Every time I walked by James, I could feel him watching me. I felt like whatever I did, he was watching. I felt like whatever I said, he heard me.

Obviously, I never told anyone about it, especially my friends. I could already hear them saying "I told you so."

And that's not exactly something I wanted to hear.

Right now, I was happy with avoiding James at all costs and hoping my feelings would go away.

In a way, I knew it wasn't going to happen, but it made me feel better trying. As long as I tried, failing wouldn't hurt as much.

The few days prior to the Halloween costume ball were full of hectic hustle and bustle from all the sixth and seventh year students at Hogwarts. Last minute costume choices could be heard being diliberated from every part of the castle.

Of course, those last minute costume deliberations involved my friends and me.

It was like none of us could decide on a costume.

"You could be a fairy," Wendy said to Kiki as we lounged in the common room the night before the ball.

"A fairy?" Kiki replied disbelievingly.

"Yes, a fairy," Wendy retorted defensively. "I haven't heard you guys come up with anything better," she spat out in addition.

"Me? A fairy? Why don't you be a fairy?"

"Because I'd be a weird fairy."

"Well, so would I."

"Fine, then don't be a fairy."

"I wasn't going to be."

"Would you two shove it?" I said loudly over my two bickering friends. "We have to focus. The ball is tomorrow night and none of us have costume ideas."

"Why don't we all just think of our own costumes? This whole throwing out random ideas doesn't really seem like its doing much good at all," Kiki replied.

"Good idea," I said. "Everyone just think to yourself."

Five minutes later, I spoke.

"This isn't helping much, is it?"

"Not much," Kiki replied, laughing lightheartedly.

"Did you guys think of anything?" I asked the other two who remained silent.

"I have somewhat of an idea," Kyla said.

"What is it?"

"Well, I was thinking that I could be an angel."

"Hmm, sounds good," I said. "Now the rest of us have to think of some."

"Well, I was thinking that I could be a princess," Wendy responded.

"That fits you," I replied, smirking.

"Shut up," she replied, smiling.

"Now Kiki and I have to think of some costumes."

"Well, Kiki could be Scarlett O'Hara. You know, from Gone with the Wind. She always reminded me of her," Wendy said, after thinking a moment.

"Never heard of her," Kiki replied.

"You probably wouldn't. She's from a Muggle book," I said. "And that sounds like a great idea," I added, smiling at Wendy.

"I've got it!" Kyla shrieked out suddenly. "Lily could be Cinderella!"

"Me? Cinderella?"

"Yes! That would be perfect. She and the prince kissed then she ran off," Kiki said, smirking.

"Shut up," I said. "I just never saw myself as a Cinderella type."

"Well, you'd be a beautiful Cinderella," Wendy replied, grinning.

"Okay. I'll do it. And did anyone else notice how easy that was once we focused?"

"Yes, Lily," Kiki replied earnestly, which I knew she just said it to shut me up.

The following day went by super fast. Much faster than any of us expected.

Usually when something you were excited about was happening in the evening, the day would drag on. But that day was the complete opposite.

"Only four hours until the ball!" Wendy exclaimed as we walked up to Gryffindor Tower after classes.

"Four hours that we need to plan out carefully," Kyla added.

"Yes," Kiki replied. "We need an hour for showers, then an hour for hair and make-up. Then another hour for dressing and such. Then the last hour we can spend relaxing."

"One thing to change there," I said.

"What?"

"Why don't we relax before we do everything?"

"Good idea," she said, grinning as we all plopped down on the couch in the common room that we had just entered.

"Ugh, I'm so comfortable," I said, snuggling into the fluffy pillows.

"Don't get too comfortable. We only have an hour down here. Then we have to get ready," Kyla said, clapping her hands together excitedly.

"I know, you're excited. Now let's just forget about the ball for the next hour. We can talk about other things. Things that have absolutely nothing to do with the ball," I said.

I wish I could say that I was as excited about the ball as the other three were.

Was I happy that we were having a ball? Yes. Was I overly excited? Certainly not. I was never the ball type of girl. I don't particularly like dancing. And I don't really like getting all dolled up.

And I knew those were the two things I'd be doing most of tonight.

Eh well, I'll make the most of it. I'm happy. I'm with friends. I'm content. Let's just take advantage of the moment.

"Okay," Kiki agreed.

"So..." I said. "This isn't going to work, is it?"

"No," Kiki answered.

"That's what I thought. Eh well, just talk about what you want."

They immediately started talking about what they were going to do with each other's hair and make-up and how beautiful they were going to look.

I wasn't in the mood to talk about that, so I got up and walked over to the window. I sat down on the big velvet cushion that sat in the window seat and pulled my knees to my chest. I let my back lean against the side of the window and just looked out.

The sky was darkening and the moon was slowly revealing itself. Everything outside was so peaceful, while everything inside was so hectic.

While I was looking out, all I could think about was Petunia.

I wonder if she got the letter I owled her with. Wait, did I send it? Hmm...good question. Um, yes! I did send it. Whew.

I wonder if she got it?

"What are you doing, Lils?" I heard someone ask from behind me.

I didn't recognize that voice. And why were they calling me Lils?

I turned my head to see Remus standing there.

Dear lord, that boy had changed. The last time I actually spoke with him was about two years ago.

Hmm, he's actually rather good looking. He's a bit lanky, but it works for him. I never really noticed him before.

"Hey," I replied. "Wanna sit?"

"Sure," he answered, sitting down across from me on the window seat. "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing really. Just thinking."

"About anything important?"

"No. Just about my life in general. And about my sister."

"You have a sister?"

"Yeah, she's a Muggle. I don't speak with her much anymore. We haven't really spoken since I got my letter to Hogwarts."

"Sorry."

"Don't be. I'm over it. She's out of my life and I'm out of hers. That's just the way it is."

"I understand."

"How do you understand?"

"I guess I just know how you feel."

"Really? How could you possibly know how I feel?"

"I lost someone when I was eight."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Remus."

"Like you said, don't be. I'm over it. It's been eight years."

"Yeah. Well, Remus, I guess we're in the same boat. We both lost people we love. And now we're over it. You know what, I like you, Remus. You're definitely much cooler than James," I said, smiling and patting him on the shoulder.

He chuckled a bit then spoke.

"Don't you have to go get ready?"

"For what?"

"The ball."

"Oh, dear. Talking with you made me completely forget," I answered, looking over to where the girls were.

"Well, I'm glad that I could be of service," he replied, laughing.

I laughed, too. He was definitely nice to talk to. I felt like he really listened to me. I enjoyed it.

"I guess I'll be going now," I said, standing up.

"See you at the ball?"

"Yeah. Bye, Remus," I answered as I walked back over to the girls.

"You were certainly getting comfortable over there," Kiki said as soon as I sat down next to her.

"Shut up," I replied. "He's just really nice to talk to."

"What did you talk about anyways?"

"Stuff."

"Don't be too vague now, Lil," Wendy said, smirking.

"Okay, I won't."

"We should probably head up for showers now, girls," Kyla said to us all.

"All right, drill sergeant," I replied, standing up.

The other three stood up, as well, and a few moments later, we were walking up the stairs to the girls' dormitories.

"I'll see you in a second," I said when I turned into my dorm.

"Hey, Lily," Kelly said as I entered.

"Hi," I said, not acknowledging the other two girls.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm getting my stuff ready so I can go take a shower."

"Oh."

"Do you mind?"

"No."

"Good."

I gathered up my robes and a few other things before turning around and leaving the dorm without another word.

Ugh, those girls just bothered me so much. Just their voices could drive someone insane. They just sounded so, well, so stupid. And that's exactly what they were.

"Could you have gone faster?" I heard from behind me as I went down the stairs.

I turned around to the girls coming down behind me.

"I don't want to spend more than a minute at a time in there during the day," I replied.

The girls laughed, as did I.

They knew how much I despised my dorm mates, and I think they shared the feeling.

We walked over to the portrait hole, climbed out and walked down to the right.

It was my special little treat that we'd all shower in the Prefects' bathroom. Being a prefect, I had that privilege. Though I did have to ask Dumbledore if they could come in just this once.

"This place is amazing," Kiki said as we entered.

"Yes. Yes it is," I replied.