AN: For readers of this story who are interested in more stories involving Padma, Terry, Michael and Anthony, and their fellow Class of 1998 Ravenclaws, I've also published Justice, which centers around Anthony and Lisa Turpin, and What Could Have Been, exploring the lives of the Ravenclaws after the War, and also in a universe where the War never happened.

A possible upcoming story from me may be one in which Michael and a reluctant Anthony try to get Terry drunk.

'It is unwise to be outside in such cold weather without a winter cloak, Pad.'

Terry handed her the black bundle that he had been carrying.

Padma swung it over her shoulders, fastening the clasp.

'And before you ask, Pad, I don't know how to get into the girls' dorms, but I do know how to do a Summoning Charm.'

'Thanks, Terry. I guess I didn't think I'd be out here very long...or perhaps I just forgot.'

Terry locked eyes with her.

'You have something on your mind.'

She nodded.

'My parents still aren't pleased that Vati and I came back this year, and...well, I could tell they weren't too happy when we got on the train after Christmas.'

'Hogwarts is the safest place for anyone at the moment. Not to mention, your education is extremely important.'

They heard a familiar voice behind them.

'And you'd miss us too much if you didn't return!'

Michael grinned at her.

Padma smiled wanly back.

Anthony brushed snow off his hat.

'I wouldn't miss you. At least, I wouldn't miss you throwing snowballs at me!'

Michael responded by hitting him with another one.

Anthony grabbed a handful of snow, hurled it at Michael...and missed.

Terry swept the snow off his shoulder in the most dignified way possible.

Padma clamped a hand over her mouth, trying to stop herself from laughing.

'I...I'm so sorry, Tony, Terry...but it's kind of funny...'

'Kind of funny, Pad? It's hilarious!'

Michael was shaking with mirth.

Anthony threw another snowball.

And this time, he didn't miss.

As soon as Michael had spat out the snow, Anthony's hat was knocked off by a particularly well-aimed mass.

'Mike! Ooof...that hurt!'

'Merlin, Tony! I didn't even throw...ouch!'

'You little...'

'Yowch!'

'Ugh...the snow tastes a little odd...'

'Ow! I'm going to get you back for that one...'

'Get me back? You started it!'

'No, I didn't! You did!'

Soon, the air was thick with flying clumps of snow.

Terry and Padma stood on the sidelines, occasionally dodging a stray snowball, or brushing the remnants of a poorly-aimed missile off themselves.

'Mike and Tony are being terribly immature today, aren't they?'

Terry nodded.

'They are. I believe they need to let off some steam. Mike was beside himself when you didn't return to the Common Room as you said you would.'

Padma looked at him quizzically.

'But he didn't seem worried at all just then...'

'You were standing on a hill of sorts. We could see you from quite a distance away. Besides, Mike has the attention span of a Pixie.'

She smiled.

'True. But I'm sorry for any worry I caused you all...'

'Don't be. Even if you had returned, Mike's imagination would have come up with another far-fetched tale anyway. He was quite convinced that you'd been kidnapped. Or eaten by a Chimera.'

Padma shook her head.

'Really?'

'You know I don't lie.'

'True.'

They both stepped to the side to avoid a snowball.

'Terry?'

'Yes, Pad?'

'Would you think poorly of me if I joined in?'

'No, provided that you don't think less of me for hurling a snowball at Mike.'

'Ow! Terry!'

'You deserved it. Besides, it was rather satisfying.'

Michael glared at Terry.

Yet another snowball struck Michael in the back of the head, covering his dark hair in a fine white powder.

He turned around quickly.

'Tony, that's absolutely the last...Pad?'

The Indian girl stood behind him, smiling sheepishly.

A moment later, the smile disappeared as she ducked to avoid an onslaught of snowballs.

'That...that was the most fun I've had in quite a while, I think.'

Michael grinned, and slung his left arm over Anthony's shoulders and his right arm over Padma's.

'See, Pad? You've got to let loose once in a while. Be immature and childish.'

Terry nodded.

'It is good for one's wellbeing to just let go, sometimes, and act without inhibition.'

'Yeah, yeah, but the most important thing is to have fun, Terry.'

'Mike, that's not-'

'-You're in denial. Just look at your face right now. You're in denial.'

'Mike, I cannot look at my own face. I don't have a mirror with me.'

'See, you're in denial! You're changing the subject!'

Terry simply took out his wand and muttered an incantation.

Padma looked quizzically at him.

'I've never heard that spell before, Terry. Is it one you invented?'

'Modified Selective Hearing Charm. Possibly my most useful creation.'

Anthony sighed.

'Mike, we've had this conversation before. Terry's not in denial. He never is.'

'He's in denial, Tony! I know it!'

'That's what you said last time, and the time before that, and the time before that, and so on and so forth. And you were wrong. Every time.'

'Well, yeah, but I'm right this time-'

'-No, you're not.'

'Yes, I am!'

Padma sighed.

'Terry, would you mind teaching me that Selective Hearing Charm?'