Stephanie had been staring into space for some time now. She had been seated at a table, back to the room, listening to the conversation behind her. Three third year girls had been gibbering amongst themselves for Merlin only knew how long, about Sirius Black. From the sounds of it, Mr. Black had smiled at one the three, and it had made her exceedingly giddy, and obnoxious. Thankfully, the girls voices wer moving away. Probably out to harass the poor boy, she thought, shaking her head in disgust. She herself, could not deny that the boy was attractive, but looks were the only thing he had going for him. Sirius was crude, brash, loud, promiscuous, and definitely not boyfriend material. She loved hanging out with the marauders, and lending a helping hand where needed in a good prank, but they seemed to have their mischief managed.

Suddenly, a sweet, familiar voice rent the air, followed by the thud of heavy books landing on the wooden table. Stephanie jumped slightly at the sudden sound, and watched as fiery red hair swung into her field of vision. Lily Evans now sat adjacent to her, smiling kindly. "Getting away from everything a while?" she asked. Nodding, Stephanie replied, “More like waiting for that noise to get away from me.” She laughed, twitching her head over her shoulder at the gaggle of gigglers that was just leaving. She rolled her eyes to express the exasperation she felt towards the little girls. “Apparently, just a look from Mr. Black makes the blonde one’s knees go weak.” She added, in a mock interested tone. She had be careful talking like this. Some people mistook her sarcasm for disgust, and she hardly ever aimed to offend.

Stephanie and Lily had been friends for about two years now. As Stephanie entered her 4th year, she had just finished a 12-week program at St. Mungo’s Substance Abuse Rehabilitation facility in London. Her orders from her therapist, Dr. Tyler McKinnen, had been to throw herself into schoolwork, and try to make some female friends. Stephanie had met Lily in a study group, and they had hit it off. Being a year older had never made much of a difference, except for the fact that she had come to view Lily as sort of a younger sister. Nothing had ever cropped up(except telling off Potter for her, who always stick his nose where he wasn’t welcome) to force Stephanie to look out for Lily, but she had no trouble imagining herself doing so.

Lily was one of the few females Stephanie enjoyed associating with. She hated the giggling cliques of girls that roamed the halls, flirting shamelessly, and stabbing timid girls in the backs. She hated the façade of friendship that the whole society offered. She preferred the company of males, which was always inviting to an attractive outgoing female, or to be by herself. “I am my best companion” was the motto she had learned and adapted to her life. If she couldn’t deal with her problems or herself, who else would?

Gazing at Lily, she smiled, looking at the pile of books that layer awry on the tabletop. “Planning to do some studying?” she asked. She knew that Potter was not in the common room, so perhaps the girl was seeking refuge. Time had proven though, that if Lily did not either keep on the move, or retire to the girls dormitory, James would show up. He seemed to hunt her as if she were a fox, and he were a hound. It was as though he sniffed her out at times. He must not rest until he’s asked her out at least 4 times, she thought to herself.

Stephanie smiled as Lily mentioned Potter. The last 4 years had been a struggle for poor Lily. She had been forced to attempt to keep James at an arms length at all times. Potter had been relentlessly pursuing her since about the middle of Lily’s 1st year. Stephanie often wondered if the whole obsession hadn’t been started by Potter’s hate of the Snape, the Slytherin that Lily seemed to trust. Stephanie didn’t really pester Lily about the boy. She did not particularly hate the Slytherins, and who Lily decided to invest trust in was her own business. From what she could tell, Snape was simply a quiet Slytherin who seemed to have a knack for potions, and had therefore, never been at odds with him. Perhaps Potter started pursuing Lily in an effort to anger Snape, but, as time wore on, began to actually like the girl. However it had happened, or for what reasons, Stephanie didn’t know. All she could tell was that Potter could pose to be quite a nuisance when Lily was present.

“In that case,” she said, laughing at Lily’s slash on Potter, “I can see why you avoided the Library. Remus isn’t bad, but Madame Pince would have likely given both yourself and Potter detention for the noise he would make upon seeing you.” She added with a grin. It was one thing for a boy to chase a girl. It could actually be quite flattering. It was completely different when one went about it the way James did. The boy simply had no tact in the matter. He always chose an ill-opportune time and place to press himself upon her, not to mention the way he went about it. He was loud, brash, and sometimes crude. Some people may find those traits appealing or endearing, but Lily obviously did not.

“So you’ve only arrived to keep me company, hmmm?” she asked jokingly. “I can’t say I’ll be all that entertaining, but I can prove to be a safer companion then Potter.” She said with a wink. Glancing around the empty common room, and out the closed window, she got to her feet. Making her way out around the table, she moved to the window beside Lily. Opening it and gazing down to the grounds below, she smiled as the cool breeze kissed her face gently. The common room had been stuffy, and a little over-warm. Turning, she returned to her previous seat on the bench, across from Lily. “Sorry, I was getting a little warm.” She said, nodding to the window, and fanning herself with her hand. “Besides Hiding from Potter, what are your plans for the rest of the day?” she asked, glad for the now open window.