"Fed up of playing The Chosen Daddy, already?" I muttered as Harry sauntered into my office one morning just before Christmas.

"Behave Ronnie, or I won't give you this." Harry said, standing over my desk and smugly presenting a pristine white envelope as though it was some kind of prized fucking trophy.

I reached up and snatched it from his hand, really not in the mood to fucking beg for it.

"I've got one for you too, Luna," Harry said in a smarmy voice, leaning across to pompously toss a second envelope onto her desk where she was sat dreamily humming the fucking national anthem.

It was an invitation. To the 'Potter's New Years Eve Party'.

"Veronica Weasley and Plus One?!" I spluttered disgustedly. "And who the fuck am I supposed to bring, exactly?"

"Sorry, Ronnie," Harry sighed. "Ginny insisted. Everyone's got to have a partner for one of the games to work."

"Well can't I just partner up with Luna?" I cried, already desperately trying to think of excuses not to go.

"Sorry, Ginny is adamant it's got to be boy girl."

"Well that's just fucking sexist not to mention homo-fucking-phobic!" I spat, slapping the invitation down on my desk in disgust.

"Can I bring Daddy?" Luna asked. "Is that allowed, or is it a sexual thing?"

"Uh, I might have to check with Gin on that," Harry said, readjusting his glasses.

"What kind of fucked up party is this anyway?!" I roared, "Sounds more like a fucking orgy to me!"

"Look, if you struggle to find a plus one, I could always order one of the lads in my team to go with you. There's a few that owe me a favour."

"I'll find my own fucking date, thank you very much. I don't want to be lumbered with one of your dork patrol."

"I'll have you know that Auror's are highly skilled wizards trained by none other than yours truly."

"EXACTLY! FUCKING DORKS!"

I was cranky. I was not in the mood to celebrate the turning of another fucking disappointing year; and one of Harry's stupid fucktard parties was the last thing I needed.

"I thought Potter was supposed to be your best mate?" Blaise chuckled, when I told him about the invite whilst meeting him for a drink in Javu's. "I've never seen anyone look so horrified by the thought of going to someone's party before."

"Of course he's my best friend, he has been since the first day at Hogwarts," I muttered sourly, "it just seems that everything has always fallen into his lap whereas I feel like I'm constantly struggling, trying to say afloat; and he doesn't even fucking notice. And he moans all the fucking time about having grown up without a family; but what he doesn't seem to fucking realise is he has had mine... and they all prefer him to me. Perfect fucking Potter."

"Oh come off it Weasley," Blaise scoffed, "you're a million times the person Potter is. In fact, you're a million times the person of most people I know."

I looked up into Blaise's black solemn eyes, startled.

"Don't look so surprised," he chortled amusedly. "You're fierce, strong, funny, and not to mention bloody gorgeous. If you ask me, Draco's a complete moron for ever letting you go."

"If you're saying all this to get into my fucking knickers then you can do one right now Zabini." I snapped, slamming my wine down and feeling irritated by all men in general.

"No, I'm not," he said firmly, his voice deepening in sincerity as his eyes pierced mine. "I'm just telling you the truth. I hate that you can't see what an amazing person you actually are. You need to quit comparing yourself to Potter because I promise you there's no comparison."

He slid his hand across the table, instantly entwining his fingers with mine. I felt an unexpected flutter in my chest as I looked up into his soulful dark eyes; full of warmth and compassion.

"Blaise? Ronnie?"

Our hands quickly fell away from one another as we looked up to see Bambi standing over us; Draco hovering just behind, coughing uncomfortably.

"Sorry, are we um, interrupting something?" Bambi asked, looking apprehensively between Blaise and I.

"Just having a quiet drink," Blaise shrugged, his voice suddenly full of dryness with irritation sparking in his eyes. "You're welcome to join us. We're all friends, after all."

I closed my eyes in disdain. This was the last thing I fucking needed tonight.

"O-Oh," Bambi stuttered. "I-If you're sure?"

And without waiting for an answer, she took the vacant seat next to mine whilst a reluctant Draco sat opposite her next to Blaise.

Our cosy little table of two had turned into a super awkward little table of four.

To say the atmosphere was strained was a complete fucking understatement.

I couldn't help but flick my eyes over to Draco, who looked suitably uncomfortable.

"So, will you be spending Christmas at home with your family, Ronnie?" Bambi asked, her voice unnaturally light and cheerful, even for her. "To think, what an extra exciting time it will be for you all, given the new darling addition!"

"Yeah, I suppose," I shrugged morosely, my heart already wrenching at the idea of another Christmas at the Burrow without Fred. It never seemed to get any easier.

I felt Draco's eyes cast over me and, when I glanced up at him, I didn't miss the look of discerning compassion etched on his face.

I looked away almost immediately; I didn't need or want his sympathy.

"Ronnie's just been telling me she's been invited to Potter's New Years shindig," Blaise muttered, downing his beer.

"Oh! I've heard about that!" Bambi breathed. "At Potter Palace, right? Oh, aren't you lucky, Ronnie! I've been told he holds the most delectable parties!"

The sound of Draco's derisive snort as he scoffed into his beer did nothing but irritate me beyond belief.

"Actually I'm really looking forward to it," I lied, haughtily crossing my arms as I glared towards Draco. "As is my date!"

I felt a flitter of satisfaction as he nearly choked on his beer.

"Oh, who are you taking?" Bambi asked, a little apprehensively, "anyone we know?"

"I- erm..." Shit. I hadn't actually thought that far. And, on the spot, I couldn't think of anyone.

"She's taking me," Blaise spoke up, gently nudging my foot under the table, giving me a discreet wink.

Draco's head shot up in alarm, his eyes darting almost fearfully between me and Blaise, just as Bambi let out a little whimper.

This did not go unnoticed by Blaise.

"Why not?" He shrugged his tone defensive and accusing as his piercing eyes flitted between Draco and Bambi, "surely no one here has any reason for me not to date Ronnie? I mean we're both single people, aren't we?"

The atmosphere was tense. Bambi looked close to tears and Draco looked furious. But neither of them said anything as Blaise continued to stare them out.

"Wait-" I started, but Bambi interrupted me.

"But that's wonderful, isn't it darling?" she said, with a forced lightness. "Our two friends... dating."

"As Blaise said, you're both free agents." Draco gritted, his eyes concentrating firmly down on his pint as a tiny muscle pulsed along his jawline. "Do what and who you like."

His eyes flicked upwards towards mine at this last part, and I couldn't help but feel a swirl of hurt and anger.

"Too fucking right I will," I snarled, glaring back at him, failing to keep the childishness out of my voice.

"Well, as long as everyone's happy," Blaise bit, his tone uncomfortably light as the four of us exchanged tight, strained smiles.

Happy was probably the last fucking word I'd use to describe my fucktard life right now.

*****