Lily gasped. Voldemort was Tera's brother?!

"Are you serious?" said Kal in a low voice

"Yes...." said Tera

"Don't worry we won't judge you by your brother." Said Kal smiling

Tera looked relived. They all went back to their drawings. Lily sighed. She had always sucked at drawing. She looked up when Tera gave an exclamation.

"I GOT IT!" she squealed

Kal and Lily bounded over to Tera. They took one look at the dresses and high fived.

"Perfect!"

Tera sank down. She was excited until she remembered the Prank War. Now that she had broken up with Sirius.....there was no prize. So it was over. She smiled to herself. No more war...unless you counted the Dance War. Lily climbed into bed. Kal walked into her room. Tera sat there.

"Oh didn't I tell you? Think of a bed."

Tera thought and a bed popped up before her eyes.

"Night." Said Lily grinning.

Tera clambered into bed and whispered,

"Goodnight..." but she didn't know if it would be such a good night. Her conscience was bugging her about Sirius. I know you're just trying to save him... but really! I think that you might've broken him down... Tera rolled her eyes. She had to... I hope that the boys win this contest... that way Sirius could ask me what happened... so some one could force me!!! But no... I have to go... I'll explain more to Lily and Kal in the morning perhaps... She fell asleep.

Dream

"Sis... Listen to me!"

"NO! No Tom I WON'T!" she screamed at her brother. "Don't you understand?"

"I don't think that you do," he replied. "This isn't just a bad dream of yours... you actually are talking with me..." he smiled. Then he frowned. "You want to know why I hurt you don't you? Well Lord Voldemort does as he sees fit!" his voice was rising. "You always lived a life of comfort! You never had anyone abandon you! Every one left me! I tried to look after you... but you had never felt pain. It hurt me more to think of it!" he was shouting now, "So I gave you a taste of pain... It made me feel better to know you had a better understanding!"

"Tom! Don't you see? You're NOT the only person in this world who has felt pain! Did you ever think that I have felt pain?"

"You haven't though!" he screamed trying to block out her words. She just shouted louder.

"Did you ever think that it was also my dad who abandoned me before I was born? Did you ever think that Mom abandoned me by not being able to give me life? That that elf abandoned me by dying after the spell was cast? Did you ever remember that you abandoned me?" tears started to burn in her eyes. "Yes Tom, you did. You lived while I was dying. Then several years later you abandoned me again. How Tom? How could you do it?"

"Do what?!"

"Leave me with HIM! With Lord Voldemort! He hurt me Tom... he really did. Then even more years later you never came back when he tried to take me away from the only things that matterd to me... Sirius and Lily and all of my friends! I LOVE Sirius Tom, and I love Lily too! How could you leave me?! I always believed that you never had leaved me... but you did. I think that you're dead Tom, I think that no matter how I plead that I'm with Voldemort and I can never be with Tom again... you're dead..." She broke down crying.

End of Dream

While dreaming Tera had been whispering the words in her sleep. And had even whispered Tom's responses. When she woke up she was covered with sweat and she could see Lily and Kal looking at her, wondering if she was ok.

"Tera? You ok?"

"Yeah...yeah..." muttered Tera

Lily and Kal looked at each other. The shrugged. Inside they were disturbed.

Sirius was sitting on the bed in the guys room thinking of a costume.

"How about what I said? PRINCES!" yelled James

"No way Prongs." Said Remus shaking his head

Sirius looked up with a grin.

"Guys I think I've got it!"

"What?!" asked James and Remus

"GANGSTERS! You know the guys with those muggle things called guns."

"Oh yeah Pad we'll be gangsters." Said Remus sarcastically

"I knew you'd agree!" said James

Remus shook his head. They were outnumbering him. They all planned to go shopping for costumes at Hogsmeade. At the word Hogsmeade Sirius felt a pain in his chest. Tera and him were supposed to have their first official date then. Meanwhile he didn't know that at that moment Tera was thinking the same thing.

Tera was suddenly reminded of Hogsmeade. She and Sirius were supposed to have a date then. She felt so guilty still. She would have to leave sooner than December... a lot sooner. Maybe she'd pull of Cinderella some how? Leave right after the dance... she didn't have much other choice. Everyone would be occupied then. She tried to go back to sleep and finally managed to. She woke up at dawn.

"Lily, why are you conjuring up buckets of water?" she asked suspiciously. "Aw crap Lily! Don't!" she muttered a few words and formed a protective barrier around her and Kal. The water hit them and shot back at Lily. Tera stuck out her tongue. "What's happening again today?" she asked, trying to avoid more throwing of water.

"SHOPPING!"

"What???!!!!!!!" called Kal

"HOGSMEADE!" yelled Lily back.

Tera smiled a bit. Her creations would soon be ready. Shopping was one thing that always cheered her up. Kal was already in a pair of jeans and a tank top with a sweater over it.

"Well? We don't have all day!" said Kal

Lily and Tera laughed and quickly changed. Tera with a pair of black jeans and black long sleeved shirt and Lily with a blue top and white capri's The trio walked downstairs laughing at Lily.

"That was hilarious!" said Kal almost falling down with laughter

"It was NOT." Said Lily crossly "and if it weren't for Tera here you two would be covered with water right now."

Tera just laughed at Lily even more. They were at the bottom of the stairs when they saw people sitting on the chairs in front of the fire.

"Morning Potter, Lupin, Black." Said Lily,she said Black and Potter in a disgusted voice

"Evans." Said James coolly. Inside he was amazed at how calm she looked after last night.

"Tera....we NEED to talk." Said Sirius quietely

"About what?" said Tera just as quietly. "It's over Black no matter how much you want to deny it.....and me too." Tera said those last words so nobody could hear. Nobody knew how much pain she felt when she said those words.

Sirius looked hurt and then he turned back to the fire.

Tera looked at the ground. She found it extremly hard to look at anyone's face. If only they knew... I havn't even told the whole story to Lily or Kal yet... I have to tell some one soon or I think that I'll explode... but then again they'd just stop me from going... I have to go... I can't tell anyone anything else. Especially Lily. She knows me too well. She quickly strode out of the room before anyone could say anything else.

"Well you guys, where to in Hogsmeade first?" she asked. "I personally vote for the Three Broomsticks," she smiled thinking about butterbeer.

Lily just looked at Tera. She quickly followed Tera with Kal at her heels.

"Ok Tera spill. We know something's wrong." Said Lily as they entered the Great Hall.

"Nothing's wrong. So we're going to the Three Broomsticks right?" said Tera briskly

Lily shook her head an shot Kal a look that said We'll ask her later. As the three walked out Kal glanced behind her. She had felt something trod on her robe. But there was nothing there.

Talee and David had gotten closer ever since he had asked her to the dance. Eventually they ended up going to Hogsmeade together. Talee looked sideways at David. His brown hair had fallen across his face as he bent down to tie his shoe. Talee hadn't seen much of Tera for a while. She intended to talk to her. Come to think of it she hadn't seen Dalyce often and when she did she always seemed to be doing everything automatically. She shook her head. She looked up. If she had looked up a moment earlier she would have seen Kal, Lily and Tera walk into the Three Broomsticks.

They entered the Three Broomsticks. Tera turned around to face them.

"Ok guys, you want me to spill it. But not here. I just know that James, Remus, and Sirius are here." She touched Kal and Lily's arms. "Hang on..." a second later she'd transported them to the shrieking shack. She took a deep breath, "The person who'd taken me out of the window was Tom. Well actually I think that it was Voldemort, I can't tell them apart so easily. Anyways he hinted that... that..." she closed her eyes, "That all the people close to me could get hurt." she took another breath, this wasn't as easy as she'd thought, "Immediately I knew that he was hinting at Sirius. I knew that I couldn't be near him so I..." she stopped talking and a tear slipped out of her eye. She clapped her hands and asked, "So now what that I spilled? Interrogation? The Three Broomsticks? Where to now?"

"Tera! I can't believe it." Said Lily faintly

"Believe it."

"But Sirius won't give up till he gets the truth." Said Lily

"Well I'm never telling him unless.... nevermind."

Kal nodded and Tera transported them into Witch World.

"Ok! Now choose material for your dress." Said Kal and clapped her hands

The three split up. Tera immediately walked toward the dark colours. She found a dark purple that she liked and a shimmery black material. She dragged Kal over and showed her it. Kal eyed the material and said

"Hm....what about this purple?"

"Ohhhhh that ones prettier." Said Tera as she saw the cloth she hadn't seen before.

"Wait a sec!" squealed Kal and she dragged Lily over

"What now Kalistra?" asked Lily irratibly

"We all have a black back area and a.....wait.....I got it! Oh yeah Lily NEVER call me Kalistra."

Kal hurriedly told Lily and Tera her choice. They all agreed that it would look awesome. Tera sensed something behind her. She twirled around to face her worst enemy.

Tera instantly backed up several paces. Very rudely (very rudely here means she swore a few times) she asked what Lucious wanted and what he was doing there.

"I was just looking for you," he tried to say.

"Well backoff! I HATE you!" then she smiled sweetly. "You can go now you-" she swore again. She got out her wand and pointed towards the door. Annoyed, Lucious complied.

"You're fighting a losing battle, Lucious," said Narcissa. He glared at her. "What's wrong? She speaks true when she says that she hates you. Find some one else to ease the hunger in your heart..."

"Why do you always try to speak like some sort of mystic or something?" he sneered in reply. Haughtily she walked away saying,

"Ignore good advice then," she stormed away.

"Anyways," muttered Tera.

Lily looked at Tera with a disbelieving look. Tera grinned and Kal grinned back. They all purchased the cloth they needed.

"Now can we go to the Three Broomsticks?" asked Tera impatiently

"Yes."

They walked there talking about what kind of masks they would wear.

"How about sunglasses?" asked Lily

"PERFECT!" said Kal "why didn't I think of that?"

They walked in and claimed a table. Kal sat down with Tera while Lily went to get drinks.

"So Tera....you broke up with Sirius becuase....."

"Shhhh..." whispered Tera looking around. She didn't notice the slight way the air behind Kal moved but Lily did.

"POTTER!" she screamed

James heard Lily scream. He quickly put his hand around her mouth to keep from blowing their cover

"Good job Prongs." Muttered Remus

"Shut it Moony."

Lily quieted down. James released her mouth. She sat down glaring at where she thought James was.

"No more talking." Said Lily

The three girls resumed talking about anything and nothing. Sirius was dissapointed becuase Kal was about to revealwhy Tera broke up with him.

Tera looked around uneasily. It was unnerving to know that the Marauders had an invisibility cloak and could be anywhere at any time.

"So, how do you think this whole "dress-up" contest is gonna end up?" Tera thought outloud. This whole thing was seemingly messed up... How lame was that? A best costume war? Sure it wouldn't be that bad if it were for Halloween but these circumstances...

The girls finished their drinks and walked out. Kal and Tera were excitedly discussing their dresses. Lily joined in once in a while. They arrived at the castle. They immediately walked up to Lily's room. They took out the materials. Lily smiled. This was her element. She knew everything about making a dress with magic and she shooed Kal and Tera out. She set to work flicking her wand this way and that.

Meanwhile Remus, James and Sirius were busy planning out their costumes. Sirius had pulled a few strings with some of his contacts. He had got them leather jackets and black pants. Somehow he had also gotten some black sunglasses. Their costumes were already made.

Lily was finished 30 minutes later. She grinned and looked at her creations. She had laid them out on the bed with matching makeup. She had alreayd claimed her dress but still.... She called them up. Kal and Tera walked up and gasped in delight with what they saw. On the bed were 3 dresses. They all had a black backround with a stripe down them. One had a blue one....that was Kal's, one had a purple stripe and one had a green one. Kal picked up her dress and gave it a quick inspection. Tera also picked hers up. They were knee length. Lily had done her work well. The sunglasses were also charmed to match the dresses. They were ready.

"Nice job Lils..." said Tera. "But..."

"Buut?" asked Lily, being very defensive over her creations.

"Knee-length?" Tera didn't especially like things that were shorter then knee length. Then she changed her mind about her evaluatoin as Lily started to practically breathe fire. "They're awesome Lils! Forget ANYTHING I said against them!!!" Lily calmed down.

"Good, otherwise you'd pay!"

Tera shuddered.

"Oh god no! NOT the Lily treatment!" Tera put her hands on her face and fixed it as if she were screaming, only silent. Kal laughed. "So... what do you think the guys are planning?"

"So... what do you think the girls are planning?"

Sirius was trying on his costume. He was wearing black leather pants and jacket with a black t-shirt underneath. He had the big gold necklaces complete with the chunky gold rings. He looked in the mirror to see James and Remus barely being able to contain their laughter.

"Go ahead and laugh." Snapped Sirius

James and Remus rolled on the floor clutching their stomachs.

"Lets see you with it on then."

The laughter immediately ceased. Remus and James found themself in ridiculous clothes. They sat down laughing at their looks. They were ready. The last two hours till the ball would be the longest ever for them. They didn't know the girls found themselves in the same situation.

Tera looked at herself in her dress. Oh my god... I have to wear this to the ball?!?! No thanks... She tried backing up out of the door while Lily and Kal were busy in front of the mirror. Tera refused to put on the make-up unless under some kind of force. Little did she know...

"NOW!" shouted Lily. Lily and Kal instantly whipped out their wands and forced Tera back in.

"Sorry Tera," Kal said.

"But you're committed!" Lily said, grinning. Tera just groaned.

"But you know that I absolutely hate dresses and all that stuff!!" Tera complained. She sounded like a two-year-old trying to get more dessert. Tera slumped onto the bed, wondering what was going to happen that night. She had a bag that she had hidden in a secret broom closet with normal clothes that she could get while she "went to the bathroom". Then... she'd be out and looking for Tom. She snorted. What a non-foolproof plan!

Lily started applying Kal's makeup which was mascara and lipstick. She had chosen well. Kal was left looking like a superstar even if her clothes weren't right yet. Tera was sitting there watching. When Lily fisnished she tryed to make another break for the door but she found it magically sealed.

"Ok Tera sit down NOW" said Lily sternly

Tera reluctantly sat down. Lily started. Tera closed her eyes. Then she remembered the pendant that Dumbledore had given her. Maybe she should use it....

Tera grumbled but went down, reluctantly, without a fight. She had the rose-pendant clutched in her left hand and she whispered into it what she wanted.

"Hey guys? Can't we also just wear jeans under these dresses? I'm not exactly fond of dresses..." Tera said. She'd been trying to suggest several things hoping that they'd fly. They all flopped. Maybe this one'd be different?

"Ahhhh NO." Said Lily

Lily started to brush Tera's hair when she dropped the brush.

"Tera? Ahh where did the scars go and your....ah ear?"

"Just a little something." Said Tera not wanting to reveal anything.

Lily nodded and resumed brushing Tera's hair. Tera shut her eyes. 20 minutes later Lily finished. She peeked and gasped at what she looked like. Her hair was softly curled and her eyes were enhanced by eyeliner with a dark red lipstick. She actually looked good. Lily gave a satisfied sigh and said

"My masterpiece."

Tera grinned. It was her turn.

"Ok Lily your turn." Said Tera with a smirk

"Ah no actually I am doing my own."

"Damn! No more chance to mess your looks up!"

Lily grinned and resumed straightening her hair. 30 minutes later she finished.

"Ah! At last." Groaned Tera

Lily just smiled and pulled out the dresses.

"Ok time to get ready."

In the boys dorm Sirius was looking at himself in the mirror. He thought he looked like a clown. Well at least it was only one night.

Tera groaned.

"About the jeans!" she asked, trying to avoid a night wearing a dress which ended at her knees. Lily, however, did not look as if she was in a merciful mood. "Jeans'd be AWESOME!!!!" Tera tried again, using her non-existant skill of persuading a made-up minded Lily.

Lily just shook her head at Tera and walked into her bathroom. She came out wearing her sunglasses and dress. She looked awesome thought Tera. Next was Kal. She walked out 3 minutes later with her sunglasses on and dress. Finally it was Tera's turn. She braced herself and slipped into the dress. With magic she quickly lengthned it a bit. Not enough for Lily to notice but long enough. She put on her sunglasses and walked out. She looked pretty good. Then Lily took out a box. It had 3 pairs of high heels in them. Lily and her bright ideas!

"Ok black for Tera green for me and blue for Kal."

Tera slipped on the shoes and took a few steps. She noticed her shoes were lower than Kal's and Lily's. She was grateful. She would never be able to walk in ones that Kal and Lily could. They all proceeded down the stairs. The guys were waiting by the stairs. Tera felt uncomfortable under Sirius' gaze which was fixed on her. Unaware Lily and Kal proceeded not worried that Tera had stopped walking.

Tera quickly caught up with her friends, stumbling a bit in the alien shoes. And it didn't help matters that Sirius, Remus, and James were dressed up as some sort of rapper/ gangster people. Tera felt like falling over in laughter. But then she thought it over. They didn't look that bad... especially Sirius. Wait a second... she just had to stop thinking about him, it would only make it harder for her when she had to leave.

"When is it decided who wins this lame-o contest?" muttered Tera to Lily. The sooner that she could get out of this get-up the better.

Lily shrugged, then said,

"You'd better not change outfits though before the night's over!" Lily looked threatening and Tera gulped. Lily was one of the few people in the world who could make her do as she asked without using the imperious curse.

Dalyce was lying on her bed... there wasn't much else to do. Then suddenly, she felt the spell weaken considerably.

"Oh no..." she muttered, remembering. She viewed a replay of being zapped. "Why that dirty dog Lucious! I don't know why he cursed me... but I have to fight it!" Then, just as suddenly she felt the spell take hold of her again.

"Time to go..." said Lucious.

"What the heck? I don't listen to stupid Slytherins! she replied. The spell didn't seem as effective. She could hear cursing from the other side of her mind but heard him calm himself down.

"Fine then..." and the spell snapped.

I have to get to that stupid ball... if I don't I just know that Lucious is going to do something to Tera, or maybe even someone else! She quickly got into a pair of baggy black pants with a baggy black shirt on top. She hated dresses, besides, it was better if she could travel easier. She magicked her hair into a bunch of braids and put on a black blindfold with eye holes. (not much of a blindfold eh?) Lastly she put on a silver chain that her dad gave her around her neck. On her way out she grabbed a cap and put it on backwards.

"Stupid, but whatever. I have to get to that ball!" she quickly ran down the multiple hallways towards the great hall.

"Are you going to the dance?" asked a girl with a rat-like face. Dalyce rolled her eyes,

"Yeah, so?"

"You can't go without a partner you know!" replied the ratty girl. Dalyce just about yelled at her to shut up but then stopped. She had to go with someone? She looked around. All of the people that she saw were with someone else. Then she saw Peter Pettigrew. He wasn't with anyone and seemed almost lonely. Dalyce gulped, she really didn't like Peter but if he could help her get in then who cared?

"Hey Peter!" she cried. He turned around, startled.

"Y- yeah?" he replied. Dalyce smiled, asking,

"Wanna go to the ball with me?" Peter brightened up considerably. He nodded eagerly and she went with him. Now then... where is Lucious, Tera, and Sirius? She looked around but didn't see anyone.