It's been about a month since the masquerade mishap. It's November 23rd and I'm in my room reading a book in my Victoria's Secret Night gown and panties. The covers are up to my waist when I hear the handle to my private room's door shake, like some one wants in. Draco enters.

"How did you get here?"

"Is that any way to greet your boyfriend? Come on. You common room is easy to get into. It's a simple question."

"Well, it's not that I'm not happy you're here, but isn't it late?"

"Your point is? It's Friday, Collette."

"I just have a weird feeling about this."

"Relax. Everything is fine," he says sitting on the edge of my bed. "In fact, if I remember correctly…," He leans in to me. "You have a specific weak spot."

"What does that have to do with-?" His lips claim mine, shutting me up. His mouth then shoots to my neck and his lips grope for that one special vein. He locates it and nibbles. "Mmm." He bites harder and I let out a full moan. He seems satisfied and kisses down my collar bone.

We get caught up in the passion that rolls over us in crushing waves and before I know it I feel that sharp stab of pain. When we can't bear it any longer, his arms tightly wrap themselves around my middle, preventing me from going anywhere. I look into his tired, icy, gray-blue eyes one last time before we both collapse into a dreamless sleep.

I wake to feel Draco's arms around me. I try to wiggle out of his grip, but let's face it: He's buff! He thinks I forgot about the promise he made me. No. Right now, I remember it quite vividly. When he awakes, he's going to be in a world of hurt. Hold it. Why wait?

Just as I'm about to slap him, he wakes up. "Morning, Gorgeous," he says.

"Bastard."

"What's wrong?" he asks as he pushes a strand of hair off my face and hooks it around my ear.

"You know damn well what. You promised. I can't believe you did that."

Genuine hurt enters his eyes. "Collette, I love you. You mean the world to me and I've never felt so strongly about anyone before in my life! I'm so sorry. I never meant it to go that far. I just wanted to have some fun with you, but not that much. Please, find it in your heart to forgive me."

There is a silence as I glare daggers. "You're just damn lucky I love you. If I didn't, I'd probably be hexing you into oblivion."

"Sure you would." He kisses me passionately and lays his head on my bare chest. "I like this position," he says after awhile.

"Don't get used to it," I threaten. I don't mean it. I like this, too, I must admit. Hey, who wouldn't? Lying in the arms of the one you love to hate and hate to love. I never thought I'd say this, but that sounds like heaven to me.

"Want to come to my mansion for the holidays?"

"I'd love to."

Christmas comes all too fast. Soon, I am at the Malfoy Manor. From Kings Cross, the Malfoy's and I apparate outside giant, iron gates. I hear a trickling fountain in the back yard and see an albino peacock. I wonder if the Malfoy's really do have everything.
The large doors open automatically into a magnificent hall.

(I've never been here. Only once during the Death Eater meeting [the beginning], but it was so crowded with them that I didn't see much of the house. Besides, you know how I told you that I would always get stuck with Draco when our parents would go out? Well, it would always be at my house. I have no idea why, but that's how it was. One more thing. We live right on the other side of the forest in the back.)

"To the left is the living room, to the right is the dining room," Narcissa tells me. Your room is up the left stairs, first door on the left, which attaches to your personal bathroom and walk-in closet. I will tell the house elves to prepare lunch."

"Wow," I breathe.

"Yeah," Malfoy whispers.

"Your place is so big!"

"I know. Five bedrooms - all with bathrooms and closets - , a giant living room, kitchen, dining room, six staircases…maybe seven…a place for the elves to sleep, basement - boring, really. It's more of a dungeon." He takes a deep, exaggerated breath. "There are three studies, a pool, a Jacuzzi, astronomy tower, lake, flower garden, water fountain, six albino peacocks, their coop, and we own part of the forest in the back."

"Whoa. How many floors?"

"Lets see. There's one, two…five. Five floors, if you include the astronomy balcony and attic."

"Wow."

"I'll give you the grand tour after lunch. How does that sound? I told mum your style and she bought you a whole wardrobe. Everything you might need for your stay. Hope you like it."

"Wow. Can you show me to my room? I might get lost."

"Ok. Dinners are formal, by the way. Mum bought you some dresses." Draco leads me up the left stairs that are connected at the top. I opened the first door on my left. It was a silver room with a dark green rug and a bed with dark green sheets and sheer canopy. Typical.

"One of the doors leads to your wardrobe, the other leads to your private bathroom." I notice he said "private" with a tone of contempt. Pervert.

"Thanks."

"Lunch is at 3:06 sharp," Draco informs me. "See you then. Oh! It's casual." When he shuts the door, I open the closet. The walls are covered in drawers with gold labels on them and the formal dresses are on a revolving rack in the back. "It's like clothing heaven!" Hey, I may be cold-hearted, but I'm still a girl. I still love cute clothes.

I open a shirt drawer. "These aren't what I like," I mutter to myself. These are tight shirts, mid-drifts, and tube tops in bright, sexy colors like red, hot pink, and lime green. I'd look like a stripper in these.

I open a jean drawer to find super tight jeans, ripped jeans and mini skirts. This is winter for God's sake.

"Who would have-" Then, it hit me. "Malfoy." Draco did tell her my - er - his style. God! He is such a perverted being.

Oh, well. Make the best of it, I always say. Hmm…