Song: Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On) by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Dear Nymphi,

So far, classes are starting out well. Being a prefect has kept me incredibly busy, sometimes a little too busy where I find myself helping out the first years more than helping myself to food. There's one in particular that has needed help finding the bathrooms too many times to count.

      I'm officially the starting Seeker for our Quidditch team! Heidi, our new captain, told me at our tryouts. The list she posted the other day confirmed it.

I miss you, mum, and dad a lot already, and I'm very excited for Christmas break! Is it bad that I've already started counting down the days? It's about 106 days away if you're wondering. Too long if you ask me!

I think the reason I'm already wanting to go home is due to the fact that Megan Jones, along with the help of Hannah spreading it, started a rumour that Draco Malfoy and I were together. He had been picking on Neville, who stood up for a younger Gryffindor, when I stepped in and saved Neville from a fight with him. He had gotten up in my face, and she thought he was doing something other than yelling at me, if you know what I mean. Ew! Just thinking about it makes me want to vomit! No way would I ever be with Draco. He's such an egotistical arse!

Enough about him though...I will keep writing to you every week, my dear sister. I love you so much!
Love,
Lily
~~~~~~~~~~

Smiling to myself, I set my quill down gently on my desk. I roll up my letter and grab a strand of ribbon from my bottom desk drawer. After tying a cute bow around the letter, I get up and make my way out of my room. Walking down the steps into the common room, I notice Hannah, Susie, and Ernie sitting at one of the tables. I walk over to them with a soft smile as Susie looks up from her book.

"Would you guys like to plan the beginning of the year party at dinner tonight?" I ask, causing Hannah to snap her head up from her notes along with Ernie.

Her and Susie nod as Ernie says, "Yeah, sounds good to me."

"Alright, great. I'm just going to go send a letter out to my sister here. Save a spot for me at dinner!" I say as I begin walking away towards the exit.

I slowly walk down the corridors, clutching the letter tightly in my hand. The dusk sky brings a warm glow as I walk down a main hallway with taller windows that face out towards the Black Lake. The dimming sun seems to illuminate the dark waters of the lake, and I swear I can see movement from underneath the surface. Perhaps the giant monster that lives in the lake? Or the sirens that lurk there too?

I find myself stopping and looking out one of the windows as the sun slowly sets. I see a movement from the corner of my eye and glance over to my left briefly. There's Draco looking out of another window a few down from the one where I'm looking out. He doesn't seem to see me as his gaze is fixated on the setting sun and surrounding views. The remaining rays from the sun bounce off his hair, warmly illuminating each strand. It's a different illumination from a couple days ago after the Quidditch tryouts.

He stays there for a moment longer before turning around, his back to me, and walking down the hall. I decide to get going as well as the sun is nearly set.

I make it to the Owlery within a few minutes. The location is one of my favorites as it's up in the very top of the West Tower.

"Luz!" I say, seeing my owl fly over and land on the railing in front of me. Her ivory feathers along with her golden eyes were the reason why I named her Luz, which comes from Spanish origins meaning "light."

She coos softly as I pet her head. Ever since my parents got her for me for my birthday the summer before starting Hogwarts, Luz has been one of my closest companions, besides my sister of course. She's listened to all of my problems and drama over the years as well as delivers and retrieves all my letters.

"Here, Luz, bring this to Nymphi." She coos at my words before grabbing the letter from my hands and flying out of the glassless window. I watch as she glides through the darkened sky out towards my sister.

Hearing movement from behind me, I turn around and see Harry quietly talking to his owl, Hedwig. He looks a bit sad as the owl cocks her head as if she understands what he is all saying.

"Hi, Harry," I say softly, making him turn his head towards me. His frown is replaced with a warm smile.

"Oh, hi Lily. How are you?" Harry is the kind of person that is always sincere with everything he does and says. Most only ask 'how are you?' to be polite, but with Harry, he actually cares to know.

"I'm doing well today. I—um—how are you? You know, I've been meaning to tell you that what you said to Umbitch—er I mean Umbridge—was quite brave. I'm sorry you have the Ministry and a lot of people choosing to not believe the truth."

His mouth picks up even more at Hannah's nickname for Umbridge. "Umbitch? I'll have to remember that one." He takes a deep breath, looking to the side. "I've been better, honestly. And thank you—" he looks back at me, "—I feel as though I've been losing friends a lot recently. It's nice to know there are people like you that still care and believe me."

I see unshed tears forming in his eyes, and I have to blink my eyes a few times as I know I'll start crying if he does. Taking a step closer, I say, "of course, Harry. I know you have Hermione and Ron, as well as many others, but if you ever just need to let it all out to someone completely different and not judgemental, I am always here."

He quickly wipes his eyes before a gentle smile forms on his features. "Thank you, Lily. That means a lot to me. It goes for you as well. I mean, really, if you ever need someone to talk to, don't be too shy to ask." He looks out towards the night sky behind me before looking back at me, "Well, I better get going. I have some things to take care of. Goodnight. It was nice seeing you."

I smile as he heads out, "it was nice seeing you too, Harry." I watch him make his way down the spiral staircase before walking towards the glassless windows and looking out at the bright moon.

It's a shame that I don't fancy Harry anymore than just a friend as he is probably one of the sweetest, most sincere and courageous boys out there. He's someone that can make your day without even trying to. It's a shame so many horrible things have happened to him within his short life because he honestly deserves so much better. From his parents murder by the hands of You-Know-Who, to him being thrown into dangerous situations every year must be so difficult for him. I couldn't imagine all that he's been through. It's a good thing he has his two best friends, Hermione and Ron, to be there with him now as it seems many people are keeping their distance from him due to the trial.

Sighing, I make my way out of the Owlery and towards the Great Hall for dinner. My stomach has been growling all day since I missed breakfast and skipped lunch to finish up an essay for Potions that I had forgotten about. The first years have been wearing me out and using up a lot of my study time.

Upon walking into the Great Hall, I see that my friends actually saved me a spot, in between Susie and Justin. I smile upon walking over and sitting down.

I made it just in time as food is being served to us. Although the food isn't as vast and plentiful as it was our first night back, it's still just as satisfactory all the same. There's roast chicken for tonight with brussel sprouts and sweet corn. I find myself piling a lot onto my plate as Ernie speaks up.

"This party has to be the grandest one we've ever had! I want people to remember it for a long time!" He spews out some food as he talks, as he uses his hands to emphasize. There's times when I wonder if Ernie should've been placed in Gryffindor with how pronounced he is with his movements and loudness.

"I can get us Firewhiskey!" Hannah randomly blurts out, making us all snap our heads towards her. She only has some brussels sprouts and corn on her plate, meaning she must be trying out vegetarianism again.

"How? There's no way!" Justin exclaims before shoving some chicken into his mouth.

Hannah purses her lips, setting her gaze down at the corn on her plate with a mischievous smile. "I have my ways." Either she snuck it in her luggage on the way here or she has a source somewhere that will somehow Owl it to the school. Both are quite risky, in my opinion.

"I think you're bluffing!" Ernie states loudly. "How are you going to get your hands on Firewhiskey!?"

We all immediately shush him, as almost all the students heard him, even Draco and his buddies must have heard it way over at the Slytherin table as their eyes are trained on us. Draco's eyebrows raise a bit as he looks at me. I ignore it by directing my gaze back onto Ernie who's as red as a tomato.

He scratches his neck awkwardly, mumbling a "sorry."

"We don't need the whole school knowing about our party," I say whilst shaking my head.

"It's not like anyone really cares," Hannah remarks, poking at her brussel sprouts. She keeps glancing up at the roast chicken on the platter in front of her.

The thing is, she's right. Nobody really cares about Hufflepuffs, let alone if and when we throw parties. Other people would probably feel upset about this, but we actually like it. It's why our parties are always so wild and fun. We can get away with throwing parties whenever because no one cares to check up on us.

Professor Sprout is the only professor that ever checks in on us from time to time. Then again, she is the head professor of Hufflepuff, so it's her job to do so. It's funny because I don't think she would care either way. She's told me about her wild days back at Hogwarts and how she got away with some things.

She's the absolute best, no doubt!

Once we're done eating and going over the details and things to be done for the party, Justin asks if I'd like to work on Herbology with him in the common room, and I gladly accept.

We're walking back to our common room as he says, "I'm excited for this party! Friday can't come any quicker!" He's walking right beside me, his pace a little too quick as my legs seem to be going double time to keep up with him.

I nod along. "Yeah. I'm quite excited! This will be my first time hosting a party in general, so I'm also a bit nervous."

Just then, Draco brushes past us, and he glances at me briefly. He's smirking as if he found out something, but he quickly speeds past us before I can ask him. Justin tenses a bit as his hands ball up into fists while he clenches his jaw.

We continue walking a couple steps before he turns to me and says, "I really hate that guy." And then his eyes widen as if he is realizing something shocking. "Do you think he heard me talk about the party?"

I shrug before saying, "I'm not sure—"

"—if he would find out I feel like he would be that arsehole to tattle on us," Justin cuts me off, walking faster now. I have to almost jog to keep up with him.

I let out a dry laugh. "Yeah, I don't think he really cares." He shakes his head as if he doesn't believe me. I don't bother saying anything more because he seems to not like talking about Draco.

I mean, a lot of people don't like him or talking about him, so it doesn't surprise me that he doesn't either.

"Yeah, well, let's forget about him. How far are you on the required chapters for Herbology?" I try steering him onto a different topic which I think works as his frown is replaced with his normal smile.

We're already at the common room entrance as he says, "not too far. My Potions essays have been taking up a lot of my time."

I quickly do the passcode to get into the common room, and we walk in. "I'm about halfway through it, so I could help you catch up to where I'm at," I offer as we find an open sofa to work on.

We sit down as he says, "okay. That would be great! Thanks!"

After a few minutes of explaining the pages I've read and took notes on already to him, he's finally caught up to where I'm at. We agree to read a page at a time and go over it together before continuing.

As I'm reading, I feel his warm palm on my knee. If we were dating, I wouldn't necessarily care, but since we aren't, I find the action odd and uncomfortable. I shift my leg which causes his hand to slide off. I shake the feeling off since I'm sure it was just a natural instinct.

I continue reading, only getting a couple more sentences in before feeling his palm on my knee again. His hand slowly crawls up my leg, which makes me extremely uncomfortable. I lightly push his hand off, which causes him to look at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"What?" He has the audacity to ask me that when he knows exactly what he was doing?

"I don't feel comfortable with you putting your hand on my leg like that," I tell him bluntly but also as nicely as I can.

He frowns at this. "Why not? It's not like I haven't done it before?"

"Yeah. When we were dating! We're not dating, Justin." At this point, my voice is raised from a softer pitch to a slightly louder one.

I can tell he's upset as he narrows his gaze at me. "What do you mean? You said we're starting over. Clean slate, remember?!"

I'm taken aback slightly as he has raised his voice significantly, causing some students in the common room to look over at us. I stand up from the sofa, hastily grabbing my things. There's no way I'm working with him now.

He grabs my arm, his grip tight. "Where do you think you're going?"

I yank my arm from his grasp, narrowing my gaze at him. "To my room." I take a few steps before turning around. "Oh, when I said I'd like a "clean slate" I meant we start as friends like we were before we started dating! I wanted us to go slow, but I don't think I'll want to be in a relationship with you ever again!"

I turn back around and head towards the staircase that leads up to the Prefect suites. Before I make it there, I hear him yell, "I have other girls who are interested, but I decided to give you another chance!"

I snap my gaze to him. How DARE he!

"That's great, Justin. Find someone who actually cares," I say as calmly as I can before heading up the stairs to my room. I quickly walk into my room and close the door, locking it.

Tossing my books onto my desk, I fall back onto my plush bed. I grab a pillow and scream into it.

After letting out all my anger into the poor pillow, I turn to my side, facing the window where the moon is shining brightly.

I fall asleep not thinking about Justin, but rather about how the color of the moon tonight looks strikingly similar to that of Draco's platinum locks.