"I hear you are going to Hogsmeade with Potter this weekend." Severinn's head shot up as she stared at Snape in surprise.

"How do you know about that?" She said, her hands never missing a turn in the potion she was making.

"All of Hogwarts knows about it. You and Potter are creating quite a stir. It has never been heard of before, a Gryffindor going out with a Slytherin."

"We are not dating!" Severinn exclaimed indignantly.

"Oh and what do you call it?'

"Going for some fun with friends."

I didn't see Granger or Weasley with him as he asked you." It was fun for Snape to watch his daughter's cheeks turn pink.

"They were eating!"

"So was he." What more could she say in protest?

"What are you making?"

"Wolfs Bane."

"Wolfs Bane?" Severinn said, her eyesbrows raised in skepticism.

"Yes. Not that it is any of your business, but an old school college of mine is a werewolf."

"Remus Lupin?"

"How did you know that?" Severus said in surprise. "No, don't answer that. Potter, am I correct?"

"No, Draco. Have you already forgotten that you announced the Professor's condition to the whole student body?" Rinn held back a laugh as she watched her father's ears turn a slight shade of pink.

"Insolent brat." He muttered and blew out the flame under his cauldron.

The sun shone brightly that Saturday and its rays falling across his face woke Harry up that morning. Blurry-eyed, Harry felt for his glasses and finding them, he put them on. Glancing at his watch, he discovered that he had woken up an hour and a half too early. "Perfect day for a bit of flying he thought.

Dressing silently, Harry then made his way down the stairs, through the portrait, down the halls and out to the Quidditch pitch. Broom resting over his shoulders, he strode over the green grass, revering the feeling of the dew trickling between his toes. (Harry's secret passion is flying barefoot, don't ask me why, I have never claimed to understand the way a male's mind works).

"Hey Potter! What are you doing up so early?" Harry swiveled around quickly to find Draco coming onto the pitch behind him. Unlike Harry, who wore very little, Draco had dawned his team robes.

"I had the need to feel the wind beneath me. "Harry replied easily. "What brings you out here instead of staying in warmth?"

"The same. Being around those two clogs is starting to really bite and the atmosphere in the dungeons is so thick you could cut it with a knife." Draco said sullenly.

"Two clogs? You mean Crabbe and Goyle?"

"I certainly do not mean Severinn and Blaise!"

"I figured." A silence settled upon them. Not quite unsettling, but also not companionable. "Say, Draco, what would you say to a game of one on one?"

"You're on."

The entire Great Hall seemed to look up, startled, as two boys entered. The two boys were as different as night and day. One short and dark while the other tall and light. Yet both surprised the student body as they were seen together, laughing at some private joke.

"I am delighted to see that Mr. Potter and his colleague Mr. Malfoy decided to join us." Professor Dumbledore said as he stood before his traditional seat. "Now, if you two would sit, I will make my announcement." Both boys, with stiff shoulders and straight backs, walked to their respective houses and began filling their plates with breakfast. "As you all know, this Saturday a trip to Hogsmeade has been planned. No, I have not decided to cancel it. I wanted to warn you that this will be the last weekend before Christmas and it should be taken advantage of. For this year, we are restarting the Hogwarts tradition of an annual Yule Ball."

Harry looked up sharply at Draco and, while glaring fiercely, shook his head in the negative. In reply, Draco just raised an elegant eyebrow and smirked.

Around him, Harry's friends watched this exchange and were puzzled as to its meaning. Lately, Harry had become more and more quiet, his words having hidden meanings and his actions, especially where a certain Slytherin was concerned, were noteworthy, as they became more and more thought-out. Hermione decided that Harry was growing up, while Ron insisted, there was something more to it. Come on! Arguing and making peace with his fiercest rival over a Slytherin!