Yes. it is a double chapter post. i owe it to you guys. have fun reading!

R.E.V.I.E.W. please! ;)

Chapter 6

The holidays were approaching and everyone's mood was lifted. Even the sourest expression was erased and the grumpiest were cheered. The thickening white blanket was covering the castle grounds creating another dimension and giving the students the perfect opportunity to play in the snow until they couldn't feel their fingers.

Hermione Granger, despite her episode at the Astronomy Tower and her unexpected heart to heart talk with her nemesis' sister, was in a joyous mood. The Holidays were always her favorite time of the year and there was no way in hell she'll be in a foul mood just because of a little broken heart.

Despite the flamboyant PDA from Ron and Lavender, Hermione just ignored them and pretended to be busy for the rest of the term. She hid mostly in the library, reading as much as she could and doing all of their assignments that were nearly due. For next term.

She was also avoiding a certain someone with blonde hair, grey eyes and a swagger like no other. She felt really embarrassed about her accidental admittance of her sexual life. No one knew that other than the muggle boy she once hooked up with during one summer. And now her most hated enemy knew one of her deepest secrets and every time she replays the awkward outburst she did that night beside the lake, she felt like puking just to punish herself for being that stupid.

She sighed heavily as she hugged the hardbound book she was reading for Ancient Runes. She slowly walked around the castle, consciously avoiding the mistletoes and steering away from couples.

"Why the long face?" Greeted Bella.

"Just thinking."

"You're always thinking." The blonde smiled. "How about you forget about thinking for a moment and just do?"

"I did that once and I woke up the next day with a massive headache and a naked guy beside me."

Bella laughed though there was a tinged of pink coloring her cheeks. "'Look at you. Getting all loosened up!"

"I swear, you weren't supposed to hear that!" Hermione said, looking bashful.

"It's alright. I've heard worst."

"But you're my Professor!" Hermione whined.

"And your friend." Bella added. "We are friends… right?"

"Of course, we are! Silly witch." Hermione giggled. Bella grinned and wrapped her arm around her new found friend.

"So. What's got your knickers in a twist?"

"It's Slughorn's Christmas party. I haven't got a date yet." Hermione sulked.

"Oh. Who're you planning to ask anyway?"

"Ron." Hermione said bitterly.

"How about Draco then? I could just find someone else as my date. You could go with him."

Hermione looked at her like she's a mad woman.

"what?"

"No."

"Come on! He'll behave! I promise." She winked.

"Did you just winked?"

"Maybe.."

"No."

"Fine. How about… uh that guy?" Bella pointed randomly, and coincidentally it was Cormac Mclaggen.

Hermione was about to complain but then she thought about how Ron would react if ever she showed up with Mclaggen in the party.

"He's perfect!" Hermione squealed.

"He is?" Bella asked, looking at Cormac with doubt.

"Yeah." Hermione smirked.

"I'm rubbing off on you, aren't i?"

…

Isabella Marie Swan didn't like parties. And neither does Isabella Briar Malfoy. And with that reason, Bella was found staring at her one shoulder red gown that Hermione picked out for her at Hogsmeade.

"Bella." Draco called out. "Are you done already? We're gonna be bloody late. Slughorn'll have my ass if we're not—"

Draco stopped when he entered her room. He looked at the dress laid out on the bed and then at his staring sister. Bella gave him an awkward smile that looked like she's in pain.

"It's my first party since last time…"

Draco sighed and took the three steps to grab his sister and hug her. Yes, another Malfoy family moment. "It's all gonna be alright. I'm right here."

"I know but it's hard to take the thoughts away." Bella mumbled.

"You can do it. Muggle parties are different from ours so there wouldn't be anything to remind you of him." Draco smiled and rubbed her arm comfortingly. He was afraid something like this would happen. He really hated how his sister had been acting recently, she rarely come to the great hall to eat, she sometimes stares off whenever she thought no one was looking and her usual enthusiasm for adventure has been diminished.

He knows his sister better than anyone and he knows for a fact that if given a chance to live in Hogwarts, she'll explore every nook of the bloody castle until she solves all of its mysteries. And he was still waiting for her big reveal; her sudden bursts of energy whenever she learned something whether it was horrifying or not.

But recently, she's just there.

"I suppose." Bella mumbled and smiled. She lightly punched him on the shoulder and kicked him out of her room so she could change.

She put on the dress carefully and zipped it. She then accio'ed her pair of diamond studded heels and mumbled a quick spell so she wouldn't risk falling or breaking any bones.

"It's a party. There will be no suprises. Just mingle and then leave." Bella said to herself as she opened her bedroom door. Draco looked up from the couch and stood.

"You look marvelous."

"We look marvelous." Both Malfoys smirked.

"Come on, I don't want to be late." Bella grabbed her brother's arm.

"Wait." Draco whipped out his wand and tapped on Bella's dress. The burgundy color slowly became a deep green, the color of Slytherin.

"Much better." Draco grinned.

Bella rolled her eyes and dragged her date towards the party downstairs. When they reached the entrance to Slughorn's now enlarged office, both looked at each other and took a deep breath.

"Here we go." Bella mumbled.

The party was on full blast. It was classy and very Christmas themed like. Fairies were fluttering here and there and house elves were buried under huge platters while avoiding to be stepped on by the guests.

And being the stunning pair of siblings that they were, almost half of the room stopped to stare for a few seconds. Draco loved every moment of it while Bella was in pain.

"This is seriously going to suck." Bella whispered as she nods at a few students who greeted her.

"No, it won't. Let's mingle." Draco advised as he steered his sister away from the attention and into the mass of chatting wizards. Bella scanned the crowd and spotted Snape talking to Professor Slughorn. Bella caught Snape's eye and nodded in greeting as she made her way to where her brother, who is talking to Blaise Zabini.

"Blaise, Merry Christmas." Bella greeted to a grinning Zabini.

"Bella, blimey. You look stunning as always." The Italian hunk winked at her which did not go unnoticed by Draco.

"Bella?" Draco glared at his bestfriend, who ignored him expertly.

"So where are you spending the Holidays?" Bella asked casually.

"At our villa in Italy. It's peaceful there and luckily my mother and her new husband would settle there so I could officially meet the bloke." Blaise rolled his eyes.

"That's great." Bella smiled. "How is your mother by the way?"

"Oh she's on husband number 5 now. She said she's doing great, just travelling." Blaise rolled his eyes and Bella laughed.

While the two were conversing, Draco on the other hand looked bored. He scanned the crowd for anyone he could talk to and spotted no one he like at the moment to spike his interest. The guests invited were a mass of diverse creatures though majority was wizards; he just didn't have the strength to strike up a conversation. He muttered something about getting food to Bella who waved him off lazily as she laughed and flirt with Zabini.

"Well at least someone is getting some." He muttered darkly as he made his way to the balcony where few people were conversing. An elf passed by him carrying a tray of small pumpkin pastries and he grabbed one out of boredom.

"At least there's food."

"Is that how you see yourself in 5 years, Draco? You being in love with food?"

Draco looked up and met the sensual smile of Pansy Parkinson. He gave a look that says 'butt off' but she just smiled wider.

"Pansy." He said coolly. "I didn't know you were invited as well."

"Blaise took me." she answered as she laid a hand on his arm and pressed her body on his side. Draco wrapped his arm around her waist, afraid that she might fall for clinging onto him so much.

"I see. How's your evening?" He said stiffly, as she leaned closer.

"fine." She grinned. "More than fine, actually, now that you're here." Draco regarded her as she dry humped him in front of Slughorn's guest. She was wearing a black dress that was clinging to her every curve with a long slit on the side showing her long legs.

She looked hot, Draco noticed but there was something about her that Draco just finds repulsive at the moment. He just couldn't point out why. Countless times he was with her, intimately of course, he always feels powerful and daringly handsome whenever she presses pursuit but now…

"Ah-ah." He let out, feeling uncomfortable, as Pans started trailing kisses down his neck. "I need to go. My sister needs me." he unwrapped her from his body and stepped away, claiming his personal space. "Have a great Christmas Pansy." With a curt nod, he left.

Draco left quickly, not even daring to look back as he made his way towards the other side of the room. As he passed the sea of chatting people, he saw someone coming on the opposite direction, looking as if a mob was running after her. They both locked eyes and with a silent understanding, they headed off out of the part and into the corridor.

"Who are you running away from?" Asked Hermione, feeling winded from their hasty escape.

"Pansy Parkinson." Hermione looked shocked.

"that's new. Aren't you and pansy friends?"

"Sometimes." Draco smirked. Hermione rolled her eyes at him and leaned on the nearby wall. "What about you?"

"Cormac Mclaggen." She answered grimly.

"Well done, Granger." Draco laughed. Hermione looked at him quizzically. When he was done laughing, he noticed the look he was receiving and asked, "What?"

Hermione shook her head and smiled. "It was my fault. I asked Cormac to make Ron jealous."

"Well, shouldn't you be glad? Because of him, you're now spending time in a deserted corridor with the hottest guy in school." Malfoy wriggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Oh, get over yourself." Hermione laughed.

"Would you? If you're this good looking?" Draco smirked and tucked on his jacket.

"And that." Hermione stepped away from the wall. "Is my cue to leave." She gave him one look, smiled and headed back inside the party.

"Oh and Draco?" Draco looked up expectedly.

"Merry Christmas and uh.." she looked uncertain for a second but recovered. "Thank you."

"Anytime."

…

Bella was enjoying herself. After her conversation with Blaise, almost half of the men in the room wanted to talk to her. Normally, she would have hated the idea talking to complete strangers and just babbling nonsense but since coming to Slughorn's dinner parties, she has become acquainted with the idea of socializing.

She was on her fifth drink of butter beer and her body was already starting to relax. She sauntered her way to her Uncle with a smile on her face.

"Fancy seeing you here." Bella greeted as her uncle looked at her amusedly. "aren't you supposed to be in your office wallowing in your experiments?"

"How many of that have you drank?" Snape asked, regarding her drink.

"Oh just a few." The eldest Malfoy answered. "Don't worry Uncle. It would take a lot of Butter beer to get me knocked out."

"Yes, I remember." Snape said dryly. Remembering a 15 year old Bella, so innocent and trustworthy, throwing a huge party on his house, and almost wrecking half of his property. Draco and she were staying for a night that summer and stupidly, he choose that night to let the two amongst themselves and stay at the castle to do Dumbledore's errands. Up to this day, he was still haunted by teenagers peeing and puking on his flowerbeds.

Bella gave him a knowing look, never apologetic about the whole incident. "Anyway, how's it going? I see you looking at that witch with the funny hat. Want me to introduce you to her?"

If it was anyone, even Draco, said that; they would have received a viscous glare that would get them rooted on the spot.

"Again, I am not interested in dating anyone. I am fine on my own." He said patiently.

"Oh please. You say that now but in the future you'll be old and grumpier than usual and would think 'Isabella was right. I should have shacked up when I had the chance'." Bella grinned, having joy at her uncle's uncomfortable expression.

"Am I being lectured about settling down by an 18 year old?" He asked amusedly.

"There is a lot more than that where it came from."

"Of course, Isabella, lecturer of sad lonely men."

Bella scowled. "oh ha ha."

"Nice comeback. I would have expected a lot cleverer than that." Snape smirked.

"Well, for your—" Bella stopped dead and her expression paled. Her whole body became rigid and she felt cold. Snape noticed her expression with alarm.

"Bella." He said worriedly. "Isabella." He said again, this time shaking her lightly. The eldest of the Malfoy siblings recovered, and as if on auto pilot, her expression became stoic and her posture relaxed. Snape, noticing the change in her demeanor, looked at her confusedly.

"If you'll excuse me, Uncle. I'm just going to the ladies' room." Bella left quickly before her uncle could respond.

She darted into the mass of chattering and laughing people, desperately wanting to get away. As she spotted the door where Draco and she entered, her dress got caught at something.

"Shoot." She was about to reach her wand to fix her abrupt wardrobe malfunction when…

"Isabella Malfoy! There you are!" Slughorn greeted as he grabbed her shoulder and turned her around.

"Professor. Merry Christmas." She greeted coolly.

"Yes, yes. I was looking all over for you and it appears everyone has gotten to talk to you except me!" the man chuckled as she guides him away from the door. Bella looked at her only escape desperately.

"I would actually want to introduce you to a good friend of mine."

"Actually professor I'm on my way to the Ladies' room if you could just…"

"Sill girl. I know you young lads could hold your bladder for days because Merlin knows my bladder couldn't!" Slughorn laughed which oddly reminded Bella of Santa Claus. How odd.

Slughorn dragged her deeper into the room purposely. He stopped and waved at someone and Bella looked up.

"No." She whispered.

"Isabella, I'd like you to meet Eldred Wolpe, he's an old student of mine. You know, the author of Blood brothers: My life among—"

"—Vampires." Bella whispered.

The stout man with friendly features smiled at her. He reached out his hand and Bella shook it automatically.

"You've read my book Miss Malfoy?" He asked kindly.

"Yes. Countless times." Bella answered, but she was looking at the creature beside him. Her heart was pounding against her sternum and her breathing became shallow. She drank ever feature of the creature's face, basking at the familiarity; the same kind golden eyes, the angelic features and the striking blonde hair.

Eldred saw her staring and he shook his head. "I'm sorry, how could I forget. This is—"

"He doesn't look like Sanguini." Bella forcefully let out, taking her eyes away from the vampire in front of her.

"Oh no. Sanguini is unfortunately busy but he sent his good friend here to fill him in." Eldred explained.

The vampire beside him stretched his hand and Bella shook it quickly, feeling the familiar coldness of his skin. "Carlisle Cullen, pleased to meet you."

"Isabella Malfoy." Bella answered with a nod. She wanted so badly to hug him, ask him why they left, why they didn't even say goodbye…

But Carlisle seemed to not recognize her. Her heart clenched at this very painful moment. Here she is now, her secret that she kept from them for so long all out in the open and yet she couldn't bring herself to tell them truth. Them…

"Do you have a family, Carlisle?" Bella asked out of the blue. Three pairs of confused eyes stared back at her. "Well I just read that vampires usually travel in covens, am I right?"

"Ah yes. My family resides in the America as of now." He answered, looking at her oddly.

"His family, meaning his coven." Eldred pressed on. Bella gave him an annoyed look and noticed that Carlisle gave him the same one.

"Yes but I much prefer us to be called a family. In fact, we are a family." Carlisle explained patiently.

"How many are you in the coven?" Slughorn asked, equally curious. Bella grabbed a fire whiskey from a nearby elf, feeling like a drink is the appropriate thing to have at the situation she's in.

"Six at the moment." At that, Bella's attention snapped back at the conversation. She saw Carlisle looking at her. "One of us is travelling. My first son, Edward."

"You could reproduce?" Slughorn asked, rather incredulous at the idea. 'How rude.' Bella thought.

"Of course not." Bella defended. "He just means that his son was the first one to join him in the coven, am I right?"

Carlisle nodded and smiled. "Yes."

"oh excuse me for a minute, I think I spotted Severus." Slughorn hiccupped. "Carry on!" The three stared at the tipsy wizard as he hangs his arm around Severus Snape's neck, earning a look of irritation.

"Aren't vampires supposed to be sticking together?" Bella asked, hopeful that Carlisle might give her where Edward was.

"Usually, yes, but my son prefers to be alone at the moment. He just lost someone, you see." The expression on his face was unreadable but Bella got the feeling that he's in pain.

"His mate?" Eldred asked curiously. Carlsile nodded. "Merlin! It's so rare for vampires to mate. Extraordinary."

"How did you know that they were mates?" Bella asked, her face stoic.

"It's this pull they have on each other. Like gravity." He said simply.

"So, his mate. What happened?" Bella asked quietly, fighting the emotions stirring inside her.

"Its—"

"Let go off me!" shouted a very irritated Draco Malfoy. Filch was dragging the youngest Malfoy by the ear towards where Snape and Slughorn were. Bella let out a groan.

"I'm sorry?" Carlisle asked. "Is everything alright?"

Bella turned back her attention at them. "I'm sorry. It's my brother." She nodded her head at Draco's direction, who was sulking beside Snape.

Carlisle's eyes widened. "You have a brother?"

"Yes. Don't look too shocked. Merlin knows I didn't ask for him." Bella smiled and face Eldred, who was enjoying the company of a few students. "He seems to be enjoying himself." Bella murmured and turned back to Carlisle.

"I'm so sorry but I have to go. It such a pleasure to meet you." Bella smiled feeling tear eyed at the prospect of being able to not have a proper goodbye to her almost-father-in-law. Carlisle grasped her hand and squeezed lightly.

"You too." He answered with a smile. Bella turned her back and let out a sigh of relief. She wanted so much to tell him about everything that has happened since they left, all the things she has been through, all the nights she had cried ever since they were gone.

And now, facing him, it's like all of that has washed away.

She composed herself, downing the drink in her hand with a single gulp, and followed where Snape and Draco went to. She fought the throngs of laughing and drunk guests as she made her way outside the corridor. She looked on either side, choosing the one near the classrooms. She walked slowly, trying to listen for their voices. A few doors later she found the familiar voices and opened the door.

"What is your plan?"

"It's none of your business!"

"If you tell me what you are trying to do, I can assist you—"

"There is no need for that uncle. I am already assisting him." Bella answered seriously.

"What?" Snape looked between the two. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"We wouldn't want your position to be compromised and besides, his plan is flawless." Bella looked at Snape sternly. "I made sure of that."

"But I made a vow to your mother—"

"I know. But isn't everyone just dying to save Draco?" Bella sneered. " We've got a plan. It won't get him killed."

"What if you fail?" Snape asked challegely.

"Then you do your part." Bella answered confidently.

"What part?" Draco asked, irritated at them for talking like he wasn't there.

"The part where I continue what you'll fail to do." Snape gave him a hard look and turned his attention back at Bella.

"Are you sure about this Isabella?" Bella only nodded.

"Fail? Fail! I will not fail. You're just trying to steal—"

"Lower your voice, Draco!" Snape chided. "And stop acting like a child."

"Someone might hear us. Stop it you two!" Bella hissed. "If both of you doesn't want to be in a room together, that's fine. But when I am in here with you, I expect mutual respect. This isn't some game. Lives are at stake here."

The two became silent, feeling ashamed. Bella regarded them carefully and sighed. "Now that everything here is clear, I think it's best if both of you go back to the party."

"Where are you going?" Draco asked.

"To my room. If I spent another minute in there I think I might just hang myself."

Snape looked at her sadly and hugged her. He silently walked out of the room, assumedly, back at the party.

"Thanks for having my back." Draco muttered as he made his way to his sister. "Do you really think my plan is flawless?"

"No."

Draco scowled at her. "Some sister."

"It doesn't really matter if it works. All of this is a test whether you will go through with your plan or not. That's what matters to everyone, not just to the Dark Lord. And did you know who else it matters to?"

Draco shook his head. "Mother?"

"You." Bella pointed at his heart. "The choice you'll make at the end of this test is your peace of mind. Whether you'd want to sacrifice that or not, again, it's your choice."

"How would I know if it's the right choice?" asked Draco sullenly.

"you'll know." Bella smiled and held out for his hand. "Walk me?"

Draco smirked and grabbed her hand as they walked out of the room. In the corner of Bella's eyes, she saw something shift and she smirked.

Same old nosy tricks.