Chapter 6: The day just got lighter
It had been a month and a half since the event in the Common Room, and Lily didn't think she had it in her to push Potter away anymore. There was a ball coming up at the end of this month for Halloween, and only the teachers, prefects and the head students knew about it. Lily had spoken to Remus about who he was taking with him, and he had confided in her about his slight crush for her friend Sydney, Lily found this quite touching.
The girls dragged themselves towards the Great Hall for breakfast on a Wednesday, only Lily was eager to get there knowing what Dumbledore was announcing. As they entered they noticed that Remus was slapping a sleeping Sirius, trying to wake him, whilst a grumpy sleep-deprived James glared at him. Peter was nowhere to be found, and checking on the Marauder's map, Remus found that he had fallen asleep on the stairs.
The girls were nibbling on toast when Professor McGonagall called out for everyone's attention. As she took a seat the delightful headmaster stood up to face the whole school minus a snoring Peter.
"Over the past few weeks, the teachers and I have been speaking to the Prefects and our Head Students deciding on what event should take place on the coming Halloween" Professor Dumbledore said smiling at his students. "And we have come to the decision that we will be holding a ball for the third years and up" there were excited whispers and a few groans from the lower years "as to allow the lower years to have some enjoyment we will be holding a party in the smaller hall on the other side of the school" Professor Dumbledore smiled down at the now excited younger students. "That is all, and there will be a Hogsmeade trip this weekend for you to purchase any outfits as such, and Mr. Sirius Black I do request that you do allow yourself to wear some clothing this year and not just your underwear" This made Sirius grin widely as Dumbledore took a seat again.
"This is just going to be perfect" Cassidy grinned, a sparkle in her eye.
Sydney opened her eyes and looked around her dorm. They were going to Hogsmeade today to purchase ball gowns and any accessories. They had talked over who they wanted to accompany them, Sydney had told them she had no idea, but in her mind she knew there was only one choice. Remus.
However, she doubted he would want to take her after her sister had decided to humiliate her on the platform, and she hadn't had a conversation with Remus since, except for "can you please pass a newts head" in the middle potion, even then she had walked away before Remus spoke.
She sighed, climbing out of bed, deciding maybe she would just go alone to the balls, and headed for the bathroom.
After all the girls were dressed and groomed they ran down to the Great Hall and ate a quick breakfast eager to go shopping they made their way to the Entrance Hall where other students were waiting in a line, so they could be let out by the grumpy new caretaker Filch. They were just about to be let out when an obviously nervous Remus Lupin made his way over.
"Hi girls" he smiled. The girls greeted him back.
"I was wondering if I could talk to you Sydney" Remus said.
"Sure she can" Cassidy said, pushing Sydney forward.
Sydney turned and glared at her, as Cassidy waved bye as they were let out.
"Yeah?" Sydney said uncomfortably.
"I wanted to ask you something" Remus said.
"I…can't it wait…I really want to go" Sydney said, pointing to the other girls who were talking and making their way to the horseless carriages.
"Well…no…because if I don't do it now I don't think I will be able to later…I was wondering if your sister-"Remus started.
"Look…if she said something about me…it doesn't mean it's true…she's a brat" Sydney said.
"So that means you don't like me" Remus said simply.
"Oh…that" Sydney said. "You're not going to make fun of me are you?"
"Why would I do that?" Remus grinned. "I just wanted to ask you if you would like to come with me to the Halloween ball"
"I'd like that" Sydney smiled.
"I guess I'll see you" Remus said.
"Yeah bye" Sydney said.
For a moment she hesitated, but she stood on her tiptoes never the less and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek, and then turning and walking towards the carriage where the girls were sitting, leaving a shocked Remus Lupin behind her.