Disclaimer: I do not own Draco Malfoy, or any other licensed Harry Potter characters, creatures, spells…etc. All are copyright J.K. Rowling.

Note: The chapters in this story I originally had on Quizilla so there are far more there. Rachel, while a creation of my own, is meant to be the reader of the story… if that makes any sense… So I would appreciate all you Mary Sue hounds to take note of that. If you would like the link to my quizilla page, put your email in a review and ask me, I will be more than happy to reply! 

Rachel Black pulled the black velvet blanket closer over her shoulders, fighting off the bitter January winds that crept through the agape window.

"Rachel, child, wake-up!" A tall man in concealing black and grey robes opened the door and commanded of her in a loud whisper.

"Mmm… Father? What time is it?" She sat up groggily, pulling the covers around her chest.

"It's nearly eight in the morning, Rachel, and I'm sorry to wake you up on a Sunday, but we have the ball tonight and you're to be ready by three." Regulus Black's voice usually sounded harsh and cold, yet had an unusually pleasant and warm tone when he was speaking to his daughter.

"Of course, Father. I will get ready." She smiled and he smiled back, closing the door behind himself. Rachel scrunched her toes on the blue and grey oriental rug of the guestroom she was staying in. She slipped her feet into warm, black slippers and made her way across the stone floor. It figured that the Malfoy family would have dungeon-like guest rooms. There was already a warm bath waiting for her. "Courtesy of a house elf, of course." She slipped out of her nightgown and placed her right foot in the water to test. "They always do their jobs well." After washing, she changed into the outfit laid out for her by Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy; an elegant black dress with deep green accents, and proceeded to ready herself when someone came into the bathroom.

"Why Rachel, dear, you look absolutely lovely in that gown." "Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy." Rachel smiled politely at her.

"Allow me, will you? I haven't had the fortune of dressing a daughter of my own." She took the carved silver brush from Rachel's hands and brushed through the seventeen year-olds long black hair. "Are you looking forward to the ball?"

"Yes, I am." She lied. Rachel wasn't one for boring balls where they danced, ate, and spoke properly. She would much rather be head banging to the Weird Sisters in jeans and boots.

"If you'll excuse me, dear, the guests will be arriving soon. Lucius and Draco should be returning to the manor any moment now, I shall send Draco up as soon as he is ready." Rachel thanked Narcissa and sat back on the bed, pulling her shoes to her side and slipping them on. Draco Malfoy. She hadn't seen him in years, not since she was 10. Because she lived so far away, Rachel had previously attended Beauxbatons School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, while Draco went to Hogwarts. Now, both had graduated from school and were starting new, adult lives.

Rachel sighed, not knowing how much he could have changed in all those years. She was worried that he would be a jerk, or an idiot, or just plain annoying. She didn't have long to wonder when a knock came at the door.

'Finally! SOMEONE knocks!' She thought. "Who's there?" Her voice carried through the door.

"Rachel Black? Are you in there? It's Draco Malfoy, Mother and Father say that I am to escort you to dinner."

"Come in." She stood up as the doorknob turned.