Author's Note: Thank you so, so, so much for all the reviews!! They're really helpful. Anyway, this is chapter is a tad short, but I'll be posting another one later tonight. This update has an extremely brief explanation of Raynea's family history. Honestly, her family isn't really important to the story other than what's mentioned in this chapter. They'll come up more towards the end, but it's really not that crucial which is why I don't go into too much detail. Also, a reminder that I'm bringing in stuff from HBP and its a bit different from what's in the actual book. Just making that clear. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy! There will be another new chapter tonight. Thanks so much!! :)

It was a week before Christmas break, and news had just gotten out about a holiday party that Professor Slughorn was having that Friday evening. At first, it just appeared to be a party for those in Slughorn's inner circle—the students in whom he'd seen some sort of potential. However, it turned out that most everyone was welcome to attend. This seemed odd considering Slughorn's track record, but the students were pleased anyhow. People were talking about it rather excitedly and many were focused on finding a date.

"Lavender wants for us to double with Paravati and her boyfriend…whoever the hell that is. It's going to be bloody awful," Ron whined as he and Raynea lounged on his four poster.

"Really? Sounds like it'll be a perfect evening, to me," she teased with an amused grin.

"This isn't funny, Rayne," Ron replied with a hint of terror in his voice, "I'm gonna have to mingle with these people."

"Well, Lavender is your girlfriend," Raynea pointed out.

"Don't remind me," Ron said with a shudder, "This is going to blow."

"Make sure to give me specific details about the party since I won't be there," Raynea told him.

"You're not going?" he asked as his eyes widened.

"Hell no," she stated.

"You have to go," Ron insisted.

"Why? So I can watch Harry and Ginny hang all over each other and choke down a bunch of lame holiday food? No thanks."

"Please! I need you," Ron said desperately, "Come with me and Lavender…that way I won't have to kill myself."

"Ron…no way," Raynea responded with a sickened expression. Even imagining attending this party was making her feel ill.

"Please, Rayne? I'm your best friend, you can't just leave me there. Besides, you'll complete the group," Ron pouted.

"By making it uneven?" Raynea reasoned with an eyebrow raise.

"Just do it…please," Ron begged as he offered her a big grin. She inhaled sharply and rolled her eyes.

"Fine," Raynea gave in, "But you owe me."

"Thank you so much," Ron said with a sigh of relief, "You're brilliant…have I ever told you that?"

"On several occasions," she answered with a smile.

"Oh, and mum wanted to confirm that you're coming to stay with us over break. You are, right?"

Raynea opened her mouth in surprise and looked around the room anxiously. She wasn't ready to answer that question. Honestly, she wasn't sure what to do about break. It had become quite a problem recently, especially after her major blow out with Harry. She always loved going to the Burrow for holidays, but she didn't know how to handle it this year. Besides, it's not like she had any other options.

Raynea's only living relatives were her two older siblings, Tristan and Aurora. Tristan was the eldest and he was also only her half-brother, but Aurora, the middle child, was her full sister. Raynea didn't know too much about her family history. The whole thing was rather confusing and no one ever really bothered to explain it to her. What she did know was that she and Tristan shared the same father—and that was about all they had in common.

Tristan was a pureblood unlike Raynea and her sister, who were only half-bloods. He never let them forget that. It was always a sore subject between the siblings. He hated Raynea and Aurora because of their blood and even more because he had to share his father with them. His prejudice made him an especially cruel boy and it wasn't surprising when he became a Death Eater. He was quite young when he joined the cause, in fact, he was just out of school. Raynea never really saw him after that; to her, he was dead.

Raynea barely talked about her immediate family, save for Aurora. The only one who knew about her brother was Harry. He was the only one Raynea had ever admitted it to. Actually, he had found out on his own, for Tristan was in the graveyard the night Voldemort had returned, but Raynea didn't deny it when Harry asked about it.

Aurora, on the other hand, was no where close to being a Death Eater. She was exceedingly kind and had been Raynea's guardian since her start at Hogwarts. The sisters got along very well, but were not especially close. Raynea had considered going home for Christmas, but that was before she received a letter from Aurora a few weeks earlier. Apparently, she would be spending her Christmas traipsing around France with her friends, meaning Raynea would have to make other arrangements.

"Rayne?" Ron said in an effort to get Raynea's attention. She shook her head vigorously before clearing her throat and smiling.

"Yeah, of course. I'll be there," she told him.

"Great," Ron stated with a grin. There was a moment of silence before he began to groan in annoyance.

"This party is going to bloody kill me," he said, referring to their prior topic of conversation.

"Are you still on about that? I told you that I would go with you guys."
"Yeah, but there's still Lavender…"

"I can't believe you're this afraid of your girlfriend," Raynea said with a smirk.

"You see her! She's barking mad," he exclaimed with widened eyes.

"Then break up with her."

"I can't! Imagine what she'd do to me…"

"True," Raynea agreed with a shrug, "Thin ice, Ron. Very thin ice."

"You're telling me," Ron said as he shook his head. He cleared his throat rather loudly and squirmed around uncomfortably before addressing a different topic, "Do you know if—have you heard whether or not—is Hermione going with anyone?"

"I dunno," Raynea told him, "We're still not really talking."

"I know…I just didn't know if you heard anything."

"I haven't," she stated, offering a soft smile, "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Ron said, waving her off before casting his eyes downward. He looked up suddenly, seeming desperate to change the subject, "Maybe you'll get a date. That way the group won't be uneven."

"Please," Raynea replied as she rolled her eyes, "Who would really ask me?"

"I dunno, maybe the dirty git who's following you around all the time," Ron suggested caustically.

"Who?" Raynea asked, becoming tense all of a sudden. She was quite aware of who Ron was referring to.

"Malfoy," Ron said pointedly.

"He won't," Raynea began nervously, "He won't… I'd say no anyway."

"Well I know that," he answered with a laugh, "You're not completely mad."

"Yeah," she agreed with a chuckle, "Right."

Raynea hadn't really seen much of Malfoy since their last meeting, and frankly, she didn't want to. She was still utterly confused about what was going on in her head, despite her choice to ignore the spark she felt. Even though she had decided to disregard it, the situation still plagued her. Anytime she caught a glimpse of Malfoy in the hallway, she would duck into another corridor or hide behind the hordes of students traveling in the same direction she was. Avoiding him seemed to be the best plan. She hated him anyhow, so his recent absence in her life was refreshing. However, any mention of him caused her to grow antsy, so she always preferred to change the subject.

Raynea hated to admit it, but she did think about Malfoy often, though not in the way he would want. Mostly, she thought about how much she hated him and convinced herself that it was impossible for her to feel anything else towards him. Raynea agonized over this. She obsessed over that one moment. It sickened her that she could possibly feel anything for Malfoy besides loathing—even if it was for just a moment.

***

Draco was dreading the Christmas party just as much as Ron was. He wasn't really in the mood to celebrate the holiday this year considering all that was going on. Between the absence of his father and all the problems he was having with Raynea, Draco didn't see Christmas as being important. He hadn't really thought of his father very often, it bothered him too much. Thinking about it was just too painful. He figured he was pondering it so frequently lately because of the upcoming holiday.

As far as Raynea went, Draco was feeling simply frustrated. His attraction had strengthened even more since their last encounter. When he had grabbed her, he felt a spark; he could sense how much chemistry they had. He just wished Raynea would stop being so stubborn and admit it to herself. Not that he could even imagine what they would do if she ever did come around. He was with Pansy…sort of and he wasn't really interested in having a public relationship with Raynea, even if he did want her.

Everything seemed so complicated lately and Christmas just added to the burden. Draco supposed he could have a good time at the party, though he seriously doubted it. He was going with Pansy and a group of their friends; this didn't appear to be a perfect evening to him. Besides, he would probably have to be witness to Raynea hanging all over the poor bastard who had agreed to take her as a date. Even if he did have feelings for her, Draco was aware she was a piece of work. That was part of why she was so appealing.