Chapter 7:
The Christmas Ball
"You should ware your hair up Lily!"
"No, no, she should ware it down!"
"How about this top Lily?"
"How," said Lily, "about you get dressed and leave me to dress myself?" The girls in Lily's dorm had tried to help her to get ready to go down to breakfast; just because she would be going to the Christmas ball with James Potter. They had all been making a big fuss, as though she was famous. Sally and Katy had already dressed and gone down to breakfast. Lily dressed carefully, brushed her hair and left it down. She walked down the stairs. As soon as she reached the common room she was met by applause. Lily stood there dazed by all the attention she was receiving.
"Hey Lily!" Lily looked round and saw James standing on a sofa waving madly at her. As she walked further forwards she saw whom he was with. Remus was sat in an armchair, a frown on his face as he tried to read a book. Sirius was throwing screwed up pieces of parchment at Remus, trying to make him loose his temper. On the sofa next to Sirius were Sally and Katy, smiling, but looking slightly out of place. On the last sofa were James and Peter, who were watching Sirius with grins.
"Morning guys," said Lily, smiling.
"Morin Lily!" said Sirius, giving Lily his cutest smile.
"Mmmm," said Remus, not looking up and continuing to read.
"Hey Lily!" said Katy and Sally together.
"Hello," said Peter shyly.
"Hiya Lils!" said James giving her that smile. "Right now we're all here we can go down to breakfast!" he said smiling at all of them.
"Lily?" said Sirius.
"Yes?" she replied.
"Tomorrow can you get up sooner so we can all get to breakfast on time?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" replied Lily.
"James ambushed us," said Sally.
"He caught us on our way to breakfast," added Katy.
"He said we should wait for you," said Peter.
"He made us wait for you!" said Sirius.
"Why?" Lily said. They all looked round and stared at James.
"Well?" said Remus, finally looking up from his book. "Because," said James, "I thought it would be nice if we went to breakfast together," he said earnestly. Everyone laughed, before they all headed off for breakfast.
*
The group spent the whole day together, having snowball fights till curfew, when they went back to the common room to warm up. They were now the only people left there. After Lily had mentioned a muggle game called sarades (sp?) they had played it into the night. At the moment it was Katy's turn.
"Ok ok, try this one," she said standing in front of them. She started pacing in front of them. As she paced she smiled at them and winked every few seconds.
"It's a person!" stated Peter. They all laughed.
"Katy you're doing it wrong. Your doing impressions, your supposed to spell out something with actions," said Lily matter-of-factly. Katy shrugged and continued.
"Oh I've got it!" Sirius exclaimed suddenly. "Gilderoy Lockheart!" Katy nodded as everyone burst out laughed.
"Well I'm off to bed!" said Lily, getting up.
"Me too!" Katy and Sally said in union. They bid goodnight to the boys and just as the girls disappeared round the corner, Remus and Sirius rounded on James.
"You need to tell her!" said Remus at once.
"What?" said James confused, "About the Bet?"
"Yes!" Sirius impressed.
"Your mad!" James answered shortly, "She'd never speak to me again!"
"You have to!" said Remus sternly.
"No I don't!" said James. He wasn't about to loose the only girl he had ever felt this way about.
"You care for her don't you?" said Remus earnestly.
"Don't you?" repeated Sirius.
"You guys know I do!" James answered with a frown.
"Well tell her then," said Remus simply.
"Tell her!" repeated Sirius.
"I. . . . Fine I'll tell her," sighed James.
"Tell her!" repeated Sirius. Remus raised his eyes unbelievingly at James.
"I will!" said James again.
"Yeah!" said Sirius.
*
"We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year." The ghosts of Hogwarts floated around singing carols, for Christmas morning had finally come. Lily had received excellent gifts from her best friends and also one gift from each of the marauders. Remus had given her a wonderful book on charms she had wanted for a while. Peter had given her a selection of sweets. Sirius had given her a diary; witch had a magical password and came with a note.
Dear Lily,
Merry Christmas. Wait till breakfast, my fellow marauders and me have a show for everyone. The password can be changed on this diary, but at the moment it's - Sirius is devishly sexy – enjoy!
Sirius
She thought about what he could mean and her mind had rested on a big Christmas prank. James had given her a gorgeous hair slide. It was a silver butterfly, with emerald incrusted jewels. All the girls in her dorm had examined it, envy in their eyes. Lily was very nervous about the ball; witch would take place that night. Though breakfast did put her in a good mood, as Sirius had said; there was a show.
*
At breakfast everyone attention was drawn to a large package that arrived with the last of the post. It took no less than three owls to carry the large box it was dropped behind the Slytherin table. Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape got up to investigate. Malfoy pulled the ribbon and a loud bang made the whole hall jump. It was like a firework had gone off, in the colour electric blue. The firework flew up above the table where everyone could see it and started twisting to form words, which echoed as a howler like voice read them as they were being written:
"The marauders would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.
Except all Slytherins who are all evil slimy gits! From Moony,
Wormtail, Paddfoot and Prongs. Prongs would like to say a special
hello to a certain red-head, hec we all love you Lily! MERRY
CHRISTMAS!" There was silence as the last words faded. But after a minuet, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables burst into applause and laughter. Lots of people turned to look at the Marauders and Lily, who felt herself blush with all the attention. The Marauders on the other hand, were standing up, waving and grinning at the adoring crowd. Sirius even did a little bow to some Ravenclaw girls, making them giggle hysterically. Lily grinned as James pulled her up to stand on the bench next to him. Waving at the crowd, whilst being held tightly by James, she felt happier than she ever had. 'If this is love,' she thought 'I think I could get used to it'.
*
"Ok! Listen up!" commanded Sally. The girls, who had been chatting happily in the dorm, stopped to listen. "We are going to help each other get ready, so I've put a time table up. Some of us do hair, while others do make up, and one in the shower and getting dressed!" "I can't believe how seriously she's taking this!" Muttered Katy as she and Lily got up ready to get started.
*
"James?" said Sirius, trying not to laugh. "Yes?" said James. He was stood in front of the mirror, for once trying to make his hair lie flat. "What are you doing?" asked Sirius. The Marauders were all in their dorm. "I'm milking a bloody cow!" said James getting annoyed with his hair, "What does it look like? I'm trying to make my hair flat!" "Your fighting a loosing battle there mate!" said Sirius solemnly. "Well at least you can go!" said Remus. While James, Sirius and Peter were getting ready for the ball, Remus was getting ready for his monthly trip to the shrieking shack. "Sorry we can't go I feel really terrible!" said James. "It's Dumbledor's fault!" exclaimed Sirius, "Having the ball when it's a full moon!" "It's a Christmas ball, and this Christmas it happens to be a full moon!" said Remus. "We'll come as soon as the ball ends, we promise!" said James as the other two nodded. "Ahhh the curse of being a werewolf!" Remus sighed.
*
All the girls were ready. They had all left to meet their dates. Lily remained. She was stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at herself, a frown present on her face. 'Something's missing' she thought as she adjusted her hair slide from James. There was a noise from the bottom of the stairs, which was followed by laughter. Lily guessed a boy had tried to get up the stairs. She went back to the mirror, when there was a knock on the door. "It's open!" called Lily. She turned to see James fly in on his broom. Lily beamed at him as he got off and turned to face her. James felt his jaw drop. He tried to think of a word to describe how she looked, but no word seemed enough. Her dress, an emerald green one, not only bought out her eyes but also matched his robes. The colour complimented her hair, which was in loose curls. The silver emerald encrusted hair slide he had given her, was holding back her hair on the left hand side. Lily watched as his look changed to a look all teenage boys gave; couldn't help giving. "You stop looking at me like that!" said Lily firmly. "Like what?" asked James moving towards her. "Like your undressing me with your eyes!" she said. James grinned. "Sorry," he said. Lily went back to the mirror. "Arrrrrr!" she said in fustration. "What?" James questioned, as he moved towards her more. "Nothing. I just feel like there is something missing," she explained. James was now stood behind her, looking at her reflection over her shoulder. "Maybe this will help?" he said. He put his arm out in front of her, holding a small blue box. Lily took at apprehensive glance at James, before taking the box from him. Hands trembling slightly, she opened the box. She let out a small gasp. Inside was a delicate silver necklace. On the chain there was the Gryffindor coat of arms with a snitch in front and on the snitch was engraved:
Lily and James
Forever "Does this mean?" Lily said, hardly daring to believe it. "Lily?" said James taking the necklace from her, "Will you be my girlfriend?" Lily's heart skipped a few beats. "Yes!" she said in barley more than a whisper. James let go of the breath he hadn't noticed he had been holding and grinned at her. Lily turned to face the mirror and held her hair out of the way as James put her necklace on for her. "Perfect!" she declared, before giving him a huge hug.
*
When James and Lily entered the great hall it seemed everyone else was already there. The house tables had disappeared and in their place stood hundreds of small square tables, which sat four and on each one was a small lantern. The twelve Christmas trees were still there, as was the teacher's table with all the teachers dressed in their best robes. To one side near the teachers table sat Katy in her red robes, her hair curled like Lily's except she had put it up. Stood next to her was Sirius, who was beckoning them to go and sit with them. Lily and James grinned, waved, and made their way over. Katy stood up to hug Lily and Sirius and James did some type of secret handshake, before they all sat down. "Told you so!" said Sirius to Katy; he was pointing at Lily's necklace. "Oh my god!" said Katy examining it closely. "Oh my who?" asked Sirius. "Muggle expression," said Lily. "Oh?" said Sirius still looking confused. "So are you two a couple now then?" asked Katy. "Yes" Lily and James said together. They weren't able to say any more as Dumbledore stood up and silence fell. "Welcome! First off I would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and I hope you got all the presents you wished for. Mr Blancder, the caretaker would like me to pass on a message to the people responsible for this morning's event at breakfast." His eyes twinkled and James could have sworn he saw Dumbledore smile briefly. "Mr Blancder says; 'I know who you are and I'm keeping my eyes on you!'" he paused smiling round at everyone, who were all flashing glances in the direction of James's table and occupants. "Now as you know, the ball is to celebrate my thirty years of being headmaster o-" the hall ringing with applause and cheering cut him off. "As I was saying . . . . . . .."
*
After waiting briefly in the entrance hall after dinner, the students walked back into the great hall. There were many 'oooo's and 'ahhhh's. Lily gasped as she entered. The teacher's table had been made into a raised stage, where the popular singing group 'The Howling Hags' were starting to play a song. In front of that was a cleared space for dancing, and was the only space not covered in fake snow. There was the same small, square, wooden tables as before, around the dance floor. There was also a bar to one side with some sixth year prefects serving drinks. "What are you gaping at?" said Sirius pushing threw. "Come on!" said Katy grabbing Lily and dragging her onto the dance floor. Lily stood there with James. She didn't know what to do. She watched Katy put her arms round Sirius's neck. "Are we just going to stand here, or are we going to dance?" James asked, holding his hands out. Lily scowled at him, before stepping forward and putting her arms round his neck. He put his arms round her waist and they danced. They danced and danced and to make a change danced some more.
$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$
Nothing to say but please, please, PLEASE review!
"You should ware your hair up Lily!"
"No, no, she should ware it down!"
"How about this top Lily?"
"How," said Lily, "about you get dressed and leave me to dress myself?" The girls in Lily's dorm had tried to help her to get ready to go down to breakfast; just because she would be going to the Christmas ball with James Potter. They had all been making a big fuss, as though she was famous. Sally and Katy had already dressed and gone down to breakfast. Lily dressed carefully, brushed her hair and left it down. She walked down the stairs. As soon as she reached the common room she was met by applause. Lily stood there dazed by all the attention she was receiving.
"Hey Lily!" Lily looked round and saw James standing on a sofa waving madly at her. As she walked further forwards she saw whom he was with. Remus was sat in an armchair, a frown on his face as he tried to read a book. Sirius was throwing screwed up pieces of parchment at Remus, trying to make him loose his temper. On the sofa next to Sirius were Sally and Katy, smiling, but looking slightly out of place. On the last sofa were James and Peter, who were watching Sirius with grins.
"Morning guys," said Lily, smiling.
"Morin Lily!" said Sirius, giving Lily his cutest smile.
"Mmmm," said Remus, not looking up and continuing to read.
"Hey Lily!" said Katy and Sally together.
"Hello," said Peter shyly.
"Hiya Lils!" said James giving her that smile. "Right now we're all here we can go down to breakfast!" he said smiling at all of them.
"Lily?" said Sirius.
"Yes?" she replied.
"Tomorrow can you get up sooner so we can all get to breakfast on time?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" replied Lily.
"James ambushed us," said Sally.
"He caught us on our way to breakfast," added Katy.
"He said we should wait for you," said Peter.
"He made us wait for you!" said Sirius.
"Why?" Lily said. They all looked round and stared at James.
"Well?" said Remus, finally looking up from his book. "Because," said James, "I thought it would be nice if we went to breakfast together," he said earnestly. Everyone laughed, before they all headed off for breakfast.
*
The group spent the whole day together, having snowball fights till curfew, when they went back to the common room to warm up. They were now the only people left there. After Lily had mentioned a muggle game called sarades (sp?) they had played it into the night. At the moment it was Katy's turn.
"Ok ok, try this one," she said standing in front of them. She started pacing in front of them. As she paced she smiled at them and winked every few seconds.
"It's a person!" stated Peter. They all laughed.
"Katy you're doing it wrong. Your doing impressions, your supposed to spell out something with actions," said Lily matter-of-factly. Katy shrugged and continued.
"Oh I've got it!" Sirius exclaimed suddenly. "Gilderoy Lockheart!" Katy nodded as everyone burst out laughed.
"Well I'm off to bed!" said Lily, getting up.
"Me too!" Katy and Sally said in union. They bid goodnight to the boys and just as the girls disappeared round the corner, Remus and Sirius rounded on James.
"You need to tell her!" said Remus at once.
"What?" said James confused, "About the Bet?"
"Yes!" Sirius impressed.
"Your mad!" James answered shortly, "She'd never speak to me again!"
"You have to!" said Remus sternly.
"No I don't!" said James. He wasn't about to loose the only girl he had ever felt this way about.
"You care for her don't you?" said Remus earnestly.
"Don't you?" repeated Sirius.
"You guys know I do!" James answered with a frown.
"Well tell her then," said Remus simply.
"Tell her!" repeated Sirius.
"I. . . . Fine I'll tell her," sighed James.
"Tell her!" repeated Sirius. Remus raised his eyes unbelievingly at James.
"I will!" said James again.
"Yeah!" said Sirius.
*
"We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year." The ghosts of Hogwarts floated around singing carols, for Christmas morning had finally come. Lily had received excellent gifts from her best friends and also one gift from each of the marauders. Remus had given her a wonderful book on charms she had wanted for a while. Peter had given her a selection of sweets. Sirius had given her a diary; witch had a magical password and came with a note.
Dear Lily,
Merry Christmas. Wait till breakfast, my fellow marauders and me have a show for everyone. The password can be changed on this diary, but at the moment it's - Sirius is devishly sexy – enjoy!
Sirius
She thought about what he could mean and her mind had rested on a big Christmas prank. James had given her a gorgeous hair slide. It was a silver butterfly, with emerald incrusted jewels. All the girls in her dorm had examined it, envy in their eyes. Lily was very nervous about the ball; witch would take place that night. Though breakfast did put her in a good mood, as Sirius had said; there was a show.
*
At breakfast everyone attention was drawn to a large package that arrived with the last of the post. It took no less than three owls to carry the large box it was dropped behind the Slytherin table. Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape got up to investigate. Malfoy pulled the ribbon and a loud bang made the whole hall jump. It was like a firework had gone off, in the colour electric blue. The firework flew up above the table where everyone could see it and started twisting to form words, which echoed as a howler like voice read them as they were being written:
"The marauders would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.
Except all Slytherins who are all evil slimy gits! From Moony,
Wormtail, Paddfoot and Prongs. Prongs would like to say a special
hello to a certain red-head, hec we all love you Lily! MERRY
CHRISTMAS!" There was silence as the last words faded. But after a minuet, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables burst into applause and laughter. Lots of people turned to look at the Marauders and Lily, who felt herself blush with all the attention. The Marauders on the other hand, were standing up, waving and grinning at the adoring crowd. Sirius even did a little bow to some Ravenclaw girls, making them giggle hysterically. Lily grinned as James pulled her up to stand on the bench next to him. Waving at the crowd, whilst being held tightly by James, she felt happier than she ever had. 'If this is love,' she thought 'I think I could get used to it'.
*
"Ok! Listen up!" commanded Sally. The girls, who had been chatting happily in the dorm, stopped to listen. "We are going to help each other get ready, so I've put a time table up. Some of us do hair, while others do make up, and one in the shower and getting dressed!" "I can't believe how seriously she's taking this!" Muttered Katy as she and Lily got up ready to get started.
*
"James?" said Sirius, trying not to laugh. "Yes?" said James. He was stood in front of the mirror, for once trying to make his hair lie flat. "What are you doing?" asked Sirius. The Marauders were all in their dorm. "I'm milking a bloody cow!" said James getting annoyed with his hair, "What does it look like? I'm trying to make my hair flat!" "Your fighting a loosing battle there mate!" said Sirius solemnly. "Well at least you can go!" said Remus. While James, Sirius and Peter were getting ready for the ball, Remus was getting ready for his monthly trip to the shrieking shack. "Sorry we can't go I feel really terrible!" said James. "It's Dumbledor's fault!" exclaimed Sirius, "Having the ball when it's a full moon!" "It's a Christmas ball, and this Christmas it happens to be a full moon!" said Remus. "We'll come as soon as the ball ends, we promise!" said James as the other two nodded. "Ahhh the curse of being a werewolf!" Remus sighed.
*
All the girls were ready. They had all left to meet their dates. Lily remained. She was stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at herself, a frown present on her face. 'Something's missing' she thought as she adjusted her hair slide from James. There was a noise from the bottom of the stairs, which was followed by laughter. Lily guessed a boy had tried to get up the stairs. She went back to the mirror, when there was a knock on the door. "It's open!" called Lily. She turned to see James fly in on his broom. Lily beamed at him as he got off and turned to face her. James felt his jaw drop. He tried to think of a word to describe how she looked, but no word seemed enough. Her dress, an emerald green one, not only bought out her eyes but also matched his robes. The colour complimented her hair, which was in loose curls. The silver emerald encrusted hair slide he had given her, was holding back her hair on the left hand side. Lily watched as his look changed to a look all teenage boys gave; couldn't help giving. "You stop looking at me like that!" said Lily firmly. "Like what?" asked James moving towards her. "Like your undressing me with your eyes!" she said. James grinned. "Sorry," he said. Lily went back to the mirror. "Arrrrrr!" she said in fustration. "What?" James questioned, as he moved towards her more. "Nothing. I just feel like there is something missing," she explained. James was now stood behind her, looking at her reflection over her shoulder. "Maybe this will help?" he said. He put his arm out in front of her, holding a small blue box. Lily took at apprehensive glance at James, before taking the box from him. Hands trembling slightly, she opened the box. She let out a small gasp. Inside was a delicate silver necklace. On the chain there was the Gryffindor coat of arms with a snitch in front and on the snitch was engraved:
Lily and James
Forever "Does this mean?" Lily said, hardly daring to believe it. "Lily?" said James taking the necklace from her, "Will you be my girlfriend?" Lily's heart skipped a few beats. "Yes!" she said in barley more than a whisper. James let go of the breath he hadn't noticed he had been holding and grinned at her. Lily turned to face the mirror and held her hair out of the way as James put her necklace on for her. "Perfect!" she declared, before giving him a huge hug.
*
When James and Lily entered the great hall it seemed everyone else was already there. The house tables had disappeared and in their place stood hundreds of small square tables, which sat four and on each one was a small lantern. The twelve Christmas trees were still there, as was the teacher's table with all the teachers dressed in their best robes. To one side near the teachers table sat Katy in her red robes, her hair curled like Lily's except she had put it up. Stood next to her was Sirius, who was beckoning them to go and sit with them. Lily and James grinned, waved, and made their way over. Katy stood up to hug Lily and Sirius and James did some type of secret handshake, before they all sat down. "Told you so!" said Sirius to Katy; he was pointing at Lily's necklace. "Oh my god!" said Katy examining it closely. "Oh my who?" asked Sirius. "Muggle expression," said Lily. "Oh?" said Sirius still looking confused. "So are you two a couple now then?" asked Katy. "Yes" Lily and James said together. They weren't able to say any more as Dumbledore stood up and silence fell. "Welcome! First off I would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and I hope you got all the presents you wished for. Mr Blancder, the caretaker would like me to pass on a message to the people responsible for this morning's event at breakfast." His eyes twinkled and James could have sworn he saw Dumbledore smile briefly. "Mr Blancder says; 'I know who you are and I'm keeping my eyes on you!'" he paused smiling round at everyone, who were all flashing glances in the direction of James's table and occupants. "Now as you know, the ball is to celebrate my thirty years of being headmaster o-" the hall ringing with applause and cheering cut him off. "As I was saying . . . . . . .."
*
After waiting briefly in the entrance hall after dinner, the students walked back into the great hall. There were many 'oooo's and 'ahhhh's. Lily gasped as she entered. The teacher's table had been made into a raised stage, where the popular singing group 'The Howling Hags' were starting to play a song. In front of that was a cleared space for dancing, and was the only space not covered in fake snow. There was the same small, square, wooden tables as before, around the dance floor. There was also a bar to one side with some sixth year prefects serving drinks. "What are you gaping at?" said Sirius pushing threw. "Come on!" said Katy grabbing Lily and dragging her onto the dance floor. Lily stood there with James. She didn't know what to do. She watched Katy put her arms round Sirius's neck. "Are we just going to stand here, or are we going to dance?" James asked, holding his hands out. Lily scowled at him, before stepping forward and putting her arms round his neck. He put his arms round her waist and they danced. They danced and danced and to make a change danced some more.
$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$
Nothing to say but please, please, PLEASE review!