Disclaimer: I own nothing except my kitty and pup.

Warnings: Language, Slash, Mild mature themes.

Author's note: Short and slightly terrible, but I'm still trying to get into my groove here. The next chapter should be out fairly soon, as I already have it planned out.

I had no one to go to. All of the people I went to for advice were Death Eaters. I couldn't go to my father, my mother, my aunt Bella, not even Professor Snape. I only had the advice of Teddy to go on, and I knew his approach wouldn't work. My father would not stand for the word no.

-

I sat on my bed, covertly skiving double Herbology with the Gryffindors. My eyes skimmed the text of the book in front of me…some notes on dark spells. Given to me by my father. With a sigh I threw it into the trunk at the foot of my bed.

"Good shot."

I jumped in surprise and Pansy smirked, walking over and offering me a muffin

"You skipped breakfast Draco." She stated disapprovingly, I grunted quietly in reply and took the muffin and nibbling a bit at the edge. She sat on the bed next to me

"Teddy told me."

I frowned

"Same here."

She looked down and sighed, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear. Pansy wasn't as harsh on the eyes as many thought. People never took the time to look past the word 'Parkinson'. I could relate in many ways. I knew Pansy was as horribly lonely as I was. But being as stubborn as she was, she wouldn't ever admit it.

"Father wants me to take the mark on Christmas morn…" She said quietly, glancing at me, I blinked at her

"Christmas eve here." I said, she made a noise of frustration

"There's got to be a way to defer it if not avoid it completely." She thought out loud, I laughed humorlessly

"Right. Because your father and mine are just going to willingly accept a no."

She blinked

"What…if we didn't say no. What if we just managed to put it off until we figured something more permanent out?" She asked, her eyes lighting up slightly, I stared at her

"And how are we doing this?" I asked blandly

She grinned at me

"The Yule Ball."

-

McGonagall stood up at her desk, looking at the rows of her students. I was doing my best to avoid any eye contact with Potter. She cleared her throat to stop any side conversations. All eyes were on her

"It is once again time for me to compile a list of those staying for the holiday. So, those of you planning to stay this year, please raise your hand." She stated, looking over the student that consisted of her fourth year transfiguration class. Instantly every Gryffindor hand went up.

I glanced at Pansy and she smiled encouragingly, I took a deep breath and raised my shaking hand. Pansy nodded slightly and shot hers up also. McGonagall's eyes paused on us, and an eyebrow quirked

"Malfoy…Parkinson…Patil…Potter…" She listed, her quick quotes quill swerving around the parchment. I felt the eyes of every student boring into the back of my head. And some detached piece of me couldn't believe it either…I was staying at Hogwarts for the Christmas holidays.

-

Pansy giggled and grabbed my hand as I walked numbly down the hall

"I…can't believe this Pansy." I muttered, she smiled

"It's not that hard Draco. Now all we have to do is write the letters." She stated aptly, I paused and glanced at her

"The letters? What letters?" I asked bemusedly, she smiled

"The ones to our parents. Explaining why we cannot possibly come home." She grinned, I stared at her

"And why is that? Because we both don't want to become slaves to the dark lord?" I asked, she glared a little

"No! The ball of course. I can see my letter already. 'Dear Mum and Dad, I am so sorry to tell you that I cannot come home for Christmas this year, as I have been asked to the Yule Ball by Draco Malfoy, I couldn't possibly say no…its such a great chance to get into the inner ranks!'" She recited dramatically, I stared

"I think I should check you into St. Mungo's." I muttered, she frowned

"It's not my fault you have absolutely no imagination to work with."

I frowned and shrugged, watching Potter walk by with Granger

"When you grow up with Lucius Malfoy for a father…you kind of loose every trace of imagination."

-

I sat at the lunch table, picking at my roast chicken; Teddy ate enthusiastically as usual to my right. The seat to the left was empty, as Pansy was missing. Zabini sat across from me, chatting away about how proud he was to get the mark. No one was really listening. Zabini seemed to be all talk…

Suddenly Pansy skipped in, flopping down next to you

"I sent your letter for you Draco dear." She said, putting some mashed potatoes on her plate, I paused in the midst of chewing

"Huh?" I asked around a mouth full, she smiled and winked

"Just took a bit of liberty for you." And with that, she took a polite bite of her lunch and started talking to another Slytherin girl next to her.

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT.

I wasn't sure if staying at school was mandatory in their 4th year...but oh well. FOR THE SAKE OF MY PLOT IT WASNT.

Review please. :)