Chapter 13
A/N: Wow. I had really forgotten about this fanfic. I mean, I've completed an entire year of college since I last posted. And what a year. I'm fairly sure that no one will still be keeping tabs on this, but I still like to finish what I start. So, in the spirit of finishing things, on with the story! ( Thank you to anyone who actually still reads this and thank you so incredibly much for your patience and your kind reviews. I appreciate it more than you know.
The next several days were spent in a whirlwind of anticipation. Rumors were produced and circulated around the school without an end in sight. Girls primped themselves regularly to make sure that they looked their best for any boy's wandering eye that might be assessing their potential as a date. Boys walked around in apprehensive dazes, worrying about how they would ever work up the courage to ask a girl to the ball. They tried to put their usual mischievous and rude behavior on hold in order to become the perfect portrait of a gentleman. The whole school had transformed into something out of a dating service. People tried to set up their friends with dates while some students resorted to marketing themselves in the hallways between classes, hoping that some desperate member of the opposite gender would take pity on them and ask them to the ball. Indeed, Hogwarts was experiencing something very new and unique.
During a double potions session the next week, Lily was attempting to add ground Makild leaf to a potion while trying desperately to keep it from coming to a boil. Severus sat at her side, offering helpful tips and chopping up root of Fomptin. During this task, Lily watched James slyly approach the front of the room and begin to make small talk with Professor Dante. James was chattering away and laughing charmingly. Lily wondered why James had all of a sudden become one of Professor Dante's cronies. However, she chose to ignore his odd behavior in favor of completing her assigned task. After Lily successfully perfected their potion, she turned to Severus with a triumphant smile.
"I think we did it!" she exclaimed, a grin spreading across her scarlet lips. Severus smiled in response, and brushed a few greasy strands out of his dark eyes.
"Lily," he began in trepidation, "I was wondering—do you have a date to the ball yet?" Severus asked after a moment's hesitation. Lily was caught by surprise.
"A date? Well, no, Severus, I don't," Lily replied, trying to decipher the emotions portrayed in his deep brown eyes.
"Oh, well, I was just wondering because--" Severus broke off, a tinge of red covering his entire pallid and somewhat greasy face. Sirius, who was seated at the table next to their own, pushed his chair back abruptly and came to Lily's side.
"Severus, do not tell me that you're planning on asking Lily to go to the ball with you! It's laughable!" Sirius exclaimed heartily. Severus's eyes flashed with intense anger. Lily shoved Sirius hard in the shoulder sending him flying to the ground with a loud and sickening thud.
"Oh shove it, Sirius!" Lily shouted angrily. She got up from her seat so that she stood towering above Sirius's body which was on the floor in a mangled heap. Intense anger filled her emerald eyes, and blood rose quickly to her face. She pointed one of her fingers down at him menacingly. "Who made you in charge of everyone's life?" she demanded. "I've had enough of your rude, cruel, selfish behavior. If you can't stop being so despicable to everyone that you encounter, then don't bother trying to speak to me ever again!"
The whole of the class burst into laughter as Sirius picked himself up from the dungeon floor and brushed the dust off his robes. Lily had just deeply wounded his pride and he was enraged with her. James came over to Sirius and slapped him hard on the back while his shoulders shook uncontrollably with laughter.
"Sirius, I guess you've learned your lesson. Never mess with Lily Evans!" James exclaimed as he turned his mischievous blue eyes to Lily and winked. Lily was more outraged than she could ever remember being in her entire life. However, when James winked at her, she couldn't help but feel just a tiny twinge of excitement. She quickly brushed away the feeling and scoffed at the both of them while taking her seat once more. Severus was regarding her with complete awe and perhaps even with a bit of fear. "What?" Lily asked curtly.
"N-nothing," Severus replied quickly while diverting his eyes from Lily's.
"Miss Evans, are you quite done with that little display?" Professor Dante questioned sternly from the front of the class. As the professor admonished Lily harshly, he reached towards his desk and picked up a cup of tea. He paused for a moment to sip from it, and then he replaced the small cup and saucer back on his mahogany desk. He gazed briefly around the classroom and then turned his piercing glare back to Lily and began to scold her once again. "In all my years, I've never seen such a despicable-- " Professor Dante cut off suddenly after these words. His eyes were now diverted from Lily. All of his attention was concentrated on another spot in the room. His jaw dropped slightly and his lips formed an 'O'. He was suddenly rapt with attention.
"You have the loveliest eyes that I've ever had the pleasure of seeing in my entire life!" he exclaimed passionately as he stared at Olivia Polonius. "They are the color of a storm cloud before the raindrops break through it. They have the depth of a thousand oceans. And your hair, your beautiful midnight black hair! You are the most beautiful sight that I've ever laid eyes on!" Professor Dante shouted fervently as he approached Olivia. The whole class turned to stare at Olivia in awe. Lily was shocked at his sudden bizarre behavior. What had gotten into him?
"My love, my darling, say that you'll be mine forever!" he cried as he took one of her hands in his own. Olivia's eyes were wide with fear, her mouth hanging open.
"Professor Dante! What on earth are you doing?" Olivia hissed at him as she tried to pull her hand out of his grasp.
"Dearest, you may call me Brutus Dante, there's no need for my title. Not when my love for you is so ardent!" He informed her as he began to plant kisses on her hand, wrist, and forearm. Olivia's face twisted in disgust. She yanked her hand away from his firm grip and began to push her chair backwards. Professor Dante drew nearer as her chair scraped across the floor. Suddenly it caught on the edge of a loose stone and her chair tipped to its side and came crashing to the ground carrying its contents with it. Olivia yelped with pain as she hit the stone floor hard. Professor Dante's eyes shined with violent concern.
"Olivia! Dearest! Are you alright? Shall I take you in my arms and carry you to the nurse? Or will my eternal love be enough to heal your wounds?" he inquired dramatically as he crouched at her side, peering into her fear-filled eyes.
"Neither! Do neither! Just leave me alone! Get away from me!" Olivia shouted adamantly. Lily, out of the corner of her eye, saw movement. She cocked her head to the side, her red hair falling into her face, and then twisted in her seat. She quickly saw that the movement was James Potter's shoulders shaking with laughter.
"Oh, darling, you don't know what you're saying! The pain must be getting to you! What shall I ever do?" Professor Dante shouted in despair. Tears started to roll silently down James's cheeks as his shoulders shook even harder.
"James," Lily hissed at him. James looked up and wiped a tear from his cheek. "What did you do?" Lily demanded. James looked wounded. He put his hand to his chest and mouthed, "me?" Lily nodded sternly.
"Would I ever do anything bad?" he asked innocently. Lily nodded her head obstinately. James shook his own head sadly, as though Lily's assumptions had caused him physical pain.
"James Potter! Tell me this instant what you did to Professor Dante!" Lily hissed. James shook his head solemnly.
"I really wish that I could, Lily, but I can't the break the Marauder's code of honor," James replied, holding his right hand palm up in the air as though he were testifying in court. Lily narrowed her eyes at him, and sneered, which caused James to burst out into another peal of laughter. Lily scoffed and glared at him. "Relax, Lily, it'll wear off in a moment," James added after realizing how frustrated he was making Lily.
"What will wear off?" Lily demanded. James just smirked devilishly.
"Olivia, darling, my love, my life, say that you'll marry me and be mine!" Professor Dante declared, clasping her hand once more. Olivia shrieked and reached her other hand upward in order to slap him across the face. However, he simply grabbed her other hand in his as well. "Olivia, don't fight our love, it's too strong to--" Professor Dante's words faltered as his eyes regained their natural severity. He threw Olivia's hands down in disgust and sneered at her. He stood up slowly and brushed the dust from his knees.
"What on earth is going on here?" he questioned, scanning the room. The whole class finally erupted into laughter at his ridiculous behavior. Olivia's friend Delia tried to console her as she regarded Dante with complete disgust. The professor now looked utterly confused. He held his hand up to his shiny balding forehead and shook his head. "What—what happened?" he kept muttering. Remus and Sirius both leaned over to give James a high five.
"That was the best yet, Prongs! Excellent work!" Remus exclaimed heartily. James was beaming, feeling very proud of himself. Lily twisted around in her seat once again to look at James. He had that ridiculous grin plastered on his face. Professor Dante quickly dismissed the class, trying to apologize to Olivia all the while, something very out of character for him. The classroom emptied quickly. Each student patted James on the back in congratulations for a prank well executed. After they passed through the doorway, Lily pulled the sleeve of James's robe and dragged him into a corner out of the main corridor. He arched his eyebrow at her suggestively as she stood there, holding his arm firmly in a deserted corner of the school. He was even so bold as to move within a closer proximity to her.
"James, what did you do in there?" Lily asked. Surprisingly, her typical scolding tone remained absent. She hadn't yet let go of his arm, and if a passerby had witnessed the scene, they might have made certain insinuations about their relationship.
"I didn't know you cared, Lily," James replied smoothly, glancing at her hand. Lily rolled her eyes and then let out a laugh despite herself. She removed her hand from his arm and pushed him lightly in the shoulder.
"By the way, Lil', that was a great move you made on Sirius in class," James stated, suppressing his laughter.
"Thanks, I aim to please," Lily responded. Her features had softened, her lips forming a smile.
"Ah, there's the cheerful Lily we all know and love," James smiled. "The same Lily that I used to put to gum in the hair of."
"The same Lily that you used to call fireball."
"The same Lily I used to arm wrestle," James remembered.
"Yes, and I used to beat you horribly."
"Yeah, but then I'd get you back for it. Like when I put a charm on your hairbrush so that your hair turned green everytime you tried to brush it." James chuckled to himself.
"Yes, yes, you were rotten to me; but stop trying to change the subject, James! What happened with Professor Dante?" Lily demanded.
"Well, Lily, one should never share such valuable secrets," James stated matter-of-factly. Lily folded her arms impatiently. "Well, alright, it was a simple love potion," James admitted.
"James, a love potion?" Lily asked in disbelief.
"Sure! I added a bit to his tea when I went up to talk to him at the beginning of class," James stated. A grin formed on his face and his eyes twinkled with pride. "Wasn't that the best prank ever?" Lily looked conflicted, caught between amusement and disapproval. She finally sided with amusement as she giggled at him.
"You're awful!" she declared.
"Well, it was his own fault. He's been nothing but a crotchety old grouch lately. He even yelled at you, Lily! That's against the unspoken rules! It's just not done!" James cried indignantly. Lily regarded him with deep amusement.
"Well, James, thanks for defending my honor," Lily replied melodramatically as she bowed her head. James rolled his eyes.
"C'mon, Lily, you know it was hilarious!" James cried with glee.
"Alright, I'll admit that it was pretty entertaining to see Professor Dante on his knees declaring his undying love for Olivia," Lily responded, her evergreen eyes sparkling with laughter.
"Good, I'm glad you appreciate the humor of the situation," James stated. A lilting laugh escaped Lily's lips. James gazed at Lily, his sky blue eyes seemed to be searching her own eyes. He remained silent, an indecisive look displayed on his face. His forehead was wrinkled slightly, and his brows drawn together. Lily felt as though he could see right through her and into the deep recesses of her heart. She twisted her long auburn hair around her index finger and bit on her lower lip slightly. James continued to stare blatantly at her.
"What is it, James?" Lily finally asked, no longer able to bear the awkward silence. James shook his head quickly, clearing his thoughts, and lowered his gaze to the floor.
"Lily, are you—um," James faltered and fumbled with his words. Lily was shocked to see the infamously smooth James Potter struggling with his words. "What I mean to say is—well, do you--" James cut himself off suddenly and forced himself to smile at Lily nonchalantly.
"What, James, what?" Lily questioned, curiosity overcoming her. James just shook his head and pressed his lips tightly together.
"Nothing, Lil'. Forget it," James stated, avoiding Lily's eyes.
"James, come on, tell me," Lily pleaded her eyes alight with questioning.
"Nah, forget I ever said anything. Well, Lily, I've got to go finish my essay for Defense Against the Dark Arts that's due tomorrow," James concluded. "See you later," he added with a slight smile as he turned on his heel and walked down the corridor. Lily watched him as he walked away from her, and her heart sank slightly. She was half hoping that he would ask her to the ball. She quickly smoothed her auburn hair and then started to make her way back towards the Gryffindor common room.
A/N: Wow. I had really forgotten about this fanfic. I mean, I've completed an entire year of college since I last posted. And what a year. I'm fairly sure that no one will still be keeping tabs on this, but I still like to finish what I start. So, in the spirit of finishing things, on with the story! ( Thank you to anyone who actually still reads this and thank you so incredibly much for your patience and your kind reviews. I appreciate it more than you know.
The next several days were spent in a whirlwind of anticipation. Rumors were produced and circulated around the school without an end in sight. Girls primped themselves regularly to make sure that they looked their best for any boy's wandering eye that might be assessing their potential as a date. Boys walked around in apprehensive dazes, worrying about how they would ever work up the courage to ask a girl to the ball. They tried to put their usual mischievous and rude behavior on hold in order to become the perfect portrait of a gentleman. The whole school had transformed into something out of a dating service. People tried to set up their friends with dates while some students resorted to marketing themselves in the hallways between classes, hoping that some desperate member of the opposite gender would take pity on them and ask them to the ball. Indeed, Hogwarts was experiencing something very new and unique.
During a double potions session the next week, Lily was attempting to add ground Makild leaf to a potion while trying desperately to keep it from coming to a boil. Severus sat at her side, offering helpful tips and chopping up root of Fomptin. During this task, Lily watched James slyly approach the front of the room and begin to make small talk with Professor Dante. James was chattering away and laughing charmingly. Lily wondered why James had all of a sudden become one of Professor Dante's cronies. However, she chose to ignore his odd behavior in favor of completing her assigned task. After Lily successfully perfected their potion, she turned to Severus with a triumphant smile.
"I think we did it!" she exclaimed, a grin spreading across her scarlet lips. Severus smiled in response, and brushed a few greasy strands out of his dark eyes.
"Lily," he began in trepidation, "I was wondering—do you have a date to the ball yet?" Severus asked after a moment's hesitation. Lily was caught by surprise.
"A date? Well, no, Severus, I don't," Lily replied, trying to decipher the emotions portrayed in his deep brown eyes.
"Oh, well, I was just wondering because--" Severus broke off, a tinge of red covering his entire pallid and somewhat greasy face. Sirius, who was seated at the table next to their own, pushed his chair back abruptly and came to Lily's side.
"Severus, do not tell me that you're planning on asking Lily to go to the ball with you! It's laughable!" Sirius exclaimed heartily. Severus's eyes flashed with intense anger. Lily shoved Sirius hard in the shoulder sending him flying to the ground with a loud and sickening thud.
"Oh shove it, Sirius!" Lily shouted angrily. She got up from her seat so that she stood towering above Sirius's body which was on the floor in a mangled heap. Intense anger filled her emerald eyes, and blood rose quickly to her face. She pointed one of her fingers down at him menacingly. "Who made you in charge of everyone's life?" she demanded. "I've had enough of your rude, cruel, selfish behavior. If you can't stop being so despicable to everyone that you encounter, then don't bother trying to speak to me ever again!"
The whole of the class burst into laughter as Sirius picked himself up from the dungeon floor and brushed the dust off his robes. Lily had just deeply wounded his pride and he was enraged with her. James came over to Sirius and slapped him hard on the back while his shoulders shook uncontrollably with laughter.
"Sirius, I guess you've learned your lesson. Never mess with Lily Evans!" James exclaimed as he turned his mischievous blue eyes to Lily and winked. Lily was more outraged than she could ever remember being in her entire life. However, when James winked at her, she couldn't help but feel just a tiny twinge of excitement. She quickly brushed away the feeling and scoffed at the both of them while taking her seat once more. Severus was regarding her with complete awe and perhaps even with a bit of fear. "What?" Lily asked curtly.
"N-nothing," Severus replied quickly while diverting his eyes from Lily's.
"Miss Evans, are you quite done with that little display?" Professor Dante questioned sternly from the front of the class. As the professor admonished Lily harshly, he reached towards his desk and picked up a cup of tea. He paused for a moment to sip from it, and then he replaced the small cup and saucer back on his mahogany desk. He gazed briefly around the classroom and then turned his piercing glare back to Lily and began to scold her once again. "In all my years, I've never seen such a despicable-- " Professor Dante cut off suddenly after these words. His eyes were now diverted from Lily. All of his attention was concentrated on another spot in the room. His jaw dropped slightly and his lips formed an 'O'. He was suddenly rapt with attention.
"You have the loveliest eyes that I've ever had the pleasure of seeing in my entire life!" he exclaimed passionately as he stared at Olivia Polonius. "They are the color of a storm cloud before the raindrops break through it. They have the depth of a thousand oceans. And your hair, your beautiful midnight black hair! You are the most beautiful sight that I've ever laid eyes on!" Professor Dante shouted fervently as he approached Olivia. The whole class turned to stare at Olivia in awe. Lily was shocked at his sudden bizarre behavior. What had gotten into him?
"My love, my darling, say that you'll be mine forever!" he cried as he took one of her hands in his own. Olivia's eyes were wide with fear, her mouth hanging open.
"Professor Dante! What on earth are you doing?" Olivia hissed at him as she tried to pull her hand out of his grasp.
"Dearest, you may call me Brutus Dante, there's no need for my title. Not when my love for you is so ardent!" He informed her as he began to plant kisses on her hand, wrist, and forearm. Olivia's face twisted in disgust. She yanked her hand away from his firm grip and began to push her chair backwards. Professor Dante drew nearer as her chair scraped across the floor. Suddenly it caught on the edge of a loose stone and her chair tipped to its side and came crashing to the ground carrying its contents with it. Olivia yelped with pain as she hit the stone floor hard. Professor Dante's eyes shined with violent concern.
"Olivia! Dearest! Are you alright? Shall I take you in my arms and carry you to the nurse? Or will my eternal love be enough to heal your wounds?" he inquired dramatically as he crouched at her side, peering into her fear-filled eyes.
"Neither! Do neither! Just leave me alone! Get away from me!" Olivia shouted adamantly. Lily, out of the corner of her eye, saw movement. She cocked her head to the side, her red hair falling into her face, and then twisted in her seat. She quickly saw that the movement was James Potter's shoulders shaking with laughter.
"Oh, darling, you don't know what you're saying! The pain must be getting to you! What shall I ever do?" Professor Dante shouted in despair. Tears started to roll silently down James's cheeks as his shoulders shook even harder.
"James," Lily hissed at him. James looked up and wiped a tear from his cheek. "What did you do?" Lily demanded. James looked wounded. He put his hand to his chest and mouthed, "me?" Lily nodded sternly.
"Would I ever do anything bad?" he asked innocently. Lily nodded her head obstinately. James shook his own head sadly, as though Lily's assumptions had caused him physical pain.
"James Potter! Tell me this instant what you did to Professor Dante!" Lily hissed. James shook his head solemnly.
"I really wish that I could, Lily, but I can't the break the Marauder's code of honor," James replied, holding his right hand palm up in the air as though he were testifying in court. Lily narrowed her eyes at him, and sneered, which caused James to burst out into another peal of laughter. Lily scoffed and glared at him. "Relax, Lily, it'll wear off in a moment," James added after realizing how frustrated he was making Lily.
"What will wear off?" Lily demanded. James just smirked devilishly.
"Olivia, darling, my love, my life, say that you'll marry me and be mine!" Professor Dante declared, clasping her hand once more. Olivia shrieked and reached her other hand upward in order to slap him across the face. However, he simply grabbed her other hand in his as well. "Olivia, don't fight our love, it's too strong to--" Professor Dante's words faltered as his eyes regained their natural severity. He threw Olivia's hands down in disgust and sneered at her. He stood up slowly and brushed the dust from his knees.
"What on earth is going on here?" he questioned, scanning the room. The whole class finally erupted into laughter at his ridiculous behavior. Olivia's friend Delia tried to console her as she regarded Dante with complete disgust. The professor now looked utterly confused. He held his hand up to his shiny balding forehead and shook his head. "What—what happened?" he kept muttering. Remus and Sirius both leaned over to give James a high five.
"That was the best yet, Prongs! Excellent work!" Remus exclaimed heartily. James was beaming, feeling very proud of himself. Lily twisted around in her seat once again to look at James. He had that ridiculous grin plastered on his face. Professor Dante quickly dismissed the class, trying to apologize to Olivia all the while, something very out of character for him. The classroom emptied quickly. Each student patted James on the back in congratulations for a prank well executed. After they passed through the doorway, Lily pulled the sleeve of James's robe and dragged him into a corner out of the main corridor. He arched his eyebrow at her suggestively as she stood there, holding his arm firmly in a deserted corner of the school. He was even so bold as to move within a closer proximity to her.
"James, what did you do in there?" Lily asked. Surprisingly, her typical scolding tone remained absent. She hadn't yet let go of his arm, and if a passerby had witnessed the scene, they might have made certain insinuations about their relationship.
"I didn't know you cared, Lily," James replied smoothly, glancing at her hand. Lily rolled her eyes and then let out a laugh despite herself. She removed her hand from his arm and pushed him lightly in the shoulder.
"By the way, Lil', that was a great move you made on Sirius in class," James stated, suppressing his laughter.
"Thanks, I aim to please," Lily responded. Her features had softened, her lips forming a smile.
"Ah, there's the cheerful Lily we all know and love," James smiled. "The same Lily that I used to put to gum in the hair of."
"The same Lily that you used to call fireball."
"The same Lily I used to arm wrestle," James remembered.
"Yes, and I used to beat you horribly."
"Yeah, but then I'd get you back for it. Like when I put a charm on your hairbrush so that your hair turned green everytime you tried to brush it." James chuckled to himself.
"Yes, yes, you were rotten to me; but stop trying to change the subject, James! What happened with Professor Dante?" Lily demanded.
"Well, Lily, one should never share such valuable secrets," James stated matter-of-factly. Lily folded her arms impatiently. "Well, alright, it was a simple love potion," James admitted.
"James, a love potion?" Lily asked in disbelief.
"Sure! I added a bit to his tea when I went up to talk to him at the beginning of class," James stated. A grin formed on his face and his eyes twinkled with pride. "Wasn't that the best prank ever?" Lily looked conflicted, caught between amusement and disapproval. She finally sided with amusement as she giggled at him.
"You're awful!" she declared.
"Well, it was his own fault. He's been nothing but a crotchety old grouch lately. He even yelled at you, Lily! That's against the unspoken rules! It's just not done!" James cried indignantly. Lily regarded him with deep amusement.
"Well, James, thanks for defending my honor," Lily replied melodramatically as she bowed her head. James rolled his eyes.
"C'mon, Lily, you know it was hilarious!" James cried with glee.
"Alright, I'll admit that it was pretty entertaining to see Professor Dante on his knees declaring his undying love for Olivia," Lily responded, her evergreen eyes sparkling with laughter.
"Good, I'm glad you appreciate the humor of the situation," James stated. A lilting laugh escaped Lily's lips. James gazed at Lily, his sky blue eyes seemed to be searching her own eyes. He remained silent, an indecisive look displayed on his face. His forehead was wrinkled slightly, and his brows drawn together. Lily felt as though he could see right through her and into the deep recesses of her heart. She twisted her long auburn hair around her index finger and bit on her lower lip slightly. James continued to stare blatantly at her.
"What is it, James?" Lily finally asked, no longer able to bear the awkward silence. James shook his head quickly, clearing his thoughts, and lowered his gaze to the floor.
"Lily, are you—um," James faltered and fumbled with his words. Lily was shocked to see the infamously smooth James Potter struggling with his words. "What I mean to say is—well, do you--" James cut himself off suddenly and forced himself to smile at Lily nonchalantly.
"What, James, what?" Lily questioned, curiosity overcoming her. James just shook his head and pressed his lips tightly together.
"Nothing, Lil'. Forget it," James stated, avoiding Lily's eyes.
"James, come on, tell me," Lily pleaded her eyes alight with questioning.
"Nah, forget I ever said anything. Well, Lily, I've got to go finish my essay for Defense Against the Dark Arts that's due tomorrow," James concluded. "See you later," he added with a slight smile as he turned on his heel and walked down the corridor. Lily watched him as he walked away from her, and her heart sank slightly. She was half hoping that he would ask her to the ball. She quickly smoothed her auburn hair and then started to make her way back towards the Gryffindor common room.