Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, as it is the property of JKR.
Chapter 17
On Christmas Eve, Molly, Alice and Lena were getting ready in their dormitory, along with Maria and Lauren, whom they had asked to come up there to prepare with them.
The girls' other room-mates, Tiffany Vane and Brown, had left hours ago to go get ready with their Ravenclaw friends.
' So Lauren,' Alice asked as she tied up the back of Lena's dress, ' do you suppose tonight night be the night with Sirius? '
Lauren smiled,' I hope so,' she replied as she helped Maria pin her hair up,' I don't want to be one of those girls he uses and dumps, you know? '
' Between you and me,' Lena smirked - the smirk which she knew was identical to her brother's - ,' He really likes you, and I do think that he wants to actually have a proper relatoinship with you.'
' Has Remus mentioned me much? ' Maria asked hopefully, ' I don't suppose he has, has he? '
Lena smiled kindly,' Remus is painfully shy when it comes to girls. We practically have to drag information out of him. But he gets awfully tounge-tied and blushed when we tease him about you.'
After more gossip - mostly about the boys - it was time to leave the dormitory and go to meet the boys. It had been decided that they would meet their partners in the entrance hall, before heading on in to the Great Hall.
The girls made their way to the Entrance Hall and stopped behind the pillar by the top of the stairs, deciding to go down one at a time, to meet the boys.
Molly went first whilst the others boys kept out of sight, followed by Alice, then Maria, then Lauren, and finally Lena.
As Lena descended the staircase to meet her date and friends, she felt like the princess going to the ball.
James' watched her approach with his mouth slightly ajar - he'd never seen her looking so beautiful.
Her scarlett floor length gown added height and made her look elegant and slim lined. The lit up the side showed off her smooth skin, whilst the flattering cut of the strapless dress accentuated her assests in a way that was understated and not obvious. Her hair was twisted up in to an elegnt chignon knot, with a few loose strands tickling her face, and the glittering scarlett fake flower standing out against her hair.
When she stopped at the bottom of the staircase, a very proud looking James kissed her hand softly.
' You look absolutely stunning,' he told her.
She smiled, a faint blush creeping over her cheeks,' Don't look too bad yourself,' she told him, running one hand up the front of his neat scarlett dress robes and straightening his gold bow tie - the colours matching her own gown perfectly.
' And I've got something for you,' he informed her, pulling his hand from behind his back - the hand which she hadn't yet seen him use - and holding something out to her.
' Just like a real princess,' he told her.
She gasped as she looked down at the golden tiara, which was embedded with rubies and garnetts.
The girls also gasped as James carefully placed it above her head, and the boys nodded approvingly, wishing that they had thought of that to win their girls over.
' Oh James,' she whispered, standing on her toes to kiss his cheek gently.
He looked rather pleased with him self as she took the arm he offered out, and he led her into the Great Hall.
The Great Hall had been completely re-vamped, with the long tables gone, replaced by several circular tables at one side of the hall, whilst the other was totally clear - a dance floor.
There were several large christmas trees up around the room, and many lights - all bunched in either green and silver, blue and bronze, black and yellow, or scarlett and gold.
The first thing they did was get a table between the 10 of them - Molly and Arthur, Lauren and Sirius, Maria and Remus, Alice and Frank, and Lena and James.
They sat down whilst the boys got the drinks in and once the string quartet hired to play had struck up a tune, they watched as several couples took to the dance floor.
James stood up and held out his hand to his girl friend, so pleased that he could do this, and that she was his.
' Might I have the pleasure of this dance, Madam? ' he asked jokingly.
Lena slipped her hand in his with the words,' Certainly, good Sir,' and allowed him to lead her on to the dance floor.
The tune was a waltz - something which pleased the couple because it was easy enough to do ... just steps and turns, with the odd lift.
James placed one hand on her waist and used his other to grab her hand, whilst she laid her free hand on his shoulder.
As they glided around and around and around the floor, James kept pulling her closer and closer in to him so that by the time the dance was over, and the music had paused for the band to find their next piece, they were pressed right up against each other.
James looked around and tugged on her hand, pulling her away from the crowds, behind one of the big christmas trees, out of sight.
' You're amazing,' Lena murmured softly, her hand moving from it's place on his shoulder up the back of his neck and toying with his dark messy hair.
' What did I ever do to deserve you, eh? ' he asked, kissing her temple, then her ear, then her cheek, her jaw, her neck, her collarbone.
' Well if you keep that up, honey, you'll not go far wrong,' she said, her voice growing husky.
He tilted his head back and raised his eyebrows,' Well, well, Miss Black,' he said in suprise,' look whose secretly a wicked temptress.'
She giggled, ' Temptress, you say? '
He nodded, kissing her neck again, ' You wicked, wicked temptress. '
She took a step backwards and shook her head,' And this temptress is going to keep you hanigng on a bit longer.'
He groaned in passion, but she trilled her giggle again, and walked off in to the crowds, looking back at him, as he followed her eagerly.
Lena pushed through the crowds, stopping at the table she and her friends had chosen to occupy, and sitting down with the occupants - only Remus, Alice and Frank sat there.
' Hi! ' she said a little breathlessly, with a grin so wide it defied the size of her face.
' You look like you're having fun,' Remus smiled.
' Oh I am! ' she cried,' this is so amazing, and James is so amazing .. and oh merlin! '
' Well, congratualtions,' Frank nodded.
' Hey ... where's Maria? ' asked Lena with a frown.
Remus sighed,' She didn't feel too well, so I walked her back to her room so she could get some rest.'
'Oh no! ' sympathised Lena,' and she was so looking forward to tonight.'
' I think she still had a good night,' Alice told her friend,' she got that thing she was hoping for. ' she added with a secretive smile towards Remus.
Lena's eyes swiveled to meet Remus' and she noted the blush creeping in to his cheeks as he told her,' I asked Maria to be my girlfriend. '
' That's brilliant! ' cried Lena, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.
A cough from behind them caught their attention, and they turned to see a handsome young man in scarlett and gold robes.
' Trying to steal my girl, Moony? ' James teased.
' He doesn't need to steal Selena,' Frank told James,' he's got Maria now.'
James grinned and punched Remus' shoulder,' Get in there, mate,' he nodded in approval before nudging Lena,' shift up, I want to sit down. '
Lena stood up to give her date her seat, before positioning her self comfortably in his lap, and clasping her hands together behind his head, whilst he let his hands rest on her hips and waist.
A tune then came on which Alice insisted on making Frank dance with her to, leaving the other couple alone with Remus.
' So,' Lena began,' about Maria ... how do you feel about her? '
Remus shifted awkwardly,' Well, I really like her, but obviously because of my condition, it's hard to get involved with people, so I'll just take it steady with her and see how it goes. I like her too much to let her pass me by, though. '
' That's sweet,' Lena nodded,' if we can get you and Maria happy, and Sirius settles down with Lauren like he says he is going to, then all we have to do is find some one for Peter. '
' Good luck with that,' scoffed James.
Lena flicked his ear,' Now, now, be nice. '
' What? ' he asked innocently,' do you really think we'll find someone who isn't blind to go for Peter. I'm not saying he's not a good guy, but he's not the kind of guy the girls are lining up for, is he? '
Lena laughed, sliding up from James' lap and declaring that she was going to get drinks for the three of them.
' I'll come too, if you want,' offered James.
' No, that's alright,' she declined,' why don't you stay here with Remus? It'll be quicker if i go on my own.'
Over at the drinks table, she met up with Lauren.
' Hey, Lauren, where's Sirius? ' she asked, as she piled three glasses on to a tray.
' Oh, we've just finished dancing,' Lauren told her,' and I offered to get the drinks in whilst he went to sit down with you lot.'
' Oh good, I just came to get some for James, Remus and I. Did you know Maria's gone away ill? '
' Oh no,' Lauren sighed, picking up two glasses and heading back to the boys along with Lena,' is she alright? '
' Remus walked her back and made sure she was alright. He asked her to be his girlfriend too! '
Lauren cheered before adding,' Speaking of which ... '
She let it trail off and the meaning was very clear.
Lena laughed gleefully,' Oh wow! You and Sirius .. me and James .. Maria and Remus .. oh this is all perfect.'
' Isn't it? ' nodded Lauren,' we'll be our own little gang ...Marauder's Girls ... Marauderettes ... minus a Peter Pettigrew type, that is.'
The two of them reached the table where the boys were in peals of laughter.
' Alright there? ' Sirius asked in amusement as the girls sat down at the table.
Lena smirked and winked at Lauren, ' My future sister-in-law and I were having a laugh at your expense.'
' Oh really? ' asked Sirius with raised eyebrows,' well, my future brother-in-law and I were watching Molly drag poor Arthur around the floor.'
' Sounds like Molly alright.'