A/N: Hullo:)

How are you all today? Hopefully good. I'm exhausted, but that's normal. Every other Tuesday is late start and late starts are the best. And Thanksgiving break! Oh my gosh. It's my sister's birthday on Thanksgiving and what she really wants is pie so my dad is making five pies, and my grandparents might make some, and then there's all the regular food, and it's going to be so amazing.

You should me about your Thanksgiving. In a review. And then while you're at it, you could tell me what you think of my story. So, you know.

Harry Potter and all of the Harry Potter characters belong to JK Rowling, which is good, because if they belonged to anyone else they probably wouldn't have turned out as well.

Music recommendation: Take Me to Church covered by Demi Lovato

XOXORose

-DdLM-

The next few days were hell. The Marauders were still painfully taken, and Sirius most of all, with two girlfriends. Sarah's patience was wearing thin, and Amanda and Francesca echoed her every sentiment. I poked an prodded at the girls until they finally broke, poured pumpkin juice down their boyfriends' respective trousers at dinner one evening, and dumped them. The teachers, bless them, tried very hard not laugh. The students did not.

I've been avoiding Sirius like the plague ever since I found out how he really feels about me. He certainly isn't any good for me or my health. In Transfiguration, McGonagall pairs us up.

"Dia."

"Here's your frog, and since, of course, you weren't listening, we're turning them into tea cozies. Guess McGonagall doesn't want to do anything too strenuous before the holidays either."

"Dia, what's wrong."

"My tea cozy is green and slimy."

"Not the answer I was looking for, but it'll do. Dia, you've mastered wandless and voiceless magic. Why can't you transfigure a frog?"

"Still green and slimy. You're not helping."

"Dia, listen to me!"

I transfigured his hand into a tea cozy.

He glared at me.

"Dia."

"I got it that time! You think you could teach the frog to annoy me like that?"

"Dia, your hands are shaking."

"Alright. You got me."

"What?"

"I'm supposed to put in good word for someone, but I wasn't supposed to do it now, I'm just so excited!" I fixed his hand and turned my tea cozy to a frog and then back again. His face falls, but he doesn't say anything. "Her name's Sarah, she's really pretty, and she really likes you. Been trying to get you for months, but that's only as far as I know. Totally your type. She's attentive, but not clingy, a good sense of humor, looks like a supermodel, and has her own friends - Amanda and Francesca - so that she's not hanging around you all the time, so you can still sneak into Burnes' office while he's at Hogsmeade. She's a Slytherin sixth year. She said she'd stop by at dinner tonight, and I was supposed to put in the good word right before hand, but you wouldn't stop asking. I know, she's a Slytherin, but she isn't like the other ones. I think you would really like her."

"Dial I don't want - "

And Transfiguration ended. Peter collected all the frogs, and I grabbed my bag and escaped.

"Dia!"

I practically ran up the stairs to Ancient Runes, but he followed me.

"Dia Arrington!"

I ducked into the room and watched him silently fume. Professor Xavier is not one to mess with. He's actually the one who taught me Occlumency when I was little. He had hair back then. His blue eyes are almost as piercing as Dumbledore's, and while he is very patient and kind, he isn't a huge fan of the Marauders. Sirius knows better than to interrupt. Remus waved me over.

"What's up with Pads?"

"He's worried about me, but he doesn't seem to understand that I'm fine, and I'm getting tired of it, so I just talked up some girl to him. Blonde bimbo, not really his type, clingy and a bit dull, but he doesn't know that. She's totally in love with him."

He grinned at me and we chatted some more before Professor Xavier started the lesson. It was just some review before the holidays, like it was in Transfiguration, so we passed notes (in ancient runes, of course) throughout the entire period.

At dinner time Sarah really did come over, and I pointed her out to Sirius. Amanda and Francesca were with her, and something seemed to register with Lily. I pretended not to notice her meaningful looks and instead nudged Remus with my foot, signalling that it was time to remove everyone from Sirius so that he had no choice but to talk to Sarah.

In the confusion I slipped away, blending into the hordes of kids coming into the Great Hall. Lily followed me. She didn't say anything until we get to our dorm.

"Those are the girls, aren't they? Dia, you've got to tell Sirius! If he knew, he would turn her down in a heartbeat! And everyone needs to know who to keep away from you."

"I just thought that if I could get Sirius to finally go out with her she would stop. It's no big deal. It's not like she's mean to anyone else. She just really likes him and I was a threat. She's just... territorial. Right?"

''No! I won't let you do this! There's no way this is going to be more than a fling, and you heard him yourself, Dia, he likes you, so he is still going to try and get you. You will always be a threat, and what she's doing isn't okay. She's hurting you! She slashes her wand down, removing some of the less powerful glamours and exposing my scars. "This is why you're wearing tights and you're sleeves are always rolled down. You don't' dare show any skin, and it's wrong. You're as thin as a rail, you're constantly tired and out of breath, and your magic is faltering. This isn't healthy! I dare you to tell me I'm wrong!"

"Then you're wrong! I'm fine! Just leave me alone!"

"I'm going to tell the girls. Something needs to be done."

"Fine, then! Go ahead!"

I storm off to the Room of Requirement, and find everything I need waiting for me. I'm already packed so all I have to do is wait for the girls to leave and grab my trunk and hide in a compartment at the opposite end of the train from wherever they are.

Piece of cake...

The next morning I avoided them. Sirius had his new Barbie doll on his arm, Remus and Peter were in an avid discussion about something, and James was scanning the crowd for Lily, who, for once, was probably actually looking for him. She spotted him and in a moment of panic I cast a confundus charm, and she turned away.

Sorry, James.

They must have assumed that I was already on the train, so they boarded, and I watched them to figure out where they and the Marauders each ended up. The girls were in the middle of the train, and the boys were at the back with Sarah, Amanda, and Francesca, so I sat at the very front. No one else came anywhere near me, and Lily, Tracey, Marlene, and Jay never found me.

-DdLM-

All break I hid in my room, substituting water for most of my meals, only summoning Minky - the family house elf - for food every once in awhile, and purging as often as I wanted in my own private bathroom. My parents were so preoccupied with planning the annual Christmas ball that they don't even notice me until the day before when my mother has a seamstress make me new dress robes - all. Day. Long.

It wasn't until the next morning that I realized James, Sirius, and Remus will be there. My mother had been putting me on display for years, hoping for some rich young heir to take interest in me and want to snatch me up as soon as I was of age. She invites all of the pure-blood families every year. The Malfoys, the Blacks, the Potters, and a million others. There was sure to be some drama. Sirius had just recently run away from home and was living with the Potters.

My mother brought up my new dress robes, and they were beautiful, but I didn't feel pretty enough to wear it.

It was deep red and fitted to my body, fanning out at the bottom just a little, giving me a bit of a train. It was strapless and my chest was practically popping out, but I didn't mind anymore. I was used to these types of outfits by then. The sweetheart neckline was encrusted with diamonds and emeralds, and it come with a pair of gloves, a necklace, and a pair of earrings. I swept my hair into an updo, dabbed on just the right amount of makeup, cast a glamour over my scars, and slipped into some delicate heels.

My job that evening was to direct people to the ballroom.

Should've been easy enough!

The first ones here are the Malfoys - Lucius brought Narcissa Black as his date. My mother will be disappointed to find out, although I can't say that I am. A few minutes later the rest of the Black family shows up, and Bellatrix is on the arm of Rodolphus Lestrange, and his ring is on her finger. Then Remus, who brought Jay as his date, the Rosiers, the Diggorys and Tracey, and finally, the Potters. James actually got Lily to be his date, but when she left his arm for mine I knew why she had even considered it. Sirius brought Sarah as his date. I plastered on a smile and pointed them in the right direction.

"I'm going to find the others, Marlene is on her way, and as soon as we're all here, we need to talk." Lily hissed in my ear before walking away. I nodded, resigned to the fact. I had never invited them over, but I know that they wouldn't hesitate to search every corner to find me, whether they know where to look or not.

They all came back to the door right as Marlene arrived.

"What's the elf's name?"

"Minky."

"Alright, Minky, could you please do me a favor?"

"Yes, miss! Of course, miss! Anything for miss! So nice to Minky miss is!"

"We need to have a talk with Mistress Dia, could you watch the door?"

"Yes, miss! Minky will watch all evening, if miss can make Mistress Dia better."

Oh, bollocks. Thanks, Minky. I really didn't want Lily to know about me not eating...

"Thank you, Minky." Jay and Tracey each grabbed an arm and pulled me towards the kitchen, Lily in the lead, and Marlene keeping an eye out behind us. As soon as we got inside Tracey closed and locked the door.

"Is this an intervention?"

"If that's what it needs to be! Dia, when was the last time you ate? Truthfully?"

"Yesterday morning... I had toast." My voice is hushed and my head bowed in shame.

"Dia!" Jay squealed and Marlene muttered something about how it looks like even that didn't stick to my ribs.

"You threw it up, didn't you?" Lily sounds resigned, and tired, and I start to realize how this could affect them...

It's not just me anymore, trying to make my parents proud, a scared little girl against the world. It's not just me, still learning how to trust Lily on that first day on the train, to tell her anything about me other than my name, still terrified of this unknown evil just coming to light. Not the girl who got so frustrated and angry every time she got pranked by these stupid boys who just don't know any better. Not the girl who was scared to give her heart away to friends or anyone else because she had watched everyone else get burned.

There are people who care about her now, more than she cares about herself.

There are people who care about me now, whether I like it or not.

"I'm sorry."

"Dia, you are beautiful, no matter what those girls tell you. And now on to our second order of business! We need to tell Sirius exactly who he's going out with."

"No!" My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest. "When she got here she was actually nice to me. Now that she has Sirius, she's won, and there's no need to hurt me anymore, no reason to try and scare me away from him. If you tell him and he dumps her, she will come after me. Letting him believe that she's just another pretty girl and letting her have him is what I need. Not some heroic tattle-tailing."

They all reluctantly agreed and we headed back to the party.

Each girl was once again nabbed by her date, and I was left standing alone against the wall. The orchestra was playing a waltz and I watched my friends dance. There was a warm feeling when I saw each of them and realized that they didn't care about my size. They didn't care about my weight.

And then I saw Sirius dancing with Sarah, and there was a bad taste in my mouth.

It's just because it's Sarah. If it was any other girl you wouldn't care.

I was brought out of my thoughts by someone that appeared in front of me - Evan Rosier. He was tall, with dark, slicked back hair, a strong jaw line, and wild black eyes. He was handsome, I supposed, but something about him felt dangerous. He was rumored to be one of the Death Eaters, and one of the youngest. If he was ever to die in this war, it wouldn't be without out a fight, and he would take some of his adversary with him, you can be sure.

"May I have this dance?"

I took his proffered hand and see my mother grin and wink at me out of the corner of my eye. He is respectful at first, but his hand slips lower down my back, and I start to feel sick. We pass by Sirius and Sarah, who leers at me, and my heart is in my throat.

"Evan, I'm so sorry, but I'm really not feeling well. Do you mind if I get a drink?"

"Not at all." His gracious smile seemed more like a sneer to me then, and the room was slowly spinning. I made it over to the snack table just in time to sit down in one of the chairs and catch my breath. Remus and Jay were there, and Jay handed me some pumpkin juice.

"You need to eat something." I was too weak to protest, so I just quietly accepted the small plate of protein heavy snacks. My face was so pale, but after eating a bit and resting for a while, my cheeks start to flush with color again. "There. You look much better now."

Remus, who was looking at me concernedly before, was now focusing on something apparently worrying out on the dance floor.

"Ooh, look, Sissy! What have we got here? Seems to me like a traitor, Sissy." Bellatrix, Narcissa, Lucius, Evan, Rodolphus, and even Regulus Black were standing in front of Sirius. Sarah looked to Sirius, as if to say 'What are you waiting for?' but he wouldn't do anything. The wound was still too fresh.

"We're at a Christmas party, Bellatrix. We don't want to ruin the evening for everyone."

"Oh, the minute you showed up the evening was ruined! And to think that your parents actually kept you for so long, and you, you ungrateful dog, mistreated them and ran away! Although I can't say that it was a hardship for them..."

Sirius' hands started shaking, and his face turned red. His hand moved towards his wand. Bellatrix whipped out her own wand, but before she could do anything I waved my hand and her wand went flying and clattered to the floor. James, Lily, Remus, Jay, Marlene, Tracey, and I all went and stood behind Sirius. I pushed to the front.

"Excuse me, Ms. Black, but I really would appreciate it if you would refrain from insulting and dueling my guests. I understand that there are some hard feelings, but you are not the only ones here, and some of us would like to celebrate the holidays in peace, for once, and escape from the confines of having to pick a side for the war. If you can't accept that then I am afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

Regulus slipped her her wand behind her back and she shouted a curse at me, red sparks shooting from her wand. I waved my hand again and put up my defenses before disarming her again, her wand falling into my hand.

"Minky!"

"Yes, Mistress."

"Would you kindly get Ms. Black's cloak and show her out? Anyone who would like to join her is welcome to."

Minky disapparated, bringing down the cloaks of all who asked her, never complaining once, but I could see the anger in her eyes. She was fiercely loyal to me and often spoke out against the Dark Lord in secret. Many of the guests left, and my parents shook their heads at me. I'd disappointed them. The Diggorys, the Lupins, the McKinnons, and the Potters all stayed. My father followed the leaving guests, apologizing for my behavior and my mother fled upstairs, hopes of marrying me off for money thoroughly dashed.

"You did well, my dear." I turned around to see Mrs. Potter. "I can see that maybe this isn't the best fit for you, so I'm going to go ahead and speak for the rest of my family and offer you a place at our home for at least the rest of the holiday break." Her face is kind and smiling. She's the mother I've always wanted.

"Thank you. I would like that... Could I... bring Minky with me?"

She chuckled.

"Yes, of course. Dia, is it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Oh, none of that. It makes me feel even older than I am! Euphemia, please. Why don't you go get your things and you'll come home with us. Anyone else who wants to as well is welcome to."

I ran upstairs and quickly packed up my things, ordered Minky to go straight to the Potter's house and get herself situated, and was surprised by James and Remus who had come up to help me carry everything.

"We'll carry your trunk. You didn't look too good earlier."

"And I know you said that you don't like it when people treat you differently, but you really do need help."

"You looked like you were going to pass out."

"Sirius wanted to help too but Sarah was... being Sarah, so he's stuck down there."

I felt like my heart was going to burst with happiness, aside from the twang that came at mention of Sirius and Sarah.

"Thanks, guys."

They both grabbed a handle and heaved... and heaved... and put it down for a second... and tried again...

"What... the bloody hell... is in this thing?"

I tried desperately to stifle my giggles.

"Just my Hogwarts things. I've got everything else over here. I put an undetectable extension charm on everything, so that might be why it's a bit heavier than your things... I suppose it seems like a bit much to a boy. Just seems reasonable to me. Ask Tracey or Jay. They bring even more stuff than I do."

I tugged off my gloves, tossed them on top of my bags, and waved my hand. The bags just followed me downstairs. Once down there I finally let my hair down. There'd been a pin poking me all night and I'd had just about enough of it. My hair fell down in waves, and my face heated up when I caught Sirius sneaking glances at me when Sarah wasn't looking. It made me feel almost proud that even though he had a girlfriend to take up all of his time he still wanted to make time just to look at me. I didn't quite understand it.

James and Remus finally made it downstairs with my trunk.

"Took you long enough! I don't know why you insisted on carrying it. I just hope that Artemis finds me... I let her out before the party and she hasn't come back yet... I'll have Minky come back tomorrow. I left a window open..."

-DdLM-

The Potters, Lily, Sirius, and Sarah had come in a carriage, and somehow managed to fit me and my things in as well. Though luxurious, the carriage wasn't very large, so I'm still not sure how they did it. We dropped Sarah off first and as soon as she was gone both Lily and I breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, no one noticed.

Lily was next, and I hugged her goodbye, and I think James wanted to as well, but was smart enough to know not to.

And then we got to the Potter's. I had always thought of it as a small mansion, like my family's, but really it's more of an estate. Fleamont Potter levitated my things and Euphemia Potter took me by the arm and led me inside.

"Let me show you to your rooms."