Sorry for my absence. There was no excuse. I started the chapter then it somehow got deleted and my second attempt wasn't as good and I lost faith in myself. This one is extra long to attempt to make up for it.

Chapter 12: Close.

As the Hogwarts Express pulled into Kings Cross, the majority of its passengers were vibrating with excitement at going home for the holidays. The constant laughter and chatter on route was one of the many signs as we disembarked, overloaded with trunks and cages. Michael kissed me good-bye at the station after we spent the train journey in a compartment with his friends. I was getting to know them more and although I didn't share the comfortable friendship I did with the Slytherins, it was at least getting less and less awkward.

Stepping out of the embrace he gave me the signature dimpled smile before turning to find his family. I watched curiously as he hugged a raven-haired women with the same shade of blue eyes as he did, his Mother seemed to be commenting on his appearance, tugging at his hair and staring at him affectionately as he embraced a man that must have been his father. A girl, Lizzie, I recalled him mentioning smiled shyly at him, holding firmly onto her mother's coat. They laughed at something Michael said.

As if feeling my stare, Corner's Mum glanced in my direction, instantly breaking the spell I was under. I could feel the heat rise to my face as I scanned the crowds ahead of me, trying to blend in with the masses and avoid any chance of actually meeting the family.

"It's weird, isn't it?" A voice came from behind me. I turned to see Draco approaching, a black leather duffle casually held over his shoulder. I wondered how long he was watching me watch my boyfriend and felt all-the-more stupid.

"What is?" I hedged.

He smirked darkly before jerking his chin towards the Corners. "What a normal family looks like."

Despite the embarrassment, I chuckled. "Weird is definitely one of the words I would use."

"You getting collected?"

"Mum's always late," I said shrugging. "I may as well let the crowds thin out before looking for her."

He stood along-side of me, scanning the crowds as I was doing moments before. He exhaled deeply, I couldn't help notice the lack of the initial excitement that was clear in our peers.

"Regretting your decision to come home?" I asked wryly.

"My Mother has lost a lot these last years… me nearly being murdered several times has made her… clingy."

The Malfoy heir, I noticed, despite being one of the most private people I've ever met would randomly share pieces of himself without warning. Meaning I never quite knew how to react. "Well, there's always Blaise's party to look forward to," I offered as some sort of response.

"One night in two weeks? I might go mad."

"I'm sure you can convince some of the group to distract you during this horrid time," I couldn't help the sarcastic tone seeping into my words.

"You're sure?" His response surprised me. I turned from the sea of people to stare at the pale, raised eyebrow that he was giving me. "How about it then?"

I gaped at him. "You're asking me to distract you?"

"Surely you'll be bored enough in your own Manor that coming over to mine isn't that horrible an alternative."

"I –"

"And I still owe you cigarettes. I hate being in debt to people so I'm afraid you don't have an option."

"Alright!" I exclaimed, slightly exasperated. "No need to bully me any further."

"Good." He sounded almost exactly the same as he did in the Great Hall a few days ago. Smug and as if he was in on something I wasn't. That irritating smirk leaned closer and I froze, nervous, once again. I was never sure about what this boy might do.

His lips brushed my ear as he muttered quietly, "I'll send you an owl to let you know when." And with that he turned and left without so much as a goodbye. The blasted blonde leaving me gaping as his pale head disappeared into the crowd –

"Alyssa."

I snapped back into the present, my Mother staring at me over her horn-rimmed glasses and the morning's prophet in her hands.

Shaking off the memory I responded. "Sorry, what were you saying?"

"I swear you are more subdued this week then I have ever seen you. You're home two days and I can barely get a word out of you. What is going on in that head of yours?"

"Nothing," I answered, returning to my breakfast. "I guess I'm just tired…"

"Well eat up. You've not really touched your food and I know it's not from Hogwarts kitchens but Merlin knows how much sugar and fat the elves pump into those meals. You've put on on weight since September. Have you been reading the articles I've sent you –"

"Yes Mother." I said rolling my eyes.

Cecilia Blackthorne was a beautiful women. No one could deny that. Her hazel eyes matched mine disturbingly but were more cutting in their stares. Her hair, more auburn than my own was swept up in an immaculate up-do, accentuating the high neckline of her dress-robes. Simple, diamond studs of brilliant clarity hung in her ears matching the larger jewel around her neck, her wedding ring used to out shine all of her jewellery, a walnut-sized sapphire on a bed of tiny diamonds. However the older women had taken it off some time ago. I liked to think that when she did the weight of more than the ridiculous ring had lifted from her when she had.

I can be poetic when I want to be.

She was still mid-rant of how important it was I remained slim when there was a tap on the window. We were eating breakfast in the sun room and we both turned to see an eagle owl pecking for entrance. Both of us stiffened, Mum's tinted lips were pressed together in a hard line. Post these past months has never meant good news for our dwindling family. Silently I stood to let the bird in. Surprising both of us it didn't instantly fly in and settle in front of the older witch. Instead stuck its leg out to me. There was not one but three letters addressed to me. Frowning I took them off the bird and after offering some sustenance for the journey home I sat down once more. I could feel my mother's stare as I opened the first own.

Alyssa,

Hope you've been enjoying the time off. Things are pretty quiet at my aunts and Astoria is driving me mad. Our relationship suffers if we only have each other to converse with. Speaking of – has Michael been in contact yet? If not don't worry. I think you should probably write to him though. You know how casual you are and it might give him a little more confidence. I know, I know – butt out Daphne! But I've got nothing else to think about here. Well that and the ball… speaking of – what are you wearing? I need details! I'll send you a picture of mine. It's nice but I feel I'm going to have to transfigure the neckline a bit.

Write back soon! (And by soon I mean instantly)

Daphne.

Smirking I put it down and opened the next one. Spying the signature I checked to make sure my mother hadn't cast a vision charm on herself I continued to read.

Dear Alyssa,

Sorry it took this long to write. I got caught up doing the generic family Christmas stuff. Random relations popping in for tea at all hours – It's a lot of work. How are you? I know saying I miss you will make you freak out or hit me but let's say I am missing some particular study sessions in the library with you. Whoever told you about that spot on in the eighth row is a genius.

Blushing slightly and wishing I'd decided to open the post alone I quickly finished reading this one.

If you're not too busy maybe we could meet up? Go to London or something? No pressure.

Michael.

Cecilia, who clearly couldn't hold her tongue any longer finally exclaimed, "Alyssa –"

"In a minute Mother, I have one more."

The final letter was the smallest. On opening it I felt a darker flush developing for some unfathomable reason. The letter merely contained a handful of lines yet the elegant script seemed to match the sooth, dark timbre of the voice that echoed in my mind as I read:

Liss,

The holidays are as dull as we anticipated. Your visit to the Manor will probably have to come sooner than I first thought. Blaise's party is in two days so I think perhaps Friday. I'll decide the time later on. Have you tortured your mother enough that you're going to let her know you're going?

D

The bastard. I felt as though I was being summoned. The Malfoy heir not bothering to care if the date of my visit suited me. Despite the irritation I couldn't help but grin. I glanced up to catch my Mother's gaze, looking almost as if she's fit to burst.

"Well?"

"Friends from school." I said shrugging and folding up the parchment. She looked as though she debated snatching them off me and thought better of it.

"Friends… anyone I know?" She was trying to act casual. This is definitely the type of torture Draco was thinking of.

I remained casual. "I've been hanging out with a new group – Daphne Greengrass, Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zambini, Theodore Nott and Pansy Parkinson."

There was no way I was breathing a word about Corner. I watched as her eyes widened. She took her glasses off and rubbed her eyes, perhaps thinking she was dreaming.

"That's… amazing to hear darling. I of course know all their families." Her eyes turned innocent. "Will any of them be visiting over the break?"

"No."

"Oh." She looked quite hilariously disappointed.

"Mum are you making a trip to Diagon Alley soon?" I said rising from the table, taking my letters with me. I planned to write a response to each in my room.

Seeing my obvious retreat I watched my mother's shoulders slump a little. "I suppose so yes. Is there something you need?"

"I just wanted to go to Madam Maulkins." I kept up the casual tone. It was so cruel, I knew it was but I couldn't help seize the opportunity.

"Is your uniform alright?" A correct assumption. The only reason Alyssa Blackthorne would go to the dressmakers is for her school uniform.

"No," I sighed, the last sentence leaving my lips as I left the room. "I just need a gown for the Zambini Christmas Ball.

I turned the corner and stopped, waiting for the words to sink in.

"Oh…" The syllable floated from the sun room. "Zambini… Alyssa Blackthorne you come back here this minute!"

XXX

Mere hours later I found myself on a pedestal in Madame Malkins' a pin nipping into a hem dangerously close to the skin at my clavicles.

"Are you sure you wouldn't prefer a strapless dress, dear," the old dressmaker said, gazing up at me, glasses perched at the end of her narrow nose.

"No thank you," I answered for what felt like the hundredth time. "I need full sleeves, high neck and full length. All skin covered."

The old woman tutted as I gritted my teeth. She was a bloody witch, surely she could transfigure something? It wasn't as if I hadn't given her clear instructions of what I wanted. She turned to my mother who was watching the exchange quietly – for once – a little distracted. She looked up at Maulkins' next suggestion. "Maybe we can drop the back instead? Show off the spine and shoulder blades – it's all the rage this season."

"Absolutely not." I snapped. The image of me in a backless dress in front of everyone had me blanch.

"Alyssa," Cecelia tried softly, she was so caught up in the excitement of taking her daughter dress shopping she was becoming a hindrance to me. "Maybe if we try –"

"No Mother." I barked in a way that made her flinch, I instantly felt guilty knowing it wasn't always her fault when she checked out of reality from time to time. Softening my tone I explained, "you know Zambini's will have every ward up during this party Mum, meaning I can't use any glamours."

The words hit and I could see her eyes fill with tears. "Of course. Yes, I knew that." Bringing the old Cecilia back she straightened her spine, and focused her attention back to the dressmaker. "No skin, Madame Maulkins. Just as my daughter requests."

Maulkins had been watching our exchange, head tilted back to see us through her glasses. Standing up slowly she stepped up onto the pedestal with me. Taking my chin in her hand she looked straight into my eyes. Her beady black ones refusing to let mine escape their gaze.

"You are too young to go anywhere in a set of my dress robes looking like a Nun!"

I rolled my eyes. "Look if you can't do it –"

"I never said that. But you're going to have to trust me. Bertha!" She called to her assistant who rarely stuck head out from behind the register. "Get me the tulle from the back!"

XXX

The next few days flew and before I even had time to blink it was the night of the Zambini Christmas party. My own home was a flurry of activity for the first time in years. Daphne had the idea to have the three girls get ready together instead of in our separate homes. Cecelia Blackthorne was only too ecstatic to host them and made it her personal mission to provide us with everything we could possibly think of needing. Sparkling, fruity drinks, personal makeup stations, charmed hair brushes. It felt as if I was already at a party making me think it was going to a long night indeed. I couldn't bring myself to burst her bubble, knowing that it was the first time I was giving her a proper teenage daughter experience.

"Wow Mrs. Blackthorne," Daphne said as my mother made her grand entrance into our room.

She wore a black silk dress that gathered over one shoulder. Around her neck was a dozen silver chains laden with diamonds to make the simple look spectacular. She somehow radiated elegance and beauty just from standing there – a trait I knew I did not inherit as I waited for the others to finish their make-up.

"Why thank you darling," she responded, smiling brilliantly and letting me know that my choice not to restrain her was paying off. Her green eyes rested on me. "Alyssa you look stunning."

I couldn't help rolling my eyes. "It doesn't really count when you say it, Mother."

"Come off it," Pansy spoke to my reflection in the vanity. "You know you look great. Leave it to you to manage to look sexy without revealing an inch of skin."

I glowered at her but didn't respond. Old Maulkins had out-done herself. Instead of looking like a nun as she'd said, she'd covered every inch of my body in a fine mesh material. Underneath it was a tight slip of silk with cut-out sections at the ribs. The mesh was enough to cover my skin but transparent enough that I didn't look like something from the gothic era. The fabric was tight everywhere it counted, only releasing into a slight A-shaped skirt at the waist. Pansy was right, the dress revealed both everything and nothing at once. It was perfect.

"Funny how green suits you the best Blackthorne," she slyly added before bringing her entire concentration back to her eyebrows. I shrugged at the statement. My red hair and pale complexion matched the dark emerald tone perfectly.

I was not going to be able to blend in with the crowd tonight.

"Alright, I'm ready!" Daphne announced after a final dab of her powder brush. She looked radiant in a bronze halter neck, her hair tied in a complex, elegant not and lips an extremely flirtatious cherry red. I made a mental note to gauge Theo's reaction. Pansy stood up in the deepest crimson – the Gryffindor jokes were made to be sure – strapless with a silk bow tied at the base of her spine as she turned.

"You girls look stunning, let be just summon the camera."

I rolled my eyes again but beat down my impatience. I decided this night was as much for her as it was for me.

After ten-too-many camera flashes we made our way to the fireplace. Mum's drinks singing through my veins I allowed myself to forget the knot of worry in my stomach. I wasn't really going to stand out because everyone around me was in attire just as glamourous.

I decided to enjoy the night. To hell with the rest of it.

None of us could hide our gasp when we took our first steps into the Zambini Manor. Everything was effervescent, floating baubles hung high above our heads. Every table was laden with silver holly, tall candelabras and shining ice sculptures.

And that was just the entrance hall.

"Welcome, friends!" A voice boomed ahead of us. Blaise stood with his arms outstretched, looking extremely dapper in his crisp black and white dress robes. His eyes danced making me wonder how much he'd drank already. He sauntered over before catching my Mother's eye. "Mrs Blackthorne, a pleasure as always," he gave her his most gentlemanly smile.

"Master Zambini, charming as ever," she responded wryly making me think she'd come to the same realisation as I did regarding alcohol and Blaise. "I must find your Mother and congratulate her on such a stunning room.

"She's in the banquet hall," he responded. He waited until she was out of ear shot before grinning at us. "Shall we?"

If the entrance hall was beautiful, the banquet hall was out of this world. It reminded me of the Yule ball all those years ago. Charmed ceiling showing the clear night sky, charmed snowflakes falling and floating all around, the most extravagant chandelier I'd ever scene hung above all our heads, its gems glistening in the warm light. A white marble floor stretched out into a dance floor where couples had already begun occupying, waltzing to a small charmed orchestra in the far reaches of this massive space.

"Merlin Blaise," Pansy remarked, open-mouthed. "Your Mum must have been a nightmare setting this all up."

Blaise's smile fell slightly, I could see the malice he directed towards the women in question who stood chatting and laughing as if not a care in the world. "It's been a long day." Was all he said as he led us to our table.

"Well look who finally decided to arrive!" Theo exclaimed jumping up from his seat. He too had eyes filled with the same spark as Blaise, his movements just a little clumsy.

"By the fates are you already sloshed?" Daphne exclaimed. Nott's eyes widened slightly as he drank her in, pausing his response only temporarily before pulling out the seat next to his own.

"The meal should be arriving soon," he responded, grinning as she sat where he'd suggested. "We'll sober up then before ploughing on into the night."

I finally brought my eyes to our final companion. Draco was staring at me intently, his gaze running down my frame in a way that eerily reminded me of a cat on a scratching pole. Mirroring Theo's sentiments he stood and pulled out the chair next to his own. I raised my eyebrows but sat anyway, adjusting my skirts to sit down.

"That's quite an interesting dress," he remarked in a low voice that I knew the others wouldn't hear.

"Interesting." I repeated dubiously. "Would it kill you just to give me a normal compliment?"

He smirked in response. Reaching for the hand that sat in my lap his fingers touched the tulle on the cuff of my wrist.

"It's a great colour on you," he stated but before I could reply the food appeared on the table in front of us causing the entire place to applaud.

"Here we fucking go," Blaise muttered to us as his Mother placed her wand to her throat and gave the introductory speech.

XXX

The food was divine, though rich and uneasily guzzled with the amount of alcohol our table was consuming. Blaise was by far ahead of the rest of us, drinking all through his Mother's speech and barely slowing to consume any of the meal. He led most of the conversation until we caught up with him and by then the group relaxed into idle chatter and laughter that was quickly creating a really enjoyable night. Draco didn't address me directly again but I could feel his presence throughout the meal, there was something palpable about it that was equally intriguing and irritating all at once.

When the desserts finally vanished Daphne stood coming around to grab my hand.

"Come on," she said just as the band (who during the meal had replaced the orchestra) picked up the tempo – earning a cheer from the crowd. "Let's dance."

There was just enough firewhiskey in my system that I couldn't refuse.

Just.

The drum beat was heavy. I let Daphne hold onto my hand, her dress swishing prettily around her to the beat. I moved with her, having had enough to drink to not care about anyone watching. We twirled and laughed and embraced Pansy as she came over, the three of us making a lob-sided triangle as we jumped up and down to the music.

"Mind if I cut in?" A voice broke into our delirium. Giggling, we turned to see Theo staring shyly at Daphne. I paused, my breath held in my throat. I'd never asked her what she thought of our friend. I never thought how a rejection might affect the group dynamic we had.

"Sure," Daphne said, a soft smile on her face. I needn't have worried. Theo took her hand and pulled her deeper into the crowd that had formed in front of the band.

"How do you think that's going to end?" I asked Pansy who always seemed to know more about these things than I did.

"No idea," the brunette admitted. "But it's taken him three years to grow the balls to go for it so we better support them no matter what happens."

We turned to stare at each other then. The music still playing around us.

"It's slightly more awkward now, isn't it?" I admitted, my honesty making her smirk. "I know you never really wanted me apart of all this – that Daphne didn't really give you a choice."

"That's not it. Strangely enough, you've grown on me. Daphne is the best of us, she holds us all together in a way. Without her we'd be a bunch of awkward, traumatised teens on the dancefloor of this world," she seemed to catch her philosophical rant with a dark chuckle. "So yes, it's awkward without her, but I wouldn't worry. I'm pretty sure you're about to be saved from it."

"What do you mean?"

"Pansy?" A voice caused me to turn to gape on the form Pansy's eyes found before he spoke. Draco stood there, his eyes impatient. I only then noticed that the dark grey in his dress robes brought them out beautifully. "Can you Blaise-sit for a while. I believe my turn is well and truly over."

"No problem," Pansy smiled lightly before throwing a knowing grin at me.

She left us then, the stillness of both our bodies becoming more noticeable by the second.

Finally he spoke. "Want to find a quiet room to smoke?"

"Merlin, yes," I breathed, not even questioning him as he took my hand and led me out of the room.

He led us down a couple corridors from the main banquet hall. I didn't pay attention – the alcohol in my system causing them to merge, my only focus being the warmth of his fingers around my own.

"Zambini makes my Manor look like a shack," I murmured causing my guide to chuckle.

"That's what multiple life insurances and pureblood fortunes get you."

"It's sad that Blaise despises her but… I don't really blame him. She's terrifying."

"For once, we agree Liss."

Liss. There it was again. The nick-name brought a swell of warmth in my belly – followed by a small voice telling my drunk mind to be cautious. That particular voice was rather quiet however and easily ignored.

"Here should do it."

He pulled me into a large study, complete with ceiling-high bookshelves and an unnecessarily large oak desk. I released Draco's hand slowly taking a turnabout the room, my fingertips trailing along the books in reach. I felt the Malfoy heir's eyes on me like a weight as I completed the circle returning to stand directly in front of him. As he pulled out our vice of choice I opened my mouth waiting for him to place the cigarette between my lips. He did with quite a measure of mirth in his grey eyes.

"We are intoxicated."

"It was necessary. Need I remind you that my mother is present?" He raised the lighter and lit me up before doing himself. We stared at each other for a moment, the pleasant scent of tobacco saturating the air around us. "Stop it."

"Stop what?" He said, an amused smirk pulling on his lips.

"Trying to read me – testing to see how drunk I am before peppering me with questions. It won't work. I am a vault. Impenetrable."

"If you say so."

"I don't know why you're so interested anyway… I'm not interesting. I'm completely normal. Forgettable. Invisible."

"That line might work on others but not with me. We both know that bullshit is only what you want people to believe. It's not even near the truth."

"Which is?" I leaned the barest inch forward, making all the difference due to the fact that we were already miles into each other's personal space. He called my bluff however, inching in too, until hour faces were a breath apart.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out."

I pulled back, the frustration snapping inside me like a dry branch, loud and high-pitched. "Well than why can't you do what everyone else does? Instead of prying into my psyche get to know me! Ask me something… normal."

He raised a blonde brow. "And you'll answer?"

"Yes."

"Truthfully?"

"…yes." He gave me a sceptical look. "As long as it's not too personal... yes. I promise."

He moved then, gaze never leaving my face. His stare was a heady thing causing me to lean back against Ms Zambini's desk. I tried to breathe evenly, raising the cigarette to my mouth with a shaky hand. Leaning against the bookshelf to my left he took a deep drag of his. The question was released with the silver smoke.

"What do you want to do when you graduate, Liss?"

I felt the surprise fill my expression. I really didn't think he was going to ask me something normal as I'd asked. I stared at him for a moment, trying to find a trick, a loophole of some kind.

"Like, what job I want?"

"No, like what do you plan to do once you leave Hogwarts?"

"I…" I pulled myself up on top of the desk now, breaking eye contact so I could formulate my answer better. Eye contact with Malfoy plus alcohol equals a foggy mind for Alyssa it seemed. "I want to travel."

"Travel?" My answer seemed to surprise him, so much that I smiled.

"Yeah."

"Where?"

I took a deep drag. "Everywhere. I want to see the world – the wizarding and the Muggle world. I've read so much about it you know? I'd go to Paris and paint on the banks of the Seine, to Berlin and see a Brechtian play, Florence and apparate to the top of the Duomo. Cairo then – I think. See the ancient pyramids. India, Beijing, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Rio. I want… I want to experience everything you know? New cultures, food and music. I was planning on just leaving and working where I could – in bars and cafes. I was actually all set to leave after my Father's funeral…"

"But you didn't." Draco's dark timbre slipped into my reverie. I'd forgotten I was talking to him. With a heated blush I realised I was speaking more than I ever had in our 'smoke dates' but I was drunk enough to keep going.

"No. Just as I was about to leave it fully dawned on Mum that she probably wasn't going to see me for a couple of years so she bribed me to stay."

"Bribed you?"

"She said that if I finished school, sat my N.E.W.T.S she would let me tap into my trust fund throughout my trip."

"She paid you off?"

I chuckled. "I probably wouldn't have used it but… imagine how much of a difference all that money could make in places like Africa? Or the slums in India? I could give back to the world after my father put so much hate and hurt into it."

His expression was unreadable so I assumed he didn't really understand. He was still a pureblood wizard after all. To use money – a pureblood family fortune no less – to help Muggles was unfathomable. I continued on, "so I got on the train in September and was all set to keep my head down like I had every other year in Hogwarts and finish as quickly as possible. Then Daphne had to go and ruin my plans by adopting me into your group of misfits."

"And now here you are, at a Zambini Christmas party in a sparkling green dress – utterly visible and possibly unforgettable."

"Ugh don't remind me," I pressed the heels of my hands against my eyes, partially to block out his smirk, partially to see if that would prevent the walls from spinning. "I actually can't stand to think about it too much. The limelight has to be the most horrendous place to be."

"Funny then," his voice was closer. A lot closer. I brought my hands down so find him standing before me, my knees millimetres from his legs. I watched his fingers pluck at the silky green material there, only just grazing my thigh yet the heat of it scorched deep into my bones. "How it seems to suit you beautifully."

My eyes flew up to meet is – to find the amusement there, the sarcasm – anything but his expression was open. His grey eyes seeming to have darkened as he took me in. My chest burned as I held my breath, the fluttering I felt in my gut that had nothing to with the alcohol.

"Draco," his name was a rasp of exhaled air.

"Yeah?"

"We should probably get back to the party."

He seemed to sigh, his gaze moving to somewhere over my head. "If you want to… then I suppose we should." He leaned back, holding out his hand to aid my descent.

I took it. Something in me – deep down – halting any further movements. I watched our hands, feeling his gaze on me. My thumb absently – and with what felt like a mind of its own – ran softly across his knuckles.

"I don't want to," I said to our entwined hands. I heard his surprised intake of breath and steeling myself, glanced up to gauge his reaction only to instead feel his mouth press against my own.

There was only a millisecond of shock on my part before I dropped his hand, reaching for his shirt and dragging him as close as I could manage. I swallowed his low groan as my legs wrapped around his hips drawing my hands upwards to take fist-fulls of his hair. Nails scratching against his scalp, I swallowed his moan, slipping my tongue into his then open mouth.

It was a frenzy open mouthed kisses, tongues and lips in dizzying patterns and speeds. I couldn't get close enough – something about the mixture of alcohol and his scent blacking out everything else around us. His hands – blazing hot – cupped my face, thumbs stroking across my cheek bones down the sides of my neck, collar bones – a scorching trail down my mesh covered arms pausing only briefly at the swell of my breasts before moving lower to slide beneath my dress. All the while our mouths seemed to find the most perfect rhythm that seemed to make any other kiss a pale memory. As I felt his fingers trail up my legs something – some feeling other than mind-numbing heat began to push through.

"Draco…" His name was a groan as he bit down on my lower lip – just hard enough to cause the expletive.

His hands were at my knees. The 'other' feeling grew. "Draco," I tried again. It came out stronger but more of a pant. His lips left to move down my throat and it felt so good I nearly forgot my intention completely until his hands inched that small bit higher – calloused finger tips dragging over the raised flesh on my thighs.

I felt him stiffen and the other feeling – the dread that had tried to push through – erupt with vengeance. My hands that drew him closer shoved him back so hard he stumbled. Regaining his balance he stared at where his hands had previously gripped. A confused expression on his features. His hair was in disarray, his lips plump and stained with the plum shade of my lipstick. I would have laughed if it wasn't for my current predicament.

"What are – " He started to voice the question I prayed he wouldn't.

"They're nothing," and before he could move towards me again I added. "I have to go."

"What?" His eyes snapped back to mine – his pupils so dilated they were almost black.

"I'm too – It's all too –" I couldn't salvage my mind to get a good sentence together. Damn that champagne! "Much. I need to leave."

I charged towards the door, my mind already thinking about getting to the floo entrance and back in the safety of my own home. I'd barely made it two steps when I felt him grasp my wrist.

"Talk to me." His voice was barely a whisper yet it seemed to echo terribly in the room.

"Please…" It registered how whiney the word sounded but I didn't care. I needed to escape. I couldn't say anymore – even give him an explanation, I couldn't even meet his eyes yet for some unfathomable reason Draco Malfoy relented and let me go.

I didn't give him a chance to change his mind. I charged through the Zambini house. Through some small miracle I found my way back. Grabbing my coat, leaving my bag amongst the guests still in the throes of the party I left the Zambini Manor, four words reciting over and over in my mind:

That was too close.

There you go. Please comment and review what you think! Some more hints into Alyssa's past now I'm sure have been brought into the light. Until next time!

BC.