"You lost, Potter? The train left already, you know. I knew you were daft, but this just raised your ignorance bar." Draco Malfoy sneered, propping himself on his elbow. Harry stared, his mouth hanging open slightly.
"What are you doing here?" Harry demanded, stepping inside the room. Malfoy sat upward, still holding his smile in place.
"I'm staying for the winter holidays, Potter. I thought it could be a wonderful opportunity to spy on you Gryffindors." Malfoy informed, his eyes flickering with amusement.
"Oh, bloody hell." Harry groaned, walking toward his bed. He closed the drapes, hoping to achieve segregation.
"I'm just as disappointed as you are." Malfoy called. "I'd rather be in Germany right now."
"Going to run away, Malfoy? Are you that scared of me you need to run to mummy?" Harry said angrily.
"If I could, I would. If anyone honestly needs me right now, it is my mum." Malfoy spat back. Harry could feel the annoyance in his voice.
"Do you miss your mum that much?" Harry asked, trying to hide his worry for the blonde. A clatter sounded. Harry's curtains were ripped open, Malfoy shoving him onto his bed, wrestling, throwing punches, hitting pillows instead of the boy's head. Harry grabbed Malfoy's fist, throwing one of his own, connecting with his face. Malfoy fell on the floor, a black bruise darkening on his eye. Harry pounced, pinning the blonde tightly.
"The hell was that for?!" Harry yelled, his breath uneven and struggling. Malfoy did the same, trying to release himself.
"You can insult me all you want, Potter. Don't you dare bring my mother into this!" Malfoy yelled, his voice echoing in the dorm. "Why do you think I'm even here? She's in hiding for crimes she didn't commit! I'm trying to keep her safe."
"How are keeping her safe when you have her wand? She's defenseless!" Harry yelled, using his knee against Malfoy's stomach. The blonde glared menacingly, finally finding his struggle futile.
"I gave it back." he sneered, venom dripping off his words. "I received a new one after my case was found innocent. You remember that, don't you? You testified for me." Harry jerked slightly, his grip on his enemy dying. "Why did you do that, Potter? You gave me a second chance I could never earn. Why?"
"I-I can't tell you." Harry's shoulder was pushed to the side, his prey becoming predator. Draco was now on top of Harry, firmly holding him down.
"What do you mean you can't tell me?"
"Malfoy! Get off of him!" Cho yelled angrily, her wand pointed at the blonde. Malfoy slowly stood to his feet, Cho dashing to Harry's side.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Cho asked worriedly, helping him back onto his feet.
"I think Wonder boy deserves a few more hits in the head." Malfoy said harshly, walking back to his previous place. He grabbed his shoes and cloak, exiting the room without another word.
"Are you hurt?" Cho fussed, checking Harry over intently.
"I'm fine. Thanks for asking."
"You gave him a nice shiner, didn't you?" Cho stuttered, smiling slightly. Harry shrugged.
"It honestly wasn't as satisfying as I though punching him would be." Harry admitted, breathing in deeply to relax his nerves. "Thanks for getting him off though. For a skinny guy, he weighs a ton."
"No, your just five foot one and ninety pounds, while he's six foot three and hundred and twenty. Quite the difference there." Cho explained without hesitation. Harry blinked at her, moving away slowly.
"Are you stalking me?" Harry asked, causing the girl to laugh.
"My eyes are magicked so when I see a person I don't need to guess they're sizes and such. It's part of going into the fashion spotlight." Cho giggled, her face beginning to blush even more. She gasped suddenly. "I almost forgot why I even came up here! Lunch is in the common room if you want anything. The other students and I were going to make a giant snowman afterword, Muggle style. I'd understand if you didn't want to come, it is childish."
"I'll go. I need to relieve this stress in other ways than punching a wall." Cho smiled brightly, the two racing down the stairs toward the bright and merry room.
"Are you going to put the carrot on the face, Harry?" a small Hufflepuff girl asked, carrying two shovels.
"I am." Harry smiled. "Only if I get to throw the first snowball at Cho."
"Not if I get you first!" Cho raced outside the common room, grabbing the plate of sandwiches left for them. The other students followed, laughter billowing though the halls. Harry rushed after them, hassling to put his cloak around his shoulders.
The air was cold and the snow was crisp when they ran outside, out of breath. Harry was pushed face first into the snow, smiling when the Hufflepuff girls giggled away. They're footsteps seemed to sink a foot deep into the snow, all headed the same direction. All but one set.
Footsteps, new by the looks of them, were heading toward the forest, dragging slightly at the toe, as if the prints were moping. Harry shook his head, removing his mind from such silly situations. He turned toward the students, planting a snowball directly on Cho's arse. She squeaked, throwing her own ball at Harry. A fight began, Harry smiling the entire time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Then I called my broom from within the school, grabbed it and started to fly. To my unlucky surprise, the dragon had somehow freed himself. I flew away from the arena to keep everyone safe, and led the dragon toward the school." Harry explained to the fourth through first years. Being as curious as they were, they wanted to know about Harry's run-in with the Hungarian Horntail. Cho and the other years sat in silence, remembering the event as it was told. The group huddled around the couch, warming themselves in blankets by the fire.
"Did you survive?" Victoria Gerald, a second year Hufflepuff, asked, her eyes wide. Edgar Pacord, the Slytherin boy, snorted.
"Obviously he did! He's still alive, isn't he?"
"Edgar!" Cho scolded, the boy jumping.
The portrait hole suddenly opened, the rest of the group looking intently at where the sound came from. Malfoy walked by, barely glancing at the collection of students. He had his black cloak in hand. It was soaked, as were his slacks and hair.
"Stop staring. Just continue playing house."
"I wasn't playing house, Draco! I was just listening." Edgar stood, trying to impress his elder. Malfoy snorted, walking up the stairs toward the dorms.
"Well, that was rude." Cho said, breaking the quiet.
"He's always like that." Edgar commented, returning to his spot. "He sneaks off every afternoon and just wanders. My friends and I followed him once, but he sent us back at the Entrance hall. I'm surprised he's back this early."
"Huh." Harry snorted, reaching for another cookie. "I really wish he didn't have such a snarky attitude. He's so difficult."
"That's what Pansy says. She also said he's become very distant lately. It has to do with his mother being gone."
"What's wrong with his mom?" Cho asked, her voice full of worry.
"She's on the run." Harry said, calling everyone's attention on him. "She's being convicted of torture, murder, and dishonesty in the court of law. His father was charged with the same, but they caught him before he crossed the French border. He was given the Kiss. They're keeping the case vague to the public until Narcissa caught."
"How horrible." Cho said sympathetically. "I've met the woman. She is amazingly nice. I could never imagine her performing the Dark Arts. I'm very fond of her, actually."
"I know. She saved my life." Cho looked at Harry, her curiosity peeked. Harry sighed. "On the day of the final battle, when I met Voldemort-" The younger students gasped. "-and I was hit with the Killing Curse, she was the one sent to check if I was really dead. She felt for my pulse, but instead of telling the Dark Lord, she asked me if Draco was in the castle. I barely whispered yes before she stood and told them I was dead." Harry paused, taking another bite of his cookie. "I owed her a life debt. She told me, right before her families' trial, to save her son in return. I agreed, and now Malfoy is off scot free. I tried to put in for her as well, because I know her accusing was false, but the Minister wouldn't have it. She didn't mind, as long as Draco was safe. Such a sweet lady she is."
"Have you told Draco?" Destiny Bits, a Ravenclaw, asked. Harry shook his head.
"No. Narcissa asked me to keep it a secret up until yesterday. She sent me an owl about her situation, her location, and that I can tell whoever I please. I burned the letter after reading it to keep her safe."
"How cool." Victoria said. "Your like a spy."
Harry laughed. "I guess you can think of it that way." Harry looked at his watch, standing to his feet. "It's time to visit little Teddy."
"Who's Teddy?" Edgar asked.
"My old professor's son. Teddy's mom and dad died during the war." Harry said sadly. "He's being raised by Madame Sprout. She adopted him since she can't have children."
"Can we see him?" Victoria asked, standing up. "I love babies!" The other children squealed in agreement, they're face lighting with excitement. Harry smiled widely.
"I think he would like that."
