Authors notes: well, I quite like this chapter, I had to re-write it because I didn't like my original version but this is miles better. So sorry about not updating, exams and all that. I'll try to keep it up. Thanks to those who reviewed blows a kiss and does raspberry to those who didn't. I'm not asking for an essay just a few words so I know If people like my story or not.

Disclaimer: wow I don't think I have actually done one of these before. Maybe on the first chapter. Anywho's I am not J.K Rowling so all her characters don't belong to me surprisingly. Ebony however is mine all mine muahahahahahahahaha. Anyway so yeah just read it.

After a rather…enthusiastic herbology lesson a dissheveled pair of teenage girls emerged from the green houses.

"never-ever let me volunteer in herbology ever again."

"Im never ever going to let you volunteer us in herbology again, my arms are red raw from wrestling with the venomous tentama-something."

"tentacular." lily corrected automatically

"yeah whatever, I'm aiming for a A at best in Herbology if not a T"

" you know Proffesor Gernsey doesn't give out T's"

"yeah, yeah lets just get some lunch I'm as ravenous as a venomous-what-you-ma-call-it." She replied glancing at the various cuts on her arm.

"mmm."

Ebony glanced at Lily worriedly, for the first time in 6 years lily hadn't corrected her mistake. Lily was staring at something ahead of them, clearly not concentrating at the conversation at hand. Ebony followed her gaze and saw the marauders heading towards them jostling each other and sporting wide grins. Lily shifted awkwardly, her hand shooting to her skirt and a nervous smile flickering on her face. Ebony sighed and shook her head with a smile, lily had confided her newfound feelings for her stalker, or rather ebony had taken mr. Fuzzles hostage until lily blurted it out, and she found it amusing to watch the besotted couple interact with each other. As they got closer Ebony burst into hysterical laughter, Lily raised her eyebrows at her friend who had practically collapsed.

"hair-pink" was all she could splutter out before the torrent of laughter ensued again. Lily looked up as the boys arrived and Sirius ruffled his hair with a grin,

"Transfiguration, we were working on changing colour today, hair's the easiest to do," he twirled a strand of his fringe affectionately, " I quite like it actually."

"It suits you" Ebony complimented after getting her breath back, "pink is definitely your colour."

"very manly" commented james grinning wickedly.

"hey- you should have seen his eyebrows.."

"At least they're back to normal." James snapped stroking his eyebrows sulkily, and frankly rather worriedly.

"Can we just go to lunch?" murmured Peter eyeing the group nervously. Sirius's stomach growled loudly.

"I'll take that as a yes" said lily and lead the way to the great hall.

They sat in their usual spot and soon enough they were exploding into laughter again. Ebony chewed on a mint humbug thoughtfully, her eyes wandering to the teacher's table. Slughorn was sat on the far left and she mused silently how his nostrils got bigger when he opened his mouth. Sirius followed her gaze and grinned. Their eyes met and they both fell about in laughter whilst their fellow lunchers exchanged looks over the table.

An hour and 6 full stomachs later they exploded into the main hall and sat on the steps. They begun to discuss the mornings lessons when giggling made them glance up. They couldn't see anybody so exchanging confused glances then shrugged and continued the conversation.

"So I took my wand and I-"

Ebony paused as hushed giggles interrupted her story.

"Who the hell?"

She got up and peered over the banister, some 4th year girls shrieked happily and emerged in front of the group, who frankly couldn't have looked more terrified/shocked or just generally confused. Peter sporting a mixture of these expressions just looked plain constipated. Sirius recovered quickly and smiled his most charming smile.

"What can I do for you lovely ladies?"

The girls giggled and batted their eyelashes; ebony rolled her eyes and got up.

"Well I don't want to be late for," she checked her timetable, " Arithmancy."

She grimaced, then turned it into a forced smile.

" I'll see you guys later, you coming Remus?"

Who she had realised was in her arithmancy class. He glanced awkwardly at her and then at the group.

"Can I catch you up?"

"Sure, sure."

She grabbed her bag and headed for the door to her right.

"Erm…its that way" Said Peter

"Of course, yeah I knew that."

Ebony stumbled up the stairs hurriedly.

"Ebony"

A voice shouted, not now she thought please just not now.

"Hi Severus" she said rather too friendlily and smiled her most fake smile.

" Can I accompany you to arithmancy?" he gestured.
"erm…okay."

He took her bag, much to her surprise and walked up the stairs beside her. She sighed when they turned out of sight of the group and shook her head disbelievingly.

"It's that Black isn't it?"

"Sorry?" said Ebony rather confused and frankly surprised.

" You like him." He said matter-of-factly, "Well you shouldn't get involved. He's a trouble maker you don't want to be…tarred with the same brush so to speak"

Ebony stopped watching him calculatingly,

"Why would you care?"

"I just do..." He muttered awkwardly, "n't want you to get into trouble. So how'd you find potions?" he added realising what he had said. Ebony shook her head and engaged in the conversation again, commenting dully, her mind however a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She held a hand to her head.

This has to be the weirdest first day back in history.