Hate Is A Strong Word (A Jily Fanfic)//FINISHED!

The Christmas Ball

This is a super long chapter, so sorry for that. I just figured that this is probably the most important part in my story, so why not. I hope you like it! Once again, I'm going to be posting the last chapters really quick.

James
Everything had been perfected for the upcoming ball. Although Lily had taken over most of the project, James had worked hard on whatever he could. The Great Hall had been decorated just as they planned.

James stood near the wall of the Great Hall shooting silver and gold ribbon out of his wand. The ribbon tied into bows that hung on the wall. Lily was across the Hall, adding the finishing touches to the giant tree. Everything was perfect.

When Lily finished her job, she looked around the Hall once. Pride filled her expression.

"Good work!" she called over to James. It was the first complete sentence she'd spoken to him in weeks, even if it was only two words. Although, even this sentence had barely any emotion compared to how she used to speak to him.

James nodded to her, afraid that if he spoke, all of the words he was trying to keep in his head would come pouring out. He turned and left the hall.

Later that evening

James was dressed for the evening in his black dress robes. He and Peter were both going without dates to the Ball- Peter couldn't get one, and James refused to go with anyone but Lily.

Sirius was going with Marlene. Silently, James was quite mad about this. After all, it was Sirius who had pulled the prank on Snape, but he still had a date. Marlene had been mad at first, but she had come around. Too bad Lily was just too stubborn to do the same.

James also couldn't help but notice Remus' all black dress robes, too. He knew Remus asking Lily to the Ball had been for James' sake, but he still got jealous at the idea that it was Remus who was taking her, Remus who would walk in with her, Remus who would dance with her...

James checked the mirror in the dormitory one final time to make sure he was ready. He had styled his usual messy black hair for the occasion. He was quietly prideful with how it looked. He straightened his glasses on his nose before turning to the other Marauders.

"Should we be off then?" he asked. The others nodded in agreement and made their way to the common room. It was packed with smiling Seventh years who were all dressed for the evening.

The first girls James recognised were Alice and Mary. Alice was wearing a short black dress that puffed out at the waist. She was wearing tall heels to make up for her short height. Her short black hair had been straightened, but left to hang above her shoulders. James had always thought of Alice as cute. Her kind smile was always welcoming.

Mary looked great as well in a midnight blue dress that hugged her body. It made her blue eyes really stand out. Her long blond hair had been done into an elaborate braided up-do. James noticed that many guys were staring her way. They all seemed in awe at how good she looked.

"You both look very nice," James said kindly.

"Thanks!" Alice said cheerfully.

"Yeah thanks," Mary said with a smile. "Did you end up getting a date?"

"No," James said, trying to sound as if the fact didn't hurt him. Mary had seen through his attempt, though.

"I give you credit, James," she said. "You're one stubborn kid to hold out for her."

"Almost as stubborn as she is," he said, and the two girls laughed.

"Woah Marlene!" Sirius called from behind him. James turned to the steps leading to the Girl's Dormitory. He caught a quick glimpse of Marlene who wore a bright yellow gown that acted nicely with her dark skin. Her hair had been left in its natural curls. She did look very beautiful, but James wasn't looking at her. He was looking at the girl next to her.