❝ IF THE WHOLE WORLD
WAS  W A T C H I N G  I'D
STILL DANCE WITH  Y O U ❞

〽〽〽

C H A P T E R   T W E L V E

IT WAS THE DAY OF THE BALL, Roxanne sat in her room, knees curled up against her chest as she watched her roommates fumble around with their costumes. It made Roxanne think why they were fussing around so early, the Ball was about to start in three hours. So far, Roxanne wanted to get ready after her roommates were done. She had already taken a shower and was wearing her pyjamas.

"Rox, aren't you getting ready?" Juliet asked while putting on her earring.

Roxanne shrugged, "I'll start on it later." She untangled her arms from her previous position to rest on her side for support.

"But the Ball's starting in three hours," she retorted.

"Exactly," Roxanne said, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

Juliet rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but be amused at the girl as she smiled.

"Who are you going with anyway?" One of Roxanne's roommates, Maddie, butted in. All the while putting a band around her forehead to finish off the hippie look she'd gone for.

"James," Roxanne shrugged as if it was no big deal. Since, it wasn't. He was her friend which just so happen to be her crush as well. Still, she was happy to at least be friends with him.

"You mean James Potter?" Another one, Hazel, said, her eyes wide like bowling balls as she look at Roxanne incredulously with the others doing so as well.

Roxanne slowly nodded, "I thought I told you guys about this yesterday?"

"Well it's clear you didn't," Anne sassed, making Roxanne roll her eyes.

"Well, now you know," she said, not even seeing how big the news she brought was. Yes, James is one of the most popular boys in Hogwarts but was it really that big of a deal? Apparently, yes.

"Do you even know how lucky you are?" Maddie said.

"No?" She said it like it was a question, which it probably was.

"Well," Hazel deadpanned, "you are."

"The James Potter is going to the Ball with you, do you not see how amazing this is?" Said Maddie. Roxanne looked over to Juliet and Anne, her eyes begging for them to help her. Though, the girls just winked at her. Finding the whole situation funny.

"He didn't even ask me, it's just Sirius being Sirius." Roxanne reasoned out, now wishing she should've locked herself in the bathroom.

"Oh shush," Hazel tutted, "we are going to make you irresistible."

In one swift motion, Roxanne was out of her bed and was now told to put her costume on.

"A pirate?" Maddie grimaced, pulling up the piece of clothing from Roxanne's bed, "no offense Rox, but pirates doesn't really scream 'irresistible.'"

Roxanne chuckled, "well too bad, I don't have another costume."

"Or I can conjure one for you?" Hazel smiled, "if you don't know I am quite talented in Transfiguration."

"Nah, I'm good with this," Roxanne shrugged, "besides this thing cost a fortune, you haven't even seen me in it yet."

Maddie groaned, "fine."

"PRONGS," Sirius sighed, wearing his Dorian Gray costume, "It's a dance, not marriage so will you please stop messing your hair."

"I'm trying to make it look nice," James groaned as he tucked his hair back with his hand. "For fuck sake, stay put!"

"What are you even going as anyway?" Remus sighed, flipping another page of the book he was reading, wearing a red hat that complimented his musketeer costume. His fake saber sword was safely tucked in his scabbard as he leaned against the wall, not caring if it creased his attire.

"A pirate," he sighed. Remus couldn't help but choked on his saliva at what he heard. "You alright over there, Moony?"

Remus coughed for a bit before calimg himself down, "y-yeah, just ate a fly or something." He internally facepalmed at the obvious lie he just said.

"A fly?" James asked slowly, Remus nodded his head quickly. "Okay," he dragged the "y". "How does my hair look?"

"Like shit," Sirius deadpanned, earning a hit on the head by James.

"It looks. . . okay?" Peter said, unsure.

It was a mess. His attempt to make it look nice backfired drastically with some stiff strands of hair sticking out of it due to the gel he use. What was once smooth and soft turned rough and dry.

"What the fuck did you use?" Remus asked.

"This muggle gel Frank gave me," James sighed, plopping down next to Sirius. "God, I hate myself."

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Prongsie." Sirius grinned, "we can still fix it."

"How?" James scoffed.

"With faith," Sirius started, putting his hand out and looking over at Peter to continue.

"Trust," Peter grinned, standing next to Sirius and putting his hand on his. Now both boys looked expectantly at Remus. Rolling his eyes, he stood up before placing his hand on top of Peter's.

"And pixie dust," he grinned.

Meanwhile, James rolled his eyes at the trio, "you guys are bloody children."

"Oh loosen up, Prongsie-poo," Sirius nudged him, "we are going to help you out of that cursed gel Frank sent you." He gestured to the disastrous hairdo.

"Just fix it, please," he groaned. "I swear I'll kill Frank once I get home."

"Damn, so demanding," Sirius muttered under his breath, "why didn't you just use your grandfather's hair potion?"

"Frank told me the gel was what's popular in the muggle world, so I tried it," James moaned, burying his head on the nearest pillow in shame.

"Stupid decisions does lead to horrendous consequences," Remus nodded making James groan even louder.

"IS THE MASCARA REALLY NECESSARY?" Roxanne gulped as she stared fearfully of the eye torture on Maddie's hand.

"It makes your eyelashes look longer," she said, "now look up as I apply some on you."

Roxanne groaned before she reluctantly looked up. Maddie carefully applied some on her while Roxanne silently recited a prayer that it won't accidentally poke her eye out.

"There," Maddie said once she finished, "that wasn't so bad, right?"

Roxanne nodded slowly as Madeleine moved away from her to assess her overall look. She grinned, looking like a proud mother of a breathtaking masterpiece, which was Roxanne.

The other three girls came into view as they looked at Roxanne, with only Anne being the odd one out with her Victorian style dress while the others wear matching hippie costumes.

Anne smirked, "James is one lucky guy."

"DOES MY HAIR LOOK OKAY NOW?" James asked as he and Sirius both stood by the entrance of the Hufflepuff common room, patiently waiting for their dates to come outside.

"It looks okay, Prongs," Sirius rolled his eyes for the nth time he'd asked that question.

"I'm just-"

"Nervous, I know," Sirius cut him off, "you told me that more than ten times now." He muttered annoyingly, causing James to blush, "what are you even nervous about? It's just Rox, ya know? The girl you went pranking with, and also the girl you went costume shopping with and eventually buying a costume for?"

James only nodded his head, making Sirius sigh. He put his hands on the bespectacled boy's shoulders and looked at him dead in the eyes.

"Be honest Prongs, do you like Rox?" He asked. James didn't answer as he broke eye contact. "Holy shit, you do!"

"Fuck off, Sirius," James growled at his overly enthusiastic friend.

"I can't believe it!" Sirius exclaimed, "did the gods finally heard my prayer? Did my friend, James Potter, finally moved on from Lily Evans? Oh my Lord this must be a dream!" He clutched the collar of James' costume, "punch me James," he said.

"Dude!" James exclaimed, pushing Sirius off him, "I am not punching you."

"Still, is this a dream?"

"No, Sirius," James rolled his eyes, "this is one hundred percent reality."

The door slowly opened to reveal Anne with her matching Victorian attire, moving towards Sirius before linking her arms with his. The both of them grinned at each other in pure adoration as James stood awkwardly in front of them, his hand scratching the back of his neck as he looked at the two.

"You okay there, Jameson?" A voice from behind him made him jump before turning around. Roxanne chuckled at him, her blonde curls pulled back by a headband that went with the costume.

"Y-yeah," James stuttered shyly. He took a deep breath as he regained his confidence once again, "shall we?"

Roxanne smiled before linking her arm with his, "we shall."

ONCE THEY HAVE ARRIVED at the Great Hall, the Ball was in full swing as songs from the Wizarding and Muggle world played in the background. Remus was by the punch with Dorcas while Peter was dancing with Mary.

The Great Hall looked unrecognizable at the decorations they used. The ceiling decorated with a stormy night with torches that stuck on the wall as the only source of light in the room. Cobwebs and face spiders decorated every corner, as well as carved pumpkins floating around their heads. Black and purple cloth adorning the tables, a stage in front of the room with a band standing on it performing a song Roxanne couldn't seem to recognize. The four large house tables were removed and replaced with small ones to make room for the dancefloor.

As soon as they step foot in the venue, Sirius and Anne was nowhere to be seen, leaving James and Roxanne with themselve.

James began to lead Roxanne to a table, his hand holding hers firmly, in fear that he might lost her once he let go. They sat by a table a few feet from the buffet, the couple began talking about their interest to pass by the time.

"To be honest, I really want to be a healer when I finish school." Roxanne said.

"Oh really, well I want to be an Auror," James declared.

"Obviously," Roxanne smirked, turning her eyes to James who was already looking at her.

"Who knows?" He shrugged, "if you don't get back to your dimension, you might be the one taking care of me after my missions in the future," he said wistfully. His thoughts going through the possibility.

"Maybe. . ." Roxanne trailed off, her mind whirring with the thought as well. What if she stayed here?

James returned his gaze to see her in deep thought, he smiled. "Want to dance?"

The song was changed to a slow song as he asked this, Roxanne turned to him and nodded her head, yes. James took her hand in his once again before guiding her to dancefloor.

He placed his hands on her waist as hers automatically wrapped around his neck. The both of them swayed to the old love song playing as they stared into each other's eyes.

Wise men say,
Only fools rush in,
But I can't help falling in love with you,

"Do you know who sang this?" Roxanne asked.

"It's this wizard rockstar?" The boy said rather unsure.

Roxanne chuckled, "no it's a muggle artist named, Elvis Presley."

"Who name's their child Elvis?" He asked incredulously, causing the girl to snort out a laugh.

"Well the name Elvis is actually derived from a Scandanavian word Alvis meaning All-Wise."

"Were you actually waiting for someone to ask that?"

"Maybe," Roxanne replied cheekily.

"You're one weird kid, Roxy," he said.

"Why thank you, Jameson."

Somethings are meant to be

"You're really fun to hang out with," James blurted out, not wanting to have the conversation to end.

Roxanne smiled, "I could say the same to you too."

Take my hand,
Take my whole life too,
For I can't help, falling in love with you,

"You know," Roxanne hummed, James' eyes didn't waver away from her as she looked up the stormy ceiling, "I kinda like this song."

"Me too," James whispered, dazed as he continued to stare. Roxanne looked back at him, their eyes locking once again as the music drawled on.

Everything seemed to turn white as it felt like it was just them. The pair swaying aimlessly with each other as everyone in the room disappeared. For at that moment, it was just them. No other dimensions, no conflicts, nothing. It was just them.

James and Roxanne.

For I can't help, falling in love with you.