Chapter 6

The Halloween Ball

We all stood in front of the bathroom mirror, perfecting our looks. My hair was tied into a loose bun at the top of my head, with one strand hanging in front of my eyes. I tried to pull it back, but I finally realized that it was too short. I then moved on to applying even more lip gloss, seeing if it was possible. Just then, there was a knock at the door and we all glanced over to it.

"Yeah?" Shae asked, turning back to the mirror and applying more mascara. I rolled my eyes at her, then turned back to the door. Rachelle Lupin stood there, looking sweet in her little angel costume.

"Aw! You look so cute, Rachelle!" Bethany exclaimed, even though she was only two years younger than us. "My brother is going to love you." Rachelle blushed a little. I thought of Robbie Knapp, Bethany's younger brother who looked exactly like her.

"Thanks! You all look so great!" she said, stepping back to look at all of us at the same time. "Well, I just came up here to tell you that all of the Marauders are waiting for you. You are so lucky to have them as your boyfriends!" Rachelle smiled, looking as giddy as a seven year old. "Well, except you, Bethany. How can you stand my brother?" Bethany gave her a fake 'I'm-so-hurt-that-you-said-that' look.

"Yeah, yeah. Just don't go around dating all of the boys like them, or you'll end up like Lily and Shae," Kristina laughed. Shae and I both spun around and glared at her, before bursting into uncontrollable laughter.

"Tell them that we'll meet them at the ball. We want to make an entrance with an impact," Shae said. We all laughed, then turned back to the mirror.

About ten minutes later, we all stood out of the Great Hall, wanting to make our exciting entrances. Luckily, I had dibbed the last spot, about a week ago, so we waited for the students' reactions. We entered one at a time, all dressed as the same theme; reflecting either our personalities, or something to do with us.

First, it was Kristina, dressed as 'Miss Told.' She wore a lavender dress that went to the floor with her sash over one shoulder. The top wrapped around on one side and was spaghetti strapped, while the bottom had two small ruffles that went to an upside down 'V' in the center; making it slightly shorter.

Next, Bethany walked in as 'Miss Taken.' Her dress was a neon pink color and fit her form greatly. The bottom was at a diagonal and the top criss-crossed around her body. It was a halter top and the dress made her hair look darker as it bounced when she walked.

Shaylene then walked in, with an applause that I could hear through the large oak doors. She was 'Miss Understood' and in an aqua old-style dress. It went a few inches above her knees, and was also a spaghetti strap. The top was like a corset, as the skirt was a thick petticoat that belled out from her skinny legs. She wore matching shoes that laced up her calves. I peeked through the doors and saw that she walked next to Sirius, who was standing with the rest of my friends and the Marauders. James stood alone, bouncing on the balls of his feet, waiting for me.

I sighed, then walked in last, to many gasps, then a large applause. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks as I twirled once for them, giggling freely. My sash read 'Miss Treated' and I was in a bright green dress that was to the floor, and really brought out the color of my eyes. My top wrapped over on one side and was a halter. The skirt of the dress was a mini, with about one hundred skinny, long slits of fabric that fell to the floor. They showed my long legs when I walked. I smiled again, then ran to my friends who stood waiting for me.

We had decided on a theme that was sort of like from a muggle's pageant, or something. Bethany had come up with the brilliant idea, being muggle-born, just like me. We had all decided on our titles, then bewitched the material to make our dresses.

"Lily, you look great," James said, smiling wide. He looked very charming in his black tuxedo, since his friends had given up on ideas, and just gone as our escorts. I rolled my eyes, then halted.

"What did you call me?" I asked, trying to comprehend.

"Lily… that's your name," he laughed. I smiled awkwardly and turned back to my friends.

Sirius was busy complementing Shae, and Remus was commenting on how short Bethany's dress was. I rolled my eyes and smiled, thanking God that Kristina didn't have a boyfriend, so I wouldn't be stuck with Potter the whole night.

Just as my thoughts had perked up, Kristina waved to someone over my shoulder. "Who's that?" I asked, getting worried.

"Oh, that's my date, Scott Hyden. Well, I'll see you two later." My eyes grew wide and I turned back to James. His hands were stuffed in his pockets and he was rocking from his heels to his toes. Even Peter was gone, most likely, James had told him to get lost.

"Looks like it's just you and me, Evans," he said, stepping closer to me. He was only a foot away, now. I could feel his breath beating on my cheeks warmly. I stepped far away from him and walked to the end of the dance floor, hoping to be asked to dance.

After about two songs, I had the boys swarming over me. I gave James a little "Ta-ta," and a small wave of my hand. I walked off with a seventh year Ravenclaw to the dance floor. We danced together for a song, then I began to get tired of him. I slowly danced around the room, not giving a care to any of the people seeing me without a partner.

The DJ continued to play many songs as I twirled partner-less around the dance floor, giggling crazily. I walked to the refreshment table, after about a half hour, but as soon as I spotted James coming near me, I jumped back onto the dance floor. This happened more times than once.

Before I knew it, the last song was playing. It was a slow song, by a popular muggle band and I swayed to the beat from the side lines, not daring enough to dance a slow song without a partner, unless I was with one of my friends. The dance floor was unusually empty, but I shrugged it off, completely. Unfortunately, my friends hadn't said one word to me all night, and were busy talking to their dates.

Someone tapped my shoulder and I turned around. "Potter, I already told you…" Professor McGonagall was staring at me. "Oh, sorry Professor. I didn't know it was you." I smiled sheepishly, but she chose to ignore it.

"Ms. Evans, as I'm sure you know, the last dance is saved for the Head Boy and Girl." She pushed me towards James as I moaned. I had been dreading this.

"Lily, would you like to dance?" he asked, taking my hand in his. Like I had a choice. I sighed, but followed him onto the floor. He held me tightly against him. I could feel his heart rapidly beating. I looked up into his hazel eyes, seeing them smiling at me, in their own way. His lips curled up into an ideal smile and I smiled back, without meaning to. I had my arms around the nape of his neck, so I was stuck staring into his deep, warm, inviting, perfect… NO! I quickly told myself not to think that.

I knew that he was changed, no matter how much I tried to convince myself he wasn't. I knew that he had stolen a part of my heart, no matter how much I tried to convince myself that he hadn't. I sighed, losing myself in his eyes.

I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning

I stared into James's hazel eyes and began to melt. I gave a small smile, then brought my glance to the floor, wanting to get lost in his warm eyes, yet preventing myself.

I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I couldn't help but notice that this song had so well described James. He had changed so much, and the rest of the Marauders had engraved it into my mind that he did it for me. They may only have been hinting it, but it could not have been anymore obvious to me.

I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That's why I need you to hear

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

The song ended and everyone clapped for us. I blushed a little, then pulled away from James. James Potter had made me blush, and for once, it wasn't because of a prank.

"Okay, now everyone up to your dorms. Time to sleep," McGonagall said.

"I hope you all had a nice time," I called after the leaving students. It was the Heads' job to clean up after the Balls.

I looked around to see that James and I were the only ones who were in the Great Hall. I sighed quietly and began to take down the decorations with a few perfected spells. I glanced around once more, and James was walking towards me. I couldn't hide it anymore; my heart fluttered a little as he smiled at me. I smiled back.

"Lily… can I talk to you?" he asked, taking my hand.

"Um… sure James, what is it?" I asked, trying to subside my emotions.

"You called me James." He smiled wider at the new improvement. "Well, Lily… I just wanted to say… to say…"

"What, James?" He sighed heavily.

"I can't put it into words," he tried to explain.

"Okay… then show me some other way." My eyes grew wide when I realized what I had just told him. He smiled mischievously and pulled me closer. I could feel his breath on me. He was close, too close. His eyes danced madly. I could see his hazel eyes draw closer and closer, then shut.

Our lips touched and I tried to hide my surprise. My stomach did a few back flips as my body tingled. Unconsciously, I rapped my arms around his neck, and kissed him back. I pulled away, once I realized what was really going on, and that this was no longer my perfect fairytale.

I could see 'DISAPOINTMENT' written all over his face. I stared at him in disbelief; he had never tried to kiss me in all of these years. I couldn't let him do this to me, not like all of the other girls. I was different and I was going to make that engraved into his mind, if it took me until the end of time. I was the first girl to ever turn down James Patrick Potter.

"James…" I said. I felt a single tear roll down the side of my face.

"I'm so sorry. Lily…" Suddenly, I felt many others threatening to fall. I rushed out and ran up the marble staircases, not stopping until I had reached the Common Room.

All my tears were now openly streaming down my pale skin. I tried to run up to my dormitory, but Sirius had jumped in front of me.

"Lils, what happened?" he genuinely asked.

"J… Jam… James," I managed to mutter. He was too muscular, so I had no hope of getting to my room any time soon. I rushed to my favorite armchair and sat with my knees pulled into my chest, trying to calm down.

The portrait hole swung open and I knew exactly who it was. I didn't even dare look up. I heard him solemnly march up his staircase, then Sirius bound after him.

A few minutes later, I was still sitting in my favorite arm hair, my eyes closed and pressed up against my knees. I was just breathing gently, thinking of what just happened. I heard someone sit down on the arm of the chair, so I opened my eyes. I sighed at who it was.

"Hey, Sirius," I said, then I closed my eyes again. He just sighed and I could tell he was staring intently at me. "What?" I asked, looking straight into his eyes.

"Lily, are you that blind?" he asked, giving me a quizzical look, which made me look into my lap.

"What are you talking about?"

"Lils, can't you see how he feels? It's all he talks about." I looked back at him.

"Listen, Sirius. I know he doesn't feel like that. The way he treats all of the other girls is the same way he'll end up treating me, if I give in. I don't want to be hurt. My eyes are wide… wide…."

"Shut. Your eyes are shut, Lily. He really cares about you, and if you don't see that then I don't know what to say." He left me there, thinking, as he walked back up the stairs to the boy's dormitories. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. There was nothing I could do, now. I walked to my dormitory and slowly cried myself to sleep.