V

When the Yule Ball was announced, the two Malfoys were the ones to show the other Slytherins how to properly dance.

The wintery night was beautiful, and she'd put on the dress robes Narcissa had carefully gotten her. It was all in silver with dark green velvet details and small crystals that were just as well placed on her white-blonde hair, she also had tiny diamonds as earrings and a larger diamond as a ring on her ring finger.

Draco's clothes were dark and elegant. His dress robes were black in velvet, with a high collar, and contrasted with his skin.

"You look like a queen," he affirmed, smiling at his sister.

By his side, Crabbe and Goyle were just staring at her with their mouths gaping open.

"Let's go?" she questioned.

The moment they left the Slytherin common room, Aleksandar was already waiting for them, and his eyes roamed Cassiopeia from toe to forehead.

"Very beautiful."

She smiled at him and took his arm to walk to the great hall.

The Champions were the first to enter and dance. Diggory had taken Cho Chang – a 5th year Ravenclaw – as his partner, and Fleur Delacour followed his example bringing a boy from the same house. She couldn't remember his name, though, and wouldn't waste her time trying to. Potter was with one of the Patil twins – they were from Draco's year and different houses – but what surprised her the most was Viktor Krum's partner. He'd taken none other than Hermione Granger with him and, without the school uniform and some effort, she actually looked like a decent human being. She was even… pretty.

Dinner was delicious. Aleksandar led the conversation most of the time, however, and Cassiopeia couldn't help but feel annoyed and bored. He didn't have the least bit of interest on what she had to say and often interrupted her to correct things that didn't need to be corrected or add comments that weren't very welcome.

Honestly, she was starting to think he only wanted a pretty girl by his side to show off.

When it was time to dance, Aleksandar lead her through the ballroom as soon as the first pair joined the champions, swinging Cassiopeia elegantly and always looking into her eyes. His coat was fluffy and soft under her delicate fingertips, and his hand very rough – a strong contrast for her. He had amazing coordination and skills and only left her side when Draco asked his sister for a dance.

Everyone was still in the ballroom when he squeezed her hand tightly and pulled her out of the crowd, leaning down until his lips found her ear.

"Vhy don't you show me Hogvards'?" he said, just loud enough for her to hear.

That's how she ended up walking out of the great hall and walking through the corridors, showing him some spots she could remember from scratch. Cassiopeia tried to find spots that could be interesting while keeping close enough to where she knew people were nearby. Something about being completely alone with Aleksandar gave her all of the bad chills.

They were in the rose garden when she walked a few steps away from him to touch the flowers and felt his hand wrapping around her wrist and pulling her. In a second, she was pressed against a tree with his lips right against her and eyes completely wide in shock.

"What are you doing?" she tried to exclaim against his lips, pushing his large and broad body away from hers.

Aleksandar gave the girl a smirk, still pressing her against the tree.

"You don't haff' to play hard to get," he moved his hands to her waist.

"I'm not playing hard to get," Cassiopeia tried to push his hands away. "I don't… Take your fucking hands off of me. Let me go!"

He frowned deeply, seeming both confused and angry.

"I spent time with you," he pointed. "I gave you a seat in the task, took you to the ball and danced with you! You owe me."

He pressed his lips against hers again, his time using one of his hands to pin both of hers away from him by holding her two wrists tightly. Cassiopeia struggled in his grip and tried to scream.

Aleksandar's free hand moved to her carefully styled hair to keep her head from moving, and the grip was so strong it made the girl's whole scalp hurt.

The moment his mouth left hers, she let out the loudest shrink she could before his palm landed roughly over her lips.

Cassiopeia cursed herself for not bringing her wand with her to the ball, which now left her completely defenceless but, apparently, someone had heard her over the music.

"I believe the damsel said you should let her go," Weasley said loudly behind them, holding his wand high. "Now let her go."

"Go mind your own business," Aleksandar spit.

But Weasley wasn't impressed.

"Don't make me hex you."

Cassiopeia used the distraction to get out of his grip. A good portion of the crystals in her locks fell during her release, but the Malfoy couldn't care less. She only had time to get behind Weasley before Professor Snape and Karkaroff emerged from the shadows in their aid.

"What is going on here?" the head of Slytherin questioned, putting himself almost between his students and the foreign student.

"Malfoy was screaming for help, I just came to help," Weasley quickly pointed. "He was… Trying to do stuff without her wanting."

Everyone's eyes fell on her, and Cassiopeia could only imagine how terrible she looked. Her hair was a complete mess, she certainly had some bruise where he'd just roughly pushed her, and her face wasn't the best thing to look at right now.

"Miss Malfoy," Snape turned to her. "Is that true?"

She nodded quickly, trying to maintain her dignity.

"Yes, sir. Weasley just came to help."

"What happened?" he questioned, his face completely frozen, and the girl glanced at Aleksandar, standing beside Karkaroff.

When the professor noticed her hesitation, he pointed in a direction and motioned for her to walk with him a bit far away, where the young Malfoy narrated in whispers and details what had just happened to her, and showed him how her pale wrists were already red and bruised from the grip put around them. When she was finished, he let her go saying he wanted to see her in his office the next day. Weasley followed Cassiopeia quickly, leaving the two adults behind with Aleksandar.

"Are you okay?" he asked, sounding worried. "Did he hurt you? Do you need to me call your brother or something?"

Oh, yes. Draco was still in the ball.

She shook her head, and one or two crystals fell on the floor.

"I'll be fine," she decided. "You can go back to the ball, I'll just go to bed. Thank you."

But he didn't walk away, and just stopped in front of her.

"Can I at least take you there?" he offered. "You know… I want to make sure you get there safely."

Cassiopeia paused, glancing at him. He was being too nice, but she knew Weasley wouldn't do anything to her. He was too nice.

"Okay."

They walked there in silence within a safe distance from each other and, when they were close enough to the Slytherin common room, Cassiopeia turned to him.

"That's where you should leave," she told him. "It's a secret entrance."

Weasley gave her an awkward smile.

"Of course. So… Good night."

"Good night."

He turned away and she did the same but stopped in her tracks when something popped into her head.

"Hey," Cassiopeia called and he stopped to look at her quickly. "What is your name?"

"George," he smiled. "George Weasley, pleased to meet you."

The blonde girl smiled softly.

"Thank you for helping me, George Weasley."