A/N: This is rather predictable at the end, I know. I'm a bad person...but it is sooo sweet! **sighs happily and melts**

School after that flew by. Seamus, Harry, Ron, Hermione and a few of the teachers were the only other people in the school to know about the fire. There was an article about it in the daily prophet, with a picture of Johann that Rachel cut out and added to her collection, but there was no mention of any Hogwarts students being there. Rachel thought that perhaps Dumbledore had something to do with that fact, but didn't press.

It was Halloween already. They were having a feast, and probably some dancing, but Rachel knew it wouldn't be as lavish as the Yule Ball. Rachel put on a nice robe, but kept her new dress robe hidden away, still in its bag from Madame Malkins.

The feast was incredible. Instead of house tables, on giant large table was in the center of the room. People sat wherever they pleased. Of course, however, most people did stay with their own houses.

Before the feast began, Dumbledore spoke.

"I know that this is very different, having this large table, at a time when it would probably be more efficient to have separate ones, but I think that now, at this time, we should not be separate."

There was some sniggering at the Slytherin part of the table, but Dumbledore ignored it.

"I would like to emphasize togetherness, because there are hard times ahead, but, I would also like to emphasize fun and happiness, because this is a holiday, and you have heard me rattle on enough. So, without any further ado, carnation, peep and jitterbug."

Food burst into the tables like a flower blooming very fast. It was very good. It was very noisy for a while in the Great Hall, with all the voices in a smaller space, and the clinking of forks and knifes upon plates, and spoons in bowls of soup. The many jack-o'-lanterns cast flickering shadows across the room.

After the feast was over, the table disappeared and the floor was cleared. Music began playing from nowhere. Lavender came over and pulled Seamus away. Then a red-haired girl with fiery green eyes came up to Rachel.

"Are you Rachel Jacobson?"

"Yes." Rachel turned to face the girl. Teresa Berenson, the Slytherin. Rachel had never actually talked to her. "You're Teresa right?"

"Right. I–uh, I have a favor I wanted to ask you."

A favor? That caught Rachel's attention. What Slytherin would want a favor from her? "A–a favor? What exactly do you mean?"

"I mean that–well, er–you know Draco Malfoy right?"

Rachel snorted. KNOW Draco? How could she not know Draco. "Yeah–I know Draco." She said snottily. She didn't like Slytherins.

Teresa looked hurt. "You don't have to be so mean you know."

"Sorry–I've just had–bad experiences with–"

"With Slytherins. I know. Everyone has. Myself included. I don't even know why I'm a Slytherin."

"Er–ok..." Rachel didn't know what this had to do with anything, but let Teresa talk.

"I mean the only reason I can think of is that I'm a little bit of a rebel and that I use cunning to play tricks on people."

"You like to play tricks on people?" Rachel backed away.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't do it to you. I need you."

"Need me?"

"Yeah. I need you to help me get rid of Draco. He won't leave me alone! How long was it before he stopped bothering you?"

"Four years. After I made fun of him for being a ferret. Even now I'm not positive he doesn't like me. He backed off last year because I had a boyfriend–sorta."

"How can you only sorta have a boyfriend?"

"Well he was older then me, but he took me to the ball and–"

"You mean that French guy?"

"Yeah. Him. So, I suppose, my best idea to get rid of Draco would be to get a boyfriend. Even though I don't have one anymore."

"It didn't work out?"

"When do long distance relationships ever work out?"

"Point taken. Now, for a boyfriend. I choose" Teresa spun around, and when she stopped, pointed to a boy. This boy just happened to Dean Thomas.

"Ooh! He's tall! Who is he? Is he a Gryffindor? I like Gryffindors. Two of my biggest heros are Gryffindors!"

"That's Dean Thomas. Who are your heros?" Rachel looked at Teresa. This just got stranger and stranger.

"Fred and George." Rachel was not surprised. "Dean. Ok. Gotcha." Rachel watched in horror as Teresa went over to Dean and gave him a big hug.

Dean turned around in surprise. "H–hello there."

"Hello. I'm Teresa!" And with that, the two of them strode off.

Rachel scratched her head and just stood there for a moment. Then she went to go find Harry, Ron and Hermione, but they were nowhere to be found. Rachel went over to the side of the room, and waited. What she was waiting for she didn't really know, but soon something happened. Seamus walked over.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure. But we better go outside. You can barely hear yourself think in here."

Seamus muttered something to himself like "That can be a good thing" but followed her out. The grounds were very pretty in the fading light. Rachel, however, shivered in the crisp air.

"Cold?" Seamus put his arm around her to warm her up. Rachel thought nothing of it. They were pretty good friends.

"So what did you want to talk about?"

"Oh" Seamus blushed, "Something–something special."

Rachel wondered what that meant. She looked up at him. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I dunno what I mean."

"Is this more special then the time I told you I thought you were named Sea-mus?"

"Yes. It's more special then that."

"Good." Rachel smiled. "So?"

"So–uh–" Seamus took Rachel and turned her so that she faced him. "So, I think you're really pretty and funny and nice and I–"

He kissed her.

Rachel was stunned.

"So, er–what do you think?"

Rachel blushed deeply. "But–isn't–isn't Lavender your girlfriend?"

Seamus' face fell. "Yeah, I guess so. But it isn't really working out. I was going to end it."

"Really?" Rachel looked at him. "Then I'll tell you what I think!"

And she kissed him right back.

She found she wasn't so cold after that.