Chapter 13- The Party
"Lily Marie Evans, wait up!" James shouted as he ran after Lily.
"What is it this time, Potter?" Lily whirled around, her wand prepared to hex him.
"Wow, calm down, woman. I just wanted to ask you something."
"The answer is no."
"How do you know it's a yes or no question?"
"Because."
"Because doesn't clarify too much, honey."
"Never call me honey, Potter!"
"Why not, Evans? Do you prefer pumpkin, or sweetie pie, or perhaps baby?"
"How about just Evans?"
"But I want to be unique, sweetie pie."
"You're the only one who calls me Evans, that's unique enough."
"No, the Slytherins call you Evans, sweetie pie."
"Just ask your blasted question."
"Right. Er, I forgot."
"Then, bye bye."
"Sweetie pie! Our conversation was so good."
"Just leave me alone, Potter. Hayden is waiting for me."
"Not Clark again?"
"Yes, and he won't like it when he hears you were talking to me."
"Ooh, and what is he going to do to me? Hit me?" James feigned fright.
"Yes." Lily was about to walk away when Hayden appeared. Hayden's expression darkened when he saw James, and James looked gleeful.
"Hayden, old chap, what are you doing here?" James said, smirking at Lily.
"What are you doing with Lily, Potter?" Hayden asked, annoyed at James for being such a cynic.
"Hayden, just leave him alone. Come on, let's go," Lily said tugging at Hayden's arm. She was afraid he would explode and both of them would fight.
"Lily, was he bothering you again?" Hayden asked.
"No, just doing his daily routine. C'mon."
"Okay."
"Wait up, Hayden, are you scared of me?" James said in a mocking tone. WHAM! Hayden's fist made contact with James's jawbone. Lily shrieked just as James recovered and hit Hayden. The fight went on for a few minutes until Lily, who had been screaming her head off and crying, intervened.
"POTTER! IF YOU LAY A HAND IN HAYDEN AGAIN, I SWEAR I'LL NEVER SPEAK TO YOU AGAIN. I'M SICK OF YOUR LITTLE GAMES. POTTER, I DON'T WANT TO GO OUT WITH YOU, SO LEAVE ME AND HAYDEN ALONE, PLEASE! I HATE YOU, POTTER, GET THAT THROUGH YOU HEAD!" Lily screamed that and ran to the Gryffindor tower. Hayden and James were left behind. When Lily reached the common room she was completly distraught. Her friends happened to be there, and they all stood up when she climbed in.
"Geez, Lily, what happened?" Esther asked, hugging Lily.
"That...that little arrogant berk was fighting Hayden just now, and I just...lost it. I started screaming, and I told James that I hate him, which is true, and then I came here."
"Oh, great," Alex muttered.
"I'm sorry, Alex, I know James will kinda expect you to choose sides, but I didn't think about that."
"No, no, it's alright, Lily. James is worse than I thought he was. And I always thought I knew him. Well, think on the bright side, Lily. Two boys were fighting for you, isn't that romantic."
"Right. Er, I'll just go to our room okay?"
The next day, surprisingly, Lily was the one who needed the waking up. Alex, Carrie, and the twins had to use everything they could to wake Lily up, and when she did wake up, they had to carry her to the shower and turn on the very cold water, to which she screamed "Holy shit!" Then they had to choose something for her to wear, and get her ready and everything. Luckily, it was Saturday, so they had the time of their life. When they did finish dressing her up, they left to eat breakfast. When they got there, both James and Hayden were there. The two boys were sporting bruises all over, and they looked like Dalmatians. Lily started turning around when she saw them, but the girls pushed her forward. Then Alex pinched her to get her to talk to Hayden.
"Hey, Hayden."
"Hi."
"Are you mad at me?"
"Not really, but I'd like to tell you that I think it's over between us. I can't stand Potter hovering over you every second of the day, so it doesn't work out too well. Can we at least be fri-" Lily held her hand up to his face and said:
"No, we can't be friends, sorry. I've had this great experience with you, the past few months were awesome, but I don't want to be jsut friends with you. Let's just forget each other, and move on."
"Er, okay."
Meanwhile, Alex was talking, or rather, screaming at James. The other Marauders were laughing their heads off, and so were Carrie and the twins.
"How dare you, James Potter, act like such a git? I always supported you, by telling Lily that you weren't so bad whenever she fought you, which has been almost every day this year, and you let me down just like that? Aunt Cathy is going to be informed of this, oh yes, she will. You are in for something, James. And beating poor Hayden up? That's absolutely unforgivable. The poor kid won't be able to date for months."
"So? I won't either. And we only have a week of school anyway, so whatever."
"Oh, yeah. Thanks for reminding me. Carrie, Esther, Ellen, Lily, Sirius, Peter, Remus, and James, you are all invited to my birthday party at the Owens Manor. Yes, Sirius, Jake'll be there."
"When?" Carrie asked.
"First Friday of vacation, since I can't make it exactly on the day. It's going to be a Masquerade Ball."
"Ooh, we have to get to Hogsmeade to buy our costume."
"Yeah, we can go today, since it's our last Hogsmeade weekend."
The girls ran out of the Great Hall, and to Hogsmeade. They went to the first clothes store, and spent the day trying out clothes.
Two weeks later, the Gryffindor girls were at the Owens Manor once more. They were all in Alex's room, getting ready for the party. Alex told them that all of her family would be there, and some of the families nearby, so they were all excited at the huge amount of people.
Ten minute after the party had already started and everyone had arrived, the girls finished getting ready. Alex was dressed like a Renaissance French lady. She wore a blue dress that matched her eyes. The skirt was all wired, so that it was very wide and it had a hint of silver, and her corset was a lighter blue with silver. Her hair was just like the wigs they wore, with elaborate curls, and a silver circlet around it. She wore a silver and mother-of-pearl necklace and a pale blue mask.
Lily wore a medieval princess costume. Her long red hair was braided, and she wore a long, green dress that matched her eyes. She wore an emerald tiara, and really looked like a princess. She wore a pale green mask.
Carrie was dressed like a fairy, with a loose, white gown flowing after her. She had even asked Alex's mother to bewitch her ears to make them pointy, and she let her hair falling loosely on her shoulders. Her wings were the big wing type, full of lines and curves, and looked really realistic. Her mask was a white one.
Ellen was wearing Greek goddess costume. She wore a golden gown, and golden sandals, and had golden circlets on her head, neck and arm. Her hair was less bushy than normally, and it cascaded down her shoulders. She was wearing a golden mask.
Esther had probably the most creative costume of all. She was dressed like Barbie, and her costume was surprisingly accurate. She was all in pink, and instead of a mask she wore pink sunglasses.
"Okay, so this is the deal. The four of us go first, then Alex goes down the stairs looking all glamorous and beautiful," Esther said.
"But, why do I have to go last?"
"So that you can get all of the attention, you dolt," Ellen said.
"But what if Jake sees me, hates my costume, and runs away?"
"He won't hate your costume, it's lovely. You look awesome, Alex," Lily said, and with that the five girls made their way to the dance hall. When they reached the stairs, Alex hid behind a door to wait for her turn and the four other girls made their way to the stairs. Estherr was the first to go down, then Ellen, then Carrie, and finally. They made their way through the crowd, and stood next to some idiot dressed like Superman. The girls chuckled softly at the sight, but looked up just in time to see Alex going doing the stairs. Everyone turned to face her, and surprisingly she blushed. Waiting for her near the stairs was Jake, who was dressed like a Renaissance lord.
"Hello ladies," said a voice next to them. They turned around and saw Superman.
"Er, who are you?" Carrie asked.
"It's Sirius, silly. Did you like my costume?" Sirius said, grinning.
"It's...lovely," Carrie managed to say without sounding too grossed out.
"Thanks. I found it at a muggle shop, and I thought, Oh my god, the girls are going to love it. And it has an S designed just for me, look."
"Right. So, did you have to spend the first week with your parents?" Carrie asked.
"Yeah. Torture. Mother did let me spend the rest of summer break at James's house, so it was worth it. Anyway, would you like to dance with me, my dear fairy?" Sirius extended his arm to Carrie, who took it, giggling at the prospect of dancing with Superman. Two boys then came and whirled away with the twins, and soon Lily found herself alone. A few minutes later, however, a tall boy that looked awfully familiar appeared next to her, dressed like a prince.
"Would you like to dance with me?" he said, and Lily nodded.
"So, what's your name?" Lily asked while they danced.
"I'm not supposed to tell you, you know," the boy said mysteriously.
"Someone should have told Sirius that. Do you know Sirius Black? The one dressed like Superman?"
"Yes, you could say I know him. And it doesn't surprise me that he goes announcing to everyone who he is."
"Yeah. So, do you go to Hogwarts?"
"Yes, you?"
"Uh huh. Which house?"
"Gryffindor, you?"
"Me too, Remus."
"How did you know it was me? And who are you?" Remus asked, bewildered.
"Honestly, Remus, how many redheads are there at Hogwarts. And I just knew it was you, as soon as you said Gryffindor."
"Lily?"
"No, Santa Claus. Of course it's me. Oh, I love that painting over there," Lily said as they danced past a painting of a dark haired woman in an enchanted forest.
"Oh, that's Morgaine le Fay. She's distantly related to the Owens, especially Alex's family."
"So that's why she was so put out when Carrie wanted to come like Morgaine."
"I suppose so."
"Is Potter here?"
"Yes. He was looking for you, so I figured I could save the redheads from his clutches by dancing with them. I never thought I would actually save you."
"Oh, so you pity me, Lupin?" Lily said in a mock offended voice.
"Yes, to have a stalker like James must be tough. You are aware, however, that he won't give up until he get's you?"
"Oh dear, then he'll never give up, will he?"
"James is a nice guy, Lily, just a bit pratty sometimes."
"Right-Ouch!" Someone pushed them together, and before Lily knew it, she was kissing Remus. She pulled apart from him, and both of them blushed.
"I'm sorry, Remus. I didn't mean to, someone pushed me from behind and the next thing I knew I was kissing you. I know you and Ellen are serious, no pun intended, and I think the two of you make a lovely couple."
"It's okay, Lily. It was an accident, let's just forget that, okay? Oh, hey, James." Lily looked behind her and saw James right behind her. He was grinning at Remus and hadn't even noticed her.
"Er, Remus, could I have a word with you, very quickly?"
"Do you mind, Li-, I mean, princess?"
"Not at all, go on. I'll wait for you here."
"So, Remus, does she kiss well? And what about Ellen?" James asked, not even waiting to be a little far from Lily so she wouldn't hear them.
"James, it was an accident. Someone pushed her, and we kissed. And I still like Ellen, okay? So, did you find Lily?"
"No, but- hang on a sec. Is that girl Lily? It is! Remus, I can't believe you kissed Lily!"
"It was an accident, James, and you know that."
"Right, anyway, hey, where is she?" Lily had heard the whole conversation, and had run up the stairs as soon as she got a chance. James bolted after her, and Remus jsut chuckled, and looked for Ellen.
Lily ran to the first room she found, and when she was about to lock the door, James appeared and got into the room. Lily tripped and accidently pushed the door close. When she tried to open it, she found that the door wouldn't budge. Lily turned around and found a smirking James looking at her.
"It can only open from the outside," James said smugly.
"Oh, damn. Now I'm stuck with you."
"Don't sound so cheerful, people might get scared."
"Just ignore me, okay?"
"No way, Evans." James bolted after Lily, who screamed and tried to hide from him, but failing terribly. James cornered her, and smirked at her when he saw her terrorized look. He then started tickling Lily, who soon started shrieking with laughter.
"Will you go out with me?" James asked her, as he stopped tickling her.
"No," Lily said breathlessly. She had hardly regained her breath when he started tickling her again. Suddenly they heard explosions, and shrieks. James hurried to the window and looked at the sky. There, hovering evilly, was an immense glowing skull in the sky, comprised of green sparks. There was a snake coming out of the skull's mouth.
"Shit," James muttered.
"What is it, James?" Lily asked quietly.
"The Dark Mark. The Death Eaters conjure it every time they kill someone."
"Oh no. But remember that attack at Hogsmeade?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Why didn't they conjure it?"
"Because they weren't going to kill anyone, only scare."
"What are we going to do?"
"Nothing, we're locked in, remember?"
"Right, so we're going to just sit here, while Voldemort kills everyone?"
"Evans...we can't do anything."
"Arg!" Lily said as she removed her mask and threw it at the floor.
"Jake, what was that?" Alex whispered.
"Death Eaters, come with me, quick."
"But what about the rest of the people?"
"Alex, we have to hide. They want to kill your family, not the other ones."
"That's comforting."
Alex and Jake ran to the cellar, and waited there for what seemed eternity. Suddenly, Alex couldn't take it anymore, and she ran to her father's study. There she found her parents, completly surrounded by Death Eaters, and a tall figure pointing a wand at them. Her parents were hugging each other, when the tall figure shouted, "Avada Kedavra!" There was a flash of green light, and when Alex looked at the room, she saw her parents lying down with closed eyes and a happy look on their faces. Alex shrieked, and the tall figure looked quickly at her. He chuckled, and Alex saw cold, red eyes looking directly at her.
"And you must be Miss Alexandra, right?" Voldemort asked Alex.
"Yes. I am Alexandra Owens."
"Well, I'm awfully sorry you just saw that, but don't worry. I'll spare you of your death 'til later.
"Oh, I'm honored. Not." And when Alex was about to curse them, they disappeared by some unknown way to Alex, because you couldn't Apparate or Disapparate on the Owens grounds.
Alex ran to her parents and hugged them. A few minutes later Aurors appeared, and began questioning her. Alex simply looked blankly at them, and fainted.
"Someone, help, please! We're locked in!" James shouted. The door opened, and a tall Auror appeared.
"Did the Death Eaters lock you in here?" he asked.
"No, we were, er, running, and when I closed the door we found out it only opened from the outside," Lily said.
"Oh. You two would be...?"
"Oh, Lily Evans, and James Potter," Lily told him.
"Ah, James, your father is alright, and perhaps you could take Miss Evans here to your house, along with the other distraught teenagers?" the Auror pointed to Carrie, Ellen, Esther, Remus, Jake, Peter,and Sirius who were all looking very shaken.
"Right. Come on, Evans, we better go."
"Wait, sir, what about the Owens?" Lily asked.
"Well, Mr. Eric Owens and Mrs. Viviane Owens are both dead, and Alexandra Owens is unconscious, but other than that, they are all well."
"Thank you, sir."