Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter as it is the property of the wonderful JKR.
Chapter 15
Hogsmede weekend rolled around, and Lena and James still hadn't told Sirius - or anyone else, for that matter - about their relationship.
The weekend had been delayed for a fortnight due to very bad weather, which meant the ball was now only two weeks away.
Lena was awoken early by Molly, who had also woken Alice up early, so the three of them went to breakfast early, and were ready to leave bang on time for a full day of shopping.
Molly had, of course, been asked to the ball by Arthur. Frank had finally admitted that he liked Alice and asked her, to which she had gleefully accepted. Sirius had not asked Sophie Edgecomb, because she was now dating Mark Chang. Instead, he had asked Lauren Davies - a vivacious, intelligent Ravelclaw whose brother, Jonathan was Ravenclaw's star seeker.
Remus had asked Maria Smith - a kind, quiet Hufflepuff, whom he had come across quite often, studying in the library.
Peter hadn't asked anyone, that they knew of.
The girls invited both Maria and Lauren to come shopping with them, because although they were not close friends with either of the girls, they knew them vaguely, and liked them both.
It was 10 AM, when the five girls were in Mrs Glamour's Clothes for Special Occasions.
Mrs Glamour - whose real name was Doreen Hodge - fussed over them, saying how pretty they all were and immediatley pulling out a magazine with charts of which colours suited what skin colouring, and hair and eye colouring.
When Mrs Glamour left them alone, the girls decided to draw straws for who they sorted out first.
It was Molly. For her, she was easily content with a dress so long as it didn't clash with her hair, or make her looked plump. She found a full length dress which made her look taller and slimmer, and the vivid green colour contrasted well with her fiery red hair.
' I don't know what I should wear,' Alice told the other girls in despair,' I'm rubbish with clothes, and stuff.'
' Nonesense,' Lauren said brightly,' we'll get you fixed right up. Pick a colour, any colour.'
Alice was sorted out soon enough with a pale blue dress which was soft and feminine, and suited her perfectly. Alice's was also floor length, following the lines of her legs perfectly, but had no sleeves, so she bought a blue cardigan to wear with it.
Maria found something in a sort of amber-orange colour - a colour which she had specifically said she wanted, so match her date's eyes. The dress was strapless, knee length, and quite simple.
' How does it feel to be the date of the infamous Sirius Black? ' Molly asked with a smirk, as Lauren stood in front of them in her 5th dress.
Lauren shrugged,' He'd better not think I'm easy because he's the big casonova. I don't care if he's been with every girls in the school, or if he's a never been touched monk. He's not pulling any tricks on me. '
Lena whistled,' I think we finally have a woman capable of handling dear old Padfoot. '
' We'll see,' Lauren shrugged,' and I'll go for this dress.'
Laren was wearing a bronze dress, which was set off well by her dark brown locks. The dress, like Maria's reached her knees, and was strapless, with dark blue lace around the middle - blue and bronze, the colours of Ravenclaw.
' Now, let's get you sorted out,' Molly declared, as everyone turned their attentions to the final member of the group.
' Who are you going with, anyway? ' asked Lauren curiously.
Alice laughed,' Don't bother, she won't tell any of us.'
' Oh, he can't be that bad,' Maria chipped in - the people around her causing her to come out of her shell.
' Unless it's Peter Pettigrew, or someone,' cackled Lauren, causing the other girls to laugh and sqeaul in disgust.
' Peter Pettigrew happens to be a friend of my brother and I, actually,' Lena scolded.
' Yeah, but you wouldn't, would you? ' Molly pointed out,' though I always thought it was remarkable that you could spend to much time with those boys and not fall for one of them.'
Lena shrugged, not wanting to get into this - it was only a matter of time before one of them would mention how close she and James had always been.
' Do you have a colour in mind? ' Maria asked her, noticing that Lena seemed towant to move on.
' Red,' was the certain answer.
Lauren giggled,' Could this be a clue as to who our Lena is paired up with, ladies? ' she asked,' red for Gryffindor, perhaps, in honour of the date's house? '
Lena rolled her eyes,' Or perhaps because I'm a Gryffindor? And red is my favourite colour? '
What she wasn't telling them, is that she had chosed the colour red, because her date was the captain of the Gryffindor quidditch team.
The girls went to the section of the store where red ballgowns were kept, and browsed until they found something Lena deemed worthy enough to try on.
The first dress she tried on was deemed too frumpy and tent like.
The second was too plain.
The third was too revealing both around the cleavage area, and in being too short.
The fourth ... well, wow.
Lena stood in front of the mirrow in changing rooms, with the girls surrounding her.
The dress was a beautiful deep red / scarlett colour. The rich, silky material reached down to the tips of her toes, exposing her feet - which would be adorned with red heels. There was a slit up on side of the dress, which reached half way up the thigh, exposing some skin, but not too much. The dress had thin spaghetti straps and the bodice had lines of glitter down it. All in all, it made her feel like a princess, and look lovely too.
' What d'you think? ' she asked, with a modest smile as she turned to face her friends.
Each of them nodded - including Maria and Lauren, who she didn't even know that well, but at that moment promised herself she would get to be friends with even if they didn't work out with Remus and Sirius. And if things did work out, then they'd be some sort of club - girlfriends of Marauders.
' You look beautiful,' Molly nodded.
' Red is so your colour,' agreed Alice heartily.
' You need a red flower or something for your hair, you know,' Lauren decided
' And a clutch bag, or something. There's a great little store around the corner which will get us all some bags, and accessories,' Maria chipped in.
Lena breathed a breath of awe, as she clutched the material of her skirt, and spun around,' Do you think James will like it, though? ' she asked, not thinking about what she was saying.
The effect was immediate - the girls looked at her in suprise,' James? ' they chorused.
Lena's eyes widened,' Oh Merlin, I didn't mean to say that,' she whined,' please don't tell Sirius! '
' So you and James are a couple now, are you? ' Alice asked.
' For about a month now, I guess,' nodded Lena.
' Oh, that's brilliant! ' Alice cried, as the other girls nodded in delight.
' We always knew that you and James had something going on - everyone saw it coming,' Molly commented.
' Why are you keeping it secret from Sirius? ' Lauren asked, raising her eyebrows.
' We're worried about what he'll say, because he's so protective. I know we need to tell him, but I haven't found the right moment,' Lena admitted.
Lauren laid a hand on Lena's shoulder.
Since being asked to the ball by Sirius, Lauren had been sort of dating him, though she was waiting for him to officially ask her to become his girlfriend - hoping he would ask the night of the ball.
' Sirius will be Ok, you know,' Lauren told her,' he loves you, and he'd be happy for you if James makes you happy.'
' I hope so,' Lena smiled.