Sorry it took so long! I had to move and couldn't even get to the computer. I was literally dying. On that note, here it is! Please review if you read, lovelies! You have no idea how happy it would make me! Or sad if it is a flaming...

Disclaimer: For I am not J.K. Rowling and therefore do not own one single speck of Harry Potter. It's sad, really.

Harry

By the time I reach my dorm, I am frustrated as all hell. Both physically and mentally. I am bloody disgusted at myself. I just got turned on by my best friend for Merlin's sake! She didn't even mean to, either. She was just being her normal self. I am a freaking mess. I storm into my room and throw myself face-down on my bed.

"Where have you been, mate? Frolicking 'round with our dear Layla Ann I presume?" Dean calls.

"Shut it, Thomas. I'm not in the mood." I reply, my response muffled by my pillow.

"What's got your knickers in a twist?" Seamus joins in.

"Nothing." I mutter. I sit up and head over to my trunk to unpack.

"Or shall I ask who's got your knickers in a twist?" Dean persists with an annoying smirk on his face.

"No one." I use my wand to put away my clothes in the dresser. I exchange my robes for a pair of flannel pajama pants, not bothering with a shirt.

"So where were you?" Ron asks.

"I just went to take the First Years to their dorms and then I hung out with Lay for a bit." I admit, just to get them off my back.

"So I was right then? You were frolicking 'round with Layla!" Dean exclaims with triumph. "Though I can't really blame you. I mean have you seen her?" he asks the others.

"Yes, she is looking quite shaggable this year." Seamus agrees. I narrow my eyes at him.

"Say it again and I will hex you into next week." I threaten. Seamus puts his hands up, as if blocking a hit.

"Hey, it's the truth. If you get that wound up over that, you should hear what the other blokes are saying!" he says.

"And what exactly are they saying?" I snarl, but I think I have an idea.

"They are just saying loads of rubbish." Neville assures me. I sigh in defeat. I am way too tired to get angry anyway.

"I mean, you have to admit that she is pretty fit." Dean comments. I don't respond, even though it is true. I lay back on my bed, going over the day's events until I reach the most recent. I don't even think Layla knew. She can be pretty oblivious at times and I hope this is one of those times. I love her like a sister, nothing more. I reacted the way I would react to any other girl. Yeah, that's right. It's no big deal. She is my best friend and I will just forget about it. Eventually. The more I think about it, the more I realize it's nothing. I pull the blankets over me and happily go to sleep, feeling at ease.

Layla

"Layla, wake up! Layla! LAYLA!" Hermione shouts. I jump in surprise and fall right off my bed.

"I'm up! I'm up!" I mutter from the my place on the floor. Hermione is laughing and I scowl at her as I get up. I wipe the sleep out of my eyes and head to the bathroom. Wait, no one is in here. Usually they are already fussing over their makeup and going bat-shit crazy about how terrible their hair looks. I walk back to the room. Lavender and the twins are still in bed. Well this is strange. I check the time and see it is bloody 6:00 in the morning! I usually wake up at 6:45 and have plenty of time to get breakfast.

Damn Hermione and her early riser ways, I think as I shuffle to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I take a shower and manage to get all the knots out my hair. I dry off with a towel and run curling gel through my already wild hair. I head back to the room and pull my baby blue bra and underwear on. Then, I rummage through my drawers, trying to find something wear.

"Mione, what time is it?" I ask and turn around to find Hermione staring at me. Oh Merlin, what is it now?

"What?" I whine.

"What's on your back?" she walks toward me. Oh, right. I forgot about that.

"A tattoo?" I answer, trying to sound bored, but it comes out as a question. She cocks an eyebrow.

"Turn around. I wanna see." I follow her order and I can feel her eyes on my back.

"Il n'est rien de réel que le rêve et l'amour." Hermione reads aloud in a perfect French accent. I turn back around to look at her.

"Nothing is real but dreams and love." I clarify, but she seems to already know what it means. Of course Mione knows French! This is Mione we are talking about, after all.

The reason I know the quote is because my mum says it all the time. She was born and raised in France with my grandparents. My grandparents are Muggles, but my mum is a witch. I think it skipped a generation or something. She has drilled French into my brain since the age of six. I don't use it all the time, but a few people know I speak fluent French. I can always relate to Hermione because she is Muggleborn. Along with Harry, I can talk to her about Muggle things, like television, and not get weird looks.

"Anna de Noailles." Hermione says, admiration in her voice. "Very nice. When did you get it?"

"I got it in Paris when I visited my grandparents this summer, but it's hush-hush business." I inform her, placing my index finger over my lips. She smirks.

"So your mum and dad don't know you got it?"

"Um, that's a negative. They would go absolutely bonkers if they found out." I tell her and this is beyond true. My mum said if she ever sees any ink on my body, she will personally scrub my skin raw until it disappears. Her words exactly, no joke. The reason I got the tattoo was because the saying is beautiful, especially in French. I never want to forget it and now I won't because I get to carry it with me forever. The cursive scrawl is under my right shoulder-blade, making it easier to hide.

"And what if they do find out?" Hermione asks.

"Then tell Harry and Ron I love them and they can have my Chudley Cannons posters." I say, seriously. A smile twitches at the corners of her mouth.

"What about me?" Mione pouts.

"Hm." I ponder, tapping my chin. "To you, Hermione, I leave my Hogwarts: An Uncovered Mystery book." She snorts in a very unladylike manner.

"Merlin knows I have read that book at least ten times. Besides, it's complete and utter rubbish!" Hermione exclaims.

"No it's not! It is very interesting and much more captivating than your beloved Hogwarts: A History!" I counter playfully.

"Hogwarts: A History is composed of relevant facts, unlike that 'uncovered mystery' bullshit!" Hermione says, her fingers curling into quotations. I laugh.

"Agree to disagree." I answer lightly. "Besides, I need to get dressed. We both know how the boys can get when they are hungry." I return to my hunt for an outfit.

"Yes indeed." I hear Hermione mutter. I chuckle as I settle on skinny jeans, a white button down, and a maroon cardigan. I go back to the bathroom and swipe some mascara and lip gloss on. I hear Lavender complaining about her horrendous blackheads. I honestly don't understand how someone could carry on a conversation with her. Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard. I can't even fathom how Ron went out with her, let alone snogged her. She still throws herself at him and every other guy in the school, the bint. I pad back into the room and pull on my brown, leather saddle boots. Hermione comes in and sighs, already finished.

"Come on, Lay! I'm hungry!" she moans. I roll my eyes and pull on my robes.

"Oh please! You won't starve. Besides, we are way early! I can't believe you woke me up at bloody 6:00." I grumble, heading out the door with her.

"Early bird catches the worm." Mione chirps. I groan at her cheerfulness.

"I have always hated that saying. I mean, what wanker comes up with that?"

"The kind of wanker who understands the importance of early rising." she responds, her chipper mood not perturbed by my cynical remarks. Mione is always disturbingly elated in the first week of school. She doesn't like school. She loves school. I think she will end up as one of those people who live in their previous school years as teachers, never wanting to leave. I express this thought and her eyes light up.

"I've always wanted to be a teacher here. Maybe that's what I should consider as a career choice after Hogwarts!" she says excitedly. Oh Merlin, now that I've got her started, she will never stop. I am quite set on having a future career that involves magical creatures. I wouldn't really enjoy anything as much. I still have this year and the next to figure it out, but that's not very far away. I am snapped out of my thoughts as Hermione and I reach the common room, where I see the boys who are waiting impatiently. As soon as Hermione sees Ron, she dashes over and practically attacks him with her lips. I grimace and turn to Harry. He watches them for a split second, with an expression matching mine and then mouths Let's go. He read my mind!

We climb through the portrait hole and head off to the great Hall.

"Uh, if I see one more public display of affection, I am going to hurl." Harry notes. I laugh.

"Please, if you had a relationship like theirs, you'd be snogging more than you breathe too!" I quip.

"What do you mean 'a relationship like theirs' ?" Harr questions, his nose crinkling in confusion. I love when he does that.

I sigh, as if he is exhausting to deal with. "They are in love with each other, Harry. It's like one of those corny romantic comedies where everyone lives happily ever after!" I notice I have a hint of jealousy in my tone because, let's be real, I am extremely jealous. That doesn't mean I'm not ecstatic for them, though.

"Those are movies, Layla! They aren't real! I mean, all women want to be swept off their feet like in the fairy tales. The truth is, they don't even care who is doing the sweeping."

"That is not true! I care who does the sweeping!" I argue. "I wouldn't fall in love with an asshole just because I want to fall in love."

"Well, it wouldn't be surprising if you did! It happens everyday. Don't deny that you want the cliché romance where prince charming and you ride off into the sunset on a purple unicorn!" Harry says, using his index finger emphasis. I open my mouth, then close it. He's got a point. What girl doesn't want a cliché romance? I know I do, but I'm not going to let him know that.

"A purple unicorn? Really, Harry?" I tease. He cracks a smile.

"I don't know! It seemed right to add it in there. Whatever! I got my point across!" Harry laughs.

"And what point is that? That all women are hopeless romantics who sit in their locked castles waiting for their knight in shining armor to rescue them?" I respond. Harry smirks.

"Well, you women are pretty fragile." he replies and he knows he is asking for it. I step in front of him, spinning around.

"Fragile. My. Ass." I say, punctuating each word with a poke to his chest. I turn back around and skip to the Great Hall, leaving a very amused Harry Potter.

Harry

Layla turns around and I watch as she continues her walk to the Great Hall. She is something else, that woman. She had clearly won our exchange. She usually does when we have our casual, well-intentioned spats. I hear voices coming and I turn around to see the lovebirds walking towards me.

"Hey Harry!" Hermione calls. "Where's Layla?"

"She went ahead to the Great Hall." I tell her and wait for them to catch up.

"She ditched you, mate?" Ron muses. I nod, putting on my sad face. "That's cold." I laugh and shrug.

"Nah, she'd just faster than I am. Come on." I reply and we set off down the hall.

"I am so excited for Ancient Runes!" Mione gushes. Ron and I roll our eyes.

"What subject aren't you excited for, Mi?" I retort. She doesn't seem to notice the sarcasm.

"I'm excited for everything! Except, maybe Potions with the Slytherins." she purses her lips.

"I hate being in those dungeons. I don't know how the snakes live down there." Ron puts in. I'm not looking forward to Potions either. Slughorn is the professor. He isn't an asshole or anything, he's just one of those people who surrounds himself with the elites. Unfortunately, I am on that list and it's seriously annoying. The only good thing about Potions is that Layla, Ron, and Hermione are with me. The only reason I have been passing Potions is Layla. She's kind of like my tutor.

We finally reach the Great Hall and I see Layla sitting with the Weasley lot. We head over and I seat myself next to Ginny.

"Hey Gin." I say. She blushes. Ginny is hot with her flaming red hair and freckles. I would ask her out to Hogsmeade, but I have a feeling that wouldn't go over well with Ron. So I restrain myself.

"Hi Harry." she answers. I nod to the twins, but they are too wrapped up in the conversation they are having with Layla. I imagine they are planning a beginning of term prank. Lay always teams up with Fred and George to give her input. A lot of times, I am dragged into it and end up getting in trouble too. My mind flashes back to what Mrs. Dawes said and I decide that I have to jump off that wagon and take Layla with me. I can't be having Mrs. Dawes sending me a Howler. She wasn't kidding when she said she would. I have seen one of her Howlers in action and it isn't pretty. Layla and I had been caught wandering in the hall after hours and got detention for two weeks. The Howler was addressed to Layla, but it was directed at the both of us. Yeah, definitely going to avoid that this year.

I catch Layla's eye and raise my eyebrows, hoping she would get my message. Apparently she didn't because she has her confused face on. Don't even think about it! I mouth. She rolls her eyes and waves her hand dismissively. I will talk to her later, then. Right now, I have my breakfast to enjoy.

Layla

Harry tells me 'don't even think about it', but I don't pay attention to him. He is probably just scared of my mum's killer Howlers. I smile and turn back to Fred and George. They discussing a prank to pull for the start of term. They are trying to decide whether they should let off their Weasleys' Wild-Fire Whiz-Bangs in Snape's office or make flocks of birds follow all of the teachers for a whole day. I preferred the birds and Fred did too, but George is debating the quality of charms and how long they would last. These options are only Phase One though. Fred and George's pranks are invented as chains. Those two are truly brilliant. They're even starting up their own joke shop. My stomach growls and I realize how hungry I am. Oatmeal and toast appear on my plate and I eat up.

I listen to boys argue about whether or not the Chudley Cannons are going to win this year. I am a fan, but I find talking about Quidditch unbelievably boring. Someone plops down next to me and I smile when I see who it is.

"Hey Luna!" I greet her. I always feel enlightened when I talk to her. She may be a bit strange, but she's a good kind of strange.

"Hello, Layla. I see you are doing well. They are only a few Nargles around you today." Luna says dreamily.

"I suppose I am doing as well as I can at 7:00 in the morning." I joke. She laughs lightly. "So how was your summer?"

"It was lovely. Daddy and I searched for the Crumple-Horned Snorkack."

"Did you find it?" I ask. I personally don't believe in the Crumple-Horned Snorkack, but I am open to the idea.

"Sadly, no, but I'm not disappointed. Things have a way of appearing when you least expect them to." Luna states wisely.

"Very well said." I comment.

"I best get going. It seems the owls are going to be sending out schedules soon. See you later!" Luna says as she gets up to go back to the Ravenclaw table.

"Bye!" I call and sure enough, owls start flying into the Hall. I don't know how she does it. I shake my head as a sheet of paper is dropped into my oatmeal. Sighing, I wipe off the timetable and view it. I have Double Potions with the Slytherins, History of Magic, Charms, and Divination today. Uh, I hate going to Potions with the Slytherins. Malfoy will probably be there, the smarmy git. At least I will have Harry, Ron, and Mione. Or just Harry because those two are in their own little world these days.

"Lay, lemme see your schedule." Harry demands. I roll my eyes and slap it into his waiting hand.

"A please would be nice, Harr." I huff. He ignores me and scans my timetable.

"We have all the same classes accept History of Magic and Defense Against Dark Arts." Harry frowns.

"Oh Harry, how ever are you going to live without me for four hours?" I gasp, clutching my heart.

"I don't know Layla, but you're gonna be on your own with the Slytherins."

"I'll be fine, Harry. I'm a big girl, you know." I tease.

"Well, as I have said before...women are pretty fragile." Harry says, a wicked glint in his eyes. I open my mouth to give a snide retort, but I am cut off by Professor McGonagall.

"Students, you are dismissed to your classes. Have a wonderful first day!" she announces. Harry and I get up and head to the dungeons with the lovebirds trailing behind us. I wonder how Slughorn will be. If anything, he will be better than Snape. Then again, anyone is better than Snape. I suddenly remember Harry's obvious dislike of the new Potions teacher yesterday.

"So, how do you like Professor Slughorn, Harry?" I ask, watching his face.

He actually cringes. "He's an ass kisser. He thinks he is all great and shit because he has taught famous wizards. I heard he has this Slug Club and he hunts for successful students."

"And you're on his hunting list, I am guessing?"

"You guessed right!" he mutters grudgingly.

"Well, who could blame him? You are, after all, the Boy Who Lived and killed Voldemort in his fourth year! It doesn't get any better than that." I exclaim.

"Shut up." Harry grins and nudges me with his elbow.

"It's true. People are always telling me how lucky I am to have Harry Potter as my best friend."

"Know what I think? I think I am the one that's lucky." he notes. AW! Harr is so sweet.

"Oh stop, you'll make me blush." I bat his arm.

"It's true." Harry mocks me and we laugh as we enter the Potions classroom.