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Chapter Twenty Six:: And So Ends the First Day

As it turned out, she had nothing to worry about. Ridge paid virtually no attention to her, except to shoot a dazzling smile in her direction every now and again. Draco was staring at her, clearly wanting to say something but a) not knowing how to say it or b) couldn't in the current company. She had tried to pay attention to Narcissa's words to the ladies at the surrounding tables, as well as the ladies' several admiring men, but found her mind drifting from the unknown names flitting about; so-and-so did this, and did you hear about what's-her-face's new husband? You-remember- him did that to the-one-who-founded-the-new-place.

So Kit was left to her fidgeting.

There was no doubt about it, dinner was a lovely occasion; but it was so... fake. Everybody fawning over everyone of higher importance, then condescending to those still lower than themselves. It seemed that everyone had a place due to name – Draco was right at home, in more ways than one – and it was a bit difficult when you weren't quite sure of where you fit in. Especially when people tried to question her on occasion.

It would go something like this: And you, dear girl, you know the family how?

Kit would reply she was a school friend of Draco's.

And which fine, upstanding Slytherin parent do you belong to? A smirk and a wink usually accompanied this.

She replied she was undecided; her story was she was a transfer student yet to be placed.

Oh. Well, your parents must be so proud, having a daughter attending such a school as Hogwarts, as it has the best known Potions Master known to wizard kind, though his talents really would be better suited to other areas. Might I inquire, to which family line do you belong?

I am not at liberty to discuss them, she had finally deigned to reply.

At which point, they would get a knowing look in their eye, pat her hand/head/leg/arm/cheek comfortingly and let the subject drop. It all made her feel a bit nervous, but at least they didn't inquire any further.

Occasionally, Draco would glance over to her, and Kit smiled what she hoped was an apologetic smile, saying, 'Draco-I-really-don't-have-a-clue-as-to- what-happened-but-even-so-I-hope-you-didn't-get-into-trouble-please-forgive- me-it-was-another-mistake-so-I'm-sorry-okay-?'

Or something along those lines.

Draco would just glance away again.

Finally, dinner ended when the Lord of the Manor stood to make his toast to the holidays, family, and health.

Kit wondered if anyone else noticed the strain he put on 'family'.

Finally, Lucius stood, signaling the end of dinner.

About to push herself away from the table, she was shocked to find Professor Snape waiting silently at her elbow to pull out her chair.

"P-Professor Snape – I – uh – thank, thank you." She stammered as he pulled her to her feet.

Ignoring her stuttering, he leaned close to her for a moment and murmured, "We have to talk, you and I." Before she could respond, he bowed shortly and walked away, leaving Kit there to puzzle over his sentence. He had sounded... she gave a mental shrug. She couldn't place the tone of his voice.

"What on earth could cause that pretty little face of yours to furrow so?"

Kit jumped at the voice behind her and whirled to face the speaker.

Quentin Ridge smirked at her and gave a little bow. "Come now, don't do that to your face." He said cheerfully. "It is Christmas, you know."

Kit lifted an eyebrow and didn't say anything.

Sighing, Ridge began to walk behind her. "I get the distinct impression that you don't like me very much." He paused, as though waiting for affirmation. Greeted only by silence, he continued. "Why, I wondered, would that be? What on earth could I have done to earn such enmity? Then, going back to our first meeting, I decided it might be that we started off on the wrong foot. So I wondered if we could begin again. Possibly over a waltz?" He looked at her expectantly as melodic strains began to fill the hall outside the dining area.

She didn't answer.

He tried another tack. "Kaira, was it? Well then, let's pretend that we've never met before. I'll introduce myself, and you respond. Does that sound good?"

Finally, Kit looked him full in the face. "Why?" She asked. "I've already seen one of the worse sides of you, and even if we pretended, it would still be there. Besides, why would you want to get to know me, besides the obvious reasons?"

He blinked. "Well, duh. Because everyone has their bad sides. No one's exempt. Besides, everyone is always raving about Kit, how amazing she is, how she knows the best people, how she could be royalty, how mysterious she is, etc., etc. Who wouldn't want to know her?"

She gave a reluctant grin. "You make me sound like a detective style Barbie."

"Well then, could I be Ken? Seriously, though, can we start over?"

Kit gave a shrug. "I'll think about it."

Ridge grinned. "That's all I ask. I suppose I'll see you later. Save me a dance?"

Before she could answer, he turned and walked away. Once again, she was left to figure out the next order of things. Luckily, she didn't have long to wait; everyone was filing out of the dining area into what she supposed was the ballroom.

As she entered the ballroom – a huge area, gilded in gold, beige and scarlet – she was immediately approached to fill out her dance card. All of them were handsome, tall, and extremely confident; some were funny and made her laugh; others were impudent and made her angry; some were sweet and made her smile – but she didn't dance.

The good thing was that, while some finally got frustrated enough to leave, a few young men stayed around just to keep her company. They were all older, late twenties at most, and regaled her with stories of their days at Hogwarts; troubles they caused, pranks they pulled, times they got out of trouble by lying smooth as butter. Some begged her to dance with them, just once, they pleaded, but she only laughed and refused.

Finally, one youth, exhausted from his failed pleas, asked whom she was holding out for, the heir?

Unfortunately, she could not respond fast enough.

In no time, they had jostled and shoved Draco over to her circle.

"Just hurry up and get her to dance!" Someone called out.

"Yeah, we all want a turn!"

"It's not fair though, having all the money and all the ladies every year! Give us a chance next time, why don't you?"

Laughter greeted these statements, but Draco only scowled.

"Shut up, you lot." He growled.

"Ooh, the little dragon's mad!" A new voice teased.

"I don't get it, all we did was get him together with his girl of the year!"

"Oho, maybe it was a lover's spat!" Another one jibed with a wicked grin.

"With which one?"

Hoots of laughter followed the last one.

"Hey now," a different voice began, "Just because our dragon's the fastest one around doesn't mean anything about this lady, pretty as she is. So tell us," He continued earnestly, "how far have you two gotten?"

Raucous laughter met this comment, followed by more jibes, until one smooth voice pierced the noise.

"A woman's virtue is nothing to laugh at – or about." Lucius Malfoy stood behind them, cane in hand, looking every part the benevolent host. "I can assure you, Lady Kaira's virtue remains intact."

There was a short silence, punctuated by a shuffling of feet. Everyone seemed to know that whatever simple comment the Lord Malfoy said held truth; he never lied. He only twisted the truth when the need arose.

"How would he know?" A little too loud voice intoned the question in everyone's minds. There was a collective cringe of sympathy for the speaker as Lucius' eyes narrowed and swept along the boys.

"I know you, Cristos. I expect you in the lounge at the end of my party." A chill ran through the little crowd, and dread filled the surrounding persons for the young man Cristos.

"Draco!" Lucius suddenly barked out. "What, pray tell, are you doing, loitering about? As you are the one hosting the Lady Kaira for the remainder of the holidays, it is your responsibility to entertain her, and it is for you to be her opening and closing partner of the evening."

"Yes, father." Draco murmured.

"I expect to see you in the hall shortly." With that, he turned as swirled out of the room, leaving guests scrambling for their bearings in his wake.

"Yes father." Draco replied to empty air.

Straightening up, he glanced around, seemingly unaware of the uncomfortable silence.

"Well then," He began. Walking up to Kit, he took her hand and bowed over it. Hesitantly, Kit curtsied in reply.

"It will be my honor to escort you and present you this evening, and it is my honor to be chosen as your first partner of this fair eve." He recited.

Kit murmured something indistinct and allowed herself to be led to the dance hall, glancing helplessly over her shoulder at her promised dance partners.

Her first dance of the evening was swift. Draco did everything that was required, and no more. He was abrupt, polite, and distant, just as a noble should be. As soon as the music ended, he deposited her into the arms of her next dance partner.

And so it went on, until the final song was announced. It was a slow, haunting melody, melancholy, one which Kit would find replayed in her mind for days to come.

One winter, one winter

One winter gone past

A time, a song, a memory that won't last

A snowfall that melts with the first hint of light

A sleep that fades with the morning's first sight

A love, long last, that appears forever

Which seems a time infinite

Quickly recognized as never

Too soon, we find ourselves burying

That which we promised to always hold dear

And we step up out of childhood, realizing

That a memory is a memory

And a dream a dream

But when it comes to love

Nothing, not a thing, is what it seems

And so we sleep with our eyes still open

And hope and wish and pray

That one time soon our dreams and wishes will take solid form in day

Lovers, lovers

One love gone past

Into the depths of memory

Where nothing ever lasts

And each new love

Each new hope

Believes that theirs will be the one

That will go down into history

As true love's first true song

One song, one song

One song gone past

A time of when dancing made love feel strong enough to last

A time when love felt an eternity

A time when there was no such word as 'enmity'

A time when lovers whispered sweet nothings

A time before truth revealed that the memories

The moments

The times long past

The winters

The songs

And that the forevers don't always last

One time, one time

One time gone past

Hear this sad truth:

Forever does not last

Something about that song stayed with her through the night – maybe because it was the only lyrical song. Or maybe because it made her want to enjoy the present moment and not make 'forever' promises.

Hearing it had made her shiver; perhaps Draco felt it. His arms tightened around her ever so slightly as they swayed together, letting the music wash over them.

Finally, Kit spoke. "Draco, I'm sorry. I don't know what exactly happened, but I get the feeling that it wasn't for the best."

He let out a snort. "That's putting it a bit mildly." His voice softened and dropped a notch as he continued, "But I appreciate your apology."

"Forgive me?"

A smirk lit on his face. "Almost. But tell me, how did my father know to speak with such conviction?"

Pulling her head back from its resting place on his shoulder, she glanced up at him. "What are you talking about?"

"Your 'virtue'. He rarely says anything unless he's absolutely sure about it. It's hard to see how he could be so sure about that. Is he right?"

Kit made a face. "Do you seriously want to have this conversation?"

He shrugged. "Just wondering."

She snorted. "And what reason would you have to be interested?"

"Curiosity."

"It killed the cat."

"If you haven't noticed, they call me a dragon, not a kitten."

"And that matters how?"

"What were we talking about?"

"I'm not sure."

The two lapsed into silence as the song ended.

"Um. Thanks, Draco." Kit murmured as she dropped a curtsy.

Draco bowed and kissed her hand in response, leaving her skin tingling where his lips had made contact. "It was my pleasure."

Kit turned to follow Narcissa out to the foyer to help dismissing guests.

"Kit –"

She turned back at the sound of his voice.

He swallowed. "I – I'm glad you're staying the holidays. With me."

Kit allowed a tiny smile. "Me, too."

11 p.m.

Christmas.

Malfoy Hall.

"Psst! Draco!"

Quickly, he glanced around. Kit was calling him – but from where?

"Psst! Over here!"

His bracelet began to warm as he approached a pillar, trying to stroll nonchalantly through his huge home.

"Kit..." He murmured.

Hearing a giggle, he turned ever so slightly to his left, in time to see a shadow disappear.

A grin flickered across his face. "Where are you...?"

"Over here..." A whisper came from ahead of him.

"Where's here?" He asked, stepping farther down the hall.

"Shh! Here is here."

"Mmhm..." He stepped closer to the voice and heard a cloak whisper.

"Don't speak so loud; your voice will echo..." Her words rose in demonstration and the bounced down the corridor until they faded away.

"Why are you hiding?" He asked as he tried to follow her movements.

Her giggle echoed. "Because it's more fun if you find me, silly. Besides, there's a surprise if you catch me..."

A wicked grin spread across his face. "Really? Well then, that makes things ever so much more interesting."

"I know. So, come get me, slowpoke!"

"What did you say?"

"Sh! Don't be so loud!"

"Sorry. But, I know where you are."

"Yeah, right. Come find me, then. I'm over heerreee!"

Their words reverberated through the hall, punctuated by stifled laughter and hurried shushes.

Finally, Draco's hand darted out and snatched at something flicking in the shadows.

"I caught you!"

"Haha, that's what you think!" She giggled. Suddenly, Kit gave a tug and Draco stumbled into the shadow after her.

"Wh-!?"

Snow.

They were in snow.

Somehow, Kit had found a passageway from the manor to the outside, and now the two lay sprawled out in the snow, heavy white flakes falling around them.

Kit was laughing so hard, she could hardly breathe.

"W-wasn't – wasn't that worth the – the chase?" She got out between giggles.

Draco let out a surprised chuckle and gazed down at her. "Wonderful. You planned it, I assume."

"No, your father did. Of course I planned it! Sheesh!"

"Okay, okay, sorry I offended you."

"Forgiven. Now, get off me, you great lug."

It was only then that Draco realized he sprawled out on top her. Pushing himself up slightly, he stared down at her lying there. Her hair fanned out around her, a dark contrast to the flurry surrounding them, and her nose and cheeks were already pink in the cold night air. Her eyes danced with merriment, and for a moment, Draco could not think of anything or anyone more desirous.

Shocked at the thought and the realization that he didn't want to move, he stared down at her for a moment longer. Her lips, currently pink, looked full and inviting against her pale face... they were so close already... all he needed to do was lean forward, just the littlest bit... and...

Snow filled his face.

"Wh- what?!" He spluttered as he rolled away.

Kit was laughing uncontrollably. "I –I'm s-sorry, Draco – it – you were too much to resist!" She gasped and collapsed into giggles again.

Finally, the shock wore off, and indignance set in.

"You think this is funny?" He spluttered, wiping snow off his neck.

"Hilarious! I mean, honestly Draco, haven't you ever had a snowball fight?" She replied, wiping a tear from her face.

"Well then," a grin began to pull at his face, "I suppose this might be... humorous, as well." With that, he tossed a fist full of snow onto her face, just as she stood up, leaving her mouth open in shock.

"No. Way. You did not just do that."

"Oh, but I believe I did." He countered smoothly.

"Well then. There's only one thing I can do."

"What, build a fort and beg forgiveness?"

"Nope. Prepare yourself... for retaliation!"

A perfectly packed snowball exploded in his face, followed by another to his chest and stomach.

And so, the snowball fight began.

Somewhere along the way, Draco managed to unearth his broomstick and take an unfair advantage from the sky, but a well-aimed snowball sent him crash landing, and his Nimbus Two Thousand and One changed ownership.

Instead of soaring up high and terrorizing him from the sky, Kit skimmed the top of the snowbanks, piling it in her hand as she flew, then hissing up to dump it down his back.

Unfortunately, flying so low had its disadvantages.

Kit was zooming up to Draco, lying flat out on the broom, expecting to pelt him as he dove out of the way to either side... but instead, Draco fell on his back, and before Kit could veer up, he latched onto the broom and went along for the ride before scooting up and dumping snow down her back.

The sudden cold was like a mini blizzard down her shirt, and the next moment, the broom headed down, down, down... into a snow bank.

Screams, laughter and shouts silenced for a moment.

Then -

"Mmph."

A hand reached up from the broken snow, and slowly, a body emerged, followed by another.

At first, there was silence, besides the two's ragged breathing as they stared at each other. Then a shaky laughter.

Within moments, their tears were freezing to their faces from their mirth, and, a bit unsteadily, they climbed to their feet, broom in tow.

Several minutes later, the two, pajama clad, were sitting in front of a large fire, sipping hot cocoa.
"Wow," Draco heaved a sigh. "That was great. You know, I've never done that before?"

"What, been bested by a girl?"

He made a face. "Haha. Who said you won anyway? I thought we decided it was a draw. I mean, come on, that corkscrew rapid fire of mine was genius!"

"Yeah, well, what haven't you ever done?"

Draco flapped his hand. "That!"

Kit snorted. "What, a snowball fight?"

"Exactly."

For a moment, she stared at him. "You've got to be kidding." She said finally. "How can you never have been in a snowball fight?"

"Well, it's not like this area is teeming with young offspring. Most residents look on children as a burden, unless they are to carry on their family lineage."

Kit glanced at him doubtfully. "You can't be serious." She said, uncertainty tingeing her voice. "Can you? I mean, I know some people who don't like kids and all... but, to have them just for –" She took a moment to grapple for the word – "– historical purposes? That's like breeding horses! You can't be serious."

For a moment, his face seemed to harden. "Yes, I can be." He countered softly. "What do you think I am?"

Kit sucked her breath in between her teeth. "Don't say that. You can't know that."

Draco laughed softly. "Oh really? You haven't been listening to my parents, then. My mother never wanted to get pregnant – but my father didn't have any siblings, so he was the last hope of our 'line'. So, he tricked my mother – he told me she was so drunk she didn't know if an hour had passed or a day. In a way, I was some practical joke, I guess, with a tiny bit of gravity to it." He smiled thinly. "And that is how I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, came to being."

Kit was silent for a moment. Then, setting her mug down on a table, she leant over and hugged him.

Shocked, Draco went rigid. "What –" He swallowed "– what was that for?"

Kit shrugged and pulled away slightly to lean her head on his shoulder. "Just because. You needed it."

Weirdo101 I seriously and sincerely thank you for your sympathies, and yes, I am now HEALED! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!! WATCH OUT, WORLD, I HAVE LOST TIME TO MAKE UP FOR!!!! ahem. Yeah. So, um, thanks for being one of the few who actually realized that I replaced my author's note with an actual chapter... heesh

Escaped Don't worry, everything will be explained in due time – every single, miniscule mystery. Heehee. And yes, I sincerely believe that death by humiliation is a totally possible form of dying. And if anyone is confused by Ridge's seeming turnabout, don't worry, as I said, every single, miniscule mystery will be revealed. Patience is key, unfortunately... hmm...