I simply ignored the uncomfortable feeling radiating from my stomach and let the kiss continue. There was a sense of brashness to the kiss, yet it was soft and delicate. I let it continue because the memories I had suddenly recalled demolished the voice of rational that told me to stop kissing him. The pressure of his lips on mine only increased, and I could not be entirely sure if this was Oliver's or my doing. Either way I refused to be the one that ended it.

"Mai," he said softly pulling back just barely.

"Hmmm," I replied languidly still on some bizarre high.

He smiled at me in a way that lit up his whole face. I felt one of hands slide up and touch my cheek lightly. I rubbed my cheek against his gloved hand letting the smile on my own face widen.

"I don't want to lose you again," he whispered touching his nose to my own.

I started to open my mouth in objection but he moved in and kissed me lightly.

"No. Just listen," he said tugging me closer to him. "I know regardless of my intentions you are going to remember things. In fact, I'm pretty sure you have already, but you mustn't ask questions. And please don't force it, I hate seeing you in pain."

"I won't force it anymore if you answer me one question," I said before kissing him.

"I just said you can't," he responded in a muffled tone.

I kissed him again but this time I was slightly more aggressive than either of us had been yet. I felt Oliver's hand on my back loosen before grabbing my jacket tightly and squeezing me securely against him. The heat of his gloves melted through to my skin waking up light-winged butterflies in my stomach. He responded to my brazenness with his own causing the butterflies to proliferate and amplify their movement. I smiled to myself despite the shock of how effortless that had been for me. Slowly I pulled back placing two fingers on his lips delicately.

"One question Oliver," I requested mellifluously as I absorbed the feeling of his lips against my fingertips.

He let out an auditable groan, but smiled despite himself.

"I hate it when you do this. It's that stupid sodding cleverness you Ravenclaws have," he said with a slight chuckle against my fingers.

"Is that a yes?"

Oliver closed his eyes in surrender as he kissed my fingers.

"Have we umm," I paused as a blush rose in my cheeks.

I felt his lips curl into a smirk beneath my fingers.

"Dated," he asked quietly.

I adverted my gaze before nodding. He kissed my fingers delicately again before I removed them.

"Not exactly. Summer before fourth year till the summer before sixth year we kept getting really close to it, and we did kiss at the ball in third year for the first time. And that's all you get from me ."

I pouted at him a bit before leaning forward for another kiss only to be stopped by two of his fingers.

"Only if you mean it, because you won't be getting anymore out of me," he said in a resolute tone.

I kissed his fingers lightly despite his words.

"Shall we go in?" I asked smiling lightly.

Oliver smiled back at me before opening the door for me. The door was only open an inch or so before the light sound of the bells kissed my ears with their tingly sound. I knew what lie on the other side but that never stopped it form being beautiful. The little shop was bigger than it appeared on the outside. It had cream walls with a golden, curving decorative boarder that weaved its way around the room creating a continuous loop. The books stood on shelves of polished mahogany with ends decorated in symbols of the past. The front had a marble counter that was currently covered with a soft velvet red table runner. Mrs. Donald had set a few decorations and put Christmas lights around the edges bouncing color off the mahogany body of the front counter.

Underneath the neatly decorated window was the deep red loveseat. It had worn spots from where Mr. and Mrs. Donald sat to read their books when the shop was not open. The couch had two cream pillows that Mrs. Donald had hand sown patterns of gold and browns on.

"Pick three, any three." He said before making his way to the comfortable loveseat just inside the door.

I looked at him incredulously. He couldn't be serious, or at least I thought he couldn't be, but he shooed me off. I was still blinking as I made my way down the first isle.

As I wondered through the shelves, I found myself to recall things I had never been able to remember before. Each one involved Oliver and what he claimed to be our dating period. However, for the life of me I couldn't remember why we had ended, or when. I found it all very ridiculous and became rather flustered that I was not allowed to ask any more questions.

I decided on three books that I had taken out of the library back at school. Each was hard bound with leather like exterior, neatly scripted titles on the binding, and in perfect condition. I thumbed through the pages enjoying each page brush against my fingertips. New books always had the softest pages. I delicately laid them on the counter in front of Mr. Donald and reluctantly allowed Oliver to pay for them.

Mr. Donald took care to wrap them neatly in cloth. He and his wife had always wrapped them in a themed paper for the season to protect the books. Mrs. Donald had the most exquisite tastes. Everything was always simple and elegant. This year she had chosen a white backdrop with ribbons of goal and silver lacing the paper like a flowing stream. Mrs. Donald watched every move her husband's hands made with a delicate smile on her worn lips. The sight made me smile. The old couple was exactly what every girl dreamed of for her future.

"There you go," Mr. Donald said smiling at both Oliver and I. " You two enjoy the holidays, and come back soon. It's always nice to see you both together."

"Don't forget to tell your parents hello for us dears," Mrs. Donald added.

I smiled and shook my head as Oliver took the wrapped and bagged books from Mr. Donald. Oliver placed his hand lightly on the middle of my back urging me forward. The heated gloves he had on penetrated through my jacket onto my skin. I smiled as the warmth spread through my midsection.

I found myself falling into a daydream state as we took a few steps out the door. The snow falling was the only thing remaining in focus. I could still feel Oliver's hand, but was increasingly unaware of where we were going.

"Mai," Oliver said in a concerned tone stopping our movement.

I looked at him as I traveled back to the real world from my dreamy state.

"Hmmm."

"I asked where you'd like to eat. We need to get back soon."

I glanced around the village quickly. I was never a fan of either fancy restaurants or low-end bars. My requirements usually made me a meticulous person. The loud bustling popular places didn't do a thing for me either. However, as I scanned the plaza area I recalled a small place, which during the summer had tables outside and plants everywhere. They had also hung candle lit lanterns above the tables that were lit at dusk every night. Each had been hand crafted and delicately painted. During the winter, however it was more difficult to spot. Its only dead give away was the font used to spell out the restaurants name on the front window.

"Due Stelle," I said smiling.

Due Stelle was owned by a family that had moved here from Italy. The husband was actually Scottish and the wife was the Italian. They had two young boys who had both acquired their mother's silky dark hair. The wife, Tessa, belonged to a family that operated several restaurants throughout Italy. She had originally been destined to take over her father's when she became engaged to Broderic. Despite her fathers protest Tessa agreed to move to Scotland with Broderic. She never really said what Broderic did, but I got the hint that it had to do with the ministry.

As compensation for her leaving the family behind Tessa had opened her own restaurant and linked, it's reputation to those in Italy. I had often run into her family in the village as they came at least once a week to visit Tessa.

"I knew you'd choose that," Oliver said with a light-heated chuckle.

"If you knew then why did you ask," I enquired giving him my best smirk.

"Because I don't like to make assumptions."

I laughed at him as we moved towards the restaurant. Once inside Tessa greeted us with a warm smile and a child behind each leg.

"I was beginning to think I wouldn't see you this year," she said beaming at the two of us.

"Tessa," I said in a light scolding manner. "How could I pass up a chance to have your wonderful cooking once again?"

Tessa smiled widely at us before leading us to a table next to the window. She said something quietly but I missed it.

The restaurant was lightly decorated for Christmas, but for the most part, it was still clearly Italian in style. Stella may have left home but when I stepped into the restaurant, I always felt like it had been her way to take Italy with her when she decorated this place. The colors and décor reminded me of pictures and things that I had read about Italy. I had often asked her about it, and her descriptions made me determined to visit someday.

"Are you going to order," Oliver asked with a grin seeping from his face to his words.

I looked up at the sound of his voice to realize Tessa was standing and waiting. She gave me a sweet smile as she pressed her quill to the pad of paper in hand.

"Cavatelli," I said with a smile handing her my menu.

I noted that Oliver had made his order while I was not paying attention since he no longer had his menu.

After Tessa had walked, away Oliver turned a very strained face to me.

"Mai, are you all right," he asked reaching across the table to me.

I smiled sweetly and shook my head as I grasped his hand and turned a bit to watch the snow come down again.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing in particular. Just enjoying the atmosphere I suppose," I said laughing at his overly cautious tone.

I assumed he turned to look out the window as well because he remained silent until Tessa returned with our food. Oliver proved me wrong though as I turned to let go of his hand and accept my plate I caught him staring at me. I almost missed the blush in his cheeks.

"Thank you Tessa."

"You are both very welcome. Enjoy," she said with a bright white smile.

We practically ate in silence, which was normal for me but not so much for Oliver. He was not loud or anything of that sort but he definitely was never this quiet. I looked up at him. His face was ashen in a way I could not understand. After the third painfully slow bite, I urged myself to speak up.

"Oliver," I said softly. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing at all. Just concerned about time is all," he replied.

I frowned as he avoided eye contact with me. His statement was all lies. Something was eating at Oliver Wood and I was not going to spend an entire evening with him while he acted like this. I did however decide the matter was best left for the ball that evening itself. I felt bad that Adrian and Jess would have to stay behind. No doubt, mother would fix them up with plenty of entertainment and food.

Part of me was rather thrilled about the ball despite how much I detested the idea of a ball gown for an entire evening. Fortunately, mother was kind enough to go easy on the hair and makeup bit for me and I simply refused anything but a clear coat on my nails. As I tried to recall what dress I would be shoved into this year, I became vaguely aware of something nagging for my attention. When I broke out of my revere I looked up to see Oliver standing neat me hand out.

"We need to get going Mai. You probably have to start getting ready soon and I have to go help with stuff at my parents estate," he said while still avoiding eye contact.

I nodded, as I made sure that I had cleaned my plate.

We had not taken two steps outside the doors when Oliver pulled me to him and again buried his face in my hair. It seemed almost tighter than when we came to the village. I was not about to object though.

Even after we arrived, I let him continue to hold me. It felt safe, and the sad look on his face had disappeared.

"Well I best let you go," he said pulling away slowly.

I smiled up at him.

"Thank you for the wonderful afternoon Oliver," I said sweetly as I reached up on my toes and kissed his cheek.

Oliver's cheeks suddenly burned bright red as he mumbled about having to be somewhere and me needing to get ready. As he turned to apparate I headed inside laughing quietly to myself over his embarrassment.