A/N: I'M BAAAAACCCCKKKK! So sorry for the long wait for this chapter L


Three Months Later – December

Astoria's POV:

"Astoria Greengrass?" I turned around and saw a small first year standing awkwardly.

"Yes?"

"Pro-Professor Slughorn wanted me to deliver this to you," he squeaked. I smiled and took the letter from his hands.

"Thank you!" He quickly scurried away and I examined the envelope.

"What does it say?" Asked a curious Amelie.

"Honestly, I have no clue…"

"It's an invitation to the Slug Club's Christmas Ball, of course!" Amelie and I looked up to see Mathias sit on the other side of the table. The both of us were invited to join the Slug Club two months ago. "I got mine this morning. We're expected to bring a date," he winked at Amelie, "You're finally useful, Am."

"Is this really how you're asking me to the ball? I'm so done with you," Amelie scoffed back. Mathias and I laughed at her annoyed face. When I came back to reality, I groaned and Amelie's face brightened up. "Will you take Michael?"

Michael and I had grown closer over the past few months – I had ultimately decided that Draco and I would never be and slowly allowed Michael back into my life. Things were awkward at first, but the past few weeks glided by smoothly and once again, he was part of my daily routine. Nevertheless, I looked down at my invitation and couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness when I concluded that the blonde haired boy would not accompany me. "Yeah, I guess so."

Theo's POV:

"Oi Draco!" Lucas and I were banging on the doors of Draco's private quarters, hoping to get him out of the funk that he's been living in. At first, his attitude didn't phase me, but now it was just getting old and annoying.

The door opened and there stood Draco with an annoyed look on his face. Before he could say anything, Lucas pushed him into the room and tackled him onto the ground. The two were writhing and competing for dominance until finally Draco lay face down with Lucas sitting on his back. Blaise walked in the room and questioned, "Lucas – the bloody hell are you doing? I didn't know you were a poof."

"Oh shut up, I'm just trying to bring delightful news to our dear friend."

Draco muffled, "After this we won't be friends. Get off me you git!"

Lucas pushed his face to the ground and declared, "Shut up!" He looked at me and nodded.

I dramatically coughed and spoke, "Darling Draco, we have a solution to your melancholy. We have arranged a blind date for you at Slughorn's Christmas Ball this coming Saturday."

Draco scoffed, "Those are for members of the Slug Club only and besides, I'm not interested in going on a date."

"Wrong," Blaise replied, "Slughorn's invited all the eighth years to the celebration and the three of us have got dates already, mate. So you'll shut up and get dressed and come with us. Saturday."

"How am I supposed to believe that all of you have got dates? The only one capable of that is Theo and he doesn't count."

It was Lucas's turn to turn reddish pink and say, "Well, Tracey has finally come around and agreed to go as my date. She said if things go well, I could expect more. And Blaise-y over here scored Ms. Cho Chang as his date. She's got a brilliant arse."

"Don't talk about her like that," warned Blaise.

"Whoa Whoa Whoa! Blaise-y defending one of his sexual interests?"

"She's not a sexual interest."

Lucas and I displayed clear shocked expressions on our faces. Since when did Slytherin's PlayBoy care about a girl? Draco broke the silence as he pushed Lucas off of his body, "Well, if the whore can change, I guess I can too." Blaise, Lucas, and I began clapping and Lucas patted Draco on the shoulder. The boys were back.

xxx

Saturday – The Ball

Clothes were flying around the room and the aroma of various colognes clogged the airspace. I couldn't stop coughing and thought that I would suffocate if I did not get the hell out of here. People constantly complained of girls getting ready, yet getting ready with boys was possibly more complicated and chaotic. Soon, the five of us were ready and we started pregaming with alcohol while waiting for the girls to arrive in our room.

When they did arrive, we were already plastered and I barely remember introducing Draco to his date, Cho's roommate and dear friend, Katrina Davies.

Tonight was going to be interesting.

Draco's POV:

I was sweating from all the dancing. For the first time in the last few months, I was beginning to feel more like myself. Katrina was a pleasant girl and an excellent dancer – but she did not understand the meaning of personal space. I broke free from her grasp, "Kat, can I get you something to drink? I need some air."

"Of course Draco," she purred in my ear.

I cringed and slowly walked away towards the punch table in the back corner of the Great Hall. A snogging couple was blocking the way of the drinks and I loudly coughed to make my presence known. And then she turned around and I realized that the snogging couple was Astoria and her ex, Michael. I felt my heart fall out of my arse and my eyes bulge out of its sockets.

"Dr-Draco…?"

I pointed my wand at the slimy little git that had his hands all over her bum and tangled in her hair and yelled out, "STUPEFY!" Michael Fawley flew backwards and landed on the refreshment table – causing a loud crash to ring through the Great Hall. I turned my head to the dance floor and watched eyes burn holes into my body and then I turned to look at Astoria who had a hand covering her mouth. I gave one last look to a passed out, bloodied Michael Fawley and then stormed out of the hall.