It seemed that my countless hours of studying were not in vain. For my fourth year classes, I got O's on everything. It was chaotic (to say the least) taking the exams of a fourth year and a fifth year simultaneously, but I had been expecting it. When I first came here, I agreed with Dumbledore that I should be placed in the fifth year, but I would have to do all the work of the year I missed in order to move onto the sixth year next year. It was a tough price to pay but I refused to fall behind just because I couldn't attend school for a few months.

For my fifth year classes, I got O's on Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Herbology, History of Magic, and Muggle Studies. The only E I received was in Transfiguration but I was just happy to have passed.

Now I could have a relaxing two weeks without schoolwork, schedules, Kyle, Oliver, or any other nuisances. I could just kick back for the first time in a year and a half.

I wrapped my cloak around myself tighter and snuggled deeper into my sweater as I walked down to the common room. I wasn't particularly surprised to find that it was absolutely bustling with activity. Trunks littered the place, making it nearly impossible for their owners to move about and bid their farewells to each other. I was tempted to just go back upstairs so I wouldn't have to weave myself through chaos, but I was rather hungry.

I let out a breath of relief once I sat down at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. It was madness here as well, but at least I could revive myself while I said my goodbyes to the team. We exchanged hugs and jokes and laughed in good spirits. The promise of two weeks of freedom could have made even the most pessimistic person grin.

"I'm getting an armful of Chocolate Frogs on the train!" Fred exclaimed.

"Oh, no you're not!" Oliver said half seriously. "You're not going to shove your face with that crap. You have to eat right!"

"If you think we're going to restrain ourselves from our Christmas feasts, Captain, you're SADLY mistaken," Angelina glared.

"Don't make me put the lot of you on a diet!"

George stood up dramatically, gaining everyone's attention and silence. He took his plate and piled it high with bacon, buttery biscuits, pancakes absolutely drenched in syrup, two eggs and a few various pastries. George took his seat again, eagerly grabbed a fork and knife, and stared maliciously at Oliver.

"You wouldn't dare..." Oliver said, panicked.

George thrust his fork into the stack of pancakes and shoved a bit too much into his mouth. He smiled smugly (or as well as he could with an over-stuffed mouth) at his pained captain. "Dssss 'ow mm gon' fft aaa 'raae!" He proclaimed, bits of food flying back onto his plate.

Oliver looked like he was restraining himself from leaping over the table and beating the pee out of George. "No!" he retorted, apparently understanding exactly what George said. "That is NOT how you're going to eat for the rest of the break! I will come to your house every bleeding day if I have to just to make sure you eat healthily!"

"You hear that?" Fred asked his brother. "Ollie Poo is going to come and play with us every day! Oh, we're going to have so much fun," he beamed. "Will you sleep over, too? We'll have a slumber party!"

"Forget it," he said, feeling defeated. "Just don't go overboard, alright?"

The entire team broke out in cheers and clapped victoriously.

Oliver jut slammed his forehead on the table and covered his head with his arms.

We finished our meals and everyone went back to the common room so they could gather their belongings. The house elves had already taken the trunks to the Hogwarts Express so all they had to worry about was their cloaks or other various belongings they wished to carry on themselves.

I decided to go outside. It wasn't worth making the pointless trip upstairs only to come back down again. There were only a handful of people outside so it was rather quiet compared to the common room and Great Hall.

"Hey there, Sugar."

I spun around with a grin that reached from ear to ear and threw myself at my boyfriend. "Babes!"

"Are you ready to get out of here? Let's head for the train now so we can get a compartment to ourselves."

"Oh..." I let go of him but grabbed his hand and looked at the ground. "I'm not going."

Kyle lifted my chin with his forefinger and made me look in his eyes. "What do you mean you're not going?"

"I'm staying here for the break."

He looked serious. "Why the hell would you stay here? Don't your parents want to see you and your brother?"

"They're not going to be home. They're kind of far away this Christmas."

"Where are they?"

"It's a long story and we don't have enough time for me to explain. I'll owl you and tell you everything, alright?"

Are you kidding me? No! No, I won't tell you everything! Don't promise him that he's going to get some explanation letter, because he's not!

"I'll ask my mum if you can stay with us then. You shouldn't have to stay at school for Christmas."

Yeah- ok. Even if I did feel comfortable with staying at your house where I'll be a slave to your will for two weeks, I wouldn't leave my brother alone here and you're an idiot for thinking I would.

Instead New Katie squealed and wrapped my arms around Kyle. "Really? That would mean the world to me!"

"It's settled then. I'll have my owl back here by the morning with my mum's answer. Write often, alright?"

I nodded. Maybe it would actually be a good idea to write him a lot. That way I'll trick him into thinking I don't hate him anymore and that I actually like him again and consequently throw suspicion off of me for a while.

Oh, dear Kyle... you're a fool to think I'll just be sitting here idly for a fortnight. Do you think I'm stupid enough to pass up the chance to find a way out of this mess?

"I love you, Babes!" We shared a kiss a bit too intimate for the public and when we broke apart, the ten or so kids where were outside were staring at us. I blushed and giggled and hid my face in Kyle's cloak until they looked away. Kyle hugged me for a while longer and finally turned to trek down the hill towards Hogsmeade.

I stood there like a sad wife watching her husband go off to work for a few moments until the Invitus Adamo wore off.

Finally! I thought he would never leave! I turned and forced myself to walk slowly back inside. I'd have run, had it not looked a bit suspicious for the group outside.

I ran into the team on the second floor. "Why are you going back, Katie?" Alicia asked. "Did you forget something?"

"I'm staying here."

All of them started talking at once, demanding to know why I was stupid enough to stay at school.

"My parents are on vacation this year. It's their twentieth anniversary so they decided to go on a second honeymoon. Tristan and I are staying here." I guess it wasn't entirely a lie.

"Oh, Katie... I'm so sorry," Angelina cooed. "Do you want to come stay with me? My family wouldn't mind at all."

"No, no... thanks but we'll be fine. I'm just glad we're going to have some time to relax!"

The twins stepped forward. "Katie," they said at exactly the same time.

"Rest assured-"

"-for we will owl you-"

"-every day-"

"-every single day!-"

"-and you better write us back!"

"Or else you will have to suffer the consequences."

"So don't ignore us!"

I smiled gratefully. "Thanks, guys! I'll see everyone at practice, alright?"

There was a murmur of general agreement and they all hugged me in turn. The girls and the twins told me that I had better have a good break or they would have to resort to their own drastic measures to make sure something good happened for me. They also told me that if I changed my mind, Tristan and I were welcome at any of their houses. Apparently all them were aware that Oliver wanted a few moments alone with me because they walked off without him.

"Come stay at my place. We have a spare tent that has a huge living room, kitchen, and bathroom. You and your brother could stay with us and have a blast."

"Really- it sounds like fun, but I'd rather stay here. It's hard enough being in a freezing castle all winter, but being outside in the snow would be much worse." He opened his mouth to retort. "Yes, yes... I know the tents have heating charms, but that's not the point. Tristan and I will be fine here."

"Why would your parents leave you here for Christmas? Surely the honeymoon could have waited another two weeks?"

"No, actually, it couldn't," I said bitterly. "I must be on my way now." I tried to pass him but Oliver grabbed my wrist, successfully hindering my escape. "Come on, Oliver. Don't do this. You have a train to catch."

"What aren't you telling me?"

"Oh, for-" I threw my free hand in the air exasperatedly. "There's nothing else to tell you. That's it. It's not like I'm going to be alone, anyway. Tristan will be with me the whole time. I'm going to be relaxing and maybe even getting a bit ahead with my fourth year work. Don't worry about me. You do that too much as it is."

Oliver sighed, knowing that he wasn't going to get anything else out of me when he really did have a train to catch. "We'll keep in touch, alright?"

I nodded. "Of course we will. Now go- you're going to miss the train."

"Right." He pulled me into his arms and held on for a few seconds longer than a standard hug. "Have a great break, alright Kates?"

"You too."

Oliver gave me one last look and finally turned and hurried off.

Finally! Now that everyone is gone, I'll be in peace at least.

The remainder of the day was nice. I played Exploding Snap and Wizard Chess with Tristan. Only one other Gryffindor stayed behind with us. Sarah Knowles was a second year who loved to draw all the time, we soon came to find out. She came and played Snap with us for some time so we talked for a while. She's actually a really nice little girl. I was kind of sorry that her parents went on some vacation with the neighbors.

Kyle sent me a letter, as promised, saying that his mother had surprised him and was taking him and his father on a vacation to Australia for a week and a half. He was excited but also angry that we wouldn't be able to keep in touch for the time he was gone. His owl wasn't strong enough to go back and forth from Scotland to Australia; it would simply have been too much.

The following few days were uneventful. I spent a lot of time in the library studying ahead to get my fourth year work out of the way. Tristan and I were together whenever I wasn't studying, typically going on walks outside and around the castle. We played a bunch of games with Sarah as well. Her father was a wizard but they lived in a muggle neighborhood so her mother would be more comfortable. It was for this reason Sarah was so knowledgeable when it came to muggle games. She introduced us to a deck of cards and taught us how to play various games.

On Christmas morning, Tristan and I exchanged presents. I had gotten him new robes, a lot of candy, and a few things from Zonkos. He only had a few galleons saved from his last allowance so Tristan couldn't afford much. I told him that he shouldn't waste his money- surely we would need it over the summer when we would have to leave Hogwarts. He understood but still insisted on getting me an interesting book and an adorable bracelet with a heart charm on it. "So I'll always be with you, no matter how far apart we may be," he had explained.

Tristan also got a few little gifts from his close friends via owl. The whole team chipped in to get me a broom kit that's made to increase the speed of a broom almost two fold. The note that came with it said that I would be unstoppable from now on.

I felt bad that I didn't have money to be spending on presents. It simply was no luxury anymore. Harry's present was a rather detailed drawing of the entire team. I knew I couldn't draw too well, so if anything I figured he would get a good chuckle out of it. For the twins I compiled a list of about 100 hilarious pranks and people to mess with. I transfigured various small things I found around the castle to make Angelina and Alicia two very cute matching charm bracelets, and for Oliver I thought long and hard and created five new possible plays.

Kyle bought me an outfit that I actually really liked (and surprisingly fit perfectly), and a pair of gloves because I always complained that my fingers were freezing. Sadly, I had to make Kyle think that I liked him again so I had to actually buy him something. I sent a few spell books over to him, thinking that after our little walk along the lake, he would find it thoughtful and cute.

The Christmas feast was probably the best food I'd ever had in my life. I stuffed my face, not particularly caring about how un-ladylike it seemed. The house elves went above and beyond and I was determined to eat as much as I could as to show my appreciation.

I spent the entire day with Tristan, mostly just holding onto him in front of the fire. If you don't have the people you love to share Christmas with, it's actually a really depressing time. We mostly sat in silence and although we didn't mention it, I knew we were both thinking about the same thing.

I went up to my dormitory around 8pm, really tired for some reason. I was actually excited to be able to get some sleep until I saw a note laying at the foot of my bed. At first I didn't think much of it... the window was open so it wasn't surprising that an owl had flown inside. I sat down and picked it up but my chest constricted painfully as I saw the stationary the letter was written on. It was from my house.

Happy Christmas, Katherine.

I do hope you've had a wonderful holiday. Isn't it great not having school work to worry about? Just think- you only have a few more months until this year is over. Won't it be great to leave Hogwarts and come back into the real world? I, for one, positively can't wait to see you again. I have to say- you're lucky to have gotten accepted to such a fine and... safe establishment. Surely it's made you feel right at home?

I'm looking forward to playing with you and your little brother once more. If you think we had fun during our last encounter, this will be a riot- I can certainly assure you that much.

Oh- and how are you and your strapping boyfriend faring? Kyle is such a nice fellow, Katherine. I'm pleased to know you have found a man you can trust so easily. Has he proclaimed his love to you yet? I drugged some tea leaves and sent them to him, insisting it would be the best he ever tasted. He should have used it by now. It brings a smile to my face, thinking about how close you two must be.

Give my greetings to your brother. We shall meet again in six months. You can count on that.

-Shadow

My hands shook violently with fear, making the paper tremble. My body was rigid and my muscles completely tense. I knew Shadow hadn't forgotten about us and that he was still out there, but actually hearing from him made me have a panic attack. I had been lost in a false sense of security, enjoying life without him but this snapped me out of it. He was right. I only had six months to not only get Kyle off my back but I also had to find out how to avoid Shadow for another two and a half months until Hogwarts could keep us safe once more.

I read over the letter a few times. Are you bleeding kidding me? I KNEW Kyle's new loving nature was weird but I never even considered that Shadow might have tainted him as well. Why the hell would my git boyfriend not fall in love for two months but after putting me through a living hell suddenly think I'm the greatest thing ever?

God, I'm such an idiot! I could have figured it out myself, too! The potions got mixed up... Kyle ingested the opposite potion so because he's all sweet and cute and honest with me now, it means his true self is almost as bad as Shadow. He wouldn't authentically fall in love with me.

I sat there for a long time just thinking about what to do. I only had some semblance of a plan formed when my eyes grew way too heavy to stay up longer. The second my head hit the pillow, though, my eyes shot open again. There was a letter sitting on my pillow this whole time and I hadn't even noticed it.

Kates,

Happy Christmas! I'm really sorry that you had to spend the day at school and only with your brother. Hopefully it wasn't too boring or anything. Did your parents at least write you?

I won't go on about my day but I did want to tell you that my mum insists on you staying with us. She refuses to have my best mate stay alone for the holidays. She wants to arrange transport for you as soon as possible.

I honestly miss you. It's only been a few days but it feels like a lot more. I think my family draws out the time. They're all over the place, always bustling about and talking loudly and feasting on everything. It's more chaotic this year than ever before. Anyway- I still love them all.

Write back as soon as you get this!

Your Incredible Quidditch Captain

... And Best Mate

Oliver

Grudgingly I rose from the comfy and rather warm spot on my bed and grabbed a quill and parchment. I knew he would have my head if I ignored his letter.

Oliver,

Happy Christmas to you, as well! Thank you for taking the time to write me. I suppose I can't complain about today. I was with Tristan the whole time anyway so I wasn't lonely. I did not hear from my parents but that's completely fine. Tell your mother that it's really not necessary for her to go out of her way. I'm staying here no matter what. It's a very gracious offer, but I couldn't leave.

The halls are lonely, desolate, and a tad spooky (not to mention freezing) but I think it's kind of cool. Tristan and I played hide and seek on the whole third floor. It's strange not seeing any kids here but kind of relaxing at the same time. I miss you, too. I need someone my own age to talk to and the other students that stayed here are very antisocial this week. They just look depressed to be here.

You still need to write down your address so I can go to your irritating little practice.

Have a happy next few days until I see you.

Katie

I grabbed a cloak, the thickest shoes I owned, and heaved myself out of the chair and to the Owlry. Once the letter was on its merry little way, I shuffled myself back to bed and passed out snuggled deep within the folds of my comforter.

Aren't you excited?! Katie will explain everything in the next chapter! Could you guys PLEASE humor me? I really want to know what you think is going on. Who do you think Shadow is? Where do you think Katie's parent's went? What's up with her past? I'm REALLY curious to see how predictable this is going to be. Please review!