Written for:

OT3 Challenge - Day 16: Fear

Sophie's challenge - Dress Robes

Pokemon go - Word count

August Writing Month - Word Count

Belle of the Ball

James paced up and down the dorm-room as he waited for his friends to get back from dinner. He had eaten quickly so he would have time to get himself calm and collected upon their arrival, but all he succeeded in doing was working himself up into a frenzy.

He was scared that Sirius would ask Remus and he'd be left out in the cold whilst the pair cuddled up together. He had to make sure he got in there first. There was enough space for the three of them in a relationship, right? After all, he was mad about both of them and was sort-of-certain that they felt the same way.

Well, Remus kept his feelings hidden, and Sirius had spent too long being taught how to repress feelings and struggled to express them properly… but James was certain that behind the cool facade, Sirius wouldn't be opposed to some snogging. Remus too, of course.

...oOo…

The door opened almost an hour later, and James stared at the other three like a deer caught in headlights. Peter looked between the three for a moment before shrugging to himself and walking to the far side of the room, where his bed was, and grabbing a magazine.

"James, you look like you're about to have a stroke," Remus finally said. "Is something the matter?"

"A stroke?" The strange words snapped James out of his panicked state. "What is a stroke?"

"Muggle illness," Remus replied. "What's wrong?"

"Will you go to the ball with me?"

"Hey!" Sirius snapped, glaring at James. "I was… I was about to ask him. You can't do that!"

"You were? I was going to… to ask James," Remus muttered. "I didn't think you'd ask me."

"You wanted to go with James over me?" Sirius backed away dramatically. "Well done. You've broken my—"

"Enough. I was actually asking the both of you. I like you both, and I want all three of us to go as each others dates."

"Oh, thank Merlin," Remus murmured. "That makes it easier if I don't have to choose between you."

"You fancy both of us?" Sirius had quickly forgotten his drama and was crowding into Remus' space as per usual. "Well, there's a lot of fun to be had in threes. Just think about it, you can be in the middle, and—"

"Hey, we haven't even gone on a date yet," James yelped as Sirius turned stormy grey eyes his way.

"And you," Sirius continued as though James hadn't spoken. "You asked us both. Kinky, James. I like it."

James was frozen once more, and Remus just watched with a smile on his lips.

"Get a room," Peter called from his own bed. "But not this one. I'm trying to read, and I don't want to see any of you naked!"

Sirius grinned between James and Remus. "So, the end-of-term ball? Sounds like fun!"

...oOo…

James stood in his dress-robes. Sirius was intent on them not seeing each other get ready. Remus had use of the prefects bathroom, Sirius was in the Hufflepuff girl's dorm (Alice was probably playing dress-up or doing his hair), and James was getting ready in his own dorm.

Peter had already left; his own date from Ravenclaw had arranged to meet him a bit earlier than the boys had agreed, and James was the first one to the entrance hall. He fixed his black dress robes, glad that he asked his mother to send new ones, whilst he waited.

Remus came down next, his own dress-robes a beautiful dark-blue colour. James took his hand as Remus came to stand next to him, and James muttered something about Remus looking handsome, whilst blushing at the floor. Remus shoulder-bumped him in return, repeating James' words.

They turned towards the Hufflepuff corridor where they knew the Common room was, and it didn't take long before Sirius walked towards them, his black hair in a long plait down his back, and wearing a tea-dress—not the suit Remus and James had seen him leave the room with—with a black pleated skirt and a gold bow off to the side. The sleeves were slightly puffed and, to complete the look, he was wearing his combat boots.

"So…" Sirius began nervously.

"You look amazing," Remus offered, leaning in to kiss Sirius' cheek.

"Right. The belle of the ball," James agreed. "So, where did you get the dress?"

"You know that muggles have these shops where they give stuff they don't want anymore!" Sirius exclaimed. "I found this in there one day when me and Remus' mum were out shopping."

"Wait, you went shopping with my mum and didn't invite—"

"Moony, please, I'm telling a story," Sirius insisted. "And someone had gotten rid of this. Hope said I should get them if I like them, so I did! Is this okay?"

"It's more than okay," Remus assured him, and James was quickly to nod. Sirius took one of each of their hands before leading the way to the Great Hall.

Review please

835 words

Thanks Dina and Lynn for looking over my fic :D