Chapter 2: A Christmas Party and a Wasted Sacrifice

Sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. That's where it all began. All the trouble that would haunt me forever. A lovely burden my name would have to carry for all eternity.

By the way, that name im speaking of, it's Brooke. Brooke Dunstan. And that lovely burden... that lovely burden is the one and only Draco Malfoy.

Being a Ravenclaw, I was sent to Hogwarts on the idea that I study hard and qualify for a good job at the Ministry. That all flew out the window in fifth year when I found their were other things besides school work. Like boys. More specifically, Cedric Warrington, my boyfriend at the time. We started going out at the end of my fifth year, his sixth. It lasted over the holidays, but ended in tragedy (at least I thought it was a tragedy back then) on our return back to school the following year.

That's when Draco came into the situation and took over my entire thoughts… my entire life. It wasn't until mid-year when Professor Slughorn, our new potions teacher, held his Christmas Party, that I said my first words to Draco. Or even acknowledged his presence.

Honestly, we had shared some of the same classes since first year, but never had I needed to acknowledge he was there. Like every other student at Hogwarts I had heard rumours, some of the scandalous variety, and he passed through my thoughts once or twice whilst trying to fall asleep at night. But he made such an impact that night, I couldn't help but become attracted.

It was eight o'clock and I was making my way to Professor Slughorn's office with my friends Amy Johnson and Samantha Capper. On the way we met up with Harry Potter and Luna Lovegood, who was all too happy to share with us her belief that our current Minister for Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, was in fact a vampire, a fact (she spent the whole walk assuring us) that was cleverly hidden by the Ministry.

Upon entering Slughorn's office, you couldn't help but be mesmerized by the spirit of the room. The entire space looked as if it had been dunked into a paint pot of Christmas. From the ceiling, hung drapes of emerald, crimson and gold fabric, that fluttered in an invisible breeze. Emanating from an ornate gold lamp was a brilliant red light that shone even into the darkest corners of the room. The feeling that filled my heart was that of comfort and happiness. Something that made me feel like I was home, among everyone I love. House elves ran around, making sure everything was going smoothly, carrying platters of food.

I hardly recognised anyone. Amy, Samantha and I parted ways from Harry and Luna making our way over to a house elf who was running around bearing a full tray of butter beers. We sat and talked most of the night away, pointing at countless teachers who had let alcohol get the better of them. In general it was a wonderful night spent in great company.

Well it was great until an undrunk Filch (someone always has to be a party pooper by not conforming) dragged an angry Draco Malfoy by the ear towards a slightly tipsy Slughorn. Being only a short distance away I was able to overhear some of the conversation.

I could make out key phrases like 'this boy was lurking' and 'upstairs corridor' and 'claims to have been invited' and issue him an invitation' coming from an almost excited Filch. A furious Draco snatched himself free of Filches grasp and what he said next was clearly audible among the crowd for he said it in a loud yell.

'Okay, I wasn't invited to this party!' he confessed. 'I was trying to gatecrash, are you happy now?' Grabbing him again, Filch seemed pleased with himself, yet still managed to growl out a menacing 'No!' He continued to explain that such behaviour was unacceptable and he would be severely punished.

What happened next, even I didn't expect nor predict. And it was coming from my own mouth. During their bickering I had managed to subconsciously leave my seat and move over to the group. Pushing through a smiling Harry and Hermione, I made my way over to Draco.

'Draco? Where the hell have you been? Your late! I said to meet here at eight, not friggin three hours later. ' I turned around to a shocked party of people. Even a shocked Draco. I smiled at him slightly raising my eyebrows, urging him to accept the help. Whether it was just my mind racing, It seemed like it took him forever to catch on. He began to open his mouth to speak.

'Uh, I forgot about it,' was all he could say. I continued to clear up.

'And saying that you were gatecrashing? What the hell was all that about? Are you that ashamed to be seen with me? I knew we had issues, but this is just pathetic!' I yelled at him. He looked even more bewildered than before. Then he began to smile. I guessed he was going to join in.

'Brooke, I don't know how serious you think this…' I spaced out after he said my name. In fact I think he was actually paying me out. At that moment, that wasn't really all that important. He actually knew my name. Well technically I knew his name so why shouldn't he know mine? I shook my head and zoned back in on what he was saying '…but its over. I just cant do this anymore.'

Now it was my turn to be shocked. My mouth dropped open and stayed there, for a VERY long time. Well at least it seemed long considering my thoughts were going a zillion miles per hour. Did he just dump me? I go out of my way to help him, and he dumps me? Well not really… because we weren't really going out… argh, you get the point.

Then it hit me. I just sacrificed my reputation for a boy who throws it back in my face. In front of everyone who is anyone in the wizarding world. Oh boy, Draco Malfoy is going down. I gathered all the hate within me and shot invisible daggers from my eyes towards the putrid asshole. He just turned cordially to a gleeful Slughorn and thanked him before leaving. Snape directly followed after him.

All eyes were on me. Slughorn placed a hand on my shoulder. 'It's okay dear, it happens to the best of us.' At that I felt truly pathetic. I thought about confessing, but then voted against it considering that would look even more bizarre. So I bowed my head and sobbed. If I was going to go out, I was gonna do it with a bang.

'Professor, I knew it was coming. He was horrible to me really.' I lifted my head so that I was staring into the light. Its strong beams blinded me, and made protective tears fall from my eyes. 'And the sex wasn't even that great. Frankly I think im better off this way.' I looked into his eyes, laughing inside at my cleverness. Professor Slughorn was clearly taken aback by my unexpected "honesty". 'If you don't mind Professor and,' as I acknowledged the entire party, 'present onlookers, I think its best if I leave, you know, try and get some rest'. Slughorn coughed and escorted me to the door wishing me a jolly Christmas. Yeah right. I will only be happy once karma has kicked in.

I strolled back towards the Ravenclaw common room, but couldn't help but overhear voices from behind a nearby classroom door. I peered nosily through the keyhole, come on I was just dumped, give me a little credit. It was Draco and Snape having a very heated conversation.

'… I don't need your protection! It's my job, he gave it to me and I'm doing it,' yelled an aggravated Draco. I have no idea what or who he was talking about, but I was happy it wasn't me. They continued rambling on for quite some time. I zoned out on most of the conversation due to a subsequent amount of evil plotting. A quick turn of the door knob returned me back to reality. I backed away from the opening door, speedily hiding behind a statue of a witch called Gertie Kettle reaching for a Golden Snidget (the inspiration for today's golden snitch). Out stormed Draco ignoring Snape's yells from inside the room. He walked straight passed the statue and I began to follow close behind him, tailing him for several minutes.

We reached the dark dungeons. By this point I was following the light from Draco's wand. Suddenly the light stopped moving and I hid behind a corner peering around to see what he would do next. Nothing was happening.

'What the fu…?' Before I could even finish I was grabbed and pushed strongly, my back crashing against the corridor wall and several paintings whose occupants were just as surprised as I was. An arm was pushed against my throat and I coughed for breath.

'Accio wand,' I head my capturer say. Darn it. I recognise that voice. Fuck you Draco Malfoy and your stupid smart…ness. He lifted the light up towards my face and sighed, letting go of my throat making me unconsciously cough and gasp for air. 'What do you think your doing? For a Ravenclaw you sure are dumb.' I gathered myself together and lit up my own wand.

'I just want to know what the fuck your problem is. I help you -'

'I didn't need your help! In fact, you made everything worse.' I looked at him, my head tilted slightly to one side. I couldn't comprehend what he was trying to say. Fucker.

'Excuse me? I made things worse? Filch would have killed you in detention! I think a thank you is in order. Not only did I save your skin, you ruined my reputation! You made a fool of me!' Draco turned and grabbed my shoulders. He shook them slightly as if this would help me understand his side of the story.

'You have no idea! Do you?' He yelled at me. 'Im a Slytherin, Draco Malfoy to be exact. I don't date anyone, especially half-blood Ravenclaws! Did you see who was there tonight? This will surely get back to my father and to… This could get me into a lot of trouble. You've messed everything up!' He let go of my shoulders, forcing me back a little bit. He moved a hand through his hair and down his face, slightly screwing up his expression searching dearly for a solution. He slid down the wall and rested his head in his hands.

Im not sure how long we stayed in that highly awkward position, and why no one had come along and given us a detention for being out after curfew. Draco then mumbled something under his breath. His voice was a little calmer than before so I just agreed with what he was saying, even though I have no idea what he said. At my response he jolted his head up looking at me astounded.

'I apologise and all you can do is stand there as if this is all my fault?' He says standing back up again and facing me. I looked around thinking of an excuse.

'Honestly, I just didn't hear you, and you were calming down so I thought it was best just to agree with you.' I confessed and then looked at my feet. My mouth continued spurting out information. 'I actually followed you down here seeking revenge.' I figured it was best to leave out the fact that I let the world know he was "bad in bed". I laughed inside. I mean, I still need to keep some ammo in case he decides to turn on me again.

And then Draco did something I least expected… He laughed. It was short and similar to that of a huff, but the amusement was still there. He looked up into my eyes. 'What were you planning to do? Jinx my pants permanently down?'

'I hadn't thought of that. Actually I hadn't come up with anything.' I returned his smile, realising just how pathetic my revenge plan was. 'Wow, im really bad at this revenge business.'

'Yeah, you are.' And we just stood there and laughed. And then we laughed at us laughing.

Its funny how well you can get to know someone in a very short amount of time. Already, in the short span of two hours, we had fallen into a comfortable bond. We had hated and yelled and smiled and laughed.

'Well, I think I can hear my bed calling my name so… Goodnight,' I concluded beginning to walk off towards the Ravenclaw dorms.

'Brooke?' He asked. I turned around facing a now calm Draco. It looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. Finally he said something, however I got the impression it was not what he originally intended.

'See you around.'

'Yeah, you too.'