~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Draco lay in his bed staring up at the ceiling, as his eyes adjusted from sleep, unable to believe that the day had come so quick. The sun shone in through the window of the dorm, glaring right into the blonde's eyes. Draco cursed and held his arm up to shade himself from the sunlight.

After yesterday's event with Pansy, Draco had decided to take the rest of the day off from lessons and after saying goodbye to Harry had returned to his dorm where he'd spent a lot of time turning the situation over and over in his head, worrying what his father's reaction would be and also what was going to happen to him. He didn't know what to do about it all, and he most certainly did not want to go down to breakfast, where he would have to endure looking at Pansy's face and also the mail.

Ah yes, the mail a great way of communicating with family and friends. Well seen as Draco didn't really think he had either (well unless you counted Potter, but that was another situation entirely) then to him now it was something to fear, that was why he was now lying in bed wondering whether it would be a good idea to go down to breakfast. Draco could almost understand why mad eye moody had destroyed a parcel he received thinking it was some kind of bomb, when it turned out to be a harmless alarm clock. He was beginning to wonder himself what he was going to be receiving by mail. He didn't want to go, but he needed to know if he got a letter or not and he did not want one of the other slytherins collecting his mail for him, even if that letter was a howler.

Curiosity and pride eventually got the better of him and Draco reluctantly decided that going down to breakfast would be the best idea. That way he would see if he got mail and would also prove to Pansy and his father that he was not afraid to face whatever was coming. With renewed zest Draco quickly dressed in his robes, combed his hair and dashed out of the dormitory heading in the direction of the great hall. Seen, as he was late, most of the school were already there as he entered. Glancing around him as he walked, Draco made his way to the Slytherin table, head held high. Taking his seat at the end Draco proceeded to pour himself a glass of orange juice and pile a couple of pieces of toast onto his plate.

Pansy glanced nervously down the table at Draco, and feeling someone's eyes on him, Draco's head shot up and his eyes scanned the table and landed on Pansy who now looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights of a car. Giving her a furious glare Draco quickly looked away cursing and muttering to himself. It was a pity you couldn't eat breakfast in the dormitories, Draco thought miserably, now he had to put up with these brainless idiots, not to mention people who jumped at the chance to stab him in the back. His eyes flickered to Pansy at his last thought and she quickly averted her eyes and began fussing. Draco smirked and started to tuck into a piece of toast, while his eyes restlessly scanned the hall.

His gaze finally landed on Potter, who like himself, didn't appear to be having a great breakfast. He was just sitting there not really taking much interest in the conversations going on around him. Potter looked up at that particular moment and seeing Draco gazing in his direction he gave him a lopsided grin. Draco couldn't help but let a slight smile creep across his own face in response. It was nice to know that for once he had someone there for him. The moment was broken when a loud screeching and the sound of swishing wings entered the hall. The mail had arrived. This was what Draco had been dreading all morning. He looked up at the flock of owls, and could instantly see his white owl among them. Draco groaned inwardly, the ghost of a smile vanishing from his face, and he sat up straighter, trying to somehow prepare himself for what he feared was about to happen.

Harry watched Draco from his position at the Gryffindor table with concern. Seeing Malfoy breakdown yesterday had been something he had found hard to grasp. He'd eventually managed to make Draco explain the situation, and had then advised him to go back to his dorm to get some rest. In no mood to disagree, Draco had pushed himself to his feet and had walked silently towards the Slytherin dormitories, with Harry by his side. When they were there Draco had offered Harry a meek goodbye, and a small smile of thanks before leaving. Harry had watched him go, his green eyes filled with concern for his friend, wondering what could possibly happen next. Harry himself had then returned to lessons, which had gone by in a blur, as he hadn't really paid attention in a single one. On a positive note though, he'd actually managed to get some sleep last night, no nightmares whatsoever, and this meant no more pains from his scar. Without realising it, Harry lifted his arm up then and briefly traced his scar with his finger, before returning to his breakfast.

Draco had mentioned to him yesterday about his fears of the mail, and now watching the distinct white owl flying closer and closer to Malfoy, Harry could see the mix of emotions cross his face as the owl approached him. Their eyes locked briefly, and Draco nodded his head in acknowledgment, before turning back to the matter at hand. Harry himself continued to absent-mindedly eat his breakfast, missing his mouth a few times with his fork, as his mind was elsewhere, trying to concentrate on events taking place at the Slytherin table. It wasn't as if he had anything better to do! Hermione was currently sitting with Ron, further down the table and he could hear them chattering about Hogsmade. It felt strange that he wasn't part of that conversation himself, but he'd thoroughly had enough of Ron lately. He hadn't wanted their friendship to be destroyed, but it had happened and until Ron apologised it wasn't going to be repaired. Harry let his gaze linger on them a moment longer, before turning back to keep an eye on Draco, sipping his orange juice in the process.

All this time Colin Creevey had been chattering excitedly to Harry about Quidditch. To be perfectly honest Harry had no idea what had been said and was surprised to find that Colin was still talking to him, due to his lack of response the last five minutes.

"So what do you say then, Harry?" Colin asked, with a wide grin on his face.

Harry tore his eyes away from the Slytherin table once more and turned to look at Colin.

"…Umm, yeah…sure, Colin…" Harry answered unsure of himself, not even knowing what had been said. He couldn't help but let his eyes wander off again.

"I wouldn't bother if I was you, Colin. Harry has better things to do now than listen to us Gryffindor's when we're talking to him. We're not good enough comp-…"

"-Ron!" Hermione said sharply.

"What? It's all perfectly true. He hasn't listened to one word Colin's said to him! Ignorant Bas-…"

"-Ron!" Hermione cried even more sharply, cutting in once again. "Drop it! Not another scene."

"It's nice to know I have your full attention, Ron." Harry commented, looking the red haired boy straight in the eye. "It's funny. You seem to care a lot about who I bother with, but then you don't care about my feelings." Harry continued calmly.

Ron fumed even more, and began muttering things Harry couldn't hear, though the words 'crazy' and 'brainwashed' were quite distinguishable. Harry shook his head and rolled his eyes and set down his fork on his empty plate, and turned his attention back to the Slytherin table, where Draco was receiving his mail from his owl.

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Draco stared at the white envelope and brown package before him suspiciously. Picking up the letter first he turned it over and seen his name printed neatly on the front and smiled relieved. It was from his mother. Opening it up he pulled out the pretty, baby blue writing paper, unfolded it and read:

Dear Draco,

How are you? I have heard about your friendship with Harry Potter from your father's ranting, and I am hoping that it is not for the sake of the dark lord and his followers, but for you. I fear for your safety, but I am reassured knowing that you are well protected at Hogwarts.

I shall write to you again soon, as I haven't got long before your father returns home.

All my love,

Mother x

Folding the letter back up carefully, Draco slipped it into the inside pocket of his robes. Mixed emotions flowed through him, but his facial expression remained impassive. He was worried about his mother's safety, as he loved his mother dearly. She was the only person who had ever really loved him. Draco had always been aware of her presence when he was lying in bed after taking a beating off his father. She would sit beside his bed holding his hand, whispering to him and smoothing his hair. He had always fallen asleep comforted knowing that at least she loved him. He had just wished his father would also love him. Now though he wished his father would just disappear. He hated him with such a passion it scared him, and he knew that all his father though of him was someone to carry along the Malfoy line of deatheaters. This was something Draco did not want to do, but he knew when the time came he would have no choice. He also knew that if they decided he was dispensable, his father would not stand up and protect him. This thought saddened Draco, but he quickly dismissed it.

He was also concerned about his father's lack of response to his friendship with Harry. This wasn't a matter his father would let go. This was the kind of problem that Draco was likely to get the beating of his life over for bringing shame on the family name for associating with someone who wasn't a pure blood and not only that, but Harry Potter, the boy who had managed to survive four encounters with Voldemort. Draco wished Voldemort would just disappear off the face of the earth then everyone could live in peace. He had wrecked so many lives. Draco frowned and his expression hardened. If his father wanted him, then he was going to have to come and get him, and he was not going down without a fight! For once in his life he was going to fight back.

Pushing back his chair, Draco stood up from his place at the table and snatching the parcel off the table proceeded to leave after shooting one last cold glare at his housemates.

Little did Draco know but he was being watched at this particular moment by a familiar red haired gryffindor, Ron Weasley. Ron's narrowed eyes trailed after Draco as he stormed out of the hall. He didn't trust the slimy git at all, as far as Ron was concerned people like Malfoy didn't change. He himself thought that Malfoy must have some kind of motive for this, especially seen as his family were all under Voldemort. Harry, however, didn't seem to be considering the dangers of this friendship and this infuriated Ron, even Hermione thought Malfoy had changed. Had they all been brainwashed! Well he, Ron Weasley, was not going to stand back and watch it happen. Seeing the effects of that potion had been bad enough. He was convinced Malfoy had deliberately sabotaged it to harm Harry. Him and Harry might not be on the best of terms right now, and he didn't know why he cared to be honest, but if Harry had some kind of spell on him then it wasn't his fault for being weird. He wouldn't put it past the Slytherin, he'd been out to get Harry since the first year at Hogwarts. What could possibly have changed? Nothing, as far as Ron was concerned, except Malfoy's strategy. Well it was most certainly not going to work on him.

"RON!" Hermione shouted at him.

Ron jumped in surprise and spluttered some toast crumbs onto the table.

"Bloody hell! No need to shout!" Ron said, his mind snapping back to reality as he brushed the crumbs off himself and stood up.

"I've called you three times already, we have to get moving we have Care of Magical Creatures on the grounds first lesson." Hermione told him as they left the hall.

"Great. What a nice way to start the morning! I hope we don't have them imps again."

++++++++++++++

Ron's wishes were granted today they were observing an Abraxan. It was a very large horse like creature like the ones that were used to pull the Beauxbatons carriage last year. It was also pretty boring it didn't seem to be doing much, though it did look rather old. Ron figured Hagrid had pulled some strings with that giant woman, he couldn't remember her name. Much to his relief the observing of this particular creature didn't really require much concentration. Besides his mind was currently preoccupied with other thoughts revolving around Draco Malfoy, and each thought was making him get angrier, as he watched Draco and Harry talking like old friends. What did that stuck up ponce think he was playing at? Ron secretly thought that Harry had been somehow brainwashed and was being put into a vulnerable position, so it was easier for You-Know-Who to strike. Ron hadn't shared this thought with anyone, as there was no one to share it with. Hermione actually believed that Malfoy had changed. Considering she was one of the most intelligent witches in the school, Ron couldn't believe she was being so stupid!

For the duration of the lesson Ron watched the pair like a hawk. Hermione did try and break his gaze a few times, by a sharp elbow in the ribs, but had eventually given up, due to his lack of response. His temper rose a notch each time Draco spoke to Harry, or playfully pushed him or any other act of friendly behaviour, and what annoyed him even further was Harry's response. Laughing with Malfoy as if they'd been best friends for years. Ron's eyes narrowed into slits, as a red tinge began to keep up his neck. That git was not going to take his place! He was not losing his position without a fight! Him and Harry may not be friends at the moment, but that did not mean the best friend slot was up for the taking, least of all by a Slytherin, and most certainly not by a Malfoy! Ron fumed silently, the colour of his face now almost matching the colour of his hair. Ron was so distracted he didn't even hear the bell ring.

"Ron, Ron are you coming?" Hermione said tapping him on his arm.

He spun around to face her, still glaring. Hermione took a step back, by the expression on her red-haired friends face. Her shocked expression quickly changed to concern, and she touched his arm gently, looking into his eyes.

"Are you ok?"

"Fine." Ron snapped. He turned away from her abruptly, to watch where Malfoy and Harry had gone. Harry was currently having a conversation with Hagrid, but Malfoy was nowhere to be seen.  Ron scanned the area sharply, and finally saw a head of white blond hair. There was Malfoy on his way back up to Hogwarts on his own. Well he wouldn't be on his own for long.

Hermione followed her friend's gaze across the grounds up to Hogwarts and seen the person who Ron was glaring at. Surprise Surprise, she thought. She was just about to ask Ron what he was playing, when without breaking his gaze from Malfoy, he said a quick goodbye and then proceeded to stride after Malfoy over the grounds, his long legs quickly covering the distance after the blond. Hermione bit her bottom lip subconsciously; this could get out of hand. She wondered what Ron was going to do. Hermione sighed, well with a temper like Ron's there was no way she was going to be able to stop him.

"Hey Hermione." Harry said strolling over to her after giving Hagrid a small wave.

Hermione turned to him, her face still a mask of concern.

"Harry I need your help." She said to him in a small voice.

Harry's easy-going expression quickly changed to one of worry as he looked at his friend's troubled face.

"It's Ron. He's just gone storming after Malfoy in a rage. I don't know what's wrong with him, but something's bothering him, Harry. I think we should go after him." Hermione said looking in the direction Ron had gone. Him and Malfoy were nowhere to be seen on the grounds, so that meant they must already be inside Hogwarts.

 Harry sighed. What was Ron thinking this time! Despite everything that had happened he still cared for Ron, he was more like a brother, even though they were currently at each other's throats.  He didn't hate Ron. He just disliked him. He knew that Ron found his befriending Malfoy difficult to accept, and he understood that, what he didn't understand was why he was being so mean towards him. Harry ran a hand through his head of black hair. He hoped a fight didn't break out between the pair. With Ron in one of his tempers and Malfoy on edge it wasn't going to be a pretty sight.

"Come on, we'd better go and see what's happening." Harry said, and the two friends quickly made their way across the grounds in the direction Ron and Malfoy had gone.

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Ron eventually caught up with the Slytherin in the charms corridor. Hearing the heavy footsteps behind him Draco spun around, coming face to face with a very red Ron.

"What is it Weasley? Sneaking up behind me were you? Hoping to surprise me? Well you could at least try and be a bit quieter not to give the game away." Draco said to him, his famous smirk in place and his arms folded as he gazed at the red gryffindor. To be honest Draco wasn't really in the mood for this, but he wasn't going to let the Weasel know that, he had to put up his usual front, didn't want to disappoint anyone now did he?

"I'm going to get you, Malfoy. You don't fool me! Everyone else might think you've changed, but people like you don't change!" Ron growled at Malfoy, advancing.

Draco's eyes widened slightly. There was no other visible change, but behind his exterior he was shocked. He'd never expected Ron to get violent with him. Verbal battles had usually done the trick. For once Draco realised he was going to have to fight his way out of it, and he didn't want to. Despite everything that he'd been through Draco didn't feel the need to bully other people physically, as he didn't feel he had the strength. He didn't deny that he wasn't a bully, it was hard to admit the fact to himself but he knew that it was only a matter of time before Ron totally lost it with him. Draco realised this was the last straw now. Ron believed that he was trying to hand Harry over to Voldemort. Ron didn't have to tell him that, Draco could read it from his face.

"What's your problem, Weasley?" Draco snarled as Ron shoved him hard into the chest so he hit his back against the cold stonewall.

"You want to know my problem do you, you slimy git! It's you! You and your scheming cronies! You all want Harry's head on a plate! And now you're part of the action, befriending Harry, weakening him so he's there for Voldemort's taking! Well I am not going to stand by and watch this happen!" Ron shouted, grabbing the front of Draco's robe, clenched in his fist and slamming the smaller blonde boy hard up against the wall.

Draco could feel his heart, hammering hard in his chest. He had never seen Ron like this before, and if only Weasley knew that he was wrong, but Draco knew it would be hopeless to try and explain. Ron would never believe him normally, least of all in a rage like this. Trying to hold his exterior in place, Draco stared defiantly into Ron's eyes.

"Take your hands off my robes, Weasley. Haven't you ever heard the saying don't touch what you can't afford?" Draco sneered. He instantly knew this was the wrong move, as, if it was even possible, Ron's face went even redder.

"You bastard!" Ron screamed at him, letting the Slytherin drop to the floor and brought his fist back ready to smack Malfoy right in the face.

In the split second before Ron hit him, Draco's vision warped. The scene before him changed and he was a little boy again, cowering by the wall as his father brought the belt over his head to strike him. Draco clenched his eyes shut ready for the blow he was waiting for. He looked up at Ron, but only Ron was no longer standing there. There before him was his father, hand raised in a fist over his head, bringing it down towards him. Draco's head spun to the side, his head colliding with the wall behind him as the blow struck him on his pale cheek. The left side of his face went numb, as he was blinded by red. Everything seemed to spin. My father just hit me in the face, Draco thought to himself. His father had never hit him in the face in fear of people knowing. He must be here to finish me off… It was at this moment that something inside Draco seemed to snap. Hot anger spread through his body, if he was going to die then he wasn't going down without a fight.

All of this change happened in such a short space of time, that Ron wasn't expecting the blow Draco delivered to his stomach. Winded Ron doubled over and began spluttering trying to catch his breath. Draco smirked, his eyes glinting madly, his cheeks tinged with pink as in a rage he grabbed Ron's robes and swung him into the wall and then let him go so he dropped to the floor. Ron blinked, fighting back the tears of pain that threatened to flow down his face.  He hadn't expected this. It was as if Malfoy possessed superhuman strength. If Draco himself had been thinking straight then he himself would have been in shock, as he had never lost his temper like this before. Draco looked down at the form on the floor, seeing only his father. He kicked the man in the side.

"I hate you, father! I hate you! Well I'm not going to let you touch me this time! I'm going to get you back for all the times you raised your hand to me! Not very nice is it?" Draco shouted, glaring at the illusion his mind had created.

Ron curled up on the floor arms over his head trying to protect himself from, Draco. The words Draco had said soaked into his head, shocking him. Malfoy's father beat him? Ron would never have thought it, but why was Malfoy calling him father? It was at this point another sharp kick connected with his side. The tears freely flowed down Ron's face now.

"Get up! Aren't you going to give me what I deserve? Not a good enough son for you, am I? Well let me tell you something! I'm glad I'm not like you! Your sick and twisted and I hate you!" Draco screamed.

Harry and Hermione stood at the entrance of the corridor, both taking in the scene with looks of disbelief. They had heard the shouting and had been surprised at the event before them. Both had been standing there since Ron had hit Draco and had been about to intervene, but Draco's manic response had rendered them both speechless and motionless. Harry had never seen Draco lose his temper, but this was worse. It looked like the boy had finally gone mad. Getting himself together, Harry stepped further into the corridor with Hermione behind him.

"Draco!"

Draco stopped just as he was about to strike Ron again. Turning around he seen Harry looking at him in a strange way and everything came crashing back down to normal. The angry glint left his eye and his whole body seemed to slump with exhaustion. He turned round and looked at the body next to him. The image of his father dissolved leaving only the body of Ron Weasley. Draco's eyes widened in shock and he began to splutter, backing away from what he had done and also backing away from Harry and Hermione. It wasn't long before his back hit the wall behind him and he slumped down it. His whole body exhausted from the energy he had exerted and it wasn't long before his body began to rack with sobs, as he curled up in the corner trying to hide from what he had done.

Footsteps echoed down the corridor, approaching. Harry stopped in his tracks before reaching Draco, and Hermione's head shot up from where she was crouching over Ron. Harry looked at the two people before him, and his face paled. How was this going to be explained?

The two figures before him drank in the scene before them, their expressions stern.

"Well Mr. Potter, perhaps you'd care to explain this?

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A/N - Hope you all enjoyed the new chapter! The next one probably won't be up for about 2-3 weeks as I have exams, and won't really have much time to write! I hope this has been worth the wait, and that you all look forward to the next chapter and that you are enjoying the story so far! Thanks to everyone whose reviewed. Please tell me what you think! Oh and in case I don't update till after Xmas…

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

- Leo