The Yule Ball
It was Mid December and snow had been falling softly since the holidays began.
Everyone was staying at school for the Yule Ball except the 1-3 years. The students were shaking with excitement as they got their formal outfits ready and getting the courage to ask crushes if they’d be their date.
The first task had been five days ago and the boys still hadn’t figured how to open it. The ball was far from their minds.
James saw his friends sitting at the Gryffindor table and grinned.
Surrounding them was a group of students giving them ideas on how to open the oyster. When James sat down, he saw Sirius had his oyster on his lap and Remus was quickly writing suggestions in a note book.
“I’ve got a sledge hammer you can borrow, maybe that’ll do the trick.” A Scottish boy suggested.
“No, throwing it off the astronomy tower would be more efficient.” Someone else said.
“Get a niffler on it. They can find their way into anything.” Said a Durmstrang girl.
“Have you tried Alohomora? That’s the basic opening spell.” Lily said next to James.
“Lily that’s to easy! This wouldn’t be a tournament if everything could be opened with Alohomora.” Sirius said, stroking the smooth shell of the oyster.
“Maybe thats why it could work, we are all convinced this is meant to be hard but what if it’s simple.” Alice fought. Remus took Sirius’s wand out of his ponytail and muttered the opening spell.
Immediately the oyster slowly opened and everyone gasped. Inside was a large black pearl.
“You’re a genius Lily.” James said in awe. Lily blushed muttered thank you.
“Remus, we need to get ours. Boys meet me in the Gryffindor Common Room. Oh, and Lily and maybe Marlene if you see her. And no touching the pearl Padfoot!”
——
“Why’s it so heavy?” Sirius whined, he tried to pick up the pearl but he couldn’t move it from the oyster.
“Because it’s suctioned to the oyster, they’re living creatures you know.” Remus said chuckling.
Sirius lay his head on the boys lap and told James to try and pick it up too.
“It’s not going to come out for any of us.” James complained. He looked annoyed.
“The Yule Ball’s next week you know.” Sirius mentioned softly. Remus was threading is fingers through his hair.
“Oh yeah!” James realised, he turned to Lily who was on the couch behind him, “Oi Evans, want to go to the ball with me?”
Lily was reading a Stephen King book Remus leant her, she put it down and raised an eyebrow at the enthusiastic boy.
“Sure, we have to match though. That means no orange or red.”
James looked surprised but he grinned widely at Sirius and pumped a fist in the air.
“I wouldn’t dream of it Evans. But don’t expect my pants not to flare.”
Sirius turned his head to look at Remus to see he was examining the pearl and writing down notes. His hand still in Sirius’s hair.
“Want to go to the ball with me Moony?” He asked quietly. Remus looked down and smiled softly.
“I don’t think champions are allowed to go with other champions.”
“Then let’s be the first!”
“I would love too, honestly, but I’m going with Mary as a friend. She asked me two days ago and I said yes. I’m sorry, maybe we could still dance.” Remus looked apologetic but continued to stroke his hair. Sirius was disappointed but maybe it wouldn’t be smart to dance with a boy in front of the three biggest wizarding schools in Britain, it was the 70’s after all.
“Thats alright.” He sighed, “Hey Mckinnon, wanna go to the dance with me? As friends of course.” He said quickly, Remus chuckled and Marlene looked unamused.
“Yeah alright. Better not stand on my toes though.” She said seriously. Sirius pretended to be offended.
“Excuse-fucking-me! I am from the ancient most noble house of Black thank you very much! I had compulsory ballroom lessons before I could walk, I think I know how to waltz without stepping on anyones toes.” He said whilst exaggerating his aristocratic accent.
Marlene put her hands in the air, “okay sorry, you win.”
“Ooo what have I won?” He perked up.
“My hand in marriage.” She chuckled. Sirius shammed a faint.
“I’m too gay for this nonsense.”The room started laughing and Marlene raised her water bottle, “Here, here.”
Sirius had an idea and he led Marlene to the common room in which they shared. He hurried up the stairs and got out what he had planned to wear.
“Okay so here is what I had planned for the Yule Ball.” Sirius started. He had brought down the box that had his Yule Ball outfit nicely folded. His family had made him pack dress robes but Sirius had other plans.
Marlene looked jittery and made grabby hands at the box. “Let me open it, I love surprises.”
Marlene lifted the lid and inside was a glittery dark blue ball gown. It had flown sleeves that ended at the elbows and a v-neck collar, it had a thin white belt and a long skirt.
“Oh Merlin, Sirius it’s beautiful.” She said sincerely, she stroked the fabric and admired the sleeves.
“Are you going to wear this?”
Sirius nodded. “I wanted to have fun with my last year, make a statement. Déclaration de mode.” He said with a twist of his wrist.
Marlene grinned at him with a glint in her eyes. “I have an idea and it’s going to be in the books. You in?”
——
“Remus hurry up! The Champions need to be down there first.” Mary yelled.
Remus hurried down the stairs in his blood red Durmstrang dress robes. His right shoulder covered in a fur shawl and his feet in heavy boots.
He had tried to defrizz his hair but the frizz was against him today and all he could do was put water on it and hope it stayed as curls.
“Don’t you look handsome.” Mary gushed. August was behind him and gaped at her.
“You look beautiful Mary.” Remus praised. Her dress was pale pink with hearts sewn on, it had puffy sleeves and showed some cleavage. She looked gorgeous.
“I know, now let’s go before your headmaster takes your head.”
“August, where’s Igor?” Remus asked.
“Oh, he said he was meeting someone but I thought he’d be back by now.” Remus shrugged his concern away as Mary took his elbow.
The Great Hall had been emptied and and decorated to fit the Christmas Eve aesthetic. There were ice sculptures of horses and pearls inside oysters, the ceiling and walls had turned a pretty blue, a crystal chandelier hung above the dance floor and the floor had been transfigured to be transparent like ice. A huge Christmas tree that was coloured white was decorated with candles and a large star that shone brightly was where the staff table was. It was beautiful and Remus wanted to look around all evening but he was soon pulled by Mary to the line of Champions and their partners.
Only James and Lily were there so far and looking stunning. James wore a dark maroon and black dress robe with flared pants like he promised, his hair was as crazy as ever and his glasses were a little wonky. Lily looked beautiful in a sage green dress that flowed from her waist. They made a lovely pair.
“Don’t you two look splendid.” Mary gushed, she and Lily started whispering and squealing in their girl circle with Alice joining, waiting for Sirius and Marlene.
“Those flares add to the outfit, Prongs.” Remus teased, kicking the extra fabric with his feet.
“Your dress robes aren’t to unique yourself, Moony.” James laughed, flicking his woollen shawl.
“Shut up, this was mandatory. Headmaster said it ’shows people who we are’ or something gross. But these are actually really comfy, I’d wear this to any formal event”
“I like it,” Frank started, “makes you look like a bear.”
James started laughing when the girls gasped, looking over the boys shoulders.
Lily looked like she was trying not to smile and Mary and Alice had their jaws on the floor.
Turning around, Remus’s jaw too went to the floor.
Walking towards them, Marlene and Sirius were giggling to themselves as all the attention went to them. They looked better than every other couple here.
Sirius wore a dark blue gown and placed his hair in its usual updo using his wand. He was wearing dress shoes and had done his make up. Remus had always thought he was beautiful but this was a whole other thing.
Marlene had a matching power suit with heels and her hair was straightened and held back with clips. Her make up was done the same as Sirius’s.
“Good Godric you two. Outdressing all of us! The audacity.” Mary explained, not looking angry at all.
Sirius and Marlene grinned at each other and did a complicated handshake.
“Amazing, this dress is something else Siri.” Lily gushed, her hands grazing the skirt.
“Why thank you Redhind, tu es belle aussi.” He replied with a wink. “You look beautiful as well.”
Remus couldn’t stop looking at him and when the horn started to begin the dance, Mary had too physically pull him with her.
The group of six walked down an aisle made by students and they walked onto the empty dance floor. Remus had done some dance lessons before arriving and he was a gymnast so he hoped he wouldn’t muck this up.
Professor Flitwick was standing on an ice block as he raised his wand and began conducting the orchestra the school hired.
Remus was holding onto Marys waist as the music started, the practised routine was in his head as he spun them around. Mary was giggling as he lifted her in the air at the high notes.
“Shit sorry,” he whispered when he stepped on her toes the first time.
“I thought you were a gymnast.” Mary giggled again, Remus sighed and tried not to ruin the dance again.
Across from him, Sirius and Marlene were having the time of their lives. They took turns in lifting each other and Marlene spun Sirius around when it came to the part of the song. James and Lily were dancing happily as well, they kept on misplacing their feet so James lifted her onto his feet and they danced like that for the rest of the waltz.
After a few minutes, Dumbledore led McGonagall onto the dance floor, they grinned at each other and joined in with the teenagers. This was the invitation for the others to join. Everyone grabbed their partners and led them onto the floor. The orchestra got louder as the girls were lifted into the air. It felt like a dream as the students laughed and spun around and Remus couldn’t be gladder to have been chosen as Champion.
Deciding to take a break, Mary and Remus left the dance floor to get some punch.
“You aren’t as bad as I thought you’d be.” Mary said sipping from her cup.
“Thank you?”
Mary laughed and threw her head back. “Whats all this excitement about?” Sirius called as he and Marlene walked over. Looking flushed and happy.
Remus poured them some punch and rolled his eyes. “Mary was just saying that I wasn’t as bad as she thought I’d be so thats helpful.” He glared at his partner and she laughed harder.
“Its a compliment! I’m saying you dance well.”
Remus hummed and poured some more punch for himself.
“Want to be my partner for the next dance?” Sirius asked, his hand held out with hopeful eyes.
“Of course, then you can add your own review to my waltzing skills.” He joked but took Sirius’s hand and walked them onto the dance floor.
“Umm, where do I put your hands? Do you want to lead or should I?” Remus whispered before the next song started. Sirius rolled his eyes and grabbed Remus’s hands, putting one on his waist and the other in tight in his grasp.
“There we go, and I’ll put my hand on your shoulder and all is parfait.” Sirius said, his hand on Remus’s shoulder stroked the wool.
“This is warm, won’t you get too hot?”
“No, I get cold all the time so this is exactly what I need.” Sirius chuckled lightly and the song began. Remus led them and looked at his feet too make sure he doesn’t step on him.
“Why do you go to the school thats literally in the snow when you don’t like the cold?” Sirius asked while they danced.
“I don’t go outside, the castles warm but that stupid ship Arnoldi makes us take everywhere isn’t.” Remus grumbled not wanting feel that motion sick ever again.
Sirius pouted sympathetically, “So you get seasick and don’t like the cold?”
Remus tried not to laugh but ended up anyway. “It’s so stupid I know, and I’ve been at Durmstrang for seven years. I don’t hate it but the travel and destination is a bit off putting.”
“At Beauxbatons, the spring is my favourite. We breed the horses that fly our carriages, the ones we used to get here, and we get to skip classes to see the baby foals. C’est la chose la plus douce.” Sirius sighed thinking about his school. “Is the sweetest thing.”
Remus twirled him around and smiled as the dress glittered in the chandelier light. He truly was beautiful.
Sirius laughed as Remus pulled him back in.
“Are you glad you wore this dress then?” Remus asked, his hand on Sirius’s waist curling around the belt a bit.
“I love it. Makes me feel free.” And Remus twirled him again just cause he could.
“Well I think it looks better on you than it would on any of the girls here.” Remus whispered in Sirius’s ear.
Sirius laughed softly and wrapped his arms around Remus’s neck, Remus did the same to his waist.
The song came to a finish as the orchestra took a break. The boys stayed hugging on the dance floor as the crowd left to talk and get some food.
“Would you like to make a review on my waltzing skills?” Remus said quietly
“Hmmm, tu étais plus brillant que n'importe qui d'autre.”Sirius said in his ear. Remus shivered and hugged his waist tighter.
“I heard the word brilliant so I’m going to take that as a good thing.” Remus chuckled a breath, Sirius started playing with his curls at the back of his neck.
“Tellement bouclé, j'adore ça.” Sirius said again, separating them a bit and playing with the curls near his forehead.
“Stop speaking French or I’m going to start speaking Welsh just to piss you off.” Remus said, trying to sound harsh but failing.
“You speak Welsh?” Sirius asked sounding amused. He traced a scar on Remus’s eyebrow that went over his right eye.
“Yn amlwg, ble buoch chi.” He said with a sly grin, Sirius looked shocked and started chuckling.
“Of course you do, mon lune.”
“Oi lovebirds, get over here and try these roll things. They’re brilliant!” James yelled.
Lily and Marlene gave them a pointed look when the boys walked over. James stuffed a roll in Remus’s mouth and it was instantly filled with melted chocolate.
“Bloody hell this is heaven.” He moaned, taking another one and having a bite.
Pete walked over with Dorcas on his heel. They were both wearing white and Dorcas looked angelic as it contrasted with her nearly black skin.
“Did someone say heavenly food?” Dorcas said, taking a chocolate bun and eating it. She pointed a finger at Remus and nodded her head in understanding.
“Remmy boy, where did this come from cause I want 200 of them.”
“These are actually French and are called petits pains au chocolat which translates to chocolate buns. They’re a Beauxbaton delicacy and I too am obsessed.” Sirius explained, taking three and eating them at the same time.
“Can I hide in your trunk? Take me with you.” Remus begged, taking another one and closing his eyes at the taste.
“I see your true intentions now! You only befriended me so you could eat all the chocolate buns!” Sirius gasped, Remus laughed and wrapped an arm around the shorter boys shoulders.
“You’ve figured me out, I must hide away in shame and never see the light again.” Remus joked, Sirius snorted and wrapped an arm around his waist.
“How many layers have you got on under there?” He asked, unwrapping himself from Remus’s grasp and poking the boys stomach.
“I’ve got this coat, a sweater but its thin and a long sleeved shirt so three.”
“Three!” Sirius gasped. “I’m only in this and I’m boiling.”
“You are aren’t you?” Remus said hazily, he looked over Sirius’s outfit again and blushed. He was so obvious it was painful.
“Okay! Remus, you me the dance floor?” Marlene suggested as the orchestra sat back down and retuned their instruments.
“Thank you Marly.” He breathed.
“I bet 10 galleons that Marlene and Dorcas will be snogging by the end of the night.” James bet, as the three champions sat at an empty table.
Some students had gone to bed early and it was almost 11 pm but most were still here, dancing. Remus would normally be tired by this time but he was wide awake.
“Nah, watch them make out after this song.” Remus said with a grin. James held out his hand and Remus shook it.
“I’m on Prongies side for this one, it’s in front of a lot of students and teachers and they might get in trouble for pda.” Sirius said loyally.
“Thanks Padfoot. Not that Marlene seems like the girl who’s into pda.”
Remus scoffed but didn’t retaliate.
James and Sirius laughed and watched as the song ended. Dorcas had Marlene in a dip and Marlene grabbed her by the neck and kissed her.
Remus cheered. James groaned and stuck his middle finger at the taller boy.
“I’ll be expecting that 10 galleons tomorrow morning.” Remus said.
James nodded with a sad expression, “as promised Moony.”
“Evening gentlemen, I hope you’re all behaving.” Marlene smirked as she and Dorcas made their why over to them.
“Of course McKinnon, we are perfect angels.” James said solemnly.
Remus pointed over to Professor McGonagall who was getting punch with a teacher from Beauxbatons.
“You’ll get 5 galleons back if you dance with Minnie.” He dared. James smirked dangerously.
“I was planning on doing that anyway, but thanks for the push.” He swaggered over and bowed, holding a hand out to his professor.
She looked amused and took his hand. Sirius and Remus whistled loudly and clapped as they got ready for the next song.
The next song played and the pair waltzed, James was grinning and McGonagall was chuckling well heartedly.
“Awww my favourite l'amoureux.” Sirius sniggered as James spun her around.
“Whatever that is, I agree.” Remus chuckled.
The song finished and James bowed while McGonagall curtsied. He made it over to them skipping and moved Lily out of his seat which she occupied, then placed her on his lap.
“You two timing cheat! McGonagall loves you, how could you do this to her?” Mary cried, James rolled his eyes and tightened his arms around Lily with his chin on her shoulder.
“What will your children think?” Remus said sadly.
Sirius giggled and put a dramatic hand on his forehead. “And you said she was your forever.”
“What is who’s forever?” Regulus asked, he was in a pure black suit, shirt and all. His hair was parted differently and he looked happy.
“Reggie! Everyone meet my dear baby brother, and he hasn’t talked to me since the start of the night.” Sirius said the last part sternly but was smiling widely.
“I was with my friends, and I see you ended up wearing the gown.” Sirius spun around at the mention of his glorious dress.
“Obviously, only the best for this fine Christmas Eve.” Sirius took his brothers hand and gestured him to his friends.
“Regulus meet Mary, Marlene, Dorcas, Pete, Remus and James. You already know Lily obviously and myself.”
“I’ve heard so much about you.” Regulus said, taking Remus’s hand and then James’s.
He greeted the others and pulled Sirius away from the group. Remus began to worry at the stern look on Regulus face and the small frown between Sirius’s brows.
Sirius and Reg returned moments later. The younger boy looked pale and Sirius put a smile on.
“Everything good, mate?” James asked.
Sirius nodded, “Just our family being our family. Pas de soucis. Now, I thought you were gonna show us the dance routine you made for that Weird Sisters song.” He said to James.
He looked concerned but changed it for a smile as he jumped up and grabbed Remus and Sirius by the hands and led them to the dance floor.
The Weird Sisters were setting up the stage as the orchestra packed up and looking at the boys with a smile. James skipped over to them and whispered something in the singers ear, they chuckled and ruffled James’s hair.
“He touched my hair! I’m never washing again.” He fan-girled.
Everyone made it back on the dance floor when one loud note on the guitar got their attention. They must have played James’s request because he squealed and cleared a circle on the floor.
Teaching the boys the dance was easy. Remus got it immediately as James showed the moves. Sirius didn’t understand the rhythm and over exaggerated the hand movements.
When the chorus started again, the students around them clapped and applauded as their Champions did the routine. James was laughing loudly and the students screamed with delight when Remus jumped into the splits. The formal part of the evening was over.
James taught Regulus the moonwalk he saw a kid do at a muggle park. Everyone cheered and many others followed is tutorial, Mary even found a fedora that she put on her head.
David Bowies Oh! You Pretty things played and Remus had tears streaming down his face from laughter. Sirius fell in love with Bowie and the song and he almost slapped Pete when he said he had the Hunky Dory record.
“All this time you had David Bowie in your dorm and didn’t tell me!”
Someone charmed the speakers to play hip hop and the circle on the dance floor returned. Marlene was spinning on her head and getting a roar of screams and clapping in return. Remus back flipped and Professor Flitwick got carried through the crowd.
The punch had got intoxicated with alcohol at some point and everyone was very drunk and very excited. James and Lily had run off sometime ago and Marlene and Dorcas were making out in a dark corner. Peter went to bed with a sick stomach and Regulus left when the hip hop began.
Sirius and Remus were leaning against each other and giggling along the cold stone of the unknown castle. They open mouthed kissed, and laughed as their tongues met. Neither of them could remember where their common room was nor what the password was, instead they made out against a wall. Sirius’s hair was falling out from his makeshift ponytail, Remus grabbed a fistful of hair and kissed him deeper. He may have been drunk but sober him would probably do this too.
Remus moved away from him with a sly smile and led him down the corridor, lanterns as their only source of light. A door appeared at the end of the corridor that the boys were sure wasn’t there before. They went inside and saw that it was filled with junk.
Sirius found a couch and lay down on it, his ball gown scrunched up to his thighs.
Remus grinned and jumped on top of him, making them both burst in laughter. Sirius grabbed his face and gave him a sensual kiss.
“You know how gorgeous you looked tonight, Moony?” Sirius muttered as he kissed along his jaw.
“Says you. Bloody hell Padfoot, you’re so beautiful I can’t even think sometimes.”
Sirius grinned against Remus’s mouth. “Lets stay here forever.” He breathed.
Remus couldn’t answer, he kissed him again and again and again.
“Is this okay?” Remus’s hand was at the zipper on the back of the dress. They were both sober now and Sirius nodded with an encouraging smile. His make up was smudged but he still managed to look handsome.
“Tout va bien pour toi, mon Moony.”
They spent the night breathless and on the verge of love.