Seeing as both Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall are currently busy, they've asked me to make a quick announcement to all students. Writing here is the quickest and most efficient way to get in contact with the vast majority until the Headmaster can properly speak to everyone as a collective whole.

It is unlikely that anyone has heard as of this moment, except the person responsible, but Alice Wright, Ravenclaw and Quidditch Captain, was attacked but a short while ago behind Greenhouse number four. She sustained some very severe wounds and, according to what I could find out, at least one Unforgivable was performed on her. She is currently in the Hospital Wing and will remain there for several days. If anyone knows of any information that can lead to the person responsible, it will be in their best interest to come forward.

In the meantime, Professor Dumbledore would like me to urge everyone to be cautious about where they go and who with. Do not go anywhere alone. Additional Aurors from those that are currently stationed at the school have been summoned and will be here within an hour, as will several Ministry Officials.

In order to accommodate the absence of the Head Boy, I've devised a new schedule for when all prefects will do rounds. Note that Remus has volunteered to accompany me each night so all normal partners had to be flipped around a bit to make it work soundly. The new schedule details the assignments for the coming week only. I'm not sure how long this new schedule will last, but all help from the lot of you is very much appreciated.

Business aside, I've been keeping busy since both James and Sirius left. Needless to say, I don't think Gryffindor has ever been so quiet for such a lengthy period of time. Though there was that one time in third year when James lost his voice for three whole days after shouting so much during a Quidditch match, but, if I remember correctly, Sirius made up for that. I do hope that Mr. and Mrs. Potter okay. From the reports I've read, it doesn't sound like anything happened there, but somewhere close by. I can't be sure though since I haven't heard anything from James or Sirius yet.

That's it! I've had it up to here with people thinking they can just skivvy out of rounds because they feel like it. Don't bother that you were scheduled to do it in advance and could have asked for to change it a few weeks prior, but to ask the day of is a completely matter entirely. As of this moment, any Prefect or Head Boy who thinks they can just miss rounds for any reason other than the fact that they're sick or stuck in the Hospital wing will be reported to Professor McGoangall and dire consequences will await them. She won't be as lenient or as nice as I've been about this, but no more!

The one night with which I have a few minutes to spare and go to the Astronomy Tower before I have to be back to Gryffindor, it snows. I thought we'd have a break from all the white stuff, but it seems that dear mother nature has a better idea. Just how much snow have we had this winter? I don't think I week has gone by when it hasn't at least snowed once. However, despite the temperatures below freezing and the snow, it was rather nice. I found Orion and many of my favourites and traced them like I always do. and a part of me wondered if Petunia still does it at night when she goes outside to look up at the stars like we did as kids. Since it was so cold and the weather nasty, I couldn't stay out there as long as I intended, but perhaps I can try again in a few days.

I promised James that I'd go and watch him and the rest of the Gryffindor team practice. There's no telling how long it'll last, but given that I haven't seen him properly all week, I plan to stay the whole time just because I can, thank you very much. Of course, I'm taking what N.E.W.T.s stuff I'm studying at the moment so that I don't fall behind schedule on that.

Speaking of N.E.W.T.s, I suggest we form study groups. While they may be distracting when we go off on a tangent, many minds are better than one and things can be put into better perspective when with others. Anyone interested?

Is the day finally over? I didn't think it was possible for a day to seem so long. From the moment I woke up this morning, I've wanted nothing more than to curl up in my bed and sleep the day away. My head feels like a bowling ball and my ears are all stuffy, and riding that train for more than a few hours didn't help matters. In fact, I think it made it worse. James, I promise I'll make it up to you, but could you please do rounds without me tonight? I just want to go to bed.

James is here. He says to tell everyone hello because he can't be bothered to get up and say it himself at the minute. He says he's too full, the poor dear. He and I, along with his parents and my parents all went out to dinner tonight in London, and I'm pleased to report that nothing went wrong. Petunia and Vernon opted to stay home, thank goodness, so there were no problems whatsoever. Mum and Mrs. Potter got along quite well and thought it would be a jolly good time to embarrass the two of us with tales of when we were younger. I don't believe I've ever seen James turn so red in my life. Dad and Mr. Potter decided they'd talk about football, though Mr. Potter didn't seem to know very much about it, but seemed interested in the sport. Dad even invited him to attend a game with him one day!

The food at the restaurant we ate at was delicious. So delicious in fact, that I believe it's put many of us in a food coma for a few hours. As I lay here writing, James his still licking his lips and patting his stomach. It's really quite a amusing, especially since his glasses are all crooked. He's staying the night, but dad insisted he sleep on the couch. Tomorrow, we're going out for breakfast and then James and I are going to wander around London for some post-Christmas sales that I wanted to check out.

I've finally gotten away from mum for ten minutes to say that I've finally arrived home. London has never looked so festive and our house is decked out for Christmas. As soon as I got in, we put the Christmas tree up. I told them that they weren't allowed to do it until I got home, but now it's done and decorated in silver and blue decorations. It's very lovely and if Petunia and Vernon Dursley wouldn't have a cow, I'd take a picture and charm it into this journal, but unfortunately that's not a possibility at the moment. Perhaps later though.

Mum has told me that if any of my friends (or boyfriends - as if I have more than one, mum) would like to visit during the Christmas hols, they're more than welcome to. So, any takers? Dorcas, I already know you're coming by - if you didn't, I'd never forgive you. James, you're obligated by way of our little bet, so I expect you here Christmas afternoon if you can get away, darling. Then, if you'd like, that evening, you can drag me to your house and I can meet your mum and dad for more than five minutes on a platform. Remus and Sirius, you two are welcome to drop in, as are you Hestia! Oh, and anyone else that wants to. We'll just have a full house and mum will cook us dinner and we can all tease Vernon mercilessly.

Ha! When will you boys learn that us girls will always win? It looks like you'll be doing rounds by yourself for a week, James, and coming home with me for a portion of Christmas hols. Oh, and let us not forget the surprise one. I expect full payment by tonight.

Oh, and wonderfully played, girls. We definitely showed them.

James, honestly, this is getting ridiculous. You skip rounds at least a handful of times a month, and as much as I enjoy your offer of letting me take the same liberties, it's just not right. We're assigned to do rounds five nights a week, surely you can make those? It's just like another class, but instead, we have to walk the corridors for an hour and some. I'd honestly think (at the risk of sounding conceited) you'd be excited at the prospects of spending so much time alone with me. Goodness knows we've been busy revising for N.E.W.T.s that our time is limited, but that's a full extra hour a week that you get. What on Earth are you doing that you can't sacrifice an hour of your time. I know it's not homework because we did that early and you promised you were done.

Thank you everyone who sent me gifts or well wishes on my birthday. The lot of you have obviously spoiled me and I don't know which gift to indulge in first, though I'm sorely tempted to wrap up in all the warm winter clothing, take the Astronomical Globe, and the Thoreau book and curl up in the Astronomy Tower and wait for my favourite constellations to come out.

I've had a bit of free time the past few days, though I've yet to figure out how I've managed it. Nevertheless, to keep myself busy, I immersed myself in a little project that I've been meaning to do for quite some time. I made a Scrapbook, and since there were quite a few pictures that were simply too adorable to not share, I've taken the liberty of making copies and have decided to paste them in my journal to share and to have easier access to when I need something to smile about.

( Lily's Scrapbook )
And yes, James, this is why I forced you to take a picture a few days ago.

I'm afraid I'm not good at this and this new situation we've found ourselves in is very new to me. As well as surprising, but in a good way I assure you. I thought that since you invited me to go to Professor Slughorn's Party with you, I thought it might be nice to turn the invitation around and ask if you, James Potter, would like to do something together while at Hogsmeade tomorrow. That is, if you aren't busy or have prior engagements, in which case I'll understand and we can forget I even asked.

I'm afraid I didn't get very much sleep last night. First, the quidditch match, which we won (congratulations guys), and then the party that went on until the early hours of the morning. Luckily I've gotten quite a lot of my homework done or else I'd be panicking right about now. I was supposed to work on the Transfiguration essay with Dorcas later today, but I've only just remembered that Professor Slughorn is having some kind of post-hallowe'en party. He sent out invitations about a week ago and I simply forgot with everything that's been going on.

I have ordered the fabric for my dress and it should be here by Friday at dinner! It seems that I'll be spending the weekend with Emmeline, helping her piece it together and do whatever she needs help with! You can't imagine how much I appreciate this, Emmeline. I promise to make it up to you, too! A thousand times over. I've also ordered my mask. It's nothing fancy - quite simple actually, but it's beautiful just the same.

I made a terrible mistake the other evening. I left myself get carried away in something that I shouldn't have, but I don't regret it. I rarely regret the things I've done. Living that kind of life is not one that I want. So, I have decided that it's a learning experience, and it has also helped me shed light on something else that has been crossing my mind as of lately. Feelings are complicated things. They never do what you want them to do and can ruin many things if one is not careful. They can also confuse and complicate relationships that you would rather not have, but because they're so strong and powerful, it's hard not to let them persuade your conscious about things that it shouldn't be considering.

Dorcas. We need to talk soon. And I fear you may not like it...

I've known about the upcoming Ball that Professor Dumbledore is throwing for some time now, but it was only today when Dorcas and I were looking through a catalogue that I realised just how little time I have to find a costume that I like. I have a few in mind, but I'm not entirely sure if I like them. There are other selections, of course, but they're scattered about on the floor. I'm sure that I want to do something medieval instead of a more modern or character-like costume, so at least I've narrowed it down that much.

Looking at these costumes has also made me realise that I don't have a date for the occasion. Now, this isn't an invitation for anyone to ask me because I'm not so sure that I really want to go with someone. Males, in general at the moment, are far too much trouble and I'm unsure as to whether or not I want to involve myself with one at the present time. If Dorcas wasn't already going with Benjy, I'm sure it would have been fun if it were just the two of us.

I received my Transfiguration test back today and didn't do as well as I had thought I did. When she handed it to, Professor McGonagall gave me that look and told me she'd like to see my after class. She's disappointed with the grade, especially after I improved last year. However, she said that I can write an essay to make up for the test though she expects it to be at least fifteen inches long. As if I wasn't already crunched for time, now I have this to worry about.

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

The moon and the stars are both shining quite vividly tonight, though I'd rather look at the stars than the moon. I managed to find some time to climb up to the astronomy tower and engage in something that I only get to take part in once or twice a month. My favourite thing to do while up there is to lie against the stone floor and trace the patterns of the constellations with my finger. If I can't recall one, I simply make it up until I climb back down to Gryffindor to look it up. And it's peaceful up there. Only on rare occasions does someone venture up there and disturb my quiet serenity. Tonight was one of those nights, but I didn't mind so much. I had already been up there for a few hours before they came so the encounter didn't last very long before the atmosphere was ruined and I headed back to my Common Room. I can still see the moon and the stars as I write here from my bed and I wonder (if I were to hang out the window far enough) if I could look out and see Cassiopeia.

I feel like I'm forgetting something. Or remembering, I dunno. But I feel like I'm supposed to do...rounds tonight and was supposed to have a meeting with Dumbledore tomorrow? I don't understand.

Last night after everyone went to bed Remus took me outside and we got to play in the RAIN! It was SOOOO much fun and just like Petunia and I do when she's here. Only she's not here but at home and I miss her and mum and dad. But still I had a lot of fun and got all wet and muddy but Remus pointed his wand at me and made me dry and so that I wasn't muddy anymore! :D