A/N: Hello all! It's me again…I wrote this for English class…so those words that sound like they should be 10th grade vocabulary…they are. I hope everyone likes this story…please review!

Lily Evans put a thin line of light green eye shadow just above her eyelashes. "Perfect," she thought. It accentuated her emerald eyes perfectly. Lily couldn't quite believe what she was doing…she was going to the Yule Ball with the Head Boy of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, James Potter. Not that she had much of a choice. The Head Boy and Head Girl had to go to dances and events together. It was traditional.

The problem was that Lily Evans despised James Potter with a passion. It was common knowledge throughout the school that this was so. Her reasons were not ambiguous, however. James had done nothing but trouble Lily for her entire time at Hogwarts. It was her seventh and last year, and as she stood there, getting ready for this, this...ball, she thought in a candid way about all the reasons for her hatred. Her first year, James had turned her beautiful red hair a violent shade of pink, ripped up her homework, gave her advice about the wizarding world that she didn't need (she had read so many books, she didn't need help), and sent her howler after howler. The howlers wouldn't have been such a big deal if they hadn't exploded and started shouting things at her in front of the entire school. Sixth year, he threw an exploding wizarding cracker into her Euphoria potion, a potion designed to cause elation. He had claimed to have done this not because it was her potion, but the potion of the person she was working with, Severus Snape, who was known to be James' arch rival. Lily, however, was convinced that this was just a botched attempt to lower her morale, not to mention her grades. And she didn't even want to think about all of those times (1,999 times, to be exact) he had asked her out on a date. Ever since third year, he had repeated the same sentence (or a very close relative of that dreaded sentence) several times a day: "Go out with me, Evans?"

Lily sighed, and added on the last touch to her outfit: a sliver locket that had been sent to her anonymously. It went with her emerald dress perfectly. She walked down the stairs of her dormitory with reputable posture, considering who she was going with. Her silver heels clunked softly on each step. Standing at the bottom of the stairs was her theoretical date. She had to admit, he did look quite dashing. His hair was the same as ever, of course (it never lay flat), but other than that, he was very handsome. His black suit matched his raven hair. He had that familiar lopsided grin on his face; it was the same grin he wore every time he asked her out.

"So, Lily," he said. "What was that you always said? Something about it not being feasible for us to go on even a single date?"

"James, how many times do I have to tell you? I am on this "date" because it is required. End of story, good-bye, the end," Lily retorted.

James looked slightly crest-fallen. "S-so you wouldn't have agreed to this if it wasn't required? You wouldn't have even considered it?"

"I have been very clear with you…very comprehensive. As we go through life, we have duties to fulfill. This is one of my duties. I will accept it without question. You haven't given me any reason to consider going out with you. You've been arrogant, self-centered…the list goes on and on. I just can't accept that you say you love me. You say you'll never hurt me. But how can I trust that when you haven't given me a reason to trust you?"

"Lil-"

"We need to get down to the feast, James."

"Okay, okay, fine. You look beautiful, by the way. Where did you come by that locket?"

"It was sent to me anonymously last Valentines day. I remember because it was about a week after you chucked that cracker in my cauldron. I hope I find out who sent it soon. I need to thank them."

James and Lily walked arm in arm to the Great Hall, where everyone usually ate and where the ball was being held. When they entered with the teachers, Lily couldn't help but gasp. The decorations were exemplary. There were magical icicles hanging from the ceiling, 12 magnificent Christmas trees, and dancing lights moving around everywhere. Lily guessed that these were little fairies moving about.

The dance progressed smoothly…it wasn't so bad, really, being James' date. When the dance was over at midnight, James drew her close and whispered softly into her ear.

"Oh, and Lily?"

"Hmm?"

"You don't need to thank me for the locket."

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns all of the characters, for she has written the Harry Potter stories.

A/N: Soo…how was it…should I continue it? Delete it? Did you like it? Hate it? I don't know if you don't review…I'm not physic! Soo…remember…please review!

Oh…here's my customary auto-review system: all you have to do (if you're not feeling creative) is highlight one that mirrors how you felt, press Ctrl-C, click that pretty purple button that says REVIEW, and hit Ctrl-V, and submit the review! You can even mix and match! But, if you're feeling creative, that's even better! Write one of your own! Let your creative juices flow!

I think that your story was stupid. Why did you post it?

Awesome! Another chapter! Please!

Great story. Leave it as a one-shot, though.

You didn't capture what Lily should be like. You suck.

Good Job!

Update soon!

Awesome job!

Absatively posiloutley wonderful job!

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