Part XII

The term, as it were, flew past in record time. Three months seemed like merely days. Although, for Draco it seemed the fates were out to get him. He still refused to believe that Hermione Granger was his life mate. It was unfathomable. Preposterous. Idiotic. His father would not be happy. And his ancestors? Rolling in their expensive and regal graves. Besides, she'd never forgive him for being a major prat to her for the past five years.

The Slug Club. It was the one thing Blaise would not just let go. The weeks in between the night the new Potions professor was introduced and the beginning of December were... Interesting to say the least. The Slug Club, a special and singled out batch of students that looked as if they held potential or had influential relatives. One could have questioned.

''Potter, of course, was invited to the Christmas party.'' he complained to Draco, Adrian and the girls, who were waiting for Hermione to arrive. It seemed, as of late, the Chosen One and the ever blundering sidekick took to ignoring Hermione more often.

Cassie was casually leaning against the table, Adrian was searching for books, Draco had his head on the table and Blaise was sitting on said table when Hermione found them. ''Shut it, Blaise.'' she reprimanded as she sat on the chair next to Draco. ''I don't want to hear it.''

''Bad day?'' Adrian asked as he rounded the corner and bumped into Cassie, running his fingertip along her arm. She covered up a slight shudder at the contact as he placed the books down.

''Bloody twat'' Hermione said loud enough for the group to hear. Never in their wildest thought would they think the Miss Hermione Granger could utter a curse word. ''Where does he get off telling me not to hang out with Slytherins when he and Ginerva are off snogging in an abandoned classroom. And when Ronald isn't playing chess, stuffing his face or talking about Quidditch; he's exchanging saliva with that slag.''

''Well, looks like dinner is a lost cause now.'' Draco mumbled. He really didn't need those images floating in his head.

''Excuse me, while I vomit.'' Hermione said getting up only to move to a desolate corner and vomit in a conjured dust bin. With a quick 'Evanesco' both dust bin and contents were eradicated from sight, she popped a piece of gum in her mouth on the way back to the table. ''Ugh.''

''Not to be a downer.'' Lyra said, ''Potions with Sluggy.'' Usually the double potions session was bearable, by that was when Snape was taking it. The whole table heaved sigh of resignation.

''Ugh.'' Blaise said in disgust. ''Ten Galleons says that there'll be an announcement about another slug club meeting. Or worse, a Christmas shin dig.''

Just as Blaise predicted, Slughorn had invited Potter, the Weasley girl, himself and Hermione. A Christmas party. Although, a dinner function was to be held a week before Christmas. After the class Hermione was walking down the dungeon halls when suddenly an arm snaked out and grabbed her by the waist. It pulled her into a deserted classroom. ''What the hell, Mione?'' the person who she finally realised was Harry, said. ''What is wrong with you! Seamus saw you hanging around with Slytherins in the library. Are we not your friends?'

''FRIENDS?'' ''FRIENDS DON'T IGNORE EACH OTHER! YOU EXPECT US,'' she paused and gesture between them ''TO STILL BE FRIENDS WHEN YOU BLATANTLY SNOGGED GINNY IN FRONT OF ME?'' she paused again to take a calming breath and begin with a lower register. ''It might not have occurred to you, but those Slytherins you speak of seem to know my moods better than you and Ronald do. Maybe that's because they're not off snogging girls in classrooms or broom closets.'' Not letting him speak, she stormed out of the room in a huff.

She stormed through the castle and up to the Astronomy Tower where she calmed down further. Summoning some parchment and a quill she wrote several notes. One to Blaise and one to Harry. Once her thoughts subsided, she allowed her mind stray to thoughts of the strange behaviour of Theodore Nott. Minutes later another note was folded and sent zooming to the Slytherin dorms. Destined for the 7th year boys room.

Meanwhile, the boys sat in the common room with their backs facing the portrait hole. Not turning around when they heard Salazar complain about unworthy students sending things flying through him. It was no surprise that they scratched their heads in annoyance as letters unceremoniously poked them relentlessly. Grumbling unintelligably, the retrieved their respective letters; Adrian, completely content that a letter was not festering him.

Blaise summoned one of his quills and penned a short response, sending the note speeding off once again. He had written:

Taking Lyra to the Christmas party. Be safe, don't let Potter get to you.

-B

Draco, who had a look of surprise and an indignant put-upon expression on his face. ''It seems She just asked me to Slughorn's party.'' Blaise and Adrian smirked at him before he continued. ''On a much sombre note, it seems we are not the only one's to notice Nott's strange behavior.'' that sent the room into a uncommon silence, each to their own thoughts.

Much the same was happening in the Gryffindor boys dorms. The letter landed on Harry's lap softly as he was playing a losing game of wizards chess with Ron. It said that she had noticed something 'off' with Theodore Nott. They had to meet up and discuss things; along with some kind of warning to check his mail at all times. However, this did not mean she was forgiving him.

The next day found Harry and Hermione in the library whispering covertly behind a thick textbook until she stood up to place her books back. Walking through the hallways of the library and stopping at a certain shelf she began talk.

''You're at perfect liberty to kiss whoever you like.'' she said as she let a book hover in mid air, walking away as it reshelved itself. ''I don't care. Was I unerring the impression that we'd be attending Slughorn's christmas party together? Yes. But now given the circumstances, I've had to make other arrangements.''

''Hermione, I'm sorry.'' he apologized again for the pain he had caused. ''I'm not taking Ginny, it seems. Ron's making sure of that. Well, who are you going with?''

''Uhm..'' she trailed of awkward replacing another book. ''It's a surprise. Anyway, it's you we've got to worry about. You can't just take anyone.'' by this time they had stopped at the end of an isle ad lent on opposite benches, facing each other.

To continue her lecture she mover to his right and stood infront of him. ''See that girl over there?'' she asked nodding her head towards the girl sitting by the window directly in front of Harry. ''That's Romilda Vane. Apparently she's trying to smuggle you a love potion.''

''Really?'' he asked. Harry peered over Hermione's shoulder looking rather smug with himself he was pulled out of his momentary lapse when Hermione snapped her finger in his face. ''Oi, she's only interested in you because she thinks you're the chosen one.''

''But I am the chosen one.'' he said cockily. This caused Hermione to pick up parchment sitting in her palm and slap him over the head with it. ''Ok, sorry. Um, kidding.'' he said wincing from the hit. ''I'll ask someone I like, someone cool.''

it was the night of the party and Lunatics who wore a pinkish layered dress with grey translucent stockings and matching heels, stood at the end of the doorway leading to Professor Slughorn's party venue. She heard the soft tap of male dress shoes on the floor behind her as she stood there fidgeting with her hands. It was Harry, decked out in black formal dress robes.

''I've never been to this part of the castle'' Lunatics admired airily. ''At least not while awake. I sleepwalk, you see. That's why I wear shoes to bed.'' Without noticing, they had passed a very stressed and very morose looking Theodore Nott sitting by the steps next to the corridor.

Several minutes later said Slytherin found himself staring at the blank wall on the seventh floor. Closing his eyes he called for the room of hidden things. A door appeared soon after, pulling it open and entering whilst watching for any onlookers; he began to search out the object of his mission. Revealing a ancient black Vanishing cabinet by pulling a rather old and dusty cloak off of it he looked at it in awe.

Placing a green apple in the cabinet he closed the door and whispered a spell. Reopening the door he found it had disappeared. Repeating the same mantra and actions another time, he found that the apple reappeared with a bite taken from it. Picking it up, he inspected it.

On her way to the dungeons to pick up her friends, Hermione bumped into a rather over-enthusiastic Normal McLaggen. The said boy flirted outrageously until Draco had found the two and shooed McLaggen off with a flick of his wrist.

Making their way to the party a comfortable silence surrounded the atmosphere. reaching the doors, Blaise took the left door and Draco the right. Opening it just enough to allow their dates through the boys smiled at the blushes that adorned Lyra and Hermione's faces.

The room was understated yet elegant. Gold and silver material was used as drapes, pulled back with back satin elders. For each pillar or corner in the room, a set of drawn back drapes hung off it elegantly.

Standing in the middle, having his photograph taken with Professor Slughorn, was Harry. Neville who wore a white and black butlers uniform came up behind Harry and offered the latter a drink. Turning the offered down Harry spotted Hermione slipping through the flimsy material leading to the balcony.

Following her he began talking to her. ''Hermione, what are you doing? And what happened to you?''

She replied in puffy voice, ''Oh, I've just escaped. I mean I left Cormac up at the mistletoe.'' finishing off awkwardly.

''Cormac, that who invited?'' Harry asked in an incredulous tone.

''No, I invited Draco. He's with Blaise now.'' she said keeping an eagle eye out for Cormac. ''I was the most sensible thing to do since Draco and I are friends.''

Hermione ignored Harry's glare. ''He's got more tentacles than a Snarfalump plant.'' she said as a waited came with a plate of food. ''Dragon Tartar?'' he asked

Both Hermione and Harry declined with a shake of their head. ''Just as well, they give one horribly bad breath.'' he said in an amused tone.

''On second thought, it might keep Cormac at bay.'' she said grabbing the plate of the appetizers. ''God, here he comes.'' she ducked underneath the veil after she handed Harry the plate, making a quick escape.

The strapping boy had found his way to Harry and began to chat with the bespectacled boy. ''I think she just went to powder her nose.'' he said handing the plate of food to McLaggen.

''SLippery jinx, you friend is. Nice to work her mouth too.'' the sandy haired boy said as she crammed a bunch of Dragon Tartar balls in his mouth. ''What is it that I'm eating by the way?''

''Dragon balls.'' Harry stated as McLaggen went a green colour just as Snape stood before him. He vomited on the professor rather unceremoniously. ''You've just bought yourself a months detention, McLaggen.'' the Potions Master drawled. ''Not so fast, Potter.'' she scolded as Harry attempted to slip away.

''Sir, I really think I should rejoin the party. My date..'' he trailed off searching for Luna in the crowd of students.

''..can surely survive your absence for another minute or two. Besides I only wish to convey a message.'' The Death Eater turned spy drawled.

''A message?'' asked Harry.

''From Professor Dumbledore.'' Snape drawled yet again. He asks me to give you his best and he hopes you enjoy your holidays. You see, he's travelling. And he won't return until term resumes.''

''Travelling where?'' Harry asked more panicked this time. His question was only answer by a blank stare. Snape then walked away without another word.

There was a rukus at the door, Argus Filch walked in manhandling Theodore Nott. ''Get your hands of me, you filthy squib.'' the boy who was dressed in a black suit said as she was being hauled in by the collar of his coat.

Hermione caught sight and nudged Draco. ''Nott.'' she said simply.

''Professor Slughorn, sir.'' the caretaker began in his scratchy voice. ''I just discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party.''

Draco inspected Nott's expression carefully. Fear and disgust apparent on his face. ''okay, okay!'' Theo interrupted loudly. ''I was gatecrashing. Happy?''

''I'll escort him out.'' Snape stepped forward and glared at the brunette Slytherin boy.

''Certainly,'' the student sneered. ''Professor.''

Slipping out after informing Hermione and Blaise, Draco followed Nott and his Head of House but the door discreetly until he was told to show himself.

'Maybe I did hex that Bell girl. Maybe I didn't. What's it to you?'' Nott said agitated before Snape pushed him against the corridor wall, Draco did nothing to stop it. Draco stood behind the professor smirking at his fellow Slytherin.

''I swore to protect you.''he held his wand against the student's throat. ''I took the Wizard's oath.''

''I don't need protection. I was chosen for this. Out of all others. Me! I won't fail.''

''You're afraid Nott. You try to conceal it. Let Draco and I assist you.'' Snape surged on.

''No. I was chosen. This is my moment.'' the boy said, his voice thinning out. He stormed down to the dungeons leave Snape and Malfoy in the corridor.

''Just remember Draco, I took the Unbreakable Vow. Should both you and he fail.. '' he trailed off leaving Draco in the corridor staring at the black robes billowing.

Unbeknownst to the three Slytherins, Harry Potter had been listening in on their conversation. Things were going to get that much more complex.