Author's Note:

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In this chapter, James won't leave Azzura's side. We get an inside look to their sleepover in the Room of Requirement. Then it's Azzura's favorite holiday! That's right; the Halloween dance is upon us! But not quite yet… A lot is going to happen in the span of this day, and I've decided to divide it up into two parts. So this is part one… Part two will shortly follow…

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Ravenclaw_Illusions

…

"Wanna come with?" I asked as I sat on my bed, stowing a blanket into my bag.

Lily made a face of disgust. "Ew, no."

"What do you mean 'ew'?" I stopped packing my bag for a moment.

She took a deep breath. "Listen, Azzura, I appreciate you being all balanced with your relationship with my brother, and the rest of your life, but sometimes it's okay for you two to have some alone time." She flipped her hair over her shoulder, "Preferably not in a broom cupboard. So as much as I love the both of you, and I love that you love each other, I'm going to have to pass on this one."

"We're not going to be all nauseating," I defended myself.

"And I'm saying you should have time to be all cutesy together, without making me gag." She rolled up an essay that she had due tomorrow, and put it in her school bag. "Which means, you two getting to be all lovey-dovey without me being around to see it."

"Yeah?" I questioned.

"Yes," Lily exclaimed. "Why do you want me to come so badly?"

"I don't know," I kept my head down, focusing on my pajamas which were neatly folded in my lap.

Lily plunked herself down onto my bed. "What's up?"

"Nothing," I shook my head. Still not looking at her, "It's nothing."

"Azzura, look at me." She ordered.

I forced myself to make eye contact with her.

"You want me to come with you, so you two don't, have one on one time together."

"Damnit, how do you do that?" I asked in awe.

"Azzura, he's genuinely concerned for you," She smirked. "And being the arse that he is, he thinks he's the only one that can protect you."

I scoffed, "He knows I can protect myself."

"And what of most recent events," Lily reminded me, "A lot of close calls if you ask me."

"I guess," I stuffed my pajamas into my bag, and changed the subject.

…

Showing up to the Room of Requirement I had realized something – I was nervous.

I had never had a sleep over with a boyfriend. I knew that nothing was going to happen, and so did he, but still… I was nervous. I've never been the best roommate. I snore, and I have terrible night terrors. I had woken up Fae, accidentally, a few times per week since I've gotten here.

I shook my head vigorously when I had realized what I was thinking.

This is James; all of these things won't matter to him. Also, he's seen me sleep before! When I first recalled visions for him, I fell asleep and he brought me back to my dorm.

I opened the door and walked inside to see James was already sitting on a chair wearing his navy-blue pajama bottoms and a grey t-shirt.

I tossed my bag onto the sofa that I usually sat on. "Hey," I smiled.

"How are you feeling?" He asked as he got to his feet.

His head was tilted a little and he had looked at me with this uncertainty in his eyes.

"I'm alright," I shrugged.

He came towards me, and wrapped his arms around my waist. I took a deep breath, and allowed myself to relax in his arms.

Why does he always smell so good?

He looked down at me, "Liar." He smiled slightly.

I laughed. "You got me," I admitted.

He kissed my forehead. "Azzura, you can be honest with me," He gave me a look that reminded me of sad hazel-eyed puppy. "Tell me, truthfully, how are you feeling?"

I sighed, "I'm worried."

"And…" he prodded.

"I'm scared that if I don't stop this – if I don't figure it all out…"

"We – Azzura. We, as in you, Albus, Lily, Lysander and me – We're in this together."

"I understand, but this is because of me."

"Not just you," He shook his head. "You said it yourself, my grandparents are involved, as am I and whoever is helping us."

"But if I never came here, they wouldn't have found me, and things wouldn't be the way they have been lately." I switched my gaze to the fireplace.

He gently took my chin and turned my face towards his.

"Look at me," He said seriously. "If you never came here, Lily would not have the friend and idol she has in you. My brother would be lost in his studies and quidditch – unable to handle his two best friends dating. And I would be without you. Yes, you wouldn't have had your location broadcasted to the world, but we would have never gone to that ministry event together. I don't know about you, but, I wouldn't trade that night for anything."

I wanted so badly to kiss him, to forget this conversation completely, but I needed to tell him why I had said what I said.

"James, although that was the most wonderful thing anyone has ever said to me, you need to know why I meant what I said. You're all in danger, and I'm not okay with that. I would be devastated beyond repair if any of our friends – your family, were hurt or killed, otherwise you…"

He cut me off with his mouth and kissed me passionately.

"I don't care," He said each word between kisses.

"But I do," I replied.

He broke the kiss, "Azzura, you're out numbered. None of us are going anywhere – so you're stuck with us."

"I guess, I am," I smiled at him.

…

After a few hours of talking and snogging, (plus James making a trip down to the kitchens at one point while I changed into my PJ's) we went to sleep.

I curled up under my blanket that I had brought with me. I was on the sofa that I threw my bag onto earlier.

James slept on the other sofa across from me. His glasses were on the coffee table, and he slept with a hint of a smile in the corners of his mouth.

…

Thunder rumbled through the castle from the storm outside. Lighting flashed in the dark of the night.

I could hear my father's lullaby; it sounded in the distance and grew louder.

I ran through the Forbidden Forest, my robes heavy from the rain. I was running towards these agonized, panicked, and piercing screams that made my heart beat faster and my robes feel heavier. Someone was in danger, in pain, frightened because of me. My mary-janes sloshed as I ran. My hair stuck to the sides of my face. I tripped over a fallen branch. My hands broke my fall, my robes were ripped, I was covered in dirt, and my knee was bleeding. Still I needed to run… to find the screams… This wasn't happening, again…

I thought of the conversation that I had had with James in the Library. "Beware the darkness or She'll be taken." I quoted the prophecy. "We still don't know who this 'she' is and regardless I don't want anyone taken; last time, taken meant the worst."

Everything goes black… I'm freefalling into darkness…

Girls screaming. Someone cackling. A gravelly voice, "Which one of you is it?"

"Non vorrei rinunciare. (I would not give you up)" Francesco sobbed.

A flash of green light came and the screams were silenced.

James held me in his arms shushing me. He moved my hair away from my face, and kissed the tears from my cheeks. He pressed his forehead to mine and locked eyes with me. I started to feel a little better.

"It's all my fault, James." I cried. "It's all my fault."

I woke up, and saw that I was in the dark, in the Room of Requirement. I was starting to catch my breath when I had realized I was cradled in his arms.

"It's okay," He hushed. "Just a nightmare, I'm here, love, I'm here."

I squeezed him tight. "I know," I said quietly. "Thank you."

We stayed like that for the rest of the night, and I had never slept so soundly in my life.

…

Halloween Morning: Great Hall

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Di Psychopath," Lysander greeted us as we walked over to the Gryffindor table.

"Aw, when did you take my name, James?" I asked as I sat beside Lily and Rose.

"I don't know, love, ask Lysander's imagination." James messed Lysander's dirty blonde hair, and took the seat next to him.

"I was just asking everyone if they're excited for tonight," Lysander waggled his eyebrows.

"I am," I smirked behind my goblet of pumpkin juice. "I, as well and the girl on either side of me, have a beautiful dress to wear for the occasion."

"Speaking of, Rose and I were just talking, and we wanted to know if you were up for getting ready together?"

"Of course, yeah, which dorm room?" I asked as I buttered a piece of toast.

"Mine would be the least packed," Rose explained. "There are only seven girls in my year, and most of them are getting ready in the Head girl's room." Rose explained.

I raised an eyebrow at her.

"They're all dating the same group of friends." She waived a dismissive hand, "It's a long obnoxious story."

"Ah," I nodded. "No need to explain."

The owl post came souring into the Great Hall, delivering packages, and mail to students and faculty.

A letter fell onto the table in front of my plate. It was addressed to me.

Dear Azz,

I'm apprenticing in Scotland, and found an article in the Daily Prophet that mentions your name. After being in shock, seeing that you're very much alive (and back in Europe none-the-less) I had realized it was foolish and dangerous for that Skeeter woman to reveal your whereabouts to the world. Seeing as I'm in the same country, I wanted to know if you're alright, and if you wanted to talk. Please contact me if there are any signs of danger at the school. I know I'm wasting my time by writing this but, don't be stubborn. You cannot stop an army by yourself. Write back to let me know that you're okay. Even if it's just to tell me to mind my own business – it'll be nice to hear from you. I'm really glad that you're alive.

Dean

I quickly folded the letter up and shoved it back into the envelope it came in.

"Who's that from?" Lily asked.

"No one," I took a bite of my toast.

"No really," She lowered her voice. "Who wrote you?"

I put my finger up, to pause her while I finished chewing. "Long story," I started to spread jam onto another slice. "Tell you later, yeah?"

"You better," She smirked.