Rebecca George lay on her stomach, on her bed in the Ravenclaw dormitory. She was talking to her friend Ling-So about the up coming Yuletide Ball for the sixth and seventh year students at Hogwards. "Who are you going with Becky? I heard that Attilius asked you to the ball."

"I'm not going with him, he's a twat. I want someone else to ask me."

"Who? Go on tell me I'm your best friend." Becky started twisting the ends of her hair around her finger and smiled mysteriously.

"I want HIM to take me."

"You'll have to be more specific then that. I got the general idea that it would be a boy."

"He's tall, good looking and has really nice blue eyes."

"Well that narrows it down to about 1/3 of the school."

"Okay, okay. He sits next to me in Defense Against the Dark Arts." Ling-So's mouth dropped open. "Do close your mouth, it's not at all becoming."

"I can't believe that you want Draco MALFOY to take you to the ball."

"Why not? I like him? He stuck up for me in the lesson and he lets me share his book. Plus he's gorgeous and a great Quidditch player. They beat Gryffindor this year, Potter's face was class."

"He's in Slytherin and a future Death Eater."

"Shut up. There's no proof for that. And I don't believe it."

'If you say so. He's still not going to ask you though."

"Thank you for shattering my hopes. Pray, tell me my omnipotent friend, why wont he ask me?"

"Because you are a) not a pure blooded witch, b) he will go with that Parkinson girl who's been telling everyone that they're engaded and c) because he's a predjudiced git."

"He's not. Well, we'll see, maybe I"ll ask him. By the way do you know where he's been the last three days?"

"I heard some of the teachers talking and they said he was in the hospital wing. Don't know why though."

'I'll go visit him then. He's probably feeling really miffed at having missed Christmas."

"Alright, but don't come crying to me afterwards."

Becky made her way to the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey didn't notice her until she cleared her throat; she was so busy bustling about grumbling to herself.

"What is it dear?"

'I was wondering if I could see Draco by any chance."

"I don't know. I'll have to ask him if he feels up to having visitors." Madame Pomfrey went into the separate room she had given Draco for some privacy. "Are you awake Draco?" He opened his eyes.

"I feel better now. I didn't think I'd regenerate that quickly."

"It's because of what you are. The deep wounds will take a little more time to heal and you'll probably be left with a scar over your eye and one on your leg but otherwise things should be ok. There's someone to see you."

"Who'd want to see me?"

"It's a Ravenclaw girl. She wants to visit you. Do you feel up to it?"

"Yeah. You can send her in." When Rebecca entered, Draco had pushed himself up on his elbows.

"Hi. How are you feeling?"

"I've had better days definitely."

"What happened?"

"I fell down a load of stairs and into a rather disgruntled knight." Rebecca had to chuckle at that.

"I brought you a chocolate frog, since you missed Christmas I mean. I know it's not much but…"

"Thank you. That's really nice of you." Draco said before Becky could ramble on.

"Are you going to be able to go to the ball?"

"Yes, Madame Pomfrey said I'll be fine. I'll probably wont dance much though, I hurt my leg."

"So wont your partner be upset?"

"What Partner?"

"The girl you're taking to the ball."

"I'm not taking anyone."

"Would you go with me then?" Becky blurted out. Draco looked at her then raised an eyebrow, trying to see if she was serious.

"Alright."

"You serious?"

"Yes. I'll pick you up at nine outside your common room. Ok?"

"Yes ok. See you them. I hope you get better soon." The other students returned two days later and Draco had been released from the hospital wing. He was now busily avoiding Pansy, whom he had told that he wasn't taking her to the ball. She was still throwing a fit and shriek at him every time she saw him. Pansy was determined to find Draco but not as determined as Draco was to avoiding her. So it came that the evening of the ball, Draco was getting ready. He pulled out his dress robes. His father had, had them made as a special present for him. They were a deep midnight blue, with a silver trim and a silver dragon embroidered on one sleeve. He did his hair, thankful for the gel that Tony had send via Draco's owl for Christmas. He gelled his fringe, so it partially covered the scar over his left eye. At nine he was waiting in front of the Ravenclaw common room and receiving some rather suspicious and odd looks. When Becky came out at last, Draco breath caught in his throat. She looked stunning, wearing deep red dress robes which fitted her snugly. Her hair was pulled out of her face by four tiny braids that had been fastened at the back of her head in an intricate design. This left the rest of her wavy brown her to spill over her shoulders. He offered her his arm, rendered absolutely speechless for the moment. The Great Hall was crowded, especially the dance floor and Rebecca and Draco had sat down for a drink and some small talk.

"So what's your family like?"

"Well mom's a muggle and dad's a wizard. He didn't tell her until they were married."

"Why?"

"Because he thought she wouldn't marry him if she knew that he was what she would call 'queer'."

"Oh. Muggles are funny."

"So, what about your parents?"

"What about them?"

"How did they meet?"

"It was arranged."

"So they don't love each other?" Draco shrugged his shoulders.

"They like each other, I think. Mother did what was expected of her and had an heir and now she spends all her time at parties or getting ready for them."

'Don't you mind?"

"No. Why should I? I had my father."

"What's your father really like?"

"Do you want to dance?"

"What?" Now if that wasn't abruptly changing the subject, Becky didn't know what was.

"Do you want to dance?"

"Your leg alright?"

"Yes, it's fine." So they danced, first the fast dances and as the evening wore on they became slower. They were dancing close now and Becky rested her head on Draco's shoulder. He felt good, happy like he'd never done before. He lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes. He really wanted to kiss her, more than anything else. Would she mind? She was much nicer then Pansy and they got on well. He bend his head slightly, she closed her eyes.

"THE WAR HAS BEGUN!" A shout from the other side of the hall drew their attention. There stood a very disheveled looking Snape. "The war has begun." He repeated. "We have to expect an attack soon.

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Kanui d'Astor: I'm glad you enjoy it. Thanks for your constant reviewing, it definitely keeps me writing. Please recommend to anyone you think will like it.

Rena Lupin : Can't kill Harry, have something much better in mind for him evil laugh

all : excuse the smoochiness in this chapter but it just had to be.