As the end of October drew closer, murmurs rang throughout the school about the upcoming party. Winter was definitely on the way and students began spending more and more time in their respective common- rooms where they sat huddled close to the fire..

Harry's POV

The teachers had started giving out a lot more homework and we had to give it in the very next day. We had started doing time exercises in Transfiguration which involved McGonagall setting a time limit and anyone who finished the work after that would watch the parchment being transfigured into a white paper boat and wouldn't get it graded which also meant losing house points..

We usually spent the day in classes and then had lunch after which we were forced to study in the common room and study until eleven at night (by Hermione)

It was Friday and the last class of the day happened to be potions with the Slytherins. Ron, Hermione and I got a table to ourselves and Ginny was again forced to sit with Lavender and Draco.

Wait, Draco? I thought as I made my way to his table after getting my potion graded.

"Hey guys, how's it going?" I asked when I walked by their table.

"Great," Lavender replied, rather over-joyfully.

"So er, are you and Draco friends now?" I asked awkwardly, scratching the back of my head.

"Duh, we made up ages ago!" Lavender replied.

"Okay. and you forgave him?" I could not believe it. Maybe it was the fact that Lavender and Draco were acting like they had not been enemies in the past that had me surprised. But then again, I never had seen them argue. Now that I thought about it, I had not seen Draco bully anyone who wasn't a first year except Neville. He had been telling the truth on the train and now I knew that for sure.

"That's what making up means."

"Oh yeah," I said lamely. "Hey, Ginny, will you come to Slughorns party tonight? With me?"

"Sure, Harry," she replied, grinning.

"We'll be there too," Lavender piped up, pointing at herself and Draco. I was shocked to say the least.

"Oh okay then see you there!"

"Hey Harry, where's Hermione?" asked Ginny suddenly

"Outside"

"Okay " she said waving to Lavender. "I have to ask her something." Lavender didn't notice and continued talking to Draco.

"Aren't they acting weird?" I asked.

"Tell me about it." Ginny said as we joined Ron and Hermione."She and Dracco talk all the time. Honestly I got my potion wrong just because they wouldn't stop talking."

"Hey, look on the bright side. Lavender won't bug you all the time now." Ron said.

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At nine that evening everyone was enjoying the party. The Weird Sisters were playing live and kids were bobbing along to the beat. Hermione was helping herself to a large bowl of chocolate ice cream and trying not to spill it on her gorgeous dress. She was wearing a flowy midnight blue dress with silver heals.

Ginny was wearing a pretty pale pink gown that reached her ankles. Her hair was cascading down her back in soft waves and she wore a very thin layer of make-up. She looked stunning. I had told her just that a moment ago causing her to turn scarlet.

"Thanks," she murmured. "You look great too." I smiled as she led me over to the packed dance floor.

We had a great time laughing and dancing together. Professor Slughorn was currently passing around a platter of canary creams. Near the back a small table had been set up where George was selling Weaslys' Wizard Wheezes products at half price. I felt a pang of sadness remembering how Fred had always been there with George. You could never see one without the other.

There was a photo booth too where you could chose from a wide array of backgrounds. Neville had thrown up twice since the party bagan because George had tricked him into buying puking Pastilles. Ron was currently having a contest with Dean to see who could eat five plates of pudding first. I grinned as Ginny and I spun around on the spot. This was perfect. Everything was finally peaceful and we could have fun.

But my joy was to be cut short soon enough. After half an hour of dancing, Ginny and I decided to go sit by Ron and Hermione who were seated at a small table clutching bottles of butterbeer.

Ron was on his third bottle when suddenly a loud bang rang throughout the room. My heart immediately clenched as I spotted a hooded figure. He had obviously apparated into the room. He wore black robes and a mask over his face, and when he spoke, everyone fell silent at once. His voice was muffled due to his mask

"Anyone moves a muscle and I shall kill this boy."

With a shudder, I realized his wand was pointed at Draco's throat, and Lavender, with whom he had obviously been sitting had gone deathly pale. Nobody moved even an inch. I could have sworn I had heard that voice somewhere before but I couldn't remember where. The man took hold of Draco's arm and disapperated without a word. The look on Draco's face had been absolutely shocked. I had seen him go white as a sheet when the man had disappeared with his hand still on Draco.

Nobody made a sound, too shocked to move. Professor Slughorn finally said, his voice shaking with fear,"Everyone go back to your dorms. Minerva must be told about this" he added when everyone had left except Ron, Hermione, Ginny and I.

"Professor," Hermione began. "What could they mean by this?"

"Well, they must be angry after the Dark Lord's downfall. So they could want revenge."

"But Draco was a deatheater," Ginny pointed out.

"Maybe his father found out about him befriending me," I said. If that was true then this was my fault. I felt horrible. Someone was in trouble. Because of me. Again.

"Harry," Ginny began in a soothing tone. and while usually that comforting voice would have soothed me and made me feel happy about myself, I still felt angry at myself. "It isn't your fault."

"It is my fault. If I hadn't forgiven him...."

"That is ridiculous, mate," Ron said.

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