~Chapter Seven~

Year Six

The term whipped by as usual, nothing changed there; each year seemed to pass by more quickly than the last. Hannah got a few letters from her mother, and a large handful from Fred and George, theirs which she kept and reread.

The holidays offered a welcome change. Professor Slughorn's Christmas party began at six o'clock. As Hannah was heading to the professor's study, wearing an emerald green jumpsuit with matching lacey finger-less gloves, and some of Fred and George's colour-changing eye shadow from their new shop, she was stopped by sudden voices. The voices were instantly recognizable, belonging to Draco and Filch.

"What were you doing wandering the halls?" demanded Filch, his all-time favourite question to ask students.

"I told you," answered Draco, trying to sound serious, but faltering, Hannah noticed. She was sure Argus Filch could break even the most serious personalities. She wondered if even her own father would crack under the slightest pressure from the caretaker, Matthias Grace always known for his stern demeanor. "I was on my way to Professor Slughorn's Christmas party."

A definite lie. Hannah knew he had not been invited, and was only trying to save his skin. But who wouldn't when facing Filch?

"You'd better not be lying to me, boy," snapped Filch, grabbing Draco by the collar of his jacket aggressively. "You're going to the party, so where's your invitation?"

Before giving herself a chance to think, Hannah stepped around the corner and spoke. "Oh, there you are, Draco."

Both Draco and Filch looked sharply in her direction and stared. She continued, rambling on. "I was wondering where you went."

"You're looking for him?" asked Filch.

"Yes, he's my date to Professor Slughorn's Christmas party..." She wasn't sure why she had to say, 'my date', but it was too late to revise now. "We were on our way, but I forgot the invitation in my room and had to run back." She held up her own invitation as proof. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Draco."

Draco looked surprised; Hannah hoped he wouldn't do something to foil her scheme. Filch looked angry at having been proven wrong. He let go of Draco's coat, Draco immediately scooting over to stand with Hannah, smoothing out his coat.

"Happy Christmas, Mr. Filch," tried Hannah, but in vain. Filch grunted in reply and walked off, Mrs. Norris right at his heels, her nose in the air as if to sniff out more potential trouble.

When they were out of sight, Hannah let out a breath and turned to Draco. "You're welcome."

"Thanks..."

"I wouldn't want to spend the evening with Filch either. That man's always grumpy, wouldn't you know it, even at Christmas. Although you're not looking so cheery yourself." She nodded to his dark attire and grim expression.

She started walking, stopping when he noticed he was still standing where she had left him. "Are you coming?" she asked.

He looked surprised, and slightly confused. "Am I allowed to?"

"Well, Professor Slughorn said we could bring someone along with us if we liked."

"You haven't already got someone?"

"No. Do I look like I have?"

"Well, I guess your boyfriend isn't here anymore." Any chance he got to take a jab at her crush on George, he would.

"Oh, sod off. You coming or not? I can take you back to Filch if you'd rather, who I'm sure wouldn't have biscuits and tea waiting."

Draco must have decided that joining her was the better option, because after a moment he nodded and they continued on, walking in silence.

Once they reached the doorway leading to the study, Draco gave a stiff sweep of his arm. "Well, ladies first."

She chuckled and rolled her eyes. "Gentleman."

They stepped through to a hallway whose ceiling was decorated in dozens of shimmering pink lanterns. Hannah felt her mood lift at the sight of them. Yes, some holiday cheer would certainly do them some good.

She couldn't miss the flabbergasted expressions of her friends when she arrived, accompanied by none other than Draco Malfoy. Throughout the entire dinner, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna even, were sending her looks regarding the blond at her side, her choice of 'date', but luckily Professor Slughorn kept the conversation going so she didn't have to worry about them until the end.

"What's he doing here?" Harry asked accusingly, cornering her as Professor Slughorn was bidding everyone farewell.

"Lovely evening, didn't you think?" she said, blatantly ignoring his prodding question. "I was really in the mood for a party."

"Hannah!"

"He's with me."

"I can see that. Why?" he pressed.

"Just leave it, Harry."

But Harry was not about to 'just leave it'. "Why are you being so nice to him?" he pressed on. "He's definitely up to something strange–"

"Oh just lay off, Harry! Do you have to be involved in everything? It's not all about you!" Her curtness surprised her as much as it evidently surprised him. Perhaps she hadn't meant to snap – at least not that much.

She was actually glad to rejoin Draco and walk through the castle back to the Gryffindor common room in silence.

They exchanged brief farewells. Hannah was about to head inside, when he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. The gentleness was so out of character she froze to her spot, only able to blink back.

"Thanks," he said, clearing his throat. She wasn't sure what for.

"Yeah, g-good night – I guess..." She turned and fled into the common room without another word.

"Ooooo!" said the Fat Lady excitedly, flashing Hannah a wide grin and giggling behind her hand. "Exciting!"

"Oh, shut up." She'd had enough human opinions about tonight, let alone from the artwork.

Haha, loved writing this scene! :) Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Thank you so much for reading! :)