15th September
Common Room
Sorry I haven't been writing for a while - McGonagoll has given so much homework to us it is impossible to even see over the top of all the work piled in front of you.
Nothing comes close, however, to the amount of Defence Against the Dark Arts stuff I have to catch up on. And Lupin has even given me homework! I swear, if I get all this done on time, it will be a miracle. Seriously. But it is the NEWT exams this year, … but that's not for, like, seven months!
I shall be calm now. I have a steaming mug of hot chocolate in front of me, courtesy of the kitchens! James showed me how to get in. (Well, it's not steaming any more, it's got a bit too cold and has a thin skin on the top it, like cling film. Don't think I'll be drinking that in a hurry then…)
I had a look at the ball notice yesterday, just to check out if Potter was telling the truth.
Yup, prefects and head Boy/Girl have to open the dance. Woo-hoo. I am so excited about it. NOT!
It's in a month. Plenty of time to be asked by people other than James…
AUTHORS NOTE - I have skipped ahead to October because I can't think of anything to fill in the gap between now and the Ball. Hope you like!
October 17th
Lunch
Sirius is pestering me again. He keeps flicking Dungbombs into my hair, then mouthing across the classroom when he's got my attention. I have now learnt never to trust Sirius Black.
What he keeps mouthing across the classroom is 'Will you go to the Ball with James?'.
I am ignoring you Sirius Black. Time for some more psychic vibes… Sirius Black - shut up!
Still October 17th
Common Room
Lily Evans, you rock at Psychic Vibes!!!!
Not one comment from Black! Wooo!
October 18th
Lunch
Just call me matchmaker!
OK, last Thursday Anna was moaning about how she wished someone would ask her to the Ball. Rachel had already been asked by Daniel Cleavers, who had just broken up with Lianna Davies, so she was happy, and I had my whole Potter-had-asked-me-but-I-hadn't-said-anything-back thing going on.
And as Anna was complaining about all this to Rachel, about how she wished she could ask him, but what if he says no, blah blah blah - whilst I was writing my diary - I just got so fed up with it, I slammed the book shut and strode over to Remus - in the middle of Charms! (it was OK, we were doing a practical lesson).
'Look,' I said impatiently to Remus, 'do you have a date yet for the Ball?'
I swear as I said that, Potters face fell a hundred miles. Ha.
'No,' said Remus, glancing at James worriedly.
'Don't worry - I'm not going to ask you,' I said to Remus. He looked relieved. 'But you know my friend Anna?'
He nodded.
'Will you go with her?'
'Um…. Really? I'd like to.'
'Really? So is that a yes? You'll really go with her?' I was amazed at my own matchmaking.
'Yeah.'
'OK, thanks.'
And I went back to Anna and told her the news, earning a hug and a huge slab of Honeydukes chocolate (a few days later, of course).
And as she hugged me, I thought to myself. Now my friends are sorted for the Ball, what about me?
October 19th
Potions
Ugh. Paul Parkinson from Slytherin just asked me to go to the Ball with him. I think I will agree. NOT!!!!! I am not one to criticize others misfortunate delinquencies, as I have so many of my own, but Paul Parkinson is disgusting. His face is like a small volcano that erupts pus instead of lava (due to his acne), and he has really small eyes. I mean it. I seriously cannot stand people with small eyes.
Like Peter Pettigrew. He is such a rat. Literally. He actually thought that Rachel would go to the Ball with him. That is revolting. Who would go to a Ball with a fat, small, pointy-nosed, small-eyed thing like Peter Pettigrew?
With all due respect, I am sure he is a nice person and all, but I cannot say I would want to get to know him.
I don't see why James, Sirius and Remus hang around with him. I know that likeability is not based on looks (I sure do know, because why would Rachel and Anna be hanging out with me if it was?), but from what I have gathered over the past six years, he is not the most charming person to be around.
Anyway, what was I talking about?
Oh yeah - Mr Parkinson. I am sorry to inform you, but… NO!
October 20th
Dumbledore's Office
I am missing Potions!!! Whoopee!!!!!!!
Calm Lily, be calm. Breathe…
The prefects and Head Boy/Girl are partially responsible for the organization of the Hallowe'en Ball. We are in charge of decorations. (as I have been told right this instant by a cheerful Professor Dumbledore. I actually don't know why he is cheerful - I mean, his bird looks really ill, kinda on the brink of death. When I pointed this out, he just laughed! Laughed! I know he is a genius and all, but he is a mad genius, if you ask me. Though no one did. Oh well.)
So, here I am, sitting in Dumbledore's office (missing Potions!!!). I do not mean to be disrespectful and I am not ignoring you, Professor Dumbledore, but I would like to write what you are saying down, for, you know, future reference. Sort of.
I have found myself sitting next to James. How strange. We haven't talked for a while. He is staring at Professor Dumbledore.
I think I will listen now.
Still in Dumbledore's Office
We have it all planned out.
Instead of the floating candles, we will have floating carved pumpkins. Instead of the house drapes, there will be orange and black ones. Plus, there will be live bats flapping around. Not a lot, mind you. Enough. And the tables are to be arranged in a semi circle facing the band - the Wailing Warlocks, of course, who else?
And there are to be several crates of Butterbeer coming, courtesy of Madam Loretta. Also, a few dozen jars of Honeyduke sweets. My mouth is watering even thinking about them.
I've volunteered to help collect the sweets and Butterbeer tha fternoon before the actual Ball. So has Kavitra Palmer from Ravenclaw, Amelia Sanchez from Hufflepuff, and James Potter, from the well-known Gryffindor.
I am having to say he is surprising me. He is actually nice to be around. Sometimes.
Also, I have recalled thinking about him once too often. Thinking about him in a friendlier way. Maybe even a way that I might agree to go to the Ball with him.
But then again, I am a hard person to please, so I might not. ??
October 21st
I think I will go to the Ball with James Potter. Or maybe not. I don't know…
October 22nd
I'm not sure. Shall I?
October 23rd
Both Anna and Rachel think I should. I still am not sure. But there is less than a week to go! And I still haven't decided…
October 24th
Library
I have resulted to desperate measures. Remus.
I sit down at the round table in the library. Wait, sit is not the right word. Oh, I got it. I collapse at the round table in the library.
'You look … exhausted.' says Remus, not looking from over his book.
'Thanks, you don't look to good yourself.' I snap. I am in a foul mood. I had double Charms today, with double homework.
'What's up?' he asks, not tearing his eyes from the pages of his precious book.
'Nothing.'
'Sure,' he says ironically, still looking at the book.
'Well if you really must know…'
He finally lays down his book. And I spill into a whole account of what's going on. The Potter thing. How I feel. What I'm considering. And whilst I'm saying it, part of me is yelling 'Why are you doing this? This is Remus Lupin you are blabbing to! He is not interested! He is a genius and a future Dumbledore (maybe just a little less mad) and one of Potter's friends! Stop!' But I keep going.
Remus looks at me.
'Well, do you want to know what I think?' he says.
'Well, of course not. I just spewed my guts for you not to tell me what to do.'
'Right.' he says. 'Well, I can't tell you what to do, I can give you an idea…'
'Just get on with it!' Maybe he isn't a genius quite yet.
'OK. I think you should give him a chance. You know, all that stuff you said, that's sort of what James was hoping you'd see him as. A friend, a nice person.'
'This is not helping in the slightest.' I say moodily.
'Will you chill? You asked for my help now I'm giving it to you!' I have never seen Remus get mad. I mean, never. He is so refrigerated. Cool as ice. Nothing bothers him.
'James is one of my best friends. He has put a lot of effort into getting you to like him. So just give him a chance, OK?'
'You sure?' I look at him intently. I never normally take advice from anyone apart from Anna and Rachel. But I am desperate.
'Yeah, I'm sure.'
And as I bit my nails (they so need to grow before the Ball), I made my decision.
Common Room
I spot James right away, watching Peter and Sirius' game of chess. I tap him on the shoulder, and he springs from his armchair.
'Hey, Lily.' he looks genuinely pleased to see me.
'Can I talk to you for a moment?' I ask him.
'Sure.' We step over towards the notice board, out of earshot. But that doesn't stop Anna and Rachel, who are pretending to be finishing their lunar charts, from listening in.
'Right. Eh…' I don't know what to start with. So instead, I just blurt it all out. 'Um, you know the Ball? The Hallowe'en one?'
'Yeah,' says James slowly, looking hopeful.
'Do you still want to go with me?'
His brown eyes look startled as they look into mine. 'Sure I do. Why?'
'Well, the thing is… I'd like to go with you too.' I can feel my cheeks burning furiously as I say this. I really hate blushing. When your cheeks blaze and you also have flaming red hair, it looks as if someone has set a match to you.
'Really?' he asks.
'Yeah, really. If that's OK with you.'
'It's fine by me.'
'OK.' I smile awkwardly.
Our silence is broken by Sirius.
'Oi! Potter! What you doing over there?' then he spots me. 'Ah, Lily. Never mind then.'
'No, I'm coming,' he says quickly.
'Wait, where shall I meet you?' I ask.
'Out here?'
'OK, see you.'
'Bye.'
As I sit down in an armchair, Anna and Rachel are watching me eagerly, as if about to burst.
'What?'
'You know.'
No actually, I don't - but I feel too weird to argue.
October 26th
Breakfast
Mum wrote today. I have copied it into my journal. It is thoroughly sickening. (The bits in brackets and not in italics are mine).
Hi Lily!
Hope everything's OK at Hogwarts, me, Dad and Petunia are fine.
I have HUGE news to tell you - Petunia is getting married! As you know, it was her 21st birthday last week (oops) and we all (meaning Dad, Petunia, Vernon and I) went out for a family meal. During the dessert, Vernon got down on one knee (must've been a bit of a struggle) and proposed!!! It was so sweet! He gave her a ring and she blushed and said yes, then we spent all the rest of the evening discussing plans!!!
She is to be married on the 14th February (Valentines Day) and you are to be a bridesmaid. With a beautiful gorgeous ivory dress and white lilies (how appropriate) in your hair! And Petunia will be wearing a lilac silk dress with petunia's in her hair and a bouqeut of pink roses!
I have already written to Professor Dumbledore requesting you to be absent for a few days, so you needn't worry. (Of course I won't.)
I can't tell you how proud I am that your sister is to be married!
How are things with you? Have you found romance yet?
Please write back soon,
Lots of love, Mum, Dad and Petunia (and Vernon, of course). (EW!)
Well, that was a surprise. Let me tell you, that Vernon Dursley is a very large man. VERY large. I can't understand what Petunia sees in him. Not a lot.
Lunch
Haven't seen James yet.
Anna and Rachel find the marriage hilarious. I don't. Well, maybe just a little….
HA! VERNON IN A SUIT????? HA HA HA HA!!!!! HE'LL NEED A CUSTOM MADE ONE!!!!!!! HA HA HA HA HA ah Ah AHH AHHHHHH CHOKING ON ONESELF'S OWN LAUGHTER…. Cough….splutter… dying here…………….
OK. I'm good now.
HA!
27th October
James said hi to me today. I said hi back. We have really great conversational skills.
28th October
3 days until Ball
I am starting to get worried about this whole James thing. What if - say after the Ball - I go out with him, will he go back to being a conceited idiot? And will he drop me from some bimbo when he gets bored of me?
Consultation required. Must find Rachel and Anna.
29th October
2 days until Ball
They think he's OK. Trying to trust their judgement… Oh well. As my mum says, only time will tell.
30th October
1 day until Ball!!!
1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! 1 day until Ball!!! BE CALM LILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Be….
Calm…….
Lily…..
One Day Til Ball!!!!!
31st October
BALL DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Common Room
The decorations are looking f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s-o if I do say so myself. Nothing beats a couple of hundred floating pumpkins, live bats, Butterbeer and Honeyduke sweets.
Oh yeah, about that.
Well, as me and James were walking (together) to get the Hogsmeade stuff, we were talking - as most sane people do - and we had just got into the shop when I got this really weird feeling. All the time we'd been walking I had not once thought of James as being - well, you know, James. I'd thought of him as just someone to talk to. A friend almost. It was kind of weird. Then, just as suddenly, I realised that James was a boy. And I was going to a Ball with him. And I started getting really hot, and my voice went really high-pitched. And started to get really worried. It was like, 2 o'clock - 5 hours away from the Ball. I was panicking.
I mean, the last boy I went out with was called Danny Somersands, and that was at playgroup. We shared our milk (two straws in one bottle), and our cookies and we held hands whilst our teacher read us stories. It was so cute!
But that was the last boyfriend I had.
And now James. And this stupid Ball.
I was actually looking forward to it this morning, but now I'm dreading it.