Thank you to those who reviewed. Again, I own nothing, except Charlie Mucklesbank.
Last time: They stayed like that for well over an hour, Lily peaceful with the world, and James admiring her every feature. The fire gave a liud crackle and Lily was forced out of her slumber.
She jumped, forgetting where she was for a minute, until her eyes landed on her notebook next to her. A pair of feet was next to it, and she followed them up until she came face to face with James.
Her tranquil mood vanished as she remembered what he had done earlier. He cleared his throat and looked down as fury shone in her eyes. "Could I get you a drink?" James asked, almost nervously.
"I can get my own, thank you." She retorted, not meaning her thanks anyway, but she would never sink to his disgusting level.
He flicked his wand and two steaming mugs of tea appeared anyway. He plucked them from the air and handed her one. She took it, and for a fleeting moment, they touched. James' heart leapt, as it did every time they touched or brushed near each other.
"Thanks" she said again, and though she didn't like to admit it, she meant it this time. She hadn't had anything to eat or drink since breakfast, she was sure she'd regret that later when she had a thumping migraine.
James started talking again; taking advantage that she had a mug of steaming tea to her lips. "I just want to say, that I'm really, really sorry about earlier. I…I don't know why it happened…and I'm so sorry. I've never meant to hurt you- if I have that is, and if I have, then I'm sorry. That's the last thing I'd ever want to do"
He stopped himself babbling before he got his words too confused and looked up at her with pleading eyes.
"James. If you were sorry, you wouldn't have done it. You wouldn't have kept doing it for the past few years." She said bluntly. She gave him a pointed look, knowing that she was right, but was met by sparkling eyes.
He stared at her, with an almost happy face. 'She called me James. She actually called me James-and not Potter, or anything else. Just James.'
Shifting her gaze quickly, she stared into the fire. "I was waiting for you. We have to get the Halloween Ball sorted. I don't know whether you've got any ideas, but I was thinking maybe we could do something special, or different. So that it's remembered. All the past ones here have been pretty naff."
"Yeah" was about all James could manage. She had just called him James, and was now talking to him, not as an enemy, 'not as a friend either' he reminded himself, but there was no sarcasm, or banter, or arguing, or anything that usually made up a "conversation" between them.
They sat there until just after nine, talking about the Ball, making plans, all the while Lily scribbling notes in her book, until it was time for them to get ready for Hall Duty.
The 31st of October was soon upon them, and Lily and James had been granted the whole day off lessons to prepare the hall for the festivities later that night. The house elves had already been informed of the dinner plans, and special arrangements had been made for a batch of Boggarts to be placed around the castle, for that extra Halloween effect.
Many people, particularly the younger years, and the Slytherins had been asking if it was a scary party, and if they should don their outfits for a truly horrific evening, but Lily and James had decided on a more formal event, with the Boggarts and surprises they had planned to do the "Halloween Business".
With the permission of Professor Dumbledore, they had positioned about 15 Boggarts around the castle, ready to scare any unsuspecting passers-by. They were hidden in trunks, that were unlocked and ajar, and the Boggarts weren't particularly dangerous, being fairly young. Lily and James were responsible for putting them out and getting them back into their trunks after the ball was over.
The common rooms of all four houses were in an uproar, everyone was trying to get ready, finding crumpled dress robes and dresses out of trunks, performing various decreasing spells or scent charms to get rid of the musty smell of wood. Many of the older students were trying spells to do their hairdos, some rather unsuccessfully. One unfortunate 5th year Ravenclaw got herself in such a muddle she ended up with silk for hair, instead of silky smooth locks.
Sirius, Peter and Remus were all scooting about their dormitory looking for an assortment of items-blazer jackets, wands, socks, all of which could be found somewhere on the floor.
Sirius was wearing very smart black robes with silvery stitches that set off his eyes. It fit perfectly, and he sauntered in front of the mirror. Remus also had some very smart robes on, but these were dark navy, nearly black if the lighting was poor. He found this colour made him look less severe, as although he loved mischief and the "Marauder ways", he was seen as the sensible, mature member. Peter was in plain black robes, and his thin hair flopped about his face.
They were all ready with a good half an hour before the ball was to start, so they sat by the fire in the common for a while, talking about whatever marauders talk about. Sirius was to meet his date at twenty past seven. She was pretty 7th year Hufflepuff, with dark curly hair and deep brown eyes. He set off without the other two, who followed down to the Great Hall five minutes after, with stomachs growling for a good meal.
Fewer candles were lit than usual, adding to the already eerie aura the castle had. Lily and James found themselves running a little behind schedule; Lily was still getting dressed, putting the finishing touches to her hair, which was half up half down, the smooth waves cascading down her back.
She was wearing an emerald green dress made from silk that clung to her thin frame, with green satin flat shoes. She was one of those girls who couldn't get on with a pair of heels, no matter the length of time or spells she tried.
James was sat downstairs in his robes, waiting for her. She had told him to go on, as someone needed to meet the guests, and check everything was in order before the ball began.
He heard footsteps on the stairs and turned to see Lily standing hands on hips, frowning in his direction.
"Why are you here-oh never mind we should just go, I hope Dumbledore's remembered about the Boggarts…" she threw her hands up in exasperation, stomping down the rest of the stairs and toward the portrait.
James hadn't moved, his gaze following her about the room. 'Oh Merlin. She is so beautiful'. He tried to get the words out to tell her, but he just couldn't talk.
"Potter? Are you coming or not?" Lily was now waiting impatiently, body half way through the portrait hole. All he could muster was a nod of his head, and he got up and followed her out of the room, down the many flights of stairs until they reached the Great Hall.
Thankfully when they arrived, the students were still wandering around finding seats or arranging times to meet friends after the ball, and dinner was still to be served. A few turned around when they entered, girls chattered about Lily's dress, others about the fact that her partner was yet to take her arm and lead her to a seat.
Carved pumpkins were glowing all about the room, some floating above the tables. Ancient looking candles and cobwebby chandeliers were lit, giving nothing more but a flush of light over the tables. The tables themselves were decorated with shabby cloths and dirty looking plates and dishes, all a clever illusion put on by James. The most sombre of portraits had been brought in, Mildred the Massacred now sat over the teachers table, occasionally giving a small groan or wail. Outside the Great Hall, along a corridor here and there, was a Boggart, and Lily had found one particular trick involving hands rising from the ground and trying to grab peoples ankles as they walked by. This one she had set up in the dungeons, so the Slytherins would have to pass it.
A few more people entered and scattered about, and eventually everyone sat down. Sophie found Lily and sat next to her, ignoring James completely. He was on his own, except for Lily, but she didn't exactly talk to him. He had heard Sirius' loud laugh earlier, and was sure he'd seen Peter scurry off towards a table as soon as he had arrived. Remus was no doubt with them, but being quiet and reserved as he usually was.
Some faint music started, and with it, the grubby looking plates filled with food. Fat chickens by the dozen, thick pork sausages, hot potatoes in round bowls, steaming vegetables, creamy sauces oozing over the jugs, slices of toast, jams, bowls of rice and pasta, jellied slugs and chocolate frogs by the hundred-everything one could eat was there. Hands and forks shot out as people grabbed what they wanted and put them on their plates.
The chatter became quieter as they ate, the scrapings of spoons and forks adding to the medley of sounds. "So why is Potter here and not with his cronies?" whispered Sophie, between mouthfuls of sausage.
"I don't know. I don't see why he doesn't just move over there with Sirius" hissed Lily.
Another Gryffindor girl, Charlie Mucklesbank, leaned over Sophie's shoulder and said "Don't you know Lily? You and James have to have the first dance, with the teachers too. That's why he's still here. Lucky you eh!"
Lily dropped her fork in shock. Sophie let out a small giggle and put her hand over her mouth in surprise. "You have got to be kidding me. I can't dance with him! Anyone but Potter!"
"That's what Professor McGonagall said the other day-because you organised it, and you're Head Boy and Girl, you have to share the first dance. All the other ones did!"
Lily thought back to all the other balls she'd been too. She'd obviously not paid enough attention to the dancing couples. 'This was not part of the deal!' She thought to herself. She finished the rest of her meal in silence, picking at bits of chicken, and hardly touching her 'Bloody Nose Pie'.
Eventually the chatter rose again as people finished eating, and the tables cleared themselves. The music was still playing softly in the background, and Dumbledore stood up at the front to address the students.
"I trust that we are now sufficiently fed and watered to last a while, so it is with great pleasure that we continue with our ball, starting with the traditional dance…" Dumbledore's voice faded out of Lily's mind.
What if they were bad dancers together, what if she made some terrible mistake and the dance went wrong, what if Potter had set up another awful trick what if ---
"Lily. Lily!!" James touched her arm giving it a small shake. She regained her composure and looked round at him. He looked deep into her eyes, more serious than she'd ever seen him. "We've got to go dance now. Come on" he whispered, his eyes never leaving hers.