A/N: Sorry if at any point this chapter seems cheesy! Enjoy!
Chapter 13: A Masquerade
"So it's costumes?"
"Yep."
"What style are we wearing again?"
"The black one."
"Like a Zorro costume?"
"Exactly."
James and Sirius were wandering around Hogsmeade on the morning of the ball. They were discussing their semi-matching Halloween ensemble. The twosome was planning to wear all black; capes, tie-on masks, hats, pants, and boots. The only variation was the difference in color of their silky button-down shirts. James's was a deep, rich forest green while Sirius's was a royal, bright red.
James suddenly spotted the other two Marauders and Harry exit a costume store. "Oy!" he called out.
Remus, who had been fiddling with his bag, looked up at the sound of James's voice. He elbowed Peter and Harry and they met up with James and Sirius.
"So… what'd you buy?" James asked, sounding quite feminine.
"Oh, I bought the cutest thing," squealed Remus, playing along.
"No, seriously," interrupted Sirius. "What do all your costumes look like?"
"Well," Harry started, "I'm wearing a pirate costume."
"Pirates have masks?" James asked. They headed down the main street to the Three Broomsticks. Lunch had already passed, but they decided they couldn't say no to a butterbeer.
"They do now," Harry laughed.
"Better than my outfit," grumbled Peter.
"Why, what's yours?" Sirius asked.
"The only one I could afford is an 'Elizabethan attire'. It has those stupid puffy pants," he moaned.
The rest of them managed to stifle their laughter.
"And what about you, Remy?" Sirius asked with a grin. "Did you buy one of those horrible togas?"
"Ugh, no," Remus said, disgusted. "I am much more sophisticated than that!" he said snobbishly.
"You didn't buy one of those frou-frou Victorian outfits, did you?" Sirius groaned.
"The very same," Remus said with a smile. "And I'm going to ignore your comment about the frou-frou-iness of my spiffy costume."
"Spiffy?" Peter echoed.
"Well I think you made a good choice," James said, slapping Remus on the back. "You're probably the only guy who could actually pull that look off, the whole frou-frou-iness of it all."
"Ah, shut it. You're just jealous."
They strolled into the Three Broomsticks. James waved to Madame Rosmerta as they walked over to their usual table in the corner. They fell into their seats and waited for the young waitress to take their orders.
"What can I get you, boys?" Madame Rosmerta asked, chewing blowing gum. The young witch looked as if she had just graduated from Hogwarts a year or two ago.
"The strongest stuff you've got," James ordered. The rest of them laughed.
Madame Rosmerta gave him a patronizing look. "Butterbeer is the strongest stuff for you lot today, lads," she said a grin.
"Butterbeers it is, then," Sirius called out. "Five if you please. We have a new friend in our midst. My lovely Rosmerta, meet Harry Thewler."
Madame Rosmerta looked at Harry. He felt like a Weasley because he blushed at the sight of her. He couldn't help his thoughts; Madame Rosmerta was quite a looker, even more so when she was younger.
"Nice to meet you Harry, though it feels as if I shouldn't be introducing myself," she said with a laugh. "You look so much like James it's—"
"—Uncanny, I know," James finished for her. He grinned. "He's related to me somehow… He definitely inherited my good looks."
"Prongs, you idiot, your cousin twice removed can't inherit anything form you," Remus said wearily.
Madame Rosmerta chuckled with the rest of them. "I'll be right back with your drinks." She turned and shuffled off.
"So what do you think of Madame Rosmerta?" James asked Harry, knowing full well what Harry actually thought.
"She seems nice," Harry said respectfully.
"Oh come on," Sirius groaned. "Even Peter could come up with something better than that!"
"Hey!" Peter exclaimed, sounding incredibly insulted.
"Well, I won't say she's not pretty…" muttered Harry.
"Here you are lads." Madame Rosmerta was back as she placed everyone's drinks on the table. "The strongest drinks for such strong men." She pushed the mugs towards each boy, giving Harry a wink. "Call me if you need anything else." She left with a smile. Harry just noticed how very curvy she was. He was caught staring at her retreating figure.
"'I won't say she's not pretty'," quoted James mockingly.
"She's beautiful, admit it!" said Sirius.
"Yeah, I guess she is," Harry said bashfully.
Remus decided Harry did not find this topic as amusing as did James and Sirius, and decided to save him. He turned to James and Sirius. "You're planning to do something at the dance, are you?"
"Well, let's see," started Sirius.
"We'll dance," suggested James.
"Eat."
"Dance some more."
"Hang out, free of homework for the night."
"You know, just usual stuff you do at a dance," James said casually.
"What else would we do?" Sirius asked.
"Unless, Moony, you're thinking we might… with a girl…"
"Eeeeww!" the twosome squealed in unison.
"Knock it off," Remus said while giving them a good hit on the head. "You know what I mean; are there going to be any pranks involved?"
"Moony, I am offended," James said, sounding truly hurt.
"We never cause any form of mischief," Sirius said innocently.
"Why would you ask such a thing?" James asked.
"Because I know you two all too well," Remus muttered.
"Come on," Peter said eagerly. "There has to be something you'll do."
"Well Wormtail, I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you," said Sirius. Peter looked disappointed.
"But we're really not planning anything big at all," James said quickly. "it might just be a tiny little thing that no one will notice."
"Yeah, we want to have fun at the dance too," Sirius pouted.
It wasn't until later James smacked Sirius on the arm. "Mate, we've got to pick up our costumes."
"Bugger," whispered Sirius as grabbed Remus's watch again. Remus rolled his eyes, really wishing Sirius would get a watch someday soon. "See you later mates." Sirius slid out of his chair.
"Yeah, we'll meet you…er, somewhere," James said hurriedly as they rushed out of the pub. They ran out into the street and walked quickly over to the costume shop placed down the street. James noticed it was rather crowded inside the store.
"Why don't you wait here Padfoot," James suggested. "I'll get the costumes."
"Right-o."
James walked up to the door and held it open for two girls; Lily and Hermione exited the store. Hermione thanked James while Lily just looked away. James sighed and entered the store feeling less happy than before.
After a few minutes of pushing and shoving to the counter and waiting even longer for the two costumes, James finally made his way out of the store holding two Zorro-type costumes in each hand. He looked outside to find Sirius and Hermione talking, but it seemed all too tense for a friendly chat. Hermione was avoiding Sirius's eyes, mumbling something weakly to the ground. Sirius was on the verge of letting loose that ill-temper of his.
Finally Sirius cracked. "When will you stop hiding behind your books and live a little?!" Sirius, who had not seen James off to the side, spun on his heel and stormed off towards the Hogsmeade gate. James made to follow after him, but someone grabbed his arm. It was Lily.
"Let him go," she said quietly. James, for some reason forgot how to talk, just nodded his head and wandered down the street aimlessly.
Hermione was speechless. There was hurt shining in her eyes along with the making of tears. Lily walked up to her and put her arm around Hermione's shoulder.
"It's okay, honey," Lily cooed. "Sirius just gets mad when things don't go the way he wants them to. We can do whatever you want to now." Hermione didn't say anything. "Let's go get something sweet to eat."
Lily led Hermione to an restaurant that served ice cream and ordered two chocolate scoops. Hermione stayed quiet most of the time, but not because she was still speechless. She was thinking.
"Lily," she said abruptly. "Will you help me pick out a costume for tonight?"
"You've changed your mind about going tonight, then?" Lily asked excitedly.
"Yes, yes I have."
"Great!" Lily paid for the ice cream and practically dragged Hermione by the arm back to the costume store. They browsed down the aisle, giggling and ogling at all of the different outfits. At long last, Lily squealed, "Ooo! This is beautiful, isn't it? And look! It's not even that expensive!"
Hermione fingered the fabric. "It's perfect."
"Have at thee, fiend!"
"James, quit fooling around. You'll poke someone's eye out. Your wand isn't really a sword," Remus reminded his friend.
James was staring at himself in the mirror, holding his wand out like a sword. He huffed at Remus, but slid the thin wood into its sleeve on his belt. The Marauders had all changed into their costumes, as it was ten minutes before they decided to make their entrance at the ball. The ball itself had started fifteen minutes before, but the Marauders never arrived on time. They always had to make their entrance.
James was dressed in his Zorro outfit, always twirling around like a little kindergartner to make his cape swish. Peter stood moodily off to the side, a ways away from the mirror so he wouldn't have to look at his frilly Elizabethan costume. Harry was wearing a pirate costume with a black, ragged old cloth mask shielding his eyes (A/N: think of a costume not so far from Captain Jack Sparrow). Remus stood proudly, seeming to fit the era of his costume quite well. He wore a matching jacket and trousers, both a color of beautifully rich blue and a white shirt underneath. His mask was a moon-like silver.
There was a sudden bang, and Sirius stepped out from the bathroom, the black cape flying behind him. He had lightened up just enough to be friendly around his closest mates after Hogsmeade. He tore out his wand and charged James, ready to fence.
"Ah ha!" he said through the black mask that covered his eyes.
Wands clashed and gold and scarlet sparks flew. Harry and Peter were cheering while Remus just scowled.
"No sword fighting with wands in the dorm! You'll set something on fire—AH!"
"Wow Moony, you predicted the future!" James laughed. As their wands had clashed, a spark of fire flew out and had landed on the bed nearest to Remus. "Finite!" James yelled and the fire disappeared as did the scorch mark.
"Sorry Moony," Sirius said with a grin, not looking apologetic at the least.
"Yeah right," Remus muttered. "Let's just go downstairs before you set one of us on fire."
"And I'm hungry too," complained Peter.
"Right, let's go."
As James tore open the door, a shriek sounded from the 6th year girls' dormitory. They ignored this and continued to stride down the stairs, through the empty common room and through the empty halls. They all heard the faint music growing louder as they got closer to the Great Hall.
The Hall was decorated with pumpkins, candles, bats, spider webs, all things symbolizing Halloween. There were tables around the edge of the Great Hall, each seating around a dozen of people. There was a band playing in the background.
As the Marauders entered the Great Hall, more than a few girls stopped talking with their friends (and boyfriends even) to take a peek at the infamous Marauders. Remus, Peter and Harry had entered first, followed by James and Sirius, who had seemed to taken up their sword fight again. They battled their way into the ball and into the center of the room. As Sirius was backed away to avoid James's thrust that would have hit his heart, he bumped into someone.
"So you got stuck with chaperone duty, Professor?" Sirius said.
"So it would seem," McGonagall said edgily.
"And sorry for bumping into you," he said as he took off his hat and swept into a bow.
"Why can't you act like everyone else and just dance, not sword-fighting with wands?" McGonagall asked tiredly, rubbing her temples.
"Never be normal!" James cried out indignantly, as if it was his battle cry.
"Just be careful and watch where you're going," said McGonagall said in the same tone. She walked away.
"Kill-joy," muttered James.
"Too true," agreed Sirius. They walked over to their roommates, who had gotten a table a little ways off from the center. A lot of girls had giggled a compliment on their costumes, where James drew off his hat and gave a bow and Sirius just scowled. Sirius had scanned the entire hall and never saw any form of the bushy-brown haired girl he was hoping to see.
Two girls, sisters in fact, asked James and Harry to dance, who they whole-heartedly agreed to. An extremely pretty seventh year asked Sirius to dance, acting very shy. But the way she practically pressed her body against his, he knew it was just an act. Peter asked a fifth year to dance with him, and she looked as if on the verge of saying no, but she saw James mouthing the words 'Dance with him'. She couldn't disappoint James, so she agreed. Remus stood off to the side with punch in his hand, talking away with some girl in her seventh year.
Fifteen minutes later and Sirius's mood had certainly darkened. He had at the least expected Hermione would show up but there was no sight of her anywhere. Taking a hint, Remus, Harry, and Peter left him to sit at the table when the first note of a slow dance hit their ears. James sat faithfully beside his friend, though he was acting very jittery, as if wanting to dance with that pretty brunette standing by the punch. Sirius would have dismissed his friend, but then he heard James gasp.
"Lily?" James breathed as he quickly stood up, though he was choked by his cape, seeing that it got caught on the chair. "You look… I don't think beautiful is a strong enough word!"
"Why, thank you Po—James." There stood Lily, the girl of James's dreams, in a beautiful green dress that complimented her stunningly green eyes. The dress belonged to the Victorian era as did the hairstyle. Her red, wavy locks were magically held up in a sort of fancy ponytail. Her mask was pure white as was the choker that was wrapped around her neck. James had expected her to wear something like that, except the low neckline, though he certainly didn't mind that.
"No Potter, hm… so I'm James now, am I?" James asked, grinning.
"Isn't that your name?" Lily asked. She was under Hermione's instruction to act nicely towards James. If Lily didn't, Hermione had threatened not to come to the ball at all.
Man, Sirius thought, she's a great actor if she's being all kind and courteous towards people like James…
"Er…" Don't forget how to talk NOW! his brain yelled. "Yes, it is." You're stupid, you know that? James composed himself and tore of his hat. "Milady, would you care for a dance?"
"I suppose you will keep on asking me this if I answer no?" Lily asked.
"To dance with you would be such an honor, one I will not give up on so easily," replied James. He ignored Sirius's hacking cough in the background.
Even Lily looked taken aback at how polite and… humane James was speaking. "I guess I could spare you one dance."
"Yes!" James hissed excitedly. Lily raised her eyebrows. "I mean, let us dance." He threw his hat at Sirius and took a hold of Lily's hand as he led her onto the dance floor.
Sirius watched them in what looked like envy. He didn't even look away when a shadow covered him from a figure standing in front of him.
"And I wonder why Hogwarts's most-wanted bachelor is sitting all by himself when he could be dancing the night away."
Sirius glanced up at the figure, but could not recognize her. "Because he is looking for the right partner," he said edgily.
"Don't you have a girlfriend?" the girl asked.
"Had a girlfriend," Sirius said, wishing the girl would leave him alone. "Just dumped her," he continued as the girl continued to look confused.
"So when will you know who this 'right partner' is?"
"I'll look into those deep, toffee-colored eyes and know…." Sirius finally looked through the eye holes of this girl's mask. His jaw dropped. Hermione.
But it was Hermione like he had never seen her before. Her bushy hair was replaced by a shiny, wavy curtain that had been tamed to move perfectly. She even had the tiniest bit of makeup, but her face still looked so natural. She, just like Lily, wore a Victorian dress, but this one was a rich midnight color, and the material seemed to sparkle like the stars themselves. It also had a more modest neckline, but not by much. She, too, wore a choker with a charm of a magical ball that resembled a star. The bottom half of her dress had three layers, each growing a darker shade of blue until the hem was an endless black.
"Mr. Black, would you care to dance?" she asked sweetly.
Sirius took a leaf out of James's cheesy yet suave book. "I would be honored to dance with such a beauty." He, too, whipped off his hat and swept onto the dance floor with Hermione's hand in his. He gulped and laid a gentle hand on her waist and lightly grasped her hand with his other and started to twirl. It was odd for Sirius to feel awkward with a girl, but to him, this was not an ordinary girl.
"So what made you change your mind? Sirius asked softly.
Hermione's eyebrows disappeared under her mask for a moment as they furrowed. "Well," she said at last, "I thought about what you said…" she sighed. No turning back now. "And you were right. I do need to live a little."
Sirius eyes widened with shock, though it was hard to tell through his mask. He recovered quickly. "Well, there's an empty classroom with our name on it if you really wish to live a little," he said, that old mischievous smirk creeping onto his face.
"Oh Black, you never cease, do you?" she asked through a smile.
Sirius let her into a dip. "Never."
Sirius couldn't remember what they talked about during the rest of the song. He was just so amazed that Hermione was there, dancing with him, talking with him, and even flirting with him a little (though elementary flirting, level two on the Marauder Scale). Sirius caught James's eye over Hermione's shoulder, and winked at him. James grinned discreetly so Lily wouldn't see and winked back. They were both dancing with the girls they fancied.
It wasn't long before the song ended and all the couples dancing departed, Lily one of the quickest. Hermione was about to say something to Sirius but was torn away by a frantic Lily.
"So, how was your dance?" Hermione asked Lily as they sat down at a table.
Lily glared at her smirking friend, but muttered in an embarrassed way, "It wasn't that bad."
"What was that? I didn't hear you," Hermione said with a grin.
"It wasn't that bad," Lily said louder, blushing.
"He wasn't trying to snog you or do anything inappropriate?"
"No…" Lily said, frustrated with herself. "He was a perfect gentleman, but that doesn't mean I'll go out with him!"
"I never said anything of the sort," Hermione said knowingly.
James was still standing at the spot where he had just danced. Sirius strolled over to his friend, both of them with dreamy grins on their faces.
"I just… danced with Lily Evans," James said in a faraway voice.
"Congratulations, mates," Peter said, pushing off the dance floor where a fast song was playing.
"Peter, she touched my hand," James said, looking at his hand.
"Yes, yes she did," Remus said as he walked back to the table with them. "Now stop acting like a pansy and pull yourself together!"
"I'm never washing this outfit," James grinned.
"She was so pretty…" Sirius said in a voice just like James's, speaking of Hermione. "Her hair…" He blinked and looked as if he had just realized something. "What am I saying? I'm acting like James!" He punched his Zorro twin on the shoulder. "Snap out of it, Prongs! Don't pass your stupidity onto me!"
"How about this, James?" Remus said. "Since you like her so much, why don't you go onstage and sing her a song?" he said in a clearly joking manner.
James looked at his friend, still with a dreamy-eyed look, but he seemed more focused with what was going on around him. "Hey, mate, that's not a bad idea." Remus groaned and shook his head.
"Hey mates," Harry said as he sat down next to James. "And I saw you dancing with Miss Evans."
"Actually, Thewler, you can help out with this too," James said excitedly. "Lean in now, this needs to be thought through…"
After the fast song was over, Harry, grinning like a maniac, ran to the stage where the band was playing. He jumped up and down, trying to get their attention. They band looked at the boy and signaled him upstage. Harry walked over to the main singer and whispered something to him. The band member nodded, listened, nodded once more and stepped off stage. Harry turned around to the music players and whispered so the audience couldn't hear, "Do you all know, er… 'From Me to You' by the Beatles?"
"Of course we do, mate," the keyboard player said. And a minute more of instructions and they were ready.
The Marauders made their way through the crowd to the stage. They all had silly grins on their face and were whispering excitedly to each other. On their way upstage, the main singer of the band handed Remus a tambourine and Peter a harmonica wishing them good luck.
Harry stepped up to the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen," he announced as James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus walked onstage behind him. "Tonight we will have a special performance. I give you… the Marauders!"
Girls shrieked and boys gave out a wave of laughter and applause. The Slytherins at the ball just groaned and went on with their conversations.
Harry rushed offstage and over to Hermione and Lily. "C' mon, girls," he said as he put his arms around each of their shoulders. "I'm on a specific duty. Why don't we come closer to the stage…"
James and Sirius stepped up to the mic while Remus and Peter were on their sides. James yelled, "Hit it!" to the band.
The band played a single note before Sirius and James put their heads together and started to sing.
"Da da da da da dun dun da…," they sang with Peter playing the harmonica quite well, and Remus banging on the tambourine, both with crazy grins on. "Da da da da da dun dun da…" The two singers leaned apart.
"If there's anything that you want, if there's anything I can doooo," they shook their heads as they hit the high note, Sirius's hair falling in and out of his face while James's just stuck up, "just call on me and I'll send it along, with love from me," they pointed to themselves, "to you!" they pointed to Hermione and Lily.
They paused, flashing a smile at the crowd. Girls in the front literally wilted. Hermione and Lily were trying to back away, fearing that someone might put two and two together and find out the song was for them, but failed dismally. Harry would not remove his arms from their shoulders.
"I got everything that you want, like a heart that's oh-so truuuue!"
Remus, yet again grinning, stopped playing the tambourine and just looked at it. His face fell from the stupidity of his friends. How the heck did they convince me to play this?! He chucked it over his shoulder, narrowly missing the drummer.
He leaned in with everyone and sang, "Just call on me and I'll send it along, with love from me to you!
"…I've got arms that long to hold you," Sirius and James hugged each other, but looked at the other and broke apart abruptly, looking embarrassed, "and keep you by my side. I've got lips that long to kiss you," they blew a kiss at Lily and Hermione, "and keep you satisfied…" They leaned in, as did Remus and Peter, "Oooo!"
"If there's anything that you want, if there's anything I can doooo, just call on me and I'll send it along, with love from me to you!"
Peter played a mini-solo and the girl he had slow-danced with looked proud to know him.
"From me," James, Sirius, and Remus sang. Peter played another few notes. "To you, just call on me and I'll send it along, with love from me to you!"
They repeated the first part again, winking once in a while to the two caught girls held by Harry. In the back of the hall stood the chaperones. McGonagall was rubbing her temples and shaking her head. Dumbledore was bopping his head to their singing, humming with them. Little Flitwick was dancing by himself beside Professor Smirch. She was the unhappiest of the lot, her piercing eyes glaring at the boys onstage.
"…If there's anything I can doooo, just call on me and I'll send it along, with love from me to you!" Peter echoed their singing with his harmonica. "To you!… To you!… To you! "
Sirius and James, smiling like they just got dates with Hermione and Lily, stepped away from the microphone. With Remus and Peter, they all bowed to the applause and shrieks sounding from the audience.
"Thank you!" Sirius yelled.
"We love you London!" James shouted. They started toward the stairs and all of his friends looked at him oddly. "What? I've always wanted to say that…"
"Great job, mates," the lead singer of the band said. He clapped Peter and James on the back. "Listen, have you mates ever thought about going professional? Just a thought…"
As they climbed down the mini set of stairs, Sirius said to his friends, "See, I told you that my band idea wasn't so stupid…"
"Brilliant singing guys," congratulated Harry as he made his way over to the Marauders.
"Where'd the girls go?" James asked, trying to look over the heads of the tall seventh years.
Remus laughed. "Thanks Harry. I'm glad you enjoyed our singing."
"Yeah yeah, but where did they go?" James asked impatiently.
"Over there," Harry choked through his laugh. He pointed to one of the punch tables. James smirked and crept up behind Lily. From the view of the rest of the Marauders, he grabbed her shoulders and she gave a shriek. She flushed when she turned around to find James.
"Isn't that sweet, Padfoot?" Remus asked. Sirius didn't reply. "Sirius?" Remus turned around to find the other Zorro gone. "Oy…"
"Oh Remus," a fifth year girl said from behind him. She was quite pretty, but had that rebellious streak in her. Remus blushed. He recognized the girl by the brown straight hair with hidden black streaks in it.
"Yes Amanda?" he asked, his voice being a little higher than usual. Peter snickered and Harry grinned.
"You did really well up there…"
Sirius had no intentions of watching James make a fool of himself in front of Lily, and sneaked away to find Hermione. He found her waiting at the Marauder's table.
"Hey there," Sirius croaked. He cleared his throat to get rid of that stupid frog.
Hermione looked up to find Sirius sitting down next to her. "Hi… You did great up there. Who knew you had a singing voice."
"All of the upper classmen now, apparently," Sirius joked, glad his voice was smooth again.
"You didn't happen to sing that song for me, did you?" Hermione asked.
Sirius didn't like the tone of her voice but answered truthfully anyways. "The song was dedicated to Lily Evans and Hermione Snicket."
This is not good, not good! Hermione thought hastily. But since it's already happened… She leaned in and gave him a quick peck on his cheek. "Thanks. That was sweet."
Sirius stared at her. Sure, he had noticed her staring at him from time to time over the past month, but she had always avoided conversation with him at almost all costs. Now she had danced with him, and she just kissed him… What happened?!
"Hermione…" Sirius started.
"Hermione!" Harry called out, just entering the scene. Sirius grumbled something, sounding very frustrated. Hermione giggled but looked away form Sirius.
"Yes Harry?" she said politely.
"They're playing another slow song, dance with me?" he asked, holding out his hand.
"Sure." Hermione took one last look at Sirius before leaving with Harry, who seemed to not have noticed anything.
"That was an interesting number the Marauders did, eh?" Harry asked. He laid a hand on Hermione waist instead of the girl doing that for him (the Yule Ball still tormented Harry) and started to spin slowly around.
"Yeah, I never expected they could sing," Hermione said truthfully.
"So I know why James asked for me to keep Lily from running off, but why did they ask for you too?" Harry asked seriously. When Hermione didn't answer, Harry answered himself. "It's because one of them still fancies you, isn't it?"
"That may be true," Hermione said, definitely not meeting his eyes.
"Hermione, you know what Dumbledore said about…"
"I know, Harry," Hermione interrupted. "I've got it under control."
Harry looked at Hermione. "All right, I believe you."
"You do?" Hermione asked, very surprised.
"Yes," Harry said with a nod. "You've always been the responsible one. You know what's right and what isn't. You've shown that over the years."
Hermione didn't know what to say. What would Harry do if he found out that she had just kissed Sirius Black? She didn't want to think about it.
"Did I ever tell you that you look beautiful in that dress?" Harry said.
Hermione looked up to his face to see him smiling. "Why thank you, Mr. Pirate."
"Arrr…" Harry growled. They laughed quietly.
"You know, this time seems to be treating you well," Hermione said thoughtfully.
"How so?"
"You just seem loads more happy. Almost like a regular teenage boy."
"Oh heaven forbid that Harry Potter acts his age," Harry whispered. Hermione giggled. "Well, I have a lot of reasons to feel happy," he said in a regular, but still quiet volume.
"Yes, it is really great to get away from our old lives and live in this fantasy world," Hermione said very softly.
Soon the song played its last note. "Well thanks for the dance, Harry," Hermione said, curtsying.
"Not at all, Hermione," Harry grinned, giving a bow. They walked back to the table. "Well, that was much more fun than the Yule Ball. God, that was awful!"
"How could you know?" Hermione asked. "You only danced once!"
"Well, I was preoccupied that night," Harry said uncomfortably. "Keeping Ron away from Krum so he wouldn't end up belching slugs again was harder than it seemed." Harry and Hermione laughed at the memory. "Hey James. Why so grumpy?"
James was sitting moodily at one of the far chairs at their table. He was glaring at Kyle McFly and Lily who had just parted from their dance. Sirius was looking quite interested at the floor stones. Remus, pink faced, strode over with his chest puffed out slightly from his dance with Amanda Carrick. Peter was sitting next to James.
"Lily just asked Kyle to dance," Peter said bluntly.
"Oh thanks Peter," James growled. "Let's just tell everybody without asking me first…"
"James, I've told you before, Lily won't just madly fall in love with you," Harry said as if talking to a child. "It takes time and patience, doesn't it?"
"Each girl is different, you see," Sirius said. "Some girls it takes two days, others two months," he gave Hermione a little wink, she blushed and turned away, "and some a year."
"Trust me," Hermione added. "She will like you. Heck, she's already warming up to you."
"Really?" James asked hopefully.
"Yeah," Hermione said weakly. "She, er, was dancing closer to you than she was to Kyle," she lied.
"What're you—" Sirius started, but silenced when Hermione gave him a glare. "Yeah, yeah she was!"
James brightened up, oblivious to the lie. He just noticed Remus's abnormally bright face. "What's up with you?"
"Oh, nothing," he said in a bashful sort of tone.
A disco-type song started to play. Dancing Queen from Abba.
"Come on!" James yelled. And the poor boy started to disco out on the dance floor.
"Oh well, if you can't beat him," Harry started.
"Join him!" Sirius finished. "You're coming too, Moony!" He grabbed his friend by the arm and dragged the complaining Remus with Peter trotting after them.
Hermione strolled over to Lily. "Did you really ask Kyle to dance?" she whispered in her ear.
Lily, who had just ended a talk with Kyle, turned around slowly, as if trying to delay their conversation. "Well, I'm sorry about what he did to you, but he is very handsome."
"So is James," Hermione countered.
"But Kyle's mature," Lily whined.
"Oh yeah, real mature," Hermione said with a roll of her eyes. "Because I have never heard or seen James try to do anything like what Kyle tried did to a girl."
"You're right, but Kyle just seems… better, than James. Braver, sweeter, more caring."
Hermione guffawed. In one of the books she had read about Harry Potter before she went to Hogwarts, it had mentioned James and Lily Potter. It was those three things that Lily used to describe James and why she loved him: he was the bravest soul she had ever met, sweeter than any man, and cared for her more than anything. How could Lily's feelings change so drastically over one or two years?
"What?" Lily asked curiously.
"Nothing," Hermione said quickly, just realizing her guffaw was aloud and not in her head. "Let's dance!"
"All right, mates," the lead band guitarist said an hour or so later. "We're going to have one more slow song for you all. But this one's different. You've got to change partners every time one of us," he motioned towards the rest of the band members, "says the word Pumpkin Pasties. Ready?"
Hermione looked around for a boy to dance with. Sirius was conveniently standing right next to her.
"May I start this song with you?" Sirius asked.
"I'd love to," Hermione said, her eyes twinkling behind her midnight mask.
He, yet again, laid his hand on her hips and started to twirl.
"So why dress up as Zorro?" she asked.
Sirius's eyes darted up from below her neck. "Er, James and I always dress in matching outfits, and he knew someone at the store who could get us these costumes cheap."
"Always?" Hermione asked. "How many years have you gone? Isn't it only open to fifth years and above?"
"Well, since the Marauders are ever-so popular, we've been asked to come to the dance ever since our third year," Sirius explained, unable to fight down his grin.
"Dating upper classmen, wow… You do get around, don't you?" Hermione asked in a saddened tone.
"Well, we only hung around these fifth years so we could cause mayhem at the dance," Sirius explained quickly. "McGonagall even threatened to not let us go in our fourth year."
"Pumpkin Pasties!" the drummer said into the mic.
"Ta," Sirius said with a bow to Hermione. Hermione turned around just to be whisked away by another boy.
"Remus?" Hermione asked. She peered into the eye holes to see those brown and amber eyes.
"Well aren't we matching," Remus said with a smile.
Hermione looked down. He was right. They both wore Victorian blue outfits. "So we are," Hermione said, sounding amused.
"Having fun?" Remus asked, swirling Hermione around quickly.
"Loads," Hermione said breathlessly. Remus led her into a dip and pulled her back up quickly. "Wow, where did you learn how to dance?" she asked, sounding completely amazed.
"Everyone has a secret," Remus said noncommittally. "This is one of mine… You really think I'm good?"
"The best dancer I've ever met," Hermione said with a beaming smile. Remus smiled back.
"What are they doing?" Remus asked in a tired, yet entertained voice.
Off to their left, James and Sirius had been dancing together, but not at all to the beat. Actually, they had been trying to swing dance. It just had to be the exact same time Professor Smirch was watching that area. Sirius spun James extra hard so that James uncontrollably collided into Smirch. Sirius, laughing his head off, helped James up while Snape helped Smirch off her feet.
"Watch what you're doing, Potter, Black. Be thankful that this is a dance or else it'd be points taken away." She glared and walked away. Snape mimicked Smirch and glared at James and Sirius.
"Watch yourself, Snivelly," Sirius murmured. "Wouldn't want to get in trouble in front of the headmaster.
Snape sniffed angrily and stormed away.
"Well that was interesting," commented Remus.
"Hm…" was all Hermione could say.
"Pumpkin Pasties!"
"It's been a pleasure," Remus said politely as he, too, bowed to Hermione. All she could do was smile before someone else grabbed her hand and twirled her around.
"May I cut in?" the boy asked
Hermione knew something was familiar about this boy, but couldn't put her finger on it, so she nodded yes. She saw out of the corner of her eye, Remus dancing with that fifth year and Sirius dancing with that seventh year Quidditch player. James yet again held hands with Lily, who looked a little put out that her last dance was to be with James Potter.
"You look beautiful tonight," he observed.
"And who is giving me this compliment?" Hermione asked courteously.
"Aw, don't remember me, Hermione?" he asked with a grin.
Those perfect teeth, that shiny red hair, those stunningly blue eyes…
Over a few meters were Sirius and Bridget dancing.
"So, have any luck with this new girl yet?" Bridget asked as Sirius drew closer to dance with her.
"Surprisingly yes," Sirius answered truthfully.
"Surprisingly?" Bridget questioned.
"Yeah, I didn't expect my little, er, speech earlier today would have that powerful of an effect on her."
"Speech?" she echoed again.
"I sort of… told her to stop hiding behind her books and live a little," Sirius said quietly, concentrating on Bridget's left ear.
"Well, that's a new tactic for Sirius Black, insult the girl," Bridget laughed.
"Hey, to each his own," Sirius laughed with her.
"Hm…" she said as she looked over Sirius's shoulder.
"What?"
"Hermione is dancing with Kyle McFly."
"Kyle," Hermione said, but more like a growl than anything.
"Ah, there we go," he said happily. Hermione opened up her mouth, but he interrupted her. "Look, I never got to tell you how sorry I was for what happened at that Hogsmeade trip. It was completely wrong of me to act that way. I wasn't thinking straight at all…"
"And now you're seeking for an apology," Hermione guessed in a bored tone.
"If you can find it in your heart, yes. But I understand if you don't. I just want to be friends again," he said sincerely.
Hermione gazed at him, puzzled at why he waited a month to ask for forgiveness. But he did sound sincerely truthful. "Fine, but don't think we'll get back together."
"I don't want to, not to offend you, but I already have a girlfriend," Kyle said with a modest smile.
"No surprise there," she muttered.
"It just hurts when someone is mad at me when I really do feel sorry," Kyle continued, ignoring Hermione's quip.
"Well get used to it, because there are always going to be people who hate you," Hermione spat. This is what irked her, people who were so ignorant of the world outside their home.
"What do you—"
"Song's ended," Hermione said shortly. "Good night." And she left without another word. As she whipped away from Kyle, she rammed into someone. "Oh, Harry."
"Was that Kyle McFly you were dancing with?" he asked strictly.
"Yes, but he is still a jerk in my eyes," Hermione said truthfully.
Harry nodded. "All right. James and Peter wanted to stay a little while after. Would you like to stay with us?"
"Er… I'm really tired from all of this dancing," Hermione said. "I think I'll go to bed. See you tomorrow morning!"
"Yeah, good night!"
Hermione turned and walked through the departing crowds, finally reaching the doors. She sped out of the corridor and onto the stairs. As she slowed her pace right outside of the Fat Lady's portrait, she heard footsteps behind her, signalizing she was not alone.
"Are you all right, Hermione?" Remus asked.
"Of course," Hermione answered. She wasn't showing any signs of troubles brewing in her mind. Why was everyone asking her this?
"Oh, good… I just saw you with Kyle and wanted to make sure everything was okay," he said, blushing a little on the cheeks.
"Yes, Remus, I'm fine," she assured him with her sweet little smile. "But I am quite tired. Is it all right if I go to sleep now?"
"What? Oh, yes, sorry to deprive you of your sleep," he said graciously. He bowed, his personality never reflecting his costume more. "Good night, Hermione."
"Night," she yawned. He watched her step through the portrait before he walked towards the Fat Lady herself.
"Did you see where Hermione went?"
"She's going to bed, Sirius," Remus answered grumpily. "Boggarts," he said to the Fat Lady. She swung open her portrait again and the two Marauders stepped through.
"Isn't she amazing?" Sirius asked dreamily as he saw her brown locks disappear around the corner of the staircase at the back of the room.
"She really is," Remus agreed heavily.
Sirius looked stricken. "You don't… still like her, do you?"
"Why would you care?" Remus answered moodily. He strode across the common room, taking larger than normal steps. He really wasn't in the mood to talk to Sirius.
"Because I don't want you to get your hopes up," Sirius said as he quickly followed Remus up the back stairs.
"Get my hopes up?" Remus repeated, outraged. He tore open the door to their dormitory.
"Yeah," Sirius said simply as he marched straight past his friend into their room.
Remus slammed the door behind his friend. "Meaning?"
"Well," Sirius said, a little less calmly than before, "she apparently doesn't go for your type." He gently untied his mask and laid it on his nightstand table.
"What the hell do you mean about that?" Remus growled. He just pulled the mask off over the top of his head.
"Meaning that she goes for people like me," Sirius said aggressively. He untied his cape from around his neck.
Remus gave a hollow, mirthless laugh. "You? What makes you say she likes you that way?" He ripped off his jacket and tossed it powerfully into his trunk.
"She danced with me twice, she even kissed me!" Sirius cried out.
"She did?" Remus said in a hollow voice.
"Yes, she did, right after I sang her that song. She obviously likes the people who go to great lengths for her!" He sat down on his bed to take off his boots.
Remus let out a loud, thunderous growl. "Aaarrrggg!!! Why can you ever let me have what I care for and really want?! It's always about you! I could have had a chance with 'Mione, but Mr. Popular Sirius Black has to make the oh-so cool moves and take her away from someone she might actually like without the influence of 'stunning looks' and cheesy pickup lines!" Remus, too, slammed his bottom on his bed and violently took off his shoes and chucked them in his trunk.
"She wouldn't have gone with you," Sirius said, pronouncing each word loudly and slowly. "She may be your friend, but she will never like you the way she will like me."
"See, you force it onto girls and they fall for you!" Remus yelled, letting every detail about Sirius he hated flow out of him. "You play them! You use them to get your snogs in and then you dump them! It's been the same way ever since you knew girls didn't actually have cooties!"
"Remus Jonathan Lupin," Sirius growled, in the middle of unbuttoning his shirt. "How dare you suspect me of cheating on this girl. Hermione is different from every other girl I have ever met. You know this, you can feel it."
"So why can't you ever let the nice guy who finally finds the perfect, non-sluttly girl have her?" Remus said in a low, angered voice. He rapidly unbuttoned his shirt so he had on a blank white t-shirt.
"Because she won't like you as much as me." Remus glared bloody swords at his friend, never feeling more rage targeted at any Marauder before. "Face it, I'll give her so much more."
"Yeah, your bed," Remus muttered loudly.
"No, I don't plan to shag her any time soon!" Sirius yelled again. "This is the girl I could spend time talking to, just sitting by the fireplace, not snogging or anything like that."
"Yeah, and you'll last five minutes before you start to take off her shirt."
"Will you look past my stereotype and listen to what I'm actually saying?!"
"Lily actually said good night to me!" cried out James as he burst through the door. He stopped at the scene before him, leading to Harry crashing into him. They had heard yells coming from the dormitory, but James or Harry didn't expect this setting. Remus was glaring so angrily at Sirius it was frightening. Sirius was gripping his wand so tightly that his knuckles were a pearly-white.
"What's happened here?" Peter said, hopping up and down to look over James and Harry's shoulders.
"Nothing," Sirius said quickly. "Remus and I were just… talking."
"About what?" James asked, cautiously entering the room, his eyes wide and alert like a deer's.
"I'm really tired," Remus said wearily.
"Me too," Sirius said.
"Er, good night then," James said uncertainly.
Remus and Sirius cast each other one final death glare before disappearing behind their bed curtains.
"What do you suppose that was about?" Peter asked the two "twins". James knew exactly what had happened. Remus and Sirius had a row about one certain new girl. Harry had an idea, but tried to push it out of his brain. It was too mind-boggling to even think about the feelings his old professor and godfather might have for his old girlfriend.
"Who knows," was all James said before he started to untie his cape and changed into his pajamas.
Bastard, growled the minds of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, thinking only of the other.
A/N: Phew, that was a loooong chapter. So? What do you think? Realistic enough? Good enough? Can you review?
I hate to say it, but I will be striped of the computer and the internet for this entire week, so I will not be able to update. But that doesn't mean I won't write! But it takes longer the old fashioned way… sorry!
And for those who are thinking, why have Lily and James starting to tolerate each other two months into their sixth year? Well, I always pictured them becoming friends by the end of their sixth year, and then they finally date in the beginning of their seventh year.
My reviewers:
Madisonfairie- You know, I have never heard of the band called Slytherin. Interesting… And I know the full moons are hard to fit in. But they will play a part in my story! Thanks!
Blondekat3- well, Sirius got those images in his dreams partially because of the presence of Harry and Hermione. But sometimes in the wizarding world, a sort of vision can come in a dream… Thanks! And yes, Sirius can be a blind idiot quite a lot.
Padfootz-luvr- Er, yeah. Bridget Bell is Katie Bell's aunt. Thanks!
Dawn1- Ahh, what I have in store for the future. A very scary thing. And I'm sorry about leaving you hanging there. I hope I made a quick update. But I'm going to apologize in advance for not updating this coming week!
DoodlerGirl- Yeah, I just love the band idea too. I'm trying to get someone to draw me a picture of it, but no such luck yet. I'd pin it to my wall if it was good enough! Thanks!
Sapphire66- Eek! I know I hate it when others leave me hanging, but I see why they do that. Cliff hangers are the best! Thanks.
RAne2920072- Eep! You really love it? Aw, you're awesome!! Thanks!
Pieceocake- Bloody hell! I'm getting there! And Harry isn't a big part of this story, okay? Remember what I said at the very beginning of writing this story? I don't like writing about Harry. He's not as cool as the Marauders.
Jessa1234- Really? I'm one of the best ones? Thanks! And yes, don't' we all love Sirius? He's just perfect!
Jack- Of course I'm writing more! I can't stop! I'm addicted. Thanks!
BlackAngel1391- Exactly what I was thinking. More conflict between Remus and Sirius. Great minds think alike! (I just think it was kind of funny that as soon as I type these last words, I get your review asking for more conflict. Hee hee hee… eh heh. Apparently only funny to me…) Thanks!