PERFECT // JAMES POTTER

25. Slughorn's Christmas Party

It was the night of Slughorn's Christmas Party. As the day went on, Scarlet found herself looking forward to it. Lily, who also had been invited, had agreed to help her pick out her dress and do her hair while Scarlet would do their make-up.

When the day's lessons finally ended, Lily whisked Scarlet up to the Gryffindor Tower and sat her on her bed. Lily opened Scarlet's wardrobe and began filtering through the dresses that she had. 

"How about this?" Lily asked, holding out a long dress that even Scarlet was unsure of why she still had it.

"Do you want me to look like a grandma?" Scarlet replied, raising her eyebrows.

"Hmm, you're right." Lily said, putting the dress back. She began going through them again when, suddenly, she stopped dead, "I've found the one."

"Let's see it then." Scarlet said eagerly.

Lily pulled out a dress from the wardrobe. It was a deep red dress that would come down to just above Scarlet's knees and had intricate lace designs on the torso. Scarlet smiled when she saw it, remembering that her parents had gotten it for her.

"It's perfect." She smiled.

Lily squealed and shoved the dress in Scarlet's direction, "Go on, put it on!" 

Scarlet took it and wondered into the bathroom, only to come out a few minutes later wearing the outfit. Lily grinned widely as soon as she saw her best friend.

"Oh, it's wonderful. James is going to faint when he sees you!" 

Scarlet blushed and looked down.

"Right, I'm going to get changed too, and then we can sit down and I'll do your hair and you do my make-up!" Lily said, before grabbing an green, ivy coloured dress that complimented her flaming red hair. When she was dressed the girls sat down and Lily began to brush through her hair.

"So," Scarlet started, making conversation, "is there a lucky man who will be taking you to the party tonight?"

Lily blushed a deep red and the was the only answer Scarlet needed.

"Who is it?" She squealed.

Lily mumbled an answer, looking down so Scarlet could hear.

"Oh come on, speak up." Scarlet teased. Lily raised her head.

"Remus." She said quietly, averting her eyes.

"Remus, as in Remus Lupin?" Scarlet said in disbelief, although she was proud that her friend had finally grown a pair and had asked his crush, "Remus John Lupin?"

Lily nodded, suddenly finding Scarlet's hair very interesting.

"I'm so happy for you two!" Scarlet smiled brightly, "You two are very cute together."

"Thanks." Lily said, finally meeting Scarlet's eyes.

After that epiphany, Lily went back to doing Scarlet hair. After ten minutes, Lily smiled, "There!"

Scarlet's long, black hair had been put up into a half-up, half-down hair style, and had been lightly curled. Lily also took the liberty of adding some small jewels into the hairstyle, finishing the look.

"I love it!" Scarlet said, before turning to Lily, "Now, let me do your make-up."

Lily had requested a natural look, and Scarlet had done just that. She had used neutral shades throughout the look, although Lily didn't need that much make-up. After just over five minutes, Lily was done, and Scarlet went to go do her own make-up whilst Lily did her hair.

Finally, both girls were done and they both smiled at each other.

"Here goes nothing." Lily joked as she opened the door to the stairs.

Scarlet laughed and the two girls left their dorm and descended down the steps into the common room. Meanwhile, James and Remus had been waiting downstairs for their dates. Remus was nervously pulling at his tie and James looked over at him with raised brows.

"Sorry," Remus apologized, "I just don't want to mess this up."

James gave out a small laugh and put a hand on his shoulder, "Trust me mate, you won't."

At that moment the two boy heard the doors of the girl's dorm opened and both of them spun around to greet them.

"Merlin." James could hear Remus mutter from beside him, however, he we too awe-struck to acknowledge him. Instead, he found himself speechless at the black-haired beauty that was walking towards him, a shy smile on her face.

"Good evening." She greeted with a smile, however, she got slightly worried when James didn't reply, only stared down at her, his mouth open.

"You look - You look. . . stunning." He stammered out, his face starting to heat up.

Scarlet felt her own cheeks flushed and smiled bashfully, "Thank you, you look handsome too."

From the side, Remus and Lily watched the exchange with smiles.

"Right, should we get going, then?" Remus asked.

The party agreed and, together, they all made their way to the dungeons - where the party was being held. As soon as the four entered the room, soft music filled their ears. Near the end of the room, they saw Professor Slughorn himself, taking pictures with almost everyone. Suddenly, he look up and his eyes landed on the quartet.

"Ah, there you four are! Come on, let's take a photo together!" He practically shouted in a jolly voice.

The four friends internally groaned but plastered on fake smiles, before walking over to the teacher.

"Right, you two at the back," He said, pushing James and Remus backwards a bit, "And then the two ladies in front of them!" 

Being the shorter ones, Scarlet and Lily and positioned in front of their dates. Slughorn stood next to James and motioned for the photographer to take the picture of the five of them. After a bright flash, they all dispersed and went back to the party, taking their drinks and forming a small circle so they could chat. Just then, Scarlet spotted a certain boy dressed all in white, handing out food on a tray to other guests.

"Peter!" She called, waving him over.

His eyes landed on the group and he walked over, smiling at them all.

"Alright, mate? I never took you as the waiter type." James commented with a grin.

Peter smiled sheepishly and looked down, "Yeah, well, it was the only other way I could get in."

Out of the corner of his eye, Peter could spot Slughorn looking around for some snacks.

"Well, duty calls!" He waved goodbye and left to attend to Slughorn.

-=+=-

The night had finally come to a close. After saying goodbye to the professor, the four Gryffindors left the party and returned to their dorms. It was the early hours of the morning, so James and Scarlet exchanged a kiss goodnight before leaving to go up to their respective dorm rooms.

Scarlet had already gotten changed into her pyjamas by the time Lily came up. The first thing that Scarlet noticed was the fact that her face seemed to match her bright red hair.

"Lily," She grinned, "What happened?"

"Uh, heh, well," Lily stuttered in a hushed voice, careful not to wake their sleeping dorm mates, "After you and James left, Remus and I talked for a while, and, um, he- he may or may not have kissed me..."

Scarlet's face lit up and she quickly pulled her best friend into a hug, making sure not to squeal too loud.

"Oh my gosh, it's finally happening!" She whisper-shouted.

After a few more hugs, both girls settled down for the night, both wearing huge smiles.