Toying with Potter

Chapter 7: Of Hogsmeade, Dates, and Dresses

A/N: Just read. Explanations are at the bottom. Be sure you read them.

Disclaimer: I asked my mirror, "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the best writer of them all." The mirror said J.K. Rowling. I stared back into the mirror and found, not to my surprise, that I am not her.

The day of the Hogsmeade trip soon arrived and everyone had seemed to find someone to go with. Remus had asked Lauren around the same time Sirius asked Kari. Lily was happy for her friends. She had spent some time with Sirius and Remus and she had had great times. They were really fun to be around.

The day the Hogsmeade trip was scheduled was the same time notices about the Christmas dance were put up in all the Common Rooms. Lily had given James the task of making the notices, and he had done a fairly good job.

The Hogwarts Christmas dance will take place December 20th from 8-12. The dance is open to 4th years and older. Younger students may ask the Head Boy or Girl if this can be changed. We will of course say no! But older students may ask a younger student if they wish. Muggle attire will be worn, and there will be several opportunities to acquire these clothes via Hogsmeade. We hope you will join us at this wonderful event.

James Potter, Head Boy

Lily Evans, Head Girl

"Good job James," Lily said after reading the notice.

"Thank you. Shall we go down?"

"Ok, but I'm meeting Kari and Lauren in a couple of hours, and we're going to shop for dresses."

"Can Sirius, Remus and I come?"

"No! It has to be a surprise!"

"Fine, be that way." He pouted and crossed his arms.

"You won't be sad when you see me all pretty in my dress. You'll be very glad I made you wait. It'll be a nice surprise for you."

"True, I'll give you that. Now come on! Let's go!"

They spent the next 2 hours going from store to store window-shopping and trying free samples from food stores. James bought Lily a Sugar Quill and she bought him a Chocolate Frog, though she ended up eating most of it anyway. They entered the Three Broomsticks once they had finished their candy, found their friends and sat down. James bought Lily and himself butterbeers and they sat down quietly, sipping their drinks and listening to their friends' conversations. About a quarter of an hour later, Kari got up and declared that they should go and buy their dresses.

"But Kari!" Sirius whined, "You have forever to get a dress. I mean…you have like a month!"

"I know, but I want to get a pretty dress and look pretty for my date."

"WHAT! SOMEONE'S ALREADY ASKED YOU?" The whole pub went quiet. Kari smirked at him.

"No, I haven't been asked yet."

"Oh…do you…want to come with me?"

"Sure."

Remus whispered something into Lauren's ear. She smiled and nodded, then followed Kari and Lily out of the pub. They headed down the street and entered a small boutique selling formal Muggle attire.

"So what did Remus say that's making you this happy?" Lily asked Lauren as they started thumbing through dresses.

"Oh, he just asked me to the dance, but the method he used was slightly different than the method used by Kari's man."

Kari smiled. "I liked Sirius's method. He's a really fun guy to be around."

"Yeah, Remus is pretty cool as well." The two girls fell quiet and reminisced about their dates.

A few hours later

"I've found the perfect dress!" Three voices sounded from three different parts of the store. The three friends ran into the fitting rooms to try them on. After a few moments, Lauren's voice sounded through the fitting rooms.

"Ok, everyone ready?"

"Yes!" came the answer.

"Ok, on the count of three…one…two…three…"

The girls unlocked their doors and stepped out. They took one good look at each other's dresses and squealed. Their dresses were absolutely gorgeous.

Lily had chosen a deep forest green, halter-top, floor length dress. The dress came down about halfway down her back and there was a slit coming up to about mid-thigh on her left leg. It brought out her eyes very well. (A/N: This is what a dress I bough looks like, except it comes up higher on the back and it's black. You know, just to let you know. I don't know why this is important but whatever.) The dress fit like a glove and Lily, for once, felt very sexy.

Kari had chosen a floor length, strapless, deep blue dress that brought out her eyes. The dress was decorated with sequins galore and it was very beautiful. Lily was sure that Sirius would go crazy once he saw Kari.

Lauren chose a knee-high, red, strapless dress that hugged all the right places of her curvy figure. There was a bow sown into the back on it with a ribbon going across her stomach. (A/N: I hope you all are picturing the same dresses I am picturing. If not, then I hope you're picturing something pretty.) It was agreed. They were all going to get those dresses. They picked out matching shoes, paid for their merchandise and headed out to meet the awaiting guys.

"Finally, what took you so long?" James asked stepping forward.

"Seriously!" Sirius said.

"We're just girls shopping for dresses!" Lauren said innocently.

"For the love of Merlin!" James said, and they headed off towards the castle.

The next morning

By the next morning it was common knowledge that all the Marauders, except Peter (A/N: Whom the author does not like so he will be mentioned very little and very briefly. He has no purpose in the plot anyway.), had found dates to the Christmas dance. The female population again suffered, but got over that fact rather quickly. Everyone knew that Lily was going with James, and there was no reason for James to ask her, but James's mind was very strange.

James had a funny way of asking Lily to the dance. He waited until the Great Hall was filled before climbing onto the table.

"James don't do that you're Head Boy!" Lily shrieked, but he paid no attention to her.

"If I could have your attention please," he said in a loud voice. The Great Hall went quiet. Some students pointed and giggled at him, but he didn't seem to mind.

"I'd just like to ask Lily something and I didn't think that she would hear me with all of this noise so I'll make it snappy…Lily…" he addressed a blushing Lily that was sinking in her seat. "Will you go to the Christmas dance with me?" Several girls scowled heavily at Lily.

"Yes, I will…now will you please get down from there?" she hissed through clenched teeth.

"Certainly Lily-flower." He jumped off the table and sat back down next to her.

"Well Jamsie, you're method certainly beat mine!" Sirius exclaimed.

"Thanks, and don't call me Jamsie."

"James," Lily said, though she was laughing slightly, "if you ever do that again I will completely disown you!"

"Point taken Lily-of-the-Valley!" he said and gave her a swift kiss on the lips.

"What's with the sudden outburst of nicknames?" Lauren said.

No one had time to answer her because at that precise moment, an owl swooped overhead and dropped a letter in Lily's lap. She recognized the swirly handwriting as her mother's and tore open the letter. She skimmed through it and then read it aloud.

Dear Lily,

How are you darling? Your last letter was such a joy to read. I'm glad that you are enjoying your last year at Hogwarts. As you may recall, Petunia was engaged to that charming Vernon Dursley. Do you remember? Anyway, they've decided that they are going to get married during the holidays. Isn't that wonderful? You of course will be a bridesmaid and your dress should be arriving shortly. It's such a lovely color; Petunia really does have good taste. Anyway, I eagerly await your next letter. Your father says hello. I can't wait to see you this Christmas.

With love,

Mother

"Great, Petunia's getting married," Lily said indignantly.

"Well shouldn't you be happy?" James asked, a little confused.

"Happy to get Petunia out of the house? Yes. But having to be related to that Dursely fellow? No! He hates me!"

"How could anyone hate my Lily?" James asked.

"Your fan club does," Lily said bitterly.

"True, but that's not the point."

"Oh, and what is the point James?"

"…Come back to me on that."

A/N: Finally! I'm done. Sorry it took such a long time. I was going to post this about a week ago but then I found a segment of this chapter in my Algebra book and I realized that I hadn't put it then. Then I went back to add it and I just kept on adding things and yeah.

I do have the rest of my chapters planned. Now planned is not the same thing as written. I know what is going to happen from here to the end. I'm planning on making this about 15 chapters long. Around that length, just don't questions how I'm going to do it. As I've said, I have it planned.

It may take me a little longer to get chapter 8 up. That's just because I really have to think about what goes where. It'll be good and long, I promise.

THANK YOU NOMOREDANCINGANDSINGING FOR REVIEWING 5 TIMES!

Ok, on to my reviewers!

33- You're right. And I'm glad to say that I have updated.

Arizona- Glad that you liked it. So have you read the 6th chapter yet? Oh, and did you see your part in chapter 6?

Unfortunately Freckled- I know what you mean you perv! Sheesh! Flirting makes me feel fuzzy too. Yeah, you're right, we do need boyfriends. So you love the guilt? You should wait until my Valentine's chapter, which is, I'm going to reveal, is when I plan to make Lily's birthday on.

Ocean-Poweress- Thanks for reviewing. You put James's in your review. Is that not grammatically correct? I think it is.

Oceandreamz- I loved your chapter! Oh and the flower thing is called a corsage. You're welcome about the whole story thing; I figured you might not notice.

Karly- Thanks for reviewing. I will of course write more.

Sheyana- Thank you so much for all of those fairy-tale thing tips. I will definitely use them in the next chapter and refer to you when I do! I may email you to ask for a few more suggestions…keep on the lookout.

Dweem-angel- I'm glad you liked the fluff. I hoped someone would, though I think everyone else did. Anyway, thanks for your help on the theme. I'll use it definitely!

Amandinka- Thanks for your review.

Nomoredancingandsinging- Thank you for reviewing…er…5 times, but I enjoyed reading them. They were entertaining. Hope you liked this chapter.

Akasha of Night- Thank you #39! Thing are starting to heat up. They will heat up even more. Hope you liked this chapter!

Whew! Ok, coming up in the next chapter:

Lily and James decorate Hogwarts for the Holidays

Mistletoe "incident"

Everyone attends the dance

Chapter 8 will be very long actually, and so it will take some time to write. I think I'll begin writing tomorrow in History instead of listening to my crazy man teacher preach about History crap that I already know. I mean, it's a really easy class.

Ok, good night, in accordance to my time zone. Good morning, evening, or afternoon, depending on where you live. Pick one.