Pt. 1 Who To Choose (A Marauders FanFic)

*WHO TO CHOOSE

Snow began to fall against the outer walls of Hogwarts. Ali Kingsley and Christina Wayne had just returned from their trip to Hogsmeade Village. Both were carrying parcels from Honeyduke’s and their dresses for the Yule Ball.
“I still can’t believe you’re making me go to the Ball.” Ali pouted as they reached the moving staircases.
“Well excuse me if I wanted you to actually have fun during our fourth year. Besides, it’s not like you have to be there long. Just come and hang out with me and Castiel for a bit.” Christina retorted.
“I know that! I just don’t see why I have to wear a dress.” Ali continued to glower.
“Well I thought since Sirius, James, and Remus would be there you’d want to look nice.” Christina smiled. Ali blushed and her eye twitched. She remained quite till they reached the Fat Lady’s Portrait.
“Make it stop!” The Fat Lady shrieked. Christina and Ali glanced at each other. They could hear yelling through the portrait hole.
“What’s going on?” Christina asked. The Fat Lady screamed about seeing Sirius and Remus come screaming into the common room with James and Castiel following close behind. The yelling hadn’t subsided once they were in the common room though.
“Do you know what they were going on about?” Ali asked. The Fat Lady shook her head. Ali sighed. “Flaming earwigs.”
“How repulsive!” the Fat Lady shrieked as her portrait swung open.  Ali and Christina walked into the Gryffindor common room, immediately hearing Moony and Padfoot screaming. As both girls came in they saw Moony storm up to the boys’ dormitory and Sirius stalk past them out of the common room and through the portrait hole.
“What just happened?” Castiel asked James. He shrugged and looked over to the portrait hole. He blinked surprised to see Ali and Christina standing there looking very confused.
“Bout bloody time; Merlin’s pants, where have you two been?” James asked as he came up to them.
“Been put through torture.” Ali muttered. Christina punched her arm lightly.
“We went dress shopping.” She answered. James looked at Ali surprised. She mouthed the word ‘torture’. James couldn’t help but laugh. Christina looked at Ali who shrugged innocently. “Anyway, what were Moony and Padfoot arguing about just now?”
“Something about dates for the Yule Ball.” James said. Castiel laughed.
“Honestly they think that there’s still people who don’t have dates.” She giggled. Ali and Christina blinked at her. Castiel stopped laughing. “Oh, right, sorry.” She blushed embarrassed.
“S’alright; I won’t be staying long enough to need a date.” Ali said proudly. Christina giggled and rolled her eyes. “Christy, I’ll take our stuff up to the room while you try to make sense of why Moony and Padfoot are fighting. James, if you’d be so kind as to explain why they were fighting to Christy, we’d greatly appreciate it.” With that Ali grabbed the things from Christina and walked up the stairs to the girls’ dormitory.
“She’s in a mood.” Castiel noted. James nodded.
“No; she’s just thinking. You know how she is with Moony and Padfoot. Well all of us really, she doesn’t like it when we fight ‘specially if it’s with each other.” Christina half smiled. James nodded; he’d grown up with Ali and Christina in Godric’s Hollow.
“So what did happen?” Christina asked as she sat by the fire. James sighed and began telling her about how this ordeal began.
Since the winter holidays were around the corner, many students would be leaving, but not before the Yule Ball. Many went to Hogsmeade that day, including the six Marauders. Castiel had dragged Ali off toward the dress shop with Cristina close behind yelling at the three boys they’d meet them back at the common room. Christina nodded as she remembered that.
James then proceeded to tell Castiel and Christina how they went shopping at Honeyduke’s, grabbed a few Quidditch supplies and went to the Three Broomsticks. Castiel had been there and was just about to leave when she asked James if he was going with anyone to the Ball. James had told her no and asked her if she’d go with him. Castiel had said yes and skipped off to the castle to go set her dress down.
At that statement Sirius and Remus realized neither had dates. Sirius being the cocky boy that he is, said he could get any girl he wanted to go with him. Remus scoffed at his arrogance and stated he’d just ask either Ali or Christina when he saw one of them; he then promptly left to the castle. Sirius became furious at that and stalked off towards the castle after Remus muttering to himself that neither Silver nor Claws would pick Remus over him.
James, who had to pay for their butterbeers, ran after them nearly knocking Castiel over. After saying sorry he ran after his two best friends with Castiel following him. They had reached the common room which was empty except for Moony and Padfoot. James concluded with when Ali and Christina walked in and Moony and Padfoot walking off in different directions.
“And that’s what happened.” James exhaled and flopped onto the couch. Christina nodded now putting the pieces together.
“So they’re mad because they have no dates and neither wants the other to ask me or Ali. Is that it?” Christina asked James. He nodded. Ali came rushing down the stairs nearly falling in the process.
“Manky stairs; they really need to fix them.” Ali muttered as she dropped next to Christina. The group giggled.
“Maybe you should be more careful Silver.” Castiel laughed.
“Watch it Red. I know where James keeps the exploding toadstools.” Ali warned. Castiel gave her a playful glare but kept quiet. “So what’s the deal with Padfoot and Moony?”
“They don’t have dates for the Ball.” Christina answered.
“That’s it? They’re acting as if Flynn caught the Snitch in the last Qudditch match and Sytherin won the House Cup!” Ali screamed. James winced.
“Merlin Ali, do you need to be so loud?” James asked rubbing his ears. Ali gave him her I-don’t-know-what-you’re-talking-about-Potter look. Christina giggled. Ali and James had done this since they were little in Godric’s Hollow.
“Well they both want to ask one of us to be their date, that’s why they’re so mad Ali.” Christina put in. Ali sat quiet for a moment. Her mind began to form a plan. A plan only fit for a member of the Marauders, or four members. She looked at Christina, James, and Castiel and smiled crookedly.
“I hate when she does that.” Castiel muttered. James and Christina nodded; they could tell whatever Ali was planning involved all of them.
“I have a plan.” She smiled mischievously. “Now come ‘ere.” Ali pulled them all close and whispered her plan.

***
Sirius sat in the library muttering a string of curses just as he heard the huge oak doors bang shut. ‘Must be some first years or something.’ He thought to himself. He let his head hit the table and sighed loudly. Sirius heard the squeak of a chair and looked up slightly. He jumped back at the sight before him. One Ali Kingsley sat before him.
“Did I scare you Black?” Ali smirked. He glared at her and smirked back at her.
“To what do I owe the pleasure Kingsley?” he leaned back in his chair, propping his feet up on the table. Ali sighed and looked at Sirius with pleading eyes. This got his attention; Ali never looked at him like this. He smirked.
“Come back to the common room so you Remus and James, Castiel, Christina, and I can talk about…this, whatever it is.” Ali said. Sirius’ blood began to boil; the only reason she wanted to talk to him was because of Remus.
“Why should I? He’s being a prat!” Sirius yelled at her. He sat back in his chair and looked away.
“Please Sirius.” Ali whispered. ‘Please Sirius’. It didn’t matter that she said please; it was the fact that she said his name that made him consider it. He’d almost given in till he remembered what he would agree to.
“No.” he grunted. He looked away again. He heard her let out a frustrated sigh.
“You’re infuriating Black!” she stomped her foot and got up. He smiled as he thought she’d gone. Little did he know Ali had pulled out her wand and had it pointed at him. “Stupify.” Sirius froze. Ali walked back into view with James and Castiel.
“You had to be stubborn didn’t you Black?” Castiel said sadly. James sighed.
“Come on, we’ve got to get him back to the common room.” Ali sighed as she Castiel and James hauled him up to the common room.

***
Christina walked carefully into the boys’ dormitory. She went into Sirius, James, and Remus’ room.
“Moony? Moony, you in here?” she whispered softly. The curtains were drawn around one bed. Christina carefully pulled the curtain back and peeped inside. Remus was fast asleep; Christina felt bad for waking him, but this problem had to be solved.
Christina gentle shook his arm. Moony mumbled in his sleep. Christina pouted.
“Moony, you need to wake up.” She said. No movement. Sighing she pinched Remus’ nose. He immediately woke up and stared at Christina. “You’re very hard to wake up Moony.”
“What?” he said very confused. She sighed and asked him to follow. He complied and followed her down the stairs just as Ali, Castiel, and James brought in a stupefied Sirius. Unfortunately the spell wore off and Sirius began to flail. He began to spew a string of curses at Castiel and James for helping Ali. Through the corner of his eye Sirius saw Ali about to cast a spell and tackled her to the ground.
“Lemme up! Lemme up!” Ali screeched. Sirius wouldn’t move though. Ali began reaching for her wand but Sirius pinned her arms above her head.
“Don’t think so Kingsley.” Sirius smirked as he pocketed her wand. Ali began to spew curses at Sirius.
“Let her go Padfoot.” Remus yelled at Sirius. Sirius took notice for the first time that Christina and Remus were in the room as well. Sirius looked at Ali and smirked.
“You want her Moony? Come and get her.” Sirius taunted as he stood still holding Ali’s wrists in one hand. Remus smirked, a rare sight at that, and drew his wand.
“Stupify!” he said. Sirius, for the second time that day, froze. Christina exhaled and smiled. Remus walked over to Sirius and smiled. “I’ll take her now.”
“Brilliant Remy, just brilliant. One problem though.” Ali said through gritted teeth. Remus cocked an eyebrow at the statement.
“Moony…Ali’s still stuck in Sirius’ hold.” Christina pointed out. James and Castiel snickered. Remus blushed at his error.
“Can someone please move Sirius to the couch so we can all sit down and talk about this?” Ali almost screamed. James helped Ali to the couch and shoved Sirius down into a sitting position. Ali, with the horrible predicament she was in, was forced to sit in his lap. Christina sat next to Remus and James sat opposite Castiel.
Ten minutes later Sirius was able to move. He looked at Ali and smirked.
“Can’t seem to stay off me can you? Told you Moony!” Sirius sneered.
“Bugger off Black. Be glad I didn’t hex you!” Ali growled. “And give me back my wand!”
Sirius smirked, “Got to find it Kingsley.” He did not just deadpan like that.
“Seriously Black?” She glared at him.
“Why yes I am.” Sirius laughed. Christina smacked him on the back of his head. “OW! What was that for?”
“Give Ali back her wand Sirius!” Christina yelled in his ear. Sirius muttered something about pissy girls, earning a smack from all three girls, and then gave Ali back her wand. The Marauders sat in silence for what seemed like ages before Christina broke the tension.
“Ehem; well before someone starts throwing curses around, and I mean the actual curse not Sirius’ potty mouth, can we please discuss why you two are fighting in the first place?” Christina asked. Sirius and Remus muttered a ‘fine’ before she continued.
“So neither of you’ve got dates, huh?” Ali deadpanned. Both blushed at her boldness.
“Yes…” Remus blushed. Sirius nodded and looked at the fire.
“And you wanted to ask Christina and me, right?” Ali continued. They nodded. “Well ask.” Both looked at Ali.
“Well, um, ok. Would you like-” Remus began.
“Hold it right there Moony! Who died and made you first to choose! I should go first!” Sirius roared.
“And why’s that?” Remus growled.
“Cause I’m a pureblood and you’re a half-blood.” Sirius muttered. All stared in silence. They joked about blood status but this was plain rotten.
“Take it back.” Remus whispered.
“Make me.” Sirius glared. Remus and Sirius began to scream at one another. Ali and Christina couldn’t take it anymore.
“SHUT THE BLOODY HELL UP!” they both roared at the two. Both sat down fuming. Sirius looked at Remus who stared back.
“Kingsley, Wayne, would both of you….” Sirius muttered the rest. Ali and Christina looked up.
“What?” Ali asked. Sirius muttered it again.
“Huh.” Christina asked.
“I SAID WOULD BOTH OF YOU GO TO THE DANCE WITH ME AND MOONY!” Sirius screamed at the top of his lungs. He sat down and put his head in his hands. Ali looked at Christina and nodded. Ali walked up to Sirius and nudged his head. He looked up at her. She smiled at him. He smiled back. Then she hit him.
“OW! What is with you and hitting? How are you a Chaser instead of a Beater?” Sirius moaned.
“One that’s for stealing my wand. Two because I didn’t want to be a damn Beater. And three sure why not.” She smirked. Christina giggled. Sirius mouth gaped open. They had said yes. Sirius began yelling in joy and Moony smiled.
“WAIT!” Christina screamed. Both boys’ faces sagged into frowns. What now?
“We’ve got some conditions. One: you cannot go off to flirt with other girls. Two: you have to be nice, that’s directed at you Black. Three: we’ll dance with both of you. And four: no snogging, again, directed at you Black.” Ali said in a matter-of-fact tone. Remus accepted the terms and Sirius begrudgingly did as well.
“Well now that that’s all said and done I’m going to bed.” Castiel yawned. “Night James, night everyone.” Castiel kissed James’ cheek then waltzed up the stairs to the girls’ dormitory. Everyone turned their head towards James who sighed contently.
“Well?” Christina asked.
“What?” James replied.
“Out with it man! You and Castiel are dating aren’t you?” Ali laughed. James burned crimson muttering an ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’. Ali and Christina began giggling and cackling before retiring to bed.
Once out of earshot all three boys muttered, “What have we gotten ourselves into?”

***
As Remus, James, and Sirius got ready for the Yule Ball they heard screaming and crashing coming from the girls’ dormitory. None of them wanted to go see what was going on in fear they might be hexed.
After a surprisingly loud crash James muttered to the other two, “What’d you suppose is going on over there?” Remus shrugged.
“Don’t know, don’t care, don’t want to know. ‘specially if it involves Kingsley.” Sirius said making a face. Remus chuckled to himself. After the boys had gotten ready they waited in the common room.
“What’s taking so long?” Sirius moaned out of boredom. As if on cue Castiel came walking down the stairs. All three boys stare at Castiel. She was wearing a blue dress with ballet flats and her black hair was slightly curly. She blushed noticing all eyes were on her and walked over to James.
“Christy and Ali will be down soon. Christy’s trying to get Ali to wear some form of makeup that isn’t black.” Castiel whispered. James nodded and sat back down with Castiel. Ten minutes later Christina came down in a lilac dress with three inch heels. Her brown hair was tied back with her wand holding it together.
“Christy you look amazing!” James complimented. Christina blushed and said thank you.
“Yeah you do, even Ms. Half-blood Abbot looks acceptable.” Sirius snorted.
“Oh bugger off Black; she looks better than you any day!” Ali yelled from the bottom of the stairs. Sirius turned his head to give her a snarky retort but that along with most of his ability to speak was snuffed out. Ali, being the tomboy that she was, was never seen in a skirt, much less a dress. She wore a red dress with three inch heels. She wobbled over to the group almost falling in the process.
“ALI!” Castiel cried. “You haven’t even done your hair!” Ali smirked.
“Oh no! Whatever shall we do? Oh wait; this.” Ali was a metamorphomangus, meaning she could change her appearance at will. She quickly ditched her brown messy bed-head curls for clean and posh chocolate curls with the tips dyed a beautiful Gryffindor red. “There; happy?”
Remus, James, and Sirius stared at Ali, mouths fully agape. Christina and Castiel began to giggle at how silly the boys were acting. Sirius’ gaze began to falter from her face as his eyes drifted south.
“Oi! Eyes up here Black if you know what’s good for you.” Ali threatened pointing the tip of her wand under his chin and lifting it so he was eye level with her. “Same thing’ll happen if Christina catches you doing that. Got it?”
Sirius smirked, “Yes your ladyship.” Ali smiled evilly at him before placing her hair in a loose updo with her wand.
“Now then, I think it’d be best if we went on our merry ways down to the Great Hall to get this over with.” Ali continued. She, Christina, and Castiel began walking to the portrait hole.
“Are you boys coming or not?” Christina teased. All three boys scrambled for the portrait hole and after their dates.

***
After walking down the moving staircases they had finally made it to the Great Hall. James held his arm out to Castiel and walked off into some unknown direction barely to be seen for the rest of the night.
Remus looked at Christina and held out his hand which she gladly took. Sirius groaned and looked at Ali.
“How is it that I always seem to get stuck with you?” he muttered.
“Thinking the same thing.” She muttered back to him. He reluctantly held out his arm and led her into the Hall. Ice and snow glittered everywhere and on stage were none other than The Weird Sisters.
Sirius gazed around till he saw Remus, James, Christina, and Castiel sitting in the very back of the room at a table. He half dragged half carried Ali over to them.
“There you all are! Honestly I thought I’d be stuck with Kingsley for the rest of the night!” Sirius joked. Ali glared at him to which he smirked. Just as they all sat down the band began to play Can You Do the Hippogriff.
“James quick!” Castiel shrieked as she led James off to the dance floor.
Sirius smirked. “C’mon Wayne; let’s show those Sytherin how to do the Hippogriff.” He grabbed Christina’s hand and led her to the dance floor. Moony, who had left to grab some punch had discovered the chocolate fountain. He came back to the table with a small cauldron of chocolate and marshmallows only to find a very lonely Ali there. Looking in the direction of her gaze he saw James dancing with Castiel and Sirius attempting to do the Hippogriff while Christina laughed.
He sat next to Ali and nudged her arm. She looked over at him and smiled.
“I thought you’d run off, but it seems you found chocolate instead.” She giggled. He smiled at her comment.
“Want some?” Remus said pushing her the small plate of marshmallows. She giggled and politely declined. She continued to watch her friend dance. She saw Christina teaching Sirius the Hippogriff, since he was failing miserably, and smirked. Looking back over to Remus she saw he had chocolate all over his face. She giggled.
Remus looked at her. “What’s so funny?” he asked.
“Moony you have chocolate all over your face.” Ali cooed. “Hold still a minute.” She picked up a napkin and cleaned his face. Remus blushed.
“Aw Moony~ She’s gone and cleaned your face! That’s a keeper if you ask me.” Sirius joked as he, Christina, James, and Castiel came back to the table. Ali stuck her tongue out at Sirius.
“C’mon Sirius, you promised you’d be nice.” Christina said and playfully punched him in the arm. Sirius rolled his eyes and sat down. Christina did the same. The night went on with food and dancing till there were the last two slow songs of the night. Christina had been dancing with Sirius most of the night and Castiel and James had gone missing. Remus had danced with Christina as well and whilst this happened Sirius stayed as far away from Ali as he could.
After finishing their dance Christina and Sirius started walking back to the table laughing. Remus had gone off to the chocolate fountain for the umpteenth time that evening leaving Ali alone at the table. Sighing Ali thought of how boring this Ball was, that is until a certain blonde haired Slytherin came up to her.
“Ello Kingsley, fancy seeing you here…and in a dress at that.” Damien sneered.
“What do you want pond scum?” Ali roared. Flynn chuckled and sat next to her.
“Seems like you’re in a mood. How about a dance to take your mind off of Wayne and Black?” Damien snickered. Ali reached for her wand but was stopped by Flynn. “Now, now that’s not very nice is it?”
“Get off of me!” Ali yelled just as Moony, Padfoot, and Claws ran up.
“Oi Frog! Let my date go or else!” Sirius roared as he pulled out his wand. Flynn looked at Sirius and laughed.
“Make me Black.” Flynn sneered. Sirius looked over at Moony and Claws and nodded. Christina threw a hex which Flynn deflected meaning he let go of Ali. Remus pulled her away from Flynn. And the four Marauders casted what seemed to be their favorite spell that year.
“Stupify!” they cried. Flynn froze in place. He’d be stuck there for at least forty minutes. Sirius waltzed up to Flynn and glared at him.
“If I ever see you near my girl again, I will hex you till your eyes boil out of your head and your ears twist off. Got it!” Sirius’ voice dripped with venom as he and Moony led the two girls away.
“Ali are you alright?” Moony asked. She nodded and rubbed her arms. “I think it’s time we go to the common room.” Sirius nodded in agreement.
“But Ali hasn’t even danced once tonight and there’s only one song left!” Christina argued.
“It’s fine Christy. I could honestly care less.” Ali muttered crossing  her arms. This stopped Sirius and Remus.
“You haven’t danced at all?” Remus asked bewildered. “But when I danced with Christina I thought you went off to dance with Sirius.” Sirius scratched the back of his neck.
“Actually, I sort of might have walked off.” Sirius muttered and looked off to the side.
“Can none of you hear me? I said it was fine! I’m going to the common room to go see if Prongs and Red are there; at least they can hear me.” Ali stormed off. Christina sighed.
“Well I guess you two are out of your agreement.” Christina smiled and kissed both Remus and Sirius’ cheeks. “Night you two.” With that she left to go off to bed leaving a very surprised and confused Sirius and Remus behind.

Ten minutes later both Remus and Sirius had returned from their showers and walked quietly into the Gryffindor common room. By this hour Castiel and James had gone off to bed. Christina had sat herself in front of the fire and had fallen asleep. Ali was sitting at the window seat and stared out into the night sky.
“You’re still up?” Sirius asked. Ali glared at him and went back to looking out the window. Moony sighed and bid Sirius a good night before climbing up the stairs towards his dormitory. Sirius groaned now he had to bring Claws up to her bedroom without help. Once that was done he sat back down in the common room. He looked at the window and realized Kingsley was still there. He sighed; he was not about to open that wound again.
“I never got to say thank you so…thanks.” Ali whispered. Sirius looked at her.
“What do you mean ‘thank you’? Last time I checked I avoided you all night.” Sirius said. Ali sighed and looked over at him.
“I mean with Flynn…” she muttered.
“Oh.” Was all Sirius could manage. He smiled and walked over to Ali and gave her a hug.
“Wha-what are you doing Black?” she stiffened. He laughed and pulled back.
“I thought it was appropriate that your savior gets some sort of reward.” He smirked. “Now get up.”
“What? No; you’re not kicking me out of my own damn common room.” Ali pouted. Sirius chuckled and lifted her up. “Oi! Put me down! What are you doing now?” Sirius walked her over to the small radio and turned it on.
“Like Christina said you need to dance at least once tonight Kingsley.” Sirius smiled crookedly. Ali blushed.
“You don’t have to…” she muttered quietly. Sirius half smiled.
“C’mon Kingsley, just ‘cause I’m a Black doesn’t mean I’m all bad.” Sirius gave his signature smirk. Ali laughed and began to dance quite awkwardly with Sirius.

On the dormitory landing James, Castiel, Christina, and Remus watched the scene before them. Sirius and Ali were dancing like fools and laughing. James couldn’t help but laugh.
“See Moony, I told you everything would work out ok.” Christina giggled. Remus nodded. Just as they heard Sirius speak.
“So does your savior from that prat of a Slytherin get an extra prize since he danced with you?” Sirius smirked down at Ali. She looked at him puzzled.
“What are you talking about Black.” She giggled with an eyebrow raised.
“Well…” Sirius leaned in just as James and Remus yelled.
“Carefully Ali! He’s goingin for a snog!” both boys screamed. Sirius looked up at the landing blushing slightly. His two best friends just totally cockblocked him. He glared at them evilly.
“ALRIGHT THEN! You two are so going to get hexed!” Sirius ran up the stairs and into the boys’ dormitory after James and Remus. Ali walked up the stairs to Christina and Castiel.
“Idiots.” Castiel sighed. Ali nodded.
“But, they’re our idiots.” Christina smiled. Ali nodded again. They heard a loud crashing noise and maniacal laughter.
“Let’s pop into bed before McGonagall starts handing out detentions for the noise.” Ali joked as the three girls walked into the girls’ dormitory.
Those boys made their lives so much more exciting.
Oh how they loved being Marauders~