The Marauders: Year Six #Wattys2017

The Yule Ball

The Yule Ball

Sirius really had been brought up well. He stood at the foot of the girls stairwell with the other boys who were waiting on dates, wearing his black trousers, black oxford, a black tie, and his waistcoat, which he had transfigured to be dark brown. He had his watch tucked into the pocket on the abdomen, the chain strung across to it's hold, and his hair pulled back into a tiny bun, around which was tied a a dark brown ribbon exactly the colour of his vest. The word Remus had used to describe him had been distinguished and as Sirius had left the room, Remus had taken hold on the front of his vest and whispered, "When you get back, I'll take this stuff off you and do very un-distinguished things to you," and Sirius had groaned with anticipation.

When Lily Evans came down the stairs, he smiled at her. She wore the dress she'd altered herself. A black bodice with cap sleeves, and a full skirt of soft tulle in shades of gold and tan hung to her knees. She wore a pair of flat black shoes and a string of black pearls about her neck. Her hair was up and in it were barrettes of black and gold and her fingernails were painted black with gold half-moon shaped tips at the ends.

Sirius put one hand behind his back and bowed as she reached him, then stood up right and offered her his hand to help her down the final steps. She flushed, and he bent his elbow for her to slip her hand through as he said, "You, Lily Evans, are the most beautiful girl in the world." And she was just thinking how incredibly grown up he was being when he added, "Fuck Farrah Fawcett, whoever she is she'd look like rubbish next to you."

Lily laughed, "So you are still Sirius under all this fancy facade."

He grinned. "Come along, kitten." He patted her hand and winked to Remus, who was watching from the bottom step of the boys dorms, and led Lily Evans out the portrait hole and through the castle.

The castle was decorated beautifully. Evergreen lined the bannisters and red and gold baubles hung here and there throughout.

"Peeves, really, it looks so nice, stop wrecking it," Sirius admonished when they spotted the poltergeist halfway down the stairwell.

"Naughty, naughty Peevesy - breaking baubles before Christmas eevesy!" he sang. Then he spun about and took a double glanced at Sirius before swooping before the pair of them and looking over Sirius, hanging upside down. "Sneaky Snoopy Sirius in a vest!!!"

"It's Yule Ball, Peeves," Sirius said.

"AND WITH A GIRL!" Peeves added, blowing a raspberry."

Lily smirked, "Jealous?"

"Next year, Peevesy will dress up really pretty and be your date!" He cackled and with a poof he was wearing a horrid orange dress and spinning in the air laughing.

"You got it Peeves," Sirius said, "If you leave us alone now I'll take you and your horrid orange dress to the ball next year."

"Do you swear it?!" Peeves challenged.

"I solemnly swear it, Peeves."

Peeves cackled, "I will remember Sneaky Snoopy Sirius! You think I won't, but I will!"

"Alright, Peeves. Good bye."

Peeves cackled and zipped away.

"You know he probably really will remember," Lily laughed as they continued on down the stairs.

Sirius said, "Well, at least I know I'll have a date."

The Great Hall was spectacular - Lily marvelled at the candles that floated in the air, the ceiling overhead reflecting the stars of the sky. There were the traditional loads and loads of trees lining the walls, all covered with faerie lights and golden ribbons and baubles. There were tables to one end and a lovely buffet of delicious foods and drinks, and several people already dancing to a quiet instrumental that echoed about the stone walls...