Bringing nothing but snow and excitement, December came quickly. The students were all bubbly, ready to take a break from the constant studying and pressure from the teachers. Most of the students were returning home for the holidays, and Harry and I would be joining the Weasleys at the Burrow.

As exciting as going home was, there was something even better coming: Professor Slughorn's Christmas party. The only people invited were those in the Slug Club, Slughorn's group of what he called elite students. Each member was allowed to bring another student, but I wasn't sure who to invite.

The first people I asked were Draco and Star, but when they both politely refused the invite, I realised how little friends I actually had in this school. Eventually, I decided to go alone.

The night came quickly. All of the students were giddy since it was the last night before returning home, except for Star, who helped me get ready for the party. Despite my endless pestering, she wouldn't explain what was bothering her. She won in the end, since I had to leave to meet Harry outside of the Slytherin area.

"You look lovely," Harry noted as I walked up to him. A blonde Ravenclaw, Luna Lovegood, stood on his other side, wearing a beautiful blue dress.

I laughed and thanked him. "You're not too bad yourself. As to you, Luna."

Slughorn's office was in the dungeons, not too far from the Slytherin House. We entered the office unnoticed, due to the distractions the room held. The ceiling and walls had been draped with emerald, crimson, and gold fabrics and streamers. There were different coloured lights strung about, casting the room in a beautiful light. Fluttering around the lights were real fairies, each hosting their own bright speck of light.

When I finally tore my attention from the ceiling, I was drawn to the actual room. Loud singing and some sort of uncommon instrument sounded from the corner of the room, barely audible over the chatter of the people. I recognised many students, but there were also multiple older wizards and witches I didn't know.

Something gently bumped into my leg and I heard a small apology. When I looked down to see what hit me, I saw a House-elf holding a silver platter filled with food. I then noticed many other House-elves, roaming around and serving the partygoers.

"Oh, look!" Luna said, her voice light and dreamy. "There's Hermione."

I looked up to see Hermione Granger duck under a table, her pale pink dress doing nothing to help her blend in with her surroundings. I walked over to the table, which held punch and cups, and bent down to greet her. She scowled at me at first, but when she saw Harry next to me, her face softened and she came out from under the table.

"Sorry," she said to Harry, "I'm trying to stay away from Cormac McLaggen. I invited him instead of Ron and now I regret it." Hermione glanced at me, then back at my brother. "Is everything alright with you two again?

"Yeah," Harry answered as I nodded.

"That's good," Hermione responded. "I love your dress, Luna. Oh! There's Cormac. Quick, um, help," she said quickly, ducking back under the table.

We leaned against the table, shielding her from sight. McLaggen approached us, looking confused. "Have you guys seen Hermione?" he asked.

"No," we answered in unison.

"Oh."

He left, and Hermione emerged once more. "Let's go somewhere else."

Luna, Harry, and I followed her through the office, moving around quickly to avoid Hermione's redundant date.

As we were moving behind a curtain, the office door slammed open, crashing into the wall and bouncing back. Filch pushed the door out of his face once more and walked in, dragging a very pale and exhausted-looking Draco behind him.

"Let me go, you filthy Squib!" Draco stammered loudly, struggling in Filch's grasp on his wrists.

"Slughorn!" Filch yelled. "I found this boy wandering outside of your office. He claims to be gate-crashing. I thought you might want to give him a detention."

"No, Filch, that won't be necessary," Slughorn said calmly. "I'm sure he's simply late."

"He's my date," I announced, ignoring the looks Harry and Hermione both shot me.

"See, Filch? Mr Malfoy was just late. All is well."

Filch growled angrily before letting Draco out of his grasp. He walked over to me, visibly irritated.

"Hey," he said, voice calm once he was next to me.

"What was that about?" I asked.

"I . . . I'll explain later. Thanks for helping me with Filch, though."

"Anytime."

"Malfoy!" Snape yelled. "Now."

"Yes, sir," Draco answered, leaving my side. "We'll talk after," he whispered as he followed Snape out the door.

Harry looked at Draco, then back at me. "Are you and Draco--"

"No, we're not dating," I answered quickly.

"Okay," Harry said slowly. "Be careful, though. I don't trust him."

"I know you don't."

"We should follow him to see what he and Snape are going to talk about," Harry suggested.

"Are you mad?"

Harry shook off my answer and walked out of the office. I followed him and we made our way through the halls, looking for Draco and Snape. I saw them walk into an empty classroom, and we quickly approached it.

"Listen to me. I am trying to help you," Snape said calmly. "I swore to your mother I would protect you. I made the Unbreakable Vow, Draco -"

"Looks like you'll have to break it, then, because I don't need your protection!" Draco interrupted. "It's my job, he gave it to me and I'm doing it, I've got a plan and it's going to work, it's just taking a bit longer than I thought it would!"

"Death Eater," Harry whispered. "I told you."

I ignored him.

"You are acting like a child!" Snape hissed. "You can't do this without help--"

"I have help!"

"I hope you are not relying on those meatheads Crabbe and Goyle."

"Of course not," Draco answered quickly. "I have Star, a-and others!"

"Like Potter?"

Harry turned to look at me, surprised and curious.

"No! I don't want to bring her into this at all. I didn't even want her to know, but she figured it out on her own."

"Figured what out?" Harry asked quietly.

"Nothing," I answered, shushing him.

"You know," Snape drawled, voice laced with even more irritation than before, "only a fool would get involved with someone like her at this point in time."

"Maybe that's exactly what I am."

"Are you hearing yourself? Do you even know what you're dragging her into?"

"She doesn't need to be a part of any of this! I can handle this on my own without her knowing."

"Then it would do you well to accept someone else's help!"

I heard footsteps coming near the door as Draco stomped away. Harry and I jumped up and ran back into the shadows, hiding in another doorway.

We held our breath as Snape passed us, swiftly going back to the party. Draco was standing in the hallway, wallowing in his anger.

Harry turned to me, trying to stammer out all of his questions at once. I shushed him again, reminding him that Draco was still just twenty feet away.

I ducked out of the doorway and walked over to Draco in hopes of escaping my brother's pestering.

"Hey, Draco, is everything okay?" I asked.

"Yeah. Are you ready to ditch that party?"

"Absolutely."

I slipped my hand into Draco's and we walked the short distance back to the Slytherin area. There were still multiple students in the common room, so I followed Draco to his dorm, which was empty since Blaise Zabini was at the party and Crabbe and Goyle were in the common room.

Draco sat down behind his desk and I sat on his bed. "Do you want to explain what happened at the party?"

"It's just something for the Dark Lord," he answered quietly.

"What about with Snape?"

"He just wanted to tell me to be careful."

"Okay," I said slowly. "How are you feeling?"

Draco seemed confused by my question at first. "I'm okay, I think. I'm tired. I don't want to go home tomorrow. A lot's happening," he explained.

"How can I help?"

He hesitated, as if he was torn between answers. "You don't have to," he eventually said.

"I want to, Draco," I responded gently. "Come here."

He stood up from his desk and sat next to me on the bed. I took him into my arms in a hug, holding him close.

"I know that there isn't much I can do. For now, the best thing I know to do is to just be there for you. Is that okay?"

Draco smiled softly. "That's perfect. Thank you."