A/N: Hey, it's been thirty second since my last post. I have nothing to say. Read Bella Catherina's stories or suffer! Ok, maybe not but you're missing out, people. Good chapter this one. At least the beginning is... well, I enjoyed writing it... just read the goddam story.

It was that time of the year, right in the middle of autumn and winter. Heading into Christmas and, horribly, the holidays. The leaves made a bright carpet of gold, red, brown and orange on the green grass, the lake reflecting the blue of the sky...

Hey, I've never been able to write like that, just thought I'd give it a whirl. The last few parts that I've written have been slightly dodgy, I suppose it's just been difficult. How could it not be? Sometimes I still think to myself 'should write Mum... maybe Dad could help...' and then I have to remember again. They say that time heals all wounds. Well, they're wrong. You just get accustomed to the pain, that's all.

There are times now when I wake up after a horrible nightmare, sweating and screaming. It takes a few moments to realise where I am and relax again, the terrifying thoughts and memories of what I've seen racing through my mind. I've seen a bit.

I shuddered and drew my cloak closer around my body, my eyes wide as I stared down into the grounds. The moon shone brightly and glittered in the frost on the grass. It hadn't snowed yet, but that wasn't what I was waiting for. My eyes were locked on the Whomping Willow, following the sway of the branches. It was freezing in the common room, the fire long since died down. The house elves wouldn't come in while I was here, they prefer not to be seen. So I froze as I stood by the window, and watched, not moving a muscle.

Finally, it happened. It seemed like forever, but it can't have been much longer than ten minutes. The tree froze and two shadowy figures tumbled from underneath it, staggering as far away from the tree as they could before it started moving again. I involuntarily pulled the hem of my cloak tighter around my freezing body. I knew damn well that I should be down there, telling them off, giving them detention, but I could tell there was a lot more going on down there than breaking curfew.

The two figures were arguing, you could see it clearly from their stances, body movements, the way one was pointing fervently back at the tree, the way the other was waving his arms around. I bit my lip and looked up. Full moon. I knew what was going on. I must've been the only girl who knew. I'd figured it out as I watched. Maybe that was what kept me standing still for so long... no, actually, I think I was just worried.

I went to bed when I saw them come into the castle. I didn't want another confrontation, so when James finally slipped into the common room, he had no idea that I'd seen everything that had happened.

Plans and preparations for the ball were sorted out at top speed. Numerous times we had heated prefects meetings, usually involving a stubborn or angry Slytherin who just didn't agree with what everyone else decided. With just two weeks let until Christmas, it was finally sorted, posters were up, decorations were designed, people were given jobs to do, involving decorations, the house elves had been given directions for the food and the whole school was buzzing with excitement. Me? I was just glad the attention was off Voldemort.

My friends were all treating the upcoming ball in different ways. Hannah, in her usual way, kept a calm vigil, watching Aoife bounce around the dorm, chattering non-stop and Sammy use her sarcastic sense of humour, taking the Mickey out of everything.

'Oh, I just love trying on dresses,' she grinned manically, and threw a ruby coloured piece of cloth to the floor. 'What a load of-'

'Hey, look at this one!' Aoife's round face glowed as she rummaged through the trunk Hannah's father had sent them. Hannah sat back on the bed, her face blank. I'm not sure how her father had found all these dresses, but she certainly did. I didn't ask, just sat next to her and smiled. I was relieved when she gave a wan smile back.

'Ooh, Lily, this one would look wonderful on you!'

I rolled my eyes, not even bothering to look at the dress she was holding up. 'Ok, Aoife, I'll wear that one.'

She, too busy in admiring my dress, giggled, folded it up, and tucked it back into the bottom of the chest. Aoife leapt to her feet and bounded over to the mirror, taking her hair and flinging it around her head.

'What do you think?' she asked, talking at top speed, her voice high pitched with excitement. 'Up like this, or maybe down and curly, or what about-.'

'Shut UP, Aoife!' Sammy cried, grabbing a pillow and jamming it into her face. 'I hate discussing these kinds of things, they're so...'

'Girly?' I asked, raising an eyebrow. 'Well, that could be because we are girls...'

Aoife skipped back to the chest, gently lowering the lid. 'Who am I going to go with? Oh, I hope Robert asks me, he's so cute.'

'He's a dope,' Sammy mumbled through the pillow.

'He's sweet!' Aoife defended, heatedly.

'Dope.'

'Sweet!'

'Do you guys want to take this outside?' Hannah interjected quietly, somehow her voice carrying over the din.

Aoife huffed and stomped from the room, twirling a lock of golden hair around her finger. Sam grinned as she dropped the pillow. 'I love getting her mad, it's so easy.'

'Sam, take that pillow away before I suffocate you with it.'

'Will do!' She smiled brightly at me and tossed the pillow over her shoulder. 'Do I really need to wear one of those?' She waved a careless hand at the chest.

I sighed. 'Certainly looks like it. Unless you'd like to go naked.'

'At least it would cause a sensation.'

'Got that right,' Hannah muttered. 'It might cause sudden vomiting to-.'

She didn't get a chance to finish, as a pillow belted her in the face. Hannah laughed and pulled it away, tucking behind her on the bed. I couldn't help it. I smiled. For the first time since my parents died I smiled properly. Hannah was laughing, Aoife was excited and Sam was in a good mood, not matter what she said about the ball. Besides, those boys were in for a shock.