I'm finally updating, sorry for the long wait. It's a brand new year in the time zone I living, so 'Happy New Year' everyone. This chapter is just filling in for the bigger and better chapters to come. My head is filled with this creative stuff and I'm making my magic happen. Hopefully it's not complete rubbish. BTW, You're all wonderful, have I told you that?

Chapter 9

When Draco woke, it was already light outside. The blonde stretched and groaned when a certain ache emitted from his lower back. The haziness which clouded Draco's mind was suddenly gone when the previous night came back to him. Something next to him shifted and Draco pulled the sheet closer to his chest. Bill was still asleep next to him, limbs tangled in the cover. Draco observed the redhead and took in the man's appearance. Bill was tall and had tanned skin, which looked good on the redhead. A white fang hung from the man's neck and Draco recalled Bill calling him Dragon the night before. So the man liked dragons. Draco had never thought himself as easy, but last night he had no problem falling in bed with Bill Weasley. It was a little disconcerting to know that he was no longer a virgin and the fact that it had been a Weasley was a bit confusing. Draco couldn't deny that he liked it, loved it really. But the crux of the matter was that it was a Weasley, a redheaded blood traitor. They were poor and loved muggles, his father would have an aneurysm. But Draco had promised himself to be better, to let go of old prejudice. All that thinking early in the morning was making Draco's head hurt. He carefully edged himself off the bed and grabbed his clothes. After dressing, he threw one last look at Bill's sleeping form and left the room quietly. As he walked towards the dungeons, Draco repeated to himself.

" It was just one night. A stupid mistake, nothing more!"

X

Hermione and Harry were the first to arrive for breakfast. All the other Eight Years were still sleeping or nursing a hangover.

" When did you get in, Harry?" asked Hermione.

The teen yawned and answered " Don't know, midnight I guess."

" Well, you missed Ron throwing up on Seamus and Neville, Ron's knight in shining armour, came to his rescue." explained Hermione.

Harry laughed and piled his plate with toast and eggs. Ron came shuffling in and sat down next to Harry with a thump.

" I'm gonna kill Fred. " muttered Ron, before his head fell onto the table with a loud bang.

Hermione said "You really can't hold your liquor, Ron. That dance you were doing..."

" How much did I humiliate myself?" asked Ron.

Harry patted the boy's back and said " It could have been worse, you know. At least you kept your clothes."

Hermione added " And you didn't dance on the table, claiming to be Elvis. My uncle did that on my dad's birthday."

" What's an Elvis?" asked Ron.

Hermione and Harry both laughed and the dark-haired teen said " It's a muggle thing."

" Maybe you could smuggle some Hangover Potion from Snape." asked Ron, hope shimmering from his eyes.

Hermione lectured " I'm sure Professor Snape has better things to do than hand out Hangover Potions to students."

Ron groaned and snatched a piece of toast from Harry's plate.

" Bloody Fred and his Firewhiskey." he mumbled.

X

By the time Bill woke up, he had missed breakfast. Reaching out to the other side of the bed, Bill was met by cold sheets. The man lifted his head and craned his neck enough to see that he was alone. He hadn't expected Draco to stay and have a good morning cuddle with him, but a small part of him had hoped. It was oddly unnerving, because Bill was usually the one to leave. He could imagine the blonde's feelings right now. Draco was surely regretting their night together, especially him being a virgin before Bill had taken him to bed. The redhead didn't regret anything. He had set his sights on the young Malfoy months before the school year had started. During the Battle of Hogwarts, Bill had seen Draco and his father. The young blonde had captivated him then and was doing it still. As the man got up, a slow smirk appeared on his lips. He would enjoy chasing the blonde and wearing the dragon down. And he knew just the way to do it.

X

" There is so many roses, I could open up my own greenhouse." said Hermione.

Harry grabbed a new parchment from the table and asked " And you still have no idea who is sending them?"

" No... I mean, it's kind of disturbing, but nice at the same time. I just wish they would do something, you know. Ask me out properly or write a letter. I like poems." babbled the girl with frustration.

Harry asked " You mean romance you?"

" Yes! I want to have candlelight dinners and romantic picnics. I want to be swept off my feet." swooned Hermione.

The wizard chuckled and made a mental note to pass the message on to Fred.

X

It was lunch time and Draco had decided to go eat in the Great Hall. No one paid him any attention anymore which suited the blonde just fine. He had even considered moving to the Eight Year dormitory at some point. As the blonde came around the corner, Harry ran into him.

" Morning!" said Harry and picked up his fallen book.

Draco replied " You are going the wrong way, lunch is that way!"

Harry said " I had a sandwich and I'm meeting with Bill."

" You don't take Arithmancy!" said Draco.

The dark-haired teen moved past the blonde and said " It's a social visit."

When Harry was gone from view, Draco winced at the thought of Bill and Harry. Of course he had no interest in what the two did together. It was a mantra that Draco told himself over and over again. This was ridiculous, Weasley could do whatever he wanted. It wasn't Draco's business what the redhead did or who he did it with. But it bothered Draco, it irked him like nothing else. The Malfoy heir knew that one night of passion did not make them an item, they were not a couple. Draco had no right to tell Bill Weasley what to do. It all confused the blonde, he shouldn't feel like this. Feeling stupid, Draco walked into the Great Hall.

The Hall was not full, but Draco immediately saw the Gryffindors sitting together and surprisingly, Blaise sitting with them. The teen was laughing and talking with Dean Thomas and Neville Longbottom. He wasn't sure what to do, so Draco walked towards the Slytherin table.

" Draco!" the blonde heard someone say.

Turning around, Draco saw Hermione Granger looking at him.

" You can sit with us if you want!" came from the Weaslette.

The blonde was wary about sitting with them, until he heard Granger say " You're Harry's friend. You can sit with us even if he isn't here."

Sitting down beside Blaise, Draco stacked his plate with food. The group was chatting about trivial things and the blonde concentrated on lunch.

" Are you going home for Christmas, Draco?" asked Dean.

The blonde came out of his thoughts and said " Yes."

" My mother wants to spend time with her newest boyfriend. I'll be staying here over the holidays." said Blaise.

Dean said " That sucks!"

" It's not the first time." said Blaise.

Draco said " You could come and spend the holidays at the Malfoy Manor."

Blaise asked " Are you sure? Your father wouldn't mind me hanging around the Manor?"

" No, he'll be fine with it. Actually, I asked Harry and his friends as well." assured the blonde.

Blaise raised an eyebrow at the mention of Harry Potter.

" You invited Harry Potter, Saviour of the Wizarding World, to spend Christmas with you in the Malfoy Manor?" questioned Blaise.

Hermione chuckled and answered for the blonde " Yes, he did. And we accepted."

Ginny asked " I thought you and Harry were spending Christmas with us?"

" We are, but Draco asked us to visit. Actually, the invite was for Ron as well." explained Hermione.

Ginny chuckled " You haven't told Ron, have you?"

The look on the girl's face confirmed Ginny's suspicions. Both Dean and Neville laughed at the look Ron would have on his face when told the news.

X

Harry knocked at the classroom door and stepped inside. Professor Weasley looked up from his table.

" Are you busy?" asked Harry.

Bill said " No, just grading papers."

" Hermione told me about the surprise quiz. She sounded way too excited about it to be honest." Harry told the redhead.

Bill said " I wanted to see who actually pays attention in class. Judging by these, I can say that at least one third of the class knows their stuff. And Hermione's paper was one of the best, along with Malfoy's."

Harry explained " That's because Hermione has been helping Draco with his homework and she's been tutoring him. Speaking of Draco... I saw you two talking at the Halloween party."

Bill's face was a mask of indifference " Yeah?"

" He's not a bad person, Bill. I'm not saying that his actions are excusable, but he had good reason for doing what he did. I think with time and support from us, he has the potential to be a better person. We are actually quite similar, Draco and I. I'm the poor sod, who got saddled with getting rid of Voldemort and he was unfortunate enough to get mixed up in this because of his father's poor judgment. It took us both a few good years to understand that petty school yard bulling and hating each other because we were on different sides, is more than stupid." said Harry.

Bill asked " You seem to have given this a lot of thought."

" It's time to move on from the war. All this hatred between purebloods and muggleborns is just absurd." said Harry.

The redhead said " I never quite understood why my family and the Malfoys hate each other."

" Well, I know why Draco has a problem with your family." said Harry.

Bill raised an eyebrow at Harry's comment and the teen replied " Think, what's the one thing you have and he doesn't? I'll give you a hint, you have six of them."

" You mean brothers and sisters?" asked Bill.

Harry gave a nod and said " He has always wanted siblings. But his mother refused to have any more children she herself didn't even want. Your mother had seven children, which is rare for purebloods. Hermione told me that they usually have just one or if lucky they have two. Interbreeding and something like that."

" It makes sense, the Black family was notorious for interbreeding, cousins marrying cousins and such." said Bill.

Harry asked " But how did your mother manage seven?"

" I've asked myself the same question. Charlie and I think that mum took fertility potions. The Prewett family wasn't known for strong magic, even if the Weasleys have potent magic. Managing seven kids..." explained Bill.

Harry shrugged " Anyway... So what did you and Draco talk about?"

" I believe the muggle saying is that curiosity killed the cat." said Bill.

Harry laughed " I guess I'll let my imagination run wild then."

Bill said " Be my guest, Harry."

Harry turned to leave, but from the doorway said " Draco deserves some good people in his life. I'm glad it's you."

Before Bill could say anything, Harry had closed the door behind him.

X

A week had passed, an entire week without even seeing the redheaded Professor. Draco was not ready to admit to himself that he was going out of his mind. He had missed the previous Arithmancy class and hadn't seen Bill at all. Last time he'd seen the redhead, Bill had been laying half naked in bed. The memory of their night together was still fresh in the blonde's mind. And if Draco was honest, he wanted a repeat performance. Sure, he could find some willing guy and release some tension, but he wanted Bill. It annoyed Draco to no end, but he couldn't get Bill Weasley out of his head. It was a constant battle inside his mind. He wanted Bill, craved his touch. But Bill was Light, had fought against dark wizards and to Draco's irritation was a Weasley. There was so many reasons why he should keep far away from the redhead. Considering the difficulties they would have to overcome, starting with their families. What would the entire Wizarding World say if Bill Weasley associated himself with ex-Death Eater Draco Malfoy, son of Voldemort's second in command. It was absurd and frustrating to think about, but Draco couldn't help himself. He was thinking about scenarios that would most definitely not happen, because why would Bill even want him. It was a one night thing, nothing more. Draco had no explanation as to why he was even thinking about something more. A relationship between the two was never happening. Mulling over it would lead to nothing.

" Are you alright?" asked Harry.

Draco was sitting in the common room and hadn't seen Harry come in.

" Draco, are you feeling okay?" asked Harry again as the blonde had not heard the first time.

The blonde looked up and saw Harry's concerned face " I'm alright."

" You're pale and kind of spacing out... You sure?" Harry inquired.

Draco said " I'm fine, really. I missed lunch, that's all."

" Do you want me to get you something?" asked Harry.

Draco snapped " I don't need you to mother me. I'm fine!"

" Alright, alright..." Harry backed down.

The blonde sighed, obviously regretful of his tone " Sorry, I... It hasn't been a good day."

" If you want to talk, I'm a good listener, or so I have been told by Hermione." suggested Harry sitting down next to the blonde.

Draco said " I can't believe I'm sitting here with Gryffindor Golden Boy, who wants to have a heart to heart."

" Stranger things have happened." said Harry.

Draco smiled weakly and said " It's just some personal issues."

" Girl problem... or boy problem?" asked Harry.

Draco laughed " Am I going to be parented by Harry Potter?"

Harry said " I think I'm not ready to be parenting Draco Malfoy!"

" Thank Merlin for that." chuckled Draco.

Harry cleared his throat and asked " So does this personal problem have anything to do with a certain redheaded Professor?"

Draco paled and looked away, which in hindsight was not the best move. Harry immediately caught on and knew that he was right about something.

" Bill's a great guy, you know." said Harry

" Why should I care about Weasley?" Draco sneered, almost spitting out the name.

Harry knew that Draco took comfort in his older spiteful self, when he felt threatened. The blonde showed his old Slytherin attitude.

" You know, you don't have to do this every time." Harry sighed.

Draco looked at the other teen and asked " Do what?"

" Act like the mean boy I met, when we were twelve. This facade you have won't work with me anymore, now that I know the real Draco. " explained Harry.

The blonde looked away and Harry said " You can't run forever, Draco. We all have pasts, some worse than others. Pitying yourself is the easy way out. Having others pitying you is the coward's way out. You don't strike me as a coward nor someone, who would give up easily. Stop being pathetic, Draco."

Draco was stunned into silence. No one had ever talked to him like Harry had just moments ago. Even his father had never told him things like that. But he knew Harry was right. Instead of screaming at the dark-haired teen, Draco sighed and said quietly " You're right. I am pathetic. I'm weak, because I couldn't help my father and I couldn't help myself. It's hard for me to be someone other than Draco Malfoy, the boy you met all those years ago. He's a big part of me."

Harry said " No one I asking you to be someone else."

" I'm not sure what is it that you want from me, Harry!" said Draco.

The dark-haired wizard said " Let people in. Not everyone is out to get you, Draco. Times are different now, better than before."

" I've lived a better part of my life in fear. Do you have any idea what it's like? Of course you do, you're Harry freaking Potter. My father was in Azkaban, thanks to you. The Dark Lord gave me an assignment and told me that I either succeed or I could kiss life goodbye. It wasn't just my life on the line. He knew that I would fail, I knew it as well, but I was prepared to do anything it took. I was a coward and at the time didn't see that Severus was my only way out. He wasn't pleased with me, but didn't kill me. I even got my father back. It just got worse from then on." explained Draco.

Harry asked " Why did you help me? At the Manor..."

" You were my only hope. You were supposed to be the Dark Lord's demise. The precious prophesy boy, who was meant to vanquish him. I was desperate enough to help you at the time." said Draco.

Harry said " I thought as much..."

" My father thought that if we were the ones to give you to the Dark Lord, all would be forgiven to us. He wanted to spare me." said Draco.

The other said " It wasn't personal, I know. It's survival instinct, very Slytherin of him. He did the same thing in the forest by helping me."

" I think I've never thanked you for killing the Dark Lord. It all happened rather fast and I didn't properly express my gratitude." Draco said.

Harry chuckled and said " Anytime... But I'm still going to ask about Bill."

" There is nothing to talk about. " defended Draco.

Harry said " If you say so, but just know that Bill's a decent guy. He takes things seriously and would never hurt someone he cares about."

" If you say so, Harry." Draco said distantly.

The dark-haired teen grinned and said " I know so."

Harry missed the small smile on the blonde's face when talking about Bill Weasley. The dark-haired teen walked to one of the sofas near the window and slumped down. Having heart-to-heart's with people was somewhat of a new area of expertise for Harry.

X

Severus loved knowledge and learning, but he absolutely hated his students. Now that he was teaching DADA, Severus Snape could honestly say that having Potter and Longbottom in Potions was a blessing. Due to the lack of a proper teacher, kids had no idea what even the basics were. Sure things were good when Lupin taught the subject, but if it hadn't been for Harry's little club, students would all quite possibly kill themselves trying to cast a Patronus. He was currently grading papers and Severus could feel a headache coming on. They were tests from the Third Years. The dark-haired man was slowly losing hope as all the test were surely written by dimwitted baboons not Third Year students. He was interrupted when the door opened and Remus Lupin came in.

" How may I assist you?" drawled Severus, sorting papers.

Remus spoke " It's nearly dinner time."

" And?" asked Severus, still not looking up from his table.

Remus Lupin was a timid man. His furry problem, as James Potter liked to call it, was the reason he rarely opened up to others. The Potters had been great friends to him along with Sirius Black. At school, even if not intentionally, he had been a bastard to Severus. Now that he was all grown up and wiser, Remus Lupin was trying to undo some of the past mistakes on his part.

"I was wondering, if you'd like to have dinner with me." Remus stammered out.

That got Snape's attention and he raised an eyebrow at the man " Dinner, with you..."

" I'd like to apologize for everything... At the time, I didn't see any fault in it, but it was wrong of us to treat you as we did. Lily spoke highly of you and that angered James, which angered Sirius. We were dumb kids. I'd like to rectify that. It's cruel to drag Lily into this, but I'm sure that she would want us to make peace with the past." explained Remus.

Severus said " You're right, it was uncalled for to bring her into it. Where do you propose this dinner take place?"

" We could go to The Three Broomsticks or Hog's Head." suggested the werewolf.

Snape eyed the man and asked " When?"

" We could go right now. I'm sure they can manage without us." Remus said.

Severus Snape allowed the werewolf to suffer for a few good minutes before saying " Very well, Lupin. But you're paying."

" Of course, thank you for accepting." Remus said.

The onyx-eyed man gave a nod. Severus had no idea why he had accepted the wolf's invite, but there was something about the man that fascinated Severus.