It had been a few days since Draco and I talked about our new plans to deal with his father's curious eyes. So far he has said hello to me in the library and ended up talking to me in Care of Magical Creatures about our studies on Dragons and their different temperaments, talked to me after dinner and was currently walking with me to Transfiguration's.

"So have your friends asked you about us yet," he asks.

"Not really, a few have given me a weird look or two though."

"They'll say something eventually I'm sure. How are you doing?"

I start retelling the story about George dancing with a transfigured Frog-Fred in the halls earlier that day, and I realize that it's kind of amazing and refreshing that we can talk about mundane stuff in the halls.

Entering class I notice again that we don't have to act like we showed up separately and it sends a warm tingle under my skin.

McGonagall stands in the middle of the room, cleared of desks, and urges people to their seats, dividing the class by gender, with a big old fashioned turntable behind her.

As soon as she starts talking I realize that this is the announcement about the Yule Ball. What I didn't know was that we were to be given fancy dance lessons in preparation for the fancy Ball.

She makes a show of picking on Ron a bit before telling us to partner up. I look for the twins and see Fred making his way to me through the milling kids who are apparently still deciding who to dance with.

A hand grabs my wrist and I turn to see Draco looking down at me impassively as possible, "Dance with me."

It was more of a statement, almost a demand, but with a question in his eyes. I nodded my head in assent, why not, this could be interesting.

The pins and needles feeling of being watched is ever present as McGonagall directs everyone into the right positions. Draco gives me some silent help of where to stand and what to do with my hands. Music starts to play through the room and he slowly leads me through the first few steps.

The rest of the class is spent like this and people are still looking by the time we finish up and leave for lunch. Draco goes with a few friends who give him a pointed look but say nothing, I feel less lucky as I see the twins, Ron and a slower Harry advancing on me and my hair starts to straighten out and darken to a deep blue in trepidation.

"Evan-"

"Ms. Prince," McGonagall calls for me and I feel only a small relief at the brief reprieve this could give me.

She calls me over and my hair lightens slightly in hope that this wasn't about Draco while the Weasley's give me a look and file out the door followed by a suspicious looking Harry Potter.

"Yes Miss?"

"Is this something to worry about?"

"This, Ms. McGonagall?"

"With Draco Malfoy, don't play dumb Ms. Prince, you know very well what I am talking about."

I take a second to choose what to say. I know she's trustworthy, but she can't know yet; I don't know what other people knowing would do. I'll have to be vague, but someone could be listening in, the twins are notorious for eaves dropping.

I give her the universal 'wait a second' sign then cup my hands in front of my face - like people do when its cold out and you're trying to breath life into them - and whisper as quietly as possible. The words and soft magic I gather there swirls into a mist in my hands until I blow it over to a dubious looking teacher.

I feel my eye shift a pale lavender color as I direct the cloud to her ear and release it so she hears my short message.

"Everything I see has to happen." She gives me a look, like she can guess what I'm talking about mixed with a curious and awed expression that I don't quite understand.

I say out loud this time, "No Miss, everything's fine," and give her a soft and hopefully reassuring smile.

"Hmm, very well Ms. Prince," she delivers what could almost be a smirk, "I do believe your friends are waiting for you outside. You may go to lunch now."

Sighing, resigned, I wave goodbye before hefting the door open only to be cornered by a couple of ginger headed boys with a mission, no Harry in sight.

"What was that?!" Ron shouted eloquently.

The twins seemed to forgo words in exchange for staring until I threw up answers to their silent, yet demanding, questions.

"The... dancing?" Yes, I was aware that trying to avoid the obvious would get me no where, but it made me feel a little better.

"Yes, the dancing! The dancing with Draco-Freaking-Malfoy!"

"He asked me to, I said yes." That might have been the obvious part.

"WHY? Why would he ask you! Why would you say yes!?"

The twins are still quiet, still just staring, a little too calculating, and just lingering in the background. They don't seem as upset as Ron, they aren't mad, but they still have questions I suppose.

"First, I am a catch Ronald Weasley," I try a joke, it doesn't work, "And he was nice enough to ask, why would I say no?"

"He is the enemy, the bane of our existence. You don't just canoodle with the enemy!"

"I know you guys don't get along," he scoffs derisively, "but he's not so bad really. He just doesn't know how to talk to people."

"Talk to people? He talks plenty, Evan!"

"Okay, well, he doesn't talk to me like that and when was the last time he was rude to you? I know he was really mean to Hermione, but she punched him in the face so I think they're even."

"Are you defending him right now?!"

"No, he use to be really rude, but he isn't so bad now. He's been quite nice actually."

"Probably because he wants something from you!"

"If he needs something then he can ask nicely and I can see what I could do to help."

"Not that kind of something! Evan! UHG."

"I think you're being a little silly Ron."

"Evangeline, you are talking about the largest arse alive not being a bloody bad person and you think I'm silly? Are you on drugs!?"

"No, but you might be if you think yelling at me is okay. Relax, Ron, it isn't a big deal."

"People have been saying that you two have been talking," he accuses.

"We say hello, I think he asked me for notes once. What's the big deal?!"

"The big deal is that he has been nothing but a brat and a bully since first year!"

"Maybe for you, you guys have this family dispute going on! My first day here I tripped and he helped me up, I don't see how he can be all bad like you seem to want to believe!"

"You don't know him! You can't possibly know who he really is!"

"Then neither can you Ronald! Nothing is in black and white, there is always more that you can never know and for you to say that you do is a crime against the fates that decide and shape our futures, the paths we take. You offend the stars by assuming to know more than they!"

I'm breathing heavily when I realize that I was practically screaming and my hair is trying to turn white, fading until all color is lost, and I pull back as fast as I can from where ever I went but the twins have noticed and Ron looks confused.

"Blimey, what was that?"

"Sod off, Ronald Weasley."

I dash down the hallway before he can say anything else. I know the twins might ask about it later but they'll give me space for now.

I can hear the remnants of their conversation floating down the hall while I walk quickly to get lunch. 'What was that?' 'Don't worry about it mate. She just needs to catch her breath.' 'The stars? What does that even mean!'

I focus on my breathing so I don't look so flustered when I get to the Great Hall, I don't know how well it worked since everyone is looking at me when I walk in. That might be because of the Draco thing though – word travels fast.

I ignore them and head over to my table where I can see Hermione and Neville chatting and eating.

They stare for a second as well, but end up passing me some plates of sandwiches and little cakes as they keep talking about the next Herbology assignment.

It's a nice reprieve, as much as they want to know whats got me worked up, or maybe why people keep whispering and pointing, they know to give me a moment to calm down and I am very grateful to have such good friends.

The rest of the day is spent with whispers I ignore and the odd poke in my direction about Draco, usually from a Slytherin. They seem to find it odd that their cold prince would show any interest in someone, let alone a Gryffindor considering our house competition.

The day is long and when I run into Draco on my way back to the Gryffindor tower I hear about his day as well, about the same as mine, but less people were brave enough to actually voice anything. He says it's because I'm more of a welcoming person. I say it's because he's so scary with his mean scowl.

He knows I don't like drama, it's tiring, and so he gives me an extra long hug that makes me want to just fall asleep standing up before he has to go himself.

I want to hope this doesn't last long, but I have a feeling that would be a false hope. The thought makes me even more tired as I collapse into bed.

Authors Note:

Whoop whoop! I meant to upload this earlier, but I hadn't the time to write and I like to write a chapter or two ahead before I put something new up. The next chapter is almost done and I hope to start on the next so you can have another in a short while. I hope that sentence made any sense at all.

I have started outlining other stories, which actually helps me to write since I can bounce between subjects if I get stuck or bored. One is an original little thing I might not upload and nothing is substantial enough to mention so I won't but I will if there is. BYE. (In my head I said all of this very quickly, like in one whole breath. I dunno why but my brain is freaking wired and I have to sleep soon sooo good luck me.)