His Final Year
Chapter Seventeen: Thank-you Fate
After very little persuasion, Dumbledore made it known to the entire school that a dance was to take place. The Friday before holidays began, forth years and up were invited to the dance. And the Thursday before the dance, Hogsmeade was buzzing with tons of excited girls and many not quite as excited boys. The Marauders, Lily, Alex, and Mel all walked down to the village together, stopping right before they entered.
James grabbed Alex and darted behind a tree really fast. Lily and Sirius, as well as the others, stood shocked for a minute, then started toward them. Before they could reach them, James and Alex reappeared, Alex grinning like mad and giggling. James shushed her and laughed as he looked at Sirius and Lily. "We did nothing wrong. I had a very professional matter to discuss with Miss Alex."
Alex laughed and nodded. Lily just smiled and walked over to James, kissing him as he wrapped his arm around her waist. Sirius walked over and threw his hand over Alex's shoulder, causing Alex to groan. "I knew you wouldn't leave me for dear Prongs. You couldn't possibly live without me!"
Alex scoffed. "Yes I couldn't live without your arrogance! I thrive off it!" Sirius gasped and hugged her.
"You've accepted it! I'm so happy I could cry!" Everyone laughed as Alex tried to get as far away from him as possible. Lily looked and James and grinned.
"I think arrogance is a Marauder trait. You guys are so full of yourselves. Well…except Remus." Alex called out an 'Amen!' as she ran faster to get away from Sirius. "Alex, how is Mel always gets the nice, normal, sweet guys?"
Alex laughed. "She's blonde!" Everyone laughed, except Remus and Mel, who glanced at each other and blushed. Alex and Sirius finally joined the group, Alex still staying far away from Sirius. "Alright shall we leave then?" Everyone nodded and Alex approached James and Lily. "Alright Mister Potter, kiss your woman then let's go. You're not allowed to see what she's wearing until the dance."
Lily was about to glare at Alex when James bent down and kissed her. He smiled and whispered in her ear. "Get something to match your eyes."
Lily smiled as he turned with his friends, walking down the pathway that led to Hogsmeade. Alex and Mel threw their arms around her waist, all watching the guys go. James turned once more, winked at Lily, then followed his friends into a store. Lily sighed and smiled.
Mel squeezed Lily tight around her waist. "You're a lucky lady Lily. He's great for you."
Alex nodded and hugged her too. "He's the only for you." Lily laughed and hugged them both, until they finally headed down to the village, going into the first dress store they could find. They rushed from store to store, trying on dresses whenever they spotted one they liked. Alex got hers first, so she began to help Mel and Lily. Mel finally found the perfect one, so they all had to find something James would love on Lily.
After sometime, Lily began to lose hope. She couldn't find anything she liked. As they hit the last store they knew of, Lily was beginning to wonder what she was going to do if she didn't find a dress. She sighed and searched another rack, gasping as she grabbed a dress. Before Alex and Mel could see it, she rushed into a stall and slipped it on. Alex and Mel grew excited, continually hoping she would come out at that second. She finally did, and they gasped.
"Lily…it's perfect." Mel and Alex were both stunned. They led Lily over to a mirror, and Lily was shocked at exactly how perfect the dress was.
Lily sighed. "It is pretty isn't it?" Alex could've bet her over the head.
"Pretty? Pretty? You're calling that dress pretty?" Mel laughed and translated it for Lily.
"Lily, that dress is gorgeous and on top of that, you look gorgeous in it. You have to buy it." Lily smiled, at least until she looked at the price tag. She sighed.
"Well, sorry girls, but it's not leaving the store…at least with me. I can't afford this, and even if I could, I wouldn't want to spend this much on a dress." Alex and Mel were stunned.
"But Lily it's perfect on you. We'll help you pay for it we have to." Mel nodded her head while Lily shook hers.
"No I don't want you guys to. It's too much." Lily sighed. "I'm not getting it." She headed into the dressing room, Alex and Mel talking to her from outside. Alex sat down, surprisingly calm.
"What are you going to wear then? Your dress robes?" Lily's laugh floated over the stall door.
"I always thought Alex was the sarcastic one Mel. I don't know, I'll wear one of the dresses I brought from home. Hey can I wear your black one with the blue trim?" Mel sighed.
"Of course, but I still say you should buy that one. It's so beautiful Lily." Lily emerged shaking her head.
"No I can't. I'll live with it." They headed out to find some jewelry and shoes, not stopping until the sun began to go down.
The common room was completely empty, which didn't bother Sirius at all. He loved people and noise, but he also liked quite. He was just about to go out and explore the castle when he heard a noise. He spun around, arms raised and ready to fight.
Alex laughed. "Yeah, that's a great look for you Mr. Tough Muscles. Very nice." He sighed and lowered his arms, smiling.
"Thought you might like that. Showing off my muscular manness…" He flexed his arms, causing Alex to scoff. She turned around and started to go back up to her dorm. Sirius started going toward her. "Alex wait…"
She sighed but didn't turn around. "What Black?" He reached the end of the stairs, and she finally turned around. They both just stood for a while, looking at each other. "What Black?"
He sighed. "I don't know. I truly don't know what to say. I just didn't want you to leave." She just stared at him.
"What are you talking about?" He sighed again and ran a hand through his hair, mentally thinking that he and James truly spent too much time together.
"I like you Alex. I really do. It may be hard to accept and you may not believe me, but it's true. I like you a lot…I have since the Death Eater attack. I got so worried that maybe you wouldn't be ok. And I truly didn't know what I was going to do if you weren't. I'm not saying I love you, or that I expect you to love me, but I just wanted you to know that I like you."
Sirius turned and headed back to his dorm. "Sirius wait." He turned around and saw Alex on the bottom step. They both just stared at each other again.
"What Alex?"
Alex smiled. "I don't know." She leaned over and kissed him. It wasn't rough or heated; it was sweet. Sirius had no idea what the hell was going on until the shock wore off. She broke the kiss off, uncertainty in her eyes. Sirius stepped up so he was on the same step as her, and cupped her face, bringing his lips to hers in another gentle kiss. Alex smiled against his lips and kissed him back.
Sirius pulled away, but still held her face. He smiled at her and whispered to her. "Will you go to the dance with me?"
Alex sighed but had a smile on her face. "I suppose." She kissed him again and headed upstairs. Before she opened the door, she called back to him without turning around. "Goodnight Sirius."
Sirius laughed. "Goodnight Alex." She entered her dorm and he just stood at the foot of the stairs for a moment. He finally turned around and skipped upstairs.
As the door closed, a sigh came from the couch. "I thought for sure Mel and Remus were going to get together before they were."
James laughed. "Nah, Sirius has had a crush on her for a while. Remus is still really nervous with Mel. It might take some time for them." He laughed again and kissed the top of her head. "I can't believe our friends like each other. It's so weird."
Lily smiled and snuggled closer to his body. "Fate worked her magic." Her breathing changed and she fell asleep, comfortably in James's arms.
James looked at his sleeping girlfriend and kissed the top of her head again. "Thank-you Fate."
Author's Note: Did I have anybody thinking James was a cheater? Sorry if I did, but don't we all know that James is too sweet for that? Alright well the dance is next!