It was a week before Christmas and I was stuck at Hogwarts for the holidays because my uncle is caught up at work again. Apparently the ministry was more demanding this time of year. "Elsie!" I turn my attention from my food to Lily who was running towards me. "Are you going to Slughorns Christmas party by any chance?" She ran all the way here just to ask me that? I was happily eating lunch alone, I don't wanna feel sad about eating alone right now. "Nope, I wasn't good enough at potions to become a member of the slug club" The look on her face changes to one of disappointment rather than excitement. I wasn't as good at potions as what I used to be, transfiguration however I was great at. "Aren't James and Sirius going though? Can't they bring you as a date?" Why was she concerned about me going? I wasn't fussed whether I went or not and did she just say James instead of Potter? "Sirius usually picks up a date during a party, James on the other hand only has eyes for you"
"Why are you so concerned anyway?" She huffed and sat down next to me. "I don't want to go alone, Alice and Mary don't want to go... They aren't really fond of Slughorn" She mutters the last part, but it didn't go unheard. "I was hoping you were willing to join me" She looked at me with pleading eyes, those beautiful big green eyes asking for my help. Help that I couldn't give. "Aren't those parties really fancy and boring?" I don't want to go to a party that's really fancy with important people, I don't own fancy clothes. Seems like too much of a hassle if you ask me. "I find them nice! You know... Socialising with people from the ministry... It'll look good in the future" Of course she is thinking about her future career already. "Well... I doubt I'd be asked by the boys or anyone in the slug club so I can't really help you"
"Well how about you be my date?" She suggests. "As friends of course but I'd really like you to come with me... I need a friend there" I guess it wouldn't be so bad, if I stuck around Lily or wherever the food was. "I guess I can't leave James loose around you... I'll go with you" She pulls me into a hug. "Thank you so much! You wont regret this!" There kind of was, I had nothing to wear and it's only a few days away. "Lily what does one wear to a gathering like this?" I almost regret asking because her face lit up like a Christmas tree. I never really pegged Lily to be the party sort, you know the one that really likes dressing up and going out. I guess I was wrong. "There's a Hogsmeade trip tomorrow, we can go look for something then"
I headed back to the common room after my encounter with Lily. Many students were leaving or have already left for the holidays. The boys however stayed. They were gathered around the fireplace which had Christmas stockings hanging up, in the corner of the room was a small tree with red and gold themed decorations. I have never spent the holidays here before so it was all kind of new to me. "Hows the little vixen going?" Sirius pats the spot next to him on the couch and I happily join him. "A little bored but alright"
"Are you joining us on the Hogsmeade trip tomorrow?" James asks. "Maybe, Lily and I are going dress shopping" I didn't notice the looks they were giving me until James spoke again. "You're hanging out with Lily? Can you tell her how great I am?" James continues to list the things he wanted me to say to Lily not knowing I wasn't going to say a word. "Prongs I think you're missing the point here, Vixen here is going dress shopping" Sirius' comment shuts him up. "Oh I'm sure it will be a lovely dress!" Peter says happily while he throws another chocolate in his mouth.
"Why are you going dress shopping? Moony aren't you curious who she is going with?" Remus looks up from his book. "Couldn't care the slightest Padfoot, it's her business" He goes back to his book, clearly not interested in the conversation. "Though I'm sure you will look lovely Elsie" He adds before focusing on the book completely. "I think it'd be best not to tell James, he would be furious" He would be, knowing I got a 'date' with Lily and he doesn't. "Why would I be furious?" I laugh, already knowing how much fun this will turn out to be. "You'll find out eventually"
Sirius' POV
We watched as Elsie walked up to her dorm. I found it strange that she was going out with Lily instead of us. Sure she had before but never on the Hogsmeade trips. Why does she need a dress anyway? She has never worn one... Nor does she like fancy parties. "What do you think she's hiding?" Prongs asks, his eyes never leaving the girls dorms door. It was almost creepy. "It's probably nothing" Moony mumbles, his eyes never leaving the book. "Well I think she would look lovely in a dress" Wormtail seemed delighted by the thought of her in a dress. He was delighted by anything really so it wasn't all that surprising. I look back over to Prongs who had lost interest with the door.
"Anyway back to what we were talking about before Vixen came in, Prongs who are you taking to Slughorns party?" His attempts with Lily have been amusing I'll admit, but he has to have someone else in mind surely. He can't go to this party alone can he? I thought dates were a must with these parties. "Lily of course!" I was afraid he'll say that, though it was obvious. "And what if she already has a date?" Moony asks. "Well then I'll keep asking, she'll realise I'm the better man to take" He states proudly. "And what about you Padfoot? Who are you taking?"
"Well I was thinking about asking Vixen but she already seems busy... So I'll ask one of the slug club girls when I'm at the party" The three of them looked so disappointed. What did I do? I've always just gotten a date at the party, no need to get one before hand. Sure I'm kind of bummed I didn't ask Vixen but she hates parties, she would say no anyway. "Seriously mate, you looked depressed just telling us that. Go ask Vixy right now!" I'm sure she is asleep by now and she would hate being woken up. Not to mention the other girls too. "She is asleep Prongs! Remember the last time we woke her up in the middle of the night?!" She was so mad she turned our shoes into mice. Sure it was a great prank but we were late to class because of it. "But you want to go with her don't you?"
"That's not the point" At this point Remus got up and grabbed me by the shoulders. "Look we can all clearly see you want to go with her perhaps even like her more then a friend, all we are asking you to do is ask her out" I sigh, I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask. "If we see her at Hogsmeade tomorrow then I will okay?"
