Sorry for the late update! The holiday season really got me busy! Hope everyone's was fun and safe! Please enjoy!


Harry's hand was tight and clammy as he gripped mine. I didn't dare move an inch for fear of him letting go. I could feel his pulse racing in his wrist, and was sure he was holding his breath.

Filch was still shaking the doorknob, his raspy voice jeering and filled with sickening excitement at the thought of catching students out of bed. It seemed like time was moving in slow-motion and what was probably only minutes felt like an hour. I just started to imagine a life where I would grow old holding Harry's hand inside a locked classroom when there came a thundering crash from far away. Filch cursed loudly and shouted "Peeves!" There was a hesitant rustling and the old man swore. "This is the last straw; I'm going to get the headmaster to toss you out by your grubby little toes this time poltergeist!" Footsteps sounded, running away from the door and a moment later it was dead quiet. Even Mrs. Norris had fled to investigate the commotion.

Harry let out a huge sigh, his body slumping, "thank Godric!"

The movement caused friction between our interlaced fingers and Harry stiffened, looking down at our hands. I held my breath and felt the awkward tension build around us as he finally realized what he was doing.

"What the hell Malfoy!" Harry shouted, ripping his arm away as if he'd just been burnt. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Me?!" I spluttered, my eyes going wide. I pointed a finger in his now red face, "don't accuse me, you grabbed my hand!"

He faltered for the briefest of seconds before shouting, "Shut up! And unlock the damn door!"

I pushed my thumb and forefinger into the bridge of my nose before conceding. "Fine, whatever Potter. " I muttered the counter curse on the door and it clicked open.

"Just stay the hell away from me, Malfoy," Harry glared back over his shoulder, as he headed towards the door. "You're the last person I'd ever want to be friends with."

I listened as his footsteps faded away into the distance and with every echoing sound the hurt that welled up inside my chest became acidic and dissolved away, leaving behind only icy hatred.


A week passed in which I went out of my way to avoid any sort of interaction with the Boy Wonder, except in Potions class where it was easy to get him into trouble by levitating the wrong things into his cauldron when he wasn't looking. I didn't want to see the smug look on his face from rejecting me for the second time; I didn't want him to see the embarrassment and regret that still shadowed my cheeks every time he came into my line of vision. On the following Tuesday in the Great Hall during the morning mail deliveries my attention –along with everyone else's- was drawn to a small parliament of owls carrying a long, thin parcel wrapped conspicuously. It landed on the Gryffindor table right in front of Potter. Amidst all the commotion happening around the red table, I watched as Harry tore open a letter that landed atop the package and he and Ron skimmed it. A moment later they both stood up and began heading towards the door, the unwrapped parcel under Harry's arm.

My curiosity getting the better of me I motioned for Vincent and Greg to follow, ignored Pansy's call of questioning protest, and caught up with the two boys at the bottom of the stairs in the Entrance Hall. Vincent and Greg blocked their path as they made to start climbing the stairs. I snatched the package from Harry and felt along the soft paper.

"That's a broomstick," I glared, throwing it back to Harry. The memory of when I first encountered Harry in Madam Malkin's and bragged about sneaking one in – surely he wasn't that stupid to think he could get away with having one just posted to him? "You'll be for it this time potter, first years aren't allowed them."

"It's not any old broomstick, it's a Nimbus 2000!" the weasel gloated, his eyes shining with smugness that should really have belonged to Harry, "What did you say you had at home Malfoy, a Comet 260? Comets look flashy but they're not in the same league as the Nimbus."

MY eyes narrowed at Ron and I shot back, "what would you know about it Weasley ? You couldn't afford half the handle; I suppose you and your brothers have to save up twig by twig. "

Before any sound could come out of Ron's open mouth Professor Flitwick appeared at my elbow.

"Not arguing I hope boys?" the tiny man squeaked, his fingers tapping one another in that weird nervousness he always carried around with him.

"Potter's been sent a broomstick, Professor," I said before Harry or Ron could reply. To my absolute annoyance Flitwick simply started beaming excitedly and turned to the Gryffindor.

"Yes, yes that's right," he said, "Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances Potter, and uh what model is it?"

Harry couldn't help the smirk that pulled at the side of his mouth as he replied, "a nimbus 200 sir, and it's really thanks to Malfoy here that I've got it."

My face twisted into a dark scowl. Thanks to me? What the hell do I have to do with Harry getting a broomstick? He and Weasley shook with stifled laughter as they pushed past Crabbe and Goyle and disappeared up the stairs.


In between classes and brooding on how much I hated Harry Potter, Halloween came creeping around the corner. It both delighted and disheartened me because Halloween was my favourite holiday and back at home I had spent every year dressing up as a dementor and chasing my husband around the courtyard trying to kiss him. Halloween Eve was spent tossing and turning in bed, trying to rid my mind of Harry, my Harry, who I wished more than ever was here now. Pansy and Greg and Vincent, and the other boys in my year were fine friends, but something was still missing, and I knew exactly what it was. Determined to keep my promise to Mother -and not seem like the kid on the crazy train- I crawled deep into the emerald green of my duvet, screwed my eyes shut tight and refused to open them, scared that he might just show up again.

The next day the sun was far too bright to think it was autumn and the brown and red leaves glowed as I stared up from under the tree. Some of the first year Slytherins gathered under its shade, enjoying a festively themed lunch of green pea soup served in miniature cauldrons and chocolate bats. Pansy sat beside me, carving out a motif of a rat into the face of a pumpkin with her wand. Her friend, Milicent, stretched out across a large patch of grass and doodled pictures of obscene stick figures in her notebook.

"What did you get for question 13 Draco?" Zabini asked, scratching the side of his face with his quill and dragging a splash of ink across his cheek. Milicent snorted and I rolled my eyes.

"You have to squeeze the juice from five beetle eyes over the broth, but only add three and stir it twice clockwise then once anti-clockwise or else it will curdle," I said after glancing at the question to refresh my memory, "Snape told me it has something to do with the amount of unicorn hair in the potion."

"You're so smart Draco," Pansy gushed and held up the finished pumpkin, "but I bet you can't do better than this!"

"I could if I wanted to," I said cooly, leaning back against the tree trunk with my hands behind my head. "I just don't feel like it."

"Sure, sure."

My attention returned to the leaves; two had just detached themselves from a branch and floated down slowly, dancing and twirling in the breeze. If they weren't the exact same colour as Potter's Qudditch robes I would have thought it was pretty; instead the red and gold just left a thick feeling in my throat that didn't go away when I swallowed. The most probable reason for this would be jealousy but I want entirely convinced that's all it was.

Word had quickly got around the school that Harry Potter was the new seeker for the Gryffindor quidditch team. Jealousy built up inside me and I spent every second chance I could making jokes about the upcoming game to anyone who would listen.

That night, during dinner, Professor Quirrell came running into the Great Hall, his turban askew and tripping over his own feet. He collapsed at the staff table mumbling something about a troll being spotted in the dungeons. Instantly the entire hall was in an uproar. The headmaster calmed everyone down with a few sparks from the end of his wand and ordered the Prefects to lead their houses back to their common rooms.

I screwed my face up, "back to the common room? Our common room is in the dungeon, what is this fool playing at!?"

"Oh don't be so daft Draco, just hurry up, all the Slytherins are leaving!" Pansy said, grabbing the sleeve of my robe.

"No way!" I pulled back out of her grip and began heading away from the others.

"Draco!" her voice was shrill and frantic, "Draco where are you going?"

I didn't reply but she was already running after me as I pushed past a small group of young Ravenclaws and started up the stairs towards the Astronomy tower.

"Draco!" Pansy was calling again.

"What-AGH!" I cried out, turning back and consequently pushing my foot through the trick stair in the moving staircase. I fell up to my thigh and cursed as my knee smacked against the wood of the stair above where my leg was trapped.

"Oh no," Pansy gasped. She hurried the last few feet to catch up to me and placed her hands around my arm, intending to help me out.

"Don't touch me," I snapped, reefing my arm out of her grip and grabbing onto the railing. I tried to heave myself out but my leg was well and truly jammed.

Pansy covered her mouth –whether to stifle a laugh or a sob I couldn't tell, but I glared at her all the same. "This is your fault," I huffed, crossing my arms across my chest.

"So let me help you," the brunette offered desperately again, extending her hand out.

I continued to death stare her but grudgingly allowed her to take my arm. She braced herself against the lower stair and with a well-timed twist, my leg dislodged and I tumbled out on top of her. She staggered back, hitting her head on the rail behind her, and we both slumped down onto the stairs, groaning and clutching our wounds. The entire stairway was deserted; assumedly everyone was already halfway back to their common rooms by now.

"You are, by far, the most annoying person I know," I whined, pulling my robes back around me and standing up. I scowled, noticing a small tear in the satin lining of my expensive specially tailored robed Mother bought me and flicked my wand at it –possibly a little too hastily, as it caught alight and I yelped. Pansy thwarted the little fire with her hat and blushed deeply.

"Draco I'm sorry!" she moaned, "I just didn't want you to get in trouble, where were you going?"

"Not were," I corrected her, "are; I'm going up to the roof."

"Why on earth would you want to go up there?" Pansy's eyebrows narrowed in confusion.

I sighed, feeling exasperated and getting nowhere, "because there's a TROLL in the dungeons! I'm getting as far away from that as I can! I'm not going to blindly follow my house back into the dungeons!"

"But Draco surely-"

"No," I cut her off, jumping over the vanishing step, "I'm leaving."

"Wait, I'll come with you!" Pansy called after me as I started up the stairs again.

"What makes you think I want you to?" I rolled my eyes, picking up my pace.

"Stop being such a spoiled, little, wet sock Draco Malfoy!"

The childish insult threw me slightly, and I spun back around, my eyebrow lifted up into my fringe. We looked at each other silently for a moment before both cracking into stupid grins.

"Oh bloody hell," I sighed, "come on then."

We made our way up the tower and emerged into cool, damp air. It felt refreshing on my face and the stars were so plentiful that everything was easily visible on the grounds. The Whomping Willow sat deceptively still and calm-looking from the distance, its bare branches hunched over and brushing the moss-covered ground. I leant against the turret and rest my head on my hand, surveying the large, black expanse of the Forbidden Forest. Everything looked so peaceful and quiet, the night punctuated only with the noise coming from the owlery in the opposite tower. Up here you would never be able to tell that there was currently a twelve-foot mountain troll loose in the castle.

"So, tell me," Pansy spoke, breaking the small illusion of solidarity, "why do you hate Potter so much all of a sudden?"

"That's a stupid question Pansy," I replied, watching from the corner of my eye as she siddled a tiny bit closer. "I haven't liked that twat since I met him on the train."

"No you haven't," she said, "and you promised me you would explain why you went chasing after him the other night too. That was over a week ago."

"I don't have to tell you every little thing that goes on in my life."

"Draco, I thought we were friends," she sounded hurt. Shit.

I hesitated and then put a tentative hand on her shoulder, "we are. I just…"

"Just what?"

"I have some stuff I have to deal with right now that doesn't concern anyone." At least it wasn't a lie.

"It concerns Harry though, doesn't it?" Pansy pushed on softly.

"No!" I snapped, "It has nothing to do with that stupid tosser! Give it up Panse."

"I wasn't talking about Potter," her tone lowered and she levelled her eyes to stare right into my own.

I shifted uncomfortably; it felt like she was looking right through me. "What the hell are you talking about, that doesn't even make any sense."

"I'm talking about your little boyfriend," Pansy said. "That boy you used to tell me about when we were little. You said his name was Harry Potter, and that you were going to marry him."

Suddenly the bright night sky was too revealing and I could feel the scarlet creep onto my cheeks and my robes felt too hot. "Pansy, I was six, I probably said and did a lot of dumb things, I'm sure you played stupid games when you were little too."

"See but that's the thing," the girl continued, her voice dropping into something that sounded like pity and understanding, "I don't think you realise how much you went on about him, it was like you were obsessed. And I think that obsession followed you to Hogwarts…. you wanted to make friends with this boy you dreamt up all through your childhood-"

"I didn't dream him up!" I cut her off, feeling my temper rise around my ears, "shut up, you have no idea what you're talking about."

"Draco…"

"Drop it," I glared, wishing desperately that I hadn't fallen into that damn trick stair so that I could be enjoying the rooftop on my own.

"I know it must be hard," Pansy tried once more, "I mean, having your best friend finally become something tangible and then having it all fall to pieces around you. I would be upset too."

I opened my mouth to yell at her again, but when I looked into her eyes they were wide and full of understanding. "You really remember that long ago?" I finally asked.

Before Pansy could answer, the tower door swung open and Snape burst through, his face contorted with a world of emotions – the most prominent being fear and anger.

"What in Salazaar's name do you think you pair are doing up here!?" he hissed loudly, swooping down on us like an oversized crow. If I were anyone else I probably would have wet myself. "A troll, loose in the castle and you pair think it's a grand idea to go stargazing!? Twenty points from Slytherin!"

"Professor we-" Pansy squeaked, shrinking back inside her robes.

"Miss Parkinson, hold your tongue," Snape snapped, "I want you both back in your dormitories –where you should have been half an hour ago - without another word!" Fury visibly rolled off the dark-haired man in waves as he tried to compose himself, pointing towards the door. "And I will be seeing the pair of you in my office after your classes tomorrow for detention; I cannot believe two students from my own house could be so stupid!"

Pansy and I ran back to the Slytherin common room with our tails between our legs – Snape hadn't raised his voice or subtracted points from one of his own students in the whole two months we had been at school and frankly he was terrifying. He'd never even shouted at Potter like that, and he loathed the Gryffindor. I wondered whether it had anything to do with my father threatening Snape to make sure I didn't get into any sort of trouble or danger while at school.

When we reached our blank stone wall, Pansy panted out, "basilisk!" and it slid aside to allow us in. The room was eerie green-blue from the underwater windows facing into the Black Lake. I watched a small grindylow swim past one of the glass panels as I caught my breath. I didn't even say goodnight to Pansy, I just turned on my heel and ran across the room to the stairway leading down into my shared bedroom.


"Don't worry Scarhead, I'll be holding a mattress underneath you during the match for you," I called out across the corridor on our way to Defense Against the Dark Arts. A couple of other Slytherins snickered loudly, but Pansy looked at me from her peripheries and cocked an eyebrow.

"Draco stop it you just sound petty now," she lectured, digging through her bag to find her quill.

I glared at her, slowly realizing that brooding had become my new favourite sport. I just wanted to get under his skin and make his school life a living hell – the way he had so rudely made mine. Taunting, being one of my better skills, usually did the job but teasing him about his flying abilities didn't last long after Gryffindor won the first quidditch match of the season. I refused to admit even in my own head that Harry could definitely fly a broomstick, and that there was some very nasty foul play afoot during the game. Instead I chose to focus on Boy Wonder's talent of catching things in his mouth and commenting on the possibility of a wide-mouthed tree frog replacing him as seeker. Greg and Vincent guffawed and Theo Nott did an amusing impression of Harry looking like he was about to be sick on the pitch but the Golden Trio had already entered the classroom and seated themselves very far away from the Slytherin tables.


A few days later in Potions class I stared deliberately at Potter and drawled loudly, "I do feel so sorry for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts because they're not wanted at home." He pretended he hadn't heard, measuring out powdered spine of lionfish unfazed and I wanted to walk over there and just punch him in the face for ignoring me.

I left the dungeons and climbed the stairs to the next floor forty minutes later only to find the entire passageway blocked by the back end of enormous tree. Huge hands the size of dinner plates could be seen on the trunk amidst a shag of black curls on top of the Gamekeeper's head. He appeared to be trying to drag it through the hallway and had come stuck where it narrowed slightly.

"Would you mind moving out of the way," I called over the tree in annoyance, having to stand much closer than I would have preferred to the Gryffindors I shared my class with. Ron's backside was sticking out as he bent through the branches, conversing with the half-giant. "Are you trying to earn some extra money Weasley?" I added, "hoping to be gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts I suppose; that hut of Hagrid's must seem like a palace compared to what your family is used to."

The red head made an unattractive noise and threw himself at me, his hands about to connect with my neck. Before any damage was inflicted however, Snape appeared at the top of the stairs. "Weasley," he said lowly, stopping Ron in his tracks.

Hagrid stuck his head around from behind the mass of wood and leaves. "He was provoked Professor Snape," he said quickly, "Malfoy was insulting his family."

I shot a dirty look at the big oaf and caught Potter's eye. He looked so self-righteous and glared back at me.

"Be that as it may, fighting is against Hogwarts rules Hargid," Snape replied silkily, "five points from Gryffindor, Weasley, and be grateful it isn't more. Move along all of you."

I smirked at the two lions and made sure to drive my shoulder into Potter's as Greg, Vincent and I pushed past them and through the tree, making our way towards the Great Hall for lunch.


On the last day of school before I headed back to the Manor for Christmas, I stopped by the library to pick up an extracurricular book on advanced potions that Snape recommended to read over the holidays. Armed with an exemplary note to allow me to take a book out of Hogwarts, I made my way to the end of the rows and spied Potter pouring over a book at a table near the back of the sitting area. After plucking the book I was after off the shelf I snuck closer, keeping an eye out for the other two that he never went anywhere without but they didn't seem around. When I was only a few feet away from his back when I said, "Potter," and he jumped visibly, spinning around looking guilty.

"Malfoy," he replied, shutting his book hastily, "what do you want?"

"What are you doing?" I retorted, craning to see what he was reading.

Harry snatched it and stuffed it onto his bag out of my view, "none of your business."

I sniffed loudly and lifted my chin in an attempt to feign ignorance. To be honest though I really didn't care what he was reading, I just wanted him to acknowledge I still existed. "Where's your little posse?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"I don't need Crabbe and Goyle around me all the time."

"Could have fooled me," Harry raised his eyebrow and stood up, "now if that's all, I'm going."

"No it isn't," I started, regretting it instantly and trying to think of something decent to say that would keep him here.

Harry paused, his bag slung over one shoulder, waiting. "Well?" he said finally, when the normal length of response silence had lapsed.

I hesitated and then said, "Have a good Christmas." Instantly I wanted to kick myself in the face, no, i didn't want him to have a good Christmas, I want him to be miserable and lonely and get eggnog poured down his jumper, what the hell is wrong with me?

Harry gave me a weird glare then answered, "shove off, Malfoy, you're not funny." He hitched his bag up and walked out, leaving me to stand there, my face feeling hot again.

On my way back to the dungeons I passed the open door of Snape's office and heard his voice ring out after me. "Draco?"

I doubled back a few steps and peered in. Snape sat at his desk, scrawling what looked like large red T's on the parchments in front of him. "Sir?"

"Come in," he said evenly, looking up from his work, "sit."

I entered the large room filled floor to roof of shelves covering with jars, and chose a seat on the hard-backed, black chair in front of his desk. The long eagle feather quill made a small clink on the dark wood as he set it down and leaned forward slightly. "How are you, Draco?"

"I'm fine Professor," I replied, unsure of what exactly he was implying.

"I'm just noticing you don't seem to be enjoying Hogwarts," Snape continued, "is there anything you want to discuss with me?"

I felt his eyes boring into mine and quickly dropped my gaze, hoping he wasn't reading my mind. "No, everything's fine."

Snape sighed. "What happened that day I found you in the corridor? You were crying."

I chewed my lip nervously, "I told you, I was just upset because I got lost."

"Is that the truth?"

"Of course it is!" I snapped, my temper rising. Why was everyone trying to make me talk to them about my problems?

"Calm down Draco," Snape held up one hand, "I'm only worried; first you're having breakdowns in my corridors next you're moonlighting on the roof with Parkinson while a troll was loose. You can forgive me for having concerns."

"Well," I huffed, crossing my arms in front of my chest, "even if there was something wrong, it has nothing to do with you." I could have kicked myself for acting so childish – I mentally hoped Father wouldn't be hearing about this meeting.

"You are my student and the son of a close friend of mine," Snape stood and walked around his desk to stand in front of me. "I have a duty of care to fulfil as a teacher, and," his eyes softened, "-as someone who cares. Anything you want to talk to me about Draco, you know you have my complete confidence, unless of course it's a matter of safety."

"I'd rather not if it's all the same to you," I stood and picked up my bag, heading for the door, "Merry Christmas, Professor."

"I'll be here over the holidays," Snape called out after me, "if you feel like writing at all."

I didn't reply and just headed back to my dormitory to gather my things and catch the train back to London.


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