The sun shone for the first time in months that warm day in December. The little town of Hogsmead was alight with the laughter of students who rejoiced in the opportunity to escape schoolwork, if only for a day. Walking along a laid-off road (which runs alongside the Shrieking Shack and heads off to the west after leaving the town limits), a young man and woman (they wouldn't have you describe them any other way) were talking quietly side by side.

"Why do they call it the 'Shrieking Shack'?" Severinn asked Harry as they passed by. "Well, about 20 years ago, for a period of seven years, long, loud howls and snarls could be heard once a month. Of course, the last known incident lays decades back, but the villagers who remember this time still fear this abode. Hence the reason why this road is deserted."

"Remus Lupin?"

"Yes. I am glad that you caught on so quickly."

"I would have to have been very dense not to." She replied. "You gave me enough clues."

"Well, some people would have to have been told quite bluntly."

"Ron?" Harry nodded in affirmation. "Harry, I have enjoyed our day."

Harry started in surprise. "We have only been here an hour!"

"Would you like to go to the Hogshead then?"

"Sure. I am really quite hungry." Harry said and winked.

The rest of the day was the best Harry had had in years. They laughed and joked, their conversation rarely turning serious. It did however, in Zonko's Joke Shop when Harry asked Rinn to go to the Yule Ball with him. Of course she said yes.

It was finally the night of the Yule Ball and all but the Gryffindor 6th year boys were waiting in joyful anticipation. Of course, they would be joining the rest of the school in these sentiments, if it weren't for the messy black-haired young man pacing nervously back and forth in the room all five shared.

"Come on Harry." Ron pleaded. "Put your robes on and let's go join the girls. You have to pick Severinn up."

"Yes." Sean agreed slyly. "Who knows what she would do if you were late." These were the magic words and Harry shot over to where his dress robes hung and quickly put them on, checked in the mirror and opened the door to their dorms.

"Oh, Harry?" Ron said, suppressing a laugh. Harry turned back.

"Your shoes." Neville said and they all burst into laughter.

Harry went at a fast pace as he made his way into the bowels of the dungeons. Thankfully he had been to the slytherin common rooms once before (remember: Polyjuice and Christmas Break) and so did not irr on his way and made it on time. Then his only problem was the password. Seeing the snakes which were predominantly a part of the painting, Harry decided to see if he could still speak parseltongue. "Excuse me." The snakes showed no sign of hearing or understanding. "I must have spoken english. Let's try it again." :Can you understand me?: With a hiss, the snakes came alive and stared at him with glittering eyes.

:Who are you to disturb our slumber?:

:My name is Harry Potter . I am here to pick up Ms. Snape. Might I be allowed in?:

:Young Speaker, you are always welcome in the Lair of Serpents.: The largest of the three hissed and the portrait swung open. There were few in the common room at that time other than first and second year students. It seemed that, unlike the Gryffindors, Slytherins spend an obscene amount of time in grooming themselves before a party. As he entered the room, its few occupants stared at Harry quietly, as though in shock that the bravest Gryffindor had left his tower to venture into the dark dungeons. Suddenly the subdued, but excited chatter coming from a corridor to the left signaled the arrival of Draco Malfoy and his pose.

"Potter!" He spat when he caught sight of their uninvited guest. "How did you get in here?"

"Why, Malfoy," Harry replied "didn't I ever tell you that the hat wanted to put me in slytherin?" Ignoring his red face and the spluttering of his companions, the Gryffindor turned to on of the first year girls.

"Your name is Sheila, isn't it?" He asked kindly. Hesitantly, she nodded. "Could you go to the girls' dormitory and inquire as to whether Ms. Snape is ready to go yet?" The girl nodded and went to the right to where Harry assumed the dormitories to be. While he waited, Harry was hard put to ignore the crowd of Slytherins who were standing there, watching him. It was difficult for him to meet and hold Malfoy's gaze until a throat was cleared behind him.