Thank you all for the reviews, especially; inlovewithguysinbooks, myharlequinromance321, Gyugeegee, and kpooper! Lots of sugar to all of you :*

Chapter 27

"Come on Bells try this one!" Lily urged.

"Huh? Oh, okay."

"Bella what's wrong with you? You've been spacing out all day!" Marlene queried.

"Are you alright?" Mary added, concerned.

I was currently in Gladrags wizardwear attempting to find my dress for the Halloween Ball. More than half the day had gone buy and I was the only one left to purchase a dress. This was odd as I was usually the first, and I would spend the rest of the time whining about how long the others were taking.

"Yeah, I'm fine, sorry I'm just a little tired, give me that dress!" I said perking up and trying to look cheerful.

"I'll come and help" Lily grabbed me by the arm and pulled me towards the fitting rooms. "Are you alright Bells? It's Sirius isn't it?"

I had filled her in on what had happened at the greenhouse, and also that he hadn't spoken to me since. I hadn't even caught a glimpse of him in fact. I was trying not to draw attention to my worry but I knew Lily saw through it.

I sighed. "Yes I guess so. I pushed it Lil. I shouldn't have asked him to Hogsmeade, now he's being weird about it and I've ruined everything."

I slumped against the wall.

Lily clenched her jaw. "I'm sure wherever he is, he's just being an ignorant jerk. He's always been so smooth with everyone except you. It's always been you Bells, trust me! Don't give up! He's probably pacing in his room wondering how he will ask you to the ball."

I let out a sardonic snort. "I highly doubt it. And give up on what Lil? I don't think there's anything to give up on."

"Then why would you ask him to Hogsmeade?"

"I...I don't know."

"Because you like hi-"

"No. No Lily don't go there. I think I got everything wrong. I was still stressed over my break up with Rodg and he was just there and he was nice an I don't know...I don't know! I just don't want to go there ever again."

"Bells..."

"I mean it Lils. I'm going to the Halloween Ball alone. Now let me try that dress."

I drew the curtains around me and let out a sigh. I looked down at the dress I was holding in my hands. It was a deep midnight blue velvet dress. It had silver ribbon hemmed around the sleeves, neckline, and around the bottom, which reached my feet. There was also a silver ribbon around the waistline. It felt wonderfully soft.

After slipping it on, I noticed it felt like a perfect fit.

I stepped out of the fitting room to a chorus of gasps.

"You look beautiful Bells!" Lily exclaimed with her hands clasped.

Mary and Marlene cooed variations of the same, in agreement.

The lovely elderly witch, Mrs Herbotts shuffled over and her kind face lit up when she laid eyes on me.

"That dress is simply divine on you, my dear! Come over here to the mirror and take a look at yourself"

She rolled a tall mirror across to stand in front of me, and my eyes widened when I caught my reflection.

It looked better than I expected. The sleeves reached my elbows and the material sat snug on my waist, and caved out just enough to accommodate my hips comfortably. The neckline wasn't too high but It wasn't plunging either, just right.

I smiled and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear.

~A week later~

"Guys come one we're going to be late!" I called from the bathroom.

I had just put on my silver pear drop earrings and I was ready to leave.

Lily was helping Mary pull her hair into an elegant up-do, and I admired my own work on Lily's hair, her vibrant red hair was swept into a fancy arrangement just above the nape of her neck, and her emerald green dress brought out her eyes like the jewels they were. A smile crept onto my face when I imagined James' face upon looking at her.

Marlene and Mary had chosen gold and purple dressed, respectively, each opting for leaving their hair to hang naturally around their shoulders, and as for me, half my hair was tied up with a silver ribbon, and the rest of it hung curled down my back, ending just above the bow that was tied at my back. As it was getting darker, I noticed my dark hair shining against all the silver.

"You know, blue is Sirius' favourite colour" I snapped out of my reverie to see Marlene smirking face. I felt a pang at Sirius' name, we had hardly spoke since our detention, I know we had both been busy as exams were just around the corner after the ball, but I couldn't help but feel that I was party responsible for the distance. But I knew Marlene didn't know about the situation, so I just laughed it off.

"Alright, we've wasted enough time, let's go down!" Lily jumped excitedly.

"You all look amazing" I smiled around at my friends.

After exchanging sentiments for about five minutes, we finally walked out.

As we were about to exit our dorm rooms, we noticed that the marauders were loitering on the steps, blocking out path down.

Lily let out an annoyed huff. "This is supposed to be out grand descent down the staircase, what do they think they are doing?" She bit out.

I stifled a laugh. "Just come on Lils, it doesn't matter they're only on the bottom two rungs, we're going to have a brilliant night!"

She smiled and we hooked arms and stepped out so we were at the top of the stairs.

It was highly entertaining watching the boys' reactions.

Peter noticed us first. He just stood there and gawked as we descended the first step.

Remus noticed his odd behaviour and looked up to see what the matter was. His eyes widened and he nudged James. Second step.

"I'm telling you padfoot, the harpies will win this year-" Of course he was talking about quidditch.

James looked up with an irritated "What Remus?", his jaw hit the floor and he stumbled on the step he was standing on, and ended up tripping. He would have fell had Sirius not caught him by the arm. Third step.

James' eyes did not break from Lily, so Sirius looked up. I felt my breath catch.

He looked impeccable in his dress robes, and his hair seemed somehow even more magnificently luscious.

His eyes remained glued on me and though his expression was unreadable, something in it made me look down, face flushed bright red.

Fourth step.

Fifth step.

Sixth step.

I looked up again, Sirius eyes had followed me down, not leaving my face.

I couldn't look away this time and I stumbled, desperately bringing out a hand to grip onto the bannister so I would not fall.

I saw the corners of Sirius' mouth tug upwards slightly and I gulped, throat completely dry.

"You-Lily you..Wow. You look amazing. I mean, you do everyday, but wow..." James continued to stutter his way through his compliments as Lily, looked like she had no idea how to react, and her own face was flushed crimson.

"Bella, you.."

I stared at him. He didn't continue. He looked like the words had been robbed out of his mouth and was desperately trying to say something.

"You look good" I smiled, reaching up to smooth his bow tie. I looked up and he was staring at me again.

"BELLA!" James' exuberant voice startled us out of our moment. "You look half decent!" He reached his hand up to my head, but I caught it.

"Don't you dare ruffle my hair James Potter!" He only poked his tongue out. "And thanks, I'd like to say the same but you look like a swine."

He clutched a hand to his heart and grabbed the bannister in a flamboyant fashion, sobbing about his wounded self confidence.

Lily looked disapprovingly at him, but I thought I recognised a sparkle of amusement in her eyes.

"You look great Bella!" Remus said, touching my shoulder.

"Yeah!" Peter chimed in.

"Thanks guys, you all look very dashing." I smiled at them.

I watched as they exchanged the same sentiments with Mary and Marlene, and once we were fresh out of the niceties, we headed out of the portrait hole, following the sound of excited chatter and the echoing clicks of fancy shoes, to the Great Hall.

I decided to make their dresses full length gowns because I'm almost certain this is the way they would have dressed, just if anyone was wondering. Next chapter will be the Halloween Ball! Yay :)

Review please!

Stay sweet! :)

Sugar~