(A/N I don't know who Ludo Bagman's father was... go with it.)
Chapter Nine Halloween
My Dearest Niece,
Your letter reached me the day you sent it, but I'm afraid I have been swamped with work and have been toiling over plans.
I have arranged for you to pick up your dresses at Hogsmeade.
"At least we don't have to suffer Pria," Ally said.
"Keep reading."
You will contact Madam Winchcombe. .
Sorry this letter is so short,
Uncle David
Ally read it out loud to Lily in the common room. The other Gryffindors were still down in the great hall, stuffing their faces. No one had come up while she had been reading the letter. Lily took it out of Ally's hands and skimmed it over. She flipped it over to look at the back but there was nothing on it.
"That was... short."
Ally sighed.
"There's no hidden information, if that's what you're thinking. He's busy and didn't have time for a full letter. It happens all the time." She shrugged.
"He said to go to Hogsmeade." Lily said.
"Yeah, we have a Hogsmeade trip again don't we?'
"On Halloween, isn't that kind of close?"
"No, I'm sure it'll be fine," Ally kicked her feet up onto the armrest of the chair she was sitting in; "We'll just pick them up and go."
"Won't we have to be fitted?"
Ally sighed.
"Do you not understand the concept of magic?" her wand shot sparkles out, "Oooooh magic!"
"Very funny," Lily said sarcastically then continued, "Contact Madam Winchcombe."
"Who again?" Ally looked puzzled.
"She's the pretty woman who works at the Three Broomsticks."
"Oh yeah, I remember her." She laughed, "All the boys were drooling, especially that Ravenclaw boy, who tripped over a chair while he was ordering."
October 31st
Not much had happened in the time between the meeting with Dumbledore and the day of the Ball. Lily was being constantly harassed by James, who seemed determined to get Lily as his date. She just shrugged off his attempts to court her, until one day in Charms. He had sent her numerous notes asking her to go out with him. Just when Lily thought he had given up, he levitated an origami heart that said 'Lily, go with me to the ball', the rest of the class went a little fuzzy for Lily and all Ally remembered was a giant red, angry blur. One Slytherin swore that he saw Lily cast the 'Avada Kedavra' curse at James.
All in all, their classes were uneventful. Remus looked a bit ill for a while, and then came back after a three day disappearance, looking much healthier. Ally was a bit relieved that Remus no longer had to lie to him, and while he was gone, she picked up all his homework. Lily and she also visited him in the hospital wing, Ally made sure to bring plenty of sweets, Lily brought books.
It was the day of the Hogsmeade trip and the ball. Pria and Ally were in Zonkos, while Lily and Carla were visiting the bookstore.
They're such bookworms... Ally thought, when they had split up.
"They are such bookworms." Pria had said.
"You know," Ally said turning to her, "I was just thinking the same thing."
"Don't forget to visit Winchcombe!" Ally shouted after Lily.
"You should be reminding yourself that!" She said and they vanished into the crowd.
The Zonkos joke store was full of odds and ends. The shelves went so high up that they seemed to fade into the ceiling, well, it was the wizarding world, and they probably did. Zonkos wasn't really a store for people who were looking for something specific. It was more a store for the person who recently lost something in a rift tide on full moon, who can't remember exactly what it looked like, except that it was purple and it whirred. Zonkos had that.
Ally brushed her hand across the counter as she walked by it. The man normally seen behind the counter was absent at the time. She stopped to look out the window and saw very familiar figures approaching the shop. Pria followed her gaze and smiled.
"Marauders." She said and then pulled Ally to the back corner of the shop. They slipped into a storage closet. The bell on the door rang as the four of them marched in. She could barely see them through the small crack between the door and the wall.
What, do they think they own the place? She remarked in her mind. Peter scurried off to look at some enchanted muggle toys. Sirius and James walked up to the front desk, while Remus lingered in the back, behind a shelf, obviously not wanting to be seen in the joke shop by any of the professors.
James rang the bell obnoxiously. He waited for a moment and looked around.
"Where is he?"
"Let me try!" Sirius pushed him over and then rang the bell repeatedly until the owner peeked his head around the corner. He had been in the back room of Zonkos, the place where Ally had found her talking hat.
"Ah," he said, looking them up and down, "Do you solemnly swear you have been up to no good?"
"Mischief managed, sir!" Sirius saluted the manager.
"Well." he shut the door. Some small clatter in the back of the shop could be heard, and then a small 'Boom!' erupted. The door flung open and the manager walked through purple smoke to the back of the counter. He pulled out his wand and shut the door again with a flick of his wand.
"What can I do you for Mr. Potter," he nodded and then turned to Sirius, "Mr. Black?"
James looked around the shop closely, to see if anyone was listening. Ally involuntarily tensed as his eyes moved across their hiding place. His gaze passed right over, though, oblivious to their presence. Then he leaned forward. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out an envelope. Ally immediately recognized it.
"That's the invitation to my Uncle's ball." She whispered.
Pria nodded, and then they both turned their attention back to the conversation unfolding before them.
"Know anything about this?" James inquired.
The manager took the letter and opened it. He widened his eyes and glanced at James before he returned it to him.
"What are you planning?" he asked curiously and yet cautiously, "Did you have anything in mind?"
"We need information first." Sirius interrupted, "There's nothing we can plan quite yet, without knowing how it's going to go down."
"Hmm," The manager looked out into space in thought and the shop lapsed into silence. The only noise was from Peter accidentally knocking over a singing toad. The toad looked around from its position on the floor, and then burst out in a rousing rendition of 'Do the Hustle," complete with background singing from the other toads on the shelf
The manager opened the first drawer on his right and shuffled through some papers.
"I don't normally do this," He eyed them as he drew out a piece of paper, "but I think I'll make an exception in your case."
Sirius and James looked at each other happily. What are they so happy about..? I got a talking hat!
"Thank you ,sir," James said.
The manager replied by sliding the piece of paper across the desk, toward them.
"You can't leave the shop with that."
"Yessir." They replied and quickly absorbed the information on the paper. James and Sirius were muttering to themselves. Pria tapped Ally on the shoulder.
"Aren't you going to do something?" Pria whispered.
"Why?" Ally asked.
"They're going to prank you at Uncle's party!"
"It's a charity ball, not a party."
"So what! They're still going to wreck it!"
"What can I do?" Ally held her hands in defeat, "I haven't got a clue how to stop them!"
"Get a clue!"
"Er—do you have any idea how hard that is for me?" She whispered back.
They turned their attention back to the two mischief makers and the manager. James was leaning in very close and whispering to the older man. The manager nodded then drew back to the large storeroom. He returned a few seconds later with a small box.
"Be very careful," he said, just loudly enough for Ally and Pria to hear in the back, "It would be bad to spill this stuff."
They nodded vigorously and then dragged Remus and Peter back into the street.
Ally and Pria emerged from the closet carefully, looking around to make sure all of them were gone.
"Ah," the manager said, "How is your hat, Miss Pierce?"
"Er—" She looked at Pria and they backed out of the shop, "Rather down I'm afraid, I recently lent him to a small second year with lice... bad memories."
They ran out of the shop and stopped running when they reached the corner of the street.
"Have you gotten a clue yet?" Pria asked.
"No," She spotted the Three Broomsticks across the street.
"Hold on," she left Pria on the street and ran over to the shop. Luckily, Ally closed the door behind her before she heard Pria scream in frustration.
"Stupid Al!"
Ally took of her scarf and coat; she draped them over her arm and looked around the room. There were several other Hogwarts students there, including Lily. Ally glanced at Carla talking to Lily, and waved.
Lily POV
Lily had been talking to Carla about their last class of DADA, when she saw Ally wave to her. She must be here to see Madam Winchcombe. She waved back and then pointed to behind the counter. Winchcombe was there, cleaning out some cups, behind the counter. Ally gave her the thumbs up and smiled. Then she saw Ally walk up to the counter.
A brief exchange occurred, then, Ally was escorted by Winchcombe to the back room. Lily looked down on the floor at a long box that held her dress. Then she looked up at the door as it ringed, admitting Pria from the streets.
Pria strode over to where they were seated and plopped down in the chair next to Lily. She looked utterly annoyed at something. Probably something Al did.
"Lil—you won't believe what Ally and I just witnessed..."
Ally POV
Ally sat down on an arm chair, waiting for Winchcombe to come back with her parcel. The small room in the back had a small couch, table, and arm chair. The floor had a large ornate rug laid out on it and the walls were made of light wood.
Ally's mind wondered over her previous encounter at Zonkos, well, it wasn't really an encounter. She didn't have any idea how to stop Potter ruining her uncle's ball. Her mind was fuzzy just trying to think of anything. I can't ask my uncle to uninvite the Potter's, which would be unfair to James' father, who hasn't really done anything... and my Uncle would want to know why. And I wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings... Come on, Ally, think... wait! Thinking! That's it!
Ally jumped up and reached into her robe pocket, sure enough, she pulled out a flattened hat. This hat has to have something to help me! With a pop the hat righted itself an she placed it on her head.
Listen—
No, no, the hat said before she could say anything. I can read thoughts you know... Ah, you are in a predicament. Mr. Potter's mischief may prove to destroy your Uncle's ball. Keep me on, I may need to think this one over for a while before I get back to you.
Got it.
Madam Winchcombe returned and looked at her oddly.
"What kind of hat is that?"
"Er—a good one?" Ally replied.
Winchcombe rolled her eyes and shoved a thin rectangle box toward her.
"Take this, your Uncle sent it to me, he said to tell you to he was expecting you to wear it. But don't wear it when your traveling by floo powder, change at the hall, or else you'll get ashes all over it."
Ally took the box, not bothering to open it she told Winchcombe thanks and reentered the main pub room; she spotted Pria sitting with Lily and Carla.
Must be telling her what happened.
I agree...
Ally jumped and then looked up, she had forgotten the hat was still on. She walked over to their table after ordering a round of butter beers for her friends, and then she took a seat in between Carla and Pria.
"—then she left me on the street in this cold weather!" Pria finished saying.
"Sorry about that," Ally sat as she sat down, "I ordered us all butter beers to make up for it."
"Well, I guess that's decent compensation." Pria said. "Why are you wearing that hat?"
"It helps me think."
You mean I think for you...
"No, you don't!" Ally said.
Her friends exchanged glances.
"Er—right, of course you don't." Pria said.
You aren't all that bright are you? The hat said.
"Nothing, nothing guys."
The bell on the door rang again. Lily, Pria, Carla and Ally turned their heads to the doorway to see who was entering.
"No.Way." Pria said.
"Welcome to my life." Ally groaned and slammed her head down on the table.
"I can't believe the coincidence!" Lily said.
Carla didn't say anything, but watched all four marauders sit in the corner of the pub. Madam Winchcombe came over to their table and took their orders.
Aha! I've got it!
"Aha!" Ally said to her friends who turned to look at her. "I've got it!"
Look over at his feet; he put the package on the ground!
"Look over at his feet; he put the package on the ground."
"So?" Lily said.
He can't see it! It can easily be replaced!
"He can't see it, it can easily be replaced."
"Replaced... by what?" Lily asked.
Pria smirked, and then pulled out a package labeled 'Filibuster's new Fireworks!'
"I think I have just the thing..." she laughed evilly.
"Don't do that."
"Right."
Ten minutes later...
James and his 'Marauders' exited the Three Broomsticks. They were all laughing about something and started to walk down the main street.
"Five... four... three... two... one..."
The streets exploded in colors and lights. Potter was taken completely off guard, when the small box he was holding blew up. Blasts, bangs, booms and thunderous noises emitted from the box. The fireworks whirled and whizzed off in thousands of directions. Flying saucers and rockets lit up the street. Wheels of color and light spun round and round, causing people to have to duck and dodge.
"Go, Carla!" Lily shouted from their hiding place in the alley.
Carla ran up the opposite end of the street. She arrived at the scene when the fireworks died down to a faint 'zzzzzeeeeeeeeeee'. Trailing behind her was professor McGonagall. Her mouth was hanging open in shock when Carla showed her the scene.
"It's just like I said, Professor, Lily, Pria, Ally, and I were all in the Three Broomsticks when we heard Potter and his friends talking about this great prank they had planned for today's Hogsmeade trip." She paused and looked at them, Ally gave her the thumbs up and she continued. "We went immediately to get you, but the fireworks already went off. We ducked down the alley for our safety, and when they died down a little, I went to go get you."
"Thank you, Carla." Professor McGonagall said. Her face set with grim determination now. "I shall inform the Headmaster of you and your friends' good intentions. For now, return to the castle with them."
Carla ran over to where her friends were hiding in the alley.
"Let's get out of here before we get caught."
Ally and her friend all ran down the streets. A huge crowd had gathered in the streets to look over the scene. Barely anyone noticed the four girls, laughing their heads off, duck through the crowd and enter one of the carriages. The carriage set out with al four giggling girls in it.
"That was terrible!" Carla said, "Don't ever make me do that again."
"You were so good though!" Lily exclaimed, "Professor McGonagall believed every single word you said. Did you see her face, she looked so peeved!"
"She's going to murder them!" Pria laughed, "And they deserve it for trying to ruin the ball."
Ally smiled at her friends as they reminisced over what had just happened.
Thanks for that hat. I owe you one.
Aw, stop, you're making me blush! Wait... I can't blush... Aw, snap.
Ally giggled to her self and dragged the hat off her head. Then flattening it out, she stuffed the hat into the box that held her dress, without even bothering to look at the dress inside.
One hour later...
Ally and Lily ran down the hall. They were five minutes late of when Professor McGonagall had told them to be in her office to floo to the hall. Lily and Ally both clutched their rectangle boxes that held their boxes as they sprinted around another corner.
The Halloween feast had been a blast. Ghosts had flown in and out of the hall constantly. Instead of the usual candles floating around the hall, carved jack-o-lanterns spun around the student's heads. Bats and spiders hung down from the ceiling.
Professor McGonagall had given them a note, telling when to be in her office. James and Potter had also been given one, but they hadn't noticed that Lily and Ally had received the same note.
"At least this way," Ally panted as they rounded another corner, "We won't have to explain to Potter and Black why we're there!"
"That is a plus!" Lily said back.
The door to Professor McGonagall's office banged open and Ally and Lily stood there puffing for breath.
"Sorry, Professor!" Lily gasped. "The clock in our room is always a little quirky!"
Professor McGonagall sighed and took a bowl from her desk into her hands.
"I'll let it slip," she said, "You were the ones who alerted me today about that incident of Hogsmeade..." she paused, "Potter and Black have already left for Bonham."
She motioned to the fireplace next to her. Ally and Lily stepped up to the edge of the rug.
"Floo powder is really quiet simple." She said, "All you have to do is take a small pinch of powder," She handed them the bowl and they each took a small sample. "Then when you step into the flames, you speak clearly and slowly the place that is your destination and throw the powder down into the flames."
She pointed at Lily who moved forward. She stepped into the fireplace slowly.
"Don't worry," Professor McGonagall said at her hesitation, "The flames won't harm you at all, now... your destination."
"Upstairs, Bonham hall." she shouted and disappeared as green flames encircled her.
"I trust that, since you came from a wizarding family, I don't have to explain floo traveling to you?" Professor McGonagall said to Ally.
"No, Professor." She stepped into the flames.
"Upstairs, Bonham Hall." Ally said and, like Lily, vanished in the flames.
Bonham Hall...
Ally slid out of the fireplace coughing. I hate floo powder... Can't wait to be able to apparate... She thought before she was pulled out of her sitting position.
"Aunt Beatrice!" she shouted joyfully.
"Al!" she said, "You look gorgeous!"
Ally looked down at herself. She was in her jeans and t-shirt, covered in ash.
"Are you feeling okay?" She replied.
Her aunt only laughed and began pushing her through to another room. The upstairs of Bonham hall wasn't really an upstairs. It really was a really big room, filled with clothing lines and banners that hung down, somewhat dividing the hall into rooms.
"We've already sent your friend to get dressed. You two have to look especially good. yYu'll be presented first—"
"Say what?" Ally snapped.
"You'll be presented first. You know... walk down the hall stairs before anyone else. You'll be announced with your uncle, my husband, and he will be escorting you down the stairs, that's why he special ordered your dress? Didn't he tell you this?"
"... No." Ally retorted.
"Oh," her aunt said, "Well..." she brushed her hair out of the way nervously, "Now you know."
Beatrice pushed back a curtain and they entered another room, filled with random objects, like a pensieve and a wardrobe with a boggart in it.
"Not to mention, Matthew will be escorting Lily---
"Geh—di—abba—wibba—wha---can she—how—er?" Ally blabbered.
"You do remember your cousin Matthew, don't you?"
"Yeeeees." Ally replied.
'Well, your mother said you had a new friend, Matthew needed someone to escort... it all seemed to work out...!" her aunt said cheerfully.
Ally loved her mum and her aunt and uncle and cousin...but she couldn't help thinking, 'Their going to die!' while she was putting on her dress. She jerked into the fabric angrily and watched her hair being done in the mirror thinking murderous thoughts.
Oh, their going to get it... I cannot believe this... horrid...evil...scandalous family! I'll disown them! You'll see! You thought Grindelwald was bad... Just wait until they face the fury of Al! Okay... I need a better name... Give me a minute, I'll think of one.
She slapped on her heels and stormed out of the changing room—er—curtains—and opened her mouth to give a piece of her mind to her aunt, mother, cousin, and uncle, who were all sitting, waiting for her.
"See! Didn't I tell you she looks gorgeous!" her aunt exclaimed
"Beautiful!" her uncle cried out.
"My baby girl!" her mother sobbed.
"You look weird, Al." her cousin said.
So, there she was, in her white, sparkly, flowy, diamond dress, with her closest family, complimenting her to no end. Her mouth was hanging open, trying to form words. After all that practice in her mind, envisioning her self shouting at her family that she wanted to leave them forever, all that she could come up with was...
"Er—thanks Matt."
"For calling you weird?" he grinned, showing a set of perfect white teeth, "No problem!"
"Lily already came out a few minutes ago, she's such a nice girl!" her mother said, "Matthew and her hit it off right away."
"Auntie!" he shouted, blushing.
"Well, it's true," she smiled at her nephews awkwardness, "Anyway, Al, (I love you new name by the way,) she went to sneak a peek at the audience, said she was looking for Prongs."
"Oh," Ally said, "I better join her then."
She ran through the room, pushing back curtains and weaving around desks and strange objects. She came to where Lily was looking out. It was a sort of balcony, except the audience that had gathered couldn't see them, everyone who looked up would only see a large painting on the wall. Lily and Ally could see the audience though.
Bonham hall was decorated to the theme, black and white. There were orbs of light floating around, lighting up the room spectacularly. Banners with the symbol for St. Mungo's hospital reached from the top of the ceiling to the floor. There entire hall was made of white marble. Ornate pillars held up the hall on both sides. On one end was a large ceiling dome, and the other side had a large staircase with a white rug laid out. Beneath the dome was the dance floor, where the ball would officially begin. The floor was polished marble, which sparkle whenever light hit it at the right angle. An orchestra was positioned in one of the corners.
Lily pointed to the staircase.
"Is that where we're coming down?"
"Yeah, they'll announce our names. First they'll say my uncle's name and then they'll say 'escorting' and then they'll say my name."
'That didn't make a lot of sense."
Ally giggled. Lily knew she wasn't as gifted in words. She also sensed that Lily was nervous for some reason. That was unusual. Lily was great at everything, and so she was confident. There was rarely a moment when Lily would falter, or make a mistake.
"What's wrong?"
"I've never been in front of this many people..."
"Oh, you'll do fine!" Ally said, "Trust me, if I can do this, you can. We did this all the time in France! All you have to do is imagine everyone else—"
"In their underwear? I've heard that one before." Lily replied hopelessly, "it doesn't help me any."
"Actually I was going to say to imagine them gossiping about how I tripped down the stairs and rammed right into the entire Malfoy family. Then, about how I spilt punch all over myself, got drunk, danced the chicken dance, and was expelled from Hogwarts for radical behavior."
Lily laughed and Ally got a chance to see what she was wearing.
"Your dress looks exactly like mine!"
"No it doesn't! Your's is in white and mine is in black!" Lily said. "Are you colorblind now?"
"Er—" Ally whistled.
Lily laughed and pointed at the bottom of the hall's stairs.
"Look at Potter and Black! In suits!" she handed Ally some binoculars she had found earlier.
Sure enough, at the bottom of the stairs, she recognized her two fellow Hogwarts peers, joking like they were still in school. Next to them she saw James' parents. His father looked a heck of a lot like him and his mother looked very elegant in her sheath black dress. The rest of the crowd had gathered around the bottom of the stairs waiting for the ball to start.
"They look funny in suits."
"You mean ridiculous," Lily scoffed.
"Come on," she pulled out her wand and observed the time, "I think your aunt wants us to wait behind the stairs right entrance.
Seventeen point five eight seconds later...
"Girls!" Ally's aunt said as they approached. "Good, good."
She pulled Ally in front of Lily. There was already a line of other women, some Ally recognized as the people who worked for her Uncle. They must be announcing all the executives.
"Mr. Bagman," her aunt pushed the door open a crack and pointed to a pudgy man, guffawing at a joke the man next to him just said. "Will announce you, after the proper introductions, you will walk to the center of the top of the stairs, and then you will take the arm of whoever is escorting you. The men will enter the other side before you and will be waiting."
She pointed to the left entrance to the stairs.
"That's where the men will enter before you. And for goodness sake Al!" her aunt said. "Don't run down the stairs like you did last time."
Ally giggled.
"Fine! I will take my sweet time this ball, one step... oh...every... hour!"
Lily laughed as Ally's aunt rolled her eyes.
"Don't you dare." she said dangerously, but the affect was ruined by her smile. "You both look lovely."
"Thank you, Mrs. Pierce."
"I'll get you for that."
They didn't get to continue their conversation, as the orchestra struck up a tune and Mr. Bagman stepped in front of the crowd. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at his throat. Suddenly, his voice boomed.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you for attending St Mungo's annual Charity ball. Any donation you make today will be directly forwarded to the department of magical injuries."
There was some brief polite applause.
"It is my pleasure to tell you that the clock has struck eight o' clock, and the ball has begun."
More applause greeted this news.
"Gee, they clap at everything don't they?" Ally muttered.
"We will begin by announcing the owner of St Mungo's, winner of Witch Weekly's Most Successful Business Man, and a proud member of the Order of Merlin. David Pierce!"
The crowd burst out into applause. Ally's uncle appeared on the left entrance and proudly walked to the center of the platform at the top of the stairs.
"And I'm sure you've either heard it yourself, or heard it from another person. Mr. Pierce brags to no end about his lovely niece.'
The crowd laughed lightly and Bagman continued.
"Now, we finally have the pleasure of meeting her. Mr. Pierce will be escorting his niece tonight. Ally Pierce!"
Ally slowly entered the hall; she glided down to the platform and took her uncle's arm. Everyone's eyes were on them as they moved down the stairs. She smiled kindly as she passed the Potter's and Sirius. Both James and Sirius had attractively dropped their jaws. Attractive to flies that is...
Her Uncle led her onto the dance floor and spun her around once. The edges of her dress twirled up a little as she spun and she looked faintly like a disco ball the way she sparkled.
"Next up," Bagman continued after the applause died down, "We have Matthew Pierce, the heir to the Pierce fortune, and fresh out of Beauxbatons School with a remarkable twelve NEWTS."
The audience applauded again, it could be said that the girls were applauding rather vigorously as her cousin stepped onto the platform.
'He will be escorting a very close friend of the Pierce family from our very own Hogwarts. Lily Evans!"
Lily slid down the stairs gracefully. She took Matthews arm and they descended down the stairs and made their way to a position on the floor next to Ally and her Uncle. Matthew spun Lily once, and she glittered and shone like a black star.
The announcements continued for a long while mainly consisting of her Uncle's board and their husbands or wives.
When they had finished and all the pairs were out on the dance floor. The audience moved to encircle the dancers.
Ally looked over at Lily who glanced at Ally at the same time.
They smiled and the orchestra began the dance.
Ally spun and twirled in time with the beat. Her uncle was a good dancer. The thing about this dance was that after a certain number of beats, your supposed to spin the girl you dancing with over to the next person.
After the fourth measure, Ally was spun to her cousin, Matthew.
Eighth measure, Mr. Jorkins...
Twelfth measure, Mr. Collins...
Sixteenth measure, Mr. Malfoy...
Twenty-second measure, Mr. Potter...
Twenty-sixth measure, James...
Thirtieth measure, Sirius... A loud bang and screaming, people running for their lives...A glimpse of the top of a tall black mask... A green light... What happened? She thought before Sirius grabbed her hand and forced her to run...