It's tough trying to enter the real world. I much prefer Lily and James and love stories that I have full control over. But I suppose if my characters have to grow up, so I do. At some point, anyway.

Just as a quick note...I go between Lily's POV and James' POV quite a bit this chapter. It should be clear, but just in case - Lily's POV is in the first person and James' is in the third. Some days I found the back and forth to be annoying; other days I quite liked it, so I'm curious to know your thoughts, especially as it's already in the next chapter. Though I don't think you guys will mind it then. ;)

//edit// I didn't realize when I uploaded the chapter originally that the track changes feature I use was showing up...sorry to all those who read it with the mistakes in! I switched in to the right chapter.

Chapter 7: White Lies and Perfect Dances

The week had passed by in an infuriating combination of ultra speed and torturously slow time. Sleep became a foreign concept as every free moment I had that wasn't being spent on studying for exams or writing essays was used to finish preparations for the dance. The band that we had hired weeks in advance was giving us immense trouble, causing me to spend many a night huddled in Professor McGonagall's office, communicating via fireplace and all but begging that they honor the terms of their agreement while she looked on disapprovingly.

Then some of the Prefects began complaining once again that it was such a shame to end the night at eleven, and so James and I were forced to convince Dumbledore to extend the curfew until midnight. Of course, then we also had to spend an entire evening two nights ago decorating the Great Hall itself, after which Peeves decided it would be a jolly good time to replace all the decorations with stink pellets, whizzing worms, and dungbombs. I'd had to stay late again, this time with a much smaller group, one that was missing James as he informed me that McGonagall had given him a detention. My eyebrows furrowed in thought as I recalled the strange and hectic night.

A wave of black robes ran past my position on the couch in flurry, stuffing what seemed to be parchment and shiny silver material into a large bag.

"Bye, Lily, gotta go – don't wait up!"

He was halfway out the portrait hole while he yelled in my general direction so I scrambled to my feet. "Wait! Where are you going? We have to meet the prefects and fix what Peeves did. We're supposed to be there in ten minutes."

"Oh bloody buggering hell!" he cursed in rapid succession. "I can't, I'm so sorry, but I've got a detention with McGonagall and I'm already late and I can't leave th- err, her waiting. I have to go, I'm sorry!" He was out of the portrait hole before I could stop him. "I'll make it up to you, promise!" Then he was out again, practically flying away, black robes billowing out behind him…

And that wasn't the strangest part. True, it was a lot more stressful, not having an extra pair of hands when they were so desperately needed, especially ones that were as capable as James'. But, I reasoned with myself, if Professor McGonagall had given him a detention, there was nothing I could do about it.

Until Professor McGonagall had come into the Great Hall.

One second Charles was telling me how nice the full moon looked against the night sky as I cursed the head of my house for keeping our Head Boy so detained, and the next she was walking in calmly to assess our work.

"Miss Evans, the icicles on the right could use some more shine."

"Sorry," I said breezily, "but we've been transfiguring them from the glasses and James is really the best with transfiguration." Hint hint, please let him down to help because we're drowning here.

She pursed her lips and took out her wand, adjusting the shine so the icicles very nearly glittered every which way looked at them. "Where is our Head Boy this evening? I know this was not a mandatory meeting but I had rather thought he would be here anyway."

I left Charles to adjust the height of the candles and quickly followed Professor McGonagall as she surveyed the rest of the hall.

"Err, I beg your pardon, but doesn't he have a detention with you?"

"With me? Heavens no. Whatever foolishness had landed him in trouble, for once, has not been on my watch."

"But he said –"

"I assure you, Miss Evans, I did not give him any sort of detention. Perhaps he said it was another teacher and you misunderstood him."

I nodded, flushed and embarrassed. I didn't push the matter but I knew I hadn't misheard. Which meant only one thing.

James was lying to me.

White lies aside, managed well without James in the end, even though Charles and I had to stay until well after everyone else left. It was hours before we cast the final concealment and protection charms on the hall, taking no chances with Peeves again. When I had finally made it back to my room, James still hadn't returned and though I was determined to stay awake and interrogate him, my exhaustion prevented it from actually happening. I slept as late as possible the next day and didn't hear him when he came back in. When I eventually did wake up, he was already passed out on his bed (not that I checked), clothes still on from the night before, looking messy and rumbled and even a little dirty. Much as I wanted to know what he'd been up to, I couldn't bring myself to disturb his sleep. Plus, I didn't want to be caught creeping about his room first thing in the morning.

Needless to say, by the time Sophie came over to help me get ready, I was in a state of near insanity over many things andsince schoolwork and ball preparations had kept me from talking to her over the week, I still hadn't told her about the occurrences of last weekend. I tried to gloss over it quickly so I could move on to more pressing issues…such as the fact that Charles would be there any minute, I was still in my dressing gown, my hair was an absolute mess, and every beauty product I owned was in the bathroom where James was currently showering. Sophie was completely unconcerned by that, however, and could only focus on one thing.

"You slept with James? Oh Lily, you are such a scarlet woman!"

I rolled my eyes at Sophie's antics and attempted once again to keep a stubborn lock of hair from escaping what was supposed to be an elegant twist at the nape of my neck. "That's not how I meant and you know it. Now could you please do something productive and help me with my hair?"

"Someone's irritated," she grumbled but nonetheless got off the bed. "Maybe if you stop fussing with it so much your hair will stay put. Why are you so frantic? We still have a good forty minutes."

"Oh no, oh no, oh no…he's going to be here in ten minutes!" I whined. "We agreed to meet early to see if there were any other last minute issues to take care of, and now my stupid hair is going to make us late."

Sophie attempted to tuck the stray piece back and said with a thoughtful expression, "Well actually, if you're late for being early, you'll only be on time…" She trailed off upon seeing my murderous glare. "Or not, okay. Err, why not just use some Sleekeazy's on the hair? It should definitely hold in place."

"I would love to use my bottle of Sleekeazy's," I said loudly while walking towards the bathroom, "except that I keep that item in the bathroom and it would seem that someone is too busy frolicking in the shower and I can't go in to get it!"

I could hear James' laughter even through the running water. "Well, love, you could come right in to get it; I don't mind. Of course I am naked, with my manly bits hanging out and whatnot. So just try not to trample the door down in a mad stampede to get in and see me in all my glory-"

"I have no desire to see your glory. Though how glorious can it be when you yourself referred to it as bits?" I yelled.

"Oy, you wound me. Now you have to come in here and let me prove you wrong. My manhood is very much at stake."

I snorted. "I'm sure your manhood is just fine, James. My hair, however, is not. So could you please just hurry up and get out already?"

"Otherwise," called Sophie, "she'll just have to come in there and de-glorify you!"

"What?" I said, shocked, over James' raucous laughter. "No, no, no I won't. But please, just get –"

"Calm down, Lils," he yelled as I heard the water shut off. "You can take care of your hair emergency soon enough."

I let out a sigh of relief. "Oh thank Merlin."

Sophie frowned from across the room. "Really, you have plenty of time. Stop worrying."

I paced up and down the carpet, biting my lip nervously. "You're right. I'm sorry I'm being so horrid but I'm nervous. Anything that goes wrong is on my shoulders."

"Now that's just not true," James said as he stuck his head out from the bathroom. He grinned, water dripping from his wet hair. "It'll fall on my shoulders too. And I don't know if you've noticed, but they are fairly broad."

I glared and crossed my arms over my chest. "You're getting the floor wet," I said dryly.

"Aw, Lil, don't be so hacked off with me; I have your hair gunk right here."

I heard Sophie's sharp, almost imperceptible intake of breath when he calmly waked out of the bathroom and into my room, a fluffy white towel tied neatly around his waist. Luckily, I was immune to that image by now and was thereby properly able to focus on my stress.

"I am not hacked off with you. I just have a very limited amount of the time in which to get ready, and my hair is not cooperating with me at all, and I still have to get dressed, and Charles will be here in fifteen minutes and – "

James put his still damp hands on my shoulders and bent his head so it was level to my own. "And you need to remember to breathe and not drive yourself mad. It's a dance…this is supposed to be fun."

I was finding it very hard to think, let alone breathe when his body was so close to mine. I closed my eyes for a second to regroup and then force all my attention on his face instead.

"Err, while you're vocally sedating her," piped up Sophie, "I'm going to pop into the loo," She gave me a pointed look as she went in, which I just as pointedly ignored.

You're immune to this, I thought to myself. This is not the first time you've seen him in a towel nor is this the first time you've been so close to him…although this is the first time you've been so close to him in a towel. Okay, so maybe I wasn't as immune as I thought.

"Really, you need to relax. Your hair looks fine," he paused for a second, then frowned, "well, except for this one piece here." He touched the nasty offender and rolled the strands through his fingers.

"See!" I shrieked, my voice higher than absolutely necessary. "The stupid piece won't stay back and Charles will be here any minute and if you noticed it, then he definitely will."

He laughed and tucked the tendril behind my ear in a very sweet gesture. My hysteria instantly died down when he cupped my cheek and tilted my head up. I gulped when I realized I was staring directly at him.

"I was joking. I only noticed because you've been screeching about it to Sophie. If Charles is any sort of decent bloke he won't give a damn even if he does notice." He paused again and his voice dropped to a near whisper. "Although if he's able to focus on anything other than how utterly incredible you look, well, he's a bloody idiot."

"Thanks," I managed to mumble quietly. "But you have to say that because you're my friend."

"No," he said, shaking his head. "I don't have to say anything. I want to. And it's not because you're my friend and I feel like I should. I'm saying it because it's true and I think you should know it."

I told myself that the fact that James thought I looked incredible shouldn't matter, but the brilliant smile I knew was stretched across my features betrayed me. There was something about the way he said it, simple and straightforward and very matter of fact - and I couldn't help but believe him.

"I should probably get dressed," he mused. "I don't think McGonagall would appreciate my near nakedness at a school function."

She would if she had any idea what it looked like, I thought about saying. Instead I laughed and nodded my head. "Yeah, that's probably a good idea."

"Well alright then, I suppose I'll see you downstairs. Unless you'd like me to stick around and interrogate Charles when he gets here."

I snorted. "Right, I'm sure he'll be very threatened by someone in a fluffy towel."

"You wound my ego, Miss Evans, you truly do. But that's alright; you can make it up to me by saving me a dance tonight."

I pretended to think about it. "I'll see if I can manage that; my dance card is very full."

"Aw, don't you think you'll be able to fit me in?"

"Well I don't know. My list of suitors is very long. What sets you apart?"

"Apart from my dashing good looks, fantastic sense of humor, and keen intelligence, you mean?"

"Don't forget your winning modesty! But yes, what else apart from that?"

He grinned. "Well, love, despite the implications of your earlier jabs, I have quite an enormous –"

"Okay!" I said nervously. "If you promise not to finish that sentence, I'll save you a dance."

James smiled from the doorway. "See, that's what sets me apart. I always know the right thing to say." He winked before leaving.

Approximately three seconds later the door to the bathroom burst open and Sophie huffed out. "Well it's about time!"

"What?"

"I didn't realize I'd have to be in there so long. You and James have got to cut your conversations shorter."

"Did you really just leave the room so James and I would be alone?"

"Err…of course."

I laughed and uncapped the tube of Sleekeazy's. "Sophie, you're insane."

"Yes, and you're welcome. You should be more appreciative. That bathroom was very steamy…although I'm sure not as steamy as it was in here."

I laughed as I began the battle with my hair again and tried not to over think Sophie's statement or the reason why my heart was pounding so much, or why I could still feel James' hand on my face. I especially tried not to over think my sudden urge to go to the dance with James, to be his date, to dance and twirl around as he held me, to smile at him, to hold his hand, to –

"Anyway, I should probably go. Still have to finish getting ready myself. Are you going to be okay without me?" Sophie continued, not missing a beat.

"Oh, yeah, I'll be fine," I answered quickly, coming out of my reverie. "Thanks for all your help. I'll see you down there."

"Bye, Lily." She gave me a quick hug before walking out the door. "Honestly, you don't have anything to worry about. You look great. James won't be able to keep his eyes off you."

"You mean Charles."

She smiled at me from the doorway. "No. I mean James."

"What do you mean they're already here and setting up?" I asked Professor McGonagall with what had to be a very confused look on my face. When I had entered the Great Hall with Charles ten minutes earlier, I expected to find everything in a state of disorder, especially considering the band that had been hired. Imagine my surprise to discover that not only were they a good thirty minutes early, but their equipment was being set up and the sound check was already in progress. Where were the volatile rockers I had painstakingly spoken to during the previous weeks?

"I mean just that, Miss Evans," Professor McGonagall replied.

"But that's impossible. They told me they couldn't be here until six at the very earliest!"

"Well apparently they had a change of plans."

"That's good news for us," said Charles, one hand resting lightly on my back. "It's one less thing to worry about."

"No, I understand that it's good news," I explained. "I'm just a little confused. Everything is going correctly and ahead of schedule."

"Do not worry, Miss Evans," said Professor McGonagall with a slight hint of a smile on her face. "I'm sure plenty will go wrong, if you so desire. Now, I suggest you oversee the band's set up before they wreak havoc on our school. Enjoy your night."

I begrudgingly let Charles take my hand and lead me over to the assembled platform that took the usual place of the Head table. I didn't want to deal with the band at all, but clearly I had no choice.

"Oy, Lily," said Tommo, the main singer I had dealt with the most. "Blimey, you look different when you're not just a hanging head out of a fireplace."

"Err, yeah, you too. You're here…early."

"Oh, right. We spoke to a bloke who convinced us the merits of getting here before the dance started. Course, we were three shits to the wind, and I could barely remember his face or his name, but he was very persuasive. You must be him!" he said, looking at Charles.

I stared at him in wonder at my date and pretended not to have heard the mentions of drinking. I was feeling too impressed with Charles. Had he tamed the most unruly group of boys I had ever dealt with, aside from the Marauders?

"Sorry," he told Tommo easily, "it wasn't me."

"Oh, you're not –"

"James," I breathed as the realization had dawned on me. Who better to deal with troublesome males than the king of troublesome males?

Tommo smiled and nodded his head vigorously. "Yeah that's the name. Said he was Head Boy. I just figured this was him."

"You arse!" called blue haired Mack. "You weren't supposed to tell her. He specifically said that he didn't want anyone to know."

"Well it's not my bloody fault the guy waited until 7 in the morning to discuss it with us."

"He said it should be anonymous!"

"I thought he said his name was Any Mouse!"

"What? That's the stupidest thing I ever heard!"

"It's okay," I interrupted before a fight broke out. "I won't tell him I know."

The two smiled and Tommo patted me on the back. "Cheers, love. Now let us get to this, will ya? Not to be rude, because that was part of the stipulations. That I couldn't be rude, I mean. At least not too much."

I felt a bit dazed. All my fury at James for skiving off and lying to me instantly melted away, even if my confusion as to why he had to do so still remained. But surely I could ignore it, since it seemed he more than made up for it. "Of course, we'll just make the rounds."

I was still in a stupor as Charles steered me towards the table with refreshments. "You should be very proud of yourself, Lily. Everything looks wonderful. You really did a spectacular job."

"Thank you," I told him. "But you, of all people, know how much help I had. Having entire group of prefects at my disposal made it much easier. Not to mention a Head Boy who fixes every little thing that I can't."

"Perhaps, but you stayed here last night decorating after everyone left, organized the entertainment, and managed to convince Dumbledore to extend the curfew, and that was just in one day."

I titled my head to look up to him better. "Yes, and interestingly enough, you were there to help me in nearly each instance."

"Yes, well," he stammered briefly before clearing his throat. I could see the faintest trace of pink across his cheeks. "Let's just say I had ulterior motives for that."

I smiled brilliantly in response, but felt a little too giggly to actually say anything. It wasn't every day a handsome blue eyed boy with a fantastic smile admitted to enjoying my company so much, especially not one whose company I was beginning to enjoy so much myself.

"Maybe I shouldn't have said that," Charles said slowly, misunderstanding my silence. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"No, no," I rushed to explain. "You didn't at all. I've very…pleased to find you feel that way."

His face didn't seem like it could light up any more. "I'm glad…although, I do want to apologize. I hadn't planned on…I didn't want to put you on the spot."

"You didn't. I promise."

"Good. Now before this gets awkward, would you like to make one more sweep of the place, just to triple check that everything is in place?"

He couldn't have been more wonderful if I designed him myself. "That sounds perfect."

"Lia, please, for the love of Merlin, walk a little faster," James called from the staircase. Ever since he had picked her up a few minutes ago, looking extremely pretty in her blue robes, she had been determined to take her damn time walking.

Ophelia crossed her arms and glared. "I walk plenty fast, especially considering that I'm in heels. Maybe you should stop sprinting down the halls."

"I am not sprinting. Am I sprinting?"

"You're sprinting, James. Why are you rushing? We're exactly on time."

He ran his hand through his hair and waited for her to catch up. "I wanted to be there a little early. There might be something going wrong and it should get taken care of before the dance starts."

"Are you telling me you actually care about a school function?" The pure shock in her tone mixed with more than a hint of disgust.

"I could care less about the sodding dance, you know that."

She raised a delicate eyebrow in disbelief. "For a person who doesn't care you're awfully anxious to get there."

"I just have to see that a few things are taken care of. Look, I promised Lily I'd-"

"Ah, there it is. Tonight's all about Lily."

"Er, well, yeah it sort of is," he stated as if realizing it for the first time. "Oh bugger. I'm sorry, Lia. I'm a horrible date. I just wasn't there to help her yesterday and she could have really used my help, so I've been running around since the morning trying to smooth over all the issues. But I don't want her to know I'm doing it so I have to get there and check everything out before she realizes I'm doing it. And I'm still talking about her! I'm sorry. From here on in, it's all about you."

She laughed lightly. "No it's not. Believe me, though, I expected as much. I know you too well. I don't need you to dote on me."

"But, still –"

"Still nothing. We're here as friends. And as friends, I give you full permission to ditch me when you need to so you can chase after Lily. I wasn't even planning on going to the dance at all, so really you're just doing me a favor by giving me an excuse to buy a new dress." She walked up to him, and linked her arm with his, "Now, I believe you said something about getting to the dance early?"

James grinned. "You're fantastic, you know that? My life would be absolute crap without you. It was, actually."

"You'd be just fine. You've got Lily now."

"I don't have her. I mean…you know what I mean."

Ophelia stared at his features, one hand on her hip. "Are you…blushing? Good Lord, you're completely red."

"I am not."

"Oh, Jamie," she said as they walked to the doors of the Great Hall, "You're acting completely besotted."

His face was impassive for a moment before the corner of his mouth lifted. "Hm, I reckon I am."

"Well I have to hand it to you," Ophelia said as they walked in. "Your girl did well."

Indeed she did, James thought, looking around the Hall. The House tables had vanished in lieu of a space designated for a dance floor. Behind it were many small rounded tables, elevated on what appeared to be a bed of snow, but was in fact very sturdy. There were candles hanging above their heads nestled around beds of mistletoe, a touch that James had practically fought McGonagall for. It was snowing outside, creating a lovely effect where it fell outside the windows behind where the Head table typically stood. In its place was a makeshift stage on which the band was setting up. And standing there in front of it, chatting with the lead singer, and playing with her necklace was Lily.

Oh Merlin, she looked…she looked…breathtaking. He was glad Sirius wasn't there to see his face and witness his moment of being such a bloody ponce.

Living with a person enabled you to see their best and worst moments, and James had truly thought by now he had seen both of Lily's, but clearly he was wrong. He had seen her yawning and sleep eyed in the bathroom after just waking up. He had seen her pink cheeked and wind swept standing out on the balcony. He had seen her studying late into the night with her hair held up by pencils. He had seen her impeccably put together in a school uniform during classes. He had seen her in holey old pajamas reading by the fire. He had even seen her earlier that day, getting ready and looking radiant. But he had never, ever, seen her like this.

He had no idea what style her dress robes were, or if they were a deep green or black, or what her hairstyle could be called. He only knew that her robes skimmed her body in a way that was far too appealing for their modest design, that whatever color they were they looked fantastic against her creamy skin, that the way her bright hair was gathered at her neck exposed its elegant slope, that the bright smile on her face made her look –

"You're drooling, Jamie," Ophelia whispered at his side. "You should close your mouth before she notices."

He ran a hand through his hair and turned his back on the distracting image. Offering a lopsided smile as his apology he said, "You're right. No more thinking about Lily for the rest of the night."

"I'll believe that when you do."

Later that night, I stood by the snow mound and looked over the dance, feeling more than a bit proud of myself. The food that had been served for dinner was more delicious than I thought possible, the band had been fantastic and kept everyone dancing, and so far, nothing had gone terribly wrong. Everyone I could see was enjoying themselves, whether they were flinging themselves across the dance floor, chatting at the tables with their friends, or taking a stroll through the heated gardens just outside.

I personally was having the time of my life, and I owed it all to one person: Charles. He was incredibly attentive, a perfect gentlemen, and – I was delighted to discover – a terrific dancer. He whirled me around the dance floor with a practiced and comfortable ease, smiling the entire time. I found it more and more difficult to understand how I had overlooked him in the past because it was becoming increasingly apparent how wonderful he was. By all accounts, he was exactly the kind of person I'd been looking for.

Now, I was quite literally looking for him while I stood in front of the tables at the edge of dance floor. He had gone to get us drinks a while ago, with promises to "be back in a jiffy" and he still hadn't returned. Or maybe it only felt like a while because time seemed to fly when I was with him. I'd been surprised to find that the dance was nearly half over when he suggested we had some refreshments.

The only thing that worried me was that I'd barely seen James all night, save for a few moments where he came into my line of vision. I was disappointed at first since I still wanted to find a way to thank him without letting him know the band had told me about his help. But as the night wore on I thought about him less and less thanks mostly to the very good looking distraction Charles gave me. Where was he?

"Date ditched you, eh?"

I turned around to find James' teasing face looking at my own, pleased that I would have at least some interaction with him tonight. "He's gone to get us drinks."

"What a gentlemen."

"Yes. He is," I said smiling rather wistfully.

James laughed lightly. "So I take it your night is going well."

"It's going wonderfully. What about you? Where's Ophelia?"

He pointed towards the middle of the dance floor. "She threw me over for one of my best mates." Looking in the direction, I suppressed a giggle at the site of her dancing rather enthusiastically with Peter while he shuffled along, his face bright red. "She adores Pete, thinks he's sweet."

"Poor you," I pouted at him.

"Oh," he sighed dramatically. "She has left me weak and brokenhearted and I fear there is little that can pull me back from my black pit of despair."

I didn't think before I spoke next. "What about a dance?"

"Why, Evans," he grinned. "I thought you'd never ask."

Then he tugged on my hand, sending me spinning into his arms. "Watch your toes, love. It's been a while."

Clearly this was a lie. Though he wasn't as graceful or elegant in his motions as Charles, it was obvious he knew what he was doing. His movements were natural and simple as he whirled me around the floor, one hand closed tightly over mine. I felt light and floaty and when James dipped me theatrically in front of Professor Dumbledore I knew I had to be grinning like a fool but I was having too much fun to care.

He gathered me up slowly from the dip and I laughed, bringing my arms around his neck to steady myself I kissed his cheek quickly, overwhelmed by the carefree air.

"Thank you!" I exclaimed.

"For what?"

"Being so good at this! I never would have thought."

"I don't know if I should be offended that you underestimated my dancing abilities or happy that I seem to have made you so extraordinarily giddy."

I looked at him seriously. "You always make me giddy. Honestly, you make me feel like a child sometimes…but in the best way. I guess that's what I'm thanking you for – keeping me level headed and grounded these past few weeks." And for spending your evening convincing a rowdy band to behave. And for acting like you're concerned about something you couldn't care less about. And for looking so damn good in those dress robes. "I know I'm not the easiest person to deal with when I get stressed."

He tilted my chin up with his finger. "That's not true. You're positively barmy all of the time. But I wouldn't have you any other way. Otherwise you wouldn't be my Lily."

I cocked an eyebrow at him. "I'm not your Lily."

His voice was so soft when he spoke I thought I imagined him saying what he did.

"You could be."

And then, without saying another word, he cupped my face so tenderly my heart very nearly stopped as for a brief second I thought he might actually kiss me.

"You're beautiful. I don't think I told you that."

My breath escaped in a big whoosh as I babbled in response. "Um, you said that I looked incredible earlier, but not –"

He shook his head. "I'm not talking about tonight. I mean all of the time."

I knew that I was most likely the darkest shade of red a person could humanly get before they had to be checked over by a doctor. He was still cupping my face. My arms were still around him. Neither of us moved. I probably should have said thank you. I probably should have smiled. I probably should have done anything other than what I actually did, which was stand there like a mute for the second time the night.

The song changed to a slightly slower rhythm that I only noticed when James spoke. Without letting go of my face he said carefully, "Would you like to go find Charles for this one?"

I was surprised I didn't have to think about it.

"No."

Gradually, we began to move. He circled his arms around my waist and drew me closer. I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes, breathing in that scent of his that was becoming all too familiar. The music didn't call for such close proximity but protesting this was the last thing on my mind. In fact, anything logical seemed to be the last on my mind. A logical person would realize that this could hardly look appropriate to anyone who might be watching. A logical person would realize that each of us had come with dates – dates that might not appreciate this moment. A logical person would realize that the pounding of my heat, and the ringing in my head, and that happy, floaty feeling I kept coming back to could not entirely be shoved aside as simple attraction. A logical person would have to admit that there was just too much chemistry for it to ever, really, be that simple. A logical person –

A logical person could go sod off as far as I was concerned. In fact, the only thing I was concerned about was that dancing with James felt, well, nice. It felt too nice. It felt…perfect.

I shuddered lightly at the thought and James' arms wound tighter around me. "Cold?" he asked.

The concern in his voice made we want to melt. "No." Not at all, I thought, not when your hands are doing such delicious things… His palm flattened over the small of my back and I couldn't help but to arch against him in the tiniest bit. No, not cold. Hot. Blazing hot.

He stepped away from me with a groan. "I'm sorry," he said, running a hand through his hair before I had a chance to speak. "You just look so…amazing. It's really hard not to touch you."

The embarrassment I expected to feel at his admission was no where to be found, replaced only by the acute and powerful knowledge that James Potter could hardly keep his hands off me. What's that saying about power corrupting? I'm ashamed to say I was no exception; it went straight to my head. I think I fancied myself to be some sort of seductress in those few minutes.

I took a step closer to him, and even months later, I could never figure out what possessed me to say what I did, except that this new found power mixed with the fact that it was the first thought that came to mind and made me temporarily insane. Besides, I could hardly be judged for my actions; James had an uncanny ability to make me say and do the most ludicrous of things…

So I placed my hands on his shoulders, knowing my body had to be less than a breath away from his own, stood on the tips of my toes, prayed that I wouldn't wobble on my heels and whispered:

"What if I want you to touch me?"

Unfortunately it was only as I said the words that I realized what a mistake it was, hindsight being 20/20 and all. The embarrassment I had so narrowly avoided was back full force as my body remained in a state of semi frozen shock.

James let out a shaky breath. "Merlin, Lily, you sure know how to surprise a bloke."

I didn't know how to respond. I didn't know what to say to explain myself or to even begin to comprehend what had just happened. I only knew I could never ever look at James in the face again. I was spared from having to answer though, luckily (or unluckily, depending on how you looked at it), because Charles had come back with the drinks.

"Sorry it took so long. There was a fantastically long wait."

"I wouldn't drink that if I were you," James said quickly, before I could take the cup Charles offered. "Sirius spiked it."

Charles raised his eyebrows in noticeable disapproval. "And you let him?"

"Have you ever tried to defy Sirius Black? Besides, it's nothing too bad, just some homebrewed truth serum." Though he was answering Charles his eyes never left my face, which made it that much more difficult to look anywhere else. "He didn't put too much in though."

"Still," Charles continued, unaware of the tension, "it could be dangerous."

"I know. I think Lily might have had some."

James continued to look at me while I attempted to melt into the floor. It was clear what he was insinuating, but there was no way he would tell my date about my foolish actions, would he?

Charles seemed instantly concerned. "Why, has she said something she shouldn't?"

They both looked at me expectantly. Charles expression was full of genuine concern, James' of general amusement. I looked between them quickly, heart pounding, unsure how to answer. Did I say something I shouldn't?

"No," I said finally.

Charles, rightfully, looked confused. "Then what –"

"Come on," I said, grabbing his arm, eager to end the conversation. "I love this song."

In truth, I had no idea what was playing, but I was desperate to escape from what could only be described as the most awkward few minutes of my life.

"Oh, Lily?" James called from behind us.

I turned around slowly, dreading whatever he might say. I was surprised to see disappointment flash across his features briefly before a smile broke across. "Thanks for the dance."

I gulped. "Anytime."

I just stared anxiously at his retreating back not even caring now if Charles noticed, but it didn't matter. He already had his hand wrapped around my waist and was gently pulling me away towards the other end of the dance floor, whispering something in my ear.

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked, breaking out of my daze.

He was all smiles, his handsome features soft and devastatingly perfect. "I said that you look incredible."

"Thank you," I told him, wishing I was anywhere but here.

He was gorgeous. Brilliant. Perfect. He was standing in front of me at a school dance wearing the most amazing dress robes, his hair as polished as the rest of him, falling ever so gently into his eyes. It was a scene right out of the fairytales I dreamed about, even if half the students were under the influence of a Sirius Black prank, myself included.

It was pathetic, really, but everyone looked like they were having so much fun and they kept drinking that stupid punch and surely it wouldn't be terrible if I had just a tiny bit before getting rid of it? Because wouldn't it be lovely to just speak my mind and not care, if only for a few hours? And Charles was perfect and attentive, even if he didn't notice my conspicuous consumption before helping me to replace the punch and this night could get perfect, couldn't it?

Yet as he twirled me later across that beautiful dance floor and his eyes twinkled just right and my dress spun and people laughed and I wanted so very badly to feel anything other than what I was feeling, I couldn't help but sneak a look in James' direction, hoping for some reason he'd be looking after us. But he wasn't. He was walking in the opposite direction, a cup in one hand…Ophelia in the other.

I know this is a bit shorter than my other chapters have been as of late. In fact, this chapter and the next were originally one chapter since they both involve the dance. I just felt like it was a little too long when it came time to upload. Rest assured though, if this feels a little incomplete, it is, and the new chapter will be out shortly. That I can promise.

I really appreciate all your kind words, reviews, and emails between chapters. They fuel me to keep going even when I feel like a silly wannabe adult that should really have outgrown this obsession of hers. Then again, I guess you can never outgrow the things you can love, can you?

E.