"Why don't you wear this tonight?"

Jade looked up from her closet to where her mother held a dress in her hands. It was tight and black underneath had a second sheer see-through layer that was loose and a green tint. It was beautiful, so she was conflicted with snatching the cloth or continuing to give her mother the silent treatment. Mrs. Baem was forcing Jade and Jessica to go to the Malfoy's Christmas Eve Ball - and Irene was not to come. In her mother's words (or lies) she was 'too young'.

With an aggravated groan, she grabbed the dress and turned back to her friend. "I'm gonna try this on, Sica. Feel free to raid my closet for anything you need."

Jessica smiled in understanding and Jade left the room to enter Irene's. She began changing as her sister waited to give her opinion on the ensemble. As she yanked up the zipper, Jade asked, "Are you sure you don't want to go? If you do, I'll convince Mom."

Irene shook her head, coming up pull at the dress. "Really, J, its fine. I don't particularly want to spend the night with the Malfoys."

Jade grimaced. "You and me both."

Irene turned Jade so that she was facing her mirror. "It fits you perfectly. And I have the perfect shoes to go with it!" She came back with cute little black heels that had bows on the toes.

Jade rolled her eyes as she stepped into them. "These are mine."

"I borrowed them."

Jade kissed her little sister's cheek. "Alright. Well I'll make sure to come back and drink hot cocoa by the tree with you tonight."

Jade and Jessica entered Malfoy Manor behind Mrs. Baem, their expressions weary and extremely reluctant. The mansion was, of course, beautifully decorated; there were red ribbons strung from the ceiling, lights strung on the staircases, and several Christmas trees glowing to perfection in any empty space. They were greeted by the host and hostess themselves, though their son wasn't to be seen. "Seggie!" Narcissa Malfoy exclaimed, pulling Mrs. Baem into a firm but warm hug.

Jade raised a brow. She had been surprised enough to find out - after years of silence even though they were neighbors - that her mother was childhood friends with the Malfoys, Narcissa in particular. But to see Mrs. Malfoy call Mrs Baem - her first name Segreto - Seggie was another matter.

"Cissy," Mrs. Baem flashed a set of pearly whites.

Narcissa switched her gaze to Jade. "Oh, Jade! Its been so long!"

Jade smiled out of curtousy even though she was sure she had only seen Mrs. Malfoy from a distance. "Hello, Mrs. Malfoy."

"Wow, I can't believe I haven't seen you since your first birthday!" Narcissa continued. She gave Jade an appreciative look. "You're beautiful - you look just like Seggie did in school."

"Don't keep our guests, Narcissa," Mr. Malfoy cut in. "Segreto, why don't you head on down to the dining room?"

"Thank you, Lucius. Talk to you later, Cissy?"

Mrs. Malfoy grinned. "You're seated just next to me. And Jade - I sat you and your little friend next to Draco. I've heard a lot of stories about you from my son."

Jade tried not to show too much disdain. She didn't like the idea of Draco telling stories about her. She was dragging her feet, so Jessica pulled on her hand and let her to the dinner table. She gritted her teeth when he finally made his appearance - she could clearly see Draco's blonde head near the head of the table, as well as her name on the chair across from his.

She sat down, looking at the head of the table since the kids were at the end. Lucius sat at the head seat, with Narcissa on his left and Segreto next to her. Looking to Mr. Malfoy's right, Jade almost wanted to rub her eyes to make sure she was seeing clearly. Professor Snape was there, wearing his usual dark frown. There were many new faces, but Jade vaguely recognized Crabbe and Goyle's parents - and the two meatheads sat on either side of Draco.

Jade managed to avoid Draco in a way during dinner by avoiding all eye contact and containing a never ending conversation with Jessica. Because the table was so large, Draco didn't have the gall to yell across it to get her attention. She had been counting in that. After she had picked away at the slice of chocolate cake she had received for dessert, she excused herself quickly. Rushing up to Mrs. Baem, she interrupted desperately but politely. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Mother," she said as Narcissa turned her head as well. "But do you think I could be excused? I'm not feeling well." Mrs. Baem gave her a knowing look and Jade wriggled. "Okay, well, Irene is probably lonely."

Narcissa was shaking her head. "Oh, but you can't leave! We just finished dinner, the party hasn't even begun!"

"Irene can wait. Dear, you're just getting all shy and awkward like you always do at social events." Mrs. Baem suddenly turned very serious. "You have to get to know everyone here well."

Jade was about to ask why when Lucius piped up. "Jade will be joining us soon, won't she? I know Draco is excited."

"Join you?" The question was lost on Jade's lips as Mrs. Malfoy captured her attention again.

"Like I was saying - you must stay! We should be starting the dancing soon!"

"Shall we start?"

Jade closed her eyes and prayed for a moment that she had heard the voice wrong.

Draco stood behind her, his hand outstretched and the ghost of a smirk etched on his face. She saw Narcissa's smile through her peripheral vision and knew she couldn't deny him. She grabbed his hand begrudgingly and tried to show him how annoyed she was with her eyes. As he led her to the dance floor, she did notice a few other couples follow.

Draco was actually a very good dancer, which made up for Jade, who had never slow danced in her life - she had sat out the Yule Ball as well. He knew every move well enough to fix her mistakes. "Should we talk about...the mistletoe?" he whispered.

Jade tried to move herself a little bit away from him. "No, I don't think so."

"I saw." Draco's expression had switched from light and mocking to very serious.

"Saw what?"

"You looked behind you after you kissed me. I saw him." Jade's heart was beating extremely quickly. "You used me. To get to Potter."

Jade felt guilt pool in her stomach. Even though the kiss had meant nothing to either of them, she did feel bad for doing it only to get Harry's attention. "I'm sorry."

"That's it?"

She blinked. "Well, what do you want me to say? I'm sorry I kissed you."

"That's not -"

"Excuse me, Miss Baem?"

Jade unattached herself from Draco as a little house elf bustled up to them. He held a letter in his hands. "Is that for me?" The elf nodded. "Thank you."

She gave the elf a pat and a smile before she turned to open the envelope. All it had was her name on the front. Inside, an old piece of parchment was shoved in hastily. She opened it up to find a letter signed Emma.

Jade ~

Ron's father was attacked. He's being sent to St. Mungo's. I'm afraid for Ron...he's very close with his family. I wanted to let you know since we're all here. I'll write with more information when I can.

Emma

Emma ducked to avoid a shower of red, pink, and white confetti that had shot from the mouth of a suit of armor on her way to the Great Hall. Fat, ugly little Cupids fluttered near the high ceiling, aiming at screeching students with their bow and arrows. Emma narrowed her eyes and ducked her head, rushing into the bustling great hall.

"Hello," Hermione greeted as Emma took her usual seat. "Aren't the festivities wonderful?"

Emma scoffed in agreement. "Lovely."

Harry and Ron both looked rather melancholy as well. Emma was relieved Mr. Weasley had survived the attack just after Christmas, however, Ron's mood had not improved. He was still skulking around, shooting Emma moody looks and backhanded comments. Every time Zacharias Smith approached her in DA, Ron's face would flush with anger and he may even "accidentally" shoot a stray stunning spell in his direction.

"Are you looking forward to the Hogsmeade visit?" Hermione asked, her eyes directed at Harry.

The boy grimaced. "Well-" He was cut off when a girl came over from the Ravenclaw table, her eyes expectant.

"Hello, Harry," Cho Chang greeted.

"Cho-"

"I was wondering if you wanted to meet at a little tea parlor in Hogsmeade, you know, for Valentine's Day."

Emma and Hermione exchanged a glance. Harry hesitated for a moment (it seemed he was looking over at the Slytherin table) before saying, "Sure, I'd love to."

Cho's smile widened. "Great. I'll see you there."

Emma could see a pretty face across the room at the Slytherin table, craning to see what had just happened. Emma kept her eyes down, not wanting to break the bad news. Harry and Ron were having a somewhat excited conversation, but Harry groaned. "That's where we're going?

"Ah, Madam Puddifoots," Hermione laughed. "I'm sure you'll love the decor."

"And the snogging," Ron snorted.

Emma joined in on the laughter. "That place is absolutely horrible, I'd never want to step foot in there."

Hermione giggled for a moment before saying, "Harry- you too, Ron and Emma- I'll need to meet you in the Three Broomsticks around midday."

Harry, Ron, and Emma all nodded. "I'll-"

The conversation was cut off by the arrival of a boy from the Hufflepuff table. "Hello, Emma."

Emma nodded to Zacharias Smith. He smiled awkwardly. "Hello, everyone."

Hermione smiled, which looked like a grimace, Harry said a brief hello, eyes on Ron, who's pale face seemed to be hiding a head full of smoke, which Emma could practically see pouring from his ears.

"Anyways," Zacharias continued a bit awkwardly, "I was wondering if you wanted to go to Madam Puddifoots with me, Emma. For some tea."

Emma felt her stomach turn. "I- um-" Ron snorted. Emma glowered. "I would love to."

Ron's face contorted with anger as Zacharias sauntered away smugly, promising to meet Emma in the tea parlor as soon as they got to Hogsmeade. "I thought you would never step foot in there," he hissed.

Emma just shrugged. "He asked." And in her mind, she thought, That's all it takes.

A haze of pink smoke seemed to unfurl from each crack in the facade of the frilliness of Madam Puddifoot's. Emma had decided to accompany Harry, the two of them feeling absolutely sick over their Valentine's Day dates. Emma, because of her deep feeling of guilt for betraying Ron (no matter how unpleasant he was), and Harry, out of nervousness. Emma assumed he would rather be spending the day with another girl, but she was too preoccupied to think of that.

Inside the stuffy room, Valentine's Day decor was overwhelming. Cupids, hearts, confetti, ruffles, and frills covered every possible surface. Tea pots emitting festive steam sat on each small table. Emma and Harry parted ways, spotting their dates. Zacharias had a table in a corner of the crowded room, not as secluded and invisible as Emma had hoped.

"I'm glad you could make it," Zacharias said a bit nervously.

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, no problem."

"So- how have you been?" Zacharias asked. As the boy rambled to her unlistening ear about going-ons in Hufflepuff, Emma looked around at all of the couples. To her dismay, most were snogging across the tables. She hoped Zacharias didn't have his hopes up.

The tinkling of a bell announced the arrival of another couple. A girl with tight curls was hanging on the arm of a tall, red haired boy. Emma choked on the sip of sickly sweet tea she had just sipped from her cup. "Lavender Brown?" she hissed.

"And then-" Zacharias had been in the middle of a story. "Who?"

"Ron-"

Zacharias rolled his eyes. "Not him again."

"He's with-" Emma felt a lump in her throat. The couple sat down at a table just a few away from Emma and Zacharias. Ron seemed shocked when his blue eyes locked with her brown ones. Both of their mouths opened momentarily, no noise coming out.

"Won-"

"Em-"

Ron and Emma broke eye contact, both turning reluctantly back to their dates.