AN: So I am just going to quickly address the issues that some have with characters like Gwen and Leena being eleven and having romantic interests. I remember being in the fourth grade and having a "boyfriend". His name was Steve and we gave eachother gifts on Christmas and Valentines Day. So that is the model that I have decided to use with Gwen and more specifcally Leena, as Leena is modeled after myself. So even though some of you readers may have issues with my characters having relationships or being interested in boys I feel as if it is absolutely fine to have them be interested in boys.

Disclaimer:The world of Harry Potter belongs to Jo, not me. If I owned Harry Potter I would be living it up in an estate in Scotland just because I can.

Chapter 23

On Holiday Part 3

Or

Draco's Christmas Party

The snow fell lightly over Malfoy Manor as guests began to arrive for the nights festivities. Clad in a deep purple cloak which covered a beautiful gown, Hermione arrived outside the gates of the manor that once gave her nightmares. Gently she ran her fingers over the scar on her arm as a shudder ran down her spine. Memories she refused to so much as even acknowledge came quickly and unbidden back to the forefront of her mind. The horrific thoughts were cast aside by a small "pop" beside her.

There was an audible "humph" followed by a disgruntled, "I cannot believe I agreed to joining you at this blasted event. I loathe parties, especially those thrown by my godson. The only good, no, there is nothing good about-"

Hermione grasped Severus's hand effectively shutting him up and began to drag him towards the house of his godson.

Leena,

Don't forget my parents will be at your cousin's party tonight. Please try to keep an eye on them for me and write to me the minute you get home.

Thank!

You're best friend,

-Gwen

P.S. Have fun with Dean.

Leena folded Gwen's letter and tucked it into the pocket of her cloak. 'Have fun with Dean!' Leena thought to herself, 'She wants me to have fun with that presumptuous prat! I would rather let a Blast Ended Skrewt make its nest under my bed!'

Leena hung her cloak up, ignored her siblings, said hello to her cousins, and artfully avoided the portraits that she knew would only yell at her for being in Ravenclaw or for her choice of friends or her parent's choices during the war. As guests arrived Leena believed that she was free of all nuisances that would come her way. She took a glass of pumpkin juice from a passing tray and settled in a spot near the foyer's marble staircase, content to simply watch as others interacted.

"Normally I find red to be a rather annoying color, but I do believe your dress is making a fair argument in its favor," a voice brought Leena out of her solitude simultaneously causing her evening to go from tolerable to miserable in the blink of an eye.

"Flattery, Mr. Chambers, will get you nowhere with me."

"Flattery? I was merely stating what I found to be a simple truth, Miss Ghensvey. I wasn't trying to get anywhere with you," Dean defended himself.

Leena scoffed and turned to face him. "There is a reason, Mr. Chambers, that you are in Slytherin and I am in Ravenclaw."

"Oh? Do enlighten me."

"You believe that with a sly remark and a well-planned compliment that you can win your way into any girl's heart. I however, hold fast to the ideal of my house that 'wit beyond measure is a man's greatest treasure.' Wit will win my affection not a sly flirtatious advance," Leena explained. She took a daring step closer to the older Slytherin boy.

"I will keep that in mind, Miss Ghensvey," Dean replied as he too took a step close. There was hardly any distance between them at all anymore.

Severus and Hermione handed their cloaks to a house elf, whom Hermione refrained from asking questions regarding his emancipation. They moved farther into the manor, Hermione's arm entwined with Severus's. The rooms had been completely refurbished since that night nearly twelve years ago. The scar on Hermione's arm had long since faded but the memories remained.

Severus moved his head closer to her ear. "You're fine, she's dead. You're here with me. I promise I won't let any harm come to you. We can even leave right now if you want to."

Hermione smiled, "I'm fine. Thank you for coming with me. I know how much you didn't want to be here."

Severus gave one of his rare smiles which was quickly replaced with one of his usual sneers when he spotted his godson making his way over accompanied by his wife.

"Severus, I didn't think you were coming tonight. Ah but I see you're not alone. Hermione, how did you get my Godfather out of his dungeons? More importantly, what did you have to do to convince him not to wear those absurd teaching robes?" Draco asked rather bluntly with a smirk across his lips.

Hermione smiled, "Oh, I have my ways, Draco."

"Torture," Severus sarcastically interjected.

"Precisely," Hermione quipped.

Draco laughed a little then went on, "I figured as much. Where are my manners? Hermione, this is my wife Astoria. Astoria, Miss Hermione Granger. And I know you need no introduction, Severus, so I will save my breath."

The women exchanged pleasantries as Severus let his eyes scan the room until they fell upon a rather odd pair. Leena Ghensvey was standing at the foot of the stairs engaging in what seemed to Severus to be a rather heated discussion with Dean Chambers. Miss Ghensvey on her part did not seem to be amused in the least with what was going on.

"Really Mr. Chambers, I have neither the time nor the patience for your stupidity. Please, leave me alone for the duration of the night. If a song plays refrain from asking me to dance for my answer will be no," Leena glared at Dean and raised an eyebrow to challenge him to reply.

"As tempting as your offer to dance may be I came here with someone."

"Poor girl."

"As friends."

"Oh?" Leena was genuinely curious now. What girl in her right mind would want to be friends with Dean Chambers?

"Yes, in fact here she is," Dean motioned behind Leena to where his friend was walking towards them.

Leena turned around. Walking towards them was a third year Gryffindor. She had long dark hair and was wearing a floor length dark blue gown with a rhinestone belt on her empire waist. The dress seemed to float about her making her glide as she walked towards them.

"Well, I think I just managed to make a complete arse out of myself in front of Horace Slughorn. Leave it to me. All I wanted was to see if he would come and talk to the Dueling Club after Holidays, and I go and have a fan-girl moment."

"If he going to come to a meeting?" Dean asked.

"Oh, yes in fact he is," Rosalyn said with a smile. She then turned to Leena and nudged Dean simultaneously.

"Right. Rosalyn, this is Leena. Leena, this is Rosalyn. I'm trying to get Leena into joining the Dueling Club. Maybe we could get her cousin Draco to coheres her in to joining the club."

"You're related to the Malfoys? And you're in Ravenclaw?"

"Just lucky I guess. Now if you two will excuse me I have to go and find my family," Leena said as she picked up a glass of pumpkin juice from a passing house elf and started off in the direction of her cousin who was conveniently chatting up Professors Granger and Snape.