OMG! I really hope you like this chapter. I'm so excited about writing the next one now. I don't even really know where this came from... Please please review...

Chapter 39:

Harry watched as Lily sat with her family at the dinner table. "Petunia could you pass the salt?" Lily asked, quietly. Petunia didn't respond. She just continued eating her food.

"Petunia," Lily tried again. Still no response.

"Petunia, pass your sister the salt," Mrs Evans demanded.

Petunia looked up from her food with an angry expression. She threw the salt at Lily, "here you go witch!"

"Petunia! How dare you!" Mrs Evans began.

Mr Evans stood up, "I will not have this at my dinner table, Petunia Evans upstairs! Now!"

Petunia scurried upstairs, slamming her bedroom door as she went. Lily broke into tears at the sound of the slamming door. "Now, now, Lily baby, just ignore her."

Marlene and Alice were getting ready together at Alice's house. "How do I look?" Marlene asked, twirling in a silver dress.

"Beautiful," answered Alice and Mrs Prewitt. Mrs Prewitt was helping Alice with her hair. She had already done Marlene's. Marlene's hair was long and flowing down her back. Alice had hers set into beautiful curls. "Alice, your hairs really grown this year."

"Thanks," she said as her mum put the final clip in place.

"Right let me see you?" Mrs Prewitt smiled at the girls. Alice was wearing a red dress that flowed down to her toes. "You both look beautiful."

"Yeah, Alice! Frank won't know what hit him," Marlene said.

"Let's get a picture," Mrs Prewitt grinned pulling out a magical camera. She pressed the button several times, taking pictures of the girls posing in different positions. The girls giggled excitably. "Right, I'll just go get dressed. Don't mess up your dresses girls."

There was a tap at the window, an owl. Alice went to fetch the letter. "It's from Lily… oh dear. Petunia has been horrible. We better reply."

"James, do I need to increase the length on your dress robes? I just thought you've grown a lot this year." Mrs Potter said as she walked into James' room.

"Yeah, at least a few inches mum."

"You do look handsome though son," Mrs Potter smiled.

"Thanks," James blushed. Mrs Potter waved her wand, magically lengthening James' dress robes.

"Be careful tonight Jimmy. I know you and your dad think its ok for you to risk your life, but this isn't Hogwarts!" Dorea was gradually becoming more concerned, her breath quickened, "James, these are grown wizards; they could easily kill you." James looked up to see his mother drying her eyes.

"I'll stay safe, I promise." James smiled sadly.

"I know. You're a good boy Jamsie."

James was very used to these parties. He took his place besides his mother and father, waiting to welcome the guests. "James, I hope you know how proud we are of you." Charlus smiled.

"Yes dad. Thank you." James nodded.

There was a knock on the door. James could hear Mippy in the entrance hall, taking their guests' coats. The first guests made their way towards the Potters. Charlus shook several people's hands and made small talk. Dorea smiled when she saw Lucretia and Ignatius, "Cousin!" Lucretia and Dorea exchanged hugs. Alice and Marlene were walking slightly behind Alice's parents. When she came into view Dorea smiled, "You've grown dear."

"Thank you Aunt Dorea," Alice blushed. "This is my friend, Marlene."

"Nice to meet you Marlene," Dorea said kindly.

"Thank you for having me in your home," Marlene smiled widely.

Charlus looked over at Marlene, "Marlene? As in McKinnon?" Marlene nodded, "I know your father. James, did you know Marlene's father is an unspeakable – works in the department of mysteries."

"Wow. That's so cool. Why'd do you never tell us, McKinnon?" James asked.

"Because I knew you'd react like this," Marlene laughed. "It's no big deal."

"It kind of is," Alice piped up.

"Are your parents coming tonight?" Charlus asked Marlene.

"Yes. I believe so." Marlene smiled at the kind gentleman.

"Very good. It'll be good to see him." Charlus nodded.

James smiled at Alice and Marlene, "I have to do the Potter thing for a while but if you want to go hang out in the den, I'll join you in a bit."

"Cool. See you in a few." Alice said before leading Marlene through the house.

"Gosh, you know your way around, don't you?"

There were more Hogwarts students attending the ball than ever before or at least that is what James Black sisters were all attending; Bellatrix and Narcissa spent the evening with their boyfriends; Lestrange and Malfoy whilst their sister Andromeda joined James and his friends. Andromeda was very close to Sirius. She was a sixth year Slytherin. She was the quietest of the Black sisters and was strangely kind for a Slytherin. Arthur Weasley and his new wife, Molly and baby boy William were catching the attention of several older ladies; the women taking it in turns to hold the young child. "He's absolutely adorable."

James and his friends sat in the den as far away from the other guests as possible.

"You know, you're pretty cool for a Slytherin Andromeda." James commented.

"Thanks James. I like to think that I have all the good qualities without the bad," Andromeda laughed.

"She's my favourite cousin for a reason," Sirius nodded. The friends all laughed happily.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Peter asked.

"Has someone got a wee crush?" Sirius joked.

"No. Just asking." Peter snapped, going red.

"Yes. I do. But my parents don't know about him. You can't tell." Andromeda looked suddenly nervous.

"Why? His he not a pure-blood?" Alice asked.

"No. Teds a muggle-born…" She said, her lip thinning as she spoke and worry lines forming across her forehead.

"What will happen if your family find out?" Emmie asked quietly, almost whispering.

"They… if they love me they'll disown me. If not… I don't know… torture me and Ted and then disown me? Or perhaps they'll just use the killing curse and wipe me from the family tree all together…"

The group sat in shocked silence. "I'm kind of hoping that in their own twisted way they love me…" Andromeda whispered. The group merely nodded their assent. "He wants to marry me once I finish Hogwarts. Next year's my last year."

There was a loud pop and the entire group of friends jumped in shock as Milly appeared. "Master Potter, you and your friends must hide. Master Charlus says you must hide in the safe room." The other house-elves appeared, accompanied by their own pops.

"Milly, take Emmie, Alice and Marlene then come back here. Missy, take Andromeda, Frank and Peter and come back. Mippy, if you could go and get Arthur and Molly and their baby and take them to the safe room."

"But master, we are supposed to protect you."

"Do as I say Mippy, please." James commanded. There were several popping noises and soon Remus, James and Sirius were alone. "Remus, Sirius get under the cloak."

"What's going on James?" Remus asked.

"I'm not sure but we're going to find out." James answered as he heard a pop. He turned around to see Milly had returned, the Prewett brothers and Weasleys are in the garden – take them to safety please."

"Yes, master." POP.

"Quickly, come with me." They went towards the large sitting room where the guests were supposed to be. James quickly realised that something was seriously wrong. There was a man in the centre of the room that he didn't recognise but he somehow knew exactly who he was, Voldemort.

Didn't expect that did you?

Lol. Next chapter... not sure tbh.

Please review!