Happy Christmas everyone! I realize Christmas was like.. two weeks ago. but it really doesn't feel like that at all. Weird. Anyways, have a late present from me, new chapter!

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Harry attempted to smooth down his messy hair with a wet comb for the third time, only for it to spring back up a second later.

"You're not going to have much luck with that," James said laughing. Harry turned quickly his face going red as his father walked further into the dorm.

"My hairs exactly the same way," James said. "Just give in, I ruffle mine up more on purpose. It's a lot easier than continuing a fruitless war."

Harry smiled, and followed James advice. He turned back to the mirror and tousled his hair. It felt strange looking at himself with it combed and wet anyways — with his now blonde hair he bore too much of a resemblance to Draco Malfoy for his liking. Harry turned around and saw James rummaging around his trunk.

"Do you need help finding something?" Harry asked.

"Er, yeah," James said standing up, taking off his plain black robes. "I can't find my dress robes."

Harry raised an eyebrow at him.

"Didn't you get ready hours ago?"

"Well, yeah, but I had to go set up some stuff, you know, and I just…" James sighed as he rummaged through a wardrobe. He then fell to his knees and began pulling things out from under his bed. Harry kneeled down so he could also help in the search, just as Sirius came into the room.

"C'mon, mate, aren't you supposed to be meeting Lily before everyone goes down?"

"Ugh," James moaned as he continued to shuffle books and shoes and discarded Quidditch gear around.

"Oh my god, you guys know magic don't you?" Sirius said, whipping out his wand. "Accio —"

"No, Sirius, don't—" James shouted.

"— dress robes!"

It was too late. The wardrobes swung open, their trunks sprang unlocked and a tsunami of robes shot out from what seemed like every direction, hurtling themselves at Sirius. Harry yelped as his dark emerald green dress robes dragged him across the room and into Sirius, knocking both of them over.

"Sirius!" James shouted, exasperated. "You have no idea what my dress robes are like, how could you possibly summon them?"

"Well, now these are all the robes in the room, they have to be in here —" Sirius said, pushing the black robes out of the way. Eventually, the three found James's dark navy dress robes, after which James went on a rant about how they were wrinkled and it was his fault.

"Calm down, Evans has seen you roll out of bed and put on robes you've worn three days in a row before, I don't think she'll care about bloody wrinkles." Sirius said rolling his eyes. James glared, glanced back in the mirror and ruffling his hair once more before turning on his heel and heading out the door.

"Don't mind him," Sirius said, running his fingers through his hair as he walked up to the mirror to inspect himself. "He's not as cool around girls as I am."

"Did you ever ask Maria?" Harry said.

"Of course, and I did it in the most romantic way possible," Sirius said with a wink.

"I'll meet you in the common room, yeah?"

Harry nodded, as Sirius walked out the dorm. He sat down and began putting on his shoes, tying the laces slowly. It suddenly occurred to him that he hadn't been there when Sirius had asked Maria to the dance, and therefore had missed another event in his family's lives. How much had he missed while he was in the Room of Requirement researching? He promised himself he would ask Sirius, either past or present, about exactly how she asked her.

After Harry had spent another few minutes messing with his impossible hair, he descended the steps from his tower and into the common room. Sirius was sitting in one of the large scarlet armchairs with his feet on the coffee table, twirling his wand. Remus was standing by his side with his arm crossed. Both of their backs straightened at the sound of footsteps, but they relaxed again as Harry entered.

"I thought you were Maria," Sirius said, settling back down into his seat.

"Sorry to disappoint," Harry laughed as he sat down on the couch across from him.

"Don't you want to act a little more gentlemanly?" Remus said raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know, Remus," Harry said grinning. "I think she should see him how he is naturally, it's better not to lead her own with false hope that he's some kind of gentleman."

"I have already made it very clear, that I am nothing other than a top notch gentleman of the highest standard." Sirius said with a nod, crossing his arms.

"Are you guys ready to head down?" a voice sounded from the other side of the room.

Sirius leapt to his feet, almost kicking over the coffee table in the process. Maria had entered the common room without anyone noticing and she now stood at the bottom of the steps in a gorgeous blue gown that glinted from the glow in the fireplace. Her blonde hair had been curled and swept back with a delicate silver comb.

"Yeah, Lily's already down there," Harry began, but Sirius rushed past him and offered his arm to her.

"Come my lady, the guests are awaiting our arrival," Sirius said with flirtatious wink.

"It's almost impossible NOT to roll my eyes when he opens his mouth," Remus muttered as he and Harry trailed behind the couple.

"So," Harry hesitated before continuing. "Are you going to be meeting up with Georgina?"

"Uh, yeah, I asked her to come with me," Remus said, dropping his voice slightly. "Sirius wanted to find you a date but after the Anabel fiasco, I decided it was better to leave it up to you…"

"That's fine," Harry said honestly. Though he couldn't help but feel his heart sink as he realized that he was the only one of the group who didn't have a date. Horrible deja vu of the Yule Ball washed over him as they approached the entrance hall, though he tried his best to keep a smile as Remus continued to light heartedly make fun of Sirius who had been gesturing grandly towards the portraits and even bowing to a few.

"Don't worry, Harry." Remus said as they turned the corner. "We won't ignore you the entire night."

Harry gave a weak smile in response, though his attention was quickly averted as they walked into the entrance hall. Lily and James had out done themselves. The floor, walls, and ceiling had all been enchanted to look like frosted ice with small snowdrifts in the corners, though none of it was slippery. A light snow was fluttering from the ceiling and disappearing just before touching the guests heads. A drapery had been placed around the Great Hall doors to welcome the students into the ball. They were blue silky curtains with snowflake beading, meticulously hung. Crystal garlands were wrapped around the pillars and elegant blue flames lit the floating candles.

James and Lily were stationed on either side of the Great Hall entranceway. Lily also looked beautiful in a deep emerald green gown the spilled to floor flawlessly. James could not have looked happier.

"James, Lily," Remus said, quickly walking over to his friends. "This is amazing, I have never seen anything more breathtaking in my life."

Lily immediately went red and kept muttering how it really was nothing and that James had done most of it because he was so much better at transfiguration.

"Don't be ridiculous, Lily," James said smiling genuinely. "You're amazing at charms, and most of the decorations were your idea."

"Well, it really is amazing." Maria said, still holding onto Sirius's arm.

"I hope you all have a really great time," Lily said, ushering them inside. "If you get chilly, there are house-elves holding baskets with scarves and other things. Dinner will be served in about thirty minutes, so you might want to find your table soon."

"Good luck, mate." Sirius whispered, nudging James as they walked past. James's face went red.

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I know this is a really random place to stop, but I wanted to post something for you guys! Sorry this took so long! REVIEW!