It was a week before the New Year's Eve Ball. I was sitting in the common room one night when I heard shouting.
"Sirius!" Tiffany screamed. She walked into the common room with Sirius following her. "You just love attention. You were totally flirting with those girls and don't you dare try and deny it."
"I wasn't flirting with those girls!" Sirius screamed back, even louder than Tiffany.
"They were totally into you and you shamelessly flirted back."
"I was only talking to them. Besides, how can I help it if girls flirt with me? Every girl at this school would date me."
I cringed as Sirius said that. Next thing I knew, Tiffany was slapping Sirius. Her hand left a red mark on his cheek
"We are done!" Tiffany screamed. I couldn't help but think she sounded like a banshee when she screamed. I had to stop myself from laughing at the whole situation.
"Fine!" Sirius shouted. He didn't seem upset at all. He'd probably have another girlfriend in the next two days.
Then they both walked away, avoiding eye contact. Sirius headed towards the boy's dormitory and Tiffany headed to the girl's dormitory. I couldn't deny the hopeful feeling slowly growing in my chest as I thought about Sirius being single. I quickly reminded myself that I was going to the ball with one of his best friends. We were only going as friends though. Nothing more. That makes me free to pursue whoever I wanted and I would go after Sirius Black. He intrigued me.
And I wouldn't change myself in the process, I would change him.
It was the night of the ball and I was in my dormitory getting ready with Lilly, Rachael, and Mary. I was wearing a little more makeup than usual and I had decided to curl my usually straight hair. I was looking at myself in my floor length mirror and I couldn't help but admire myself. I looked stunning.
"You look beautiful," Lilly said. "Remus will die when he sees you."
"I hope not." I responded teasingly.
"You know what I mean." Lilly said with a faux eye roll.
I dramatically rolled my eyes back at her and she shook her head at me.
"You all look stunning." I said to my roommates. They did look beautiful. Lilly's vibrant red hair was pinned back elegantly and her makeup was perfect. She also had on a short green dress a few shades darker than mine to bring out her eyes. Marry looked great too, with her dark blue floor length dress and hair pulled into a braided bun. Even Rachael, who usually hated girly things, looked stunning in a mint sequined dress that stopped a little before her knees.
A little later, after last minute makeup checks and hair fixing, we headed down to the common room. As we headed down the staircase I saw Remus waiting for me. He smiled when he saw me.
"You look amazing." He gasped.
"You sound surprised." I said mockingly.
"Not surprised, proud."
"Proud?"
"Of course, I'll be attending the ball with the most beautiful girl at Hogwarts."
I couldn't stop the blush that appeared on my cheeks. This wasn't supposed to be a date and I didn't like Remus like that. It's the way he said it that made me blush.
"Already making her blush Moony?" Sirius said as he walked towards us. He was looking at the girls staircase expectantly. He was probably waiting for his date, Melody. Melody was a seventh year who was on the quidditch team with him. She was pretty and smart. I wasn't surprised when I heard she had been asked out by Sirius a few days ago, I was only slightly jealous.
Me and Remus were chatting when I saw Melody come down the staircase. Sirius was looking at her like she was the most important thing in the world. She had on a maroon dress and her blond hair was in some sort of fancy side bun I had never seen before. She really did look amazing. Sirius kissed her cheek when she reached him and said something. Judging by the blush on her face, he probably said something incredibly charming about how amazing she looked.
It was easy to hate Tiffany because she was so arrogant, but Melody? I liked her and if Sirius was going to date her then fine. I'd much rather him date her than Tiffany. I just wish he'd date me but who am I kidding?
"Samantha?" Remus said. Oh crap, I hadn't been listening to Remus at all. I was too focused on Sirius.
"I'm sorry," I said quickly. "I was daydreaming, I'm a little nervous and I space out sometimes."
I mentally cringed because that sounded so pathetic. Remus probably regrets asking me to go with him.
"It's ok," Remus said chuckling. "You like him, don't you?" Remus asked after a slight pause, he was looking at Sirius.
"What?" I asked taken aback. That came out of nowhere.
"Do you like Sirius?" Remus asked. "I noticed you were staring at him very intently a few moments ago."
The thought that Remus could tell I liked Sirius was embarrassing. I wanted to hide in a shell and never come out. There was no point in denying it though.
"Yes," I said in barely more than a whisper. "I'm sorry Remus." I really was sorry. I felt like I was using Remus even though he had only asked me to the dance as a friend. I couldn't help but think that Remus had a tiny crush on me though.
"Don't apologize, he has that effect on people." Remus said. Even though Remus looked ok, I could see it in his eyes he was a little upset. I think I was right about him liking me. That just made me feel even more awful. "Just be careful, ok? Sirius is a great guy but he's Sirius." I knew what Remus meant by that. Sirius has broken too many hearts to count. Like I said, he's a manwhore.
"You probably don't want to go to the dance with me anymore." I said meekly. I didn't know what to say.
"Of course, I still want to go with you. Like I said before, we are going as friends. And I know we'll have fun"
Next thing I knew Remus grabbed my hand and began to drag me to the Great Hall where the ball would take place.
When we reached the Great Hall, I was in awe. Instead of the 4 tables that usually resided there, there were dozens of small, round tables. Each table had a floating candle above it and a vase filled with roses. There were streamers everywhere and clocks to help count down the time until the new year. The majority of the Great Hall was empty to be used as a dance floor and it was already packed with students. There was also a band playing up on a small elevated platform at the front of the hall.
"Wow." Is all I could say.
"It's incredible," said Remus. "I wonder who planned this."
"I was thinking Filch."
"Totally."
Then we both started laughing.
"Want to dance?" I asked suddenly eager to get on the dance floor and let loose.
"Yes, but I'm not much of a dancer."
"The best dancers are the people who don't think about it. Just have fun."
"Whatever you say."
With that, I dragged him onto the dance floor and we began to dance. I swayed back and forth to the beat and watched as Remus struggled to find the right rhythm. After a lot of laughing, he finally got the hang of it.
"Not bad," I said. "It only took you ten songs to get the hang of it."
I smirked and he rolled his eyes.
"At least I got the hang of it."
"True."
We danced for a long time before Remus got tired and went to get us drinks. I continued to dance, enjoying the upbeat song the band had just started to play.
"Did Remus already ditch you?" Sirius said, coming up behind me.
"He went to get us drinks," I said and I continued to dance. "You're welcome to dance with me for a while if you want to." I added casually. I hoped I didn't sound hopeful.
"Sure." Sirius said with a smile. His brilliant smile.
"Are you a good dancer or are you like Remus?" I asked him.
"I'd say I'm a good dancer. What does 'like Remus' mean?"
"It means bad, although he has improved."
"He's dancing with you, of course he's improved. I couldn't help but notice that you're quite the dancer."
My heart did flips. He noticed my dancing?
"You're pretty good yourself." I said coolly. That was an understatement, Sirius was a great dancer. Is there anything your bad at, besides potions?"
"I've never been a good cook but that's about it. I'm otherwise perfect."
"And modest." I teased.
"Modesty is weakness my dear."
"It is arguably a great strength as well. It allows you to see your weaknesses."
"Very wise Sammy, spoken like a true poet."
I snorted but I couldn't help but admire that he called me Sammy. I liked the way he said it.
After a little while of chatting and dancing Sirius left to go find Melody. That's when Remus came back smirking.
"I gave you two some alone time." He said wiggling his eyebrows. "I didn't want to intrude on your flirting."
"I don't flirt."
"Sure you don't."
Then we went to go find a table and enjoy our drinks. We spent the rest of the night talking about our classes and quidditch. Talking to Remus came so easily to me and I loved talking to him.
After the fireworks at midnight, the teachers ended the ball and everyone started to clear out of the Great Hall. Remus and I headed back to the common room and we were laughing like idiots. I was on cloud nine. I talked to Sirius and had an amazing time with Remus.
That's when I saw them, Sirius and Melody. They kissed each other passionately and Sirius started to lead her up to the boys dormitory. I couldn't stop the frown that appeared on my face.
"Ignore them," I heard Remus say behind me. He touched my shoulder comfortingly. "You know it's just a fling."
I know Remus was trying to comfort me but it made me feel slightly worse. I had a crush on a guy who was only known for short flings and hookups. I wanted something more but deep down I knew that wasn't going to happen.
"I know." I decided to say to Remus. I turned around and gave him a quick hug.
I was about to go up to my dormitory when a question popped into my head.
"Where do you and Sirius's roomates sleep during Sirius's hookups?"
"Down here."
"That sucks."
"Tell me about it. He hooks up with people so often and it's quite annoying."
Even though the 'he hooks up with people so often' made me feel even worse, I smiled at Remus.
"I can imagine," I said with a knowing look. It annoyed me for many reasons.
After talking with Remus a little more, I told him goodnight and headed to my dormitory. I collapsed on my bed and fell asleep almost instantly.