I remember as a little kid I would have dreams that were so realistic. It was like something from Nightmare on Elm Street; it was so real. The only difference was that nothing happened to me. I never woke up with marks or scratches that I'd get in my dreams. I guess everyone has dreams like that at some point. I haven't had one in years...until now.

I was lying on the couch in the common room, alone, trying to convince myself to go to sleep. The fire was warm and glowing; the only source of illumination. I almost drifted off into sleep when a shadow fell over me.

"Thane?" I asked. I don't know why I asked if it was him. I just had the feeling he was near.

"No."

Parstletongue. That was in parstletongue. I opened my eyes and peered up at the face, the shadows of flames flickering across his features.

"Morfin," I whispered, scrambling back.

"Merope, too," he smiled and I peered around him to see her standing in front of the fire.

"Hello," she said, moving over to my side. She sat near my feet and pat my ankle affectionately.

"What's going on?" I frowned. I wasn't even scared. I was just confused.

"We wanted to see you before you went completely whacky," Merope said, brushing aside my hair. I swat her hand away and slid back even more.

"I'm not going whacky," I said. They laughed at me.

"Excuse me, but you guys are dead."

"Exactly," Morfin giggled.

"Get away," I glared.

"Morfin maybe we should..." Merope trailed off, smiling at me. She moved forward and began braiding a section of my hair.

"What are you doing?" I asked in bewilderment.

"I've always wanted a granddaughter," she sighed.

"You think we should?" Morfin smiled, showing all his raunchy teeth.

"Yes, it's time," she nodded, brushing my cheek with her fingertips.

"Okay enough with the grandmother affection. Especially since you only look twenty something," I said.

"Now, time for what?" I asked.

"For you to join us," Merope took my hands.

"What?" I paled.

"It won't hurt," Morfin laughed. He scares the crap out of me.

"It really won't. Just squeeze my hand if you're scared," Merope pushed my hair off my shoulders and kissed my forehead. Her lips were as cold as ice.

"What are you talking about?" I asked as Morfin pulled out his knife.

"Wait what are you doing?" I screamed and Merope calmly held me in place.

"It's okay. You'll be with us soon," she smiled.

"Help!" I screamed as Morfin began cutting my throat.

"We'll stitch it up later," he said as my world went black.

***

"Leah! Leah wake up," I was being shaken.

"Get off, get off right now!" I yelled, scrambling back and then flipping over the couch.

"Ow Jesus Christ," I groaned, blinking through the haze to see Thane watching me with wide eyes.

"Where are they?" I asked, looking around frantically. My throat hurt like hell, more than likely from screaming. My horcrux scar burned.

"What happened to you?" he asked, jumping over the couch and sitting next to me. I sat up and groaned, stretching.

"A really bad dream I guess," I said.

"Hey, do you happen to have any cough drops? My throat is killing me," I winced.

"Well I wonder why," he snapped, "When the hell did you even do that?"

"What?" I frowned.

"This!" he traced my throat and all of my breath ran out of me.

"Shit that hurt, didn't it?" he asked apologetically. My throat burned with pure pain and I clenched my jaw.

"Yes," I hissed. I pushed myself up off the ground and made my way over to a mirror. I looked at my reflection and saw a section of my hair braided back. My forehead was cold and as my eyes traveled down to my neck, I screamed. Thane's hand clamped over my mouth before much sound came out, and I pressed my own hand over his, trying not to scream more.

"What is up with you? You did that!" he frowned as I stopped screaming. We removed our hands and I turned to face him. I was shaking so badly he had to sit me down.

"I didn't do it," I whispered.

"Oh?" he didn't believe me.

"It was Merope and Morfin," I said, clasping my hands together so they'd stop shaking. My throat looked as if it had been slit and stitched back up. It was like Sally's stitches from the Nightmare Before Christmas. 

"Excuse me?" he raised one eyebrow.

"I had a dream...it was so real. I thought it was just one of those dreams, you know? The ones that look real but they really aren't. Well this was real. They showed up and started talking to me...Merope said it was time and then...he slit my throat," I shuddered.

"See this braid? Now was that there earlier? No. Feel my forehead. It's freezing right?" I asked and he put his hand to it before nodding.

"That's were Merope kissed me."

"They came back, then?" he asked.

"Yes, please tell me you sense something. Anything!" I begged.

"No, I don't," he whispered.

"This is real! This isn't all in my head, Thane!" I cried.

"I can see that now but they aren't ghosts! I don't know what they are," he said and I started crying.

"What happened after I fainted?"

"Right away you started struggling. As if you were having a nightmare. You did grow a bit cold and I was there with you the whole time so I know you didn't do this after you fainted," he pointed to my throat.

"As you were thrashing around I thought maybe your throat was bleeding but I couldn't get a clear view until you woke up. I never paid attention to your hair," he said.

"I didn't do it. I started feeling really awful at the party and I think it was their fault. I feel okay now. Well obviously not but you know what I mean."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive," I nodded.

"Alright. Come here," he sighed and I moved over into his embrace.

"I'm terrified," I whispered.

"I know," he said and I held in my tears.

"Where is everyone?" I asked.

"They're still at the party" he said. I pulled away and nodded.

"You can't tell anyone," I said.

"I won't," he sighed.

"Let me try to heal this," he murmured. I sat there as he pointed his wand at me and whispered a few incantations.

"There's a white line, but it'll fade," he said.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

"Don't worry about it...I don't suppose you want to sleep?" he chuckled.

"Not really. I'll be right back, I just need to change."

"Alright," he nodded. I went upstairs and rummaged through my trunk, happy that I wasn't alone; Astoria was lying in bed.

"You okay? You're all pale and flustered," she said.

"Yeah, I'm fine thanks," I nodded.

I slipped into a tee shirt and sweatpants before heading back downstairs.

"Ah she returns. Blaise just went up into his dorm," Thane said.

"Anyone else?"

"Nah. Tomorrow is Christmas as well as the beginning Christmas vacation, so they won't be out too late. Draco will be off to Italy and we'll be at your dad's house."

"Yeah..." I sighed. Thane stared at me a moment before speaking.

"I'm so sorry you have another scar."

I groaned and absently rubbed my wrist.

"I know. Can you imagine what I'll look like on my wedding day?" I asked. He laughed loudly and tilted his head.

"You'll be beautiful anyway."

"Thanks, babe."

"You're welcome. Now, Christmas. What are our plans?"

"We could have a movie marathon," I suggested.

"What kind of movies?" he asked.

"Horror movies," I smirked.

"I'm in. We could see something  in the cinema," he said.

"I haven't been to the cinema in years!"

"I haven't either. What other movies can we watch on DVD?"

"I have plenty," I shrugged.

"Last House on the Left?"

"That isn't scary, that's raunchy but yes I have it. I have Blair Witch Project, too. Let's see...Friday the 13th...all the Paranormal Activities, Scream, Strangers, When a Stranger Calls, Don't be Afraid of the Dark...what else?" I frowned.

"What about the Ring?"

"Yeah, we can watch that," I nodded.

"Cool, sounds like fun," he smiled.

"You can hold Ariana's hand," I winked and he smirked, shaking his head.

"No I think I'll just sit back and watch you two scream like little girls."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

"I do not scream," I protested.

"Five galleons says you do," he smirked.

"Alright, it's on," I raised my eyebrows.

"What's on?" Ariana asked as she closed the common room door with Violet close behind.

"Hey love," I smiled.

"Hey, what went down at Slughorn's?" she frowned.

"I just had an anxiety attack and it overwhelmed me," I shrugged.

"How are you now?" Violet asked, sitting next to me.

"I feel better, thanks."

"Ariana," Thane said, "we're having a scary movie marathon over Christmas."

"What? It's Christmas though!" she said wide eyed.

"Someone doesn't like scary films," I raised my eyebrows.

"I really don't," she said. I shared a mischievous look with Thane and then smirked back at her.

"Interesting."

"Don't you dare try anything Leah," she warned.

"Me? I'd never!" I feigned innocence. Thane laughed and Violet snorted.

"Liar!" she said.

"Leah," Draco said, walking into the common room with Blaise and Pansy.

"Are you alright," he sat down and pulled me onto his lap.

"I'm okay," I smiled.

"You looked like death earlier," he kissed the top of my head.

"Not to seem like I don't care, cause I do Leah, but I'm exhausted. Good night guys," Pansy hugged me and headed upstairs.

"Yeah I'm tired, too. Night everyone," Violet said, kissing Thane and waving to us.

"Will you stay up in my dorm with me," I lightly tugged on a piece of Draco's hair.

"Why, is everything alright?"

"I just don't want to be alone," I said.

"You wouldn't be alone though," Ariana frowned.

"Well you girls certainly won't cuddle with her, will you?" Draco asked as I pulled him to his feet. Ariana laughed and shook her head.

"I would but fine, whatever. Night guys," she said.

"Night," I called to everyone. I peeked into the dorm to see everyone already dressed. I allowed Draco to enter the room and Pansy waited for us to crawl into bed.

"Can I turn out the light now?" she asked.

"Yeah," I nodded as Draco wrapped his arms around me and I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

***

"Wake up Leah-Belle," someone whispered in my ear. I groaned softly and opened my eyes to see Draco smirking at me.

"Time to leave," he said, getting off the bed.

"Oh...right," I blinked and stretched like a cat. After cracking my neck and back I sat up.

"Morning," I yawned at Pansy.

"Morning sweetie," she said..

"Well?" Ariana asked, walking out of the bathroom. Draco left to pack his things and get dressed.

"I slept quite well and feel much better," I sighed.

"Good," she nodded and Pansy smiled at me slightly, turning back around to pack. Violet caught my eye and winked as I stood up and grabbed my trunk, looking through it to find my jeans and sweater.

"Morning Vi," I nodded.

"Morning love," she smiled.

"Jesus it's cold up here," I muttered.

"Or were you just warm in Draco's arms?" Pansy turned back to me, smirking.

"Shut up," I laughed.

"Yeah, I saw you this morning," she teased.

"I wanted to cuddle, not my problem," I shrugged and she laughed. I threw my things in my bag and walked down stairs. We made our way to the carriages and then train station, and as everyone talked about going on vacation, I remained silent. I really wish I were going to Italy with Draco.

We grabbed a compartment and Violet sat on Thane's lap, due to the lack of seats.

"I'll write you from Italy," Draco kissed me, sensing my dismay.

"I want pictures," I said.

"Of course," he smiled.

"I also want pictures of Switzerland," I pointed at Pansy.

"Naturally my darling," she laughed.

"You don't want pictures of my lovely house then?" Violet laughed.

"Oh if you'd like to take pictures go ahead," I joked.

"I'd rather not show off my own version of the loony bin," she rolled her eyes. I laughed and listened to the others talk about vacation plans until we reached the platform.

***

"Father," I smiled, hugging him after we arrived at the Malfoy's.

"How are you doing?" he asked. Draco nodded to father and made his way up to his room.

"Quite well," I sighed.

"My Lord," Thane bowed.

"Hi," Ariana smiled.

"Oh my God Ariana," Thane shook his head.

"What?"

"You don't just say hello like it's nothing."

"Why not?"

"Are you kidding?"

"I can curtsey in these jeans, they're too tight."

I shared a look with father.

"Well that's your fault!"

"Shut up," she groaned.

"Guys!" I snapped.

"Sorry," Thane gave me a cheesy smile.

"Oh the flirtation," Pansy brushed by.

"Pansy," Thane glared.

"It's meant to be between those two," I sighed dreamily.

"Leah, seriously, please stop," Ariana glared.

"Leah-Belle, are we talking about how perfect those two are together?" Draco walked downstairs.

"Leah-Belle," Thane mocked.

"They're absolutely perfect," I chirped.

"So cute," Pansy walked up to Ariana, taking her hands.

"I just became friends with Violet, I don't need this," Ariana said.

"Leah!" mum smiled, walking in.

"Mum," I smiled, hugging her.

"How are you?" she asked, caressing my cheek.

"I've been better, but I'm okay now," I said.

"Wonderful," she said.

"Now, I have some time to spend with my Draco darling before he leaves me," I shot a look at father. He shrugged and I took Draco's hand as we went upstairs.

***

-Shay