Damon looked down at her, feeling bad for her. Something was obviously bothering her, "And I promise you, I'll always be here for you."

Ariana sighed feeling releaved of his words and simply nodded to him, Knowing that he would always be there for her was just what she needed to hear

Damon looked down at the girl he love. This was definitely where he wanted to be... And though he had been confused and wrestling between Taylor and Ari ever since Taylor had kissed him the first time and he'd pushed her away from him, he knew for sure now where he wanted to be. He knew it probably wasn't the best moment to say it, but he still smiled down at her, "I love you Ariana." and nothing Taylor does will ever change that. He couldn't add it on though, he didn't want to remind her again that Taylor had kissed him, he just wanted to hold her and comfort her.

Ariana sighed and her mind was racing trying to find the words to tell him what she was feeling and she didn't think it would be so hard to just say a few words, that were practically screaming to come out and Ugh she hated feelings

feelings

what a stupid word. A stupid word for stupid emotions that no one cared about. Not even Ariana, at least she didnt think she cared about them, But then she looked up at him and her eyes met his and

she fell.

And not figuratively. Ariana Logan literally feel as she looked up at him her knees gave way and began to buckled and she went straight down to the ground.

"whoa!"

she said as she grabbed onto him trying not to fall but it was too late the girl was on the floor she let out a sigh. A sigh of confusion adn angst of the whole Situation.

Damon fell with her. Her silence worried him, "Are you alright?" His concern for her showed clearly. He pulled her closer.

Ariana looked at them her hands still clenched in his shirt, she smiled as she saw he fell with him "thank you for catching me... or at least trying." she gave a half smile.

she looked up at him as they sat on the floor and ran her hand over his cheek and let out a sigh "damon, I''m Sorry." deep breath "I.. i can't get back with you." and just rip my heart out step on it and set it on fire why dont you

"Your perfect In every way, really lov.. Damon.. Your completly perfect adn i've never been treated nicer by anyone ever has but your perfect, and" GULP "And i dont want perfect right now." she was only 15 and if she were meant to be with Damon for forever he'll come back to her later, but right now she just wanted to be 15 and have fun and meaningless "boyfriends" and just be a girl, the thought of being with him for the rest of her life from this moment on scared the daylights out of her, and she just honestly wasnt ready.

"I.. I just dont like im ready for forever yet." meaning that she did in fact still want that promise to be true.. very true in deed Just not yet. she still wanted to be a kid.

"i'll always l.love you." and now the tears were streaming down her face and she was just a mess. She took his guitar and began to play him one of her original totally not original but i don't feel like looking for her lyric book but this totes works hehe it was nothing particular per say to the moment. and one of her favorite songs she's written to date, yeah she still needed to change some lyrics around, but he'd be the first person she had ever ever EVER played one of her songs for.. Not even Salazar got that pleasure. she kept her face looking down at what her hands were doing though she knew what she was doing and the tears kept seeping through her eyes

when she was done she let her hands stay on the guitar, as she cried harder but quietly. this pained her more then she thought but she had to do it, she needed to be a normal 15 yr old. She also didn't want to look up at him afraid of his reaction, if he'd be mad & upset with her for doing this this way or if he too was shedding tears or whatever his reaction may have been she was terrified to face it.

Damon smiled back at her and his eyes closed when she stroked his cheek, then reopened when she said she was sorry. He was about to ask what she had to be sorry for but she continued. He felt it coming on slowly, try as he might to fight it back, his gothic self returned instantly.

And same went for the tears Damon never shed. He only had three experiences when he was close to tears, but they'd never fallen. His mothers funeral, when Taylor broke up with him, and when Ari had done the same and just left him standing by the lake confused.... No matter how close he was, he never cried, never whimpered. Probably why he was so horrible at consoling people when they did cry.

Then she took his guitar, his heart only feeling like it was shattering more with her words. It was a beautiful song but the meaning behind it stung. As she finished he gently took it back. He gently pulled her head up, not thinking about her seeing his own tears as he wiped hers away.

He wanted to say something, but all the things he wanted to wouldn't come out. How are you supposed to respond to something like that? Damon smoothed out her hair, then stood. As much as he wanted to he couldn't stay. But before he turned completely he pulled his wand out and with a quick wave a bouquet appeared in Ariana's hand. With a short note that said the cliché 'I'll love you until the last flower dies' but unlike the cliché one of them wasn't plastic, but had an immortality charm on it.

He thought the roses seemed fitting, Slytherin and Hufflepuff colors for their two houses.

It was hard to believe that Christmas was almost upon them. Seb was sure that when you got older, time went by so much faster. But he may be getting older, it didn't mean that he still didn't get excited when Christmas time came around.

And what he loved best about Christmas was decorating the tree, and this year he had the opportunity to decorate twelve of them. Hopefully though the students and Professor's of course would like to help out.

Carefully moving through the entrance hall, levitating the trees a few feet in the air, Seb made his way into the Great Hall and once inside, he carefully placed the trees around the room making sure that they were visible from every angle.

Yep, he loved this time of year.

Laura was walking into the Great Hall when she suddenly saw the new groundskeeper, she had been trying to stay away from him, because she didn't like the fact he had replaced the best person ever at Hogwarts, though well since she couldn't avoiding him now, she put on the best fake smile face she knew. "Are you okay?" Laura asked. "Do you want a hand with anything?" Laura would love to help him do whatever it was he was doing, he had to be in the room for a reason.

Minerva walked into the Great Hall. It was December, DECEMBER.. Her birthday was tomorrow. 15.. she was going to be 15 and where were all her friends at the moment.. Hmm with all their boyfriends or girlfriends. No matter Minerva thought, she never really celebrated her birthday since she had been at Hogwarts, so it wasn't a big change.

As she walked in she noticed the nice groundskeeper seeming happy and it struck her. "CHRISTMAS" she said out loud excitedly. "Your decorating for Christmas aren't you?" her eyes started glowing, she loved Christmas, snow, everything winter. This was great.. Then she looked around, "Could I help you?" she hoped she could help. She hadn't decorated a tree in so long and missed it so much.

Turning slightly and finally tearing his gaze away from the Christmas trees, Seb smiled in the direction of the two Hufflepuffs. He should have known that students from his former house would be the first to volunteer their help.

"I would love some help. As you can see." he said gesturning around to the trees. "Our trees are looking a little bare." Seb gave his wand a simple wave and conjured a large box. "Feel free to use magic to decorate but just in case you don't want to." Or can't. "Then I have a box full of decorations that you can use."

Sierra had seen the groundskeeper from all the way down the corridor. He was bringing in twelve pretty big Christmas trees, causing her to pause in her steps and watch the spectacle passing her by. With a sigh, she glanced down at her feet. Should she? ... She guessed she should.

She sort of hesitated then made her way into the Great Hall. She stepped up behind the groundskeeper and awkwardly cleared her throat. Did he hate her? Dislike her? Not want to be around her? ... Or, was he just a forgiving person? Something she wasn't expecting at all?

She'd find out soon.

"Err, Mr. Gibbins?" she asked. Groundskeeper Gibbins? "Hi." Okay, awkward... "You need any help?"

Elliot was about to leave...she had finishet eating...time for homework, oh the BEST time of the day. Even Ravenclaws hated homework, people.

The blonde saw...ew, Minnie. And Laura....and then she saw Sierra...which reminded her, unfortunately, that she still owed her life tot he girl for saving her from those filthy worms. The groundskeeper..oh, was he decorating for Christmas?! Shouldn't house elves do that? Hmmm...

She approached Sierra, mostly, since she didn't want to be near the other two.."Sierra..." she gave a nod..."I still owe you." By the way. She turned to the Groundskeeper..."I can help..." maybe. Elliot wasn't used to house elf work. She ignored Laura and Minnie...hmph.

Minerva smiled at Mr. Gibbins. He was so super nice, plus decorating a tree sounded great. She looked at the big box and felt herself get so excited. She had to spend her first Christmas at the castle alone, which she was taking well, but this just made it better. "If you don't mind, I think I would like to do it the muggle way like I use to with my mom and dad." Setting down her book bag she picked up some of the decorations to start putting the bulbs on the one of the trees. That's when she saw her. Really she was everywhere. Then Minerva felt a little panic come up.. was she stalking her, it was just odd to have someone be in every place you were at. This started to creep Minerva out, like the girl had no life but to show up where she was to make her life miserable. At least there weren't any guys for her to be a jerk in front of this time, well other then Mr. Gibbins, but he was an adult, so she wouldn't be a jerk in front of him, would she.

Ignoring her, Minerva turned back to the tree and started humming Jingle Bells as she put bulbs around the tree. Not being able to reach the very top, Minerva grabbed her wand and began using it to float the bulbs up to the spots she couldn't reach. So it wasn't exactly like she did as a kid, but it was close enough.

Seb didn't notice the awkwardness of the Slytherin Prefect, he had forgotten all about the incident at the station. Well not forgotten exactly, more that he'd had his say and was just moving on.

"I would really aprreciate that Miss Greingoth." He gave her a warm smile. "I don't know if Hogwarts has a theme when they decorate. Where I come from, we just kinda throw the decorations on the tree and hope for the best." He chuckled as he gave his wand another small wave and conjured a silver bauble and levitated it onto the closest tree.

Seb peered down at the Ravenclaw and grinned. "Good to hear. Pick a tree and go at it."

A little birdie told Cardigan that it was the tree decorating time of year again!

Bring it on.

She always loved to see the trees decorated!! They were like....miniature skyscrapers! Yea!!! That seemed about right. With all the twinkling and sparkling, it reminded her of hundreds upon hundreds of windows, as far as the eye can see! She had really been around the city for her whole life. Her home in Germany had been close to downtown Berlin, the mansion being in the suburbs. Her parents worked there, with the Berlin Orchestra and all that. Her mum played Viola, and her dad played Horn. Even though she wasn't exactly fond of them, their playing still amazed her!! The snake played Violin, and and aimed to be like them someday, as in their musical skill.

Hands buried deep in her coat pockets, Cardigan made her way into the great hall, looking for the Groundskeeper. As she walked along, she saw several other students helping with the decorating. Well, this would be fun!! She then spotted the Groundskeeper guy, who would know what to do and stuff. "Hi Mr. Groundskeeper!! Do you still need help with the tree decorating?" She asked, not sure what else to call him, not knowing his name. Well, that was all she really knew. But still, shouldn't she be passed saying it like that? Little kids said stuff like that, if ya know what I mean.

And she was no where close to that status.

Not externally, at least.

"By all means." He said, flourishing his wand and producing some gold tinsel which he wrapped around the tree. "You can decorate the trees whichever way you like." It was a fun time after all.

Seb noticed the young girl all tense like and he raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"

A little chuckle bubbled out of his mouth at the very cheery young girl that had approached him. He probably should give her his name but he kinda liked being called 'Mr Groundskeeper' so he let it go for now. "I need all the help I can get. There is a box of decorations over there or you can use magic. Whatever tickles your fancy."

They had already come a bit into December and with Christmas coming closer by each passing day Leobald did he best to think up and order Christmas presents for his whole family and even some of his Hogwarts colleagues.

The dark haired librarian had just come back from a refreshing walk on the grounds when he saw Sebastian levitate twelve christmas trees into the Great Hall. Drawn to the christmassy feel that came with the trees Mr Kitridge followed the groundskeeper and some curious students into the Great Hall.

Rolling up the sleeves on his robes, Leobald said to Sebastian. "Mr Gibbins, do you need any help with the decorating?" The students were already working on putting up tinsel.

Laura looked at the groundskeeper and decided it wasn't a good idea use her wand it was broken, it seemed like it was going to be the good old fashion way, she started to decorate the christmas tree, just like a muggle would do, she wished she had a wand that would make decorating the tree easier.

Jayden smiled, taking in a deep whiff of pine. It was that time of year again... tree decorating! "Hello Mr. Gibbins! Do you need any more help?" She asked cheerfully, her blue eyes shining in the bright light. There was nothing that Jayden liked more than decorating things. It was her favorite part about holidays. That... and well... FOOD.

Jayden was busy helping some younger students arrange some tinsel on a nearby tree when she heard her best friend Elliot's sarcastic voice from behind her. "Hey there Elliot! Come on over here!" She called, waving the girl over enthusiastically. There was something about Christmas coming up and all of the decorating that put Jayden in a fabulous mood.

Kurumi had been out on the grounds reading in the courtyard when she had seen the Groundskeeper walking around with...trees. Of course this grabbed the Gryffindor's attention and she had stalked followed him into the Great Hall where she then overheard discussion about tree decorating. Oh, that's right...it was December already.

The surreal feeling of just how quickly this term was passing, Kurumi approached the small crowd and stood near Mr. Gibbins. "Still need an extra wand?" she asked as she looked at the trees again. "Any reason for there being twelve trees?"

She nodded at the groundskeeper...but...how did one..decorate a tree? Elliot eyed it suspiciously for a few minutes....and decided that she might try to slip awaaaay...quietly, shhh.

But as soon as she got the guts to do it, she heard Jayden. OH THANK MERLIN! She never thought she would be soooo happy to see one of her best friends...MERLIN!

"Jayden...I'm coming to help you...you look like you know what you're doing..." because clearly Elliot didn't ever decorate trees. That was for her mother...and her house elf.

And, for the record, she was ignoring Minnie.

Ah good. Seb had been a bit worried that none of the staff members were going to join in. So he was glad to see the Librarian and he flashed the man a grin and gave him a slap on the back. "Thanks for coming down. More hands are most welcome." Not only with the decorating. Not that he thought the students would get out of hand but just in case, it was nice to have another staffer on hand.

Well this one was mighty cheery, wasn't she? And why not? It was Christmas time and it always put everyone in a good mood, even though it was cold outside. Seb had to admit that it was taking some getting used to. But he gave the Ravenclaw a smile and nodded his head. "Your help will be most welcome."

Seeing the Gryffindor Prefect enter the Great Hall, Seb had to chuckle, he knew that she wouldn't miss out on helping out. "Most definitely." And then he leaned down a little and whispered to her, "And some help keeping an eye on the younger students too." Sometimes excitement could lead to chaos.

As for the twelve christmas trees, Seb shrugged his shoulders. "Just following tradition. There has always been twelve christmas trees in the Great Hall for as long as I can remember."

Wait...whaaa?!

Sierra hadn't expected such a casual, polite reply. For some reason, she'd build herself up to believe he'd just give her this disappointed glance. She even hesitated for a split second, blinked, and then came to.

"Oh, right...," she said. Help out. She could do that. Throw decorations up and hope for the best? "Where do you come from?" she asked. The forest? She looked over at the box of decorations and said, "Well, these look good. I'll get a start on this empty tree here."

Grabbing an ornament, she turned around and nearly ran right into Kurumi Hollingberry. What was it with the two of them having such chance meetings lately? "Err, sorry," she said and edged past her. Then something occured to her and she added, "Hey, Kurumi? When your mom was so sick, how did you...handle it?"

Minerva looked at Mr. Gibbins, how to explain why she got weird all of the sudden. Oh there wasn't any explain Elliot, he would understand with her attitude she probably would give. "Oh no..no nothing is wrong. Are you excited about the holidays? How are the dogs.. Well I guess dog and wombat?" Minerva smiled, she liked playing with them. It was so much fun.

Turning back to the tree she grabbed some more decorations and started handing them, "Is there house decorations? Like badgers, snakes, lions, and eagles? It would be fun to decorate one tree with house decorations." Yes that would be great.