20th December

What a lesson! Our last Transfiguration class of the year saw us attempt human transfiguration; working in front of mirrors to change the colour of our eyebrows. Ron managed to give himself a handlebar moustache on his first attempt, which was followed by a load of giggles. One of the people laughing was Hermione, and, in retaliation, Ron did a very cruel (but accurate) impression of Hermione jumping up and down in her seat every time Professor McGonagall asked a question. This resulted in Hermione being on the verge of tears again.

"Brush it off, 'Mione." I said.

Her lower lip wobbled.

"Come on, think of the stupid moustache."

I could see her grit her teeth as she looked in the mirror and concentrated on changing the colour of her eyebrows from blonde back to normal. I was all delighted at having pink eyebrows, but there was little chance for celebration with Lavender and Parvati snickering behind us.

"I can't wait to get away from them for a couple of weeks." Hermione whispered, her voice thick with emotion, "I don't think I can take it much longer."

"I think the break will do you good."

She nodded, "I feel sorry for you having to live with him."

I smirked, "Here, I invested money into a shop that comes with an apartment."

"You can lock him in there and enjoy time with the Weasleys without him."

I couldn't help but beam, "You know, Hermione, sometimes you do speak sense."

After turning my eyebrows back to their usual shade of brown again, Ron made another joke at Hermione's expense. I could see her try to fight it, but the tears were coming thick and fast. As soon as the bell rang, she ran out of the classroom in a flash, her books and bag left lying.

"Miss Pink?" McGonagall called out to me.

This is very inconvenient timing, but nonetheless I calmly responded, "Yes?"

"May I request a few minutes of your time?"

"Of course!" I nodded.

Harry's eyes locked onto mine and he pointed to Hermione's things, packing them away. He was stepping up, despite the looks Ron was giving him. Thank goodness. Because McGonagall wanted more than just a few minutes of my time, she wanted the entirety of break. We discussed everything from making sure that I had appointments to see Maura over Christmas, that I was definitely staying with the Weasleys and I had to promise her that I wouldn't do anything stupid, before she wished me a Merry Christmas.

"Merry Christmas, Professor!" I gave her a quick hug before running off to the library to find a consoled Hermione with a content looking Harry.

"I think I'm going to need a glass of something strong to pull off that dress." I said, feeling uneasy about the whole situation I'd gotten myself into. Three and a half hours stood between now and when Blaise Zabini was going to pick me up to go to the party. He approached me at the end of charms to confirm our plans for this evening, the thing I'm weirdly grateful for was the insult he threw at me as he told me to make sure I don't turn up looking like I'd just rolled out of bed.

Flicking through a copy of Witch Weekly, Ginny didn't even look up and remarked, "You'll look great, Kat. Narcissa wrote down everything you need to know."

I glanced at the handwritten letter once again,

Hello Kathryn,
I had so much fun choosing this outfit for you. I hope you love it as much as I do. It's a shame I'm too old to wear a dress like that now. I don't think it needs a necklace, it's the perfect dress to show off those collarbones you often hide away, so make sure you have your hair up. The diamond earrings would be a good match and if you had a diamond bracelet, you could add that, if you like? As for your make-up, I know you'd prefer a more natural look.
Don't be silly, I would never take the money out of your vault, consider it part of your Christmas present. I'm sure your mum will write to you about visiting at Christmas, of course you're very welcome and I'd love to see you, but it's up to you where you spend your holidays.
All my love,
Auntie Cissa xx

Yes, I had heard from Bellatrix. She told me to stay at Malfoy Manor for Christmas, she also told me that I needed to give her some information that would help the Dark Lord, she then concluded the letter with a threat. In my rather risqué but strategized reply, I told her:

Bellatrix,
I'm not coming to Malfoy Manor for Christmas, so don't ask again. I have plans that involve me being alone in a hotel room with a few cartons of ice cream. I hate Christmas. Why? Because when I was a child, Helen and Richard beat the crap out of me every Christmas whenever I asked them why I didn't have any presents. I learnt not to ask any more, but I never stopped wondering why they didn't love me as much as Peter. Me learning to shut my mouth didn't stop them from hitting me, throwing me down the stairs or locking me in my room either. The Christmas when I was eight, I ended up in hospital with a broken leg and sprained arm, which was blamed on a new bike, which I never received, so please, accept my wishes to be alone, I think it'll be better for all of us.
I know that Harry is going home for Christmas to stay in a safe house, most likely a member of the Order's. Who will take him is still being decided upon, I think they're leaning towards Mad-Eye Moody. The home will be given every manner of protection, so there is no point even trying to penetrate the spells. I've also found out that he won't be travelling by the Floo Network or Portkey, and he won't be apparating either because we haven't had any training yet.
As for Dumbledore, he is going traveling over Christmas and won't be seen in the castle until term starts again. I directly asked him where he was going and he refused to give me an answer. He's probably trying to build an army of sorts. I'll write if I hear anything new or to the contrary.
Merry Christmas,
KBL

Hermione approached me, her hair now poker straight, "What do you think?"

"Different." I said.

"Weird." Ginny took a double take.

Upon seeing the unsure expression on her face I chose the word, "Workable?" I stood and changed her parting from centre to the side, "Much better." Then I put my fingers through her hair and gave it a bit of volume and texture, "I'll have you looking like royalty."

She smiled, "Start getting ready with me?"

"Hey Harry?" I called across the room to him and he joined us, "When're you picking up Luna?"

"Eight." He said, "In the entrance hall."

"Come see me before you leave?" I asked, moving his hair away from his yellow eyebrow, "For reasons such as this: do you want me to get rid of that for you?"

He smiled and I transfigured his eyebrow back to normal again, "Thanks."

"You need to promise you'll see me before you go to Luna."

"If it means that much to you?"

I nodded, "It does."

"Why do you need to see him?" Ginny asked as we started climbing the stairs.

"Oh sweet child, Harry is my most trusted critic. He will tell me if my outfit is too much and I'll make sure his outfit is suitably straightened – do you remember his bowtie for the Yule Ball? Wonky."

She giggled to herself, "You constantly remind me how sibling-like the two of you are."

"There are a few things that can bring two people into a close friendship and one of them is growing up in a similar shitty household – and having the same sense of humour, that helps, too."

At the age of thirteen when jeans and a baggy t-shirt was my usual attire, I never would have imagined myself to be sitting cross-legged on the dormitory floor with my tamed curly hair elegantly up, secured with bobby pins, face up close to the mirror, putting on eyeliner. The old me thought school skirts were a punishment for girls and dresses were only for those who were pretty. I've since learnt that school skirts are a crime against fashion and if you get the right dress, it can make even a girl like me look half decent. I had just finished helping Ginny gently curl her hair before tackling my eyes. I decided on a light pink shimmer eyeshadow, a thin line of eyeliner and a simple lip gloss for my lips, so as not to look too made-up.

Hermione was far from content, "I just don't know what to do with this –" she grabbed onto a chunk of her hair and groaned in exasperation, "I know it's Cormac, but I don't want to look completely awful."

Getting up from the floor, I crossed my arms and said, "Are you ready to accept our help now?"

A defeated Hermione nodded.

"Come on, this is supposed to be fun." I pointed my wand at my radio, making it louder, "Let's get into party mode. Tonight's going to be painful enough if I'm stuck with Blaise. Let's enjoy ourselves now before men get in the way."

"Remind me why you said yes to going with him?" Ginny enquired, "You could have saved Harry a lot of stress, you do know Romilda Vane was up to?"

I stopped brushing Hermione's hair, "No? I'm glad he's asked Luna, though."

"They were trying to slip him a love potion."

I snorted, "Oh that would have been hilarious."

"It was Fred and George that sold them the products in the first place," Hermione said, "If I'd seen the bottles, I'd have confiscated them."

I held my hands up, Hermione could see me in the mirror reflection, "I made a choice whenever the twins started selling their products that I couldn't get in the way of their work. I can't stop girls from buying love potions, just the same as we can't stop Death Eaters from buying the protective clothing…" I twisted a section of Hermione's hair and clipped it back, doing the same on the other side, joining the two together, overlapping them to hide the bobby pins as best I could, "How's that?" I said, not convinced.

"What?" Hermione questioned, "What's wrong?"

"I just have this overwhelming desire to curl your hair." I said, "It needs some oomph."

Ginny took over where I was sitting behind Hermione, "I agree." Then she started the process, producing gentle waves, quite the opposite of the wild mass of curls she usually sports. It would have been a funny scene for anyone to walk into. Ginny kneeling behind Hermione, curling her hair whilst Hermione was sitting on the edge of her bed with me kneeling on the floor, having Hermione fix my loose curls.

"Perfect." I said, admiring Ginny's work, "Every guy will wish you were their date."

"Not when they see you, they won't."

I rolled my eyes, "Wise up." I got closer to the mirror again. I finished my eye-makeup, fussed over the dark circles under my eyes, layering on concealer, before helping Ginny zip up her emerald green and black V-neck dress, which showed off her waist beautifully. I lent her a pair of black strappy heels and a necklace to complete her outfit.

"I suppose if I don't strap myself into my dress, then we're going to be late." I said as I zipped up Hermione's coral coloured pleated dress, with a built in bust with a V-neck.

Ginny smiled, "You have no idea how I excited I am to see you wear this again." She rubbed her hands together as she unzipped the suit bag I placed it in for protection. Ginny took out the black shiffon dress, and I stepped in, feeling the nerves growing in my stomach as I fixed myself, breathing in for the zip going up.

"Oh gosh, it's still too much." I said nervously, looking at the tea length, off the shoulder design, which really did accentuate my collarbones, just as Cissa said. I slipped my feet into my raspberry pink coloured swede heels with a rose-gold ivy leaf design up the heel.

"Remind me not to stand near you all evening." Ginny remarked, "I mean, it's beautiful, you're absolutely stunning. Look at that tiny waist!" she placed her hands on my hips from behind, looking at the two of us in the mirror, "And a little bit of cleavage… very elegant."

I rolled my eyes again. There was a knock at the door and Parvati let herself in, "Hey – wow, you look, all of you, you look lovely."

"Thanks." I said, feeling awkward.

"Harry said for me to come up and get you?" she said, "Isn't he supposed to be going with Luna?"

"Oh, he is, I just wanted to chat to him before he left." I smiled, "Tell him I'll be down in a minute."

As Parvati closed the door, I grabbed my matching raspberry pink clutch, chucked in powder, lip gloss and a few tissues. I hunted through my jewellery to find the bracelet George got me for the Yule Ball and Hermione put it on for me.

Ginny started on another spiel of encouragement as I stared into the mirror, filled with uncertainty. I gave her a playful whack with my clutch bag before heading towards the door, "Best not keep everyone waiting." I took careful steps down the stairs towards the Common Room where Harry was standing waiting for me.

"Hey you." I smiled.

"You look – you look lovely." He nodded, "but I think you ought to find somewhere for your wand?"

I laughed, "It's not too much?"

"Not at all," he said, clearly feeling under pressure as I approached him, tidying up his collar and straightening his tie, "Perfect. What d'you think, Gin?"

"Nice." She nodded.

"And what do you think of Ginny's dress? Isn't it gorgeous?"

Harry nodded, glancing down at me as I winked cheekily, "Yeah, Ginny looks lovely, too. And so does Hermione."

"D'you think we could get a few pictures together, the four of us friends?" I said, summoning my camera, "It would mean a lot to me?"

"Go on, then." Harry smiled.

"Dean?" I chucked him the camera, "If you don't mind?"

He saluted me, "Of course."

Harry put an arm around me and Hermione, and Ginny stood to my right as we all beamed for the camera, "Are they full length? These shoes are too pretty to be out of the shot!"

"Right, give me a second!" Dean stood back a few paces and Ginny was laughing away beside me, "That's it now. You ready to go Ginny?"

I took the camera back and Hermione approached Cormac and I nodded before turning to Harry, "If Blaise is out there, tell him I'll just be a minute…"

"I will." He smiled, "I'll see you at the party, ready to rescue you if needs be."

"You're the best!" I wrapped my arms around him before hurrying up the stairs to the dorm again, having forgotten to put on the diamond earrings Cissa bought me for my seventeenth and I gave myself a few too many squirts of perfume before taking a deep breath and bracing myself for what was to come. I walked straight past Ron without even a glance. To think the plan for this evening was for the two of us to hang out in an anti-Slug-Club Christmas party…!

I gently climbed out of the portrait door, feeling like I was about to vomit with nerves, "Hi!" I said, "Sorry, I -"

"You look great," Blaise said, "Glad you don't look like you've been pulled through a hedge backwards."

"Aw no, that was the look I was going for." I joked back.

"Shall we?" he pointed in the general direction of Slughorn's office.

I smirked, "Well, it would beat standing here all evening."

So the two of us walked towards Slughorn's office where the sound of classical music and loud conversation seemed to be coming from. When we both arrived, the office was hosting a load more guests than I had been expecting. It was a lot bigger than any other teacher's office I'd ever seen, it was probably magically extended like Fred and George did for my fake-birthday party in the apartment. The ceilings and walls were draped with emerald, crimson and gold hangings, which made it feel like we were in a massive tent.

A few steps into the room and I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Are you coming?"

I nodded, "Just taking it all in."

A red light was cast around the room by an ornate gold lamp hanging in the centre of the room. A cloud of smoke hung in the air around a group of old Warlocks who seemed deep in conversation. If I knew Harry, Ginny, Luna and Hermione weren't here, I'd feel horribly out of place. Catching up to where Blaise was I said, "Looks like Slughorn's sporting yet another of his delectable outfits."

"Should have worn my tasselled velvet hat to match my jacket…" he sighed, shrugging his shoulders in indifference.

"No…" I smiled, "I'm glad you chose to match with me. Didn't you get the memo about the pink tie, though?"

Blaise snorted, "I'll get us some drinks? Yes, I know – no butterbeer for you."

"Thanks." I said, and he left me standing there, feeling quite awkward. I casually dandered around the room, looking for someone, anyone with a familiar face. I passed a group of snobby looking women wearing extravagant dresses, their noses in the air, holding glasses of champagne like an accessory. Beside them was a group of younger women fawning over a few men, who must have been our entertainment for the evening – The Weird Sisters. On the staged area behind the band was the source of the music, a solo female voice accompanied by what appeared to be mandolins. I noticed a number of House Elves negotiating their way through the crowds as I rounded the corner, holding silver platters of food above their heads.

"Well why don't we ask this young lady?" a man with a wild mane of hair was standing with his face blurred by the red light.

Uh-oh. "How can I help, gentlemen?" I was allowed entrance into the inner circle of a group of middle-aged men, all of whom looked rather official but in a slightly-more-approachable-than-Lucius-Malfoy-way.

"The wife and I have had a fight, do I buy her chocolates or flowers?" a balding gentleman, dressed in upmarket dress robes, who must be in his mid-forties asked.

"The gift needs to be tailored to your wife, sir." I replied, when prompted to explain, I went on, "What does she prefer? What's her favourite type of flower? Does she actually like them or does she have allergies? What about chocolate? Favourite type? Does a certain type of chocolate remind you of a time you were both happy? Is your wife on a diet and would she be annoyed if you bought them? Sometimes what she needs is you, for the two of you to sit down and have a conversation, a bottle of red… a nice meal? And none of that matters even the slightest if you're not willing to move on from the thing you argued over in the first place."

"You should write a book." The man to my right said.

I laughed, "I've been told that before."

"Harvey Birkenhead, Junior Minister to Gethsemane Prickle in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures," the man who had the fight with his wife reached forwards to shake my hand, which I reciprocated with confidence, as he followed immediately with, "Which department do you work in?"

"Department?" I questioned, trying not to laugh, the dress is certainly doing its job, "I hope to become a Healer when I'm finished up here."

A few of the men exchanged looks as Harvey confirmed, "You're one of Old Sluggy's students?"

"Yes." I nodded respectfully, "But I'll keep the book in mind, too. Shall I dedicate it to you?"

The group of men laughed, "Sorry, I didn't catch your name." Harvey spoke.

"Kathryn -"

"Ah, there you are." Blaise interrupted, handed me a glass of fruit punch, "Hello Minister."

The Minister for Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour stepped out of the terrible red light and revealed himself to us. I took a sip of the fruity drink, smilingly politely, "Pleasure to meet you, Sir." I said shaking his hand after Blaise introduced himself, and me as his date for the evening.

"Gregory Godefroy," the man to my right introduced himself, shaking my hand, "Head of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes."

"Pius Thicknesse," said the peculiar looking man standing opposite me, with long black hair, a beard streaked with silver and a forehead that, quite frankly, took up the majority of space on his face, "Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

"Gawain Robards, Head of the Auror Office," said a rather battered up looking man, who had a half a finger missing on his right hand, a bit of a strange sensation as we exchanged pleasantries, "Accompanied by Kingsley Shacklebolt, behind you."

Kingsley Shacklebolt spoke directly to Scrimgeour, "Everything appears to be in order, Sir. Pleased to make your acquaintance." He nodded politely in my direction before retreating.

Rufus Scrimgeour, "Do your parents work in the Ministry?"

I shook my head, "No, Sir. I don't know my parents all that well, I was adopted by Muggles when I was less than a year old and I found out who my parents were in June."

Gawain Robards inhaled deeply and I looked up to Blaise for even the slightest bit of help, but he was regarding this entire situation with a bemused expression on his face.

"You're the -"

"Please don't say it." I said, "I don't like to be judged based on the woman who gave birth to me. I've had enough of that with my name being paraded through the Prophet in very unkind ways."

"Plain and unremarkable do I recall?" Mr Godefroy said, raising an eyebrow, showing off his many wrinkles, shaking his head.

I tipped my head to the side and smirked, "That's me."

"Sluggy!" Gawain Robards commanded the attention of my teacher, who took a double take when he saw me, "Great party, mate." He drew his attention, "These two students of yours?"

"Yes, yes!" he said, his eyes now fixed upon me.

Robards leaned forwards, "Now, would you suggest that this young lady is plain and unremarkable?"

Feeling pressured, Slughorn regarded the group, "Certainly not. I believe Miss Pink scored top marks in Potions last year, gaining her second place to Miss Granger."

I nodded, fairly taken-aback by Slughorn's oddly-kind words, or for the fact that he was looking at me at all, "You flatter me, Sir."

"Why don't you two find the Weird Sisters and give them the go-ahead from me?" Slughorn forced a smile before turning his back on me to talk to Scrimgeour.

"I'll take that as my leave, then," I said as politely as possible, "It was a pleasure speaking with you all." I nodded before turning to Blaise, "I guess we ought to find the Weird Sisters?"

"Pictures for the Prophet?" a reporter approached, "Showing the youth of today with Ministry Officials?"

Gawain Robards championed the idea, beckoning Blaise and me into the line-up, "Could be a good PR stunt for the front page?" All I could think as I grinned at the camera was Bellatrix is going to lap this up rightly.

Blaise stared at me strangely, "Sluggy really doesn't like you, does he?"

I laughed, "He doesn't like who my parents are and hates me by default."

"But you've made an impression on the Heads of Departments." He smirked, "I chose well." He pointed over the crowds, "There they are, you're going to have to push your way through the crowd."

"Why me?"

Blaise looked me up and down without saying a thing, "Just do it."

"Fine." I said, tacking the crowd, being awfully polite, "Excuse me – sorry, excuse me," but I progressively got more impatient, so impatient I was so unbelievably tempted to become invisible, but I couldn't risk it, "MOVE – Slughorn's request – seriously, did you just – yes, thank you – Goodness me."

I could hear Blaise laughing behind me. As I slowly but surely made it through the crowd and reached a gap on the other side he said, "That was pure gold."

"Glad I can be entertaining."

"Excuse me? Kirley?" Blaise approached a band member, "Slughorn said for the band to go on stage now."

Kirley then shouted, "Myron, mate, we've to go on stage."

Myron, who I recognised as the lead singer, approached, "You two a couple?"

I laughed, "He wishes."

"Do you wish, mate?"

"Merlin, no." Blaise said coolly, "She's a handful!"

"In more ways than one, I imagine?" I replied.

Blaise didn't dignify my question with a response, but rather raised his eyebrows at Myron, who said, "Can I have a dance later, when I'm finished up here?"

"You wish."

"I do. What will it take?"

I stood and thought about it, "Well… there is one thing…" I said slowly, knowing that I was definitely pushing my luck, "I haven't gotten my best friend a Christmas present yet, and she just so happens to be a massive fan of yours."

"And you're not a fan of mine?" he questioned, edging ever closer to me as his band members started playing the introduction to one of their songs.

"I appreciate what I hear." I said, not giving too much away.

"I'll find you later." He said, climbing up on stage, introducing the band and the song 'This is the Night'.

Blaise gave me a slow clap, "I don't know how you do it."

"Do what?"

"That thing you do, it draws people in." he explained rather pathetically, "He was practically throwing himself at you, and you just… played it cool. Most girls would have been on their knees, begging."

I wiggled my eyebrows, "But I'm not most girls, am I?"

"Certainly not."

"I'm hungry." I said, diverting from this increasingly awkward conversation. I was convinced this dress was doing wonders, making me look desirable in some very inexplicable way, "Let's get some food."

"I'll get us more drinks?"

I lifted a filo pastry covered prawn as a dish passed when I saw a harassed looking Harry, who quickly excused himself from the conversation to come see me, "How has your evening been?"

"Good!" I nodded, "I was invited into a conversation by the Minister for Magic himself, he hadn't a clue who I was until he asked if my parents worked in the ministry."

Harry lowered his eyebrows, "How'd that turn out?"

"Oddly well."

"It must be your irresistible charm and -"

I elbowed him, "Don't you start, Mr Potter." The two of us laughed, "Where's Luna at?"

He tittered to himself, "The stuff she comes out with makes it worth bringing her as my date! She's with Trelawney. I just think she's brilliant!"

"We've always been drawn to those who are a bit different, haven't we?" I smiled, "The people who don't quite fit the mould."

"Oh, but they're the best sort of people."

Another man with a camera approached, "Photograph with your girl for the Prophet, Mr Potter?"

Harry and I shared a glance, he knew that this would help me massively, "Make sure we look as adorable as possible. Give people something to talk about." I joked.

He laughed, addressing the photographer, "You've got yourself a deal. Make sure this one is published in tomorrow's edition." the man looked delighted with himself. Harry took two glasses of champagne off a passing tray, offering me one before we placed an arm around each other. Harry drew me in close, to make things look rather convincing as we both beamed to the camera, raising our glasses.

"You know?" I started, "That picture is everything Bellatrix wants, yet it's also everything she's afraid of."

"You got drinks?" Blaise returned holding a glass of punch and a butterbeer for himself.

I shook my head, "Harry asked me to hold this for Luna. Meet anyone interesting?" I considered the indecency of holding two glasses at once, so downed the champagne in one and set the glass down and grabbed a canape from one of the silver dishes as it passed, "Sorry Luna. You snooze you lose."

"No." he said rather stiffly, "Want a dance?"

I raised an eyebrow, "I didn't consider you one to dance voluntarily?"

"I'll make an exception tonight."

With the second eyebrow raised I said, "It almost sounds as though you want me all to yourself, Mr Zabini. You are aware that dancing involves you actually touching me, right?"

He sniggered, "I'll make sure to wash my hands when we're done."

"Well Harry, it looks like I have no other choice…"

"Enjoy." Harry shook his head, "Take care of her. I don't want her coming back with broken toes."

Blaise ignored him as he directed me towards the section of Slughorn's office where a number of couples appeared to be dancing. I didn't feel uncomfortable, but I did wonder why Blaise was acting the way he was. He was being nice, but also dissing me at every opportunity. Compliments came with insults and when I was engaging in conversation with others, he didn't join in. I didn't know if he was just rude, shy or so incredibly obnoxious and self-centred and is using me, for what reason, I'm not sure…?

Either way, the Weird Sisters were playing one of their slower songs and Blaise placed a hand on my waist and took my hand, "Why is your face like that?" he asked.

"Sorry I'm so ugly."

He extended his arm for me to twirl, before bringing me back in close again, "I mean, you look like you're concentrating."

"That's because I am. I don't think you'd forgive me if I happened to give you a few broken toes." I said, "My dancing skills are a little rough around the edges. I'm a lot more comfortable being free to make it up as I go along." I did a little freestyle for a few moves, "You've just got to learn not to give a shit what anyone else thinks." I said before going back into hold again.

"The champagne must have gone to your head?" he shook his head, "Either that or -"

We were distracted by a commotion, "Professor Slughorn," wheezed Filch, excitement clearly coursing through his body, relishing the fact that he'd caught Draco Malfoy in the act, "I discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party and to have been in delayed in setting out. Did you issue him with an invitation?"

Draco pulled himself free of Filch's grip, looking furious, the music had stopped and the party was now at a stand-still, "All right, I wasn't invited!" He said angrily, "I was trying to gatecrash, happy?"

Gatecrash? That's not your style, Draco…

"No, I'm not!" Filch said, a statement at odds with the look of glee on his face, "You're in trouble, you are! Didn't the Headmaster say that night-time prowling's out, unless you've got permission, didn't he, eh?"

"That's alright, Argus, that's alright," Slughorn waved a hand, "Its Christmas, and it's not a crime to want to come to a party. Just this once, we'll forget any punishment; you may stay, Draco."

Filch looked outraged. Draco's face showed disappointment. Snape had a glimmer of fear in his eyes.

What's going on here?

The music recommenced as Filch shuffled out of the room, but my attention was still on Draco, who was definitely faking his happiness. Blaise took hold of me again and turned me away from staring at Draco, as though demanding I gave him my full attention. Did Draco look ill? Blaise was just too tall for me to see over his shoulder.

So I waited for the end of the song to escape him.

"Where are you going?" he called after me, pulling me in for another dance.

"To find Draco." I said, "I gave you your dance, let me go."

Blaise shook his head, "You're my date for the evening, you can see your precious cousin over the holidays. Come on, leave him."

"Let go of me." I said, staring into his eyes, trying not to feel as threatened as I did.

"Why?"

I got really close to his face before saying loud and clear, "Because you don't own me, that's why." I put both my hands on his chest and pushed him back to arm's length before leaving the dance floor.

"Hey Luna! Sorry for interrupting," I said, glancing around her immediate vicinity, imagining that Harry would probably not want to be in conversation with Trelawney, "Where's Harry?"

"He went to the bathroom quite a while ago actually, perhaps he's not feeling very well, he did leave rather quickly." She said in her usual dreamy far-off voice.

Hermione appeared out of nowhere, "There you are! I was wondering if you actually – are you okay?"

I nodded, "Have you seen Draco?"

"No, he left with Snape." She put together my line of thought, seeing Luna alone, "One of these days he's going to get himself killed."

I smirked, "Or worse. Expelled."

She gave me a playful nudge, "Leave him. I'm sure we'll hear all about it in due course. How have things been with Blaise?"

"Erm…"

"That sounds ominous."

I scrunched up my face, "He's been oddly… clingy and that's not a word I ever thought I'd use to describe him… I ditched him on the dancefloor."

"I can go one up," Hermione cringed, "I left Cormac under the mistletoe."

I laughed, a good hearty one at that, "I don't think Blaise would dare."

"Ginny and Dean seem to be having a good time, though," she nodded her head towards a darkened corner of the room, "I wonder if they ever come up for air?"

The two of us giggled, turning and walking away before we got into trouble with Ginny. I couldn't stop the flow of jokes spurting from my mouth. Luckily as we walked around the room, I came across a new acquaintance standing on his own. I gave Hermione a nudge.

"Excuse me, Mr Birkenhead?" I said politely, "May I introduce my friend Hermione Granger, Sir? Hermione has a deep interest in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

Harvey took a step closer in interest, "You'll have to tell me your interests," he reached out a hand to shake with Hermione's, "do you intend on joining our department when you finish school?"

Hermione gave me a big smile and started talking to Harvey about the regulation of House Elves. I caught eyes with Blaise, who was standing alone, his body language as stiff and uninviting as usual. I excused myself from the flourishing conversation going on beside me and left them to it.

"I think you owe me a dance." Myron approached me.

I placed a hand on my chest, "You scared me." I hadn't even noticed the change of music back to the more classical tones.

"May I?" he outstretched his hand, bowing slightly, maintaining eye-contact as though I were a Hippogriff.

"If you must." I said, taking his hand, "But I'll have you know, one dance is all you are getting."

He took a deep breath before reasoning, "I'll have to make the most of it, then."

With my hand in his, he whisked me off towards the others who were dancing. The evening was now winding down and there was more space to breathe. I wouldn't say I felt uncomfortable in Myron's presence, nor would I say I felt like I was cheating on George, why I know this, is because I felt absolutely no chemistry with the man. With the music back to the singer and the mandolins, there was little opportunity for goofiness.

Myron seemingly just wanted to talk, "So what's your name?"

"Kathryn."

"And your best friend's?"

"She's known as 'Tonks', she often sports one of your t-shirts." I said, "Nearly all my knowledge about your music has come from her lips. So if you do send her something, which I don't expect you to do, but if you did, she'd be over the moon."

"And you? What would your reaction be?" he questioned.

I looked at him, we were about the same height with me in these heels, "I'd be grateful, she's had a tough couple of months."

"If I promise to send her something, will you talk about you?"

I scrunched up my face, "What do you want to know?"

"Where'd you grow up? Who are your parents?" he asked, listing off questions as they came to him, "What are your plans for Christmas? What's the latest gossip inside these walls? Where do you see yourself in five-years?"

"Ah!" I said, laughing to myself, "So this is an interview?"

"Sure."

I played along, "I grew up in Northern Ireland with my adoptive parents, who are now both dead. I now live between London and the south coast with the people I consider family. My plan is to spend Christmas with them or in London, depends. Gossip in Hogwarts? Well my good friend Mr Potter is the Chosen One, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes is smuggling their products into the school and… well there's always something going around about me, but I don't listen to it anymore. In the next five years I'd love for Voldemort to be destroyed so that I might have a chance at a normal life?"

Myron stared at me.

"You still haven't worked out who I am yet, have you?"

Myron shook his head.

"Well… My birth mother called me Katy, my cousin is Draco Malfoy, the guy who tried to gate-crash, my -"

"Ah, you're not what I imagined Katy Lestrange to be like." He said in the kindest way imaginable, "I mean, you're so – and they're so – and -"

"Yeah." I said.

As we continued to dance, conversation pushing out any other sounds and persons, he said, "And you're not on your parents' side? You want You-Know-Who killed?"

"I wouldn't be broadcasting that near my parents, but yes, sooner someone has the balls to take him on, the better." I smirked, "I'd like a quiet life. One where I can walk through London without being attacked for the blood that runs through my veins."

He chuckled, "The dream."

"Tell me about you." I said, "My story isn't the type to be told at parties for light-hearted entertainment."

He smiled as he said, "You give me hope, if it's not Potter who takes down You-Know-Who, it'll be you. You're quite set against that life." He remarked, "Not that I'd dare say that in the wrong company." He winked, "About me… about me… Born in North London, studied here where we formed the band, and against the orders of staff we performed our first concert during a Halloween feast and that's where it all began. We've sold out arenas, sold millions of -"

I stopped him, "I want to know about you, not the band. What makes Myron Wagtail tick?"

He looked taken aback, "I don't think I've ever been asked that. I do love my music and my job. But that's not what you want to know. You want to know that my favourite food is Tacos, my favourite place to be is Nashville, my parents initially thought that this band idea was mad, but now are quite happy living in the home I bought them after a few years in the industry."

"And are you happy?" I asked.

He smiled, "Yeah."

"Have you ever regretted your choice?"

"Not for a single second." He said, but was distracted by something behind me, "I think a friend of yours is looking your attention."

I looked over my shoulder to see a harassed looking Hermione, "Yeah, sorry… I think I've got to save her from her date. It was really nice to meet you."

"And you, Kathryn." He shook my hand.

"Can I just ask you one more thing?"

"Shoot."

I swallowed before asking, "Why me? Why, of all the girls, did you choose to dance with me?"

He smirked, "Because you weren't throwing yourself at me. Besides, why not? Turned out to be the most interesting conversation of the evening. You've kept me grounded."

"Goodnight." I smiled before turning to Hermione, who was arguing with Cormac, who took one look at my expression and backed away. He said something to Hermione and promptly left the party.

Hermione let out a deep sigh of relief, "Thank you. I know kissing him would annoy – but even I don't want to kiss that." she gagged.

"Nah," I said, "I don't think you're that desperate…." I looked around the room, "On another topic, have you seen Blaise?"

Hermione pointed, "He's right there."

"Gimme a sec," I said, approached my date and stopped at arms-length, "I'm -"

"No, I'm sorry…" he stopped me, "You're right, you may have been my date for the evening, but that doesn't mean that I owned you. I just needed to make sure Myron wasn't up to no good."

"You almost sound like you care."

Blaise's eyes dropped to the floor, "I made a promise to Malfoy." He took a deep breath, "I guess I'll call it a night." He turned to walk away.

"Blaise?" I called out.

He turned, his eyes falling upon mine, "Thank you for tonight."

"My pleasure." He nodded and disappeared.

Hermione approached me, her arm linking into mine. My feet were aching and I was exhausted. I think tonight was a success, at least for me. I gave a gentle wave goodnight to Myron as we left.