“Sirius
is in love? Impossible! He doesn’t fall in love! He’s the untamable
wild dog!” James laughed deeply.
“Well,
Prongs, it looks like he’s got a
new master.” Lily had to smile a little. He was like a little kid who had
just found out a huge secret.
“So
then he did it out of love… no wonder!” James let go of Lily and
began pacing around the room.
“Huh?”
She asked, sure that he was happier, not quite sure why.
“See,
I knew something had changed in Sirius. And when Remus understood, but Sirius
hadn’t told me…now it all makes sense! Sirius told Remus to help
make Remus understand why he did it, but he didn’t tell me because he
thought I’d laugh if I knew. Poor idiot. Thanks for telling me this Lily.
It really clears a lot up.” And it did… after all, if it had been
Lily Snape was making fun of, he would have done the same thing.
“I’m
glad James. I would hate to see you and your best friend split apart.”
“Me
too.” James smiled a true smile at her for the first time in a week, and
Lily’s heart jumped.
“So Lils, up for a game of chess?”
“You’re
on!”
>>>)(<<<
“Professor!”
Ara smiled at McGonagall as she walked by.
“Hello
Ms. Figg. Enjoying yourself I hope?”
“Yes.
The Head boy and girl really outdid themselves this year. And the food is
great! The house elves did a great job.”
“I’m
glad you’re enjoying yourself.” And McGonagall was gone.
“You
can come out now Si.” Ara yelled under the table.
“Man.
This guilty conscience thing is really getting to me. I feel so bad that I let
James take the blame that I can’t even enjoy myself!” Sirius
whined.
“Hush!
You tried to tell that woman numerous times, remember? But she won’t
listen to you, so stop feeling guilty.”
“I
can’t help it!”
“Sirius!”
“What?”
“Look
who’s here!” Ara hissed.
“Who?”
“Snape!
Severus Snape is here!”
“You’re
joking me.”
“No!
He’s by the punch with Malfoy and a few others… Goyle and Donner I
think. I didn’t know he was healthy enough to come tonight! He
couldn’t even drag himself up from bed to come to class. But he
doesn’t look well, that much is for certain. He’s so pale; he
barely looks well enough to smirk. Wonder if he’s ill?”
“Hey,
Ara? This could be a problem. I’m getting thirsty. But I’m not
letting you go over there alone, so don’t even think about it.”
“Can
you wait till they leave Si?”
“I’ve
been waiting for a minute now. I’m parched.”
“Fine.
We’ll go together.” As they neared the punch table, they overheard
a few of the Slytherin jokes. Sirius had the urge to reach out and strangle
them, but he held himself back. That was, until Malfoy caught sight of him.
“Well,
well, well. If it isn’t Black.”
“Hello.”
Sirius remained calm.
“How’s
your bitch tonight? She’s looking pretty good. Mind if I steal a
dance?”
“Yes.
She happens to be my girlfriend, so please leave us alone.” Sirius
muttered forcedly. Ara looked around her and to her surprise, she caught
McGonagall’s eye. McGonagall, seeing something was going to happen just
because of the company at the punch table, didn’t hesitate in making her
way over. Just as she reached the table, she over heard the last bit of the
conversation.
“If
you hadn’t made up the dare for me to go into that house, I never would
have gotten injured!” Snape yelled weakly. Then he doubled over and
coughed.
“And
if you hadn’t insulted Ara, I wouldn’t have had to! You’re
lucky James knocked some sense into me when he did and saved your life Snape.
Face it, you’re indebted to him.”
“That
may be. But I don’t need to be reminded of it by you!”
“That
will be quite enough gentlemen. Mr. Snape, please go loiter around another part
of the Hall.” Then she turned to Sirius as Snape and company sulked away.
“Now. What is this about Sirius being responsible for the
incident?” McGonagall narrowed her eyes.
“What
I’ve been trying to tell you for the last week Professor. I’m the
one who devised the plan to get Snape into the…situation. James is the
one who stopped me before it was too late and saved Snape’s life. Then he
took the blame.”
“Why
didn’t you tell me this sooner?” McGonagall snapped.
“Because
you wouldn’t listen. Every time I tried to tell you, you told me to
forget it. But I can’t! I feel horrible! James doesn’t deserve the
punishment!” McGonagall reddened. She slightly sputtered, then managed to
collect herself.
“You
mean you’ve been trying to tell me for the past week that James is
innocent of the blame? And that he took the blame voluntarily?”
“That’s
right Professor. Si really came up with the idea. See, he was mad at Snape for
making fun of me earlier.” Ara stepped in. “He simply wanted
revenge, and it went too far.”
“Professor,
I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I mean, not only were you and Professor
Dumbledore angry, but also my girlfriend was mad, and I almost lost my two best
friends. I didn’t even think it would go that far when Snape was in
there. It was a good thing James came around and knocked some sense into
me.” Sirius confessed. McGonagall was taken aback by the tears she could
see glistening in his eyes. The boy truly was sorry…
“Well
Mr. Black. I can’t say I’m pleased with you. But I can’t say
I’m not partially to blame for blaming the wrong person. I can see that
you truly are sorry for your deeds. Of course, this doesn’t excuse you
from the detentions… in fact, I’m adding an extra week.”
“What
about James?” Ara asked.
“Well,
Mr. Potter was innocent and in fact a hero as far I have been able to discern.
I shall have to speak with him about his punishment… do you two know
where I can find him?”
“He’s not here tonight Professor.”
Sirius told her.
“He’s not? James Potter is missing the
formal ball? The same captain of
the quidditch team and head of the Marauders? Is missing the formal
ball?” McGonagall’s eyebrows rose in surprise.
“Yeah. He wanted to stay with Lily.”
“Evans? That’s right… I
don’t believe Miss Evans has ever attended a dance here. In fact, I don’t
believe she had ever even gone to a quidditch game until last year. And you say
James is with her?”
“Yes Professor. They’ve grown very
close…” Sirius winked and Ara elbowed him.
“What Si means is that they both like each
other, but neither will admit it. Lily doesn’t like crowds or dancing, so
James offered to stay in the common room with her tonight.”
“Well. I never would have thought of those
two…” McGonagall smiled to herself. Lily Evans and James Potter. A
sweet, fitting pair. Both were compassionate, bright, and thoughtful. They were
a good couple. No doubt James’ sudden change in attitude was due to
her… and Miss Evans’ sudden boldness was due to him… they
were like night and day, but together they became dusk or dawn, the best of
both worlds.
“Professor? If you don’t mind me asking,
what are you going to do about James’ punishment?” Sirius asked.
“I think it only fitting I lift his bar from
quidditch of course.” McGonagall smiled. “Go back to dancing Mr.
Black, Miss Figg. I’ll deal with Mr. Potter from here.”
“Thank you Professor!” Ara smiled and
dragged Sirius away before he could do more damage. McGonagall watched them go,
then went to find James.
>>>)(<<<
“Check.”
James announced happily. And then his face fell as he watched Lily smirk.
“Check.
Mate.” She smiled brightly.
“No!”
James pounded his head down on the table. “I always lose to you! How do
you do it?”
“Magic!”
She taunted him, a faint smile playing across her pink lips. James’
breath caught in his throat and he felt slightly dizzy. She was so pretty and
sweet…
“Lady
Lily, would you grant this losing man one last request?”
“Of
course.”
“A
dance.” He stood and offered his hand to her. She flushed and James
watched the red creep onto her pale cheeks as her emerald eyes sparkled.
“James,
I can’t…there’s no… right here… alright.”
She finally conceded. And she took his hand. He pulled her close to him, and
she put her arms around his neck as he held onto her waist. As they spun,
gradually they got closer together, and finally Lily rested her head upon
James’ shoulder. Both of them inwardly sighed. They were dancing,
spinning around in circles to unheard slow songs. Maybe they were in a
fairytale after all…
When Professor McGonagall walked into the common room, she stopped and her breath caught. Silently she watched the two children as they danced to music only they could hear. They made such a fine couple… so innocent and happy… And she decided her news could wait until the morning. As silently as she had walked in, she crept back out, careful not to disturb the pristine scene she had just witnessed. *