Hiya,

Thanks so much to my reviewers - big hugs and cookies for all! I know the last chapter was short but I will try to make them longer.

Disclaimer: Once again I have to face the sad fact that, no, I do not own anything that belongs to the Harry Potter books.

Night closed over Hallmark as Lily finished dressing for the introduction ball. Her dress was a light purple and had a silk scarf that had crushed crystals woven into it. The collar was encased in the same crystal-silk. Several diamond jewelry pieces; including a necklace, earrings, bracelets, rings and a few ankle bracelets were donned as Lily positioned a purple sash around her. Once again, this had the Caprice badge.

Meanwhile, Sirius was still searching the hallways for James - desperate to tell him of the things he had witnessed. He ran towards the prince's chambers when a crowd of young men stood in his way.

Peter Pettigrew, his eyes still a horrible shade of red and were still quite puffy, was shorter than the other man next to him. Earl Malfoy had white blonde hair tied back and the two were accompanied by his goons.

"Well well, little Duke - it seems we meet again."

"Get out of my way Malfoy."

Pettigrew sneered, "There's four of us and only one of you. You think we're -"

Malfoy coughed and shot him a glare.

"-you think he's going to just move out the way?"

"Don't talk to me, traitor! I know what you're planning, and pretty soon the crown prince will too. You guys are history!"

"No, we're going to make history! You stupid little boy. Don't you realize what's going to happen?"

"Shut up Malfoy."

Sirius pushed forward, but the goons began to grasp his arms.

"Leaving so soon? Crabbe, Goyle, let's have you introduce yourselves…"

The ball had already started. Remus and James had only just entered and were busying themselves by greeting people near the entrance. The grand staircase leading to the hall was empty now except from one person.

Remus turned to face the staircase, but then quickly looked the other way. He grasped James's arm.

"What…?" James began, but the rest of the words couldn't get off his tongue.

Lily was standing in the middle of the grand staircase. Her hair was curled into soft ringlets but some had been captured in a flowing bun. Her skin seemed to be made of a porcelain material but James knew that it was as soft as silk in reality. Her lashes were donned with only a feathering of mascara and eye shadow complemented her large green eyes.

Her lips seemed plumped by a touch of lipstick and lip gloss and the clothes and jewelry she wore sparkled under a chandelier. The light from it gave her a strange heaven-like look.

James couldn't stop staring.

He wasn't the only one. Everyone turned to look at Lily, and they began to greet the new duchess. She glided down the stairs and James's eyes followed her. Her finally moved towards her, but another Lord got into his way.

Lord Snape was a greasy-haired, hook-nosed git who hated James and his friends. He quietly asked for a dance and Lily nodded 'yes' - no one but James saw the alarm in her eyes.

Remus on the other hand was too busy trying to locate Sirius to be bothered that a childhood friend was dancing with the enemy. James was fuming, but his emotions were lost on Remus's occupied mind.

The night was in full swing and Sirius still hadn't shown up. Lord Pettigrew had entered and, just like the good friends they were, James and Remus asked him how he was and what he had been doing since they last saw each other. The perfect friends.

Earl Malfoy had joined in and, with his friend Lord Snape, had begun to order a drink. No body noticed him much. Lily was dancing with another person. She had been with several partners since her initial dance with Snape - not one of them was James.

Peter made his excuse for the toilet, and Remus told James he would be back later. He was off to find their friend Sirius.

James, however, walked onto the dance floor. As the prince came nearer, Lily's partner smiled at her and kissed both her cheeks before twirling her round. She landed in the arms of the prince and the other young man walked off to dance with another girl.

"I had wondered when you were going to dance with me." James told her as the music became slower.

They moved closer together and James dropped Lily's hands to rest his on her waist. She placed her arms around his shoulders.

"I was just waiting for the right time."

"I suppose this is right?"

"I suppose."

The song ended after a while, but James never let go. Whispers traveled around about the prince and his new duchess but the pair never heard them. They danced until the final song at eleven o'clock.

"It's time to leave." James said quietly.

"It is."

"You'll be off to your own home in a matter of days, did you know?"

"Yes. I knew."

"You may never see me again."

"Maybe I won't."

They stepped closer together. "This might be your last chance."

"It might be."

"Or it could all end the other way."

"It could."

James touched her nose with his. "I could never let go."

'You might not."

"I could keep you safe forever."

"You might."

"I could whisk you off to a castle somewhere and keep you to myself."

"You would never do that."

"Why?"

Lily smiled. "You'd be alone with me all the time. You'd risk falling in love with me."

James held her more tightly. He pressed his lips close to her, almost touching.

"I already have."

And with that he closed the space between their lips.