The announcer never left this time; I managed to slip by him as a large group of students were announced. I immediately sought out the prince; he was by the head table watching the stairs. I smiled gently to myself, hoping he was looking for me. I quickly thought up a false name, Dorian…. Dorian Black, no it can't be Black, White? No… Dorian Gray. Yes that's it Dorian Gray, if he asks tonight I'll tell him that.

I feared to tell him my true name, if Katarina found out that I was taking away precious time from her children I would be tortured that was for certain. I managed to slink back up that stair case and whispered my name to the royal announcer.

"Presenting Mr. Dorian Gray," his voice rang out my lie and I descended the stairs, upon reaching the bottom a hand was presented to me, and a voice filled with humour made me smile.

"At leased you didn't fall this time," came Prince Harry's voice as I took his hand reminding myself to remain calm. "So where have you been since the fall ball?"

I smiled "here and there my prince."

"Harry," he corrected and I found a bit of pink rising to my cheeks at the insistence of formality.

"Of course my… hem, Harry, I'm Dorian," I replied in my best court voice although stumbling over titles.

Harry chuckled "care to dance Dorian?"

"I would love to," I smiled again as he led me to the dance floor, the night went perfectly. The prince and I danced and dined, it seemed his attention and that of mine could not be wavered from each other. It was getting late and I knew I had to leave soon but I couldn't refuse his invitation to the garden.

The air outside was chilled and I shivered, Harry took off his cloak and placed it around us both.

"Thank you," I smiled leaning into him, he smelled faintly of firewood and wild wind and deeply of magic, I knew I would stay this way forever if time would allow me.

"You know why I'm doing this, right?" asked Harry.

I looked up at him my silver meeting his jewel green, "your looking for a wife."

Harry nodded, "It's a hard choice to make, Dorian I was wondering if I could kiss you?"

"I…" I started in shock.

"It's ok forget about it," replied Harry.

"But I want to," I whispered amazed at my bravery.

I met his smile as he place his hand under my chin and titled it up, our lips met in a kiss that made me see stars, I gave off a soft moan that I couldn't prevent from escape and deepened it. He pulled me closer, his tug had me land in his lap and I squeaked in surprise.

We kissed each other in the falling snow, in a garden of ice sculptures, I loved every second of it but alas all good things must come to an end. The sounds of students calling the prince filled our ears that wished to hear the one their arms embraced.

"Go on Harry," I smiled at him before placing a kiss on his chilled nose.

"How can I contact you?" he asked looking at me, our hands entwined in each others.

"Hogsmead it's in two weeks, I'll meet you at the Tina café," I whispered to him as he placed a chaste kiss on my lips and left me to the shimming snow of the ice garden.

As soon as he was gone I snuck around the castle, taking the long way outside to prevent questions and slipped into the dungeons like a shadow, truly unnoticed. Making my way to Severus' rooms, I kicked off the slippers that were soaked from the melting snow and messed myself back up once again draped in my cage that bore the Slytherin crest and snuck along the corridors thoughts of this evening on my mind.

I fell asleep blissfully dreaming dreams I blush to think about.

I awoke early the next morning to something smothering my face, my eyes flashed open faster than a second, I could only see darkness as I flailed screaming into the smothering dark.

As I felt myself grow weak, my limbs slowed the shadows were lifted, I gasped in a deep breath as cruel laughter filled my ears. It was Marc that didn't surprise me nor did the attempt on my life.

As I gasped breaths of air into my lungs Marc ranted on about the fact his homework was covered in ink. Truthfully I forgot about it.

"I'll start new right away, you'll have your paper," I promised him and all I received was a punch to the gut, further taking the air away from my grasp.

"You better or next time I'll play with you a bit more," Marc smirked that smirk that made my flesh crawl, that glint in his plain brown eyes made me feel dirty all over again, but I had work to do before I greeted the day, then I would shower and if lucky be out for lunch, I sighed climbing out of bed the cold air shocking my system but my mind was adrift with fear and of the promise I made the prince….

I worked swiftly it was hard dumbing myself down but I had to do it. Sighing an hour later I deemed the paper a high A, perhaps an E if the professor was in a pleasant mood. Silently like always I headed to the shower sealing the door and curtains with my most powerful spells.

Uninterrupted I let myself relax under the steaming water. It cascaded down my all too pale skin; I groaned pleasurably the sound that escaped my lips reminded me of the noise I made when he kissed me. Blushing I made no attempt to hide the fact, my body responded to thoughts of his warm lips on mine, his scent of firewood, wild wind and magic. Silently I cursed the scent of my honeyed pear soap. And grasped a very privet part of myself, remaining as quiet as I was able I stroked myself under the spray of water, images raced through my head, the hand was not mind for only a second as I let my mind take over. It was Harry and he gazed at me lovingly, I came with a whisper, his name on my lips, lips I wished still tasted like his.

My knees gave out from under me and I kneeled on the heated tiled floor, my eyes rolled back in pleasure. It was the closest to satisfying myself that I had ever come, smiling believing my day would only get better I turned off the taps and towelled myself off, dressed in plain black robes and a black deeply hooded cloak and set off for lunch eager to set my eyes on the forbidden fruit.