The day seemed to drag. I was distracted by the thoughts of an evening spent with Draco and worries on how we could possibly make the dance successful. Afterall, inner house unity was most definitely not a thing during our own time in school.

The event was being kept a secret for the time being until more of the details were fleshed out so we didn't have an opportunity to talk about it as we saw each other throughout the day. When dinner was finally finished, we headed to Draco's for a change to begin our work.

I was beginning to be as comfortable at Draco's quarters as I was in my own. The set up was almost identical, though the personal touches varied. The rooms were all very cozy and made it easy to relax which I wasn't expecting from him. I had always envisioned his home to be as formal as the way he presented himself.

He poured us each a glass of elf wine and sat next to me on the couch with the file McGonagall had given us.

"So, where should we start?"

I bit my lip as I contemplated that question. "Well, this is really supposed to be a student project and I think we should give the prefects as much opportunity as we can to do this themselves. However, I think we should still make a list that covers the basics so that if the topics don't come up as they are planning, we can find a way to suggest them. That way nothing gets missed, but its them doing the work and not us."

He nodded and set down his glass. "Sounds great to me. Shall we get the notice sent to the prefects first? What day should we meet?"

"Well, quidditch is about to be in full swing for practices. I don't know how many of the prefects made the team. There shouldn't be much else that interferes, but since practices aren't usually held on Wednesdays that should be our best bet. Maybe 7'oclock? We will need to meet at least once a week for the first few weeks, but leading up to the event it may need to be more. There will be quite a bit to do and really not that much time to do it in."

"That works for me. Let's get started so we can send off the notices yet tonight."

I agreed and we set to work. Within an hour we had sent the messages to the house prefects requesting their attendance in the DADA lab on Wednesday. We figured the space provided there would suffice for any event preparations that would need to be done. We also completed a check list of things that must get discussed and planned such as the food, entertainment, decorations, and the rules to encourage house mingling.

The night was still quite young when we finished and Draco was quick to push work aside and enjoy the rest of the evening together. He poured me another glass of wine, but remained standing and I could tell something was on his mind.

"Knut for your thoughts?"

He gave me a shy smile. It was one I was still getting used to. His cocky smirk was a signature of his, but this smile was different and felt like it was reserved just for me.

"Growing up I attended my share of balls. Mother was quite active in all the right social circles and threw quite a few herself. I was quite comfortable in the environment and when the yule ball was announced our fourth year, I have to admit I was quite full of myself. I was ready to literally waltz in there and show off my pure blood capabilities as I knew would be expected of me. It was my element and I thought I knew exactly what to expect of the evening."

His gaze left mine indicating this next admission was difficult for him. "That night, I was taken by complete surprise. You dazzled me. I had already gained respect for you and harbored what I thought at the time was harmless school boy crush, but seeing you that night changed me a bit. For the first time I saw you having fun and enjoying yourself. Completely carefree as you danced in the arms of another. That night I experienced true jealousy. Sure, I was a spoiled brat who wanted things and often got them up to that point, but this was different. It was a bit of pivotal moment really. I thought about how beautiful you looked and how I wished I was a better man so I would be able to bring that light and joy to your features. I was already on the path to shunning my father's beliefs. I knew that if I continued to follow him, I would never be able to bring out that joy in another human being. Seeing you that night gave me the drive to commit to being a better person."

My eyes were wet with unshed tears. Draco was so confident that when he confided such vulnerable truths to me such as this, it took me by surprise. Something had been nagging me for a while now, but I hadn't been able to find the right time to ask it. Now seemed as good as any.

I reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling slightly so he would look at me. "The night of the world cup. When we saw you in the forest and you spat at us to get out because they were after muggleborns. Was that a warning for my safety?"

"Figured that out, did you? I thought if I used that foul word and was nasty enough that you wouldn't see through me. That was the night I saw my father's true dark side for the first time." He came and sat back beside me, rubbing a tired hand over his face. "I grew up in a house where I was abused verbally and physically quite regularly. Nothing I did was ever good enough and from very early on I was led to believe that I was to follow my father's thoughts or face being a traitor. And he made clear the consequences for that as well, but I will spare you the details. That night though, that was the first time I had seen his sinister ways first hand. He was one of the death eaters on the field that night and the glee on his face as he put on that mask made me physically ill. Those people did nothing. They had no idea what we were and to watch them tortured in that way made me physically sick. My father knew who you were and your relationship to Harry was already well known by that point. I feared that if you crossed their paths you would not survive. So, I tried my best to encourage you to leave without giving away my true fear."

It was a lot to take in. I knew from group therapy sessions that Draco's upbringing was not a happy one, but every time he shared a bit from his past I was filled with an overwhelming grief for his childhood. Children should be brought up in a home filled with love, not hate. That grief then turns to amazement as I realize everything he's had to overcome to get to where he is now.

I placed my hand on his cheek and looked him in the eye. "Thank you. My 13-year-old self believed the front, which in hindsight was probably for the best. It did make me aware of the direness of the situation and allowed me to understand more fully the danger we were in. Even though I didn't appreciate it at the time, thank you for risking so much to care for me and make sure I was out of harm's way. Its further proves my point that you were never like your father. He may have had a hand in creating you, but you are the man you are today because of the choices you made and because of the goodness inside of you. I consider myself incredibly lucky to be able to call you mine."

He barely waited a second before his lips were on mine. The kiss was much more rushed and heated than the previous night and I can't say I minded too much. I wanted to be close as much as he did. Like it was a need to prove that this moment is real.

He mumbled only one word. "Mine."

We continued like this for several minutes. When Draco finally pulled away, we had maneuvered so he was hovering above me on the couch. Seeing our position, he scrambled to get up and smoothed his rumpled clothing.

"I'm sorry. That was very ungentlemanly of me."

I took a moment to catch my breath. "Obviously I wasn't complaining. But you're right, I do want to take this slow."

He nodded and ran a hand through his hair.

"I do have a question for you though." He paused and turned to face me. "I would be absolutely honored if you agreed to go to the dance with me."

Just like that the awkwardness was broken and smile broke across his worried face as I accepted his offer.