Kit had sat through getting her hair done, been squeezed into a dress, and had her face frozen to get make up put on. And she was beginning to enjoy the process, maybe even having fun. But there was no way in hell, she was going to wear those. Rose lifted the lid of a deep green box and showed Kit the shoes. They were heels, smooth and covered in black satin with a red ribbon laced up the back. Kit was currently with her back against the wall, shaking her head at the idea.

"No way. In your dreams Rosie!" Kit could see it now, she'd trip and break her ankle and be out of Quidditch and make a fool of herself. Besides, she'd heard every girl complaining about how much her feet hurt after a ball. How was that supposed to make Kit feel better?

Rose held one shoe out to Kit, who eyed it suspiciously. "No Kit, in his dreams." Kit paused to look at her cousin. How did she know what Eric liked, or did all guys like heels?

"I won't hurt myself?" she asked her cousin, sitting back down on the bed.

"Kit, I've seen you stand on your broom and not fall. Two inch heels are hardly going to be a problem."

"What if my feet hurt?"

"We can put a charm on your feet. Happy?" Rose sighed, just wanting to put the shoes on Kit so she could see how amazing she looked. Kit took her time reaching for the shoe, but she finally held it and conceded a small smile.

"I suppose I could do it. For one night." Rose nearly screamed with excitement, making Kit jump. Setting the shoes down, she let Kit slid her feet into the soft shoes. She was surprised to find that they didn't feel that much different than her regular shoes. They didn't hurt nearly as much as she'd thought they would. She stood and smiled when she remained upright. She took a cautious step forward, stepping awkwardly as she got used to the shoe.

"Walk with your heel first," Rose said as she dug around for something. "As use your hips, you'll have better balance." She didn't see Kit's look of confusion or disbelief, but instead straightened to see her cousin walking around the room, her hips swinging slightly to give her better control. Impressed, Rose flashed Kit a smile. With a look at Mary, the two ran over and pushed Kit in front of the mirror. She stumbled a little, but when she straightened, she gasped.

Her hair flew out in every direction, but didn't look like an absolute mess. In fact, it looked like a brown halo. Kit's gaze fell onto her face, and she couldn't tell she was wearing make up, except for the fact her eyelashes brushed her cheeks when she blinked. The dress was what she really wanted to see, but she kept her gaze slow, so she could see everything. The top of the strapless dress had little feathery wisps of lace that decorated her collarbone. The black lace then fell over her chest and was pulled back into her waist by a wide red ribbon, the colour of Gryffindor. Smiling, Kit played with the hem of the skirt, watching as it floated away from her legs, then sunk back again. Her leg were on display, and they looked long, which was odd. But Kit admitted that the heels looked really good. They made her calf muscles flex ever so slightly and made her stand taller. Kit turned to look at Rose and Mary and giggled. They both squealed with equal excitement and hug the small brunette.

"Thank you guys. Even if I was awful to put up with," Rose brushed her comment off and Mary scoffed. They spent a few moments tugging things into the right position and moving hair so it sat straight. Kit's brows drew together and she looked at the clock on the bedside table. Six, already?

"Do you guys have to get ready?" Those simple words sent the to girls in a flurry of action. Rose was pulling on her own dress, Mary was getting the make up and hair things ready. Kit gasped again when Rose stood in her dress. Without make up, shoes or her hair done, it looked stunning. It was full length, something accentuated her height, and was made up of hundreds of large, round sequins. There was a pattern embroidered across the dress, of pink flowers on green vines. Just as Rose shook it out, Mary began to pull on her own. It was beautiful as well. Midnight blue, it went right down to the floor and pooled lightly there. The straps had little crystals in them, reminding Kit of the night sky.

Rose and Mary shared the mirror, something easier said than done when hot irons were being used. But they both made it through unharmed. Rose's hair was finished first and it shined like burnished gold. It was curled only slightly at the ends and fell free to the middle of her back. Mary's hair was free of it's confines and sat straight to her shoulders in glossy blonde sheets. Kit smiled at both of them in the mirror and asked what she could do.

"Sit and look pretty," Rose told her while applying lipstick and finishing up. Rose turned to face her cousin and asked how she looked. She'd done her make up to match the dress, soft pink lips and a light green eyeliner that made her eyes pop. With the way her hair look and the long dress, Kit thought she looked amazing. Then she saw Rosie's shoes.

"You're wearing those?" Kit asked upon seeing the heels that were easily double the height of her own. "You must be mad," Kit rolled her eyes then looked at Mary, who was just putting on her shoes. Maybe it was because she wasn't used to seeing people all dressed up, but Kit thought everyone looked amazing. Dazzlingly beautiful. But with her short hair and minimum make up, Kit felt a shot of insecurity. Rose looked like a goddess and Mary, with her sleek blonde hair, looked like royalty, but where did Kit fit in?

As if sensing the time, each girl got one last look in the mirror before walking out to meet their respective dates.

"Who are you going with, Mary?" Kit asked curiously as she tried to focus on not falling as they approached the steps.

"Amos," Mary said, a little blush colouring her cheeks.

"Really? I would have thought that Rose would go with him," Kit searched her mind for who Rose could have gone with. Mary was already down the stairs and she could heal the familiar rumble of Diggory's voice. How had he gotten into the common room? Before she could ask Rose who her date was, Rose was down the stairs. She heard Rose laugh and give someone her compliments. Then another deep voice grumbled with a chuckle. Then there was silence and Kit took that as her cue. Saying a little prayer that she didn't tumble down the stairs, she took hold of the banister and slowly made her descent.

A stunned silence met her at the bottom of the stairs. Mary and Rose were already grinning like idiots at their handiwork. Amos was smiling at her from behind Mary and Kit smiled back shyly. Her gaze slid over to Rose and her date. Her brown eyes widened as none other than Sirius Black smirked back at her. Okay, she could handle this. They would be in the same room all night, she she could keep an eye on him. Besides, she'd given Rose a bit of freedom. So, surprisingly, instead of glaring or yelling, Kit looked him over with an eyebrow raised.

"You look good, Pads." She admitted finally, thankful that there weren't many people to hear her confession.

"As do you. Though I never thought I'd see the day Kit was in a dress and heels." He joked, but Kit had already turned away to see the final person at the bottom of the stairs. Eric was in the nicest pair of dress robes she'd seen at Hogwarts. All clean lines and sharp creases, the black robes were accented by a vest the colour of smoke. His hair was brushed off his face and if his robes weren't enough, the look of adoration made Kit's knees weak.

"You look..." He seemed to struggle for words, making Kit blush.

"Thanks." She stepped forward to take his arm and secretly was glad that she had something to hold onto.

"You might have to carry me back to the dorms, though." In explanation, Kit pointed her leg out, the black heel catching his attention. Soon, the leg attached to the shoe held his gaze, his eyes travelling up until they came to rest on her face. Kit felt her insides squirm happily; no one had looked at her like that. She couldn't fight the smile that sprang to her lips, but Eric didn't mind. He smiled along with her as they entered Slughorn's office.

People had already arrived and were milling about. Kit recognized a few of the faces, surprised to see as many Quidditch players as she did. Her invitation had said that there was going to be a period of time to mill about as the guests arrived, then they would all sit down for a dessert. Kit couldn't help but have laughed at the idea. Of course, Slughorn would be eating at nine o'clock. No one had announced their arrival, but the other guests stopped to look at the trio of girls and their respective dates. Guys stared at Rose while the females stared at Sirius, as was to be expected. Amos and Mary were getting just as much attention. What Kit hadn't been expect was the number of glances her way.

"What's going on?" She asked Eric after finally making to the refreshments. Eric laughed at her question and put an arm around her.

"People staring? That's what tends to happen when a beautiful woman enters the room." Kit rose her eyebrows at him, but couldn't quite wrap her head around the thought. She'd never thought of herself as ugly, and she liked to think she was a step above plain, but after spending such a long time just being friends with a bunch of guys, she'd lost her ability to sense when people were looking and her and when people were really looking at her. She'd watched other girls get those looks, and send their own smiles back, but was rather oblivious to them herself.

Shaking off the thought, Kit looked around and saw a familiar rotund stomach making its way to the pair.

"Miss Ruskova! I must say you look lovely tonight," Professor Slughorn was dress his best; light silver robes with a dark green cummerbund and tie. He looked very Slytherin, but Kit admitted that his robes fit well. After over a month of straining buttons and silk pulled to tightly across his gut, it was a pleasant change.

"And Mr Dennings, dashing as well," Eric inclined his head and the two began talking about a potion Eric was researching. Eric was quite good at Potions, another reason he was invited besides the fact his parents swam in money. Pointing her hand to say she'd be walking around, she left Eric with a quick peck, which was awkward considering Professor Slughorn was still standing before them. She heard Eric go into deep discussion with Slughorn before she walked off. A large portion of the space had been devoted to a 'dance floor'. The only problem was that no one was dancing and very old classical music was playing. Instead, the space offered a place for students to chat and mingle. Kit stood back and watched the people talk, every so often waving to a friend. She was in the middle of a conversation with a boy who's father was on the national Quidditch team. Kit was enthralled with what he, Denis, was saying.

"Well, he spends most of his time training, you see. At the field just outside London with the rest of the time. He's not a home much 'cause of that." Denis looked sad for a moment, but perked up at a sudden thought.

"But come World Cup season, we get some of the best seats in the arena." Kit's jaw dropped when he said that the families of the players got to share a nice room with couches and Butterbeer.

"You're kidding? Isn't that a bit dangerous if you all share one room?"

Denis nodded. "Some times tempers get the better of some of us, but most of the time it's fine. We're all there to just enjoy the game, right?"

"Right," Kit took a sip of her drink and looked over the boy's shoulder to see Rose emerge from a curtained alcove with Sirius on her heels. She glared at her cousin openly. What had she told Rose about Sirius? She was not impressed or pleased. Rose saw her glare and gulped at it. Kit felt a bit of pride in eliciting that reaction and had hoped to give Rose a bit of a talking to when Slughorn appeared in front of Rose. Kit smirked, that was punishment enough.

"Hey, finally got away from him." Eric laughed and ducked down to kiss her.

"Seems like he found a new target," Kit pointed at Rose, who looked less than pleased by the whole situation.

"Poor girl," he sighed and groaned when Slughorn took a picture. "I hate those pictures," Eric grumbled, and Kit had to agree with him. The Professor used them as bragging tools, so he could pull the pictures up one day and say, "Yes, I taught that student. Very bright, loved me as a teacher." As if; the only students then particularly liked Slughorn were Slytherin's and perhaps a few Ravenclaws.

"I heard he's got a seating arrangement for dessert." Eric whispered into her ear. Kit tried not to shiver as his breath danced against her neck. She smiled up at him when his chest shook with laughter.

"What?" Kit asked, but Eric's lips were upon hers before she got an answer. There was a strange sound from behind Eric and then the familiar sound of someone trying to calm another person. Kit pulled back and looked over Eric's should at two mops of black hair talking to one another. As she looked around, Kit was surprised not see as many eyes watching James and Sirius.

"James, wait for a minute," But even as Sirius went to get James, Slughorn called everyone to the table. There were upwards of twenty people at the party, but they all sat around one table. Old-fashioned as he was, Slughorn had people sitting boy, girl. So Kit thankfully was sitting beside Eric, with Denis from before on her other side. Rose was sitting across from Eric, with Sirius sitting in front of Kit. Beside Rose was James, who was glaring somewhere just above Kit's head.

"Now, William, you say your parents have made headway with a new Potion?" Slughorn began as the food was served. A large, silver goblet was placed in front of Kit, a dense chocolate cake in the bottom with mousse on top. Lifting her spoon, Kit took a less than ladylike bite. Okay, she might not have liked Slughorn, but he had great taste when it came to food. With a gut like that, Kit supposed he had to.

"Katherine, how are your parents?" Kit looked up to see the table looking at her. Even James made eye contact with her. When she met his eyes, she shivered. Had she done something wrong?

"Great. My father has been promoted to head healer at St. Mungo's." There was a small, appreciative applause from the group. "Mum's been offered a few jobs, but she likes being an Auror."

"And what about you? How are you finding this year?" Slughorn asked, a bit of chocolate hanging to his moustache. He should really just shave the thing off, the amount it bothered Kit.

"Yes, Kit, how are you finding it?" She was surprised to hear James ask that question. Eric's hand found hers beneath the table and gave it a squeeze.

"Great, actually. What about you, James?" Apparently, the rest of the table took this as their cure to start their own conversations.

"There are a few things I'd be happier about," He glared at Eric openly.

"Like what?" Kit asked sweetly, but her hand held Eric's in a vice grip.

"Oh, I don't know. I'm finding people have changed since the last time I saw them."

"James, grow up." Kit snapped. Taken aback, James' eyes flew wide open, then narrowed at her.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me, grow up. You're acting like a child." Kit's voice was steadily getting louder, but she didn't care.

"How am I acting like a child?" James asked incredulously.

"I don't know what the hell I did to you, but stop pouting about whatever it is. Or better yet, stop glaring at me and whoever I'm with. Leaving things be instead of destroying them would be nice too." James glowered at her, but she didn't back down, now aware that all eyes were on her.

"I don't give two shits about what you do, just be mature enough to say something about it," then it dawned on her. Part of her was ashamed, another was furious, and perhaps a tiny part of her was flattered. But she couldn't look past the fact he'd dragged Eric through.

"You're angry because of Eric?" Kit asked slowly.

"No, that's not it," James tried to backpedal, but Kit was on a role.

"Don't get pissed off because someone else got there first, James. Maybe if you said something instead of pretending that everything was fine, you wouldn't be acting like a moody like child." Kit didn't realize Rose had been holding his hand until she heard a sickening crack. When she finally tore her eyes from a fuming James, she saw that Sirius had risen and every face was turned to their argument. Now Sirius bent in front of Rose to inspect her hands and James was blubbering apologizes to her.

Kit nearly lost it then. He'd hurt her cousin, and now that cousin was willingly finding solace in Sirius's arms. With nothing else to do, she did exactly what she'd told James not to do, and caused some damage. She picked up her dessert plate and chucked it at James' head then said a quick muttered goodbye to Eric. She stormed out of the room, her face contorted with rage. Too upset to deal with walking in the damned high heels, Kit kicked them off in the middle of the corridor before running up to the common room.

Remus and Peter were sitting, working on research together when stormed into the room. She ran up to the dorm before they could say anything. Once inside, and not caring who was in there with her, she threw off the dress and pulled on the first thing she could find. Then, just as she was about to leave, she saw her notebook poking out of her bag. Another flare of anger surged through as she remembered all the things James had been writing about her boyfriend for the past month. Grabbing it, she left the room, leaving a wake of charged air behind her.

"Kit, listen," James said as she rounded a corner, and instead of turning and leaving like he'd anticipated, she marched up to him and pushed the book into his chest.

"You dumb, stupid prat!" She punctuated each word with another whack of the book against his chest. "If you have something to say about Eric, say it!"

"He doesn't deserve you!"

"Oh, because you know exactly who I deserve? Let me tell you something; it isn't you. Because I deserve so much better than an immature, nosy, pig-headed, violent bastard." Kit's words rung in the air as she left James alone in the corridor. Not caring about curfew or detention, she left the warmth of the castle and walked out to the frosted grounds.

When had James ever liked her? What hadn't he done something sooner instead of ruining their friendship? She couldn't believe he was so worked up about it and never said anything. Or, at least, never said anything to her or Eric. No, he decided to go behind her back and complain to everyone else. Kit hissed as she realized everyone had been keeping it from her. Rose, Remus, Sirius and Peter had probably all known and hadn't said one word. What, had they been hoping she and Eric would break up so James could take his place? Were they planning to break them up for James' benefit? Did they even care that she was dating someone she really liked? They'd all made decisions about her life without so much as asking her if she wanted anything changed.

Kit's feet had been moving of their own accord while her mind spun in furious circles. By the time she noticed where she was going, she was already at the Black Lake, the pebble shore sharp beneath her bare feet. She tumbled to the ground as if all the energy had left her body, but her mind was still to riled up that she couldn't imagine forgiving one of them for what they'd all done. When she wrapped her arms around her legs, she realized she should have paid a little more attention to what she'd grabbed. At least she had long pants on, but as a top she'd thrown on an old t-shirt. The chill easily slipped through the thin cotton and soon she was freezing, but nothing could have convinced her to go back to the castle, let alone the Gryffindor common room. Alone, with no one to listen, her thoughts became darker and darker. They spiraled around in her mind, and each time she thought about the betrayal, the selfishness of James, her anger grew. So when she heard someone move to sit beside her, she was less than welcoming.

"Bugger off. Not in the mood," For good measure, she stuck her middle finger up without taking her eyes off of the still water. There was a chuckle then the sound of clothing rustling as the person sat down. The chuckle was smooth like honey, but as slick as oil and Kit knew who she was sitting beside.

"I mean it, Malfoy. I'm not in the mood."

"I know you're not." He laughed again at her look of surprise. "Word travels fast around here."

"Then why are you here? Make my life worse? Because I dare you to try. Really, I could use a release right now." Her wand was tucked into the waist of her sweatpants. And she was itching to let loose some of her pent up energy.

"Come, now. Do you really think fighting is wise right now?" His words slipped over like silk and despite her anger, she could understand how so many people fell for his charms.

"Don't you just want to rest?" Lucius asked and got a long, hard look from Kit.

"What do you really want?" She asked cautiously.

"Must I need something to talk to you?" He seemed offended at the idea, and if it wasn't for his smirk, Kit would have believed him.

"Yes," she said simply.

"I'm just offering you the company and comfort none of your friends are providing," He pointed out with a lazy wave of his hand. Kit had to admit that that stung. If Rose didn't come right away, she could understand; she was hurt. But she'd come eventually, right? And she didn't want to talk to James, but if he'd come out to find her, it would at least show he cared. Not to mention Remus and Peter hadn't done a damn thing. Kit threw a rock into the water with a shout. She'd been the one betrayed here, and no cared except for Malfoy? She shivered as she considered that the one person who was comforting her was someone she was supposed to hate. Much to her surprise she found that a cloak was draped across her shoulders. She pulled the warm, rich fabric closer to her and gave her company a small smile.

"Thanks, Malfoy," she said, trying to ignore how odd it felt to be talking to him without curses being tossed around. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized she rarely spoke to him alone. Maybe he was different. She was shattered from the fight, and on any other day, she would have outright refused to speak to him or acknowledge that there may be another side to his usual sneer.

"Must we use the last names, Ruskova?" He sounded weary, as if he thought they were beyond the point of calling each other by their surnames.

"I didn't know you knew my first name," Kit observed as she attempted to ignore how comfortable his cloak was and how great it smelt. Kit shook her head to hear Lucius call her Katherine.

"Well, Lucius, where does that leave us now?"

"Katherine, don't change the subject. Do you want to talk about what happened?"

Kit rose an eyebrow suspicious and considered. "I thought every man was hopeless when it came of women problems. Isn't our voice complaining like nails on a chalkboard?"

Lucius laughed and allowed a nod. "Some have no idea what to do. I like to think that I have some idea. Now, tell me what happened," And with those words, Kit found herself opening up to the last person she thought she would have. She told him everything, from how James had been acting weird, to why she was dating Eric and even how she felt about everything.

"I can't think of a better word than betrayed. They all went behind my back and assumed they knew what was best," Kit finished with a sigh, not realizing until now the Lucius's hand was making comforting circles on her back. She would have leapt out of it (it was Malfoy) except it felt really nice.

"I don't think your friends think very highly of you. Do they not trust you to make your own choices?"

"Apparently not," Kit groaned, the feeling of betrayal getting worse the longer she sat out.

"And this Eric, do you feel for him?" Kit squirmed at having to confess that to Lucius. But his hand slid down to take her hand in his own.

"Yes," she admitted.

"What about Potter?"

"Not after this episode. He's everything I told him he was; pig-headed, immature and violent."

"I want to you to know I'm not saying this just because I don't like Potter, but I don't think he can truly care for you if he didn't come to see you. Or even try to apologize." The words hung in the air and they hurt Kit more than she wanted to admit. Thankfully, she didn't cry, but she turned to lean her head on Lucius's shoulder.

"I have to admit, you're the last person I thought I'd be sitting with, alone at midnight."

"I must admit the same, Katherine." Her full name sounded very elegant coming from his lips. With a voice like silk, it was hard for things not to sound nice. She sighed and played with the edge of his cloak.

"What are you doing here, anyways? I thought you would have been at Slug's club party," He chuckled at Kit's nickname for his Head of House, but shrugged.

"There are only so many times that man can suck up to your family before it gets tedious."

"Tell me about it," Kit whined. She didn't understand why he spoke the way he did. Eloquently, fluidly and a way that seemed just a bit dated. Rose sometimes spoke like that simply because she was learning how to speak English properly. But everyone native to the country butchered the language as her uncle liked to say. She found the way Lucius spoke calming.

"Katherine, it's past midnight. You should go back," Lucius stood and offered her a hand up. She took it and rose to walk alongside him. They didn't speak as they entered the building save for when he froze Mrs Norris as she turned a corner.

"You'll get a head start," he said, and pointed up the staircase to the Gryffindor Tower.

"Thanks, you know, for everything." Lucius smiled at her and turned the corner down to the dungeons, unfreezing the cat as he passed her.

Kit walked up to the common room wearily, his cloak still over she shoulders. Thankfully, it didn't have a Slytherin crest on it, or there would have been a lot of questions. Not that Kit even planned on speaking to any of the guys. She was going to walk into the common room and walk straight into her dorm.

The Pink lady was not pleased to be woken at such an hour, but Kit told her the password and ignored the little huff she gave. When she walked in, she was met with silence. Casting a glare around the room, Kit began to walk up the stairs.

"Don't let me stop you," she added bitterly, knowing one of the would hear.

"Stop us from what?" Sirius asked, already out of his chair.

"Talking about me. I don't mind really. Do whatever the hell you feel like." Lucius's words rang in her head as she walked up the stairs. "Not like I matter anymore," she added quietly. She could afford to sulk and mope after an evening of yelling.

"Kit," Rose said, but Kit slammed the door of her dorm before she could say anything else. Cold, certainly. Uncalled for, not in the least. Kit laid the cloak across the foot of her bed and climbed between the sheets without changing.

Her conversation with Lucius replayed in her head, each time making her feel worse and worse. The anger drained from her as she fell asleep, but it wouldn't stay away for long. Instead she fell asleep feeling very sorry for herself.


Hi there! I'm going on a bit of a posting rampage today and I'm hoping to get all the finished chapters up. So that's 8 through 11, with 12 almost done. It's a lot, but I'm excited to get it all up and I'm hoping to get upward of 30 00 words tonight.

You know the drill, who owns what and such. I'd love to hear from you all and thank you so much for reading!

Also, please check out From Russia With Love by .. It is the sister story to this and is so much fun to read.