"How old is he again?" Cedric Diggory inquired, continuing a conversation that had started with Micah retelling his rendezvous with Aleksander the night before. Cedric's attention was only half focused on Micah as he was currently waltzing around the choir room with Luna Lovegood in his arms.

Micah sat Indian position on a desk pushed to the side of the classroom. "Sixteen," the Ravenclaw answered absentmindedly as he looked over some sheet music.

"And he just came out and admitted to fancying you?" Cedric asked as he focused on the difficult task of not stepping on Luna's feet.

Micah frowned slightly. "I never said that," Micah replied. "He just said that he had been meaning to speak to me."

"And that your singing 'mesmerized' him," Cedric countered. "That sounds pretty straight forward to me." Cedric lead the waltz in front of Micah.

"He sounds interesting," Luna said dreamily. "Cedric, you must stop looking at your feet while you dance," Luna reprimanded lightly.

"Right, sorry," Cedric looked up and flashed Luna a dazzling smile. "Thanks for teaching me how to dance, by the way. Cho is going to have me on the dance floor forever the night of the ball."

Luna nodded in response as the dancing partners completed one final turn about the room. "And stop," Luna and Cedric came to a stop in the center of the empty classroom. "You were a great student, Cedric." Luna removed her hands from Cedric's shoulder before moving over to a nearby desk and taking a seat. "Are you going to see him again, Micah?"

Micah looked up from his sheet music and met Luna's eyes. "I suppose. We still have the entire second half of term together," he said tactfully.

Cedric leaned against the wall next to Micah. "Micah, we both know what Luna really meant is, do you want to see him again?" The Hufflepuff crossed his well defined arms over his chest and looked over at Micah.

Micah met Cedric's eyes, and then turned to Luna, and finally he turned to Avery who sat at the opposite side of the room. Avery sat with his eyes in a text book, and was trying hard to pretend as if he wasn't paying attention to the conversation.

Micah sighed and shrugged his shoulders. Leaning back, he ran a hand through his black curls and looked up at the ceiling. "Yes, I want to see him again."

Luna looked overjoyed, Cedric's brow furrowed in consternation, and Avery's face remained impassive.

"He's funny, he's a great singer, plus he's kind of cute," Micah rushed the last part of the sentence. Micah looked at each of his friends one by one and his eyes glinted with excitement. "Is it weird that I'm so excited about the possibility of a guy liking me?"

Avery looked up from his text book and spoke for the first time since they had entered the choir room that morning. His blue eyes met Micah's brown eyes. "No," Avery said sincerely. "It's amazing when you think someone likes you," Avery smile dejectedly before continuing "even if it's only for a little while."

Luna looked at Avery with a sudden expression of understanding. She smiled sadly as she looked from Avery to Micah, then back to Avery.

Cedric shrugged. "I guess that answers Luna's question," He walked over to the door of the classroom. "We should get going. It's almost time to leave for Hogsmeade."

Luna clapped her hands excitedly. "Cedric is right," she walked over to Avery and took him by the hand. "Come on, let's head outside."

Avery allowed Luna to pull him out of the classroom. Micah stood and followed his friends out of the classroom and downstairs towards the Entrance Hall. Once they got to the Entrance Hall, Micah took the lead and walked out towards the Viaduct Courtyard.

"Anyway, it seems kind of pointless to be discussing this," Micah said as he lead his group of friends out into the Viaduct Courtyard. "We don't even know if he fancies me or not."

As the group of teens stepped out into the light of the chilly December afternoon, they noticed that a large group was gathered in the courtyard and that most of them were from Durmstrang Institute.

"Who fancies who?" Neville stepped out from one of the pillars in the courtyard and stood directly behind Micah. He wore a pair of blue jeans and a brown sweater adorned with a green vine design that went around the torso.

Micah opened his mouth to change the subject, but before he could say anything his eyes found Aleksander.

The Durmstrang sixth year looked up as soon as Micah's eyes landed on him. He was wearing a pair of tan slacks and a red sleeveless turtle neck sweater. Micah and Alek's eyes met and though Micah looked a bit apprehensive, Alek smiled broadly. Alek stood and gestured to a few of the guys around him.

"Not again," a frazzled looking Jessica leaned against a pillar near Micah and his friends. "Can they go a day without singing?"

Micah looked over at Jessica and gave her a reassuring smile. When Micah turned his attention back to Alek, he stood in the center of the courtyard in front of a group of other Durmstrang students.

Alek raised his eyebrows at Micah and flashed him a quick smile. "My name is Alek Balakov and I'm the co-leader of the Durmstrang Institute Skylarks," Alek's voice echoed throughout the now silent courtyard. "I'd like to dedicate this performance to someone I had the pleasure of meeting last night…someone I hope to spend more time with in the near future."

Cedric leaned over Micah's shoulder. "Yeah mate, he fancies you," he whispered.

The guys behind Alek started humming and sidestepping in harmony. Alek stepped forward and began singing, hesitantly as if testing out each note.

"Yeeeeah, oooooh, oooooh."

When he finished singing the first few lines, he nodded as if decided that was the right note. Alek then briskly stepped forward, separating him from the rest of the group.

"Look at him!"

Alek winked and pointed at Micah, before turning and walking back to the other Skylarks.

The start of Alek's performance was met with mixed reactions. Luna looked overjoyed by the sudden turn of events. Cedric looked slightly incredulous and stood behind Micah protectively. From his spot beside Cedric, Neville nodded his head along to the beat, unaware to Alek's flirtation. Avery crossed his arms over his chest and was trying his best to look at anyone but Alek. Micah, was slightly taken aback, but couldn't stop his lips from forming into a small smile. The rest of the students in the courtyard seemed to be oblivious to who Alex's gesture was directed at.

When he got back to the group, Alek spun on one heel and faced Micah's direction once more. The Durmstrang sixth year smiled and began singing in a rich baritone.

"He's a bad mamma jamma,
just as fine as he can be.
He's a bad mamma jamma,
just as fine as he can be"

Alek sang lead while the other Skylarks sang the chorus in the background. Alek's charm and charisma kept all eyes on him as he moved about the courtyard.

"His body measurements are perfect in every dimension.
He's got a figure that's sure to get attention.
He's poetry in motion, a beautiful sight to see.
I get so excited viewing his anatomy."

Alek weaved between the pillars that adorned the courtyard and ended up behind Micah. The Durmstrang sixth year put his arms around Cedric and Neville, raised his eyebrows at the latter, and then looked Micah up and down.

Micah turned around just in time to see Alek checking out his ass. The Ravenclaw fourth year looked at Alek reproachfully, but his smile betrayed his true feelings.

Encouraged by Micah's smile, Alek removed his arms from the shoulders' of the boys next to him. He sidestepped his way around Micah's group and made his way back over to the other Skylarks.

"He's built

He's built, he's stacked

Oh, he's got
Got all the curves that men like."

Alek flexed one of his large biceps and nodded in appreciation. The soloist sang the first lyrics, while the other Skylarks echoed him.

"He's got all the curves that men like
He's built

He's built, he's stacked

Oh, he's got
Got all the curves that men like

Got all the curves that men like, look at him."

Alek pointed to Micah once more before leading the rest of the Skylarks in a shoulder lean and snap.

"Looks like he's poured into the gold, he bad.
The essence of beauty, ooh, such lovely hair.
He's foxy, classy, oh, sexy, sassy.
He's heavenly, a treat for the eye to see."

Micah bit his bottom lip and unconsciously ran a hand through his black curls. His eyes were glued to Alek, much to the chagrin of Avery.

While the background Skylarks sang through another round of "he's a bad mamma jamma", Alek stepped forward. The baritone tilted his head to the side, pushed his arms outward, and began to belt a stream of "oh's".

"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh"

The Skylarks finished and bowed. Applause erupted throughout the courtyard. The proud Durmstrang singers broke formation and gathered together, patting each other on the back and basking in the applause.

Alek turned and flashed Micah a quick smile, before turning back to his choir mates.

"That was great," Neville continued to clap. "Those guys can really sing."

Cedric's brow was furrowed as he watched Micah. Luna smiled happily as she clapped along with Neville. Avery was contemplating leaving the courtyard to sulk in his room. Micah was still recovering from the shock of being serenaded in front of most of the school.

Cedric patted Micah on the shoulder. "I've got to get going, mate. I'm meeting Cho in Hogsmeade."

Micah shrugged. "No problem. Neville and I are heading off to Hogsmeade soon anyway." Micah said confidently since he and Neville always hung out during Hogsmeade trips.

Neville bit his bottom lip. "About that, Micah," Neville began. "I promised Ginny and some of the other Gryffindors that I would hang out with them today. Just us Gryffindors."

Luna and Cedric tactfully turned their attention away from the conversation. Avery however, paid even closer attention after Neville delivered the bad news.

Micah plastered a smile on his face. "No problem at all," he said a bit too cheerfully. "Have a good time, yeah?"

Neville nodded. "Thanks for understanding." He smiled and waved to his friends before turning and walking off towards Hogsmeade. After a few steps he turned and gave Micah an apologetic smile.

Once Neville was completely out of view, the smile on Micah's face faded away. "Well, I guess I'll go work on some homework." Micah left his friends and made his way over to the castle.

Luna, Cedric, and Avery watched Micah leave, none of them knowing what to say. Avery began to follow after Micah, but stopped when he saw a familiar looking Durmstrang student step in front of Micah.

"Hello, Micah." Aleksander smiled broadly. "Did you enjoy my performance?"

Micah's lips unconsciously formed into a thin smile. "Hi, Aleksander."

Alek pretended to pout. "Micah, please call me Alek. All of my friends do."

Micah's smiled coyly. "Oh, are we friends now?" The Ravenclaw put his hands into the pockets of his navy blue Capri pants and shrugged.

Alek met Micah's eyes. "I hope so, otherwise my plans on us becoming more than friends might take more time than I thought." His tone was playful, but with an edge of complete seriousness.

Micah, taken aback by Alek's bluntness, gave up the act and relented. "I enjoyed your performance," Micah paused, not wanting to give in too easily. "Alek," he said it quickly, almost in a whisper, but Alek heard him.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Alek continued to smile. "It was for you." Alek blushed, but his eyes never left Micah.

Micah turned his eyes from Alek's. "Oh really? I didn't notice." Micah nervously adjusted his blue plaid bowtie.

Alek smirked. "I think you did," his whispered deeply. The sixth year's eyes smoldered as he looked at Micah.

Micah, desperate to take control of the conversation, met Alek's gaze head on. "Yeah, I noticed," Micah smiled. "It was kind of cute," he admitted.

Alek blinked. "Really?" His usual confidence was failing him. "Alek rubbed the back of his head with his right hand. The gesture showed off his defined muscles and Micah couldn't help looking.

"Aren't you cold wearing that?" Micah asked suddenly.

Alek looked down at his sleeveless turtleneck sweater. "No, it's a lot warmer here than it is at Durmstrang this time of year." He explained.

Alek took the time to examine Micah's outfit. Navy blue pants that came down to his ankles, a pair of classic black converse, a charcoal colored button up shirt with a sweater vest that matched his pants, and a plaid bowtie which completed the outfit. "You look amazing," Alek said admiringly.

Micah ran a hand through his hair. "Thanks," he said nervously. "You look really good too." Micah was surprised with his own candor, but he had spoken the truth. The Durmstrang sixth year wore a pair of tan slacks. The red of his sleeveless sweater complimented his tan skin excellently and the reddish-brown color of his boots played off the color scheme of the rest of his outfit perfectly.

Alek silently stared at Micah for a few moments. "Would you like to accompany me to Hogsmeade?" His voice sounded vulnerable and sincere.

Micah met Alek's eyes and for once wasn't overcome by the intensity of his gaze. Alek expression was just like any other nervous teenager's. "Like, a date?" Micah inquired.

Alek's full lips formed into a nervous smile. "Yes, like a date," he said in response.

Micah closed his eyes and for the first time, his powers activated on his command. Micah could feel the emotion coming from Alek. His nervousness was sweet and salty, yet he was excited and that smelled like fresh baked goods. Micah could also feel that each second felt like an eternity to Alek, who was still waiting for an answer. Micah opened his eyes and smiled brightly at Alek. "Yes, Alek, I would love to accompany you to Hogsmeade."

Alek exhaled deeply and without warning, took Micah's right hand in his. "Thank you very much, Micah Quinn." Alex squeezed gently before releasing his hold on Micah's hand.

Luna, Cedric, and Avery watched Micah and Alek's exchange curiously from a few feet away.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Cedric asked aloud.

"I'm not sure, but Micah looks adorably flustered," Luna answered cheerfully. "Goodness, he just grabbed Micah's hand!"

"He sure moves fast," Cedric sounded like a protective brother. His fists clenched in the pockets of his black jeans, but they relaxed slightly when he saw Alek releasing Micah's hand.

Avery looked pained, but he remained silent. The tall blonde pulled his grey jacket around himself tighter, as if to protect himself from a sudden breeze.

Luna smiled understandingly at Avery. "Come on. I'll buy you some hot chocolate at the Three Broomsticks." Luna grabbed Avery by his arm and pulled him away.

Cedric took one last look at Micah and Alek before hesitantly following Luna and Avery to Hogsmeade.

The Three Broomsticks was extremely busy. The Gryffindors had pushed three tables together and occupied the center of the bar, while other groups of students sat at tables and booths around them. Cedric sat with Cho at a table next to the door, while Luna and Avery sat at a booth near the back. Micah and Alek sat at a booth near Luna and Avery, two glasses of butterbeer sat on the table in front of them.

"You're really that bad a quidditch?" Alek asked in disbelief as the two carried on a conversation from earlier.

Micah sat back in his chair and shrugged. "The day I tried out for the Ravenclaw quidditch team was one of the most embarrassing days of my life," Micah cringed at the memory of that day. "I couldn't catch the snitch and I ended up falling off my broom while chasing it." Micah took a sip of butterbeer.

"Don't feel too bad," Alek smiled. "I can't even ride a broom."

"Really?" Micah raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't be able to tell from looking at you." Micah took a moment to admire Alek's muscles.

Alek shook his head. "I get motion sickness the second the broom lifts off the ground," Alek admitted. "Luckily, quidditch isn't that big of a deal at Durmstrang."

"Really? I feel like quidditch is all I ever hear about at Hogwarts," Unconsciously, Micah leaned in closer to Alek.

Alek nodded from his spot across from Micah. "We have intramural quidditch teams set up by whoever wants to play, but dueling is the most popular activity at Durmstrang." Alek smiled. "Anyone who is anyone is a member of the dueling league."

"So I'm guessing you're a member of the dueling league?" Micah asked.

"You guessed right," Alek replied before taking a sip of butterbeer. "I'm pretty good, but not as good as my brother. Arnost is probably the second best duelist at Dursmstrang, after Viktor Krum."

Micah tried to suppress a laugh, but failed.

Alek blinked. "Did I say something funny?"

Micah shook his head. "No, this is all very interesting; it's just that you've got a bit of butterbeer on your top lip." Micah picked up a napkin. "Here, let me get it." He leaned over the table and used the napkin to wipe the foam off of Alek's lips.

Alek smiled. "Thank you."

"No problem," Micah replied. He noticed how close he was to Alek, but he didn't move away. His heart was racing and he could feel the blood rushing to his cheeks, but he couldn't bring himself to move away.

"Would you like to be my date to the Yule Ball?" Alek asked suddenly. He sounded nervous, but not as nervous as he did when he asked Micah out a few hours ago.

Micah smiled. "That would be great." Micah's smile faded as quickly as it had formed. He sat back and bit his bottom lip.

"Is something wrong?" Alek sounded concerned. He reached over the table and took Micah's hand.

Micah smiled apologetically. "I already have a date for the Yule Ball."

Alek's brow furrowed.

Micah squeezed Alek's hand reassuringly. "It's not like that," he explained. "I'm going with my friend Luna. We're going as friends, but I promised I'd take her."

Alek relaxed. He smiled broadly. "For a second there I thought I had some serious competition," he said.

Micah smiled, but his heart skipped a beat at Alek's words. His mind instantly went to Neville and his eyes did the same. He looked over towards the table where the Gryffindor's sat and found Neville. He was laughing at a joke that Seamus had just told. He looked happy and that made Micah happy.

Alek squeezed Micah's hand, drawing the Ravenclaw's attention back to him. "I think it's amazing that you're the kind of guy who keeps his promises. Just promise me you'll save me a dance at the ball."

Micah smiled back at Alek. "I promise."

Micah and Avery sat in the Ravenclaw common room. It was the night of the Yule Ball and they both were waiting for Luna. "Excited for the ball," Micah asked Avery.

Avery adjusted one of the sleeves of his grey dress robe. "I suppose," Avery said slowly. "I don't really like dancing, but Luna insisted that I go."

Micah laughed. "Luna can be very persuasive when she wants to be."

"Thank you, Micah." Luna walked down the steps that lead from the girl's dorms to the common room. "You both look great."

Micah and Avery stood to greet Luna. Micah wore black dress robes with a cornflower blue tie, shiny black shoes, and silver cufflinks in the shape of music notes. Avery wore light grey dress robes with a skinny purple tie and a pair of darker grey shoes. His cufflinks were shaped like birds.

Avery adjusted his tie. "Thanks," his lips formed into a thin smile.

Micah moved forward and bowed. "You look amazing, Miss Lovegood."

Luna giggled and curtseyed. She wore a light pink dress and a pair of sparkly silver high heels. Her hair fell in neat curls down her back. A violet colored shawl adorned her shoulders. Her outfit was completed by her radish earrings. "Thank you, Mister Quinn.:

"However, I think your outfit is missing something." Micah said slyly.

"Really?" Luna looked herself over. "Whatever do you mean?"

Micah pulled his wand from out of his robes and pointed it at Luna's wrist. "Something flowery." Sparks flew from Micah's wand and landed on Luna's wrist.

A purple ribbon wrapped itself around Luna's wrist, and then a pink carnation bloomed on top of the ribbon.

Luna smiled at the corsage. "It's beautiful, Micah." The blonde Ravenclaw kissed Micah on the cheek before taking his hand and pulling him over to Avery. "Shall we go?"

Micah and Avery nodded.

Luna grabbed Avery's hand. "I hope you don't mind, Micah, but I'm feeling terribly selfish. I'd like to have two dates this evening."

Avery met Micah's eyes and blushed.

"I don't mind at all, Luna." Micah smiled. "Let's go show everyone how Ravenclaws party."

Luna nodded. With one hand in Micah's and the other in Avery's, she pulled the two out of the Ravenclaw common room and down to the Yule Ball.

By the time the Ravenclaw trio reached the ball it was in full swing. The Triwizard champions had already finished their opening dance and now everyone was on the dance floor. The decorations were beautiful and made the Great Hall look like a winter wonderland.

Luna turned to Micah and smiled. "I'm going to take Avery out and get his feet wet on the dance floor. Save your first dance for me, okay?"

Micah smiled. "I'll wait for you two right over here," he assured her.

"We'll see you in a bit!" Luna took Avery's hand and dragged him onto the dance floor.

Avery looked back at Micah pleadingly.

Micah shrugged in a way that said even he was powerless against the whims of Luna Lovegood.

"Having fun?" A deep voice asked from behind Micah.

Micah turned to see Alek towering over him. "I'm having a ball," he answered.

"Very punny," Alek said with a laugh. "You look very good this evening, Mister Quinn." He said before bowing.

"Thank you, Mister Balakov." Micah bowed as well. "You look very handsome yourself," Micah looked Alek up and down.

Alek wore the same red dress robes as the other Durmstrang students. The color of the robes went well with his skin tone. He completed the outfit with a brown belt that matched the brown lacing of his robes and the brown boots he wore with them.

Alek smiled. He extended his hand to Micah. "May I have this dance?"

"Sorry. I promised my first dance to Luna, and she's still on the dance floor with Avery, her other date." Micah gestured over to the dance floor where Luna was waving her hands over her head while Avery danced nervously next to her.

"Well then, I suppose I'll just have to wait until after the Ball so I can have you to myself," Micah said slyly.

Micah gave Alek an admonishing look.

Alek smiled. "Not like that," he explained. "I have a surprise planned. Do you think you could sneak away an hour before the dance is over?"

Micah nodded. "That shouldn't be a problem," he answered.

Suddenly the band stopped playing music. All eyes turned towards the stage, where the band was being pushed off by a group of attractive females.

Micah nudged Alek. "Aren't those girls from Beauxbatons?"

"You're right," Alek replied. "I wonder what they're doing up there."

As if in answer, one of the girls took center stage. "Attention, attention everyone," she spoke with a heavy French accent. "Vee are the choir from Beauxbatons, the Sirens, and vee vould like to perform a song for you all dis evening."

"Quinn," Jessica Smith appeared behind Micah.

"Good evening, Jessica," Micah turned to the Hogwarts choir lead soloist. "Are you enjoying the ball?"

Jessica ran a hand through her straight black hair. "I was, until the Sirens stepped on stage." Jessica gestured to the girl who had taken center stage. "That's Cecile Gravois, the captain and lead soloist of the Sirens. I don't think I have to tell either of you that they're trying to win points by performing tonight." Jessica raised an eyebrow at Micah and Alek. Micah had informed Jessica that Alek knew of the Tri Choral competition.

Micah shrugged. "Of course, but we both expected that they'd perform eventually. That's the whole point of the competition."

Alek nodded in agreement.

Jessica sighed. "Still, this isn't good for either of our choirs. Think about it, with Durmstrang here the number of male students in the castle has increased significantly, which means that the Sirens have more people here in their target audience. Not only that, but the Beauxbatons students will be cheering for the Sirens especially hard, because they're from the same school." Jessica placed her hands on her hips. "This means trouble."

'How do you know that men are the Sirens' 'target audience'?" Micah inquired.

Jessica looked around to make sure that no one was in earshot. "I did some snooping and I found out that Cecile is half Veela. I have no doubt that their performance will play off of that to try and get all the boys in the Great Hall to go crazy for them."

Micah turned and examined Cecile. She was tall, almost as tall as Alek. She wore a pale blue dress with a slit up the side that showed off her long legs. Her blonde hair was tied into an intricate braid and rested on her back. Micah swallowed nervously as he came to the conclusion that Cecile would have no problem enticing any male who was attracted to women. While Micah was sizing up the competition, the rest of the Sirens took their positions behind Cecile.

"And now without further ado, allow us to perform for you," Cecile smiled.

Micah looked around and saw that her charm was already starting to have an affect on the guys around him. The girls looked furious as their dates openly eyed Cecile.

Cecile swayed in place, moving her hips seductively while singing some opening "oh's".

"Last Christmas I gave you my heart,
But the very next day you gave it away.
This year to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special."

Cecile sang in a beautiful soprano. The beat was fast and the Sirens behind Cecile swayed and twirled in rhythm. Cecile made her way around the stage, making flirtatious gestures all the while. Once she reached the end of the stage, she twirled and began walking in the opposite direction.

"Once bitten and twice shy.
I keep my distance, but you still catch my eye.
Tell me baby do you recognize me?
Well it's been a year it doesn't surprise me."

Cecile shrugged and pouted at the last line, which triggered catcalls from the audience. Many girls in the audience still looked angry, but even they couldn't deny that the Sirens were good.

"Happy Christmas.
I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying 'I love you' I meant it.
Now I know what a fool I've been,
But if you kissed me now I know you'd fool me again"

Cecile made her way to the center of the stage and blew a kiss to the audience. Jessica looked like she wanted to rip her own hair out. Micah patted his lead soloist's back consolingly.

"A face on a lover with a fire in his heart,
A man under cover, but
You tore me apart.

Ooooh,
Now I've found a real love you'll never fool me again."

Cecile batted her eyes, then, her movements became faster. She no longer moved in the slow and seductive manner she had towards the beginning of the song. Now her dance moves were fast and powerful. She sashayed forward, snapping her fingers to the beat. The other Sirens took this as a sign and leapt into the audience, each of them grabbing a boy and dancing around wildly. The audience erupted into applause as the entire room began dancing to the Sirens' performance.

"Last Christmas I gave you my heart,
But the very next day you gave it away.
This year to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone.
I'll give it to someone special."

Cecile was now the only one on stage. She closed her eyes and swayed seductively. Her voice was sultry as she finished the song. Once she sang the final note, she curtseyed, and the audience erupted into cheers and applause.

"I need something to drink," Jessica groaned and walked away.

"Don't stress out to much, Miss Smith!" Micah called after her.

Alek shook his head and chuckled. He turned to Micah to say something, but was interrupted when Luna and Avery danced over.

"Sorry, I need to borrow my date for a while." Luna said to Alek cheerfully. "Here, keep Avery busy while I dance with Micah. I'll come pick him up in a bit." Without saying another word, Luna deposited Avery, grabbed Micah, and dragged him off onto the dance floor.

"I'll come find you at eleven," Micah called over his shoulder as Luna pulled him away.

"I'll be waiting," he called back.

Once Micah and Luna were out of view, Alek looked over at Avery and nodded in greeting.

Avery smiled tightly before turning his attention to the decorations.

The rest of the night was a blur of dancing and laughing. Micah, Luna, and Avery danced together for the remainder of the night after Micah and Luna finished their first dance. At one point, Alek had managed to pull Micah away for a dance. Even Cedric looked like he was enjoying himself as he danced with Cho.

At eleven, Micah excused himself and left Luna and Avery. The Ravenclaw fourth year left the Great Hall and into the Entrance Hall where Alek had said they would meet.

When Micah got to the Entrance Hall, Alek stood expectantly in the center.

"I've been waiting for you, Mister Quinn," Alek smiled up at Micah as he made his way down the stairs.

Micah smiled back as he made his way down the stairs and over to Alek. "Hi," he reached out and took Alek's hand.

Alek looked down at their intertwined hands. "I have a surprise for you," he said, encouraged by Micah's show of affection. Alek lead Micah outside and walked him over to the Great Lake.

"What's the surprise?" Micah asked excitedly after they had been walking for a few minutes.

"You're not very patient, are you?" Alek smirked. "It's right over here near the lake. Look."

Micah looked up and saw large wooden carriage by the lake. The carriage's seat was covered in plush looking red fabric. "It's brilliant," Micah breathed.

Alek looked down at Micah. "I figured its lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you."

Micah shook his head and laughed. He ran over to the carriage and leapt up into the seat. "Come on, hurry up!"

Alek chuckled. He fastened his pace and made it over to the carriage. "I'm glad you're excited," he said happily.

Micah bit his lip and turned away. "You can't tell anyone that I freaked out over a carriage ride, okay?"

Alek laughed. "Deal."

Micah looked down at the carriage and noticed that there were no horses attached to the carriage. "How is this carriage going to move without anything pulling it?" He asked.

"It's enchanted," Alek explained. "I'm no good at charms like that," he admitted, "so I got some of the other Skylarks to help out."

Micah smiled. "The Locomotor charm," Micah nodded. "It's pretty advanced. I learned it earlier this year."

"I love it when you talk about charms," Alek took Micah's hand in his. "Let's get this date started, shall we?" Alek pulled out his wand and waved it in the air. "Piertotum Locomotor" energy pulsed from his wand and fell over the carriage like falling snow. The sleigh lurched forward and began to drive itself around the Great Lake.

"This is amazing," Micah looked over at Alek and smiled. He shivered slightly as snow began to fall from the sky.

Alek moved closer to Micah and hesitantly put his arm around his shoulder.

Micah closed his eyes and placed his head on Alek's shoulder. "Jessica is going to kill me if I don't start earning points for the Frog Choir," he said thinking back to the Sirens' performance earlier.

Alek gently squeezed Micah's shoulder. "So why don't we do a little singing now?"

Micah looked up at and met Alek's eyes. "I know just the song," Micah smiled and began to sing in his beautiful tenor.

"Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting-tingling, too.
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling, 'Yoo-hoo!'
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you."

Alek smiled broadly and picked up the next verse in his rich baritone.

"Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy-cozy are we.
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be.
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two.
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you."

Alek put his arm around Micah and pulled him close. Micah laughed and took Alek's hand. The two began to sing together, their two voices blending together and created a unique harmony.

"Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy-cozy are we.
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be.
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two.
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you."

By the time the two finished singing, there carriage had finished its trip around the Great Lake.

"That was so much fun," Micah laughed. "Thanks for the great time."

Alek smiled back at Micah. "It was no problem at all," he replied.

The bell tower chimed, signaling midnight. Micah and Alek sat alone as the snow fell around them. The two sat closely together as they looked up at the beautiful lights of the castle.

"Merry Christmas, Alek Balakov." Micah stared deeply into Alek's eyes.

Alek's eyes smoldered as looked back at Micah. "Merry Christmas, Micah Quinn." Alek looked up and swallowed hard.

"What is it?" Micah followed Alek's gaze and saw a green plant floating magically above them.

Alek smiled nervously. "Mistletoe," he watched Micah's face for a sign to continue.

Micah smiled and shook his head. "Just kiss me alrea—"

Alek grabbed Micah's face and pulled him into a deep kiss. Micah closed his eyes and grabbed the front of Alek's robes. The two broke apart and looked at each other. They both breathed heavily as they looked into each other's eyes passionately.

Micah smiled and grabbed Alek's hand. "Best Christmas ever." Micah grabbed the front of Alek's robes and pulled him towards him. Their lips found each other and the two continued to kiss while the chime of bells echoed throughout the grounds.