"Aand... done!" Marlene cried out, capping the tube of lipgloss and clapping her hands together. "Have a look, Hest," she said, ushering Hestia over.

"LILY!" Hestia gushed, smiling. "You look INCREDIBLE!"

"Can I look now?" Lily grumbled, after allowing a few moments for Hestia and Marlene to admire the latter's work. "Sure, sure," Marlene said dismissively, waving her hand. Lily walked over to the full-length mirror the girls all shared and saw an entirely different girl standing before her. Well- it was her, definitely, but a much more beautiful her. She was wearing a green Muggle sweater of Marlene's that highlighted her vibrant eyes and paired well with her auburn hair, which was cascading down her shoulders in loose curls, courtesy of Hestia's curling iron that she swore by. Lily wore her favorite pair of dark jeans and black leather boots that came up to the middle of her shins. Marlene had worked absolute magic on Lily's face; from what Lily could tell, she had champagne glitter shadow swept across her eyelids, black eyeliner flicked in a delicate cat eye, some voluminous mascara, a slightly tinted pink lip gloss, and some sort of lotion that made her pale face absolutely glow.

"Marlene," Lily gaped, "I love it!"

Marlene squealed and gave Lily a hug, being careful not to crush her curls. "I have dreamt of the day you'd let me put makeup on you! You look stunning! James is going to love it!"

Lily blushed. "Marly! But- you really think so?"

Marlene rolled her eyes. "Of course, Lils! Now- what time is it?"

"Jeez, it's eight already! Now, let's go downstairs and wow people!" Hestia grinned.

"Sirius?" Lily coughed.

"Oh, honey, you know it! That boy is all mine," Hestia cheekily replied. Laughing, the three girls linked arms and started down the stairs to the Common Room.

They made quite a trio- Marlene, tall and elegant, her blonde hair swept in a high bun; Lily, with more makeup on than she'd ever worn, looking gorgeous; and Hestia, short yet confident, her midnight hair cut in a short style above her shoulders, something only one in a million girls could actually pull off. They descended the stairs, surveying the room: already packed with sixth and seventh years, and everyone holding drinks. Lily gulped nervously.

"Okay- everyone watch each other, don't get too drunk!" Marlene smiled. "I'm gonna go chat with Benjy over there," pointing her chin towards a short, charming Ravenclaw in sixth year. "Have fun, kids!" she waved, kissing Lily on the cheek and then pursuing Benjy.

"C'mon, Lils- I see the Marauders over there, by the drink table," Hestia said, pulling Lily with her.

"Evans!" Sirius cried upon spotting her. His eyes were a bit glazed already, Lily noted. Was she expected to drink as well?

"Black," she nodded nervously.

"What a bloody shock to see you here! And Jones… always the pleasure," he yelled, bowing drunkenly.

"Sirius," Hestia curtsied, grinning.

"Look at wee Potter and Vance over there, eh?" Sirius nodded. Lily, dread piling up in her stomach, turned to see James sitting on the couch, accompanied by Emmeline Vance. Emmeline was a pretty brunette Ravenclaw in seventh year with Lily. They were leaning in close, glasses in hand, talking to each other quite a bit. Lily's heart sunk to her feet.

Without knowing what she was doing, Lily grabbed a glass and downed it in one quick gulp. "Eurgh!" she cried, gagging. Firewhiskey actually felt like fire going down your throat! She looked up to see Hestia, who looked concerned. "Alright, Lils?"

"Fine...fine…" Lily gasped.

"I'm impressed, Evans!" Sirius shouted, before extending his arm to Hestia. "I'll be around if you need me!" Hestia yelled, before accepting Sirius' arm and waltzing away with him out of sight.

Out of the corner of her eye, Lily saw two fourth-years sneaking away with a bottle. "Oy!" she yelled. "I'm going to have to confiscate that, boys."

The boys glared at Lily, grudgingly giving her the bottle of Ogden's. She accepted it and shooed them away. She looked at the confiscated bottle in her hand. It was still unopened.

Lily took another look at James and Emmeline. Heart throbbing painfully, Lily sat in the corner and opened the bottle.

Two and a half bottles later, Lily saw that adorable Potter boy, finally all by himself. She smirked- now was her chance to show him what he was missing out on by shagging that Vance bitch.

"James!" Lily cried, hobbling over unsteadily, carrying a half-empty bottle of Ogden's Best in her hand. "How are you?"

"Lils," James said, worriedly, "How much have you had to drink?"

"Oh, ehmm, one, two, six, one thousand- who knows!" Lily slurred, flashing James a loopy grin.

"James…" a girl- Emmeline Vance, Lily realized- said amusedly, putting an arm around James's.

Suddenly, Lily was extremely upset. Emmeline's tight brown curls struck at her like snakes, and her blue eyes pierced Lily like glass.

"Emmeline?" Lily shouted incredulously. "Honestly, James… Emmeline Vance? That's bloody bonkers!"

"Lily, darling, it seems you've had a bit too much to drink…" Emmeline smiled kindly, trying to pry the bottle from Lily's fist. "Where are your friends? Perhaps it's best for you to go up to your room and sleep…"

"No!" Lily cried, pulling her hand away from Emmeline's. Everything was so bright, so clear, and not even the toxic amount of whiskey she'd consumed could hide the truth anymore.

"Emmie, maybe you should let me deal with her…" James said apologetically.

"Oh, that's bloody perfect!" Lily screeched. "Yes, Emmie, perhaps that is best!" Tears splashed down her face- she didn't even notice.

"Lily, stop it. Please. Emmeline has done nothing."

"Nothing? Is that really what you think? Ha!" Lily cackled. "James Potter, I am drunk out of my mind right now because of her! I have spent months ogling you, and tonight… tonight was the night you were going to know, and now Emmie, the slag, has ruined everything! James!"

James looked shocked, but Emmeline looked a bit pissed. "We have not been shagging!" she gasped, looking affronted.

"'You absolute LYING BITCH!" Lily cried, quickly slapping Emmeline's cheek.

"Lily!" James scolded, grabbing her wrists before she could do anything more. Emmeline glared at Lily. "Honestly, Lily, don't believe everything you hear… goodnight, James," she said tightly, before strolling off.

"Em-Emmeline! Wait!" James called desperately. She paid him no attention. James turned his attention to Lily. "You know, I really should be mad at you, Evans… but I just can't," James sighed. "Em and I have been friends for ages… and Lily…" James leaned in close to Lily's ear, so she could feel his hot breath on her neck- "Em only dates girls."

Lily looked hazily up into James's beautiful brown eyes. "Emmeline Vance is a bitch," she retorted stubbornly.

"She's really not, once you get to know her, you know. Oh, but you're so drunk, darling… you're going to be mortified tomorrow."

"I've had a bit of Ogden's Best… only a bit!"

James chuckled. "Well, I suppose you're right on that one… if by a bit you mean two bottles."

Lily grinned lazily, too drunk to see the sarcasm. "James…" she whispered. She slowly leaned up towards James's stubbly chin, reaching her lips up to meet his…

"No, Lily," James said angrily, pushing her away. "No." He turned and walked away, and the moment was over so fast Lily was unsure what had just happened.

Suddenly, she became conscious of how quiet it was. She slowly turned around. Everyone was facing her with gaping mouths. In a flash, she felt completely sober.

(ohgodohno)

Lily practically ran up to the girls' dorms and into her bed. She lay there, sobbing into space. (youfuckedupyoufuckedupbad…) A few minutes later, she heard footsteps, then someone sat down at the edge of her bed.

"Lily, honey…"

"No, Marly. No," Lily sobbed. Marlene didn't say anymore, but laid down next to Lily and hugged her until Lily drifted into an uneasy sleep.