Chapter 5: Yule Ball Invite
"Hey, Lily," James says, coming up rather awkwardly after Divination class. He rubs a hand through his hair, but I think it's mainly because he's unsure what else to do with the hand. "Um, I expect you want to be asked besides me just assuming so, um...would you like to go to the Yule Ball?"
"With you?"
He scowls. "No, with Peter...Of course with me! Who else?" He rubs his hair some more, voice dropping. "We've been getting on alright, haven't we? I thought it would be a nice end to term to go to the ball together."
I smile, holding my books against my chest. "I hope you know this requires me to go shopping. I have absolutely nothing to wear."
One dark eyebrow shoots up from behind his glasses. "Is that a yes?"
I put a finger under his chin and close his gapping mouth. "Yes, James, that's a yes."
James grabs me around the waist and swings me in the air, kissing me once he sets me down, the display eliciting applause from the crowd now gathering. "Gotta tell my mates. They'll never believe me...LILY EVANS IS GOING TO YULE BALL WITH ME!" James yells to the crowd, pushing through to get back to the dorms. He rethinks, coming back to kiss me again. "Great. Thanks. See ya shortly. Gotta go."
My own friends--Elizabeth, Elinor, and Evilyn--descend on me once he's gone, linking arms and dragging me off.
"Changed your mind, have you?" Elizabeth asks.
"Can't say I blame you," Elinor adds.
"James isn't such a git anymore," I explain, knowing the words must sound foolish after too many years of Idiot-Boy tirades. "I quite rather like him."
'"I quite rather like him,'" Evilyn parrots, grinning wickedly at me. "We all know something's been going on between you and Potter, Lily. I thought you swore to hate him till the day you died. What changed?"
"Nothing changed!" I insist, before adding "Well, something did. He changed. I mean it, girls, James really isn't such an arrogant prat anymore. He has his moments, but at least now realizes when he needs to apologize or check the attitude."
"Put in a good word for me with Black," Elizabeth pleads, still hung up on the most charming Sirius Black. "We could ALL go with Marauders!"
"I'll see what I can do," I promise. "I can't guarantee anything, but I'll see what I can do."