It was the day before students went home for the Christmas holidays. Marisa had signed up to leave almost immediately, looking forward to seeing her parents again, but Leo had hesitated. He was reluctant to leave the castle and waste time when he could be uncovering its many secrets.

Eventually, however, he had decided that family loyalty should be more important, even though he didn't care about that very much.

Marisa had sneaked up to the boys' dormitory, where Leo was packing his things. Draco, Vincent and Gregory were all still down in the common room, but Theo was also in the dorm.

"You're sitting on my robes," said Leo.

Marisa shuffled along a bit.

"Will you write to me?" she asked. "I'm pretty sure my parents will be able to cope with owls flying down the chimneys or whatever."

"I'd like to…" said Leo slowly, "but I'm pretty sure I'll be in trouble with the Malfoys if I do. They won't like it if they know that their adopted son's in communication with a Mudblood. So I'll try and write, but it's not a promise."

"Sure," said Marisa. "Thanks. By the way…" she said, somewhat awkwardly, "I got you an early Christmas present."

She pulled a plastic sachet out of her pocket and handed it to Leo. It contained three Chocolate Frogs and a packet of Every-Flavour Beans.

Leo took it with a smile. "Thanks!" he said. "I didn't think to get you an early present, but you can have a late one after Christmas."

"That's okay," said Marisa, concealing her disappointment: she knew it was ungrateful to expect a Christmas present after the Nimbus.

Leo tore open the sachet and opened the packet of Every-Flavour Beans.

"Want one?" he asked, offering it to Marisa.

She nodded and grabbed a purple bean. "What do you think?" she asked. "Blackcurrant?"

"I don't know," said Leo.

Marisa took a cautious bite, then spat it out again. "Paint!" she said through gritted teeth. "Your turn."

Leo selected a bright red bean.

"Probably blood or something," said Marisa.

Leo shook his head. "I'm not sure," he said, putting it into his mouth. "See? Strawberry!"

Marisa rolled her eyes.