Dance
"I won't."
"What? You have to."
"No, I don't. I won't. I can't."
Lily looked at her brother in exasperation. This was stupid.
"Albus, don't be an idiot," she reprimanded. "Just do it."
"I'm not an idiot," he muttered, glaring at her. "I just don't want to do it."
The two Potter children glared at each other for a long few seconds. Lily put her hands on her hips, doing a frighteningly accurate imitation of their mother, but even this was not enough to move Albus.
"You know what? I don't care. What's the big deal anyway? It's just a silly dance. Who needs a date? I don't. I'll just go with Rice and Scorpius," he said, shrugging his shoulders.
"They both have dates," Lily reminded him, still glaring daggers. Albus paled slightly. Then he shook it off and scoffed at her.
"Who cares? I'll go stag then."
"No you won't! Albus, you promised," she said, resorting at last to whining. She jutted her lower lip out and pouted at him. He rolled his eyes.
"You know that doesn't work anymore, right? You're thirteen, not three," he told her. Lily sniffed indignantly.
"Still works on James," she muttered. Albus laughed then. Of course it did. James was ever the pushover where their little sister was concerned. Albus considered himself more of a challenge though; he would not be easily swayed by her puppy eyes and pouting.
"Alby, please," she begged, hanging on his arm, throwing in the babyish nickname for good measure. She knew how much he hated it; she hoped it would be enough to push him over the edge.
"Lily, I am not taking your annoying little friend to the Winter Ball," he snarled, shaking her off. He looked at her sternly. "You'll just have to find some other bloke to take her."
"You promised," she repeated accusingly. "I'm not going to have any fun if Estelle's not there, please. I don't want to go if she's not," she said sadly, her face finally betraying her true insecurities and fears of spending the night at the fourth-years-and-above dance without her best friend.
Lily had been asked by Rice as a last-ditch effort on his part to have a date. Albus found the entire affair incredibly amusing. Rice was so awkward with girls; he'd been too terrified to ask anyone despite many of the Slytherin girls' obvious attempts to gain his attention, and by the time he finally realized the dance was two weeks away, all of the fourth year girls had a date.
Albus, however, wasn't much more successful as far as girls went. He'd briefly had something with one girl last year before realizing she'd only been interested in his name; he'd been rather jaded since. And now Lily was trying to get him to take her silly little friend Estelle to this dance he didn't even want to attend.
"Please?" she asked one more time. "Do it for me, Al? I won't know anyone there besides you and James," she said sadly.
"You'll know Rice and Scorpius and Brax and Sterling and Malachi and Rose and Louis and Fred and-"
"Okay!" Lily cut him off, annoyed that he was taking her so literally. "But I don't really know them, and I don't want to just hang out with family the whole night. Besides, you don't want to be the only one without a date, do you?"
"Maybe I just won't go," he said thoughtfully.
"Al-bus!" she snapped, stressing the two syllables of his name separately and stamping her foot like she did when she was really fed up with him. He fought back a smile at her childish behavior. She saw his expression and scowled before her face softened into a pleading look again. "Please?"
Albus sighed. He knew it was no good arguing with her. As the baby of the family, Lily was all too used to getting her way. She was not at all accustomed to things not going as she wished. She had to know he'd cave eventually. Arguing with her was just too tiring.
"Fine," he relented, and her face instantly morphed into the gorgeous smile that was already causing boys to fall all over her. She hugged him tightly.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she exclaimed happily, releasing him and grinning up at him as though he'd just given her a million galleons. He shook his head at her, struggling to maintain his mask of annoyance over the smile that was threatening to spread across his face. It was hard not to smile when Lily looked at him like that.
"You're welcome," he grumbled. She quickly went up on her toes and planted a kiss on his cheek and squeezed him around the neck. A moment later she was practically dancing down the corridor, on her way back to Gryffindor Tower. He rolled his eyes at her retreating form, a fond smile creeping over his expression.
"I love you!" she called back, blowing him a kiss before pulling back a tapestry and disappearing up the hidden staircase there. He shook his head. What was he getting himself into?
-o-
"Hi, Estelle?" Albus approached her warily. She was sitting in the courtyard with several other second year Gryffindors, chatting happily, her flyaway sandy hair as mane-like as ever. Albus was reminded of a small lion as he looked at her. How fitting.
She looked up at him in surprise, and several of the girls she was sitting with giggled, looking at each other suggestively. Albus wanted to turn around and walk away right there. Only Lily's expectant look from the midst of the group kept him rooted to the spot.
"Hi, Albus," Estelle said with a genuine smile. He managed a small smile back.
"Can I talk to you for a second?" he asked, gesturing to an empty bench on the other side of the courtyard. Her eyebrows shot up, but she stood, carefully extracting herself from the gaggle of Gryffindors. She followed him to the bench, and he was impressed when she didn't so much as glance back at her friends as they giggled uncontrollably.
"What's up?" she asked pleasantly, seating herself and looking up at him expectantly. He reluctantly sat next to her. At least she was being normal, he supposed. The few times he'd actually come in contact with her she was usually a simpering, giggling idiot just like the rest of them.
He looked at her for a moment in silence, at loss for words. He didn't want to do it. Honestly, he could just not go to the dance. It wouldn't be a big deal. No one would even notice his absence. Really.
Then he glanced back at the second years again, all of whom were staring intently at them. Lily caught his eye and raised one eyebrow at him as if to say, Well, get on with it. He took a deep breath.
"Would you like to go to the Winter Ball with me?" he asked, just spitting it out at once. She blinked at him for a moment in surprise before a pleased smile took over her face.
"Definitely," she agreed readily, as though she'd been expecting it. He supposed she probably had; Lily would have filled her in.
"Alright, good," Albus said, relieved it was over with. "Well, er...see you then." He stood and walked away very quickly, not wanting to prolong the awkwardness any longer. He didn't look back, so he missed the delighted grin that stretched across Estelle's face as she ran back to her friends.
-o-
"I can't believe you're going to the dance with Albus Potter," Charity sighed, her chin propped up in her hand as she stared dreamily into space. "So lucky."
"No joke," Paige agreed enviously, watching as Estelle slipped into her purple dress. "I just wish I could go at all," she added, frowning.
"Yeah, some people have all the luck," Siarha commented, laying on her stomach on Lily's bed while the redhead tried to figure out what to do with her hair.
Lily rolled her eyes with a smile. The second year girls had spent all afternoon wistfully watching Estelle and Lily get ready for the Winter Ball. The event had had all the girls in school acting embarrassingly silly for weeks, making googley eyes at boys, hoping to be lucky enough to be asked to go. Lily's dormmates in particular had spent an inordinate amount of time each morning primping to make themselves look as perfect as possible.
Lily honestly thought the whole thing was hilarious. She hadn't cared one lick about going to the Ball. She knew Rice had only asked her because all of the fourth year girls had dates by now and she was the only second year he'd ever actually said more than ten words to. Her only stipulation for accepting had been that Estelle go too; she wasn't going to spend all evening with Albus's stupid friends, and she certainly wasn't going to trail after her cousins like a tag-along little kid.
She would have preferred that Estelle go with Scorpius; she would have been the envy of the school for at least a few hours, and Merlin knew the poor girl had to do her share of putting up with Lily's obnoxiously large helping of limelight. Going with Al was the next best thing though, she supposed. Everyone loved him almost as much as they loved James, even if she personally didn't see what people saw in him.
"I wish someone had asked me," Indigo pouted, touching the skirt of Lily's gown longingly.
Lily was surprised no one had asked Indigo, personally. The girl was beautiful. She wanted to tell her that, but she felt it would be weird, and it would only make her more upset.
Lily stood, examining herself in the full-length mirror beside Charity's bed. Lily's mother had sent the dress just the other day after she'd written home telling her she was going to the Ball with Rice. She had entrusted the project of finding a dress to her mother and aunts since she couldn't very well go to Hogsmeade to pick one out, and they'd done wonderfully.
The dress was navy blue with a sheer skirt that floated as she walked and fell just below her knees. The top was a mock wrap, fitted snugly, strapless, but designed so a simple sticking charm was activated as soon as the zipper was in place. A lacey bow sat just below her left shoulder, nicely accenting the silvery designs hiding in the skirt.
It wasn't a ball gown in any respect, but then, the Winter Ball was more a title than a description. None of the younger girls bothered with heavy ball gowns; they were too much of a hassle, and they got terribly hot. This dress fit her perfectly, that's all that mattered, and looking at herself in the mirror, she fancied she looked a bit older than thirteen. Fourteen or fifteen at least.
Estelle looked stunning of course. Her dress was a straight, full-length affair that left her already-tall frame looking even longer. It was solid purple with just enough detail on top to make it beautiful and elegant. Estelle's hair, usually a shoulder-length mane of wild blonde waves, was carefully tamed, framing her face in beautiful, soft waves that made her dark eyes stand out. Lily felt a surge of jealousy. Estelle always looked so much older; anyone would have sworn she was a sixth year in that dress.
"You both look so pretty!" Siahra cried, clapping her hands. Estelle beamed, and Lily couldn't fight the pleased smile at the compliment. One of the girls produced a camera from somewhere, and Lily's smile instantly vanished. She eyed the contraption warily.
"You have to take a picture," Paige said, seeing Lily's face. "You both look so gorgeous."
Lily grimaced. She hated having her picture taken. She supposed it was a product of growing up under the public eye, but she couldn't stand cameras.
"Yeah, Lils, calm down. We're not going to send it to the Prophet or anything," Selene said from across the room. She'd been sitting on her bed throughout the whole afternoon, ignoring the calamity of her roommates, reading a magazine and looking thoroughly bored with the entire affair as Lily and Estelle prepared for the dance.
Selene Rochester had disliked Lily from their very first day at Hogwarts together, though Lily had no idea what she'd done to earn the other girl's disapproval. Selene frequently made nasty comments about the constant spotlight Lily and her family lived in, snidely remarking on every article that ever appeared in the paper. She seemed to harbor the opinion that Lily secretly enjoyed all the attention.
Paige frowned, looking down at the camera in her hands then up at Lily again. "I wouldn't," she promised softly, seeing the redhead's unhappy face.
Lily mentally berated herself. These girls were her friends. They'd shared a dorm for a year and a half, and they were all great to her - except Selene of course, but who counted her anyway? She felt bad for suddenly distrusting them.
"Forget it," Selene scoffed, casting Witch Weekly aside - Lily grimaced when she saw her mother was on the cover again - and striding across the room. "Perfect Lily doesn't want her picture taken, girls. Best respect her wishes." She took the camera from Paige's hand and tossed it carelessly onto the nearest bed. Paige let out a noise of protest and went diving after it.
"I didn't say that," Lily said with a frown. "You can take the picture yourself if you want," she added, her chin jerking up defiantly. Selene was tall, elegant and very pretty, and Lily felt horribly plain next to her as she stared her down, but she refused to let that show.
"No, it's okay," Paige said, putting the camera back on her bedside table. "You should get going; you'll be late."
"Take a picture," Estelle said with a smile, intervening as usual. "I want you to."
Paige glanced uneasily between Lily and Selene. Lily broke off the silent stare-down to give the girl a reassuring smile.
"It's fine."
"Okay...smile..." Paige held the camera up, and Lily and Estelle linked arms and grinned for her.
"We better get going," Estelle said as soon as the device was set aside, steering Lily by the elbow to the door and down the staircase, leaving the tension-filled room behind.
-o-
"I can't stand her!" Lily exclaimed vehemently as soon as the portrait hole closed behind them. She stalked down the corridor angrily, Estelle hurrying to keep up.
"Perfect Lily doesn't want her picture taken," she mimicked, a nasty expression on her face. "She's just so awful."
"Hey, forget her, Lily. She's just jealous. I heard she asked Archer Carroway to the Ball and he turned her down in front of the entire common room," Estelle said.
Lily's insides froze a little, and an all-too familiar flutter erupted in her stomach at the mention of Archer Carroway. She'd run into him countless times - sometimes literally - since that first day on the train. He always had some comment to make about her knocking into him, and she never had a witty comeback. She lost all power of speech around him; it was as though he struck her dumb and senseless. She felt her cheeks heat up at the thought of him.
"He's taking Bridget Pearson," Estelle told her, and Lily felt viciously hateful all of a sudden, jealousy raging through her for a brief, fiery moment before she squashed it.
"I'm surprised he didn't ask you," her friend added.
Lily gave her a miserable look.
"He would've had a lot more fun with you than with stodgy old Bridget."
Lily grimaced.
"I bet he would love your dress."
"Will you stop?" Lily whined, turning to look at her best friend in disbelief. She loved Estelle, but honestly, sometimes she swore the girl was trying to kill her.
Estelle laughed at her pained expression. "That was a new record for you, Lily. You can't usually hold out so long."
"You're terrible," Lily muttered. Estelle looped her arm through Lily's again with a grin.
"But you love me," she reminded her.
"Yeah yeah."
-o-
They met Albus and Rice in the Entrance Hall as agreed upon. Scorpius was waiting with them, some fourth year Slytherin girl on his arm. Lily didn't remember her name. It didn't matter anyway. Scorpius didn't date; she had no reason to actually learn any of the girls' names because they were more like accessories than anything else. Scorpius had one on his arm for every social event ever, but at the end of the night, they went their separate ways just as platonically as ever.
Lily suspected it was because he was terrified of falling in love. James said it was because he was gay. Lily wasn't sure she bought that.
Either way, she couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked in his black - of course - dress robes. His blonde hair had been cut recently, falling just above his liquid silver eyes. He was gorgeous. Every girl in school wanted him. Lily would have to be blind not to be attracted to him.
Not that she'd ever tell anyone but Estelle.
"Hey, Lily," Rice greeted with his usual easy-going smile. He held his arm out to her and she graciously accepted it. She glanced at Albus to see him doing the same with Estelle.
"You look very pretty," Rice told her softly as they walked through the double doors to the Great Hall. Lily smiled up at him. He was so sweet. She was sure any number of girls would have gone to the dance with him if he'd found the courage to ask them. It was impossible not to like him.
"Thanks, Rice. You look nice yourself," she answered.
The Great Hall was beautifully decorated. The tall Christmas trees were decorated in silver and gold, and every surface was frosted with white and silver. Snow hung in the air, never quite falling, but keeping the air cool above the dance floor. The long house tables were pushed to the side, and smaller round tables were scattered throughout the Hall. Groups sat and talked while others danced and others checked out the food.
Scorpius led the way with his girl to a table toward the back of the Hall where most of the fourth year Slytherins had convened. Lily felt suddenly shy, faced with the beautifully-dressed fourth year girls seated there. She felt each one of them give her a once-over. One smiled at her, a couple gave her a look of general approval, but most of them looked disinterested. Lily was just glad she was not attracting looks of dislike.
"You guys remember Lily," Albus introduced, gesturing to her. She smiled nervously. "And this is Estelle, Lily's friend," he added, indicating Estelle standing slightly behind him. Lily knew Estelle was just as nervous as she was, and the two shared a slightly bewildered look.
"Hi, Lily, hi Estelle," the girl who had smiled said. "I'm Bayli."
Bayli was small and slight, but well-built and sinewy. Her dark, straight hair was cut just below her chin, and she'd done nothing to it for the evening, which Lily thought suited her well. Her dress was plain, knee-length and silver. She looked as though she'd put absolutely no effort into getting ready at all, yet she looked beautiful, in Lily's opinion.
She decided she very much liked Bayli.
-o-
Lily laughed at her ridiculous best friend. Estelle was dancing like a lunatic, throwing her arms around and laughing hysterically at how completely idiotic they were both being. The two girls were surrounded by older students, but they didn't care one bit; they were having the time of their lives.
"I'm go glad you're here," Lily whispered in her friend's ear, drawing her close. "I would be miserable without you."
Estelle grinned. "Likewise!"
Lily shook her head and laughed again, allowing Estelle to lead the way in yet another round of crazy dancing. The two paid no attention to the strange looks they were receiving; no one else mattered. They were the best of friends, and right then, they wanted nothing more than to enjoy one another's company while being complete nutters.
Estelle grabbed her hands and spun in a circle. Lily shrieked with laughter as they whirled around, still laughing when her friend released her and she went spinning into the crowd.
"Ouch! Watch it, will you?"
Lily staggered, trying to regain her balance and focus her eyes on whomever she'd just hurtled into. She was still laughing.
"Sorry," she giggled, stumbling backward. She finally managed to stand still long enough to see that the girl she'd run into was Bridget Pearson, a Gryffindor fourth year who was undeniably gorgeous, but nevertheless one of the most boring people Lily had ever met. She wasn't nice, but even insulting her was no fun because she never had any interesting comebacks anyway.
"Merlin, who let you stupid little second years in anyway?" Bridget asked snottily, rubbing her arm where Lily's elbow had smacked her. Lily hoped she'd have a bruise. Her chin jutted out indignantly at the insult.
"Rice Parker asked me," she informed the older girl. Bridget rolled her eyes.
"Whatever. Just go away."
"Gladly." Lily spun around to leave, only to run smack into another very solid person. She jumped backward, her face flushing in embarrassment.
"Sorry!"
"For the love of Merlin," Bridget exclaimed loudly. "Do you ever look where you're going?"
"Hey, it's okay," an all-too familiar voice said with a soft chuckle. Steadying hands held Lily's elbows as she refocused her eyes on the face of none other than Archer Carroway.
Lily's face blushed an even deeper shade of red.
"Nice to run into you again," Archer said, laughing. He let her go, and she took an unconscious step backward. He was grinning at her, completely unaffected by the fact that she'd just stepped on his foot and run into his chest.
"Hi, Archer," Lily mumbled. "Sorry for bumping into you. Again."
"Nothing new," he assured her, his entire expression indicating repressed mirth. Lily wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out again. Why did all of her encounters with Archer involve literally running into him?
"Archer, we should go get something to drink," Bridget interjected, her hand latching onto his arm. "I'm thirsty."
Archer cast her an amused look; the girl was being painfully obvious in her desire to take him away from Lily. "Yeah, okay," he said agreeably. Lily wondered briefly what had possessed him to ask Bridget to the dance; he was so easy-going, nice, funny and creative, and she was so...not. She didn't get it.
"See you around, Lily. I'm sure you'll run into me again soon," Archer said, grinning. Lily grimaced, knowing it was inevitably true, and he laughed again as Bridget led him away.
"Oh, Merlin," she muttered to herself, watching him leave. "What is wrong with me?" Her face was still burning as she went about looking for Estelle.
Someday, she vowed, she would have an actual, intelligent conversation with Archer Carroway that did not involve her recently running smack into his chest. Maybe.
A/N: There is a link on my profile to pictures of the dresses worn by Estelle, Lily and Bayli at the dance.
Summer is upon us! My yearbook is almost done, and I'm preparing to move in with my dad for the summer to take care of my little brother and sister. I haven't updated in forever. Forgive me.
I went to a Glee concert. It was fantabulous. I am in love. Yes. Glee is wonderful.
I have a new oneshot that I randomly wrote. I'm really interested in the Malfoys right now; I'd like to write a story about them eventually, but I'm trying to figure Draco out. So read "The Garden Wall" and tell me what you think.
Yes, I know I don't write frequently enough. I'm working on it. Now that it's summer, maybe I can have more writing time. We'll see.
Please review. :)