As quietly as you can, you climb the many steps of the spiral staircase to the Astronomy Tower for your astronomy homework. It is past curfew and as the night is clear tonight, you hope to look through one of the many telescopes what you need for your homework.

Astronomy has never been your strong suit and accordingly you have always had someone help you, or you've copied their homework in the most hopeless situations, but as it is holiday time none of your other partner in crime are available.

So, you have to do your homework by yourself for once.

When you are sure that none of the prefects can catch you, you release the disillusionment spell.

While you press your astronomy books against your chest with one arm, you fish in your cloak with your free hand for the small jar you brought with you from London.

With practised hand movements you manage to open the lid of the jar and spread a thin layer of the cream inside on your lips with your finger. Then you put the jar away again and realise that you are almost at the top of the astronomy tower. You sigh with relief.

Your legs are already aching from climbing so many stairs today.

Having arrived, with your gaze firmly focused on the huge telescope, you realise only too late that you are not the only one here after curfew.

Almost simultaneously, you and the other person present startle each other.

"Amit!" you gasp in surprise, clutching your heart, "You nearly scared me to death!"

"Sorry!"

You sigh briefly to bring your fast-beating heart back under control, then shake your head. "It's alright. What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing." He tilts his head slightly questioningly.

Slightly embarrassed, you clear your throat, "Homework."

"Oh," he replies, scratching his cheek with his index finger.

An awkward silence falls between you.

"Amit," you start slowly, "Can you possibly help me? You're the expert and all... In astronomy, I mean."

Amit nods several times. His expression literally lights up as he begins to speak like a waterfall.

Laughing, you hold up your free hand to stop him.

"Amit! Stop! You don't even know where I need help, yet!" chuckling, you watch a blush settle over his cheeks.

"Sorry."

"You don't need to apologise for that Amit! I'm happy you're helping me."

"So, where do you need help?"

With your books in hand, you walk over to Amit, who is standing at one of the telescopes facing west. You open the top one of your books and show him the passage you don't understand.

"Oh!" he says with a laugh, "That's easy. Look-"

He starts explaining to you what to look for when you're trying to solve the problem, letting you look through the telescope now and then so you can make up your own mind.

Even if you don't understand a bit of what Amit is trying to explain to you.

And even if you don't understand a word of what Amit is explaining, he takes the trouble to explain again what you don't understand, pointing out and interpreting the figures in the starry sky that you need and paraphrasing background information in a way that makes it easier for you to remember.

In the end, you have three whole scrolls of parchment written full of information and constellations to hand in to Professor Shah later.

And judging by the position of the moon, as Amit helpfully informs you, you've spent a whole two hours on it. Less than you actually expected.

"Thanks again, Amit," you thank him, rolling up the parchment and closing your books.

"No problem!" he says cheerfully. "I'm glad I could help you!"

"You're a real lifesaver, you know that?"

He just grins at you, his cheeks all red.

Not ready to sneak back to your common room just yet and leave Amit alone, you put all your papers aside and stare up at the sky into the starry night. Amit is sitting next to you on the floor.

From your bag you take out the jar again to apply a new layer of cream to your lips.

Amit tilts his head in irritation as he watches you.

"What is this?"

"Lip gloss," you explain, "The latest trend in London. I bought it when I was there. It's supposed to make your lips really soft and tastes like different fruits. I have plum here."

"Oh really?" You can tell by the look on the Ravenclaw boy's face that he can't really comprehend your words.

Suddenly you feel quite brave.

"Amit," you say before you can back down, "I want to thank you properly. Close your eyes."

"O-Okay?" He does as he is told and closes his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, you lean over to him before pressing your lips to his.

Amit pulls his head back so fast that he almost tips over backwards and your heart beats painfully in your chest.

"I, I'm sorry Amit! I, I!" All the colour has drained from your face and an uncomfortable feeling of rejection spreads through your chest.

Quickly, you turn away and hastily gather your things. You jump up and hurriedly leave the scene of crime, but before you can take a step towards the stairs, you hear Amit calling your name.

You stop, your back still turned to the Ravenclaw boy. "I, I was just s, surprised," he stutters awkwardly, then clears his throat. "I'd like to- I'd like to- ... can we..." he awkwardly tries to get a sentence past his lips, but keeps breaking off.

Slowly you turn to him. "You, you're not mad?"

He shakes his head. "N, no, I, if you, well, I, if you don't mind, we could..." He looks anywhere but you.

A smile spreads across your lips and you stalk back to the boy. "So, you don't mind if I kiss you again?" He shakes his head.

You put your materials on the floor and step closer to Amit, your fingers finding a place on his shoulders. His hands sneak around your hips. You look into each other's eyes briefly before he leans down and kisses you gently.

His lips are soft and sweet and fit perfectly on yours. You move your mouths in sync with each other, deepening the kiss more and more until Amit's tongue gently strokes your lower lip, asking for entrance, which you grant him. His tongue wraps around yours, exploring your mouth until you run out of breath.

"You're right," he says breathlessly, "it does taste like a plum."

You giggle and kiss him again.

-

You barely manage to sneak back into your common room past one of the prefects.

Sighing, you drop onto your bed and notice that Natty is still awake. She looks at you scrutinisingly, asking where you have been. Your face turns red and you are about to answer her when an owl brings you a letter, which promptly interrupts your conversation.

You open the letter and recognise Amit's handwriting.

I would like to show you more constellations. Shall we say tomorrow evening?

Same time.

A. T.