"Now add the lizard tail and hippogriff feather. Soon your potion will begin to turn into a light lavender color. Wait until I say the next ingredients."

I sat in Potions class, watching the leaves ragingly swirl outside, my thoughts anywhere else than potions.

Professor Slughorn began to move down the aisle, dismissing the Gryfindor and Hufflepuff concoctions one by one, as each of them failed to exceed his expectations.

When Slughorn got to me he bent down and sniffed my watery, pink colored potion and clucked his tongue. "To much lizard tail. Only six inches next time, not seven. "

I nodded, not really paying attention. I had a date with Steph later today and I was looking forward to it for two reasons.

One, I could enjoy a nice date with my girlfriend.

Two, I could get rid of the creeping thoughts of Morgan that constantly came to my mind.

Number two was the main reason.

Since our encounter in the "secret chamber" I couldn't get her off my mind, about what she said and what she did.

I feel terrible about thinking like this. It's interrupting my schoolwork, (and believe it or not I'm not too bad of a student) and my life.

If only she could be gone; then I could focus on Steph and everything else I needed to.

I bet everyone thinks I'm so shallow; Morgan I bet has such nice, thoughtful thoughts, while I can think about is girls.

Maybe Dad was right.

Speaking of Dad... I wrote home and my parents are not happy with me.

Not at all.

After much back and forth negotiating and lots of "I'm very disappointed in you James," my parents agreed to pay for half of the payment for the Attra's.

I would pay for the rest as well as apologize to Hagrid for the nineteenth time, and do all of my detentions.

Oh and when I got home I was grounded for a month.

Suddenly the bell rang and we were dismissed. I grabbed my book bag and began to run to the door with everyone else when Slughorn stopped us.

"Everyone please sit down. I have an announcement."

Grumbling we all sat back down, and I caught Mack and Steph roll their eyes. Slughorn looked at us excitedly and rubbed his hands together.

"To many of you're's  delight, we will be having a Halloween Ball this year."

At his words the classroom erupted in excited, shocked calls and Slughorn silenced us with his hands.

"Headmaster Mconagall has decided to let us have a Halloween Ball since so many have asked for there to be a Yule Ball again. This is her compromise.

The rules are simple and exactly like the past Yule Ball's. Only fourth years and above may attend, and you may ask dates.

The ball will start at seven and end at midnight and the decorations will all be Halloween themed.

The Weird Sisters will be preforming again, except this is just for Hogwarts students, not for other schools.

It is also a formal costume ball, so you may add as many magical objects to your outfits as you wish. Be creative. If these rules aren't followed, the ball will be cancelled.

You are now dismissed."

At his words everyone rose in a flash and ran to the door, chattering about the Halloween Ball.

I saw Morgan and some of her new friends dash out the door, they're heads bent in excitement.

My stomach churned. This ball seemed a lot more trouble than it was worth.

Sure enough Steph came up to me, her eyes flashing with the same enthusiasm that seemed to be inhabiting everyone else.

"James," she said, doing her little twirl she knew used to make me crazy for her when we weren't dating.

"We're going to be such a good couple at this ball. Can't wait to make all the other couples cry!" She blew me a kiss and raced off, catching up with her friends.

For some reason her words made me sad.

I adjusted my tie and ruffled my hair before sighing and heading to the library. I needed to desperately study for tomorrow's history quiz.

As I walked I wondered what Mack and the boys were thinking about this whole ball situation. I'd bet my broom that they're already asking girls out.

Sure enough, as I entered the library, students flew past me, they're voices half-hushed as they talked about the ball, rumors and stories spreading like wildfire among themselves.

I felt a little more excited about the ball after seeing all of the commotion. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all. I mean the Weird Sisters are going to preform, and they're my favorite band.

I sat down at a table and cracked my knuckles before opening up my magical history book.

I got to work, but not before looking across the library to see the librarian furiously hushing the students as they asked one another out, talking and talking about the ball.

A group of Slytherin girls were practicing spells intently, while another group of Ravenclaw's giggled past, walking on their heels.

I spotted Henry and Sean dancing with a few Gryfindor girls behind the bookshelves, laughing as they avoided the librarians searching gazes.

My mind reeled as I saw Morgan with her new friends and two boys she'd been hanging around lately. A flame of jealousy erupted inside of me, but I pushed it down.

I have Steph, I reminded myself, but it didn't really help.

Mack was flirting on one side of the library with a pretty Hufflepuff, and soon enough she was smiling and then running over to her friends, excited that she had scored a date.

I wonder if Morgan would act like that if I asked her out.

The sudden thought just popped in my head, and as much as I wanted to ignore it and call it ridiculous, I just couldn't.

I sighed and got back to studying.

If only I could find out what was wrong with me.