Thanks to the Following Reviewers:
LilyJet: Thank you so much! hahah well you never know, there could be that )
xXxSour-LemonxXx: Awe, I'm glad it's understandable the way I wrote it, thanks!!
MavisClone: Hahah thank you so much, your review made me laugh! Never fear though, this isn't the end of George and Lexi!
CREA: I am sorry it was so short! But I had to cut off there becuase this chapter had to be all together and this one's pretty long to make up for it! Thanks!
mentally disrupted: Thanks!
kittylicious: It will be hard for Lexi to figure out how to apologize to George, and I think for now her pride is definitely going to get in the way! I'm glad you like this story so much, I really appreciate when people take the time to tell me that! Thank you!
Akira-sama: Thank you!!
Captain Speed-o: Hahah, well I am sorry for the shortness of that chapter, but this one should be pretty long to make up for it! I hope you enjoy it! Thanks!
hazeleyedhottie: Thanks for the review!
Raquelita: I'm so glad you like it! And I myself love George Weasley stories, especially well-written ones.
A Flaming Moon: Thank you!
Sanc: No, George doesn't understand at all, the meanie. Hahah but then again Lexi isn't very understanding either. Thank you so much!
Chapter 24: Christmas!
By the time I woke up, night had settled in and Cho's parents had already gone to sleep.
I sat up groggily and looked around. The room was dark but I could make out a window across from me. I stood up and looked outside. It was snowing lightly.
I turned and made my way out of the room, almost running into Cho.
"Oh good, you're awake! I was just coming to check on you!" She said, "How're you feeling?"
"Awful." I replied. "But it'll get better right?"
Cho frowned. "It.. might." I sighed.
"I just wrote to Blaise" She added, leading me down the hall. "I told him he should come but I didn't want to send anything to Draco in case his parents read it." I nodded.
"But before he comes I wanted to talk to you." She said, "You explained what happened when you arrived here but I still really don't understand why.."
"Because I messed up." I said quietly.
"Well, I mean who broke it off?" She asked.
"George. Said that he wasn't sure if I understood what it took to be in the type of relationship he wanted." I whispered. "Cho, I don't know what to do. I feel so bad. I feel like I'm actually the horrible person everyone think I am. I think that-" She cut me off.
"Lexi, you made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. You just have to apologize and hope for the best. And maybe someday you can show George that you can be in the relationship he wants." She paused, "Do you still..."
"Care about him?" I shrugged. "Well... yes. A lot. Cho, he wasn't even mean about it. At all. He let me keep the bracelet he got me and I just wish he would've been meaner because then it wouldn't hurt so much!" I tugged at my shirt.
Cho smiled sadly. "Well, Lexi, for now I think you should just try and get him out of your mind. There isn't' really anything you can say to him until you see him and that won't be until break's over. So there's no use in worrying over it now."
"Cho, I can't say anything to him anyway. What would I say? 'Hey George I'm sorry I messed with your mind for my own selfish purposes, want to go get a Butterbeer?' I'm sure that would work wonderfully." I sat down on a couch.
"Lexi, listen. What you did was.. well, stupid. But you didn't do it selfishly. I've seen the way you talk about George and I know you wouldn't hurt him, on purpose anyway." She said gently.
I groaned. Of course I'd never wanted to hurt him, but that didn't change the fact that I did.
"Cho, let's just stop. George and I are done and talking about it won't change it." I said. She frowned.
"Lexi I don't think you should give up so-"
"Easily? Trust me Cho, if I want something I don't give up. And I do want George. But right now I don't see us being together and I don't see anything that could change that. If at any point I think differently then I will go for it. But right now it's not benefiting anyone for me to be fighting an already lost battle."
Cho looked like she wanted to say something, then nodded. "I'm sorry Lexi. I know how much you care about him."
I smiled weakly. "It's all right. Not your fault anyway."
"I understand though, you know. I myself have been known for being rubbish at having a relationship."
I laughed. "And look where you are now. Blaise Zabini is a far cry from the Boy-Who-Lived"
Cho grinned, "That he is." We both heard a noise downstairs. "And speak of the devil."
"We'll have to restrain him you know." I said as we made our way downstairs, "He won't accept that it's my fault." Cho smiled as I continued, "Draco won't either."
We finally reached Cho's living room, where her fireplace was and saw Blaise standing there.
"Cho!" He exclaimed, seeing her first, "What happened? You mentioned Lexi in your letter and.." He trailed off, having seen me.
"Lexi!" He walked over to me, "What happened? Did that Weasley hurt you? Oh, I bet he did, I told him he better not, I'll kick his arse I will, I have half a mind to Floo over there right now!" He turned back towards the fireplace, but Cho and I restrained him.
"Blaise, no, really, listen!" I said quickly "It was my fault!" Blaise stopped.
"Lexi come on, you don't have to cover up for him, you wouldn't have done anything." He shook his head. I sighed.
"No, Blaise, really, it was my fault. I promise you I'm telling the truth." Blaise looked down at me and then over to Cho, who nodded, and frowned.
"Oh, well.." He trailed off, "I'm sorry Lex." I shrugged, "But what happened?" I grimaced, not wanting to relate the story, but did so anyway.
Blaise sighed, "Merlin Lexi.." I held up a hand.
"I know, I know, you don't have to say it." I smiled, "But I'll be okay."
Blaise grinned, "Of course you will." He paused, "Besides, he'll come crawling back once he realizes what life sans-Lexi is like. Trust me." I rolled my eyes.
"Oh I'm sure."
After initially talking about George, Blaise and Cho seemed determined to keep me so busy that night that I wouldn't have a chance to think about him, much less talk about him. I appreciated their effort greatly.
We spent the night laughing and talking until I felt myself drifting off to sleep on Cho's couch. Blaise shook me awake and led me up to the guest room, kissing my forehead lightly and promising that he and Draco would do everything to fix everything. He shut the door and turned off the lights as he and Cho left the room.
I sighed and tried to get some sleep, wondering why everyone was so willing to fix my problems for me.
I woke up late on Christmas Eve morning and hurried to pack all of my things, not wanting to be late getting back to Draco's.
I quickly made sure everything was in my trunk before heading downstairs. Cho was eating breakfast, her parents having already left to do some early-morning Christmas shopping.
"Hi." I sat down and grabbed a muffin. "How long have you been up?"
"Oh, not long." Cho said, "But before you leave, since you showed up last night I didn't send you your present, I thought we could exchange them now." I grinned and nodded.
"You sent me yours so it's already here." Cho said, walking into her living room with me not far behind. She hurried about the Christmas Tree and I recognized the package I'd wrapped for her. She pulled out another present and handed it to me.
I smiled and opened it.
"Oh wow Cho, thanks!" I said, admiring my new navy blue cloak.
"Well, you do need more color in your wardrobe!" Cho said as she examined the make-up kit I had bought her. "All that green and silver, honestly! You and Blaise are just the same, you know. He loved the picture of us, but I also got him this lovely red sweater that went just right with his hair and he told me it was a Gryffindorcolor."
I laughed. Typical Blaise. "What did you say?"
"I told him that scarlet was a Gryffindor color, not just red, and if he didn't like it I'd take it back and give it to one of myother boyfriends." Cho grinned cheekily while I burst into laughter.
"I bet he loved that." We laughed together and continued talking about Blaise (among other things) until I had to leave.
"Draco! Your best friend in the whole world is back!" I called as I dusted any soot from the Floo powder off my robes.
He didn't answer, which wasn't surprising because if he was in his room he wouldn't be able to hear me anyway. I shrugged and left my trunk next to the fireplace, confident that a House Elf would get it later.
As I passed the dining room I hear angry voices coming from inside and I stopped before knocking.
"Yes?" I was surprised to hear my mother's voice as Lucius answered. I opened the door.
"Oh Alexis, you're back!" My mother and Narcissa came over to me, each giving me a hug. "How was your time spent at your friends?"
"It was lovely Mother." I held out the cloak, "She gave me this for a present." My mother took it and looked it over before nodding and giving it back to me.
"Nice material." She said. I noticed Draco sitting next to his father, who was sitting next to my father, and everyone looked rather irritated.
"What's... going on?" I asked timidly. My father sighed and Narcissa answered quietly.
"It seems that the Ministry feels it would be... appropriate- if our annual New Year's Party played host to a more..." She paused, "broad range of guests than normal."
"Oh yes." My mother said viciously, "How did they phrase it again, Lucius?"
Lucius read from a piece of parchment I hadn't noticed that he'd been holding, "A letter from the Minister himself." He said silkily, answering my questioning gaze. "He says, 'At a time such as this, I am sure that your family, having contributed so much to the Wizarding community already, would not mind opening up your home to others and improving Wizarding relations for all of Britain'" He finished, a sneer on his face.
I frowned, "Well they can't make you, can they? It's not a Ministry-sponsored event."
My mother growled, "Of course they can't technically, but what else are they supposed to do? "Improve Wizarding relations" indeed!" She huffed. "The Minister knows well enough that he's not 'requesting' anything and that the Malfoys will be forcedto open their home to.. " She trailed off with an angry sigh.
My eyes widened, "Who exactly are they making you 'open your home' to?" Lucius silently passed me a sheet of paper.
"The Ministry's suggested guest list." Draco said sarcastically.
I gasped, "They can't!"
"They can." My father said.
My eyes met Draco's fearfully, for at the very top of the list were the following three names:
Mr. Harry Potter
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Weasley and Children
Ms. Hermione Granger
"An outrage!" My mother burst from the shadows again. "Think, having filth like that in here! It's unthinkable! The Malfoy's New Years Party has always been the epitome of sophistication and now it's nothing more than a common stomping ground for Dumbledore'spets!"
I grimaced as I read through the rest of the list. She was right. Now, on top of the important Ministry officials that were usually in attendance, many Aurors and well known anti-Voldemort were also to be invited.
"Nymphadora Tonks?" I questioned.
Narcissa laughed bitterly, "My niece." She said disgustedly. "Daughter of my dear sister Andromeda." I nodded. I knew well enough of Andromeda's estrangement from the rest of her family.
"Professor Lupin?" I asked, "What's he got to do with this?"
My mother answered, "Apparently he's seeing Nymphadora. Imagine, having a filthy half-breed here. We might as well invite the gamekeeper too!" Lucius laughed.
I wanted to remind my mother that this wasn't technically her party, but it was well known that the planning was done by my mother and Narcissa.
I scanned the rest of the list. "I can't believe Fudge actually... proposed this. How could he even suggest at telling you who to invite?"
My father answered, "Fudge has been losing popularity, and has finally decided to step down. Meaning they threatened to fire him and he decided to leave on his less embarrassing terms. The new minister, Rufus Scrimgeour, has yet to learn that people with status such as our are not to be trifled with."
"But you needn't worry yourself about it Alexis" Narcissa said quietly. "You and Draco may go outside or upstairs if you wish." Draco nodded and got up, motioning for me to follow.
"So what do you think?" Draco asked as we left.
"I think that it's horrible, the Ministry forcing their agenda on your parents." I answered.
"It is, but I mean what do you think about the fact that your Weasley will be there?" He said quietly as we entered his room. I thought for a moment about how jealous George might be, had he known that I was in Draco's room. Then I remembered that George and I weren't together anymore and he had no reason to be jealous of anyone concerning me. I closed my eyes.
This was going to be harder than I thought.
"Draco..." I started. He nodded at me to go on. "I.. well, you see... George and I.." I frowned. "We aren't really.. together anymore." I finished, feeling my shoulders slump. Draco's eyes widened.
"What?! Lexi, what happened?" He paused, his voice growing angry, "Did he hurt you? Honestly Lexi, I knew he'd do something like this. I'll kill the little weasel the next time I see him, I promise." I shook my head. "No? You don't want me to kill him?"
"Draco, it was my fault." I said quietly, sitting on his bed. He sat down and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
"Now Lexi, I know you're a bit daft, but you couldn't have done anything to make the boy not want to be with you. I mean, you're Lexi Conrad."
I smiled sadly, "As encouraging as your constant praise for me is, it was most definitely my fault."
"How so?" Draco challenged, squeezing my shoulder.
"Well.. you see, we got into a bit of a fight. A pretty big fight actually." I started.
"About?"
"Well, I suppose... about you." I paused. Draco looked apologetic and I quickly continued, "Not your fault, of course. It was more of a fight about my future plans and ah, alliances. If you know what I mean."
"Well that's none of his bloody business! He's not your father!" Draco growled
I smiled sadly, "He was just concerned, I guess. Anyway, I left and went up to Ginny's room and he came in and apologized."
"Then everything should be okay!" Draco interrupted, "Unless that wanker messed it up."
"Draco please!" I glared. "Anyway, he apologized but I was having none of it." I ignored Draco's sounds of agreement. "He told me he wished that..." I paused, "that he could just forget it ever happened."
I glanced up at Draco. He wasn't stupid, not by a long shot. He pieced the rest of the story together quickly and realization dawned on his face, but he was silent, waiting for me to finish.
I sighed, "And I guess I took the literal meaning of what he said. So after everyone went to bed, I went into his room and..." I trailed off and made a gesture with my hands.
"Lexi.." Draco started, but I held up a hand and turned to him.
"I'm so stupid, Draco. I just.. I don't know why I did it. I know I shouldn't have, I know it was wrong and I feel so... horribly guilty about it and I've never felt guilty about anything in my life! And now I've just... ruined everything I had with George-which I'm not even sure was anything serious but it was still the.." I swallowed. "It's just I've never.. been with someone as long as George you know?"
Draco nodded, "I know Lex. We'll get you through this." I grinned and buried my head in his chest.
"I miss him you know." I paused, "Well, more like I miss the fact that I'm not.. that I can't talk to him anymore."
Draco stood up, "You're a great girl Lex. You'll find someone.."
I cut him off, "Draco, I don't want to find someone, I want George!"
He looked back at me, surprised. "You really, er, love him, then?"
I shrugged, "I.. well, I guess. I mean I do, but I guess I... still do. It's not something I can make go away overnight. Maybe with time it'll fade..." I looked up at Draco hopefully.
"I'm sure it will." He said reassuringly before taking on a more business-like tone. "Well, this complicates things even further for New Year's."
"Don't remind me." I put my head in my hands. "Why, why, this year, of all years?"
"We'll think of something, don't worry. We just have to make sure none of the Weasleys snitch to any of our parents. Which means we'll have to stay as far away from them as possible."
"Which shouldn't be hard to explain to our parents." I said, "It's not like we'd have to convince them to keep us away from the Weasleys." Draco nodded.
"You can do this Lexi." He said, smiling. I shrugged.
"Kind of have to, don't I?"
After the initial shock I received upon arriving at Draco's, things were dull leading up to Christmas. My parents left on their trip, the Malfoys were always busy with preparations for Christmas, and Draco and I were left o our own devices.
Christmas morning was fun, however. I woke up, the bright winter sun flashing through the curtains in the guest room I slept in. The clock next to my bed read 9:30, which meant I was a little late in opening my presents.
I hurriedly pulled a robe on and shuffled to Draco's room, which was right down the hall. Being close to the Malfoy's got me a guest room near where they slept, while most other people slept on the other side of their house.
"Drakey." I shook him. He mumbles something incoherently and I sighed. This was going to be harder than I thought. "Draco Malfoy!"
"Merlin Lexi, what?" He snapped from underneath his pillow.
"It's Christmas you dolt!" I exclaimed happily. He sat up groggily, a grin on his face.
"Happy Christmas Lexi."
"Happy Christmas Drakey! Now let's go!" I tugged at his hand. We hurried downstairs to find Lucius, Narcissa, and my mother and father already up, Narcissa brewing coffee and Lucius and my father reading the newspaper.
"Up, finally!" My mother even sounded cheerful. I grinned.
"It was very hard to wake Draco up." I laughed.
"Well, let's eat and then open presents." Narcissa decided. Draco and I ate quickly and ushered our families into the sitting room, where a large tree was decorated in silver decorations.
Even Christmas couldn't escape the green-and-silver Slytherin color scheme!
We went in a circle opening presents, which worked for a while but obviously since Draco and I had more presents than our parents, didn't last long.
I had gotten my mother a new eagle-feather quill, which she had complained of needing for a while. For my father I got a glass and silver chess set. Both my parents thanked me.
Draco got, of course, family heirlooms, but also a new broom. A Firebolt, to match Potter's. He was ecstatic, naturally. He was also pleased with the top-of-the-line Broomstick servicing kit my parents got him.
"Here Draco." I thrust the small package that I had wrapped for him into shi hands. He opened it and stared in fascination at the watch I had gotten him, with Lucius peering over his shoulders.
"It's got a basic protection charm, has it?" Lucius asked, nodding. I smiled and nodded. Draco grinned at me and fastened the watch onto his wrist.
"Thanks Lexi." I smiled and nodded before opening Draco's present. I had gotten new dress robes from my mother and various hair accessories and makeup, as well as a book full of cosmetic spells. My father, however, got me something a little more practical; a leather holster for my wand. I didn't quite understand why I'd need one, but it was nicely made, nonetheless.
Draco's present was something else entirely, but quite similar to what I'd gotten him. It was a necklace with a bright blue drop hanging on the end of a simple silver chain. It reminded me for a moment of the bracelet George had gotten me, but I pushed the though out of my mind. It was Christmas, after all, and I didn't want to ruin it with thinking of things that I couldn't change.
"Oh, Draco, it's lovely." I exclaimed softly.
"You're not the only one who thought to give a little extra protection out for Christmas." Draco muttered in my ear as he put the necklace around my neck. I grinned.
"Didn't know you cared so much, Drakey." I cooed back softly, grinning.
"More than you know Lex." He said seriously, smiling before he walked back over to his parents.
"So, you're coming to Draco's party right?" I asked Cho, her head bobbing up and down in Draco's fireplace.
"Of course, wouldn't miss it." She replied, as I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank Merlin, did you hear about who they have to invite? Suggested by the Minister." I continued.
"Blaise mentioned something but he didn't elaborate." Cho said, looking curious.
"Well," I started, "let me just say that the 'Ministry-approved' guest list is horrendous, and of course, at the tope of the list-"
"They wouldn't dare.." Cho interrupted.
"Harry Potter." I confirmed, "And you know the Weasley and Granger are never far behind."
Cho frowned, "But that means that George-"
"-will most likely be there." I finished. "Things just keep getting better, don't they?" I laughed bitterly, "At least I won't have to worry about slipping up and being affectionate towards him, or vice versa."
Cho smiled sadly, "We'll just have to show him what he's missing out on, that's all." She grinned, "A little healthy jealousy never hurt anybody."
I smiled, "Wasn't aware that any type of jealousy was healthy, Chang."
She laughed, "Oh, of course. We'll just be causing the healthy type, naturally." I laughed as she continued, "Here's what we'll do..."
I grinned as I listened to her plan. It was fun to think about, although there was the chance that it may not even work.
But a girl deserves to have some fun, doesn't she?
YAY! okay so here you go guys; a new chapter. I hope you liked it. I'm getting piled with schoolwork so it might be like 2 weeks until the next update but I'll try my hardest to make it before then!
review with what you liked, or didn't like, or anything!