Chapter 5 - Aftermath
Lily woke late the next day, but met Rachel, Liz and Emma at breakfast. She was very quiet and didn't eat much. Rachel immediately realised something was wrong. "Earth to Lily. What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing," she replied quickly.
"Oh, I forgot to ask. How was your "date" with James?" asked Emma, grinning. Lily flushed.
"It was wonderful," she began, as she described her date with James. By the end of her story, the other girls had wishful looks on their faces.
"But I don't get it," said Rachel, "if your date was so great and James was so nice, then what's the problem this morning."
"Its just that I was thinking about it afterwards. And, um, I think I like him," she muttered, so no one could overhear. The others looked shocked.
"Wow," said Liz, "two months of friendship, and you already like him. He works fast doesn't he?"
"But Lily," Rachel said, "why's that a problem?"
"Because he's moved on" she said, dejectedly.
"WHAT? Of course he hasn't. Why do you think that?" asked Rachel.
"You didn't hear him when he made that bet. He said that he WAS wanting a date with me for the last three years. And besides, he hasn't asked me out at all this year. By this time last year, he'd asked about 100 times. And he doesn't even try and flirt with me anymore. Not even when we were out last night. And whenever we met someone he knew in the village, he told them we were just friends. Not even implying anything" she finished.
"If he was over you, why would he ask for a date in the first place? Why did he kiss you on the cheek? Why did he go to all that trouble to make it such a great date? Why am I absolutely positive he's going to ask you to the Christmas Ball?" Relieved at the opportunity, Lily changed the subject.
"There's a Christmas Ball?"
"Dumbledore announced it just before you came in. Just watch the reaction the Marauders are going to get when they come in this morning." Right on cue, James, Sirius and Remus entered the hall, with Peter trotting a few metres behind. There was the usual lull in conversation, with even more girls than usual trying to catch their eyes. They sat down next to Lily and her friends, who received many jealous glares from other girls.
"What's going on?" James asked jokingly, "I mean, I know we're sexy, but that was much more attention than we usually get." Lily laughed before answering
"Christmas Ball,"
"Really. When?" asked Sirius excitedly.
"Christmas, perhaps?" James said. Remus and Peter sniggered. Sirius thought before a second then grinned sheepishly.
"Who you taking then Prongs?" Sirius asked, "Sara Thompson?"
"President of my fan club - Hufflepuff branch, I think not."
"Gemma Anderson?"
"President of my fan club - Ravenclaw branch, I think not."
"Why not? She's hot," Sirius pointed out
"True, but the conversation would be "Oh James, you're so wonderful, Oh James, you're so great. Let's get married."
"Yeah, and you'd hate that," said Remus sarcastically.
"Actually I would. If I want that all evening I'll put a Adoration Charm on a plank of wood and take that with me," Lily and Sirius both laughed, but Remus looked sceptical.
"How 'bout you Moony? You going to be able to go?" asked James
" Not sure yet. It'll be a close call. They haven't predicted it yet?" The Marauders all nodded and carried on with their breakfast, but the girls all looked at each other, confused.
"What haven't who predicted yet, Remus," asked Rachel, almost desperately. Remus looked uneasy, but fortunately Sirius saved him
"His parents are going on holiday but they're not sure when," Remus shot a grateful look at Sirius, who nodded. Only Lily saw this and she became even more confused. Just then Professor McGonnagel came up to them.
"Professor Sinistra tells me it's the 21st December, Lupin," and without any kind of explanation, she went back to the staff table. (A/N. if you haven't guessed yet, they're talking about the full moon.). Again, the girls exchanged confused looks before settling down to breakfast.
- James' bedroom: -
"So Prongs, are you asking the lovely Lily again this year?" asked Sirius
"Of course I am, Padfoot, what do you take me for?"
"Well, at least you've got a slim hope of her saying yes this year," Remus said.
"It's a lot better than I've had the last few years. It hurt a lot the last time I asked her." Sirius sniggered. Then asked
"So when are you putting Rachel out of her misery and asking her, Moony? She almost had a heart-attack when you said you might miss it,"
"I don't know if I will," Remus told him, "it's a big risk for me to get too involved with someone. What if they let slip about.you know?"
"If she's the right one, she won't care," James said strongly, "we didn't," he glanced at Peter, "for the most part. And anyway, it set us up for the adventures every month."
"I guess you're right," agreed Remus
"Besides," Sirius added, "however much James would want it, just because you're going to the ball with her, it doesn't mean you're going out with her. What about you, Pete? Who you taking?" Peter blushed and looked down at his feet.
"I won't probably," he said bitterly, "it's not like anyone would want to go with me. They'll just want to go with one of you."
"That's bullshit Pete," Remus told him sternly, "there are plenty of birds who want you." Pete looked up, hopefully
"Really?"
"Really," James said, but not quite meeting his eye, "and anyways, every girl in the castle would rather go with you than Sirius." All four of them laughed. James continued
"Speaking of which. Who you taking, Padfoot? Is it possible for you to go to the ball with a girl you haven't dated and dumped?"
"Of course it is."
"Yes, but would it be legal for you to go out with any of these girls?" Remus asked.
"Err-, how about Jessica Walsh in Ravenclaw?" he tried
"Sirius, that was your longest ever relationship," Remus reminded him
"Really? How long?"
"Three weeks," Peter said
"Oh well, I'll find someone. I always do. But the main question here is how and when Jimmy boy is going to ask Lily," Sirius stared hard at James.
"She be getting asked pretty soon, so I'll make it tomorrow,"
"Where? The secret lake?"
"Oh god no. Maybe when I'm asking her to marry me," he said laughing, "no. I reckon it'll be just pulling her into an empty classroom and eventually getting the words out of my mouth in the wrong order,"
"Tomorrow it is then. Good luck, Prongs. I think you'll need it."
XXXXXXX
By the time tomorrow came, seven girls had asked James to the ball and he hadn't even had breakfast yet. He met the Marauders at breakfast. He had been very hungry, but just then, he saw Lily walk into the hall and he lost his appetite. As she was walking over to the table, three boys from other tables walked up to her, had a very brief conversation, and then left, all three with extremely disappointed looks on their faces. Lily sat down opposite James.
"What was that all about?" he asked, trying to be casual.
"Oh they were asking me to go to the ball, but I said no to all of them."
"How come?" James asked, "you saving yourself for someone in particular?" Lily looked at him, straight in his eyes. She held his gaze for a few seconds and smiled, before replying
"Yeah, I think I am," James stayed cool on the surface, but inside his heart leapt. She certainly seemed to be implying something, and he hope that what he was thinking was true. She wanted him to ask her to the ball. He dwelled on his thoughts, poking unenthusiastically at his food. He and Lily had charms first so she waited for him to finish and they left together. As they were walking along the transfiguration corridor, James spotted an empty classroom. He had been intending to wait until the evening before asking her, but this was the perfect opportunity.
"Lils, can I have a word?" he asked, nodding towards the classroom. She smiled and nodded and he led her inside. She turned to face him expectantly. Squinting down at her right ankle he started to mumble,
"Err, Lily, um, Lils, I was, um, wondering, if, um, you wanted to, um, you know, go to the ball with me?" He didn't dare look at her face, but then she replied
"Yes, James. I would love to go with you,"
"I know, I know, I'm sorry, Lils" he began hastily, "I didn't think you'd want to, I- wait a minute," he looked up at her, "you said yes. You said yes?"
"I said yes," she repeated, smiling at him. A huge grin spread across James' face, and he punched the air in delight.
"YES!!! Oh yes! And Sirius said you were going to slap me in the face again like last year," Lily laughed.
"We'd better get to class. We're late already. You sure take a hint fast." They walked together to charms, James' broad grin still plastered across his face. And it remained that way until lunchtime, when he caught up with Sirius. He took one glance at the look on James' face, and said
"That can only mean one thing,"
"She said yes. She said yes, Padfoot, she said yes,"
"When did you ask her?"
"Before charms,"
"And you've been walking around all day with that cheesy grin on your face?" Remus asked, "say, where's Pete?"
"Not sure actually," said Sirius, clearly only just noting this, "He should be here to hear about this historic day,"
"Well, snap out of it James, we've got potions this afternoon." That wiped the smile off James' face, as he swore loudly.
Lily woke late the next day, but met Rachel, Liz and Emma at breakfast. She was very quiet and didn't eat much. Rachel immediately realised something was wrong. "Earth to Lily. What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing," she replied quickly.
"Oh, I forgot to ask. How was your "date" with James?" asked Emma, grinning. Lily flushed.
"It was wonderful," she began, as she described her date with James. By the end of her story, the other girls had wishful looks on their faces.
"But I don't get it," said Rachel, "if your date was so great and James was so nice, then what's the problem this morning."
"Its just that I was thinking about it afterwards. And, um, I think I like him," she muttered, so no one could overhear. The others looked shocked.
"Wow," said Liz, "two months of friendship, and you already like him. He works fast doesn't he?"
"But Lily," Rachel said, "why's that a problem?"
"Because he's moved on" she said, dejectedly.
"WHAT? Of course he hasn't. Why do you think that?" asked Rachel.
"You didn't hear him when he made that bet. He said that he WAS wanting a date with me for the last three years. And besides, he hasn't asked me out at all this year. By this time last year, he'd asked about 100 times. And he doesn't even try and flirt with me anymore. Not even when we were out last night. And whenever we met someone he knew in the village, he told them we were just friends. Not even implying anything" she finished.
"If he was over you, why would he ask for a date in the first place? Why did he kiss you on the cheek? Why did he go to all that trouble to make it such a great date? Why am I absolutely positive he's going to ask you to the Christmas Ball?" Relieved at the opportunity, Lily changed the subject.
"There's a Christmas Ball?"
"Dumbledore announced it just before you came in. Just watch the reaction the Marauders are going to get when they come in this morning." Right on cue, James, Sirius and Remus entered the hall, with Peter trotting a few metres behind. There was the usual lull in conversation, with even more girls than usual trying to catch their eyes. They sat down next to Lily and her friends, who received many jealous glares from other girls.
"What's going on?" James asked jokingly, "I mean, I know we're sexy, but that was much more attention than we usually get." Lily laughed before answering
"Christmas Ball,"
"Really. When?" asked Sirius excitedly.
"Christmas, perhaps?" James said. Remus and Peter sniggered. Sirius thought before a second then grinned sheepishly.
"Who you taking then Prongs?" Sirius asked, "Sara Thompson?"
"President of my fan club - Hufflepuff branch, I think not."
"Gemma Anderson?"
"President of my fan club - Ravenclaw branch, I think not."
"Why not? She's hot," Sirius pointed out
"True, but the conversation would be "Oh James, you're so wonderful, Oh James, you're so great. Let's get married."
"Yeah, and you'd hate that," said Remus sarcastically.
"Actually I would. If I want that all evening I'll put a Adoration Charm on a plank of wood and take that with me," Lily and Sirius both laughed, but Remus looked sceptical.
"How 'bout you Moony? You going to be able to go?" asked James
" Not sure yet. It'll be a close call. They haven't predicted it yet?" The Marauders all nodded and carried on with their breakfast, but the girls all looked at each other, confused.
"What haven't who predicted yet, Remus," asked Rachel, almost desperately. Remus looked uneasy, but fortunately Sirius saved him
"His parents are going on holiday but they're not sure when," Remus shot a grateful look at Sirius, who nodded. Only Lily saw this and she became even more confused. Just then Professor McGonnagel came up to them.
"Professor Sinistra tells me it's the 21st December, Lupin," and without any kind of explanation, she went back to the staff table. (A/N. if you haven't guessed yet, they're talking about the full moon.). Again, the girls exchanged confused looks before settling down to breakfast.
- James' bedroom: -
"So Prongs, are you asking the lovely Lily again this year?" asked Sirius
"Of course I am, Padfoot, what do you take me for?"
"Well, at least you've got a slim hope of her saying yes this year," Remus said.
"It's a lot better than I've had the last few years. It hurt a lot the last time I asked her." Sirius sniggered. Then asked
"So when are you putting Rachel out of her misery and asking her, Moony? She almost had a heart-attack when you said you might miss it,"
"I don't know if I will," Remus told him, "it's a big risk for me to get too involved with someone. What if they let slip about.you know?"
"If she's the right one, she won't care," James said strongly, "we didn't," he glanced at Peter, "for the most part. And anyway, it set us up for the adventures every month."
"I guess you're right," agreed Remus
"Besides," Sirius added, "however much James would want it, just because you're going to the ball with her, it doesn't mean you're going out with her. What about you, Pete? Who you taking?" Peter blushed and looked down at his feet.
"I won't probably," he said bitterly, "it's not like anyone would want to go with me. They'll just want to go with one of you."
"That's bullshit Pete," Remus told him sternly, "there are plenty of birds who want you." Pete looked up, hopefully
"Really?"
"Really," James said, but not quite meeting his eye, "and anyways, every girl in the castle would rather go with you than Sirius." All four of them laughed. James continued
"Speaking of which. Who you taking, Padfoot? Is it possible for you to go to the ball with a girl you haven't dated and dumped?"
"Of course it is."
"Yes, but would it be legal for you to go out with any of these girls?" Remus asked.
"Err-, how about Jessica Walsh in Ravenclaw?" he tried
"Sirius, that was your longest ever relationship," Remus reminded him
"Really? How long?"
"Three weeks," Peter said
"Oh well, I'll find someone. I always do. But the main question here is how and when Jimmy boy is going to ask Lily," Sirius stared hard at James.
"She be getting asked pretty soon, so I'll make it tomorrow,"
"Where? The secret lake?"
"Oh god no. Maybe when I'm asking her to marry me," he said laughing, "no. I reckon it'll be just pulling her into an empty classroom and eventually getting the words out of my mouth in the wrong order,"
"Tomorrow it is then. Good luck, Prongs. I think you'll need it."
XXXXXXX
By the time tomorrow came, seven girls had asked James to the ball and he hadn't even had breakfast yet. He met the Marauders at breakfast. He had been very hungry, but just then, he saw Lily walk into the hall and he lost his appetite. As she was walking over to the table, three boys from other tables walked up to her, had a very brief conversation, and then left, all three with extremely disappointed looks on their faces. Lily sat down opposite James.
"What was that all about?" he asked, trying to be casual.
"Oh they were asking me to go to the ball, but I said no to all of them."
"How come?" James asked, "you saving yourself for someone in particular?" Lily looked at him, straight in his eyes. She held his gaze for a few seconds and smiled, before replying
"Yeah, I think I am," James stayed cool on the surface, but inside his heart leapt. She certainly seemed to be implying something, and he hope that what he was thinking was true. She wanted him to ask her to the ball. He dwelled on his thoughts, poking unenthusiastically at his food. He and Lily had charms first so she waited for him to finish and they left together. As they were walking along the transfiguration corridor, James spotted an empty classroom. He had been intending to wait until the evening before asking her, but this was the perfect opportunity.
"Lils, can I have a word?" he asked, nodding towards the classroom. She smiled and nodded and he led her inside. She turned to face him expectantly. Squinting down at her right ankle he started to mumble,
"Err, Lily, um, Lils, I was, um, wondering, if, um, you wanted to, um, you know, go to the ball with me?" He didn't dare look at her face, but then she replied
"Yes, James. I would love to go with you,"
"I know, I know, I'm sorry, Lils" he began hastily, "I didn't think you'd want to, I- wait a minute," he looked up at her, "you said yes. You said yes?"
"I said yes," she repeated, smiling at him. A huge grin spread across James' face, and he punched the air in delight.
"YES!!! Oh yes! And Sirius said you were going to slap me in the face again like last year," Lily laughed.
"We'd better get to class. We're late already. You sure take a hint fast." They walked together to charms, James' broad grin still plastered across his face. And it remained that way until lunchtime, when he caught up with Sirius. He took one glance at the look on James' face, and said
"That can only mean one thing,"
"She said yes. She said yes, Padfoot, she said yes,"
"When did you ask her?"
"Before charms,"
"And you've been walking around all day with that cheesy grin on your face?" Remus asked, "say, where's Pete?"
"Not sure actually," said Sirius, clearly only just noting this, "He should be here to hear about this historic day,"
"Well, snap out of it James, we've got potions this afternoon." That wiped the smile off James' face, as he swore loudly.