A.N: First of all, I am sooooo sorry for not updating in such a long time! The thing is, I was grounded from the computer nearly all summer. But now, I can continue! I probably lost a lot of my original readers by now, but I hope you can pick this back up with me.

Okay, so this has got to be my most favorite chappie out of all of them. I will tell you that as I re-read through this, I was so close to tears. And I'm the one who wrote it! I hope you like it as much as I did.

DISCLAIMER: Oh, and the song in this chapter is called, "If You're Not The One," by Daniel Bedingfield. Love that song!

For Rayna, the Yule Ball wasn't as exciting as she thought it would be. After the opening waltz (which she danced with some Durmstrang that Hermione had set her up with out of pity), the Weird Sisters performed. As everyone else was having fun and dancing with his or her dates, Rayna sat herself at one of the tables, bored out of her mind. In fact, the only thing on her mind was the past three months she had spent not speaking with Draco. What made matters worse, was that she couldn't seem to keep her eyes off him. She watched as he danced with his date, Pansy, and couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy, even though she knew he didn't like Pansy.

"Miss Lauren?" Rayna looked up, and into the eyes of Viktor Krum.

"Yes?"

"Hermione and I were wondering if you would like to dance with us."

"Oh, well, I appreciate the offer, but I would much rather rest here. Thank you though."

"Hermione is worried about you, you know..."

"Tell her I'm fine, I just need time to think certain events through." Viktor knew there was no convincing Rayna at that point, and so made a polite bow, before walking back to Hermione on the dance floor.

Okay, now I need to stop thinking about this... Rayna stood and walked out of the Great Hall. From where he stood on the dance floor, Draco would occasionally look over Pansy's shoulder or turn around to glance at Rayna. When he looked at that point, he saw she wasn't at the table anymore.

Oh great, now where has she run off to?

Go after her.

Draco longed for Rayna's presence once more, and so did not hesitate to obey his conscience this time.

Maybe she went back to the Common Room...

He walked down to the Dungeons, to find she was not in the Common Room.

I hope she's not in the Girls' Dorm.

Draco walked back up to the Entrance Hall, and simply poked his head in to see if she had returned. Seeing that she hadn't, he decided to take a breather outside. Walking out, it wasn't long before he heard soft singing.

"If you're not the one, then why does my soul feel glad, today?

If you're not the one, then why does my hand fit yours, this way?

If you are not mine, then why does your heart return, my call?

If you are not mine, would I have the strength to stand, at all?

Never know what the future brings

But I know you're here with me now

We'll make it through and I hope you are the one I share my life with

I don't want to run away, but I can't take it

I don't understand

If I'm not made for you, then why does my heart tell me that I am?

Is there any way that I could stay in your heart?"

Draco crept around a corner, and found Rayna's 5' 6" frame standing there, as the snow fell. The train of her long red dress was getting moist on the ground. The strapless dress had a silver, glittery flower, and it was low in the back, and so she had a white silk shawl covering her back and shoulders. Her long blonde hair was all put up with one large red and silver clip. He stepped back into the shadows, and closed his eyes, just listening.

"If I don't need you then why am I crying on, my bed?

If I don't need you, then why does your name resound, in my head?

I don't know why you're so far away

But I know that this much is true

We'll make it through and I hope you are the one I share my life with

And I wish that you could be the one, I die with

And I'm prayin' you're the one I build my home with

I hope, I love you all my life

I don't want to run away, but I can't take it

I don't understand

If I'm not made for you, then why does my heart tell me that I am?

Is there any way that I could stay in your heart

'Cause I, miss you, body and soul so strong that it takes my breath away

And I breathe you, into my heart and pray for the strength to stand today

'Cause I love you

Whether it's wrong or right

Though I can't be with you tonight

You know my heart is by your side

I don't want to run away, but I can't take it

I don't understand

If I'm not made for you, then why does my heart tell me that I am?

Is there any way that I could stay in your heart?"

As the song faded out, Draco pulled up the courage to approach her. Stepping out of the shadows, he said,

"We wouldn't want to see a beautiful dress like that ruined, now would we?" Walking up behind her, he reached down to pick up the end of her wet train, and cautiously put his arm around her waist, still holding the train of her dress. She didn't react. There was a brief pause before he bent a bit to whisper in her ear. "You know, you don't have to run away anymore..."

After a while of silence between them, Rayna began to shiver. Draco felt this, and encircled his arms around her more, stepping closer to her. She turned her head to look up at him, and Draco noticed a single tear roll down her cheek. He slowly brought his hand up to wipe it away, gently caressing her cheek. She leaned into his hand, closing her eyes with a smile, before slipping her hand into his. The two just stood there, looking out at the night sky. Then, from inside, Draco and Rayna heard a slow piece playing. He stepped back, letting her train fall to the ground.

"May I have this dance?" He inquired in a gentleman-like manner. She smiled, nodding. They stepped closer, Draco slipping his hands around her waist, as Rayna leaned her head on his shoulder. A moment or two passed before he whispered to her, "Hey, remember three months back, when Professor Moody turned me into a ferret?"

"How could I forget that? That was hilarious!"

"And, what about that kiss you gave me?"

"You were a ferret, and you were cute then, I couldn't help myself. What of it?"

"One, it was poorly done, because two, you missed." She looked up at him with a confused look. "Care to try it again?" When Rayna realized what he was getting at, she blushed, looking down at her feet. He cupped her chin to make her look up at him. "Besides, since I'm no longer a ferret, and much taller than you, I do believe it would be relatively hard to reach the top of my head the way you were able to then."

Rayna smiled, chuckling. "Well I suppose..." she commented, taking another step closer. She gazed into Draco's deep azure eyes as he leaned down, towards her. Closing her eyes Rayna tilted her head as he pressed his lips gently against hers. His hand reached up to the large clip holding her hair up. He began to slowly pull it from her hair, allowing her blonde curtain of silk to cascade down to her shoulders. Slipping her clip into his pocket, Draco pulled away, and touched his forehead to hers.

"You have no idea how long I've waited to do that." She laughed.

"Really now?"

"Mmhmm..." he brushed his lips against hers once more, running his fingers through her hair.

However, the moment was very short-lived. "Draco!! Draco, where are you?? Are you out here?" Draco pulled away with an exasperated sigh.

"Pansy. Sorry, love..."

"No, I understand. Don't want to keep your date waiting." Rayna replied jokingly, to which he rolled his eyes.

"Oh, don't start...if I had only known you were that good of a kisser, I would've asked you before she got to me." Rayna blushed, but was quick to get his mind off the subject.

"Go, before she comes over here."

"So now you want me to go away?"

"Go!!" Rayna insisted, laughing, while she pushed him in the direction of Pansy's voice. He executed a quick bow to her.

"My love, I bid you adieu for now..."

"I'll want my clip at some point, you know."

"You'll get it back tonight, I promise." With a quick smile, Draco solemnly walked inside to Pansy.

"Where have you been??" Rayna snickered, hearing Pansy interrogate Draco.

"Just had to take a breather, Pansy."

Poor guy...

"There you are, Rayne!" Rayna turned her flushed face to see Harry, Hermione, and Ron as they walked up to her.

"We've been worried about you." Hermione stated.

"I'm fine now, really, I am..."

"Then what was the problem?" Harry replied, unconvinced. Rayna sighed, knowing she'd been caught, but not willing to tell them just yet.

"You can tell us. Talk to us..." Ron attempted, trying to reassure her.

"As much as I would like to tell you, even though you guys are three of my best friends, I—I don't think I'm ready for people to know." Rayna explained, hoping they would understand. Harry nodded.

"All right then, no pressure, Rayna. Just know that we're here if you want to talk." Rayna smiled.

"Thanks, guys...let's go back inside, shall we? It's chilly out here." Rayna pulled her shawl closer around her, wishing that Draco was there to keep her warm. As they went back inside, Hermione noticed something.

"Hey Rayna, your hair's down...where's your clip?"

"Oh! Um, I knew it'd be cold so before I went out, I let my hair down to cover my shoulders." Rayna lied.

"That's a good idea. Wish I thought of that..." Hermione replied, subconsciously rubbing her cold neck.

Sitting at one of the tables, Rayna found some excuse or other to get a glass of punch. The bowl in which the beverage was, also happened to be where Draco and his gang (minus Pansy most of the time), hung out.

"You know, I'm thirsty. Do you guys want anything?" Rayna asked her friends at the table.

"That's your 12th glass tonight!" Ron observed.

"You've been counting?"

"Yeah, sorry...that happens when I get bored..."

Turns out the Yule Ball wasn't as dull as Rayna thought it would be.

Do review, if you please!

Xania