Lily awoke from a dreamless sleep to find the adjacent beds empty. She stuffed her feet into her slippers as always – especially since the freezing November nights. She shuffled into the bathroom to wash her face. She went over the events of last night. Something unsettled her. I fell, he caught me. End of. She was brisk with herself. Why did it feel so familiar then? When the tap had been running a while, she splashed her face with the water, wincing at its frigidness. Finally she pulled on some track pants and a hoodie and made her way to the common room. It was empty, bar some first years and Remus.
"Morning" he smiled.
"Where are the others?" Her voice was moody, as it was prone to be in the morning. She noticed Remus looked hurt. "No, that's not what I meant. I mean… Why aren't you down with them all?" She softened her tone, and the boy looked consoled slightly.
"I volunteered to wait for you to wake up."
"Thanks, that's nice of you. We can go down once I'm changed." She smiled and Remus groaned.
"I'll be quick, I promise!" She called as she ascended the stone stairs towards the common rooms. She quickly changed her pants into jeans and swapped slippers for pumps. She spritzed some perfume on her long neck and her delicate wrist. Glancing in the mirror she made a face at her hair and so waved her wand vaguely at the air in front of her. A hair band appeared and she pulled back her crimson locks. Jogging down the steps she saw Remus looking up expectantly, and smiled.
"All done. So how are you?"
They strolled slowly through the school, meandering down to the hall. Conversation slowed and they both searched for topics to talk about.
"So, I assume you didn't have another nightmare. You looked happier this morning." Remus asked. Suddenly something clicked into place and Lily gained a distant look. Remus waved a hand in front of her face.
"Earth to Lily. Hellooo?" She was jerked back to reality.
"What?" She shook her head lightly.
"It doesn't matter." Remus laughed gently, and they turned the corner into breakfast, joining the rest of their friends. Lily didn't join in the conversation, despite the excitement buzzing around the table. It was a Hogsmeade day, and the last one before the ball, so many students were planning to buy dresses and suits. After a hurried breakfast, the teens made their way back to Gryffindor tower, to prepare for the walk to Hogsmeade. The girls wore two jumpers apiece, as well as thick coats and heavy woollen scarves, hats and gloves. The boys were similarly kitted out, each with hats knitted by Mrs Lupin, in matching colours. They met in the common room and slowly started walking towards Hogsmeade.
Despite the bitter cold, it was a windless day, so not unpleasant, and the snow was beautiful to walk through, despite the hazard of a snowball. They naturally divided into pairs, as it was hard to make progress walking as a group. Invariably they would slow to chat in a circle, and it was easier in twos. Leading the way were Lily and James, followed by Sasha and Remus. Sirius and Evangeline were circling constantly, having an everlasting snowball fight, giggling and whooping like children in a playground. Lastly, Peter brought up the rear, occasionally butting into Sasha and Remus's conversation. James kept on poking Lily, as she seemed distracted and finally she called the group to halt (her arm was bruising rapidly).
"Sash, Eve, can talk to you quickly?" Her tone was fierce almost and they hung back. James looked wounded and Sirius bounded up to him.
"What did you do?" He spoke low, under his breath checking over his shoulder to see how far the girls were away.
"Nothing mate, she was distracted but I thought we had been getting on well." James sounded hurt.
"I bet it's nothing. Like, whatcha call it? PSM or something. You know?" Sirius was concerned, Lily had suddenly dropped James, and it wasn't fair.
"She's been like that since I mentioned her nightmare. It's not you, mate." Remus was also quick to console James.
"So, who are you taking to the ball?" Peter's voice was shrill. James rolled his eyes, wanting to continue talking about Lily, but Sirius answered before he could.
"I'm asking Alice Longbottom, you know, that sixth year?"
"What's wrong?" Sasha spoke low, under her breath, craning her neck to see how far the boys were ahead.
"OK, you're probably going to think I'm strange –" Lily's voice was hesitant.
"We already do, don't worry." Evangeline's, however, was light hearted. Sasha flapped her hands at the second girl, hushing her.
"Ha ha, oh so witty." Lily said, drolly. "No, what I wanted to say" She glared at Evangeline "was that I think I'm predicting… I'm predicting the future." She finished, somewhat lamely. Sasha raised one eyebrow and Evangeline just looked confused.
"What do you mean?" Sasha got straight to the point.
"Well, I dreamt that I was crying over something. Then, when I woke up my dad had died, so obviously I cried over that. And then, then I dreamt I was falling, and I almost fell off the stairs." There was a long silence, and both her friends bit their cheeks to stop themselves giggling. Lily looked hesitant.
Evangeline started laughing – she couldn't bear it any longer. "Oh Lily, that's not the future, that's just – "
"Coincidence." Sasha finished, firmly. "Now go Lils, stop looking to downhearted because I know a lovely, albeit slightly odd boy who would love to talk to you."
"James!" Evangeline said, winking.
"You're sure I'm not like… predicting anything?" Lily sounded unsure still.
"YES." Both her friends said in unison. Lily smiled a little, and her worries laid to bed, for the time being, ran ahead to talk to James again.
"We need to go, James! Otherwise I'll have to come to the ball naked." Lily's voive was plaintive.
"I wouldn't mind." James grinned, winking and waggling his eyebrows.
"I would. Come on!" She grabbed his hand and started pulling. James stood and gripped her hand tighter. This was the first natural, physical contact with Lily he had ever had. Their hands cupped each other warmly, and they opened the door of the Three Broomsticks. A wind had picked up and they were buffeted by the breeze. Still holding on, they ran through the streets, laughing and screaming as they made their way to a muggle themed dress shop to join the others.
They barged in, panting, and crowded into the small ante-chamber.
"The dresses are back there." Peter whispered, pointing.
"Why are we whispering?" James whispered back.
"Because Peter's scared of dresses, obviously." Sirius butted in loudly and clapped James on the shoulder. "Glad you could make it, Prongs." He glanced at Lily's hand, entwined in James's. "When's the big day?" He said, louder still, making Lily jump and she dropped James's hand like it was a hot pumpkin pasty. She flushed and pushed her way through the boys to pick out a dress. James glared at Sirius.
They boys felt as though they had been in the shop for an eternity before Sasha finally called them to admire her dress. She had let down her dark hair, and it swept the back of her dress. The robe itself was beautifully made, of navy velvet. It had a high, A-line waist, and the two pieces of material which tied into the halter cupped each breast tightly, embellished with silver embroidery, of swirls and curves. There was a wide, silver sash, which Remus helped to tie, and when she twirled in the mirror, they all whistled and cheered appreciatively, for she did look gorgeous. Blushing, she returned into the changing rooms, ready for Evangeline to make an entrance.
The girl tottered out on silver heels, and did a little spin. The boys whooped, just as they had done for Sasha, making Evangeline toss her hair, proudly. She looked smouldering, and sexy. Her dress was also a halter neck, but more far more audacious and daring than Sasha's could ever hope to be. It was a fiery red, and the thick ties created the top part of the dress. They ended in a deep V, far below her breasts, and two tiny ribbons kept them together, and stopped the dress being too indecent. The gown continued, like a second skin around her curves, before kicking out mid thigh, just grazing her knees. Another hair toss and she was back in the changing rooms.
Lastly, Lily emerged. The boys were gob smacked, and stunned into silence. She looked truly beautiful. "Is it OK? What's wrong?" Her voice wavered slightly, in uncertainty.
"You look amazing." breathed James, and the boys nodded their agreement. For, Lily, though it was never admitted, looked the most gorgeous of the three. The dress was a deep, forest green, contrasting beautifully with her hair. It had a low cut back, exposing her delicate shoulders, and the milky skin of her back, and was strapless, delicately holding her cleavage, with a dip between each breast. The dress barely skimmed her body, and was not too clingy, with layers of tulle puffing it out. She looked like a sort of forest nymph, ethreal and glowing. She looked perfect.
Once the boys had chosen their suits (all the same, and with far less care than the girls), it was dark and they walked quickly back up to the castle not talking much, instead trying to protect against the wind that was whipping their faces. Finally, once they were in the hall they gratefully made their way up to the common room. However, James pulled Lily back before they entered the common room. She looked at him, inquisitive, her green eyes locking on his dark brown ones. She was lost, too engaged to hear anything that was going on.
"Dyawannagotoballwithme?"
"Pardon?" Lily was jerked back to the moment. James flushed.
"Lily, will you go to the ball with me? I'm serious about this." He looked endearingly nervous, and when Lily realised what he had said, her heart flipped a little.
"I… I can't. I'm so sorry." She twisted a strand of hair.
"Didn't you feel it? While we were running, when we held hands, whenever we make eyes contact" His eyes were filled with hurt, taken aback at her abruptness.
"James, don't make this harder! You'll ruin it all."
"Ruin what? Damn it, Lily, I really care about you!" He was shouting now.
"Ruin our friendship, James! I can't hurt you like that. I'm going with someone else already. I'm sorry, OK?" Her voice was wobbling, her heart torn. She turned and climbed through the portrait hole, the ball of anxiety bouncing unpleasantly.
"Wait! Who are you going with?"
"Amos. Amos Diggory." She sounded pained, and shut the portrait hole with a bang, making the Fat Lady call out in annoyance.
James bit his lip. And there I was, thinking we had more than friendship. He kicked the stone floor, cursing as pain flooded his toe. Fucking Amos always gets what he doesn't deserve. He cursed again, this time more loudly, and set off to prowl the castle.
A/N : I hope you liked that. Sorry for all the dress descriptions, but I got carried away - and I really wanted you to be able to visualise them. Please review, it's like getting a present every time I get one. :) X