Hello to all my readers! Before I get on with the story, there's something I have to clarify about the last chapter, regarding Lily's feelings towards James.

Lily was grateful for what James had done, but she made a mistake when she said the words 'I owe you one'. When James asked to be friends, Lily agreed, since she had to stick by what she said a while ago. But as the days passed and Lily had to spend a lot more time with him, she began to slowly stop hating him. It was said in a general sense, that's why some of you might be confused about Lily' feelings. And she didn't exactly admit liking James to anyone. After a week, she admitted it to herself only. So, I'm sorry if it was a bit confusing. That chapter was rushed so it wasn't very well-written.

Now, on to the chapter about the ball, where everything ends up in a complete disaster…..

Chapter 11

A Disastrous Revelation

The week of the Magical Educator's Convention passed uneventfully, unless you count having hardly any classes all week, which the students were really glad about. But, everyone was very excited when Saturday came, because it would be the night of the ball. Lily and James had finished everything faster, on account of them being friends already. From the rumors that flew about concerning the ball, everyone knew one thing: That the night would be wonderful.

Oh, if they only knew…….

..------..

It was a few hours later, and the ball was in full swing. . Everyone was presently having dinner, serenaded by an invisible orchestra, occasionally chattering with their friends. Finally, when the last crumbs of the dessert had vanished, Dumbledore stood up and everyone fell silent.

"Good evening. Before we start with the dancing, I would just ask all of you to put your hands together for our guests this evening". On cue, the students and the teachers started to clap. Once it died down, Dumbledore continued, "And now, without further ado, let us welcome Ms. Lily Evans, our Head Girl, and Mr. James Potter, our Head Boy, to start the first dance".

Applause was heard as Lily and James, hand in hand, stepped into the center and began waltzing as the orchestra started playing. As they danced, they made small talk. James couldn't help but notice the many jealous looks he was getting from the male population, who were presently staring at Lily.

And they had good reason too, for Lily was looking gorgeous in a cerulean dress robe with spread out sleeves at the end, her red hair swept up in an elegant knot, with diamond glistening at her throat. James couldn't help but notice how beautiful Lily was looking as well. Slowly, other couples began to join them on he dance floor.

As the night progressed, Lily was asked by quite a number of boys to dance. She gladly accepted, although she noted that dancing with James was always better. She also noticed that James glared quite formidably at every boy who had asked her to dance.

"Look at that guy Lily's dancing with" James said to Sirius, narrowing his eyes as he watched Lily smiling as she danced with a guy from Ravenclaw. "Just look at him. He's got a look in his eyes that says that he doesn't exactly have honorable intentions. I don't trust him, I don't trust him at all"

Sirius rolled his eyes and said, "Please, James. The both of them are only dancing, not getting engaged. And I happen to know for a fact that Jeremy has a girlfriend already, so please, don't act like such a jealous idiot".

"If he has a girlfriend, why doesn't he dance with her?" James retorted darkly. Sirius simply rolled his eyes at his friend; he had never seen anyone so in love with someone as James was to Lily before.

"So, James." Sirius said, changing the subject, "When are you planning to tell her that you're her 'Prince Charming'?"

"Tonight, as a matter of fact. Why?"

James was puzzled when he saw Sirius look so alarmed. "Mate, I don't think that that's such a good idea. I mean, what if he gets mad? You could at least tell her privately" Sirius said.

"She won't get mad. We're friends, remember? She won't hate me, I know it. And besides, if I have to tell her, it should be now, since a lot of people are here, including the Minister and a bunch of other important people. So, if she gets mad at me, she won't get a chance to yell at me, since she wouldn't possibly cause a scene in front of such important people". James looked as though he had forgotten how Lily was like when she was mad.

"Whatever, James. But, when Lily kills you, do we really have to attend your funeral, or can we skip it? You see, I don't really want to see my best friends body, which has been hacked up to pieces by a certain red head, in a casket" Sirius replied. As a response, James threw him a look.

When the song ended, Lily headed over to James. He was sitting in their table, alone, as Sirius, Stacie, Remus, and Alyssa were dancing. Peter had excused himself a few minutes ago.

"Hi. This is a surprise. The great James Potter sitting down, not dancing with the rest of the female population? Shocking indeed" Lily said, in a fake shocked voice as she smiled.

"So, you do admit that I'm great? Finally. Anyway, I'm not dancing with anyone else because I've been waiting to dance with all night". Lily visibly blushed and James continued, "So, would you like to dance? I have something to tell you".

Lily smiled, nodded, and, taking his hand, the two walked back into the dance floor just as a slow romantic ballad was beginning to be played. Incidentally, it was the same one that was played when Lily and James danced during the Christmas Ball.

Remembering, Lily sighed dreamily as she and James started to dance. Then, she realized something strange: the dance, the music, it looked as if she was having a bout of déjà vu. Even the same feelings that she felt during Christmas were there. It was as if James was…..

Realization hit her like a bolt of lightning. She stopped dancing, and said in a voice not her own, "You're……you're him, aren't you? Michael. The mystery guy from the Halloween and Christmas Balls".

Hearing what she said, he realized that she had found out, although it was not the way he had planned to unveil it. He had planned to tell her himself. But, he knew that it was too late for that, so instead he said, "Yes", and in the next five minutes, he told her everything.

"B-but how, why…why did you do this?" Lily asked her face one of shock and disbelief. Then suddenly, she had another realization, although this time, it wasn't a true one. Still, she allowed herself to believe it. Her expression of shock and disbelief was quickly replaced by an angry one, a hurt one.

"No, don't answer that question, because I know perfectly well why you did this" Lily said, her tone sounding cold. Everyone had stopped what they were doing and turned to look at the couple, who were the only ones on the dance floor. "You did this because you really wanted to be the one who made me fall for him. You did this because you wanted to finally win me over, so you could finally win the untouchable Lily Evans. You did this because you wanted to prove to everybody that you could get any girl you wanted. You did this because to you, I looked like a prize, a trophy that you wanted to get. You are so low, Potter!"

"No, Lily, please listen to me, I didn't do it because of that, I swear. I did it because-----"

"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANY OF THE CRAP THAT YOU HAVE TO SAY, BECAUSE GUESS WHAT? YOU'VE ALREADY WON. YOU SUCCEEDED IN YOUR PLAN. THERE, I SAID IT. HAPPY?"

Everyone, including the guests, were looking at them now, Dumbledore sighing but making no effort to stop it. It was beyond fixing anyway.

"Lily, for God's sake, just listen to me. Let me explain why I did it!" James said, his voice rising.

"I'm through listening to your explanations" And with that, Lily ran out of the Great Hall. Naturally, James followed her. She was just by the lake's edge when James finally caught up and grasped her hand to stop her from running any further.

At that moment, rain started to fall, first as a light drizzle, then slowly turning into a steady downpour. (A./N. Really cliché, right?). But the two didn't care that they were soaking wet.

"Lily, please, just hear me out. I'm sorry. But, listen to me, I have to tell you something else, something much, much more important" James pleaded,

"I'm sorry, but I don't talk to people who tell me that they've treated me like some trophy that they wanted to win" Lily replied coldly, the rain mixing with the tears on her face. Then she said the most hurtful words she could have said. "Listen. This is the first and last time I'm going to say this. I want you to leave me alone and just…..get out of my life. Don't come to see me, don't come to talk to me, unless it's absolutely necessary, because frankly, after tonight, I don't want to have anything to do with you again".

That was the final straw for James. He was tired. Tired of the rejection, the fights, everything. So with that in mind, he said coldly, "Fine. If you want me to get out of your life, consider it done". And with that, he let go of Lily and she left, crying. James watched her retreating with a horrible lump in his throat. I just wanted to tell you that I love you, he thought sadly as he made his way back to the castle, wondering how on earth such a simple plan had ended up in a complete mess.

Well? How's that for drama? This is one of the saddest chapters in my story but strangely, I enjoyed writing it a whole lot. Hope you enjoy reading it. Next chapters gonna be even worse, as it's laden with even more drama wherein James calls Lily a…………

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