The two collapsed on the bed together, covered in sweat. The only noise was the frantic panting coming from the two of them. Draco stared into her brown orbs and kissed her.

"You have to go." Dawn muttered, hearing the guests begin to leave.

"It'll be fine." He said rolling next to her, pulling her into his body. If Draco was willing to risk it, who was she to tell him no?

The next morning, Dawn awoke to an empty bed. "Just as much." She sleepily mumbled. Grumbling she pulled herself out of bed and threw herself into the shower.

As she let the water trickle over her body, she couldn't help but to notice the mark was back, visible on her olive-toned skin. Growling, she clenched her fists and finished her shower quickly.

Today she planned to go shopping in Diagon Alley for Christmas gifts. Dawn bundled up and travelled to the shops by floo.

As the witch stepped out of the fire place, she looked around. Everything had been so different. Some shops were closed down, others barley visited. Hell, even Knockturn Alley was more solemn than usual.

Dawn's eyes darted around as she began to think of things that she could possibly get her father when she saw the red-haired Gryffindor standing outside of the Quidditch supply shop. The small witch made her way to him and lightly tapped him on the shoulder.

The bright eyed wizard turned around, grinning at the sight of Dawn. He wrapped his arms around her giving her a hug while she received glares from Ginny, Harry, and especially Hermione.

"What are you doing here?" He asked adjusting his hat.

"Christmas shopping." Dawn smiled.

"Alone?" Ron asked being shoved to the side.

"No Weasel, with me." Draco abruptly cut in. Dawn glared and punched him in the arm.

"Sorry." She said looking at Ron, apologizing for Draco's behavior. Ron shrugged it off. The two stood conversing for a few minutes while the tension among everyone else could be cut with a knife. Ron and Dawn finally said their goodbyes and the witch headed into the Quidditch supply store, Draco following.

"Why are you talk-" Dawn cut him off before he could continue.

"He's my friend, shut it. How did you know I was here?" Dawn picked up the broom Ron was looking at and stalked off toward the counter. Quickly paying for it, Dawn began exiting the store, Draco following with a brow raised. "Why are you here?" She asked strolling into Flourish and Blotts.

"Christmas shopping." He grinned, striding into the book store. "Been here for an hour. My mother and father are somewhere." Dawn selected a few books for her mother and proceeded to the checkout.

The two shopped around for a bit, in silence mostly, neither wanting to bring up the night before. Dawn managed to slip away for ten minutes so she could get his gift. She stepped into a jewelry shop and glanced over the watched, already knowing what she was getting him. She ushered for an employee and picked out the watch. It was silver and the inside was emerald green. The hand were made up of snakes that coiled around one another. He'd love it, it was perfect.

Dawn got his initials across the top and hers across the bottom and on the back she had it inscribed "No matter what we are or what we were, you will always be mine." She had the clerk wrap it in a green paper and she shoved it in her bag just in time because Draco sauntered in.

"You ready?" He asked. The witch nodded and left with him.

The next few days were uneventful. Dawn kept to herself mostly and when she didn't, she helped prepare for their Christmas Eve dinner. This year the Malfoys, Notts, Zabinis, and the Parkinsons were invited.

The night of the dinner, Dawn prepared herself for the night. She wore a black dress that rested at her thighs and gold heels. She did her make-up and curled her hair and as the guests began to arrive she made her way to her window and grabbed her owl, Midnight handing him the broom, nice and wrapped.

"I know it's heavy but you don't have to take it very far." She said petting the dark feather bird lightly on his head. Handing him the broom, she let him out the window, giving him the address to where he needed to go.

Dawn headed downstairs, disappointed to see that the Parkinsons were the first to arrive and scowled at Pansy, who happily returned it. Her mother took her side and looked at her disapprovingly.

"Girls, why don't you head to Dawn's room? When the others arrive I'll send them up. We've got to have a meeting before dinner." Dawn looked to her mother, pleadingly, but she dismissed her and sent her on her way. She turned back to her mother and noticed how shaken and fragile she looked. Something was going on. She sighed and headed upstairs, Pansy in tow.

"Don't sit on my bed, don't touch my things, and don't use my bathroom." Dawn said heading toward the window, waiting for the return of her owl. She sighed and retreated to the bathroom. Sitting on the toilet, she huffed and glared at the locked door. She hated Pansy Parkinson. The worst part about it was that her mother knew, and she still forced this upon her. Growling, she remained still until she heard Pansy squeal. "Draco." She whispered smiling.

Stepping out into her bedroom she saw Pansy, arms wrapped around Draco and he avoided her gaze and met Dawn's instead. Grinning as Draco pulled his way out of Pansy's grasp, Dawn crossed her arms over her chest. "Happy Christmas." She breathed out.

"Happy Christmas." He muttered back, kissing her lightly on the forehead. Her face lit up as he pulled her into a hug and she smirked as Pansy glared daggers at her. "S'pose you don't have any more of that fire whiskey, eh?" He asked grinning. Dawn shook her head and took a seat on the edge of her bed, Draco following.

The two chatted, ignoring Pansy who was ready to burst into tears any moment. Dawn shrugged her off. She'd get over it and move onto someone else to annoy. As a few others arrived they all sat around and chatted and when Dawn saw her owl, she jumped to the window. Grinning she opened it, allowing Midnight to fly in, taking the small package from him.

Going to her drawer, she dug out a treat, handed it to the obedient bird and locked him back into his cage. Smiling at the package, she grabbed the note folded on top and opened it, grinning like a fool when she saw Ron's messy handwriting scribbled across.

Thank you for the broom.
This didn't cost nearly as much, but I thought of you when I saw it.
Happy Christmas, Dawn.
R.W.

Opening the box, Dawn pulled out a charm bracelet. It had a keeper and a quaffle, charmed to move and her smile widened even more. Putting the bracelet on, she turned to face Draco who was staring at her like she was absolutely bonkers. Rolling his eyes as he realized who it was from, Draco stood next to Dawn.

"Cheap little thing, isn't it?" Draco teased. Dawn shot him a glare and rolled her eyes.

"Well I love it." She snapped back, sitting on her bed. Draco frowned and watched Dawn reach under her pillow and pull out a box. Sighing, she handed it to Draco. "Got you something." She smiled slightly and watched as he unwrapped it.

He smiled, a real genuine Draco smile. She hadn't seen one of those in a while. He ran his fingers slowly over her initials then flipped it over, inspecting the engraving on the back. Draco's eyes lit up as he read it. "Yours?" Dawn nodded and bit her lip as Draco reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box. Handing it to Dawn, he quickly clipped his watch on, admiring the craftsmanship.

Dawn slowly opened the box. Inside, there was a small metal snake, slithering around. Dawn raised a brow and Draco lifted the snake. Grabbing her hand, he placed the snake on her ring finger and watched as it slithered down and snaked its way three times around. Dawn grinned and looked at Draco.

"I absolutely love it." Looking to Draco, she flushed slightly pink and lightly kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Draco." The blonde wizard brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her hand. "It was my pleasure." Dawn grinned and then jumped when she heard her mother's voice calling them all downstairs.

The Slytherin teens all walked downstairs to meet their parents in the dining hall. Dawn walked by Draco's side and before she could walk through the doors, her father grabbed her sharply by the arm. Hissing, he pulled her to the side and glared.

"Tonight, Dawn. After dinner. Do no screw this up." Her father threatened menacingly. Dawn's eyes widened slightly. Tonight? Her father stormed into the dining hall, leaving Dawn to collapse on the floor in fear, shaking. A few moments passed and she recollected herself and shakily made her way into the dimly lit dining hall.