The night of the Christmas Ball had finally arrived. It wasn't exactly Christmas yet, but it was a holiday themed occasion. Arielle stood in front of a mirror in the fourth year Slytherin dormitory. Per Regulus's request she purchased a custom made emerald green gown. The dress was sheer at the top with lace green flowers scattered across the sleeves and the torso. Green fabric enveloped the waist and fell in folds all the way to the floor. The ruffles gave the dress a regal look, Arielle couldn't help but feel like a princess.

"Wow Arielle, you look amazing." Lucienda squeaked from behind Arielle. The brunette was wearing a sleeveless green dress that cut off at her knees showing off her extremely toned and gorgeous quidditch legs.

"Are you ready to make the boys swoon?" Lucienda asked twirling around the room.

Arielle smirked and turned around to face her new friend. "Avery is going be all over you tonight Lucienda. But I don't think Regulus Black is one to swoon at the sight of a pretty dress. He is usually neck deep in girls in pretty dresses."

"Oh hush Arielle, everyone knows that Regulus has always been in love with you. Merlin, I remember our first year at Hogwarts he was obsessed."

Arielle snorted in amusement.

"I'm serious Arielle! He was always trying to get your attention."

"Did some hex you Lucienda or have you gone mad? My memories of Regulus include a toad slipped into my robes during Defense Against the Dark Arts, having to walk around with my hair bright green for a whole week, that one was particularly humiliating I might add, the numerous confrontations with his various girlfriends, glue in my shoes which were also jinxed to make me run around like a lunatic…"

Lucienda let out a laugh causing Arielle to crinkle her nose in frustration.

"Oh come on Arielle. How else do eleven or twelve year old boys get attention from girls? Surely you learned something from Sirius and Potter over the years?"

Arielle was about to speak but paused for a moment. She did recall Sirius and James actively pranking the girls they were interested in. It usually worked. Except for James with Lily….Lily was never one to put with any foolishness….and come to think of it Arielle treated Regulus exactly like Lily treated James….well maybe a little more harshly.

Arielle shook the thoughts away. This entire conversation was ridiculous. Plus what did Lucienda know anyway...she wasn't exactly the brightest candle in castle.

"Come on, let's go." Arielle said.

Regulus's breath caught in his chest when he saw Arielle descend the staircase into the Slytherin common room, her black hair bounced behind her shoulders in long wavy curls with each step. The sight of her in his house colors put a toothy grin on his face that he couldn't hold back. Regulus was awakened from this trance by a loud wolf whistle.

Avery let out a laugh as the girls walked over to them with red cheeks.

"Look at you two foxy ladies. I'd say we might have scored the belles of the ball Regulus."

"Indeed." He said before raising Arielle's hand to his lips gingerly.

Arielle could not bring herself to make eye contact with her date. She was feeling slightly unnerved with the way Regulus gazed at her.

"Shall we?" Regulus asked offering her his arm. She took it hesitantly and they walked out of the common room.

Arielle and Regulus trailed silently behind Avery and Lucienda. The Slytherin girl was giggling the entire way to the Great Hall due to Avery's stupid jokes. Before they rounded the corner to the Great Hall. Regulus stopped for a moment. Arielle looked at her date in surprise as he grabbed both her hands in his. He had an odd expression on his face, and Arielle couldn't suppress the feeling of butterflies taking off in her stomach.

"Arielle…" He sighed looking down at the floor. "I want us to start over. As if we have been good friends ever since the day we first met on the train."

Arielle crinkled her brows in confusion at this request. It was not the sort of thing she would ever expect to come out of Black's mouth. She couldn't decide whether she found this new vulnerability intriguing or off putting.

"What I mean is. There has always been this hostility between us and I want that to end right now. I want us to walk into this ball and enjoy our time together. I want you to be comfortable and maybe relax a little."

"Relax?" Arielle inquired.

"You're about as stiff as a broomstick." Regulus noted with a playful gleam in his eye.

Arielle was about to roar in offense but instead she smiled. Her posture became notably more relaxed.

"Alright Regulus, let's have fun." Arielle sighed.

Regulus smiled, "That's my girl." Arielle couldn't help but think of how much he sounded like Sirius.

The two turned the corner and walked down the stairs into the Great Hall. Many students stared and whispered as the Gryffindor girl and Slytherin boy walked into the Great Hall. However, they were not the most scandalous couple to attend the ball that night.

Arielle was waiting by the Christmas tree with Lucienda while their dates went to get them drinks. That's when she saw him. Severus Snape looked completely transformed. His dress robes were top of the line and must of cost him a fortune. No wonder he agreed to tutor so many first years these past few weeks... he usually refused with disdain.

And on his arm? It couldn't be? Arielle thought.

It was Lily Evans dressed in a beautiful yet conservative golden gown, her red hair flowing over her shoulders.

Arielle was so shocked she didn't even notice that Regulus had returned.

"I see another man's caught your eye."

Arielle managed to compose her gawking expression. "No. I mean, yes. I am surprised is all. It looks like Severus has combed his hair and gotten new dress robes…" She rambled.

"All for a mudblood." Avery hissed downing his drink.

Arielle whipped around furiously and put a finger in the Slytherin's face. "Don't you dare ruin this night for him, do you understand?"

Avery put his hands up in surrender. A warm smile swept across Arielle's face when she caught Severus's gaze. He smiled sweetly at her for a few moments which was a rarity she had only caught glimpses of throughout their friendship.

"Well it looks like Severus is enjoying himself. Perhaps we should too?" Regulus smiled offering Arielle his hand to dance. Arielle smiled and took his hand eagerly.

Regulus was more graceful on the dance floor than Arielle imaged he would be. Of course she knew he would be an able partner considering he received the same ballroom training as all the sacred twenty-eight did when they were young. She felt light in his arms as he paraded her around, twirling her at every opportunity yet not enough to make her dizzy. The expression on her face was one of pure joy and Regulus couldn't keep his eyes off her. Arielle was so lost in the dance that she didn't notice the other dancers leave the floor. It wasn't until the end of the song, when Regulus dipped her most elegantly that she noticed they had an entire audience watching their performance. The room filled with applause much to her surprise. Dumbledore and the other professors were clapping enthusiastically. Slughorn looked as if he were going to burst into tears of joy at the sight of his two most prized pupils together. Regulus's Slytherin friends were cheering and cat-calling. Even Sirius Black looked at her and his brother with an approving smirk and raised a glass towards the couple. Regulus let out a joyful smile and nodded in his brother's direction before quickly masking his expression into a prideful grimace. He then bowed and Arielle followed his lead. A new song began to play and Regulus pulled Arielle in close for another dance, their classmates and teachers re-joining them.

"That was a curious moment between you and Sirius." Arielle noted looking up into Regulus's grey blue eyes.

"Well we do spend most of our summers and holidays together you know." He smirked.

Arielle crinkled her nose, a gesture that Regulus had always found most endearing.

"One would never think with the way you two treat each other in the halls that either of you cared for the other in the slightest." Arielle observed thinking of all the Sirius-Regulus confrontations she had witnessed over the last four years.

"Well of course not, we have reputations to uphold." Regulus tried to say sternly causing them both to laugh.

"But really though, do you two have a relationship?" She inquired curiously.

"It's complicated." Regulus said reluctantly. Arielle decided to stop pressing him. After a few more dances, she waited for Regulus to come back with more drinks, this time with a promise to add a surprise to their holiday beverages.

"Having fun?" A familiar voice nearly whispered behind her.

Arielle smiled. "Severus you sneaky snake. How could you keep such a secret from me?"

Severus laughed and Arielle's eyes widened. He was just full of surprises tonight.

"You were so preoccupied with the Slytherin prince, I didn't want to bother you with it."

"Bother? Severus you know you really are my only friend? Seriously you are the only person I've managed to stay friends with these past four years."

Severus nodded in agreement. Arielle Malfoy was notorious for losing friends.

"You can tell me anything, you know? Gosh I felt like such a shit friend the other day. You're right I never do ask you about your life. In fact after this night is over expect to be bombarded with questions tomorrow before we leave Hogwarts."

Severus let out an amused snort. Lily returned and smiled awkwardly at Arielle and then engaged Severus in a conversation. Before Arielle could eavesdrop, Regulus came back and escorted her to a table full of Slytherins. Arielle smiled and laughed as Regulus shared a few stories from his childhood, and his friends did the same. He seemed like a totally different person tonight. He was charming, funny, and he looked very dashing in his green tie and dress robes. Arielle felt herself letting go of all the ill emotions she ever held towards the Slytherin boy. She liked this side of him.

Evan Rosier on the other hand couldn't have been more bitter. Arielle was practically glowing in delight by Regulus's side. The thought of them together filled him with jealousy. He sat brooding at the other end of the hall just watching his best friend flirt with his ex-girlfriend.

"Not enjoying yourself Evan?" A snooty voice questioned. Evan glanced over at Emma Vanity before returning his gaze to the table with all the Slytherins.

"It seems unfair doesn't it? That everything is falling into place for them and here we are cast aside like dirt." Emma said darkly. Evan couldn't disagree. Although he played a significant role in their break-up, he couldn't help but feel betrayed that Arielle would consider dating his best friend. At this point he out right hated Regulus.

"Maybe this will help." Emma smirked slipping a folded piece of parchment into his hands.

Evan unfolded that paper and a wicked grin swept across his face. This is exactly what he needed to end this budding relationship between Regulus and Arielle.

Midnight had arrived and the ball was officially over. However, there was an after party being thrown in the Room of Requirement. Students of all houses were in attendance, and according to Lucienda these things usually ended in Slytherin-Gryffindor scuffles. This was the first time Arielle had attended one of these elite parties. She saw Sirius, Remus, and Peter sitting in the middle of the room on black couches with their dates. James Potter was notably absent. He was probably in his dorm pining over Lily, who was of course, never present at these sort of events.

Regulus lead Arielle to a quiet corner of the room. She felt her heart beat rapidly in her chest as she followed his gaze towards the ceiling.

Mistletoe.

Regulus leaned forward without hesitation and kissed her. Unlike the last time they kissed, he was gentle and slow. Arielle snaked her hand around his neck pulling him closer. After a few minutes they separated, both breathing heavily, their foreheads touching.

"How about a drink? This time a real one." Regulus smiled.

"Yes, that sounds lovely." Arielle said. Regulus led Arielle over to the other Slytherins. Lucienda and Avery were snogging against the wall until Regulus cleared his throat and the two of them reluctantly separated. Avery left with Regulus to get himself and Lucienda some fire whiskey. Arielle listened to Lucienda prattle on about how amazing Avery was.

"Arielle, that talented tongue of his..." Lucienda sighed.

Arielle quirked an eyebrow at the brunette.

"Hey! I saw you over there with Regulus so don't act like you weren't snogging as well." Lucienda barked.

Arielle's cheeks turned bright red. "That's different."

"Oh? It's different now is it? I think you may be in love Arielle."

Arielle gasped before she could formulate a reply, Evan Rosier decided to join their conversation.

"Enjoying your evening Arielle?" He asked darkly.

Lucienda and Arielle exchanged confused looks.

"Yes, I am Evan. Why do you ask?" Arielle inquired.

"No reason. I just thought I should warn you that's all."

Arielle snorted. "Warn me about what Evan?"

He handed her a piece of parchment and walked away.

Lucienda and Arielle exchanged another confused glanced before Arielle began to unfold the paper.

"Fire whiskey, madam?" Avery said with a fake bow. Lucienda was too busy looking over Arielle's shoulder to notice her date.

"What is it Arielle?" Regulus asked looking concerned. She looked up at Regulus who stood holding their two drinks and then back down at the paper that said:

Sign Ups for Arielle Malfoy's Virginity

Wilkes

Avery

Amycus Carrow

Regulus Black

Barty Crouch Jr.

Thrasos Selwyn

Mulciber

Richard Nott

Regulus's name had a big circle around it with the words winner scribbled next to it. She recognized hand-writing, he had written his own name himself.

Lucienda let out a gasp and covered her mouth stepping away from Arielle and looking frantically at Avery. Regulus began to grow concerned at Lucienda's mortified expression and Arielle's blank one.

"How could you?" Lucienda practically shouted. Regulus found himself growing impatient and snatched the parchment out of Arielle's hands. He swallowed the lump that had immediately risen into his throat when he saw the list.

"Incendio." Regulus said tapping the paper with his wand and letting the burning parchment fall to the floor.

Arielle let out a dark husky laugh that startled all those in earshot.

"Arielle, please let me explain…" Regulus began to plead.

"What's going on?" Avery asked. Arielle began to walk towards the door.

"You were the second to sign up on that list!" Lucienda shrieked.

"Arielle, please.." Regulus said following after her. Arielle took out her wand.

"Silencio."

Regulus dodged the charm and took out his wand as the next one came hurdling towards him.

"Arielle wait…"

"Silencio!" She shouted gaining the full attention of the room. Sirius stood up from the couch he had been sitting at, noticing the confrontation taking place.

"Protego." Regulus murmured as she shot two more charms in his direction.

" Arielle…"

"Silencio."

"Expelliarmus." Regulus could see the rage ignite in Arielle's eyes as he tried to disarm her.

"Locomotor Mortis." Regulus felt his legs lock underneath him. He attempted to perform the counter-curse three times before it worked. Arielle was nearly halfway toward the door.

"Colloportus!" Regulus shouted pointing at the door which bolted itself shut.

Arielle whipped around furiously.

"Reduct-–" Arielle began, pointing her wand at the chandelier above their heads.

"Expelliarmus." Regulus yelled. Arielle's wand flew out of her hand.

Regulus lowered his wand. "Arielle, I just want to talk.."

Arielle had other ideas, she closed her eyes, raised her hand and conjured up a shield charm so large that it created barrier across the entire length of the Room of Requirement.

At first Regulus stepped back in shock. Other students in the room looked frightened at this sudden display of powerful magic.

"Arielle…"

Arielle looked over her shoulder and saw Sirius Black approaching her. She quickly looked back to Regulus who was now banging on the shield and shouting something but his words were incoherent to Arielle due to the charm between them.

I need to leave. Arielle screamed in her head and in an instance she disapparated.

The shield dropped the second she was gone. Regulus, along with everyone else in the room stared at the place Arielle disappeared from. The two Black Brothers exchanged a brief look of shock and concern before their classmates and friends enveloped them.

There was only one person whom they both knew could apparate on Hogwarts grounds….Albus Dumbledore and some how Arielle Malfoy managed to do it as well.