Chapter 8- Playing Ball games
It was now well into March, the ball was almost completely arranged and now Lily was in the Ravenclaw changing room, receiving a very uninteresting pep talk from Harnie.
Lily was fiddling with her robes nervously, it seemed only yesterday James was telling her; he was going to train her and now was the point that all the training had been leading up to. She didn't want to let him down.
All too soon she was walking out onto the pitch. A girl called Stephanie Mills, from Hufflepuff was commentating.
"And here is the Ravenclaw team, Captain and beater, Harnie Chang, Chasers, Eric Norton, Lucy Holmes and William Golwn, The other Beater, Jacob Tucker, Keeper Matthew Betts and finally Lily Evans, a reserve in place of Patrick Colns, as seeker.
And the Griffindor team, Captain and chaser, Frank Longbottom, Chasers, James Potter and Michael Mann, Beaters, Mundungus Fletcher and Stuart Frile, Keeper Cedric little and seeker John Wood.
Just6 as a brief update, the scores stand as follows, Griffindor in the lead with 450 points, followed closely by Slytherin with 410 points, then Ravenclaw with 380 points and finally Hufflepuff with 290 points.
Griffindor stand unbeaten for the past 7 matches. Ravenclaw have a lot to stand up to today."
3 hours later the scores stood at Ravenclaw 30 points Griffindor 120.
Lily found out that James really was an excellent chaser, him having scored most of Griffindor's goals. Lily saw a glimmer of gold below her, about 20 feet off the ground, she dived as did Wood.
Lily put a burst of speed on to her broom, flattening herself against it, all the while thinking "I can't let James down, I can't". Wood was closing in on her. Faster, faster, she urged her broom, faster, Wood was right on top of her, they both reached forward, she knocked his hand out of the way and...
Yes the snitch was grasped safely in her hand! The stands exploded, Hufflepuff and Slytherin were also supporting Ravenclaw, fed up of Gryffindor always winning.
"Yes!" James jumped up, happy that Lily had won. Just then a bludger, which had been ignored in the excitement of the sighting of the Snitch, flew towards James, knocking him off his broom.
At the same time Lily felt a knot form in her stomach. She knew something was wrong, her friendship ring began to burn.
"James!" She felt helpless, he was falling. She needed to help him, but she knew he was way too far away to catch him.
She just concentrated souly on him, urging him to stop. Then all of a sudden everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, James had started to slow down and Lily not once taking her eyes off him looped towards him, not loosing concentration, she flew up to where he was and caught him on her broom.
James and everyone else were flabbergasted! Not only had Lily jus saved James' life, but she had somehow sped herself up so only a flash of blue light could be seen. How could she have done it? Nobody but Dumbledore had a clue. The only conclusion they could form was, that she was a superb flier.
"Lily Evans has jus caught the snitch, won the game for Ravenclaw, destroying Griffindor's currents record and saved Griffindor's best chaser from being smushed in to the ground!"
Stephanie mills shouted, in a few short minutes Lily had gone from a nobody who had never been heard of, to the subject of Hogwarts talk, for the next few weeks. Even the Griffindor's couldn't be mad at her for beating them.
""Ow my God! James are you ok?" Lily gasped, hugging James once he was safely on her broom.
"Lily, how did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Your broom, you, you were going super speed. And then you caught me! I thought I was a goner for sure!"
"I went super speed? I , I just concentrated on you not falling and everything but me seemed to slow down. This is weird!"
"Thank you!"
"For what?"
"For saving me of course!"
"Ow yeah no problem." They looked at each other and realised they were still hugging. They both pulled apart and said
"Sorry!" at the exact same time. Then they both started laughing.
During the next week, everyone had begun to get excited, the ball was now not far off.
Countless girls had asked James to go with them but he had turned them all down deciding he didn't want a date for it. There had also been numerous amounts of boys approaching him, asking if Lily was available.
It seemed people saw that they had become close and were asking for information.
James told them of her plans to go with Sirius, leaving more than a few upset boys. It seemed Lily had earned an instant celebrity status.
James who should have been feeling great, this was sure a sure-fire way to boost her confidence, was feeling even more down. If she had everybody in the school after her, she would never want him.
Lily was also a little wary of her new found fame. Every corner she would turn (And Hogwarts had a lot!) Someone would be there, someone would say hi. This all seemed to her, false.
These people never even knew she existed up till now. If she had suddenly disappeared or dropped down dead no one would have noticed.
Then suddenly she does one simple thing in a Quidditch match and every one likes her. They didn't even know her, for all they knew she could be an evil psychopath!
All throughout March, Lily had dancing lessons with Remus and James. It started with Remus and lily dancing and James directing, but that seemed hopeless. Lily kept standing on Remus' feet!
"No, no, Lily you move, back 2 3, side 2 3, back." James said, "Here, come here." Lily went over to James, who put his hand around her petite waist (Although it was covered by her tatty, white jumper, which she always wore.) and he took her hand in his. A wave of electricity ran down her spine, as she looked into James' eyes, and slowly they began to move.
"1, 2, 3, back, 2, 3, side, 2..." Remus stopped. Lily was dancing perfectly, the way she and James moved as though they were one person, there eyes never left each others, there feet moved at the exact same time and their hands seemed to be locked together as though they would never share this same feeling if they let go. A glow seemed to be emitted from their eyes, not just a happy glow, there was something more there, something so strong, Remus felt he had never witnessed it before.
"Uh... uh, may I cut in?" He stuttered. Lily and James snapped out of their trance, looked at each other and the looked at their feet, both eager to hide their red faces. Remus took Lily and they began to dance.
"Ouch."
"Sorry" Lily had stood on Remus' foot once more.
It took 2 more weeks of sessions of dancing, for Lily to finally dance a whole song without standing on Remus' feet, but she managed it. And now just a week before the ball, the prefects were rushing about trying to finalise their plans.
It hadn't been much of an Easter break so far. They had arranged for the teachers to take Dumbledore to the 3 broomsticks as a birthday treat for the day of the ball and for them not to return until 7.30 that evening. The prefects and heads were to be in charge of the school.
On a normal occasion this would have been rather risky, the marauders would have seen it as the perfect opportunity to reek havoc, especially as one of their ringleaders was prefect.
But James was busy setting up the great hall, with the other prefects and Remus and Peter were busy helping Sirius figure out the best pose for advertising himself it the slave auction that evening.
The great hall looked grand. The house tables had been cleared; there was a stage and dance floor in the centre, with small tables for 6-8 people, round the edges.
On the walls were life sized wizard photos of Dumbledore. One wall of his achievements, one of him and his family, one of him and his friends and colleges and finally one wall of him having fun, there was even a photo of him playing ten pin bowling.
The ceiling had been charmed, again by Lily, so the stars read, "60 years ago you were just a twinkle in our eyes- Albus Dumbledore 60 today!"
On the tables were menus, they had not food orders, but slave numbers, pictures and descriptions.
There was a long buffet table along the back end of the great hall filled with all sorts of goodies. And finally there was a cake, chocolate and in the shape of a wizard's hat and on it were 60 candles.
At 5oclock the great hall was ready and all the prefects went to get ready. James led Lily to the prefect's bathroom.
"Uh James why are you taking me here?" Lily asked.
"I said my sister would help you get ready for the ball, no?" he replied, loading her in what used to be the prefects bathroom and what now seemed to be a beauty parlour.
And standing there, waiting was Claire Potter, James' older sister.
"Sirius and I will meet you in the hall at 6.50"
"Thanks James."
Lily had allot of fun with Claire, she was allot like James in looks and personality. She was very smart and very popular.
"So when I'm older I want to open up the first magical beauty salon. I have been working on all sorts of potions, you know, to colour hair, straighten it, and make it curly. I also like to make up and mix the colours and make a very individual colour for the person who I'm doing, to suit them and their unique needs."
"Wow, sounds good. So what are you doing to me?"
"Well you have a very pretty face and a lovely figure. I think we will go for a natural look. A white eye shadow to bring out the green in your eyes, a light red lipstick and a little blusher to give you a nice colour to your cheeks and to make you look less pale.
Then I think we will put your hair up into barrel curls on top of your head. Oh and my brother picked a dress, shoes and a necklace up for you. Don't ask me how he managed to pick out such lovely stuff, it is way beyond Me."
"He got me a dress? Oh my...it's gorgeous!" Hanging over one of the chairs was a white, satin dress. The bodice had two tiny straps, which crossed over at the back and shiny white beads forming snowflake shapes down it.
The skirt was long and flowing, with a white transparent, organza material over skirt, which had a tiny tail. There was also a green velvet cloak to go over it, matching white sandals and a green pendant necklace. The whole ensemble looked absolutely marvellous and suited Lily in every possible way.
"James really chose this?"
"Every last bit."
"It must have cost a fortune, I can't possibly accept It."
"Believe me, the money won't bother him. Our family is loaded and has been since before Hogwarts was even created. So what's with you and James? You going out?"
"No we're just friends."
"You want to be more?"
"Well I'm going to the ball with Sirius."
"You know, the way James talks about and to you, is different from what I've ever seen him do to anybody, even Sirius. He seems to really like you."
"Really?"
"Yeah, so you'd best not hurt him." Lily went to say something, but Claire cut her off. "Right your done, look, mirror, now." Even though what she had said seemed nasty, there was no coldness or resentment in her voice, Lily knew she was just being the protective older sister.
"Wow, I look different!"
"Yeah, I just brought out your natural features and... what are you doing?"
"Just putting my jumper on." Lily was putting her tatty, old white, jumper on over her beautiful, pure white dress.
"No, no, no, you have a cloak, you don't need this." Claire took Lily's jumper.
"But that's my favourite jumper, I always wear it, I feel weird without it." Lily's jumper was her comfort, it hid her from people so they could not look at her and judge her.
"Lily look at yourself in the mirror, you have a lovely figure, your very petite and delicate and you curve in all the right places, allot of girls would kill for your looks and figure, so use it to your advantage. You will have boys dropping at your feet, including Sirius and James."
"You think?"
"I know, now it's seven o'clock, your running late." Claire embraced Lily in a sisterly hug. "Go knock em dead!"
Lily went in to the great hall, which was full of eager party guests waiting anxiously for the guest of honour. James was on look out duty, as he did not have a date.
"Wow, Lily you look amazing." He stuttered as she reached him.
"Thanks, the clothes you got me are amazing and your sister can work wonders."
"Sirius is a lucky guy, I'll see you later."
Ok bye." There gazes lingered a second longer and then Lily walked over to Sirius. Every person in the hall's head turned towards her. What with this transformation and the quidditch game, Lily was really making a name for her self.
Lily had never worn any make up before or even anything, which was remotely flattering to her figure. She had always worn things, which were baggy and raggy.
This was partly because she never wanted to draw attention to herself, and partly because when she was little her sister had never let her look nicer then her, now she was just used to it.
The boys looked at her with hunger in their eyes, only now could they see what James had seen all along. A shallow world for shallow people, one in which girls are judged by looks, boys by quidditch skills and everybody by purity of blood.
Some girls looked at her as she passed by, radiating happiness and a sea of self-confidence, with awe set in their faces. A couple of her friends were happy for her, she seemed to really be coming into herself.
But a few girls looked at her and looked at everyone else, they didn't like what they saw, why was this red head suddenly getting so much attention? Jealousy had taken over as Lily laughed with Sirius Black.
Sirius and Lily made polite conversation then went and greeted Peter and his date, Felicity Charpes and Remus and his date, Salma Scarnes.
Just then James turned round held his wand in the air and sent red sparks up. The hall went silent, as everyone, Students, teachers who had returned to help and guests got into a huge semi circle around the hall, the candles were dimmed and the doors opened.
"SUPRISE!" Everyone shouted at once.
"Ow my."
"Happy birthday,
to you,
Happy birthday,
to you,
Happy birthday dear professor,
Happy birthday to you!" The head boy and girl got on stage.
"Professor Albus Hewitt Dumbledore, started his career path in the ministry as an employee of the Magical creatures department, having left Hogwarts himself, with top NEWT scores and the position of head boy under his belt.
He soon worked his way up the ministry gaining promotion after promotion and having been the head of 5 different departments. But after only 3 years of working in the ministry he decided to leave to explore the world and look into what it had to offer, almost as a scientist. He went over to Romania to do some research on dragons, and after only 1 year he had discovered 10 uses for their blood, helping the wizarding world economical, medically and scientifically.
After that he explored other places around the world and did allot of Alchemy work, in doing so found a wonderful friend, Nicolas Flammel. They worked together and headed award winning projects. By now Albus Dumbledore had really made a name for himself. After 10 years of travelling he finally decided to settle down, he decided to take a year out and live as a Muggle, he was extremely interested in learning about them and to think like them, he thought the best thing would be to live as one.
After his year completely without magic, he knew pretty much most things about them and wrote a book on them, called "Muggle mania" by A.H.Dumbledore. He the took up the transfiguration position here at Hogwarts, after 2 years he was promoted to deputy head and after another 8 years to headmaster. It has been rumoured that he has also been offered various positions, England's Minister of magic, being one of them." The head girl finished talking and the head boy stepped forward.
"hank you professor Dumbledore, we hope you enjoy your party."
"SPEECH!" Sirius shouted, followed by wolf whistles from the other Marauders. Dumbledore took the stage. "Oh my, I am rather shocked that you managed to plan all of this with out my acknolagement. I would like to thank everyone for coming, and everyone who organised this. You really know how to make an old man feel special."
"Three cheers for Dumbledore, the grooviest old dude here!" Shouted a voice suspiciously close to Lily. "Hip, hip hooray! Hip, hip hooray! Hip, hip hooray!" everyone shouted.
"And now, may I introduce to you, the Spooks!" the head girl said.
"Oh my gosh! Th spooks?"
"I thought that was just a rumour!"
were just a couple of reactions to the band who had just taken the stage, which began to rise above the dance floor, the ghosts took this as an opportunity to float around. It was quite a performance.
The singer began singing to the music,
"Care to dance?" Sirius asked Lily.
"It would be my pleasure."
And they did 2 slow songs and 3 fast ones. Sirius was suprised how well Lily danced.
He knew that she had been taking lessons and he knew that she could dance... with James, but he also knew that he had watched Remus come back to his dorm countless numbers of times and bandage his feet. But it seemed to have paid off, she danced well. After another song, Lily was asked to dance by the 6th year Hufflepuff quidditch captain.
And after 2 more hours, the only people who hadn't asked her to dance (excluding all non-students) were Severus Snape and James. Even Lucius Malfoy had asked her and he was a 7th year Slytherin, who prided himself on being a pure blooded wizard. But fortunately for Lily, Remus intervened saying she had promised him that dance, "Walk through the prophecies Merlin mad" a slow song.
Just then James approached.
"We have to start the slave auction now" He said. Lily was slightly disappointed, she had half hoped he would ask her to dance. The stage slowly lowered and James helped Lily up, with him.
"Sonorous" They both muttered.
"Welcome, and may I say thank you to everyone for coming to our dearest headmasters coming of age.
Now as most of you are aware, tonight Lily and myself will be hosting Hogwarts first ever charity slave auction. In aid of St Mungo's children home." James said.
"Yes and our first slave up for grabs is the head boy himself..." Lily started.
The bidding went as follows;
Amos Diggory (Head boy)-18 Galleons
Elizabeth Hart (Head girl)- 15 Galleons
Prefect- 12 Galleons
Prefect- 17 Galleons
Prefect- 20 Galleons
Prefect- 13 Galleons
Prefect- 25 Galleons
Prefect- 22 Galleons
most people could no afford one slave on their own, so most were bidding in groups of friends.
Sirius was up next. As he walked on stage and took his pre-rehearsed pose, every female hand immediately shot up. Most dropped again after he got up to roughly 20 Galleons, but a couple stayed raised and bidding.
"25 G"
"30 G"
"35 G"
"40 G"
"45"
"50"
"50? do I have an advance on 50? no? Going, going, gone. Sirius Black sold to Professor Mcgonagall for 50 Gold galleons." James was grinning stupidly, Mcgonagall was smiling evilly and Sirius was looking rather pale.
Remus was bought by professor Flitwick for 48 Galleons, professor Sprout bought Peter for 49 Galleons and James was bought by professor Dumbledore for 52 Galleons. It seemed the teachers were keen on revenge, after the amount of times the school was disrupted by the Marauders.
"And finally the last slave up for grabs, My beautiful co-host, Miss Lily Evans."
"5 Galleons"
"10 Galleons"
"15 Galleons"
"20 Galleons"
"25 Galleons"
"30 Galleons"
Snape stood up and bellowed;
"100 Galleons" The crowd gasped, they had known that Snape was well off but, could he really afford this?
Lily looked scared and James was angry. There was no way he was letting Snape have her as his slave for a whole day, after what he almost did to her before.
"Sold, to me for 101 Gold Galleons."
"Huh?" Were most people's reactions.
"Thank you to all those who came and bid.
And now, Ow sir, oh professor, my dearest buddies and me have you a birthday present. although I'm not sure I want to give it to you, as you have a whole day to punish me for it! But Ow well!" Sirius Remus and Peter came on to the stage, carrying a large, beautiful, tapestry.
On it, it had the 4 Hogwarts mascots intertwined round the letter H in the middle, and on each of the corners was a different Dumbledore dressed in each of the houses colours. The facial expressions on each Dumbledore changed also. In Ravenclaw he appears to be concentrating, in Hufflepuff he looks expressionless, in Griffindor he is winking and in Slytherin he is scowling.
"We transfigured our text books into wool and our quills into needles, then we charmed the needles to knit this. Then we enlarged it, by making an enlarging potion to wash it with." Peter said proudly.
"It seems you have put a lot of thought into this, but may I ask what you wish to use for text books now?"
"Don't worry my mum packs me plenty of spares, she knows I go through them easily.
What I can't help it if I am no good at transfiguration." Peter added. The hall started laughing, they couldn't help but remember the time when Peter had accidentally transfigured his bag into a hawk, then when he had panicked and tried to turn it back he set it alight, needless to say it chased him round the castle.
Peter was the joke of the school for a few weeks after and Mcgonagall had deducted 20 points from her own house. "Thank you boys, I shall hang that up in my sleeping quarters."
The dance went on another hour, uneventfully. Lily who was exhausted from dancing so much, headed for the drinks at the end of the buffet table. Mary Stansfield, a Slytherin 6th year, saw this as her chance to pounce.
She wasn't going to let this red head ruin her dance, just because she was pretty and could flutter her eyelashes. Jealousy had taken her over, and it was not very Slytherin to not express your feelings. Mary also made her way towards the drinks, picked up a cup of red punch and just as Lily arrived, tipped it down the front of Lily's beautiful, pure white dress.
"oops!" She said giggling. Lily looked at her astonished. How could anyone be that nasty? "I suppose that teaches you not to wear white." Mary continued her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, what are you staring at? Get your snotty little princess nose out of my sight, it's making me feel ill." Lily turned on her hill, eyes filled with water, not believing what she had just heard.
She ran through the hall, all the occupants completely silent, having heard every word, which had been said. Sirius discretely grabbed Lily and pulled her out of sight, but still in the great hall.
Dumbledore stepped forward, about to tell Mary off, when;
"What is your problem?" James started. "What has she ever done to you to deserve that?" Silence, "Exactly! She hasn't done anything to anything or anyone! She has worked so hard in arranging this ball with all the prefects and you go and ruin it all."
"She come in here dressed like she own the place, dancing with everyone else's dates...."
"LISTEN 30 YEARS FROM NOW, IT WONT MATTER WHAT YOU WORE TO A BALL, IT WONT MATTER HOW YOU HAIR LOOKED, OR WHO YOU DANCED WITH. WHAT WILL MATTER IS WHAT YOU LEARNT AND HOW YOU USED IT! I have worked so hard with Lily to improve her confidence, so she can improve in her studies and in one simple sentence you could have ruined that for her! I hope you feel happy."
It was at that point in which Lily changed. She decided that there and then she was no longer going to be shy, quiet and unconfident. I f James believed in her that much that he was willing to state it in front of the whole school, she sure as hell could prove to him that the grief was worth it! You know what they say everything happens for a reason.
At that point Dumbledore intervened,
"Miss Stansfield, 10 points from Slytherin, you do not do that sort of thing to anyone, I am thoroughly ashamed of you. And Mr Potter that is enough." The last part, to James was said softly and with a small smile. Dumbledore was proud that James was sticking up for Lily.
Lily left the hall, Sirius close behind her. They stopped in the entrance hall.
"Lily, did you hear that? How much James cares for you? Why did you tell him that you wanted to come to the ball with me?"
"It's not that simple, he asked me who I wanted to go with, what could I say? I couldn't tell him the truth!"
"Why not?"
"Because, he wouldn't want to go with me, not in a million years. And when we first talked, I promised him I would never want more than friendship off him."
"Believe me Lily, out of all the girls I have ever seen him with, not one of them has he been as infatuated with, as he is with you! He wouldn't have gone through all this for you, if he didn't like you this much.
The training, the quidditch, he was so disappointed when you said you liked me. But he still insisted on everything being perfect for you tonight, your dress, the dance lessons, he even bid on you in the slave auction because he didn't want Snape to have control over you for a day in a magically binding contract."
Lily felt immensely guilty. "Hows about you go change and then we'll wait for James in my dorm. Then you can tell him how you feel?"
"OK"
Once Lily was changed, Sirius took her to his dorm and sat her on James' bed.
"Now you wait here, I'll go get James." Sirius left to get James, but on the way down, Emma Jones caught him and he got a little side tracked. After the ball had finished, Remus, Peter, James and Sirius, returned to their dorms, very sleepy, only to find the petite red head asleep on James' bed.
"Uh, does anyone know how Lily got in here? I thought we locked our dorm." James said, he wasn't angry, just a little suprised.
"Oh crap! I forgot. Yeah I brought her up here, she wanted to talk to you prongs. But I got a little... ER ...side tracked on my way to get you." Sirius said.
"Never mind. I'll just take the floor and talk to her in the morning."
It was now well into March, the ball was almost completely arranged and now Lily was in the Ravenclaw changing room, receiving a very uninteresting pep talk from Harnie.
Lily was fiddling with her robes nervously, it seemed only yesterday James was telling her; he was going to train her and now was the point that all the training had been leading up to. She didn't want to let him down.
All too soon she was walking out onto the pitch. A girl called Stephanie Mills, from Hufflepuff was commentating.
"And here is the Ravenclaw team, Captain and beater, Harnie Chang, Chasers, Eric Norton, Lucy Holmes and William Golwn, The other Beater, Jacob Tucker, Keeper Matthew Betts and finally Lily Evans, a reserve in place of Patrick Colns, as seeker.
And the Griffindor team, Captain and chaser, Frank Longbottom, Chasers, James Potter and Michael Mann, Beaters, Mundungus Fletcher and Stuart Frile, Keeper Cedric little and seeker John Wood.
Just6 as a brief update, the scores stand as follows, Griffindor in the lead with 450 points, followed closely by Slytherin with 410 points, then Ravenclaw with 380 points and finally Hufflepuff with 290 points.
Griffindor stand unbeaten for the past 7 matches. Ravenclaw have a lot to stand up to today."
3 hours later the scores stood at Ravenclaw 30 points Griffindor 120.
Lily found out that James really was an excellent chaser, him having scored most of Griffindor's goals. Lily saw a glimmer of gold below her, about 20 feet off the ground, she dived as did Wood.
Lily put a burst of speed on to her broom, flattening herself against it, all the while thinking "I can't let James down, I can't". Wood was closing in on her. Faster, faster, she urged her broom, faster, Wood was right on top of her, they both reached forward, she knocked his hand out of the way and...
Yes the snitch was grasped safely in her hand! The stands exploded, Hufflepuff and Slytherin were also supporting Ravenclaw, fed up of Gryffindor always winning.
"Yes!" James jumped up, happy that Lily had won. Just then a bludger, which had been ignored in the excitement of the sighting of the Snitch, flew towards James, knocking him off his broom.
At the same time Lily felt a knot form in her stomach. She knew something was wrong, her friendship ring began to burn.
"James!" She felt helpless, he was falling. She needed to help him, but she knew he was way too far away to catch him.
She just concentrated souly on him, urging him to stop. Then all of a sudden everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, James had started to slow down and Lily not once taking her eyes off him looped towards him, not loosing concentration, she flew up to where he was and caught him on her broom.
James and everyone else were flabbergasted! Not only had Lily jus saved James' life, but she had somehow sped herself up so only a flash of blue light could be seen. How could she have done it? Nobody but Dumbledore had a clue. The only conclusion they could form was, that she was a superb flier.
"Lily Evans has jus caught the snitch, won the game for Ravenclaw, destroying Griffindor's currents record and saved Griffindor's best chaser from being smushed in to the ground!"
Stephanie mills shouted, in a few short minutes Lily had gone from a nobody who had never been heard of, to the subject of Hogwarts talk, for the next few weeks. Even the Griffindor's couldn't be mad at her for beating them.
""Ow my God! James are you ok?" Lily gasped, hugging James once he was safely on her broom.
"Lily, how did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Your broom, you, you were going super speed. And then you caught me! I thought I was a goner for sure!"
"I went super speed? I , I just concentrated on you not falling and everything but me seemed to slow down. This is weird!"
"Thank you!"
"For what?"
"For saving me of course!"
"Ow yeah no problem." They looked at each other and realised they were still hugging. They both pulled apart and said
"Sorry!" at the exact same time. Then they both started laughing.
During the next week, everyone had begun to get excited, the ball was now not far off.
Countless girls had asked James to go with them but he had turned them all down deciding he didn't want a date for it. There had also been numerous amounts of boys approaching him, asking if Lily was available.
It seemed people saw that they had become close and were asking for information.
James told them of her plans to go with Sirius, leaving more than a few upset boys. It seemed Lily had earned an instant celebrity status.
James who should have been feeling great, this was sure a sure-fire way to boost her confidence, was feeling even more down. If she had everybody in the school after her, she would never want him.
Lily was also a little wary of her new found fame. Every corner she would turn (And Hogwarts had a lot!) Someone would be there, someone would say hi. This all seemed to her, false.
These people never even knew she existed up till now. If she had suddenly disappeared or dropped down dead no one would have noticed.
Then suddenly she does one simple thing in a Quidditch match and every one likes her. They didn't even know her, for all they knew she could be an evil psychopath!
All throughout March, Lily had dancing lessons with Remus and James. It started with Remus and lily dancing and James directing, but that seemed hopeless. Lily kept standing on Remus' feet!
"No, no, Lily you move, back 2 3, side 2 3, back." James said, "Here, come here." Lily went over to James, who put his hand around her petite waist (Although it was covered by her tatty, white jumper, which she always wore.) and he took her hand in his. A wave of electricity ran down her spine, as she looked into James' eyes, and slowly they began to move.
"1, 2, 3, back, 2, 3, side, 2..." Remus stopped. Lily was dancing perfectly, the way she and James moved as though they were one person, there eyes never left each others, there feet moved at the exact same time and their hands seemed to be locked together as though they would never share this same feeling if they let go. A glow seemed to be emitted from their eyes, not just a happy glow, there was something more there, something so strong, Remus felt he had never witnessed it before.
"Uh... uh, may I cut in?" He stuttered. Lily and James snapped out of their trance, looked at each other and the looked at their feet, both eager to hide their red faces. Remus took Lily and they began to dance.
"Ouch."
"Sorry" Lily had stood on Remus' foot once more.
It took 2 more weeks of sessions of dancing, for Lily to finally dance a whole song without standing on Remus' feet, but she managed it. And now just a week before the ball, the prefects were rushing about trying to finalise their plans.
It hadn't been much of an Easter break so far. They had arranged for the teachers to take Dumbledore to the 3 broomsticks as a birthday treat for the day of the ball and for them not to return until 7.30 that evening. The prefects and heads were to be in charge of the school.
On a normal occasion this would have been rather risky, the marauders would have seen it as the perfect opportunity to reek havoc, especially as one of their ringleaders was prefect.
But James was busy setting up the great hall, with the other prefects and Remus and Peter were busy helping Sirius figure out the best pose for advertising himself it the slave auction that evening.
The great hall looked grand. The house tables had been cleared; there was a stage and dance floor in the centre, with small tables for 6-8 people, round the edges.
On the walls were life sized wizard photos of Dumbledore. One wall of his achievements, one of him and his family, one of him and his friends and colleges and finally one wall of him having fun, there was even a photo of him playing ten pin bowling.
The ceiling had been charmed, again by Lily, so the stars read, "60 years ago you were just a twinkle in our eyes- Albus Dumbledore 60 today!"
On the tables were menus, they had not food orders, but slave numbers, pictures and descriptions.
There was a long buffet table along the back end of the great hall filled with all sorts of goodies. And finally there was a cake, chocolate and in the shape of a wizard's hat and on it were 60 candles.
At 5oclock the great hall was ready and all the prefects went to get ready. James led Lily to the prefect's bathroom.
"Uh James why are you taking me here?" Lily asked.
"I said my sister would help you get ready for the ball, no?" he replied, loading her in what used to be the prefects bathroom and what now seemed to be a beauty parlour.
And standing there, waiting was Claire Potter, James' older sister.
"Sirius and I will meet you in the hall at 6.50"
"Thanks James."
Lily had allot of fun with Claire, she was allot like James in looks and personality. She was very smart and very popular.
"So when I'm older I want to open up the first magical beauty salon. I have been working on all sorts of potions, you know, to colour hair, straighten it, and make it curly. I also like to make up and mix the colours and make a very individual colour for the person who I'm doing, to suit them and their unique needs."
"Wow, sounds good. So what are you doing to me?"
"Well you have a very pretty face and a lovely figure. I think we will go for a natural look. A white eye shadow to bring out the green in your eyes, a light red lipstick and a little blusher to give you a nice colour to your cheeks and to make you look less pale.
Then I think we will put your hair up into barrel curls on top of your head. Oh and my brother picked a dress, shoes and a necklace up for you. Don't ask me how he managed to pick out such lovely stuff, it is way beyond Me."
"He got me a dress? Oh my...it's gorgeous!" Hanging over one of the chairs was a white, satin dress. The bodice had two tiny straps, which crossed over at the back and shiny white beads forming snowflake shapes down it.
The skirt was long and flowing, with a white transparent, organza material over skirt, which had a tiny tail. There was also a green velvet cloak to go over it, matching white sandals and a green pendant necklace. The whole ensemble looked absolutely marvellous and suited Lily in every possible way.
"James really chose this?"
"Every last bit."
"It must have cost a fortune, I can't possibly accept It."
"Believe me, the money won't bother him. Our family is loaded and has been since before Hogwarts was even created. So what's with you and James? You going out?"
"No we're just friends."
"You want to be more?"
"Well I'm going to the ball with Sirius."
"You know, the way James talks about and to you, is different from what I've ever seen him do to anybody, even Sirius. He seems to really like you."
"Really?"
"Yeah, so you'd best not hurt him." Lily went to say something, but Claire cut her off. "Right your done, look, mirror, now." Even though what she had said seemed nasty, there was no coldness or resentment in her voice, Lily knew she was just being the protective older sister.
"Wow, I look different!"
"Yeah, I just brought out your natural features and... what are you doing?"
"Just putting my jumper on." Lily was putting her tatty, old white, jumper on over her beautiful, pure white dress.
"No, no, no, you have a cloak, you don't need this." Claire took Lily's jumper.
"But that's my favourite jumper, I always wear it, I feel weird without it." Lily's jumper was her comfort, it hid her from people so they could not look at her and judge her.
"Lily look at yourself in the mirror, you have a lovely figure, your very petite and delicate and you curve in all the right places, allot of girls would kill for your looks and figure, so use it to your advantage. You will have boys dropping at your feet, including Sirius and James."
"You think?"
"I know, now it's seven o'clock, your running late." Claire embraced Lily in a sisterly hug. "Go knock em dead!"
Lily went in to the great hall, which was full of eager party guests waiting anxiously for the guest of honour. James was on look out duty, as he did not have a date.
"Wow, Lily you look amazing." He stuttered as she reached him.
"Thanks, the clothes you got me are amazing and your sister can work wonders."
"Sirius is a lucky guy, I'll see you later."
Ok bye." There gazes lingered a second longer and then Lily walked over to Sirius. Every person in the hall's head turned towards her. What with this transformation and the quidditch game, Lily was really making a name for her self.
Lily had never worn any make up before or even anything, which was remotely flattering to her figure. She had always worn things, which were baggy and raggy.
This was partly because she never wanted to draw attention to herself, and partly because when she was little her sister had never let her look nicer then her, now she was just used to it.
The boys looked at her with hunger in their eyes, only now could they see what James had seen all along. A shallow world for shallow people, one in which girls are judged by looks, boys by quidditch skills and everybody by purity of blood.
Some girls looked at her as she passed by, radiating happiness and a sea of self-confidence, with awe set in their faces. A couple of her friends were happy for her, she seemed to really be coming into herself.
But a few girls looked at her and looked at everyone else, they didn't like what they saw, why was this red head suddenly getting so much attention? Jealousy had taken over as Lily laughed with Sirius Black.
Sirius and Lily made polite conversation then went and greeted Peter and his date, Felicity Charpes and Remus and his date, Salma Scarnes.
Just then James turned round held his wand in the air and sent red sparks up. The hall went silent, as everyone, Students, teachers who had returned to help and guests got into a huge semi circle around the hall, the candles were dimmed and the doors opened.
"SUPRISE!" Everyone shouted at once.
"Ow my."
"Happy birthday,
to you,
Happy birthday,
to you,
Happy birthday dear professor,
Happy birthday to you!" The head boy and girl got on stage.
"Professor Albus Hewitt Dumbledore, started his career path in the ministry as an employee of the Magical creatures department, having left Hogwarts himself, with top NEWT scores and the position of head boy under his belt.
He soon worked his way up the ministry gaining promotion after promotion and having been the head of 5 different departments. But after only 3 years of working in the ministry he decided to leave to explore the world and look into what it had to offer, almost as a scientist. He went over to Romania to do some research on dragons, and after only 1 year he had discovered 10 uses for their blood, helping the wizarding world economical, medically and scientifically.
After that he explored other places around the world and did allot of Alchemy work, in doing so found a wonderful friend, Nicolas Flammel. They worked together and headed award winning projects. By now Albus Dumbledore had really made a name for himself. After 10 years of travelling he finally decided to settle down, he decided to take a year out and live as a Muggle, he was extremely interested in learning about them and to think like them, he thought the best thing would be to live as one.
After his year completely without magic, he knew pretty much most things about them and wrote a book on them, called "Muggle mania" by A.H.Dumbledore. He the took up the transfiguration position here at Hogwarts, after 2 years he was promoted to deputy head and after another 8 years to headmaster. It has been rumoured that he has also been offered various positions, England's Minister of magic, being one of them." The head girl finished talking and the head boy stepped forward.
"hank you professor Dumbledore, we hope you enjoy your party."
"SPEECH!" Sirius shouted, followed by wolf whistles from the other Marauders. Dumbledore took the stage. "Oh my, I am rather shocked that you managed to plan all of this with out my acknolagement. I would like to thank everyone for coming, and everyone who organised this. You really know how to make an old man feel special."
"Three cheers for Dumbledore, the grooviest old dude here!" Shouted a voice suspiciously close to Lily. "Hip, hip hooray! Hip, hip hooray! Hip, hip hooray!" everyone shouted.
"And now, may I introduce to you, the Spooks!" the head girl said.
"Oh my gosh! Th spooks?"
"I thought that was just a rumour!"
were just a couple of reactions to the band who had just taken the stage, which began to rise above the dance floor, the ghosts took this as an opportunity to float around. It was quite a performance.
The singer began singing to the music,
"Care to dance?" Sirius asked Lily.
"It would be my pleasure."
And they did 2 slow songs and 3 fast ones. Sirius was suprised how well Lily danced.
He knew that she had been taking lessons and he knew that she could dance... with James, but he also knew that he had watched Remus come back to his dorm countless numbers of times and bandage his feet. But it seemed to have paid off, she danced well. After another song, Lily was asked to dance by the 6th year Hufflepuff quidditch captain.
And after 2 more hours, the only people who hadn't asked her to dance (excluding all non-students) were Severus Snape and James. Even Lucius Malfoy had asked her and he was a 7th year Slytherin, who prided himself on being a pure blooded wizard. But fortunately for Lily, Remus intervened saying she had promised him that dance, "Walk through the prophecies Merlin mad" a slow song.
Just then James approached.
"We have to start the slave auction now" He said. Lily was slightly disappointed, she had half hoped he would ask her to dance. The stage slowly lowered and James helped Lily up, with him.
"Sonorous" They both muttered.
"Welcome, and may I say thank you to everyone for coming to our dearest headmasters coming of age.
Now as most of you are aware, tonight Lily and myself will be hosting Hogwarts first ever charity slave auction. In aid of St Mungo's children home." James said.
"Yes and our first slave up for grabs is the head boy himself..." Lily started.
The bidding went as follows;
Amos Diggory (Head boy)-18 Galleons
Elizabeth Hart (Head girl)- 15 Galleons
Prefect- 12 Galleons
Prefect- 17 Galleons
Prefect- 20 Galleons
Prefect- 13 Galleons
Prefect- 25 Galleons
Prefect- 22 Galleons
most people could no afford one slave on their own, so most were bidding in groups of friends.
Sirius was up next. As he walked on stage and took his pre-rehearsed pose, every female hand immediately shot up. Most dropped again after he got up to roughly 20 Galleons, but a couple stayed raised and bidding.
"25 G"
"30 G"
"35 G"
"40 G"
"45"
"50"
"50? do I have an advance on 50? no? Going, going, gone. Sirius Black sold to Professor Mcgonagall for 50 Gold galleons." James was grinning stupidly, Mcgonagall was smiling evilly and Sirius was looking rather pale.
Remus was bought by professor Flitwick for 48 Galleons, professor Sprout bought Peter for 49 Galleons and James was bought by professor Dumbledore for 52 Galleons. It seemed the teachers were keen on revenge, after the amount of times the school was disrupted by the Marauders.
"And finally the last slave up for grabs, My beautiful co-host, Miss Lily Evans."
"5 Galleons"
"10 Galleons"
"15 Galleons"
"20 Galleons"
"25 Galleons"
"30 Galleons"
Snape stood up and bellowed;
"100 Galleons" The crowd gasped, they had known that Snape was well off but, could he really afford this?
Lily looked scared and James was angry. There was no way he was letting Snape have her as his slave for a whole day, after what he almost did to her before.
"Sold, to me for 101 Gold Galleons."
"Huh?" Were most people's reactions.
"Thank you to all those who came and bid.
And now, Ow sir, oh professor, my dearest buddies and me have you a birthday present. although I'm not sure I want to give it to you, as you have a whole day to punish me for it! But Ow well!" Sirius Remus and Peter came on to the stage, carrying a large, beautiful, tapestry.
On it, it had the 4 Hogwarts mascots intertwined round the letter H in the middle, and on each of the corners was a different Dumbledore dressed in each of the houses colours. The facial expressions on each Dumbledore changed also. In Ravenclaw he appears to be concentrating, in Hufflepuff he looks expressionless, in Griffindor he is winking and in Slytherin he is scowling.
"We transfigured our text books into wool and our quills into needles, then we charmed the needles to knit this. Then we enlarged it, by making an enlarging potion to wash it with." Peter said proudly.
"It seems you have put a lot of thought into this, but may I ask what you wish to use for text books now?"
"Don't worry my mum packs me plenty of spares, she knows I go through them easily.
What I can't help it if I am no good at transfiguration." Peter added. The hall started laughing, they couldn't help but remember the time when Peter had accidentally transfigured his bag into a hawk, then when he had panicked and tried to turn it back he set it alight, needless to say it chased him round the castle.
Peter was the joke of the school for a few weeks after and Mcgonagall had deducted 20 points from her own house. "Thank you boys, I shall hang that up in my sleeping quarters."
The dance went on another hour, uneventfully. Lily who was exhausted from dancing so much, headed for the drinks at the end of the buffet table. Mary Stansfield, a Slytherin 6th year, saw this as her chance to pounce.
She wasn't going to let this red head ruin her dance, just because she was pretty and could flutter her eyelashes. Jealousy had taken her over, and it was not very Slytherin to not express your feelings. Mary also made her way towards the drinks, picked up a cup of red punch and just as Lily arrived, tipped it down the front of Lily's beautiful, pure white dress.
"oops!" She said giggling. Lily looked at her astonished. How could anyone be that nasty? "I suppose that teaches you not to wear white." Mary continued her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, what are you staring at? Get your snotty little princess nose out of my sight, it's making me feel ill." Lily turned on her hill, eyes filled with water, not believing what she had just heard.
She ran through the hall, all the occupants completely silent, having heard every word, which had been said. Sirius discretely grabbed Lily and pulled her out of sight, but still in the great hall.
Dumbledore stepped forward, about to tell Mary off, when;
"What is your problem?" James started. "What has she ever done to you to deserve that?" Silence, "Exactly! She hasn't done anything to anything or anyone! She has worked so hard in arranging this ball with all the prefects and you go and ruin it all."
"She come in here dressed like she own the place, dancing with everyone else's dates...."
"LISTEN 30 YEARS FROM NOW, IT WONT MATTER WHAT YOU WORE TO A BALL, IT WONT MATTER HOW YOU HAIR LOOKED, OR WHO YOU DANCED WITH. WHAT WILL MATTER IS WHAT YOU LEARNT AND HOW YOU USED IT! I have worked so hard with Lily to improve her confidence, so she can improve in her studies and in one simple sentence you could have ruined that for her! I hope you feel happy."
It was at that point in which Lily changed. She decided that there and then she was no longer going to be shy, quiet and unconfident. I f James believed in her that much that he was willing to state it in front of the whole school, she sure as hell could prove to him that the grief was worth it! You know what they say everything happens for a reason.
At that point Dumbledore intervened,
"Miss Stansfield, 10 points from Slytherin, you do not do that sort of thing to anyone, I am thoroughly ashamed of you. And Mr Potter that is enough." The last part, to James was said softly and with a small smile. Dumbledore was proud that James was sticking up for Lily.
Lily left the hall, Sirius close behind her. They stopped in the entrance hall.
"Lily, did you hear that? How much James cares for you? Why did you tell him that you wanted to come to the ball with me?"
"It's not that simple, he asked me who I wanted to go with, what could I say? I couldn't tell him the truth!"
"Why not?"
"Because, he wouldn't want to go with me, not in a million years. And when we first talked, I promised him I would never want more than friendship off him."
"Believe me Lily, out of all the girls I have ever seen him with, not one of them has he been as infatuated with, as he is with you! He wouldn't have gone through all this for you, if he didn't like you this much.
The training, the quidditch, he was so disappointed when you said you liked me. But he still insisted on everything being perfect for you tonight, your dress, the dance lessons, he even bid on you in the slave auction because he didn't want Snape to have control over you for a day in a magically binding contract."
Lily felt immensely guilty. "Hows about you go change and then we'll wait for James in my dorm. Then you can tell him how you feel?"
"OK"
Once Lily was changed, Sirius took her to his dorm and sat her on James' bed.
"Now you wait here, I'll go get James." Sirius left to get James, but on the way down, Emma Jones caught him and he got a little side tracked. After the ball had finished, Remus, Peter, James and Sirius, returned to their dorms, very sleepy, only to find the petite red head asleep on James' bed.
"Uh, does anyone know how Lily got in here? I thought we locked our dorm." James said, he wasn't angry, just a little suprised.
"Oh crap! I forgot. Yeah I brought her up here, she wanted to talk to you prongs. But I got a little... ER ...side tracked on my way to get you." Sirius said.
"Never mind. I'll just take the floor and talk to her in the morning."