Chapter 9, Winter Went Dancing

"But mum, I don't want to wear makeup. No correction, I won't wear makeup," Lily stated firmly.

"I wouldn't make her Mrs. Evans, she had a very loud shouting match with her friend at school just before the other one we had," said a voice from outside her window.

"Potter, unless you want to get hurt even more I suggest you leave, it's bad enough you are my escort," Lily snapped.

"Close that window it's not polite to look at a lady while she's getting ready," Mrs. Evans said to James who shut his window, then turned to Lily, "Fine, then don't, but at least let me do something with your hair."

"Fine," Lily said huffily and sat down on the chair. Her mother broke her hair into to halves, a top and bottom, and braided the bottom half. She swung it around to make it look like a crown and put the top half into a bun covered by a white net.

"There, now get dressed we have to leave in an hour," she said walking out her doorway.

Lily sat on her bed and pulled out her book and started to read. "Aren't you supposed to be putting on your dress?"

"What are you, my stalker or something? Get lost, Potter."

"Fine, fine. Hey Padfoot, where are you?" Lily heard James yell as he closed the window.

After Lily wrote a letter to Catherine she was convinced that she had waited long enough and got into the bath. She took twenty minutes but came out smelling like a field of lilies. She put on her dress that was so long that Lily was sure she was going to trip over it, and high-heels that made and inch taller. Luckily they had a big heel, and not those skinny ones because she was definitely sure that her ankle would break.

On her way down the stairs she was holding on to the railing so tight that her knuckles became ghostly white. Just as she reached the landing the doorbell rang, "Scarlet!" she cried hugging her friend, "I have never been more happy to see you!"

"Having a bad time already I see."

"The worst, look at me," she said turning around very carefully so not to trip and tear her dress.

"You look beautiful, I don't see any problems," she said bewildered.

"That's the problem, I look beautiful."

"I don't see a problem with looking beautiful Lily dear, now c'mon we have to go to the car. Yes, Lily you can listen to the radio," Mrs. Evans said predicting what she was going to ask the second they got into the car, Mr. Evans coming behind her.

"Only perk to the entire night," Lily muttered to Scarlet who snickered in response. "By the way, I love your green dress, goes nice with your hair."

"Thanks."

Just as they were pulling out onto the pavement, Mrs. Evans stopped abruptly. She could hear the voices, but couldn't see their faces. "Thanks a lot Mrs. Evans," and the door opened.

Lily groaned loudly and put her head on the window and started to bang it against the ice-cold glass. "Lily stop hitting your head on the window, its not good," Lily mother told her, as James and Sirius came into the car.

"Scarlet shoot me please, pretty, pretty please with whatever you want on top," Lily begged.

"Sorry, I don't want to go to prison."

"You know I'm hurt." Stated James after sitting himself in the car, faking a hurt expression. "The least you could do for your escort is say hello without wanting to kill yourself."

"Shove it."

"Okay," Sirius shoved James, who shoved into Scarlet, who shoved into Lily making her hit her head on the glass.

"Ow, Sirius I didn't mean it literally!" Lily yelled rubbing her head where she hit the window. Mr. Evans was smiling looking through his rear view mirror.

They sat for a while in silence, until Lily started to sing along to the song that was playing on the radio. She nudged Scarlet to tell her to sing too. Scarlet hesitated then started singing, Lily and Scarlet both had huge smiles on their faces. James and Sirius, who hated to be left out, started singing along too.

When that song finished and another came on they all started to sing again. They kept on going until they reached the building. They all got out and thanked Mrs. Evans. Mr. and Mrs. Evans both wished their daughter good luck, as she tried to walk towards the building but was failing miserably.

Just as she was about to fall someone caught her by the arm and pulled her back up. "Thanks," she said without even looking up, "Not at all," was what she heard in response before he walked away. Lily could tell that it was a boy that had caught her.

When she found James standing in all the way in the back she started to go toward him. "Do me a favor, please, and I swear I won't hurt you unless you do something really, really stupid. Don't let me fall."

"Don't worry, I wont," James said slipping his arm under her arm and helping her walk.

"James, why are you so nice to me, even though I'm completely mean around you?" Lily asked, she couldn't help but ask, the words were just floating out of her.

"Because, I know that deep down you are nice. You just find it hard to overlook the flaws that I had in the past," James wasn't even thinking, it just came, as a matter of fact he had never thought about why he liked Lily even thought about why he liked her when she was so hateful to him.

"But you're still arrogant, and conceited, and-"

"I've got flaws, so who hasn't, but the big thing is that I'm not as conceited as I was when I was younger. That's your flaw, the inability to see the good in people, the inability to trust people," James said as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

Lily walked in silence, then started to say:

Winter went dancing

All over town

In her slippers

And snowball gown.

She danced on the rooftops

And waltzed with trees,

And gales of her laughter

Made rivers freeze.

This morning I looked

To see where she'd gone;

I found Winter's jewels

All over the lawn.

And there on my window

I found a small trace

Of Winter's most elegant frosted Lace.

"What?"

"A poem, by Jennifer Jesseph. I think of it every time I see snow, or think of snow. It's called Winter Went Dancing," Lily explained.

"All right, be quiet now you two," the woman with the graying hair said.

They all gathered on the edge of the dance floor. Families of every person were seated at round tables that could seat four people. "James where are your parents?" Lily whispered.

"They probably had a run in with the floo network, can't really floo in a muggle area, the Ministry doesn't like it," James whispered back.

"Welcome to the Lady's and Gentlemen's Ball!" said the announcer on the stage, "I have been informed that there is a birthday girl present at the party."

"No, no, this is not happening," Lily muttered turning her head behind James's back.

"Since it is a joyous occasion may we have the birthday girl and her escort please come up to the center and dance the first dance."

"C'mon James, let's get this over with, and please don't let me make a fool of myself," Lily begged, as they approached the center. As they moved closer together the music started.

"You never told me it was your birthday, why?"

"I hate my birthday James, every year my mum has to do something that involves me being the center of attention, and every year I tell her not too. I love my dad, he knows me, and my mum though has no idea. It's rather sad, and you know already that I argue with non- stop. She gets along with Petunia much better."

"How about this year, when we get back to Hogwarts I'll give you your perfect birthday party, sweet and simple."

"Really, you would do that for me, but…."

"Everyone deserves one birthday that they enjoy. No matter whom, well, maybe Snivillius. Is that a snicker I hear? Well, I thought I'd never see the day when Lily Evans laughs at James Potters jokes."

They danced for a while, through many songs, just staring into each other's eyes when Lily said, "I'm sorry James. I'm sorry for everything. All the years at school" -("Lily," James was trying to get her attention)-, the kick I gave you and Sirius yesterday"- ("Lily," James tried again)- "calling you all those bad things"- ("Lily," he said a little louder than the last two but still had no effect)- "the gingerbread man-"

James couldn't get Lily to stop talking so he just kissed her, but he was so surprised when she was kissing him back. "Sorry, I couldn't get you to stop talking my little red snowflake."

There was a very loud bang as a wall came tumbling down. People were screaming everywhere. This place that was once calm was now a zone of chaos. Lily's bright white dress was flecked with dirt and debris. An evil high cold laugh could be heard echoing throughout the hall. Darkly cloaked figures were coming out of the wall that had fallen and they were wearing masks.

People were yelling curses everywhere, there were some on the floor who looked like they had blacked out. Some hanging in mid air and still a loud high-pitched crackle could be heard over yelling.

"James did you bring your wand?" Lily asked nervously.

"Yes, did you?"

"No."

"Accio Wand!" James yelled and Lily's wand came right into his hand. He tossed it to her.

"Voldemort show yourself, you coward!" Lily yelled, "Send your faithful Death Eaters to do your work, show yourself!" she wasn't really talking to someone just the air.

"How dare you call him a coward you silly little girl."

"Excuse me, little, this damn dress! Diffindo!" Lily's dress cut itself to a better length in which Lily could run in and cut the heel off her shoe so she could run without spraining her ankle.

"Now, now, Lucious, calm down. You dare call me a coward, girl," said an ice cold drawling voice.

"Yes Voldemort, a coward, you send your servants to do all the dirty work," Lily said glaring daggers.

"Well, it seems we have a brave little one here. Yes, you may prove useful if you join us, I shall spare your life if you do, of course.

"Of course I'll join," lily said simply, "WHEN YOU DIE AND GO TO HELL! YOU UGLY NASTY, FILTY, TOE RAG! OF COURSE I WON'T JOIN YOU, NEVER!"

"Tut, tut, Lily, you should learn to keep that temper of yours in check. Maybe your friend here will join me, the wiser decision."

"NEVER! I'D RATHER DIE FIGHTING FOR MY LIFE THAN GO WITH YOU. RIGHT PADFOOT!"

"DEFINATLY! PREPARE TO BATTLE US, 'CAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING DOWN EASY!" Sirius said psyched pulling out his wand. He loved it when people were in danger.

"How about I give you a little taste of my power, Crucio!" Sirius dodged the attack, "Ha gotta do better than that Voldie!"

"Accio Potter!" James flew into his hands and Voldemort had him in a strong bind, his wand was pointed at his temple.

"James, NO!"

"Ah, so the little mudblood loves Potter, what would happen if I were to say Imperio!"

James started to pick up his wand and pointed it at Lily. His eyes were unfocused. "James, don't do this, c'mon, I know you, don't. James it's me Lily, give me the wand," Lily said calmly ignoring the fact that she was trembling inside.

"Prongs, c'mon, give Lily the wand," Sirius was walking closer to James.

"Lily, help, it's hard," James whispered, for a second he was back, but then he had gone again.

"Prongs I'm very sorry for this but, Stupefy!" James was hit in the side by a flash of red light.

"Sirius you hold them off while I go wake James!" Lily yelled running for James. Once she reached him she pointed her wand at James's chest and muttered a spell. "You can still-"

"Yes, Petrificus Totalus!" The Death Eater that was standing behind Lily froze as stiff as a board.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

"Crucio!" Sirius's screams could be heard from a mile away.

"Stop! Stop! Voldemort it's me you want, not them, they've done nothing. Leave them out!" Lily shouted. Almost all the muggles had been knocked unconscious, Scarlet and Paul were left with Lily's parents under the table that had been turned over, and were watching.

"The mudblood is being noble, doesn't want lives paid to keep her alive."

"Yes! It's me you want! SCARLET NO!"

Scarlet had just run out from the table and smashed right into Voldemort. "Lily do something, hit him, anything, now!" she heard Scarlet yell.

"Diffindo! Stupefy! Impedimenta!" Lily shouted, all he curses were blocked as the Death Eaters came closer and closer. One had shot a green light directly at Scarlet and she fell with a thump on the floor.

"SCARLET NO!" Lily outraged, shooting every curse she knew at them. James and Sirius talking very fast in low voices, then James turned to Lily and said in a hushed voice, "On the count of three Lily I want you to charm that table over there so that it sounds like Dumbledore. The second he leaves we can go revive all the muggles.

"How d'you know he'll leave?" Lily whispered back.

"We know, trust us," James said.

"THREE!" Sirius yelled.

Lily performed the spell and James had transfigured it to look like Dumbledore. "Hello Tom," it said with a deathly glare.

"Dumbledore! Advada Kedavra!" A get of green light shot out of his wand and was headed straight for Dumbledore. Just as it was about to collide with him something swooped down and swallowed it, then burst into flames.

"I will be back Dumbledore, you haven't won!" and with that said, the snow came around him and when it had gone, he was no where in sight.

"Yes, great transfiguration Prongs," Sirius praised him," You too Lily, sounds exactly like him."

"Er… Sirius, I think that's the real Dumbledore."

"What would make you think that Lily."

"Because his phoenix just swallowed the curse."

"Oh."

"Very good Miss. Evans," Dumbledore said walking closer to them. "Can you tell me what happened just now?"

"Voldemort came and started to attack innocent muggles, then we tried to fight him, and we thought that if we could get something that looked like you to come, he might leave, and Lily said something about him wanting her not the others. Then you came and he went," explained James really fast.

"Ah, makes perfect sense."

"You can come out now!" Lily yelled into the air, they all waited until everyone was out.

"Mum! Dad! Are you okay?" Lily asked running to her parents.

"Perfectly fine, you were so brave," Lily's father said hugging her.

"Yes, very brave indeed," her mother agreed.

"Sir, why did Voldemort want Lily?" asked Sirius.

"Miss. Evans, would you like to tell them why?" asked Dumbledore.

"Well, it's complicated you see. I guess I should start with my eyes, seeing as how they're green," she started turning around to face them. "Green is a common color, I know, but, er, let me start over. There is a torch that people haven't seen in years and are starting to think it doesn't exist. It emits not red or blue or yellow flames, but green. The only people who were known to work it properly were those who had green eyes, though all who had green eyes couldn't work it, there was something else that showed they could," Lily started to roll up her left sleeve to her dress, showing a green line, "this."

"But what does the torch do?" asked James.

"The Green Flame Torch, puts a stopper to all things evil and replaces it with good things. For example, hate is replaced with love, and cold is replaced with warmth. This green line appeared the second I found out that I was a witch, but I told no one, and because I can control it, he's afraid that I will over throw him."

"How do you know all of this?" James asked amazed.

"Professor Dumbledore told me when I was in fifth year, and he warned me something like this would happen," Lily finished looking around the room. "I can't believe he did this, Scarlet," Lily whispered walking to her.

"And this won't be the last time either, he's bound to come back," replied Dumbledore, "Aw, there's my little Fawkes." He bent down and scooped up his pet phoenix from the pile of ashes.

"Miss. Evans, I shall see you at school, I must go and inform the Order about this, good day."

"I'll go call the police, just a precaution if no one heard anything, which I doubt," Mrs. Evans walked outside. Her once black dress was now covered in dirt.

"I can't believe this, I'm going to kill him if it's the last thing I do!" she yelled balling up her fists, "and when I was wearing this stupid dress and stupid shoes."

"Calm down honey, it'll be all right, shh," Mr. Evans tried to calm his daughter down. Lily looked like she would cry any minute, but James knew Lily and she never cried in all the years he that ever knew her.

"I'm sorry Scarlet," she whispered.

"It'll be okay," James walked up to her.

"No it wont, there's no way I'll see her again James, she's not a witch she can't turn into a ghost."

"You'll see her when you die," Sirius replied quietly.

"I guess."

"The police are coming, we can go when they come," said Mrs. Evans walking through the door.

"Paul, are you okay, you haven't moved in a long time. Paul, Paul?"

He just stood there, almost lifeless, staring into space. James and Sirius were trying to see if they could revive any people. "Try the waking up spell, maybe that'll do it."

"Yeah, ennerverate!" Paul jumped with a start, "What just happened?"

"Should I perform the memory charm on the people?"

"Yes, I reckon Dumbledore would like that," answered Sirius.

Lily went around to everyone that was awake and performed the charm. By the time they finished the police had come. Lily was so thankful that she could go home.

"That had to be the most exciting thing too bad I'm going to get into trouble with the Ministry for using magic," she said quietly, she was so tired from the day that she could barely talk.

"They'll let you off the hook. They have to because your life was at risk." Lily didn't hear anything of what James just said because she fell asleep with her head on his shoulder. When they got home Mr. Evans picked up his daughter and put her into her bed. James and Sirius walked back to their houses dragging their feet, half asleep.