A/n - Sorry for taking so long to review!! I had a block and couldn't think of anything to write! And then I had all my school work and then I went away for the holidays and I kept putting it off, sorry!!! also I want to apologize now for my crap endings, anyways, hope you like this chapter.

CHAPTER: 10 - Lack Of Common Sense

After much persuasion, Miranda had come out of the dormitory, muttering unbelievingly fast under her breath in french. Issy had glided down the dormitory stairs effortlessly to meet James, who looked in absolute awe at having such a gorgeous date. But he recovered smoothly from his eyes-wide-mouth-open state, with a compliment and grin which sent Issy into a fit of giggles. Jo, on the other hand, had trudged down the stairs as though it was the last place she wanted to be. In fact she only gave Sirius a very half-hearted smile when he complimented her, which was followed by a very sulky look. After the two 'couples' had left the common room, the four remanding girls walked slowly down to the great hall. Because if you were going to be late, you might as well do it fashionably.

Two days later Lily and her friends were still feeling the effects of the Halloween Ball. It was now known that some fourth years had found it very funny to spike the punch. The result being very drunk first, second, third and fourth years, and a very full hospital wing. They had been severely punished for their 'lack of common sense', as Dumbledore put it.

The ball had been reasonably fun until she had to be carried up to the hospital wing by her and Miranda's dates. In fact Lily was the one most affected by the alcohol. Sure, once Issy and Jo found out, they willingly got drunk, but for Lily and Amber it had come as quite a shock to wake up the next day with a splitting headache and a strong urge to vomit. Miranda had luckily escaped, due to Michael's early discovery of the alcohol. Sky had come out on top when her allergy to oranges stopped her from drinking the punch, and she seemed only too happy to rub it in.

"I think I feel better today." yawned Jo as she sat up in bed.

"Me too."

"Mmm, same."

"We have classes today." Sky reminded them.

"What?! Noooo!" whined Amber, falling back onto her bed.

Sky just smirked.

Lily stepped out of the shower, hair up in a towel. "What's the time?"

"Quarter to nine."

"What?!"

"Quarter to nine." Sky repeated, this was followed by Amber, Jo and Issy practically leaping out of bed to get dressed. In an attempt to save time Sky and Miranda were rushing around after their friends to help.

Twenty minutes later the six Gryffindors arrived in Charms, losing 5 points each for their tardiness. Despite Lily's annoyance at the Professor, she couldn't help enjoy the rest of the class.

Since the class was with Ravenclaw Lily sat with Miranda, Emma Taylor, Darcy Chang and Laura Justy. In fact Lily had become very good friends with Emma; meeting in the library most days, studying, doing homework or discussing the muggle world.

Lily was thoroughly grateful that she wasn't the only female muggle born in the year. Emma and her had a strong friendship being able to discuss things more freely, and having a lot more topics available.

The castle was getting colder and going outside meant putting on scarves and gloves. Students were getting excited as Christmas approached, along with the Christmas break that came with it. But this was no excuse for the teachers to give out less homework, in fact it seemed to make them give out more than usual.

The Walker twins were able to invite friends over for the Christmas holidays. Unfortunately Sky wasn't able to come, due to her being an only child. Miranda had informed Lily that her house was big, very big. She had also said that her cousins were coming too, for Christmas. Lily was still waiting for Hazel to return with her parents reply, but she was pretty sure they'd say yes.

"Finally!" sighed Lily, opening the letter Hazel had brought.

"Can you come?" asked Miranda.

"Yes!"

"Good, it would've been no fun without you."

"Sure, sure."

"Seriously!"

Lily rolled her eyes, "Whatever."

"You will like my cousins."

"What are their names?"

"Fleur, Christophe, Paul and Simone."

"Ok. How old are they?" Lily cocked her head to the side.

"Fleur is fourteen, Christophe is twelve, Paul is five and Simone is eleven in May."

"Are ... they all on one side of your family?" inquired Lily.

"Fleur, Christophe and Paul are on my papa's side, and Simone is on my mama's side."

"They sound nice." concluded Lily.

"They are -" Miranda stopped as a beautiful snowy owl dropped a letter in Miranda's lap. She picked it up eagerly and opened it. She frowned as she read it.

"Simone cannot come, her grandpere is ill."

"Sorry to here it."

Too soon it was Christmas break and Lily was thoroughly excited at being able to spend it with her friends. She was packing her trunk while listening to Sky's whining about how evil and unfair her parents were for not letting her come. Issy was off somewhere with Jo, doing something against the rules no doubt, Amber was sitting silently at the end of her bed reading a book and Miranda was in the library with Emma, Laura and Darcy finishing off some last minute homework.

Amber sighed. "How romantic."

"Finished?" asked Sky, ignoring Amber and looking at Lily's neatly packed trunk.

"Nearly. Amber, isn't that my book?" Lily frowned as she read the cover.

Amber just nodded, her eyes never leaving the page. Lily rolled her eyes and threw the book from her bedside table into her trunk.

"Now?" asked Sky.

"Mhmm." nodded Lily, and she closed her trunk with a bang. "Come on Amber, we got to go."

Amber got up silently, the book still in her hands as her eyes whizzed across the page.

"Didja see Baker's face?!" Lily heard Issy's voice followed by increased laughter.

Jo smiled as she walked into the room, followed by a laughing Issy. Sky just raised her eyebrows at Lily as she tucked her black hair behind her ear.

"Miranda's gonna be up soon, just borrowing a book." Jo said to Lily.

REVIEWS:

Mione lover - thx for your review!

AngelSword - you serious? That's really good ... for classified reasons shifty eyes ... anyway thx for your review!

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