It was nearly winter break, and I was sitting next to June, lazily staring out the window while McGonagall's droning voice rang out across the classroom. I could feel myself dozing off into a daydream, which was abruptly ended. I was startled by Peeves' screams from the hallways.

"ATTACK! ATTACK! ANOTHER ATTACK! NO MORTAL OR GHOST IS SAFE! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! ATTAAAACK!"

Crash - crash - crash - door after door flew open along the corridor and people flooded out, including my whole classroom. I could see the hallway become a chaotic mess, with everyone running around and screaming.

McGonagall used her wand to create a loud bang, restoring silence. No sooner had the scene cleared somewhat than Ernie the Hufflepuff arrived, panting, on the scene.

I could finally make out the little body of a Hufflepuff laying motionless on the ground. The look of shock was frozen on his face, his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.

Even weirder, next to him laid another figure. It was Nearly Headless Nick, no longer pearly-white and transparent, but black and smoky, floating immobile and horizontal, six inches off the floor. His head was half off and his face wore an expression of shock identical to the little boy's.

"Caught in the act!" Ernie yelled, his face stark white, pointing his finger dramatically at Harry.

"That will do, Macmillan!" said Professor McGonagall sharply.

Peeves was bobbing overhead, now grinning wickedly, surveying the scene; Peeves always loved chaos. As the teachers bent over Justin and Nearly Headless Nick, examining them, Peeves broke into song:

"Oh, Potter, you rotter, oh, what have you done, You're killing off students, you think it's good fun--"

"That's enough Peeves!" barked Professor McGonagall, and Peeves zoomed away backward, with his tongue out at Harry.

Justin was carried up to the hospital wing by Professor Flitwick and Professor Sinistra of the Astronomy department, but nobody seemed to know what to do for Nearly Headless Nick. In the end, Professor McGonagall conjured a large fan out of thin air, which she gave to Ernie with instructions to waft Nearly Headless Nick up the stairs. This Ernie did, fanning Nick along like a silent black hovercraft.

The rest of the students were sent back to their respective dorms, and so eventually everyone was out of the hallways.

I sat on my bed next to Sarah, mindlessly playing cards to keep our hands busy. The double attack on Justin and Nearly Headless Nick turned what had hitherto been nervousness into a real panic. Curiously, it was Nearly Headless Nick's fate that seemed to worry people most. "What could possibly do that to a ghost?" people asked each other; what terrible power could harm someone who was already dead? There was almost a stampede to book seats on the Hogwarts Express so that students could go home for Christmas.

~~~~

At last, the term ended, and a silence deep as the snow on the grounds descended on the castle. I stood once again on platform 9 3/4, bidding goodbyes to my friends. I spotted my mom waving to me across the station, and I practically ran into her warm embrace.

We got home by the floo, and my mom instantly began bombarding me with questions about my school's attacks. After I assured her that I didn't need to be homeschooled and that I would be fine, she finally started to ask me about Vincent, something I've been dreading.

"So, how is Vincent?" She asked while dicing peppers for a salad.

"I'm not sure, but we're going on another date tomorrow." I shrugged, hiding a light blush with my palms.

~~~~

I woke up around ten am, enjoying finally sleeping in. With my quidditch practice hosting being mainly in the mornings, sleeping was a privilege I seldom enjoyed.

Getting out of bed was very easy for me, as the thought of Victor knocking at my door in only an hour excited me. Too bad it's so cold I thought, as I could've worn a dress.

Instead, I found a pair of jeans and an old blazer my dad once owned.

I sat comfortably in my kitchen, warm London fog in one hand, and a newspaper in the other. Right as I took my last sip of tea, I heard the knock at my door. I quickly got up folding my newspaper, but my mom got to the door quicker, and opened it, smiling.

"Oh, you must be Vincent!" She exclaimed, pulling him into a hug. "Oh, Y/n has told me all about you!"

"Has she now?" He smirked, catching my eye.

Vincent was casually dressed, wearing warmer tones than I was accustomed to seeing him in. A white turtleneck sweater sat snugly on his torso, and a muted red corduroy jacket loosely hung off him. A pair of high waisted pants into which the turtleneck was tucked into were held up by a leather belt.I slowly walked forward, feeling bare under his intense gaze.

"I guess I have." I blushed, and put my hand on my cheek.

"Well, off you two go!" My mom cooed, "bring her back by supper!"

After my mom disappeared down the hall, I stepped outside with Vincent and he wrapped his hand around my waist as we began to walk. Since we were in the muggle world, Vincent and I were not likely to be disturbed by his fans.The fresh snow crunched under our feet, and I could see the breath clouds pouring out of our mouths.

"Did you know you get all red when you're cold?" Vincent asked, his eyes twinkling.

"Do I?" I giggled, looking up at him.

"It makes you look ethereal." He said, a smile playing on his lips. "You're about the most beautiful girl I've met."

"I can't be the most beautiful girl you've met Vincent." I blushed, enjoying his compliments.

"Oh but you are." He said, looking straight ahead. "Gorgeous."

"You're not so bad yourself," I chortled, playfully poking his stomach. "Quite handsome."

He blushed and brushed a hand through his dark wavy hair, which stood out in stark contrast to the white snow all around us.I saw a coffee shop up ahead of us and pointed towards it.

"How does Mr. Ford feel about a cup of coffee?" I asked, letting out a chuckle.

"Only if the beautiful Miss Stone permits." He flashed me a wide grin, his eyes still trained on mine.

"She does," I said, pushing open the coffee shop door.

"Two twelve-ounce lattes please."

"Hello to you too Miss Stone." Mr. Barnes smiled, starting to work on our order. "Haven't seen you in a while. All because of that darned boarding school."

"Hello, Mr. Barnes." I smiled. "Oh it's not that bad."

Mr. Barnes good-naturedly grumbled something and proceeded to speedily make the coffee.

"The total will be 2 pounds even." He smiled at us.

"I'll pay." Vincent grinned, taking out his wallet and pulling out the money.

"Thank you, Vinny," I said, taking my coffee.

"Vinny?" He asked, chuckling as we left the shop.

"Yeah," I sipped my coffee.

"I like that." He smiled. "It sounds nice coming out of your lips."

"Are you going to be flattering me all day?" I snickered.

"I can't help it." He admitted, taking a long swig of his latte. "If I could, I would kiss you here and now."

"Well," I smiled sheepishly, "nothing is stopping you."

Vincent's eyes went wide for a moment, but he didn't hesitate to bend down and kiss me on the lips. I could feel his free hand on the crevice of my back, and he deepened the kiss. I didn't even care we were in the middle of the street. Vincent was an amazing kisser. His lips were soft, and I felt as though I was melting into the kiss.

We pulled apart very begrudgingly and kept eye contact. I felt my heart beating out of my chest, and I nervously took another sip of coffee.

"Y/n," Vincent started.

"Yes, Vinny?" I asked breathlessly.

"Merlin I love when you call me that." He breathed out.

"I love calling you that," I responded, waiting for what came next.

"Y/n, would you do me the honour of being my girlfriend?" He whispered, "That's all I want this Christmas."

"Oh Vinny," I smiled, happy tears pricking my eyes. "Of course."