About the Remus/Lily thing. It's just a little crush Remus is harbouring. I got the idea from the movie... the part on the bridge-that-wasn't-there where Remus was reminiscing what a wonderful witch she was and how she was there when no one else was. Anyway, the part where she was there where no one else was has passed, and after that Remus started to like her a biiiiit more. But it's not going to have a large impact on the story soo... here we go-o!

Post 64

I looked around for Sirius but was lost in the sea of pinks and reds and blacks. Suddenly, I felt someone grab my hand and pull. I turned around and faced Sirius. He looked absolutely breathtaking; I could hardly believe that he was actually my date.

He smiled that smile that could make any girl melt into a puddle of love. He pulled me closer towards him and also there were James and Lily and Peter.

Sirius had on one of the simplest dress robes there. It was just plain black. But it didn't matter what he wore, he looked great anyway.

I especially loved the jealous looks I received from girls who were too nasty to compliment.

Lily was wearing a dark red dress robe that faded to pink at the bottom. Simple but elegant. Her fiery red hair matched well, and she pulled half of it up and tied it up with a couple of flowers. James had on a navy blue dress robe and Peter was well, dateless but I was sure he came for the food.

"You look great," said Sirius and I could feel my cheeks blushing already. I grinned and linked my arm around his.

I noticed a single rose stalk in his other hand, probably and presumably for me, I waited but he didn't give it to me so I just kept quiet.

"Thanks..." I replied with a smile I just couldn't put away. "Hey Lily, James, Peter."

"Hi," replied Lily excitedly. "You're dress robe is just gorgeous! Where did you get it?"

"I got it custom made," I replied quickly. "By the way, I like yours too! Where did you get yours?"

"Aw, it's okay," she looked slightly embarrassed. "I guess... but I got it second hand at Diagon Alley..."

I tried not to let my expression falter. "Oh? I think it still looks great on you anyway!"

Her expression brightened. "Really?"

"Really," I insisted. "Remus coming?"

"Um... he said he wasn't planning to."

"Oh... what about Nikki then? She was pretty excited about this ball.?"

"Yeah, where is Nikki?" said James.

"Um..." hesitated Lily. "I'm not sure really... She didn't have a date."

"Well, she could've gone with Peter!" suggested Sirius.

"I did tell her that..." replied Lily and she lowered her voice to a whisper. "But she said she'd rather die."

"She wanted to go with Remus..." I muttered quietly.

"She did?!" cried James.

"You mean there's a girl interested in Remus?!" added Sirius in shock.

Just then, there was a low grinding of the Great double doors opening and a wave of beautiful music flooded into the Entrance Hall.

"Oh my god!" Squealed Lily. "It's time!"

Lily pulled James through the crowd of people and squeezed themselves through the double doors where everyone was filing in with excited chatter. I took Sirius' arm and we walked slowly with the others into the Great Hall, beautifully decorated for the ball.

"Oh yeah, this is for you," he said giving me the rose. Finally. "Happy Valentine's."

I took it gently and smiled gratefully at him. "Wow thanks... that's really sweet of you." It wasn't a case of pearls, but why should I care that Christella's date gave her something nice and expensive and Sirius can't. There are more things to love than what Christella Trepe thinks.

He leaned forward to receive his thank you kiss and I agreed, naturally. Who could resist?

"Where were you just now anyway?" I asked casually after we pulled away.

"Uh... well, Remus lost something and he forced me to search high and low for it," he replied.

"Oh... couldn't you at least tell me, I didn't see you all day," I said softly. "And it was Valentine's..."

"Sorry, well, it was really important. Let's say it could lead to something really serious..."

"Like what?" I replied a little too quickly.

"Let's not talk about Remus tonight eh?" he suggested, sliding an arm around my waist as we walked through the doors. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"Yeah, yes it is..." I gazed up at the ceiling, above us were sparkling stars shining their brilliant white light upon us. Falling softly like snow were pastel pink confetti that disappeared into nothing just before it touched our heads. On either side were tables full of food. While the center of the hall was well, the dancefloor.

A stage was erected at the end of the hall where the teachers usually sit, and upon it was a woman playing a beautifully made white and gold harp, her fingers strumming the strings ever so elegantly sending heavenly music flowing upon us all.

I felt Peter rush by me heading straight towards the buffet tables. How typical.

"Have I told you I like your dress robe?" Asked Sirius.

"No, you haven't," I replied with a smile.

"Well, it's beautiful and it looks even better on you," he replied and I swore my cheeks were the same colour as my dress robe. "You look like a princess."

"You're just saying that!"

"Look at how every one is looking at you," he muttered under his breath as we walked into the room.

I glanced around and saw the faces of some of them. I didn't want to mention what the expression the guy's had, but some of the girls looked extremely awed, a small handful (the other Slytherins) deadly and Christella Trepe had a look that could've chilled the hottest Summers.

I looked at Sirius, who looked extremely pleased. He flashed his most charming smile and it was enough for some girls to swoon into their dates' arms or look like a serial killer in pretty robes. Sirius was enjoying this attention. I could tell. Other guys gave him congratulating taps on his back as we walked past.

I felt slightly used but I knew Sirius didn't ask for this, he just got it.

I looked at the rose in my hand. Its petals were fully bloomed and it was a dark, blood red. I stroke its velvety petals as Sirius continued to bask in the limelight. My mind, left wandering, thought about Harry. I hadn't seen him around since the longest time. Had he gone back? Surely he would've said something... or maybe not. But I hardly had any time to dwell on it because just then a loud booming voice sounded, Dumbledore's, and the hall went quiet.

"Welcome everyone," he said in a loud but frail voice. "To this year's Valentine's Day ball. This is the day to put all hate aside and bask in the magic of love whether it is between friends, or... more than friends..."

Just feet away from me stood Christella clinging on to her date's arm, flash me an acidic glare. I glared back with as much ferocity as I could muster to match hers. Put aside hate? I don't think that's the slightest bit possible.

"We have two very committed people to thank for tonight, our very own Head Boy and Girl, James Potter and Lily Evans who have worked countless hours to make what you see tonight, possible."

A booming round of applause exploded with whistles and shouts. Lily blushed beet red as she smiled from ear to ear and James waved (and a wave of high squeals emerged).

"So without much further ado, let the ball begin," he added as an afterthought.