Ayleen sat in the library and worked on here essay for Herbology. She was now a student at Hogwarts herself and was in her third year. Two years ago the sorting head had sent her, like Harry before her, to Gryffindor. Severus hadn't been very enthusiastic about it, he had preferred to see her in his house, but for that she was probably too much like her mother. Lost in thoughts Ayleen started chewing on her quill. When Severus had told her over the summer holidays that the Triwizard tournament would take place in Hogwarts this year she had been very excited about it, especially because she could meet students from other magical schools. That excitement had vanished quickly as the goblet of fire had spit out Harry's name and so made him a Triwizard champion. Actually she shouldn't be surprised, as her brother attracted dangerous situations. In his first year he had followed Professor Quirrell into the dungeons and had met Voldemort there. In his second year he had battled a basilisk and had only survived because Dumbledore's phoenix had healed him. And only last year he had taken on hundreds dementors only to safe Sirius. Ayleen just hoped that his luck would last in the tournament, the first task had already been perilous. Somehow she was also sorry for Harry, because there would be a ball at Christmas and because he was a champion he had to opened it and dance. Just a few days ago he had confessed to her that he couldn't dance and hadn't invited anyone. Upon that she had looked questioningly at him, but he said he wouldn't ask her, after all she was his sister and it would make it only more embarrassing. So she wouldn't be going to the ball than as a third grade she wasn't allowed to go without an escort. Ayleen heard how chairs were pulled back and looked up to see Fred and George sitting down across from her. Grinning the red headed twins looked at her. "Fred, George", she said looking skeptical at them. "Aly", George said grinning. Ayleen pulled a face she didn't like it when the twins called her that. "What do you want?" the black haired girl asked and laid her quill aside. She knew, that when the two grinned that way they had planned something and it rarely meant something good. "What makes you think that we want something from you?" Fred asked innocently. Ayleen rolled her eyes and rolled her parchment up before she crossed her arms and waited that the two started talking. The twins exchanged a glance before George started speaking. "We've got a challenge for you." "A challenge?" Ayleen asked surprised. Fred nodded. "Yeah call it a bet." "And how does this bet look?" Ayleen wanted to know. Grinning the twins exchanged an other glance. "Well, we're sure you wouldn't dare go to the Yule Ball with Draco Malfoy." Ayleen blinked a few times why should she do that only to annoy Harry? "Why should I do that?" she asked. "Simply because then you get unlimited access to our joke products and we play pranks on anyone you want," said Fred. That sounded rather tempting, even if Severus would certainly give her a telling off if he knew she was getting involved in something like that. "Alright but if he already has a date I still win deal?" Ayleen asked. The twins agreed and Ayleen stood up. "Where are you going?" Fred asked. "Well I have to get my date ready, I'll see you later," Ayleen said and winked at them both.
Ayleen walked through the dungeons, as she ate dinner with Severus at least once a week, she still spent a lot of time down here. Of course she also knew where the common room of the Slytherins was, she even knew the password for it but she wouldn't abuse this knowledge. She laid against the bare wall who marked the entrance to the common room and waited. She knew that Draco still had a class of potions and then would come here. Luckily for Ayleen the class was almost over and she didn't have to wait long until the blond rounded the corner. As usual Crabbe and Goyle followed him. When he saw her he raised his eyebrow skeptically. Ayleen pushed herself from the wall and went to him. She smiled honestly at him and Draco return the smile reluctantly. "Crabbe, Goyle go on I'll be right there", Draco said. The two passed Ayleen and disappeared into the common room. "Do they always what you tell them to do?" Ayleen asked and looked from the entrance to Draco. "Pretty much", Draco answered with a shrug. Ayleen nodded in understanding. "Ayleen what are you doing here?" Draco wanted to know after the girl had stood in front of him in silence for a while. Ayleen blushed a little, Draco was her friend, but to ask him to go with her to the yule ball was something different. Ayleen took a deep breath and looked into his gray eyes, which studied her attentively. For a moment Ayleen wondered when Draco had gotten so much taller than her, but quickly shook of the thought. "I wanted to ask you something", she mumbled. "Oh yeah?" Draco said raising an eyebrow. Ayleen nodded. "Yeah, you know that I can't go to the yule ball, because I'm only a third year, so I wanted to ask you if…" Draco raised his hand interrupting Ayleen. "You wanted to know if I would go there with you?" he asked and Ayleen nodded meekly. Draco sighed and ran a hand over his face. "Ayleen, Pansy already asked me to be her date", Draco said. "Oh if that's so…." Ayleen mumbled. "Please let me finish", Draco interrupted her again. "Pansy asked me to be her date, but I can't stand her, she's too brash. I would prefer to go with someone I like, so it would be an honor to go with you, if only to see Potter's stupid face," Draco said, grinning. Ayleen rolled her eyes. "You could have saved yourself that comment," she snorted. Draco smirked, took her hand and blew a kiss on the back of her hand. Baffled Ayleen looked at Draco. "It will be a pleasure to be your escort for the Yule Ball," he said, tilting his head slightly to the side and then disappearing into his common room. Ayleen's heart hammered in her chest, what had that just been.
"Why are you grinning like that?" Severus asked. Ayleen had eaten dinner with him and had that dreamy smile on her lips the whole evening. "I have a date for the yule ball", the girl answered and Severus could see how she blushed. He raised an eyebrow since when was his daughter interested in boys. Sighing he leaned back and looked at his daughter. For better or worse, he had to admit to himself that his little girl was slowly becoming a young woman. It seemed like only yesterday that he had changed her and now she was already wearing bras and started to meet boys. "And who's your escort?" Severus wanted to know. The blush on Ayleen's cheeks darkened, when she mumbled something incomprehensible. "Ayleen", Severus said strictly. Ayleen took a deep breath before she looked into her foster father's dark eyes. "Draco", she said determined. A soft smile formed on Severus' lips. "I should have guessed," Severus said and stood up. "Oh yeah?" Ayleen said, turned to him while he went into the kitchen with his plate. "Yeah, had there been something like this when I way your age I would certainly have gone with your mother", Severus explained leaning against the counter. "Really?" Ayleen asked surprised. Severus nodded. "We were best friends and Lily couldn't stand James until our last year", he said with a shrug. "Tell me Severus, have you ever felt more than friendship for my Mom?" Ayleen asked looking at him expectantly. "She was something really special in my life", Severus answered without looking at Ayleen. "That doesn't answer my question", Ayleen said simply. Severus took her plate away. "You should leave now before the perfects catch you after curfew", Severus said softly. Ayleen was surprised that Severus chased her out like that, normally he didn't withhold things from her and she had the felling that he really had felt more for her mother once.
Slowly Ayleen went down the moving staircase. She and Draco had arranged to meet in front of the great hall, like most of the dancing couples from different houses. She hoped that Draco would like her dress. It was a simple, green ball gown, that was tight on the upper body and then became a little wider from the hips and fell to the floor. On the last steps in front of the great hall she saw someone who looked down unsure. "Hermione?" Ayleen asked surprised. The brown haired girl turned to her. "Ayleen what are you doing here?" she asked. "I have a date for the ball. You look stunning", Ayleen praised. Hermione blushed. "Thanks, but you too", she returned the compliment. "Shall we go down together?" Ayleen wanted to know pointing at the stairs. Hermione bit her lips. "That would be really great", she finally admitted. Ayleen grabbed Hermione's hand and together they stepped down the stairs. She could hear some whispers and saw how some students turned forward them. Among them also Harry, who looked wide eyed at the two girls. Ayleen smiled timidly at him. Suddenly someone stepped in front of them, and the girls stopped on the last step. In front of them stood Viktor Krum, who bend a little stiff in front of them and then offered his hand to Hermione. Hermione looked at Ayleen once more, who nodded at her, before she took Krum's hand and went away. Ayleen smiled she found that the two made a cute couple. "You look great", she heard Draco's voice and she turned to him. She hadn't realized that he had stepped up to her. "You too", Ayleen replied eying Draco. He wore a tailored, dark suit with a grey tie. He smiled, which made his eyes sparkle, and offered her his arm. Ayleen took his offered arm and let him guide her into the great hall. She could feel Harry's gaze in her neck, but she didn't care, she just wanted to enjoy the night with her friend. Together with Draco, Ayleen stood in the crowd and waited for the champions to open the ball. As they finally passed them, Ayleen could hear some whispering in surprise that Hermione was here with Krum. Ayleen watched Harry spellbound and hoped that her brother wouldn't embarrass himself too much. When the music started Harry's escort, one of the Patil twins, seemed to take the lead. Ayleen smiled he wasn't so bad after all. After a while the other dance couples started to fill the dance floor. Draco squeezed Ayleen's hand and she looked up at him. He smiled and then leaded her gallant on the dance floor. Skilled he moved her into the right position and started to guide her over the dance floor. Ayleen started to chuckle and Draco looked down at her in irritation. "What's so funny?" he asked. "Nothing", Ayleen said shaking her head still laughing. "Are you laughing at me?" Ayleen shook her head again. "No, but I'm not surprised that you can dance", she said grinning at the blond. Draco snorted and whirled her once around her own axis. "My parents were convinced that a real, pureblood wizard should also know something about dancing", Draco explained snidely. "I see, do you have any other talents I don't know about Mr. Malfoy?" Ayleen asked. "I play piano and violin since I was three years old." Ayleen looked at him wide eyed. "Really?" she asked baffled. Draco nodded and Ayleen pushed his chest slightly. "Why didn't you ever tell me that?" she wanted to know angrily. "It didn't matter" Draco said with a shrug. "You really have to play something for me," Ayleen asked. Draco just smiled at her what meant that they would see.
Ayleen had rarely had so much fun as she did that night. Somewhen Draco had pulled her aside and together they had left the party and hade gone down to the black lake. The moon bathed everything in silver light and gave everything a more magical touch. Draco had given her his jacket so she didn't freeze and Ayleen enjoyed the smell that clung to it. When it was getting late Draco took Ayleen's hand and let her back to the castle. Instead of telling her goodbye in front of the great hall he accompanied her to the portrait of the fat lady. "Thanks, I really enjoyed the night", Ayleen said handing Draco his jacket. "You're welcome, I enjoyed it as well. It was surely better than with that bitch Pansy", he said smiling and laid the jacket over his arm. Draco bend forward and kissed Ayleen on the cheek. "See you", he whispered and turned around. Perplexed Ayleen watched as Draco went down the hallway and waved at her, while her hand moved to the spot where he had kissed her. A pleasant tingling sensation spread from her cheek through her body. She didn't knew what it was but she knew that her relationship to Draco had changed that night.