Malfoy was speaking. "I think we should check the room for listening charms. Syma looked at me. She was about to pull the plug on the charm when McGonagall said, "Don't be silly. Who would be listening? Mr Malfoy. I would like to hear what you have to say."

He began telling this story about how all he'd done was to come to the ball with his girlfriend. (If I hadn't have been hiding I would have gone and slapped him!) That we'd been going out since school started. He said how he'd been dancing with me when Sirius came up and punched him. He was weaving lies into ll of this. How I hated Sirius, how Sirius had been stalking me, how I'd asked Malfoy to protect me. "And your story Mr Black?" Sirius basically muttered that he'd punched Malfoy. I was like, Sirius, stand up for yourself. You KNOW what happened.

"well Mr Black. It seems that indeed you deserve punishment." McGonagall started talking to Nightshade. "Well? What do you think?" I didn't hear his answer. Mainly because the rage that had been building inside me burst. I stood up. Syma tried to stop me but I brushed her off. I took hold of the handle and pushed the door open. Everybody stared at me. Apart from Sirius. "Professor McGonagall. I am NOT Malfoy's girlfriend, I DO NOT hate Sirius, he WAS NOT stalking me and I DID NOT say ANYTHING about protecting me. In fact, I only came to the ball with Malfoy because he blackmailed me" I turned and glowered at him.

That was when my confidence fled. I coughed and looked at the floor. Syma burst in. Ok… she made Malfoy cry. Sirius looked (wait for the long word) bemused.

"Well, well,. Miss Lupin and Miss Black. How kind of you to join us." I wondered how much trouble we were in. Actually…don't answer that.

"Well," Nightshade began. I gulped. "I see we have the people to punish. Mr Black for violence and Miss Lupin and Miss Black for interrupting a private punishment discussion.

"What about Malfoy?" I said, "HE lied."

"Mr Malfoy is a 6th year AND a prefect. You are a first year and it would serve you well to remember that!"

After LOADS of extremely tedious talking, Malfoy smirking at us and Sirius not looking at me, they decided what would happen. Nightshade said, "You will each be cleaning out the potions room without magic. I imagine it will take at least a month."

Syma said, "But that sounds like you planned it all."

She said this at the same time as I said, "Together or separately sir. I mean, there's only one potions room."

"As you were polite, Electra Lupin, I will answer your question first."

I winced as he said my full name.

"Together but if you play up then apart." He didn't answer Syma and left.

Boxing Day

I wonder if I can get transferred into another house? I am SO not Slytherin material.

Detention

Well that was good. NOT! Nothing really happened but I am SO sure Sirius is ignoring me. I really need to say thanks for saving me from Malfoy. I forgot today. I'll do it tomorrow at lunch.

27th December

Lunch

At lunch I went to find Sirius. He was in the great hall. Great! I have to say thanks in front of the whole school. Eventually, amongst jeers, I reached him. He didn't look up. 'Oh blow it!' I thought. 'he can ignore me.' "I just wanted to say…um… thanks for punching Malfoy. You really did me a favour." He didn't say anything. So I started walk back down the hall. He said "Um."

I thought' very good use of vocabulary' but I carried on walking.

"Um.. Ellie! Wait up!"

I turned and he was running to catch up. This is weird. Oh yeah. Everybody had stopped easting and were watching. When he caught up he hinted that we should go somewhere else. I said, "Very good idea." So we went out to the lake. Remember, this is December. So no-one was out there.

"Thanks. Sorry about the potions thing. And ignoring you."

I shrugged, "I didn't have to come and stand up for you but the ignoring thing was kind of annoying."

He bent to kiss me but I stopped him. "Sirius. Can we just take it slow? I need to work out my feelings first. Ok?"

28th November

Oh my gosh! I'm top of my classes. Nightshade told me. That's the Lupin coming out in me. I was talking to Moons about changing houses. He said if I was really unhappy then I should ask. My only friend is Syma! I'm not unhappy but…

Later

I have new friends! Hufflepuff + Griffindors. Helen, (H), Lucy, (H), Clarissia, (G), and Lavinia, (G). All of them have crushes on Sirius. I'm like the only the girl he's EVER asked out and I don't know whether I'm going to say yes. Anyway, all of them are brilliant at hair and makeup. I normally just have a ponytail and no makeup. I let them work on me. I look about Fifteen. They put my hair into lots of tiny plaits with strands of purple and silver.

Even Later

Ok… I have been asked out 3 times. Has the school gone mad? I don't know how I feel about Sirius never mind, Tom Hurst, James Hayward and Ashley Davies!

Later Still

Ok. I know what I've got to tell Sirius. As soon as I can get rid of all these boys.

29th December

I saw Sirius at lunch. Outside. He'd had COMC. I smiled and walked over towards the lake. He followed me. When I was sure James, Peter and Moons had gone I took his hands. They were so big compared to mine. "Sirius. I really like you." His face lit up. It broke my heart to tell him. I could feel the tears threatening. "but I could never go out with you." He dropped my hands, looking hurt, confused, betrayed, and bewildered. I turned and ran back towards the castle, the tears rolling down my cheeks.

Detention

Syma is not talking to me. Probably cos of the Sirius thing. She also kind of hit him with the door. No prizes for guessing what he said. You got it. "Um". We are STILL cleaning the potions room. I am cleaning the walls. Perfect! You know, I've just figured out why I went out with Sirius in the first place. I was just pleased to have him back. I wanted him as a friend. Well done Ellie! The one person who I thought would be a cool friend is not talking to me.

30th December

Cedric Smith asked me to go to Hogsmeade with him. Helen, Lucy etc think I'm mad for turning Sirius down. I think I'm the only girl in Slytherin who doesn't fancy him. Guess what? I said yes to Cedric. Ok so next weekend we're going to Hogsmeade together. I'm not even going to confide in you, dear non-existent thing, why I said no to Sirius. You'll just have to figure out the real reason why I turned him down. Syma, James, Moons and Sirius set loads of dung bombs off on Slytherins. I am annoyed. My dear bro is not speaking to me because of the Sirius thing. When will boys learn?

31st December

Detention is really bugging me. The two Blacks are ignoring me. At least we're nearly finished! Thank goodness. According to Clarissia there's been loads of rumours spreading about me. At the moment, I don't care!

1st of January

My resolutions.

1. Ignore the blacks.

2. Ignore my brother.

3. Ignore James Potter.

4. Ignore Peter Pettigrew.

5. Stay friends with Helen, Lucy etc.

6. Avoid the blacks.

7. Go out with out with Cedric.

8. Do not turn into a Slytherin.

9. Do not turn into a Griffindor

10. Keep writing this journal.

2nd January

Its my birthday! The only people in the entire school who know are Moons and me. And he's not talking to me. This could be the most non-eventful birthday EVER as M+D don't have an owl. Hopefully Moons WON'T tell the marauders. This is SO totally cool! I hate being centre of attention. Well, at least on my birthday I do!

IGA

Transfiguration classroom before classes

Remus was sitting on a chair staring at a present in front of him. The one James and Sirius had been teasing him about since he woke up. He hadn't told them who it was for. He wasn't sure he was going to give it. "Mooney's got a girlfriend." sang James and Sirius. This was worrying. They weren't getting a reaction. This was getting boring. Finally, Sirius grabbed the gift and started shaking it, trying to find out what it was. "Hey," cried Lupin. "If you tell us who it's for and why I'll give it you back." Sirius teased. "You don't want to know." "Yes we do," Syma, James, Sirius, and Peter all said at the same time. "Trust me. You don't." Lupin said wearily trying to grab it. "Uh-huh" Uh-uh" "Uh-huh" This went on for another ten minutes. "SHUT UP!" yelled Lupin. "IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW ITS FOR ELLIE. ITS HER BIRTHDAY!" And with that he threw the present out of the window. A couple of seconds later they heard the crash.