A/N: Thank you to the THREE people who reviewed

A/N: Thank you to the THREE people who reviewed!!! I was so disappointed! (not with the actual reviews which were wonderful) Please, if you're reading and not reviewing, PLEASE review! I would really appreciate any feedback, negative or positive!!!!

arkyann – Draco isn't that bad! It just depends on how you look at him. 1. A cold hearted, unfeeling, cruel villain who chose the lifestyle he lives. Or 2. A misunderstood, caring, passionate victim of his surroundings. I mean, it can't be easy trying to be yourself in a houseful of Death Eaters.

Draco's Cutie Gal – Yeah, I think Pansy is the type to over-react. Plus, she was trying to embarrass Draco and get some attention.

Nightfall – I'll try to put in more 'Amy Ponderings' in the future. There isn't much in this one because it was already done when I got your review, but later there will be more!!!! I eagerly await MoT!!!!!

Moonlight Shining

By Amanda H (aka Niffler)

The next day was Saturday. Since Christmas break would be starting on the following Wednesday (Christmas Eve) the staff had arranged a Hogsmede trip for today. Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron and Amy had all signed up and had been looking forward to the excursion. Everyone got up early, save Amy, to prepare for the trip and get a good seat in the carriages. Hermione was finally forced to awaken Amy by placing a tickling charm on her. Everyone eyed her suspiciously as she giggled through breakfast.

Finally, around 12:00 the five headed out to the carriages. Harry and Ginny hopped into one of the first carriages, and Ron moved to follow them. Hermione grabbed the back of his robes and he stumbled back to the ground.

"What?" He asked confused.

"It's only four to a carriage." Hermione reminded him.

"So? Oh!" Ron realized. "Well, I guess we could go with Amy and sit in another carriage. Someone else can fill up the rest of Harry and Ginny's." He decided. Harry stuck his head out the carriage window.

"Come on!" He called. "They leave in a few minutes."

"Harry! It's only four to a carriage." Hermione explained again.

"Oh yeah!" Harry remembered. "Well, we could try to squish you in." He suggested.

"We were just going to find a different carriage." Hermione replied.

"Oh, alright." Harry agreed reluctantly.

"Now wait!" Amy interrupted. "Why all the fuss! I'll meet you in Hogsmede anyway! You two go with Harry, I'll go find another carriage!"

"Amy that's not fair." Ron objected.

"Sure it is, but I won't find one unless I hurry! Besides, it's not like I want to watch the snog fest the whole way there!" She laughed.

"Okay!" Ron replied happily.

"See you when we get there!" Hermione called over her shoulder as Ron grabbed her waist and lifted her into the carriage.

Amy ran down the line of carriages, hoping one at the back wouldn't be full. However, to her dismay, every carriage door was closed signifying it was full. Finally she spotted one door remaining open. She ran full speed down the line until she reached it. Breathing heavily from her long sprint she grabbed the door and swung herself up into the carriage and into the seat.

She shook her head and tucked some strands of hair, which had fallen from her bun, behind her ear. As the carriage began bouncing along a faint chuckle arose from the seat across from her. She lifted her head only to see Draco Malfoy smirking at her.

"A very pretty picture Ms. Quizzlequon." He drawled. Her breath caught in her throat as she searched for words. She said the first that came to mind.

"What are you doing here Malfoy?" She asked, surprised.

"I should be asking you that. Are you not the one who just swung gallantly into my carriage?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

"I would hardly call it your carriage." She retorted skeptically.

"Perhaps not, still you are the one invading my personal space." He replied frankly.

"Perhaps you would prefer if I leave?" She asked, hoping to catch him off guard.

"Unless you plan on jumping out of the speeding carriage and getting your self killed I don't recommend it." He replied coolly. Amy frowned.

"Alright, point taken." She replied unhappily. Draco smirked at her disappointment.

The two road in silence for several minutes, Draco staring at his hands and Amy biting her lip nervously. It was obvious both were uncomfortable, however neither wanted to be first to start a conversation. Finally Draco spoke.

"I'm sorry I took you out of the library that day." He mumbled, staring at his hands. "It really wasn't my place."

"No, No!" Amy insisted. "I shouldn't have gotten so mad. I mean, you probably saved me a detention, but I just got angry. You caught me by surprise that's all. I'm sorry too." She smiled. He met her warm blue eyes and smiled back.

"Do you want to join me for lunch at The Three Broomsticks when we arrive?" Malfoy asked tentatively. Amy's eyes gleamed.

"Sure. I'll be their right after I tell Hermione where I'll be." She promised. Draco looked at her questioningly.

"Well, I was supposed to meet them when we arrived, so I'll have to let them know so they won't wait." She explained. Draco nodded in reply. Suddenly the carriage jerked to a stop and the door swung open. Amy smiled at Draco and stood to get out. Draco stood up first and hopped out ahead of her, offering his hand. Amy grinned, took it, and hopped out. She nodded her thanks to him and hurried forward to find her friends.

She searched through the crowd of excited bustling student until she spotted the two flecks of red hair in the crowd, Ron and Ginny. She hurried over to them.

"Hey Amy!" Ron greeted happily, grinning ear to ear. "We're going head over to Zonko's. Coming?" He asked.

"No thanks. I've got other plans. I hope you don't mind if I cancel on you last minute?" She asked hopefully, smiling secretively.

"No problem!" Ron answered jubilantly. "Where're you going?" He asked, draping his arm over Hermione's shoulders.

"Oh, nowhere." She answered, shrugging.

"Uh huh." Hermione nodded skeptically. "Sure you are. Have fun." She smiled, winking at her. Amy winked back. Harry and Ginny exchanged surprised, questioning looks, though said nothing.

"Alright, uh, meet you for a butterbeer later?" Ron asked.

"Umm, I don't know. What time?" She asked, biting her lip.

"3:00?" Hermione suggested.

"I'll try to make it, but maybe not, okay?" Amy asked.

"Sure! Now let's get going! I want to stop in the book store on the way." Hermione replied happily. Ron shook his head in defeat as the two couples turned from Amy. She sped in the opposite direction.

Amy reached The Three Broomsticks quickly. She stopped just outside the building and carefully brushed off her black robes and cloak and re-tucked the fallen strands of hair behind her ears. She pursed her lips and opened the door smiling.

Quickly she scanned the room for Draco. She spotted him sitting in a booth in the far left corner. She smiled at him as he saw her and quickly made her way over. She sat down opposite him and folded her hands in his lap.

"The pesky trio didn't decide to follow you here to make sure I didn't kill you?" He asked jokingly. Amy frowned slightly and bit her lip.

"No." She answered blushing slightly.

"Don't tell me you didn't tell them you were meeting me?" He asked, smiling devilishly. Amy turned even redder.

"Well, I told Hermione." She answered. "You're right, I think Ron would have followed me here." She answered laughingly. Draco smiled.

Just then the waitress arrived at their table.

"Can I take your orders?" The polite young lady asked. Amy looked up at her while she was turned to Draco and immediately focused her head down wards and facing away from the girl, into her lap.

"I'll have a butterbeer and a hamburger with fries." Draco answered. He glanced curiously at Amy.

"Same." She replied quickly, barely looking up at the girl. The waitress smiled politely and headed back to the counter. Amy watched her leave and then turned back to Draco. He smiled at her curiously.

"What was that?" He asked.

"Well, I think I know her." Amy replied sheepishly glancing over her shoulder.

"Excuse me?" Draco asked, rather taken aback.

"Yeah." Amy replied. "She's the daughter of one of the people my dad works with."

"And I'm an embarrassing person to be seen with?" Draco asked, eyebrows raised.

"No!" Amy replied, shaking her head. "It's just that, well, if she saw me and told her parents, her mom is really talkative, well actually, she's a gossip." Amy replied frankly. "So, if she told her mom, her mom would immediately call my mom and tell her." She explained.

"So?" Draco asked, not seeing the point.

"So! My mom would probably floo powder herself right over to the Head Master's office and put me on a one-way portkey back to Schimeron!" She exclaimed.

"Why?" A puzzled Draco asked. Amy sighed.

"Well, don't take this the wrong way Draco, but your family isn't exactly known for being nice." She replied, refusing to look him in the eye. Draco scowled.

"Is that all I am? A Malfoy?" He asked, stunned and hurt.

"No! Not to me anyway, but that's how my parents would look at it. Actually, they're not comfortable seeing me with any guy. They're barely comfortable letting me live in a co-ed House." She replied, now meeting his gaze. Draco smiled at her and nodded.

"Not me anyway?" He thought. "What does she mean by that?"

"Alright." He agreed. The waitress returned with their food and set them on the table. Draco smiled as Amy ducked her head and bit her lip. Draco politely nodded to the waitress and she left again.

The two ate their lunches over a lively conversation ranging from school to home, to the upcoming holidays. Draco refrained from bring up the Yule Ball, but was pleased to hear that Amy was also staying at Hogwarts for the holidays.

When they had finished their lunch Draco waved the waitress over. Amy fumbled in her pocket for some money. She quickly pulled out a few sickles and paid for her meal. Draco did the same. The two stood up and walked out of the restaurant. Once outside and out of the waitress's view Amy turned to Draco. It was cold outside and late-December flurries filled the air.

"Well, thank you for the company." She smiled.

"My pleasure really." He replied. Amy bit her lip and turned to leave.

"Amy?" Draco asked. She turned back quickly.

"Yes?"

"Do you want to go for a walk down by the lake?" He asked hesitantly. Amy smiled broadly.

"Sure." She replied, walking up beside him as he turned in the direction of the lake.

Soon they reached the shore of lake Sinar. Amy smiled at Draco as they walked along its frozen banks. As his hand brushed against hers she felt a tingle run up her arm. She felt him glace sideways at her, then his hand grasped hers, interlacing the fingers. She smiled and looked over at him.

They walked, hand in hand, around the lake in silence for several minutes. The water was frozen solid; it glinted in the warm afternoon sun. As they walked under the bare branches of a large willow tree Draco stopped and pulled Amy towards it, leaning against the trunk. Amy stood beside him. The snow was now falling gently around them.

"I was wondering Amy," Draco began hesitantly, "Have you got a date to the Yule Ball?"

"No." Amy replied, butterflies filling her stomach.

"Would you like to go with me?" He asked hopefully.

"Yes. Yes I would." Amy agreed, her face breaking into a huge smile.

"It is now three o'clock." A mechanical voice interrupted. "You have an appointment with Hermione Granger at three o'clock." It informed. Amy glanced down at her magical watch.

"Sorry Draco." She began. "I promised Hermione I'd meet her at three." She explained.

"No problem." Draco replied. "So, I'll meet you in front of the main staircase the night of the ball?" He asked.

"Certainly. I'll see you there if not sooner." She replied happily. She turned quickly and hurried off back to the town.

"See!" Draco told himself. "That wasn't so hard!"