9th of September, 7.19, Great Hall, Breakfast Time, Stuck Next to Peter

So, I haven't really written for awhile... Terribly sorry about that. I'm sure you need to be filled in on all the goings-on in my life. Actually, even I need to be filled in on some things. So, firstly and most importantly, I have pushed this other Potential Snog-ee (PS) to the back of my mind. Whomever it is, I don't care anymore. Of course, Lily and Bridget are quite fixed on the PS, insisting that he is in fact my good friend Mr. Lupin. Secondly, Saturday and Sunday were quite boring. I had to work on a constellation chart for Astronomy and then I owled my mum and dad to let them know that I made it to Hogwarts in tip-top condition and that the house elves aren't starving me. So far the letter count from Mum for this week totals to a lovely, even number of 8. She's barking mad most of the time. Why can't she just write all her old lady thoughts down in one convenient letter rather than waste as much parchment and ink as possible? Besides, I think Wuggles and Leonidas are getting quite exhausted with all this trekking from our house in the Lake District and back. (Leonidas is my dad's owl- he likes Greek history, what can I say?) Right, moving on. The Shrine Hunt begins this Saturday, which reminds me that Remus and I need to come up with the best strategy/plan possible! (Note to Self: Make Shrine Plan avec Remus.) Last, and not least, I've actually had all the classes that I signed up for now. Favourite has to be either Astronomy or Transfiguration. Least favourite: Divination.

8.36, Transfiguration, Next to James

Hullo, Jamie!

Must you call me that?

Yes.

Fine. So, have you yet decided who the other snogger is?

No bloody clue. Actually, I've resolved to just forget about the matter.

That's surprisingly mature of you.

What do you mean?

Knowing you for as long as I have, I'd figure that you'd be fixating on it as much as possible.

Lily and Bridget have busied themselves with that business.

Really? My Lily Flower?

Don't call her such sweet names in my presence please. But yeah, that's what those two have been doing.

Who've they decided on then?

Remus Lupin.

Ah, I see. That's quite interesting. What's their reasoning behind that conclusion then?

Apparently he and I spend a lot of time together, especially since end of term last year. And we're always partnered up or something of the like. I don't know.

How do you feel about that?

About what?

That you and Moony are always partnered up together?

Bridget thinks it's a sign from Fate. I think it's just chance. Besides, Remus is a friend to me.

So?

Well, since he's a mate and all that, he can't possibly like me in that particular way.

Say that Sirius is your friend...

... Alright...

He fancies you.

Sirius doesn't count. He fancies anything wearing a skirt.

Good point.

Can I at least have a hint as to who it may be?

I thought you were above such childish things.

I still want to know!

Well, I still can't tell you.

8.49, Transfigurations Over

James is a barmy bat. Honestly, he's like the annoying brother I never wanted.

11.19, Muggle Studies, Next to Bridget

Proving a point to Bridge: I'm not always sitting with Remus. Even though I really want to be so we can plan our Shrine Hunt. Ooh- we actually get to pick partners for once!

11.23, Partnered Up with Remus, Ultimately Proving Bridget's Point

What point is Bridget trying to prove?

Nothing of your concern, Remus!

I take it we won't actually start decoding things until about five minutes before we're supposed to hand our transcriptions in?

Exactly! You're quite smart, you know.

I know. So, what will we be doing instead then?

We need to plan our Shrine Hunt Strategy!

Elizabeth, it's Tuesday.

Yes, I know that. Why are you telling me?

Because, that means we have Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to come up with a plan. It's not like we're trying to infiltrate the Ministry.

You never know! I haven't been up to your dorms, I don't know what it's like! What if Black has set up some sort of Elizabeth Trap or something?

He hasn't. We've been trying to tell him you aren't going to give him the time of day.

Oh, I bet that's working well.

It really isn't. He's stalking you now, I think.

I've noticed. He followed me to the Astronomy Tower the other night and wouldn't leave me alone the whole time I was trying to finish my chart.

I'm sorry.

Don't be- it's not your fault. But he kept pointing out Sirius to me since he's named after it and all, so I probably put Sirius down a few times too many on the chart.

That's sounds like something he'd do.

Yes. But let's not talk about Sirius, alright? Back to the Strategy Planning.

Fine.

Don't sound so excited. Anyway, is your dorm in disarray?

A bit.

How much constitutes as a bit?

You really don't want to know.

Alright. So, I'll have to be careful moseying around then. Don't want to accidentally move anything. Are the rest of the Marauders going to Hogsmeade then?

Yes, I believe so.

Good, good. No chance on anyone walking in on us.

You really ought to stop blushing all the time, Remus.

I'm not blushing! It's just hot in here.

I know. My beauty, charm and overall presence heat up every classroom.

12.03, Great Hall, Lunch, Sitting with the Gang at Gryffindor Table

So, Remus and I managed to decode the assigned what's-it in a record time of three minutes. We just decided to discuss the plan aloud since I sounded too much like Sirius when I was writing. (Especially with my last comment, though I can't help it that men fawn over my brown curls, brown eyes, and dazzling smile.) (Except they really don't, unless I really am completely oblivious to everything around me like Lily says.)

12.17

Everyone is discussing their Hogsmeade plans. Lily and Bridget plan on shopping whilst Anne has a date with the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain. I chastised her about her lack of house spirit. I mean, honestly, who dates the captain of a rival team when their best mate and some of that best mate's best mates are on the house team? She's fraternizing with the enemy!

12.20

I'll update James on this latest development. That way he knows not to discuss game plans when Anne is around.

12.21

Although maybe Anne's dating a rival team member could be used to our advantage? Maybe she could find out the Ravenclaw game strategies?

12.23

That'd be much easier than me, James and Sirius hiding under James' (seemingly shrinking) Invisibility Cloak.

12.25

I blame James and Sirius for the shrinking of the cloak. It used to be quite comfortable with all of us under there back in third year when our main job was to watch other teams practise. But since then, they've both grown to be quite tall. Whereas I have been the same short height for six years.

12.32

Anne refuses to be a Quidditch spy. Some friend!

12.35

I'm not cross with Anne anymore. I told her she was a prick and then she started choking on a piece of bread. So, I feel rather guilty about the whole thing.

12.36

I still can't believe she won't spy for us though.

12.39

I don't want to have to be cramped under the cloak with James and Sirius anymore... They're even taller than last year!

12.41

Maybe I can go on Spying Excursions by myself... That would be quite the incredible adventure! Going 'round by myself for once... Not stopping all the time because Sirius just saw some rather leggy girl or because James thought he saw Lily...

5.36, Astronomy, Sort of Paying Attention

So, I mentioned to James that I could just go on the Spying Excursions by myself this year. He doesn't really like the idea as he feels I'll abuse his cloak. I swear, he loves that thing more than Lily sometimes. He went on to suggest that Sirius could go with me. Sirius quite liked the idea, of course. I hit James upside the head. I know, really mature, yeah? Ah well. If it was just Sirius and me on the excursions, wouldn't that just give him more opportunity to try to seduce me with his evilly charming ways? I thought James was on my side with this whole thing! I suppose I've been hoodwinked.

5.40

Hoodwinked is an odd word... But do you want to know an even odder word? Ekki-ekki-ekki-ekki-ptaang-zoom-boing-znourrwringmm. Ahahaha!!

5.43

Did I spell that correctly? Is there even a proper way to do so? ... Ah well, spelling is an odd thing and useless thing. Since the word is made up and, as far as I'm aware, isn't actually written up anywhere, I can spell it however I want.

5.47

I really must ask Lily what that show was called. Maybe I shall get a tevelision and then be able to watch that show as often as I fancy!

6.16, Great Hall, Dinner, Sitting with the Marauders

So, Sirius and James somehow managed to convince me to join them for dinner. I suppose I'm a bit sick in the brain, for if I were healthy, I probably wouldn't have allowed myself to sit with them again. I must be mad.

6.17

Probably inherited aforementioned madness from my mum.

6.18

Why couldn't I have been borne to a sane mother? I'd probably be less, as Anne so kindly puts it, loopy.

6.21

Peter's just joined us. It was quite funny. When he saw that I had joined his fellow mates, he looked about to faint. And now he's panicking. Why? Because he fears that he has been replaced with me.

6.23

I must say, if he really has been replaced with me, the Marauders haven't lost much. On the contrary, they will have gained quite a bit.

8.06, Gryffindor Common Room, Studying with Remus

Quite bored of studying. Remus isn't really helping much, he keeps losing focus. Which isn't good. Because that means neither of us are focused.

8.08

Someone has to keep us focused! And it can't be me since I'm pretty much the least focused person I've ever met.

8.09

Wait, that didn't make any sense... I swear it made sense when the thought occurred to me, though!

8.11

Remus, is it possible to be the least focused person that you know?

... What?

Read entry timed 8.08, and maybe you'll get what I'm trying to say.

Oh. Well, I suppose it does in a sense. You know a lot of people and, obviously, also know yourself. So you can include yourself in the people that you know, so yeah, it's possible.

Good! I thought I was talking bullocks for a moment. It happens on occasion and it can be quite scary.

I know. But, look at it this way: you have a lot of mates who accept your odd eccentricities and moments.

Would you happen to be one of them?

Yes. Do you really think I'd be studying with you right now if I didn't accept you?

Actually, we aren't really studying. You keep getting this glazed-over look like you're in deep thought or something.

Well, I was thinking about something.

Oh? And what were you thinking about?

Nothing.

You lie.

Yes, I do.

Will you tell me?

I was just thinking about your whole Sirius-related problem.

Ah, I see. What about it then?

Don't know. I was just thinking about it.

Are you jealous?

That doesn't even make sense. How could I be jealous of Sirius? You don't fancy him back, so he's stuck chasing after something he can't have. If I were him... Never mind.

What? Go on, finish that sentence!

Well, if I were him, and I'm not, I wouldn't chase after you. If things were meant to happen, then they would happen. Why bother going after something when, in the end, you really aren't likely to get it no matter how much you want it?

Profound thoughts. Yet sad, also.

How so?

Well, the way I see it, if something or someone really means that much to you, you should follow your gut instincts and go after it. I don't really believe in fate, as you are well aware. The only way to make things happen is to take action. I mean, it's sort of a good thing that Sirius is following the strange instincts that he has. I don't particularly like being stalked, but I'm still quite proud of the fact that he is showing dedication to what he wants. No offense, but what you would do in Sirius' position seems like a rather cowardly way to go about things.

I don't know, Elizabeth. Things aren't that simple.

Of course they aren't! Life is supposed to be difficult! It's the only way to learn things. If you don't try, you may never fail, but you also will never learn, now will you?

You're actually making sense right now.

I know I am! I'm capable of deep thought, contrary to popular belief.

How about we try studying now?

Sounds lovely.

9.16, 6th Year Girl Dorms, On Bed

Well, that was a stimulating conversation. Remus and I actually did get to study. Sirius supposedly joined our study group, except for the fact that he didn't really study. He just watched me study and told me that I have the prettiest brown eyes he's ever seen. So I told him, "Complimenting my eyes isn't going to persuade me to sneak off to a broom closet and snog." So, he tried a different approach: physical contact. He kept pulling at my curls or wrapping them around his fingers. Quite annoying, I must say. Remus left at some point. I think it was when Sirius started whispering in my ear. I really was trying my best to ignore the bloke. But he just kept, well, you know...

9.20

You probably don't know. It's rather difficult to ignore someone who so obviously wants you to pay attention to them. And being the kind, engaging person that I am, I actually had a conversation with him. A normal conversation. Well, mostly. He kept looking at my lips or elsewhere, but, for the most part, we just talked. Complained about Slughorn, discussed possible Quidditch strategies, all that lot.

9.26

Although I decidedly did not much appreciate him messing with my hair and whispering in my ear. A bit too far for me. I don't even fancy him, you know.

9.27

Not even the least bit.

9.38

Alright, I suppose he can be decent sometimes. But the whispering has to stop. Whispers should not so easily be exchanged by those who aren't, technically, best mates.

11th of September, 7.04, Great Hall, Breakfast

James posted the Quidditch Try Out date in the Common Room this morning. Should've seen the first years- they were so excited that they looked about to wet themselves. It was actually quite an entertaining sight. Too bad for them that there is a strict No Firsties policy. Anyway, for the team, there are three open spots: two chasers and one beater are needed. Hopefully there will be a good lot trying out, because I hate having to try out crap players. Honestly, sometimes they are so poor at flying or catching or whatever that it makes me want to cry. Last year, I was actually brought to tears. (Although, admittedly, it was from laughing too hard.) So, next Monday we Gryffindors will be out on the pitch. Oh goodness, a letter from my mum. Sirius has intercepted it.

7.11

Thankfully, Mum didn't have anything embarrassing to say. Just wanted to tell me what Dad's been up to, how the Holyhead Harpies were doing (though the scores are in the Daily Prophet everyday), and asked if Quidditch had started yet. Apparently she's finally realised how much Quidditch actually means to me and that I'm dedicated to it.

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I hope you enjoyed chapter five! Sorry that it's been about a week since I updated. Been busy and out of town, thus leaving me unable to update. But I did finally figure out where this story is ultimately going and I do think that you, my wonderful readers, will like it. As always, I've borrowed the Wizarding World and all things in it from J.K. Rowling. (Happy belated birthday, Jo!) That which you are not familiar with from the Harry Potter series is mine. And, as always, I've borrowed a bit from Monty Python. (Don't make me spell it out again!) Keep reading and please, please, please review!!! I want to know what you think of the story- what you like, what you don't like, what you wish to know more about, et cetera! I'm always open to suggestions and appreciate any and all feedback that I receive. Until next time! Love.