Leo was fast asleep and dreaming of strange monsters when he heard footsteps running up the stairs. He opened one eye, heart pounding, his mind still in the dream-world.

"Who's there?" he said quietly and urgently.

"It's me, Draco. I got detention but so did Potter and his friends and they lost a hundred and fifty points for Gryffindor!"

The triumph was still evident on Draco's face. Leo rolled his eyes. "Very good," he said, "but it's three o'clock in the morning. People are trying to sleep."

"Wassat?" asked Theo's sleepy voice.

"My point exactly," said Leo, rolling over. Meanwhile Draco was explaining the events of that night to Theo, who said: "And why couldn't you have told me this at a sensible time?"

As he drifted effortlessly back into his dream, he thought that it was a good point that Thorold was making…

"I can't stay long," said Marisa regretfully. "Edward will be wondering where I am."

Leo felt the familiar surge of jealousy as he thought of Marisa's husband. What had that ridiculous politician ever done to deserve Marisa? Stelmaria waved her tail indignantly, sharing his thoughts.

"Why do you care about him?" he asked suddenly. "What is so important about him that you'd – marry him?"

Marisa laughed as the golden monkey jumped down from her shoulder and walked over to Stelmaria. "Of course I don't care about him," she said. "He's a politician, Asriel!"

"So am I," Leo remarked. "You could have – "

"I hadn't met you then," Marisa interrupted, "and I was worried I'd miss my chance."

"You could never grow old, Marisa," Leo said.

"Time takes its toll on everyone," responded Marisa with a teasing smile. "Even me. And you – is that a grey hair I can see?"

"Yes," said Leo, "but I am about twenty years older than you, to be fair."

Marisa rolled her eyes. "Enough idle chitchat," she said, smiling broadly and stepping towards Leo.

Leo nodded and gently wrapped his arms around her.

"Leo," she said gently. "Leo."

His name began to echo through the fog that surrounded them.

"Leo!"

"Leo!"

Marisa looked up at him fondly and then carefully disengaged his arms. Almost as soon as she had she was dissolving into the fog, becoming part of it.

"Marisa," muttered Leo, feeling dreadfully alone. Even Stelmaria had abandoned him.

"Leo!"

His eyes flew open. "What?"

"It's half past eight. You need to get breakfast or you'll miss your first class!" It was Theo.

"Oh," said Leo. "Right. Yeah."