The next morning Heidi awoke to the pleasant realization that today was Christmas.

She pulled the silk sheets from her body and brushed her hair at the nightstand.

Heidi rummaged through her own clothing through her own clothing this time and

put on a red sweater with dark jeans.

There was a knock at her door, and Draco popped inside. "Happy Christmas Heidi," he said walking over to her with a soft kiss.

"I have a present to give you!" she said excitedly reaching for a compartment in her trunk.

"I do too," said Draco with a smile. "We have the house to ourselves until dinner. My parents went to some show."

"Alright," she replied, her hands searching through her trunk pockets. "What do you want to do? I'm not exactly sure how Christmas is here."

Draco chucked. "Well if you were looking for an emotional family experience, don't expect anything but, I'm all for opening presents. I can have the house elves bring up the trays."

"Can't we bring up our own trays?" she asked raising an eyebrow playfully.

In reality if Draco was taking to anyone else he would sneer and say that was a stupid idea. But, when he looked at her face gesturing the innocent question he was patient.

"No darling, that's they're job. I mean remember when we were children? They always used to bring us our lunch outside when we didn't want to stop playing."

Heidi was thoughtful. She thought house elves were wrong, but, she didn't want to push the matter further.

Draco muttered a spell from his wand and Heidi was greeted by a five foot decorated Christmas tree. It's lights twinkled reflecting off the white walls of the room. Draco proceed to walk up to the tree and grab a small box from a lower branch.

Heidi smiled as he approached her searching her eyes. She too had a present, hidden behind her hands. Suddenly two timid looking house elves appeared carrying breakfast trays with a loud crack.

"Master and the Mi-Miss," stuttered an elf. "Here is your breakfast. We'll put it on the floor in the corner." And with a little bow the elfs avaporated.

Heidi, distracted by the elfs, failed to notice Draco suddenly beside her. She could have jumped a mile when he whispered huskily, "Well silly are you going to open you're present?"

Heidi tossed him a small box in exchange for his. Draco began to unwrap his present. He gave a rare open grin as he lifted the lid to reveal two Quidditch World Cup tickets for the summer season.

"Wow these are amazing!," he declared eyes sparkling. "I mean they're such amazing seats how did you-?" he stopped and looked at her questionably.

"That doesn't matter," she replied softly thinking of her desperate saving

frenzy. "Anyways, I'm glad you like the seats I was fortunate to get them since they seemed to be the most popular!"

Draco scooted closer to Heidi on the floor and wrapped an arm around her waist. He looked at the package that laid on her lap.

"Go on then," he encouraged. "Open it."

Heidi looked down at the small velvet box and lifted the lid. Inside was the most breathtaking piece of jewelry she had ever seen. -a stunning square emerald ring. The brilliant green color was wrapped around with white diamonds in a square shape. Though the ring was beautiful, Heidi felt overwhelmed by the idea that it was hers. When have I ever owned something so beautiful?, she thought. Placing the ring on her finger, Heidi noticed the detail of the band. Two joined silver snakes seemed to be holding the gem in place. A pleasure shiver went down her spine.

She looked into his cold grey eyes. He smirked in return. "I know," he whispered, holding her body close, "It's not half as beautiful as you."

"Draco," she muttered, "You're so thoughtful and- "

"Speaking of thoughtful hold that thought," said Draco pulling out his wand. With a quick wingardium leviosa, the breakfast trays floated to their area.

He smirked again looking at her, "Now where were we?" he asked slithering his way around her body for a kiss.

"Merlin I hate that smirk," Heidi said.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Really? Most girls find it irresistible." He began to kiss her neck playfully.

Heidi gasped then whispered, "Well I'm not really like other girls am I?"

Draco stopped kissing her neck and looked at her in the eyes. He let his fingertips graze her cheek bone and run through her hair.

"No," he said sternly. "But, that's why I love you so much."

"I'll wear the ring as much as possible," she promised. "After all you are my gem."

Draco smiled and lifted a glass of milk. "Let's eat breakfast then we can enjoy the rest of the holiday."

After they were finished eating, Draco took Heidi gently by the hand and guided her down the main stairway. On the second floor she was pulled down a dark narrow hallway to a set of double doors.

"Draco I barley digested my breakfast what is it?" she asked.

Draco smiled to himself. "Just close your eyes."

He watched her shut her eyes and whispered, "No peaking," in her ear.

Heidi heard the door open and both of her hands were lead by Draco into the next room.

"Can I open my eyes yet?" she asked. She heard the whooshing of curtains opening from different spots in the room.

"Yes," he breathed. "Now you can open them."

Heidi gasped and turned in a full circle as she stared down the biggest library she had even seen.

"I've never seen so many books in all my life," she gasped taking a step forward.

Draco could hardly contain his excitement. "You like it?"

"It's wonderful," she said running to a shelf.

Draco grinned at his triumph. Why did he not think of this before after he went to her house? His personal library held little use for him, especially now that his father was making him do ministry work to prep him for an after graduation job.

"Then it's yours," he replied.

Heidi turned back and smiled at him, too preoccupied with the books to pay attention to much else. Draco had never seen someone so giddy over reading, unless you counted the mudblood, but then she was only interested in textbooks.

"Hmm," muttered Heidi, "I want that one," she said pointing to the light blue book on the highest shelf.

Draco reached for his wand but, he stopped, watching Heidi reach her arm to when the book was and pull it off the shelf – without a wand.

However, Heidi took no note of this and began to flip through the book.

"Uh- Heidi?," Draco asked. "How did you do that?"

Heidi looked up. "I don't know really. I was always able to do things like that without a wand but, I bet loads of other wizards can do that."

"No Heidi they can't," said Draco shaking his head. "It's a rare gift when a witch doesn't need a wand to produce spells and it's mostly wizards not witches who carry that gift."

"Well this explains why Voldemont was always so interested in me," said Heidi and Draco flinched at the name.

"Nonetheless," continued Draco, "Can we please keep this a secret between us? I mean I don't know what kind of a loon would try to take advantage of your skills but, lets not take any chances."

"Don't worry," said Heidi, "Only Harry, Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore know. Besides it's not like there are any dark wizards wandering around Hogwarts in disguise," she joked darkly.

Draco didn't even smirk. "You know I lost you once, then almost permanently this year. I won't have that happen again." He walked up to her grasping her hands. "I want you to promise me that you won't go looking for trouble."

Looking into Draco's eyes Heidi was suddenly flashed back to her third year when the same words were said from Mr. Weasley to Harry before they boarded the train.

"I don't go long to trouble; it finds me – but, okay Draco if it will make you feel better."

Draco sighed. "We better be getting ready for the Christmas party."

"Party? What party?," Heidi asked curiously.

Draco hit his head with his palm. "I forgot how long it's been! Yes- we have an annual Christmas party in the ballroom. I always found it exciting before we head back to school."

"Will there be anyone from school there?" asked Heidi slowly. Horror slowly crept onto Draco's face.

"Merlin, why didn't I remember this! I didn't think it was too important that Slytherin families would be there but, followers of You-Know-Who will be there as well." His eyes bore into hers. "They can sense powerful magic and they'd surly want to bring you to their master."

Heidi felt dizzy. The last time she encountered Voldemont she had spent two weeks in the Hospital Wing. "I have to get out of here." She quickly put the book she was holding on the shelf and abandoned her new favorite room.

How can this happen? On Christmas when I just got here? Things were going so well as if I went back to my childhood. These thoughts raced through her mind as Heidi ran down the long hallway floor. She didn't know why she was running from Draco, who was now pursuing her but how could he be so blind to lead her to Voldemont's henchmen? She might as well have a dinner party with him for Merlin's sake.

Once upon the main stairway she began running up the stairs, not certain where the owlery was but, sure it was located on the highest floors.

"Heidi stop please!" Draco called from below.

Why did everything have to be ruined? I'll never fit into his world, she thought miserably as tears started to well in her eyes. Wouldn't Draco rather have a Slytherin than go through all this trouble?

Heidi glanced down at her right hand which bore the emerald ring. It glittered proudly on her finger. She felt guilty for running away like a child but, that didn't stop her when she saw the owlery on the top floor. Panting, she flew through the arched doorway frame locked the door behind her. Inside was a cold, hay filled room of stone over looking the evening sky.

Almost immediately there was a pounding on the door. "Heidi Walsh you open this door immediately!" Draco ordered. Heidi wanted to scream how she felt but, the words wouldn't process. Instead she took as seat next to a snowy owl that reminded her of Hedwig and wiped her tears.

A momentary bang elapsed then she met the eyes of Draco starring at her.

"Why," he asked in an angry voice, "did you run from me?" The anger was replaced by a look of hurt as Heidi tore away from his gaze and petted the owl.

He walked over and plopped himself next to her.

"Heidi," he said carefully. "What's wrong?"

"Everything," she suddenly sobbed. "I just don't see how this is going to work out for didn't you even think of what the consequences might be if you invited Harry Potter's best friend to an all Slytherin get together."

Draco's face hardened with this logic.

"I guess I didn't ," he admitted. "I was so excited to have you over and with my parents warming up to you I sort of let that fall through."

Draco wrapped his arms around Heidi and she wearily rested her head on his shoulder.

"I know you freaked out about them finding out about us," said Draco

"I thought for a moment it would have been better if you were with a Slytherin or someone with your background that way you wouldn't have to go through so much trouble and"-

"Don't be ridiculous," said Draco interrupting. "I love every moment spent with you and if I had to hide this for the rest of my life just so I could be with you I would. Sometimes I wish"-

"You wish what?" she asked

"I wish I could walk openly with you hand in hand in a Hogwarts corridor and tell the world that you're mine," he confessed. "I know you feel that way two that's why we're in this room."

Heidi chuckled, "Yeah childhood was so long ago. Nevertheless, I think that someday soon you'll have your wish and we'll be happier than we ever were before."

Draco smiled. He kissed her, engulfing his arms around her. They broke the kiss and starred into the setting sun.

"Christmas isn't over yet," he muttered, "We can still make it to Hogwarts before the party starts."

"But, what about your parents?," asked Heidi.

"I think they'll be disappointed but, I know how father is with showing off magic skills and a show and tell isn't smart with room full of ex Death Eaters," he replied darkly.

Heidi nodded. "I'll start a letter to Hermione and let her know I'm coming back." She started for the owl. "And I'll write a letter to Dumbledore letting us know of our return," said Draco. He made a mental note to write tow different letters for both of them. This is getting harder to manage he thought.

When they finished writing and packed, Draco arrived in her room wearing a sleek pair of dress robes. Heidi looked him up and down.

"I thought we were going back to Hogwarts," she said. "What's with the robes?"

"We are going back to Hogwarts", replied Draco with an excited smirk."But, we'll also be attending the ball as well so let me change you into something suitable to wear."

He flicked his wand at Heidi and she was engulfed in gold sparkles. Her clothes were transformed into a dress of sparkling silver, her hair done in soft curls.

"I don't underst"- started Heidi but Draco interrupted by taking her hand and leading them to the fireplace of her room. With a muttering of the secret tower they were off into the night.

They arrived exhausted in the fireplace of the hidden tower room. Heidi placed her trunk down and looked around. The tower was illuminated by floating lit candles, the walls covered in evergreen tinsel. In the distance the soft playing of violins could be heard playing a sweet tune.

"I know you were disappointed about not attending the ball but, maybe this could make up for it?" he asked with a hopeful look.

Heidi giggled and took his hand. He wrapped a tender arm around her and she lifted her arms over his shoulders. Draco guided his date managing to maneuver whilst keeping contact with Heidi's eyes. As the violins began to pick up the pace so did the couples feet as the waltzed smoothly and skillfully in the candlelight.

Heidi's silver dress glittered against the combined light of the candles and the reflection of the moon from the tower window. This cold December night had made then united against their doubts but little did they know that someone else had returned to Hogwarts unexpectedly.

Pansy Parkinson walked through the abandoned main entrance not unaccompanied. She turned and gave the signal to a tall pale faced Slytherin with black hair and soulless eyes. This seventh year's eyes were cold but, unlike Draco's had a vicious animal gaze to them.

"And they're all here?" he asked in a smooth commanding voice.

Pansy turned and looked into his eyes. The hairs on her back stood and she shuddered.

"Well not all of them," she said playing the well informed man. "They'll be back when the holiday's over."

"And that's when the fun will begin won't it?" he asked mockingly. A shrill voice of evil laugher echoed through the hallway as the pair descended to the dungeons.