The sun was setting slowly as students hustled back to the gate, they all smiling in passing at Professor Flitwick and David as they attempted to beat the clock. The official curfew was drawing close as the last student arrived in a near run panting and holding their breath. Finally, Professor Flitwick withdrew his parchment and turned to David softly as his pocket watch struck 9:30p.

"Mr. Luke, how many this time do you suspect?"

"I'll guess about twenty students, mostly older years," he smirked seeing the first one arrive. Lighting his wand, he directed the first few students to Professor Flitwick who frowned at his direction. They argued that they were not late, but David had to refrain from docking points here as he knew the rules for tardiness from Hogsmeade; he only hoped that no Slytherin were severely docked.

"Get in line everyone. Tell Professor Flitwick your name when you get to him!" he instructed the large group that had arrived. It was just five minutes pass when in the distance he spotted Black and Emily walking closely, appearing in deep conversation. Emily had her arm wrapped around his waist, as his arm was around her shoulders, both smiling brightly in the twilight above them. They seemed to recognize the line forming before taking a stand near the end. More students joined behind them as they separated their bodies simply standing extremely close as the wind picked up.

David couldn't hide his frustration as he watched beyond the other students surrounding them. He recalled that one time in the library recently when he accidentally walked by hearing some rustling in the far corner. Thinking he heard her voice, he had turned, seeing the two in deep embrace against the bookshelf. Black's hands were firmly holding her in place as they had shared several kisses in the library that evening. He had grabbed his bag and rushed all the way to the Slytherin common room, slamming the door in anger, nearly breaking it. Every time they were near one another, a pang of jealousy and anger shot through him.

What is she doing with him? he thought to himself, his fists clenched around his wand, the firm wood pressing in the palm of his hand. Feeling the heat of his anger rise, he motioned for the next pair of students to return to the castle in hurried steps.

"Names?" repeated Professor Flitwick as only five people separated the pair from him.

As the minutes stretched on, David's mind raced with thoughts of betrayal and hurt. He had grown to care deeply for Emily, and the thought of her showing interest in someone else cut him to the core. He had never felt this way about anyone before, and the idea of losing her to Black was unbearable. But as he watched them approach, he couldn't deny the connection he saw between them. They laughed together; their easy camaraderie evident even from a distance. David felt a stab of pain in his chest, wondering if he had misread Emily's feelings all along. As the last student reported to Professor Flitwick, David couldn't bring himself to meet Emily's eyes. He turned away, feeling the weight of his unspoken feelings pressing down on him. What was he supposed to do now? How could he confront his own emotions and the possibility of losing the one person he cared about most in the world?

As they approached Professor Flitwick, David's frowned deeply as he watched them exchange words with the professor. His eyes narrowed as he noticed the closeness between Black and Emily, a pain of jealousy flaring up within him.

"Names?" asked Professor Flitwick, holding up the long sheet of parchment paper. David wore a scowl on his face, clearly remembering back to that morning's fight.

"Sirius Black and Emily Potter," said Black resisting the urge to look at David.

"You are past curfew by fifteen minutes," commented Professor Flitwick, looking at his pocket watch. "For the number of minutes late, those points are deducted. Please be aware of that for next time. Fifteen points from Gryffindor, Mr. Black."

There was a firmness in Professor Flitwicks's tone, but he sighed softly as he eyed Emily.

"However, Miss Potter, did you have prefect duties today in the village?" inquired Professor Flitwick after writing Black's name first.

Emily shook her head as she piped out, "I didn't Professor. I was told my duties would fall within November's allowed visits."

"In that case, you too will have those same points deducted. Please be mindful of that for next time. Off you both go."

The pair exchanged a quick look before nodding and walking past David toward the castle finally. He couldn't tear his gaze away from them. His fists clenched at his wand, a mix of frustration and longing swirling within him. He watched as Black whispered something in Emily's ear, causing her to giggle and playfully swat him on the arm. David's jaw tightened as he struggled to contain his emotions, feeling like an outsider looking in on their world of inside jokes and shared laughter. The sight of Emily's smile, so genuine and bright in the moonlight, only served to deepen his feelings for her.

He had always admired her strength, kindness, and intelligence, and seeing her with Black stirred up a complex amount of anger, surprising at her. He knew he couldn't compete with Black's charm and confidence, but a part of him couldn't help but wish that Emily would see the Gryffindor in a different light. The light that he saw Black in, which was an uncontrollable carefree attitude that would amount to nothing but sadness and regret.

As they disappeared into the castle, David was left standing outside in the cool night air, his heart heavy with unspoken judgements. He knew he had to find a way to confront what his next move would be. Would he continue to pine after Emily from afar, or would he muster the courage to finally express his true feelings to her? Only time would tell as he stood alone, lost in his thoughts under the watchful gaze of the starry sky above beside Professor Flitwick.

The remaining students had cleared through thankfully. It was around ten minutes before Arlo appeared, his wand up for light. His light brown hair was blowing around as his robe was billowing in the night's breeze. He approached the two with a respectful nod.

"Evening Professor, I just wanted to confirm that all students have left the village," Arlo said, his voice calm and respectful as he nodded at David too.

Professor Flitwick smiled warmly at Arlo. "Thank you for your attentiveness, Mr. Stone. It's always reassuring to have responsible students like yourself looking out for the safety of everyone. Please head back with Mr. Luke now; I will join you shortly."

As Professor Flitwick turned to leave, Arlo caught sight of David standing alone by the gate. With a sense of concern, Arlo walked up to him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, everything okay?"

David shook his head slightly, his gaze still fixed on the castle where she was. "Yeah, just... Black came through with Emily a bit ago. It was hard to see them so close, you know?"

Arlo nodded understandingly, his green eyes reflecting empathy. "I get it, mate. But you know, sometimes it's worth taking a chance and telling someone how you feel. It's better than regretting not saying anything at all."

David gave his Ravenclaw friend a small nod, a hint of determination in his eyes. "You're right."

"I saw them very briefly in Honeydukes but I spent a lot of time with Daphne as well," said Arlo as they fell into step, their footsteps echoing in the quiet night.

"What were they doing?" asked David nervously pushing back his hair in frustration.

"They were just talking. A lot, but seemed to ignore everything around them."

Arlo and David shared a worrisome smile, grateful for each other's support as they walked back to Hogwarts, their bond strengthened unwavering loyalty.

"Hey about this morning," began Arlo as he pushed open the castle doors, "I heard you got into a fight. Nearly caught Black on fire…."

"Well he started it," grinned David as they arrived to the separation points from the Slytherin and Ravenclaw common rooms. Arlo sneered at him again silently asking what it was about.

"You know exactly what I am asking about."

"And I shouldn't have tried to catch him on fire, yes. It was rude and— and – and I put Black on the spot."

"You should never have done it though mate," said Arlo with concern. "You crossed a line there and I heard more about it through others in the village today."

"What did you hear?"

"You were fighting over Emily. Everyone knows who she is. She's James Potter's sister. Gryffindor's golden child, their sweet-tempered princess. Do you understand how lucky you have been these last few years in even having a friendship with her? She's the desire of many and yet, you and Black are fighting like barbarians over her. Think using your damn head David, or she will walk right into his bloody arms. They are both in Gryffindor house, so they get to see each other whenever the hell they want to. Think David! Or she will never be yours!"

"That's not true!" shouted David feeling his friend calling him out was unnecessary.

So, Arlo had thought about it too? Huffing in place, he noticed his voice had risen. Looking around, he glanced at his friend knowing the Ravenclaw was right.

"You will lose her if you come at everything aggressively. Emily doesn't respond like we would. Make her love you instead of him!"

With that Arlo turned away ascending the stairway to Ravenclaw Tower leaving David in silence, the only sounds of his chest panting in a heavy response to the words.

*dot*

The students looked forward to the moment when the grounds are blanketed in a pristine layer of glistening snow, transforming the castle into a winter wonderland. The days grow shorter, and the air became crisper, whispers of the impending snowfall begin to spread throughout the castle. The windows are adorned with frosty patterns, the Great Hall is filled with the cozy warmth of crackling fires, and the students eagerly await the first signs of snowflakes drifting gently from the sky.

On the morning of the first snowfall, the Hogwarts grounds are cloaked in a hushed stillness, as if the world is holding its breath in anticipation. The students gather at the windows, their faces pressed against the glass, watching as the first delicate snowflakes begin to twirl and dance in the air. The snow fell steadily, coating the landscape in a soft white blanket, muffling the sounds of the outside world and creating a sense of peaceful serenity within the castle walls. The students rush outside, their laughter ringing out as they engage in snowball fights, build snowmen, and create intricate snow sculptures using their magical abilities. These were often aimed at the Slytherins, but who was really counting?

This all began on Friday, and as the sun set that first day of December, the snow-covered turrets of Hogwarts casted a golden glow over the winter landscape. The students gather in the Great Hall for a festive feast to celebrate the arrival of the first snowfall, where everyone sat sipping mugs of hot chocolate, an array of delectable treats surrounded by hearty dishes.

Emily had arrived late to the Great Hall seeing the Marauders, minus Sirius, sitting together loudly, even Lily was beside James for once. Daphne was sitting with Arlo at Ravenclaw table appearing to be wrapped in his arms as they laughed. Crossing her gaze over the hall, her eyes fell on David who was sitting alone. Taking a quick left, she turned along the wall, before coming up behind him tickling him in place.

"BLOODY HELL!" he let out piercingly and threw the roll in his hand in the air. "What the hell?"

Laughing, she sat beside him quickly before reaching for a plate nearest them.

Emily chuckled at David's startled reaction, handing him back the roll he accidentally threw in the air. "Sorry, couldn't resist," she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. David eyed her suspiciously but couldn't contain a smirk as he took the roll back.

"You Gryffindors are all the same, always finding ways to stir up trouble," David remarked, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice as he took a bite of his roll.

"And you Slytherins are always so serious," Emily teased, nudging him playfully.

"At least I'm not a Ravenclaw."

"Yes how can Arlo Stone deal with that," she laughed pointing at them from across the room.

"Yes," agreed David leaning into her to see. There was a strong sense of applewood coming from him, and it made her insides melt. It was really refreshing to smell as they sat there eating quietly surrounded by Slytherin house. The two prefects enjoyed the festive atmosphere of the feast compared to the usual tensions between Gryffindor and Slytherin students, if only for a night.

It wasn't long before David asked to walk with him on his night patrol through the castle that evening. Nodding a yes, she hurried back to Gryffindor tower to collect her coat, in case it lead them outside. She hadn't had night patrol yet, but as a male Slytherin prefect walked up to them, the boy asked to switch with her, earning her a first.

"I really want to spend time with my girlfriend!" he begged, pointing behind him.

"Sure, I can, but you must do mine next month," suggested Emily extending her hand.

"Anything! Thank you Potter!'

As the prefect walked away happy at the switch, Emily and David strolled leisurely through the courtyard, their footsteps echoing against the stone wall, though the light crunch below their feet allowed some cushion.

"How did it feel to have a weekend of finally?" smiled David pulling his knit cap over his ears. Emily chuckled, tucking a loose strand of hair into her knit hat.

"It's a rare treat, that's for sure. No classes, no meetings, just freedom."

David grinned, taking her hand in his as they continued their walk. "Well, I'm glad you're making the most of it. You deserve some time to relax and have fun."

The pair wandered through the castle, exploring hidden passages and secret nooks that few others knew about. They laughed and chatted animatedly, their easy banter a testament to their deepening connection. Under the guise of patrolling the castle they were stopped by several professors. Confirming the switch, they were allowed the night in the corridors nearest the Transfigurations classrooms. As they reached a secluded alcove overlooking the lake, he turned to Emily, his expression serious.

"You know, I never thought I'd be lucky enough to find someone like you," he said softly reaching out to grasp her hand with his left. There was a strange sensation but one that she liked as they stood there so close. She felt her heart skip a beat at his words, a warm flush spreading across her cheeks.

"David, you always know just what to say," she replied, her voice filled with emotion.

Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted their moment, and they quickly broke apart, looking around for the noise. Amidst their patrol, they stumbled upon a group of Hufflepuff first-years attempting to sneak out of the castle past curfew. David narrowed his eyes in suspicion, but Emily stepped forward with a kind smile, her Gryffindor compassion shining through.

"Hey there, what's going on?" Emily asked, her voice gentle yet firm. The first-years fidgeted nervously, but one of them, a small boy with freckles, spoke up timidly.

"We... we just wanted to see the snow outside," he confessed, his eyes wide with wonder.

Emily exchanged a knowing glance with David before she nodded, a small smile playing on her lips.

"I understand, but rules are rules. I'll let you off with a warning this time but be sure to return to your common room right away. It's not safe to be out past curfew."

"But you're out late too," argued another.

"We are both prefects providing wellness checks for students like yourself, attempting to break the school's safety rules," answered David pocketing his hands in his jeans. "Emily was nice to you lot, I wouldn't be."

The first-years looked at each other but nodded gratefully, scampering back to the warmth and safety of the castle, leaving the two alone once more in the quiet night. They continued their patrol in companionable silence, the only sound the soft crunch of snow beneath their feet and the distant hoot of a snowy owl.

As they reached the end of their round near two in the morning, their breath escaping in ragged gasps at the dropped temperature, Emily turned to David with a grin.

"Not too bad for Slytherin and Gryffindor working together, huh?"

David smirked, a twinkle in his eye. "Not bad at all, Gryffindor. Maybe we make a decent team after all."

As they continued on their route, a silent agreement passed between them. Their weekend off may have become unconventional, but the bond they shared was undeniable as they strolled quietly side by side. There was that strange sensation again, but it was warm and enjoyable. Surrounded by the magic of the castle and the falling snow, David's hand brushed against her a moment clearly hoping to holds again.

As the clock struck 2 am, Emily and David completed their prefect patrol and found themselves standing outside the entrance to the Gryffindor tower. The castle was quiet, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the windows, casting shadows on the stone walls. Despite the late hour, neither of them seemed eager to part ways just yet.

"Thank you for accompanying me back, David," Emily said, flashing him a warm smile. "It was nice working together tonight."

David nodded, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "Likewise, Emily. Maybe we should do this more often, minus the rule-breaking Hufflepuffs, of course."

They both chuckled at the memory of the first-years' attempt to sneak out, their laughter echoing softly in the empty corridor. David hesitated for a moment, as if he had something on his mind. Finally, he spoke, his voice quieter than usual.

"I... I wanted to say, you're a good friend, Emily. Gryffindor or Slytherin, I'm glad we got to know each other better tonight."

Emily felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words, a sense of camaraderie and understanding blossoming between them. "I feel the same way, David. Hogwarts would be a lot duller without you around."

Silence fell between them, comfortable and easy, as they stood together under the watchful gaze of the castle's stone guardians. The weight of their respective house loyalties seemed to fade away in that moment, leaving behind just two young students connected by a shared sense of duty and friendship.

As they prepared to say their goodbyes, David hesitated once more before reaching into his robes and pulling out a small snowflake-shaped charm. He held it out to her with a shy smile.

"I... I know it's not much, but I wanted you to have this. A token of our patrol tonight, perhaps," he said, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

Emily's eyes widened in surprise as she accepted the charm, turning it over in her hand to admire its delicate beauty. "Thank you, David. It's lovely. I'll treasure it."

With a final nod, David leant forward, giving her a gentle sweet kiss on her cheek, bidding her goodnight and turned to make his way back to the Slytherin common room. Emily watched him go, feeling a wonderful sense of connection and with her unlikely friend. As she entered the Gryffindor tower, the snowflake charm clasped in her hand, she couldn't help but smile, grateful for the unexpected moments of friendship that Hogwarts had gifted her that night.

*dot*

Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows of the Great Hall, Sirius watched Emily and David with a mixture of noxiousness and jealousy. He knew his relationship with Emily had to remain a secret, especially in front of James and several others for reasons he didn't have to tell himself twice, but seeing her laughing and joking with another boy, with a snake, still made his blood boil. He clenched his fists, trying to push down the irrational feeling of possessiveness that crept up inside him. Luke's presence always grated on Sirius. She claimed they were just friends but he knew the boy's intentions clear as anyone. She knew them as only just friends, but the thought of Emily finding comfort in someone else's company made his blood boil with irrational anger.

Just then, James caught his eye from across the hall, raising an eyebrow in silent question. Sirius flashed him a reassuring smile, silently promising to keep an eye on Emily and make sure she was safe. The unspoken understanding between the two friends was enough to ease James's concerns, allowing him to relax and enjoy the festive evening with Lily by his side. His forced smile, seemed to assure James that everything was fine, even as a storm of conflicting emotions raged inside him.

In that moment, Sirius made a silent vow to himself to keep a close watch on Emily, to protect her from anyone who dared to come between them. Despite his hatred for Luke, he knew he had to put aside his personal feelings for the sake of Emily's safety and happiness. A sudden voice broke through his thoughts, causing him to turn and see Arlo standing before him with a friendly smile.

"Hey, Sirius! Fancy seeing you here," Arlo said, his easygoing demeanor contrasting with Sirius's tense posture. "How's it going?"

Sirius's initial annoyance at being interrupted faded as he returned Arlo's smile, momentarily distracted from his thoughts. Arlo's genuine friendliness was disarming, and Sirius found himself relaxing slightly in his presence. It was odd how he referred to him by his first name. Maybe Daphne was getting to him a bit.

"It's going alright, just keeping an eye on things," Sirius replied, a hint of suspicion still lingering in his tone. "What about you? Enjoying the feast?"

Arlo nodded enthusiastically, launching into a conversation about the winter decorations in the Great Hall and the upcoming Quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. His enthusiasm was infectious, and Sirius found himself drawn into the conversation, his focus shifting away. Oblivious to the fact a calm sense wrapped him up as he talked peacefully with the other sixth year. Arlo's easygoing nature and friendly conversation had managed to momentarily ease the turmoil of emotions that had been swirling inside him, allowing him to enjoy the festive atmosphere of the winter feast without the cloud of jealousy looming overhead.

"Darling," said Arlo a moment as Daphne walked up.

"Hey I was hoping we could go on a walk together before the sun sets?"

Nodding to her and saying goodbye, he walked arms linked with his girlfriend, at least Sirius assumed from their behavior.

Unbeknownst to Sirius, as he engaged in conversation with Arlo, Emily and David had the opportunity to slip away unnoticed. A sense of panic rose in his chest. His eyes darted around the Great Hall once more before scaling the floors nearest them, scanning the sea of students and teachers. But there was no sign of Emily or Luke.

"Shit," cursed Sirius under his breath as he turned franticly around trying to spot the pair but failing to find them. A sinking feeling settled in the pit of his stomach as he cursed under his breath, knowing that they had slipped away under his watch. Feeling a mixture of frustration and worry, Sirius turned to James and Lily, who were walking arm in arm, a peaceful expression on their faces. Lily gave Sirius an apologetic smile, clearly unaware of the chaos that had unfolded. James looked at him with a curious expression but could see the concern in his eyes as he sensed distress.

"Have you seen Emily?" Sirius asked, trying to keep his voice steady despite the rising panic he felt. James shook his head, a furrow forming between his brows as he glanced around the hall.

"No, sorry Padfoot," he answered holding out a hand to steady Sirius who pacing around in a circle, his easygoing demeanor faltering slightly as he realized the gravity of the situation. He squeezed his friend's arm silently in support, his gaze flickering between Sirius and the crowd around them. Biting his lip, his mind racing as he tried to think of where they could have gone. He knew he had to find them before anything happened, before Luke got her into any trouble.

With a determined look in his eyes, Sirius made a hasty excuse to James and Lily before darting off into the bustling crowd of students, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. As he weaved through the throngs of people, his eyes scanning every corner of the corridor trying to shake the sinking feeling that he had let Emily slip away from him. He cursed himself for letting his guard down, for getting distracted by Arlo's friendly conversation. But deep down, he knew that Emily was resourceful and intelligent, and she would find a way to handle whatever situation she was in.

And so, Sirius continued his frantic search, his mind filled with worry and regret as he tried to track down the two students who had managed to evade his watchful gaze. The winter feast continued on around him, the sounds of laughter and chatter swirling in the air, but all Sirius could focus on was finding Emily and making sure she was safe.