Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

Lily had avoided school for the full week as well as people, besides her close girlfriends, James and Remus. She finally emerged Wednesday night, after giving herself a pep talk, and two from Remus in the past couple of days. She had been told to wear no makeup, and leave her hair down and natural. They were going to be trying on her many costumes, and making sure her hair fit well with it.

She wandered into the great hall, faking looking sick. Many people turned around to look at her, they all acted as if they had never seen her in over a year. She waved to her friends before slipping into the back dressing room.

The first dress she had to try on was a fancy one for her first scene at the dance. The first layer was a corset, as the rest of the costumes would be. She gasped as they pulled the strings tight. Next came the teal layer that was tight at the top but puffed out slightly at the bottom, then the over layer that was black velvet with gold ties to go across her chest to hold it all together. There was no cap, and her hair had been curled and left to hand loose, except a few strands near the front those twisted back and were held together by a tie in the back.

“Alright, shoes on then out on stage with you,” the costume designer said.

“Wait what?” Lily asked turning around shocked.

“The Professor wants to see you in full costume on stage,” the lady said before ushering her out.

Lily sighed; she had panicked that she would have to act tonight. She walked slowly at first to get used to the heels before walking out on stage to stand in the center.

“Ah Lily how are you feeling?” The professor called from the audience.

“Slowly getting better,” Lily called with a fake hoarse voice. “I’ll be fine by Friday, I promise,” Lily called.

James was sitting in the front row, and his breath caught as Lily walked out on stage. She was absolutely gorgeous, not that she wasn’t all the time in his eyes, but still. Her hair was radiant with the bright lights shining off of it.

“Turn around for me,” the professor called. Once Lily did she went back stage for the rest of her changes.

James noticed that Sirius was watching her with a devilish look on his face. It took everything James had not to say something, and it got to the point where he had to hold Remus back.

The rest of the cast did their costume try-on and James caught Lily staring at him intently and smiling. He liked the attention he was finally receiving from her. When he came back out to the audience he saw that Remus, as well as her were waiting for him.

“How about we go get something to eat?” Remus suggested as they walked out of the great hall.

“Sounds good to me,” James replied as they headed out. It was strange not having Sirius there, but he was quickly over it as the three of them engaged in conversation.

They took their mini-feast up to the private common room, and spread it out on the coffee table.

“You looked great in your costumes,” James complimented Lily as he grabbed a finger sandwich.

Lily just blushed, and smiled at James before grabbing herself a drink.

“Honestly Lily you did,” Remus tacked on.

“Well thank you guys, you did too,” Lily complimented back.

“I look like I am in a giant potato sack, don’t lie to me,” Remus said glancing at her.

“And I have to wear these weird pants,” James added.

“Well you both still looked nice,” Lily replied.

James hated the fact that Sirius had hurt Lily, but it had brought him and Lily closer together. There was always a bright side to something dark, even if it is the most heinous thing.

They spent the rest of the night playing wizards chest, cards, and any other games that they could think of. Around midnight though Lily had begun to feel sleepy, and she had begun to drift off, falling over onto James’ shoulder.

Remus looked at James and gave him a smile before glancing at Lily. He decided not to wake Lily, instead let James have his moment. They sat and played wizards chest for an hour before Remus and James both began to yawn.

“Lily,” James said softly as he reached his arm around and grabbed her shoulder to shake her.

“Mmm?” Lily asked half asleep.

“Time for bed,” James said sitting her up gently.

“Oh…” she said groggily rubbing one of her eyes.

“Up we go,” James said as he stood up and tugged lightly on her arm. He lead her up to her room, and helped her sit down on her bed. “’Night Lily,” he said moving to walk out.

“Wait,” Lily said turning around to face the door. She was partially awake now. When she saw him stop she continued, “thank you…for everything.”

“You’re welcome,” James replied with a smile before walking out and shutting the door quietly behind him.

Remus was still in the common room cleaning up all the remnants of their small get together. “She in bed?” He asked as he repaired the pieces to their wizards’ chest game.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised if she was out already,” James said, the smile plastered on his face.

“Did she say something to you at all?” Remus asked him with a crooked grin.

“Just thank you,” James answered.

“Looks like you may be getting somewhere,” Remus said before packing away the chess board and pieces.

“I hope so. Though I am enjoying just being her friend right now,” James replied. “I wouldn’t complain if it went further, but I am not complaining right now either.”

“Give it time, who knows what could happen,” Remus replied before heading out. He had been staying on the couch in the private common room until the night before. He and Sirius had basically called a truce, they weren’t talking, but they weren’t fighting either.