A/N: As promised…slightly late though..

"Remus, I would really appreciate it if you told your friends to get off my back."

The pair stand in the corridor watching the first years running to and fro in an attempt to meet the curfew.

"I don't quite know what you're referring to, Lily."

Silence.

"Lily, Lily, have you seen Steven?" She turns, with a smile on her face to look down at the panicked eleven year old.

"Cecilia, he's probably already in the tower."

"Oh!" Relief floods the young girl's face before she shouts the password and flings herself through the portrait.

"You're very good with them, you know," Remus comments quietly, "I was never able to distinguish one face from the sea of masks."

"It's just practise – each and every one of them has a story and you should know I've never been one to pass up the chance to read a book," she smiles.

"Yeah… Lily, have you found someone for the soiree yet? Because, erm, you know it is really something that both of us should attend prefects and everything, so if you wanted to, I haven't found anyone yet and if you haven't either I suppose you don't want to go alone and I just think it wou–"

"Remus, you could just ask me you know?"

He stops short.

"Really?" he asks quietly.

"Yes, Remus, because I understand your intentions are purely those of a gentleman, and I'd rather be hanging off your arm than somebody like Lockhart," she laughs.

For a moment, his eyes soften reflecting some deep inner sadness, but he stretches a smile across his sickening complexion.

"Gilderoy asked you?"

She laughs, "Yeah, I was completely taken aback as well!"

There's a loud chime which echoes down the hallways indicating the curfew.

"Well I suppose that's it then," she yawns, "I'm off to study…are you going out with the others tonight?"

His eyes dart towards a shadow behind a suit of armour, but he dismisses the flicker quickly.

"Why would I do something as plain as breaking the curfew?" he laughs. It's a surprisingly bright laugh, not one you'd expect from a thin, sickly boy who never seemed to fill out into the expected masculine form of his friends. "So I'll be seeing you at the soiree then?"

A twinkle flashes in her eye.

"I'm sure you'll see me before that, but yes, if I am still partnerless you shall be seeing me Remus."

She lies back on her bed staring at the yellow drapes hanging over the canopy of the oaken bed. Her mind is on other things and as each thought flashes across her mind her features slowly change, morphing into those figures that crossed her path that day.

She could? Couldn't she?

No. No, she mustn't.

Why would Lily betray her trust like that anyway?

Because she's not aware of her romantic intention—

Obsession.

It's not an obsession.

Her inner voice is driving her mad and she can't remove the image of the redhead from her mind. A Gryffindor blazon with self confidence and awful beauty. It's not surprising really, if she was in his situation she would choose Lily.

She sits up quickly, her hair post box red, very out of place in the drab Hufflepuff interior. Maybe Black is the way to get him to notice her…but then again, on the other hand she knows stories about his reputation. He doesn't let go until he's had a rut. It's all about the chase. By catching his attention like that she has practically flaunted her body and said he can't have it. He won't let it go.

She could just ask for Severus' help. Not a chance. He only tolerates her. And anyway there's no way that he can redeem himself in Lily's eyes after his last attempt to breach the subject of the soiree. She starts playing with her hair again, twisting her fingers into it and yanking out stray frizzy strands. Maybe there's another way. No, she can't contemplate that again, it's wrong.

I thought you didn't care about right and wrong anymore?

It's wrong. She's read about Metamorphi who have used their powers in the wrong way, who have in medieval times framed others for murders out of spite. It's wrong.

She stops pulling her hair and immediately it shortens and turns into a short black bob. She chews on her lip and draws back the curtains to reveal an empty dormitory. She paces over to her trunk and starts rummaging through it.

I suppose you could just put a distraction in the way.

James Potter. Now that's an idea.

"Oi James?"

"The tall fifth year turns to find a girl with spiky turquoise hair, leaning against the wall of a turret.

It takes him a moment to recall her identity, but as soon as he does a smile spreads across his face.

"It's Tonks, isn't it? You were chatting to Moony the other day."

"Moony?" She raises her eyebrows.

"Remus."

"Oh yeah, I was."

He drags his bag over and dumps it on the grass mound, sitting down next to her.

"Did you have something you wanted to tell me, Miss Tonks," he laughs.

"Actually, I just come bearing news from dearest Lily."

"You have my full attention."

She pulls out a packet of cigarettes and offers one to him; he declines. Drawing out her wand she lights it quickly and takes a couple of puffs before continuing.

"She was wondering when you were going to ask her?"

"To the Soiree?"

"Yeah, that and more." She takes in another deep puff, closing her eyes, appearing completely relaxed but in reality with her heart pounding away in her chest.

"And Evans told you this?"

"Sure."

"I doubt it."

"You know, hatred is often just a cover up."

She offers him the packet again.

"Are you sure you don't want one?"

His eyes flicker to the archway next to them, "Alright then."

He quickly lights it using the end of hers before taking a long drag.

"You know you should just try again."

"She turned me down."

"And when has that stopped you before?" Her eyes twinkle.

"Mr Potter, Miss Tonks put out those vile things now. I expect you both to report to Mr Filch at 6 o'clock sharp."

The pair turn to see a blazing McGonagall staring at them down her nose before transforming into a cat and leaping away.

Tonks shrugs, "Well I'll see you tonight then."

"Yeah, I guess I will. See you around Tonks."

She takes one last puff before striding off back towards the grand staircase.

He laughs quietly to himself before his thoughts start to address the red haired beauty.

A/N: Reviews?