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All conversation that had been going on in the Great Hall immediately ceased at Professor McGonagall's words. I wondered what she needed our attention for. Hopefully, the events in our upcoming schedule would be good. I didn't think I could handle any more bad news right now. It seemed like all I had gotten was bad news in the last twenty-four hours.

"First of all, I just want to go over a quick reminder of the rules," Professor McGonagall said, standing up so we could all see her. Going on, she continued, "Just like last year, only third-year students and older are permitted to leave the grounds after five PM. Also, all first year students are not suppose to leave their common rooms after seven PM. Also, if we find any students out of bed and wandering the corridors in the middle of the night, there will be serious consequences. Does everyone understand?"

A simultaneous agreement echoed throughout the room as everyone acknowledged McGonagall's words. I nodded along with the others. I mean, it wasn't like I wanted to leave the grounds that much anyways. It was much safer inside Hogwarts. I wasn't much of a girl to take risks unlike Bellatrix who always jumped at the opportunity to challenge the rules.

McGonagall went on, "Alright, now that we've gone over the rules, we can get to the fun stuff. We're having the annual Hogwarts Winter Dance on Monday night next week. As everyone who has been to Hogwarts before knows, this is a dance that another school of wizardry and witchcraft takes place in. The students from Durmstrang will be here on Sunday night. There will be several festivities in the Great Hall for Sunday and Monday night. You are all encouraged to participate in these things."

As McGonagall finished her sentence, a cheer went up through the Great Hall. Apparently, this annual dance was something that everyone got all excited for. I had heard of the school of Durmstrang, but didn't know much about them to be honest. I figured it would be interesting to meet some students from there though. But the dance? Hm...I wasn't so thrilled about that. I had never danced before in my life and was probably no good at it. Besides, don't you need to have partners for the dance?

As if reading my mind, Professor McGonagall continued, "Just like all previous years, you will all have to find partners for the dances. So boys, that means you start asking your girls out right away instead of procrastinating! There's nothing worse for a girl than waiting to see whether or not her boyfriend will ask her out!"

The guys laughed and the girls flushed. Just out of curiousity, I sent a sideways look over at Natasha and Bellatrix. Bella''s dark eyes were all lit up and she was looking at Tom with anticipation in her eyes. I knew she wanted to go to the dance with Tom more than anything. I couldn't help but wonder whether or not Tom would invite her. I didn't really care, but I couldn't help but shake off the feeling that something was seriously wrong with Tom.

"One last thing and then you may all go back to breakfast," Professor McGonagall interrupted the chit chatter once more. "You are all required to wear dress robes for the dance. Sunday night you may wear whatever you want, but Monday you must dress up. We want the students of Hogwarts to look refined and educated. That's all. You may go back to breakfast now."

With that said, McGonagall sat back down. As soon as McGonagall stopped talking, hell seemed to break loose. Everyone was talking all at once. My ears hurt from the sound of so many voices coming from all different directions and my head was kind of spinning. I figured maybe that was because I hadn't eaten breakfast, but who knew?

As I tried to calm my spinning head, I caught a glimpse of Natasha and Lucius sitting at the end of the table. Lucius was staring ahead of himself with a completely blank expression on his face. Next to him, I could see Natasha was trying to ask him something. That figured. The bitch was always nagging at him.

Suddenly, I had to know what Natasha and Lucius were saying. I got up abruptly from my chair and started to wander causually over in their direction when someone caught my arm and prevented me from going anywhere. Looking behind me, I saw it was Walden who was tugging on my arm and looking at me with big, dark eyes.

"Hey Cissy," Walden started out in an inquisitive voice, "Will you walk with me out into the hallway a moment? I'd like to ask you something." Even though Walden voiced the question confidently, I could hear the unease and nervousness behind his voice. I knew what he wanted me out in the hallway for. He was going to ask me to the dance, wasn't he?

Even though I still really wanted to know what Lucius and Natasha were saying, I nodded to Walden, "Sure." As soon as I had answered, Walden immediately stood up, gripped my hand tightly in his own, and practically sprinted out of the Great Hall, dragging me behind him. Not for the first time, I wish I had longer legs!

As Walden hustled me out into the corridor, I tried to think about what I would say to him when he asked me to the dance. Did I want to go with Walden? If I was being honest with myself, not really. However, it wasn't like I had a chance of going to the dance with the one man I desired. So wasn't going to the dance with Walden better than going alone?

I was still puzzling over that question when Walden and I reached the corridor. It was almost completely empty besides for a few students scurrying off to the Great Hall for breakfast. Bracing myself, I waited for Walden to speak. Walden led me over to a secluded corner in the corridor and took a deep breath before speaking.

"Narcissa...I liked you from the moment I met you. You're so unique and beautiful. I've never met a girl like you before. Will you go to the dance with me?" Walden asked the inevitable question that I still didn't have an answer for. As I hesitated, Walden added, "Please, Cissy? I'd do anything to go with you. I'll take care of you."

My god, why was this decision so damn difficult for me? I should be jumping up and down that I had a guy that even wanted to go to the dance with an ugly, pathetic girl like me. Still though, part of me was resisting. I just didn't like Walden in that way. I tried to make myself like him, maybe even love him, but it didn't work. I liked Walden as a friend and that was it.

"I...um..." I stammered out, trying to figure out what to say. My next words tumbled hopelessly out of my mouth, "I'm not sure. It's not that I don't want to go with you or anything, it's just that I don't usually do dances. They make me nervous and I'm really clumsy. Why don't you give me a little while to think about it and I'll get back to you?"

Anger flashed across Walden's face for a short millisecond and it looked like he wanted to slap me. I was immediately taken back and gave him a hurt look. But just as soon as the anger had crossed his face, it disappeared. Hm, that was strange. I was left wondering if Walden's angry look was just a trick of my mind or reality. Some people had two sides. Tom had shown me that earlier.

"Yeah, that's okay," Walden said. I could hear the disappointment in his voice. He really wanted me to go with him. Once again, I wished I could like him as much as he liked me. Life would be so much easier that way. Walden continued on, "Well...I guess I'm off to Potions. Catch me later when you've made up your mind about the dance."

With that, Walden turned on his heel and shuffled down the corridor. I stared after him, feeling guilty and totally unsure. Walden was obviously upset with me for not accepting his offer right away. I mean, why else would he have literally run away from me? He always walked me to my classes! With a sinking heart, I headed off to Transfiguration.

~ ~ ~ ~

Transfiguration was pretty boring for the most part. All we did was work on the wingardium leviosa spell once more. Unfortunately, I didn't improve at it one little bit. That was probably because my mind was far from the task at hand. Instead of concentrating on the spells, I was thinking about the dance and about my partner.

By the end of Transfiguration, I had pretty much made up my mind about what I wanted to do. I was going to ask Lucius to go with me to the dance. Yes, I know this sounds completely crazy. I'm very much aware of how he rejected me last night. I just couldn't let this opportunity slide by me though. I just had to try him one more time.

If Lucius rejected me, then I would go to Walden and accept his offer to the dance. However, I just couldn't accept Walden's offer without checking with Lucius first. I knew I was being pathetic, but I couldn't help it. Lucius was the one I really wanted and I would do pretty much anything to win him over.

Transfiguration couldn't end quickly enough! When it was finally done, I crammed my books back into my bookbag and flew out into the hallway. Once I was in the hallway, I realized that I had no idea where to find Lucius. I slowed my walk and thought about where I would find him. Just as I started thinking this through, I heard two familiar voices around the corner.

"Sure, I'll go with you. Why not? It can't hurt. It's just for one night anyways," the familiar voice of my sister came to my ears. I stopped in my tracks and decided to listen in to the conversation. I know that eavesdropping isn't the most attractive quality, but I just couldn't help it! I had to know who had just invited my sister to the dance.

I pretty much expected it to be Tom who had asked her out, so imagine my surprise when a cool voice replied, "Alright then. I'll see you Monday night. It will be good for the others to see a Malfoy and a Black together. We can show off the pureblood line of wizards. After all, this is what Tom's main goal is all about, right? Promoting the purebloods?"

"Of course!" Bellatrix replied back with enthusiasm. "It's kill the mud-bloods and promote the purebloods! Anyways, see you around, Lucius. I've gotta go to Astrology and then I'm going to meet Tom for lunch. We're planning on how to get into contact with a few of the more powerful students at Durmstrang. Perhaps some of them will be useful to our group."

By now, my body had frozen and my heart had almost stopped. What the hell was going on? Lucius had just asked my sister out to the dance! Now that was just crazy. Lucius had told me last night that he didn't want anything to do girls. Apparently that had been a big fat lie. He obviously liked my sister well enough.

What was wrong with me? Why was it that Lucius liked Bellatrix so much better? It just wasn't fair! I was the one who wanted him and yet, Lucius had to go breaking my heart by asking my sister to the dance. I felt like I had just been punched in the face. Hard. Hurt and anger were bubbling under my surface.

Feeling totally unwanted and worthless, I made my feet move and turned the corner. By now, Bellatrix had disappeared and was somewhere on her way to Astrology. Lucius was striding casually down the hall with his nose in the air as usual. For once, I didn't try to give him a sexy, seductive smile. I was pissed off at him. Really, really pissed.

As our eyes met briefly, it was my turn to scowl and turn away from him. I hated him. I really did. Didn't he see how much he was playing with my emotions? Probably he did. Maybe he liked knotting them all up. Maybe he liked hurting me. I didn't know and probably never would. Anger fueling me, I stalked off to go find Walden. I was going to accept his invitation to the dance.