Author's note: this chapter will focus on Alice and Mary and Lily. Probably also the Halloween Ball will be mentioned. Maybe. I have two new followers! Very exciting. Please keep following this story because it definitely helps to write in when you know someone wants to read it. Also – please review ! I love receiving them (though I only have three)
The Next Morning
'You're saying you flirted with James?' Mary asked, shocked.
Lily nodded her head miserably.
'And you liked it?' Alice squealed.
Lily nodded her head again.
'But do you like him?' Mary asked curiously.
The two girls waited expectantly for an answer as Lily sat in the dormitory, staring out of their window. She had come in early that morning and woken them both up to tell them what had happened yesterday, as she didn't get a chance to before because one of the Marauders was always around. Now that she had, Lily didn't really know the answers to any of their questions. Instead she stared out the window and hoped they'd forget she even bought it up, but unfortunately Alice and Mary never dropped a conversation.
'Pretty sure the only reason we allowed you to wake us up at the crack of dawn was because you had gossip. Granted, it's gossip we cannot spread - but gossip is gossip. Now talk.' Mary demanded.
Lily sighed dramatically, and walked over to Alice's bed. She flung herself on to it and pulled the red and gold duvet over the head. The other two girls ran over and pulled them off of her and a tickling war began. They quickly stopped because the other two girls in the dorm stirred in their sleep and they couldn't risk waking them up.
'I guess we flirted yes. It was kind of nice, so yeah I liked it. But I don't know if I like him.' Lily whined. 'I haven't even liked him as a person for over six years, how can I suddenly like him now?'
'Because people change.' Alice said quietly.
'Alice is right, people change. You've changed and he's changed. Accept it, Lily. If he makes you happy, then tell him.' Mary said, like it was obvious.
'That's the thing though - I don't know if I like him like that. It could be that I'm just not used to having him as a friend.' Lily said.
Mary and Alice both looked at each other and rolled their eyes, something Lily didn't miss.
'What?' She asked.
'We've never, ever known you to like a guy. You never even flirt with them, although some have tried over the years. Not even Snape, and the only reason we thought you could stand him was because we assumed you have some weird childhood crush on him - which you quickly proved you didn't. If you flirted with James, it means something, Lils.' Alice explained.
'But it was only for a second.' Lily muttered.
'Even for that short about of time, it means something.' Mary said.
'He probably doesn't even like me back.' Lily said defiantly, convinced the girls were blowing this out of proportion. They had only flirted a little.
The girls both laughed at that. Lily was getting really annoyed by their attitude towards this, she had no idea what was going on and they were acting like they did.
'Oh my Lily darling.' Mary said, putting her arm around Lily which Lily allowed reluctantly. 'The boys been in love with you since the very first day.'
'And why wouldn't he? Nearly every guy on this place is in love with you. With your vibrant green eyes, and shock of red hair. And the fact that you know everything there is to know about magic. I think even some of the Slytherins have crushes on you, and they're meant to hate you.'
'That was last year. I think he thinks of me as just a friend now. Guess he's got bored of waiting.' Alice and Mary laughed again. 'Well you two can hardly talk. You get as much attention as I do.'
Mary shrugged her shoulders, but Alice barked out a horse laugh. Lily hated it when she did this - sure she had a bit of a round face and was a teensy bit plump, but she was beautiful. She had beautiful long, brown, curly hair and lovely brown eyes that were like chocolate. Alice was sweet and kind and generous. She was the 'girl next door' kind of girl. Mary was one of those 'I hate her' kind of girls. She had beautiful honey coloured hair, and bright blue eyes with ridiculously long eyelashes. She also had very high cheekbones and basically, just perfect features. Lily thought privately that she probably would have hated her if she hadn't turned out to be so nice.
'Lil, James is never going to stop liking you. Its ridiculous. When you aren't there, he constantly asks where you are and how you are. When you are there, it's asking you the same thing. He's always going to like you - probably love you.' Alice said gently.
'Okay, but I still don't know if I like him.' She said.
'Then take some time and work it out. Don't just ignore your feelings - see if you want to be his friend or want to try being more.' Mary said.
'What happens if I try being more and I don't like it? We can't just go back to being friends.' Lily said.
'Sweetie, that's just something you'll have to figure out as you go.' Mary said quietly.
'I know, you're right. I'll see what happens.' Lily said, and Mary grinned.
'Good - because I think there's something else we should all be talking about. Alice and Frank.' Mary said, smirking.
'What?' Alice screeched.
'Aw come on Al, there's something there.' Mary teased.
'No - we're just friends! I swear.' Alice insisted.
'Pretty sure you just said to me and then that I need to stop lying to myself. Tell us.' Lily demanded.
'Okay I like him.' Alice said defeated. 'But nothing's happened. Sometimes I think it might, but I don't know. He's such a great wizard and has so many ideas about the future. Whereas I have no idea what I'm going to do.'
Lily smiled slightly to herself, remembering that Alice is going to receive the same offer she did from Dumbledore about the Order. She also thought Alice would make a fantastic Auror, but wasn't't going to tell her that because she doesn't want her doing something just because someone told her too - as Alice often did.
'If you like him, act on it.' Mary said.
'I can't just 'act on it', I could potentially ruin our friendship if I told him I like him and he didn't like me.' Alice said shortly.
Bertha Jorkins stirred in her sleep, and all three girls turned to look at her. Everyone knew what a gossip she was, although a little dim, and that the secrets Lily, Mary and Alice were discussing could be halfway around the school by the time they go down to breakfast.
'Look, if I have to try and evaluate where I stand with James – then you have to agree to do the same with Frank.' Lily whispered, with as little sound as she could manage.
'Agreed.' Alice murmured back.
'Please let's stop talking now. I will not be able to stand it if that Bertha hears any of this.' Mary said bitterly, probably remembering when Bertha told everyone in Gryffindor that Mary had hooked up with Kurt Reynolds in the broom closet on the third floor. Whilst there was some truth to it, Mary had never properly forgiven Bertha for telling everyone about it.
Lily went back upstairs and quickly got changed before meeting the girls in the main common room, where upon they all went down to breakfast in the Great Hall. The sky was bright and sunny, and Lily found her mood to be quite equal to it. As she, and the girls, helped themselves to kippers, bacon and eggs they found themselves chatting about how they should make the most of the rare day of sunshine while they have it. It was quickly becoming autumn now, and the leaves were turning brown and falling from the trees, and most days remained cold and brisk. The frost would settle on the ground and stay there all day, making the grass crunch under everyone's feet. Hagrid was often seen chopping up firewood in preparation for the winter. However, a day like this reminded everyone of how beautiful Hogwarts was in all weathers and they most make the most of it while they could.
As they were finishing with their breakfast, the owls started swooping in and dropping their letters and packages in front of the students. An owl brought The Daily Prophet to Lily, took the payment of a knut and a quick drink of Pumpkin Juice before soaring out the window again. Lily sucked in a little breath and raised her hand to cover her mouth.
'What is it, Lily?' Alice asked, her mouth slightly full of food.
'Muggles…' She whispered.
'What about them?' Mary asked urgently.
'They're dead. So many of them are dead.' Lily whispered, again.
'What? How?' Mary asked again.
'Doesn't say much, I don't think they know. Though they believe Voldemort is involved.' Lily said, a little louder.
'When isn't he?' Alice said miserably, looking around the tables and seeing many Gryffindors, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs looking miserably at the papers. Several of the Slytherins however had small smiles on their faces.
'It's just so unfair. They won't even know why.' Lily said.
'No. Though at least they wouldn't have seen it coming.' Mary said, sadly.
'I suppose there's that.' Alice agreed.
'It's still wrong.' Lily said.
The girls sat in silence, as Lily stared at pictures of the dead Muggles. The bodies were said to have been examined, but found no reason for their death and the Muggle police have no leads. The Ministry however, suspect the killing curse had been performed on them all. Just then, Professor Dumbledore stood at the high table and they all turned to look at him.
'Students. I'm sure by now you have all read about the awful killings of the Muggles in London. Though we do not know why, we know who. This is just another attack carried out by Voldemort and his army.' Lily noticed several people flinched at his name, like it was a word they were afraid of. 'We must constantly be aware of everything around us, though we cannot be afraid of it nor can we run for it. We must however recognise when someone falls in this dreadful war, therefore I ask for a two-minute silence for all of those who have fallen at Voldemort's hand.'
Lily watched as the teachers, including Dumbledore, bow their heads and also saw the pupils of Hogwarts following suit. She too bowed her head and thought of all those who had died because of Voldemort and all those who would still die. Many people in this room with her now could die because of him, including her friends. She felt her eyes tear up when she thought of losing Alice or Mary or Remus. Or any of the Marauders. Lily quickly blinked them away as Dumbledore started to speak once more.
'Though not to disrespect those who have fallen, we have some slightly more cheerful news here at Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall will now tell you about it, as we are all excited.'
Lily noted that McGonagall looked less than excited at Dumbledore's words, and rose to her feet reluctantly.
'It is my pleasure to announce that there will be a Halloween Ball at Hogwarts. This ball will be to celebrate the ghosts of Hogwarts, and only takes place once every sixty years. All years will be welcome, though first to third years will have to depart after the feast – with no exceptions. Everyone else will be welcome to attend the dance and then continue the party quietly in their House common rooms, at Professor Dumbledore's request.' McGonagall lips pulled together in a very thin line, obviously trying hard to disguise her disapproval at his request, Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling however. 'There will be dancing after the feast, and in one week you will be expected to attend dance lessons with your partners. The ball itself will take place on October 31st, which is two weeks away on the Saturday. Alcohol is strictly prohibited for all those underage and there will be constant vigilance at the ball.' Dumbledore coughed slightly and McGonagall immediately stopped talking and then drew a breath. 'Lessons will be continuing as normal until the ball. Thank you.' She finished and took a seat.
Lily, against her wishes, glanced up the table to find James sitting with the Marauders. She quickly looked back down at her plate, and shoved the image of him asking her to be his date out of her mind. She didn't want that – did she?
Authors note: that's it! Hope you liked it! Any requests? Tips? Anything? Please say :)