Chapter 7

The Ravenclaw ball was tomorrow, but it had completely slipped Lily's mind. She had even been asked by three people now: Zacharius Goldstein, Arthur MacMillan and Justin Abbott, but had politely declined all of them. She knew they were all nice enough but did not feel like going with anyone, or going at all for that matter.

"Next". Professor McGonagall's voice rang out, as Marlene came out of her office.

"It's fine – she is oddly in a good mood!" said Marlene, winking at Lily as she headed down the corridor.

Lily knocked on the door. "Enter" said McGonagall. "Ah, Evans" she said, looking up from her glasses. "Sit down".

"Evans I elect to have these meetings with all Gryffindor 6th and 7th years to discuss your future. Is there any particular profession you had in mind?" she asked.

"Well Professor, I always liked the idea of working for the Ministry, possibly as an Auror?" she asked.

Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows. "An Auror? Well, I have no doubt that you could gain the necessary qualifications – but Evans I must warn you that in dark times such as these – being an Auror is more of a high risk job than it used to be".

"I know – I spoke to Alice Fortescue the other day" Lily replied strongly.

"Ah I see. And you've done research into this position I assume?" she asked.

Lily nodded. "I have carefully considered it Professor, I think it is what I want to do. The way I can – contribute – the most".

Professor McGonagall almost smiled. "Well then, I can see you have made up your mind Evans. Here" she ruffled about in a drawer, pulling out a pamphlet "take this, it will give you some more extensive information on the position".

"Thank you Professor". Lily hesitated. "Professor, do you mind if I ask you something?" she inquired.

"Of course".

"These supposed Ministry disappearances, are they connected to Mildred Jones in any way?" she asked.

McGonagall gave her a stern gaze. "I thought I understood that Professor Dumbledore ordered you to not discuss this with anyone Evans" she said.

"Well yes of course, and I haven't told anyone! I just thought you might know something?" she asked.

McGonagall almost smiled again. "I can see your stubbornness will stand you in good stride for being a future Auror Evans. At the moment, Madam Jones is safe and is on a high priority list of security at the Ministry. You need not worry" she said quietly. "Now off you go, next" she called out.

Lily smiled at her, then left the room to find Remus waiting outside.

'Goodluck Remus" she smiled.

"Thanks Lily, not sure how much career advice she can give to a Werewolf" he said darkly.

'I'm sure she'll find something!" Lily said encouragingly as Remus entered McGonagall's office.

She almost skipped down the corridor she felt quite light. McGonagall thought she could become an Auror – that was more than enough confirmation than she needed! Reading her pamphlet as she approached Gryffindor tower she felt … happy. Until –

"Ow!" Lily felt a sharp knock on her head and looked up to see -

"James! I'm so sorry did I knock into you!" she gasped.

James chuckled, rubbing his head. "Watch it Lily – you nearly broke my glasses" he said, smiling.

She laughed back. "Sorry – I was just reading –"

James snatched the pamphlet out of her hands.

"Ah, Auror training I see? McGonagall must like you" he said.

"Have you had your meeting yet?" she asked.

"No, I'm actually just heading there now" replied James. "I should probably go – see ya"

"Wait, James" Lily rushed after him, interrupting him. "Um, you know it's the Ravenclaw ball tomorrow?" she asked.

"Yes? Don't tell anyone but Sirius and I were planning on spiking the punch" he grinned.

"Oh James you can't! What if McGonagall or Filch found out!" –

"Don't worry Evans, I was only kidding" he smiled.

She blinked. "Oh, well, I was wondering, er, if you wanted to go with me?" she asked him, her heart suddenly pounding.

His eyes widened, as if with shock, then after a few seconds he let out a huge laugh.

"What? Hahahahah! Go with you? That's very good Lily – very good" he laughed, as Lily looked most surprised.

"I get it now Evans! Completing the cycle after all these years of me asking you out" he was still laughing.

Lily felt very small, but had no choice but to join in. "Yeah – you got me! Must be the concussion talking – see you later James" she said, turning away from him, feeling most confused and a little hurt.

She came through the portrait hole and sat herself down on her favourite sofa, hurling the Daily Prophet that was on the cushion into the fire.

"Wow, rough day?" asked Sirius, sitting himself down next to her.

"Something like that" replied Lily. "You?" she asked.

"The worst" Sirius replied, in a false cheery tone. "Look" he moved his head in the direction of the boys dormitory, where Lily looked over to see Hestia and Hamish McLaggen talking in hushed voices.

"They're going to the ball together" said Sirius bitterly.

"Did you even ask her?" asked Lily, sighing.

"No" he said. "Did you even ask James" asked Sirius, mocking her tone.

"I did actually. Just now" she said quietly.

Sirius rose up in his seat. "And?" he demanded.

Lily eyes filled with tears as she looked at him. "He thought it was a joke – he basically said no".

"What an idiot" Sirius said.

"Who is he going with?" asked Lily.

"Who Prongs? That 5th year Ravenclaw I think".

"What? You mean Felicity Bones?" she asked.

"I think he said that one" he replied.

Lily wanted to feel furious. But she couldn't. Of course James would ask a Ravenclaw to the ball, as apparently Ravenclaws had access to a secret part of the event. Of course he would ask Felicity Bones, after all she had been very scared the night they found her, James was like her knight in shining armour. He really had matured in recent years. Sighing, Lily thought to herself, 'she is rather pretty'. She wanted to feel angry at him, but she couldn't. She was too late asking him – what did she expect leaving it to the last day before the ball, he was popular and good looking of course he would have a date.

"You alright there Evans?" asked Sirius. "You look like you're trying to murder the carpet with your thoughts".

"I think I'll skip tomorrow's festivities" she said. "It's all a ruse to distract us from what's really going on out there".

"Why don't we go together?" asked Sirius.

Lily laughed. "Don't you have several dates lined up for tomorrow?" she asked him.

"Nope. Of course the line of ladies wanting to accompany me was very long, queuing for hours just to ask me" Lily laughed, chucking a cushion at him. "But I refused them all. Come with me, Wormtail and Moony" he insisted. "You can substitute for Prongs".

Lily smiled. "Thanks Sirius".

"Anytime Evans" he replied.