Seventh Year: The Defining Moment

7

The Yule Ball... Finally! It's About Time! I'm Already on Page Twenty-Two of Thirty-One and Um, I Need to Shut Up Now... Um, Carry On... Yeah

Lily looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her dark blue dress robes set off her hair really well. She walked down into the common room and a certain black-haired boy was waiting for her there. "Hello James," she replied. James shot his most charming smile at her as he offered her his arm. Lily did have to admit that James did look pretty good in his emerald robes.

'Who am I kidding? James looks hot!!!' Lily smiled back at James, completely surprising him and everyone else in the common room, as she accepted his arm. He looked at the clock in the common room, which read 6:45. Arm in arm, the two left Gryffindor Tower and proceeded to the Great Hall.

When they arrived, there was already a large queue of students at the entrance. In front of everyone, was Professor McGonagall, who shouted above the noise, "Head Boy, Head Girl, all Prefects, and their dates, please come here!" James and Lily made their way to the front of the crowd as McGonagall did a head count. When she saw the two, she said, "Evans, Potter, where's your dates?"

Lily and James exchanged rather blank looks then James said awkwardly, "Um, Professor, Lily and I are kind of, like, going to the Ball... together.

Professor McGonagall was dumbfounded. "Oooooooooooookay..." she started to say. "Um, you two, Prefects, you're going to enter the Hall after everyone else has gone inside. When you enter, music will start up and you'll dance. Everyone else will be standing on sides of the Hall, and after a little bit, will join you dancing. Ok, got that?" They all nodded and Professor McGonagall turned to the rest of the students. As she past them, Lily and James could have sworn she had muttered, "Evans and Potter together? I must be seeing things... I knew that firewhiskey I had last night smelled weird..." They heard someone nearby laugh. Lily and James turned to see Mara and Jessi giggling and Sirius and Remus snickering. They had heard McGonagall too.

Mara had decided to go with Sirius after all and that Slytherin, Eric Edwards, was pretty sore about it too. And because Jessi was going with Remus, they were all starting the Ball together. Except for Peter of course.

Soon, everyone else except for the Prefects and the Head Boy and Girl, were piling into the Great Hall, till only McGonagall was left. "Ok," she replied. "You all need to go in." The Prefects and Lily and James entered the Hall, arm in arm with their dates. The partners started to dance to a waltz that magically filled the Hall. Gradually, the dance floor filled as more and more students started to dance.

.:*:.

Christmas past by so quickly, Lily was getting dizzy. Earlier that morning, Lily had quite enjoyed her presents she had gotten from her friends. It had taken nearly three hours for her and the rest of the girls to get ready for the Ball. And the Ball itself had been wonderful too. After the opening dance, Lily and James had danced time after time. Quite a few people were surprised to see Lily and James together. Part of the Ravenclaws weren't surprised however; James and Lily supposed Harrison must have told them about the bet.

When Lily finally was able to lie down, around 12:30 AM, she fell asleep almost instantly. Her last conscience thought was about how hot James had looked during the Ball.

Nobody was truly awake in Gryffindor Tower the next morning till around noon. When Lily was finally up and dressed, she walked into the empty common room, only to find that it wasn't empty. One person was sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace, and that person was James. "Hi Evans," he said casually. Lily walked over and sat down next to him.

"Can't you call me Lily?" she asked.

James laughed and replied, "So were on a first name basis now are we?" Lily rolled her eyes and James laughed again. "Anyway," he continued. "I was wondering if you would, um, go out on a date with me?" He looked at Lily expectantly. "Please?"

Lily smiled and said, "Well, since you said please..." A smile started to spread over James's face.

"Is that a yes?" he asked happily. Lily raised an eyebrow and replied slyly, "Maybe." Lily stood up and walked out through the portrait hole, James chasing after her.

.:*:.

Most of the Gryffindors were surprised to see Lily and James eating lunch together in the Great Hall. When Sirius walked past James he whispered, "Way to go Prongs!" James winked at him and Sirius laughed. Lily just rolled her eyes.

.:*:.

Things were pretty boring the week leading up to the next Hogsmeade weekend. Except for school starting back and Eric Edwards trying to hex Sirius, the week was pretty uneventful. After Lily and James had checked out with Filch, they headed up the path for the village, for their first date together.