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In this chapter, James won't leave Azzura's side. The Halloween dance is upon us! That means dress robes, dancing, and Lily is coming into some money. We also get to see a new character that has only been mentioned before… She'll be at the dance. We get to learn more about Azzura's time in New York, her bad girl phase, and a little more about her family. Azzura and James unintentionally make an interesting discovery.

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Ravenclaw_Illusions

…

Although it was Halloween and the castle was all ready to celebrate, the Ravenclaw quidditch team still had practice.

"Are you sure you're okay to fly?" James asked for the hundredth time.

"Yes, I told you, crystal work before a practice, or a match, helps prevent visions on the pitch." I exasperatedly explained. "Now did I not just sit with a crystal ball and a notebook for an hour?"

"You're right," He finally gave in. "But I'm staying close by if you need me."

"If that makes you feel better," I mocked. "See you later," I kissed his cheek and followed Lily to the front doors of the castle.

"He's crashing our practice isn't he?" Lily said un-amused.

"I wouldn't be surprised," I replied. "He said he's going to be close by 'just in case'."

"In case of what?" Lily's eyebrows scrunched together but a smirk played at the corners of her mouth.

"I don't know," I laughed. "In case basilisks learn how to fly and I'm petrified off of my

broomstick."

The both of us chuckled as we continued to make our way towards the stadium.

"It's kind of strange to see him fret about like this," Lily smiled.

"It's really sweet." I nodded, "And a little suffocating."

"And hilarious."

The both of us exploded into a fit of giggles.

"Oh Merlin, we're terrible for laughing at him." I said between chuckles.

"We really are," She agreed. "Absolutely wretched," she tried to catch her breath.

I shook my head, and smiled. It was so nice to share a laugh with my friend.

"So, may I ask," She cleared her throat. "Who wrote you this morning? You looked rather uncomfortable reading the letter."

I had stopped laughing, "Someone I knew in New York." I peered down at the grass. "He saw the paper and wanted to know if I was okay. The people that I knew in New York, and Rome, were all led to believe that I was murdered. This was a cover story to protect them, and myself, in case anyone came looking for me."

Her smile started to fade. "So this person, he thought you were killed, until he saw Reeta Skeeter's article in the Prophet?"

For a second I just paused, and watched her ponytail swish back and forth behind her head as we walked.

"Yes," I gripped my broom tighter.

"Was he angry?" She asked in a lower tone.

"No he said he was worried for my safety and wanted to know if I'm alright. He wanted me to write him back and even alluded to meeting up sometime."

"Meet up?" Lily's face scrunched up. "Doesn't he know that you're at Hogwarts?"

"He said that he lives in Scotland now," I shrugged.

"Really? And where exactly does he go to school, if he lives in Scotland and doesn't go to Hogwarts?"

"He graduated," I stated. "He's two years older than me."

"And you two were friends, even though he was older?"

"No, we were dating." I shook my head. "And what does age matter in friendship?" I cleared my throat, "Fourth year."

"So you were dating this guy, in New York, he's two years older than you and when you left to come here he was told that you were murdered?"

I sighed, "Pretty much."

"That's dreadful," she frowned.

"I would've never gone along with the cover story, if it meant telling everyone I know here, that I was dead."

"I should hope not," Lily said sadly.

"Are you kidding me," I smiled. "You'd figure out that I was alive in the matter of a day, because James would insist on avenging my death, and you'd all help him."

She chuckled, "That's true."

We walked further along the perimeter of the castle, "So do you think practice will be long today?" I asked.

"Did you love him?" Lily blurted out.

I stopped walking, "Lily!"

"What? It's a good question!"

"He was my first long term relationship," I said in a monotone. "Can we drop it now?"

Her face dropped, "How long did you two date?"

"A little over two years," I answered.

"Do you miss him? What's his name? Is he handsome? What's he like?"

It was as if she was restraining herself since breakfast from asking all of these questions that they ended up coming out all at once.

"I miss hearing about his adventures; he works with rare and dangerous magical creatures and always had a story about tracking something out of a muggle urban legend. His name is Dean. He was very handsome – big green eyes, dirty blonde hair, great smile – but I met him during a rebellious phase I went through when I was sent back to New York, he was kind of a bad boy. We used to get into a lot trouble."

"He sounds like fun," Lily said quietly.

"He was," I shrugged. "But to be honest, I never saw myself having the life I want with Dean."

"Why?"

"During that time in my life, I was reckless and rebellious because I didn't expect to stay in one place for long. I felt that with everything that had happened in Rome, I'd never be able to settle into one spot. I'd never marry or have a family because I'd be allowing myself to have weaknesses that were detrimental if used against me. So living life in the moment, getting into sticky situations with Dean was great back then because it was the closest I'd allow myself to having a connection with someone."

"Whereas with my brother…"

I took a deep breath and smiled. "Where with James, I see a future, and I don't mean psychically. I mean in my heart, I can see James and I one day being married, having children, living a life together. With him I have family, and love, and it's more than I ever thought I deserved." I grabbed her shoulder, and brought her closer to my side. "And if you tell him any of that I'll hang you by your shoelaces off of the astronomy tower."

"Fine," She smiled. "I'll keep it to the grave."

There were no more questions after that.

…

We finished the practice maneuvers that our Captain had wanted us to complete today, twenty minutes ago. Instead of dismissing us, Caleb thought it would be 'beneficial' to have all of us fly laps around the pitch.

Lily flew out of the pack and landed onto the ground.

Caleb blew his whistle, "Potter," he yelled. "What is the meaning of this?"

"We've been flying laps for a half an hour, Caleb," Lily complained. "It's a holiday, and the dance is tonight – can't you let us off early?"

"We have fifteen minutes left to our reserved time on the pitch," Caleb sputtered.

"Don't you think you're being unfair, you know you do have some girls on your team."

"Really, we do? I never noticed."

They were in the middle of a stare off while one by one the rest of the team started to touch down to the pitch.

"Well, if you don't dismiss us, I will." Lily threatened.

"No," Caleb fought back. "All of you back in the air now," He ordered to the rest of the team.

"Have fun chasing your tails boys, but we have other plans to attend to." I came over to where Lily stood.

…

Walking back into the castle Lily was still fuming.

"I can't believe he could be so pig headed!" She shook her head. "Ugh what an arse," She muttered.

I stopped walking abruptly. She stopped as well, "What are you doing? We've got to get up to the portrait hole to meet Rose."

An invisible force pushed into us.

"Speaking of being an arse," Lily muttered to herself when she realized what was going on.

"Alright, James, lose the cloak." I smirked, as I held out my hand expectantly.

James uncovered himself, and adjusted his glasses. "How'd you know I was there?" He handed over the invisibility cloak, which I shoved into my book bag.

"I could sense your presence – I swear sometimes I think you forget that I'm a seer. You followed us out of the stadium."

"I told you I'd be close by," He shrugged.

Lily slowly backed away from the two of us, "I'll meet you up there," She stated. Then she left us standing in the middle of the empty hallway.

"It's really sweet that you're being over protective, and all, but it's not necessary." I explained.

"I just, I don't want …" He scratched the back of his head.

I took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "I know; you'd never forgive yourself." I let him know that I could see where his thoughts were headed. "But James, I can protect myself. I have been doing it my entire life. I need you to understand that."

He nodded his head. "I do, it's just …"

"No, 'it's just', I mean it. You have to have faith in me that I can protect myself when you're not around. I'm in the same advanced seminar with you, I've even beaten you at dueling, James, and I've been fighting a war since I was thirteen years old. You need to stop acting like I'm some defenseless china doll, because I'm not. You should've seen what I did to that guy that grabbed me the other day. I never really wanted you to see that part of me, but it's the only way for you to see that I'm not as fragile as you're making me out to be."

"Albus told me," He messed his hair. "He said he was on the lookout for any one in his common room with fresh scars."

"So there, you know." I stared at him.

"Yes, I get it." He caved. "Now let me walk my Seer Di Psychopath to the portrait hole."

We walked down the hallways in silence. It wasn't until we were down the corridor from the entrance to the Gryffindor common room, that he finally said something.

"Are you going to write to him," He practically muttered.

I turned to look at him. "You idiot! You followed us all the way to the pitch!" I pushed his shoulder.

He smirked, "Whatever psychic sixth sense you have with sensing presences – it's a little slow."

"You know I was going to tell you about it," I growled.

"I know you were, but I was curious if you were going to write him back."

"I'm not sure," I said honestly. "On one hand I feel bad that he thought I was dead and he found out through some crappy newspaper gossip article that I'm alive, and that I found someone else. On the other hand, writing back means accrediting Skeeter's article for disclosing my location and the fact that I am alive. It could get intercepted and the letter could be traced back to either one of us." I shook my head, "Too many factors."

He pinned me to the wall and kissed me passionately.

"What's the occasion?" I smirked as we broke the kiss.

"I love that you're honest with me," He smirked back at me.

"So what do you think?" I asked.

"What do I think?" He raised an eyebrow at me. "Really? You want your current boyfriend's opinion on getting in touch with your former boyfriend?" He joked.

"Yes," I bit my lower lip.

"I think you should let him know that you're okay," He said slowly. "I'd want to know that you're alright. Plus, he could be a useful source outside the school – is he trust worthy?"

"Yes," I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Maybe we could meet him in Hogsmeade sometime, see what he's heard."

"Okay…" I didn't know what to say. "Then maybe some time tomorrow we could sit down and write him back."

"Okay," he nodded.

"Weirdo," I said under my breath.

"Psycho," He muttered back at me.

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and kissed him.

"So… you said he was very handsome." James recalled as we continued down the hallway.

"Yes, so…." I smiled, "What are you implying?"

"Who's better looking?" He smirked.

"Are you sure you wanna know, Potter?" I teased.

His face fell into a frown, "Better not sugar coat it, Di Napoli. You don't want to hurt my feelings now, do you?"

"Dramatic much?" I smirked.

"Dodging the question much?"

I rolled my eyes. "The both of you are completely different," I crinkled my nose in deliberation. "But you are definitely more my type."

He wrapped an arm around me, "Aw, you're just saying that because you're with me now."

"No I'm saying that because it's true, and I've never had a thing for blondes," I chuckled.

"Me neither," He laughed, "Always fancied darker hair, and curves." He waggled his eyebrows at me.

"Calm yourself," I smiled, "I'm not even all dressed up yet."

"You still haven't told me what color this illusive dress is," He narrowed his eyes at me.

"She can't," Lily and Rose said in unison.

"We promised not to tell any guys," I shrugged.

"Is it like the dress you wore to the ministry event?" He asked.

"No, but trust me, you'll like it." I kissed his cheek and followed the girls through the portrait hole.

As we entered the Gryffindor common room the room grew quiet and then suddenly became a buzz with whispers.

"What the hell is going on here?" I asked Rose.

"Some people are still wary of you because of that threat in the Great Hall," Rose whispered back.

I realized as she told me, that many people were staring.

"Any one's got a problem see me," James threatened the room.

"You heard him, people, go about your business." Lysander added.

Sure enough the room went back to normal.

I turned around and mouthed the words 'Thank You' to the boys as I kept up with Rose and Lily.

…

"So Azzura, did he say anything about the letter?" Lily asked as we entered Rose's empty dorm room.

"Yes, we discussed everything," I smirked. "He thinks I should write back, and that we should meet up with him in Hogsmeade. He then went back to the James I'm used to and asked the immature question as to which one is more attractive."

She laughed, "That must've been fun. Your ex sounds like a catch."

"Uh, and your brother's not?"

"He's okay," she shrugged.

I laughed, "Would you like to come with, if and when, we meet Dean?"

She nodded her head.

"What happened to Caleb?" Rose asked.

"He was being a jerk at practice today," I informed the other red head.

Rose mouthed the word 'Oh' and nodded her head.

…

We each took a turn to shower, and then we got to work.

Lily did mine and Rose's hair. I did everyone's make up, and Rose did Lily's hair.

"Are you sure?" Lily asked with her eyes shut.

"Yes, now hold still." I withdrew my make up brush from her face.

"Rose, I trust you to be my eyes." Lily appointed her cousin to make sure I wasn't getting carried away with her make-up.

"It's coming along nicely," Rose soothed. "If you stopped fidgeting she'd be done by now."

"Thank you," I said over my shoulder. "So stop acting like Lysander and let me even out your left eye."

She backed away from my hands, and opened her eyes. "How in bloody hell, am I like Lysander Scamander?"

"Neither of you can sit in one spot for two seconds," I smirked.

"I can sit still better than that git," She sat straight up closed her eyes again and folded her hands in her lap.

"Whatever you say, Lils," I finished applying her mascara, "Whatever you say."

"Are we done?" Rose asked as she examined each of us.

"Just one last touch," I said.

I leaned towards Rose's mirror, which we had enlarged so that we can see all three of our reflections at once, and took out a ribbon. My ribbon that James had stolen from me, the same that was tied neatly around my Hogsmeade note, the ribbon that once was a pale blue but he jinxed to turn gold.

"Oh Merlin's pink panties, you two are such saps." Lily shook her head at me.

"I think it's sweet," Rose shrugged.

"Yeah well they're your house colors," Lily mumbled.

I tied the ribbon into a bow around my head, so it peaked out between all of my messy curls.

I caste a spell to hold in place and smoothed my hands over the front of my skirt.

"Now we're ready," I smiled at our reflections in the mirror.

Lily looked like a goddess in her lilac gown with metallic appliqués, Rose gave her a braided crown hairstyle, and her long fiery waves cascaded down her back. Rose looked sultry in her short black dress, her curls smoothed out, and brought to one side, and I was content with my retro, crimson party dress, and my awesome black heels that I hadn't put on since I stole them in New York.

…

We walked down into the common room one by one, I went first. As I approached the stairs, I saw the guys get up from one of the sofa's and head toward the bottom of the staircase.

James stood by the bottom step and he looked up at me. He was wearing his dress robes, and his mouth hung agape.

"I told you, you'd like it." I smiled at him.

He flashed me his lopsided grin and ran a hand through his hair.

I reached the bottom step and fixed his bowtie. "I see the bowtie made a comeback," I smirked.

"You're wearing my favorite color." He stated, "You should wear red more often."

"Yeah?" I quickly kissed him.

He nodded.

I hopped off the step and stood aside with James, for Rose, who was right behind me.

Scorpius smiled as he walked up to the staircase to greet her. "You look beautiful," He kissed her cheek.

Lily was the last to enter the common room, she half smiled as she made her way down the stairs. "At least I'm not the only one without a date," she looked at Albus and Lysander.

"Holy hippogriff! That's the pipsqueak?!" Lysander's eyes grew wide with shock.

"Bugger off, Scamander." Lily glared at the tall blonde Gryffindor.

…

The Great Hall was cleared out, the usual house tables and benches were vanished away for the occasion. There were smaller tables scattered around the sides of the room. A dance floor was open in the middle of the hall, and there were refreshment tables in the back corners. The whole room was covered in harvest colored decorations, and giant pumpkins decorated the raised platform where the faculty table was.

"Wow the prefects out did themselves," Lysander, uncharacteristically, commented.

"Nice job, guys," Scorpius said to Rose and Albus.

"I think Lysander was kidding," Rose smiled at her date.

"I'm not sure he was," added Albus.

Before we could fully walk into the Great Hall, everyone was separated.

"You look very handsome," I playfully bumped my shoulder into the side of his arm.

"And you look stunning, as always." He smiled down at me.

"I'm sure you wouldn't be too quick to say that if I was wearing different house colors."

"Well, you're the one who chose to wear my house colors." He smirked.

I shrugged. "Lily picked it out."

"But you could've said no," He tilted his head at me. "You know, I get the feeling that my sister wanted us together for much longer than I had originally thought."

I laughed. "You have no idea."

…

Halfway through the night James and I were slow dancing, when Caleb had went over to Lily, who was sitting down in the corner of the room.

"I think our quidditch captain is asking Lily to dance," I told James.

"Caleb?" James grimaced. "Really?"

I nodded my head.

"My sister doesn't fancy that guy, does she?"

"I'm not entirely sure," I looked over at the two again. "She was really mad at him earlier."

"Being angry at one another means nothing," James smirked. "Look at us."

"She's following him onto the dance floor," I informed.

"Oh Merlin, he's such a prat," James snarled.

"Easy, now," I hushed. "Don't want to end up in a brawl in the middle of a celebration."

"You don't mean that," He smiled.

"Yeah, who am I kidding," I laughed. "A bunch of people fighting like muggles in their dress robes would be hysterical."

"Hey, Azzura," He said curiously. "Who's that over there, talking with Albus?"

He spun us around so I could see what he was talking about.

Albus was sitting at a table talking to a pretty blonde in a gold dress.

"Oh, that must be the girl he likes." I smiled, "She's a muggle born, and likes movies, he asked for me to educate him on her favorites during winter break," I said softly.

"What else do you know about her?" He asked.

"She's a Slytherin, and she's a year younger than him." I tried to remember what Albus had told me.

"That's it?" James asked. "Albus has never shown interest in any one like that," James stated. "You'd think he'd talk to me about her."

"Maybe he didn't want you holding it over his head?" I said knowingly.

"I wouldn't do that," He defended himself. "This is too big of a deal to make jokes."

"Maybe he didn't realize that you would see it that way," I smiled.

"Yes!" James cheered.

I pulled my head away from his shoulder, so I could look at him. "What are you all excited about?"

"Lysander," He beamed.

"Lysander did what?" I asked as I turned around.

Lysander was standing behind the refreshments table, a wicked grin on his face, and the drinks set up in front of him.

"Oh he didn't spike the punch did he?" I asked. "That's so cliché."

"No," James shook his head. "There's no punch," He smiled. "But the butter bear and the other beverages are mixed with fire whiskey."

"I swear the two of you are such children," I shook my head. "Uh James," I stared at the refreshment table.

"Yes, love?"

"Albus is getting drinks for him and that girl," I said quickly. "We need to tell him it's all spiked with fire whiskey," I grabbed James by the arm and began to drag him off the dance floor.

"Why? Do we have to? I just – you tell him." James complained as I pulled him along.

"Hey, Albus," I smiled.

"Hello," Albus raised an eyebrow at the two of us.

"Before you bring your drinks back to your table, your brother has something to tell you." I glared back at James.

"Uh, everything has been mixed with fire whiskey, in case blondie over there is not a drinker."

Albus put his cup down. "Do you know who did this?" Albus asked, with his serious, 'I'm a prefect' face.

"That's," James looked around the room. "That's not important."

…

"I'm bored," James drawled.

"Yeah, too bad there aren't any balconies," I smirked.

"Wanna take the tunnel to Honey Duke's and walk around Hogsmeade?"

"Really? That's what you come up with? Me walking, in these shoes, all the way to Hogsmeade?"

"Why not," He smirked. "I bet there are plenty of places for us to snog, in the village."

"Fine," I flipped my hair over my shoulder, "Let's get out of here."

…

Walking through the tunnel wasn't as bad as I had originally thought.

Go New Yorker self! Stealing the pretty and comfortable shoes.

When we reached Honey Duke's basement, we had to be extra careful not to knock anything over in the dark.

James eventually found the door that lead upstairs to the store.

"So how are you going to unlock the door?" I asked examining the key whole of the door knob, which was lacking a latch or bolt.

"I just figured alohamora would do the trick." James replied from behind me.

"It's not going to work," I smirked. "This is a shop in the magical world, the owners know better."

"Alohamora," James swished his wand.

I turned the door knob, the lock didn't budge.

"Let me try," I fished two bobby pins out of my hair.

"What are your hair things going to do that magic couldn't?" James smirked.

"Pick the lock," I said as I stared at the keyhole. I twisted open my bobby pins and got to work. Feeling around for the tumblers I heard the beautiful sound I was looking for…click.

I pushed open the door, and removed my bobby pins. "That's what my hair things could do that magic couldn't." I smiled at my boyfriend.

"You've done that before," He followed me out of the shop.

"Yes," I answered. "In New York, I would break into places all the time." I shrugged.

"Why?" He asked.

"My parents weren't supporting me financially, I was angry, and hated any and all rules. So breaking into the movie theater, or a store to steal clothes because I couldn't afford them, they were normal things for me back then."

"I'm not saying anytime soon, but we should revisit the whole topic of your family," He said, "Because I swear they get worse every time that you mention them," He mumbled.

"Don't judge what you don't know," I glared at him.

"That's why we should talk," He was being genuine, "So I understand better."

"Okay," I looked around the street. "So which way do we go?" I asked.

"Want to head over to the Three Broomsticks?"

I took his hand, "Lead the way."

We walked through the streets and shared stories of our best Halloweens.

"Mine was when I was ten years old," I stated. "It was my last Halloween spent as a muggle. I went trick or treating with friends from school, and my little sister. I appropriately dressed up as a witch. Less than a year later I found out that I am one."

"You have a little sister?" He asked.

"Yes, she's very sick." I tried not to think about it. "She lives in a hospital. It was her last Halloween she was healthy for."

"Do you have any other siblings I don't know about?" James frowned.

"Two more," I looked down at the cobblestones, "An older sister, and an older brother."

"And what of those two?"

I looked up, and in my peripheral vision I saw a shadow passed by, but when I turned my head no one was there.

"My older sister married, and moved across the country, to get away from all of us. She's twenty eight, and a total snob. My brother, well, he has a lot of issues."

"What kind of issues?"

"Emotional issues, drinking issues, gambling issues, keeping a job issues," I rallied off the list. "So what was your best Halloween?"

James took a deep breath, and squeezed my hand. "I was seven years old. Albus, Lily and I spent Halloween at the Burrow, with all of our cousins, and Teddy. We did that a lot when we were all real little, Gran loves having everyone under one roof, even if we barely fit. Anyway, we stayed up really late telling scary stories. When everyone went to bed, Teddy and Fred got the idea to pull a prank. But the problem was that most of our cousins and Lily prank back, or jinx the hell out of us when we trick them. So we decided to prank our cousins Molly and Lucy. Teddy told this really morbid story about dementors, so we dressed in black cloaks and Teddy caste a cooling spell in their room. They really thought we were dementors! They screamed so loud the whole house woke up. Uncle Percy got so mad that he accidentally broke his glasses. They were so badly shattered that Aunt Audrey had to fix them with spello-tape because oculus reparo didn't work." He laughed.

I smiled at him, "That sounds like a lot of fun."

Again I saw a shadow in the corner of my eye.

"How close are we?" I asked while jutting my head in the direction I saw the shadow in.

"Almost there," He replied, squinting in my implicated direction.

"Have your wand at the ready," I softly warned.

James gripped my hand tightly, and we turned a corner.

I caste petrificus totalus in my mind, a large figure at the end of the street fell over.

"What in bloody hell did you do?" James demanded - he looked shocked.

"He was tracking us," I said as I quickly led him to the fallen stalker.

When I looked down at the face of the creep who was following us my stomach churned.

"James, help me prop him up against this building," I grabbed the guys arm and shoulder.

"Why?"

"Just do it," I ordered.

After we propped him up, I took his wand and unfroze him.

"What are you doing here, Dean?" I held my wand up defensively.

"Dean?" James sounded in alarm.

"How do you…" He squinted at me. "Azz? Mother of Merlin, you've changed?"

"Azz?"

"Answer the question!" I raised my voice.

He smiled that twisted grin he always had whenever he was looking to rile me up. "You may look different, but you sound exactly the same." He laughed to himself. "Same old temper."

"Then you know what this temper is capable of," I snarled at him.

"Look Azz, I came here to see if you were alright," He put his hands up, his palms facing me. "I didn't expect to find you so quickly but, when I saw those shoes, I knew it had to be you."

"The shoes, really, mate?" James said snidely.

"He was with me when I stole them," I admitted.

"Ugh, love, you're killing me." James muttered.

"Why'd you come?" I asked.

"I meant what I wrote, I have reasons to believe you're in danger and I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Okay than answer just one more question."

"Shoot."

"What was our mutually agreed best night out?"

"When we crashed that red carpet party, got kicked out, and then got into that bar fight on the block of the schools closest subway stop to Times Square."

"Why was it so great?" I asked.

"Because you were still in a cocktail dress and heals when you beat up that prick for calling you babe."

"Azzura," James said in shock.

"He failed to mention the same prick grabbed my ass, called me babe and then asked how much money it would take to ditch my friend." I responded defensively.

"Are we good? Can we go inside and talk over a drink?" Dean raised his eyebrows at me.

"Alright, get up, you idiot." I backed away from him.

…

"So when did you lose the nose ring?" Dean asked as he sipped his drink.

"My nose is still pierced," I snorted. "You just can't see it."

"What?" James put his drink down onto the table.

"Yes, I wear a vanity charm over it because McGonagall said it wasn't appropriate for Hogwarts."

"Who are you?" James laughed.

"Same person," I smirked. "Wanna see?"

He nodded, and I undid the vanity charm.

"I haven't worn a ring in a while, but I've been wearing this stud since before we met." I explained.

"When did you change your hair?" Dean questioned.

"Your hair is different too?" James' eyes grew wide.

"That I changed a while ago, before I was recruited to Hogwarts," I sipped my hot chocolate.

"What did it used to look like?" James asked.

"It was black," I stated. "But this is my natural color."

Dean rifled in his pocket and placed something on the table in front of James.

"Here's what the girl I remember looked like."

It was a picture of Dean and me in Central Park. It was a picture we took on my seventeenth birthday.

James examined the photograph and looked back at me, "The stud suits you better," He nodded from behind the picture. "Same as the less make up," he added.

"Well that was normal in New York," I explained. "A more edgy look was kind of expected," I shrugged. "I had to tone down a lot when I met McGonagall. Mind you, I didn't look exactly like that when I met her."

…

I finished my hot chocolate by the time we were done catching up on what we've experienced at the castle.

"See, I knew that they had to have infiltrated the students." Dean slammed his hand down on the table. "Anyone acting suspiciously out of character?" He asked.

"No," I replied. "Not that we know of."

"Why did you ask us that?"James questioned.

"I have reason to believe that the students she saw in the vision she had in the closet, are under the imperius curse." Dean elaborated. "By the way, making out in broom closets, nice," He went to shake James' very confused and uncomfortable hand.

"Thanks?"

"Alright, is that enough? Because we have a long way back," I pushed the photograph back across the table.

"I'd like to meet again, I'm going to be in town for a while, I have a job that I think you gave me, and I can stick around a little longer to check things out here."

"What job?"

"Someone reported three basilisk eggs found?" Dean said matter-of-factly. "It's a 'don't ask' situation. Sounded like you."

"We'll write to arrange another meet up." James replied as he got up from his seat.

"It was nice meeting you," Dean shook James' hand. "Take good care of this one." He smiled at me.