Sirius's Top Ten

J.K. Rowling owns every character, aside from Oliver, Cassidy, and another friend you'll meet...

Thoughts are in italics.

Chapter 4: Too Slow Oliver!

Dippet smiled, somewhat pleased with himself. The Hall was silent, everyone anticipating a deep or sorrowful announcement, or at least something of extreme importance. He paused for a moment, only to further the dramatic effect.

"Before we eat, I would like to inform you of two upcoming events. Firstly, a dance will be held this December, for all students, fourth years and up."

A huge relaxing sigh emitted almost instantaneously from the students, and chatter began to fill the Hall, before it silenced again as Dippet continued.

"The Yule Ball, as it has been named, will be the beginning of a festival that will last throughout Winter Term. This festival will focus on friendship and school unity. Prefects will be in charge of special happenings each week. That is all for now, and since I believe I have woken you up with this news, I expect you all awake and attentful in classes. Let the eating commence."

The Hall errupted in talking, and most students didn't notice as the plates before them were magically filled with food. Oliver glanced to Lily amid the hysteria as several girls ran toward James, Sirius, and Remus. Hoping to ask her to the Ball before Potter did, and his heart pounding in his chest, he felt just as nervous as he had at his sorting. Lily had gone just before him, and he had been desperate to be in the same house as the friendly redhead.

"Err... Lily?"

"Yes Oliver?" Lily replied, swallowing a mouth ful of pumpkin juice before responding.

"I was wondering if perhaps, you and I... That is if you wanted to..." Oliver faltered, loosing his voice as Lily stared at him with confusion.

"LILS!" James Potter's voice boomed out happily as he made his way through a thron of girls and slid on to the bench next to her.

Oliver felt his heart drop, and coughed loudly, trying to find his voice.

"You alright, Oliver?" Lily asked with concern, giving him a questionable look. "You look rather pale."

"Perhaps you ought to go to the infirmary." James suggested, before turning to Lily. "Do you wanna go to the Ball with me?" he asked with a grin. "As friends, of course."

"Sure, I s'ppose." Lily replied thoughtfully.

"Perfect!" James said with a grin, giving her slender nose a soft, playful flick before returning to his friends.

Cass sat in silence and disbelief, many other girls in the Hall sharing her expression. Had James Potter just asked Lily Evans to the Ball? Lily blushed slightly before looking back to Oliver.

"What did you want to ask me, Oliver?"

"Oh, it was nothing. But I think I will go to the infirmary. Excuse me."

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As James returned to his friends, Sirius gave him a good slap on the back.

"Well done, Jimbo!" He said with a grin. "It looks like you've almost won!"

"Won what?" James asked, with a confused, blatant look, before remembering the contest for the first time in two months. He had genuinely enjoyed his time with Lily. Her hands were soft soft, her eyes enchanting... She was smart, and fun to be around, even if she was a little 'square'.

"I forgot all about that." James answered truthfully with a slight frown, causing Sirius to laugh.

"Moony! Our Jimbo has fallen in the battlefield!" he said loudly, through fits of laughter.

"Huh?" Peter asked, looking clueless as he always did.

"He - loves - her!" Sirius choked out, causing James to flush a deep red.

"Loves who?" Peter asked helplessly.

"Lily." Remus offered helpfully.

"Oh." Peter said thoughtfully, a smile creeping across his face, and joining Sirius in laughing.

Who would have thought? James thought silently, trying to shrug off the looks his friends were attracting from their manic laughter. Me and Lily. This might just work out. I get Lily, and I win Sirius as a slave for next year. James smiled hopefully at the thought, before smacking Sirius in the back of the head, trying to get him to shut up.

While his three companions bickered, Remus noted how complicated the situation could get, especially if Lily found out about James and Sirius's contest. Hopefully, this James-loves-Lily thing was just a crush, because if she found out, James wouldn't be able have much hope for a relationship of any kind.

Remus could only hope that Sirius and James wouldn't be stupid enough to mention the contest in front of her. He sighed, looking to his friends. Fate was against them. And Lily was smart. She'd find out, eventually.

I just realized how short my chapters are. The next will be longer, I hope. I just like having the different bits seperated. Doubt this is making sense. Well, I'm at home all day so another chapter will prolly be up. R&R please!