Lily sat in the common room gazing at the beauty of the fire and absorbing its warmth. Her hair was wet from a shower she had just taken to remove the gum from her hair. Paige and Lizbeth had tugged at the gum and after a while they decided to put peanut butter and vegetable oil in it to remove the disgusting mob of pink gum. Their planned work and Lily's hair was once again gum free.
Her friends had returned to the dance, and now Lily was alone to remember all the events of the evening. She felt absolutely terrible about ditching Snape. She hoped he would understand. Although she frowned, she never had the chance to ask him. She sighed looking away from the dancing flames. "I completely forgot to ask him if he had seen anyone that night, when Remus and I," she interrupted herself, "What would Kaitlin say?"
Just then through the door came a group of Gryfindor 5th years back from the dance. "Hey babe!" Kailtlin called, flopping on to the couch next to her.
"Hi," she responded, then turn to Brooke, "Look at those shoes!"
"I like them," Brooke smiled.
"But you're taller than anyone else without them!" Lily cried, "I feel small."
"Oh and Lizbeth," Lily smiled, "Thank you for helping with the gum!"
"Not a problem."
"Now why didn't you dance with James!" Kaitlin asked.
"Well, I wonder!" Lily sighed.
She cleared her voice and began to list many, many reasons.
Kailtin just laughed. "I didn't see you dancing with Remus." Lily added.
"Well, I didn't."
"That would explain it." Brooke said.
The room went unexpectedly quite. "Well, I'm gonna go to bed," Lizbeth announced.
"Me too," Brooke and Kaitlin agreed.
Lily yawned she didn't want to move.
"I'll be up in a minute," Lily answered the silence.
The girls all headed up stairs and through the portrait hole came the boys. Lily had one extra moment to herself before the Gryfindor boys entered. They took over Lily's space before the fire without even acknowledging her. They were all silent, Lily wasn't sure if it was exhaustion or disappointment that made them so quiet. She stood, "Goodnight," she crossed in front of the fire and began up the stairs. There was a delayed goodnight from the boys just as she entered her room.
The girls were already in bed. Lily walked over to her trunk and dressed for bed. Once she had finally slipped into the warmth of her bed, Kaitlin couldn't keep quiet any longer.
"So," She said.
"How can I help you?" Lily flopped on her side.
"Tell me about Snape!"
At this Lily heard the other two reposition themselves to hear the conversation. "There isn't anything to tell."
"Oh please!" Kaitlin begged.
"Really, nothing." She said out loud.
The conversation had ended with disappointment for Lizbeth, Brooke and Kaitlin and with anger and frustration for Lily.