A/N: I love this chapter. Once again Remus sticks up for himself. Can I get a woot woot? This chapter is pretty short but it has a lot of action. Although, the next chapter is even shorter. But whatever. Just as a warning, it all goes down hill from here. Sniff sniff Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Alas, read on. The Yule Ball waits.

Disclaimer: Don't own it.

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Chapter 12: Lose Control

The next night Sirius and James left ahead of Remus for the ball. Their dates were antsy and didn't want to wait for him, and Sirius knew that Remus was waiting for them to leave so he could go pick up Lily. He was going to meet her in their room and they would walk down together. At the last minute the ball's theme had been changed to that of a masquerade, so if anyone noticed Remus with Lily they could escape before the person could identify them. Remus tied his black velvet mask over his face so that it covered from just below his eyebrows to just above his nose. It matched his dark navy dress robes that almost looked black, and highlighted his eyes. Although he would never admit thinking it, he knew he looked good. Being the sleuth that he was, he had not let anyone see his robes. That way if James saw him hanging out and dancing with Lily at the ball he wouldn't recognize him instantly, but would probably just punch him off the bat. It was a dumb plan, but it just might keep him from loosing a friend.

At ten of eight Remus tightened his mask and knocked on the door of the room of requirement. Lily called him in and he slowly opened the door, self-consciously flicking imaginary dust off of his shoulder. She looked amazing! Her scarlet hair had been curled at the tips and let loose, and the light eye shadow that framed her eyes made her pupils turn the most enchanting green he had ever seen. Her mask was black silk like his and ended at the tip of her ski jump nose. She had painted her lips a pale red, and her cheeks were a rosy pink. Her dress matched her mask, and was a curve hugging, and yet classy, velvet black, with spaghetti straps and a low cut neckline. With a jolt he realized they matched.

When he stepped through the doorway, she gasped. He was incredible. His hair was neat, gelled, and had tiny streaks of gray that looked strangely flattering. And his self-consciousness was adorable.

"You look incredible, Remy!" she exclaimed, a little dazed. It wasn't everyday that the shyest guy in the sixth year looked hot! He resembled a wizard version of James Bond.

"As do you Lils. Are you ready to go?" She nodded, smiling brightly. He took her arm and opened the door for her. She went through and they walked down to the entrance hall, which was empty since the ball had already started. "Well, shall we?" Lily took a deep breath before pushing the doors open.

The hall was like the ultimate winter wonderland. Enchanted snow fell from the ceiling, icicles hung from the walls, and a light mist hovered above the floor. Decorated Christmas trees lined the walls, and there were hundreds of tables with white tablecloths. People were everywhere, dancing, eating, and chatting. Everyone turned to look at the couple, and though everyone knew she was Lily Evans, no one knew he was Remus Lupin.

Instantly, James was at their side. He had spiked his hair and was wearing black robes that had purple and blue piping. Well, that's tacky, Lily thought.

"Hello, Lilypad, you look ravishing tonight if I may say so. Care to dance?" he asked, glaring at Remus. Without waiting for an answer he pulled her away from her date and into the whirl of people. Remus just stood there, deciding to swoop in after a dance or two, so that James could have his fun. Lily let herself be dragged onto the dance floor and placed her hands where she was supposed to. "You look like an angel, my dear Lilypad, dance please!" She ignored him, but danced on autopilot, thinking along the same lines as her date. She could see him watching her through the blur of colors. James yammered on about how his most recent goal in quidditch had been for her, but she wasn't listening. He spun her around and she just concentrated on the dance. Place foot, place foot, spin and twirl, closer, farther, speed it up. Thankfully he didn't step on her feet. The song ended quickly and Remus cut it.

"May I interrupt?" he asked politely, and James reluctantly backed away. Lily beamed at him and placed her hands around her neck.

"Thank god you came, he was driving me insane," she said as he looked down at her through his black mask.

"You're welcome," he replied. He was a wonderful dancer, as she soon discovered, and they danced most of the night away, while James sat seething with the dateless Peter, his own date forgotten.

"Who is that?" he asked, sipping a butter beer. Peter shrugged. "Who does he think he is?"

"It's amazing how much a little mask hides," Peter supplied. They watched as the stranger dipped the laughing girl to the floor before pulling her back up. "Have you seen Remus?"

"No." Lily and the man stopped dancing and parted ways, her to a table and her date to get drinks. James smiled mischievously and pulled his wand out of his pocket. "I think it's time for magic mistletoe, my friend."

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Things were going great for Lily. She looked great, she had a wonderful boyfriend, and she was at a ball. Remus had gone to get them drinks, and she sat on her own at a table by the corner of the hall, watching as Amy danced with a Hufflepuff boy who had asked her to be his date weeks ago. She hadn't even seen Potter since the dance they had shared earlier. This is going to be a great night, she though as Remus approached with her drinks. But he abruptly stopped at the edge of the dance floor, a look of pure terror on his face, and she turned around in her seat, scared of what she might find.

Potter, smiling gleefully, staring up at something above her as he walked toward her. She tilted her head to see the most horrifying sight he could ever see: mistletoe. Oh no, god no. He wouldn't… But he did. He pulled her up out of her chair and kissed her. No, he slimed her, and she was so shocked hat she didn't move. So James, being the dumbass that he was, shoved his tongue down her throat, and woke her up in the process. She tried to shove him off her, but this was the star chaser of the school, and she proved fairly useless at getting him off her. Remus, however, was no wimp. He was a day away from being a full-grown werewolf, and he lost control.

"Get the fuck off her!" he roared, attracting the attention of the entire hall, dropping his goblets and yanking him off of his girlfriend. James, being a complete dunce, didn't know who was behind the silk mask, and gave Remus a shove in the chest.

"Who do you think you are?" then teen yelled, as Lily backed away from the two, wondering why it was taking so long for the teachers to break up the fight. Remus hardly stumbled, and swung a punch at his friend, clocking him in the eye, granting him the future of a giant shiner. James fell backward onto his back and Remus realized what he had just done. His eyes went wide in shock, and Lily whimpered silently at the sight in front of her.

"No- I… no!" he mumbled, stepping away from his friend, who was groaning as he pulled himself up. In the silence, he did what he did best. Remus fled.

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A/N: Remus is so sad. Good thing that Lily is helplessly in love with him and will follow him anywhere. And James is going to be so pissed. Very pissed. Anyway, teaser?

"Are you cold?" "Not really, no." She didn't realize what she was implying, but Remus did. Since he didn't really no what to do about it, so he just left his hand on her leg and lent over to continue kissing her.

Then, in later chapters (much later):

"Why does this seem so forced all of a sudden? You can't pretend you haven't noticed it."

Anyway, coming up is Christmas, then New Years. Grins wickedly REVIEW! IT MAKES ME UPDATE FASTER!