The Almost Prank
Chapter 17
"Doubt that the sun doth move, doubt truth to be a liar, but never doubt I love". - (Act II, Scene II Hamlet).
The day of the Ball was warm and clear with the birds cheerfully singing around the Potter mansion. After a week of exploring the mansion Lily still found herself getting lost from time to time. As much as this troubled Lily it was also a great comfort to her. If she had trouble getting around, she was sure that anyone that came to attack the people in the house would surely get lost. It was on one of these explorations that Lily found the potions lab in the basement. She had wondered at the time why it was there and so well stocked. None of the ingredients were out of date. She was sure that it most belong to either Linda or Richard. She was sure that it did not belong to James. He had the uncanny ability to screw up the simplest potions in class. How he ever got into the NEWT class was beyond her.
It was in this room that James found her the morning of the Ball. "Mum was wondering where you got to," James whispered coming up behind Lily and wrapping her in his arms. "Did you get lost again?"
"You could say that," Lily muttered lovingly caressing the top of one of the three work tables. "This lab is fully stocked. It's marvelous."
"Do you like it?" James asked with a smile. "I asked dad to stock it for you. I was going to show you it tomorrow. But seeing how you already found it I should tell you it is yours. You are going to need someplace to practice while you study."
"James, thank you," Lily exclaimed her face lighting up. "It is wonderful. I love it. Just think of all the potions I can develop in here. By the way how did you find me?"
"I have a map of the place," James explained. "Why didn't you use the point me charm I showed you?"
"I didn't feel like it," Lily replied with an amused glint in her eye. "Since we are here alone we could make use of the a lone time," Lily purred leaning into James and running her hand along his face.
"You are a tease," James whispered into Lily's ear. "You know perfectly well that we have to get ready for the ball, if we are late mum will have a hippogriff, Besides Remus and Peter are already here."
"Fine," Lily pouted turning in James arms. "We should probable go get ready , is their a secret passage we can take or something?"
"Actually there is," James explained leading Lily to a hidden door in the wall. "This comes out just a couple doors a way from our rooms. Come on." With that James lead Lily up a spiral staircase to their rooms. In a little over an hour Lily was able to get ready for the ball and meet James in his room.
"Ready," Lily told James with a smile. "I am a little nervous. The only balls I have been to are the ones at Hogwart's. I somehow have a feeling that this is going to be different."
"Ah, Lil," James started slightly embarrassed. "I should probably tell you something."
"What?" Lily asked noticing the hesitance in James voice. Something had to be wrong, James was never hesitant he was always so sure of himself.
"Well... Don't be mad. But mum and dad kind of... Kind of invited your family. I asked them not to. But mum was determined that they invite them. I don't know if they are coming. Mum never said. I just thought I should prepare you. I would have told you earlier but I didn't want you to be worried. I am sorry, Lil."
As James was talking Lily had tried to keep a smile on her face but felt she was failing. In fact she could feel the tears well up in her eyes. She was more then a little worried about the possibility of running into her uncle. "We better get down stairs," Lily said forcing a smile. "We have guests to greet." With resolve she grabbed James hand and lead him downstairs and into the entrance hall.
The Grand Ball Room was just that, it was grand. The ceiling was enchanted to look like a starry night with shooting stars. It was not totally unlike the ceiling of the Great Hall at Hogwart's, except for the fact that it did not change with the sky outside. The walls where adorned with tapestries of couples dancing in dress robes. Enchanted rose pedals feel from the ceiling ad swirled around the occupants before gently falling to the ground and disappearing from sight. Candles floated aimlessly above the heads of the guests. There were round tables draped with white and maroon lace table clothes around the outside of the room. These also had enchanted candles on them that alternated glowing gold and maroon. There was a second story balcony where the musicians were gathered as not to interfere with the dancing.
The ball was almost half over when Lily's uncle showed up. Spotting Lily a lone in a corner he headed over towards her. "I thought you were at the Snapes' house," He drawled at Lily.
Lily who had not seen her uncle approach jumped at the sound of his voice. "Hello, uncle," Lily replied coldly.
"Where did you get that outfit?" Lily's uncle stormed grabbing her arm.
"I will ask you to kindly let go of Lily sir," James demanded in a very tight stern voice. "I do not take to kindly to people that like to grab women."
"You have nothing to do with this," Lily's uncle stormed squeezing Lily's arm tighter. "She is to be with the Snape's at this time. If you want to spend time with her then you will have to make an appointment."
"James, please leave it," Lily pleaded through gritted teeth, "I don't want to cause a scene."
"Sorry Lil," Remus broke in. "But it seems that this man. If we can call him that. Already is causing a scene. Now, sir before you make a bigger fool of yourself I would suggest that you release Lily."
"I will not," The man stormed slapping Lily across the face. "I think I will take her back to the Snapes' and let them do with her what they will."
"I think not," James exploded grabbing Lily's uncle around the throat. "Lily is staying here and we are getting married." When Lily's uncle had slapped her James had gone into his ultra protective mode. "I would suggest that you let go of Lily and leave. Otherwise I am sure that I can get someone to escort you out. Remus, go get Moody. I am sure he would love to take care of this scum ball."
"James, please stop. " Lily begged trying to keep the peace.
"Quiet bitch!" Lily's uncle (A/N: We will call 'Lily's uncle' Uncle) snapped as he slapped her across the face.
"Why you son of.." James started as he lifted him off the ground while prying Uncle's fingers off of Lily. "I told you to let go of Lily. Since it seemed you were unable to do so I had to help you. Now if you refuse to leave I will have to make you." As soon as James had gotten Lily free he pushed her uncle against the wall.
"You cocky little ba..." the uncle started before James punched him square in the face.
Remus who had started to look for Moody had found Sirius and Peter and told them what was going on. He also instructed Peter to go and find Moody as he and Sirius went to see if James needed any help. After all Peter was never any good in a fight. As they returned to the corner where Remus had left James and Lily, they saw James holding Lily's uncle against the wall and punching him in the face.
"James stop," Lily pleaded tears running down her face. "He is not worth it."
"He hit you," James exclaimed as he threw uncle to the floor still holding onto his throat. "No one and I mean no one has the right to hit you." After throwing uncle to the floor James let go of his throat and kicked him before kneeling down and punching the man in the stomach over and over again.
"Lily," Sirius muttered coming up to her. "Are you alright?"
"I am fine," Lily responded through the tears. "Please make them stop. James is going to kill him."
"Which the guy deserves," Remus reasoned. "From what I heard him say. However I have a feeling that James will stop before he actually kills him. What is taking Moody so long? He should be here by now." Seeing how upset Lily was Remus pulled her into a friendly embrace and turned her back on the combatants who were now rolling on the floor hitting and kicking each other. It seemed that James was indeed getting the better of Uncle.
As the fight progressed Sirius started announcing the moves for everyone that cared to listen as they had gathered quiet a crowd. "James has Uncle, that slimy good for nothing git, in a leg lock. Look out James he...oh what a low shot by uncle. James is once again on top of Uncle. Get the face. Oh his nose must be broken by now. Uncle just bit James. We better put a flea collar on that one. He fights like one. Wait he can borrow mine. Here comes the judge."
"That will be enough," Moody demanded in a very authoritative voice. "The two of you will stop this right now. This is to be a party not a bloody brawl. Black, why in the world do you have a flea collar?"
"Ah... err... ee..." Sirius stammered. "Look at the time I got to go."
As the two kept on fighting not listening to Moody's demand Moody flicked his wand and bond both of the men. "James Harry Potter, what is the meaning of this? Explain yourself right now." Linda Potter demanded coming up to the group. "I would also like to know why you have a flea collar, Sirius. Don't even think about using the, I gotta go excuse me. I for one know you don't."
Sirius who couldn't think of anything to say started whistling innocently. "I am waiting," Linda muttered tapping her foot on the floor with her arms crossed in front of her.
"What are you waiting for?" Sirius asked with an a amused smile.
"An answer to my questions," Linda muttered turning to her son. "So, James, Why were you acting like a Neanderthal."
James who was starting to get bruises on his face looked up at his very irate mother and muttered, "The git deserved it. He hurt Lily. He has hurt her all her life. He hit her. I had to do something. Besides it was a matter of honor."
"It wasn't James fault," Remus broke in still holding a crying Lily .
"No one asked you, Lupin," Moody added. "Do you want to join Mr. Potter on the floor?"
"While that answers one of my questions," Linda exclaimed. "Now it is your turn, Sirius."
"Well you see," Sirius began with a look of mischief on his face. "It was going to be a wedding present for James. Ever since he asked Lily to marry him he has been acting like a trained dog."
When Lily heard this she pushed out of Remus arms and bent down to scratch James behind the ears. "Good puppy," she muttered with a smile. "Good attack dog. I love you too."
"Woof woof," was the only response she got from James.
"Escort this gentleman out, Moody," Linda murmured pointing to uncle. "As for the rest of you get back to the party." As if on cue the band started up. "As for you James go get cleaned up. When you come down you better behave yourself or I will put the collar to use and put you on a leash. Lily, please escort your dog up to his room."
"Poor puppy wuppy of Lily willy's," Remus exclaimed laughingly as James got up.
"Yes, mum" James muttered on his feet casting a glare at Remus.
"Come along boys," Lily in toned taking James hand. "I do believe that we need to have a little chat. I do mean all of you."
"Yes ma'am," all four boys muttered bowing their heads following Lily.
All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure. Mark Twain /quotes/MarkTwain/ (1835 - 1910), Letter to Mrs Foote, Dec. 2, 1887
a/n: Yes there is a pun in here. If any of you have had an over protective friend you will catch it. If you have any ideas for the wedding dress let me know. The wedding should be in the next few chapters. Then we will be working on "Snapes Revenge". Thank you all for sticking with us. We would also like to thank WhiteTiger1992 for betaing this chapter. I hope you all liked it. Please continue to review. We love the feedback.