After Draco's long-ass adventure across the room for his drink, the lot of them sat laughing, and Draco really felt like an idiot hanging out with a bunch of fourth years, but they were pretty cool. 'As long as nobody that knows me sees this, I'm okay.' Draco thought to himself.

They eventually giggled their way out of the Three Broomsticks and wandered up and down the streets of Hogsmeade Village until it was time to leave. They got back to Hogwarts, Draco now joining them in a carriage rather than riding alone.

They arrived at Hogwarts and made their way to the Slytherin common room. Draco wasn't tired, having slept most of the day away, so he decided to go to his dorm to draw after kissing Cora goodnight. Once he got to his bed, he whipped out his paper and pencil. He had no clue what to even draw, so he decided to take a risk at possibly wasting paper and closed is eyes. His hand began to move swiftly, guiding the pencil along, drawing the sub-conscious image of his thoughts. He felt like he was dreaming, sort of floating away from reality. Once he opened his eyes and saw the image his mind projected and it warmed him inside and out. It was a girl, all though not the greatest picture, he could tell her light features resembled Hermione. He looked at his clock which was now beaming lighted numbers telling him it was 10.32 pm. Still not cursed by the power of exhaustion, he continued reading the book he was currently enraptured with (Beowulf), until his mind was stretched too far and he dosed off into a deep sleep.

The sun peeked around the curtains and whispered to Draco to open his eyes, then with its illuminating rays forced him to immediately shut them once more. He groaned at the sun and rolled over facing the dark side of his bed. The clock read 9.16, late enough to get out of bed, but it gave him too much time to spend on his own.

Two more days of the bloody vacation of boredom, violence, and smut. He realized he hadn't changed, brushed his teeth, or even set down his book before falling asleep. Beowulf was jabbing him in the side so he removed it and got up to go to the bathroom. He looked at his face. Lip ring...Check. Ear peircing number one...Check. Ear pericing number two...Check. Sexy silvery blonde locks...Double check. He turned on the shower really hot as always, and jumped in after undressing. He let the water gilde down the front of his pale body, then he turned to let it work down his back, and he screamed. He almost completely forgot about his wounds and the steamy water stung when it touched him. As he was more careful throughout the rest of his shower, he remembered Pomfrey's lotion he had for his back. He got out of the shower, and looked in the mirror once again. He turned to look at his scars, which weren't healing too great and he needed someone to put the lotion on for him. He thought of Cora in an instant. She was the only one who could at this moment. He then turned and looked at his face again. Boy, he was scruffy, so he shaved and parted his hair to the side like always. He walked back into the dorm, becoming cold right away, looking for something to wear. He put on some faded jeans and a long sleeved black shirt. He scurried back into the bathroom and got out his toothbrush and paste. While Draco brushed his teeth, his thin, silver lip ring getting in the way a little.

Draco finished with his normal routine and ventured down to th Great Hall. He ate a little bit and sat watching some of the people talking amongst their group of friends. Then Cora and her group walked in. They sat by him, Cora sitting the closest, their arms nearly touching. Draco silver locks had dried completely by now and were hanging over his eyes peacefully, and Cora began running her fingers though them. She commented how soft his hair was, and how there were no knots or tangles, and Draco found it silly that she was obsessing over hair, so he snickered at her.

"What's so funny you goon?" she asked, nudging him playfully, obviously flirting.

"You." He said, pushing her back slightly.

"Dork."

"Shrimp."

"Pansy."

"Fourthy."

"Ey! That was uncalled for." she said, poking him in the side. He sort of wiggled away because it tickled and she laughed at the fact that he was actually ticklish and kept poking him every few seconds. He eventually got fed up with it and stood up to leave, but she protested.

"Don't go! I promise I'll stop poking you!." she pouts, but it doesn't work on Draco.

"Actually, can I speak to you in private?" He asked, pointing his thumb towards the door.

"Yeah sure."

As they were walking away, her friends were cooing and teasing about Draco just wanting another quick shag. They waltzed into the entrance hall and stopped close to a wall, where Cora pinned him and placed kisses along his neck. He pushed her off gently, apologizing.

"Actually, I really have to talk to you."

"Oh...I just thought you wanted more after yesterday." she smirked.

"Well, yesterday was very good, but I need to ask you of a favor that has nothing to do with sex."

"Okay, shoot." she said stepping back a few inches.

"Well, you remember how I told you about the whipping I had gotten over the break?"

"Mmm hm."

"Well, I was wondering if you could rub this healing lotion over the wounds for me, seeing I can't do it myself."

"Yeah sure. I could do that for you."

"Thank you so much...Well, I'm going to talk with the headmaster and I'll see you later, okay?"

"Yeah, see you." She said, receiving a kiss from Draco just before he set off towards the staircase.

Cora watched him ascend the stairs at his own smooth pace, and wondered if he was actually interested in her or if he just wanted a quick shag. Seeing as he moaned Hermione's name whilst it was Cora, he couldn't really like her could he? Cora's mood was shot down at the thought and a silent tear rolled down her cheek as she leaned against the stone wall. Gosh, she really liked Draco and he saw right through her.

Meanwhile, Draco made his way the Dumbledore's office and uttered the words: Chocolate Pudding. The creature guarding the office stairs moved and he was lifted to the door. Before he even knocked, he wise old man opened the door and motioned for Draco to enter. They sat and Draco was offered some candy, but passed having just ate breakfast.

"What is it you wanted to talk about?" Dumbledore asked, sinking into his throne-like chair.

"Well, I just wanted to talk about the situation at hand."

"Very well."

"I was wondering where my father was. If he had gotten out of the manor, or if he made an attempt to hurt the Grangers."

"He had not made an attempt to hurt anyone yet, but he has made it back to the death eaters and Voldemort. We do not know where they are, but seeing as he disappeared and left your mother to herself, we're pretty sure he is in hiding with the rest of his friends."

"Am I safe here Professer?"

"Yes. He is not allowed past the gates, and obviously can not apparate here."

"Thank you. That's really all I wanted to know."

"Okay, you may proceed about your business."

"Good bye, Sir." Draco said as he left the room.

The rest of the day was a breeze, flying around the quidditch pitch for a while, calming down and relaxing in the common room by the fire. This was the least eventful day of the holiday until the next day rolled around.

Draco had stayed up really late with Cora and her friends playing games and laughing because it was New Years Eve, but he noticed Cora seemed quieter and less flirty with him and he decided to give her space and leave her alone. So, the next day, he slept in until 3.30 and cursed at himself for doing so. Seeing as he slept half the day away, what was the point in showering and getting prepped for the rest of it? He had just hoped Cora was around. His back was beginning to twinge, and he thought it night he getting infected from not taking care of it. So, he went to the common room, in his pajama trousers and that black shirt and saw Cora on the couch. He asked her if she could put the lotion on, and they went up to his dorm, and he took off his shirt.

Draco laid down on his stomach upon the bed and gave her the bottle. Cora rubbed it on the tattered skin softly and carefully. He was soothed and his back felt warm and tingly. She left the room before he could thank her, and he immediately knew something really was bothering her.

His last day of break and first day of the new year was spent in the library, finishing Beowulf and doing homework, being the procrastinator Draco had always been. It wasn't until 1.00 am, an hour after being kicked out of the library, that he finally finished it all.

He then brushed his teeth, had Cora rub more lotion on his back and fell asleep on his stomach, anxiously awaiting the day ahead of him.