CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

"Two tickets for the ball please."

The suit of armor looks at me funny.

"Two?"

"Yes, two."

"That'll be six sickles please."

I hand him some money and wait while he searches for change.

"Why would you want to go to the ball?" he mutters.

"Because I asked a girl to go."

"Odd really, who would want to pay for hanging around in a noisy hall for a few hours," he whacks me on the head with his sword.

"Food? Music?" I say, rubbing my head. Great now I'm going to have a stupid bruise. "What did you hit me for?"

The suit of armor sniffs. "Reality check, walking suits of armor don't eat. I can hardly hear anything through this helmet."

"Reality check, I am not a suit of armor. Can I have my tickets now? I'm going to be late for class."

"Oh so you worry more about class than a poor lonely suit of armor. Fine, be like that."

"I will be like that if I could just get my tickets!" I say, getting really annoyed - so much effort just for tickets.

"What am I? Your personal slave?" the suit of armor huffs as he hands me one ticket.

I wouldn't want a personal slave like you, I think to myself.

"Ungrateful…" he mutters, handing me the second ticket and my change.

"Thanks," I say, running off for class.

I burst into the classroom and all heads turn to face me.

"Potter!"

"Sorry I'm late professor. A walking suit of armor hit me over the head in the corridor," I say, and all the Slytherins snigger.

I don't think the mild concussion has anything to do with the fact that Lily looks absolutely amazing. She's wearing a short green halter neck dress that shows off her body and long legs. Her hair falls over her shoulders and there's glitter on her face.

"Wow, you look amazing," I murmur, offering her my hand.

"You don't look too bad either," she smiles, taking my hand. "I made this dress myself."

"Really? That's pretty cool," I reply. "Close your eyes."

"Huh?"

"Just close them." Lily obediently shuts them and I reach into my pocket. I bought her an emerald flower to clip in her hair from Hogsmeade.

"Thanks James," she smiles and slides it into her curls.

~*~*~*~*~*

"Ah, so it's you again eh? That's the girl?" a random suit of armor starts talking to us.

James sighs, "Let me make introductions. Lily, this is random suit of armor that whacked me over the head, random suit of armor who takes ages to give me tickets, this is my date Lily. Bye."

James steers me away from the suit of armor as I laugh.

"What?"

"You have a suit of armor stalking you!"

"He's not stalking me."

"Sure, whatever you say."

"C'mon, let's dance."

James pulls me onto the dance floor.

~*~*~*~*~*

Ah!!! I am dancing with Lily Evans! I have my arm around her waist! I cannot believe this! Sirius and Shana are dancing next to us. Sirius keeps grinning and giving me the thumbs up sign.  

"Hey, James, I've got to get something, I'll be back," Lily says and I reluctantly let her go. I find a place to sit and watch some of the student performances. Some guy finishes his performance and we all clap politely. It wasn't really that good. I go to get drinks.

'Doing everything that I believe in
Going by the rules that I've been taught
More understanding of what's around me
And protected from the walls of love'

Is this a student performance? 'Cause whoever it is can really sing.  

'All that you see is me
And all I truly believe'

Wait, I know that voice.

'That I was born to try
I've learned to love
Be understanding
And believe in life
But you've got to make choices
Be wrong or right
Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like
But I was born to try'

I take the drinks and turn around. A red haired girl in muggle clothing is on stage. She's wearing a cream halter neck and brown pants. The red haired girl is… Lily?!

'No point in talking what you should have been
And regretting the things that went on
Life's full of mistakes, destinies and fate
Remove the clouds look at the bigger picture

And all that you see is me
And all I truly believe
That I was born to try
I've learned to love

Be understanding
And believe in life
But you've got to make choices
Be wrong or right
Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like
But I was born to try'

Lily walks down the steps on the stage and the crowd parts to let her through.  

'All that you see is me
All I truly believe
All that you see is me
And all I truly believe
That I was born to try
I've learned to love
Be understanding
And believe in life
But you've got to make choices
Be wrong or right
Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like
But I was born to try'

Omg, Lily is right in front of me now.  

'But you've got to make choices
Be wrong or right
Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like
But I was born to try'

Lily smiles at me and lowers the microphone. I have no idea what to say.

"Lily…" is all I manage to say.

Lily hands the microphone to Courtney and pulls me into a kiss. Everyone cheers loudly, even the suit of armor at the door. Ok, he's definitely stalking me.

~*~*~*~*~*

(Song: 'Born to Try' by Delta Goodrem)

AN: pretty crappy chapter, sorry. I couldn't think of anything else interesting to happen at the ball. Please read and review my other story if you have time. Anyways, replies. Let's try over 300 for the next update, okkies??

Paulm-my-luv – yes, I agree, madness. Ban for a month? I could never do that. Just a day was hard for me.

Angelbud2233 – too bad Martin isn't completely bye byes, eh?

Marion – yeh, I will write more.

Crazy Starz – yes, I'm very glad for all the reviews you have supplied for my stuff. The votes are currently like 10-0 favoring Mr I Flu. I'm gonna call u.

 Lililvr – I think they're kinda in love now. Read my other story while waiting for updates.

Dee Ann – yes, sorry, Martin is gonna be back in the story soon. :(

Puppies144 – thx!

Catherine24 – finally wat?

xxGinnyxx – no, Martin doesn't come back to them, but he does come up again in the story.

Hollow Headed Hamster – from now on, my review replies r gonna use HHH as ur name, cuz otherwise it takes too long to type ur name. I refuse to kill ppl in my story!

Buccaneerbabe14 – zoe, put ur stuff up, n wen u do, tell me cuz I'll 4get to check. Thx for multiple reviews!

Cyd – ah, Lily hates James because she thinks she could love him, n she used to think he was annoying, but now she doesn't, getit? It's like the 'hate to love someone' sorta thing. It's a bit confusing.

Lady-anna-bee – how was vacation? Where did u go?

PPLZ, THX SO MUCH FOR REVIEWING! YAY!

-Electra*27-