A/N: Im sooooo sorry about writing that Honeydukes was in Diagon Alley.! I made a few mistakes in the last posting. So sorry again. This Chapter is really long. They are back at school for their seventh year. And a lot of this chapter is them getting back at school and the Hallowe'en Ball. (btw, that's how I spell Hallowe'en.)

Chapter 3

Arrival

It was now September 1 and Leigh had just crossed the barrier to board the train. Remus was turned the opposite way from her. She called out to him and he stepped away from his cart with his arms open wide. Leigh ran up to him and jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist and laced her fingers behind his neck as he spun her around. Lily and James met up with them as did Sirius and a different girl. She had light brown eyes and bright blonde. James and Remus as well as Lily and Leigh couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. Lily and Leigh gave each other a glance that asked, "Where does he find all of these girls?"

They all found a compartment and began to tell each other their stories of the summer. Lily and James had been made Head Boy and Girl. Sirius had been with James all summer so apparently Sirius figured anything James said would suit him just as well. Although they hadn't seen much of each other during the 3 weeks Lily stayed at with them. Whatever the case or topic Sirius was oblivious, due to the fact that he was now snogging the brown-eyed blonde.

Lily had gathered that her name was Hannah. Leigh was sure that it was Amy. Remus thought it could be Kelly, and James figured it was Angela. Later Sirius properly introduced her as Helen.

Remus and Leigh were talking about the summer each had had and the other had missed. Right around lunch a woman came by with the trolley and everyone got something. At 2 pm they changed into their robes, and a little after nightfall the castle came into view. They hauled their luggage to an available carriage drawn by an invisible horse-like creature. All six of them made it up to the Great Hall for the start of term feast. Remus and Leigh clapped loudly for the students placed into Gryffindor, and even louder when Head Boy and Girl were announced. They all ate until their hearts' content.

Lily came and told Remus and Leigh the new password, which was chimera. It was nearly 9 o'clock before they made it to the common room.

The Next Day

Everyone slowly made their way downstairs to the blazing fire, and fellow students still in their pajamas.

"Oh no." Leigh complained, "We have double potions today. And it's only our first day back!"

"Yea but at least it's with Hufflepuff." Remus always tried to be optimistic.

"Ooo. You're right!" Leigh laughed.

The first day back went by quite uneventful. The first two months back were just the same. Sirius had managed to stay with Helen, which came as quite a shock to many. (A/N: The story with Sirius and Helen will probably be a spin-off story later. That's if you folks want it to be…)

There was a buzz throughout the school during the last three weeks of October. Word had leaked out about a Hallowe'en Masquerade Ball that Lily and James were planning. On the next Hogsmeade visit the clothes shops were overflowing with students who were putting together elaborate costumes for the masquerade. The theme wasn't anything in particular, but the chosen attire by most was from the 1400s.

Hallowe'en Night

It was Hallowe'en, and the night was cool and calm. Dusk was only just approaching as a cool breeze swept over the grounds. Remus had something special planned for tonight and he was thankful for the pleasant weather. Although he thought it would for a minute, that if it rained, that would be ironic.

The Masquerade Ball would begin at seven o'clock and end around midnight, for the fifth, sixth, and seventh year students only. Leigh, Lily, and all of the other girls had been upstairs since four. Leigh and Lily didn't start getting ready until six.

"I just don't see who would need three hours to get dressed for a dance." Leigh confided to Lily.

"Apparently they're insecure with their appearance." Lily responded.

"Yes, well, so am I. I've just given up hope." Leigh smiled to her friend.

"Oh cut it out! You know you're gorgeous!" Lily protested and smiled defending Leigh from herself.

So for two hours the girls helped the others in their dorm.

The Hallowe'en Masquerade Ball

At seven Remus was waiting at the bottom of the marble staircase with James and Sirius. They were waiting on the girls.

Helen came down first. She was wearing and elegant lavender ballroom gown with powder blue trim. Her mask was the same color. It was not a small dress either, the three had researched true attire of that era and had gone as far as wearing hoops and corsets. Her waist made it to 18'. Lily came down next. She was dressed in a dark forest green, crushed silk dress. Very much so complementing her glowing complexion and flaming red hair. Also like Helen she had the hoops and a small 17 ½ waist. Her mask was a swan white.

Leigh was the last to descend the staircase. She took Remus' breath away all over again. Leigh was wearing a deep royal wine velvet dress with maroon and white accents. She had a maroon sash tied around her 18 inch waist.

"You look amazing." Remus goggled.

"Thank you." Leigh said in an out-of-breath way.

"Can you breathe?" he inquired.

"A little. It's just the stairs. And the corset." She smiled. "I'll be fine in a minute."

Sirius added, "Which is the least you can say for Prongs and Lils. They have to start off the first dance of the ball."

"Gee. Thanks Padfoot. Really enjoy the support. Feel a whole lot better now!" James retorted smiling.

The group laughed and Sirius replied, "Anytime."

The Hall was lavishly decorated, and modern Hallowe'en décor was incorporated as well. Small jack o' lanterns could be seen suspended above them and some were on the tables and floor. James and Lily began the first waltz and it was beautiful. Soon others joined in; extravagant costumes filled the Great Hall.

Leigh was surprised at how well of a dancer Remus was. The time passed quickly and the clock struck ten. Remus asked Leigh to follow him, and not thinking anything if it, she did.

The night was clear and very pleasant. A courtyard had been set up on the Grounds. The rose bushes were red and white roses, and contained faerie lights. There was a cobbled stone pathway all the way around the center fountain. The fountain was elaborate and very beautiful and there was stone that acted as a bench on the edge of the fountain. In four places the main path branched out from the center 'fountain path'. It was lined with shrubs and flowers.

Remus and Leigh passed a few couples on the benches of the branching pathways. Leigh took off her mask and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Now my face can breathe. I was starting to mold in there."

Remus laughed. When they got to the fountain (glowing with lights) with its trickling golden water, and the surrounding roses and stone path, Leigh was awestruck.

"It's beautiful." She said breathlessly.

"Isn't it though?" Remus replied smiling.

Leigh turned to him.

"Did you have fun at the ball? Or rather, are you having fun so far?"

"Oh yea." He smirked. "It's fun. I like this kind of old-fashioned stuff." He said referring to their clothes and the ball.

"Me too." Leigh smiled.

"Leigh…" Remus began, "You know how much you mean to me and how much I love you right?"

"Yea, I'm pretty sure I do." Leigh responded, as she spoke, she stepped closer to him.

Remus placed his right hand behind her neck and his left hand on the small of her back and pulled her in to him further. They looked into each other's eyes for a moment. Remus placed his mouth over hers and kissed her. Leigh began to kiss him back. Both were completely lost in the moment. They pulled apart and kissed on the lips once more.

"I love you Leigh."

"I love you too Remus."

"Leigh?" Remus moved his hands and reached in his pocket. He held a black velvet box and dropped to one knee. "Will you marry me?" He opened the box.

Leigh gasped, "Are you kidding me?" she asked astonished. Remus shook his head. "Yes!Yes! I will marry you!"

Remus stood up and slipped the beautiful gold and diamond engagement ring on her left hand, ring finger. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

"How'd you know my size?"

"Lily. She sized your finger while you were sleeping. You sleep like a rock." He smiled

"That makes me feel safe." She said sarcastically.

They kissed each other again and walked off together down the dark path.

"Remus! Leigh!" Someone shouted. "Help! Leigh!" The voice screamed desperately.

Leigh hiked up her skirts and broke into a run, not bothering to wait for Remus.

Remus was walking quickly along following the direction Leigh had ran. A terrified scream rang through the stillness of the night that made Remus sick to his stomach and pale. He stopped dead in his tracks. It was Leigh. Remus broke into a run through the strange fog that had just settled in.

A/N: Sorry this is a cliffie! But it gets better. And sorry you people are gonna hate me by the end of next chapter. I'll try to post chapter 5 the next day so that you all wont…. Hate me. Lol (evil laughing)