A/N : Bar Sahsa and Evanglenie none of this stuff belongs to me. It belongs to JK Rowling and it merely borrowed. Thank you to my revieweeerrss you guys rock. And thankyou to daaaarling Anna, by beta, editor and support system all in one. Without her this chapeter would make very little sense. This is the first part of the ball, there will be a second really soon, because I'm enjoying writing this alot.

The room was empty, except for the two people intertwined in the centre. They were silhouetted against the slowly dying fire, which was showing its last embers. Though the girl had dripping mascara from tears cried earlier in the evening, and her hairdo was coming loose, she smiled still, so happy to be in the boys arms. He hugged her tight, his hands exploring the curves of her hips and back. Finally their eyes locked, brown and green. James and Lily.

Lily opened her eyes and sat up. What on earth was that? Her eyes widened at the memory of the dream and she blushed. "Shiiit..." she breathed, and stuffed her feet into the slippers by her bed. She leant over to the calendar hung by the door and crossed off the previous day. Then, reading the loopy writing in the next small box she got butterflies in her stomach. For today was the 22nd of December, the day of the Christmas Ball. She ambled to the bathroom and splashed some water onto her face. She peered out the window and yelped as she realised what time it must be. She patted her face dry and went to wake the others.

They woke quickly and after changing, hurried down to the great hall to meet the boys. The room was buzzing, and many people were crossing over the hall to chat to friends at other houses. The girls were sat at one end of the table, preferring not to be involved with the boys, who were currently staging an indoor snowball fight. Lily was just about to take a bite out of the croissant she had prepared but was interrupted by a light tap on her shoulder. She turned around to find Professor McGonagall right behind her. Even strangled was that a (slightly damp) James was hovering behind their teacher, giving her back black looks.

"Yes, Professor?"

"Come with me Evans, I have something to tell you." The teacher turned on her heel and walked briskly to the back of the hall, where fewer people were. Lily rose and followed her, curiously.

"Now Evans, Potter, I'm sorry I haven't told you this earlier, but we have only decided to implement this tradition this year, as is the wish of Professor Dumbledore." Her nose wrinkled slightly. It was common knowledge that Dumbledore, the new headmaster was, eccentric to say the least – and one for new traditions.

"What tradition?" James sounded moody; he was not a morning person. His hair stuck out all over the place, which gave him an appealing dishevelled look in Lily's eyes.

"Well, to signal unity between the Head students, they must have the final dance." Her eyes twinkled slightly.

"Dance? To music?" James's mouth was agape.

"Yes, Mr Potter. Dance, to music. You will be the last people on the floor. I hope this doesn't clash with any partners you may have lined up." Her mouth twisted into an approximation of a smile, and shooed them with her hands.

"Now run along, I have a lot to do before tonight." Her tone was once again brisk.

They walked slowly back to the table, a silence stretching between them.

"So, James… Are you looking forward to tonight?"

"Yeah, it should be really fun. You're going with Amos aren't you?" His mouth practically spat out the name.

"I am, yes. Who are you going with?" Lily decided to ignore the jibe.

"I'm going with Catherine Beamson."

"The sixth year?"

"Yeah." His tone was nonchalant, though inside he felt as though he was tearing apart. But I wish it was you.

After returning upstairs the girls spent many hours preparing and preening. Finally, at ten to eight they stepped into their gowns and shoes and headed towards the great hall. Lily was agitated, even the slackest observer could see it. She was twisting a strand of hair, over and over, and walking quick then slow, both reluctant and eager to see how James and her efforts had paid off. She was not disappointed. The great hall glowed with an almost ethereal light, coming from no where and being everywhere. The floor had been magically enchanted to resemble ice, cold and blue. Even the night sky was a deep velvety navy, the same colour as Sasha's dress, and dotted with tiny stars. Many constellations were visible, and as Sirius pointed out to anyone who would look, his star was shining brightest of all. There were tables dotted around the perimeter, and one main long bench which was practically groaning under flagons of pumpkin juice and butterbeer. James was already inside, clutching a glass, and laughing his head off at something Catherine had said. Silly bitch cursed Lily, inside her head. Her eyes locked with James's across the hall and stayed there. Suddenly something blocked her view. She leant over further and further sideways until -

"Oof!" She fell over heavily. She looked up, eager to see if James was watching, but he had turned away.

"For fucks sake…" she whispered angrily, turning her head to glare at the object that had been blocking her.

"Hello Lily! Swooning at the sight of me already?" Amos Diggory was booming, and he hadn't even touched the butterbeer yet. Oh careful, Amos. Some people in Hogs-bloody-Meade mightn't have caught that. Seeing Amos beaming down at her, she quickly changed her frown into a smile and accepted the hand that was pulling her up. A second hand caught her waist and as soon as she was brought up she was pressed backwards, arching her spine, in a contorted sort of tango, one leg flailing wildly somewhere were her elbow should be. She opened her mouth to protest, but her gaping lips were met with his, and suddenly his tongue was cavorting around her teeth and throat and tongue. She shut her eyes tightly, but enjoyed it, in a sort of sick way, feeling like a rebel almost.

He drew back and she suddenly realised why she had agreed to go with him. The boy was perfect. He had high cheekbones, and a chiselled chin. His nose was straight and his blue eyes were deep and lustful. He was the epitome of cool – and many girls were glaring at her as she grabbed his hand. He propped her back upright and she caught sight of James with wide eyes. He noticed she was looking and winked broadly, before snaking his hand around Catherine's hips, pulling her close. "You look gorgeous darling." Amos's voice was husky and Lily's attention was brought back to the boy. "Mmm, and smell it too." He buried his head into her neck, planting kisses onto it.

The dancing commenced almost straight away. Amos grabbed Lily and led her into a brisk waltz, followed by some regular dancing. Dumbledore had managed to hire the Gnashing Goblins – a rock band favoured by a large section of the Hogwarts populace – and previous Hogwarts students themselves. They played a few dancey numbers but then swapped to some ballads, meaning some students could get very close with no one suspecting a thing. Amos pressed himself against Lily, murmuring compliments into her ears. She barely heard him; instead she was concentrating on her feet, and trying to look cooler than she was. However, this was hard as her eyes were drawn like magnets to the boy sitting on the sidelines with messy hair.

Meanwhile

Catherine tugged on James's hand, laughing.

"Come on Jamsey-poo! We should go dance. This is my favourite song. It's 'I Will Follow you Past the Vampires'! You know I love it." She pouted, looking very pretty, but James just kicked his feet against the floor.

"Aw, Cath, we just danced. You're tiring me out!" He looked up; rewarding her with a wink, but his heart wasn't into it. Catherine didn't notice that though. Mollified by the gesture, she perched on the chair next to his and slipped her hand into his.

"So," she breathed "you're really clever…what can you teach me?" She widened her eyes, and smiled. James widened his eyes too, completely taken aback he leapt up, taking the girl with him and pulled her to himself. She flung her arms 'round his neck and started nuzzling him. His eyes weren't fixed on her though; they were looking, scanning the room for another girl, a redhead with green eyes. Ahah, there she is, with that prick Amos. His eyes narrowed, but stayed focused on the pair as they swayed. I don't even get why I care. She obviously likes him better. Amos fucking Diggory. It's not like he cheated on her. He thought, bitterly It's not like we get on really well. It's because it'll 'ruin our fucking friendship'.

"Ouch! You just stepped on my toe James!" Catherine yelped.

"Sorry sweetie it won't happen again." He murmured, reverting his gave to the fiery hair that was on the other side of the room – wincing at her placing kisses along his neck.

I am suffocating slowly Lily decided. Her face was pressed into Amos's neck, but it was sweaty and he was groping her bum, crumpling her dress while we was at it. I don't even get why I'm with him. He's so hot…He cheated on me for God's sake! But he said that he made a mistake… Mmm, he smells like firewhisky. She rose up on tiptoes and planted a small kiss on his neck, sucking the skin gently. He smells like James did in the dream…what?! She mentally slapped herself upside the head Must dance slowly… dance faithfully… dance mindfully…She buried his head into his shoulder and pulled him tighter, pressing her body up against his muscular one.

Suddenly Lily felt a tap on her shoulder and let go. A pouty brunette was smiling fakely. "Do you mind if I have the next dance? Amos did promise." Her voice was saccharine sweet but laced with cyanide. Lily smiled back, as evilly as she could. "Sure, I need a drink anyway." The brunette took control and Lily turned around to see James staring at her, as though at a television. She waved awkwardly and laughed a little.

To be continued…

I hope you liked that! And also, check out Annas story - it's so good. Her user name is tora-sparkles, or she's in my favourite authors. PLEEAASSEE review! I love reviews, it's like the first thing I check for after school. XD