Lily sighed. The dress Andrea had was nice. It was a simple sheath dress, that was light blue in color, and only had one shoulder with a flower on top of the shoulder. It also had ruffles on the dress. The only thing that Lily was concerned about was color, otherwise she loved the dress.
Andrea said, "What do you think?"
Lily said, "Its beautiful. However, I'm not so sure about the color."
Brenda said, "Easy. We can transfigure the color. I was actually thinking of a green color for you."
Lily smiled. Andrea even had a pair of shoes to match, however they were heels. Lily declined those, as she hated walking in heals. Brenda brought out a shoe catalogue and they found a pair of flats that would go well with a green color. Brenda ordered it.
Back in her room, Lily sighed. She wrote a note to Thomas.
Thomas,
I thank you for your invitation to the Christmas Dance. After much discussion with friends, and a few other people, I have decided to accompany you to the dance. I would like to get to know you first. One of my roommates suggested that I tell you that my dress is going to be a green color.
I look forward to going to the dance with you.
Lily Potter
Lily sent the letter through the interschool mail system.
After class on Tuesday, Lily sent a letter to Julia with the homework assignments and a copy (courtesy of Brenda) of her notes from class.
As they were sitting down to dinner, Thomas came up to them and asked to sit with them. There were glares from the older students as Thomas sat down next to Lily. Lily blushed. Lily and Renee had talked about it at lunch, and Lily had decided to let Emily know via a note that she had been asked to the dance by Thomas.
On Sunday, Julia returned to the school. The five friends hugged their friend in support.
Julia said, "I thank you guys for your support. Your notes that you sent helped a lot. Did I miss anything other than the homework and practical work?"
Lily blushed.
They went to their study room, and Lily said, "Well, I've been asked to the Christmas dance by a third year."
Julia said, "No way! I'm so jealous. Are you going?"
Lily replied, "Yes. My roommates Brenda and Andrea are helping me with getting everything in order."
Julia smiled. She then told everyone her news and the family from England that she was related to. Lily was shocked. She knew of the family as her parents had gone to school with someone from that family. Julia was quickly caught up on her homework, and the rest of the friends walked her through the practical side of things except for Potions, though Julia didn't really need help in the Potions department.
The dance was on December 20th, the day before they were to leave the school for the holiday break. Their semester tests were also that week. The dress that Andrea was letting Lily used was transfigured by Mrs. Cutter to fit her and Brenda changed the color to an emerald green which worked well with her eyes and hair color. The shoes were also transfigured to match.
That week was nerve racking for Lily. Physical Education was ending for the year, and the next semester, they would be taking music classes.
The day of the dance was upon them. Brenda and Andrea helped Lily do her hair and a dash of make-up. Her hair was done up in a half-do, and the part that was still down was curled.
Andrea said, "The girls are going to be envious."
Lily blushed.
Brenda said, "Thomas will meet you in the entrance hall, before escorting you to dinner, and then the dance."
They used the tunnel system to go to the school as it was bitterly cold out and there was a foot of snow on the ground. In the entrance hall, many boys were waiting for their dates. Andrea split off to find her date, and Brenda took Lily over to Thomas. Thomas was wearing a dress robe of dark green, with a white flower pinned to it. He smiled as Brenda and Lily approached.
Thomas said, "Thank you, Brenda for escorting Ms. Lily to the school. Lily, this is for you."
He pulled out a corsage and placed it on her wrist. It was a set of Lilies but in a green color. Lily figured he transfigured the color to match their outfits. Brenda excused herself to go and find her date.
Thomas said, "You are beautiful tonight, Lily."
Lily blushed. They went into the dining hall. Thomas led her over to a small table that sat 4. Brenda and her boyfriend, Victor Thompson sat down with them.
Victor smiled at Lily. They chatted over dinner.
After dinner, they had sometime to kill before the dance started so, Thomas escorted Lily out into the courtyard where it had been shoveled and a warming charm was placed on the area.
They sat down on one of the benches in the area. Lily looked at the courtyard. She never imagined her first school dance would be this early.
Thomas said, "Lily, thank you for coming with me tonight."
Lily smiled and said, "Your welcome, Thomas."
Thomas noticed that she was a shy one. He continued, "I was really just looking for a nice girl to accompany me. Most girls in my year are just after my money, fame, and looks."
Lily smiled. She said, "Thank you, Thomas."
They went back inside, and Lily had the night of her life. Thomas was a gentleman. The other girls that were older glared at Lily, jealous that she was the one who got to come with him.
As he escorted her to her building after the dance, Thomas said, "I had a good time, Lily. Once again, thank you. I hope we can keep in contact. Of course, just as friends."
Lily blushed. She said, "I would like that."
At the stairs to her dorm, Thomas took her hand and kissed it. Lily curtsied and walked up the stairs. After getting to her room, Lily leaned up against the door and sighed.
Brenda giggled, bringing Lily out of her reverie. She said, "I take it you had a good time?"
Lily said, "The best. Your brother is such a gentleman. He even kissed my hand before I came up here."
Brenda smiled. She said, "I sure hope he is a gentleman. I took a few pictures of tonight and I'm sure I got you in some of them. When we come back in January, if there is any of you, I'll give you a copy."
Lily smiled her thanks. The next morning, they packed their bags again. The train would leave at 10 am. Her parents had told her that she would go with Emily and Renee again to Houston, and then would join them on a portkey to England the next day. Lily was happy to be going back home. She missed her bedroom, and her personal house-elf, Gertrude. Gertrude had been her nanny elf and they had been close as she grew older.
Lily met Julia downstairs and they took the tunnels to the main building where they would take the carts that had become enclosed to the train station. Renee, Deidra, and Brandy met them there. Anthony was staying at the school this year as his parents were off overseas.
The five of them climbed into a cart after putting their luggage with the rest that will be taken by a much larger luggage cart to the train. Once at the train station, the five of them gathered in a compartment.
Renee said, "It's a shame that Anthony had to stay behind. I hope he can still have a good Christmas."
Brandy said, "I'm sure he will. He is not the only one staying behind. Several of the fifth and seventh years are staying behind to study for their OWL and NEWTs."
Lily smiled. She was glad that Anthony wasn't going to be alone.
3 hours later, they arrived at Boston's Central Station. The girls' mother was there. Lily smiled her welcome. Henry soon joined them, and they took a portkey to Houston after grabbing their luggage.
After unpacking, Lily got on her mirror and called her mother.
Ginny Potter came on the mirror and said, "Hey sweetie. Sorry we couldn't pick you up at the train station in Boston, but after the attack on King's Cross, your father has been busy with the muggle authorities trying to help figure out who and what caused the explosion."
Lily said, "Nobody has laid claim to it?"
Ginny shook her head saying, "Nope, that is what is concerning along with they can't find anything that points to what caused it or a magical signature."
Lily knew that was cause for concern. They talked for a few more minutes. After signing off with her mother, Lily went in search of Renee and Emily. She found them out on the porch.
Emily smiled. She said, "We were never able to talk to you after the dance last night. How did it go?"
Lily smiled and they talked about the dance.
Emily said, "I'm glad that Thomas treated you like a gentleman. I've fancied him since first year, but I know he sees us that are his own age as gold diggers."
Lily nodded. She replied, "I do have one favor to ask of you guys though. Mum and Dad do not know about me going to the dance at all let alone with an older boy. So, if you could, please do not mention it while we are in England. I'm sure our families will be spending time together."
Renee laughed. She said, "Why don't you want your parents to know about you going to the dance?"
Lily replied, "I'm their youngest child, and only daughter. Can you imagine what my father would possibly say or do?"
Emily giggled. She said, "I can say that it wouldn't be pleasant. I'll be quiet."
Renee nodded her head.