It was soon known to all her friends that when Bridget said party she meant party. In rewards for her help in the destruction of Voldemort's hororcruxes Dumbledore granted her wish and allowed one night in the Great Hall, free to throw the world's best party.

She'd spent the week working once she got the okay, snapping at anybody who dare disrupt her profound planning. Determination distracted the girl from all other matters, including her studies and friends. It took a great deal of restraint to hinder Ron from slapping her. She was bloody crazy, a fact he stated over and over again.

It had all paid off, though, for not even an hour into the dance everybody was having fun. All students had been invited, and even those who still feared Bridget showed up. Music blared, lights flashed, and Harry wondered why they didn't do things like this more often. A feat fit for a king was nothing compared to the exhilaration he felt now, which was so much better than the Yule Ball, an event which had both him and Ron filled with nerves and disappointments.

At the moment, Bridget was teaching Harry to dance. He wasn't very good at first, but got better as they continued to practice. She, at least, didn't seem to have much more expertise than he did, and for a brief moment he wondered why he let her teach him in the first place. It was better than standing third wheel with Ron and Hermione, he presumed.

"Can I cut in?" a sweet voice said, tapping Bridget on the shoulder. The blonde around, smiling at a sixth year Gryffindor whose name was Sam. The girl was pretty, with long black hair and a slim figure. The crush she had on Harry was all too evident and Bridget was all too happy to leave them alone together, whether the boy was happy about it or not.

"Of course. Hopefully he'll enjoy your company more than mine," she giggled, winking. Harry's emerald eyes flashed something resembling panic as Bridget walked away, but she was enjoying the situation far too much to change her mind now.

Noticing Hermione without Ron for the time being, Bridget grabbed a drink and sat next to her female friend.

"Having a good time?" she questioned, a bright smile shining on her face.

"Yes. You've really outdone yourself. I think even Ron's pleased," Hermione joked, eyes searching the room for her boyfriend. Bridget chuckled.

"Oh, please. He'd be miserable if you weren't his date."

"Oh?" Hermione questioned, her voice raising a pitch in tone. "Harry looks pretty miserable without you accompanying him."

Bridget glowered, turning around to see the disdained look on his face. He seemed to be tripping over his feet and the shade of red on his face was darkening by the minute. Sam, at least, seemed to be enjoying herself. The poor girl was too naive to notice anything more than pleasant going on with her dance partner.

"Oh, he's just unhappy because he knows his people skills are a notch lower than his dancing skills. My feet ache from teaching him."

"Then maybe, perhaps, you would enjoy a better partner?" a cool voice from behind said. Hermione's muscles stiffened.

"Draco," Bridget cooed. "You came."

"Well, when I heard my dear cousin was throwing this thing who was I do stay away?" he chortled, seemingly pleased with himself. Bridget rolled her eyes, offering him a hand.

"You, my friend, need an attitude adjustment," she commented, but persisted to dance with him anyway, letting him spin her around. How nice it was not to lead anymore, even if it was only her cousin.

"So you've told me," he laughed, shaking off her comment airily.

"So I imagine you didn't just come over here to ask me to dance, did you? I mean, with all these lovely girls awaiting your magnificent skills who are you to deny them in favor of family?"

Draco sighed then, spinning her once more. His stance seemed to take a serious turn, all laughter gone from the light of his icy eyes. As Bridget turned to face him again, her long hair sticking to the edges of her face, worry appeared to be thick in his expression. Her own mirrored it.

"I've come to warn you," she confessed, letting go of her.

"Warn me of what, might I ask?" Bridget questioned, crossing her arms.

"The Dark Lord isn't quite as nice as he was before. He is becoming frustrated with you, Bridget. He will no longer sit and watch you betray him, as you fall away and get closer to Potter his anger grows. In turn, so will his need for revenge, and death will fall upon you and those you've come to hold dear."

"Now did he tell you that himself, or did he send a messenger to do it for him?"

"This isn't a game, Bridget!" Draco yelled, throwing his arms up in the air. "There isn't any joking around here!"

"I've been his daughter for seventeen years! I think I can handle him, maybe far better than you ever could."

"Yes, I realize that," Draco admitted, settling himself down. "And this is why he is more determined than every before to keep you on his side."

"How can he do that when I've never been on his side?"

"I'm only saying-"

"Is this guy bothering you?" a deep voice called from behind, a warm hand being placed on Bridget's shoulder. She pulled herself away from the argument, surprised the meet the eager face of Seth. Her breathe hitched, butterflies erupting in her stomach.

"Why yes, he is," she said, glancing back warningly at her cousin. "I'm glad to have found better company." She didn't care if she was shamelessly flirting. She hadn't really taken the time to realize it, but she had missed her boyfriend.

"Than perhaps the lady would enjoy a dance?"

"She would, I think," Bridget agreed, playing along with his game.

"I've been noticing you tonight," Seth confessed, the shadow of a smile forming on his face. Their dancing was slow, not quite as active as the dances with Harry and Draco had been. He kept his eyes focused on her face, studying her reactions carefully.

"Have you?"

"Yes," Seth continued. "You don't seem to like staying in the same place for too long, do you?"

"I haven't found a place I like all that much, to tell you the truth," Bridget breathed, letting herself get caught up in the moment. Her body was pressed close against Seth's, his breath warm against her skin.

"Not even with Potter?" he asked, appearing surprised.

"It's never been like that," she whispered, hiding her face in his chest.

"You acted like it," Seth defended.

"I'm sorry. I was stupid and confused by your fighting and-I felt like I had to choose."

"You didn't," Seth protested, holding her in front of him. "If you and Potter have a purely platonic relationship than he nor I should have minded the way things were."

"But he did. Harry minds a lot of things that he shouldn't."

"Than you should have let that be his problem!" Seth exclaimed, his hands breaking free of their place on Bridget's body. Her skin felt cold where his had been.

"I was wrong and I apologized. What more can you ask of me?"

"I'm sorry," Seth moaned, gathering her up in his arms once more. "You look beautiful tonight, by the way."

"Thank you," she murmured into him before silence fell upon the two. It felt good to be in his arms again, almost as natural as it had before. Seth had said a lot of things that were right, and Bridget wasn't going to forget them.

The fire of an old flame had been ignited once more.

Boy, do I hate Seth. I mean, honestly, I dislike him. Shame I haven't killed him off already BUT he keeps forcing himself upon me and Bridget and don't you think the two fo them make a lovely couple? I know! It's not my fault.