I Do Not Own Harry Potter.

Eva had taken Draco's many admonishments about her meals to heart. She would never tell him, but his opinion meant the world to her, and so she decided to tell Harry that she would be taking the majority of her meals with the Slytherins. She still shared an occasional meal with the Gryffindors, usually when she and Neville were studying for Potions, as it was easier to quiz each other this way.

It was during one of these meals that Dumbledore made his announcement about the Yule Ball. He had stood from his place at the head table and Professor McGonagall had tapped her glass to gain everyone's attention.

"As you all know, the Yule Ball is fast approaching." There was a loud rush of whispering going across the Hall and many furtive glances to Housemates by several people. "In light of the recent happenings with the return of Voldemort-" there were several people that jumped at the sound of the name and a few Slytherins sent Dumbledore a scowl. "I thought it best to remind you all that this is a time when we, as a wizarding community, should be united. We should not let small differences and disagreements separate us and thus make us weaker. Having said that, I have devised a way for people to pair this year."

Dumbledore looked to Professor McGonagall and she stood. They both pulled out pins in the form of Gryffins.

"Professor McGonagall, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to a night of dinner and dancing?" he asked.

"Yes, of course, Professor Dumbledore," she answered. Eva could have sworn she saw the woman's lips curve slightly.

Professor Dumbledore pinned the Gryffin to her robe and Professor McGonagall did the same to the Headmaster. He turned and smiled at the watching students. "Everyone will receive a pin in the form of their house mascots. When you ask someone and they have accepted your invitation you will exchange pins. You are not to put your own pin on your robes. This way, no one will have to ask someone who already has an escort. Thank you." The Headmaster sat down and continued his meal.

Eva looked around the Hall and gulped. She could sense quite a few of the Slytherin boys sending looks in her direction; some of the girls were simply glowering at her. She knew that she had been 'hot property', as her cousin would say, since she stepped into the Hall the first day at school. She was worried more about Draco asking her, though. She really wanted Harry to ask her to go with him.

She looked down to the Gryffindor table and saw the he was looking at her. She gave a small smile and was rewarded with a wave. She smiled even bigger, until Draco nudged her side. He had become quite protective of her in the weeks that followed her little party. She kept on getting the feeling that he was trying to prove something to the whole school. What he was trying to prove, she did not know.

He had been more attentive to her. It was almost like having the old Draco back, except for the fact that he was still acting the bully whenever she wasn't around. He also had this habit of teasing Harry or egging him on, just to see if he would take the bait and possibly get into trouble.

She was glad that, more often than not, Harry would just ignore him. She knew how hard it was for Harry to put up with Draco, but he was determined not to let his emotions get the best of him. He had come a long way in their training since Halloween and the incident in Hogsmeade with Ron. Dumbledore's extension of their curfew had helped Eva go into their lessons more intensely. Harry was pretty close to mastering the subject and his scar had stopped hurting him considerably. She was proud of his progress he had made and had begun with some lessons in wandless magic.

Draco nudged her side again and she turned to see him frowning at her. "Are you considering going with Potter?" he asked.

"If he asks me," she said. She was not about to let Draco run her life. He knew where he stood when it came to her.

Professor Dumbledore once again stood and everyone focused their attention on him once again. "I forgot one other thing for this holiday season. There will be disappearing mistletoe all around the castle. They will appear randomly and not go away until the person is kissed. I thought it would be a nice treat for you all." He sat and the whispers resumed around the Hall.

Eva watched as Pansy Parkinson threw Draco a hungry look. He had not been looking and Eva had to cover her mouth with her hand to disguise her amusement. The girl did not know the meaning of the word subtle. She would have a much easier time getting Draco's attention if she played hard to get.

Draco leaned close to her and whispered, "What's so funny?"

"Look over at Parkinson," she instructed.

As soon as Draco looked at Pansy she averted her eyes. "What about her?"

"She's completely infatuated with you, Draco. Can't you see that? She hates it when I sit with you. I know you would get a definite yes if you asked her to the Ball."

Draco snorted. "Parkinson holds no appeal to me, except for the occasional flirt. She's the Slytherin broomstick; everyone's gotten a ride."

Eva's eyes opened to amazing proportions. She had never heard Draco talk like that before. "How would you know, Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco raised his eyebrow at her, an amused smile on his face. "Wouldn't you like to know?" he teased. He stood from his place at the table and began to walk away, knowing full well that she would follow him.

He was right. Eva stood quickly from her place and was hot on his heels. "What's that supposed to mean? Draco!"

He laughed all the way out of the Great Hall. He turned to face her when they got to the East Tower staircase. "Are you going to invite me up or not?"

Eva scowled at him, but took his hand anyway. "You're impossible, Draco Malfoy."

"Yes, but you love me anyway," he answered.

Eva did not say the password in front of Draco. She simply waved her wand and thought of the password. She had been admonished by Professor Snape not to let anyone know the password to her rooms.

She walked in and took off her robes. She put out her hand to take Draco's, but he just walked to the closet and hung it up on his own.

"You don't have to be so formal when we're alone. I do know how to hang up my own cloak."

"You were the one who told me that I didn't know how to act around others," she said.

They walked to the sofa in front of the fireplace and sat down on opposite ends. Eva turned to rest her back against the arm and put her feet on Draco's lap. He pulled off her shoes and then her socks. He gave her feet a short massage before copying her position and allowing her to do the same.

When she was done rubbing Draco's feet, she laughed and looked him in the eye. "You're lucky that you don't have smelly feet. If you did, I wouldn't touch them with a twelve-foot pole."

"The feeling is mutual."

They sat and talked for a couple of hours before Draco brought up the subject that Eva was dreading. "So, do you have anyone in mind for the Yule Ball?"

She smiled. Draco could be tough and intimidating when he was around the other students, but when it came to something he was not sure about around Eva, he turned into a nervous little schoolboy.

"No, I have not. I guess I'll wait and see who asks me first." She knew full well that Draco wanted to ask her, but did not want to do so without the pins.

Draco was trying to figure out the best way for him to ask Eva before Harry had the chance to beat him. If he knew when they would be receiving their pins, he would have been able to make better plans, but that information was missing.

"How's your Mum?" she asked finally. She had not heard about her Auntie Narcissa in a while and missed the kind woman.

"She's doing great. She sends her love."

Eva smiled. Auntie Narcissa might not really be related, but she had always treated her like a niece; for which Eva was forever grateful. "What's she planning for the holidays?"

"I guess she's staying at the Manor. She just might go for a vacation somewhere, since I'm not planning to go home this year."

"You should invite her for a day or two, just to see her before she leaves on vacation. I know I would love to see her."

"I just might do that. There are some things that I would like to ask her that just can't be answered in letters."

"Yeah, and maybe she'll tell me what Uncle Lucius and my mother have been planning behind my back."

Draco gave her a weak smile. He'd had a hard time keeping his mouth shut about their supposed engagement. That was actually what he wanted discuss with his mother.

"Do you miss her?" asked Eva.

"Yeah," he said disinterestedly.

"I'm serious, Draco. Since you and Auntie don't have to worry about Uncle Lucius now that he's away, I figured you would spend the time getting closer."

"We have. It's just that we're both still a bit afraid that he's going to walk in the door and catch us talking or, Merlin forbid, actually laughing. It's hard forgetting what it was like with him looking over our shoulders all the time."

"Yeah," said Eva. She moved her hand up and down Draco's leg. "It always amazed me how he treated the both of you. I can remember the one time when we were kids that he rapped you across the legs, with that stupid cane, for getting your robes dirty."

"Yeah, I had that bruise for a week. I guess I just got used to it. You know how it is when you have one person in your life that you can't seem to please. You try your hardest all the time and do whatever it takes to get that one smile out of them." Draco would never have talked like this to anyone else in Slytherin House. Eva was his safe place, his haven.

"Yeah, but I was lucky to have my Mum. She always told me not to worry about what Grandfather thought."

"Did it help?"

"No." They both laughed and stared into the fire for a while.

Eva was still stroking Draco's leg and it was distracting him to no end. He liked the fact that she was comfortable enough with him to do whatever she wanted. He began to do the same to her leg.

There was a knock on the door and a second later, Professor Snape walked into the sitting room. His eyebrow rose for a second when he saw their position.

"I came to give you your pin, Eva." He handed the girl her pin, in the shape of a coiled snake. He noticed the shudder that she gave as she touched the pin. "Is there something wrong?"

Eva had not told anyone about the gloves she had seen on the two people that had killed her grandparents, not even her mother. The snake in her hand just reminded her of that day. She looked up with as calm an expression as she could muster. "Nothing's wrong, Draco just tickled me."

Professor Snape shot a look at Draco's hand, which was still running up and down Eva's leg. The boy quickly removed his hand and looked anywhere but at the Professor. He had not been as accommodating to Draco, since Saveage's visit to the school.

"Are you going to the Yule Ball, Dad?" asked Eva. She had been growing accustomed to speaking to Severus informally whenever they were alone; there were precious few people who knew that the professor was her father. She had told Draco about it not too long after she found out and made him swear, under penalty of losing his hair, that he would not tell another soul. It was difficult not to tell anyone else, though. She had caught herself a few times in Potions, where she had almost called him Dad.

Severus moved his eyes from Draco's shifting features and looked down at his daughter. "Yes, Eva, I must be there to chaperone."

Eva got a twinkle in her eye. "Will you save me a dance?"

Severus shot her a warning glare. "I will no doubt be very busy trying to pry hormonal teenagers apart, but I will try to share a waltz with you."

"Just so you know, I might well be one of those hormonal teenagers." She turned to Draco and noticed the clock on her wall. "You'd better get to the dormitory, Draco. It's ten, and you still probably have homework from a certain Potions class."

Draco smiled at her, forgetting for a second that Professor Snape was in the room with them. She seemed to have that effect on people; her beauty could make anyone forget about all others in the room. "Yes, I do. You're probably done with it, though. Just because you're a bloody genius in the subject, doesn't mean you can rub it in our faces," he teased.

Eva smirked at him. "It's in the genes, Drake."

She stood and walked him to the door. They embraced and he placed a soft kiss on her lips. It surprised her that he would even do something like that. He would usually just peck her on the cheek, but to kiss her lips with her father in the room was a bit risky.

"Good night, Rave."

"Night, Drake."

She walked back to the sofa and sat next to her father who was now comfortable on one end. She cuddled into the space between his chest and the arm he had placed across the back of the sofa. His arm fell around her when she was finally comfortable. He placed a kiss on the top of her head and Eva sighed.

She and Severus had become closer as the weeks passed. She would go to his office everyday after her classes were over and they would spend the time until dinner just talking or working in silence. Eva could tell that he was having some problems adjusting to being a father, but she had dreamed and thought about this relationship so much that she had no problems calling him 'Dad' or giving him random hugs and kisses; never in front of students, however.

"Have you spoken with Mum?" she asked.

"No, Dumbledore feels that it's too risky if she has too much contact." He was a bit miffed with the Headmaster's insistence on keeping Severus in the dark about where Sage was staying.

"Well, if he thinks it's best, then he's got his reasons. I would rather not talk to her than to think that she's in some kind of danger. I just wish I knew why she had to go into hiding."

"I'm sure she'll explain the whole situation when she feels you're ready," he said.

"Dad?"

"Yes."

"Would you tell me why she had to go into hiding? I know you know."

Severus sighed. "Yes, I do know why she went into hiding, but I also know that she would not take too well to finding out that I told you the whole story. She seems to think that I have no feeling and would simply dunk your head in the truth."

Eva chuckled. "You would," she said. "But that's why I like it when you tell me things. You don't sugar-coat them like she does, or run around in circles."

"Speaking of running around," said Severus. He moved his position on the couch so that he could give her a stern look. "What has been going on with you and Potter? I hear that you come back here rather late at night."

She raised her own eyebrow at him. "And how, pray tell, do you know all that?"

"I have my ways," he answered evasively.

"I'm sure you do," she shot back. After her talk to him about feeling like there was someone following her she had stopped having the sensation as often as before, but it was still there at times. She was beginning to suspect that she not only had someone following her around school, but to the East Tower as well.

"Well?"

Eva sat up and looked him straight in the eye. "I am having an illicit affair with said Harry Potter. We meet in a different room of the castle every night and he shags me senseless." She inwardly laughed at the stunned expression on her father's face. "Oh, and I'm carrying his love child," she put in for good measure.

Severus' face looked like it was about to implode and Eva could not stop the laugh that erupted from her mouth. She fell onto the rug in front of the hearth and held her stomach. "Ooh, ow, it hurts, but it's so funny." She was gasping when she finally managed to get her mirth under control.

"That was not funny in the least, Severa," hissed Severus.

"Oh, come on. You should have seen your face," she teased. "What? Is it too close to your own story to be comforting?" she asked. She saw the anger begin to appear on his face and decided to play it safe and retreat from the subject. "All right, all right. I was just joking."

"I am still waiting for an answer to my question," said Severus.

"I can't tell you," said Eva.

"Why not?"

"Professor Dumbledore said that we weren't supposed to tell anyone. If you want to know, you'd have to ask him."

"Are you instructing him in Occlumency?"

Eva was rather surprised that he knew about them, but guessed that the Headmaster must have told him he had extended their curfew. He had, probably, just connected the time she and Harry spent together with the lessons. "Yes." She remembered that Harry had mentioned Severus being his instructor the previous year.

"Why did you stop teaching Harry?"

Severus visibly stiffened. "I had other duties that took up too much of my time."

Eva studied his face and even tried to break into his mind. She came up against a wall, however. He looked over at her and raised an eyebrow, obviously aware of what she had tried to do.

She shrugged. "It was worth a shot," she said.

"I think it's time for you to go to bed. I have the feeling that you'll be needing all your energy to face the students tomorrow, or at least the male population." He stood and conjured a stick out of nowhere. He handed it to Eva. "To beat them off," he said. He placed a kiss on her forehead. "Good night, Eva."

"Good night, Dad," she chuckled.

Indeed, the next day Eva did have to fend boys off with a stick. As soon as she arrived at the Slytherin table five boys had crowded around her and began talking all at once. She was flattered, but it was a bit intimidating to have all this attention. She had never considered herself ugly, but she knew her looks could not possibly be all that great. She'd had some help with the boys from her father. He had come right over to the table and intimidated them into retreat. He placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze before heading back to his seat at the Head table.

No one had bothered Eva for the remainder of the meal. Well, except for the Slytherin girls who kept on shooting hostile looks in her direction. To them, Eva was an obstacle in their quest to get any boy to ask them to the Ball.

She walked through the corridors of the school that day with imaginary daggers in her back. She knew that half the female population was jealous of all the boys that had come up to her and asked to be her escort. She was surprised to have a first year Gryffindor named Angus Stuart ask her to the Ball. She had tried to let him down gently and she believed she had done it, but she felt so bad to watch him go. He had been really sweet to her whenever she went to the Gryffindor common room, but he was just a first year.

There were constant whispers as she passed down the corridors. The Slytherin girls did not bother to lower their voices as she passed by. She had distinctly heard Pansy Parkinson call her a tease. She laughed as she passed by and looked right into Pansy's eyes as she shot back. "As opposed to your being a slut?" She laughed all the way down the corridor until she reached the Transfiguration class. She could feel the daggers being thrown at her back through out the class.

The next day was about the same. Eva decided to have a quick breakfast, rather than have a repeat performance of the previous day's happenings. She had hoped that Harry would have asked her to the Ball by now. She would have to talk to Hermione and ask if he had mentioned anything.

The wait to have the conversation turned out to be unnecessary as she saw Ron and Hermione walk into the Great Hall. They both had on their pins and Eva smiled as she realized Ron had asked her to the Ball. She walked over to the table to congratulate them.

"Hey, you two," she said by way of greeting. She sat next to Hermione. "Congratulations."

"Thanks," they said in unison.

"Can I ask you something, Hermione?"

"Sure."

Eva scooted closer and whispered in her ear. "Do you know if Harry's planning on asking me to the Ball?"

Hermione smiled. She turned her head to whisper back. "When we left him, he was pacing back and forth trying to see what the best way to ask you was. It was really cute."

Eva smiled at the picture that Hermione had painted in her mind. Harry walking back and forth in front of the Gryffindor fireplace talking to himself. "Thanks, 'Mione." She pointed at the pin on her robe, right next to her Prefect's badge. "Looks good on you."

She got up and began to walk out of the Great Hall. She was about to approach the door when she saw Harry walking towards the Hall. Draco was right behind him with a determined gleam in his eye. She knew that look and it did not bode well with her. Her worst dreams were coming true. She was going to have to choose between the two of them.

Harry turned and looked over his shoulder; he saw Malfoy nearly running to get to Eva. He sped up in order to reach her before he did. It seemed luck had abandoned him that day; as he looked over Eva's shoulder he saw Professor Snape walking towards her as well. He reached Eva before either of them and stood looking in her hopeful eyes.

"Eva, I was wondering if you would agree to accompany me to the Yule Ball?" He held his breath and waited for her to answer.

"I would -" Eva was cut off by Draco grabbing her by the arm and pulling her to his side.

"She's going with me, Potter," he growled.

"Ow, " exaggerated Eva. She tugged her arm out of his grasp. "I thought it was customary to let the lady decide."

"Is there a problem here?" asked Professor Snape. He was pegging Harry with a murderous glare.

"No, Professor. Eva was just agreeing to accompany me to the Yule Ball," said Draco.

"Excuse me?" asked Eva. "Harry asked me to the Ball and I was just going to answer him when Draco came over and started manhandling me," said Eva.

Professor Snape moved his attention to Eva. "I'm sure Draco didn't mean to hurt you. I'm glad that you're accepting his invitation."

"What?!" cried Eva. She put her fingers to her temples. "I'm getting a headache."

"Here's my pin, Eva," said Draco. He was going to put it on her robe when she smacked his hand away and glared at him.

"Eva, that was not nice," said Professor Snape.

Eva turned the full force of her glare on her father. She turned towards Harry, who had been standing silently fuming. "As I was trying to say before; I would love to accompany you to the Yule Ball."

Harry couldn't believe his ears. He smiled from ear-to-ear and proceeded to place his pin on her robes. She did the same. When they were on the robes the lion proceeded to roar and the snake hissed. "Cool," said Eva.

She knew that her father was probably having a heart attack so she decided she might as well dive in well past her head. She wrapped her arms around Harry's neck. She saw the look of panic cross his face as he shot a glance at her father. She caught his eye again and winked. Pulling his mouth against hers, Eva gave him the kiss of his life.

Harry did not respond at first, but Eva's insistent mouth finally got the better of him. He responded by licking her bottom lip with his tongue. She opened her mouth and let his tongue slip in. She heard herself give a little groan and was not in the least surprised when her father grabbed her by the arm and forced them apart. She only noticed the whistles and catcalls directed towards them when they separated.

"My office, now young lady," hissed Professor Snape never letting go of her arm.

Eva looked back at Harry and winked. "I'll meet you on the main staircase at six thirty," she called back.

Professor Snape increased the pressure he had on her arm and she turned her attention to him. "That hurts," she complained.

"You should be happy it's not your neck," he hissed.

They reached his office and he unlocked the door. "Sit," he ordered.

Eva took her usual chair by the fireplace. She put her hands on the table in front of her and waited for the lecture to begin. She didn't have to wait long.

"I can't believe it. You turned down Draco Malfoy, a boy you have known for most of your life, to go with Harry Potter! Did you do it just to spite me?" he asked. Eva knew it was not a question he wanted an answer to, so she just sat silently and waited for the tirade to be over. "And that little show you put on for the entire school! What was that about?! Did you want to insult me and Draco more that you already had?!"

Professor Snape stood before her and crossed his arms, still fuming and breathing heavy with his supposed indignation. Eva took his stance to mean that it was her turn to speak.

She stood from her sitting position and walked to the fireplace. "Mum obviously did not tell you that I detest being ordered about. Harry asked me to go to the Ball with him before Draco even reached us. I was going to accept when, as I said before, Draco grabbed my arm and said that I was going to the Ball with him."

"Which is as it should be," said Severus.

"He hadn't even asked me!" cried Eva. "He just stated it as a fact. No prior invitation, nothing. I am not his property and I will not be treated as some witless doll to be ordered about!"

"Do not raise your voice to me, young lady," warned Professor Snape.

"I'm sorry," said Eva. She sighed and looked at her father in the eye. "I have been making my own decisions for as long as I can remember. I will not begin to bow to your wishes just because I have missed you my whole life. I love you, but I will not stop being myself just to please you."

She made her way to the door and opened it. "I'm really sorry, Dad," she said.

Severus watched his daughter leave his office and flopped onto the couch when she was gone. He did not know if he was cut out for this whole Fatherhood thing.

I got the idea for the pins from an old Saved By The Bell episode that I saw not too long ago. In the ep they were having a dance and all the students had hearts with their names on them, around their necks. I thought it was pretty cool, so I gave it a Hogwarts twist.
The mistletoe I got from the cherubs in the teashoppe from Goblet of Fire.