HARRY POTTER AND THE BREATH OF LIFE

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other known character from the Harry Potter series. I do own the plot and a few characters.

Chapter 8 – The Marauders sixth year - The Yule Ball

            Dumbledore announced the Ball on Halloween. All the students received it very well. A Ball was always an occasion to dress sharply and that also explained the need for dress robes. Almost all of Hogwarts waited eagerly for the big day.

The days that led to the Yule Ball were interesting. Sarah was constantly stressed and everything seemed to upset her. She recruited every prefect, fifth and sixth year and all the Heads to help her came up with the perfect Ball. They would meet three nights a week to explore ideas. That meant that Remus and Lily were hardly seen not coming up with new ideas for the Ball. Sirius took this time to deepen his relationship with Iris. She was reluctant to let William know because she wanted to be the one to announce to her mother. James and Peter were becoming friendlier because the rest of the Marauders were busy. This, of course, had its benefits. James, taking his best friend as a model, adopted a more mature style. He almost stopped hexing everyone, except, obviously, for Snape, who kept trying to hex James himself. It seemed for a while that the only time James and Sirius were together was at Quidditch practice. Even at practice Sarah was stressed. She wanted to make sure the cup stayed at McGonagall's office.

 Taking the time they had together – which was a lot – Sirius and Iris planned their ball. When Sirius was at practice or when he hanged out with his friends Iris would take over and plan alone. The Hogsmeade weekend was used to order Butterbeer and other things for the balls. Soon the day would come and things would be ready and perfect. Or so Sarah wanted.

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 Christmas stormed in – literally – soon. Before they even realized it, it had arrived. The day started black with a storm of snow. When James started yelling and jumping on the beds Sirius actually thought that he was playing games and that it was still night. But the presents lying on the feet of the bed made him realize that it was morning and Christmas day. The three Marauders made James stop by throwing him pillows. Then they started opening their presents. Sirius opened Iris's present first. It was set of prank supplies from Zonko's. Then came James's present. It was a book entitled «What to do if you don't want to lose a friend» by and anonymous writer. He glanced at James and threw the book at him. He didn't saw it coming and caught it straight in the shoulder.

" That's what you do not to lose your friend, you big git. What the hell are you thinking? Who are you, my mum?" he asked smiling.

" It's the thought that counts." Answered James, also smiling.

From Remus, Sirius got a picture frame with a photo of the four Marauders in their third year. There was a note attached to it. "When it was just us." Sirius was starting to get pissed. He opened Peter's gift. It was a candy. All types of candy from Honey Dukes. Sirius sighed with relief. But he got up and standing in the middle of the room said to his friends.

" I don't know what's wrong with you guys. I'm still here. I haven't left and the Marauders aren't finished. We're sixteen. I think we shouldn't act like little boys anymore. So we haven't hang out has much has we did. Moony had a ball to prepare. Prongs had Quidditch practice. Wormtail had…well, nothing. And I, Padfoot, have my own agenda that includes a ball to prepare, Quidditch practice and a girlfriend. It's not my fault you guys don't find yourselves a girlfriend. I'm not stopping you. So I'd appreciate if you would stop with this." He said this in one breath. He looked around and saw his friend eyeing him. He had gotten that out of his chest and it felt good. A few moments later Remus recovered.

" We're sorry. You're right. Tomorrow we'll get together to plan a New Year prank."

" Yeah. I agree with Moony. Now let's go down to breakfast. I'm starving." Said James.

 Before leaving Sirius noticed a large package under the pile of wrapping paper in his bed. An envelope was on top of it. He opened it and read the letter within.

            " Sirius, darling.

 First of all: Happy Christmas. Hope you enjoy your presents. This is my present to you. Use it tonight. She will recognise it and I'm sure she will like it.

 With all my friendship to you.

Grandma.

P.S.: You'll be receiving another package at breakfast today. Don't open it in front of Iris. It'll have another note to help you understand it."

 Sirius looked at the letter and then at the package. Then slowly he opened it. Inside was a dress robe. It was black but there were shades of silver on it. The collar was a dark grey and the sleeves had thick lines of dark blue. It was absolutely beautiful. He quickly tried it and to his astonishment found that it fit perfectly. Then he placed it in the package and went down to breakfast. The other Marauders, Lily, Iris and Sarah were already there. Sirius joined the table and gave a small kiss to Iris. Then he whispered in her ear.

" Happy Christmas. Ready for tonight?"

" Yes. And you?" she whispered in his.

" Always." He answered grinning.

 He started serving himself of eggs and bacon when the mail arrived. An owl flew to where Sirius was sitting and left a small package. He picked it up and quickly took the note attached to it.

" I want you to give this to my granddaughter. It's an enchanted ring. She will recognise this as well. Maybe she will explain it clearly to you. Give it to her tonight.

 Happy Christmas and enjoy the ball. Grandma."

 He placed the note and the package in his robe's pockets. Iris was looking at him, intrigued. He smiled at her and kissed her one more time.

            After breakfast there was nothing much to do except wait for lunch. And after that, it was time to play wizard's chess or any other game. The weather outside did not improve so they were stuck inside. But soon time to prepare for the ball arrived. The four Marauders were getting dressed and the boys couldn't help noticing Sirius's robes.

" When did you buy that?" Asked Remus.

" I didn't. It was a gift." Answered Sirius.

" It's nice, Padfoot. Come on let's go downstairs and wait for our dates." Said James.

" I'm still wondering how it was that Lily accepted your invitation." Commented Sirius.

" Well, I'm more mature. And she noticed that. Of course she threatened to never go out with me again if I behave badly. I'm intending to make her swallow her words."
" That's the spirit Prongs." Said Remus raising his fist.

 Sirius picked the small box from his bed and placed it inside his robe pockets. Then he descended with his friends.

 The common room was almost empty. Two fifth years were sitting in a chair apparently waiting for their dates. A couple of second years were playing wizard's chess. Apart from them there was no one else in the common room. It was early so the boys decided to sit on their favourite chairs. Sirius kept putting his hand on his pocket as to make sure the box was still there. After what seemed an hour – but in fact had been 35 minutes – the girls appeared.  Sarah was leading, followed closely by Lily and Iris. The older girl had a dark red robe and her hair reached her shoulders. She had little makeup. She approached Remus and smiled at him. Then everybody looked in a pleasant shock at Lily. She was wearing a green coloured robe. It was exactly like James's. They eyed each other. (A/N: Talk about soul mates. Lol :-))

" You look nice, Potter." She told him, taken-aback.

" You too, Evans." He said in the same tone. " Could you do me a favour?"
" If it's not a ridiculous one."

" Could you call me James? Even if it's just for tonight." He asked maturely.

" All right. I think I can live with that…James."

They all laughed at this. Iris was still on the stairs. She had stopped dead in her tracks and was looking at Sirius perplexed. She was wearing a navy blue robe and her hair was caught in a bun on the back of her head. It looked really good.

God, she is beautiful. Sirius thought.

 She swallowed dry and descended the last stairs. When she reached Sirius, Sarah and Remus were preparing to leave.

" We'll see you in the Great Hall. Bye." Said Sarah when they reached the portrait hole.

 They all nodded and Peter followed the couple's lead.

" I'm meeting my date at the marble staircase. See you there." He said before leaving.

  Sirius turned his head back and saw the four young Gryffindors staring at Iris. He threw them a dirty looked and then turned back to kiss her. It was a deep kiss. They completely forgot about the six people in the common room that were looking at them with great interest. James seemed to be studying the way Sirius was kissing Iris. The kiss lasted forever. The dates of the two fifth years arrived and they were still kissing. When they left the kiss hadn't ended yet. It took James interference to end it.

" Hem, hem. Sorry to interrupt the perfect couple but we have a ball to go to. Lily and I don't want to arrive there on our own."

 Sirius and Iris broke their kiss slowly. They remained close to each other, forehead-to-forehead, nose-to-nose.

" Happy Christmas, love." He whispered to her.

" The same to you love." She whispered back. " Nice robe." She added.

" Thanks. The person that gave it to me told me you'd like it."

" Well, she was right."

" Ok, look mate, we'll wait outside." Interrupted James.

" No need, James. We're going." Said Iris.

 She kissed Sirius again and then he gave her his arm. She coiled hers to it and they left, followed closely by James and Lily.

 When they reached the marble staircase they found many students from the fifth year and above. The Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were in majority although there were many Gryffindors. The Slytherins seemed not to be interested in the Ball. There were only four Slytherin couples.

 A little before nine o'clock the doors for the Great Hall opened. Sarah had really outdone herself. The Hall was beautifully decorated.

 Christmas trees covered the sidewalls. The enchanted ceiling showed the snow that fell outside. Real fairies caught the falling flakes and then they would make it fall over the tables. The house tables were gone and were replaced by several smaller ones, big enough for eight people. Several house-elfs dressed as Santa Claus formed a passage way and several others escorted the couples to their seats. The teachers' table had a red and green tablecloth that would fall down to the floor and had the Hogwarts crest and motto in the middle and stars, candles and mistletoe on either side of it. The smaller tables had a similar tablecloth but the students had the houses crest as well. Four candles floating a little above them illuminated each of the tables.

 It came to no surprise that the Marauders and their dates were placed on the same table. When Sarah joined them she looked anxious.

" So what do you think? Be brutal." She asked.

" It sucks." Said Sirius.

" Well, you didn't have to be so brutal." Said Sarah, taken-aback.

 They all laughed except for Peter's date, a fifth year Ravenclaw named Katie.

" It was a joke Sarah." Said Remus.

 Sirius nodded and she shrugged.

" Everything is beautiful. Don't worry." Assured Sirius.

" Just one question. How did you dress the house-elfs?" asked Lily.

" Well, they don't know they are dressed. It's an enchantment. Even if you tell them they are dressed they won't know. I asked Dumbledore if I could use them."

" What are they dressed of?" asked Peter.

" Santa Claus. It's a muggle tradition for Christmas time. He's a fat man with a beard that delivers presents to all the good kids in the world. He goes down the chimney." Explained Sarah.

" Cute." Said Remus.

 They laughed again and this time Katie joined in.

 Later Dumbledore got up and the noise stopped.

" Welcome students to our first Yule Ball in many years. I hope you all enjoy the decoration, food and entertainment provided for your leisure. And now lets begin the feast:"

 He raised is hands and menus popped up in the tables in front of every student.

" Make your request. And enjoy."

 He sat down and ordered a plate of roast turkey with potatoes and a goblet of pumpkin juice. Almost immediately his request appeared in front of him.

 The students followed the example and soon everyone was eating and talking with their table companions. 

      Everything was absolutely delicious. The food had been prepared with extreme caution and with what seemed to be a double effort. The conversations were light and, in the Marauders table, full of laughter. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

 When everyone had finished their meal Dumbledore got up again.

" Well, now that the feast is over I think it's time for a bit of dancing. I would like you all to welcome the "Strange Brothers"." He said pointing to a large empty spot between two trees. (A/N: Like it? "Weird Sisters" – "Strange Brothers". It's a sort of a joke. :-))

 Instantly after Dumbledore's announcement a group of four boys appeared, each one with a different instrument. As they started playing the first accords of their song every student rose from their seat and started clapping enthusiastically. With a wave of his wand Dumbledore made some of the tables in front of the band to move to the other wall and formed a dance floor.

 The band's first song was a fast paced one. Several students congratulated Sarah for getting the band, as it was the most popular band of the time. She simply smiled and pushed them forward to dance. She, Remus, Sirius and Iris remained sitting. They were waiting for a more calm music. But they were watching amused to the dancing of James and Lily. He was waving his arms like a madman and Lily was waving hers in a calmer fashion. Sirius and Remus were hardly controlling their laughter because of their friend's behaviour. But before they could explode the song ended and they had the opportunity to calm down. And they did well because the next song was a romantic ballad. At the first cords Sirius got up and gave his hand to Iris. She grabbed it and they both went to dance floor. They danced very close to each other and they had a clear view of Remus and Sarah and especially of James and Lily. The latter were also dancing close to each other. But not as close as Sirius and Iris. Even so, it was pretty close, considering the couple in question.

 Sirius and Iris danced two more songs before he looked up to see the snow had stopped. Then he looked at Iris and placed his hand on his pocket. He sighed and made her follow him outside. She was a little surprised but followed willingly. When they reach the front stairs outside he turned left, away from the ball and the noise. He found a small place under a window and sat down. Iris did the same.

" Is everything all right, Sirius?" she asked.

" Yes. I just want to ask you something." He answered.

" Go ahead."

 He sighed again. Then, calmly, he took the box from his pocket.

" Iris Rachel Renata, will you be my girlfriend?" he asked while opening the small box.

 She gasped and covered her mouth with her left hand. Using her right she reached for the box. Inside it was a golden ring with a single small diamond. It was simple yet magical. After touching it briefly she started laughing and crying at the same time. She did not know what to feel. She was overwhelmed.

" What is it?" he asked concerned.

 She shook her head and smiled. Then it was her time to sigh.

" So, what do you say?" he asked.

" I thought I already was your girlfriend." She said smiling.

" You are. It's just that I didn't know what to say. So I decided to make it official."

" I accept." And she kissed him.

 He took her right hand and slowly placed the ring in her finger. Then they kissed again. Another one of their deep kisses. When they broke off she was smiling broadly. It was almost a grin. He eyed her with interest.

" Are you ok?" he asked.

" Can I see your right hand?" she requested, her mouth still forming that smile.

 He showed her his right hand and looked at her. She grabbed it and stared at it. For a moment her smile was gone, the next it was a grin again. Confused he looked at his own hand. It had a ring similar to Iris'. Except his was a little smaller and it had no diamond. His jaw fell to the ground.

" How…." He started in disbelief
" Magic." She whispered.

 He looked at her. He still didn't understand.

" My great grandfather was a wizard keen on jewel making. When he met my great grandmother he decided to give her a ring but he was very poor, so he made her one. After finishing it he made one for himself. Then he used a spell to bind the two rings together. So on the day of her birthday he dressed his finest robes, and might I had that it's the robes you're wearing, and took her ring. But he forgot his own. But on the moment he placed her ring on her finger his ring appeared. When he died, she took his ring and kept it. Later she decided to give both rings to my grandmother, their only child, but when she took her ring off the other disappeared. She told me this story when I was 8, I think. She said that the other ring would only appear if the other person deserved to get it. Not that I truly believed her story but I wished I could find someone to give me the ring and make the other one appear."

" And looks like you have." He said looking at her with his eyes twinkling.

" So it seems. I love you, Sirius."
" And I love you, Iris. With all my heart."
" You have my heart." She placed her hand on his chest where the pendent she had given him a year before was.

 They kissed once again. This time it was full of passion and true love. Once again they broke their kiss slowly.

" Let's go back. I'm sure the guys noticed we're missing:" she said in whisper.

" You're right. Let's go."

 They got up and slowly made their way back to the Great Hall. People were dancing when they arrived. The rest of the Marauders and their dates were sitting in their table whispering contently. They ceased the whispering when the couple arrived at the table.

" So where have you two been?" asked James beaming.

" Why do you want to know?" answered Sirius.

" No reason. You just missed a few dances."

" Yeah. And James is still behaving himself." Concluded Remus.

 They laughed at this comment. A few moments later Dumbledore got up and the music stopped.

" Well students. It's getting late and although tomorrow is not a class day you all need your rest. So I would ask for a round of applause to the "Strange Brothers" for joining us tonight and providing the wonderful music."

Everyone applauded cheerfully.

" Thank you." Said the oldest boy in the band.

 Then they exited and Dumbledore continued.

" And now another round of applause to Sarah Renata, Head Girl of Gryffindor House, and all her assistances for providing us with the Ball."

 They clapped again this time even more cheerfully. Sarah blushed. She had never gotten that much attention.

 " Now, time for bed. Good night."

 Slowly everyone started leaving the Great Hall and heading for their common rooms.

 The night was over but some people would remember it forever.  

            Wow! 9 pages on the Microsoft Word! That is a lot of writing. It's a biggie.

 Hope you enjoyed it. If you did you will enjoy the next one. You guessed it. It's the Valentines Day Special Ball.

DavidCamp: Thanks for reviewing. I would have to agree with you on the lack of reviews thing. I mean not that I care much *Cough*Liar*Cough*. I can live with it. *Cough*Liar*Cough*.

As promised to my faithful Reaper his mealtime will come soon. As soon as I post chapter 9 and don't have more than ten reviews. And I'm warning you: he hasn't eaten in a week.

 You are warned.

SiriusSara: Calm down Reaper. No need to be hasty. We have plenty of time.

Reaper: *groans*.