A/N I'm sorry about the delay on getting this chapter up, I have been so busy recently and am feeling guilty so hopefully this should be a good build up to the next chapter.

A few more cold and dark December days had passed without much drama. Luna and Hermione had been enjoying each other's company and the peaceful surroundings. This combined with her girlfriend's supportiveness had meant that Hermione was able to let go of the stress caused by her parents.

A similar scene was playing out at Hogwarts, with Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter relishing in the undisturbed days in bed that they had been allowed. They had managed to push two of the beds together and steal all the pillows from the other beds to make a comfortable double bed. The two would read books until one or both got to a boring point and wound the other up resulting in the same outcome every time; a less than innocent play fight. This was the most relaxed Harry had felt in a while, away from the almost comical relationship drama and general drama that seemed to follow him around normally, he was able to enjoy someone that appeared to be so different to him in a manner he never would've thought possible.

However peace and quiet was a far off dream in the Weasley house. The annual New Year's Eve party was set to take place and Molly Weasley had been rushing all morning to brew the dew juice and make other refreshments for the evening. Fred and George had not been helping at all, they were almost offended when their mother had told them that animal themed indoor fireworks 'were not an essential to cooking'. Ron had not yet risen but it was only one o'clock and his guests were not due until five. Luna and Hermione sent back almost immediately saying that they would be there but there was a lot of negotiation involved to get Neville and Lavender to be invited by Ron. Not only this but Ron also had to try and persuade himself, then his mother, that Draco's place at the party was a decent price to pay for Harry's attendance.

All this stress meant that Ron allowed himself a well-earned lie in until three giving him some time to begrudgingly wash and help with preparation. As he reluctantly rolled out of his bed doing an impressive impression of a sleep deprived sloth his thoughts were drawn towards the guests he had to greet later in the day. Ron decided he would make himself scarce for the arrival of Lavender and Neville saying that he was otherwise pre occupied and simply could not get to the door at that moment in time. There was too much awkwardness even for him where Neville was concerned and after angering Lavender he thought that an encounter would be a lot less calming than the effect the plant that she was named.

Albus Dumbledore was familiar with the Weasley's famous New Year's Eve party and the family's close relationship to Harry Potter so allowed him and Draco to leave the school for one night providing they returned by the following afternoon and Molly Weasley rung the school to notify the headmaster of his arrival. Dumbledore did not know what he was more shocked at- Draco's invite to the party or his genuine desire to take the Weasley's up on the offer.

In another part of the school the two boys were getting ready and Harry, being the less image conscious of the two had just thrown on some corduroys and a shirt but Malfoy still remained topless trying to figure out what to wear.

"If you don't hurry up I'm going to make you wear just that" said Harry walking over to Malfoy and gesturing towards his skinny jeans then making a point of the absence of a top half to the outfit by running his hands over Draco's bare torso.

"Fair point, shall I get a bag to cover your head then or…" safe to say Harry didn't last long enough to finish his sentence before being stuck by Draco. Draco rugby tackled him onto the bed pinned Harry's wrists down.

"So you don't want to look at my face?" exclaimed Malfoy, feigning offence. "And of course that would mean no touching."

"Okay, okay, I take it back" Harry spoke causing Draco to smile and lean down connecting their lips briefly before glancing at the clock and jumping off the bed.

"Looks like we're going to be late if we don't hurry up. I better clothe myself."

"Do you have to?" asked Harry, pouting excessively to boost Draco's ego a little more.

Draco just glanced over and smiled taking his white shirt and tucking it into his jeans, then connected his black braces and pulled them up. Harry was now leant against the door frame pulling his jumper on to face the bitter air. Malfoy put on his bow tie and blazer following Harry as they walked off the grounds ready to apparate to the burrow.

At Luna's house Hermione was trying on one of the three dresses she had bought with her 'just in case' she may have needed them. She was in the spare room and Luna was getting ready in her own room so they hadn't seen each other for a good ten minutes. Hermione eventually decided on a short purple dress, woollen tights black boots and a leather jacket. After putting it all on she began to apply her make up before returning to Luna's bedroom.

"Am I good to come in?" she questioned from the other side.

"Yes I'm all ready I just didn't want to disturb you" replied Luna.

Hermione opened the door to find Luna looking stunning in a dark blue sequinned dress with matching shoes and black tights the same colour as her jacket. Hermione couldn't help realise that Luna was looking incredibly conventional as she drew her eyes towards the blonde's hair which was wavy and swept to the side. She stepped over towards her own bag and managed to locate a necklace which with a thin silver chain and dark silver butterfly with sapphire detail. As she walked back over to where her girlfriend stood, Hermione unfastened the clasp on the necklace and placed it around the soft skin of Luna's neck, a very inviting prospect.

"Are you ready?" asked Luna disturbing Hermione from her blatant staring. But all she got in reply was a shaky nod and a shy smile.

"Let's go then."