Chapter 19: The Stag Charmer
It was seven-fifty by the time the two female Prefects came back into the Slytherin common room. When they entered everybody else was in their dressrobes and making their way to the exit, but had turned their heads in their direction when the heard the girls' dormatory door open. Whatever talking the crowd was doing at that point stopped as they took in the appearance of the two "queens".
Lily was dressed in her black and green dress with the silver trim. Her hair was still in its combined hairstyle, but, thanks to some magic, it now had golden highlights in it that reflected beautifully, even in the emerald glow of the fireplace. Her eyeshadow was a shade of evergreen, her cheeks were a delicate shade of rose-pink, and her lips were a light magenta color.
Bellatrix was dressed in a purple, dark blue, and lavender replica of Lily's dress. Her hair was done in tight curls that draped over her shoulders and back. Her makeup consisted of a deep rogue, purple eyeshadow, and deep purple lipstick. She was also wearing her purple, tear-drop choker that she had got from the Silver Tongue.
As they walked towards the gaping crowd they were approached by their dates. Rudolphus was dress in a set of navy-blue dressrobes with a white dress shirt underneath, and a deep-blue tie. Severus was dressed in a set of black dressrobes with a black dress shirt and a deep-green tie.
Rudolphus offered his betrothed his arm, which she took, grasping him tightly to her side, and Severus did the same for Lily, except her grip was more gentle.
"You look very lovely, Lily," Severus gasped as the made their way to the Great Hall, for that was all he could do. She looked so breathtaking he was afraid that if he spoke too loud she break at the first syllable.
"And you look very handsome, Sev," Lily said back with a smile. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," he repeated and just in time, because coming toward them was their respective Heads of House, Professors McGonagall and Slughorn.
"Now, are you two ready?" Slughorn asked between breaths after he waddled toward them.
"Ready?" the duo asked in unison.
"To dance," McGonagall elaborated. "The Head Boy and Girl, along with the Prefects and their dates are the first to dance for the Yule Ball during the Tournament, remember?"
Comprehension dawning on them both the Gryffindor and Slytherin Prefects went to the Great Oak doors and stood behind the other Prefects, Head Boy and Head Girl. From where they were standing Lily could see which Prefect was with whome.
Bellatrix and Rudolphus were first, behind the Heads, who were already an official couple. The male Hufflepuff Prefect, Amos Diggery was with Amelia Bones and his counterpart, Shelia Masterson was with an unknown Hufflepuff boy. The male Ravenclaw Prefect, Uther Clearwater was with Morgana Freeman, which meant that the other Gryffindor Prefect, Remus Lupin, was with...
"Hello Lily," a vague female voice said from behind them.
Turning, Lily saw her fellow Charms Club member and vice-president, Xera Phinia, with Remus. She was dressed in a simple, light lavender dress, blue high heels and had her dirty-blonde hair decorated with red and green tissue paper. Remus was also dressed simple in a pair of dark dress pants, white shirt and black vest, and with an angry look on his face.
"Hello Xena," Lily said politely. "Where's Xenophilius?"
"Oh, Xeno will not be attending. Poor thing got a bad bout of Gurdyroot infection, and could not make it to the ball. But Remus was very nice to take me. I also saw James Potter looking at you as though he was expecting something. Oh well," the other girl responded in the same vague voice.
"Oh, uh, sorry to hear that," the red head replied. Then she turned to Remus, "Merry Christmas Remus. How have you been?"
The werewolf did not say a word and turned his eyes straight forward as the doors opened to reveal the occupants on the other side. Getting in a straight line between the two rows of ball-goers the Heads, Prefects and their dates went in, accompanied by a round of applause.
When Lily and Severus went through everyone turned their heads, while some did double-takes to see if they were not mistaken.
James Potter was looking directly at Lily with an expected smile on his face while his date, whose name excaped Lily's mind, said to him, "Is Lily Evans with... Severus Snape?"
At the corner of her eye Lily could make out the words, "Not for long", that Potter said to nobody in particular.
Once the company made their way to the dancefloor the tapping of Professor Flitwick's wand signaled the start of the dance. The males took their dates right hands in their left, and placed their remaining hand on their dates' waists, while the girls' placed their other hand on their dates' shoulders. Another wave of the wand and music began play and the queue began to waltz.
While they were waltzing Severus whispered, "What exactly is Potter so happy about?"
"He probably thought his plan worked, and I'm just resisting," Lily half-whispered, half-hissed back.
"Resisting what?" he asked.
Lily told him what had happened those three hours ago, and when she finshed she felt Severus's grip tighten on her hand slightly.
"That insufferable basterd," he hissed, his black eyes flickering quickly to where Potter was sitting with Black with a big smile on his face as he told his partner something. His date must have disappeared somewhere, if he even came with one.
Smiling wickedly Lily gently cupped his chin and made his eyes face her again. Then she whispered, "Don't worry. I've got a plan for a suitable Christmas present for Mr. James 'Insufferable Basterd' Potter. I just need you to trust me and get Black out of the way for a little while."
Grinning back he asked, "What is it?"
Meanwhile Remus had broken away from the circle of dancers and Xena excused herself to the bathroom. He made his way alone to his remaining friends, since Pettigrew could not be there due to a strong cold, and sat down beside Potter.
"Oh, hey Moony," Potter said in a casual tone. "Enjoying the festivities? I was just telling Padfoot over here about my plan to get Evans to stay in Gryffindor."
"You mean bragging," the brown-haired youth snarled. "James of all the lowest things to do, that was the lowest. How could you even consider a spiked hairclip? Are you that desperate?"
Potter's grin slid off in half a heartbeat and he replied, "Yes, Remus, I am that desperate. I just can't stand to see her with that-that hobknocker! She should be with me!"
"That should be her decision, and not yours," Sirius whispered.
Just then Severus came to their table and said to Remus, "Lupin, your date just came back and is looking for you at the refreshment table."
Excusing himself Remus went to find Xena while Severus turned to Sirius, "Black, McGonagall wants to see you in the room behind the staff table. Something about wanting to defuse a prank or something."
"Oh no, Minnie!" Sirius cried to himself and went to go find the Transfiguration teacher, and Severus departed into the crowd, leaving Potter to himself.
But not for long...
"James," a sultry voice called from behind him.
Turning, he saw Lily Evans smiling at him and holding two glasses of pumpkin juice in each hand.
"Oh, h-hi Evans," the black-haired boy replied, taking in her appearance.
"Mind if I sit here?" she asked, guesturing to the empty seat next to him.
"Not at all," he answered back, his smile getting wider while he pulled the chair out and close to him.
Setting down her glass Lily handed him the other one, which he took immediatly, and sat down next to him.
"I really liked that hairclip you gave me," she continued with a shy smile and batting her eyelashes.
"Glad you liked it," he said, trying to notice the golden flower and thinking that it was hidden in her hair somewhere. "Wouldn't Sniv-Snape be expecting this drink I'm holding?"
Giggling at the question Lily took a quick look-around and said, "I only used that as an excuse to come see you. That drink is really yours," she moved closer to him and whispered, "I wanted to give you a proper 'thank you' for your gift, and I thought that the juice would be nice starter. Care to toast?"
Eyes enlightened with excitement Potter lifted his glass to hers and toasted, "Merry Christmas!", and drained the glass of its contents.
Setting it down alongside hers Potter turned to Lily and asked, "So, what's the other part of your 'thank you'?"
Batting her eyes and sitting up straighter in her chair the vixen said, "I'd like to ask you some questions, that way I can get you something nice."
"Okay," he said, thinking it was some sort of game and decided to play along. "What do you want to know?"
Smiling she began, "Where did you get the golden lily from?"
"An old place in Knockturn Alley," he answered in a trance-like voice.
"Did you have it specifically made?"
"Yes. I gave the jeweler a bit of my hair and some scrap gold to make it, with the direct orders of making it have the appearance of a tiger lily."
"What did you give your hair for?"
"For the love potion that was inside the stripes. It would give off my scent athe moment it touched your scalp."
"Why did you do such a thing?"
"Because I was desperate. I wanted you for so long, and I wanted you to feel the same way."
"Why would you want me when there are so many other girls?"
"Because you are a beautiful and fiesty challenge. No other girl in this school would have been good enough."
Nodding her head Lily got up from the table, took her glass and left. From behind Severus pointed his wand at Potter and said, "Obliviate!". A few seconds later Potter was just starring at his empty cup and looked around to see if Lily would be coming around him anytime soon.
An hour later Severus took Lily away from the crowd and they made their way toward the outside of the castle. They went passed bushes that tried to hide kissing couples, some of the snow covered statues, and finally stopped by the frozen lake, the half-moon light batheing it in a crystal-clear light.
Wrapping his cloak around Lily's shoulders Severus said, "Your plan worked out beautifully Lily. Potter confessed what he did and doesn't remember it, and now he's too busy brooding at the fact his plan didn't work."
"Yes, I'm quite glad about what happened. At least I can now confirm what I've known all along," she replied, looking at their reflections in the mirror-like surface. "He's an egotistical createn that isn't worthy of being called a wizard, and deserves whatever misfortune he gets."
Casting a brief glance at the woman beside him Severus dug into his pocket and found the long box he had carried around all night. It was silver with gold trimming on the side and had gold henges on the side.
He had worked double shifts at Flourish and Blots to earn enough money for himself and a decent gift for Lily. She would probably say that he did not have to, or that she would feel bad about not getting him anything, but he did not care.
"She's done enough for me just by being my girlfriend, and I will do anything to make her happy," he thought.
Turning back to her Severus said, "Lily I got you something," and showed her the box.
"Sev!" she exclaimed, looking at him.
Already anticipating her next words he said, "You have done more than enough for me. You give me a home whenever Tobias is on a rampage. You notice me when everybody else thought I was invisible, and you have honored me by being my girlfriend. So, Lily, please, open your gift."
Tears brimming in her eyes Lily opened the box and gasped. Inside a thick, emerald green chain that glistened in the moonlight, and at the bottom of that chain was a deep, ruby red rose with shimmering petals.
Taking it out of the box Severus drpaed it over Lily's head like lai, and the rose was centered at her chest.
Wrapping her arms around his neck Lily cried a teary "Thank you" to Severus and looked into his eyes. Their heads tilted forward and the happy couple shared a deep and passionate kiss.
Little did Lily know that the moment the necklace touched her skin the chain started to shift slightly, as though it was trying to move, and the dark rose began to make itself darker. One petal had turned a dark purple before morphing into an ebony black in the center.