Ashley was excited, as she packed her bags. Damien was vising her home for Christmas Eve, and she would be visiting his house as well for Christmas day, not really caring to spend it with her austere parents.

Meghan, having recovered from the fight weeks back and with no memory of what had happened (and thankfully still crushing on Aaron instead of Damien), was flopped on her bed, lying on her stomach, as she watched her friend. "You know, you could always talk about me to Aaron," Meghan commented hopefully. Ashley, having no bitter memories, save for a slight wariness about trusting with secrets, laughed.

"I already mention you more than my other friends," she said.

"Only mentioned?" her friend sighed dramatically, rolling over onto her back. "Well, it's better than nothing."

"Don't worry...I'll see if I can point him in your direction," Ashley grinned. "In the meantime..." She closed her trunk with a slight thud. "I'm off for the holidays...say hi to your parents for me!"

"Will do!"

Ashley waved goodbye, as she headed out of the common room, and down the corridors, her trunk magically lightened. Soon, she was standing outside of the Slytherin dorms, waiting for Aaron and Damien to appear. She couldn't wait; several days with Damien, and then several more days with Damien and his parents. If she could just keep her father from interrogating him...

"Aaron! Shake a leg man and hurry your arse up! We gotta go mate!"

Damien yell from down in the Common Room. He went through his bag really quick; to make sure he had all he needed. Once satisfied, he looked back up and scoffed, "screw it... I'm going outside... I'll see you at your house..."

"Just go on ahead!" Aaron called back. "I'll meet up with you guys on the train..." He went back to packing.

Outside, Ashley looked up as Damien finally appeared. "Let me guess...Aaron is taking forever?" she smirked. "He probably forgot to pack last night...this is why girls are so much more efficient. We pack most of our stuff the night before. Here I am, on time, while my lazy brother runs around making sure he didn't forget anything important."

He shrugged and leaned against the wall for a moment, "well aren't we smug about something. I know the one thing you did forget."

Ashley shrugged with a grin on her face. "I am never smug," she teased. She looked at him with a frown of confusion on her face. "What did I forget?"

Damien reached into his pocket and pulled out a crystalline helix on a silvery chain and dangled it in front of her, "I made this for you. I thought you would like this."

Ashley's eyes widened, then softened, and she reached a hand out to gently touch the pendant. "It's beautiful," she whispered, before throwing her arms around Damien and hugging him tightly. She pressed a kiss to his lips. "Thank you...can you put it on for me?"

"Of course." He dropped his bag and took a step around her and brushed her hair aside and clasped the fine chain, letting the cool metal rest gently against her skin, "a little something I've been working on since we've been going out."

Ashley gently touched the pendant again, where it rested against her skin. "It's absolutely gorgeous," she said with a smile, looking over her shoulder at him. "You have talent...how on earth did you make this? And again, thank you so much! It's so sweet of you." None of the other guys had ever gotten her jewelry. They had simply hung out with her at Hogsmeade on weekends, as a sort of 'date', during which the guy would do his best to seduce her, while she kept things cool between them. Damien was...different. And she liked that.

He nodded, "it wasn't much trouble. Just took some coal and compressed it for several hours using alchemy. After that it was just a matter of cutting the trinket"

"Wasn't much trouble? That sounds complicated!" Ashley looked down at the necklace. "And you cut it...as I said, you have talent." She turned around, and kissed him again. "Thank you."

"You are most definitely welcome. Are you sure this is going to be ok? I mean with your parents and all." He looked a little nervous about it all.

Ashley nodded. "They won't find out. Not if I can help it," she said firmly. "If they do find out, I'll Obliviate them. Or I'll hex them. Whatever it takes to get you out safely." Her eyes were serious as she gazed at him. "But I need to warn you: avoid being alone with my father. He has a way of finding your secrets. If anything goes wrong, you follow my lead. I know that you have this alchemic power and all, but you cannot use it at my house. Believe me. If you were to use alchemy..." She shuddered. "Slytherin Purebloods are proud of their blood status for a reason. The ancient curses they know...all the tricks a good Slytherin uses...you don't want to mess with them

"Ok then. Does that mean I should stay next to you the entire time?"

"Yes. More than likely…"

(Some time later)

Damien looked around nervously, fidgeting with his suit, as he looked in the mirror, "look I've been in the same room a total of 5 minutes. I don't know what to do..."

Ashley looked at Damien and raised an eyebrow. She fiddled with the necklace hanging around her neck, feeling the cool metal against her skin. "Just use your manners," she murmured.

Footsteps alerted her to her parents' approach, and she turned, rising from her chair and smoothing the skirt of the dress she had changed to. "Mother, Father," she greeted with a cool smile. Her parents in turn each nodded. "Might I introduce Damien, Aaron's friend from Slytherin? He's the one I'll be visiting later on during the holidays."

Diane Selwyn eyed the young man coolly. "A pleasure to meet you," she said formally. Her husband, Ethan, approached, extending his hand to Damien.

"Welcome to our home," he said with the same cool politeness that his wife held.

Damien took Ethan's hand firmly and shook it, hiding his nervousness behind a smug smile that would have even fooled Aaron. He greeted Mrs. Selwyn with a polite and proper bow and returned back to Ashley's side. He leaned into Ashley to make a quick whisper, "Do they know they're going out yet?"

"It's quite the honor to meet you both. Ashley and Aaron have both spoke greatly of you," Damien said with a quick rebound, "please tell me if I am a burden. I don't wish to impose upon a great family such as yours." With that, a scoff could be heard from behind the doorway as Aaron walked through with a low chuckle, "You aren't that fancy pants, are you?"

"Come off it, Aaron. I do have manners from time to time. I think that you just bring out the lazy in me..."

Aaron looked sharply dressed in his casual dress outfit of a dark green button-up and black slacks. Damien had to admit, he felt a little under dressed.

Diane finished her assessment of the young man, and nodded slightly in response to his bow, her lips twitching with approval. Ashley held in a sigh of relief, instead whispering back to Damien, "Mother knows...and Father suspects. But follow my lead when referring to our relationship. I'll explain later."

Diane spoke up. "You are no burden to us, Mr. Kelmore. We are proud to have you visit us for the holidays." She turned a disapproving eye on Aaron. "The young man has manners, Aaron." A small smile tugged at her face. "Something I'm sure you would do well with, should you make the effort to learn."

Ashley hid a smile by coughing lightly. Her father raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment.

"I am sure you must want to unpack your things in your room," he interrupted. "Ashley, Aaron, show Mr. Kelmore around, and help him settle in. Afterwards, you may join us for tea in the sitting room, if you wish."

Ashley dipped her head. "Of course."

With that, Aaron stepped forward, a slight pout on his face at his mother's reprimand. "I'll take your bags," he said with a grin. Ashley shot him a smile as well, as she turned towards the door.

"Follow me," she said to Damien, exiting the room.

Damien hurried after Ashley, offering an arm to her, "that went over rather well. I was expecting a little more 'fire and brimstone'."

"I was surprised as well...Father was so calm...too calm," Ashley muttered. She accepted his arm, and glanced over her shoulder. No one there. Aaron was walking ahead, to give them a little time. His back muscles were tense, as he was obviously uncomfortable about their relationship still, but he said nothing. "Anyways, rule number one," Ashley murmured, turning back to Damien. "You are courting me. Not dating, but courting. It is the proper term. Rule number two: we do not mention our relationship unless asked about it. It is improper for an unmarried couple to do so in polite company. Rule number three: public displays of affection are minimal. A peck on the cheek, perhaps a gentle hug. You may put your arm around me, or offer your arm to me. But no true kisses, put a little distance between us sometimes, you get the idea." She grimaced. "There's lots more etiquette that you'll never have the time to learn...for now, just...stick to those three rules."

"You'll be surprised at how much etiquette I am familiar with my dear. I can hold to that. So what else do I need to know?'

Ashley looked at him thoughtfully. "You did well back there," she murmured. "Just make sure to look at me from time to time. If you ever see me shake my head, or raise my eyebrows or something, then you know that you're treading on dangerous ground...otherwise, just keep from spilling every thought you have. Be cool, polite, calm, and careful not to reveal too much about yourself."

"So just keep my mouth shut and avoid being alone with your father. Got it." Damien stopped as Aaron turned to go into the guest bedroom, "so this is where you grew up eh?"

Ashley grimaced. "Yeah," she said quietly. "Welcome to Paradise. Population? Two kids trying to survive two parents obsessed with social appearance." She rolled her eyes. "This will be your room for the next few days...mine's just down the hall."

"Well at least I'm not having to share a room with Aaron. Its bad enough I do it at school." he lightly put his hand on top of hers, "I can't wait to just get this over with."

Ashley smirked. "Yeah, he snores. Funny to listen to, if you don't have to sleep in the same room." She sighed. "I can't wait to get out of here either. That's why I love Hogwarts so much. They aren't there." She smiled slightly. "But it's much better with you here. They'll refrain from arguments, for fear of you seeing them arguing with us."

Damien paced around the library for a moment, looking up to Aaron every now and again, "I've done well to keep on the good side of your family Aaron. Where is Ashley? I'm getting a bit nervous without her around."

Aaron crossed his arms, an amused look on his face as he leaned against the wall. "She's probably still getting ready for dinner. And yeah, you've done pretty well with keeping Mother and Father content. I'm surprised. They aren't usually this amicable." He shrugged. "I guess they just don't want to have another row with Ash. The last one was pretty bad. They ended up bribing her to keep her from going to the Headmaster and asking to stay at Hogwarts for the summer." He chuckled. "That's probably why they avoid you and her."

Footsteps sounded, and Aaron half-turned, expecting to see Ashley. It was Ethan, however, who entered the room. "I apologize," the older man said, not sounding too sorry. "I didn't realize there was anyone in here. I do hope I didn't interrupt?"

"No, Father," Aaron said in a cool tone.

Ethan turned to Damien. "Ah, Damien. We haven't gotten to know each other very well the last few days. I do hope I have not offended you by not speaking to you earlier?"

"not at all sir. I was under the impression you were busy. I would have offered my help in your affairs of home, but I felt like I was prying too much sir."

Ethan studied Damien. "Yes, I have been...busy. You needn't worry about prying; I daresay my son would have informed you, should you have been prying." He entered the room, standing beside Aaron, who kept a blank face. "So, now that we have a few moments...how is your family? I trust your parents are well? I should very much like to meet them sometime..." He cleared his throat. "What are their names, might I ask?"

Damien looked around nervously, looking to the clock for an answer to when Ashley would get there. He tapped his foot impatiently, "my parents are fine... My mum at least is. I hardly ever hear from my father."

"Really?" Ethan murmured. "That's unfortunate...may I inquire as to why that is?" His eyes narrowed slightly; Damien hadn't answered him when asked about his parents' names. That was unfortunate indeed...he had looked forward to searching for these parents of his.

"my father is... Well my father is a difficult man. He's a military officer, you see. Um, if you don't mind me asking sir, what is it you do?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "A military officer? A fine position indeed."

Aaron discreetly shot Damien thumbs up, as his father continued. "I myself work within the Ministry. Other information is a bit more...classified, to young adults such as yourself, who are not within the Ministry."

He went to speak again, when more footsteps sounded in the corridor. Ashley appeared, the pale blue dress rustling softly as she entered. "Sorry I'm late," she began, then stopped. "Oh, Father! I'd expected you to be in the dining room!"

Ethan's expression didn't change, but he did catch the quick glance Ashley shot at Damien. "I was just on my way there, and decided to be polite and greet young Damien here properly," he said smoothly.

"I appreciate the greeting sir. Will you excuse me a moment? I need you daughter's help with something..." gave Ethan a short bow and headed out of the doorway, placing his hand around her arm as he took her away from the parlor, "that couldn't have gone by any worse."

Ethan nodded, a gleam in his eye as Damien and Ashley rushed out of the room. "Nice young man," he murmured, deep in thought. Aaron glanced at him; his father thinking did not bode well.

Ashley turned to Damien as soon as they were out of earshot. "He cornered you?" she hissed. "What did you say? You didn't give anything away, did you? What did you tell him? What went wrong?" Her eyes flashed with fear for a moment, and she glanced over her shoulder, as if expecting her father to come storming out at that moment.

"of course he cornered me. He came out of nowhere! I only told him my father was in the military... Didn't which or with whom." he looked at the walls, feeling paranoid for a moment. "I can only imagine that your father has the resources to find my family."

Ashley groaned. "You'd better believe he has the resources," she said grimly. "He has contacts at the Ministry. All he has to do is ask for a Kelmore from some sort of military...thank Merlin we leave in a day..."