a/n: Howdy? Hey there, my dear friends, I'm back with a new chapter that is surprisingly 10 pages (my longest, so far). At last, I have survived the entrance exams (even though I don't know the results yet). Anyway, before work piles up, I am here to present my next chapter.

BTW, I would like to dedicate one page of this chapter to my friend who is currently chasing (literally chasing) his teachers to be able to catch up in classes. I hope he'll be able to make it to the finish line. And also, I dedicate the remaining 9 pages to my generous reviewers!

CHAPTER 24: THE INVITATION

"Hey! There's an owl for you," Sirius said, taking the rolled-up piece of parchment off the owl's leg. Another owl perched on the window. "And another one!" he said, taking an envelope from the second owl. After a pat, the two owls flew out the window.

"From whom?" James asked. He was doodling on a piece of parchment.

"The first one is from your mother," Sirius said, showing the first scroll.

"Ah, dump them on my desk," he said, still doodling dreamily.

Sirius cleared his throat loudly. "Do I have to dump this other letter on your desk?" He smelled the envelope. "Lavender ink. Care to know who the sender of this letter is?"

James woke up from his open-eyed slumber and dived for the letter. With the help of his Quidditch reflexes, he easily caught the letter that Sirius tried to hide from him. However, the desk he dived at was too shiny that the friction was very low.

"James Potter, watch o-" Sirius tried to say but it was too late.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"And that's what happened," Sirius told Remus, who was eating his porridge.

Remus sighed. "He banged his head on the wall because of his penpal's love letter," he repeated in a sarcastic tone. "Yeah, right. Un-marauder-like."

Peter started to talk, spitting bits of porridge on Remus' book. "Wormtail, be careful. This is from the library," he warned.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he apologized before wiping the mess. "And, what is the result?" he asked.

"Fortunately, nothing," Sirius sighed. "He almost risked his life in every Quidditch game. Don't tell me diving for a letter is worse than that."

Sirius stood up and mockingly demonstrated James' actions with matching fainting effect. Everybody laughed. The Sirius Black-shippers started to fall on their knees, screaming as though a famous hunk arrived in front of them.

"That was very distracting," Remus said, smiling. "You are free to join the West End if you're given more musical talents."

"Forget about that. I don't even know what West Blend is, let alone join it," Sirius commented. "Hey, do you want to visit our prince in the Hospital Wing?"

Everyone agreed and they went to the Hospital Wing. They saw James on a bed, looking at the ceiling. He was sporting a cast on his right arm, the arm he used to retrieve the letter. "He's gotten crazy," Peter said.

"I just gave him a dose of pain reliever," Madam Pomfrey said. "He's in a poor state: depressed and obsessed."

"I think he's obsessed and possessed," Sirius muttered under his breath. He sat down on a stool beside James' bed and hit his friend hard on the head. "That's un-Marauder-like," he spat.

James felt a lump on the spot. "And that is very Marauder-like," he said sarcastically.

"By the way, I brought the letter your mother gave. It's not really a Howler but…" Sirius started. He took the scroll and unrolled it.

A motherly voice started to talk. "James, I will go to Hogwarts to pick you and your friends for an Easter-ender party of our friend tomorrow. Go pack up and we will be arriving this evening."

"Seems like all four of us has to pack up," Remus said. "I'm sorry but it's… you know…"

"We perfectly understand, Moony. But don't be sad," Peter said, patting his back.

"Yeah, right. And little Wormtail's happy because there will be food all around," Sirius said jokingly.

"Guys, since my mother told us all to come, go pack up," James said happily.

"We better get going."

"Bye, James."

"Yeah, get well soon."

"WAIT!" James suddenly shouted.

"What's the foghorn?" Madam Pomfrey suddenly said, getting out of her room.

Sirius went back. "Yeah, what's wrong, James?" he asked innocently.

"My mother said WE are all going to that party! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!" James shouted, jumping out of bed. He was pushed back by Madam Pomfrey.

"Oh, yeah, right," Sirius said, laughing slightly. All of them went to James' bed and positioned themselves like paramedics. "Are you thinking that we're leaving our Marauder leader here?"

Peter smiled. "In fact, we prepared a very grand entrance for you."

"Entrance to the common room?"

"And the Great Hall."

"And of whole Hogwarts!" Sirius concluded with his dramatic oratorical gesture.

"One, two, three," Remus said, all three of them carrying James up from the bed.

Madam Pomfrey gasped. "Stop carrying him at once," she scolded the four.

"Sorry, Madam, urgent call," Sirius said. He signaled the Marauders and they carried the still shouting James out of the Hospital Wing. They ran throughout the halls of the Wing, astonishing the other students and embarrassing James at the same time.

"Sirius, make sure you find a hiding place once I get this arm healed because I'm going to strangle you!" James threatened, his face flushing with discomfort.

Sirius was amused with James' helpless tactics as they carried him through the moving stairs up to the portrait of the fat lady.

"Pass… word?" the fat lady said in awe as she took her eyes from her mini-mirror and saw the Marauders looking like a six-legged and four-headed monster carrying extra limbs up on its head.

"Ad infinitum," Remus replied, panting with the weight of James.

The portrait door swung open and they rushed through the common room, making the other students stop in silence and stare at them. "Coming through, coming through," they simultaneously said.

Peter closed the door of their dormitory as they threw James, literally, on his bed.

"You are going to get it!" he shouted once again. "Who told me that I needed that much attention?"

Sirius raised his hand, as though he's in a classroom. "Prongs, you need to learn a lesson. If embarrassing you is the best way to knock you back to your senses, we, your friends, are ready to do that," he said with flourish.

"You want me to learn a lesson," James stated in a calm voice. "But what lesson?" he asked as he sat down on a stool at the side of his bed.

"Not to dive for a letter?" Peter answered.

"No, stupid," Sirius snapped. "James, forget all about these 'Green Apple' nonsense."

James frowned. "Sirius, I'm hurt. That's equivalent to telling you that you should marry Auriga now and dump Kristanna for good." He dramatically turned and looked at the window after that.

Sirius' face became dull after the statement. "Moony, do something," he pleaded.

Remus just shook his head. "I cannot stop the hearts of young men. That's worse than stopping a werewolf under the full moon, trust me."

"And in a way, you cannot stop a woman entering your dormitory. That's worst if you stop them," a voice on the doorway sneered.

"Kristanna!" Sirius shouted, immediately climbing to his bed and hiding under layers of quilts. He still hasn't recovered from his newly-reinstated girlfriend's flaring mood and unanticipated headbutts.

Kristanna raised an eyebrow, proceeded to Sirius' bed, and pulled everything away, exposing everything (WHAT?). She saw Sirius crouched at the bedstead and smiled.

"Sirius, can you accompany me somewhere?" she asked, holding two invitations. "I have two invitations to a Wizard's Easter party and I think I should ask you out."

"I can't accompany you because we also have an Easter party to attend," Sirius replied.

"No need, Sirius, I think we're all going to the same party," Remus said, holding out the invitations James' received.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

That night was weirder than ever. That evening in the Great Hall, hundreds of love birds unbelievably carried identical large pink envelopes that made the already pinkish sunset sky pinker. All the male students who received theirs stood up from their seats and passed pink envelopes to their partners.

"Whoever tried to play a prank to all of these students surely needs a calendar!" McGonagall angrily shouted to Dumbledore, who was using his pinky finger to clean his ear, a very rude thing to do at breakfast.

"Professor McGonagall, are you aware what time of the year it is?" Dumbledore asked dreamily.

The professor raised an eyebrow. "It is, headmaster, Easter," she started calmly. "So it's not the time for anyone to send party envelopes that looked like those!" she shouted, pointing at the still massive bulk of love birds carrying envelopes and bird droppings.

A blue and green lovebird perched on top of Dumbledore's tall hat. It let an envelope fall on his lap. "Do I get one too?" he asked no one in particular, chuckling while opening the envelope bearing an unusual crest of two doves kissing each other, much like a recuerdo for a wedding.

Professor Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Dear Sir:

I would like to ask a couple (literally, or should I say lots of couples?) of your students to go and fill up this party of mine that will surely turn to the biggest Wizards' party of the year. It would be an Easter celebration party. There would be food and fun and I will also assure the safety of your students.

I will visit you tomorrow to talk to you and to arrange the portkey for the students for tomorrow.

Thank you for your support and regards to you and your school.

Sincerely yours,

(signed)

Aphrodite Aimes

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Simultaneously…

"And who is this Aphrodite Aimes to them?" Lily asked Aphrodite, who was pulling the curtain rope in order to reveal her hundreds of love birds. "I'm sure Dumbledore knows ninety-nine point nine percent of the Wizarding population. He is comparable to a Wizarding census…"

Aphrodite frowned but did not listen to Lily's ranting. With a wave of her hand, the cages disappeared, leaving the love birds free. Another wave, and hundreds of pink envelopes made their way to the birds' beaks.

"… And it's rude to send people invitation the night before a party. That's absolutely insane!" Lily continued.

Aphrodite clapped her hands and Lily's mouth was suddenly shut. "My dear, you are forgetting that I am a goddess," she said, touching the girl's cheek with her heavily jeweled hand. "And for that, Aphrodite Aimes is instantly a renowned pureblood and an instant friend of the Ministry and an instant patron of Hogwarts and of course, an instant friend of Albus Dumbledore! In short, an instant celebrity!"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"She's not only the Aphrodite Aimes but she's also one of the generous patrons of Hogwarts and a good friend of mine," Dumbledore told McGonagall when she asked more about the mysterious woman.

"Good reason enough to let the students go," she replied. "But how about the behavior and manners of these students?" She wiped her forehead with a handkerchief. They can't just go strut and show public display of affection in a party of a famous woman! Wizarding press will surely attend the party and if they discover that an ill-mannered young man or woman is a student here, it will be a disgrace!"

"Don't worry, Minerva, everything will surely be fine," Dumbledore assured, patting her shoulder. "Or do you think you have to go with them?" he asked suddenly.

The professor's cheeks suddenly turned red as though she was a thermometer reaching a high temperature. "Of course not!" she said indignantly. "The students can surely handle themselves well!"

"Alright then," the headmaster replied. He tapped his goblet with his golden spoon and the commotion ended, making everyone sit down.

"Now that you are ready to listen," he started, eyeing McGonagall as she sat down before continuing, "I will talk. Madam Aphrodite Aimes has invited selected students to what she called "the biggest Wizards' party of the year", as we all know."

"Our family can surely make the biggest Wizards' party of the year," Lucius Malfoy boasted to the whole proximity he could reach but particularly to Narcissa, who giggled. But obviously, both of them are already holding their own share of invitations.

"Those who will go to the party, please register in the piece of parchment that will be placed here in the Great Hall, to be observed by the Deputy Headmistress of ours, Professor McGonagall. You need to present your invitation before signing up. You will be informed of what to do next tomorrow morning," Dumbledore continued before conjuring a podium with a piece of parchment, quill and ink.

Murmuring started. Minutes later, couples deserted their dinner and signed up for the party. The evening ended with Dumbledore using his wand to roll-up the parchment and gave it to McGonagall.

"So, that's all about it," Sirius said, stretching his arms. "I'm very annoyed with all those girls trying to ask me out. I've already said that I'm taken!"

"You should have written it on your back, Sirius," Peter said, eating some sneaked out pies.

"And give them more reasons to look at my behind, pah!" Sirius sneered.

James was silent. "Do you think Green Apple's one of the invited people?" he asked suddenly.

"I'm so sure," Sirius said sarcastically. They stopped when they found Kristanna at the foot of the stairs.

"Sirius Black," she called out, pulling him out of the Marauder formation. "Sorry for the disturbance," she told the others, who all nodded. "Will you go with me tomorrow?"

"I'm already with…" he looked at the Marauders who were making gestures of driving him out, pushing him to Kristanna closer. "…you," he continued, scratching his head.

The girl left with a smile. "That's revenge for driving out love," James said in a singsong voice.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"That's revenge for driving out love," Danicia said smartly as she forced Lily into a tight-fitting gown. The latter was looking at the mirror with a frown.

"This is very revealing," she stated. She was wearing a lavender off-shoulder gown.

"That is very nice," Danicia said. She was wearing a ballet style light orange gown with orange stilettos. The floor was littered with gowns and shoes.

Aphrodite broke in, literally, into the room, seeing Lily trying to cover her chest by pulling the gown out. "Lily, dear, I think that is not the right gown for you," she said with a frown. "Hands, why did you give her something like that?"

The hands left the room. Lily sighed with relief. "I thought I have to wear this…" she stopped when she saw the gown that she will wear for the night.

The hands carried an apple green ball gown with leaf-patterned sleeves and golden embroidered leaves on the gown. "We have to make a gown that would suit Green Apple so I have to ask Dalin for help."

Lily was astonished and happy for the gown. It was beautiful yet not revealing. She was about to go to the dressing room when Aphrodite stopped her. "Let me," she said. She clapped her hands and pointed a finger at Lily and after wrapping her in pink smoke, Lily emerged, all dressed up, with matching hair setting. Her hair was also decorated with embroidered leaves.

"So, how about me? Do I look good?" Aphrodite asked. She was wearing a white Greek top gown that is pink at the bottom (do you know Gwen Stefani's wedding gown?). She went away with her harajuku-classic style and became immediately elegant with her current look. However, she was sporting dark brown hair that would turn brighter brown if placed under the sunlight, and pink eyes.

"You look wonderful than ever!" Danicia exclaimed. The girl loved pink.

"Oh, thank you. As for you, my dear accomplice, a prize," she said before clapping her hands again. Danicia was also surrounded by pink smoke and when she emerged, she was wearing the same gown, but hyped by pinkish hues at the edges and elegant accessories. Her hair was also set, giving her the ultimate doll look.

"You look cute!" Lily said.

"So, are you ready for the ultimate pair-up party?" Aphrodite asked. "Remember, not only Christopher and Jeanne. We also have to let Matthew and Melissa be together once and for all!"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I'm lost in this winter sleep

I can't seem to find my way out alone…

Can you hear me?"

The audience applauded after Melissa concluded her solo. Many couples started to sit down to take a rest.

"I do hope Lily was here," Kristanna told Sirius as she dragged him to a table. The hall was really big, bigger than the Great Hall, in fact, for the hall occupied Wizarding press and other important people. Clearly, "suspicious" wizards were not invited.

"Okay," Sirius just said, drinking his spirits. She was awed with Kristanna's purple halter gown and was gaping at her.

Christopher went up with his electric guitar which was not really a good match with his formal outfit. "Good evening," he greeted. The few of his classmates cheered for him.

"We're both looking for something
We've been afraid to find
It's easier to be broken
It's easier to hide…"

"How are you?" Lily asked Jeanne who was drinking warm water to rest her voice. She was slightly shouting due to the mayhem the students were causing due to their wild dancing.

"I'm fine," she replied. "Christopher's really good, isn't he?" she commented.

"I'm feeling alive all over again
As deep as the scars under my skin
Like being in love, she said, for the first time
Maybe I'm wrong, I'm feeling right
where I belong with you tonight
Like being in love to feel for the first time…"

"He is," Lily said, smiling. "It seems like he practiced for this one."

"He really did. He's really responsible and serious with his work," Jeanne said.

"I think I have to go, Madam Aimes is waiting for me," Lily said. She patted Jeanne's back and went back up. She had to go behind pillars to reach the flight of stairs without anyone knowing who she was.

"Sirius, Sirius," Kristanna asked, tapping his back. "Isn't that Lily?"

"It's impossible for her to be here, Kristanna," Sirius said. "Do you want some of these eggs coated with flour? They taste good, mind you."

"No, thanks," she said, still looking apprehensive.

"Lily, how's everything?" Aphrodite asked as she viewed the party from a high balcony with Danicia. "You should have masked yourself before taking a peek at the lovebirds," she added. "Someone might see you."

"Good thing you planned a masquerade party," Danicia said, looking at her mask adorned with crystals and with a cloth to hide the lower part of her face.

"Sorry, I forgot," Lily murmured. She took out her own mask, a half-face mask that was loyal to her leaf motif.

"Everything's ready. After Christopher's song number, we're going to present ourselves," Aphrodite said, standing up and arranging herself.

"Like being in love she said for the first time
Like being in love to feel for the first time…"

Christopher got down from the podium and the dancing was continued by an unknown musician playing a song on the piano.

"I think this is a better ball than the one you had last Valentine's," Aphrodite snapped.

"Yes, I think you're right," Danicia replied. She positioned herself behind Aphrodite, ready to carry the trail along with Lily, already masked.

"This even looks like a late-Valentine's party," Lily stated.

"Maybe," Aphrodite said. "A little treat for youngsters who did not enjoy the St. Elmo's Fire Erida sent."

The music stopped and Jeanne went up the podium. "Please let us welcome the hostess for this party, Madam Aphrodite Aimes." She applauded and everyone followed.

The goddess and her assistants descended down the stairs in elegance that everyone stared at them.

"I'm so in love with them!" one of them said.

Aphrodite went up the podium with the help of Lily and Danicia and said, "I am really glad that all of you are able to come. Do enjoy this party. Your enjoyment will be my utmost pleasure!"

Everyone applauded once again. Aphrodite shocked everyone. With a snap of her fingers, her long trail disappeared, and she was wearing a shocking mini-dress. "I would like to offer everyone a song," she said, grabbing her microphone decorated with some glittery stuff. Two girls, suspiciously veelas, came from behind the stage as her backup dancers. Other boys who were susceptible to temptation looked at the veelas.

"I think it was the summer time
When I laid eye's on you
I didn't even know you're name
Some how we'd end up in the same room
Never crossed my mind
I never saw you like that
I should've listened to my best friend
She knew we'd be a perfect match…"

"She's good, but that's shocking, Lily commented.

Jeanne gasped as she felt someone hold her. It was Christopher.

"I need to talk to you," he said. He dragged her outside to the garden, which is in fact, the magical balcony.

"Lily, they're going to the magical balcony," Danicia said.

"Roger that," Lily said.

"It's a typical love story
We started out as friends
This is how it ends
This is just a
Typical love story
The boy you never wanted
Just steals your heart
I never saw it comin'
Till I fell so hard…"

Jeanne looked around. The magical balcony became an instant romantic garden with small waterfalls and tree lights. "Wait a minute…" she started to say but she was cut off when Christopher held her hand.

"Jeanne, I wanted to tell you something," he started.

"And what might that be?" she asked, curious.

Christopher looked around, looking for the right words. "I… I…"

"You… what?" the girl replied impatiently. She noticed that Christopher was whiter than normal.

"I like you," he finally blurted out, touching the stray strands of her hair.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"We are completely guarded from evil people," Aphrodite told her assistants while she was looking at herself in a vanity mirror in her own balcony, arranging her gown. "In short, this party is Erida-free!"

"You really made sure everything's taken care of, huh?" Lily said.

Aphrodite winked behind her hand-held mask. "Yes, I did. And now, it's your time to be happy," she said, putting her hands on her shoulder and leading her to the dancefloor. "Don't you want to meet Raven?"

"Raven? You mean he's here?" she asked back, excited.

Aphrodite nodded. "That's a little gift for you, my dear accomplice. Enjoy your experience."

Lily smiled at Aphrodite. "Thank you," she said before walking towards the man at the center of the dancefloor, obviously waiting for someone. He heart was beating very fast that she could feel it from every inch of her body.

Danicia tried to follow

The man was clearly smiling beneath the black mask with small glitters. He was indeed raven – black.

"Are you… Green Apple?" he asked nervously.

Lily nodded. "I am Green Apple. And you are… Raven?"

"Don't I look like one?" he asked jokingly.

They were staring at each other that they did not notice a new singer on the stage wearing a peculiar gown that was suspiciously made of flowing water. "I dedicate this song to all love birds out there," she said. It was Argua. Simultaneously, as she said "birds", love birds flew around the hall.

"I try to make it very serious… self-conscious…

You make me feel very awkward, yeah, I'm foolish…

I sigh and wish that I'll be with you tonight

I feel like I'm going to break out… I just felt it…

Need you to softly say… how you feel for me…

Please kiss me once again…

Let me know again…"

"May I have this dance?" Raven asked, taking her hand.

"Of course. We were deprived of that chance before, right?" Lily a.k.a. Green Apple said. They started to dance shyly.

"Tell me what's on your mind, I need a sign

Boy, you know I feel you…"

Suddenly, the lights went out. The singing stopped. "Hey!" James shouted as he felt something on his foot. There was complete chaos and he felt like he was knocked over. His mask fell off.

"Not to worry, everyone," Aphrodite's voice said from a balcony.

The lights went on once again. Lily gasped as she saw the man who was lying on the floor, holding the mask of Raven.

"You?" she blurted out, placing her hand over her mouth.

a/n: comments? Suggestions? Clarifications? Violent reactions? Please give a review…