Chapter 9

As ever, Hogwarts looked simply stunning. The great hall had been transformed into a red and silver palace, with a marquee outside in the hot summer air. There was a large orchestra playing waltzes and trays full of delicious food floated idly about the guests. A huge sculpture of Rowena Ravenclaw stood where the Headmaster's chair usually was, adorned with sapphires.

"Wow" uttered Lily.

"Wow indeed, come on let's get some drinks" said Sirius.

At that moment, Lily suddenly caught sight of James and his date. He looked more handsome than ever, dressed in royal blue dress robes, which looked perfect next to his jet black hair. She sighed and looked away to find Sirius.

James suddenly caught sight of her and stopped in his tracks. To him, she epitomised all that was beautiful. She somehow looked both graceful and delicate yet also strong and powerful. Her long red hair flowed down her back seductively, ending just before her waist, which James noted was smaller than he had expected. He felt his mouth open just a little.

"What is it James?" he heard a voice.

"What" he said, tearing his eyes away from Lily, to remember that he was here with Felicity, a perfectly lovely girl. "Oh nothing, I was just, er, admiring how they've decorated the hall. Drinks?" he asked.

Heading over to the bar, he approached Lily, who curiously seemed to be alone.

"Lily, wow, you look stunning, great" the words tumbled out of his mouth before he could think.

She turned to smile at him and he noticed her lips looked so appealing.

"Thanks Potter, you look nice" she wanted to tell him how gorgeous that blue looked on him, but felt awkward with Felicity standing there. "Felicity, how are you?" she asked.

"I'm fine thanks, where's your date? I heard you were going with Arthur MacMillan?" asked Felicity.

Lily laughed. "No no, I'm sort of flying solo tonight" she replied.

"Flying solo? I must be doing a terrible job then" said Sirius, stepping into the circle.

Lily laughed. "Well technically I'm here with Sirius" James' eyes narrowed, "and Remus and Peter" she said, looking up to meet James's gaze.

"What is the meaning of this Padfoot?" asked James, jokingly.

"I'm afraid you've been replaced mate – redhead here is more than qualified for the job" replied Sirius, beginning to laugh.

James laughed too, but couldn't take his eyes off Lily.

"James, let's dance. See you two later" said Felicity, tugging at James's robes.

"What? Yeah ok, bye Lily" said James.

"Evans that was great!" said Sirius, once they were out of earshot.

"Really? Look I think I should just give up on him, I respect his choice" said Lily flatly, lying to herself.

"Oh get off your high horse. Felicity asked him to the ball not the other way round – he told me himself!" cried Sirius.

"Really?" asked Lily.

"Yes! And come on, did you see the way he was staring at you?" asked Sirius.

"I guess …"

"Come on – let's dance" said Sirius out of the blue. Lily tried to resist but Sirius dragged her anyway.

The orchestra were playing a rather elegant waltz, but Sirius acted as if it was a foxtrot or tango, or a mix of both. Making Lily laugh, he hurled them both in between couples until they found James and Felicity.

"Don't these people know how to dance!" said Sirius in a vaguely Spanish accent, charging towards the couple.

After knocking them several times, Sirius let Lily go and whilst Felicity was turning, grabbed her and started dancing with her.

"Don't you know the rules?" Sirius said to a very surprised looking Felicity, James and Lily. "You swap partners!".

Lily smiled and looked up at James, who immediately put one hand on her waist and the other in her own hand. Dancing with him was so easy, thought Lily, although –

"Oh sorry" Lily said as she realised she had stepped on his foot.

"You are a truly terrible dancer Lily" James joked with her.

"Shut up" she winked at him, stepping on another foot purposefully.

They didn't talk much, mainly because they were both engrossed in each other's eyes, until –

"James." Why was someone interrupting them? Lily felt anger rising up in her chest. "James?" the voice sounded irritated.

"What?" he snapped, looking over to see Felicity standing there.

Immediately, the two broke apart, Lily could feel herself blushing.

"James can we talk?" asked Felicity.

"Of course, I'll see you later Evans" said James, smiling apologetically to Lily as he walked off with Felicity.

Of course he left with her. He was a gentleman, true to his word, thought Lily. Hang on – the old Lily would have never thought that about Potter? What was wrong with her, had he spiked her drink or something? What happened to the familiar arrogant mischievous James? She found herself getting annoyed at how engrossed in his eyes she had just been and tried to look for Sirius. Her eyes found him, dancing with Hestia. She smiled as she saw how happy they both looked. Perhaps he had finally confessed his feelings to her.

"Mind if I step in?" asked Remus, coming up to her.

Lily laughed. "Of course! It's good to see you Remus, you look nice!" she said.

"Thank you – James helped me cover up the scars tonight so I don't look as – wolfy – as I usually do" he said quietly.

Meanwhile, James found himself in a nearby classroom with Felicity.

"Nice spot" he muttered.

"I thought so" she smiled up at him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Wait, what are you doing?" he asked her.

She sighed and unwrapped her arms. "I am trying to bloody kiss you if that wasn't already obvious. I asked you to the ball because I like you James!" she said angrily.

"But you barely know me" said James, confused.

"James be honest with me. What happened between you and Lily?" she asked.

"Who – me and, and Evans?" he asked incredulously. "Nothing!" he said. "Nothing, why?".

"Well you seemed pretty infatuated with her" Felicity replied.

"Who me? I mean, come on" he stammered.

"James it's alright. I remember how often you asked her out last year and how she turned you down. I just thought seeing as you two seem like friends now that that had … gone away" she seemed upset.

"I thought so too. I'm sorry for leading you on Felicity" he seemed genuinely apologetic.

"That's ok James – I'm sure I'll find someone else but I'm not sure you will. You need to ask Lily how she feels" and with that, Felicity left the room.

James ran a hand through his already messy hair without realising. Perhaps Felicity was right. He needed to think about this.