A/N: Reposted 10/21/07. As with all my reposts, all the important content has remained the same. Just some details, typos and grammar was changed.

The Malfoy Manor was the dark twin of her own home. The architectural style was nearly identical between the two, having been built in the same period; but where Bellmonte Manor had cream marble and warm woods, Malfoy Manor was built entirely from pure black stone and silver. Thus, unimpressed by the imposing façade, Alex stepped lightly up the stairs, her port-key gallon slipping into an inner pocket. A human servant, opened the front door for her. Alex twitched slightly at the showy display of wealth among those with ready access to House elves, then considered the source. Mentally rolling her eyes she handed off her cloak. Relieved from the length of silk Alex unobtrusively settled her strapless, dark green gown before moving confidently forward into the three-story entry hall. She caught a glimpse of someone else slipping away into the next room as she approached Lucius and Narcissa and curtsied.

"My Lord, Lady Aunt. My parents send their regrets. They had unavoidable business and will arrive later."

"Understandable." Lucius was as imperturbable as ever. She barely spared his mask-like face a glance.

"Draco's inside, Alexa," Narcissa added, shooing her along.

If she hadn't known better she'd have said they didn't want to have to bother themselves with her. She rolled her eyes for real as she obediently stepped into the ballroom. She didn't know any better.

Whatever else she would've thought on the subject vanished into the cosmos as the decor hit her head on. The inside of the massive ballroom was completely different than usual. To put a fine point on it, everything, absolutely everything, inanimate was made of silver. Even the walls were covered in silver woven cloth. And Alex had no doubt most all of it was real.

She was suddenly glad she'd chosen dark green with black accents for her outfit. Anything more cheerful, and thus more suited to the summer setting, would've clashed badly. In fact, as she scanned the crowd, Alex noted that just about everyone but her was clashing to one degree or another.

Pansy walked up to her as she stood, observing the crowd. "It's so cute!" she exclaimed mockingly, her eyebrow up. "You and Draco. But really, Alex, I expected you to be more subtle at least."

Before Alex could demand to know what the hell she was talking about Pansy had disappeared into the crush, leaving behind a faint feeling of unease. It was only an empty revenge to notice that Pansy's yellow gown looked particularly horrendous against the silver.

Cautiously weaving her way into the crush, Alex spotted Draco and immediately understood Pansy's comment. Draco was dressed in crisp black pants and a loose set of dress robes. Underneath was a tight, pressed shirt in a deep green the exact shade of her gown. It seemed, to all appearances, as if they'd chosen to wear accenting outfits, hers deep green with black, Draco's black with green. Sighing, Alex changed her course and moved towards him with a shake of her head. The better to get this over with quickly.

"Draco. Good evening."

He looked up and smiled. Alex felt her mouth curving into a matching grin. She firmly fought the compulsion. The smooth idiot.

"Good evening, Alex. How are you?"

"I'm quite well. And you?"

"Looking forward to school. Alex, you know the Detharts, don't you?" Apparently remembering his social duty, Draco gestured to his three companions.

"Not as well as I'd like." Alex offered the other girl her hand. "Tania, correct?"

"Yeah, she doesn't get out a lot." Falon interjected himself into the conversation.

Tania quietly shook Alex's hand. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Bellmonte," she said softly.

"Oh please." Alex smiled at the younger girl. "Call me Alex. It's a shame I haven't met you before. I'll have to start asking my parents to invite you specifically to our gatherings."

Falon hid a flash of anger, but wasn't quite fast enough about it. Hunter just looked grateful. Alex came to the conclusion that it wasn't Tania's own choice that kept her close to home.

Tania inclined her head gracefully towards Alex but said nothing.

"You really needn't trouble yourself, Alex," Falon said, all smoothness and slime.

"Oh don't worry, Falon. I never do anything that troubles me." Alex used her intense dislike of Falon to put a mental marker on the 'Invite-Tania' thought. If Falon had just kept his mouth shut she might have forgotten. Now, however, she'd do just about anything to get Tania to put in an appearance at whatever social engagements she thought she could get away with. Just out of spite.

"It's true." Draco confirmed, carefully filing away the entire scene for future use. "She's quite self-gratifying mostly."

"Well, someone has to do it for me." Alex shrugged off Draco's comment. "I might as well stick to someone I know I can trust to do it right."

Hunter chuckled. Alex suddenly realized that the Detharts were watching the conversation avidly. Glancing at Draco she saw that he'd come to the same conclusion.

"So, Pansy approached me as I came in. Seems to think our outfits were 'cute', Draco." Alex abruptly changed the topic, not wanting her and Draco's feud to become public if it didn't need to.

"Why?" Draco all but sneered.

"Cause they are."

Alex barely heard Tania's whisper but it seemed everyone else had caught it too. She glanced over at the girl but before she could do anything Falon casually laid a hand on Tania's shoulder. The girl paled, the lack of blood in her face emphasizing the deep red of her gown. Hunter subtly tensed.

Alex laughed lightly. "The girl speaks truth." Stepping forward she threw an arm around Tania's shoulders, 'accidentally' dislodging Falon in the process. "Pansy said they were cute, Draco cause they are. Deal with it."

Draco contented himself with a second long withering glare before putting on his Society Face again. "Well, if you three think them cute who am I to argue?"

"Never argue with women, Draco. You'll live longer." Alex grinned and turned to her companion. "Care to mingle with me, Tania?"

Alex saw Hunter place a hand on his brother's shoulder, as casually as Falon had a moment before. This time it was Falon who tensed, but much more visibly.

"I'd hate to impose." Tania continued to be soft spoken.

Alex sighed dramatically. "What is with people thinking I'm doing them favors?! Alexandria Bellmonte does not do charity! Come on, Tani. Let's ditch these boys."

A look of utter astonishment crossed Tania's face before she regained control of her features. "If you put it that way I'd be delighted."

"Good. Now you boys play nice. I'll bring your sister back in mostly one piece." Alex waved a hand over her shoulder at the group she'd just left.

"Draco, what do you think you're doing?!" Alex glanced around at the long dim hallway that ran along the top edge of the entry hall ceiling. "Why did you need to talk to me up here?" She pulled futilely against his grip on her wrists. Draco had approached her in the ballroom moments before and asked for a private word. It seemed his idea of a private word involved imprisoning her hands.

"Alex." Draco stopped and turned to face her, light glinting off his pale gray eyes. Before she could speak again he stepped close and kissed her. Alex stumbled back and found her spine pressed against the black wood molding on the wall. Draco kept pace with her and the kiss never faltered. As she rapidly ran out of oxygen and recovered her wits, what was happening found its way into her brain. Yanking at his tightening grip on her left hand, Alex got it loose and raked her nails across his neck. He leapt back with a yell.

"What the hell…?!" His gaze was pure venom.

"Draco Malfoy. If you ever touch me again I won't just scratch your neck I will slit it! From ear to ear!" Alex raced for the staircase, groping in her pocket for her galleon. Once her feet found the floor of the entry hall she looked around for the servant. He was nowhere in sight. From behind her she heard Draco start down the stairs. Giving her cloak up as lost she held up the gold coin and clearly pictured her bedroom. The feeling of a sharp yank formed behind her navel and the world blurred.

When it settled Alex found herself in her own bedroom. She tossed the now useless galleon onto her desk, it only had magic enough to last for two trips, and she'd used up both getting to and from the Malfoys. Striding over to her door she shut, locked and activated its silence spells. That done Alex threw herself onto her bed and dug her fingers into her hair.

A/N: I originally thought it worked better if I split the reactions into a new chapter. Since I'm not doing that much editing it is still in that format.