As It Was and You Were

Chapter Twenty-one

Tryst

Christmas at Hogwarts is a very, pardon the pun, magical time of year. Not just the fact that it is a school of witchcraft and wizardry, but the essence is seeping into everyone's veins. Much like wearing hemp underwear.

The Christmas Ball was just around the corner, and the students were positively buzzing with anticipation. There were decorations to be put up, feasts to be organised, robes to be bought, and students to put in detention. Everyone was just giddy with excitement. It wasn't unusual to see people laughing as if they had just taken a sugar shot.

Lily and her friends had organised a day where they could go shopping in Hogsmeade for items they would need. It created an oestrogen rush. On the Saturday morning Alice, Claire, Cordelia and Lily all rushed outside and ran to the first appropriate shop in Hogsmeade. Then out. Then in. Then out… and now we get it.

They all eagerly perused the racks, swapping sizes, colours and styles. Each girl ended up with the robes and dresses they were hoping for. Each dress description took up about a paragraph of writing.

The next item on the agenda was their make-up and hair. Lily and Alice were admiring some of the new hair potions that were available ready-made.

"This one looks good," Lily held up the jar.

"I don't thinks so," Alice shook her head and placed it back on the shelf. "Marlene McKinnon once used that on her hair, it ended up being bright green for the next week. Not to mention that it attracted Doxies,"

"Oh yeah. I remember now. Smacking it with the book. Green stuff everywhere," Lily nodded.

"Sweet memories," Alive sighed. "Why was it like that? Surely they would have put that on the jar,"

"Well she mixed it with Sleek-Eazy's," Lily picked up a spray bottle that guaranteed sparkles for the next year. She placed it back wondering if there was anything less extreme.

"Who are you going to the Ball with?" Alice poked a suspicious blue jelly.

"Michael," Lily followed suit.

"What, you mean, Michael Richards?"

"Yes. The one and only," Lily avoided eye contact with Alice, smiling shyly at the display stand.

"You… you like him!" Alice danced around with glee.

"I don't he just… asked me!"

"You like him! You like him!" Alice danced around, chanting it over and over again.

"Alice, stop," Lily looked at her smiling."

"You like him! You like him!" Alice was now tap dancing.

"Now, that's enough," Lily's smile faded a little.

"You like him! You like him!" Alice began giggling.

"Now really," Lily became cross.

"You like him! You like him!" she began to crow this at the top of her voice.

"Alice… just SHUT UP!" Lily grabbed Alice's head and rammed it against the shelf. She lay unconscious on the ground. Lily looked around, thankfully nobody seemed to notice. She kicked Alice's body partially underneath one of the shelves and walked away whistling.

Lily walked around the store once. Then came back to where Alice was laying unconscious.

"Oh, Alice. What are you doing there?" she asked loudly and robotically. She revived Alice and was soon standing her up.

"What happened?"

"Oh nothing, you just… fell,"

"Oh. My head really hurts," Alice rubbed the spot where Lily had hit her.

"Really?" Lily picked up another item trying to act natural. "Who are you going to the Ball with?"

"Well, Frank obviously," Alice blushed.

"Ooh," they both giggled. A short time later they all reconvened in The Three Broomsticks for drinks. Over a few tables sat James, Sirius, Remus and Peter, all carrying bags. Lily and James made eye contact and glared at each other. A chill set over the bar that made all the patrons shiver.

James didn't break the glare when he went to get more drinks and ended up tripping and crashing into another group's table. He apologised profusely and promised them more drinks. Lily was laughing the entire time until they both made eye contact again and resumed the glaring contest. One long bass note sounded causing many people to look around in surprise.

That is until both Elvira and Michael Richards entered the room. Both Lily and James whipped their heads around to see them come in from the snow with pink cheeks and smiles, looking like they belonged in a government advertisement promoting safety. Safety with what, I shall leave up to you to decide. They sat down at a table. When Michael got up to go to the bar, Lily followed him, ignoring the fact that all her friends had gone to sit with their intended partners for the Ball at least ten minutes ago when she was having the glare-off with James.

Michael stood at the bar with his back to her. When he turned around with the drinks in his hands, he got such a shock that he dropped them on Lily and they came to the ground with a crash.

"I'm so sorry!" Michael gasped. "I didn't mean… I wasn't looking!" He grabbed some nearby man's scarf and began to mop it up. He patted her shoulders.

"It's OK. I was standing too close. It's my fault," She scrubbed at her stomach with a napkin. She stiffened when Michael began to wipe her chest. She looked at him pointedly. He suddenly realised what he was doing and turned bright red.

James was watching this in fury. That was just too far! He had to get even. He left Peter at the table and went to see Elvira. He sat down in Michael's spot and crossed his arms in an attempt to look nonchalant. She looked at him and then at her brother. She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Pay up,"

"How does five galleons sound?" He held it up.

"Perfect." he dropped the coins in her outstretched hand. She closed it then grabbed his collar to bring James forward and kiss him.

Lily had caught this last part and shook with anger. She then turned her attention back to Michael.

"Sorry, I didn't realise," He scratched his head, embarrassed.

"It's alright. It doesn't really matter," she laughed nervously and kicked the man who was going to ask for his scarf back. She continued wiping the liquid off of herself. Michael helped, though avoiding the areas that would end up being awkward. Like before, however more awkward because it had already happened.

Michael went back to patting her shoulders dry. Then her hair. He then went to pat her face, accidentally brushing his bare hand against her lips. She froze up and looked at him. They then drew closer and launched into a display of affection that caused several of the people at the bar to vomit into their food.

The two didn't appear to notice as Michael now had Lily against the edge of the bar. The barmaid now walked down their end and hit them over the head, cursing at them.

"What do you think you're doing?" she hit them with a tea towel. "Get out! Nobody wants to see you… doing that!" They both fled back to their tables to grab their belongings and continue their tryst outside.

James and Elvira stopped the moment they went out the door.

"Bugger!" James hit the table, with his fist.

"Oh well," Elvira didn't seem to care very much. About Lily and Michael anyway. She was still looking at James. "Where the puck did you learn to kiss like that?"

"Sorry?"

"Never mind," and pulled James back in again. The entire bar groaned and got up to leave.

"Bloody kids,"

"Had just about enough,"

"Sexual deviancy,"

"Why don't you ever do that to me Craig?"

"I try but honestly, you have really bad breath,"

The bar continued to empty until it was only them left. The Hogshead got more business that day.

Well hello. Holidays have started. I'll be frank, I am very lazy and couldn't be bothered to write a new chapter. Until yesterday. Not to mention, my computer broke, so I had to rewrite what I had already started. Anyway. I have written this chapter and also another story. The story is about Neville, Filch and dancing. Rather amusing. I'd appreciate responses from all of you regarding my new story or this new chapter. Merry Christmas! Cheerio!