Chappie 32- Midsummer
Night’s Dream Part II
James stepped into the hall. All their friends were already there, in masks, and elaborate costumes. Most of their friends read Shakespeare religiously, so most knew what to wear. But for others, like Peter, asking James and Lily what to wear was a very good option. Lily was waiting in the shadows behind the doorway, for her cue. She and James had rehearsed this entrance very carefully beforehand, and she knew all of her lines. Lily was wearing a very elaborate queen costume with jewels embroidered into the silk and lace, and James was dressed as Theseus, the Duke of Athens.
The hall’s excited murmurs stopped upon James’ entrance.
James cleared his throat for effect, and said loudly, “Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour draws on apace; four happy days bring in another moon: but, O, methinks, how slow this old moon wanes! She lingers my desires, like to a step-dame or a dowager long withering out a young man’s revenue.”
Lily stepped into the hall behind him, and put her hand upon his shoulder. She too cleared her throat, and said, “Four days will quickly steep themselves in night; four nights will quickly dream away the time; and then the moon, like to a silver bow new-bent in heaven, shall behold the night of out solemnities.”
James smiled down at her, and said to their audience, “Welcome. Lily and I have carefully planned this party, and we are thrilled to have you all here. Dinner will be served at seven by our wonderful staff, and dancing will last deep into the night.”
Lily laughed, putting her arm around James’ waist, and said, “-Or until your parents owl for you!”
James laughed too. “Yes, that too. Now, since it’s only about six or so, let’s dance a bit!”
Cheers rose from the crowd as James took Lily’s hand into his own. “May I have this dance, fair Hippolyta?”
“Of course, good sir,” was the merry reply.
A trumpet solo began in the band, and soon the singer stepped out onto the stage, dressed in Shakespearean attire. “Hello, all, I’m Puck, your wonderful vocalist for tonight. Have fun, kids! This is a Muggle tune that I picked up, I rather like it. From some fellow…Bob Seger.”
“On a long, lonesome highway
east of
You can listen to the engine
Moanin’ out his one note song…
You can think about the woman
Or the girl you knew the night before…
But your thoughts will soon be wandering,
The way they always do…
When you’re ridin’ sixteen hours
And there’s nothin’ much to do…
And you don’t feel much like ridin’,
You just wish the trip was through…
Here I am,
On the road Again…
There I am,
Up on the Stage…
Here I go,
Playin’ star again…
There I go,
Turn the Page…
Well you walk into a restaurant,
Strung out from the road…
And you feel the eyes upon you
as you’re shakin’ off the cold…
You pretend it doesn’t bother you,
But you just want to explode…
Most times you can’t hear ‘em talk,
Other times you can…
All the same old clichés,
“Is that a woman or a man?”
And you always seem outnumbered,
You don’t dare make a stand…
Here I am,
On the Road Again…
There I am,
Up on the Stage…
Here I go,
Playin’ star again…
There I go,
Turn the Page…”
(Bob Seger- “Turn the Page”)
Puck looked up from his tune, and finished with flair. “That’s not the complete version,” he said with a laugh, “but hell, that’s long enough!”
The crowd laughed, and soon a bell rang throughout the house. Soon a voice came on the Location Operative Sensing System, and it sounded like Little Lily’s. “Sirs and misses, yous dinners is served!”
One of the crowd, a boy, obviously, went over to the System, and pushed the button. “Thanks for using the LOSS, Lily! You’re a wicked house-elf!”
Lily snorted. At least she knew where Sirius was.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
After the amazing seven-course dinner, which consisted of you choosing your own entrée, and having all sorts of wonderful goodies from the house-elves, everyone was STUFFED.
James held out his hand to Lily for the second time that night, and asked, “Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
Lily looked at him with a pout. “I’m stuffed, I’ll probably vomit or something!”
James laughed. “Nonsense! You’re working off the calories!”
Lily looked at him with a glare. “Are you calling me fat?”
James looked exasperated, “Of course not! You’re too thin, Lily!”
Lily looked considerably happier, and accepted his offer. Of course, the music wasn’t playing yet, because Puck was still busy stuffing his face.
“Well, what now?” asked Lily grumpily. They were standing in the middle of the dance floor with no music, they didn’t exactly look…normal.
“This,” said James with a smile. He walked over to the LOSS, and said, “Uh, mum…could you put on the record?”
Emilia’s voice filled the room. “Sure, hon.”
The soothing sounds of the Eagles filled the room. James looked down at Lily with a smile. “Do you remember dancing to this at the Yule Ball?” he asked, spinning her around.
Lily laughed, “Of course. How could I forget?”
They continued dancing happily as the song wore on.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
B/A/N- Short, I know. But this
is the second of three chapters for this party.
The next will be really good, that much I can promise you.