Lily knew it was stupid. She knew running out of the Great Hall was a bad move. She knew Sirius had probably meant nothing when he used the word love.
But what if he had?
She was scared.
What if he really loved her?
What if he really thought he loved her, but they went out and he realized that she was nothing special?
What if he really lover her, but she didn't love him back and she had to hurt him?
She could bear all the what ifs. So she would stay here in her bed.
And not move.
Ever.
Yeah, that could work.
Not.
*****
Finally! James though. Finally he could dance with Lily. She was done dancing with Sirius, and-what? What was she doing?
She was running out of the ball! What!? No! Why!?
"Sirius!" he bellowed. Sirius came running up looking sheepish.
"I think I scared her off," he said.
"What did you say?" I asked, prepared for the worst.
"Well, she said something about screwing it up, and I said if she didn't, she wouldn't be the Lily you loved." His voice had been getting quieter and quieter, until he said the word loved in nearly a whisper.
But James heard it just fine. "You said I loved her!?" he asked, his eyes wide and desperate.
Sirius nodded.
"Considering she doesn't even like me, no wonder that freaked her out!"
"But she does!" Sirius argued. "She told me! She wanted you to ask her to dance! She feels bad about beaing mean to you all these years. Prongs, she likes you! A lot!"
"Not any more probably," James said miserably. At that moment, a petite blonde walked up to Sirius and asked him to dance. He was about to decline, but James nodded. He didn't want to spoil his friend's night.
Then he looked around. Peter was awkwardly trying to dance with a Hufflepuff sixth year, but they were both smiling. Remus was dancing with and talking animatedly to a seventh year girl from Ravenclaw. And Sirius looked happy enough dancing with the blonde girl James didn't recognize.
He sighed. Why did they all get to have a great night?