Hello folks! Merry Christmas! Hope you're all enjoying the holidays wherever you are. :) And because you all are such lovely people, here's my Christmas present for you all. :D I hope you enjoy it! I'm so terribly sorry (yet again) that it took so bloody long :| School keeps me busy, crazy, and uninspired. Lol. Anyway, I know you've all heard this once or twice before already, BUTTTT, hopefully, the next one will NOT take long. Haha hopefully this time it'll actually be true. Lol.

Well, anyway, enjoy the chapter! Happy Holidays!

Chapter 25

What just happened? Draco thought to himself, feeling just a tad bit dazed after the turn of events. Merlin, what's wrong with the world these days? First Parkinson, then Parker. What in Merlin's beard is going on?

Draco tried to save face and go on as though nothing had affected him and it was no big deal at all. Because honestly! He was Draco Malfoy. Nothing could bring him down.

But no matter how much he told himself this, he couldn't get Seth's and Pansy's words out of his head which left him in a fairly disgruntled disposition throughout the rest of the cleaning session.

Ashley tried to put the whole bet with Malfoy at the very back of her mind. At the moment, it was the very last thing she wanted to think about.

You know you want to be his girlfriend, even if it's just for a day.

Are you completely insane? I'd rather drown myself.

Oh really now? Are you sure that's how you really feel?

Of course it is.

You can keep saying that...but you know, at the end of the day, you're still only lying to yourself.

Since when were you so philosophical?

Well one of us has to be.

"Are you alright?" Callie asked. It was the first time she'd spoken to her best friend the entire morning.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

"You don't look fine. What's happening now?" Callie asked, her tone indicating that she was not to be lied to.

Ashley sighed. "I honestly don't know."

"Everything okay with Malfoy?" Callie raised an eyebrow.

"Not really. But then it never was to begin with."

Callie fell silent for a moment. Ashley continued on wiping the table without another word. Then, "Whoever's trying to kill you really means business."

"I know," Ashley nodded glumly. "Cal, I have to tell you something."

"What is it?" Callie seemed very concerned.

"I know who it is." Ashley's voice dropped to a whisper. "Seth told me last night, when he took me out of the Great Hall."

Technically, Seth never told me not to tell...

Ashley then proceeded to explain to Callie everything that Seth had told her the previous night. She also included that fact that Draco knew and was also trying to protect her.

Callie's initial reaction after Ashley had finished talking was rage. "I knew it! I knew nobody could be crazy enough! Bit of a shock though that she was smart enough to think about asking for help and the whole manipulating thing...I guess Pansy really is a Slytherin after all."

"That's what you find a shocker? I find it shocking that Draco's bothered himself with this. It can't possibly benefit him in any way."

"Oh really?" Callie snorted. "I can't believe you don't see it, of all people!"

"What?"

"Draco Malfoy cares about you. It's as simple as that." Callie shrugged nonchalantly. "He benefits from this by keeping you alive. You're his prize, after all."

I never thought of it that way... Ashley didn't know why, but the fact that Callie had said she was a prize had stung a little bit. She never really thought about the possibility of her and Draco. Whenever it crossed her mind, she always made sure she pushed it to the farthest corner of her thoughts.

"I'm not trying to be mean," Callie said softly, putting a hand on Ashley's shoulder. She noticed the way Ashley's expression had shifted just a little, even though Ashley herself hadn't realized it. "I just want to warn you because I don't want to see you get hurt." She added.

"I know. I'm not hurt." Ashley smiled, hoping it didn't look too forced.

It's not a loss. Ashley told herself. She repeated it again and again in her head, hoping the thoughts of Draco being different with her would just go away and never come back.

Draco had already made up his mind long before the cleaning session was over so when Ashley had come to approach him afterwards, he knew exactly what he was going to say to her.

"I thank you all for your time and effort." Dumbledore spoke warmly after the Great Hall was spotlessly clean. "But before I send you off to enjoy the rest of your Saturdays, I would like to announce a new activity, exclusive for seventh years only. Sixth years may leave now."

The sixth years all filed out of the Great Hall. Dumbledore cleared his throat to get everyone's attention when the last of the sixth years had left.

"Your professors and I have discussed matters thoroughly and have come to a conclusion that a bonding activity within the batch is much needed to strengthen your relationships with one another." He added, his eyes twinkling, the way they always did.

"Details will be announced later. But all of you will be divided into groups of our choosing and you will all be required to work with each other to complete your tasks. So without further ado, enjoy your much deserved Saturday afternoons!"

With that dismissal, the seventh years dispersed, murmuring about the vague new activity Dumbledore had just announced.

Draco caught Ashley's eye across the crowd and mouthed, "prefect dorms" before disappearing behind the bulk of Crabbe and Goyle.

The pit of Ashley's stomach felt as unsettled as an oncoming storm as she paced back and forth in her room, waiting for Draco to barge into her room like he usually did. So many thoughts were racing across her mind, each one uglier than the one before it.

She tried to put off the uneasy feeling as long as she could but found that it was next to impossible. Playing keeper was too important for her to let go of and so she decided firmly that whatever Draco wanted her to do, she would comply. And because she fully expected him to come barging into her room, she was surprised when she heard a knock on her door.

Who could that possibly be? Ashley thought.

"Erm... come in," Ashley cleared her throat uncertainly.

The door opened slowly and Ashley couldn't contain her shock when she saw that it was none other than Draco Malfoy himself who had entered. His expression was unfathomable. It was cool, calm, controlled.

"Looks like someone finally learned to knock." Ashley drawled, composing herself quickly.

Draco smirked, but Ashley could tell it was forced. "Greyson, I've been thinking a lot... And I've come to a conclusion I believe to be very wise, generous, and mature." He added his tone formal and serious.

Ashley could hear her heart in her chest. She was willing to go down on her knees and beg for her position on the Quidditch team if need be.

But the next set of words that tumbled forth from Draco's mouth completely surprised her that it left her speechless and open-mouthed.

"You're back on the team. You're off the hook. You don't have to be my girlfriend."

For a few moments, Ashley couldn't move. She didn't hear anything past the word "girlfriend". Was this real? Or was it just some crazy made-up dream of hers? Ashley wasn't sure.

"We've got practice Monday afternoon. Same time, same place. Don't be late." Draco finished with a smirk before leaving her room for his own.

Ashley looked after the closed door, still in shock. The only thing that popped into her mind was, What on earth just happened?

The next few days were strange to Ashley. It was like she was floating in a dream. She barely saw Draco (even though they had nearly all classes together) and whenever she did (usually at mealtimes), he never looked at her even once nor did he talk to her.

Even Callie had noticed the strange behaviour and commented on it one night. Seth had reacted almost violently when Callie had mentioned Draco's name. He seemed...furious. Callie and Ashley didn't get why.

"Maybe it's a lovers' spat with Greengrass?" Callie had shrugged. "I haven't seen them together in a while." She added.

"Maybe." Ashley mumbled distractedly. She wasn't particularly too concerned over Seth and Daphne. She didn't understand why she wasn't as excited as she thought she'd be. After all, she was off the hook. She practically hit two birds with one stone. She was back on the team and she didn't have to do anything for Malfoy. (In fact, when the Slytherin team had found out she was back on the team, they'd thrown her a little party)

Was it the look on Malfoy's face when he told her she was off the hook that was bothering her? Or was it something else? Or maybe it was the former and the fact that he no longer spoke to her after that night. Had something happened that Ashley had missed?

Ashley realized the serious avenue her thoughts were headed and immediately forced herself to stop thinking about the matter. It's nothing. She thought firmly to herself. I don't care, she added just for good measure.

Monday afternoon came too quickly and before she knew it, Ashley was standing in the middle of the grassy field dressed in her Quidditch robes with her broom in hand. Seth stood next to her, waving to Daphne Greengrass, who cheered him on from the stands.

She blew him a kiss, which he returned before turning to Ashley with a grin on his face.

"I see you're both going strong..." Ashley commented slyly.

Seth shrugged. "Yeah. We're good."

"That's good. I'm glad you guys worked things out."

"What do you mean?"

"You seemed so irritable the past few days and we haven't exactly seen you and Daphne together during meals so Callie and I assumed you guys had a spat. Plus, you practically blew up when Callie was mentioning Malfoy."

A fierce look crossed Seth's eyes and Ashley pretended not to have noticed it. Seriously, what am I missing around here? Did something happen? Why was I not there?

Luckily, Ashley was saved from having to make more conversation with Seth by the sound of Draco's voice calling out to them to form a circle around him and pay close attention as he discusses the new strategy he's come up with for their next match.

This is your chance Greyson.

What on earth are you talking about?

Malfoy always finds ways to make life miserable for you during Quidditch practice. One slight movement out of line and he starts picking on you. This. Is. Your. Chance. Take it!

You're out of your mind.

Need I remind you that I'm not the one talking to herself here.

Hmph.

Ashley thought about the voices in her head and what sort of consequences such actions could possibly bring. It's worth a try... But... does Draco ignoring you really affect you that much?

With a sigh, Ashley ignored the voices in her head and forced herself to listen to Draco's lecture instead.

"Alright team, let's put the plan into action. I expect nothing short of perfection! Got that?" Draco barked as he put on his gloves and jumped on his broom. The rest did the same.

"Remember the game plan!" Draco called out once they were in the air. Everyone flew to their respective positions and with a blow of the whistle, started playing.

Ashley tried to keep up with the game plan but for the life of her, she couldn't quite remember everything Draco had been talking about earlier. Instead, she used her Quidditch player's common sense to manoeuvre her way through the game.

In the end, Ashley managed to defend the posts from three oncoming quaffles all at once—a very remarkable feat that most of the team had stopped and cheered, except Draco.

Draco merely stopped in midair and nodded his head toward Ashley's direction, muttering a listless "Good job, Greyson. Keep it up," before flying off to Merlin knows where.

...That was it? That was all he could say to me?

Tsk, tsk. The boy finally looks at you throughout this entire practice session and it's as interesting as Bletchley sleeping.

I don't get it... He didn't make any snide comments... His facial expression didn't even give anything away!

Ahhh. So you do observe him just a tad bit too closely...

I do not! It's just that... Well, I've spent my entire life with the boy.

Sure. I'm telling you. My plan is perfect.

It's stupid.

Maybe. But it's sure to get Mr. Malfoy's attention. If winning for him won't get his attention...well, maybe losing for him will.

Ashley thought about it hard, biting down on her lower lip. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Draco having an animated conversation with Flint and Warrington. You know you want to... Besides, what harm could it do, right?

"Alright, let's practice that routine again!" Draco called out, shaking Ashley out of her reverie.

Ashley flew up to take her position by the goal posts. Her mind had been set. She had far more dignity than this, she knew. But she was too bothered with Draco ignoring her to care at the moment. No one ignored her! Not even Draco Malfoy!

As the first Quaffle sped by, Ashley purposely swerved so she missed it by an inch. "Sorry!" She called out, hiding her smile with her curls.

The next Quaffle that came in her direction, Ashley flew down, missing it by several feet.

What on earth is she doing? Seth asked himself, noticing how Ashley seemed to be missing the quaffles on purpose. Is she mad?

Whenever Seth had gotten hold of the Quaffle, he sent it toward the goal posts and watched carefully as Ashley did some ridiculous stunt that made it seem like she accidentally missed the
Quaffle. Throughout the entire session, she only managed to defend the goal posts from five quaffles.

He wasn't the only one who noticed Ashley's less than acceptable performance on the pitch that afternoon. The rest of them had too.

"Are you alright, Ash? You haven't played like that...ever..." Warrington commented once they were all back on the ground.

"Sorry." Ashley mumbled. "I must have a lot on my mind. I'll do better next time, I promise." She added with a sigh. She was thoroughly disappointed that throughout the entire ordeal, not once had Draco even said anything to her. Not a word. At all. And she seriously thought he would lash out at her for missing even just on Quaffle.

"That was... well, definitely not what I expected." Draco muttered. "We've got practice again on Wednesday, after class. Same time, same place. We'll practice it a bit more so everyone gets it." Draco's tone had a hard edge to it—the sort of edge that distinguished that he was Captain of this team. But other than that, his expression betrayed no emotion.

As everyone was walking back toward the changing rooms, Seth called out to Ashley after having told Daphne to wait for him in the Great Hall.

"Ashley, can I have a word with you?" He asked, setting her aside. They were the last ones on the pitch now.

"Sure, about what?"

"Your performance today."

Ashley raised her eyebrows up at him. "What about it? I sucked, I know. It wasn't my fault."

"Oh really? I knew what you were doing up there. What did you think you were doing, doing all of that crap on purpose?"

"I wasn't!" Ashley protested, flaring up. Seth was obviously very angry with her.

"Really, Ash? Because the first game we played, you defended the posts from three oncoming quaffles at once. And the next you can't defend even at least once?"

Ashley scowled. "It's none of your business, Seth."

"I thought this is exactly what you wanted, Ash! Being part of the team again! You got it back, so why on earth are you purposely doing all of this?" Seth demanded. "Is it because of Draco?"

That last sentence caught Ashley off guard for a moment. She quickly recovered, but not fast enough because Seth had seen, and now Seth knew.

"I see." He muttered. He sighed. "I thought you had more dignity than that, Ashley Greyson."

"I do. Seth, what on earth is your problem? Why do you always have to get worked up about every single thing? It's like you just blow up all the time!"

Seth glared at her and said nothing. It's only when Draco's involved that I flare up, he wanted to say but couldn't. It was the Bro Code. He couldn't break the law that governed all men.

"Just forget it."

"Whatever it is Seth, you know you can tell me."

"Just drop it Ash. It's nothing. I'm just worried about you."

"Why would you have to be?" Ashley scoffed.

"You're sacrificing your performance on the Quidditch team just to catch Malfoy's attention. It's messed up, Ash, and you know it."

Ashley fell silent because really, what else could she say? Seth was right.

"I just hope you know what you're doing." Seth added silently before walking away.

Seth had decided not to join Callie and Ashley for dinner that night. Instead, he sat a few seats from them, next to Daphne Greengrass and her friends.

Ashley had told Callie everything that had happened during Quidditch practice earlier, leaving out the fact that she had done her misses on purpose although Callie already suspected such. Callie knew how good a player Ashley was. There was no stopping her once she was on the pitch. No amount of random thoughts running through Ashley's mind would ever be enough to make her suck at her own sport, Callie knew but she kept silent. Obviously Ashley didn't realize what she was doing or how she was feeling yet.

Ashley had filled Callie in on her conversation with Seth and how she suspected it had something to do with Draco and Seth having a fall out.

Callie only shrugged. "Boys will be boys. Just leave them to their own things and eventually things will fall into place."

"I s'pose..." Ashley mumbled.

Callie seethed, watching Seth laugh it up with Daphne and her friends. He seemed to be really enjoying himself.

"I hate her." Callie stabbed her slab of pork with her fork rather disdainfully.

"Greengrass? Why?"

"She's such a b****. Look at her... And she's got Seth under her spell. The witch." Callie growled.

Ashley wanted to point out that they were all witches, but refrained from doing so for fear that Callie would poke her eye out with a fork.

"She hasn't done anything." Ashley shrugged nonchalantly.

"Yeah, but everyone's talking. I heard... things about her. I just don't think she's worthy enough for Seth." Callie replied huffily.

"Really? Seth seems to really be fond of her. He seems really happy." Ashley said, biting into an apple. Callie turned to glare at her best friend.

"He only thinks he is." She responded fiercely.

Ashley wanted to laugh at the comical way Callie was responding to Seth and Daphne's blooming relationship. If she didn't know any better, she'd have suspected Callie had hidden feelings for Seth...

As Ashley reached across the table to get some pumpkin pastries, Callie nudged her in the side.

"Ow! What was that for?" Ashley hissed, rubbing her side.

"Guess who's on his way here." Callie giggled.

"Please don't say it's Pucey. I told him to get me some bananas so with luck, he's gone off the Tropics, never to return again."

"Actually, it's Draco." Callie whispered with a smirk.

I hope you all enjoyed that! :)

Next chapter: Hmmm, haha, I actually don't know what to put over here. BUTTT let's just sayy... more information on the mysterious new team building activity Dumbledore has just implemented for the seventh years :)

Don't forget to leave a review! Once again, Happy Holidays :D