Okay, everyone,. I am so sorry for putting the wrong chapter here!

Chapter 5

It was finally the day before Lily and James were to leave for the delegation. Since it was a Saturday, and for once in their lives the teachers weren't feeling sadistic and decided not to give too much homework, so Lily and James were with their respective friends, just talking and relaxing.

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Lily, Aimee, and Kirsten were sitting under the shade of a willow tree, talking. "I can't wait for tomorrow" Lily said as she brushed off a leaf that had fallen from the tree. "Although of course, I don't fancy the idea of spending more time with Potter".

Aimee sighed and shared a look with Kirsten that plainly said, "How can those two be so stupid?" Aloud, Aimee said, "Lily, I have advice for you. Don't think about James too much; it'll ruin your trip".

"Although of course," Kirsten interjected with a sly smile, "Maybe you do want to think about him".

Lily blushed and said, "Guys! Have you both gone insane? I hate Potter, and that is final. The only times I think of him is when I think of what an arrogant prat he is, how he bullies anyone who crosses him just because he can, how he ruins my day and flares up my temper, how good looking he looked in what he wore yesterday……" Only after she had said it did she realize what just came out of her mouth.

Kirsten and Aimee burst into laughter. If possible, Lily blushed even more. Quickly, she tried to cover up her slip of the tongue. "Uhm, what I meant was that um…I, uh, he looked….uh, um, yeah! He looked so handso- I mean ridiculous in what he wore yesterday". "Oh my goodness, I cannot believe I just let that slip" she thought, mentally slapping herself.

"Sure Lily," Aimee said amid gales of laughter, "Whatever you say".

Lily sighed and said, "You guys aren't buying it, are you?"

"Nope, not one word. But we're having too much fun letting you admit that you find James good-looking that we don't want to torture you even more immensely," Kirsten said.

"No, that's my job," a voice said. Lily jumped and was horrified to see none other than James Potter standing right behind her, arms crossed, and smirking, along with the rest of his friends.

"Oh shit," Lily whispered. Standing, she turned to face him as firmly as she could, "What do you want Potter, and what are you doing here?"

"Well, I was here to tell you that Dumbledore asked us to meet him in his office right now, but hearing you sing my praises seems much better. Do carry on," James said.

"In your dreams, Potter".

James looked around then said, "So this is a dream? Really? So it mustn't really affect you if I do this" And with that, he took out his wand and, with a flick of it, sent the fallen leaves flying towards Lily, pouring down on her like rain, only with big colored leaves, some sticking to her hair and clothing. Lily was not a pretty sight to look at.

"Potter, I'm warning you. One more and---" Lily said and to continue her sentence, she did a graceful pirouette. His friends immediately got the meaning and burst into peals of laughter. Lily's friends just looked on in confusion.

"Evans, don't you dare mention those. And one more thing. How could you perform something as difficult as that? You don't seem the least bit graceful to me," James looked at her.

"I've been taking ballet since I was 9, Potter. Now let's go meet Dumbledore and not another word or else…." Lily let her sentence trail off mysteriously and dangerously. James merely nodded. They both said goodbye to their friends and walked off towards the castle.

They had been walking along the corridors in silence when suddenly James said,

"Evans, your shoes are untied".

Lily simply looked at him in confusion. "What are you talking about Potter?"

"I said," James repeated a smug look on his face, "That your shoes are untied".

Lily looked down and, upon looking up, she frowned in confusion as she saw James laughing hysterically. "Potter, what is wrong with you? Why are you laughing like a complete idiot? Wait, I forgot, you are an idiot, but that's not the point. Just answer my question".

"I can't believe you fell for that one, Evans!" James said between laughs, "'Your shoes are untied'? That's the oldest trick in the book!"

Lily rolled her eyes and snapped, "Potter, listen up. Not only did you use such a lame and stupid trick to annoy me, you also weren't looking. I'm not wearing lace-up shoes you know". And she stuck out her right foot which was clad in a brown loafer shoe, her expression one of smugness at having bested him once again. James immediately shut up.

A while later, they finally arrived by the stone griffin. James said the password, and then the two went in.

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"Professor, NO!" the two cried out in unison, their expressions agape with indignation and disbelief.
Dumbledore gave a small chuckle, not in the least bit disturbed that the Head Girl and Boy had just yelled at him. "Yes Ms. Evans, Mr. Potter. I will say it one more time. I'm sorry I had neglected to inform you, but there will be a ball on the first night of the delegation to welcome the students, and the both of you will go together as partners. Oh yes, and the theme requires Muggle formal wear. Everything clear?"

Knowing how pointless it would be to argue, the two merely said, "Yes Professor," and slumped on their seats, glaring at each other. Then Dumbledore spoke. "That is all. Meet me here tomorrow at 8: 20 with all your things. You may go".

Lily and James got up and were about to exit when suddenly, the professor called out, "Miss Evans, might I inquire as to why there are leaves stuck on your hair and clothes, as well as a Kick Me sign on your back?"

Lily turned beet red, got her wand to undo everything, and said, "Two words, Professor. James Potter" and left. As she passed James, she hissed, "Immature prat. I didn't know you could stoop so low as to use such unoriginal tricks just to annoy me".

Pretending that he hadn't heard her, James said, "Listen Evans. There will some very important people there, so please, for once in your life, please dress nicely. I can't bear to have people say that my partner and supposedly Head Girl of Hogwarts looks like someone from the slums since she's wearing some hideous rag".

Lily merely gave an indignant sigh, turned, and left, all the while thinking, "That jerk. Well, if he wants nice, fine. I'll show him. Then we'll see who gets left gaping, James Potter, just you wait".

As James walked, he kept on thinking, "Hmm, I do hope Evans is going to dress nicely for both our sakes….although I wouldn't like it if guys would ask her to dance because she looks pretty…no, wait, what am I thinking? Why would I care anyway? Anyhow, I think that that'll be impossible. She'll probably wear something way too prudish and look so Head- Girlish that only a completely crazy guy would ask her to dance, right?"

Oh, if he only knew.