Norah was first to the Entrance hall the next night. As she waited in Tom's usual placement a thousand thoughts flooded her head. She couldn't keep them straight, but one thing she was sure of: they were all about him.

"Good evening, Norah," Tom greeted her as he entered the hall from the dungeons. His stride was long and graceful; Norah noticed how his tall stature and pale face were shadowed as he glided forward.

"Evening," she replied sheepishly. She was surprised at herself; since when had she become so shy?

"Shall we begin our patrol?"

Norah stared at his shadowed countenance. The same cold eyes looked back at her, the same curious eyebrows arched in confusion, though there was nothing confusing about this situation.

"Yes, I suppose," Norah said after a seconds contemplation. "Would you like to take the bottom tonight, Tom?"

An impish grin played across his lips. "Actually, I was hoping we could patrol together tonight."

Norah's eyes narrowed, searching his face for an answer to his abrupt change of heart. Tom chuckled slightly as her eyes looked over him curiously.

"Don't worry, I will behave myself as promised," Tom winked in a playful way. It made Norah feel suspicious and comforted at the same time.

They turned at the same time and continued up the lonely staircase. Their footsteps echoed tonight as they had the night before, though these reverberations were not as ominous as before; they soothed Norah as her and Tom continued side by side up the empty halls.

When they reached the top floor Tom sighed. "Er, the weather was very beautiful today, was it not?"

Norah gave him a sideways glance. He stared up at the ceiling as they walked, his face scrunched up in thought. She laughed. "Are you trying to make small talk, Tom?"

"I'm not very good at it am I?"

"Not really," Norah teased. She turned her head toward him. He stared back with the same mischievous smile on. "And, uh, yes, the weather was beautiful."

They walked on in silence again. Tom abruptly broke out in laughter as they rounded the corner.

"What?" Norah was confused; they hadn't said anything.

"We're definitely not good at starting a conversation."

They laughed together in unison. The tenor of Tom's voice and the soprano of Norah's seemed to harmonize as they echoed around the hall; the sound gave Norah goose bumps.

"Well, you just have to find a good topic," Norah pointed out. "Hmm, well, what were you thinking of doing after Hogwarts, Tom?"

Tom's brow furrowed as he contemplated the question. "I have asked myself the same question countless times, and truthfully I cannot answer it. I find there to be nothing, no job or adventure, that I have truly set my heart on pursuing," he sighed. Tom turned to her with a look of interest. "And how about yourself? Where do you see yourself in a couple years?"

Norah had her answer ready. "Well, I was hoping to get a job working at the Ministry; the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. My father works there and said he would be able to secure a position for me when I left Hogwarts," she said. Norah's eyes glazed over as she talked, her mind far off, dreaming. "Then I was hoping to work my way up: Junior Assistant to the Minister, Senior Assistant, and finally Minister of Magic."

She was unaware of Tom staring as she imagined her future. "So, you hope to work at the Ministry. Hmm."

"What, what's wrong with that?"

Tom sighed and looked out the window. "Nothing. It's just that I always thought there were bigger and better things for people like us."

Norah followed his gaze across the Black Lake; the full moon reflected in the calm, dark waters. "People like us…what does that mean?"

Tom turned away from the window and looked her in the eyes. "You and I…we're, well different. We're both exceptionally gifted, we have top grades and we're most likely to become Head Boy and Girl." Tom looked at his hands now as he twirled his wand between his fingers. "Haven't you ever wanted something more than the usual 'going to work at the Ministry'? Every other great mind before us has gone down that path. Wouldn't you want something different, something more?"

Norah thought about this for a moment. It was true; everyone seemed to go into the Ministry. But it was the best chance for success. What else was there?

"I guess you're right, Tom, but what else is there for us? Nothing really."

Tom sighed. "That is the same problem I have faced for awhile now."

They came to a doorway that led to a separate corridor. As Tom opened the door for Norah she didn't see the thin silk web weaved across the threshold. She walked right into it, the threads became caught in her hair and over her skin.

"Oh, disgusting!"

She frantically brushed the web from her face and arms. The sticky strands stuck to her and the feat was pointless.

"Let me help you," Tom said gently as he reached for her in the darkness.

Norah stood still as his nimble fingers brushed against her arms, her face, her hair. His touch was soft, subtle. He worked slowly, pulling the silk threads from her golden hair, from her smooth skin. Norah was strangely upset when he lowered his hands, finished.

"There," Tom whispered.

They stood for a minute in the dark passageway. Neither felt awkward, but both sensed the stale tension in the air. Without looking away from Norah's eyes, Tom raised his wand and lit it as they turned simultaneously and continued down the hall.

It was just as they turned the first corner that Norah smiled slightly to herself. She had realized that Tom could've just as easily used his wand to remove the thin strands.