Sirius's Top Ten

Whoo... Nice long chapter. I just realized as I was typing that I never really gave a description of Cass. Or Oliver. So, in this chapter, you find out what Cass actually looks like.

J.K. Rowling owns every character, aside from Oliver, Abby, et Cass.

Thoughts are in italics.

Chapter 6: Prongs Wins & Loses

"I can't believe how different you are, Tig." Cass said softly as sculpted Lily's curls into an elegant knot at the back of her head. Abigail looked up from her magazine as Cass spoke.

"What do you mean?" Lily asked as she turned on her chair to face Cass, who was already finished preparing for the Ball. A wide, playful smile was spread across Lily's face.

"Exactly that." Cass argued, gesturing to Lily's face. "You seem happier. More alive. Different."

"Good different or bad different?" Lily asked as she stood and pulled her dress over her hips. It was strapless and made of satin and silk, a deep emerald colour that matched her eyes and fell to the floor.

"Good different." Cass said with a smile as she zipped up the back of Lily's dress with an admiring smile.

"I thought you two Gryffindors would be more fun." Abigail said with a laugh as she put Lily's muggle magazine down and hopped off Lily's bed. "But you're just boring and serious!"

Lily and Cass smiled slightly. Abigail, or Abby as they now called her, had officially joined their little 'troupe'. She was a mixture of Lily and Cass – she had a hot temper and felt the importance of study like Lily, and yet, she loved to pull pranks and goof off, like Cass. How she managed to do both was a mystery.

"You look amazing, Lily. You too Cass." Abby said with a smile as she walked up to Cass and tugged down on her dress, smoothing out a few wrinkles. "But next time, don't leave your dress on the floor."

"Meh. All my clothes are used to it." Cass replied. "Besides, its not like I'm trying to impress Black."

Lily laughed softly. Abby was right. Cass did look amazing. Abby did too. To suite her complexions, Abby was wearing a deep crimson gown that was tightly fitted and hung off the shoulder. Her dark hair was straightened, the front pieces of hair tied back with a ribbon, matching her dress. Cass wore a light sky blue dress was off the shoulder. Her dirty blonde hair was down, and Lily and Abby had struggled to put it into thick, bouncy ringlets. The dress really brought out her eyes.

"So?" Abby challenged. "It's not like I'm trying to impress Oliver, and I'm still dolling myself up."

"What? Since when?" Cass asked, looking confused.

"He's totally got it for Lily." Abby said with an envious smile to Lily. "I don't mind though. I don't think he was really my type."

"So why are you going then?" Cass asked, still somewhat confused.

"You never know, I could meet another lad." Abby said with a hopeful grin.

"Anytime now, ladies!" Sirius yelled as he barged into the dorm, causing the girls to scream. Sirius halted in his tracks as his eyes fell on Cass, and he could feel his jaw drop. He stood there, gob smacked, until Lily had the sense to push him out the door.

"We'll be down in a minute." She muttered, shutting the door in his face.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Sirius breathed heavily as he made his way down the stairs and into the throngs of Gryffindors, meeting their dates. Finally, he found James, who was standing anxiously, whistling. Sirius smiled. He hadn't been far off when he joked about James being in love with Evans. By the looks of things, he was.

"She decided she didn't want to go." Sirius said solemnly as he reached his friend.

"Who, Lily? Why?!?" James looked heartbroken.

"Nah, just kiddin' with ya!" Sirius said with a laugh. "She's coming. She looks hot too."

James resisted the urge to punch Sirius in the nose. His face lit up as he saw Lily walking down the steps. She looked utterly gorgeous, and her dress, which he presumed was a muggle style, caused her eyes to look more radiant than ever. She smiled and blushed slightly as she caught his eyes, and their glance didn't break until she had walked up to him.

"You look amazing." James said quietly.

Lily blushed. "Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself."

"Is that a muggle dress?"

"Yes. Abby and Cass are wearing them too. We thought we'd look better."

"You do."

Abby, who had been following Lily down the stairs, glanced about for a moment, and unable to find Oliver and not really caring whether she did or not, joined Lily and James as they left for the Great Hall. Sirius and Cass followed, Sirius unable to keep his eyes off Cass, and Cass swearing vehemently under her breath. The Great Hall looked amazing. Snow fell from the ceiling, and the traditional twelve Christmas trees Hogwarts had each year matched the silvery, ice-theme the entire room had going.

Lily gasped as they entered, amazed by its beauty.

"Fuck." James muttered to himself, causing Lily to look at him with an amused frown.

"What?"

"The snow. It'll ruin my hair."

Lily laughed, and James pulled her out on to the dance floor.

"Abby was right." Cass said with an amused smile as she watched her friend from the other side of the Hall. Abby had only walked in moments ago, and already a nice-looking boy who Cass recognized as one of the other sixth year Ravenclaws was chatting her up.

"About what?" Sirius asked, glancing up and looking around.

"About meeting a nice 'lad' here."

Sirius frowned. "What about Field?"

"Apparently, he's not her type, and he still – "

"'Ello Cass." Oliver said with a weak smile as he joined Sirius and Cass at their table. "You 'aven't seen Abigail, 'ave you?" he asked hopefully. "I thought she was getting ready with you."

"Err... No. Afraid I haven't." Cass said with an innocent smile as Abby looked over with concern and shook her head violently.

"I think she might be out in the garden." Sirius suggested.

"'Kay. Thanks, I'll check there." Oliver said, the weak smile still plastered on his face as he stood, and walked out into the garden.

"Poor guy." Sirius commented, not feeling at all remorseful.

"He asked for it. Apparently when he and Abby were still 'together', all he'd do was compare her to Lily, or talk about Lily, or stare at Lily."

"Jimbo's got competition then."

"Not really, I mean they're only fr – "Cass stopped as she looked out to James, who was staring into Lily's eyes with a lust like there was no tomorrow.

"Lily?"

"Yes James?"

"When's my birthday?"

Lily frowned. "March 11th."

"What do I like to do?"

"Play pranks? Play Quidditch?"

"What's my family like?"

"Well, I've never met them, but from what I hear, your Dad's smart, and he's an auror. Your mom fusses over you all the time..."

"What's my favourite Bertie Botts flavour?"

"Cherry."

"What's my favourite colour?"

"Maroon." Lily answered automatically, before frowning slightly. "Why?"

"You know me, Lily Evans. You know my favourite sport, and my favourite subjects. You know I love chocolate frogs. And I know you." James paused, gazing into her eyes intently. "And I know, that I'm in love with you."

Lily's mind was blank, she couldn't think of anything to say, or do. She had never felt more uncomfortable in her life. But then, he did it. He leaned down, and kissed her softly on the lips.

"Damn, he's won." Sirius muttered back at the table, watching James and Lily with disgust.

Cass was beaming, but couldn't help but look over at Sirius in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing!"

Lily and James came apart, and Lily's cheeks were flushed. Her heart was racing wildly.

"I err... I think I love you too." She smiled, and James felt his heart leap.

"Do you want anything to drink?" Lily asked awkwardly after a moment of silence.

"Sure." James said with a smile, before joining Sirius and Cass as Lily went to the food table. As soon as James sat down, Cass immediately stood up, crossing the dance floor to talk to Lily.

"Wow, Prongs, I am impressed." Sirius said with a grin.

"What? I actually think I'm in love with her Padfoot."

"You won though, mate. You snogged all ten girls on my list, including Lily Evans! You deserve to win!"

"I'm sure he does." Lily said icily.

James turned to see her standing behind him, gripping two cups of pumpkin juice, her face flushed and her eyes welling up. Cassidy stood behind her in disbelief, her eyes throwing daggers at James.

"Lils, it's really not – "James began.

"Shut it, Potter." Cass replied angrily, as tears started rolling down Lily's cheeks. Lily stood there silently, in disbelief, before being shepherded by Cass out of the Hall and up the stairs toward the common room.

James followed desperately, trying to get Lily to look him in the eye. "Please Lils, it did start out that way, but since then... I've fallen in love with you."

"Why should I believe you, James Potter? Our whole relationship was just so you could win some bloody contest. Congratulations."

And with that, James was left speechless on the stairs, as Lily and Cass made their way up to the dormitories.

Abby met him on the stairs, leading her new beau up to a more 'secluded' spot. She stopped as soon as she saw his crestfallen face. "What happened, James?" she asked, looking at him with confusion.

"She found out. She hates me." He muttered.

"Who found out?"

"Lily."

"About what?"

"Sirius and I had a contest going and..." James explained the story quietly, the whole time sounding as if he, James Potter, were on the verge of tears. As soon as he finished, Abby slapped him across the face. It wasn't the reassuring reaction James was expecting.

Abby looked absolutely furious. "You stupid little..." she couldn't even find the words. "I can't believe you! How could you be so cruel? How could you use her like that?"

"I don't know." James admitted feebly.

Explaining to her date that she had to go see Lily, Abby stormed upstairs, and for those who didn't know why she was so mad, they could easily picture a giant thundercloud above her head.

Remus joined James silently, a sympathetic look on his face.

"What have I done, Moony?" he asked, amazed at how stupid he had been. Lily would never look at him the same way again.

"You've messed things up." Remus said quietly. "But you're James Potter. You always come out on top."

Poor Oliver. Oh well, don't worry, he will get to have some happiness in his life very shortly. Thanks again to TeenTypist, who seems to love this story and is giving me such nice comments =D