7th December
Common Room
A Hogsmeade trip has been announced for the 21st. Might as well go - nothing better to do.
8th December
History of Magic
Binns is droning on and on and on.
Kinesis has perked up a little. I think he's got a girlfriend - a beautiful snowy owl with amber eyes called Amulet. They are always snuggled up together before he flies down to see me.
I've been telling him all about James and how I wish I could have just one last chance to prove my innocence.
10th December
Great Hall
The castle is getting draughty. I had to put a T-shirt under my shirt today. And I'm still a bit cold. Anna has just ladled me some warm vegetable soup. I love that girl.
And Rachel as well, of course.
11th December
Bed
Looking back on my entry from yesterday, I started thinking about love. I know its all mushy and yucky and lovely blah blah blah, but I started seriously thinking about it. I mean, Petunia must love this Vernon guy if they're getting married. My parents must love each other. And someone out there must love me.
For a split second I think of James. My heart flips over in my chest and starts beating loudly, like a drum. I wonder if he loved me. Yeah, he fancied me - that was obvious - but love? Maybe that's why his so put-out by the Paul thing. I mean, if his ex girlfriend Mindy - what a COW - had kissed another guy on purpose (by the way, I did not kiss Paul on purpose) he would have moped for a couple of hours then got over it. But this thing with me has gone on for weeks! A few months even!
And then I'm starting to think. What if I had seen James getting kissed by another girl - maybe Mindy (grrrrrrrrr) at the Ball? And as I think about it, I realize something.
I would be devastated.
I can see how he feels. And now I understand. I can't just apologize and everything will be fine. It's not like I've broken his quill by accident or anything small like that.
I've broken his heart.
That sounds so cheesy!!!!!!! But it's true. And it was by accident. But that doesn't make any difference.
I am going to take one last try. I am going to apologize sincerely, in person. I think about when….. Hogsemeade!
My heart beats with panic as I think about it. But it must be done.
14th December
Library
My last tutoring session with Remus before the holidays. We are going over everything we have studies in the past few months. I ace everything.
'Well done!' says Remus. 'You've gotten so much better.'
'It's all thanks to you - I am so grateful!!!!' I say. 'I'm going to buy you a huge bar of chocolate to say thank you.'
'You don't have to…' he says, blushing slightly.
'Yeah, I don't have to, but I want to, OK?'
'If you really want.'
'Yep. I am going to ace Defence Against the Dark Arts, for sure now.'
'I'm sure you are.' smiles Remus. 'You can go now, if you want. I've got some Potions to catch up on.'
'OK, good luck.' I say. Then my gaze falls on a book entitled Spells for 'Future' Reference. I pick it up and flick through the first few pages. 'Can I borrow this?'
'Sure,' he replies, scribbling away. 'I need it back for the 17th of January though.'
'OK, thanks. See you.'
I start on the book straight away. It's extremely good.
16th December
Common Room
Have taken up reading the book in my spare time. It has history, Transfiguration, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions … basically everything in it.
The pages are old parchment, the words look new. I am going to try out a few spells soon, to boost my ability. Well, try and boost my ability - if that is anywhere possible.
18th December
Empty Charms Classroom
You I said that I am going to apologize to James at Hogsmeade? That's not the only thing I am going to do. I am going to give him proof that I did not cheat on him at the dance. I am going to be proved innocent!!!! All thanks to this wonderful book.
I found the spell this morning - the Precedent Window Enchantment. It looks kind of complex, a few thousands wand swished and a mouthful of words. But the effects are compromisingly superb.
The Precedent Window Enchantment casts a magic 'window' allowing a scene from the past to be shown in which the caster appears in. So if I cast the spell, I can be shown the scene with Paul, and if I'm with James he'll see too!!!
This has got to work. But, for it to work, I need Remus.
That's why we're here - practicing!
'Swish, flick, left, down, right, up.' instructs Remus. I mimic his actions.
'Right,' I say. 'And what are the words?'
'Compromo Prosceilla Arami.'
'Can I try it?'
'Yeah, that's why we're here, isn't it?'
20th December
Empty Charms Classroom
I have been practicing hard for tow days, and I think I finally have it.
Compromo Prosceilla Arami!' I yell and focus my memory to the Ball. My eyes close, I remember, will the spell to work. Remus gasps. It works! My eyes fly open to see myself and Paul exactly as we were, then…. Ugh. The kiss. BUT IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I just have to do it in front of James.
21st December
Breakfast
I'm so jittery. The post has just arrived. I sent Kinesis just before breakfast with a letter for James, instructing Kinesis to post it at the table.
I can't stop staring as Kinesis swoops gracefully towards James.
James takes the slip of parchment from his beak and unfurls it. I hold my breath as he reads, his expression getting steadily confused.
Success! I told him to meet me at the stile near Deverish and Bangs at two o'clock. That way it'll be a little more… private.
But will he actually come?
21st December
The Stile
I am so nervous. I have been going over the spell in my head all day, convincing myself that I can do it.
But maybe when the time actually comes, I won't be able to…
No Lily, don't think like that. You can do it - you will.
Take deep, deep breaths Lily and be -
Wait.
A shadow.
A voice.
'Lily?'