The next few months seemed to pass by in a flash. Dumbledore surprisingly hadn't peppered her with questions, merely asking her if she was alright. It was a tad suspicious but she didn't question it.

Meanwhile, Luca's father hadn't done anything else but Luca always made sure she was never alone. It was to the point where the boys worried he was stalking her after she found him sleeping outside her dormitory.

"I appreciate your concern but I'm fine," she would tell him gently, over and over.

To her hidden delight, all of her upcoming prefect shifts were with Luca. They spent hours curled up in window alcoves, talking about a multitude of things while laughing late into the night. Last week he'd given her his jacket and hugged her for three hours straight when she told him she was cold. They had been blushing like mad and Adara didn't know what to do while Luca mumbled how she couldn't take care of herself.

He was...different from the Marauders in the sense that he was so collected and careful. Yet despite his feigned indifference towards her, he always did the smallest things that proved he was much more observant and caring then she assumed. The boys really didn't like him, especially James, but she didn't care. When they had to pick partners again in Transfiguration, she turned to him first thing, even waving down Remus's offers. They were friends in the truest sense and there was no way anyone could disagree.

After all, all the proof was in his expression. It was a rarity before but now he smiled whenever he saw her. It was a beautiful, small thing that blinded her. His expression was soft when he smiled and she always marveled at how peaceful and relaxed he seemed when it came out. Especially when he told her that he only did it with her- that caused her to drop her textbook in her lap while her heart skipped several beats.

Yet it went away when she brought up the subject of Adaralyn Thorn. He clearly didn't want to dive deeper but she was really curious. It had become a taboo, a forbidden thing, an uncrossable line.

Regardless, it was the end of November and preparations for the Yule Ball were starting. Hogwarts had become the epitome of activity and all the girls in her house had no idea who to ask. To everyone's disappointment, Professor Dumbledore announced that some Ministry officials would be attending instead of students from other schools. She had been looking forward to that but grew excited when he added that you were to dress in colors of the house you attend with. A lot of the people in her house loved making things but they loved shopping even more. Marissa and her were already planning a trip.

"Penny for your thoughts?" offered Malfoy as they strode through the corridor. She looked up, startled.

"Sorry," she apologized, flushing. "I was thinking about the ball,"

He stiffened slightly and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"I don't suppose you have someone in mind," he said in a strangled manner. She stopped abruptly and looked at him appalled. Was that jealousy? She highly doubted it but what if…

Shut up, she scolded her brain. But the damage was already done- images of Malfoy dancing with her, twirling her around, kissing her even whirled through her mind.

Slapping herself in the face to silence the unwanted thoughts, Luca grabbed her hand.

"Are you trying to knock yourself out? We're going to be late to Charms and then your boyfriends will kill me," he said gravely, pulling her through the crowds of students.

She shook her head with a tired smile.

"They're not my boyfriends,"

If anything they'll kill me if they found out I was thinking about taking you to the dance.

Shit. Luca ran his fingers through his dripping wet hair, relaxing his muscles. Showers were one of his favorite coping mechanisms when he was stressed so here he was, relishing the jet of hot water. The steam swirled thickly along his torso and he ignored the hopeful stares of girls trying to catch a glimpse. Parkinson and the others quite literally memorized his schedule and always tried to peek through the crack in the door.

"Bug off," he yelled angrily. Sighing, he slumped against the wall. Leaning his head back, he remained still, allowing the water to run down his face.

He'd barely made it to Oakley's class on time after walking her to Charms. They'd re-potted an unruly species of fauna and he'd gotten mud on his clothes. Yet that wasn't the only reason he had run up to the prefect's bathroom.

The ball was in two weeks and he didn't know who to take now. When Dumbledore said Ministry officials, that would have to include his father because he was in the Prime Minister's cabinet.

He smirked bitterly, clenching his jaw. Of course when he finally, truly wanted something his father had to ruin it. He didn't want to put up with him, especially after he sent the guardians after Adara.

This was supposed to be his year, his time without Lucius reporting every little thing to Father. Because he knew very well that he wouldn't approve of his date.

He angled his face towards the mermaid who giggled flirtatiously.

He was going to ask Adara. Adara.

A small smile broke out onto his face which he quickly covered. God, her name was worse than Adaralyn's. Out of all those other Slytherin girls whom he knew would be glad to go with him, he trusted her. And unlike his family, he valued friends more then status but it was still hard for him.

And now, he had no idea if he could take her at all. Luca wanted to ask her despite Father's possible presence but what if she was already going with someone?

He roughly turned off the tap and sank to his knees, watching the giant tub drain in mesmerizing circles.

"Who am I kidding?" he muttered darkly. "It's too dangerous with Father coming. Besides why in the hell would she want to go with someone like me?"

"Why are you reaching for another coffee?" demanded Sirius, wrapping his arm leisurely around his shoulder. Ignoring him, Adara dutifully sipped her beverage. Between the boys and Luca, she had almost no time for homework. If she wanted to get good grades, she needed the extra boost.

"Forget that. I want to know who you're taking to the ball," she said slyly.

"Me? I've got my date ready to go,"

"Who?" demanded James with delight. Remus stumbled, nearly dropping his books.

"It's a surprise you dummies," he huffed, reaching for Moony. The two were bundled in Sirius's embrace as they tried to make their way down the corridor.

"What about you, James?" Adara asked, muffled by Sirius's arm. He knitted his eyebrows together in thought and shook his head sadly.

"I...I don't know how to ask her,"

Horrified, the three looked at him in confusion.

"What the hell, Prongs. You're the most popular, suavest dork of us all," said Remus, puzzled.

"He's right, James. You have the best social skills," added Peter

Rolling her eyes, Adara shoved her way out from Sirius's hug and stood in front of him, giving James a once-over. Despite his disheveled appearance, anyone could tell he was a catch. Yet the only things that ran through her mind was how sweet and funny he was.

"For Merlin's sake," she barked, causing the three to flinch. "You're the sweetest, most charismatic idiot in the world. Go get the mystery lady and charm her socks off. Cause if she doesn't like you, I'm going to beat her up,"

All was still for a moment until James doubled over laughing.

"What's so funny?" Adara demanded.

"Sorry-," he paused, catching his breath. "Thank you for your speech. As much as it would be interesting to see, I don't think you can beat up said person,"

Sighing, Adara tiredly sipped her coffee.

"I'll meet your woman soon enough. In the meantime, I'm going to head back to my common room,"

She waved goodbye as the three dramatically cried at her departure. Before she turned the corner, she looked back, exasperated.

"Do shut up, will you? You look like idiots doing that,"

"Love you too," Sirius called.

Back in the common room, James headed up the stairs.

"I'll join you guys in a minute," he said quickly before disappearing through the archway.

Once through, he fell onto the bed, looking up at the canopy. Beat her up. Scoffing, he allowed a small smirk to grow across his face.

She would never understand. Because he had a secret, something even Sirius didn't know.

The day in potions when Slughorn had brewed Amortentia, he smelled lilies. He of course knew he would because he'd been in love with Evans since first-year. But there was a new scent, a scent of dark roast, chocolate chip cookies and this unexplainable warmth that overpowered the others- including Lily's.

He thought the love he'd always felt for her was brotherly but this, this proved everything wrong.

And it scared the hell out of him.

Crouching in the passage, Adara vacantly stared at a small cactus. The pot was painted beautifully but the end of it was chipped- Tonks had dropped it when they were decorating.

She was sitting quietly on the stairs to her room because she wanted to be alone. Thoughts of her father's mysterious letter, Adaralyn Thorn and the giant fire-breathing serpent danced across the forefront of her mind. On top of that, she now had to worry about boys.

Especially Luca Malfoy.

Sighing, she buried her face into her arms, hugging her knees closer. Before her mother contracted Lung Seed, she would give Adara a hug in the morning and one before bed.

It was childish but after she was quarantined, Adara would often hold her knees to mimic her mother's warmth when she was stressed.

Now her brain was about to overheat from information. She didn't know what to think of Luca and her emotions were a mess. He was a good friend but terribly handsome and oftentimes did things that made her feel like she was about to have a heart attack.

"What am I going to do?" she sighed, directing her conversation to the cactus. Squishing her face against her neck, she made her voice different as if to resemble the plant. "Well, Adara. I think you should find a date to the ball and forget about all this horrible, dangerous stuff,"

Snorting she shook her head.

"Who am I kidding?" she whispered. Adara knew that there was some messed up stuff happening to her and she wasn't sure if she could be with a boy after what happened last year. The Marauders were a possibility but she knew that despite there denial, they were more popular then they thought. Yet there was no other boy she felt safe with, who she would be comfortable with and truly enjoy herself.

Except for one.

Remus Lupin really wished he had memorized the route to the Fire Whisky stash a while back. Now here he was, lost, sitting in the library, trying to still his thoughts.

That stupid conversation about ball dates replayed through his mind and he slammed his head against the table.

"You promised," he muttered softly. This week before the stupidly lovable Sirius Black swore that he would reveal their relationship at the Yule ball. But he hadn't told him anything so the idea of him taking someone else, the boy who he promised to love forever finding a silly girl to impress his family was just too much. For the Sirius he knew wouldn't care about breaking stereotypes- he would care about him.

He didn't know what to do anymore and he really was getting tired of hiding his relationship with him.

He knew it was for his sake because his family would go mad if they found out but at the very least Remus had been hoping for an explanation before he did something like this.

Now he had tossed him aside carelessly, not even bothering to talk to him.

"Think," he uttered harshly, putting his emotions in check. Rationalizing was what he did best so that's what he would do.

No one, not even his best friend knew about this. According to various psychology books, stress relief is often associated with conversation. He wasn't in the mood to talk to Sirius so the next best thing would be her.

Tomorrow he will tell Adara.

Love. A horrible conundrum. Why may you ask? For one must take the time to find it...

scratched Kylo Valina.

It was precisely eleven o'clock as the carriage pulled along on the outskirts of London, his only company the paper and the quill. To pass time, he put his thoughts onto parchment like he always had. It was soothing in a way, and the familiar rhythm helped calm his thoughts.

The flickering lamp light was his friend as he paused, reading over his work.

Sighing, he rubbed his chin before looking down.

"What a foolish notion," he said quietly despite the fact that he was alone. "Love, that is. Yet I can't seem to get it out of my head that I could potentially feel that way for Adaralyn,"

He turned his head to the window. The last time he'd seen her was when he was eight, when the man took her away. It was really thanks to her he was in this position but the prospect of meeting her on the 25th made his stomach churn.

Coming to reality, he stared at his reflection in the mirror, appalled.

"Am I actually nervous about meeting someone?" he questioned, smirking. A pale face with silky black hair and piercing, violet eyes greeted him.

It was quite amusing to him for he had no problem standing in front of the most noble families in Europe but struggled with...teenage girls? He had to be going insane unless he was experiencing another part of infernal puberty. Maybe he was partially nervous because he wanted her to like him.

Maybe because he had experienced everything but the emotion of love, the feeling of happiness and joy. Maybe he was letting himself hope that for once in his life, someone wouldn't fear him but cherish him with no ill intent.

He only remembered her warm skin and dark hair and those eyes, those bright eyes filled with light.

Kylo wondered if they changed.

The carriage stopped in front of a white mansion. Clenching his jaw, he took in a deep breath.

"You are Kylo Valina, the youngest Magistrate of the Guild and you fear nothing,"

[EXTRA: HEADCANON]—

It's currently 3 am in the dorm and Remus is sick and tired of their jabbering. The two were at first arguing what tattoo would be the coolest but now decided to see what would happen if the chosen animals fought.

"You're being ridiculous. A Thestral would absolutely win," argued Sirius.

"Are you kidding me? A Hippogriff is way stronger. Besides, a Thestral is all skin and bones- it would snap in half with the first kick," James responded coolly. Remus groaned, pressing his face into his pillow. He really envied Peter's ability to sleep heavily.

"They're invisible. If you can't see it, then you can't hit it,"

"Come on now Pad's, they have to kill to eat everyday-,"

Remus had enough. Suddenly, he sat up, interrupting their debate.

"Wait, wait- do you guys hear that," he whispered. They looked at him in surprise.

"What-,"

"Shh. Listen," he murmured, a smile stretching across his face. He laid down, readjusting his position as the two craned their ears in silence.

"I don't hear anything," said James blankly after a few minutes.

"I know and it's glorious. Now go to SLEEP,"

Thank you to all of you wonderful readers! I know there isn't many but it makes my day knowing that someone has seen this work. Apologies for the late update- I had a busy holiday

Enjoy!

-darkist