Boys will be Boys

~Why Lily is called The Ice Queen~

DailyProphet

Hogwarts dance a sprawling good time, Sweethearts prize awarded

The Dance at HogwartsSchool of Witchcraft and Wizardry was an astounding success. "I hope," said headmaster Albus Dumbledore."That this will become a tradition here."The students couldn«t agree more.They were more than happy to talk to reporters before the ball. There was much speculation as to who wouldclaim the much coveted title of Sweethearts of the Ball. "Of course it will be Slytherins," LuciusMalfoy, a Slytherin Sixth year commented. "We«re the best." Others disagreed, however and it would beuseless to relay all of the comments and insults since there were so many. Everyone was SURE that his or her housewould win and were looking forward toCONTINUED Pg. 7B

Pg, 7B- Meet the Sweethearts

Dara«s eyes were fixed, not on the absurd article, but onthe picture that was plastered beside it.A huge, blown-up picture of- of- Oh, Lord! Lily was going to go spare!She was going to faint or- or scream or maybe throw herself off of thetower. Dara hid the paper behind herback as she heard footsteps approaching.The sofa she sat on in the Gryfindor common room was an ideal place tostash the paper. Lily wouldn«t see it,she couldn«t-

The feet belonged to Sirius. He looked so nervous that she almost forgot her troubles andlaughed out loud.

"Dara, I wanted to say that-" he started earnestly.

"It«s okay! I needyour help right now, so forget about last night," she spouted out, not evenlooking at him.

"No, really," he said bravely. "I should never have said-"

"Look, Sirius," she said through clenched teeth, "Iunderstand. Just- not now! I forgive you! Okay?"

Sirius, who had had so much trouble even attempting toapologize decided that he«d be damned if he wasn«t going to do it correctlynow.

"Listen, what I said was not right and I-" he broke off,realizing that she wasn«t listening, "Bloody hell!" he yelled, grasping hershoulders. "If I am going to do this I am going to do this RIGHT!"

"You," she interrupted. "Can do this `right« later becauseI am trying to tell you-"

"I am meaning to say that-"

"You-"

"You-"

Exasperated, Dara reached out and planted her lips firmlyon his. It got him to stop talking andit wasn«t the least enjoyable experience of her life. However, she felt obliged to break away before she forgot whatshe was going to tell him.

He seemed, for once, at a loss for words. He looked quite cute and almost innocent(ha!) standing there. She didn«t meanto laugh; it just came out.

He immediately frowned, "Are you laughing at me?!" hedemanded.

"N-no! Oh,yes! Yes, I am! I-"

"Flirting with the enemy, Peters?" a frigid voiceasked. Dara whirled to see her bestfriend looking at her as never before.Lily«s face was as hard and cold as Snape«s was and her arms were foldeddefiantly.

"I was just talking-"

Lily scoffed, "I see where your loyalties lie,Peters. I«m only sorry I didn«t realizebefore." With that, she turned on herheel and went up the stairs to her room.

Dara blinked and felt suddenly ill. What was wrong with Lily?! Lily had NEVER called her Peters! It felt so wrong to hear her say that. Dara sank into the couch again and tried notto cry.

Sirius, who had never and probably would never know whatto do with weeping females, patted his pockets for a tissue and then gave upand conjured one.

"I«m, not going to cry!" she snapped when he handed it toher. "I just...Oh! What a bloodymess! WHAT are we going to do?!"

"Well," Sirius replied, "I«m sure that she«ll get overit! Besides-"

She pulled out the paper and whipped in front of his face,"Look at this! Look! LOOK!"

Sirius was looking and he felt the bottom drop out of hisstomach. Oh, that was not good.

~~*~~

James awoke and he immediately thought he must have ahangover. The way his head was poundingwas not natural he was sure. However,though he had little memory of what had transpired after Lily had-er-expressedher feelings about him, he very much doubted that he had gone on a drinkingbinge.

The sunlight that floated onto his face was a federaloffense in his opinion. The last thinghe needed was the reminder that ANYTHING was bright and shiny and insufferablyhappy. He prepared to roll over andbury his head into the bed for the rest of the year, but a sound caught hisears.

"...and it was the absolute FUNNEST night ever! Even though I didn«t have a date, I think Igot off better than you guys."

James opened one eye to glare at Peter who was blabbing aboutlast night. Last night, hescoffed, was the closest I«ll ever get to hell. I hope, he added reverently.He then repeated his comments out loud.Peter laughed.

"James, we all know about your unfortunate incident! But, really-"

Remus, who was much more perceptive than Peter, realizedJames« mood and was able to grab a hold of him before he got to Peter«sthroat. Peter let out a squeak andbolted from the room.

Remus sighed and eyed James.

"You like her, don«t you?A lot."

~~*~~

"How in the devil are we going to keep this quiet?" Darademanded. "It can«t be done!" She let her head drop to the table with athud.

Sirius tried to think of something to say, but found thatshe was right. If Lily was upset now,she would be raving mad when she saw the paper.

"Maybe she won«t see it at all," Dara said lamely. Perhaps...perhaps she won«t hear about it..."She stopped since it was quite unlikely that that would happen.

"If she doesn«t see it herself, she«ll certainly hear itbeing discussed."

"Laughed at, you mean," Dara said with a strange grin."Y«know, she really meant what she said to me.She wasn«t just mad. I saw it inher eyes..." Her voice trailed off and she tried to find a way out of thesituation. There was always a wayout...wasn«t there?