A/N: FIRST UPDATE OF 2007! Wooo!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, that's enough exclamation points… Woo, my longest chapter so far! I really hope you like it; it's one of my favorites. So I really want your opinions. For one reason or another, the reviews aren't coming into my E-mail, so I'll have to respond to them at the bottom of the page. Thank you to everyone who keeps reading this story. Yes, even those who don't review, or the ones that put me on Fav. Authors/Alerts, but never review. This chapter is for all those people that just read. But I wish you'd review. Okay, enough ranting, lets get on with the story!

Disclaimer: Christmas came and went… no Harry Potter in my stocking. Maybe next year…

Chapter Eight

That weekend, Lily had gone off by herself and gotten both hers and James' costumes. At first James had protested at not being able to see them before she bought them, but a look from Lily had silenced him. He gave her some money for his costume and his measurements.

The day before the dance, Lily walked into the Head's common room and found James reading the Daily Prophet.

"Anything interesting in there?" she asked.

James looked up. "In here? No, not really. Some Death Eaters were arrested, but the escaped before getting to Azkaban."

"That's horrible. Isn't there some spell to hold them?" Lily asked.

James shrugged. "I know one, but it's not really strong. What's in the bags?" he asked her, nodding over to the bags in Lily's hands.

"Halloween costumes. Try it on and let me know if it fits. It better, because I would have to figure out how to tailor it magically. I can't even do it the regular way!" Lily said grinning. She threw the bags at James who caught them deftly.

"Um, thanks. What is it?" James asked.

"Didn't I just tell you? Halloween costumes," Lily said, exasperated.

"Very funny. I meant what kind of costume," James retorted, looking warily into the bag. "It's frilly! I'm not wearing some psychotic Shakespeare costume!"

Relax, it doesn't have tights. And don't worry; you'll look fine. Why would I buy you tights?" Lily asked, cocking her head.

"You want to see my shapely leg muscles?" James offered tonelessly. His face was in a comic expression of forced solemnity.

Lily burst out laughing. "Why would I want to see that?" she asked, holding on to the couch for support. "That would be so scary, I'd skip out on the dance all together, bet or no bet."

"Oh, wow. I forgot all about the bet for a second," James said.

"Glad I could remind you of it," Lily replied. "Well, it's going to be over in a little over twenty-four hours," Lily told him, going up to her room. "I'm going up to try it on. And you're going to do the same thing," she told him, walking up the stairs.

"Yes, mother," James mocked. Lily just stuck her tongue out at him.

OCTOBER 31

Opening her eyes, Lily looked at the calendar hanging beside her bed. She had made it herself; each month had a different picture of her and her friends. Currently, it showed them all dressed up from last year's Halloween. Glancing at the date, Lily felt her heart jump. 'It's Halloween!' she thought excitedly. Then she also remembered that it was her first dance that she had planned—with help from James. Anxiety crept into her mind. That was soon banished by excitement.

Running down the stairs, she saw James already sitting by the fire, writing an essay.

"That's not the Charms essay, is it?" Lily asked by way of greeting.

James glanced up at her. "So what if it is? And good morning to you too."

"We've got Charms next period! Do you have to leave everything till the last minute?" she asked him.

"I guess so. Nice outfit, by the way," James told her, raising an eyebrow.

Lily looked down at her clothes and blushed. She had forgotten to change and was still wearing her pajamas, a green pair with frogs on them. "Shut up! I was excited because it was Halloween," she told him peevishly, trying to cover herself up.

"You like Halloween?" he asked her.

"You don't?" she asked, shocked.

"Of course I do! It's the biggest wizard's holiday!" James told her.

I knew that!"

And on that note, both of them went upstairs, Lily to change and James to get his schoolbooks. Neither one of them talked to the other during classes that day. It wasn't because of any argument; they just didn't run into each other. Classes ended at three o'clock that day, giving everyone enough time to get ready for the ball. James and Lily had been able to miss the last class of the day— Double Transfigurations—to decorate the Great Hall for the dance. They hung up orange and black streamers, brought in little tables in the shapes of full moons, broomsticks, witch's hats, and black cats. Lastly, Lily and James worked together to conjure an image of a large full moon into the ceiling of the Great Hall.

"I hope that looks good tonight," Lily commented, looking up at the huge moon.

"Wanna dim the lights and make sure?" James asked her, mischief sparkling in his hazel eyes.

"Let's not and say we did. I have to get ready for the dance," Lily said, getting up.

"What? Now? The dance isn't until seven! It's four!" James exclaimed.

"I have work to do. I need to shower, shave, dry my hair, do my hair, put on makeup, find some jewelry to match, put on my costume…" she trailed off, listing the number of things she had to do. "As you can see, I've got a lot of work ahead of me."

"What all that just for a couple of hours?"

"I like to impress," Lily said, winking at James over her shoulder.

James' mouth fell open. "I'll take that as a compliment," he said, grinning back at her. Lily just continued to walk up the stairs.

Forty-five minutes before the ball began, James decided he better go up and get ready. Quickly he showered, dried his hair, and took out his costume warily. He hadn't tried it on yet. He had planned on it, but sort of – er—forgot about it. Praying that it fit and wasn't too embarrassing, James opened the bag. Looking down he sighed with relief. It wasn't too bad—a pirate's outfit. Opening another bag he found a hat, shoes, stockings, and a potion. Picking up the potion, James noticed a note that fluttered onto his bed. It read:

James—The potion is to make your hair a little longer. Don't worry; you won't look like a girl. I put in enough so your hair grows about another inch and a half. And don't forget the stockings or you'll look creepy. Muaah – Lily

James smiled and pulled out the potion. Gingerly he sniffed it, and then gulped it down. Putting his hands up to his hair, he felt it growing. Turning back to the package, he put on his costume. He was finished fifteen minutes till eight o'clock—the beginning of the ball. James went down to the common room to wait for Lily. Ten minutes later, James walked to the stairs that led up to Lily's room and looked up. She still wasn't coming.

"Lily? You done yet? We've only got ten minutes till the beginning and McGonagall wants us to welcome everyone or whatever!" James called up the stairs.

"I'm almost ready. Just let me put in my earrings!" Lily answered back. James turned away from the stairs.

Two minutes later James heard the door open and he instinctively turned around. Lily walked out the door and James' mouth fell open. She was a sight for sore eyes—her dark auburn hair was pulled up in an up-do with strands that lay curled, framing her face and down her back. She was wearing a simple but beautiful dress in pale green that fell down towards the floor. Her shoulders were bare and she was wearing a necklace and chandelier earrings. Walking down the stairs, Lily giggled.

"You're catching flies," she said, closing James' mouth.

"Wow, you look great," he told her, first shaking his head.

Lily smiled. "Thanks. You clean up pretty nice yourself. Shall we?"

James took her arm and together they walked down to the Great Hall.

"Wow, this actually turned out pretty good," Lily commented, walking into the Great Hall.

"What, you didn't think it would be good?" James asked, glancing at her.

"Well I knew the plans were great, but you know how it happens sometimes—the plans are good but it doesn't look right when you actually see it. But enough talking about this. We have a speech to make," Lily said, pulling James to the front.

"Speech? What are you talking about? I just thought we had to say 'Have a good time and don't do anything I wouldn't' to everyone," James said, speeding up his pace to keep up with Lily.

Lily groaned. "Fine, I'll do the speech. Just stand next to me looking pretty."

"I look pretty?" James asked.

Lily just rolled her eyes but declined comment. She stepped up on the stage and up to the microphone (A/N: Think of the microphone in the GOF movie) "Hello everyone and welcome to the Halloween ball!" Lily paused, to let the crowd clap, and then continued. "I'd just like to thank Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall for allowing us to plan this, and other upcoming, balls. So, all I want to say is have fun and—"

"And don't do anything I wouldn't, folks!" James cut in, winking at the audience. The girls just began screaming louder. Lily and James walked off the stage and found their friends. As they had planned, Madison and Sirius were dressed up as Jasmine and Aladdin, much to the girl's delight in seeing Sirius with his shirt opened. Remus and Alexa looked hilarious as McGonagall and Dumbledore, complete with, respectively, tight bun and long beard. Darcie was a nurse, wearing a short white dress and a cap with a red cross on it. Peter was dressed in a hilarious costume of the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.

"James, did you have to say that?" Lily commented, sitting down at the table with their friends.

"It was funny. Plus, barely anyone could hear me; everyone was screaming," James said, grinning down at Lily. Lily smiled back up at him. "You wanna get some butterbeer?"

"Sure," Lily said, but before they could move, a Slytherin came up to Lily and smirked at her.

"Damn, Evans. You look hot tonight," he drawled.

No, she doesn't," James shot back.

Lily looked at him quizzically. "Excuse me? I thought you said I looked good," she asked him tartly.

"You're not 'hot.' You're beautiful. That's the only way you can be described," James told her, warmth shining in his eyes.

"That's really sweet, James," Lily told him. Just then a new song started. "Oh, I like this song, wanna dance?"

"Sure," James told her and led her away from their friends. They went into the middle of the floor and began dancing. They moved in time to the beat of the music, laughing and talking.

Lily laughed, putting her arms up over her head. James smiled at her. Lily grinned back at him.

"Hey guys! Come over here!" Lily called out to the rest of the group. They all came over. "What are you guys doing just sitting around?"

"Planning…. er… stuff," Sirius said trying to look innocent.

Lily shot a quizzical look at James who shrugged; clearly he was just as much in the dark as she was. "Okay, well this is a ball, so let's dance!" she told them. All of them began dancing with the exception of Alexa, who left them and began walking towards the stage. During the next song, the three Marauders (Sirius, Peter, Remus), Darcie, and Madison began drifting away. Soon, a song with a much slower tempo came on. A slow song. All the couples immediately began pairing up.

Lily looked up at James uncertainly. Not entirely sure of herself, Lily put her arms around James' neck. James responded by wrapping his arms around her waist. Lily breathed in and smelled a scent that could only be described in one word—James. It was a mixture of grass, soap, and cologne. She inhaled again and was overwhelmed by it. Shaking her head slightly to rid herself of this feeling, Lily looked up at James. He was looking down at her with a contented smile in place. Smiling back up at him, Lily sighed.

"What's up, Lils?" James asked.

Lily nodded her head to the left. James looked where she had nodded and chuckled slightly. They saw Darcie and Sirius kissing in the middle of the dance floor.

"Those two never quit, do they?" James asked.

"Nope, I guess not," Lily said. Just then, the song ended and a much faster one came on. Seeing the faintly disappointed look on James' face, she added. "Wanna go for a walk outside?"

James smiled at her again. "Sure. Let me just get us some butterbeer," he told her over his shoulder.

Lily walked back to the table to see Remus and Madison in deep discussion. "Hey guys," she told them. They looked up. "What are you guys talking about?"

"Er, nothing you'd be interested in," Madison told Lily. Lily however, wasn't fooled.

"If you're talking about me and James, you might as well say it. I'm not dumb," she told them, frowning slightly.

"Uh… sorry. We just know that it annoys you. So, how's everything going?" Remus asked.

"Good. Actually, it's really great," Lily replied. "James just went to get us drinks. Where's everyone else?"

"Well Sirius and Darcie are well…" Remus began.

"Yeah, we saw them making out," Lily told them. Madison and Remus laughed. "What about the rest of them?"

"Alexa's dancing with a Ravenclaw and I think Peter's eating some food," Madison said.

"I see. Did Dumbledore see yours and Alexa's costume?" Lily asked them.

"Yeah, he thought it was really funny; you should have seen him—he was chuckling at us for like 5 minutes. Then he went to get McGonagall, but she didn't find it too amusing," Remus told Lily. "She went like this," he said, thinning his lips in an uncanny imitation of the Transfigurations teacher. Lily smiled at him but didn't say anything else because at that moment James came back with two bottles of butterbeer. He wrapped his arm around Lily's waist and led her out into the gardens.

Madison raised her eyebrow at Remus. "Is it just me, or did James really put his arm around Lily and it is still attached to his body?"

"Yep. Very, very interesting. I think something's going on," Remus commented. "Anyway, wanna go dance?"

"Sure," Madison said and with that they walked over to the dance floor.

"Its really pretty out here," Lily commented, accepting a bottle of butterbeer.

"Yeah, its great," James agreed. "Are you having fun?"

"Actually, I am. No offense, but I didn't think I'd have too much fun with you," Lily replied.

James didn't say anything for a moment, just glanced at Lily out of the corner of his eye.

"So, tell me something about yourself," James said, breaking the comfortable silence.

Lily thought for a moment. "Like what?" she asked.

"Something I don't know," James replied, leading her down the twisted lanes of the garden.

"Hm... well, I've never been kissed in the rain. And I think that the person who does will be The One," she told him slowly.

"Really? Well how about we conjure us up a little rain shower?" James asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lily smacked his arm playfully. "And ruin my hair? As if. Your turn."

"I've never been in love," he told her seriously.

"Really?" Lily asked, rather surprised. After all, plenty of girls would say that they are in love with James Potter. James just nodded.

"So does that mean you never told a girl that you love her?" she asked quietly, looking up into James' eyes. James had brought her to a secluded corner of the garden. There was a bench at the base of a large willow tree.

James just shook his head and sat down, pulling Lily down with him. Their bodies were close together, and their legs were touching.

"That's really…romantic," Lily told him softly. James just looked down at his hands. "She's going to be really lucky, whoever she is. You're a great guy, James."

"Then why did you never give me a chance?" he asked Lily quietly, standing up. Lily stood up too.

"I was afraid to. I'm sorry if I ever hurt you," Lily replied, just as softly.

James just put his finger on her lips, touching her ever so slightly. "It's okay. That's in the past. But now, would you like to dance?"

"I would love to," Lily replied. James waved his wand and out of nowhere, soft romantic music began to play. He put his hand on her waist and pulled her towards himself. Lily wrapped her arms around James' neck and leaned in, sighing happily. She could stay this way forever. She closed her eyes and soon she felt James rest his chin on Lily's head. They stayed that way for a while, just turning slowly in time to the music.

"James?" Lily asked, looking up at him.

"Hm?" he answered, opening his eyes.

"We better go. People will start to wonder where we went," she told him. James nodded in agreement and grabbed her hand, gently pulling her back onto a main path.

"Erm, what are we going to tell our friends if they ask?" Lily asked, intertwining her fingers with James'.

"How about we don't say anything and let them come to their own conclusions?" James suggested, smirking at her.

Lily snorted. "Yeah right. And what do you think Sirius' sick mind would come up with?"

James pretended to think about it. Then he said, "Sex."

"Exactly. Tell him we were looking for couples to bust," Lily said.

"What do you mean?" James asked her, looking at Lily once again.

"McGonagall said that we're not allowed to display excessive amounts of affection. She said that it was up to us and the Prefects to stop it at the dance," Lily told James, letting go of his hand, now that they were nearly back at their friends' table.

Darcie and Sirius were sitting at the table as the two Heads approached.

"Where were you guys?" Darcie said asked, looking suspiciously at Lily and James.

James just shrugged and sat down. Sirius leaned back, looked from Lily to James and back again. He grinned a very dog-like grin. James just rolled his eyes at Lily and said, "I told you so."

"Yes, you did." Was all Lily said. Darcie looked at the two of them.

"What are you talking about?" she asked curiously, handing them each a drink.

"Oh, James said that if we didn't tell you where we were that Sirius would think we had sex," Lily replied.

"Haha! And I was right!" Sirius crowed triumphantly.

"Haha, no you weren't," Lily snapped back at him.

"Mrewoo!" Sirius said. "Jamesie, you're girlfriend is feisty tonight!"

"I'M NOT HIS GIRLFRIEND!!" Lily shouted. Everyone looked at their table.

"I think you did it this time, Lily, dear," James told her. "Let's just sit down and not draw any more attention to us."

Lily just huffed and flopped down. When she saw that people were whispering and wouldn't stop stealing glances at their table, she stood up. "Okay people!" she cried, clapping her hands. There was no need for any spell; her voice was loud enough as is. "Sorry for causing a disturbance tonight. Go back to your own conversations and continue having a nice evening!" The rest of the school kept looking at them. "James! They won't stop!" she whispered to him.

James just grinned and raised an eyebrow. "And what would you like me to do, Lily, dear?" he asked her.

"Something!"

"Miss Evans, Mr. Potter, do either of you have something you would like to share with the school?" Dumbledore had stood up from the teachers' table. They could see McGonagall next to him, her lips a thin white line.

"Yes Professor, we do," James began, standing up. "We thought we could keep it a secret longer and this isn't how the rest of the school was supposed to find out but, circumstances being…. The truth is that our lovely Head Girl is the love of my life. We have been going out for the past two years and are planning to elope over Christmas break," James said.

Lily wore a shocked expression. When he sat down, she squealed and smacked his arm. "That's not what I meant! You were supposed to make them stop looking at me! You did the opposite."

"Well, sooory," James replied. But he didn't sound sorry at all.

Lily stood up. "Please disregard Mr. Potter's announcement. I'm sorry to say that is out of his mind and that was just a bunch of lies. Thank you," Lily said, sitting down.

"Honestly, James, couldn't you have just told them the truth?" Lily asked.

"And what is that, sweetie?" James asked her.

"That I'm not your girlfriend and we are not getting married!" Lily burst out.

"Not yet, my dear. But one day, one day," James replied, winking at her. Lily just rolled her eyes. Their friends just shook their heads, laughing.

That's all folks. I'd like to thank all my reviewers:

amrawo: Thank you so much! I hope you keep reading.

blonde93: Thanks!

Ward: I've e-mailed you already, but I forgot to tell you no to worry, they're not getting together THAT easily. Wait till the next chapter. :: winks ::

hermy permy: Don't worry, they'll get together, but like I told Ward, it won't be very soon. I shall go read your story as soon as I post this.

Blackmoonsilk67: Ahh, I probably did. And since it's a word, SpellCheck didn't catch it… oh well, I hope you knew what I meant.

SammyLynn: Thanks! I'm really glad you liked it. I hope you liked this chapter as well.

Thank you one and all for reading and reviewing… or just reading

Until next time…