Her teeth chattered, and the tips of her fingers and toes felt numb with the cold by the time they crossed the threshold into the grand Entrance Hall of the castle. She could feel the freezing drenched cloak sticking to her body, the fabric twice as heavy as it was when dry, and her socks made a loud squelching sound with every step she took, slipping inside her shoes.

"You need to get changed!" She blurted out in something between a whisper and hiss for what felt like the hundredth time since they had stepped out of the water. He must have been freezing too. Merlin he was shivering! What had they been thinking?! It had been reckless, stupid from their part! He should have never been out by the lake during such a cold night!

"Can you get back to the Gryffindor tower on your own?" Thranduil Lasgalen asked, his voice so low in the darkness that she nearly had to read his lips to understand him, seeming hesitant about rushing off and leaving her there.

"Yes!" She nearly snarled in exasperation, a few drops of freezing water flying out form her sleeves as she waved her arms frantically in the air, nearly pushing in the direction in which she guessed were the Slytherin dungeons. "Go!"

"I'll go! I'll go!" He hissed in return, shaking her hands off him. "Stop pushing me, Bowman!"

"Then start moving!" She barked in between clenched teeth, nearly grunting in annoyance as her words only elicited a chuckle from his part.

She could see him open his mouth, as ready to add something else, but he never got a change to speak, his words cut short before they left his mouth by a loud high pitched voice suddenly echoing through the Entrance Hall.

"The wee students went splashing on the lake!" The voice sung in different tunes, coming closer and closer, her heart suddenly skipping a beat.

"Peeves!" Lasgalen whispered, his icy blue eyes suddenly going wide.

Slender fingers curled around her wrist, abruptly pulling her to the first corridor to their right, running so fast that her own shorter legs struggled to keep up. His fingers were freezing, so cold it almost felt as though it was solid ice what touched the skin on her wrist. Inside her chest, her heart drummed so loudly that she feared the poltergeist would be able to hear it.

"Slpashy, splashy, splat!" The voice continued to sing, still somehow coming closer and closer. Merlin, they might have avoided McGonagall but if Peeves caught up to them there would be no getting away without a severe punishment at best!

They turned left, they right again, then down a long corridor lined with armors. She should have been paying closer attention to where she stepped, but she could barely keep up with his long strides, her eyes turned behind her as if to check if the poltergeist had come into view yet or not. She only knew she had messed up once she felt the smack and pain on her right leg, a sudden clattering noise echoing from the suit of armor directly to her right. It sounded too loud, almost like thunder in the silence, bouncing off the stone walls with the force of an earthquake.

"Someone out of beeeeeeeed?" Peeves' voice carried from a nearby hallway, her blood suddenly running cold. "Naughty, naughtyyyyy"

"Run!" She heard Thranduil whisper in a rush, his feet suddenly dashing down the corridor even faster than before, not caring about being quiet any longer.

If Peeves had already heard them it was only a matter of minutes until Filch or Mrs. Norris appeared, her eyes already playing tricks on her, making her see shapes and figures lurking in every corner. He pulled her up a long spiraling staircase, her feet nearly tripping on her soaked cloak, and yet she somehow managed to keep up. Some of the portraits that lined the corridors were woke by the noise of their rushed footsteps, a couple of them complaining loudly, others throwing them nasty looks from their ornate frames, muttering things like "troublemakers" or "how disrespectful" under their breaths. Only a skinny looking witch with a pearl necklace so high on her neck it nearly appeared to choke her seemed to find the situation amusing, cheering them on as they ran past her frame, up yet another staircase.

"Here." She heard him pant, his free hand suddenly pushing open a heavy wooden door that seemed to have materialized out of thin air.

She did not stop to think, rushing inside as fast as her aching feet allowed her, hearing her following her closely, closing the door to Peeve's approaching singing. She could barely breathe, her hands dropping to rest on her knees, clutching the stitch at her side.

"We lost him." His voice came from somewhere to her left, sounding equally out of breath as she was. Inside her chest her heart drummed like a caged bird, so fast that she was sure if she looked down she would be able to see it beating against the wet fabric of her cloak.

"Where are we?" The words were barely understandable as they left her mouth, for the first time taking a look at the room around her.

"It was the only place I could think of." He provided, his tall elegant figure already walking further into the room, long silver hair plastered to his face and dripping down his back, looking darker than usual.

Of course. She should have guessed just where they were. Nearly a thousand candles floated high above their heads, casting a flickering bright light that washed over the deep red carpet. The room was smaller this time, cozy, almost like a hidden common room that did not belong to any particular house. The first thing she noticed was the warmth, except that she could not find a single fire no matter how much she looked around. But of course the room would not provide fire, not with Thranduil inside, not if Thranduil had been the one to make the request.

Without being able to help it, she took another long look at him, taking a few steps forward in his direction. His back was to her, his eyes too seeming occupied with taking in what the Room of Requirement had fashioned for them this time. His cloak too was soaked, the water dripping down his back and making a puddle at his feet. His flawless skin looked deathly pale, but she could not tell whether it was form the cold or an effect of the light. Still it was enough to make the worry claw once again at her stomach. He would catch his death if he stayed in those freezing clothes any longer.

And yet she had not even fishing thinking that when a sudden pop! suddenly erupted to their right, a large trunk with blankets and cloaks and knitted sweaters and school uniforms suddenly materializing next to what seemed to be a tall canvas tent. She dashed in its direction, her shaking hands rummaging inside the trunk, trying to find something that might fit him.

"Look at that." Was all he said, sounding astonished by the Room's response. She could almost hear the smile on his voice, and for a moment felt like hitting him for his lack of urgency.

"Stop standing there and come look for something to change into!" She hissed at him, throwing a glare over her shoulder. "You need to get into something dry or you'll catch a chill!"

"Stop worrying." He complained under his breath, nonetheless he was by her side within seconds, easily pulling out a dark green sweater and some pants that seemed to be part of an old school uniform.

"How do you expect me not to worry?!" She snapped, dropping her hands form the trunk and turning around to fully face him, standing a head taller than her. "You know how dangerous jumping into that lake was for you! You know you'll get sick!"

"Stop it." He nearly growled, anger suddenly flashing through those icy blue eyes, as cold as the freezing waters of the lake. "You sound like my father."

"Well, I feel like someone needs to remind you because you don't seem to be taking this as seriously as you shou-

"Don't you think I know the risk?" He suddenly snapped, her body suddenly freezing in place, not having expected his outburst. "Don't you think I know what could happen? Believe me, I've known nearly all my life. Don't you think it scares me too?"

His words hung heavily in the air, his eyes bearing through her so deeply that she almost felt like looking down, suddenly feeling stupid. But he did not wait for any answer on her part, merely shaking his head before disappearing inside the white tent to get changed. She let out a sigh, taking on the task to find something inside the trunk for her instead, trying to keep her thoughts from wandering too much. She could not stop worrying, could not help it, but she guessed he was right. He did know just how lethal this stupid evening could prove for him if luck was not on his side, but then again having her worrying endlessly and reminding him about it did no good to anyone.

He emerged moments later, wearing the dark green sweater and school pants, his long hair still wet yet not dripping as it had been only minutes ago. They would need to wait for it to dry naturally, but the room was warm enough.

"You wearing a sweater that is not cashmere but plain cheap wool." She teased, rising an eyebrow high on her forehead as his eyes narrowed in her direction. "I think that is definitely a first."

"Its itchy." Was all he said, even though his lips turned up at the corners, seeming to be struggling to keep a straight face.

"You'll survive it." She laughed, walking past him and into the tent, taking her turn to change into the school uniform she had picked from the trunk. It was a Hufflepuff uniform, but the only Gryffindor one she could find was a boy's one.

"You changed Houses?" His deep voice carried softly through the room the second she stepped outside the tent, both of his eyebrows arching at her.

"Don't tease." She warned, even though she knew he would not be listening to her. She noticed that he had grabbed one of the blankets from the trunk while she changed, and was now sitting nearly in the middle of the room over some cushions with the thick blanket wrapped over his shoulders. Whether he was still cold or was only being cautious she could not tell, but she imitated him, picking a blanket of her own before joining him by the cushions.

"You jumped in the lake." He muttered, staring at a spot on the nearby wall. The corner of his mouth pulled up lightly in a smirk.

"I jumped in the lake." She repeated, almost not believing that the words that were coming out of her mouth were true. And still, as she said it, she felt that same rush, that rise in adrenaline in disbelief at what she had done. And she could not help but laugh hysterically, for a slight second feeling as though she could do anything!

"Can you believe it?" She turned her head to face him, her cheeks hurting from smiling so widely but she could not control it. At that moment she felt invincible. "Me! I jumped in the lake!"

She had never thought herself capable of such a thing, of doing something so daring as jumping no the frozen lake in the middle of night. In her mind that had always been a thing only the Elladans or Elrohirs or even Eowyns of the world could do. But not the likes of hers. And yet here she was, laughing uncontrollably with her curls still damp.

"Yes, you did." He asserted, a bright smile appearing on his pale face, and for the first time she noticed how beautiful it looked on him as it touched his eyes. And with that thought she too noticed that it was something he did not do very often. "And here I thought you didn't know what fun was."

"Oh, hush." She rolled her eyes exaggeratedly at him, partially annoyed at his teasing comment and yet still unable to stop smiling like a maniac.

"You know, half the school thinks that." She added more causally, her eyes casting down to examine the worn faded grey of her borrowed uniform. Had it actually belonged to someone? Or was it just a spare one the room fashioned for them?

"I almost did not get invited to the lake tonight at all. They thought I was going to tell on everyone." Why was she saying all of this? What did it matter to him? And still the words left her mouth so easily she could not stop them.

"Who cares what half the school thinks." He shrugged, ice blue eyes looking straight into hers, once again giving her that odd feeling that he could pierce right through her. "They are all wrong. Besides you were the only that did not get caught tonight."

That last part made her laugh, a single quiet chuckle escaping her mouth and shaking her core. "You and me both."

"That is if we can ever leave this room without running into Peeves again." He added, throwing a murderous glance behind his back towards the door.

"Do you think he still somewhere close?"

"Most probably. He will likely wait around for a couple of hours if only to have his fun once he finds us." He muttered and for a second she had the feeling he was picturing himself strangling that Poltergeist.

A comfortable silence settled over the room. The candles above their heads continued to float and hover, almost like slowly dancing stars that nearly scraped the ceiling. The warmth was comforting, the feeling returning to the tips of her fingers and toes. She spared another glance at him, finding his eyes once again lost somewhere in the distant wall ahead, deep in thought. At least he had stopped shivering, and yet he still looked far too pale.

"Are we friends now?" He broke the silence, his voice low, soft, carrying through the room like a song. "I mean for real this time. Or do you still not wish to see me?"

There was a small mocking smile pulling at his lips, and yet his eyes bore through her so deeply that she felt exposed, as though her whole being was there bare for him to see. She lowered her gaze, thinking about his question for a few moments.

"Friends." She finally nodded sternly, eyeing him cautiously. Part of her felt as though it was Christmas Even all over again, and that by the morning he would be a different person.

"But you still cannot sit by me during Potions." She added pointedly, leaving no space for argument.

"Why not?" His brow furrowed in puzzlement over his narrowed eyes, seeming to be partially expecting her to be joking, but she kept her face straight proving that she was serious.

"Because I don't want you to." She replied flatly, watching as he looked momentarily taking aback by her words.

"Fine." He nodded softly, still looking puzzled at her request but not fighting her over it. "Any more rules that come with your friendship?"

"None that I can think of right now." She added casually. "But if I think of another one I will let you know, don't worry."

"That sounds comforting." His vice dripped sarcasm as he spoke, one eyebrow rising high on his forehead in an expression that was so him.

"Well that's how it is."

"Hm."

"Are you ever going to tell me why you are taking the fourth year Potions class?" She rested her weigh on the heels of her hands behind her, stretching out her legs.

"I thought you already knew. It's kind of obvious I think." He frowned, cocking his head to the side. His damp silver hair slid over his shoulder as he did like a waterfall of moonlight, and for a split second she wanted to touch it, to find out if it felt as silky as it looked.

"Well, why?" She shook her head at her thoughts, reigning herself. What was wrong with her?

"I never finished the fourth year class, that's why." He replied as though it was an obvious thing. "I had too many absences for me to manage and pass it no matter how much extra assignments Snape was willing to give me."

"But then why are you retaking it?" It was her turn to incline her head, taking her time to study his figure, deciding that no matter how pompous he definitely looked better in his expensive cashmere sweaters. "I thought you said you were never forced to retake classes."

"I'm not." He nodded. "But…Potions was the only core class in which I did not manage to get an O.W.L. And that's because I can't take it without having passed at least the first four years. I thought….if I'm not going to get to N.E.W.T. level for Potions, I might as well try and get the O.W.L. before graduating."

Graduating. That sole word made her previously cheerful mood to dampen. He said it casually, and yet she had not missed the doubt and darker look that crossed his eyes as he said that word, almost as if he did not believe it himself. No. He was wrong. He would graduate. She would not let herself or him think differently.

"So that's why you said you need to pass it?" She continued, not letting know that she had caught his hesitation, not letting him pause for long enough for his thoughts to turn into a darker path. "So that you get fourth year done now, and next year which is your seventh you can take the fifth year class and then the O.W.L."

It made sense. Perhaps she should have been able to deduce that for herself without needing to ask.

"Exactly." He said matter-of-factly, slender fingers brushing over the deep red velvet of a cushion he had taken onto his lap.

"Why not do an extra year?" She questioned, curious, watching as for a moment he looked confused. "I mean, why not do an extra year, or two, so that you can get your N.E.W.T.s as well? I would think nearly every career after school would require at least N.E.W.T. level on core subjects….Although I guess playing Quidditch professionally might not be the case, so you whould be good with O.W.L.s" She trailed off, feeling his eyes on her, watching her as though she was speaking nonsense.

"I don't want to play Quiddicth professionally." He suddenly said, his words making her be the one looking puzzled for once.

"But….you already are, are you not?" She didn't understand. He was so good at it, and she had never had any doubt that he absolutely loved flying and loved the sport. At least not until now. "You love playing, do you not?"

"I am, yes,…I don't really want to, though…."He shook his head, his expression souring a little, although she could not understand why. " And of course I love it, I really do….It's just….not what I would want to do permanently."

"Then why are you doing it?" She could not understand. She was sure there were so many who would die to have been chosen as Seeker for the English sub-seventeen team. And then again, she doubted he would be forced into doing anything he did not want to do.

"I…It's complicated." Was all he said, and she understood that he was not going to go any deeper than that.

"Then what would you like to do?" She changed the direction of the exchange, once again fidgeting with the skirts of her faded uniform. "After Hogwarts, I mean."

"I don't really know." He shrugged, dismissing the question as though it was irrelevant to him. "I've never thought about that."

"Are you serious, Lasgalen?" She teased, even though her stomach constricted painfully at his previous words. "Not once? Not even as a child, thinking that you might work with dragons, or chase vampires, or fighting evil wizards."

"It's called an Auror." He corrected her, once again arching that perfect eyebrow on his flawless forehead. "Fighting evil wizards…" He chuckled under his breath.

"I know what it's called." She snapped, fighting the urge to roll her eyes at him again.

"Why don't you use my name?" His question caught her off guard, for a second throwing her off, leaving her to blink a couple of times as to not look dumb. "Since we are friends and all that now?"

"Very well, Thranduil." She humored him, tasting how the name felt as it left her mouth, watching him give a huff at her annoyed expression.

"Do you think it's safe enough to leave now?" She changed the topic, all teasing gone from her voice.

It was getting really late, way past midnight already. She feared dawn would find the there, in the Room of Requirement. He glance over his shoulder, in the direction of door, as though he could see through it and into the night-lit corridor outside.

"Should be." He said, pushing himself to his feet and letting the blanket that had been wrapped over his shoulders drop to the floor. "I think it's best if we give it a try. It is late already."

She silently agreed, rising to her feet following his example. They took turns to change back into their respective clothes, which were thankfully no longer soaking wet but only damp, although she knew that even damp clothes were a hazard to him.

"I guess I'll see you in class." Was all he said, his voice barely more than a whisper as they stepped out of the room and into the dark corridor, no sight of Peeves around.

"Yeah." She nodded, not knowing what else to say, feeling momentarily awkward saying goodbye. Thankfully he didn't add anything else, waiting for her to turn right on the next corridor before he disappeared in the opposite direction, heading down a long staircase and towards the dungeons.

She had to wake up the Fat Lady in order to enter the Gryffindor tower, earning her a nasty look and a couple of muttered words and she knew the portrait would stay mad at her for at least a week, but she could not have cared less. Mercifully the Common Room was empty as she crawled through the portrait hole, the fires softly dying down, and she suddenly had the feeling that the absolute peace and quiet meant that McGonagall had personally followed the students back to the Common Room and probably lectured them fiercely before retiring.

She tiptoed over the spiraling stair towards the girl's dormitories, fearing that any loud footsteps might wake up a light sleeper. Her dormitory was dark as she pushed the door open, the other girls in her class seeming as asleep under the covers, others with their curtains drawn.

"Where have you been?" A voice suddenly hissed, making her jump back, startled. She heard the noise of curtains suddenly being harshly pushed aside, her friend sitting cross-legged and wide awake on her bed, eyeing her fiercely. "Change into your pajamas before you get sick, I can see form here that those clothes are all wet. And then, you will tell me the truth."

She grunted under her breath, rummaging through her trunk and snatching out the first pair of pajamas she could find decidedly ignoring her friend for the moment. She would have to think of something to say, but whether Eowyn liked it or not, that could wait. And still as she stepped into the bathroom and changed from her damp clothes, her body shivering again as the cold fabric clung to her skin it was not herself that she worried about. Jumping into the lake had been a terrible mistake…..and just how terrible, they were still about to find out.

Hi everyone! Here's the next chapter! I hope you enjoy it. I'll try my best to update as quickly as I can! Stay safe!

Love,

Elena