blissChapter 32

"Stop moving Wormtail!" As Sirius attempted to button Peter's dress robes as his own short fingers wouldn't reach to the back, one of the buttons fell off causing them both to curse loudly "I think it's time you lost some weight or bought new robes mate" Sirius reclined back in his seat, stretching out his muscles and giving a great yawn as he marveled at his other 2 friends getting ready for the big Halloween Ball.

It was exactly 1 hour and 43 minutes before the opening of the traditional Halloween ball yet Sirius hadn't yet showered, shaved or even prepared his dress robes…in fact, he didn't even think he had any! But he wasn't the one to panic, slow and steady wins the race, he didn't care for any of the fancy balls or what not, they were just a waste of time. Although…as he furrowed his eyebrows in thought, they were an excellent place to flirt with lovely ladies and a perfect chance to display his creative charms on the dance floor. But then and again, dancing wasn't too much his style, he preferred binging on Honeydukes sweets from afar and watching the ladies move their stuff on the floor. Yeah, that always cheered him up.

"These darn robes…they're as itchy as that itch powder Evans shoved in my boxers in 5th year after I called her a weasel in front of the whole Charms class, remember that?" James struggled with his robes in frustration and ran his hands through the hair he gelled in a futile attempt to tame it. It was now sticking out in random directions and although Remus had said it looked fine, James was starting to get nervous as he imagined himself dancing the evening away with Lily…

"Yes Prongs, who could ever forget your traumatic expression, you used up all the hot water and we remember all your cursing and screaming! Anyway, nervous?" Remus responded with a charmingly cool stance as he straightened his bow tie and flexed his shoulder.

As James struggled to place the finishing touches on his uncomfortable robes, Sirius was whistling as he strolled into the shower, stripping on his way there to the disgust of Peter who was in full view of his exterior and who yelped in surprise. "I'm scared Moony, this might be the last chance to fix things up between me and Evans…hell I don't even know what's happened, it's like I love her more now, after I swore that it was no good." He said, almost sadly.

"Yeah tell me about it, I can't believe I actually asked Eva last night, I mean I haven't spoken to her since…" Remus murmured. He had vowed tonight would be the last time he would ever bother Eva Milton, tonight would be the end to something, his heart told him, that could've been special.

After a nervous filled 15 or 20 minutes, Remus suggested they should head out while Sirius protested as he realized he had put his robes on backwards. His black hair was dripping wet and with a sigh and a point of his wand, Remus dried it causing Sirius to look up in surprise.

"Thanks Moony…do you think you could –" Sirius looked at him sheepishly as he gestured towards the buttons on his robes. Remus obligingly buttoned them for him but not without a little knowing smile on his face.

"Get this guys…oi Prongs do you have the Cloak, and Peter you the map?" Sirius beckoned them in closer as they could hear more and more chatter outside of their Dormitory. "Now from my calculations and the stupid Divination table, the full moon won't rise until midnight tonight, something about a lunar eclipse or what not. So, at 5 to midnight we all meet outside the gates and Prongs, you swish the Cloak over us. Ahhh…that cloak" Sirius said dreamily.

"Yup no problems Padfoot, I've got it all under control" James said as he tapped the pocket on his dress robes. "Anyway" he continued "I've got to run – Evans said she'd meet me in front of the Heads Room about now so we could walk to the Great Hall together. We're supposed to take the first dance" James made a face but his friends saw past that and knew that in actual fact, he wanted that dance very much.

"Don't forget our date at midnight after you and Evans have been a bit frisky" yelled Sirius as he fixed the cuffs on his wrists.

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Lily Evans yawned as she stood outside the Common Room, tapping her feet with her arms crossed, every passing second adding another ounce of annoyance to her expression. She should have expected James Potter to be late, after all, being late and ruffling his untidy irksome hair were the two things he did best. And the two things which annoyed her beyond anything else in the world, she didn't know how one guy and his two habits could be the most irksome, most unbearable thing to her.

A couple more minutes had passed and Lily was practically fuming with rage, half an hour more and the Ball was going to start, and it couldn't without the Head Boy and Girl leading the dance as per tradition…and it seemed as if she was cursed or something because the last person she wanted to have any intimacy with was James Potter…okay, maybe not Peter Pettigrew or Amos Diggory at the moment, but he was low on the list anyhow. Lily twirled a strand of her on her finger and gnashed her teeth in impatience and she now began to pace around the dim lit hallway.

"Not going to the ball Ms. Evans?" The Damsel suddenly cried out apparently waking from her snooze.

Lily murmured something about James Potter being always late but said to the Damsel "Oh no, I'm merely waiting for Mr. Potter to escort me there" she said with much difficulty.

"My Prince and I were planning to sneak into one of the paintings in the Great Hall to join the festivities but I am awfully tired" She smothered a yawn. "I must say though, you look very fine today…"

"Yes, she does, doesn't she?" A flustered James Potter was striding down the Hallway, an irksome smile on his face as he admired Lily's choice of dress for the night. Her hair had been pinned up with a few loose ringlets flowing down her back, the red of her hair had been intensified with it all bunched up and James's hand started to twitch as he longed to reach up there…she had chosen an emerald dress with beautiful sequins that matched perfectly with her eyes and a silver scarf wrapped delicately around her neck but as James's eyes made their way to the top, he didn't like what he saw.

Lily's expression was one of intense anger as she motioned to the watch on her hand and mouthing "You're late".

James bid the Damsel a good day and gestured for Lily to join him. "Ummm…sorry Evans, you know Sirius, he errr…he mixed his shampoo with mine" he explained sheepishly, and even he didn't believe his crack and bull story.

Apparently, neither did Lily as she gave him a pointed look "You expect me to believe that, Potter? I thought your reputation as a liar would be better than that" she sighed as both of them hurried down the Hallway, down the shifting stairs and towards the Great Hall that was already full of noise.

"Careful, that one's the sink step" James lowered his voice and whispered into her ear causing her to slap his shoulder away. James extended his left arm and Lily begrudgingly accepted and placed her white gloved hand on the crook of his elbow "This is only for the appearance Potter" she spoke up to his ear. She merely reached his shoulder but everyone knew better to judge Lily Evans by her height.

"So what really did happen?" Lily questioned

"You know me Evans…the guys and I were planning err…the after party tonight and we lost track of time, and then I took a shower, attempted to comb my hair" he grimaced as he gestured to his untameable hair "and then got dressed which took a while because I stuck my right arm in the left sleeve and yeah…then I came here" he finished awkwardly "Oh, and you really are beautiful tonight" he said as an afterthought with all the sincerity and meaning he could muster.

Lily gaped in shock and almost halted in her footsteps, she had been planning her outfit for almost a week now, she, Brittany and Eva had spent the whole day doing their hair, make-up and squabbling over which brand of Madama Ulipsis Foundation-You-Powder was the best in covering up zits as Brittany had sprouted one on her chin. She said she didn't care about it and that she was going to party at the Ball like it was 1969 but nonetheless she still spent over an hour in the bathroom attempting to pop it.

And as she looked up at the cleanly shaven James Potter, he had clearly spent less than two hours getting ready and half of that time was because of his clumsiness in getting dressed! 'What contrast between him and I" she mused.

"We're here" she unconsciously whispered in awe as they flowed through the doors of the Great Hall, causing a hushed whisper to rumble throughout the large area, with most of the students already being present.

"Ahhh…glad of you to join us Miss Evans, Mr. Potter" Dumbledore, taking his usual seat on the platform stood up and gestured for them to come forward. James felt Lily's grip on his elbow tighten and her breathing begin to increase in speed, she clearly hadn't been the center of attention of something important ever. And him? Being a prankster had seen him in a few sticky situations, mostly being the center of attention of a rather large crowd, so he felt unfazed and winked at a few girls who looked especially well-dressed. Of course they couldn't match to the one beside him…"Relax Evans, just relax" he whispered with clenched teeth down to her causing her to shoot him an I'm-fine-mind-your-own-business glance. Hmmmm…if she could muster up her usual feisty attitude, maybe she was fine.

"Would you kindly cut the sash and begin the first dance on the dance floor" Professor McGonagall gestured to the long ribbon dividing the students and the dance floor and she herself, swept down in a midnight blue dress with a rather feline prowl. The teachers all left their posts, Professor Flitwick already taking Madame Hooch's hand in preparation to join the festivities.

"Well here goes nothing" James shot a wide-tooth grin at the students all glaring at the Head Girl and Boy in admiration, took out his wand and pointed it to the ribbon "Shall I?" he whispered to Lily, who had not let go of his elbow and was desperately trying to calm her rapid breathing. She swallowed drily and blinked "I don't think I could grip my wand long enough" she croaked.

"Rilisio" He whispered and the sash majestically divided and fell with grace. As the band started playing a slow song and the lights dimmed, James took Lily to the floor, his heart starting to pound nervously as he shot her a Don't-worry-I'm-nervous-too look. As he took her by the waist, she managed to not flinch and let her mind go blank as she followed James's steps, who she admitted, was a very good leader at waltz. She found herself slowly enjoying the rhythm that she was moving to, enjoying his firm but delicate hold of her petite body and enjoying the smell of his strong, masculine odour. As Lily let herself go to the slow music, she and James waltzed in peace, none of them giving a second thought to their mishaps, their arguments and well…the unfortunate incident recently which had caused Lily to burst out quite ungraciously at James.

As the other students and teachers were also leading themselves onto the dance floor, the mood in the Great Hall was quite romantic and as James stared down at Lily's flaming head who was staring determinedly at his chest, refusing to meet his eyes, he wished the moment would last forever. Just as Lily was about to lean her head on his chest and let him completely embrace her as the music came down even slower, James's eyes widened as he saw Professor Dumbledore talking to the band leader, the usual wild twinkle present in his eye.

As Lily looked up at him in the dim glow of the candlelight, she felt as if something warmed her heart, she felt all her worries leave her as she was caught in the powerful embrace of James Potter. She was in the position that many had longed for and aside from the good looks he possessed (yes, Lily had to admit he wasn't ugly), aside from his arrogance and irksome persistence, Lily Evans realized that perhaps he had something special about him. She unconsciously reached her hand up to his face, caught in the moment of his presence, as she stared at his lips some rather not innocent thoughts came up to mind but just at that moment -

After Dumbledore's words, with an instant light of more than 100 candles, the room was suddenly very bright, and the music, well it had turned to an upbeat, intense and sexy rumba. The intense passion that the two had felt for a split moment had disappeared and as James smiled wildly down at Lily who was adjusting her eyes to the light and cringing, calming her wild heart, he gestured that they should dance as other couples were doing so exuberantly. Her disappointment soon turned into a burst of wildfire typical to the red-haired Lily and as her own twinkle came out she raised an eyebrow up at a fidgety James Potter and whispered daringly

"I'm game if you are" She hastily moved away as some couples had already begun moving to the music, as she looked over James's shoulder, she realized that Brittany was certainly having a spicy time with some slick Hufflepuff guy who really could move. Brittany too, caught her eye and the two winked at each other as Brittany gestured for Lily to move in for the kill on James causing her to roll her eyes.

"Oh, is that a threat Evans?" James grip on her tightened, pulling her up towards him and planting a short, playful but firm kiss on her lips causing her to splutter in surprise. Just as she was about to respond in protest, James twirled her around and began moving in time with the upbeat music that had increased in tempo. Their moves were wild, their hearts carefree and both sent electrifying sparks in their twirls, leaps and bounds. James had sent Lily flying in the air, managing to catch her gracefully two times and much to her silent protest, he had kissed her one more time, this one a long, passionate interlock full of desire and young lust. Although she would admit it to nobody, Lily's first reaction after the kiss was disbelief…at how anybody could leave her with such an unhealthy craving for more…

She would have liked to slap him or cause him some kind of physical pain but the man before her tonight at the Halloween Ball had been nothing less of a gentleman, an excellent dance partner and…well, she thought with a blush, an unforgettable kisser. As the dance slowed down, both James and Lily could not catch their breaths and both were panting and craving some liquid down their throats.

"Good gig eh Prongs?" Sirius Black had somehow slid behind James, and he too, was a massive sweat-ball and unable to breathe properly at what had been an uplifting dance. Brittany stood behind him, clapping him on the back, hunched over and her hair matted to her forehead. After a few seconds she looked up and said to Lily,

"Wow, Black's no good as a lover, but he sure can dance" causing Sirius to smirk and he and James hi-fived each other.

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Both Lily and James decided it was best if they rested for a while and both went towards the direction of drinks, Brittany and Sirius joining them. The four laughed like old friends and there was no tension, no awkwardness that existed between them in fact, it as if they were the best of friends. No memory of hate or of anger made itself known anywhere and that was what it always should've been.

"Hey look there's Remus Lupin and Eva!" gestured a frantic Brittany who was on the edge of slurring her words as she gulped down another glass of frothy Butterbeer which Lily suspected was spiked with an unhealthy alcohol dose by Sirius. She had not forgotten the reckless things James, Sirius and his other 2 chums had done in their years as a Hogwarts student. In fact, spiking drinks at numerous parties and exposing the junior year students to very adult themes seemed all they could do as youngsters…oh and of course, making Severus Snape's life a living hell was also high on their to do list. Yet as Lily took a sip of her homemade Cranberry juice and looked up at a grinning James Potter as he undid one of the buttons from the heat, she contemplated who was the real him. On one side there was this irksome, know-it-all, constantly bugging her I'm-too-cool-for-school attitude whereas the mature side of him displayed his courage and the fact that he was willing to give up his life to save hers. He was a mystery…how was one man capable of making her feel so confused?

"Hey yeah" she replied, shaking those thoughts from her head, she must have overdosed on juice…even though she was certain there was no alcohol.

As Lily looked towards Remus and Eva, she almost envied them, they were swaying so gently, peaceful expressions on their faces, yet they looked almost sad and Remus certainly had seen better days. Indeed, Remus was as pale as ever, looking out the window every few seconds, almost as if something bad was going to happen.

"It's full moon tonight isn't it, Remus?" Eva whispered nervously to him as she snuggled up to his chest.

He lowered his head from peering out the window and caught her behind the neck. He closed his eyes in frustration and sighed, "Eva, I can't, this can't go on" He looked down at her, but just as he was going to make eye contact, he tore his glance away to his watch and found that it was almost midnight. But one look at the beautiful girl in front of him and he couldn't resist. He leant down and brought his face close to hers, Eva had tears in her eyes as she caught his lips in a tender, almost painful bittersweet kiss. Their embrace was short lasted, yet it was blissful, as Eva caught Remus's blonde locks, she knew that the man in front of her, Remus Lupin, whatever he may be would always hold the position in her heart. Always…

"I'm sorry" Remus whispered as he broke away from her, and leaving Eva to contemplate in misery, he strode out of the Great Hall in long strides, not once looking back. As the clouds were beginning to split, Remus Lupin knew that the full moon would expose him for what he was…a monster unfit for society.

As James and Sirius saw their friend stride out, they exchanged glances and leaving Lily and Brittany as if they were hit by the Confundus Charm, they strode out after him, knowing that their best friend needed them, that he couldn't face his demons alone. And that's what made them The Marauders, that they always stuck together in face of any problem.

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A/N: Hi everybody[imitates Dr. Nick Riviera in The Simpsons I'm back for another chapter, sorry there wasn't too much physical action with the Ball but I tried to incorporate a lot of emotional mumbo jumbo which I hope you guys understood. Yup, so basically all of the characters are involved in complicated emotional barriers and are trying to solve them…so later, possibly some more intense romance but for now I hope you're all satisfied.

Thanks to allll my reviewers, yes, I would like to continue hearing your comments even if you are lazy like me and don't like reviewing. Exotic Beauty thanks for giving me your thoughts because knowing someone's been keeping with the story has given me inspiration!

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You don't know how much your support means to meee thanx for reviewing you've been so kind!!! It's actually you who has kept the story going (not me) and I'm not joking!!!

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Purebliss90