Thank you to those who have reviewed. I'm currently swamped in french coursework, so I need cheering up. Reviews please:P

Last time: "Lily. Lily!!" James touched her arm giving it a small shake. She regained her composure and looked round at him. He looked deep into her eyes, more serious than she'd ever seen him. "We've got to go dance now. Come on" he whispered, his eyes never leaving hers.

She nodded her agreement and stood, taking his hand, and walked head down, to the front of the room. The music was louder now, and she noticed that most people were now stood up, and waiting with partners.

They stopped walking and turned to face each other. He smiled meekly down at her and took her hands. They were small and soft in his, and he couldn't resist rubbing small circles over the back of them.

New music started playing, and they started to dance, silently, smoothly, swapping hands and twirling. It wasn't a slow dance, but neither was it fast, and they glided for a few minutes between the pairs of teachers who had joined the dance floor. Soon, other couples were joining in, and, in all the gloom of the Halloween decorations, laughter ensued, as couples danced wildly, spinning each other faster and quick stepping quicker.

Sophie swept past Lily and James in the arms of a burly looking 7th year, grinning at Lily, but flashing a look of scorn towards James. James hadn't taken any notice; he was still looking down at Lily, whose hair was flicking about as they quick turned about the floor.

The music was happy and upbeat and couples were bouncing around the floor quite merrily. By the end of it, many people had retired to the edges to catch their breath, but James held onto Lily quite tightly, not holding her back of course, but just letting her know he wasn't done with dancing yet.

Suddenly, the candles went out, leaving only the glowing pumpkins high up in the ceiling. The music became slow and creepy; a door somewhere had opened and was letting through a chilling wind.

James instinctively pulled Lily closer to him. She resisted slightly, feeling the warmth of his chest too near for comfort, but he did not let go. His hands slid down her back and around her waist. For a rare moment, Lily was scared, but comfortable, and she didn't bother to snap at James.

Her hands were now hanging uselessly down by her sides. She couldn't deny that his hands were warm, and gave her a feeling of complete security. She risked a look up at him, and found him staring off into the ceiling, the faintest of light glowing off his face.

Feeling a little bit ridiculous with her hands hanging limply, she raised her arms and tentatively put them around his neck. She saw him smile, though he did not look down. Sighing softly, she laid her head on his chest.

The house ghosts were now floating in through the walls and the floor, making smaller students jump and squeal. They cast an ethereal glow where they drifted. James danced about the floor slowly, taking the lead again.

He knew she hadn't wanted to dance with him, but here he was now, with his hands on her sides and her head on his chest. He looked down. He could hardly see her, but when they moved slowly round to the left, he could see her face lit up by the Bloody Baron, who was hovering quite nearby. She had her eyes closed and looked so peaceful. He risked planting a small kiss in her hair, and then leaned his chin lightly on her head.

Upon feeling him shift, Lily became more aware of herself again. She felt him press a kiss on her head, and then lean upon her. She would normally be revolted by this, and would shake him off, but all she could do was smile, and sigh.

Swaying around, they ended up near the edge of the floor by the time the music had completely stopped. She lifted her head up and released his neck, never looking up at him. She smoothed out some non existent creases in her dress, and he looked down at his hands. They both felt the chill in the air now, and Lily couldn't help but shiver.

The music started again and everybody started dancing. The silence between them broke as James offered to go get them a couple of drinks. She nodded, still looking at the ground, and he swept off to the end of the hall.

Sophie found Lily not two minutes later, still staring at the floor.

"Hey Lils! Glad that's over I bet" Sophie laughed at herself, and Lily looked up at her friend, a smile gracing her features.

"Yeah. Oh it's so cold in here. Who were you dancing with anyway?" Lily chattered, and Sophie raised an eyebrow at her.

"What?!" Lily said with a grin, crossing her arms over her chest. Sophie let the question rest, and began telling her about Sam, the burly looking 7th year. "Oh he's such a gentleman, and he's so funny, I can't believe I didn't talk to him before-"

"Not talking about Potter I presume" a cold voice said from behind. They both turned to find Severus Snape looking down at them. "Severus" said Lily curtly. He bowed his head down at her, reaching out to take her hand. "May I have this dance Lily?" she caught her breath for a moment, looking around at Sophie for help, but Severus was already leading her to the dance floor. Lily sent a grimace towards Sophie who was shrugging her shoulders and looking quite surprised.

Although Lily had never really fought with or disliked Snape, she had never liked him either. They both shared the same opinion towards Potter, but she didn't really count Snape as a friend, he was just…there. While all this had been running through her buzzing mind, he had got her to the floor, and was about to take her waist.

She cringed outwardly, and though he noticed, he carried on anyway. His arms, like serpents of his own house, snaked around her middle. She could do nothing but put her hands on his forearms, and start to dance. He took her twisting about the floor, faster and more daring every time. After about five minutes, Lily looked up and him, quite breathless.

"Sorry --- Severus, I really don't --- feel good at the moment. Could we go sit down?" Lily looked up at him with pleading eyes. Although she didn't feel too bad, she was now very breathless and getting very hot. The drink James had gone to get would be welcome right now; she needed something in her stomach before she really did end up ill.

Snape released her begrudgingly and she walked-very slowly, back to where Sophie had been. Sophie was tangled in the arms of that 'Sam' guy again, but turned around when she felt Lily tap her shoulder. Seeing the look in her best friend's eyes, Sophie excused herself from Sam and his friends, and took Lily's arm. "Lily you ok? You don't look so good."

Lily laughed lightly, "Gee, thanks Soph! I'm just a little hot now, and I haven't eaten much all day-have you seen James around?"

"James?"

"Potter. He went to get drinks. I could really do with something; I can feel a headache coming on." And not for the first time that evening, Sophie gave Lily an odd look, and just shook her head. "I'd guess he's with Sirius most likely. You sure you're ok?"

Lily nodded and linked her arm with Sophie's. "Come on. Lets get you back to lover boy" Sophie gave her a soft slap on her arm, but laughed along with her.