A Fairy Tale

A Fairy Tale | Chapter 11

Professor McGonagall surveyed the scholars of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry over dinner Wednesday night and let her eyes settle on the Gryffindor table. More precisely, where the Marauders and the girls sat. Even more precisely, where James and Lily were sitting. And even more, more precisely, where Lily was seated, by about half a millimeter apart from James, and wiping his mouth clean with a napkin. Professor McGonagall frowned slightly, wondering why one of her favorite students was acting so…out of character. She turned her head, expecting to see Dumbledore looking in the same direction she had, but instead found him humming jollily while enjoying his meal.

“Albus,” she began, “Have you notice something…peculiar about…about Miss Evans?”

“Peculiar? My dear professor, it depends on how you define peculiar.”

Professor McGonagall sighed inwardly. She respected Dumbledore for his wisdom, but honestly! Can’t the man just answer with a simple yes or no? Well, he too would be out of character then, and we’d end up with a bunch of out of character people, so let’s get back to what McGonagall has to say.

“Well…it’s just…Miss Evans seems very…attracted and rather attached to Mister Potter lately and…well, I can’t say that I haven’t been enjoying the past peaceful days, but…” She paused, trying to come up with something that fit to end her sentence. “Something is definitely going on,” she said finally.

“Whatever it is,” Dumbledore said, “it has already happened. What use is it to sit around here and ponder something that you cannot prevent?” Dumbledore looked around the Great Hall and noticed that the students were finishing up their dinner. “Now, I believe it is time to announce what the Head Students have planned.”

Dumbledore stood up and the Great Hall quickly silenced.

“This year, the Head Boy and Girl had scheduled a special treat for Hogwarts. There would be a Halloween Masquerade on Saturday for third years and up.”

The Great Hall suddenly was filled with excited whispers from the students that were allowed to go and gloomy whispers expressing unjust from the younger students. Dumbledore cleared his throat and silence was among the students again.

“On Friday, all classes would be canceled for students in their third year and up to go to Hogsmeade. Younger students would have a free day. You may return to your Common Rooms or wherever you need to be.”

______________________________________________________________________________

“Jamie, what are you going to the Masquerade as?” Lily asked, once back in the Gryffindor Common Room.

James shrugged. “What about you?”

“Well, I think…”

Over on the other side of the Common Room, the other three Marauders (the ones that had started this whole mess) and Lily’s two best friends (the ones that knew about the potion but are keep their mouths shut and will actually make things even worse) were discussing this whole situation (the one that’s happening right now).

“I swear,” Remus huffed, “if that stupid author uses “the one” or “the ones” one more time, somebody’s got to dig her up from the grave that I’ll have thrown her in…alive.”

“Calm down,” Ronnie said soothingly. “S’it that time of the month already?”

Remus nodded, glaring up at the ceiling of the Common Room.

“What’s he looking at?” Peter asked Sirius.

“Probably an imaginary image of the author,” Sirius said wisely.

“What does she look like?”

“Really ugly hair and even uglier eyes and--”

All right, all right. Gee, thanks, Sirius. Anyways, back to the real situation.

“The dance is on Saturday,” Andie said.

“Which is before Sunday,” Sirius added.

“Thank you, Sirius, for that unnecessary comment.”

“Not a problem.”

“Anyway, the dance is on Saturday--”

“Haven’t we already established that?”

“Yes, but you haven’t let me finish! The dance is on Saturday--shut up, Sirius--and Lily’s potion wears off on Friday.” She looked around. “That presents us with a bit of a problem.”

“Well, if James and Lily realize that they’re meant for each other after the potion wears off, then problem solved,” said Peter.

“That’s most unlikely,” Ronnie said.

“So?” Sirius said.

Andie scowled and began, “So--” but at that moment someone had interrupted them.

“Hi Sirius!” Brittny [Enter Last Name Here], a pretty sixth year said.

“Hey Britt,” said Sirius. He winked. “What’s up?”

Brittny flushed red and nervously twirled her dark blonde hair around her finger. “I was wondering if you’d like to go to the Masquerade with me?”

Sirius quickly glanced at Andie, who was looking around the room coolly, and turned back to Brittny, grinning. “Sorry, Britt, but I’ve already got a date.”

Brittny smiled and said it was okay. Then she added, “Who with?”

“Er…I’m sorry, that’s confidential. But I can tell you this, she’s not really as pretty as you. I mean, yeah, she’s nice-looking, but she’s got the biggest mouth and the nastiest temper.” He winked again, and Brittny laughed.

“Sounds like you,” Peter whispered to Andie. She smacked him upside the head and left the Common Room.

“Was it something I said?” Peter asked.