Chapter 9: Maybe, Just Maybe

A/N: Check out chapter 8 because I completely re-did it. (if it seems the same as before, please note that the last ¾ is different.)

This is a quick follow up on the short bit I did about this character in I think it was chapter 4. I was going to sacrifice this character's story to make room for others, but decided against it because it is significant to what will happen later on in the story. I hope you enjoy and I am sorry if it is a little short. I promise a longer chapter will follow. I hope your wondering what Severus's side of the whole debacle is. If not, review me to tell me that I suck at cliffhangers, and have no creativity!!! I seriously don't mind flames, but I do prefer constructive criticism!!! (Just don't be too mean!) Wow, I better get to the actual story now. I wonder if anyone even bothered to read this. Whoops, must do story!!

Disclaimer: You know the drill. It's all JKs except for my little ocs whom I love so much.

Faolan sat on her bed, talking to Alice. Talking wasn't the right word for it. She was vaguely paying attention to her 'friend' nodding in agreement every so often, commenting, or replying when it was required of her. Currently Alice was discussing the finer points of her favorite subject (other than Quidditch): Frank Longbottom. Personally she couldn't care less; there were so many more pressing matters for her to worry about. But this is what good friends did right? She had to play that role, and so she sat and listened to the incessant nattering of the girl, with what she hoped was earnest interest.

She let he mind wander, still making sure to feign interest in what Alice was saying. Looking out the window from the corner of her eye she saw at the moon. It lit the grounds, and shone off the lake. It was a gorgeous sight to behold. Oh how she fancied a stroll. Anything was better than the trivial nonsense she had to pretend was her life. As she entertained this idea, she suddenly realized something. Tonight was the full moon. Tonight was the full moon! She almost lost her composure, but calmed herself enough that it seemed Alice had not noticed anything.

"Do you think Frankie will ask me to the Yule Ball?" Alice asked concern and doubt flooding her gigantic, blue eyes.

"Oh, of course!" Faolan said assuredly. She probably wouldn't have encouraged her friend, in case she got hurt, but that morning at breakfast she had heard Frank telling Remus that he was. She assumed it would be a safe comment. Besides it would make the girl happy. Maybe she'd even be happy enough to maybe say go to bed, and leave her alone.

Faolan allowed herself to go back into her previous train of thought. So it was a full moon. She hoped dad was okay. She knew he would be. He always told her that she should be less worried for him, and more so anyone unfortunate enough to find him, that he'd been dealing with this for years. But she couldn't help it. He was her dad. He was the only person she had in this world.

After reassuring herself that he father would indeed be alright, and that there was no chance what-so-ever that anyone would chance to stumble upon his hiding place she decided to turned her full attention to her 'friend'.

"Do you know what you're going to wear to the Ball?" Alice asked curiously, having just finished explaining her dress in great detail.

"I'm not sure if I'm even going to the ball." Faolan admitted. For once she was being honest.

"Why not?" Alice asked shocked.

Faolan just shrugged.

"But you have to go. I need moral support. You're like my best girl friend!" Alice exclaimed.

Faolan was taken aback. Was this girl deranged? They barely talked. Although, she did hangout with guys mostly, so it wasn't too surprising that she was her best female friend. Alice was one of the most bearable of the lot, so Faolan guessed talking to her most had sort of created the illusion of friendship between them. She mused this as Alice continued.

"I mean the guys aren't going to care how I wear my hair or what shoes will look best with my dress. I mean my friends are great, but seriously I need a break from all those XY chromosomes." She finished as if that settled it.

"Well, I'll help you do your hair and pick your shoes, but I still don't really want to go." Faolan said. Oh gosh. She just made a commitment to the girl didn't she?

"But you haaaave to come!" Alice said pouting.

"Why so?" Faolan said, acting curious. Well maybe not acting. She wondered why this dance was so special to everyone.

"Because….. Don't tell anyone I told you!" Alice shot a furtive glance at Mary and Serena, hands down the biggest gossips in the school, except of course for that Seventh year girl Bertha Jorkins.

Faolan nodded.

"Fay, so you see, I was talking to Frankie at lunch and he said that James, James Potter, said that Remus Lupin wanted to ask you to the Ball!" She grinned like this was the most exciting news in the world.

"That's great!" Faolan said 'enthusiastically'. Remus was a great guy, he really was. Under any other circumstances she would be thrilled. But she couldn't be. It was her job to get her education, stay out of trouble, stay alive, blend in, and most importantly not make connections. Her father had always stressed the last rule with her. She was to never get involved with anyone else. It made you vulnerable. You couldn't trust anyone. The trust made you lose the control.

The second biggest role was blending in. She has to fit in with the crowd. She couldn't stand out in any way. At first it had been hard. With her looks and talent she had stood apart from her classmates significantly. But with much effort she had slowly disappeared and just become one off the many faces that populated the school. Her grades were not good, nor bad. She was not popular, nor unpopular. Not beautiful or unattractive. She was just Faolan, and no one gave her a second thought anymore. That was the way she liked it. It was what assured her survival.

"We'll see……" was all Faolan said. Commitment wasn't good. Life was fleeting. You had to be versatile. You couldn't be tied down to any one thing to place.

"Thank you." Alice said realizing that was all she was getting from her. "But you just wait! Someway or another you'll find yourself at the Ball. You'll dance your arse off, meet some hot guys, have the time of your life, and thank me profusely for my help!"

"Of course I will. Well I'm a little tired now……" She trailed off yawing to emphasize her point.

"Thanks for the chat!" Alice got up and walked over to her own bed.

"No problem! That's what we XX chromosomes are for!" Faolan couldn't help herself. She was starting to like this girl. Hey, she might even maybe consider her as a friend some day. Maybe.

A/N: Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it! Sorry for taking so long. There's more to come too! Also there will be no slash in this story.

Please REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you too my new Beta, and best friend Lillulan!!!!!!!!!!