Disclaimer: If I have to tell you once, I'll say it a million times. I. Don't. Own. Harry. Potter.
A/N: Check out my other story, 'Meet the Parents!' and the sequel 'Meet the Parents 2'!
Chapter 14—The End Draws Near
"Are you serious?" Tessa cried. "For real? Oh my good god!"
Erica was silent as she stared at Lily through huge eyes. "I don't believe it," she whispered. "How could have this happened?"
Lily let out a hollow laugh. "You guys blurted it out?"
"What!"
"No we didn't!"
"Yes you did," Lily sighed as she stared at her friends, "Remus taped everything you said. He's been spying on you two."
"Remus? Remus Lupin? Holy shit! Who would have thought that goody boy Remy would have actually done something this sneaky?"
Erica, on the other hand, was not pleased at all.
"He was spying on me?" She said, revolted. "How perverted!"
"Not like that you twit." Tessa rolled her eyes. "Like following us around and—," Tessa squinted her eyes and shuddered, "Okay, now it sounds perverted."
Lily shook her hair out of her eyes and sighed. "God this is a nightmare."
"What did Remus say?" Erica whispered.
"He said," Lily dropped her voice so that the twins had to bend closer to hear her, "That I have to tell James by the end of the year."
"Jeez, that's a long time from now! It's only December!"
"Yeah, but before she knows it, the school year will end and she'll have to tell."
"When are you going to tell him?" Erica asked.
"Don't wait until the last minute," Tessa urged.
"I'm not." Lily said a gleam in her eyes, "I'm going to tell him in two weeks."
The Monterey twins shared an identical look. They had never seen this side to Lily Evans before.
"Just be careful," Erica warned, "You don't want the Barbies to find out. Especially Kellie Crosby."
"Don't worry," Lily said, "Kellie won't EVER find out that I'm Miss Cinderella."
They never knew that somebody had heard every word they had just said.
--
"Oh shit man," Sirius moaned as he stared goggle-eyed at the three girls, "Oh dear god in heaven. Lily Evans? Miss Cinderella?"
Sirius stared at Lily Evans for a few more seconds before she and the twins went upstairs to the girls' dormitory.
"What will James think of this?" Sirius whispered to himself as he stood there, still in shock.
Suddenly, Remus' words came tumbling back to him.
I gave her until the end of the year.
There would be no way Sirius would tell James.
There was only one thing to do.
Talk to Remus and maybe Lily.
As he ran to find Remus (who disappeared into the library), he mentally kicked himself.
Why didn't I see this before?
--
James sat in the Heads dormitory glaring at the mask.
He had a notion that this mask could only fit one girl but that certain girl was nowhere to be found.
He was pleased that Miss Cinderella was still in the school, but he was angry that Remus did not tell him who she was!
He hit himself in the forehead many times.
Come on James think!
He thought back to the Halloween Ball, when he danced with her. The beautiful dark red curls shining in the semi-light; the beautiful voice.
Suddenly, it hit him.
I'm in Gryffindor, Miss Cinderella had whispered that fateful night.
Red hair? Gryffindor? Seventh Year?
There was only one girl who fit that description.
Lily Evans.
James' eyes went wide as he snatched up the mask and started to examine it.
He remembered the way Kellie had examined it at the auditions and remembered her look of disgust.
Maybe, just maybe, he could find the person who sold the mask to Miss Cinderella!
After a few moments of searching, James finally found what he was searching for.
'Sold from Marietta's Dresses for All Occasions.'
He knew it wasn't a Hogsmeade weekend (it wouldn't be for another two weeks but he could not wait that long) but he really didn't care. He snatched the mask, grabbed his Invisibility Cloak and left.
--
Sirius hesitated as he saw the library entrance. He had never stepped into a library and he wasn't about to break his record.
He took out his wand.
"Accio Remus!" (A/N: I honestly don't know if they can summon humans but we'll go with it)
Out flew an angry looking Remus Lupin.
"Sirius!" He said angrily, "Why the hell did you do that for?"
"I needed to talk to you." Sirius said.
"Why couldn't you just come into the library?"
"Because," Sirius said simply, "I have never gone into a library."
Remus fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"So, what do you need?" He asked.
Sirius dropped his voice. "I know who Miss Cinderella is."
Remus cocked an eyebrow. "Really."
"Yes!"
"Then, pray tell, who is it?"
"It's Lily Evans!"
Remus nodded, pleased. "Now, how'd you figure that out?"
"Easy, I overheard them three girls talking. They sure don't know how to tell secrets."
Remus nodded his agreement. "Are you going to tell James?"
"What?"
"I said—," Remus sighed in annoyance at his friend.
"No, no, I heard you. I'm saying 'what' as in why would I tell him?"
"You're not going to?" Remus was astounded.
"Nope." Sirius folded his arms. "I'm not because I think ol' Prongsie needs to figure this out on his own."
"Good boy Sirius. Now, if you don't mind, can I return to the library?"
"I guess so."
--
It was cold outside with light snow falling but James trudged on.
His numbing hands clutched the mask tightly as he worked his way into the village.
Once he finally reached the village, he reached into his pocket and brought out his wand.
"Point me." He muttered.
The wand spun around in his hand and finally pointed north.
James tucked his wand away and walked north until he finally found the store.
'Marietta's Dresses for All Occasions.'
James saw that the store was still open so he opened the door and stepped inside.
He instantly began to thaw out.
"Hello?" James whispered loudly. "Is anybody home?"
"Yes?" In walked a young woman with brown hair, dressed in mauve. "May I help you?"
"Yeah. Do you know who bought this mask?" James thrust the mask into the woman's hands.
She studied the mask and smiled. "I do remember! This mask was bought the Saturday before Halloween. Three girls entered my shop that day—so polite too. The girl who bought this mask bought a strapless green one. I remember this one clearly because this mask," she tapped the mask with her forefinger, "Is a very special mask. It only fits the owner."
James already knew this information so he asked, "Do you remember what she looked like?"
The woman thought for a moment before a smile graced her face. "Yes, I do. I don't want to be rude but she looked quite festive. Dark red hair, emerald green eyes. I think her name was after a flower."
It all clicked now
His Cinderella was none other than Shy Girl—the Human Christmas Tree.
Lily Evans.
He smiled so hugely he thought his face would break.
The woman looked at him with a smile on her face. "Is there any reason why you asked this?"
James shook his head. "No reason at all. May I have the mask back?"
"Why of course." The woman handed the mask back to James who tucked it into a fold of his cloak.
"Thanks," he started to leave the store. "Merry Christmas."
The woman, named Marietta, watched James disappear and she smiled.
"Miss Cinderella, your Prince Charming has come."
--
Yeah, i know this chapter was short so don't yell at me. hehehe.
Yes, the end draws near for this story. Maybe 1 or 2 chapters left. tear tear. But don't worry, my break from writing won't be that long. Knowing me, an idea will pop into my head and i'll have to write it down so never fear. i'll be back soon.
--Greekchic