When Alli entered the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning, she received shocked stares from students. It was almost nearly as bad as when the story of her past had flooded the school. Alli tried to ignore them. The last time she had everyone's attention on her, she had confronted a group of Hufflepuff students talking behind her back. However, confrontation was the last thing she wanted that morning. For once, Alli felt slightly embarrassed. That feeling was new to her as she rarely got embarrassed over something she had done. Alli was usually pretty confident in herself, or so it seemed. But, Alli looked down at the floor as she walked to the Slytherin table. Ashley looked up from her plate of bacon and eggs as Alli approached her.

"Something's wrong with you," Ashley observed aloud.

"No shit," said Alli quietly. Ashley scooted over when Alli sat down, subconsciously backing away from Alli's obvious distraught and annoyed expression.

"What is it?"

"What do you think, Ashley?" Alli replied with a hint of anger.

"Everyone's been talking," Ashley told her. "You know, about you – about what you said about Draco."

"Yeah," Alli told her. "It's not really a good feeling having everyone staring and whispering about me. It's actually pretty embarrassing."

"You?" Ashley laughed lightly. "Embarrassed?"

"Please," Alli begged, "I really don't want to talk about it right now."

Ashley opened her mouth to reply, but the sudden screeches and hoots of owls cut her off. Hundreds of them swooped down from the ceiling. They dropped packages, letters, and even a Howler from an angry parent. First years squealed and jumped out of their seats to catch their special deliveries. Older students stayed seated and let the letters fall down to them. First years were always quiet comical when it came to simple, magical Hogwarts affairs. Alli surprisingly saw a letter dropped into her hands. Ashley raised her eyebrows at Alli and gave her a confused smile. Alli shrugged and looked at the letter in her hands. She immediately recognized the handwriting and groaned.

"Who's it from?" Ashley asked. Alli rolled her eyes as she opened the envelope.

"Professor Slughorn," said Alli. Ashley wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"What for?" asked Ashley.

"I think I know," Alli told her as she pulled the letter from the envelope. "Yep."

Ashley took the letter from Alli.

"A Christmas Party?" said Ashley.

When Alli arrived at Slughorn's class, she sat down in her usual seat and pulled out Advanced Potion Making from her bag. She slowly flipped through the pages wondering how awkward Slughorn's Christmas party would be that night.

"Allison?" Alli looked up. Blaise Zabini was standing next to the table. "Can I sit next to you?" he asked.

"It's not assigned seating," Alli replied. Blaise looked a little taken aback as he sat down. "Sorry," Alli quickly apologized.

"I want to ask you something," said Blaise quickly and somewhat nervously.

"Uh, okay," said Alli slowly waiting for him to speak. Blaise took a deep breath and let it out. Alli looked sideways awkwardly. "What?" said Alli when Blaise didn't speak immediately.

"Well, Slughorn's Christmas Party is tonight, you know. I thought that maybe since you're in the Slug Club that you might want to go with me? You know, as a date?" said Blaise. He let out a slow breath as if it had taken him a great deal of strength to ask her.

"O-oh," Alli replied. It took her by surprise. Blaise had been one of Draco's friends. Wouldn't that look bad on her if she were to go with Blaise to a party.

"So?" asked Blaise. Alli shook the thoughts from her mind.

"Oh, um, I don't know, Blaise," said Alli.

"Oh," said Blaise. He looked down. Alli suddenly felt guilty. So, she found herself saying something she didn't expect.

"You know what? Sure, yeah."

"Really?' Blaise said with a huge smile forming on his face. "Okay, good. Alright, great!"

Alli gave him a weak smile. Alli's thought of going to a another awkward Slughorn party now accompanied by an awkward date seemed, well, awkward. She was nervous. Alli didn't like the idea that she had suddenly decided to go with Blaise. But, it was too late now. Blaise looked too strangely excited to go with her so Alli wasn't about to cancel on him. Although canceling seemed all she felt like doing now. She wanted to cancel on Blaise and rather the entire party altogether. But, she wouldn't. Alli finally decided that she would just hold her head high and enter the party with confidence. Besides, it was just a small Slughorn party. Not a big deal.

The party took place in Professor Slughorn's rather large office. Red, gold, and silver drapes coated the walls. The low-lit lamps and soft lights hovering near the ceiling gave the drapes a sparkling tint. It was slightly over-decorated for a basic Christmas party but Slughorn was always known for going all out. The extravagant atmosphere of Slughorn's office didn't take Alli by surprise when she arrived. She had expected it to be like this. Alli walked into the party with Blaise trailing behind her rather closely.

"Miss Potter!" Slughorn's booming voice called out. Alli gave Professor Slughorn a forced smile and a nod. Slughorn approached her and Blaise.

"I see you've brought Mr. Zabini along with you," said Slughorn. "Wonderful choice. I'm sure you both will have a brilliant time!"

Blaise beamed and puffed out his chest slightly. Alli wasn't sure if this was an attempt to impress her. Slughorn clapped Alli on the shoulder making her stumble to the side.

"Have a good time!"

"Shall I get you a drink?" Blaise asked.

"Uh," Alli paused. Blaise seemed so happy. It was annoying. "No," Alli finished, "I'm good." Blaise nodded. He stared at Alli for a moment until Alli caught sight of Harry. She gave Blaise a small smile and said, "I'm gonna go talk to Harry. I'll be right back."

She had escaped but only for a moment. Now, she had to decide what she was going to talk to Harry about.

"Hey, Harry," Alli said as she approached him.

"Hello, Alli," Harry said. Alli took a quick look over her shoulder to check if Blaise was still waiting for her. He was. He caught her eye and Alli turned away quickly. "What is it?" Harry asked her noticing her awkward expression.

"I'm escaping," Alli told him.

"Escaping?" Harry asked her.

"Yeah," Alli sighed. "I told Blaise Zabini that I would be his date tonight."

"Harry, thank goodness," Hermione said grabbing Harry's shoulder. She hid behind him. "I've just escaped. I left Cormac standing under the mistletoe."

"You, too?" Harry said. Alli laughed.

"You left your date standing under the mistletoe?" Alli snickered.

"Yes," Hermione answered. "I don't think he knows yet where I went."

"Why did you take Cormac McLaggen?" Harry asked.

"I thought it would bother Ron the most," Hermione replied.

"Well, I think it should have the desired effect once he finds out," Harry said with a laugh. Hermione groaned.

"Well, sounds like you're even worse off than I am," Alli said. "I came with Blaise Zabini."

Hermione wrinkled her nose.

"Yeah," Alli responded rolling her eyes.

"Oh, God," Hermione said. "Here he comes."

Alli looked and saw Cormac McLaggen headed their way. Hermione snuck off so quickly it was as if she had just Disapparated.

"Have you seen Hermione?" Cormac asked Alli. Alli raised her eyebrows.

"Why?" Alli asked pretending she was oblivious to the situation.

"I've lost her," Cormac admitted.

"You lost her?" Alli laughed. "What is she? A snitch?"

Cormac did not look amused.

"I tried out for Keeper if you must know," Cormac said.

"Oh, my bad," Alli laughed. "Sucks that you didn't get the position. I guess you are just as bad at finding Hermione as you are at saving quaffles from flying through metal hoops."

Cormac opened his mouth to retort but Alli smiled, flipped her hair over her shoulder, and walked away before he got a word out.

"There you are, Allison."

Alli groaned as she turned to face her date who had a gigantic smile on his face.

"I was hoping you might want to try something," Blaise said.

"Try what?" Alli asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Follow me," said Blaise. Alli cleared her throat in reply. Blaise attempted to grab Alli's hand but Alli crossed her arms over her chest. Alli followed him into the middle of the room. Blaise stopped and looked up. Alli followed his gaze and immediately regretted it. There was a mistletoe hanging in mid-air above them. Alli tried to move away from it, but Blaise was quick. He pressed his lips against hers. Alli struggled out of his grip and in her anger, drew back and slapped him across the face.

"What the actual fuck?" Alli snapped. This caught the attention of the room.

"I've been wanting to do that for a while," admitted Blaise. Alli shook her head, angrily.

"You're pathetic," said Alli. Blaise clenched his jaw. "Don't you ever touch me again. I can't believe you would even think doing something like that was okay. What would Draco-" Alli stopped quickly as Blaise raised his fist and let out his anger on her jawbone. Alli felt her feet come out from under her. The whole room had hushed into silence. Alli felt warm blood on the side of her mouth. She looked up at Blaise in shock. Alli touched her jaw and winced.

"Alli!" Harry called, rushing to her side. Hermione followed closely and grabbed Alli's arm to help her stand. "Let's get her to the hospital wing," said Harry, quickly. Professor Slughorn stared at the scene in bewilderment.

"I don't understand," Slughorn muttered. "How did this happen?"

Harry began to walk Alli away but paused when Hermione stomped over to Blaise and drew her wand. She pointed it straight at Blaise's neck. Blaise took a nervous step backward.

"Don't you dare, mudblood," Blaise growled. Then, Filch seemed to appear out of nowhere. He grabbed Blaise's arm.

"Come with me, boy," Filch growled in his scraggly, disgruntled voice.

"Get off me, you squib!" Blaise snapped. Filch ignored the insult and drug Blaise out of the room.

Madame Pomphrey fixed Alli's broken jaw with a simple, quick "Episki." Then, Alli was sent on her way. Harry and Hermione walked Alli all the way to the dungeon steps that led to the Slytherin Common Room.

"How are you?" Harry asked Alli. Alli shrugged nonchalantly.

"I'm okay, I guess."

"We wanted to remind you that you're invited to the Burrow with us and the Weasley's for Christmas," Hermione told her. Alli gave her a small smile.

"I think," Alli sighed, "I think I'm going to stay here for Christmas. You know, after everything that's happened recently." Harry and Hermione exchanged glances.

"Are you positive?" Hermione asked. Alli nodded.

"Besides, my friend Ashley is staying here, too," Alli told them, hoping that Ashley was actually planning on staying. She hadn't thought that far ahead yet.

"Alright," said Hermione. With that, Alli thanked them for helping and went through the wall to the common room. When she entered her dormitory, Ashley was sitting cross-legged on her bed with an open letter and envelope beside her. She looked up when Alli entered.

"Hey," Alli greeted her. Ashley leaned her back against the bed frame.

"It's sort of ridiculous," Ashley said.

"What is?" asked Alli.

"I mean, you would think my family name would have some sort of, oh, I don't know," said Ashley, "recognition? Importance?" Alli gave her a curious look.

"What are you talking about?" Alli asked. Ashley put the letter back in the envelope and tossed it at Alli. Alli picked it up from the floor. She pulled it out and began to read:

Dear Ashley,

I have some bad news. Your father got into some trouble with the Ministry. As you know your father works as a writer for The Daily Prophet. He recently wrote an article and submitted it to the editor. The article was rejected. The article itself is not to be seen by anyone including you and I. We do not know what it is about except that it was sent back to your father and not to be printed.

Your father was angry and planned to use the Imperius curse on the editor so his article would be published on the front page of the Sunday paper. Your father attempted to curse the editor last week but word got out about his plan. He was arrested and is now being put on trial for the attempted use of an unforgivable curse on a Ministry employee. The trial will take place next Monday at 11 in the morning. I wish for you to attend with me for we do not know what his sentence will be. If he is to be found guilty then our family name could be ruined. I hope that you will understand the circumstances.

Please write back so I know that you will come to the trial and support your father and I. I do apologize for his actions. You are to come home for Christmas to be there for him.

Love, Mum

"Wow," said Alli in response. She looked up at Ashley who still had an angry frown on her face. Ashley rolled her eyes.

"My family name is probably ruined now," said Ashley. "Thanks to my idiotic father."

"So, you're going home for Christmas, then?" Alli asked. Ashley rolled her eyes again.

"Are you mental? Of course, I'm not going home. I don't want anything to do with them."

"So, you can stay here with me?" Alli said excitedly.

"Well, obviously," Ashley replied. Alli tossed the letter back to her.

"Good."