I drummed my fingers impatiently. Professor Sprout was showing us examples of a plant I didn't bother paying attention to. I was still very agitated. James Potter was sending me satisfied smiles which I returned with sneers. I had to come up with a plan soon, something that would ultimately piss him off. If I could at least get him miffed then I would be satisfied, he was bastard number one anyways.

The stupid bell rang and I sprinted out of the greenhouse towards defense against the dark arts. This was my favorite class and I didn't want to be late, no matter what, I wouldn't be late. I breathed a sigh of relief when I approached the class room. Denise and Matt were already sitting in their respectable seats, they turned to me with my same expression.

"She's alive!" Matt threw his hands up in the air, his golden brown eyes twinkling with laughter. I wiped the imaginary sweat from my forehead as Denise greeted me with a smile.

"I'm glad no trouble, I think you've suffered enough for today." she scooted to let me sit on the table. "How was Herbology?"

I pursed me lips and shook my head. "Late."

"Again?"

"Stupid James Potter." I muttered with disgust.

"I shouldn't even ask why." she sighed.

"I think he has a crush on you Lily." Matt said bluntly. I stared at him with my mouth ajar.

"And I think you have a loose screw in your head."

Matt jokingly shook his head and nodded enthusiastically. "Nope, all tight!" he gave me a sheepish grin and I smiled sarcastically. "But I think he does. Don't you agree Denise?" She just shrugged.

"I mean, usually he'll let other people do his pranks for him, most of them, but this time he's taken to doing everything personally. He has a crush."

"No he doesn't, and that's just sickening Matt." I scrunched my face as if I were smelling something fowl. James Potter, liking me was just too strange and highly unlikely. I shuddered at the thought. "Change of subject please." Matt was certainly off his rocker. Luckily class had started and Professor Bridge lectured on about the next two weeks where we would be practicing dueling and defensive spells.

And this time, all four Marauders came in late, Professor Berret took no notice to their tardy which agitated me, but as they walked to their seats on the far right I was surprised to see serious expressions dawning their faces. I felt jittery when they shot me a glance, ignoring the other three, I focused on Remus for a second. Blank. He turned away while I inhaled a deep breath. Was I imagining his hint of emotion a few hours ago? I really loved that moment, how his eyes sparkled with intrigue after I practically announced war with James Potter, but that emotion was now lost and I can only dream. But maybe, just maybe I could slowly be the one to break that outer shell that hides every emotion, and bring out that sparkle again.

Professor Bridge carried on about wand positions and I laughed at my thought. If only.

x-x-x

I rejoiced at the end of the day, actually I rejoiced the end of the week. I wasn't late to any of my classes with no sudden or random incidents occured throughout the whole week, well except the knowing smirks I received from the Marauders. It was strange for me, but I knew not to let my guard down, James and his Marauder minions looked too at ease, I had to still be careful. For all I knew, next week would be ten times the pranks. I immediately informed Denise and Matt of how I needed to get back at them, even though Denise called me suicidal and Matt said I was digging my own grave, they laughed it off and happily agreed to help me come up with something. But we had yet to comeup with something.

From the hectic week (long assignments, too many pop quizzes and getting the evil eye from certain teachers) I was able to send an owl to my mother. My stomach still continues to churn when I think of the beat-up trash can mistakened for an apartment. I really wished she was handling everything okay. I wrote to her of my new friends, and mentioned my classes and teachers, but most importantly, I left all the stupid Pristine and social status out of it. I told her everything was fine, I knew a little white lie wouldn't hurt her, especially when everything was chaotic, but she had enough on her hands. I didn't want her to worry.

Denise, Matt and I decided to eat in the Great Hall this time, and even though several students gawked at me the whole occasion, I was glad to eat my dinner without any explosions of pumpkin juice. But now the three of us were heading towards the library to study for our upcoming quiz in transfiguration on Monday. The Gryffindor Common room proved to be a very popular venue for these students and it was a pain to get any work done with everyone running around like their heads were chopped off. Just the other day these fourth year girls were squealing and jumping up over a Teen Witch Magazine, featuring the next spring fashions. I really didn't understand them.

"Like oh my gosh, isn't he like the cutest thing like ever?" Denise mimicked one of the girls once we found a secluded round table in the back.

"You do that a bit too well Denise." I pointed out, and it was kind of scary.

"Well, growing up with these people, and that tone of voice is the only one I hear from them, I can practically mimic them in my sleep."

"Right."

"But anyways." Matt jumped in for a change in subject. "Hogsmeade trip, first of the new year. We are all going. Period."

"Hogsmeade?" I asked stupidly. I really didn't know what that was.

"It's a small town Lily that we can go to, you know somewhere off campus every once in a while. We had a major debate in fourth year with the Headmaster Dumbledore and we actually convinced him to let us have Hogsmeade weekends, every weekend. Being secluded in a castle can really make one go crazy without seeing the outside world every once in a while." Denise explained with full detail.

"So is it tomorrow?"

"Yep, tomorrow, Saturday. I'll stop by your room in the morning around eight and we'll head to the carriages by then."

"Oh, okay then. I guess that'll be fun. This school is beginning to feel claustrophobic." I admitted. With glaring, gawking, and smirking being shot at me everywhere, it was like I couldn't breathe, maybe going outside would help me relax a bit. This Hogsmeade place sounded pretty fun.

"And there is a prank shop there by the way." Denise and Matt hinted evilly.

"Hmm…interesting." I said trying to be suave but ended up laughing. After a few topics thrown back and forth we settled back into finishing some of our homework.

x-x-x

Okay, so I know everyone here is rich, but it hadn't occurred me to fully when I saw various groups of people walking around with hundreds of shopping bags. Who buys that much and really needs it?

Denise, Matt and I were walking the snow covered streets of Hogsmeade. We just left the Three Broomsticks where Denise and Matt bought me butterbeer after I refused them. They were pretty stubborn when I offered to pay for my own and they ended up taking my purse and ordering for me.

I didn't want people to pay for me. I didn't want to feel like a burden, so I always tend to pay for myself, but I guess they felt bad because they had bought a lot of stuff and I've only bought two ink bottles that were on sale at the bookstore.

Our last stop was Zonkos Joke shop where Denise and Matt said we can find ideas for getting revenge on the Marauders. But as great as this day was going, I knew it wasn't possible for it to be perfect.

I felt tense as I saw the four Marauders, Samantha, Monica, and Audrey walking out of the prank shop with various bags. What were they buying? And was it going to be targeted towards me?

"Aw, little Pristine out for a day of shopping?" Samantha laughed and pointed to my small bag with quill inks. "But I'm curious. With what money? Was that your life-savings? How sad!"

Sirius and Peter laughed along with Monica. It was really irritating. I noticed Audrey was just as quiet as Remus, but she had a more proud looking face.

"Just shut-up." I muttered and glared.

"Still touchy." James spoke.

"Still an ass?" I spat back.

"Yeah still touchy." he smiled and I wanted to wipe it off his face with my fist.

"So what. Just leave us alone."

"How about not?" he continued with a smile. "And I just have to say that Herbology has been fun."

I wanted to slap him. Madam Sprout has been giving me a hard time lately ever since I came late and James hadn't helped the situation either when always laughing maniacally or having the rest of the class laugh with him. It was annoying.

"Maybe Denise and Matt here can spring for you." Samantha cut into the conversation as usual. She handed some of her bags to Peter and folded her slender arms. Her brown eyes sparkling with mischief. "I mean look at those hideous Mary Janes. What are you twelve? But then I'm not entirely sure if both of them put together will be able to buy you anything decent. Because there is not enough money in the world to make you look less poor."

"You know what Sam, why don't you just go get a face-lift." Denise said darkly and nudged me to move forward. "Isn't that what you did last year? It looks to be sagging a bit." Denise smiled sarcastically while tapping her delicate forefinger to her cheeks. Samantha looked shocked. Everyone looked shocked. I was shocked that Denise even said that, Samantha looked about ready to fall over. Then Denise continued to nudge me and Matt finally dragged me by the arm and away from the pesky socialite queen before she could retort.

As we walked pass them though, I swear I saw a hint of a smile tugging gently at the corner of James Potter's mouth.

We walked into one of the small coffee shops and took a seat at the empty booth on the left. Once we sat Matt started laughing hysterically.

"Oh Denise, that would have to be the best comeback I've ever heard from you! The look on Sam's face."

"Is it true though?" I was amused at the thought that she got face-lifts.

Denise grinned broadly. "It was at the Spring Luncheon last year when I overheard Samantha and Audrey speaking in the girl's bathroom about how she spent the first of break, she went all the way to America. They didn't know I was in one of the stalls listening, and I don't think anyone knew about it except for those two."

"Hmm..It would explain how she suddenly looked like she had higher cheek bones." Matt said mostly to himself but laughed again. We all laughed. So maybe this day wasn't perfect, but it was still pretty good.

We ended up ordering a few pastries from their small bakery and three cups of hot chocolate while we waited out the rest of the day. I was able to pay for my own this time despite Matt and Denise's feverish protests.

As we sipped our hot drinks and chatted, I saw a small girl putting some sort of thing on a chair and running away to hide behind a fake plant. Then I noticed a small boy roughly the same age as the girl sit down on the spot. An older woman who was probably his mom told him to sit on the other side of the table, but as he tried to get up he was stuck.

I almost stood up to help the boy, this incident reminded me too much of my robe ripping incident, but the mom casted a spell and the boy was free and clothes fully in tacked. The little girl looked miffed that her prank didn't work, but went back to the table with a cheeky smile. I guess they're siblings. But what a sneaky little girl, I smiled a bit.

Then the thought occurred to me while Denise asked me something.

"So Lily, I think the war zone is clear and we can head into Zonkos and browse? What do you think?"

I smirked to myself at my thought and turned to the curious gazes of Matt and Denise.

"No need to browse." I said airily. "Two can play the same game."

Denise and Matt looked confused at my last statement, but considering my determined face, they knew what I was doing, and I did too.

A/N: Busy writing chapter 9! Stay tune ;)