help breathing faster. 'You look so beautiful.'
'I know', she looked into his eyes, bravely. He never wanted to catch her eyes like that again. So cold, so distant. 'Lily, let's go!'
Girls left through the portrait and guys were left alone once again.
'This won't be an easy evening', said James, breathing deeply. Sirius could only nod.
*\/*\/*\/*\/*\/*
Julia and Lily were talking, loudly and happily, standing next to the tables, full of food, drinks and candles. They were laughing about a joke one boy had told. Julia was eating an apple-pie. Her laugh was clear and cheerful. She didn't realize that Sirius Black stood behind her. Lily's surprised face told her about this.
'Yes, Black', she asked, bored and beautiful he thought. 'What's now??'
'I was wondering. Would you like to dance?'
Julia stared at him from over her glasses. Then took a glance at the ceiling (stars shining, slowly little clouds) as if thinking.
'You know. I don't feel like dancing. Sorry, you interrupted', she turned to her chat-mates.
'Hey, Julie', he almost begged. 'Let's dance.'
'Sorry, Sirius. I'm busy right now.'
'I thought we were friends!', he hissed into her ear. Julia blinked her eyes and laughed without a sound.
'Oh, we are friends, I think. Now, excuse us!'
He turned and went away, the red colour on his face couldn't damage his cuteness. Angry one, Julia thought and turned to Lily. Now, Lily was angry too.
'Look, Julia', she cried. 'They can't be serious even at Ball!', this was of course about Sirius and James. Lily pointed a bowl with pineapple juice and people who walked away from it as if drunk. 'They should stop these stupid pranks. Jill..', she wanted to add, but Julia smiled at the thought of potion they added to the bowl. Lily gazed at her with disapproval and continued.
'Will they ever grow up? I don't understand. Oh, I know you find it quite funny too, but Julia, people want to have fun. When will he stop!!', the last part was absolutely about Potter.
'When he dates you, Lil', Julia smiled and took another piece of cake. The food was so delicious, music loud and hard, people not interrupting in general. They stood in the corner, not dancing. James and Sirius were rambling around, doing nothing. Girls definitely didn't want to talk to them, ok, we'll survive. Hardly!!
*
'Ask her once again, she refused only once, Lily did so thirteen!!', James urged Black to follow his feelings and desire. Julia was standing under candelabra, the light glowing on her hair, her wonderful smile was for all of her companions, not for him. He came closer and asked.
'Julie.', she rolled her eyes with a meaning 'don't make me hex you' and whispered "what?"
'Let's dance. Let's talk. Let's go.', oh, no, pretty boy, not this time, your charm had disappeared years ago.
'Dennis', she turned to a tall Ravenclaw boy with blonde hair. 'Yes.', and before Sirius could do anything she danced.
He walked slowly to Potter who also seemed sad. He watched Julia for a while. So she didn't wanted to dance with him!!! Now the hope he grew in his heart was gone. He was hurt and decided to stare at her. This won't be a pleasant night for her as well!
Julia's eyes were absent. She didn't care about her partner in dance, just drifting away in her thoughts, eyes were following the candlelight.
His eyes were furious, offended and full of reproaches. They followed slowly Julia and Dennis. Constantly, stubbornly he drilled with his dark eyes Julia's hair, waist, hands.
Oh, it's so useless, this dance. Maybe I should stop. - Julia thought - The candles are so beautiful, these green simply perfect. God, can this guy count. I don't feel like dancing waltz to this music! And why the hell is he watching us. What???
'What??', she hissed in Dennis' ear. What did he say?
'He's staring at us. Why does he do this??'
'Who', stupid question, but Julia wanted to be sure.
'That Sirius Black, awful eyes he has', Julia smiled to herself thinking about Sirius' marvelous eyes. Sting was a little livid about such behavior of Black and when they turned around, she found his glance: mad and jealous. Oh, we're not going to play like that. Maliciously, she smiled and closed her eyes, her hand still around Dennis' neck.
They turned again and Julia gazed at Sirius provocatively. That was painful. He gave her a look of sorrow and hatred.
He quickly run out of the Hall and shut the door with a huge noise.