When they woke up, Theo's arm was around Arik and she was cuddling with him. Springing up Arik smoothed out her skirt and looked outside.

"We're here."

As they exited the train Theo and Arik walked to the awaiting carriages. Theo held his hand out as Arik grabbed it and got in with Theo following right after her. The ride up to the castle wasn't as awkward as Arik would have thought. That was until Theo spoke.

"So... do I make a good pillow?"

Blushing Arik looked over at him, "I'm sorry about that... I'm not really sure how I ended up cuddled around you."

"Hey you don't have to be sorry, I really didn't mind." Theo said laughing.

"Wasn't it awkward though? I mean we don't really now each other and here I am trying to cuddle on you."

"Like I said I didn't mind, I just figured it was something a friend would do, anyway we're going to have to do a lot more than that once we're married, remember?"

Giggling, Arik nodded, "How did your mother put it? Oh, right we have to consummate the marriage."

Laughing Theo pulled her closer to his side, "So, in retrospect, a little cuddling can't hurt anything."

Snuggling into him a bit before moving back over, Arik sighed, "I suppose not."

The trip to the castle really didn't take that long, and before Arik knew it, they were staring at the giant castle.

As she and Theo got out of the carriage, they walked side by side talking about what the coming year might bring.

"Maybe we'll be having more free time to study!" Arik said smiling.

"Yeah right, like most of the kids would study." Theo laughed.

"I would study." Arik mumbled.

"I know you would. Because you're a nerd." Theo replied giving her a one-armed hug.

"I'm not a nerd! I just don't want to fail a class." Arik said defensively.

"Because you're a nerd." Theo stated matter of factly.

Arik growled at him and mumbled under her breath.

As they both reached the doors to the Great Hall, they said their goodbyes and went to their respective tables.

As Arik reached the Ravenclaw table she sat off to the side of everyone. She hadn't made many friends, and felt like she had no real best friend. he preferred studying over the gossip mongers. Looking over at the Slytherin table, she felt a pang of jealousy as she watched Theo laugh at something a friend had said. She regretted not having friendly relations with people, but whenever she tried, the boys usually wanted to get too friendly, and the girls only wanted to gossip.

Across the hall Theo was laughing with his friends when he felt someone looking at him, taking a quick glance around, he saw the green eyes of Arik carefully watching him. He turned back towards his friends wondering why she would be watching him.

At the front of the Great Hall, Professor McGonagal cleared her throat and waited for the chatter to stop. She announced the class of first years as they came up and were sorted, a handful to each house, then she started on her speech.

"Students, I understand that for many of you it may be hard to be here again. After what happened last year, I am glad that so many of you chose to return. I know how hard it must have been for some of you," her eyes flickered to the Golden Trio and over to Malfoy, "But I am glad that many of you have decided to continue your education.

Now, There are going to be a few changes this year. Firstly, all seventh year students will have a required class they are to take. As you know, there were many lives lost during the battle. This class will help you understand better, but this is all I am going to say about it. You will figure everything out tomorrow."

As the headmistress continued, there was a murmur running through the older students. The headmistress waited patiently for the buzz to die down before she wrapped up her speech.

"Also, I would like to remind the first years that the Forbidden Forest is exactly that, forbidden. Also, Hogsmead trips will still be going on this year.

Now, as Professor Dumbledore would say, Let the feast begin!"

With that the plates on the table filled and the first years gave a quite audible gasp. The ghost started flying in and suddenly, Arik's owl was sitting in front of her.

As Arik retrieved the letter, she fed her owl a bit of her roll before she flew opening the envelope she unfolded the letter and read the words.

Ms. Williams,

Please meet your fiancee and I in my office, I believe we have a few things to discuss. Please come right after dinner. I will be waiting.

Professor M.

P.S. It's Sugar Quills.

Sighing, Arik looked over at Thoe seeing that he had also received a very similar letter. As he looked up, his eyes met Arik's and they both nodded.

After dinner, Arik and Theo met up at the base of the grand staircase.

"What do you think it's about?" Theo asked nervously looking around.

"Oh, I'm sure it's nothing, just needing to tell us about our room or something." Arik replied.

They walked a bit in silence until they reached the gargoyle.

"Password?" It drawled out.

"Sugar Quills." Arik said not a second later.

They both ascended the stairs and found themselves at the headmistresses door. Theo knocked and they heard the woman inside say, "Come in."

Pushing open the door, Theo waited until Arik was inside before he entered, pulling the door shut behind him. Arik was already siiting waiting for whatever was to come as Theo sat beside her, looking at their Headmistress.

Sighing Professor McGonogal looked at the two of them, of course she was privy to the enagement information.

"Well, I called you both up here because we needed to discuss your living arrangements, but, we also need to discuss the clas that you both will be starting tomorrow. I believe the two of you will benefit from it the most."