The night of Slughorn's party soon arrived. I dressed in a sleek black dress with a snakeskin pattern on the bottom. The top was black as night and there was a row of beads lining the top edge of the dress. I loved the feel of the silk sliding through my fingers and so had to consciously stop myself from fiddling too much. I had straightened my hair, and a black barrette held a small section of hair in a style that Katie assured me looked brilliant.
I admit, I thought it was pretty swell myself. I didn't often dress myself up, so allowing Anna and Katie to doll me up for one night had been kind of fun.
They both seemed sad that they couldn't come, but neither of them was bitter or anything, for which I was glad. I felt so lucky to have mature friends.
Lately I'd been noticing lots of tension in the 'Golden Trio'. Harry didn't like to talk about it much, but from what I could deduce, Hermione and Ron liked each other, but they were both acting like prats about it. Honestly, I just wanted to hit them both and tell them to GROW UP!
But no such luck. Hermione is even going to this party with Cormac McLaggen, just to irritate Ron. I hope Harry didn't get the impression that all girls are that petty.
Amidst a chorus of giggles I exited the girls' dormitory, followed by Anna, Katie, and Ginny. As I was about to step down into the common room, Katie excitedly stopped me.
"Wait wait wait," she said. "Let us go down first. I don't want anything to distract Harry from how gorgeous you are and we won't get a good view of his face if we're behind you."
I made a disgruntled sound but assented, so the three girls hurriedly rushed past me. Sucking in a nervous breath, I made my way down the last few steps.
Harry, alerted to my arrival by my preceding entourage, was already looking my way as I made my entrance. He gave a slight grin in greeting and offered me his arm. Together we strolled out of the Gryffindor common room, but not before I glimpsed the irate faces of Romilda Vane and some other bitter girls. Normally I would just smirk about it internally and brush it off, but these girls are scary. Romilda Vane, Devil reincarnate- I swear. And her little posse wasn't so great either. I was legitimately frightened of what these girls might do to me.
Putting these matters aside for the moment, I left with Harry as if I'd not a care in the world.
"You look rather dashing Harry," I commented with a friendly air, breaking the silence.
"You too, really," he returned. I chuckled.
"I mean… you look very pretty. You ought to straighten your hair more often, it suits you," he said kindly.
Yeah I've heard that before, I thought while maintaining a smile.
Honestly, that's what everyone tells me. I guess it's nice that they appreciate the effort I put in but it's just weird to me; I actually preferred my natural waves. Was I the only one who felt like that? All my childhood I'd had freakishly straight hair, so straight that actually straightening it would have been pointless. Friends often asked me if I'd straightened my hair and I'd tell them that no, it was naturally that way. So, naturally, I always longed for wavy hair. Not real curly, just that nice wave. And suddenly when I hit puberty- there it was! Only now, I seem to be the only one who likes it better that way.
Stepping into Slughorn's office seemed like a surprise for Harry, but I myself was used to the grandeur and large space. Of course there were decorations and I heard loud music playing and elves were serving food and drinks, so even I was a little awed.
"Harry, m'boy!" Slughorn exclaimed, practically pouncing on Harry at the moment of our arrival. "Come in, come in, so many people I'd like you to meet!"
Slughorn grabbed Harry's arm and began to pull him away, so Harry in turn grabbed my arm and I was dragged along with them. I couldn't help laughing a bit and Harry smiled with me at my enjoyment.
"Harry, I'd like you to meet Eldred Worple, an old student of mine, author of Blood Brothers: My Life Amongst the Vampires- and of course his friend Sanguini."
Worple was a small man with glasses looking rather foolish as he stood next to Sanguini, the vampire: tall, dark, creepy… I had to restrain my laughter at this strange little man (named Worple to make it worse) who was now eagerly shaking my date's hand.
"Harry Potter, I am simply delighted!" said Little Man, "I was saying to Professor Slughorn only the other day, 'Where is the biography of Harry Potter for which we have all been waiting?'"
Oh give me a break. Little Man had only been talking two seconds before diving into business, money. I zoned out, half-hearing Harry's unenthusiastic response and Little Man's following speech. I was reawakened as I heard Harry say,
"…I've just seen a friend of mine, sorry." Harry then proceeded to pull me through the crowd with him, calling Hermione's name until WAHLAH! We found her.
"Harry! There you are, thank goodness! Hi Mia!"
"What's happened to you?" Harry asked. Hermione did indeed look rather disheveled.
"Oh, I've just escaped- I mean, I've just left Cormac. Under the mistletoe," she explained, looking somewhat guilty.
"Serves you right for coming with him," he reprimanded.
I completely agreed but figured I ought to stay out of this one. Harry and Hermione talked for a few moments before we all walked over to an area next to Professor Trelawney. Being polite, I struck up a conversation with her as Harry and Hermione continued their discussion. At some point, Hermione disappeared and Cormac approached. Harry soon sent him off but then we were both stuck talking to Professor Trelawney.
"My dear boy!" she whispered dramatically. "The rumors! The stories! 'The Chosen One'! Of course, I have known for a very long time… The omens were never good, Harry… But why have you not returned to Divination? For you, of all people, the subject is of the utmost importance!"
It was then that Sluggie decided he'd spent too much time away from his favorite pupil and came over, joining our conversation.
"Ah, Sybill, we all think our subject's most important!" he proclaimed loudly.
Sluggie went on to praise Harry's natural potions ability, claiming him to be superior even to Snape. And of course, who did Sluggie bring to join us, but Snape.
The dislike between Harry and Snape was so obvious to me that I wondered that no one else was commenting on it. I suppose that would have been rude. Or perhaps they were all too drunk to notice or care. I grasped Harry's hand in support as Snape peered down his nose at him with narrowed eyes. Sluggie kept talking until we were all interrupted by Filch dragging in a rather unlucky young lad.
"Professor Slughorn," rasped Filch excitedly, "I discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party and to have been delayed in setting out. Did you issue him with an invitation?"
'This boy' of course could refer to none other than Draco Malfoy. I stood in shock, wondering what he could possibly be doing here. There's no way he was invited, Sluggie never made him a part of the Slug Club.
Malfoy angrily wrenched himself free of Filch's hold.
"All right, I wasn't invited!" he said aggressively. "I was trying to gate-crash, happy?"
Draco turned to look at the rest of the group standing about as Filch responded. He caught sight of Harry and me together, holding hands, and our eyes locked for a moment.
I wanted to communicate nonverbally with him somehow- but what did I want to say? Should I smile in greeting? Or in an encouraging way? Question him with my eyes? Should I apologize- wait, what did I have to apologize for? That's silly.
I couldn't decide what expression to display and so remained stoic for the split second of eye contact. I could have sworn I saw his face harden. He didn't seem quite as angry and reckless. He still seemed angry, but it was more focused, directed, contained.
"That's all right, Argus, that's all right," Slughorn regained my attention with a wave of his hand. "It's Christmas, and it's not a crime to want to come to a party. Just this once, we'll forget any punishment; you may stay, Draco."
Somehow I knew that's not what Draco wanted, and if you'd been focused on him and only him (like I was) he would have noticed the briefest of moments in which Draco looked as unhappy as I imagine Filch was. I could tell that Harry noticed it as well, as his grip on my hand became tenser.
But not even a second later, Filch made his way out and Draco was smiling and thanking Slughorn graciously.
"It's nothing, nothing," said Slughorn, "I did know your grandfather, after all."
"He always spoke very highly of you, sir," Draco complimented smoothly, "Said you were the best potion-maker he'd ever known."
I glared at him. Suck-up. How lame. Draco saw my glare and I thought he might return it with one of his own, but instead his face remained cold and hard towards me, revealing nothing. I received no recognition as he simply turned a smiling face back to the Slug. I wasn't sure why, but this made me feel somewhat queasy. It didn't feel right. Was I just upset that he didn't even acknowledge my existence?
Peering in closer at Draco, I realized suddenly that he looked somewhat rundown. He had dark shadows under his eyes, and he appeared as though the energy had been sucked out of him and he was only pretending to be ok.
I felt ill at this. I should have noticed earlier. But he and I haven't talked at all in a while so how could I have? We basically ignore each other in classes. I guess I should have checked up on him. After all, he's my friend. That's what I would have done for any of my other friends. I felt superbly bad now.
"I'd like a word with you, Draco," said Snape suddenly.
"Oh, now, Severus," Slughorn said with a hiccup, "it's Christmas, don't be too hard-"
"I'm his Head of House, and I shall decide how hard, or otherwise, to be. Follow me, Draco," Snape said sharply. Draco maintained composure as he was led out by Snape.
Harry turned to me and said,
"I'll be back in a bit, Mia- er- bathroom." Harry turned to leave, but I calmly caught hold of his left arm. He turned back to me, obviously in a hurry to leave.
"I'm coming with you," I stated simply. No explanations were needed. He grimaced but gave a curt nod and led me out of the crowd, unwilling to waste time arguing with me.
Once outside the party, Harry pulled his Invisibility Cloak from his pocket. I gave him a look of surprise and confusion (I knew of the Cloak, but why on earth did he have it on him?) to which he simply shook his head. I understood and stayed quiet while he threw the Cloak over us. It barely covered us both and we had to run bent over, but soon we found the door behind which Snape and Draco were talking.
"...because if you are expelled-"
"I didn't have anything to do with it, all right?"
"I hope you are telling the truth, because it was both clumsy and foolish. Already you are suspected of having a hand in it."
"Who suspects me?" said Draco, infuriated. "For the last time, I didn't do it, okay? That Katie Evans must've had an enemy no one knows about- don't look at me like that! I know what you're doing, I'm not stupid, but it won't work. I can stop you!"
A moment passed, and I gave Harry a confused glance, one which he did not notice, being as intent on hearing the conversation as he was.
"Ah... Aunt Bellatrix has been teaching you Occlumency, I see. What thoughts are you trying to conceal from your master, Draco?" asked Snape quietly.
"I'm not trying to conceal anything from him, I just don't want you butting in!"
"So that is why you have been avoiding me this term?" asked Snape quietly. I had to strain to hear.
"You have feared my interference? You realize that, had anybody else failed to come to my office when I had told them repeatedly to be there, Draco-" Draco gave a laugh.
"So put me in detention! Report me to Dumbledore!" he taunted. Pause.
I hated this; I wish I could be inside, so I could see the interaction and not just be pressing my ear up against a door.
"You know perfectly well that I do not wish to do either of those things."
"You'd better stop telling me to come to your office then!"
"Listen to me," Snape said. His voice sounded so serious that I automatically tensed up and listened even more intently. "I am trying to help you. I swore to your mother I would protect you. I made the Unbreakable Vow, Draco-"
I covered my mouth and bit down on my hand to prevent myself from gasping out loud. He made the Unbreakable Vow? Shit, this was serious! What was going on here that Draco needed such serious protection for? I wish Draco had confided in me.
"Looks like you'll have to break it, then, because I don't need your protection! It's my job, he gave it to me and I'm doing it, I've got a plan and it's going to work, it's just taking a bit longer than I thought it would!"
"What is your plan?"
"It's none of your business!"
"Draco, it is my job to protect you. Of course it is my business. I can help you. I worry that if you become too distracted, things will not go well for either of us," Snape told him.
"Distracted? What does that mean?" asked Draco aggressively.
"I have of late noticed your feelings developing for Ms Rust."
Snape's proclamation left me frozen, unwilling to move, all brain activity ended.
"What are you talking about?" Draco asked scornfully. "Feelings for her? You obviously have no idea what you're talking about. If you think I have feelings for that girl, if you think that I so much as like her, you don't have a clue. She's just another pawn in my game. Obviously you don't understand."
There was a pause. I was still frozen but now I felt like I was breaking on the inside. My vision became blurred and a strong queasiness filled my stomach. My chest felt hollow and heavy all at the same time. My hands instinctively curled into fists, digging my nails into my palms.
"Draco, there's no reason to pretend anything with me. I know what you did. I distinctly heard yourvoice calling her name as I carried Ms Rust back to her dormitory the night of her parents' death. I don't believe that you would do such a thing if you did not have some feelings for her." My insides were numb and although I almost wanted to block it out, my ears heard every word perfectly.
"Well you're wrong then. I have a plan for her, and for that I need her to trust me, to be my friend even. But don't let that fool you into thinking any of it is any more than what it is: an act," Draco said. Another pause ensued.
"Be that as it may, Draco, have caution," Snape warned.
"I know what I'm doing! I don't need you!" Draco shouted.
"Doing this alone is dangerous-"
"I've got all the assistance I need, thanks, I'm not alone."
"You were certainly alone tonight, which was foolish in the extreme, wandering the corridors without lookouts or backup, these are elementary mistakes-"
"I would've had Crabbe and Goyle with me if you hadn't put them in detention!"
"Keep your voice down!" reprimanded Snape. "If your friends Crabbe and Goyle intend to pass their Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. this time around, they will need to work a little harder than they are doing at pres-"
"What does it matter?" Draco sneered. "Defense Against the Dark Arts- it's all a joke, isn't it, an act? Like any of us need protecting against the Dark Arts-"
"It is an act that is crucial to success, Draco!" snapped Snape. "Where do you think I would have been all these years, if I had not known how to act? Now listen to me! You are being incautious, wandering around at night, getting yourself caught, and if you are placing your reliance in assistants like Crabbe and Goyle-"
"They're not the only ones; I've got other people on my side, better people!"
"Then why not confide in me, and I can-"
"I know what you're up to! You want to steal my glory!" Pause.
"You are speaking like a child," Snape said frigidly. "I quite understand that your father's capture and imprisonment has upset you, but-"
Suddenly I heard quick footsteps through the door. Harry and I flung ourselves to the side and wrapped the Cloak around us tighter as BAM!
The door flung open and Draco strode off down the hallway and out of sight. Snape exited calmly and glanced around before making his way back to Slughorn's party.
Harry and I stayed put for a minute, silent, not even daring to move. When we stood up, we also made our way back to the party. Harry drew off the Cloak, stuffed it in his pocket, and in we strolled.
"What was all that about?" I hissed, attempting to avoid anyone overhearing. Harry merely shook his head and said,
"Not now. Later."
He gave me a curious look before we resumed our nonchalant charade and joined in the merriment. I guessed that he was thinking about what Snape and Draco had said about me... after all, that's what I was thinking about. What had all of that meant?
But primarily, I was hurt. Devastated really. Friend my ass. I ought not to have felt bad earlier for not checking on him. I should have known better than to get involved with Draco Malfoy. It could only lead to one thing: trouble. And it did. Now I'd heard from his own lips that he was only using me. For what though? I didn't even want to think about it. I thrust Draco Malfoy from my mind and felt my mind turn off and my heart turn cold. The rest of the night was a blur.