Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Harry Potter or any of its characters. No matter how much I which I did, they belong to author J.K. Rowling, the publishing company, and Warner Brothers. However, I do own Helena Lyn Blackwell.

Author's Note: A lot of Harry/Helena in this chapter. Sorry about that, but it's necessary. Special thanks to Anbu Fox and DevotedReader. You're reviews mean a lot to me. =]]

Also: Three chapters! That's a record for me! Lol. I usually get bored at two. =D

Chapter Three

It was three days later and I still hadn't had any contact with Draco. I figured by now he'd surely have thought of a way to punish me, and would have done it already. But, he made no attempt to get in touch with me. Of course, I'd seen him in class everyday, but there were never any notes waiting for me, like usual. He wouldn't even look at me. It was like I didn't exist to him anymore. In a way, I was glad. After all, he couldn't hurt me if he wouldn't acknowledge my existence. But in another, I was afraid. He had never acted this way before. Not in the sixteen years I had known him.

Everyday I walked into Potions with Harry, and half expected to see Malfoy watching me, a note lying discreetly under a book on my desk. But, everyday there was nothing. That is until a week later.

I was in the common room, lying on the floor by the fireplace while I did my Charms homework, when the owl came. The letter it had carried here landed softly on the parchment in front of me. The bird swooped back out the window as I watched.

Turning back to my work, I picked up the envelope. It was plain, with my name written in a fancy script on the front. Flipping it over, I broke the seal. I pulled out the paper, and scanned it over. It read:

We're having dinner with my parents tonight. My father needs to speak with you. I'll meet you outside your common room at 8.

-Draco

I looked up at the clock. 7:30. Lovely. Picking up my things from the floor, I muttered, "Bloody wanker," and headed for my dorm to get ready.

It was 8:15 when I finally made it out the common room door. Draco stood just outside, leaning against the staircase railing. His expression was indifferent as he faced me.

"You're late."

"Yes, well, I like to be fashionably late." I smirked in his direction.

"Don't tempt me, Lena."

"Sod off."

He just murmured something unintelligible as he walked away. I followed.

******************

Dinner with the Malfoy's was awkward, to say the least. I had forgotten how intimidated Lucius could be. Of course, Narcissa had her own menacing feel. The pair of them together was almost too much to handle, but I managed. We ate mostly in silence.

"Well, Ms. Blackwell," The man with the long blonde hair began. "I believe it is time to tell you why I have summoned you here."

"Sir?" He caught me with a mouth full of turkey. I quickly swallowed.

"As you may or may not know, Alistair and I made an agreement some years ago."

"An agreement?"

"Yes. You see, your father and I agreed that if something were to happen to him and Aurora, I would take you in and raise you as my own."

"Take me in?" He ignored me this time.

"In exchange for food and shelter," Lucius sat calmly, hands folded neatly on the table, watching my every move. "You were to marry my son."

"Marry? Draco?" I was in shock. Mind racing, unable to think clearly. "But… you broke your promise! I was sent to that orphanage! I live there!" I glanced over at the boy next to me. He just sat there, grinning to himself.

"Which is why, I have taken the liberty of making arrangements with the orphanage for you to stay here during the summer and winter holidays."

"You can't possibly expect me to go along with this when you never held up your end of the bargain. I will not! I cannot!"

Mr. Malfoy stood up from his seat at the head of the table and towered over me. He looked irritated and angry.

"You will. It is done! I will not tolerate such outbursts from you, Helena! I expect you to obey me as you would your father. I will hear no more of this." The man turned on his heels and stalked out of the great dining room.

I sat motionless, dumbfounded. What had just happened? It didn't even feel real, like I'd dreamt it. I pinched myself. No, I was still there. Narcissa stared quietly at me. She seemed to be watching my expression.

"You should do as he says. It's what is best. For all of us." She stood and swiftly trailed after her husband.

I was left alone at the table with Draco, a smirked painted across his face. This was going to be a long year.

Days, weeks, and months started to go by. Everything was a blur of monotony. Class after class and day after day. Always the same routine. Breakfast. Classes. Lunch. Classes. Dinner. Homework. Sleep. Never changing.

It was December now, and winter holiday loomed ever closer. The Yule Ball was only days away. However, I had no date. I'd been asked, of course. But, never by the boy had I wanted. That particular boy had his eyes set on another.

Ginny Weasley.

Oh, how I hated her. She may have been Ron's sister, but she was no friend of mine. She had Harry's affection. And yet, she didn't want him. When he had asked her to the ball, she stated she was dating Dean, and nearly broke his heart. He refused to eat for days. At least that brought him a little closer to me.

We were studying in the library together when he decided to bring up the subject.

"Helena?" He asked.

"Hm?" I grunted, focused on the book in front of me.

"I was wondering," Sheepishly, he rubbed the back of his neck. "Since neither of us has a date… would you like to go to the ball with me?"

"With you?" I joked, glancing up at him from under thick lashes.

"You know, as friends?" He flushed bright pink.

"Sure. I'd love to, Harry."

"Excellent."

I couldn't believe it! Harry, my best friend, the boy of my dreams, had just asked me to the Yule Ball! Even if I was just a last resort. I was practically screaming on the inside as I turned my attention back to my book.

The day of the dance came, and I paced impatiently at the bottom on the boy's dorm staircase. What could possibly be taking him so long? I swore sometimes Harry could be such a girl.

I stopped dead in my tracks when he finally appeared at the top of the stairs. And it seemed he had done the same at the site of me. He looked so handsome in his dress robes, hair in a perfect tousled mess on the top of his head. The boy opened his mouth to speak.

"You look… beautiful." He managed to mumble.

"You don't look half bad yourself, Mr. Potter." I teased.

He made his way down to where I stood and linked his arm in mine, leading me out the common room and towards the Great Hall.

We caught up with Ron and Hermione soon after we made our entrance. They had come with each other, also because neither of them had dates. We all danced together for the fast songs for a while, but Hermione very conveniently grew tired as a slower song played, and she drug Ron off with her.

It was a bit uncomfortable at first, to dance with Harry. One of his hands rested on my waist, the other intertwined with mine as we waltzed in unison with the others. I felt clumsy compared to his dancing. I needed to take my mind off my feet.

"Harry?"

"Yes?"

"I just wanted to say thank you."

"For what?"

"For asking me to come here with you. I know you wanted to come with Ginny." I looked up to see him staring in thought. His footsteps never faltered.

"I thought I did." He answered.

"What do you mean?"

"After I thought about it, I realized she wasn't the girl I really wanted to come with."

"Then, who did you want to be your date?" I asked, curious and genuinely confused.

Harry just looked me in the eyes and smiled. His face slowly began inching towards mine. I could see my own reflection in the lens of his glasses. I could see someone else in that reflection too. Malfoy stood several feet behind me, watching this scene play out before him. A grimace made itself apparent on his face. I'd be punished for this later, but I didn't care.

I began to smile, allowing my friend to make his move in full view of my now fiancé. And when his lips touched mine, my heart stopped beating altogether…

Now where had I heard that one before?