A/N: Okay, I am so tired, so I'm not going to reply to reviews or anything this chapter, and I'm not going to make this a long note(I will probably get round to PM-ing you later tonight). Hope you enjoy this chapter!
PS. The balcony and garden off of the ballroom is kind of like the one from the 'Love Story' video by Taylor Swift, because I am reaaaaally bad at describing things.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognise.
Chapter 10: Charming
"Today, Lily my dear, you are going to learn how to fly," Marlene sat on her best friend's bed, as the red head dried her hair.
"Erm. No I'm not," said Lily, letting her hair fall down her back in its natural dark red waves.
"Yes you are," Marlene persisted, to Lily's scrutinizing glare, "Aw come ooooon Lils, it'll be fun! Besides, it wasn't a question. You're outnumbered. James and Black are all for it too!"
"I'll fall off and die."
"You're being totally melodramatic," Marlene rolled her eyes, "It's highly unlikely that you'd die. Look, it's a lovely day out. There's no wind!"
Lily pouted, folding her arms, "I don't care, Marls. I have zero coordination!"
"James would catch you."
Another glare.
"I'd catch you!"
A huff.
"Like I said, it wasn't a question," Marlene crossed her legs, "Please Lily. I promise it will be fun, and if you don't like it, you can come down straight away."
Lily sighed, "You promise?"
"Promise!"
"Fineeee!"
Marlene squealed, jumping up, running downstairs and screaming, "We win James! She'll do it! Pay up Black," at the top of her lungs.
"I'm reaaaally not sure about this," Lily eyed James' broom warily.
"You'll be fine," James reassured her.
"Why can't I fly with you?" Lily asked Marlene, pointedly.
"Because James is the strongest flyer and I thought you didn't want to fall," Marlene stated, hiding her mischievous grin behind an exaggerated cough, "Don't be a bore Lily."
"I am not a bore!" Lily furrowed her eyebrows.
James grinned, levitating the broom, "Hop on." Lily rolled her eyes, tentatively stepping one leg over the broom. James sat in front of her after steadying Lily by placing his hands on her waist.
"Hands. Off. Potter." Lily hissed quietly.
"You might want to hold on," James said awkwardly.
"What?"
"Well, if you don't want to fall off you might want to hold on…" Lily raised an eyebrow, laying her hands lightly on James' shoulders.
James sighed, "Suit yourself. Don't say I didn't warn you." James kicked off the ground, flying a few feet over the ground.
"You alright?"
"Fine," Lily snapped. James soared higher and higher, picking up the speed. Lily let out a little scream, and grabbed his waist subconsciously. Her cheeks burned red but Lily didn't dare to let go.
"Just say the word and we'll go down," James promised.
"It's alright," Lily squeezed her eyes shut, too scared to look down. Her hands clenched the fabric of his shirt so hard she could still feel her nails digging into her palms. She was absolutely terrified, but almost a good type of terrified. It gave her a rush she couldnl't quite explain, but she still couldn't see what all the fuss was about.
Watching from the ground Marlene squealed in frustration, "Gah, they're so perfect for each other! Why can't Lily see that?" She stamped her foot childishly.
Sirius watched her in amusement, "Girls can be blind sometimes."
"What would you know about girls?" Marlene rounded on him.
"I know that they like guys who compliment them lots. They also like bad boys."
"Oh and I guess that's why you do so well in the girl department then?" Marlene said sarcastically.
"I do about as well as you do in the boy department," Sirius nodded, "So my question is, what's holding us back?"
"Maybe the fact that I don't want to be a quick shag to some egotistical boy?" Marlene looked at him like he was dumb.
"Or maybe, just maybe, it's the fact that I don't want to be a quickie to some dark haired, red lipped seductress."
Marlene burst out laughing, "Is that what you think I am? A dark haired, red lipped seductress? You know I kinda like it…it has a nice ring to it."
"Rumour has it, dear," Sirius smirked.
"You're annoying."
"It has been said," Sirius agreed, "Not by many girls funnily enough. They're too busy screaming my name to talk about much else."
"You're repulsive!" Marlene hit his chest, "You're actually so disgusting."
"Don't pretend you're some kind of innocent when it comes to…that!" Sirius exclaimed.
"At least I don't turn a perfectly nice conversation into something dirty!"
"It's always dirty when I'm concerned babe," Sirius winked.
Marlene shook her head, "Unbelievable."
"You love it."
"I really don't."
"I'M OFFENDED."
"Boo hoo."
"You have no heart."
"I'm alive aren't I?"
"I'm surprised."
"…Hearts are overrated."
"I'll agree with you on that one," said Sirius musingly.
"Shocker."
"You better believe it."
"Or?"
"I'll…tickle you," Sirius grinned.
"No!" Marlene gasped.
"…I can't even remember why we're talking about this."
"Neither can I," Marlene burst out laughing and soon both her and Sirius were sitting on the grass, both wiping tears of laughter from their eyes.
"Soooo…what did you think of your first experience of flying?" Marlene asked Lily. The four friends were sat out by the small brook that ran through the back of the Potters' garden. The girls had taken their shoes off and dipped their feet in the cool, clear water.
"It was…okay," Lily shrugged.
Marlene raised an eyebrow, "Just okay?"
"Well, maybe I enjoyed it in a weird kind of way."
"EVANS LIKES TO FLY!" Sirius yelled, "OR MAYBE SHE JUST LIKES JAMSIE." Marlene winced at the volume of his voice.
"Shut up, Black, my eardrums are bleeding."
"Oh no! Maybe you should get that checked out?" Sirius gasped. Marlene just rolled her eyes.
"I knew you'd like it, Lils. I don't know why you made such a fuss."
"I hardly made a fuss," Lily scoffed.
"DID TOO!" Sirius was still being overly loud. Marlene swatted him on the arm.
"Shut up!"
"You're so mean to me, McKinnon. It's no wonder I have emotional scars."
"Don't be so melodramatic."
"PRONGS TELL HER I HAVE EMOTIONAL SCARS!"
"You're beginning to annoy me now, Padfoot," James ruffled his hair, with a small shrug.
"SAY IT OR LOSE ME AS A BEST FRIEND!"
"A little drastic, don't you think?" Marlene asked, dryly.
"SAY IT."
"Padfoot…you rely on me to put a roof over your head. I hardly think you're going to suddenly hate me because I won't admit you have emotional scars because of Marlene."
"Fine," Sirius sniffled, "I know where I stand now…" He turned away, sulking.
Lily sighed, "Just say it Potter."
"Don't say it!" Marlene glared at James. James looked rather torn, looking from Lily (who looked rather exasperated) to Sirius' sulking form, to Marlene who's glare caused an almost comical crease in her forehead.
"Sirius…"
"Yes?"
"You have emotional scars."
"JAMES!"
"But they're not because of Marlene. Compromise?"
"Good enough for me mate," Sirius shrugged with a grin, "It's good to have ya back!"
The day of the ball had arrived. It was lucky Marlene, Sirius, James and Lily decided to relax out in the gardens the day before, because at least two days of work had to be done in the house. Remus and Emmeline arrived in the morning, offering a helping hand to Mr. and Mrs. Potter, Winkle and the four friends.
"Em!" Marlene ran to embrace her blonde friend, as they greeted her and Remus at the door, "I'm so glad you could come. How were your holidays?"
"Amazing thanks, Marls! Hey Lily!" Emmeline waved excitedly, as the redhead hugged her. Emmeline was busy admiring the entrance hall to the Potter Manor, in a similar way to Lily. Emmeline was a half blood, so although she'd been to a few nice houses with her father, none quite lived up to Potter Manor. Sirius and James were busy doing some bro code thing with Remus, so the girls left them to it, and ran upstairs to show each other their dresses.
Mrs. Potter then set the girls to making the decorations, and left the boys to hang them up around the house and gardens. Lily even went to the effort of helping James charm some of the garden gnomes to sing songs by Celestina Warbeck, much to the amusement of Marlene. Obviously, James and Sirius added some of their own magic to the decorations, making a few of them pop out at the unfortunate people to walk by them. Mrs. Potter was of course oblivious to her sons' antics.
Mrs. Potter was busy helping Winkle in the kitchens, while Mr. Potter arranged for all the guests to be supplied with Portkeys, activated at seven o clock. The Potter household was filled with hustle and bustle. Everyone was getting along. Lily was tolerating James. James had a huge beam etched on his face the entire time. Marlene was covered in glitter after Sirius thought it would be amusing to charm an entire box to tip over her head when she walked through the door. He find it so amusing however when she ruffled his hair with her glittery hand, and he couldn't get all of it out. Remus and Emmeline were working together as she folded paper and he hung it out, a light pink blush on both of their cheeks. It was just a good day.
"Wow!" Mrs. Potter exclaimed as she entered the grand hall, looking around, "You've all done such an amazing job!" She was right.
The ball room did look amazing. It had always been grand, a large spacious room, with circle seats around the top, and a spectacular set of red carpeted steps leading in from the entrance hall. It was one of Marlene's favourite rooms of the house. The walls were a sparkling light champagne gold, and there was a corner stage where any band could play. There was a large dance floor, where Marlene could clearly envisage the happy couples at previous balls twirling blissfully. But Marlene's favourite part was the two glass patio doors, leading onto a beautiful balcony which stretched all the way around the house. There were also a set of stone steps leading out into the garden, which she and Scarlett used to run down pretending they were Cinderella(a character from a Muggle fairy tale their father used to tell them) leaving the ball. When Marlene was younger, and used to get hot, she would come onto the balcony, often followed by boys of her age. Mrs. McKinnon was always trying to get Marlene betrothed, but Marlene always refused any offers. Sometimes, she wondered if her family would be in the same position if she had accepted any of them. White roses lined the entrance doors and the stone barriers of the balcony. Gold glitter lined the entrance stairs, artistically dusted by Lily and Emmeline. Small golden paper birds fluttered in cream vintage cages hanging from the ceiling, charmed by Marlene to chirp away to any music which was playing. Remus and James had helped to polish the portrait frames of the long line of Potters, so they shined golden and bronze on the walls. Everything looked perfect. All six teenagers couldn't help but glow with pride.
"I'm seriously impressed with all of your amazing magic skills!" Mrs. Potter was in total awe.
"Lily did all the cool stuff," James said.
"That's not true! Marlene helped with the birds, and you basically charmed the gnomes on your own. And Sirius' glitter trick on Marlene was amazing…" Lily turned the colour of her hair.
"Hey! That was not amazing at all!" Marlene pouted.
"It was funny though," Sirius grinned.
"Want a hug?" Marlene demanded, holding out her glittery arms. Sirius looked a little intimidated. "I thought not."
"This is perfect, all of you," Mrs. Potter smiled at the exchange, "I don't know how I can repay you, except giving you the rest of the day to relax."
"It was no trouble, Mrs. Potter," Lily said, politely, "Really, I think we all had fun."
"I'll second that one," James agreed,"It was no trouble helping out, mum."
"Yeah!"
"Black, you did nothing," Marlene rolled her eyes.
"Well, we've got another three hours until the guests arrive," Mrs. Potter laughed, checking her watch, "So you can all go do your own thing. But James, Sirius, you must be ready by seven o clock. No excuses. I know Remus will, but you two never fail to surprise me!" Remus smirked at James and Sirius' 'offended' faces.
"Oh don't look like that, boys, you know it's true!" Mrs. Potter teased, "Now off you go!"
"Oh my gosh, Lily! You look amazing!" Marlene was right. Lily's dress was sleeveless, made of taffeta, and clung to her upper body down to her hip, where it spiraled into a long ruffled bell skirt. There was less detailing than in Marlene's dress. Lily's was emerald green in colour, matching the shade of her eyes exactly, and really bringing out her creamy complexion. Lily blushed a little.
"Thanks, Mar," Lily said, "But you'll look much better. So will Emmeline!"
"I heard my name!" Emmeline sang, running into the room and twirling round, "What do you guys think?"
"You look hot," Marlene laughed. The dress Emmeline was wearing was champagne gold in colour, with intricate lace detailing on the bodice, and it flowed into a silk and netted gold skirt. Unlike the other two girls, she had netted sleeves covering her arms. The light gold made Emmeline's tan complexion stand out, and the girl was busy playing with her blonde hair, deciding what to do with it.
"I guess you guys are waiting to see mine then!" Marlene stood up and went into the bathroom, taking her dress with her. A few moments later she emerged. She got Lily to tighten the corset before turning to face her two best friends.
"What do you think?"
"I think all eyes are going to be on you tonight!" Emmeline announced.
Marlene laughed, "Don't be ridiculous! Lily, sit on the bed, I'll do your hair." Lily obliged. Marlene sat down behind her, and started curling Lily's long red hair with her wand, before sectioning off the top section with a comb and braiding it from either side, leaving the bottom hanging loose. She took a small green flower hair piece from her hair draw and inserted it behind one of the plaits, leaving the small pearls that dangled from it hanging in Lily's hair. It took a while for Marlene to get it perfect, but eventually she did. Marlene then did a similar thing to her hair, but left it all hanging loose and dark down her back, with a golden hair piece lacing through her hair. Suddenly she remembered the necklace Mr. and Mrs. Potter had given her for her birthday, and with Lily's help, fastened it round her neck. It went with her dress perfectly. Emmeline curled her own hair, and secured it in an extravagant updo, leaving a few blonde curls framing her face. Normally, Emmeline looked like a princess with her soft blonde waves, and big innocent clear blue eyes but in her ball gown she looked even more fairy tale like. Make up was the last thing on the girls' list. Marlene opted for a dark smokey eye, making her green eyes pop, and dark red lips, to match her dress. Lily wanted to keep things more neutral, going for a subtle mixture of champagne and brown toned eyeshadows, with a peachy lipstick and gloss. Emmeline balanced the perfect amount of blush to make her cheeks look pink and pretty, with a light pink lip colour and gold eye shadow. Just as they completed their look, a knock sounded on the door and it opened.
"Girls are you ready because mum-" James' mouth dropped open, "Wow." His eyes lingered on Lily for a little longer than they should've done, as he gaped open mouthed.
"Close your mouth James, you look like a goldfish," Marlene teased, "We're ready."
"I-I can see that," James stammered, "You all look beautiful. But seriously, mum is about to explode down there because guests will start arriving in five minutes and you're not there."
"Okay, we're coming!" Marlene ushered James out of the door, before leaving herself, gesturing for Lily and Emmeline to follow.
"There you are girls! Oh, don't you all look wonderful!" Mrs. Potter gushed, "Don't they look stunning Charlus?"
"Indeed," Mr. Potter smiled warmly.
"Oh goodness, I didn't even think to tell you!" Mrs. Potter gasped, "I've paired you up for your entrances. Marlene, you're to go with Sirius, dear, James you're with Lily. Emmeline, Remus, you're to join Emmeline's parents when they arrive."
At Lily's subtle but horrified look, Marlene went to intervene, "But Aunt Etta, James and I-"
"No time Marlene!" Mrs. Potter said firmly, "The partners have already been handed to the announcer."
"Loretta, the guests are arriving," Mr. Potter said, as the ballroom started to fill up with guests who had used their portkeys. Emmeline and Remus ran to find Emmeline's parents, as the announcer started to talk.
"Mr and Mrs. Charlus Potter are delighted to welcome you to the annual Potter Ball. Please stand as we introduce, Charlus Potter and his wife Loretta." A small applause sounded from the other room as Mr. and Mrs. Potter descended the staircase, arm in arm.
"Take my arm," James whispered to Lily.
"I'm sorry?"
"We'll be announced next. Evans, don't wait around, please," James held out his arm.
Lily reluctantly took it, looking panicked, "What if I fall?"
"I've got you."
"…James Potter and his partner, Lily Evans." Marlene gulped as she watched her almost brother and best friend descend the staircase.
"Guess it's us then," Sirius shrugged, offering Marlene his arm, "I definitely got the hottest date."
"Don't. Say. A. Word." Marlene hissed through gritted teeth, as their names were announced and they also descended the staircases. A few other close family friends also made their grand entrances, giving Marlene a small opportunity to observe Sirius' attire. Despite herself, she noted he did look rather fetching. He was wearing a set of expensive looking black dress robes, with a loose fitted dress shirt with frills detailing the collar and a…red tie. The exact shade of her dress. Scanning the room, Marlene's eyes fell on James. He was wearing a green tie, the colour of Lily's dress. A small smile graced Marlene's features as she realized Mrs. Potter had planned this all along. She could be sneaky when she wanted to be.
"Care for a dance?" Sirius poked Marlene's arm.
"What?" Marlene looked at him.
"Well…it's the first dance, so you're meant to dance with your partner…?"
"Oh…yeah, sure," Marlene shrugged, taking his hand. She placed her other hand on his shoulder, as he wrapped one arm round her waist. Both coming from pureblood families, they were both skilled dancers. Sirius lead the dance, twirling Marlene around the dance floor effortlessly.
"You really do look hot tonight," Sirius whispered in her ear. His close proximity sent shivers down Marlene's spine.
Marlene laughed off her discomfort, "You don't look too bad yourself. I like that Mrs. Potter deliberately coordinated yours and James' dress robes with mine and Lily's."
"Yep, she's a smart woman, that one. Rivaling McGonagall even."
"She's just as sharp."
"She's brilliant."
"I'm glad we agree."
"We agree on a lot of things lately."
"I suppose we do."
"I still just want to sleep with you."
"Charming!" Marlene snorted.
"No…that was charming," Sirius' grey eyes twinkled.
"My mother would've killed me if she heard that sound!"
"Well…your mother's not here and-"
"Don't say that," Marlene felt a wave of upset cross over her.
"What?"
"Don't say it like you're about to compare her to your own mother who you despise. Don't say it like she's dead, and I'm never going to see her again, because I will. I will see my parents again, and my brothers again, and my sister again. Understand?"
"McKinnon, I didn't mean it like that, I didn't mean to upset you."
"I'm not upset."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"McKinnon it's okay to admit-"
"Oops, song is over. Bye!" Marlene slipped out of Sirius' grasp and ran out of the ballroom, out onto the balcony. Her heart was thumping, as she blinked back tears. After all, Marlene McKinnon didn't cry.