A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this one out. Thank you guys so much for the positive feedback though! In this chapter, we get to delve into the inner workings of Mr. Draco Malfoy for a bit. Oh and bonus points for people who can figure out which songs are at the beginning of each chapter. Be warned. My musical taste is very sporadic and random. Much like myself. (This chapters is easy though.)

Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Devious Chapter 2: All Eyes On Me

*** There's only two types of guys out there,
Ones that can hang with me, and ones that are scared
So baby I hope that you came prepared
I run a tight ship, so beware
I'm like a ring leader, I call the shots.
I'm like a fire cracker,
I make it hot when I put on a show.

I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins
Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break
I'm like a performer, the dance floor is my stage.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*************!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Five years. Five glorious years had gone by since Draco had finally escaped the hell hole known as Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry; five glorious years in which Draco Malfoy had spent the better part of trying to piss off his father. And what better way to piss off an "Ex" Death Eater then to become someone that helps develop ways to destroy them?

Draco had begun this new mission shortly after the fall. Harry Big Head Potter had finally found a way to destroy Voldemort and save the wizarding world as they knew it. Whoo. Big surprise. No one saw that coming right? Lucius, being the slippery bastard that he was, plead to being under the Imperius during Voldemorts rein and had escaped Azkaban. Again. This irritated Draco to no end. His idiotic asshole of a father, who shamelessly followed around a reject half blood, wannabe dictator who got his jollies off of torturing people who technically didn't know they existed (and for those slow folk out there we call these people muggles) and smiled at the thought of sacrificing virgins or some rot. Lucius's stupidity and helpless devotion to the Dark Lord had made Draco's adolescence hell. He had spent the better part of his Hogwarts days in a brainwashed state of thinking the meaning of life was to worship a not-quite-human entity that looked like a snake on legs and was obsessed with an 11 year old boy. That's not creepy at all.

After Voldemort fell, Draco was sure that his father's days of torturing, beating and raping were over. He was wrong. It got worse. Determined to avenge their fallen master, the Death Eaters had been relentless. They lashed out, lost and confused without anyone to lead them. Pawns stuck on a chest board with no King to protect. Most were too careless to escape capture. His father however, had not been one of them. In fact, it had been a growing suspicion in Draco's mind that his father was lined up to succeed the Dark Lord. The suspicion turned almost into certainty when the summer after his final year at Hogwarts his father tried to offer him up as a sacrifice for the immortality spell that Voldemort had used.

That was the day that Draco started to believe in lucky stars, for Narcissa, coming home early from one of her many shopping trips, had walked in on the ritual just in time to ruin the sacrificial ceremony with a high pitched scream about getting blood on the new Persian rugs. Thank Merlin for uptight rich witches. Lucius almost killed Narcissa in his f rage but she being a well trained Death Eaters wife escaped narrowly apparating away quickly and was now to Draco's knowledge in hiding somewhere in America called the Hamptons. They became each others Secret Keepers and Draco remained in merry old London right under his father's nose while his mother enjoyed the single life in the sunny American Hamptons. He rarely hears from her. Needless to say, the experience was somewhat of a wake up call for the young Malfoy and caused him to be just a teensy bit ticked off at his, what he now affectionately called, 'sperm donor.' Draco had kept a low profile since then.

Now that Draco was set on a new career path, (one that didn't involve the sacrificing of, well him) he soon discovered that becoming an Unspeakable was no easy feat. Even for someone with as high social standing and connections in the ministry such as the Malfoy name had. Contrary to popular belief thanks to the insufferable glory hound Harry Potter, Draco had a great many talents. He was skilled in charms, potions, transfiguration and interestingly enough, had an excellent enough memory to tolerate history of magic. He had only been outshone in his marks by a certain Miss Hermione Granger. (Much to his chagrin.) Unlike most of his endeavors Draco had actually been accepted into the program based purely on merit. Harry and Ron would most definitely have a stroke if they knew.

But being an Unspeakable was growing tiresome for Draco. It required lots of thinking, scheming, more thinking, experimenting, explosions, and absolutely no action what so ever. Oh and the most important part: His father had no idea where he was or what he was doing. Draco knew that he had gotten away with his lifestyle solely based on the fact that his father had figured out they were in hiding was currently occupied trying to find the too people that were Secret Keepers for each other. Not to mention he was too busy trying to achieve world domination at the same time. Again. Evil-doers were so unoriginal.

So now it was time for Draco to take some action of his own. He had given his father a chance to come find him and now he was tired of waiting. The 'Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are' game was growing tiresome. Draco needed to get into the field. Do some hands on work besides the explosions and the experiments. He was more of a walk the walk type guy anyway. Except in school, that didn't count. He had contacted his supervisor already and begun training in field work almost immediately. With so many of Voldemorts followers still on the loose and most of them still at large, having an Unspeakable on their side would be pivotal for the auror department. He finished the training in just two short weeks. He would have set some kind of record… if Harry Potter hadn't already done it 5 years prior. Draco seethed inwardly about that one for days before he was officially transferred. Some things never change.

And this is where we find our blonde haired rebel-with-a-cause (for once) sitting across from a very formidable looking red head wearing a messy ponytail, slightly baggy jeans, an old Weird Sisters T-shirt under a wrinkled standard issue blue auror uniform that was left open and a mad glint in her eye.

Draco cocked an eyebrow at her. "What are you getting at Weasley?"

Instead of answering his question, Ginny turned to Ron. "Ronald, will you excuse me and my new partner for a moment?"

Ron glanced between the puzzled look on Draco's face to the determined one on Ginny's and seemed to make a split second decision. "Don't get fired," He said before standing up with his tray and leaving, but not without giving his little sister a cautionary glare.

"Have you seen this?" Ginny asked, eyes shinning brightly as Ron exited the cafeteria.

"Only for the last twenty minutes Weasley, get on with it."

"The ministry is throwing a congratulatory party for Shacklebolt's retirement and Harry's new promotion next week. We're assigned for security," Ginny grinned now.

"And?" Draco prompted.

Ginny rolled her eyes, "All the who's who of the wizarding world will be there including a certain blonde headed bimbo and dirty cheating, Quidditch player scum…"

"I am not a bimbo and I don't think Potter would appreciate you calling him scum Weasley," Draco smirked at the look of annoyance that crossed Ginny's face.

"Shut up Malfoy, you know what I mean. But you're right; you strike me as more of a bastard than a bimbo."

"Bitch."

"I take that as a compliment. So are you in?"

Draco cocked a silver brow. "In on what?"

"Haven't you been listening?"

"No not really, no," Draco lied, checking out is fingernails uninterestedly, just to piss her off.

"You are such a dick."

"I take that as a compliment." He smiled glowingly at her.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*************!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Draco got up from the table ten minutes later with an almost new found respect for Ginny. The girl may not be very classy but she had cunning. Draco found himself thinking she would have done well in Slytherin. Okay not well but she could have held her own in any case. No one was better at being Slytherin than him. Except for the whole becoming an auror thing. That didn't count.

Once Draco had left Ginny in the cafeteria pondering her 'plan,' he headed up to the Atrium to floo home and change. He needed to go into Diagon Alley to pick up dress robes because he had just been informed the party would be black tie. Draco hadn't attended a black tie event since the Yule Ball his fourth year. Oh and the sacrificial ceremony that his father had prepared for his immortality. But once again, he didn't think that one counted. He reached the Atrium at last, walking up to the nearest floo grate and setting his wand on the small table that stood next to it. The table vibrated once and his wand glowed green. A slip of parchment poofed it's way into existence reading:

Wand Make: Hawthorn and unicorn hair, 10 inches.

Registered To: Draco Cassius Blake Malfoy.

Title: Auror.

Status: Cleared.

The word 'cleared' glowed green once and the parchment poofed again, disappearing while Draco pocketed his wand and grabbed a fist full of the shimmering powder. He tossed the sparkling dust into the fire and a moment later he stepped in shouting clearly, "Diagon Alley!" tucking his elbows in, and squeezing his eyes firmly shut.

Draco hated traveling by floo powder. He had ever since he was a boy. The trip always gave him vertigo and soiled his clothing. Plus, it messed up his hair. Apparating was the faster, simpler and more convenient way of travel in his opinion but since the 'Death Eater Rebellion' as the Ministry now called it there had been a definite peak in security measures to prevent a breach. Although, Draco reasoned that anyone working at the Ministry could be a spy for the Death Eaters. As long as they were a registered employee they could still infiltrate just as easily as the next person thus, making the security effort futile, Draco kept this opinion to himself.

When his feet had landed firmly on the ground in the correct grate, Draco stepped out gracefully as ever despite the fact that the room in front of him was still spinning. He cast a well practiced Scourgify before heading out of the shop and into the street.

The on advantage of coming to Diagon Alley on a week day in the middle of work hours was that it decreased the hustle and bustle of the crowds, and the chances of meeting someone you know there, which were both perfectly fine with Draco. Making his way over to Madam Malkins, the thought that he could actually make a shopping trip without the worry of bumping into an old school mate and making awkward pleasantries put a slight spring in his step. He hadn't taken three steps however when he spotted a familiar head of bushy brown hair piled on top of a face that was currently scowling at him in a horribly familiar stern Gryffindorish way.

"Oh bollocks," Draco's spring faltered as he spotted Hermione Granger coming towards him, exiting the—surprise, surprise—book store.

"Wrong choice of words for someone who doesn't have any," Hermione greeted.

"Real mature Granger. I see you haven't changed much," Draco replied looking pointedly at the bag of books over her shoulder.

"I see you haven't either judging by the size of your still enormous head," Hermione smiled winningly at him.

Draco smirked. "That depends on which 'head' you're talking about."

Hermione blanched. "You're sick."

"You like it," Draco countered easily.

"Ugh," Hermione shuddered. "What are you doing here anyway? I heard you were just transferred to the auror department and were supposed to be going over your cases with Ginny."

"Merlin's fucking pants, word travels fast around here…" Draco muttered.

Hermione was still looking at him expectantly so he sighed. "Not that it's any of your business Granger, but I need dress robes for Hero Boy's party next week. Weasley and I are running security."

"Oh really?" Hermione said, smile curling at her lips. "Well aren't you a lucky one?"

"Sod off," Draco snapped. "What are you doing with your life then? Still trying to become the worlds biggest book worm? Because I have news for you Granger, no one is fighting you for the title."

"For you're information Malfoy, I'm in journalism now, working at Rita Skeeters right hand aiding the spread of horrible gossip and mayhem in the wizarding press," Hermione announced.

"Are you serious?" Draco said, clearly baffled at her proclamation.

"No idiot. Merlin, you're thick, I'm an Obliviator at the Ministry. I thought even a moron like you would know that. Our departments work together all the time."

"Yes, because the Department of Mysteries needs Obliviators on a regular basis…" Draco's voice dripped with contempt.

"I was talking about your current department smartass," Hermione rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"I'm sorry that I don't keep tabs on the friends of my previous nemesis from school. It must've not made it on my 'Things To Accomplish In Life' list. I'll get right on that," Draco said insincerely. "But as much as I would love to sit here and catch up with you all day Granger, I'd rather be trampled by a horde or rampaging Hippogriffs so, I'll just be on my way now." And he neatly sidestepped the brunette, walking briskly the other way before she could respond.

"Well it was nice seeing you too ferret face!" Hermione called before stalking off herself.

"God I hate Gryffindors," Draco grumbled before stepping into the shop.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*************!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Draco was standing in front of the mirror staring at his reflection. He couldn't quite decide if he liked what he saw. His new dress robes fit him like a dream and were cut to perfection thanks to the magical workings of Madam Malkin herself, he smelled fantastic as usual, his shoes were shiny and his posture would put Dumbledore's high backed chair to shame, but he couldn't do a damn thing about his hair. He'd tried slicking it back like he did in school but that made him look fifteen again so he'd mussed it all up, trying the bed head look. He rejected that idea quickly, realizing that it was too similar to a very famous raven haired super hero that happened to be the cause of his distress. If Harry Bleeding Potter as Draco had affectionately dubbed him, hadn't been promoted- or better yet- born, he wouldn't be in this predicament. After ten more minutes of messing with his hair, Draco finally decided to give up on it, simply running his fingers through the feathery locks and letting them fall as they may.

Who was he trying to look good for anyway? Ginny Weasley? Draco had to scoff at that thought. Thinking about Ginny Weasley usually gave him a migraine so he usually tried to suppress those thoughts. Getting ready for the party had been a nightmare all in it's own without thinking about the unfortunate circumstance that involved taking her as his 'date.' Draco cringed at the thought when he remembered her attire the last time he had seen her. Hopefully she would ditch the ratty Weird Sisters T-shirt tonight.

Draco glanced at the clock. It read, 6:55. The party was to start at 7 pm sharp and Draco and a couple of other aurors in his department had already been to the ministry banquet hall where the event was to take place earlier that day to secure any last minute wards and double check the existing ones. Ginny had not been able to make it to the pre-sweep security because she claimed she was too busy preparing for the party. Draco didn't mind. If he was going to be spending the whole evening with her, a reprieve from his fiery tempered new partner, even if it was just a few hours, was very welcome in his opinion. They had agreed to meet at the party so Draco stepped up to his fireplace, cursing this means of travel as he always did and flooed to the ministry.

Stepping out of the grate while brushing off his robes and scourgifying himself once again Draco quickly walked over to the lifts and punched the second to last level in. The banquet hall was just a floor above his old department and Draco felt a strange tingle as the lift started to move. The tingle soon traveled from his toes up to his chest and resided there for the rest of the ride. It still had not subsided when the lift doors opened and he walked down the long corridor to the giant oak double doors that led to the hall. Once inside, the tingling in his chest intensified. The hall was packed. Every important witch or wizard worth talking about seemed to be there. It was then that Draco identified the peculiar sensation to nervousness. He was nervous.

"Oh balls," Draco muttered under his breath, quickly grabbing a flute of what was hopefully something alcoholic from the waiter that whisked by. He downed the contents quickly, placing it on the tray of a different waiter's tray, grabbing another one before they rushed off.

While Draco busied himself with his second flute of champagne, he took the chance to glance around the room. The banquet hall itself could've fit the entire Great Hall of Hogwarts in it comfortably. In the middle of the room suspended magically in mid air was a magnificent chandelier that looked about as old as Hogwarts itself. The entire room was dimly lit with torches that hung on the wall, connected by real live fairy's dancing across a delicate string of sparkling gold chains. His eyes quickly landed on a few of his colleagues and nodded at them in greeting. One of them spotted the champagne in his hand, shooting him a warning look and Draco quickly put the glass down behind him. Drinking on the job was usually frowned on he supposed. Draco watched as the auror moved on and as soon as his back was turned he snatched the flute back up in his hands and downed it in one gulp.

It was on his third glass of champagne that he heard the oak doors open again and when he turned to see who it was, almost choked on his last gulp. It was Ginny. At least he thought it was Ginny. She was dressed in a shimmery golden number that was strapless and tight through the bodice and flared out slightly at the calves, brushing the floor in soft folds. Her hair was piled in voluminous ringlets atop her head with a few tendrils framing her face and she held a matching gold clutch. But besides her outward appearance, Draco was baffled by how she entered the hall. Ginny held herself differently. She walked into the banquet hall with all the grace and poise of Narcissa Malfoy herself and Draco couldn't help but stare at this woman that he had thought was incapable of any mystery.

Draco was still staring when Ginny spotted him and he didn't snap out of it until she was standing directly in front of him.

"Well don't you clean up nice," Ginny said, smiling brightly at him.

Draco glared at her suspiciously, "Was that a compliment Weasley?"

"If I say yes, will you behave?" Ginny asked.

"Define, behave." Draco said.

"Shut up. Now are you ready to do this?" Ginny muttered, dropping all pretense of being nice.

"Whatever Weasel, this was your idea," Draco murmured, then plastered a fake grin on his face as Cornelius Fudge drew near.

Ginny suddenly grabbed a hold of Draco's arm and steered him towards the dance floor.

"What are you doing? That was Fudge coming over," Draco protested.

"Shut up. They're here." Ginny whispered fiercely, nodding her head in the direction of the doors.

Draco, who was about to protest at being told to 'shut up' twice in a matter of 60 seconds, turned to the direction Ginny indicated instead and sure enough, immediately spotted the head of golden blonde hair attached to a magically modified face, swathed in a skimpy red floor length dress and clinging to the arm of a ruggedly handsome brunette with gleaming white teeth. Draco felt his blood boil. That stupid tramp really was seeing that Finnegan wanker. The beautiful couple bad barely made it into the confines of the building when they were bombarded by party goers eager to greet the happy new couple, making their first public appearance together.

"Dance Weasel?" Draco said turning away from the couple across the room.

"You sure have a way with words Malfoy," Ginny rolled her eyes but took his offered arm anyway.

Draco twirled her onto the dance floor, his mind still on the couple that had just walked in. "We're putting on this show for them aren't we? As long as it looks good from where they're standing, it doesn't matter how we achieve it."

Ginny just rolled her eyes and didn't bother with a response.

"You look thoroughly distracted," Ginny observed a few minutes later as Draco dipped her effortlessly, a far off look on his delicate features.

"You would be too if your ex just walked in on the arm of some pretty, bimbo super star wannabe," He replied.

Ginny cocked a ginger brow, "I thought he just had."

Draco had to smile at that one.

"Have they spotted us yet?" Ginny whispered as Draco twirled her again.

Draco scanned the room, his eyes landing on his target almost instantly. She wasn't hard to miss. Chastity was still clinging onto the arm of Seamus Finnegan like a life source while he chatted animatedly with Cornelius Fudge and was currently staring daggers in their direction. If looks could kill Draco would've been disintegrated into nothing but a pile of ashes already. Fudge finally walked away and he saw her very pointedly nudge her date with her elbow, motioning with her head in their direction. The animated look on the young Quidditch star's face quickly turned sour upon realizing who she was indicating. Draco watched Seamus's face turned a shade of puce that would make Harry's Uncle Vernon proud, as the couple made their way through the throng towards them at a rapid pace.

"Yup. They've definitely seen us," Draco quipped.

"Are you sure?" Ginny asked.

Draco pulled her in close to whisper in her ear, "Yes."

His lips had brushed her ear ever so gently and Ginny suppressed an involuntary shudder at the contact. She looked up. Seamus and Chastity were halfway across the room now.

"Just an FYI Weasley," Draco's left hand lowered itself from Ginny's waist to her hip, coming dangerously close to resting on her behind and Ginny tried not to squirm. "Don't over analyze anything I do tonight." Before Ginny had a chance to inquire just what the hell he was talking about, Draco suddenly tilted her back in a low dip, letting his face come forward with her neck line, letting the tip of his nose graze ever so slightly down the length of her neck all the way down to her cleavage before standing her upright again. When she was righted once more the song reached its ending crescendo and he did one quick twirl, pulling her toward him as the song began its last stanza.

As the last note was about to be played, Ginny shifted her body slightly so she halted with her right knee pressed up between his legs as her body stopped, flush against Draco's and her knee came up to press up into his groin ever so slightly.

Draco's eyes widened as Ginny leaned in to whisper in his ear this time, "I wouldn't have it any other way." She could see from her peripheral vision that Seamus and Chastity were almost upon them. "Oh and the same goes for you Malfoy. Don't forget, I'm running this show," Ginny murmured before she leaned in caressing Draco's lips with her own in one quick seductive kiss. When Ginny opened her eyes again, Draco was gazing at her in wonder. Ginny's lip turned up at the corner. "You might want to wipe that lipstick off before someone notices."

One of Draco's silver brows arched as he stared passed Ginny's shoulder. "Oh I think they've noticed."

Ginny waited until another waiter with a tray of champagne came by and snagged a glass, twirling around just in time to see Seamus halt in the middle of the dance floor, his date almost colliding with his back with his sudden cease in movement. Ginny took a delicate sip of her drink, gazing at her ex-boyfriend over the rim of her flute and winked mockingly at him. Seamus's face turned a lovely shade of blotchy burgundy this time and Chastity's perfectly arched brows were knit together behind him in apparent annoyance. But before the lovely couple could get any closer, Draco tugged gently on Ginny's hand, leading her away from the dance floor, one arm 'protectively' around her waist.

"What, not one for confrontation Malfoy?" Ginny said casually once they were out of earshot as if their exchange had never happened. She took another sip of her champagne.

"No. It just stings more this way."

"For you or for her?"

Draco gave her a strange look before pointing at himself, "Heartless bastard, remember?"

"How could I forget?" Ginny said expressionlessly. "Now can you get your grimy paws off my ass please?"

Draco released her at once. "Like I'm just thrilled to be touching you Weasley; I'm going to need a three hour bath after this."

"Careful Malfoy, I know where you work now," Ginny said through a false smile as she scanned the room. "How are the wards holding up?"

Draco dug through his pockets and pulled out a dark grey octagon shaped stone with the ministry insignia on it and tapped it once with his wand. The insignia glowed purpled for a few seconds then died. "They're fine." He replied, returning the stone to his pocket. The stone was a talisman directly connected to the safety ward around the building. If any of the wards were broken, the talisman would glow yellow and start to vibrate. If someone not on the magical guest list were to enter it would glow red. If both of the above happened or the said person had ill intentions it would turn black.

"Speaking of security, where's your talisman?" Draco asked looking Ginny up and down pointedly.

Ginny gave him a meaningful look and replied, "Do you really want to know?"

Draco gave her rather tight attire another once over and made his decision quickly, "Nope."

"That's what I thought. Oh look its Hermione and Ron."

Draco took an extra step away from Ginny as the two former Gryffindors approached.

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed, "You look fantastic!"

"Thanks so you do," Ginny grinned at her friend. "As do you Ronald," Ginny nodded at her brother who looked dashing in deep charcoal dress robes. "Sure beats that monstrosity you wore to the Yule ball."

"You're hilarious Gin, but keep your day job," Ron retorted. "Speaking of monstrosity, have you seen Tweedle Dim and Tweedle Ditz over there?" He nodded to where Seamus and Chastity seemed to be arguing on the other side of the room.

Seamus was gesturing wildly with his hands and Chastity had both hands planted firmly on her hips, one occasionally coming up to gesture in their direction, speaking to him in what appeared to be very heated tones.

Ginny's eyes sparkled mischievously as she replied, "Oh, they're here are they?" An empty tray floated by her ear and she placed her now empty champagne flute onto it.

Hermione didn't miss the impish glint in her friend's eye and stared at Ginny shrewdly. "Ginny, what did you do?"

"Oh you know, just some of this," Draco suddenly came up behind Ginny, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back against his chest and kissed her softly on the curve of her neck where it met her shoulder blade.

Ron choked. Hermione stared.

"Were they looking?" Ginny whispered, tilting her head slightly to address Draco, who was now nuzzling her neck.

"You think I'm doing this for enjoyment Weasley?" Draco murmured, purposely letting his lips travel over the nape of her neck as spoke.

"What are you two doing?!" Ron exclaimed, regaining his power of speech. "What if someone sees you? I mean the rumors that would get started…"

"Ronald, I've hardly been one to listen to office gossip and if you've forgotten, I used to date Harry Potter, who I've yet to see by the way and this is his party. The rumor mill is hardly something to get my knickers in a twist about."

Ron just stared at his baby sister disapprovingly. Hermione didn't seem to know what to say.

"Would you quit doing that?" Ron finally snapped at Draco.

"You should see their faces, every time I do it though. Priceless." Draco smirked but pulled away nonetheless. "Plus, I think Weasley here is kind of enjoying it."

Ginny had the good grace to snort. "Please Malfoy, the only thing keeping me from projectile vomiting is that wonderful shade of violet that Seamus keeps turning when he sees us. Nothing on that Chastity bint though. I think her hair is literally starting to curl on the ends."

"Mission accomplished?" Draco asked stepping away from her fully.

Ron's posture relaxed immediately.

"Not quite. We haven't done the finally yet," Ginny sneered wickedly and Draco had to give her props. She did the evil grin quite well. Well for a Gryff anyway.

"I am not staging getting caught with my pants around my ankles in some secluded hallway by my ex Weasley. Have a little class. This isn't Hogwarts anymore."

Ginny's eybrows flew up. Ron choked again.

"You got caught in a hallway with your pants around your ankles while we were at Hogwarts?" Hermione blurted out.

Draco grinned, "Two words: Astoria Greengrass. Probably the best oral I've ever gotten."

"Oh my god! That was you?" Ginny's eyes went wide, and then she blushed furiously. "I mean, Daphne told me her sister got detention for a week for something that was kept confidential from all but who were involved. She wouldn't tell me what for. There were rumors flying all over school and when McGonagall finally got sick of the whispering she made and announcement in the common room. But all she said was it involved 'inappropriate sexual behavior' or some rot like that and that the two students were adequately punished."

"It was worth every hour of detention served too," Draco said reminiscently.

Hermione cringed, "Ugh. Pig."

Draco turned to Hermione and said quite seriously, "Don't knock it till you've tried it Granger."

"Ugh, I work with Astoria sometimes when I volunteer at the library, I'll never be able to look her in the face again," Hermione rolled her eyes skyward.

"You? She's my best friend's sister! How do you think I feel?" Ginny complained sourly and gave a shudder. "Oh my, bad pictures. Bad pictures in my brain. Think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts…" She massaged her temples furiously for a moment then turned to Draco.

"Nevermind. Forget the 'finally.' I just want this image out of my head before I have any lasting nightmares. I need more booze, what kind of party is this?" Ginny stalked away to find another waiter while Draco muttered, "Drama queen," under his breathe and followed after her.

While weaving his way through the crowd following the shining red crown of curls like a beacon, he failed to notice the great many people he was by passing. It was too bad that they didn't fail to notice him. He was stopped on several occasions by people congratulating and interrogating him about his auror position and some even had the audacity to poke fun at the fact that his first job was to help protect this party of his former nemesis. Draco tried to quickly but politely end those conversations, (upper crust up bringing never seemed to fade) so he could continue to track down his partner.

When he finally escaped the gaggle of 'well wishers' he had lost sight of her.

"Damn," Draco swore under his breath, grabbing another passing champagne flute and downing it again. He was starting to get a thoroughly good buzz going if he kept that up.

A few yards away he spotted Daphne Greengrass. He didn't know she'd be at the party. Ginny hadn't mentioned it. But then again, his relationship with Ginny, if you could even call it that, did not entail talking about their personal lives. And Daphne was definitely part of Ginny's personal life.

"Daphne," Draco walked up to her quickly. "Have you seen Weasley?"

"I've seen a lot of Weasley's Draco, this is Harry Potter's party. You need to be more specific," Daphne said, crossing her arms and giving him a condescending look.

"The female one," Draco clarified impatiently.

"I know who you meant, I was just trying to piss you off," Daphne grinned. "She went that way." She jabbed her thumb in the direction of the oak doors and Draco stomped away without thanking her.

As soon as Draco pushed open the oak doors and exited the banquet hall, his sensory nerves went on alert. The hallway was almost pitch black, the torches lining the walls all blown out. It was a lot quieter outside of the party atmosphere as well and it was easier for him to shake the champagne in his system and focus. He squinted into the darkness and listened for any signs that Ginny might be out here.

"Weasley?" He called out, pulling out his wand muttering a quick, "Lumos."

Silence. Draco frowned. Maybe Daphne had been messing with him again. This thought sent an irritated chill up Draco's spine and just as he was about to head back into the hall to give his former housemate a piece of his mind, his pocket vibrated. Draco pulled out the talisman and held it under his wand light. It was black.

A/N 2: So this one was a bit longer because of the wait. But since I left a mini cliffy I'll try to get the next one out faster!