〖in a black dress, she's such an actress, driving me crazy... 〗

♬𝘬𝘪𝘸𝘪 ~ 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘦𝘴 ♬

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"Behave, please. I'm not having you two ruin this mission because you can't keep your mouths shut, alright?"

Mad-Eye Moody (or rather Alastair) really did have a habit of yapping away in Lily and James' ears when they found themselves on a mission together. This one happened to be a black-tie Ministry gathering, mainly filled with potential death eater targets.

"Whatever, buddy, I can keep a lid on it. Can't say the same for Little Miss Gabshite." James replied into his earpiece with a hiss.

Lily let out a low growl, hoping her own earpiece picked it up.
"Little Miss Nothing. You're proving his point! Put a sock in it, dickhead, and let's spy on some rich murderers!"

"Fine!"

Mad-Eye Moody's voice was much more gruff as it huffed down their ears, "just get the fuck inside!"

The inside of the venue seemed to drip opulence. Every inch from floor to ceiling was covered in something of note; whether that be the marble ballroom floors or the crystal chandeliers, there was nothing in the venue that didn't catch at least one eye at any given time.

Lily entered the double doors a few steps ahead of James, her black evening gown seemed to float over her body, it hovered around her more than she wore it.

"Looking gorgeous, Evans," James muttered into his ear as he followed her in a safe distance behind.

"Were you looking at my arse?"

"No, but that's lovely too."

"Stop looking at my arse!"

"I wasn't until you mentioned it!"

"CHILDREN!" (Moody.)

Just before they split up to take separate corners of the ballroom, she shot him a disgusted look. Then turned her back on him without another word.

"I suppose you're not too bad yourself, Potter."

"I look absolutely devastating and you know it."

"Shut up, I've got rich white men to sleaze."

And the next time James glanced around to lock eyes with her, she was gone. Disappeared into the crowd.

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Whenever James or Lily moved onto another conversation group, Moody would take it upon himself to debrief them on their companion's death eater status, which would have been helpful if they didn't already know.

"Malfoy, this one– Lucius. Youngest son, so rich enough but not a major shareholder in that blood money fortune. Still, he's a right bastard– best not get too close."

"Thanks ever so for the insight, Buddy, however I'm well acquainted with this arsehole already. Being a pureblood has so many wild advantages," James drawled sarcastically as he approached Lucius Malfoy and his cronies. It was moments like these where he was grateful for Lily's glamour charms; his eyes were crystal blue and hair a dirty blonde colour, James imagined he could probably blend in with the Malfoy's if he so desired; however today is alias was Sebastian Burke (actually a cousin of the sacred Burke family that lived abroad and, fortunately, has never met any of the English pureblood society).

"Evening gentlemen," James said with astounding pureblood confidence, "I don't believe we've met? I'm Sebastian. Sebastian Burke."

The elitists smiled at the name 'Burke', they'd eaten up the lie better than he expected they would.
"Ah, Sebastian! How wonderful to meet you, finally! How's life over in... Austria, I believe it is?"

"Albania. And you're Lucius Malfoy, I presume? Or so I've been told." He didn't want to have to correct him, purebloods despise being wrong, but buttering him up with the family name seemed to be working a treat.

"Indeed. And this is my fiancée Narcissa Black, and her father Cygnus Black."

"I see, and I believe it was yourself that organised this... gathering?"

"There's a boy, reel him in. He'll be talking about the real reason behind this meeting in no time."

"Yes, I find having some time with the Ministry elite is very important. Especially these days. So, what is it you did in Albania?"

"Mainly worked for the Law Enforcement. We have a strict tolerance to... muggleborns in Albania." He purposely scathed the word 'mudblood,' covering it up as easily as he could.

"Don't worry yourself, Sebastian. You're among friends. 'Mudblood' is acceptable."

James was rather proud of himself for resisting the flinch that tingled up his spine.
"Indeed."

Cygnus was watching James with a look that made him sweat. He hadn't yet contributed to the conversation and Narcissa was quite happy to let her fiancé carry the small talk for the both of them.

"So, Mr Burke, how are your family?"

"Well enough, sir. I just thought it was time to see my family over here, maybe make some valuable connections." James gave Cygnus a pointed look which he hoped was perceived as a compliment.

"You came up here alone?" The elder Black pressed on.

"Pretty much, sir, why?"

"I'm wondering if you'd be too young for my sisters youngest daughter, Darlene Nott. She's about twenty-three."

James, or rather Sebastian, shook his head.
"Three years my senior, I'm afraid, sir."

"A shame, really."

James did his best not to let his eyebrows crease. He'd never quite understood all the rules about marriage in this sort of Pureblood society, but apparently having a wife senior to yourself was in some way demeaning. Regardless, he wasn't here to chat up bigoted trophy wives, he was here for information. And even if he wasn't, any sort of flirting, with anyone, felt like a betrayal to a girl he wasn't even with. Speaking of... Lily was absolutely no where to be seen. He trusted she was capable of staying safe, but the fact he couldn't see her set him a little on edge.

"Will you quit schmoozing the bastards and ask them about their next raid!" Moody's voice boomed into his ear, bringing him back to reality.

"Looking for something Burke?"

"Not at all. I was checking we weren't being over heard. I'd hate for anyone but you to hear this, but I've been hearing about your little... outings to Muggle establishments and was wondering if my skills gathered from Albania would be on any use to such operations?"

Lucius' eyes flashed with avarice while the doubtful watch of Cygnus Black seemed to bleed into success. Narcissa just held onto her future husband's arm and smiled at the correct intervals.

"I must admit, it would be appreciated. We have an... excursion planned on a week from now, if you'd like to come along?"

"I..." he stammered flippantly, he was only half paying attention because Lily was still missing.

"Sebastian?"

"Say yes, Potter or so help me Merlin!"

"Oh, of course! It would be an honour. When and where?"

Cygnus had just opened his mouth to reply when James felt a pair of hands wrap around his waist from behind. A panic shot up his spine like a firework, but it was only when the mysterious person pressed a kiss to his shoulder blades did he realise it was Lily.

"What the fuck are you doing, Evans? We said no contact between you two!"

"Odette?" James turned to see Lily (with glamoured wine-red hair and grey eyes, but the same freckles he wouldn't dare tell her were beautiful). She smiled at him with a sickly sweetness she'd never used before, especially not in his company.

Narcissa did not look impressed by Lily's display of affection as she watched her move around James to settle under his arm.
"And this is?" She asked, disapprovingly.

"This is Odette Carrow, youngest daughter of the French extension to the Carrow family."
James glanced down at her, hoping the rage in his eyes was not evident. She'd just ruined a huge lead for him and abandoned their plan.

"I'm his fiancée," Odette added with a smug smile which James couldn't tell was part of her ruse or not.

"Yes," he agreed quickly, smiling wider to mask his rage while the hand he's rested on Lily's hip pinched the skin he found there as hard as he could. "My fiancée."

Cygnus nodded, "how charming. I apologise for offering my niece to you, clearly you're already taken. Why you didn't say sooner is beyond me."

Lily and James continued to smile while a voice in their ear snarled, "wrap this shit up and talk to someone else. And be all couple-y about it since Evans can't seem to keep her bloody hands off the fucking undercover team!"

"Well you know how it is, sir. I didn't want to be rude."

"Hardly."

"Don't let me distract you boys from whatever you were talking about. Champagne bubbles go to my head far too quickly!" Lily giggled girlishly, toying with her blood-red hair and leaning into James (without missing the opportunity to pull his hair as she ran her fingers through it to show she was equally as pissed at him, for reasons unbeknownst).

Lucius offered Odette a tight smile.
"Yes, as I say. I'll send you a letter with the details, if you like. I trust your fiancée would like to be involved?"

The Malfoy was still addressing Sebastian so when Lily opened her mouth to speak, James pinched her hip again.
"Oh yes, we would both be delighted. Wouldn't we, darling?"

"You'll have to tell me all about it, soon, my love," (she dug her nails into his back as she spoke) "I've spent far too long talking with the Yaxley brothers and drinking more than I ought with Darlene Nott –really a charming girl."

Sebastian smiled down to the woman next to him, blonde hair falling in front of his face.
"Yes, yes, I shall. But now let's get you home. Champagne never agrees with you, darling."

Cygnus and Lucius were clearly uncomfortable with such a vivacious, expressive, and utterly charming woman. The next time they went undercover, James would have to school her on acting like a pureblood woman. Demure and obedient (the thought alone made him nearly laugh out loud but it had to be done).

"That seems best. Hopefully we shall see more of you two, what a fetching couple you both make."

Odette grinned and wrapped her arms around Sebastian's middle, showcasing a staggeringly large, emerald engagement ring.

"Where the bloody hell did you get that, Evans?!"

"Well, we'll be seeing you, gentleman," Sebastian nodded to them, shaking Lucius and Cygnus' hands in turn.
"And Narcissa," he kissed hers as reverently as he could manage before placing a hand on Odette's back and guiding her away from the gathering, back into the mingling crowd.

As soon as they were out of earshot James rounded on her, bracing his hands on both her arms.
"What the bloody fucking hell do you think you're doing?! You could have blown our cover! We need to keep up appearances now, and it also means if one of us is blown then we both go down! You've just increased our chances of fucking dying!" He hissed his words out the corner of his mouth, keeping a surprising amount of composure given the venom his words were carrying. "I swear to Merlin above and all his magical friends, if you don't have an incredibly fucking stellar explanation for that, I'm going to kill you, if Moody doesn't first."

Lily folded her arms across her chest, raising an eyebrow which was darker than her usual fiery red.
"Are you done?"

James nodded, flicking the irritating blonde locks out his eyes as he did so. Say what you wish about his normal hair, at least the curls wouldn't infiltrate his eyes so much.

"Good. Because if you'd given me half a second to explain then you would know I was talking to the Yaxley's and Charles seemed to be overly keen on Odette, which was wonderful, seen as we find ourselves in such scintillating company, renowned for their feminism. So –in true pureblood style– the only way I was going to get him off me was to seek refuge in a man, and you, Sebastian, happened to be the closest thing to one I could find at such short notice so I told him I was promised to you."

When James did not offer her an immediate response, she continued.
"As for this ring," she flashed it in front of him, "I nicked it from Darlene Nott, duplicated it, and slipped it back in her bag. She didn't even notice. Now can we carry on with this bloody mission or are you too wounded by my genius to pretend you're in love with me for another few hours?"

James could only look at her for a very significant amount of time, apparently shocked into silence. It took him a whole minute to catch himself, and he caught a small coughing fit before offering her his arm.

"Why didn't you just say?"

"Were you even fucking listening to me, Sebastian?"

"Don't swear so loudly, you're a pureblood lady," he nudged her gently as they continued on their stroll around the function room.
"You definitely need more lessons on decorum before we go to another one of these. We'll play off your performance today on the champagne, but after that you'll be as skilfully doleful as poor Narcissa."

"Just what I was thinking, Potter."

Lily rolled her eyes, "I hate this. Also what makes you say we'll be out here again? This was supposed to be a one time thing?"

James couldn't help but smirk, "oh but darling, you meant so much more to me!"

"Shut up, you insufferable thing and answer the question."

"Fine. But for the record, we've made a name for ourselves. We can't show up once and not come back. This'll be a thing now. We might even need to get married."

"Oh merlin help me," Lily sighed, gripping onto his arm like she might faint.

"Now now darling, let's go and charm some blood supremacists."

"I bloody knew this would happen. I'm never listening to Lupin again." Moody's gruff voice muttered down their ears.

"How so, Buddy? What'd Lupin say?"

"He recommended you two take this mission. I knew he must have had an ulterior motive. Now I see it. The blighter was playing matchmaker."

Lily laughed, playing it off as something her fiancé had said, tossing her wine-red curls behind her head.
"Was he now?"

"And now he's stuck me here, watching the two of you flirt like teenagers. I'm going to kill him."

James grinned, inspecting the ring on Odette's finger and doing his best not to laugh.
"Form a queue, Buddy, form a queue."

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I only realised in the edit that there are parts of this that seem extremely sexual. that wasn't the intention. whoops...