Author's Note: I couldn't do Eight without Nine; they go together so well. The next chapter is going to be a bit more of a fun challenge to write as things need to digress from the Austen storyline a bit in order to fit in the Rowlings world. I'm not sure when it will be finished, but I hope these two ease the wait.

Mr Black could be found in Jane's company for the majority of the gathering. Lily could do naught but smile at the situation. Though having Jane at her side would have been much preferrable, she would never begrudge her friend the opportunity to enjoy herself. Especially if she was enjoying herself in the company of someone so agreeable. Though Lily was not one to engage in matchmaking, a trait influenced by Professor Trelawney, she would never deny her desire to see Jane happy. And if achieving that meant falling in love, or at least conversing with someone she may grow to be fond of as being in love seemed a bit drastic in her nearly fifteen-year-old mind, then so be it.

For her part, Lily spent her time with Charlotte, when Charlotte was not dragged away by other students. A few times, Mr Black would come over to ensure she would not be standing around on her own. However, he was more often than not completely wrapped up in giving Jane his full attention. As he ought, Lily mentally conceded, watching as he introduced Jane to his sister and cousin.

A few minutes later, Lily found herself sitting on a stool near the cake table. Charlotte was off in one corner having a rather heated debate with a seventh year Hufflepuff as to the benefits and failings of promenades in comparison to those of the waltz. Dancing was Charlotte's favourite non-academic past-time and Lily knew the moment the topic was broached that it would soon reach depths far beyond her grasp. Not wanting to be dragged into things in case the dreaded 'step-ball-change' came up, a phrase that still held no meaning for Lily whatsoever even after four years friendship with Charlotte, she begged the excuse of having tired feet and went to sit down.

Her choice in location afforded her a clear view, allowing her to indulge in her own favourite non-academic past-time: people watching. The most intriuging characters present were, naturally, the new students. Miss Black and Miss Hurst were huddled near the window, peering around the room with evident disdain. Mr Lestrange had pulled up a chair in close proximity to the punch bowl, far enough away to prevent anyone from daring to engage him in conversation as they refilled their cups, but near enough that he could refill his own with little effort. Lily decided that such a thing was an impressive accomplishment and one she would not have been able to duplicate herself. Nevertheless, it was a source of some amusement. Just out of the corner of one eye, she could see Mr Potter. He stood next to a set of bookshelves, looking even more bored than ever. Before she could analyse him further, a small commotion in the centre of the room drew her attention.

In an impromptu attempt to illustrate her point, Charlotte gathered a small group together. Someone transfigured a couple of chairs into musical instruments and someone else charmed them to play the appropriate songs. As Lily listened to the woodwinds hit their fourth wrong note, she wondered idly whether she could have done a better job of it. Smiling at the antics of the seventh years and thankful she had the wits to back out of the dance-related conversation early enought to avoid involvement, she returned her thoughts to the stoic Mr Potter.

Her glance in his direction found Mr Black approaching him. She quickly looked back toward the crowd, unabashedly eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Prongs!" Mr Black exclaimed, jubilant as ever. "What are you doing, hiding away in a corner?"

"I'm hardly in a corner, Padfoot." Lily stifled a chuckle at his dry tone as well as the ridiculous names they were calling each other. She had not expected it of them and wondered what they could possibly mean. "You know how I detest social... gatherings of this nature. They suit me as ill as I suit them."

Lily was rather shocked at these words. She had not expected him to be so proud. If he dislikes this sort of thing so much, then why did he bother to come at all?

"Oh come off it, Prongs. I won't have you standing about in this stupid manner. Go join in the dancing. Jane and I will join you, I'm sure, and there are plenty of available partners."

"Certainly not. You know full well how I detest dancing, and you wish me to do so with someone I do not even know?" He snorted disdainfully, tough quietly. "And at such an assembly as this? It would be insupportable. Your sister and cousin are engaged at the present." Lily looked and found this to be so; they were still talking avidly near the window. "I would consider it a punishment to stand up with anyone else."

"Great Merlin, Prongs!" Mr Black exclaimed again, this time rather astounded. "I wouldn't be as fastidious as you for a kingdom. I have never met so many agreeable girls, and some of them uncommonly pretty."

"You have been enjoying the company of the only pretty girl in the room."

Lily smiled in approval. Perhaps he isn't all bad, she thought.

"Prongs, she is the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld! But look, there. That's her best friend. I daresay she is very pretty too."

It took Lily a split second to realise the conversation had turned toward herself. She hoped she was not blushing and giving away the secret that she had been listening the entire time.

"Who do you mean?" After a moment of silence, Lily flicked her eyes in their direction. She wished she had not done so, for it appeared Mr Potter was looking at her all that time. When he caught her eye, he quickly withdrew his gaze and continued coldly, "She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me."

Lily barely contaned her snort of indignation and her eyebrows threatened to shoot up. Well, he may not be all bad, but he certainly comes close. Serves me right for eavesdropping, she thought, trying to ignore Mr Potter as his next comment burned her ears.

"Padfoot, I am in no humour to give consequence to young ladies who have been slighted by other boys. Go back to your partner; enjoy her smiles. You are wasting your time if you stay here with me."

Mr Black shook his head before walking away, his parting comment lost to Lily as her ears rang. Abruptly, she decided that it was not worth being insulted at Mr Potter's comments. A slow grin graced her features and she could barely supress her laughter at the sheer ridiculousness of the entire situation.

Rising, she made her way across the room to where Charlotte stood watching the dancers appraisingly. In doing so, she passed directly before Mr Potter. She was so focused on reaching her destination while retaining her composure, she was not aware of a pair of eyes suddenly take notice of the way her own danced and sparkled happily, as well as the way a tiny smile graced her lips. Nor was she aware how her laughter, joined by Charlotte's at a whispered comment, caused the owner of those eyes to regret his rash and unthinking comment from minutes before.