A/N: I do not own anything. All characters are owned by J.K. Rowling.

Latest news have revealed that Blaise Zabini is a BOY, so I have changed the female Blaise in this story to Alexa. Please re-read chapter 8 for a little background information on her. Thanks!

Chapter 10

By the time the Yule Ball started, Cho had freshened up and there was no sign visible of her earlier outburst.

She had put on her navy blue chiffon spaghetti strap dress and had styled her hair into an elegant French twist perched on the back of her head.

Her puffy eyes had disappeared, thanks to the miracle of powder, and her lips were coated with a layer of sparkly pink lip-gloss. Her cheeks were blushed pink, and her eyes were covered with a periwinkle blue eye shadow.

To top it all off, she wrapped a silky semi-transparent dark blue shawl around her shoulders and donned black killer stiletto high heels and dangling crystal earrings.

Draco still hadn't returned from his walk by the time she had finished getting ready. There was only a quarter of an hour left until the Yule Ball started - 6.45. Time to meet Harry.

Cho sighed and got up. Why? WHY??? Why her? Why Harry? If Harry hadn't asked her for her forgiveness, she wouldn't be in this mess. If Cho hadn't accepted Harry's plea for forgiveness, she wouldn't be in this mess. If she hadn't told Draco that Harry had asked her to the Yule Ball, she wouldn't be in this mess. Oh, why! WHY?

Why do I have to this against my will then? I could always have refused to do it, Cho thought gloomily. Because they would harm Jae if I didn't agree. I can't let anything happen to Jae! He was always there for me, my big brother...

Cho was too absorbed in her thoughts and wasn't aware of her surroundings. Thus, she was surprised when she looked up and saw that she had already traveled out of the portrait hole and was standing in front of the majestic doors of the great hall, and Harry was waving to her.

He was looking rather dashing, Cho had to admit, in his black suit and tie.

"Hi Cho," Harry greeted as he approached. "You look beautiful tonight."

"Thanks, Harry," Cho smiled. How could she ever have thought of betraying Harry? Harry, her friend. Harry, whose warm smile and twinkling eyes were so gentle, so open. Cho could never do anything to harm him.

Seven. The Yule Ball was officially opened. The great hall doors parted, and students and couples rushed in, Cho and Harry among them, hand in hand.

Cho had a great time at the Yule Ball, just forgetting all her Head-Girl responsibilities and having fun. She mingled with her friends, drank butterbeer and danced to the wacky tunes of the Weird Sisters.

She was completely content with herself, until the moment she saw Draco enter the Great Hall, impeccable looking, as always, in a pair of slacks and a grey dress shirt and tie. Alexa McDoug was clutching his arm.

Alexa? Alexa McDoug? How could he pick Alexa McDoug over her? How could he? Cho was very hurt and felt tears welling up in her eyes. But then she thought back and her tears and hurt disappeared, to be replaced by a mixture of disappointment and regret.

Draco hadn't chosen Alexa over her. It was the opposite. Draco had asked her, but she at that time, had had feelings for Harry, and Harry had asked her first, so she had rejected Draco.

"What's wrong Cho?" Harry asked, concerned as he had noticed Cho's sudden silence.

"Huh?"

"I asked you what was wrong," Harry repeated patiently.

"Oh, nothing, just thinking about how much I miss my brother," Cho fibbed.

"I see. You're really close to your brother, huh?" Harry asked and nodded understandingly.

"Yes." An awkward pause. "Erm, Harry, do you think we can go outside for a while? I want to be alone"

Harry was only all too happy to agree.

The weather outside was chilly. They sat by the calm lake, and found warmth in each other's arms.

Harry started to kiss Cho, but she at the last moment, turned away, causing Harry's lips to brush against her hair.

Harry frowned. "What did you do that for?"

"Harry, I want to apologise for everything in advance. Please believe me when I say that I have no choice, and that I have to do what I have to do," Cho said, grabbing Harry's hands and looking him in the eye.

"Okaaay," Harry replied, puzzled.

"Okay, let's go back. It's getting colder," Cho said getting up.

Harry seemed disappointed at leaving so soon, especially after such a puzzling confession. But nevertheless, he got up and followed Cho back into the castle without a word.

There was quite a commotion in the great hall when they returned. It seemed like everybody had formed a circle around something or other.

Cho and Harry pushed their way about until they came across their group of friends.

"What's going on?" Harry shouted to Ron over the noise the crowd was making.

"It's Draco and Alexa. They were caught under the mistletoe," Ron shouted back.

"Draco and Alexa?" Cho asked.

Ron nodded in affirmation. Cho immediately pushed her way to the front of the crowd, where indeed she saw Draco and Alexa standing.

"KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS!" the crowd was shouting.

"No, don't," Cho whispered under her breath.

Draco seemed hesitant, but Alexa looked positively elated.

Dumbledore then stood up from the teacher's table at the front of the great hall. Everyone fell silent.

"Well, what a surprise. Mister Malfoy and Miss McDoug. I believe you both know the tradition," Dumbledore said, and the whole crowd cheered.

Draco felt stunned, quite a rare thing. He had no idea what to do. Alexa was tugging the sleeve of his shirt and urging him to kiss her.

"Drakey, come on... It's just one little kissy-wissy," Alexa pleaded, putting on a sweet tone and puppy eyes.

Draco was struck with indecision, Cho could see. His expressions were easily read. Cho mentally sent telepathic messages to Draco. Please don't do it. Please don't!

"Come on, Draco, the sooner we do this, the sooner it will all be over," Alexa said.

"All right, all right!" Draco sighed, giving in.

He and Alexa drew nearer and nearer, and soon, Alexa's lips touched Draco's. They started kissing like how they had kissed outside the dungeon the other day.

The crowd hooted and cheered and Draco pulled away, just in time to see Cho running out of the great hall.

Draco now realised that Cho had seen the whole thing and he felt ashamed at himself. He knew that he didn't love Alexa. He didn't even know why he did it. He supposed that it was because he knew Cho could never be his, so he had tried to force his feelings for Cho to switch to Alexa.

But now Draco saw how much hurt he had caused Cho. Well, she hurt me too! Just by accepting stupid Saint Potter's invitation to the Yule Ball. By kissing him in the classroom which I chanced upon the other day. And now, she is trying to make me feel guilty? She has no right to feel upset. She has no idea how much hurt she has caused me.

So Draco continued the night, trying to flush all thoughts about Cho out of his system.

A/N: I am sooo mean! I love making both characters suffer... Next chapter, what's going to happen between Cho and Draco? And what about poor Harry? Please review.