Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Everything belongs to J. K. Rowling. No profit is being made from this story. I am simply having fun and providing entertainment for other readers.
Chapter 9
The Ball
By FreiMe
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"Lily please! Come on – let's go! I want to go get ready now! We only have about –" Becca checked her watch, "three hours!"
Becca and I were outside on the grounds with the Four Marauders, enjoying the falling snow and hanging around a large campfire that we had conjured.
It was now five o'clock, and the Yule Ball was supposed to start at eight. "Becca – are you crazy? We have three hours! Do you honestly need that much time to get ready?" I said, annoyed.
Becca nodded feverishly. "And if you want to look good, then you better come with me," she said rather bossily. Sirius laughed as he kissed Becca on the cheek. Becca tried to hide her grin but failed.
"I'll never understand why girls take so much time to get ready for pointless things like Yule Balls," squeaked up Peter. Sirius and Remus nodded.
James turned to me, grinning, and said, "Well, girls like Lily need all the time and help they can get." This caused me to throw James's arm off my shoulder and scoot away from him.
"Aw come on Lily – I was only joking," said James lazily. "You're beautiful, alright? There, does that make you feel better?" I still ignored him. It was always fun to not give James attention when he wanted it – because he was so used to getting attention with the snap of his finger.
Remus smiled at me, and then his gaze rested on James. "I have to say mate – being rude to Lily is not a smart thing to do," he said, as his mouth twitched into a smile.
"Yeah, you're not going to get any snogging out of her if you don't pay her any compliments," said Sirius. James and I both glared at him.
Then Becca rounded on Sirius. "Is that why you are always telling me I'm funny and pretty and all that stuff? Just so you can get a good snog in!?" she said loudly, ignoring the passersby who had stopped to listen.
It was funny to see the famous Sirius Black cower under his own girlfriend's gaze. "No! Well – yes. I mean no! I – you really are funny and pretty," Sirius said, trying to grin at her.
Becca rolled her eyes and sat back down next to Sirius, pushing his arm off her waist as I had done with James. Sirius, who was trying to change the subject, asked, "So what lucky girl gets to go with you, Moony?"
Remus smiled shyly. "I'm taking Holly Hithers – the Ravenclaw sixth year," he said quietly, but still smiling.
"Oh yeah – I know her – she's a good-looking girl. Nice pick, Remus," said James. He wiggled his eyebrows and turned to me, smirking, to see my reaction.
"Urgh! I've had enough of this! Come on Becca, I think I'm ready to go back into the castle now," I said as I stood up – ignoring the boys' protests. Becca got up as well and we walked back to the castle, grinning as we ignored the boys' shouts behind us.
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"Do you want to get ready in my Head's dormitory?" I asked Becca as we climbed up one of the staircases. Becca paused, and then shook her head.
"Why not? We'll have more room and more privacy and –"
"Lily!" said Becca, sounding exasperated, "if we get ready in your dormitory, then we won't be able to make a grand entrance in front of the rest of Gryffindor…" She smiled slyly.
"Ah, Becca, I will never understand the way you think. But okay – I'll get ready in your dormitory if making a grand entrance is that important to you." I sniggered. Becca hit me.
When we opened the door to the girls' dormitory, we were greeted by an interesting sight. The rest of our roommates were all scrambling around the room looking panicked.
Daphne, a small, red-headed girl, was freaking out because she couldn't find her lipstick. Alex – a tall girl with dark brown hair – was running around with curlers in her hair, looking for her make-up.
Becca and I stood in the doorway with our mouths open. I glanced at the clock on one of the bedside tables and said, "Why are you all so jumpy? It's only five-thirty!"
All the girls stopped, and stared at me. Then Samantha, a blonde-haired girl, screamed, "IT'S FIVE-THIRTY!? GIRLS WE ONLY HAVE TWO AND A HALF HOURS NOW!"
I began laughing uncontrollably. I couldn't help myself. It was such a funny sight. All the girls began screaming. They started running around – tripping over stockings as they tried to slip them on or trying to speak to each other with tooth brushes in their mouths.
"Lily! Becca! You two haven't even started getting ready yet!" yelled Cindy – the loud, gossipy one of the group – as she stepped out of the bathroom dripping wet from her shower.
Becca and I looked at each other and shrugged. "We were hanging out with the Marauders," said Becca apologetically. All the girls in the room shot us envious looked.
"Well, if that was the reason why you haven't started getting ready, I can't blame you," said Daphne, grinning at us.
"You two are so lucky. To be able to hang out with the most popular boys in school and date two of them!" said Samantha, with a dreamy look on her face.
"As long as they don't take Remus. I like him the most. He's so sweet!" said Cindy, getting a glazed look over her face.
"I am so jealous!" said Alex, sighing and plopping down on the bed.
"Now that our dream-about-the-Marauders time is over, I say we start getting ready again!" piped up Cindy, sitting down in a chair in front of the mirror.
"I think I'm just going to read a book or something. I'll start getting ready around seven," I said, heading over to my trunk to get one of my favorite novels.
All of the girls, including Becca, shook their heads at me. "Lily, you are going to get ready now! If you get to go to the ball with James Potter, then we are going to make sure you look good!" said Daphne bossily, as she ushered me into the bathroom and shut the door.
"Yeah take a shower Lily – I'll do your hair when you get out," Alex said as she pulled curlers out of her hair. I shrugged and jumped in the shower.
As soon as I got out from my long, relaxing, thirty-minute shower (much to Bella's disapproval since she had been waiting to take one after me) I pulled on my bathrobe and sat down in a chair in front of Alex. These girls were pretty stubborn when it came to fashion and make-up and all that crap, so I didn't bother to put up a fight.
In the end, I was actually glad that I let Alex do my hair. She had left it down, but instead of it being sort of messy like I normally wore it, it was sleek and silky, and it was curled at the ends.
She had also added some crazy flower barrette in my hair. I really didn't like it, but all of the other girls had threatened to hurt me if I took it out. A little scary I know…
At a quarter after seven, everyone was panicking even more than they had been earlier (which I had thought was impossible). Alex was finishing up Becca's hair, which she had twisted into an elegant bun.
"Lily! Will you hold still!" said Daphne, irritated, as she was applying my make up. "Sorry to snap but it's hard to put on your eye shadow for you when your head is darting in every direction…"
When Daphne was finally done applying my make-up, I took my dress robes off the bed and into the bathroom. I had been in a t-shirt and shorts while getting ready because I hadn't wanted anything to spill on the beautiful robes James had given me.
When I emerged out of the bathroom, all of the girls stared at me with their mouths open. "Lily – you look –" said Cindy, her eyes wide…
"Gorgeous!" Samantha finished for her.
I flushed. I didn't like all of them staring at me like this – with their eyes as round as galleons. But when I did catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I had to take a second look. I looked really different…I actually liked how I looked.
"Okay, ready girls?" said Becca, who was looking pretty in her pale pink dress robes. We all sprayed the last-minute perfume and put on the last-minute lip stick. Everyone nodded excitedly. I found it all sort of funny.
Becca let the four of them go ahead of her as she pretended to look for some spare lipstick she had dropped on the floor. When she had stood up, lipstick-less, I gave her a questioning look.
Becca rolled her eyes. "We have to make a grand entrance, remember," she said smirking. I sniggered again. "Oh shut up!" said Becca.
I really didn't think making an entrance was all that great. When Becca and I had walked down the staircase, many people had stopped and watched us, open-mouthed. Becca was beaming, and I was flushing under all the stares. Becca nudged me in the ribs and I forced a big smile.
James approached me, beaming up at me. "Lily, you look absolutely stunning," he whispered in my ear.
"Yeah, you look hot Lily!" said Sirius grinning at me, earning himself a smack from Becca. She had turned very red as Sirius said loudly for everyone to hear that she was the prettiest girl at the ball.
"Shall we then?" James said, wrapping his arm around my waist and leading Sirius, Becca, and I out of the portrait hole. Remus and Peter had already left to meet their dates in the other houses.
I was receiving envious stares from several girls as James and I made our way down to the Great Hall. "Wow, I think half these girls want to shoot me for being on your arm, James," I told him with amusement in my voice.
"Then I guess you haven't noticed how I've been getting several hating looks from certain guys, Lily?" James replied, grinning down at me. I blushed. Was he serious? I looked around, and I was surprised to find that I did see a few guys glaring at James. Was it because of me?
Psh, no way.
Okay, maybe...
Nah!
Suddenly the doors to the Great Hall burst open, and many "oooh's" and "aww's" were heard from the crowd of people as they took in all the wonderful decorations.
James and I beamed at each other. We had been in charge of decorating the Great Hall together. And I must admit…we did a fabulous job.
"Shall we?" said James, sticking out his right arm.
"We shall," I said, taking his arm and walking into the Great Hall.
The four House tables had disappeared from the hall. Several round tables, with red and green tablecloths, surrounded a large dance floor.
As people began walking over to the tables, they patted James and me on the back, congratulating us on the fabulous decorating job. I couldn't stop smiling, and James looked rather proud of the job we had done as well.
James and I walked over to a table where Sirius and Becca were sitting. Remus and his date Holly Hithers, a pretty blonde girl, were also sitting there, as well as Peter and his date – a sour-looking fifth-year girl with short brown hair.
Jesse Corbette – my partner from Divination – came over with his date, a sixth-year Hufflepuff, and sat down next to James and me. "Hey Lily, you're looking pretty tonight," Jesse said smiling at me.
James scowled and draped his arm over my shoulder, as if trying to tell Jesse to back off. I grinned. "Thanks Jesse." Jesse's date was also scowling, and she tapped him on the shoulder impatiently, trying to gage him in a conversation with her.
After dinner was finished, James and I walked out onto the dance floor. As Head Boy and Girl, we were supposed to open the first dance.
We danced to a romantic, slow tune, as James brought me close to his side, putting one arm around my waist and grabbing my other hand with his. As we waltzed around the dance floor – girls glaring at me in every direction – I felt extremely content.
Never in a million years would I have thought I would be going to my last Yule Ball at Hogwarts with James Potter. But I was extremely glad right now to be dancing in his arms.
He was a lot taller than me – standing at around six three while I was a petite five foot one. And yet, we seemed to fit together perfectly.
"There's no one here I'd rather be with tonight, Lily," James whispered into my ear, his breath warm and soothing against my skin.
I clutched him tighter, and responded "I feel the same way about you."
Then we went into relaxed, comfortable silence until I asked, "So where did you learn how to dance like this, anyway?" James grinned.
"What? Is it hard to believe that someone like me knows how to ballroom dance?" James asked, pretending to look offended.
"Yep," I said, without hesitation.
James sighed. "I had to learn how to ballroom dance, actually. My mother made me. We always have to go to these boring parties – since both my parents are higher up in the Ministry – so I was sort of forced to learn how. I had to have etiquette school and everything," James said, sounding disgusted.
I smiled at him. "Well, it's paid off. You are quite the gentleman," I said slyly.
James reached down as kissed me full on the lips. Not really caring this time that everyone was watching, I kissed him back. I was once again having the most amazing feeling in the world.
It was as if no one else existed, and we were just dancing in the clouds – weightless – without a care in the world. Finally the song ended, as I saw disappointment etched all over James's face. I was quite disappointed as well. I didn't want the song to ever end.
As people walked by us, they raised their eyebrows or made catcalls. Different boys nudged James as they walked by, grinning, but the girls seemed to be a little bit more – icy – you could say, to me.
After we finished another song – a faster one – James and I walked back over to the table where we met Remus and Holly, who had both just finished dancing as well.
"Lily, can I have this dance?" said Remus smiling at me, and holding out his hand. I looked at James, who hesitated then nodded, and allowed Remus to lead me onto the dance floor.
"James really likes you, Lily," Remus finally said as we danced to a slow tune.
I smiled, and looked over at James, who was dancing with a love-struck Holly Hithers. "Well Remus, I really like him, too," I said happily. Remus laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Remus went on, "it's just funny – Lily Evans and James Potter. Two sworn enemies who fall magically in love with each other."
For a moment I had gone speechless. Love? Was James in love with me? Was I in love with James?
Yes…
I don't know…
You do.
Do not!
Yes, you love James.
Shut up.
"Lily? Hello? Lily, you okay?" Remus said incredulously, a small smile on his face.
I looked up, confused. The song had ended. I had been so wrapped up in my thoughts that I had forgotten I was even dancing with Remus.
"Oh sorry – I zoned out for a minute there," I said blushing. Remus grinned.
"Well the song is over – do you want to want to go back to the table?" Remus asked, looking in the direction of our table where James had sat down, waiting for me.
I smiled as I looked at James, and his handsome features. "Yeah, okay," I said, as Remus led me over.
James looked up, grinning at us as we approached the table. "Have fun dancing with my girlfriend, Remus? You better watch out," James said cheerfully.
Remus smiled. "Yes – you being as overprotective as you are – I know I should watch my back," he said – a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Hey!" said James defensively.
"Oh drop it," I said, sitting next to him and entwining his fingers in mine. James was momentarily distracted by this action to respond to Remus, who had already walked onto the dance floor again with Holly.
Then James began scowling. Giving him a questioning look, I turned around and saw Jesse waltzing over to the table. I rolled my eyes and turned back to James.
"What are you scowling at him for? He didn't do anything," I said exasperatedly.
"I don't like him."
"Why not? He's really nice!"
"He looks suspicious to me."
"Oh forget it!"
"Lily would you like to dance?" Jesse said, plopping down in the seat on the other side of me. James was glaring at Jesse without blinking.
"Er – sure," I said awkwardly, glancing at James, who was now twiddling his knife in his hands.
Jesse led me onto the dance floor and pulled me sort of closer than normal – closer than Remus had, anyway.
"Lily I like you a lot," said Jesse, smiling down at me.
"Um, thanks I like you too," I said, quickly looking at James who was still glaring at Jesse with a menacing look.
"I just wanted to thank you for being such a good friend of mine. I've been going through some tough times after I broke up with my girlfriend," Jesse went on, sighing.
"Oh – I'm sorry Jesse," I said, glancing nervously at James.
Jesse reached down and hugged me. "Thanks Lily, thanks for everything."
"Jesse, I don't mean to be rude but I really think you should – er – sort of stay away," I said, seeing James jump up angrily out of his hair.
Jesse looked at me, confused. "What? Why? Did I do something wrong –" but before he had even finished what he was about to say, James had appeared on the spot, shoving Jesse away from me.
"What do you think you are doing!?" James yelled angrily, shooting Jesse a venomous look. Jesse was staring back at James with a puzzled look on his face. I was standing in between the two, my mouth slightly open. Several on-lookers had formed a circle around us.
"What are you talking about James?" said Jesse and a strange, calm voice.
"Why did you hug her!? Lily is my girlfriend. Got it? So quit hitting on her!" James shouted angrily.
"What!? James what is wrong with you! He wasn't –"
"Lily, be quiet," James said, not taking his eyes off of Jesse, "just stay out of this, alright?"
"Excuse me!? Don't tell me what to do! Quit causing problems James when nothing even happened between us! You stupid pinhead!" I yelled just as loudly as James.
James had made a move as if he was about to attack Jesse, but I held him back. I grabbed his arm, threw Jesse an apologetic look, and stalked off outside to the grounds, pulling James out after me.
When we had finally gotten to a deserted area where we could have some privacy, I let go of James arm disgustedly. "What the hell was that all about? What on earth is wrong with you!?" I shouted in his face.
James glared down at me. "He hugged you! Lily! He was dancing close to you and he hugged you!" James said, his fists clenched.
I rolled my eyes. "You can be so stupid sometimes, you know that? You are being so immature! I was just thanking me for being his friend, and then you had to go and act like some stupid moron!" I said angrily.
James's breathing had turned back to normal. "Sorry – I just…I just sort of got overprotective I guess," James said, more calmly this time.
"Yeah, I guess so," I said sarcastically. "You know sometimes you make me so mad! You just –" but I never got to finish my sentence. James had pressed his lips against mine.
I let myself drown in the kiss. I forgot every feeling of anger and disgust I was feeling towards James at the moment, and let myself float away. I wrapped my arms around his neck, as I ran my hands through his unruly hair.
James had wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I kept my arms tightly around him, not willing myself to let go, or to stop kissing him. He was such an incredible kisser, he made me never want to stop kissing him.
He could annoy the hell out of me, act like an arrogant pinhead, do things that made me rolls my eyes in irritation, but when our lips were pressed together, I forgot every single other thought in my head, and let James lead me away from the pressures of every day life.
We didn't go back to the Ball for the rest of the night. Quietly, James and I crept passed the Great Hall, and snuck up to the Astronomy Tower. As we sat in the corner, kissing nonstop, I had decided that snogging James was becoming one of my favorite things to do. I had also realized that this was the best Yule Ball I had ever been to – even though I had spent the whole night in the Astronomy Tower with my favorite messy-haired boy.
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A/N: Yes, so there you have it, my longest chapter yet! Aren't you guys proud of me? I wanted to make it extra long for you guys since you gave me such wonderful reviews. Special call out to lone Wolf – I loved your review! It was so nice to read! Thanks a bunch! And guys, I love when you leave me reviews that say "UPDATE SOON!" but what I love even more is when you leave me super long reviews – so don't hesitate to do so…
ONE CHAPTER LEFT! Woot woot! I promise I'll have it up for you guys by Saturday, before I leave for my trip. So enjoy this one, review, and eagerly await my last chapter!