"They were friends walking down the halls one night, when suddenly, they came across a horrible beast that killed them just by looking into their eyes."

"That's just a rumor! Besides, there's no such thing as a monster that can kill a person by looking at them. I heard they died in the war. They were in love and trying to protect each other during the 'Battle of Hogwarts'. Tragically they were both killed but stayed to protect the other, even in death."

"Well my mother told me they had become engaged and that the girl's ex-boyfriend went into a jealous rage and killed them. He even cursed their spirits to forever face away from each other so they'd forever suffer; knowing their true love was next to them but always out of sight."

"That's bullocks! I heard some of the portraits talking. Said they were lovers but the bloke found out she was running around on him. Tracked the other guy down and tried to kill him but she got in the way and she was hit with the curse meant for the other man. When the bloke realized what he had done he went crazy and killed himself."

"You're all wrong. They were from rival houses, she was known as the Gryffindor Princess and he was called the Slytherin Prince. It was love at first sight but they had to keep their relationship a secret. During the Final Battle they fought valiantly for their respective sides until they came upon each other. Rather than be forced to kill their love, they each turned their wands on themselves. It's said they choose to remain here then move on to the next life in fear they will be separated."

"Oh, how beautifully tragic!"

They girls I the group let out a collective sigh while the boys rolled their eyes. The group once again turned their attention to the ghosts floating before them. Just inches below the library's side entrance doorway floated a boy and girl facing away from each other. The pair had their arms crossed over their chest as if holding themselves, trying to make up for the loss of a loved one's embrace.

"Students, enough of this lazing about in the hallways. Off to class the lot of you before I take house points!"

The group quickly gathered their things and scurried away in fear of the new headmistresses' wrath. They knew she had recently taken over the position after the current headmaster decided to open his own sweets shop, and was trying to assert her authority in her new position.

When the last student was out of sight the headmistress looked at the pair floating under the doorway. She noticed the stubborn set of their jaws and how they refused to even acknowledge the other's presence.

"Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy, don't you both think it's time to put this silliness aside. Honestly, this has gone on long enough don't you think? Just move on already."

Hermione and Draco looked down at Headmistress McGonagall. In the time they had spent locked in the doorway of the library they had had many friends and family say the very same thing. Each time their response was the same.

"That's quite impossible, Headmistress." Hermione responded with respect to her former teacher.

"Yeah, who would have thought mistletoe would keep us trapped even after it had withered away." Draco sighed in exasperation.

McGonagall shook her head in frustration. "You both know the way to free yourselves. Honestly, to have let yourselves come to this is madness." With these final words she walked away from the pair.

The floating duo glared at each other before once again turning their backs on each other and raising their chins in stubbornness. Both found death far preferable to the action that would free them from the spell of the long-gone mistletoe.