Slytherin house was decimated by the war. Far too many of their alumni had taken their place with the Dark Lord, and been killed or imprisoned after his fall.

The remainder, no matter what side they had chosen, seemed branded by the Sorting Hat's choice for them.

For that reason, Narcissa Malfoy had chosen to throw a ball. She spent weeks poring over old Hogwarts yearbooks, and had invited nearly every living notable Slytherin. Draco was surprised as to how many were now Aurors. They were asked to wear something green, to proclaim their house pride.

Then she invited as many non-Slytherin VIPs as possible so the two groups could rub elbows and realize that the Slytherins were not simply waiting to catch someone alone and slit his throat.

At least that had been her plan.

At the moment, it didn't seem to be going very well.

The room was divided, with Slytherins mingling on one side, and everyone else on the other. Despite Celestina Warbeck herself singing, very few couples were dancing.

Draco caught sight of his date across the hall, where she had gone to speak to Ginny Weasley, soon to be Ginny Potter.

It wasn't a ginger she currently spoke with.

A twinkling eye can mean many things. The one that was twinkling at him right now said "A little help here, please?"

Draco walked over to his girlfriend in time to hear McLaggen say "That dress is very becoming on you. If I were on you I'd be coming too."

As if the idiot hadn't been pompous and self-inflated enough at Hogwarts, after school he had become a model for Twilfit and Tatting, posing in the newest robes in their fall catalogue. He had moved on from there to romance novel covers, and according to some sources, had appeared in muggle television commercials and was pursuing a film career.

At the moment, however, he was pursuing Luna, and Draco didn't like it.

"Hello, love." He greeted his girlfriend with a kiss on the lips, smirking at the interloper. "I was just looking for you. Care to dance?"

She smiled gratefully at Draco.

McLaggen, however, wasn't finished.

"I was just having a lovely chat with this young lady, Mr. Malfoy. Don't rush her off. Are you afraid she might enjoy my company more than yours?" McLaggen raised one eyebrow, giving a smile that was cold and false. "One night with me, and they'll be calling her Moaning Myrtle."

"Actually, she's more of a screamer." Draco didn't shy from the challenge.

"I'm sure. That's what Death Eaters like, isn't it?" McLaggen taunted. "Did you have contests to see who could make her scream the loudest?"

Draco's wand was out and McLaggen was doubled over before anyone could blink.

"No, but if you don't leave now you'll end up squealing like a pig, and that wouldn't be very flattering in front of your fans, now would it?" Draco spat at him.

They were instantly surrounded by Aurors, lead by Trainee-Who-Thinks-He-Runs-The-Place Potter.

"What's going on here?" someone asked.

"He's mad! And dangerous!" McLaggen choked out, pointing at Draco. "He attacked me for talking to his girlfriend."

"He attacked you for things you said about me." Luna defended.

"Who are you going to believe?" McLaggen demanded, now playing to his audience. "Me, or the Death Eater and the Death Eater whore?"

Dean Thomas punched the model in the mouth. "You're a disgrace to Gryffindor." He snorted.

"What is it with your house, Potter?" Draco asked. "First Pettigrew. Now ... this."

Everyone looked at everyone else for a long, tense moment.

Then Kingsley Shacklebolt started laughing.

"He's got a point, you know." The Minister turned to Potter.

"Mr. McLaggen, I think you should leave." Chief Auror Robards, a Ravenclaw himself, announced. "Miss Lovegood, are you all right?"

Luna nodded and slipped her arm through Draco's. "We're fine, if Mr. McLaggen will just leave us alone."

"Come by the office tomorrow, and we can fill out a no contact order against him." The Auror told them as the crowd broke dispersed, some headed toward the food, and some toward the dance floor.

More Slytherins stood around talking to people who weren't wearing green.

Draco spun Luna onto the dance floor.

"I've heard that you're the heir of a Slytherin, so how about you visit my chamber of secrets tonight?" She whispered in his ear.

Draco just laughed.