I wandered through Hogsmeade the next day, an hour early for the get together at the Three Broomsticks. The little village famous for the coming and going of Hogwarts students was oddly quiet: I was used to it buzzing with activity during the student body's visit. This was my first time there during the school holidays and it had a totally different feel to it, not the usual excitement, more of a relaxed, sleepy village. I noticed that quite a few of the little boutiques that lined the streets were in fact closed, whether it be because it was a national holiday or because they weren't getting quite as many customers in them.

I checked my watch and decided I still had time to go along to Shrieking Shack before heading over to the Three Broomsticks. On the walk over to the legendary haunted house, I came across no one and that just added to the peaceful outlook of the scenery. There was snow on the ground, I presumed Scotland had some snow unlike down south, but there wasn't any footprints and I felt slightly guilty to be the one to ruin the undisturbed blanket of white. But nonetheless, I trekked along where the path would have been had it not been covered by inches of snow.

The legendary Shrieking Shack was like a ink splatter on a pearly white painting, contrasting deeply with the ground and clouded sky. The lack of colours made the haunted house beautiful in its' own way. I'd heard that the Shack was impossible to enter, freaky, huh? And when the moon is full, howls are heard from within, people say it's the ghost but I've tried searching up which family used to live there in the Library, but I couldn't find anything, which bugged me a lot.

I stood there for another ten minutes longer until I could feel the freezing air creeping into my gloves, up my sleeves and under my woolly hat. I hadn't worn the scarf that Lizzie had gotten me from fear of losing it (which she had pointed out to being foolish, now I had to agree with her...).

I began my journey back towards the village only stepping in the footsteps I had made on my quest out there, getting my feet tangled up. I feel over completely and thudded on the ground causing my mission, to not disrupt any more snow than I'd already had, completely pointless. Once I was back on my feet, I carried on walking, normally this time, occasionally stopping to catch on my tongue a couple of the snowflakes that had fluttered down from the sky.

The closer I got to the village the more people I saw until I approached the little packed pub and I had to dodge several people at the entrance who had decided to reunite, wishing each other good tidings and wishes for the New Year right outside of the door to the Three Broomsticks.

Stepping into the pub, I inhaled the festive scent of cinnamon and the comforting smell of cakes baking. I welcomed the warmth enveloping the room from the large open fire on the far side of the room. I spotted an empty table in the far corner that was lit only by the flames that danced in the fireplace. Not being able to resist myself, I wound my way through the tightly packed room towards the table and plopped my body down onto the cushioned seat.

"An order, miss?" The young blonde waitress inquired, quill at the ready on her notebook.

"A hot chocolate, please." I replied as I shrugged out my coat and removed my hat and gloves.

Several minutes later, my drink was placed down in front of me quickly by a completely different waitress than the one who'd taken my order, then she hurried off before I even had chance to say 'thank you'. I glanced down at my watch and saw that I still had 15 minutes until we were due to meet. Perhaps someone would be smart enough to arrive early... I thought. Just then the bell over the door sounded out and I heard the unmistakable noise of someone tapping off the snow on their feet on the mat provided that helpfully stated 'Welcome' (I'd never understood that, how the mat that you wipe your feet on says 'Welcome', who is it saying welcome to? Your feet?). I half got out of my seat so that I could see over the heads of all the customers in the room and saw that the person who had just walked in, alone, was either a woman or a small man (I was betting on the first) by the look of the figure in the long dark travelling cloak. Deciding it wasn't one of the three people I was waiting for, I sat down again and took a sip from the mug in front of me. Instantly, I regretted it. The liquid was absolutely scorching hot and I ended up spitting it back into the mug. After swiping across my mouth with the provided napkin, I glanced around at the people closest to me discreetly, trying to figure out whether or not they had seen my little circus trick. I guessed not as no one was looking at me a) disgusted b) annoyed or c) amused. And most importantly, no one was changing tables to get away from the spitting girl. Not that I did it on purpose!

So with a burned tongue (which really odd, you know like it's completely numb, ever got that feeling?), a blushing face and a damaged pride, I decided to count the rocks above the fireplace whilst playing with the locket that dangled around my neck. After getting bored of that, I started counting the beams and what felt like 3 hours later, the bell over the door rang again, not once but three times. I stood up this time, positive that it was Sav, Draco and Jack, which it was. I ignored the fact that were already all together and in a funny conversation by the looks of it. I caught Sav's eyes and she lead the other two towards my secluded table.

"Heya, Millie May!" She exclaimed whilst she was still ten feet away from where I was causing me to put my head down to hide my blush as several people turned to stare at Sav, then turned their heads in my direction when they made the link that I was 'Millie May'.

I didn't see the hug coming because my hair was still hiding my face so when it did come, I was almost knocked backwards. I wiggled my arms out from the tight embrace and hugged Sav back. After a minute, we released each other and I looked behind her at Jack and Draco; Jack came up and gave me brotherly hug and quickly went to get the seat next to Sav and I was left facing Draco.

He had never looked so boyish to me except going back perhaps in first year: he had on a green hat that covered his ears and he'd pulled it down to just above his eyebrows, that were the same colour as the small part of his fringe that was poking out from under his hat and was covering his left eye slightly. His cheeks and the end of his nose were glowing red in sharp contrast with his alabaster skin and his lips were red and kissable. What changed this image from sweet and innocent to bad boy were his eyes that no matter what he was doing all made you think that he was up to no good. The silver orbs were now looking at me and the lips were now tipped up in a half smile that I'm sure if I tried, I'd look like I had a twitch whilst I was grimacing.

"Hello." He said softly. I smiled at him and pulled him into a hug which he returned (thank Merlin, ever hugged someone and they didn't respond, they just stood there, arms hanging, like a statue? It's awful because you feel kinda...stupid.).

After we'd separated and joined Sav and Jack back at the table, Jack and Draco went to get drinks leaving Sav and I to have a 'girly catch up' as Jack had put it.

"Did you see Jack during the holidays?" I asked her before cautiously taking another sip of hot chocolate only to find out that it was still just as hot as it was the last time I tried, but this time I managed not to spit out again.

"No, his parents decided last minute to go off to Spain, in their holiday home." She replied, gazing off at Jack.

"Shame that, you really like him don't you?" I asked, smiling at the adoration in her eyes as she stared at Jack.

"Well, yeah, he's so funny and smart and good-looking..."

I thought back to the day when I'd asked a similar question before, the last time we were at the Three Broomsticks together.

Savvie seemed to be lost in her thoughts, so allowed myself to do the same.

FLASHBACK

"How is it with Jack though? Are you just going to the Ball together or is it like the start of a relationship, do you think?"

"I hope that it will develop into something more because, even if I haven't been here very long, I think he's a really nice guy. He's someone who is good for me and the kind of guy I would like to end up being with." She answered and a slight flush appeared on her cheeks.

"Hmm, deep." I noted. They were a good couple and he was a nice guy. After the obvious I'm-sorry-I-don't-know-your-name conversation, he didn't forget my name, he occasionally hung out with us. He was really cheerful and always made me laugh, which was nice.

BACK TO PRESENT

"Maya?" Sav called, breaking me out of my thoughts. I snapped my head towards her vulnerable voice; her eyes were wide and she was chewing on her bottom.

"Yeah?" I asked softly in response to her voice.

"What do you think is going to happen?" She asked so quietly that I almost missed it, it didn't help that she was looking down at the table to confirm that she did in fact say what she did. It seemed an odd question.

"With what?" I asked, not quite on her drift yet.

"The War."

"Oh." I breathed. It was true though, it had been a subject that had been on my mind for quite a lot recently. More and more names were appearing in the papers, often the surnames were ones that I recognised. Sometimes, I even saw Dumbledore come into the Great Hall during breakfast, then lead a pale faced student out again. Also, I noticed that whenever you walked past Harry and his two friends, Ron and Hermione, they always seemed to have a tension around them that was so thick that you could cut it with a knife, or their faces were grim. But actually, lately, I hadn't seen Ron and Hermione hang out together, they normally always hang out together; I wonder why?

But back on the subject of the war, it was extremely frightening. I feared that one day, it would be a member of my family, like Rick, who was training to be an Auror. Or even the muggle side of my family, because even though they annoyed me, I don't want them hurt... or worse.

"I don't know, Sav, but I hope it's over soon."

We stopped our depressing conversation when the boys came back over with drinks. I quickly gulped down my now luke-warm hot chocolate so I could make space for the butterbeer that Draco had got me.

"Sorry we took so long, it's really busy up there." Jack told us as he settled down into the space next to Sav, leaving Draco the seat next to me.

Before Draco had chance to sit down, I put my hand on his forearm, stopping him. He looked at me quizzically.

"Could I just talk to you outside for a minute?" I asked, getting up once he'd nodded. "We'll be back in a minute." I told Sav and Jack.

We weaved our way through the crowd again and once we were out the door, I didn't stop. I carried on through the village until we got to the spot I had been standing at, in front the Shrieking Shack, before the others arrived. I couldn't see Draco's expression as he was walking a foot behind me, letting me lead the way.

It was only when we got to the spot where my previous footprints stopped, that I turned to look at him. He seemed to be in deep thoughts and had some curiousity touching his brow.

"Thank you." I said after taking a deep breath and clearing my throat to catch his attention.

"What for?" He asked, confusion more prominent in his features than curiousity now.

I pulled out the locket from inside my winter jacket showing him it. But I was a bit confused as to him not actually knowing 'what for' already. I noticed his eyes widening.

"Where did you get that?" He demanded harshly.

"Y-you sent it to me, remember?" I stuttered, slightly taken aback at his fierce tone.

"No, I don't. When did I send that?" He questioned, no longer sounding angry, but more worried.

"On Christmas Day, you even sent a note with it." I said, pulling the note out of my pocket, showing it to him. I was kinda peeved with him pretending not remembering sending it. Did it really mean so little to him? He reached out and smoothed his fingertip over the jewel in the centre. He pulled back as if it had burned him.

"Maya, could I have it back?" He asked hesitantly.

"But it was present, Draco..." I whispered, trying to mask the hurt in my voice. I failed. His eyes softened and he stepped away from me. He leaned on the fence beside, staring out towards the Shrieking Shack. Why did he want it back anyway? Did he regret giving it to me?

We stood there for about five minutes before Draco looked at me again. But when he did, his expression when from giving in to panic in a second.

"MAYA, GET IT OFF!" He shouted making me jump.

"What?" I answered stupidly. He rushed towards me, his hands going to my neck. For a fleeting moment, I thought that he was going to kiss me, then another second later, I thought he was going to strangle me. His cold hands were frantic at my neck, but I couldn't understand or see what he was doing.

"Draco, what is it?" I asked exasperated.

"The necklace is tightening!" He exclaimed, still concentrating on my neck.

"What?" I said again stupidly. I raised my hand to my chest where the locket should be hanging, only to find it gone. I raised my slightly more and a bit more until I found the locket again. It was up by my collarbone! I pulled at it, thinking that it might be caught up with my hair or something, but it wouldn't budge. Istarted panicking: perhaps it was tightening!

"Draco, get it off of me!" I screeched, really starting to get worried now.

"I'm trying! Where is the fastening?"

"There wasn't one! I just draped it over my head!" I cried trying to get it up over my chin to pull it off, but by that time, it was at choker necklace length. Draco pulled his wand out of his pocket and aimed it at the still tightening chain.

"Solvo!"

Nothing happened.

"Amitto!"

Nothing happened.

"Adveho divello!"

Still nothing happened.

The necklace was feeling really tight now, but I was still able to get my fingers underneath the chain to separate the silver from my skin.

Draco started off with charms again, but these I didn't recognise. I think they were dark magic, but I didn't say anything as he was only using them to help me. Really, to save my life.

Black dots started to invade my vision and the chain was so tight on my fingers, I had to pull them out from fear of them snapping off. My eyes began watering, I was gasping for breath, my fingers were numb from lack of blood and all I could think was:

Here we go again.

This was the second time something very dramatic had happened in my life, funny how it was within 6 months: within the time that I knew a certain person.

The certain person who was now, fumbling around with the chain at my neck once again: I would've complained about his fingers being freezing, but I couldn't. My head was pounding from lack of oxygen and my knees were weak, causing me to drop to the ground. Draco caught me though, but still laid my down on the floor. He wiped the tears from his eyes and I noticed a new fierce determination within them. He picked up his wand once again, pointing it at my neck.

"LICENTIA SUNUS!"

A bright light blinded me and the last thing I heard was:

"It's alright, you're going to be alright...".

Then everything went black.