Disclaimer: I own except my own characters.

Note: A little cute chapter to reminder everyone there are other wizards and witches out there and it's not always all about Tammie and Melinda. lol. If you're ever curious about what the dresses look like don't hesitate to ask.

Christmas: The Mafloy Guide

I pulled Fred aside as some of the other guests passed by. "What are you doing here?" I hissed trying to make sure no one heard me. Fred turned around to answer but he froze, his eyes looking over me as he raised an eyebrow. "Your sister got them for me!" I told him as I felt myself warm. When he didn't respond I dragged him into the dinning room, we sat closest to the archway in case we needed a quick escape. Melinda slide in the chair across from me while Draco sat next to her, he looked extremely uncomfortable and kept his eyes on his plate. Melinda was admiring her hair, which was curled and then fashioned into a loose bun on the top of her head. The makeup—a set of potions that targeted the places you needed—made her skin shine brighter than usual. The rosy pink colors highlighted her cheek bones and her blue eyes were brought out even more with several different shades of brown, her lashes looked more like they grew and thickened rather than like the mascara we used in the muggle community. Her robe was lovely, silver beads along the outline of the robe and—maybe it was my imagination—but it seemed to automatically adjust itself in the front depending on which way she turned. Although the robes were half sleeved, they left the smallest bits of her shoulders exposed, she looked extremely proud and fit perfectly into the clutter of people. Oddly enough, so did Fred.

"Oh hey Fred—how's Geor—Fred!" Melinda hissed putting down her little mirror next to her fork. Fred, who had still been staring at me looked over at her, but didn't appear to have a response. "Fred!" she hissed again, tapping his hand.

"What?" he asked his eyes falling on me again.

"Stop staring" I said laying my napkin on my lap.

"What's he doing here? When they see him…" Melinda started nodding her head toward the opposite end of the table.

"They have" I replied. Draco, who had been giving his complete attention to examining and polishing his glass looked up at the sound of my voice. He went dark red and then pale.

"And what are those?" he asked, his tone high. "Mum said elegant, not—not—not that! Anyone could be looking. You need to cover up. You're my cousin for Merlin's sake!" Draco hissed leaning closer.

"Well, no one told you to look" I snapped back still feeling flushed. Draco quickly leaned back, both embarrassed and put out.

"You, W—Fred, don't you think you ought to tell your girlfriend and Melinda to cover up?" Draco asked, looking at Fred for any last hope.

"Nah…" Fred said now giving Melinda a look over and then winking approvingly to which Melinda blushed at.

"But look at them, it's surely too much, they've never worn anything like that before. It's completely—distracting, that's what it is." Draco explained, his words running together.

"Uh-huh." Fred with a little humor as he continued staring. Thankfully Zes had passed us some salad; at least I could do something with my hands. "Listen Draco, stop fussing, you like it as much as I do. So please just enjoy, Merlin knows they'll never wear robes like this again." Fred added watching the lady on his other side pick up a fork.

"We each got a pair" Melinda told him, smoothing her napkin on her lap.

"Oh, well, right then, we'll see them like this once more but not after that, especially if keep carrying on." he said with a devilish grin. "I did come for a reason though" he whispered to us in serious tone. Melinda leaned in a little, so she could hear better. Draco did too but he still looked like he was holding something sour in his mouth.

"All I'll say now is something happened at school" he whispered. "But listen, George is doing better, we think whatever Courtney—Madison—did to me she did too George too, only, different somehow. She wanted him to feel the effects of losing someone. She wanted him broken down. Just like me," Fred explained finish his salad.

"Why?" Melinda asked. "We're the targets, can't she leave our friends alone?" it was more of a plea than question.

"Don't you see, she knows we're all fr—" Draco cut himself off, now looking grey and green. "She knows what you mean to us…" he corrected slowly. "She knows she can't just jump in and kill you; you have too many protectors, what better way to get them out of the way than by pushing you away from them?" Draco said, pushing his plate in front of him as the house elf ran around placing plates of food in front of us. I wasn't sure what exactly the food was but it did look wonderful. "But we can't talk about this here, not now" Draco said. At that very moment Mr. Malfoy lightly knocked his knife against his glass to propose a toast.

Many people stayed after dinner, most of them were looking around, admiring the paintings and décor. Draco and I being relatives of the host and hostess were made to make small idle chit chat for a few minutes. It was only when I was speaking to a wart faced, tall skinny, overly dressed witch did I catch my appearance in reflection of a mirror. Unlike Melinda's, my robe covered my entire front, though the way it was layered it merely looked like a perfectly matched jacket. It fell all the way to the bottom, near my shoes whereas Melinda's went to her calf. There was a split that went halfway up my leg and like Melinda's it was careful to accent the best features of myself. While Melinda's hair was up, my down, lose wave curls, a part going to my right. I went over to Melinda to borrow her mirror; hints of different shades of purple on my eyes, a dust of deep red to give my skin a glow and heavy black around my eyes to draw attention straight to them.

"This isn't so bad I suppose…" Melinda said as I handed her back her small mirror, which seemed on the edge of its life.

"Yeah, it's a good time" I replied, barely listening. Fred was still walking around, occasionally he'd strike up a conversation with Draco or listen to someone go on about something. I was just thankful that no one seemed to mind him being there. If his hair didn't make people curse him he was in the safe. At least from the guests. After a few minutes I made my way over to Draco again. Melinda behind me; we figured it would be better to keep more attached to me so Mrs. Malfoy wouldn't have a heart attack.

"Ah, there is she, Tammie my dear, it's been ages!" said a tall plump man I know as Mr. Willow. He was married to a cousin of Mrs. Malfoy's and he always showed up for the get-togethers offering something rich and attractive though I never accepted anything because he presented it as if it were the best gift ever. "Tammie, I was just telling this young man here about the dinner party I had about nine years ago. Very big celebration for my son—where did he go—he's here somewhere, and his acceptance into Ministry, top level, very private business. Anyway, the party favors, if you believe it, all the women received crystal earrings while the men received self-adjustable watches. They were a hit! Now, Tammie, this is my son" he said grabbing a young man who had started to walk pass. "Jonathan. He's not related to you, don't worry," he said patting his son's arm.

I could feel Melinda staring in slight interest as did I. He was attractive; brown hair, it was short—unlike Fred's who had his past his ears, due to my reluctantly to let him cut it—but neatly styled. He had round hazel eyes and his face seemed well proportioned as did the rest of his body, he looked above average, he carried himself like he was. We shook hands; his smile was light, not reaching eyes. "Hi" I said as we let go.

"Look at that! I see it now, what a lovely couple you two would make, I'm sure you'd look outstanding in your aunt's wedding dress" Mr. Willow said pushing Jonathan closer. My eyes shot at Fred, who gave a slight twitch but remained composed. Melinda quickly took a sip from her glass while Draco seemed to grip his cup tighter trying to keep the color even on his face.

"Actually, sir, I'm with someone," I told him as his smile disappeared.

"Who?" he asked, as if any women would see anyone beside his son. I walked over and took Fred's hand, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"This guy right here" I said as Fred gave Johnathan a coy smile as he wrapped his arm around my waste. Johnathan returned Fred's smirk with his own, though it looked more arrogant.

"Ah, Tammie" Mrs. Malfoy started. "Oh Jonathan, it's been ages! It's absolutely lovely to see you" she added pulling him into a hug. He smiled a bit wider, his face a bit brighter.

"Mrs. Malfoy, I'm honored to be here. I was just wondering, you know the picture of the lamb, the one being captured by the Runts before they slay it for dinner? Would you happen to still have it?" Jonathan asked. I looked at him in horror, why would the Malfoys have such a picture here? I asked myself.

"Oh, hm, yes, it's in the study, upstairs to your left" she said.

"Tammie, would you mind escorting me?" Jonathan asked. No. I answered in my mind as I gave him a fake smile. "It's just a big manor, I always forget my way around" he added. Bullshit. I thought to myself.

"She'd love to show you" Mrs. Malfoy said nearly pushing me into Jonathan. Fred started to follow but Melinda grabbed his arm and whispered something and then nodded toward Draco who headed toward the opposite side of the room pretending he knew none of us. This lead me no choice but to 'escort' Johnathan, though he seemed like he was doing the leading.

"It's much quieter up here" Jonathan said as we walked along the hallway, looking at pictures and talking. Well, it was more that he was looking at pictures and talking where I was zoning out. He stopped at one he must have liked. "Did you know this painting is worth ten times more what that Weasley will make in a month?" The comment had struck me so sudden I took a step backwards.

"Excuse me?" I finally said, my tone disgusted.

"I'm simply pointing out that Weasleys and Mugbloods don't make a lot of money, you're settling." I would've slapped him if I weren't so surprised.

"Don't call her that; you don't even know her" I snapped at him but he shrugged, looking unfazed.

"Families talk Tammie. I'm sure you know what they say about you. It's a shame, you could have so much, you're beautiful, you deserve all things beautiful. I can wait for you if you want," he continued down the hall, motioning me to join him. I snorted in response but he only smiled, as if I was playing 'hard to get.' He tilted his head, his face lighting up, clearly an idea had come to his mind. "You hear that?" he asked, I listened, I knew that to be Mr. Malfoy's favorite radio, Mrs. Malfoy had probably turned it on to ease her tension. "Would you care to dance?" he asked holding out his hand, still smirking. Whatever game thought he was playing I had to play too, if only to prove I wasn't at all interested.

"Alright" I replied, much to his surprise.