A figure rose and advanced toward her, partially cloaked by the shadows of the trees.

Aly squinted at the figure and her eyes widened when Adam stepped from behind the shadow, grinning. She gasped.

"Adam?"

"Hey, Aly!"

"Adam!" she exclaimed running over to him. Adam grabbed her in a bear hug and lifted her off the ground.

"Adam, I don't believe it, why are you here?" she gasped, hugging him again.

"I snuck out."

"What?" Aly's smile faded slightly. "You snuck out? As in, left?"

Adam grinned up at her and winked. "That's what it usually means."

"How?" Aly asked, blinking down at him.

"Planned it out," he said confidently, and put her down.

"Well...that really...wasn't the best idea, Adam," Aly said awkwardly.

"So, you'd prefer me to not be here?" Adam asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked down at her.

"No, of course not!" she said hastily. "I just-"

Adam put a finger to her lips and grinned. "That's all I needed to hear."

He looked around and sighed. He smiled sadly at Aly. "I can't stay for long. They'll figure it out eventually and I'll be in even more trouble when I get back."

"Are you ok? Are they treating you well?"

"Oh, I'm perfectly fine," he said airily. "They treat me fine. I get a nice bed, clothes, decent meals...I just don't talk to anyone. All the others there are secluded and sadistic," he frowned. "Of course, none of you guys can visit, so I'm on my own."

"Oh, Adam," Aly said sympathetically, staring at up his blue eyes. "I feel so bad."

"Don't be. How are you? I read the Daily Prophet; that piece of scum got out," Adam growled.

"Yeah, I heard," Aly said bitterly. "Nearly all of the school is locking themselves up in their room. As if he's waiting outside their door. Azkaban is millions of miles away from here. I truly doubt he could be here within twenty four hours."

"Good. I just came up here to make sure you're safe," Adam replied with a smile, even though his eyes were anxious.

"Well, I'm alive. Sixth year is a load of work, but I can handle it."

"What about the school? How are they treating you?"

Aly sighed and looked down at the ground. "They've been treating us fine, me and the Boyles. People just keep staring at me."

"Because you're affiliated with a death eater and the nephew of a death eater."

"Yeah."

"Well, how are you handling it?"

Aly looked up at him again, her green eyes glittering. "They don't understand. You're not a bad guy, but none of them know you, so how would they know? They just think I'm crazy or something."

"Well," Adam said, smiling crookedly down at her. "They don't, do they? So it's none of their business."

"Exactly."

They grinned up at each other and then Adam's smile faded. "I have to go. I can't stay for much longer."

Instinctively, Aly reached up and wrapped her arms around Adam's neck. "I miss you. Stay safe, ok?"

"Alright," Adam mumbled into her neck. "It just seems so...bleak right now."

"Like I've said," Aly said fiercely, looking up at the trees. "As soon as this is all over, you'll be cleared of everything." She pulled back to study him. "I've already told Damien and Char this. You're related to the death eater by blood. That doesn't make you a death eater, too," she said, poking him in the chest.

"Ouch," he said, rubbing his chest. "I'll remember that." He placed his hands on her shoulders and kissed her forehead gently. "Come visit me sometime, ok?"

"The next best time for me is Christmas," Aly joked, "But yes, I will."

Adam turned away and started walking past the owlery, looking over his shoulder at her, smiling sadly the whole time.

"Bye," she mouthed.

"Bye," he mouthed back.

He disappeared around the owlery and Aly sighed.

Guess I may as well send the letter.