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Chapter 21:
It had been weeks since the argument in the common room. Lily had kept trying to talk to Bianca after the fight to sort things out but all she got was the cold shoulder in return. She gave her friend space only spending time with Chloe, Annie and the Marauders.
It took a while for James and Lily to speak to each other again because they both felt terribly guilty about how everything played out. Even though the guilt was there so were their feelings that seemed to grow for one another with each passing day. Neither was willing to come out and say it for fear of rejection, the feelings not being returned or Bianca's reaction if they became a couple.
Luckily they were both friends again and were curious to see if it would lead them down that familiar path. All was right with their friendship... for now. Both of them were also happy to report that recently Bianca and Candice seemed to be more friendly towards them as their anger faded and was replaced with a need to make things right. James and Lily were happy to wait for them and more than ready to be friends when the girls were.
Sirius had forgiven James within a few days of him breaking their precious marauder code and their friendship was back to normal as well. Sirius was now very focussed on Quidditch and every other girl at Hogwarts besides Candice. Since their break up he has returned to his charming, promiscuous self. The truth was, Sirius didn't want to break up with Candice but when she suggested it he felt he had to go along with it. he didn't want anyone to know that he liked being in a relationship or that Candice had changed him, so instead he spent a lot of him time either trapped in a broom closet with a multiple girls or playing Quidditch. He had returned to the Sirius everyone knew and every girl loved.
Remus and Annie were still going strong in their relationship and seemed to be the only people in the group that were happy all the time. they spent basically all of their time together making potions, talking, kissing and of course studying. However, as their relationship continued Remus knew he had to tell her he was a werewolf and cringed at the thought. He hoped with all his heart that it wouldn't affect her feelings for him.
Chloe and Sam dated for a few weeks but after he refused to make a commitment to her and become her boyfriend she thought she deserved better and ended their fling. Sam quickly moved to find a new girl and had left Chloe hating herself for falling for a guy that was in many ways, exactly like Sirius Black.
Bianca and Candice became close friends with Brett and Scott. They even considered them to be best friends. They were funny, had similar interests and were not ugly either. Both Brett and Scott had developed stronger feelings for the girls but were enjoying the time spent with them as friends.
Bianca and Candice still hung out with Chloe and Annie and had reached the point of acknowledging Lily and James and even participating in a bit of small talk. It was a small step but a positive on nonetheless.
As Christmas drew near, so did many rumours of a Christmas Ball. The boys of Hogwarts were unsure of whether to be finding dates because the rumours changed so frequently in such a big school.
"Hey Lily, are you planning a Christmas Ball or not?" Chloe asked sitting at the breakfast table on Monday morning.
"No, James and I haven't planned anything. The headmaster hasn't mentioned a Ball yet either so I don't know where all the rumours are coming from" Lily answered looking up from the Daily Prophet she was reading.
"Usually there is a Christmas Ball but that's like tradition so it's usually planned by the teachers and Headmaster" James mentioned, remembering previous years and stories his mother told him.
"I wish someone would tell us. I need more than a weeks' notice to get a dress" Chloe stated before returning to her food. At that moment, Professor Dumbledore stood up from his seat at the teachers table and the Hall immediately silence.
"Good Morning everyone. I have heard many rumours circulating the school in relation to a Christmas Ball and I thought I should clear that up" he started. At the mention of the Ball many students sat up straighter and the group shared a few looks, wondering if the Headmaster heard their conversation.
"It is a tradition at Hogwarts to have a Christmas Ball before you all go home for the holidays but unfortunately the tradition will not be followed this year." There was an echo of disappointed sounds, mainly from the female population.
"for those of you that read Hogwarts: A History you may be aware that we are approaching the one hundred and fiftieth birthday of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In celebration of this, Hogwarts will host a Ball for the teachers and students. We will also be joined my alumni of the school, your parents and families, the Minister for Magic and other important wizards that work within the Ministry of magic." There was an eruption of excited murmurs throughout the Hall and the thought of hosting such a great event.
"There will be more details about the event once you return for the holidays" With that last final statement the headmaster left the Hall as did the students as they made their way to classes.
"Wow, looks like there is going to be a lot of important people coming to Hogwarts. This place is going to be crawling with people; families, friends and probably some really famous wizards" Brett said as he walked to Divination with Scott and the girls.
"Hogwarts may be old but it's never boring" Scott said as he sat on a pillow on the floor and watched their professor stare off into space and hum quietly. "Well almost never boring".
"How are we all going to fit? The great Hall is big but not that big" Bianca wondered examining her hair, completely ignoring their professor walking around the room trying to teach a room full of uninterested students.
"I'm sure they will figure something out. It is Dumbledore after all" Brett replied yawning. "I'm just annoyed because my parents will probably be here, keeping an eye on us the whole time"
" Just tell them not to come" Scott said simply however they all knew it wouldn't work.
"Yeah right"
...
The rest of the day was otherwise uneventful although the students of Hogwarts could not stop talking about the upcoming celebratory Ball and who they would take.
James and Lily walking through the corridor talking and laughing as they made their way to dinner. They were discussing pranks the Marauders used to pull on the Slytherins and their punishment over the years.
"...Malfoy had pink hair for a week" James laughed, holding his stomach.
"That's when it all started" Lily laughed, shaking her head. "he hated you ever since"
"So did you" James said looking down at Lily. She looked up at him through her long eyelashes with a warm smile on her face. James couldn't help but think how beautiful her hair was and her rosy cheek.
"Well back then, all I saw was an arrogant troublemaker" Lily told
"So what do you see now then?" James asked flirtatiously.
"I still see an arrogant troublemaker who is Head Boy but also my friend" Lily smiled. James definitely liked that answer and his hand found her without thinking and gave it a little squeeze.
"I'm glad we are friends. So much better than fighting" Lily looked at his hand for a moment before looking into his beautiful hazel eyes. He slowly leant down to kiss her and it felt like forever before their lips touched. It was so soft and perfect but it didn't last long when they heard footsteps in the corridor, causing them to jump apart. Followed by a very awkward moment of staring at each other they decided to have dinner before Sirius ate all the food.
"What took you guys so long?" Sirius asked looking up as they sat down.
"Got caught up is all" Lily replied, trying desperately to sound casual even though her heart was beating out of her chest. Thankfully Sirius wasn't that interested and returned to eating his food.
After dinner everyone went back to their dorms to do the last few pieces of homework and start packing for the holidays. Lily and James walked silently to their Headquarters. When they reached the common room they decided to do their homework together and spoke about everything except their kiss.
"Just say something James. Be a man" he thought to himself watching Lily finish an essay.
"Come on Lily. You are a Gryffindor. Where is all your courage?" she thought not paying attention to what she was writing. "wait, he is going to say something!"
"you almost finished with your essay?" James asked lamely, inwardly kicking himself.
"just about. You?" she replied, trying to hide her disappointment.
"All done". They both got up awkwardly walk to their rooms in opposite directions, stopping when they reached their door.
"Lily?"
"Yes James?" she answered, turning around so quickly she almost fell over her own feet.
"good night"
"yeah, Good night James" she sighed retreating to her room and closing the door behind her.
She fell onto her bed and rolled her eyes at herself, oblivious to the fact that James was doing the same thing.
"Good night. I'm such an idiot" he said to himself climbing into bed.
...
After that night, Lily and James had tip-toed around the subject of their kiss and both inwardly hated themselves for being cowards. It was only on the day that they were returning home for the holidays that the subject was brought up. The students unloaded their trunks onto the gleaming red steam train and waved a goodbye to Hagrid and the castle. Lily and James found a compartment to sit in and waited alone for the rest of the Marauders to find them. Twenty minutes after the train had left the station and the most unexpected person walked through the glass sliding door. Bianca.
She looked at the two sitting next to each other and sat directly opposite. she was silent for a moment staring at them before sighing, shaking her head and opening her mouth to speak. James and Lily were slight nervous in her presence and had no idea what to expect.
"So are you two together yet or what?" Bianca asked crossing one leg over the other.
Lily and James exchanged awkward glanced before replying, "Uh no".
"Why not?" The two were speechless.
"Ok look," Bianca started. "I know this is really awkward and weird coming from me but I don't have a lot of time before Candice finds me so I'm going to make this short and sweet. It is obvious that you two are crazy about each other. You obviously were at the Halloween Festival because you didn't stop and were caught up in the moment, but that was over a month ago." Stopping to observe their reaction, they both sat fiddling with items of clothing so Bianca continued.
"I know things didn't end well after I yelled at you both and even though I was really mad I refuse to be the one stopping you from ultimately being happy. I know you guys kissed the other night before dinner. it didn't hurt me and I was actually kind of glad. so stop wasting your time and just tell each other how you feel. I guess this is me saying that you should do what makes you happy and don't worry about how everyone else feels. it's basically water under the bridge. So I'm going to go now and leave you to hopefully talk."
Bianca stood up and left the compartment. Before closing the door she looked back in and smiled, "merry Christmas". Lily and James smiled back at Bianca and it was in that moment that they understood why so many people said it was the happiest time of year. in two short minutes Bianca had made it one of the best Christmas' they have ever had.
James and Lily decided not to break their tradition of avoiding talking about their relationship and instead just kissed. It was warm and soft, perfectly right and the best part of all was that their love was no longer a secret.
...
The Hogwarts Express arrived at Platform 9 ¾ and everyone said good bye to their friends before finding their family.
"Ok, here is my mobile number. When you get a mobile phone call me" Bianca said handing a piece of parchment to Brett and Scott. She had convinced them to by a mobile phone to avoid sending owls, because she lived near a muggle town and felt it was easiest.
"Ok I will" Brett said taking the parchment, shoving it in his pocket and giving her a big hug. "We will organise a day to catch up and hang out before school starts again"
"Bye guys" Candice said almost knocking Brett and Scott over as she jumped into their unexpected arms for a big group hug. They laughed and put her down.
The girls said a quick goodbye to Chloe, Annie and the Marauders. Just before Bianca was going to leave she spotted James give Lily a small kiss on the lips before saying goodbye. Glad her little speech made their Christmas a happy one she smiled. James and Lily noticed Bianca looking and smiled back. Lily mouthed the words "Thank You" before leaving.
"Thank you for what?" Candice asked standing behind Bianca and giving her a fright.
"Oh nothing" Bianca said taking her truck and Simba and walking away.
Candice did the same and followed, "Thank you for what?"
...
Hope you liked it. Let me know what you think or if you have an suggestions.