Geminus

Monday morning passed without incident - lunch caused a bit of a stir when Dumbledore rose to address the students.

"I just have a quick notice. Due to a request by a group of students...."

He paused slightly and glanced briefly at Jenna before continuing.

"... It has been decided by myself and the rest of the staff, that the Yule Ball will be slightly different this year. It will be based on a Muggle party with Muggle music and Muggle clothes. Certain wizarding traditions will still be adhered to - girls you will still be required to wear dresses or skirts."

The announcement was greeted by murmurs of interest by the students - except for a loud snort of disgust from someone on the Slytherin table.

"If however, you feel above this then you are welcome to not attend."

The warning tone in Dumbledore's voice made it clear what would happen if you didn't. Hermione turned to the twins.

"That was thanks to you, wasn't it?"

"Maybe. Except I can't believe I still have to wear a skirt!"

"Poor you. So Kara, what are you planning to wear?"

"Don't know yet. I'm still waiting for someone to ask me to go."

The girls grinned at Kara, whose comment had made Harry turn round sharply.

"Excuse me?"

"Well no-one has asked me yet. I know Ron is taking Hermione so that rules him out ... maybe Ernie, he seemed very complimentary during Quidditch...."

Kara trailed off in amusement as Harry interrupted her.

"There is no way you are going with anyone else but me."

"God, last of the old romantics you are!"

Everyone laughed as Harry attempted to look put out. Kara turned to smile reassuringly at her sister.

"Don't worry Jen, if Oliver doesn't ask you then Shay will bite him in the butt!"

Jenna grinned before a movement behind Kara caught her eye.

"As long as Narla can do the same to him."

Kara followed Jenna's gaze and spotted Draco heading over. Sighing, she quickly got up and met him before he reached Harry and the others.

"Let's go."

"What, I don't get to say hello to everyone?"

Kara couldn't help but smile at his sheer cheek. Luckily, she knew exactly how to drag him away.

"You could but then we would have less time to be alone together."

She walked out of the Great Hall with Draco following quickly behind.

When Kara and Draco reached the library, Kara pulled out their notes to avoid any conversation. They were soon writing up their final essay. When they finished, Kara started to put their books away - she was still hoping to avoid any talking. Unfortunately, Draco brought up the topic she had been trying to escape.

"So are you going to mention the other night or not?"

Kara put the book in her hand back on the shelf, trying to buy herself more time.

"Well?"

"What about it?"

Draco looked hurt as he sat down on one of the sofas.

"It meant that little to you then?"

Kara sat down next to him, confusion written over her face.

"I didn't say that ... it's just...."

"Just what? Oh I get it, it's just I don't measure up to Wonder Boy."

"Oh give it a rest Draco. If you must know then I just don't think I can trust a soon-to-be Death Eater."

Draco's eyes flashed dangerously.

"And who told you I was going to do that?"

"Well I just assumed...."

Kara trailed off as Draco turned away from her.

"Yeah, everyone assumes."

Kara gently put her hand on Draco's shoulder and slowly turned him round. As he met her gaze, she was surprised to see a lot of pain there.

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm just saying don't assume you know me. Just because I'm a Slytherin doesn't mean I haven't got feelings"

Kara bit her lip worriedly and looked down at her hands.

"Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Be all nice. It's easier not to like you when you are being particularly 'Malfoyish'!"

"Malfoyish?"

Draco smirked in amusement as he slowly edged closer to Kara.

"So when I'm not being 'Malfoyish,' how do you feel about me?"

Kara looked up, a startled look appeared on her face when she realised how close Draco had moved to her.

"You know how - not that you told me how you feel."

"I thought I made that perfectly clear the other night...."

It was Draco's turn to push a stray lock of hair out of Kara' eyes.

"... I care about you too."

Kara sighed heavily, shaking her head.

"We shouldn't feel like this, it's wrong."

"It doesn't feel wrong to me."

As Draco spoke, he leaned in and kissed her. Kara hated herself for it but she kissed him back. The kiss was slowly growing deeper when a muffled shout from outside the library caused them to jump apart. Draco smiled lazily at Kara.

"So who's taking you to the Yule Ball?"

Kara's head was still in turmoil - she didn't think before she answered.

"Harry of course, who else?"

As Draco visibly stiffened beside her and got up to leave, it hit Kara what she had just said.

"Oh Draco, I didn't mean ... hang on...."

Draco was grabbing his bag to leave when Kara grabbed his hand.

"I didn't mean it like that hun ... listen...."

Kara stopped as Draco yanked his hand away. His tone matched his icy glare.

"I hope you and Potter enjoy yourself."

He turned and strode out of the library, leaving a very worried Kara behind.

-------------------------------

While Kara was making a mess of it in the library, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Jenna were heading back to the common room. As they passed the library, a shout from behind made them stop.

"Hey Jenna, wait up."

The gang turned to see Oliver running to catch them up. Jenna shooed the others on and waited for him. He stopped in front of her, pausing to catch his breath. Jenna (who was still sore after the Gryffindor party) stood in silence determined not to make life easier for him.

"We need to talk."

"Uh huh."

"Don't be like that - this is hard enough as it is."

"Oh, I do apologise."

Jenna folded her arms and attempted to look nonchalant, although her stomach was churning.

"Well ... as I'm sure you guessed, Professor McGonagall is ... not keen on our relationship."

"Yeah, she's about as subtle as a house brick with that."

Oliver couldn't help but chuckle slightly before a serious expression settled back on his face.

"You know I really like you, but...."

"Oh let me guess, you're going to give me the whole 'you TA, me student' speech?"

Oliver looked to the ground awkwardly, avoiding Jenna's gaze.

"The thing is I really want this job and Professor McGonagall seems to think...."

"Since when did you become McGonagall's lap dog?"

"Oh grow up Jenna."

"Oh forgive my immaturity. I am just a lowly student after all."

As Jenna continued to rant, neither she nor Oliver noticed the library door swing open and Draco storm out. He stopped when he spotted the argument playing out in front of him.

"Jenna, you know I would take you if I could."

"Crap. You would take me if you had the balls to, but as you don't...."

Jenna paused as she spotted Draco smirking in the corner of her eye.

"... What the fuck do you want Malfoy?"

"Well ... I thought I would ask you to the Yule Ball, but obviously I'm interrupting something."

"You?"

The look of disgust on Oliver's face decided it for Jenna. She had just discovered the perfect way to piss him off.

"Yes me. So Jenna?"

"Sure, why not? See you later Professor."

With a wave of dismissal to Oliver, she grabbed Draco and pulled him up the stairs. Once Oliver was out of earshot, Jenna released Draco and named her terms.

"I'm only agreeing to this to piss off certain people Malfoy."

"That's fine with me. That's all I asked you for anyway."

Jenna cocked her head at the anger in Draco's voice.

"You really do like her don't you?"

Draco span on his heel without answering, leaving Jenna smirking as she headed back to the dorm.

It wasn't until late that evening that Jenna decided to tell the others about her choice of date - mainly because Kara had only just turned up. Jenna thought it would be safer for her health to tell Kara when there were witnesses.

"So, guess who is taking me to the Yule Ball?"

Everyone looked up in interest as Jenna sat down next to them.

"Oliver asked you then?"

"Nope."

Everyone looked shocked, especially Kara who couldn't understand why Jenna looked so happy. Jenna smirked at the look on everyone's faces.

"Professor Wood could not make the Yule Ball so I'm going with Draco Malfoy instead"

"YOU WHAT?"

Jenna burst out laughing as Harry and Ron both shouted, standing up in anger and shock. Hermione and Kara sat in stony silence. Jenna glanced briefly at Kara and looked away quickly, shocked at the anger in her gaze.

"Relax guys. We are only going together as a mutual wind up. I want to piss Oliver off and Malfoy ... well he didn't say who he wanted to piss off, just some girl."

The boys sat down, amusement on their face. Jenna sat down opposite her sister, trying to catch her gaze.

"Some girl has got under Malfoy's skin then?"

Hermione turned to Jenna with an interested look on her face but Ron answered first

"Poor girl! So what happened with Oliver then?"

"Nothing worth while. McGonagall moaned about our relationship so Oliver chickened out. I'll just have to show him what he is missing!"

As the conversation went elsewhere, Jenna finally caught Kara's gaze. Kara gave her sister a weak smile, which Jenna understood straight away. Jenna wasn't completely forgiven but Kara knew why she did it.