Author's Note:
Where do I begin? Umm...first off I guess I would like to apologize for not updating sooner. I hope I don't lose reviewers for this. I just had a temporary writer's block but obviously it's gone now. I would like to thank everyone that participated in the poll. I actually had a tie between Remus tricking Lily and Remus and Lily getting into a fight. So, I guess you'll get to see them both. No one chose Sirius finding out about Remus' feelings for Torrance and I don't really know why. Oh well, you guys are the reviewers and I just think it's cool that you have some what of a say in what happens in chapters. Hope you guys enjoy this one.
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Chapter Title: All Roads Lead to the Ball
Disclaimer: (see previous chapters)
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***JAMES' POV***
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After all the testing, homework, potions, essays, wand work.... well, after all of that...it was finally the first day of Christmas break. But it just wasn't that, as if that wasn't enough, it was the day before the Christmas Ball. Yes, that's right. It was THE DAY. Girls were snapping at each other, guys were completely stressed out, professors were...well, they were being professors. And you could find James upstairs, in his dorm, checking off a list.
Extra-Strength Dungbombs?................Check!
No Heat, Wet Start Filibuster's Fireworks?..........Check!
Spontaneously Combusting Fruitcake?............Check!
Sanity?.......Er - No, let's skip that one for now. James bit on the end of his quill while he ran his hand through his hair. Now, you may be wondering what the hell he is doing. I'll tell you. He is devising a Christmas Ball "blow-out". He couldn't do it at his fifth year's ball because Lily had hexed him for...well, he wasn't quite sure what he had done but it wasn't good.
'That hex lasted forever, though. You have to give that girl credit. She does know her Charms,' James thought proudly.
Anyway, what was I doing? Oh, right - -
Disintegrating Parchments?...........Check!
Exploding Broomstick?.........Oh yes. You better believe it, love. Remus and I just finished the prototype; it's guaranteed to send Malfoy into cardiac arrest. Not to mention Mr. Beater-Quidditch-King-of-the-World, our own Sirius Black. He's not really a king in Quidditch but James had to admit he did have some flashy moves. Loves his broomstick a bit too much, if you ask me.
James smiled to himself as he thought back to when Remus had announced to the both of them that he was going to quit the team to seek out better grades. Sirius nearly had a seizure.
'Are you bloody stark raving mad?' Sirius had screamed after Remus' announcement. 'Give up Quidditch to study and get better grades? That's the craziest thing I've ever heard!'
'Life's not all cobbing and Snitches, Padfoot,' Remus had replied shortly. 'And besides, you've got the whole Quidditch thing down without me - - I think. If you call what you do on a broomstick "playing Quidditch".'
Ah, yes, James' remembered Marauder rivalry. Sirius then swore fluently at Remus for several minutes (Peter and James wrote all of it down for future reference) before James' mum came around into the kitchen and almost fainted when she heard what language her son's best friend was spewing out. Sirius got his mouth washed out with soap, Remus got into trouble for provoking Sirius, and Peter and I got death glares for being in the same general vicinity as the chaos. But of course, they had reasoned with Remus into staying on the team.
Even after several thousand more arguments like the one above, Sirius and Remus still were the best of friends, practically brothers. All of them were and would always be. The Marauder connection had always been misunderstood outside immediate friends and family. It's not like they could read each other's mind or anything (he was suspicious of Remus though); but even if James could, he wouldn't want to. Stepping into Padfoot's mind is like covering your trousers in bacon and climbing into a den with a half-starved werewolf, singing at the top of your lungs: 'My trousers are made of pork products! Dinner's served. Come and get it!' Oh yes, like that's healthy...
Let's see...Exploding Mintdrops?.......Check!
Laxative Pills?............Check! (Oh, I'm going to have fun with those)
Growth Spurt Tarts?...........Ch --
Woah, woah, woah....Wait - - Growth Spurt Tarts? I didn't even know that I owned Growth Spurt Tarts. I should give Peter one and see what happens.
James sighed and looked around at his dorm: scorch marks from the previous year (don't ask), ink stains on the floor, holes in the wall (James got a little too zealous with his broomstick in sixth year), candy wrappers...Merlin, he was going to miss Hogwarts.
"Hey Prongs! You up there? PRONGS!"
James quickly checked his watch. He was already late! He hurriedly stripped down to his knickers and searched for his Quidditch robes.
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***LILY'S POV***
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"What the bloody hell is taking him so long?" Sirius groaned, pacing the floor at the bottom of the boy's staircase. "We should have been practicing fifteen minutes ago!"
Sirius stopped pacing, checked his watch for the third time then began pacing again in the opposite direction.
Lily, who had enough of Sirius' moaning and groaning, finally said, "Why don't you go up there and check on him? He might have fallen asleep on the toilet bowl again like he did in third year."
"Okay, remind me again why Lils and I have to watch you guys practice in the freezing cold," Torrance asked, poking at the coals in the fireplace.
"Simple. James plays better when Lily is out there in the stadium. It just gives him more reason to show off for her," Remus replied as he started to polish the end of his broomstick.
Lily began watching Sirius pace back and forth. Remus polishing his broom, back and forth. Torrance poking at the coals, back and forth. Back and forth, back and forth, back and --
"Okay! That's it!" Lily said, finally giving up her patience. She stood up from the armchair and marched up the boy's staircase. Without knocking, she entered the dorm room.
"Potter! Come on! Everyone is waiting for you and it's driving me--"
Now there's a sight she never thought she'd see. Behold, James and all his glory. And boy, was he glorious. Lean, built, hard muscles. Beautiful golden-brown, tanned skin. Lily's heartbeat started to race into overdrive as she watched James reach for his Quidditch robes from the top of his closet. Back facing her, he searched for his boots inside his closet. Lily couldn't tear her eyes away from him. From him.
Okay, slowly walk out of the room. Quietly, he hasn't seen you yet, Lily thought. With difficulty, she forced her legs to move into the opposite direction. She was at least two feet from the door when--THUMP!
Lily had tripped over a DADA textbook, which made her tumble backwards and land on Sirius bed.
"Brilliant! Absolutely spiffing..." Lily mumbled as she tried to untangle herself from Sirius' blankets.
"Need help?" James asked, fully clothed to Lily's disappointment, holding out his hand to lift her up.
"Well, you took so long and I came up here to hurry you up but then I saw that you were already getting ready so I figured that I would just leave you alone then I tripped over that damned textbook and now I'm here talking to you and whoa! Is that a door? I'll just be going now..."Lily quickly stumbled out of the dorm and ran down the stairs without another glance back at James.
"Well, is he ready yet?" Torrance asked, still poking at the coals in the fire.
"Uh...he'll be right down," Lily said, trying to calm her pulse rate down.
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***REMUS' POV***
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THUMP, DUM. THUMP, DUM. THUMP, DUM. THUMP, DUM.
Remus could hear Lily's heart beat from a mile away. And by the color of her cheeks and the way her hands were shaking slightly, Remus knew that something was not in proportion.
"Is everything alright?" Remus asked Lily when she took a seat by him.
THUMP, DUM. THUMP, DUM...
"Yeah, fine."
"Because if I didn't know any better, I would say that--"
"PRONGS! GET YOUR ARSE DOWN HERE!" Sirius yelled impatiently.
"I'm coming!" James yelled back, springing down the stairs. "It takes time to look this good."
"Yeah, I can see that. Tell me, is that a ketchup stain on your pants?" Torrance asked.
"ALRIGHT! Enough with the dandy chitchat. Come on, the team is probably planning mutiny right now as we speak." Sirius motioned towards the portrait hole.
The whole gang got up from their positions and headed towards the swinging portrait, Lily and James getting there first. It seemed that both of them wanted to get through at the same time, causing them to bump shoulders.
"Oh, go ahead," Lily said, appearing to Remus like she didn't want to even look at James.
"No you were here first, I insist."
"Go on. You're closer, I'll wait."
"I really think that - -"
"BUGGER! WOULD ONE OF YOU JUST WALK THROUGH?" Sirius bellowed.
Lily and James, looking shocked by his outburst, finally decided to let Torrance go first. Remus and Sirius followed.
"It was so much simpler when they hated each other..." Sirius murmured to Remus.
~
"Remus Lupin........Heeeellllllllooooooooo.....Earth to Remus......"
Remus opened his eyes. Slowly, a head of red hair and green eyes came into focus.
"Lily, geroff..." Remus grumbled, pushing Lily away.
"Love you too, sunshine," Lily cooed sarcastically.
"What...what time is it," Remus asked, stifling a yawn.
"Ten thirty-seven in the morning, on the dot."
"That's just corking..." Remus sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. "Where is everybody?"
The boy's dorm was completely deserted, not one Marauder in sight.
"Well, let me see...ah, yes! Sirius and Torrance went to Hogsmeade to buy his last minute dress robes, Peter is probably trying to find a last minute date and James is trying to work off some pounds at the last minute before the ball. And since I don't like being a third wheel, couldn't run a mile if my life depended on it and can't save Peter from the dateless pit of hell....I'm here with you," Lily said sweetly.
"Aww...your happiness is intoxicating. Remind me to hex you the next time I see my wand." Remus replied, lazily getting out of his warm bed and throwing on the nearest piece of clothing from off of the floor.
"What's up your rear end this morning?" Lily asked while Remus headed into the bathroom.
"It's nothing. Just that I'm aching in places that shouldn't ache, at least I think they shouldn't ache. It just feels unnatural. You were there, you saw how hard practice was last night." Remus groaned, squeezing toothpaste onto his toothbrush.
"Stop being such a baby. Come on, Sirius looked completely fine when he walked out with Torrance and not to mention that James is out there still exercising." Lily said.
"I'd rather you not compare my athletic ability to your boyfriend's. I'd lose every time."
"Wait, I thought you had your werewolf senses. Don't you?"
(He took note on how Lily didn't protest at his use of the word 'boyfriend'. Hmm...how interesting.)
Remus shrugged, "I guess. Why?"
Lily rolled her eyes, "Well, doesn't that include your werewolf strength as well?"
Werewolf strength…well, sure he had it. But the real question is, will he ever use it and that answer is a definite 'no'. Always is and always will be. Too risky. It was hard enough to hold back his werewolf urges.
Remus took his time to rinse his mouth out before he replied, "Only for a good reason will I ever use my strength."
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***TORRANCE'S POV***
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It was now the moment every single girl has waited for. While all the Gryffindor girls hurriedly pushed and shoved to get a glimpse in front of the mirror, Torrance was examining herself on the other side of the room.
Curse Lily. Curse the woman who had invented dresses. Who needed them anyway? And makeup. Torrance felt the eyeshadow and powder on the surface of her face. She licked her lips. Why did lipstick taste the way it does?
Seven-thirty.
The doors would open at eight o'clock and Torrance could not be more nervous.
'But why? It's not like I haven't danced with a guy before. Sirius is a great dancer, too.'
And yet, she could not keep her thoughts upon Sirius Black but on his best friend. Remus.
Torrance slowly walked up towards the mirror when all the girls went downstairs to grab their date. Tight. Why did this dress have to be so damn tight? She ran her fingers through her hair. Lily was so good with her charms. Not one tangle. Everything seemed to be fine about her appearance. No reason for Remus not to like me, right?
"Are you ready?" Lily asked, looking at her with utmost pride.
"Yeah," Torrance said shakily, "Lily, can I ask you a question?"
"Don't worry, he'll love you."
Torrance smilled, "He better love me because I'll never dress up again, especially for Sirius."
"Oh well, I'm sure Sirius will love you as well," Lily replied, "Now, go on down there."
Torrance let out the biggest sigh she could muster in a dress as tight as hers, "What about you? Aren't you coming?"
"My date and I are going to be fashionably late."
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Torrance carefully walked down the stairs one by one so she wouldn't trip and fall. As she stepped closer to the lighted common room, she could see Sirius and James waiting casually at the bottom looking handsome in their new dress robes.
"Your lady enters," James said to Sirius, nodding his head in Torrance's direction.
"Blimey..." Sirius uttered, eyes popping out of his head, "Naw, you can't be the same Torrance. It's impossible...you do realize that I will have to beat down at least four guys tonight?"
Torrance laughed, "Well, you can do that while you're on your way to get my butterbeer."
"James...come on, we are going to miss the doors open." James' date whined.
"Well, just hold on. I want to see Lily come down." James said, trying to put as much space between him and Kimberly.
"Oh, she said her and her date are going to be late." Torrance said, glancing around the room, "Where's Remus?"
"Who knows? I haven't seen him all evening. Probably trying to keep his mystery girl a secret." Sirius replied, eyeing Torrance's gold dress.
Torrance's heart plummeted. Of course he has a date, why shouldn't he?
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***LILY'S POV***
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"FOR ALL THAT IS PURE AND HOLY! WOULD YOU JUST COME DOWN?"
"Alright, alright. You know, I don't complain about your hygiene so ease up, would you?" Remus said, dusting his robes off while galloping down the stairs.
Lily, who was waiting for him at the bottom, glanced at her watch.
"It's eight-fifteen..." Lily inhaled deeply, "And I don't think I could do this."
Remus looked at her questioningly, "Why are you stressed out? I'm the one who should be fearing for my life. Do you know what James will do to me once we walk in together? Do you? Well, I don't..."
Lily took several steps back from Remus, "So, how do I look?"
"Honestly? I'm lost for words. You are magnificently beautiful," Remus said, "How do I look?"
Lily cocked her head to the side, "You'll do."
"You do know that if I see James pull out his wand I'm running out of the Great Hall like a bat out of hell, right?"
"Right. And you should know that if Sirius even tries to kiss Torrance he'll be mourning over a misplaced testicle."
Remus held out his arm, "Shall we?"
Lily took hold of Remus' well-toned arm, "Lets."
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This chapter doesn't really light my fancy. Next one will be better. Review please. They are what's keeping me alive!
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Where do I begin? Umm...first off I guess I would like to apologize for not updating sooner. I hope I don't lose reviewers for this. I just had a temporary writer's block but obviously it's gone now. I would like to thank everyone that participated in the poll. I actually had a tie between Remus tricking Lily and Remus and Lily getting into a fight. So, I guess you'll get to see them both. No one chose Sirius finding out about Remus' feelings for Torrance and I don't really know why. Oh well, you guys are the reviewers and I just think it's cool that you have some what of a say in what happens in chapters. Hope you guys enjoy this one.
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Chapter Title: All Roads Lead to the Ball
Disclaimer: (see previous chapters)
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***JAMES' POV***
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After all the testing, homework, potions, essays, wand work.... well, after all of that...it was finally the first day of Christmas break. But it just wasn't that, as if that wasn't enough, it was the day before the Christmas Ball. Yes, that's right. It was THE DAY. Girls were snapping at each other, guys were completely stressed out, professors were...well, they were being professors. And you could find James upstairs, in his dorm, checking off a list.
Extra-Strength Dungbombs?................Check!
No Heat, Wet Start Filibuster's Fireworks?..........Check!
Spontaneously Combusting Fruitcake?............Check!
Sanity?.......Er - No, let's skip that one for now. James bit on the end of his quill while he ran his hand through his hair. Now, you may be wondering what the hell he is doing. I'll tell you. He is devising a Christmas Ball "blow-out". He couldn't do it at his fifth year's ball because Lily had hexed him for...well, he wasn't quite sure what he had done but it wasn't good.
'That hex lasted forever, though. You have to give that girl credit. She does know her Charms,' James thought proudly.
Anyway, what was I doing? Oh, right - -
Disintegrating Parchments?...........Check!
Exploding Broomstick?.........Oh yes. You better believe it, love. Remus and I just finished the prototype; it's guaranteed to send Malfoy into cardiac arrest. Not to mention Mr. Beater-Quidditch-King-of-the-World, our own Sirius Black. He's not really a king in Quidditch but James had to admit he did have some flashy moves. Loves his broomstick a bit too much, if you ask me.
James smiled to himself as he thought back to when Remus had announced to the both of them that he was going to quit the team to seek out better grades. Sirius nearly had a seizure.
'Are you bloody stark raving mad?' Sirius had screamed after Remus' announcement. 'Give up Quidditch to study and get better grades? That's the craziest thing I've ever heard!'
'Life's not all cobbing and Snitches, Padfoot,' Remus had replied shortly. 'And besides, you've got the whole Quidditch thing down without me - - I think. If you call what you do on a broomstick "playing Quidditch".'
Ah, yes, James' remembered Marauder rivalry. Sirius then swore fluently at Remus for several minutes (Peter and James wrote all of it down for future reference) before James' mum came around into the kitchen and almost fainted when she heard what language her son's best friend was spewing out. Sirius got his mouth washed out with soap, Remus got into trouble for provoking Sirius, and Peter and I got death glares for being in the same general vicinity as the chaos. But of course, they had reasoned with Remus into staying on the team.
Even after several thousand more arguments like the one above, Sirius and Remus still were the best of friends, practically brothers. All of them were and would always be. The Marauder connection had always been misunderstood outside immediate friends and family. It's not like they could read each other's mind or anything (he was suspicious of Remus though); but even if James could, he wouldn't want to. Stepping into Padfoot's mind is like covering your trousers in bacon and climbing into a den with a half-starved werewolf, singing at the top of your lungs: 'My trousers are made of pork products! Dinner's served. Come and get it!' Oh yes, like that's healthy...
Let's see...Exploding Mintdrops?.......Check!
Laxative Pills?............Check! (Oh, I'm going to have fun with those)
Growth Spurt Tarts?...........Ch --
Woah, woah, woah....Wait - - Growth Spurt Tarts? I didn't even know that I owned Growth Spurt Tarts. I should give Peter one and see what happens.
James sighed and looked around at his dorm: scorch marks from the previous year (don't ask), ink stains on the floor, holes in the wall (James got a little too zealous with his broomstick in sixth year), candy wrappers...Merlin, he was going to miss Hogwarts.
"Hey Prongs! You up there? PRONGS!"
James quickly checked his watch. He was already late! He hurriedly stripped down to his knickers and searched for his Quidditch robes.
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***LILY'S POV***
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"What the bloody hell is taking him so long?" Sirius groaned, pacing the floor at the bottom of the boy's staircase. "We should have been practicing fifteen minutes ago!"
Sirius stopped pacing, checked his watch for the third time then began pacing again in the opposite direction.
Lily, who had enough of Sirius' moaning and groaning, finally said, "Why don't you go up there and check on him? He might have fallen asleep on the toilet bowl again like he did in third year."
"Okay, remind me again why Lils and I have to watch you guys practice in the freezing cold," Torrance asked, poking at the coals in the fireplace.
"Simple. James plays better when Lily is out there in the stadium. It just gives him more reason to show off for her," Remus replied as he started to polish the end of his broomstick.
Lily began watching Sirius pace back and forth. Remus polishing his broom, back and forth. Torrance poking at the coals, back and forth. Back and forth, back and forth, back and --
"Okay! That's it!" Lily said, finally giving up her patience. She stood up from the armchair and marched up the boy's staircase. Without knocking, she entered the dorm room.
"Potter! Come on! Everyone is waiting for you and it's driving me--"
Now there's a sight she never thought she'd see. Behold, James and all his glory. And boy, was he glorious. Lean, built, hard muscles. Beautiful golden-brown, tanned skin. Lily's heartbeat started to race into overdrive as she watched James reach for his Quidditch robes from the top of his closet. Back facing her, he searched for his boots inside his closet. Lily couldn't tear her eyes away from him. From him.
Okay, slowly walk out of the room. Quietly, he hasn't seen you yet, Lily thought. With difficulty, she forced her legs to move into the opposite direction. She was at least two feet from the door when--THUMP!
Lily had tripped over a DADA textbook, which made her tumble backwards and land on Sirius bed.
"Brilliant! Absolutely spiffing..." Lily mumbled as she tried to untangle herself from Sirius' blankets.
"Need help?" James asked, fully clothed to Lily's disappointment, holding out his hand to lift her up.
"Well, you took so long and I came up here to hurry you up but then I saw that you were already getting ready so I figured that I would just leave you alone then I tripped over that damned textbook and now I'm here talking to you and whoa! Is that a door? I'll just be going now..."Lily quickly stumbled out of the dorm and ran down the stairs without another glance back at James.
"Well, is he ready yet?" Torrance asked, still poking at the coals in the fire.
"Uh...he'll be right down," Lily said, trying to calm her pulse rate down.
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***REMUS' POV***
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THUMP, DUM. THUMP, DUM. THUMP, DUM. THUMP, DUM.
Remus could hear Lily's heart beat from a mile away. And by the color of her cheeks and the way her hands were shaking slightly, Remus knew that something was not in proportion.
"Is everything alright?" Remus asked Lily when she took a seat by him.
THUMP, DUM. THUMP, DUM...
"Yeah, fine."
"Because if I didn't know any better, I would say that--"
"PRONGS! GET YOUR ARSE DOWN HERE!" Sirius yelled impatiently.
"I'm coming!" James yelled back, springing down the stairs. "It takes time to look this good."
"Yeah, I can see that. Tell me, is that a ketchup stain on your pants?" Torrance asked.
"ALRIGHT! Enough with the dandy chitchat. Come on, the team is probably planning mutiny right now as we speak." Sirius motioned towards the portrait hole.
The whole gang got up from their positions and headed towards the swinging portrait, Lily and James getting there first. It seemed that both of them wanted to get through at the same time, causing them to bump shoulders.
"Oh, go ahead," Lily said, appearing to Remus like she didn't want to even look at James.
"No you were here first, I insist."
"Go on. You're closer, I'll wait."
"I really think that - -"
"BUGGER! WOULD ONE OF YOU JUST WALK THROUGH?" Sirius bellowed.
Lily and James, looking shocked by his outburst, finally decided to let Torrance go first. Remus and Sirius followed.
"It was so much simpler when they hated each other..." Sirius murmured to Remus.
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"Remus Lupin........Heeeellllllllooooooooo.....Earth to Remus......"
Remus opened his eyes. Slowly, a head of red hair and green eyes came into focus.
"Lily, geroff..." Remus grumbled, pushing Lily away.
"Love you too, sunshine," Lily cooed sarcastically.
"What...what time is it," Remus asked, stifling a yawn.
"Ten thirty-seven in the morning, on the dot."
"That's just corking..." Remus sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. "Where is everybody?"
The boy's dorm was completely deserted, not one Marauder in sight.
"Well, let me see...ah, yes! Sirius and Torrance went to Hogsmeade to buy his last minute dress robes, Peter is probably trying to find a last minute date and James is trying to work off some pounds at the last minute before the ball. And since I don't like being a third wheel, couldn't run a mile if my life depended on it and can't save Peter from the dateless pit of hell....I'm here with you," Lily said sweetly.
"Aww...your happiness is intoxicating. Remind me to hex you the next time I see my wand." Remus replied, lazily getting out of his warm bed and throwing on the nearest piece of clothing from off of the floor.
"What's up your rear end this morning?" Lily asked while Remus headed into the bathroom.
"It's nothing. Just that I'm aching in places that shouldn't ache, at least I think they shouldn't ache. It just feels unnatural. You were there, you saw how hard practice was last night." Remus groaned, squeezing toothpaste onto his toothbrush.
"Stop being such a baby. Come on, Sirius looked completely fine when he walked out with Torrance and not to mention that James is out there still exercising." Lily said.
"I'd rather you not compare my athletic ability to your boyfriend's. I'd lose every time."
"Wait, I thought you had your werewolf senses. Don't you?"
(He took note on how Lily didn't protest at his use of the word 'boyfriend'. Hmm...how interesting.)
Remus shrugged, "I guess. Why?"
Lily rolled her eyes, "Well, doesn't that include your werewolf strength as well?"
Werewolf strength…well, sure he had it. But the real question is, will he ever use it and that answer is a definite 'no'. Always is and always will be. Too risky. It was hard enough to hold back his werewolf urges.
Remus took his time to rinse his mouth out before he replied, "Only for a good reason will I ever use my strength."
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***TORRANCE'S POV***
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It was now the moment every single girl has waited for. While all the Gryffindor girls hurriedly pushed and shoved to get a glimpse in front of the mirror, Torrance was examining herself on the other side of the room.
Curse Lily. Curse the woman who had invented dresses. Who needed them anyway? And makeup. Torrance felt the eyeshadow and powder on the surface of her face. She licked her lips. Why did lipstick taste the way it does?
Seven-thirty.
The doors would open at eight o'clock and Torrance could not be more nervous.
'But why? It's not like I haven't danced with a guy before. Sirius is a great dancer, too.'
And yet, she could not keep her thoughts upon Sirius Black but on his best friend. Remus.
Torrance slowly walked up towards the mirror when all the girls went downstairs to grab their date. Tight. Why did this dress have to be so damn tight? She ran her fingers through her hair. Lily was so good with her charms. Not one tangle. Everything seemed to be fine about her appearance. No reason for Remus not to like me, right?
"Are you ready?" Lily asked, looking at her with utmost pride.
"Yeah," Torrance said shakily, "Lily, can I ask you a question?"
"Don't worry, he'll love you."
Torrance smilled, "He better love me because I'll never dress up again, especially for Sirius."
"Oh well, I'm sure Sirius will love you as well," Lily replied, "Now, go on down there."
Torrance let out the biggest sigh she could muster in a dress as tight as hers, "What about you? Aren't you coming?"
"My date and I are going to be fashionably late."
~
Torrance carefully walked down the stairs one by one so she wouldn't trip and fall. As she stepped closer to the lighted common room, she could see Sirius and James waiting casually at the bottom looking handsome in their new dress robes.
"Your lady enters," James said to Sirius, nodding his head in Torrance's direction.
"Blimey..." Sirius uttered, eyes popping out of his head, "Naw, you can't be the same Torrance. It's impossible...you do realize that I will have to beat down at least four guys tonight?"
Torrance laughed, "Well, you can do that while you're on your way to get my butterbeer."
"James...come on, we are going to miss the doors open." James' date whined.
"Well, just hold on. I want to see Lily come down." James said, trying to put as much space between him and Kimberly.
"Oh, she said her and her date are going to be late." Torrance said, glancing around the room, "Where's Remus?"
"Who knows? I haven't seen him all evening. Probably trying to keep his mystery girl a secret." Sirius replied, eyeing Torrance's gold dress.
Torrance's heart plummeted. Of course he has a date, why shouldn't he?
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***LILY'S POV***
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"FOR ALL THAT IS PURE AND HOLY! WOULD YOU JUST COME DOWN?"
"Alright, alright. You know, I don't complain about your hygiene so ease up, would you?" Remus said, dusting his robes off while galloping down the stairs.
Lily, who was waiting for him at the bottom, glanced at her watch.
"It's eight-fifteen..." Lily inhaled deeply, "And I don't think I could do this."
Remus looked at her questioningly, "Why are you stressed out? I'm the one who should be fearing for my life. Do you know what James will do to me once we walk in together? Do you? Well, I don't..."
Lily took several steps back from Remus, "So, how do I look?"
"Honestly? I'm lost for words. You are magnificently beautiful," Remus said, "How do I look?"
Lily cocked her head to the side, "You'll do."
"You do know that if I see James pull out his wand I'm running out of the Great Hall like a bat out of hell, right?"
"Right. And you should know that if Sirius even tries to kiss Torrance he'll be mourning over a misplaced testicle."
Remus held out his arm, "Shall we?"
Lily took hold of Remus' well-toned arm, "Lets."
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This chapter doesn't really light my fancy. Next one will be better. Review please. They are what's keeping me alive!
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