Author's Note: Finally! We actually get to the ball! Go me, go me! *does her "go me" happy dance* Anyways, I'm glad everyone seemed to like the last chapter. I don't know if any of you guys realized but you may have. Some chapters may seem more...I dunno...more funny compared to the other chapters. The reason is, that I noticed, because these chapters kind of go along with my attitude and feelings at that time. So, if James is feeling really jealous or Torrance is frustrated...well, that's me having a not-so-good day. I didn't notice that until my friend pointed it out to me. Wierd...huh?
*
Have you ever had one of those guys who won't leave you the fricken hell alone? How do you get rid of them without being completely rude?
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Chapter Title: Betraying a Friend?
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns anything and everything related to Harry Potter...duh...where have ya'll been?
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***JAMES' POV***
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~
Eight forty-five and still no sight of Lily. Or Remus for that matter. Where in Merlin's name are they? James walked around the Great Hall, dodging dancing couples on the dance floor. Everyone seemed to love the seasonal Christmas decorations that covered the entire area. The room was filled with reds and greens, really a sight to see but unfortunately the only sight James wanted to see was not there yet.
He glided over towards the refreshment table in his expensive, formal robes still glancing around for a sign of red hair. He picked up the nearest butterbeer and gulped it down. Pick one up, gulp it down, pick one up, gulp it down. By the time the first song ended he had gone through seven butterbeers and turned down four girls who wanted to dance with him.
"They aren't here yet?" Torrance asked, red-faced and out of breath from dancing with Sirius, "Don't worry. It's still early." She said quickly before Sirius swept her back on the dance floor.
The lights dimmed and a slower song began to play. James noticed that most of the guys groaned and left the dance floor only to be begged by their dates to come and dance with them. He just wanted to hide under the refreshment table. To not be seen. But before he could throw himself into the suit of armor he heard a glass shattering voice:
"Oh James!" Kimberly squeaked across the dance floor, "Come on..please?"
James sighed, "Damn...I was hoping that she wouldn't see me."
He shuffled towards the middle of the floor where his date grabbed him by by his waist and slung him around. Kimberly dug her nails into the back of his hand while she guided him around the Great Hall.
"Psst. Hey Prongs," Sirius scooted over towards him with Torrance in his arms, "Did you see Snivellus? At first I thought he was walking his dog. Then I realized it was his date."
James chuckled softly, glancing over at a miserable looking Snape and his abnormal date. He felt slightly better at the misery of his arch rival, I mean come on, the night couldn't get any worse...could it?
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***REMUS' POV***
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Remus led Lily towards the doors of the Great Hall, her hand resting on his fore arm. She gave him a little squeeze.
"Ready for your first ball? Excited?" Lily beamed up at him.
Remus let out a long, shaky sigh, "I think I may have a nervous break down," he said, fidgeting with his hair, "I can't do this."
He backed away from the doors but Lily wouldn't stand for that.
"Remus! You are going in there, you are going to dance, you are going to have fun and everyone will love you."
Why did he feel so nervous? His first thought was because Torrance would be in there with Sirius, looking beautiful. Her long hair all shiny and sleek and her amazing eyes sparkling like diamonds. But no, that wasn't entirely true. What was it?
James.
"I am going to die." Remus muttered, shuffling into the Great Hall.
It was kind of funny how everyone just stopped and stared at them. It was probably because he had never been to a dance yet, or because they had come in as a couple...he wasn't sure.
Lily gave him a reassuring nudge with her elbow, "Go on, they won't bite."
He wasn't in control of his body anymore. It was someone else guiding Lily to the side table, someone else smiling nervously, someone else breathing rapidly. He saw the same group of Gryffindor girls from the common room shoot Lily nasty glances, the whole boy population was practically glaring at himself.
Was the music even playing anymore? Remus heard snickering and whispering and the sound of his heartbeat. He wasn't suppose to be here, especially not with Lily. Everyone knows that. What the hell was he thinking?
Torrance.
There she was, dancing gracefully in the center of the Great Hall. Her long, thick hair pulled off of her neck and she seemed to be glowing with radiance. It almost hurt to look at her. There was a heaviness in his chest as he sat down with Lily while he watched her. He wasn't even aware he was holding his breath until he sighed with frustration. Sirius.
Damn him. He had no idea how lucky he was. Or maybe he did and just took it for granted. Either way, she was dancing with Sirius and not him. Remus. Bookworm. Shy Marauder. Werewolf. Never him.
His self pity was interrupted as Headmaster Dumbledore stood from the high tables and welcomed them all:
"I am pleased to see that everyone is here and having a good time. As you all know, it is tradition for the Headgirl and Headboy to have their opening dance," Dumbledore smiled, "So will Mr. Potter and Ms. Evans please come to the center with your dates."
The students automatically clapped, awaiting their leaders to come forward. Kimberly beamed with pride as she dragged James to the middle of the dance floor. The crowd had made a circle around them. Remus, however, was frozen to his seat, incapable of motor skills.
"Y-you did not mention this a-at all," Remus said, pointing at Lily, "I-I'm not going up there!" He said stubbornly.
"Oh. I didn't mention it? Must've slipped my mind."
"B-but I can't--"
Before Remus could think twice, Lily already had him stumbling towards the dance floor. The students parted as Lily and Remus went to the center hand-in-hand.
He pushed by Sirius and Torrance, trying to avoid all eye contact with them as much as possible.
Sirius chuckled light-heartedly, "Moony? Dance? I see he's set aside this special time to humiliate himself in public."
Dumbledore cleared his throat, "May I introduce your Headgirl, Lily Evans and her escort Remus Lupin."
The spotlight hit the middle of the floor. Lily showed her white teeth and kissed him on the cheek. If that wasn't bad enough, Remus glanced over at James and what he saw simply scared the living ghost out of him. It looked as if the fires of hell were burning out from James' eyes.
James.
James.
Remus kept asking himself: He wasn't really betraying his best friend, was he?
After Dumbledore announced James and his date the music started back up with a relaxing tune. Lily wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Show them what you can really do," Lily whispered.
~*~ I'll Be by Edwin McCain~*~
The strands in your eyes
that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains
thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth
~*~
Remus smiled proudly as he danced Lily around that dance floor like her body was apart of his own. When she stepped he stepped, when she swayed he countered. Girls sighed and guys stood in awe. Who is this guy and why hadn't he been to a dance before?
Pride broke when Remus peered over at James and Kimberly.
'Oh God...he's going to murder me. He'll rip out my throat and wear it as a party favor.'
"Remus. What's the matter?" Lily asked, massaging his shoulders, "Why so tense?"
"Let's dance over this way," Remus said, trying to keep arm distance from James.
Lily looked over his shoulder at James, "Holy hell," Lily muttered, "He's out for blood."
"Maybe this wasn't such a great id--"
"No," Lily said, pulling Remus closer, "It's his problem if he wants to act like an ass. You just think of something else, like--" Lily held Remus close and browsed the throng of students, "Like Torrance."
~*~
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
~*~
For the second time, Remus gazed longingly at Torrance. Her hair swishy back and forth as Sirius spun her ever so gently. Her golden dress sticking to her like paint and her eyes-- Remus squinted, trying to figure out what he saw in her big, soft brown eyes. Mirth? Laughter? No, that wasn't it. Sickness.
Remus ripped his gaze away. Sickness. That's what it was. Remus knew because that's what he felt practically everyday. Love sick. Except this time...it was for him and he enjoyed it in a wierd way.
~*~
Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
~*~
The circle that had formed around the Heads of Hogwarts was now gone as the Hogwarts population joined Lily and James in the slow song.
Remus held Lily in his arms and felt like one of the luckiest guys in the world, which he probably was. He rested his chin on the top of her strawberry scented head and realized that she'll be with him forever. Through graduation, marraiges, tragedies, celebration...through it all.
He stepped backwards and bumped into someone with his shoulder. Torrance.
Remus' heart fluttered.
and Sirius.
Remus sighed.
Torrance with Sirius, of course.
"Having a good time?" Lily asked sweetly but Torrance did not give her the same sweet look. Neither did Sirius.
"What's wrong?" Remus asked cautiously.
~*~
And I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be loves suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
~*~
Sirius looked at him gravely, "Now listen. I know that you didn't take Lily to the ball just to piss James off but--"
"But what?"
Torrance cut in, "Have you seen your best friend?" Torrance leaned in closer, "I think its best if you lay low in the common room."
Remus' heart turned to ice in his chest. He couldn't feel a pulse, he couldn't hear the beating of his heart. Why did he come here? He knew he didn't belong. He should have just shunned himself up inside his violent Whomping Willow and stayed there. But no...Remus had to mess up his friendship with James by taking the love of his life to a stupid ball.
~*~
And I've dropped out, burned up,
fought my way back from the dead
Tuned in, turned on,
remembered the thing that you said
~*~
Remus, Lily, Sirius and Torrance looked ridiculous because they were the only ones standing in the middle of a dancing crowd. Remus looked from one grave face to another and felt his stomach plummet.
He turned to Lily, "Maybe we should just--"
Lily laughed.
"I'm not kidding Lils, this wasn't a very good--"
Lily laughed harder.
"Did I miss something? Do you not know the seriousness of the situation?" Sirius asked, guiding Lily over towards the side of the dance floor, "You don't want Moony to get hurt, do you?"
"Who says that he can't stick up for himself?" Lily snapped, "And besides, Remus and I are just friends! Do you understand?"
"First of all, I know that you two are just buddies but James doesn't," Sirius said through clenched teeth, "And secondly, Remus doesn't have a chance against James in a million--"
Remus cleared his throat, "I resent that. I can hold my own in a fight."
Sirius snickered.
Remus rolled his eyes and that made Sirius laugh hysterically.
"Y-you've never been a brawl in your life," Sirius said through his tears of mirth, "If you saw James running towards you, you'd probably run the other direction."
"Would not," Remus said stubbornly.
~*~
And I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be loves suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your
~*~
"Are you sure about that?" Torrance asked.
"Of course he's sure," Lily replied.
Sirius smiled, "Well then, now's your chance." Sirius pointed over Lily and Remus' shoulder.
The two of them whipped around and saw James break free of Kimberly and stalk in their direction. Panic rose up in Remus and at first he wasn't sure if he should grab his wand. He got closer, pushing his way past several dancers. Ten feet. He could see Sirius watch with curiosity.
Then a voice broke the heart wrenching intensity:
"RUN!" Lily yelled, grabbing Remus' upper arm and yanking him in the opposite direction.
Remus automatically listened to Lily and turned then ran. They both ran like maniacs out the back doors of the Great Hall, towards the Hogwart's grounds, not daring to look back. Remus glanced at Lily; she was smiling!
~*~
I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be loves suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
~*~
Right before running out into the night, Remus turned his head and saw James' look of surprise, Sirius' look of glee, and Torrance's look of confusion.
Lily took hold of his hand and whispered, "You're the greatest date I've ever had."
~*~
The greatest fan of your life
The greatest fan of your life
~*~
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***TORRANCE'S POV***
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She knew she was being selfish. But she didn't care. It hurt too much to care about her best friend's feelings.
"I think it's best if you lay low in the common room," Torrance heard her mouth say. And it was true, it was best, but for who? Torrance didn't know. She just wanted their date to be over. Torrance didn't want to see them smile together, laugh together or dance together anymore.
For the first time in her life, she felt intense jealousy towards her best friend. She envied her. Just for one moment would she like to know what it felt to be in Remus' arms. Just one moment.
And then the moment of glory had come. James was coming and Torrance was almost positive that they would take off and run to the common room. There they would go to their seperate dorms and this awful night would be over. But no...
They had to go off into the night together. TOGETHER!
She felt the ugliness leak out of her body like a disease. A filthy and disgusting disease.
"I knew he'd run," Sirius said to Torrance, watching the two sprint out the back door.
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***JAMES' POV***
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Okay, calm down. Breathe. In, out, in, out.
James just stood rigid in the middle of the spotlight, watching Remus. Watching Lily. Watching Lily kiss Remus on the cheek. James touched his own cheek. That kiss should have been his.
Music started and Kimberly grabbed a hold of his waist.
He didn't want to feel like this. Like Lily was his. His possesion, because she wasn't. She made that quite clear. But still...Moony wouldn't have the nerve to take her, would he? James had lost sight of the two in the dancing group of students. He scanned the area and didn't see Sirius or Torrance either.
He had to admit that Lily looked absolutely breath taking. Her white, flowing dress made her like an angel crossed with a porcelain doll. His porcelain angel. On the arm of his best friend.
James felt his face heat up with anger.
Breathe. In, out, in, out.
The crowd parted slightly and he saw his friends on the side of the dance floor. He had to know for himself. If Remus was seeing Lily behind his back at least he would have the decency of telling him? He'll find out.
James untangled himself from Kimberly's grasp and stalked towards the side of the Great Hall.
Breath. In, out, in. out.
Then they did something that James did not expect. They ran.
"James, please calm down. It's not what you think," Torrance said, but James just walked right past Sirius and Torrance, towards the back doors.
He opened the door slowly and stepped out into the cold, night air, letting the wind freeze his lungs. James shivered as he looked around the grounds. No sign of red.
Being that it was about ten below zero, James was about to go in when--
"James?"
He spun around and came face to face with Remus.
"If it isn't my best friend," James hadn't meant to speak so harshly, "So, what brings you out here?"
Remus peered at the ground then forcfully looked back up at James, "It isn't what you think, I swear it."
James' expression soften slightly, "Then please tell me what the hell is going on. Look, if you two are seeing each other just tell me because--"
"It's nothing like that."
James watched Remus breath in the cold air for a while before speaking again, "What is it then?"
Remus took a step forward and placed his hand on James' shoulder, "She loves you. You do know that, don't you?"
James didn't know what to say. What do you say to something like that?
"I can prove it," Remus said, smiling slightly.
*
Have you ever had one of those guys who won't leave you the fricken hell alone? How do you get rid of them without being completely rude?
~
~
~
~
~
~
Chapter Title: Betraying a Friend?
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns anything and everything related to Harry Potter...duh...where have ya'll been?
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~
***JAMES' POV***
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~
Eight forty-five and still no sight of Lily. Or Remus for that matter. Where in Merlin's name are they? James walked around the Great Hall, dodging dancing couples on the dance floor. Everyone seemed to love the seasonal Christmas decorations that covered the entire area. The room was filled with reds and greens, really a sight to see but unfortunately the only sight James wanted to see was not there yet.
He glided over towards the refreshment table in his expensive, formal robes still glancing around for a sign of red hair. He picked up the nearest butterbeer and gulped it down. Pick one up, gulp it down, pick one up, gulp it down. By the time the first song ended he had gone through seven butterbeers and turned down four girls who wanted to dance with him.
"They aren't here yet?" Torrance asked, red-faced and out of breath from dancing with Sirius, "Don't worry. It's still early." She said quickly before Sirius swept her back on the dance floor.
The lights dimmed and a slower song began to play. James noticed that most of the guys groaned and left the dance floor only to be begged by their dates to come and dance with them. He just wanted to hide under the refreshment table. To not be seen. But before he could throw himself into the suit of armor he heard a glass shattering voice:
"Oh James!" Kimberly squeaked across the dance floor, "Come on..please?"
James sighed, "Damn...I was hoping that she wouldn't see me."
He shuffled towards the middle of the floor where his date grabbed him by by his waist and slung him around. Kimberly dug her nails into the back of his hand while she guided him around the Great Hall.
"Psst. Hey Prongs," Sirius scooted over towards him with Torrance in his arms, "Did you see Snivellus? At first I thought he was walking his dog. Then I realized it was his date."
James chuckled softly, glancing over at a miserable looking Snape and his abnormal date. He felt slightly better at the misery of his arch rival, I mean come on, the night couldn't get any worse...could it?
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***REMUS' POV***
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Remus led Lily towards the doors of the Great Hall, her hand resting on his fore arm. She gave him a little squeeze.
"Ready for your first ball? Excited?" Lily beamed up at him.
Remus let out a long, shaky sigh, "I think I may have a nervous break down," he said, fidgeting with his hair, "I can't do this."
He backed away from the doors but Lily wouldn't stand for that.
"Remus! You are going in there, you are going to dance, you are going to have fun and everyone will love you."
Why did he feel so nervous? His first thought was because Torrance would be in there with Sirius, looking beautiful. Her long hair all shiny and sleek and her amazing eyes sparkling like diamonds. But no, that wasn't entirely true. What was it?
James.
"I am going to die." Remus muttered, shuffling into the Great Hall.
It was kind of funny how everyone just stopped and stared at them. It was probably because he had never been to a dance yet, or because they had come in as a couple...he wasn't sure.
Lily gave him a reassuring nudge with her elbow, "Go on, they won't bite."
He wasn't in control of his body anymore. It was someone else guiding Lily to the side table, someone else smiling nervously, someone else breathing rapidly. He saw the same group of Gryffindor girls from the common room shoot Lily nasty glances, the whole boy population was practically glaring at himself.
Was the music even playing anymore? Remus heard snickering and whispering and the sound of his heartbeat. He wasn't suppose to be here, especially not with Lily. Everyone knows that. What the hell was he thinking?
Torrance.
There she was, dancing gracefully in the center of the Great Hall. Her long, thick hair pulled off of her neck and she seemed to be glowing with radiance. It almost hurt to look at her. There was a heaviness in his chest as he sat down with Lily while he watched her. He wasn't even aware he was holding his breath until he sighed with frustration. Sirius.
Damn him. He had no idea how lucky he was. Or maybe he did and just took it for granted. Either way, she was dancing with Sirius and not him. Remus. Bookworm. Shy Marauder. Werewolf. Never him.
His self pity was interrupted as Headmaster Dumbledore stood from the high tables and welcomed them all:
"I am pleased to see that everyone is here and having a good time. As you all know, it is tradition for the Headgirl and Headboy to have their opening dance," Dumbledore smiled, "So will Mr. Potter and Ms. Evans please come to the center with your dates."
The students automatically clapped, awaiting their leaders to come forward. Kimberly beamed with pride as she dragged James to the middle of the dance floor. The crowd had made a circle around them. Remus, however, was frozen to his seat, incapable of motor skills.
"Y-you did not mention this a-at all," Remus said, pointing at Lily, "I-I'm not going up there!" He said stubbornly.
"Oh. I didn't mention it? Must've slipped my mind."
"B-but I can't--"
Before Remus could think twice, Lily already had him stumbling towards the dance floor. The students parted as Lily and Remus went to the center hand-in-hand.
He pushed by Sirius and Torrance, trying to avoid all eye contact with them as much as possible.
Sirius chuckled light-heartedly, "Moony? Dance? I see he's set aside this special time to humiliate himself in public."
Dumbledore cleared his throat, "May I introduce your Headgirl, Lily Evans and her escort Remus Lupin."
The spotlight hit the middle of the floor. Lily showed her white teeth and kissed him on the cheek. If that wasn't bad enough, Remus glanced over at James and what he saw simply scared the living ghost out of him. It looked as if the fires of hell were burning out from James' eyes.
James.
James.
Remus kept asking himself: He wasn't really betraying his best friend, was he?
After Dumbledore announced James and his date the music started back up with a relaxing tune. Lily wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Show them what you can really do," Lily whispered.
~*~ I'll Be by Edwin McCain~*~
The strands in your eyes
that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains
thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth
~*~
Remus smiled proudly as he danced Lily around that dance floor like her body was apart of his own. When she stepped he stepped, when she swayed he countered. Girls sighed and guys stood in awe. Who is this guy and why hadn't he been to a dance before?
Pride broke when Remus peered over at James and Kimberly.
'Oh God...he's going to murder me. He'll rip out my throat and wear it as a party favor.'
"Remus. What's the matter?" Lily asked, massaging his shoulders, "Why so tense?"
"Let's dance over this way," Remus said, trying to keep arm distance from James.
Lily looked over his shoulder at James, "Holy hell," Lily muttered, "He's out for blood."
"Maybe this wasn't such a great id--"
"No," Lily said, pulling Remus closer, "It's his problem if he wants to act like an ass. You just think of something else, like--" Lily held Remus close and browsed the throng of students, "Like Torrance."
~*~
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
~*~
For the second time, Remus gazed longingly at Torrance. Her hair swishy back and forth as Sirius spun her ever so gently. Her golden dress sticking to her like paint and her eyes-- Remus squinted, trying to figure out what he saw in her big, soft brown eyes. Mirth? Laughter? No, that wasn't it. Sickness.
Remus ripped his gaze away. Sickness. That's what it was. Remus knew because that's what he felt practically everyday. Love sick. Except this time...it was for him and he enjoyed it in a wierd way.
~*~
Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
~*~
The circle that had formed around the Heads of Hogwarts was now gone as the Hogwarts population joined Lily and James in the slow song.
Remus held Lily in his arms and felt like one of the luckiest guys in the world, which he probably was. He rested his chin on the top of her strawberry scented head and realized that she'll be with him forever. Through graduation, marraiges, tragedies, celebration...through it all.
He stepped backwards and bumped into someone with his shoulder. Torrance.
Remus' heart fluttered.
and Sirius.
Remus sighed.
Torrance with Sirius, of course.
"Having a good time?" Lily asked sweetly but Torrance did not give her the same sweet look. Neither did Sirius.
"What's wrong?" Remus asked cautiously.
~*~
And I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be loves suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
~*~
Sirius looked at him gravely, "Now listen. I know that you didn't take Lily to the ball just to piss James off but--"
"But what?"
Torrance cut in, "Have you seen your best friend?" Torrance leaned in closer, "I think its best if you lay low in the common room."
Remus' heart turned to ice in his chest. He couldn't feel a pulse, he couldn't hear the beating of his heart. Why did he come here? He knew he didn't belong. He should have just shunned himself up inside his violent Whomping Willow and stayed there. But no...Remus had to mess up his friendship with James by taking the love of his life to a stupid ball.
~*~
And I've dropped out, burned up,
fought my way back from the dead
Tuned in, turned on,
remembered the thing that you said
~*~
Remus, Lily, Sirius and Torrance looked ridiculous because they were the only ones standing in the middle of a dancing crowd. Remus looked from one grave face to another and felt his stomach plummet.
He turned to Lily, "Maybe we should just--"
Lily laughed.
"I'm not kidding Lils, this wasn't a very good--"
Lily laughed harder.
"Did I miss something? Do you not know the seriousness of the situation?" Sirius asked, guiding Lily over towards the side of the dance floor, "You don't want Moony to get hurt, do you?"
"Who says that he can't stick up for himself?" Lily snapped, "And besides, Remus and I are just friends! Do you understand?"
"First of all, I know that you two are just buddies but James doesn't," Sirius said through clenched teeth, "And secondly, Remus doesn't have a chance against James in a million--"
Remus cleared his throat, "I resent that. I can hold my own in a fight."
Sirius snickered.
Remus rolled his eyes and that made Sirius laugh hysterically.
"Y-you've never been a brawl in your life," Sirius said through his tears of mirth, "If you saw James running towards you, you'd probably run the other direction."
"Would not," Remus said stubbornly.
~*~
And I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be loves suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your
~*~
"Are you sure about that?" Torrance asked.
"Of course he's sure," Lily replied.
Sirius smiled, "Well then, now's your chance." Sirius pointed over Lily and Remus' shoulder.
The two of them whipped around and saw James break free of Kimberly and stalk in their direction. Panic rose up in Remus and at first he wasn't sure if he should grab his wand. He got closer, pushing his way past several dancers. Ten feet. He could see Sirius watch with curiosity.
Then a voice broke the heart wrenching intensity:
"RUN!" Lily yelled, grabbing Remus' upper arm and yanking him in the opposite direction.
Remus automatically listened to Lily and turned then ran. They both ran like maniacs out the back doors of the Great Hall, towards the Hogwart's grounds, not daring to look back. Remus glanced at Lily; she was smiling!
~*~
I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be loves suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
~*~
Right before running out into the night, Remus turned his head and saw James' look of surprise, Sirius' look of glee, and Torrance's look of confusion.
Lily took hold of his hand and whispered, "You're the greatest date I've ever had."
~*~
The greatest fan of your life
The greatest fan of your life
~*~
~
~
~
***TORRANCE'S POV***
~
~
~
She knew she was being selfish. But she didn't care. It hurt too much to care about her best friend's feelings.
"I think it's best if you lay low in the common room," Torrance heard her mouth say. And it was true, it was best, but for who? Torrance didn't know. She just wanted their date to be over. Torrance didn't want to see them smile together, laugh together or dance together anymore.
For the first time in her life, she felt intense jealousy towards her best friend. She envied her. Just for one moment would she like to know what it felt to be in Remus' arms. Just one moment.
And then the moment of glory had come. James was coming and Torrance was almost positive that they would take off and run to the common room. There they would go to their seperate dorms and this awful night would be over. But no...
They had to go off into the night together. TOGETHER!
She felt the ugliness leak out of her body like a disease. A filthy and disgusting disease.
"I knew he'd run," Sirius said to Torrance, watching the two sprint out the back door.
~
~
~
***JAMES' POV***
~
~
~
Okay, calm down. Breathe. In, out, in, out.
James just stood rigid in the middle of the spotlight, watching Remus. Watching Lily. Watching Lily kiss Remus on the cheek. James touched his own cheek. That kiss should have been his.
Music started and Kimberly grabbed a hold of his waist.
He didn't want to feel like this. Like Lily was his. His possesion, because she wasn't. She made that quite clear. But still...Moony wouldn't have the nerve to take her, would he? James had lost sight of the two in the dancing group of students. He scanned the area and didn't see Sirius or Torrance either.
He had to admit that Lily looked absolutely breath taking. Her white, flowing dress made her like an angel crossed with a porcelain doll. His porcelain angel. On the arm of his best friend.
James felt his face heat up with anger.
Breathe. In, out, in, out.
The crowd parted slightly and he saw his friends on the side of the dance floor. He had to know for himself. If Remus was seeing Lily behind his back at least he would have the decency of telling him? He'll find out.
James untangled himself from Kimberly's grasp and stalked towards the side of the Great Hall.
Breath. In, out, in. out.
Then they did something that James did not expect. They ran.
"James, please calm down. It's not what you think," Torrance said, but James just walked right past Sirius and Torrance, towards the back doors.
He opened the door slowly and stepped out into the cold, night air, letting the wind freeze his lungs. James shivered as he looked around the grounds. No sign of red.
Being that it was about ten below zero, James was about to go in when--
"James?"
He spun around and came face to face with Remus.
"If it isn't my best friend," James hadn't meant to speak so harshly, "So, what brings you out here?"
Remus peered at the ground then forcfully looked back up at James, "It isn't what you think, I swear it."
James' expression soften slightly, "Then please tell me what the hell is going on. Look, if you two are seeing each other just tell me because--"
"It's nothing like that."
James watched Remus breath in the cold air for a while before speaking again, "What is it then?"
Remus took a step forward and placed his hand on James' shoulder, "She loves you. You do know that, don't you?"
James didn't know what to say. What do you say to something like that?
"I can prove it," Remus said, smiling slightly.