Raiko grinned. "So keeper?"

Cho nodded. "That is where they thought you would do the most good. We had a lot of people try out for chaser, so we know that we can place you where you were so obviously the best."

Cho looked down, and Raiko knew there were many reasons. She looked around the corridor and asked, "What's up?" Not the most eloquent sentence, but Cho did not want condescension. She also did not want to talk to her blabber mouth friends and writing would not help- there was no one talking back, no one truly listening.

"Cedric's dead, Harry could care less about me, and I just feel like…" Cho looked at Raiko offhandedly, hoping she would have the words. Raiko was surprised that Cho started out so quickly, but to friends of the people she helped, she was a safe. Raiko Hattori was a better vault than one found at Gringotts for information. To Hogwarts students, she probably had more valuables than the Wizarding Bank too. Hogwarts students not including Slytherins, that is.

"Don't worry, it's safe with me."

Cho gave a weak half-strangled laugh. "I know, but that worries me. Sometimes I feel like it would be better if you actually spilled my information. I'd be totally mortified if that really did happen though…" Cho sighed, an action that all Ravenclaws were used to. "I dunno. I'll talk to you later."

Raiko nodded and didn't push it. She watched as Cho walked past her. Raiko stood in the hallway, waiting for Cho to turn back, not wanting to be gone, just in case. She felt Cho's eyes on her once before the other girl turned the corner, and then she was gone.

It was after Raiko turned into another hallway that Cho proceeded to return and sit on the window sill of a window facing towards the sunset. She rested her face on the glass and looked out across the school yard.

Raiko walked out into one of the courtyards that adorned the Hogwarts campus. She looked up at the dying leaves of fall. She sat down at a tree's base, careful not to get her clothes in the mud. She curled her knees to her chest and breathed in slowly.

"I know it is Thanksgiving today, but I don't think I will remember to say thanks at dinner. That is why I am doing this now." She closed her eyes, but she did not feel any student presences nearby. She opened her eyes and looked back at the steely sky. Her legs stretched out and she leant into the tree. "I am thankful for my friends, and my family. I am grateful that I am allowed to go to this school. I am thankful that I am who I am, thanks to the divine powers that be. I love my part in this universe, and I love knowing my part. But… I think…" She paused and listened to the leaves rustling in the wind. "I have fallen into mediocrity, and I refuse to give in to it. Mediocrity spawns from routine, and I… I refuse to be unknown."

She smiled. That was her goal. She would be known to the world. She could care less about money as long as she had fame. Surprising, for a bookworm.

She hefted her bag onto her shoulder and headed inside. There would be another storm on Saturday.

"Hey Raiko."

Raiko continued reading. It was a very good book by Eoin Colfer. It was funny, what he thought of leprechauns and fairies. She liked his rendition of fairies much better than the real thing too. She laughed at something that Foaly said and then glared at a hand that was placed in front of the words. She found herself looking up at Luna.

"Did you hear me?"

"Hear what?" Raiko asked.

Luna shook her head. "If you cannot hear what is going on around you while you read, you may have been invaded by a Penturnula. They will lead you into danger while you read so they can feast on your corpse."

"Is that what you came to talk to me about?"

Luna laughed. "No, no. That was just a warning. I wanted to know what you were doing for Christmas break."

Raiko frowned. She closed her eyes and registered her internal clock. December 7th. She looked back at Luna. "I'm thinking of staying here. I really don't want to go back. There is too much to do here."

Luna nodded.

Raiko looked back at her book and continued reading, waving a hand as Luna reminded her about the Penturnulas. She got comfy in her large love seat, sitting by the fire.

… the clock ticked.

"OH-" Raiko stopped herself from swearing. She quickly ran upstairs to her trunk and grabbed some of her stationary parchment. She grabbed a quill and started writing.

Dear Mom and Dad,

How have you been doing since my last letter? I am fine as always. Life is always interesting at Hogwarts and I am learning many new things. With the pleasantries done, she could get on to the real part of the letter. Vaguely she wondered how often her letter had varied from the above sentences. She was always careful to make sure that nothing even remotely important crept into her letters. She would tell her dad about the interesting things over the summer, but otherwise, her parents knew nothing.

As you know, Christmas is coming up, I have decided to stay at Hogwarts. I know this will come as a surprise, but things are She paused to think of a good word to put in without scaring her parents. converging. I need to stay here and work things out, especially with my work.

This brings me to what you were waiting for. I was wondering if you could send me the following items. This year, the Hogsmeade trips were cancelled indefinitely. I can no longer go Christmas shopping.

A list of Christmas gifts and the names of their respective receivers followed except for one.

Also, you know that gift that Grandma Allana gave me? It should be in a small blue box in my 'Gashly Crumb Tinies' tin. Send that to me if you send nothing else.

Thank You.

Missing you both (almost as much as you miss me),

Raiko XOXOXO etc.

She sealed the letter and ran up to the owlery. Once there she called Hiei. She borrowed some string from the school stock to tie the letter to Hiei's leg and then sent him off. She looked at her watch. She had had Quidditch practice earlier, so Draco wasn't expecting her. Still…

She was exhausted, her reading time not giving much recuperation. Of course, she had only been reading for ten minutes when Luna interrupted her. She checked her watch. She had time to see him, if only for a moment. She walked to the library quickly, hoping to catch him before he left. She practically ran as she weaved through the bookcases. When she got to the spot, he was not there. She sighed, and was about to turn around when a hand clamped over her mouth. She tried to scream and was turned around. She found herself in between a bookshelf and Malfoy.

The hand was removed from her mouth and he chuckled. He turned around. It was unnecessary for Malfoy to ask Raiko to follow. She would. He knew she would. She knew he knew.

They came to a window that looked out onto a sloped roof and the school grounds. Malfoy opened the window and Raiko slipped outside after him. He sat down and she frowned, rubbing her arms. Even though she had her winter robe, she was still cold. At least in quidditch, there was the energy from flight. It was as tiring as a 400 meter dash at times. She asked, "Isn't it a little cold?"

In the starlight and the torchlight from inside, Raiko saw Draco's eyes flash in amusement, accenting his grin. "Hardly."

Raiko crouched a little behind and to the side of Draco. He turned back to look at her with a raised eyebrow. He scooted back and stretched out, lying down on the roof. She remained sitting, her hands behind her and her legs stretched out in front of her.

How right he was.

"Draco!" A voice sang.

Draco cringed in the hallway and turned towards the voice. When he saw who it was, he knew he should have gone with his first instinct to run. Pansy.

He gave her a smirk and asked, "Yeah?"

Pansy acted shy. Her hands were twiddling behind her back. She rocked on her heels and she looked towards the floor. Somehow it looked much better when Raiko did those things, and she never did them all at once. "I was wondering if you were staying at Hogwarts or if you were going to Malfoy Manor like you usually do."

"Why would this year be any different than the rest?" he drawled.

Pansy stopped rocking and looked at the air above his head. "Well, I guess it wouldn't be." She flashed him a dazzling smile. "I hope we can spend some time on the train, then."

Draco flashed her a fake smile that out shone hers. "Of course," 'we can spend time on the train to Edinburgh. Unfortunately, for you, neither of us will be on it. Guess that stops that plan.'

"Hey Raiko."

Raiko looked up from her schoolwork. She had the seat facing the window today. "Yeah?"

"What are you doing for Christmas? Are you going back to America?"

Raiko looked at him for a moment, studying him. "I'm staying here. What about you?"

Draco remembered grinning. "I just have to inform my mother of my plans."

Raiko sighed. "On what, Malfoy?"

Draco fake pouted at her before smirking. "You'll see when the train leaves, won't you?"

Draco rubbed his head where a book that had been resting on the bookshelf above him "mysteriously" fell on top of him. Now all he needed was to tell his mum about his plans.

This year wasn't any different than the others. He still didn't like Pansy.

Raiko woke up on Christmas morning feeling… anxious.

Draco was here, that she knew. She just wasn't sure what that entailed. She got up and pulled out her wand. It was still dark, therefore she was the first person up. She waved her wand, and let the light of the Lumos spell wash over her trunk. She rummaged through it, looking for the present for Draco. When she had it, she looked at her watch. It read 5:45. She groaned softly. No one was in the room. She had it all to herself for the holidays. Had she known this would be the case, she would have stayed at Hogwarts for Christmas the last four years. Now that she was up, she knew she would not be able to get to sleep.

She got dressed, donning a slightly nicer blouse than the one she usually wore. On top of that she had a green vest. She had a darker green skirt, dark socks, pant shoes that she wore on all formal occasions, and she let her hair fall in a long pony tail until she would be ready to put it in a bun. Now that she thought about it, a warm bath would be nice on a day like this. She debated on whether or not she wanted to undress and then dress again and have to deal with the hassle of drying her hair, especially when she had done all she needed last night.

But she had prepared last night when she had been certain that she would wake up late with Luna gone.

6:02.

She looked in her book of passwords to make sure she had the password right before leaving Ravenclaw, Draco's present lying on her bedside table with her brush.

7:45.

She had forgotten that the water would stay relatively hot in a Hogwarts bath. She walked down the stairs to the main hall. From there she crossed outside to the Quidditch pitch. Her breath showed in the air and she regretted not grabbing her gloves. Still, she grabbed her broom from her special locker, now with an American racing broom (Cirrus M) and her old broom, and kicked off from the ground.

She flew around the castle, looking at the windows and seeing what she could. She saw how empty the castle was at eight o'clock in the morning on Christmas. Through one window she glimpsed a blonde someone going down the stairs. She flew to the next window and saw it was Malfoy. She tapped on the glass and he turned, startled. When he saw her he smiled slightly and opened the window. "Morning."

"Morning," he replied.

"Meet me at our usuall spot after breakfast, okay?" She was about to fly away when he grabbed her arm.

"No, wait. I want to bring you somewhere else."

She looked at him confusedly. "Okay…"

HE smiled. "It's not as good as your place, but I think it will be good. For the circumstances."

She smiled too. "See you at breakfast," she called before flying down to the Quidditch locker rooms. She ran to RAvenclaw to get Draco's present before going to breakfast. She also grabbed another box, something she thought was just right for the occasion. She loved her dad. He always thought of stuff that she would enjoy.

After a large breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, pancakes, crepes, and basically any other breakfast food, Raiko went to the hour glasses. Hufflepuff was in last, Ravenclaw and Slytherin were tied for second and Gryffindor held the lead.

A hand clamped over her eyes and a voice whispered, "Guess who?"

"Merlin?"

"No."

"A great and powerful wizard?"

"Yes."

"Ahhh…. Draco, I give up."

He removed his hand and grabbed her robe sleeve. "C'mon."

Raiko allowed Draco to pull her up the main stairs towards and unknown destination. As they went, she patted her pocket with the packages in it. She really hoped he liked it.

Raiko grinned as they came to the Room of Requirement. "This better be good, or I am going to be sorely disappointed that we didn't go to a room I haven't seen before."

"Have you seen every room?"

"Almost."

Draco looked back at her. "Well then, at least this way, all of your presents will be transported here, and you can witness the fact that my imagination has no bounds."

She chuckled.

Draco opened the door after the ritual walking past three times. He bowed her through the door and shut it behind her. There was a Christmas tree that lay undecorated except for a few ornaments and a star, presents lying beneath it. A fire roared in its grate and warmed the entire room. There was also a small coffee table and sofa. The best part however, was the floor to ceiling window that took up the entire far wall. It looked out onto the Hogwarts grounds, flakes of snow drifting in a spiraling diagonal.

"It's beautiful." It was plain, yes, but it felt… it felt like home. It was cozy and warm and small and there was cocoa in mugs and all the stuff needed for Christmas.

For the first hour they marveled at the presents others had got them. For Draco, sweets, racing broom gloves, a snitch (Raiko wondered about that one, how much did those things cost and where did you buy one?), a picture with Pansy Parkinson (Draco sneered at it and Raiko laughed nervoulsy, trying not to show her anxiety). There was also a few books on famous wizards- dark and benign, and other school related stuff (all of the highest quality, and still fun to play around with.

Raiko got muggle and wizarding books alike, a few hollow glass balls with holes and strings attached (RAiko explained that they were for catching lightning and any other spell; they could act as grenades- no spell, no thought, the perfect wapon against Legilimency), a set of Abercrombie and Fitch knockoffs from her friends (stating things like 'Just the Fitch' and 'Abercrombie and- Oops!'), and a broom polishing kit.

Once they had finished, they had to give each other the gifts they had gotten for each other. Raiko pulled out the small box that held Draco's present. She then surreptitiously pulled out an izone camera, turned it on (spelled so that it would work on Hogwarts grounds), and reached for her cocoa. While Draco was opening his present, she grabbed her camera with the hand farthest from Draco (her left) and waited. He opened the present slowly, making the tension last longer and knowing it as he did so. HE lifted the cover of the box and saw a silver oval. HE took it out and watched it spin on a long chain.

"I know it is kind of girly, but you don't have to wear it. You can just put pictures in it to remember stuff."

"Like what?" he asked as he opened it and unfolded the multilevel locket.

One hand held the camera and with her other hand she held a sprig of mistletoe above their heads.

"Hey Draco," she whispered, her voice catching. "Look up."

He turned quickly, startled, and when he saw the mistletoe his eyes widened. She took the opportunity to kiss him on the cheek, pressing the button on the izone simultaneously. A developing sticker came out of the picture slot and she smiled.

She waved her wand over the sticker so it cut into an oval shape and pasted it onto one of the slots in the locket. She looked up to see Draco smirking.

"You don't think… you're going to get away with that, do you?" His eyes were fiery, and not just from the flames in the fireplace.

"I don't-" she stuttered before he let his lips brush hers, one hand holding her chin and the other holding the locket.

The feelings she felt then. She was amazed at how wonderful it was. She pulled away. "This is real isn't it? I'm not going to wake up?"

"You dream of kissing me often?"

She looked at her lap, blushing. He laughed loudly. "It's not funny," she said slapping his arm. He laughed some more and she tackled him to the ground. "It's not funny.

She knew Draco was strong. She knew it in the way he held himself and the way he talked, but as he flipped her onto her back so that she was on the bottom and he was on the top, she realized it once more. He blew softly on her neck, making her clutch his shoulder. He bent down and whispered in her ear, "I think it's hilarious."

The way he said it, with such predatory tones, she was excited. This feeling was exhilarating. But somewhere in a corner of her mind there was doubt. Doubt at how fast she could go, how fast he would go. She scooted out from under him and towards the opposite end of the couch (they were still on the floor, but they were very close to it as it was what they had leant on while opening presents). "Too fast. Too fast."

She gave him a look, hoping he would understand. That had been her first kiss. She did not know where to travel or how to do so from this point on. Again they were at a turning point, one that could change the dynamics of their relationship. There were three roads now, and there was one that she dare not tread. She could not go back to the nothingness of the week before the Halloween ball. It had been awful. She had not had a purpose. During the lulls of her occupation, she often felt disconnected to everything. It was like she was floating in the world, able to disappear at any moment and no one would ever know.

Draco looked at her blankly. He was thinking. It was easy with other girls. They were easy. They wanted the prestige of being associated with him. He gave them a taste of it before taking it away. Raiko though… Raiko he wanted to keep a secret. He wanted her all for himself. She was like a new toy that he didn't want to share, although he frowned at the analogy. He stood up and took the two steps needed to close the distance. She looked up at him, her face showing that she was unsure of what he was about to do.

Draco stretched out a hand to her. She placed her hand in his slowly. He pulled her up in a fluid motion. He marveled at how small she looked next to him. "You wouldn't mind… reminding me every once in a while? I'm used to…ah… fast pace relationships."

Raiko smiled into his chest, her arms around his back. "No, I won't mind." She looked up at him, "But it will be okay sometimes… to go a little bit faster than normal."

Draco grinned. "Be warned, you'll have to fight off some nasty Slytherin girls."

She scoffed. "I'm faster, more intelligent, and more cunning than anyone who thinks they can take me down. Besides…" Her voice dropped surprisingly low, and even she thought so. "I like a challenge."

That was all he could take before he brought his lips down upon hers for another earth shattering kiss. When he broke away, she followed him just a little, opening her eyes and blushing. Her arms moved from around his neck (where they had moved during the kiss) down to his hands on her waist. She grabbed his hands and moved toward the large window. She sat down, and he followed behind her, his arms around her waist and his head resting on her shoulder, occasionally blowing or nibbling or kissing the tender flesh. She allowed herself to lean into his chest, staring out the window and watching the snow fall.

Draco whispered in her ear, causing her to giggle as the fine hairs on her neck swayed. "I have something for you too." He pulled out a box and let a fine cord string around her neck, a small diamond it's only decoration.

Raiko gasped at the simple beauty of it, "Oh Draco, you know I can't acce-"

The stern look in his eyes silenced her. "Stupid, stubborn Guy."

He chuckled, causing her to shiver as she felt him move behind her. "That's redundant."

"And repetitive," she quipped.

"And redundant."

"And repetitive."

"And redundant."

"What are we going to do about dinner?"

He looked at her, confused.

She sighed, "I mean, won't it look a little odd if we are sitting next to each other, even with the one table thing. And you've never been here for Christmas, and I've never been here for Christmas and-" Her voice was cut off by Draco's lips.

"You think too much."

"That goes without saying."

….. Draco was silent as he watched the snow whip about, becoming more forceful and rattling the glass panes.

"What are you thinking?"

"That you think too much."