Maria met with Draco who had been de-pinked, wearing a lilac top and navy trousers.
"Hey," he was dressed in plain black trousers and shirt, with a large cloak. "You look.... good," she said.
"So do you," she blushed. "Maria, erm, how's Gryffindor?"
"Dragon, is that the best conversation you can come up with?" she grinned.
"Well, I...." she wasn't listening, so she held his face and kissed him. "That is a much better topic."
"Good," she held him and they kissed again with more passion. His arm slid around her waist and pulled her closer. Her hand made it's way to his hair where her fingers became intertwined with his blonde strands. He gently pulled away but kept her close.
"Come with me, I want to show you something," he smiled. Her eyebrows raised she smiled crookedly.
"Ooh, such as?" she asked wickedly. He reached into a corner and picked up his Nimbus 2001, pulling her towards the window he ordered it to hover. He mounted it and aided mount, she placed her arms around his waist and they flew out of the window. He took her over the lake and they hovered there above the black water in the silver moonlight. "Draco, it's amazing up here," she smiled resting her head on his back and gazing at the stars.
"I know," they remained there for several minutes before he turned the broom around and they headed back to the castle. He landed on the astronomy tower's turret and they disembarked. Maria sighed as they sat down on the cold slate roof. Draco felt her shudder as she had done before when she was cold. He smiled and placed his arm and cloak around her. Her body nestled into his shoulder and her right arm wrapped around his waist.
"I wish I was a bird and could fly around in this sky," she said breaking the silence.
"I... I was once turned into a ferret by a professor, I've not once wanted to be an animal since."
"I bet you were tres cute, all white and fluffy," she replied.
"Ask Potter, he witnessed it."
"I doubt Harry would ever call you cute," she chuckled.
"I hope you're right that's just ewww," he exclaimed with mock repulsion. Her gaze shifted from the skies to Draco's eyes. He caught her look and ensnared her mouth with a tender kiss. Her eyes closed and his lips gradually moved down her jaw onto her neck. She shifted her body weight slightly, sighing and moaning gently. Her eyes fluttered open and she nudged him away as she saw a bush move against the breeze.
"What the..." he sounded highly irritated.
"Nothing, I'm sorry I thought I heard something. It's late I'd better go," he silently picked up the broom and flew her down to the window of the Gryffindor common room. She had intentionally opened it to allow air into the room as it had felt rather stuffy when she left. "Thank you," Maria placed a small kiss on his cheek and climbed inside.
"Good job this window was open," she nodded. "Next Hogsmead weekend, will you accompany me?"
"I'd love to, but what about Harry and Ron and Hermione, they'll have something to say about fraternising with the enemy and I'm sure the Slytherins will."
"Just one day, please. Then you can go on hating me in public."
"No, but... why don't we go to the Valentines Ball together? I'll think of what we can say to our houses," she replied biting her lower lip.
"I'd be honoured. See you in potions," with that he left to creep back to the dungeons.
Maria smiled and shut the window before slipping off to bed.

Maria was shaken awake by Hermione the following morning. The sun was watery but visible and she was the only person still in bed.
"Maria, Maria," she growled and pushed her friend out of the way and headed directly for the bathroom. "Everyone is at breakfast, I placed a note about the charm on Dumbledor's office door he'll not know it was us though."
"Good," she snarled, Hermione's cheerful mood was too much for her, she needed to think of a plan regarding the Valentine Ball.
"Woah, who bit you?" the other girl asked as Maria threw back her hair.
"No-one, it's just too early," she replied beginning to clean her teeth.
"I meant literally," Maria looked into the mirror above the sink and on her neck was a large red mark.
"I must have slept on something," she lied, silently cursing Draco for it. Hermione didn't respond and left Maria alone to shower and dress. However as soon as she entered the common room the other girl continued her questioning.
"Are you coming to breakfast?" she asked.
"No, I'm not hungry. But, don't you miss out 'Moine."
"Oh, it's okay I'm not either. So has anyone asked you to the ball?" Hermione quickly changed the subject. Then it hit her.
"As a matter of fact, someone has," Maria smiled and sat in a chair collecting her morning books.
"Who?"
"Draco Malfoy," her friend's mouth hung open.
"MALFOY? But, you hate him."
"I know, I'm just going to show him up."
"But, he might just be taking you to get at you."
"I'm willing to take that risk," she finished. "Anyway, we've got potions." They left the tower, Hermione still in shock.