AN: I am very sorry for not updating for two months! I will not go into all my excuses but my computer broke, along with my arm.
Secondly, I have heard that authors are no longer allowed to respond to reviewers. I still will until someone tells me otherwise because your reviews are keeping this story going.
JeNnIfEr88: Thanks for the review!
Shelby Black: Thanks!
Ihateharryandhermioneshippers: I'll try to fit her in but it might not be for a while. Thanks for the review!
The next chapter:
It was only two days until Halloween and the Masquerade. James and Lily were so busy planning that there was hardly anytime for homework or Quidditch practice.
The group had been caught by Filch on their entrance into the castle. Sirius had been the only one to be punished severely from the prank on Snape. He had been given detention every week for the rest of term along with no Hogsmeade visits. Quidditch had been banned for a month.
Dumbledore had made Snape, along with Lily, promise never to tell anyone of Remus's furry little problem, and James had been thanked for taking responsibility. Other than that, the prank had been put from everyone's minds.
"Pink and green are not Halloween colors, Ellie!" Lily cried. "Change them to orange and black!"
'As the time until Halloween ebbs away, the prefect's sanity has too,' Lily realized. 'Hence the pink and green decorations.'
"Hey, Lils," Meghen greeted as she walked over. "Are you going to Hogsmeade with Bridget and me to get our dress robes tonight?" For there was indeed an extra Hogsmeade trip that evening for the purpose of obtaining new dress robes, if necessary.
"Of course!" Lily replied excitedly. "How could I miss it?"
The three of them met up in the Great Hall an hour later and walked towards the village. It was still light out, making it easy to see that a few other students had decided to find new dress robes too.
After peeking into many shop windows and venturing inside a few without any luck, the threesome began to lose the eagerness they originally had for an extra Hogsmeade trip.
"We'll never find the perfect robes at this rate!" Bridget groaned.
They slipped into the last store on the corner and found that it was a bookstore. Lily's eyes lit up as she walked over to an attractive, young, male worker. Bridget and Meghen knew that Lily had an amusing plan, as always.
"You don't happen to have any spell books for changing ones appearance for a time, would you…" Lily glanced at the nametag before meeting his eyes and murmuring seductively, "Ryan?"
"This way…" Ryan faltered.
"Lily," she replied flashing him a brilliant smile.
"…Lily," he repeated, smiling back.
She followed him down a row of bookshelves. He stopped at the end and pointed out a few books.
"These are for physical features and clothes. If you need anything else you know where to find me," he grinned before sauntering back to the front of the store.
Lily smothered her laughter until he was out of earshot. Bridget and Meghen had come up from behind some bookshelves and were shamelessly rolling on the floor in fits of giggles.
When the moment had finally passed over, Bridget sniggered and said, "You could've just asked him where the books were—he would have shown you anyway."
"Practice," Lily responded seriously. "You never know when you'll need flirtation skills."
Meghen grinned. "Like at the Masquerade with James Potter!"
Lily scowled. "You're so funny," she said sardonically.
"Anyway, great idea for the costumes, Lils," Bridget changed the subject. "I think we should get these two…"
Halloween was a Saturday, thankfully, and there were no lessons. The Great Hall was being decorated for the Masquerade, which was third years and up. The decorations were hidden with the Concealment Charm, wearing off about the time of the ball. All were very excited, putting on the last minute touches to their robes in hope of surprising and out dressing others.
"Lils! The ball will go fine! We only have three hours—we need to get ready!" Meghen pulled on Lily's arm, leading her from the hall.
"Alright," Lily sighed reluctantly, wanting to see through the last decorations.
Bridget was already waiting in the dormitory. "Lils, you work on the final touches to our dress robes! Megs, you can do jewelry and hair! And I," she started mischievously, "will do makeup!"
All three decided that showers would be first. Then they went to work on their separate jobs. Within the three hours, they were nearly ready.
The only problem with their dress robes was that the charm only lasted until midnight.
Lily's hair was dyed a slightly darker red for the occasion—no one in the threesome wanted to be instantly recognized, and that would be too easy with Lily's bright hair. It was then set in many layers of soft curls, framing her face. Her dress robes were envy green, bringing out her eyes. Her mask was of the same green with scattered sequins and beads. Her jewelry was of emerald earrings and a gold chain with a small emerald teardrop hanging off.
Bridget's dress robes were a sea-like blue complete with stiletto blue heels. Her jewelry was similar to Lily's, only with aquamarines in place. Her hair was in a braided coronet at the base of her skull, with more scattered aquamarines throughout. Bridget's mask was a twin of Lily's, only a different color and stones.
Meghen's dress robes were a deep scarlet, with small heels studded with tiny pearls. Her earrings were drop pears and her necklace was a silver chain strung with many little pearls. Meghen's hair was half up with a few curls and a pearl clip. Her mask was identical to the first two, with, of course, a different color and gems.
The girls placed their masks on their faces and descended the staircase, wondering what could await them at the ball.
The Marauders had all dressed correspondingly in black with plain black masks. They hadn't put as much effort into it as the girls but both Sirius and James realized that this would be a golden chance to charm Lily and Bridget. So, turning the charm on, they exited the portrait hole and made their way to the Great Hall.
The light in the Great Hall was very dim, making it hard to see the features on students even if they didn't have their masks on.
Remus left the other three to find Meghen (after many teasing comments from James and Sirius, of course)! Peter had disappeared into the crowd, claiming he was looking for someone too. Sirius and James were left alone to find Lily and Bridget, if possible.
After some diligent searching, they still couldn't decipher who was behind each mask. "Padfoot, mate, I think it's time to just make the best of the ball."
"Humph," Sirius grunted in answer as he was snatched by a girl dressed in lavender.
"There goes Sirius," James muttered.
Lily was dancing from man to man with only a few steps with each. Their dress robes were all different, but the most caring as she danced in his arms was tall with a muscular build. Funnily, to Lily, he seemed vaguely familiar…
Bridget had lost Lily and Meghen a while back; Meghen to Remus and Lily to a man in dark dress robes.
Bridget started dancing, too. The first man she danced with, she suspected of being only a third year because he was vertically challenged. The second babbled about everything in life. The third was charming; his dress robes dark; his voice soothing. Bridget immediately took a liking to him.
Meghen and Remus were dancing the night away, lost in their own world. Their relationship had seemed so simple in comparison to their friends'. But in order to really be able to know each other, Remus knew there was something he must do.
"Meghen," Remus started.
"Yes, Remus?" she replied, focusing on the dance.
"There are some matters we need to discuss between us," he continued. Then he added, "alone."
Tears started to well up in Meghen's eyes. 'We haven't been together that long, but it has seemed like forever. He's breaking up with me. I never was enough in a relationship. I don't move things quickly enough, and I'm so ugly,' she thought as the tears blurred her vision.
"Don't even say it!" she cried as she quickly weaved in between the crowds and out of Remus's line of vision.
Confused and hurt, thinking that she had figured out his secret and was horrified, Remus retreated back to Gryffindor Tower. There were definitely some things that he needed to ponder.