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DECEMBER ARRIVED, bringing with it more snow and a positive avalanche of homework for the fifth year. Este and Draco's prefect duties also became more and more onerous as Christmas approached. They were called upon to supervise the decoration of the castle ("You try putting up tinsel when Peeves has got the other end and is trying to strangle you with it," said Este), to watch over first and second years spending their break times inside because of the bitter cold ("And they're cheeky little snotrags, you know, we definitely weren't that rude when we were in the first year," Este scoffed), and to patrol the corridors in shifts with Argus Filch, who suspected that the holiday spirit might show itself in an outbreak of wizard duels ("He's got dung for brains, that one," Este complained furiously). They were so busy that Este's nose often bled now.
Este had done her best to avoid Harry. She felt terrible, guilt was knawing at her and she was far too scared to face Harry in person. He had gotten banned from Quidditch, for a lifetime. She had been walking the hallways one evening a few days before the holidays and she stopped. Harry was blankly walking towards her, deep in thought. He didn't even notice Este──and to Este, it seemed like he was ignoring her, but she realized how wrong she was when he crashed right into her. The two of them toppled, Este felt slightly dizzy on the floor and as she regained her composure, Harry looked stunned──he had fallen on top of her.
"D'you mind?" Este asked, in amusement. "You're crushing my ribs, Harry."
Harry scrambled off her, standing up and offering her a hand. "Sorry," he mumbled as he hoisted her up.
"It's alright," Este said, brushing her long hair out of her face, "For a moment I thought you were ignoring me."
Harry turned to her in surprise, "Why would you think that?"
Este shrugged, "Thought you might be angry about the Quidditch situation..."
Harry deflated, "Oh... It's alright, Este. It wasn't really your fault──" he paused──"Though, that buldger you sent me was really painful."
Este twirled her rings. "Sorry, I was a bit caught up."
Harry laughed, "I realized."
They were now walking down the halls, side by side. "You seemed really out of it," Este said, "Was it because of a girl?"
Harry went peony and Este's heart lurched, "How──How did you know?"
Este composed herself, "Well, I sort of just guessed... So, who's the lucky girl?"
Harry paused for a moment, "Cho."
Este looked at him quizzically, "Cho as in, Cho Chang the Ravenclaw seeker who was dating Cedric Diggory?"
