The next week passed by very quickly, and soon Aly found herself sitting in the library during the first week of December. She sighed and leaned back in the chair, reading her Transfiguration book for the fourth time in order to get some information on Animagus' for her upcoming project.

"Way to assign a project right before the holidays, McGonagall," Aly muttered angrily, scribbling down some information with her quill. "Bloody brilliant."

She continued scribbling down more information for the next few minutes until she heard a creak. She looked up, her eyes darting around, and then she continued to write slowly, listening.

She heard another crack and took out her wand and placed it on the table. But then she relaxed. Surely this is just another trick by Char or Damien.

But when she heard a tap on the windows, her head snapped to her left and her eyes widened.

Adam was grinning wolfishly at her through the window, his eyes sparkling. His usually vibrant blond hair had settled down to a dirty blond, and his clothes were somewhat dirty and torn. But his face remained the same; bright and excited.

Aly's eyes opened wider in horror and she jumped up. Adam opened the window slightly, still smiling.

"Hey!" he whispered.

"What are you doing here!" she hissed. "What is someone sees you?!"

"Chill, Aly," Adam grinned. "No one's going to notice."

"They will too!" she hissed back. "If anyone sees you here, we're dead!"

"Then come outside."

"I can't!"

"Why?"

Aly fumed as Adam stood there, his eyes sparkling brightly. "I'm not allowed on grounds!"

"Says who?"

"People! Now get out of here!" she hissed angrily, looking around.

"Tsk tsk," Adam said shaking his head. "I thought you weren't so cowardly."

"I am not!" she fumed.

"Then come outside if you're not," Adam sang, ruffling her hair lightly. Aly attempted to bite his hand and he stepped back, startled. He laughed loudly and Aly attempted to hush him.

"I will be outside in ten minutes," she said, attempting to put on a serious face. "Do not show your face, understand?"

"Yes, sergeant," he teased. Aly growled at him and grabbed her books, disappearing behind the shelves.

"You must be a complete lunatic to even think of showing your face here," Aly chided as she buttoned her coat, walking over to Adam. "I'm serious."

"Why, I've never seen you so cheerful," Adam commented, ruffling his hair.

Aly glared at him as she finished her coat and smoothed it out.

"Now. Care to explain?"

"Explain what?"

"Your foolish mistake of leaving the center."

"Foolish? You must be joking!" Adam exclaimed, staring down at her. "You yourself said that place is terrible!"

"I did not; I asked if they were treating you alright, and you said yes."

"I don't remember saying that."

"Maybe you were imperiused." Adam grinned and rolled his eyes.

"Don't ask."

"I won't."

Adam smiled down at her coyly. "So...what's been going on at little old Hogwarts?"

"Same old," Aly shrugged. "Checking the Daily Prophet every day...going to the same old classes..."

"Sounds eventful."

"It isn't, trust me."

"I figured." Adam smirked. Then he frowned.

"Anything interesting happen with...er...Char?"

Aly raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so interested?"

"Just wondering," he shrugged.

"Truly...we had our very first fight."

"Very first?" Adam repeated as his eyebrows rose in disbelief.

"Very first. It was kind of rough, too. But we got through it."

"Heck, if I were in Char's place, we wouldn't fight at all," Adam grinned.

"I find that hard to believe. You seem to have a talent for contradicting me."

"I do not."

Aly grinned up at Adam smugly.

Adam poked her side. "You think you're so smart."

"I know I am."

Aly heard a voice behind her and her heart started thumping. She looked over her shoulder at the moving silhouette towards them.

"Shoot! We'd better move!"

"Move where?" a voice said behind her.