To Be Young Again
Chapter 25: Commitments
Hey.
Hey!
Are you busy tonight?
Just Transfiguration homework.
Hogsmeade?
Sure!
7. Common Room.
Caitlin nodded at Sirius. She folded up the note, pointed her want at it, and muttered something. It dissolved into ashes. Her lips wore a smug yet happy smile. It would be her and Sirius' first date since they got back together, and she knew it would be great.
James burst into the room, breathless.
"Sorry I'm late," he panted. "Got held up."
Lily eyed him coldly. "You were supposed to be here ten minutes ago, Potter. As Head Boy, you should be fulfilling your duties. Sit. I've just given the prefects their welcome and duties."
"Great. And judging by their looks, they're about ready to fall asleep from that lecture," James remarked.
Lily ignored him. "As some of you may know, this meeting has been called to arrange events for this year. Any ideas?"
"What about a carnival?" A Muggle-born fifth-year, David McCowley, asked.
"Er," Lily looked uncertain but wrote it down anyway.
"Or a ball," Kristen Abbot said dreamily.
"Yeah!" Megan Chleo seconded. "A Yule Ball. At Christmastime."
"It has to fit our budget…" Lily said uneasily.
"Which is…?" James asked.
Lily gave him a You-are-Head-Boy-you-should-know-this glare and told him.
"Easy," James remarked. "All in favor of a Christmas Yule Ball say 'aye'!"
"Aye!" the prefects echoed.
Lily sighed. "I guess it's decided, then."
"You guys agree on anything?" Sirius asked his best friend at four that afternoon.
"Yeah," James said absentmindedly. "Christmas Yule Ball."
"Hmm…" Sirius was deep in thought for a moment. Then he dashed out of the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Thanks!" he called over his shoulder.
James just shrugged.
"Wow," Sirius breathed. "You look… beautiful."
"Thanks," Caitlin blushed. "Where are we going?"
"You'll see." He took her hand.
"In Hogsmeade, they approached a fancy restaurant.
"Oh my god," Caitlin whispered, awestruck. "We're going here?"
"Yup," Sirius grinned proudly. He led her in.
"Well, hello, Mr. Black," the waiter greeted them.
"Hello, Ross," Sirius replied.
"And Miss…?"
"Caitlin Taylor," Caitlin answered him.
"Miss Taylor. Follow me, please."
"So," Caitlin said once they were seated and Ross had left. "We never really got to talk before…"
"Yeah," Sirius cut her off. "Why don't you tell me about yourself?"
"Well," Caitlin started, somewhat taken aback by the interruption, "I really like skiing--a Muggle sport-- and I have one older brother. I like to read, and I… um… I can't really think of much to say about me, though. I have a pretty ordinary life. Well, apart from you," she couldn't resist adding. "Why don't you tell me about yourself?"
"Well," Sirius said quickly, "I am a Marauder, have a younger brother and a pretty normal life, too."
"Um… okay," Caitlin replied uneasily, slightly shocked by his quick, let's-leave-it-there tone.
After their dinner, Sirius suggested, "Let's go for a walk."
"Sirius, it's freezing out there!" Caitlin exclaimed.
Sirius draped his coat around Caitlin and they walked along the grass, admiring the view. When Caitlin's legs grew tired, they sat down upon a hill overlooking Hogsmeade.
Caitlin leaned her head on his shoulder. "This was really romantic, Sirius," she said.
"Caitlin," Sirius said. "Did Lily ever mention anything about a Yule Ball?"
"Yeah," Caitlin replied. "She said that there was going to be one at Christmastime or something. Why?"
"Oh, nothing." There was a pause. Then, "Uh…" Sirius sat up straight. "Caitlin, can I ask you something?"
"Sure. What is it?"
Sirius leaned and pulled something out of his pocket. He presented a small dark blue velvet box to Caitlin.
She looked at him questioningly, but her curiosity got the better of her and she opened it. Inside was a silver necklace, delicate and fragile yet so gloriously beautiful that it took Caitlin's breath away.
"Oh my god," she whispered. "Oh, my, god."
"Do you like it?" Sirius asked shyly.
"Do I like it? It's gorgeous! How could you afford something like this?"
"Never mind," Sirius waved it away. "Caitlin… will you be my date for the Yule Ball? And… the year after that?"
"Oh, my god," Caitlin breathed. "Does this mean…?"
"Yes," Sirius confirmed. "After all these weeks of you nagging me, I've finally decided I'm ready to make a commitment."
Caitlin blushed a little, but glowed. "Sorry about the nagging," she apologized. She hugged him.
"I love you, Sirius Black," she whispered.
"I love you too, Caitlin Taylor."
"Jamesie," a cute blonde sixth-year sidled up to James. "I heard there's a Yule Ball at Christmas coming up…"
James was extremely annoyed. That was the eighth time that day, and classes hadn't even begun yet.
"Yes, I know. Do you have a date yet?"
The girl brightened. "No. I was wondering-"
"Well, you'd better get one," James replied. "'Cause it's not going to be me." He walked away quickly, trying to make it to the Gryffindor Tower where he would be at least somewhat safe from all the dateless girls.
Damn, he thought. Everyone wants to go to the ball with me. But the one person I want to take has no interest in me.
A/N: Thanks everyone for your support! I'm leaving for Washington, D.C. on a class trip on Sunday, May 9th and won't be returning until Saturday, May 15th, so I decided to give you something (short as it may be) to keep you going and not get too mad at me.
Sorry it sucked! And sorry it was so short- I just wanted to give you a little something to keep ya going!
Review please! And give me lots of feedback!
I love you all!
OutofAzkaban
