A/N: Here is the next chapter of Blood. Hope you like it. As always, reviews are always welcome -

A woman is a woman and man ain't nothing' but a man

A woman is a woman and man ain't nothing' but a man

One could thing about him

He knows how jive and wail

-Jump, Jive N Wail by Brian Setzer Orchestra-

The great hall was transformed. Not that Lily had expected any less. She knew the Great Hall would be done up, but no matter how many times she imagined it, she never got it right. Still, it was beautiful.

By the time, Lily arrived the ball was in full swing. Which, she didn't mind. She hated arriving to these functions early. When you were late, hardly anyone notices you or your date. And that was fine by Lily. She didn't want to attract attention to herself. Really.

So, when she walked in with Lucius Malfoy no one noticed. Lily couldn't be happier.

Well, no she even is happier if she wasn't with Malfoy. However, that wasn't the case and she stuck with the blond-haired Slytherin.

She always hated going to these things. She also hated blackmail. Since, blackmail got her in this situation in the first place.

However, that would probably explain why Lily was walking besides Malfoy. It would also, explain when he offered his arm she accepted. She was hoping no one would really noticed.

No such luck.

-

James had been waiting for Lily, to come. Well, except when some girl asked him to dance. He would nod and lead the girl onto the dance floor. Sometimes, he watched his friends goof off and lead some girl onto the dance floor, with a smile on his face.

He always thought that no matter what happen, he could handle it. For the most part this was true. However, seeing Lucius Malfoy and Lily together. Was something, he couldn't handle.

So he end up just staring at them in shock.

With his mouth open.

He looks like a goldfish.

-

A couple heads turn their way as they walk in room. Mostly people Lily knew. Most likely, though she was off her rocker. Lily was personally wondering about her sanity as well.

Why was she doing it again?

Oh, yes the blackmail.

Lily made a mental note, to kill all her female friends in the house of Gryffindor.

They didn't deserve to live.

-

When James had pointed Lily's date out to the rest of the marauders. Their reaction had been more or less the same.

Peter had been surprised.

Remus had blinked.

Sirius had whistled.

James shot Sirius a dirty look.

-

Truthfully, Lily thought she was on displayed. It seemed, everyone was looking at her. At least, he wasn't making her sit with the Slytherins. Then again, they weren't sitting with the Gryffindors.

They had their own table. No one else would sit there. Personally, Lily thought Lucius was scaring everyone off. But that was just her opinion.

Every time, there was a slow song, he pulled her out on the dance floor.

The first thing, she noticed was that he was a fine dancer. Not that she was very surprised. She knew that many purebloods went to special functions in the magical world. Dancing was a big thing.

The second thing she noticed was that he put his hands in the proper places. Many the boys she had danced with put their hands in the most awkward places or inapporiate places. But he didn't and she supposed that was a point in his favor. He had one hand rested on her upperback and another was holding her hand.

The third thing she noticed was that he only got up for the slow songs. All the rest of the songs, he sat out those songs.

-

"I can't believe Lily!" James said exparsted. "I mean, what was she thinking?" James continued.

"She wasn't?" Peter offered.

James gave him a glare.

"I really don't think, it's such a big deal James." Remus replied.

James rolled his eyes.

"Of course, you wouldn't think so Moony." James retorted.

Remus just rolled his eyes; James could be so stubborn at times.

-

There were lots of slow dances. There always were at these Christmas balls. Lots of couples attended these things. After all, the dances were good for socializing. Meeting people and making out the bushes with your partner. She had never done the last one and she wasn't about to start.

Lucius had gone to get them some drinks, leaving Lily to entertain herself. Lily sighs, might as well and faces the music.

She would have to talk with the marauders.

She didn't bother telling Lucius. He could find her later.

-

"Sirius agrees with me." James replied haughty tone.

Silence greeted him.

James blinked and looked around.

"Sirius?" He said.

Remus shrugged.

Peter pointed to a pretty blond Hufflepuff who Sirius was flirting with.

James and Remus turned to where Peter pointed.

Remus narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms in a huff.

James smirked.

-

Lily saw Sirius and shook her head, some things never changed. She glanced over to where the rest of the marauders. Remus looked absolute livid. Sirius was in so much trouble. She couldn't help but giggle at his misfortune.

"Hey Lily."

"Hey Peter."

"Dance with anyone?" Lily asked.

Peter blushed. "A couple." He stuttered out.

Lily gave him a smile.

Peter was about to smile again, when he stopped.

Lily blinked in confusion when he ran off with a muttered goodbye. Peter wasn't scared off easily. That meant only one person it could be. She turned to her date behind her.

"Hello Lucius." She greeted.

Lucius tilted his head in greeting.

"What are you doing over here, my little flower?" Lucius asked.

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Talking with my friends." Lily replied. "And don't call me that." She added sharply.

Lucius smirked in replied.

Lily glared in return.

Lucius titled his head slightly, when another slow song started.

"Would you like to dance?" Lucius asked as he offered his arm.

"I don't want to dance. I feel like going for a walk." Lily replied and turned on her heel and left.

-

Lily was enjoying her walk for a full five minutes before Lucius caught up with her. Of course that ruin the purpose of taking the walk. Since, she wanted to get away from him.

"Can't you just harass someone else." Lily snapped before walking off again. There was nothing like the direct approach.

It seemed that everytime Lily ran off, that Lucius caught up with her again in a short amount of time. For the first time in her life, Lily cursed her height. It sucked being 5'3.

Besides, he kept looking at her. Since, she couldn't get rid of him she was doing the next best thing. Ignoring him. Which would be easy, if he wasn't looking at her.

She suddenly stopped, when he had his hand offered to her. She looked up at him, in confusion.

"What?" She asked.

"Let's dance." He replied.

"There's no music." Lily pointed out.

"Does it matter?" Lucius smoothly replied.

Lily blinked at him in surprise. There was no way he could have no. No one knew. She hadn't even told James or even her mother. That she always wanted to dance under the stars.

So she accepted his arm and they danced. They ended up kicking their shoes off at one point. Lily couldn't recall when. The dances flow one into another. Until Lily lost count. Not that she minded.

She had been lured into the perfect fantasy, when it tumbled to the ground in pieces.

"Stay with me and be mine."

Lily stopped dancing immediately. She looked at him and blinked. She tore away from him and stare at him. Before she ran off.