AN-so??? How'd you like the previous chapter??? Weird? Sudden? Yeah, I thought that too! I noticed something about my story just of late. I made snape the potions master when slughorn was the potion master. Whoops! I left out that bit!!! Sorry! But then again, it goes with my story, so I guess its ok!

Draco watched Ella hover over Pansy, making sure she ate properly, exercised and was very careful. She was obviously taking a lot on herself. Ella opened her mouth to say something to Pansy, but Draco cut her off. "Why don't you rest, Ella. You must be tired. I'll take care of my cousin," he said, with a warm smile. "Oh no, it's ok. Pansy needs to go to bed…" she started. Draco frowned at her, and she sighed. "Fine, MOM," she muttered, but Draco could tell she didn't mind at all.

"Pansy!!!! Wake up! Its christmas!!!!!" said Ella grinning wide as she woke up the slytherin girl. Draco chuckled as he strolled down, still in his boxers. "Morning Draco!" said Ella, smiling at him, but blushed when she noticed he was only in his boxers. Ella had warmed up to him after they had a nice discussion about why he had become a death eater, and Ella realized that Draco didn't want to be one, but was forced to do it for the sake of his family. Ella understood that, and she would have done it to protect her family too. It wasn't like how it was earlier, they still bickered, but it was in a more friendly way. Draco chuckled at her reaction. "What's wrong, sugar? I think I look quite dashing in my boxers. Don't you?" he said, smirking. "Don't even go there, Draco Hyperion Malfoy," she warned. Draco flinched, and nodded. She only used his full name when she was serious. And he didn't want to get up close and personal with her fists.

Ella seemed extremely excited when she was opening her presents. "You look like you've won a lottery," said Draco, chuckling quietly. "Look!!! This is from Fred and George!" she said, refering to her favourite Weaslys. Draco eyed the package with precaution. "Are you sure that things safe?" he said, and Ella nodded, grinning. Then she slowly went through her presents. She had gotten a huge package of Weasly merchandise, a beautiful gown from her mother (a silvery try to put it up on profile), a thick book of stories from her father, a silver coloured sweater from Molly, a complimentary pack of chocolates from honeydukes (she was hooked to sweets now that she and Draco were friends again), and a few items from Harry, Ron and Hermoine. Finally her eyes rested on the package that Draco had gotten her. It was shabbily wrapped, with a green ribbon. She opened it, and gasped. "Oh my god!" she whispered, and sent Draco a knowing look. She knew he had snt it, but said nothing about it since Pansy was there. He smiled at her and nodded.

Draco went through his presents. There was nothing great in it, he seemed completely disinterested. There was a small envelope that caught his eye. It said, "Read when alone." He sent Ella a knowing smirk and went up to read it.

Dear Draco,

Where do I start? I guess I want to wish you a merry Christmas. After all, it's the first one we're spending as friends, right? So it's special. I guess now is a good time to tell you how much I've missed being with you. I guess my anger got the better of me, and I am sorry about that. It wasn't your fault. And I know you're gonna tell me, 'Ella, it's not your fault either. You didn't know!' it's been a year, hasn't it? Since we first fought. Lol. I guess we still do, that won't change. Its weird, isn't it? The gryffindor Princess and the Slytherin Prince are friends. Ironic…sigh. Christmas is going to be fun with you Draco, I can feel it. Sometimes I wish that the others were here, but I guess there isn't anything I can do about it. I should tell you how happy I am now too. There aren't words in the English language that can describe it, actually. Its weird isn't it? Of the million words in the English language, the words that you really need to express yourself are never there! I wasn't sure what to get you, but I think I have a good idea of what you might like. Meet me at the Astronomy tower tonight. Can't have Pansy listening in on our heart-to-heart conversations, now can we. Blaise has agreed to take care of her while we're gone. Please come, Draco! Or the curiosity might just kill you! ;)

Love,

Ella Blackwate – Friend and confidante to Draco Malfoy

Draco grinned like a kid who had just been given a box of chocolate. Maybe today…just maybe he'd tell her the way he felt. He had to protect her from all those hungry boys, after all. He let his fingers gently touch the place where she had written "Love Ella". And he felt all leftover ice that covered his heart thaw away, and his heart started beating to the rythme of Ella's voice.

That Night-

Draco climbed up the stairs. Finally he reached the top of the tower, where he saw Ella watching the stars. He knew she hadn't heard him. He smirked, and snuck near her, and gently slipped his arms around her, gently kissing her neck, darting his tongue over the skin. She gasped, and turned, only to notice how close her lips were to Draco's. "Um-hi!" she said, her voice slightly squeky. "Hey. So? Why'd you call me?" he said, grinning at how he had effected her. "Um-here!!! They are chocolate truffles! I made them!" she said, her voice normal again. Draco opened the box, and he saw the snitch shaped chocolates. He popped one into his mouth and it melted instantly. "Its really good, Ella. Thanks," he said, smiling at her, and kept them at the table near him.

Then he smiled at her, his arms pulling her closer. "So what were you thinking about?" he said, and gently pushed her against the wall, leaning towards her. She smiled, but her eyes kept darting to his lips, a movement he noticed. "Nothing really. Just what would happen to me after the war. I would probably go back to rule Italy," she said, trying to control her voice as she felt his breath against her lips. "Hm. Why though? You could stay with me," he said. "Hm? You have to get married and have children, I have to go home to rule a country," she pointed out their responsibility. "We can do both you know," he muttered, and kissed her.

He wasted no time in molding his lips against hers. He hungrily attacked her lips, as her hands slipped around his neck, and into his hair. He moaned into her lips. She smirked slightly and he licked her lips urgently, asking for enterance. She allowed him in, and also allowed him to win this time. He let his hand slip under her shirt, and she tensed, but the way he carressed her skin made her moan. He chuckled and seperated, kissing the delicate spot of her neck. "Stop, Draco," she whispered, and he immediately stopped. "Sorry if I crossed my boundaries," he said, looking her straight in her eyes. She smiled. "The kissing I didn't mind. But we shouldn't go too far, you know. We may not be able to control ourselves," she pointed out in her intelligent manner. He smiled widely and said, "What does this make us, Ella?" Ella smiled widely. "What do you want us to be?" "I want you to be my girlfriend." "Then that's what I am. But, I have a small request to ask of you." "Name it."

"I want you to give up your death eater status."