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Not Myself by Saerry Snape

Chapter 165 – The Last Christmas Holiday

The first day of Christmas holidays found Harry and Niamh out on one of the castles battlements. Harry had his heavy green and silver cloak pinned at his throat, his long hair tied loosely at the base of his neck. In the protective circle of his arms Niamh stood, her own cloak pulled tightly about her.

From the battlement they could see all the way down to Hogsmeade station and could watch the slow progression of students from the school.

They saw Amanda dragging Neville into a carriage, followed by a giggling Ginny. A huge white wolf followed the redhead into the carriage, its amber eyes flickering with intelligence.

Hermione was seen a few minutes later, shouting furiously at Ron before she climbed into a carriage with a Ravenclaw named Luna Lovegood and the Patil twins.

Ron stood dumbstruck for a few moments before he followed Seamus and Dean into a carriage.

"There they go," said Niamh softly as they watched the last carriage leave the school. "All our friends."

"Gone again," said Harry.

"Are we all that's left in Slytherin?"

"I think so."

"Well," said a voice from behind them, "not all that's left."

A grin spread across Harry's face and he waited until the person came to stand beside him before he looked at them.

"So," he said slowly.

"So."

Niamh laughed then smiled at the person standing beside them.

"Nice to see you, Malfoy."

Draco grinned wryly at her and said, "You too, O'Feir. Harry, stop smirking, damnit!"

Harry chuckled, his smirk widening.

"Sorry, Drake," he said with a laugh. "I'm just glad you decided to stay."

Draco laughed as well and ran a hand back through his blonde hair.

"Y'know what? So'm I. So am I."

"I am glad to see you, Draco," said Severus when the three Slytherins showed up at his door. "You have no idea how much."

"If Harry's joy is any indication, sir, I think I may actually have a good idea," said Draco as he gave the taller wizard a Look.

Harry just grinned cheekily then turned to his father.

"I was wondering if we were still going to spend this Christmas at the cottage like we planned. 'Cause if we were…"

"You were wondering if Draco could come," finished Severus, giving his son a mild frown.

"Yes."

Severus continued to frown at his son then threw up his hands and said, "Alright. But I won't allow anyone else to come."

"Aye, sir," said Harry, bobbing his head.

Severus glared at him then turned towards Draco, asking, "Does your mother know you're not coming home?"

Draco nodded and replied, "She owled me a week ago when Father went to the meeting. That was when she left."

"Will he be able to find her?" asked Niamh.

"Not a chance. She grew up learning Dark magic and learned a lot more from my father. Where she can hide, he'll never find her." Draco's voice rang with a note of pride as he said that.

There was a short silence and then Severus clapped his hand together.

"Well then," he said. "Now that we have all that sorted out…Harry, Niamh, are your things packed?"

"Aye," said the two as one.

"Draco?"

"Sitting in the entrance hall, sir."

"Very good. We can head up then. Come along."

"Won't others find us going home with you…curious, sir?" asked Draco as the four of them walked out of the dungeon.

"Probably," said Harry from in front of them.

Severus smirked as he said, "Albus has conveniently called a meeting that does not require my presence. No one shall see us."

Draco looked stunned for a moment then shook his head. He should have realized that Dumbledore would have known long before he did that Harry was a Snape.

"C'mon, Drake!"

The blonde looked up in surprise and saw that he had fallen behind the other three. Harry waved a long arm at him and Niamh looked back at him with an amused smile.

Shaking his head, Draco shouted, "Coming," and jogged to catch up with them.

"Would Mister Draco like some more tea?"

"Yes," said Draco, nodding at the house-elf. "Thank you…" He trailed off and looked curiously across the table at Harry for the elf's name.

"Marly," supplied the young man as he reached out to snatch a roll from a basket.

"Marly," repeated Draco. He nodded at the elf and said, "Thank you, Marly."

"Mister Draco doesn't have to thank Marly," said the house-elf, her blue eyes kind. "Marly is happy to serve."

"Okay."

Marly smiled and disappeared, reappearing a moment later with a plate that sported what appeared to be a chocolate pie.

"Dessert, Master Snape!"

"Ah," said Severus as he saw the pie. "Right here, Marly, my sweet. Have I ever told you how I love your pie?"

"Many times, Master Snape," said Marly, bobbing her head.

"Then I shall give my praise once more. Draco, would you like some?"

"No, sir, I'm full."

"You are so missing out," said Niamh with a grin. "I'd like some, professor."

"Severus when not in school, Niamh." Severus frowned at her as he passed her a small plate with a triangular piece of pie. "How many times must I say as such?"

"At least one more, sir."

Severus sighed then looked at Draco, saying, "The same goes for you, Draco. I won't have the word 'professor' in this house. At least not applied to me."

"Yes, sir."

The dark wizard sighed again and looked over at his son, who was laughing.

"Its no use, Da!" cried Harry through his laughter. "No use at all!"

"I know. But I can try, can't I?"

"But of course. Now hand over a slice of that pie, won't you?"

"Happy Christmas!"

"Oof!"

Now we can't keep continuing this, can we?

Draco lifted his head from his pillow and frowned at the wall that separated him from Harry's room. Had he just heard a voice in his head?

Still frowning, he dragged one of the sheets from his bed and wrapped it about himself before he stepped into the hallway. His feet sank into the lush dark green carpet as he padded down to Harry's door. A glance down the hall in the direction of the master bedroom where Severus slept told him that either this was a regular occurrence…or the man slept like a rock.

He tentatively pushed the door open and peered inside to see what was going on.

"Harry?"

"Yes?" said a voice that seemed to be coming from the other side of the empty bed. A hand reached up from that side and Harry pulled himself up, his right shoulder appearing while the rest of him was entangled in his own sheets. Draco looked at the bed and saw that it was bare of all sheets but one.

"What happened?" asked Draco as his eyes strayed to the dark runes on the young man's right forearm.

"She jumped me," replied Harry, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder.

"Only in good fun!"

Niamh's dark head popped up beside Harry and she grinned wryly at Draco.

"Hi! Sorry if I woke you."

"Actually it was some voice in my head…"

That would have been me.

Draco felt a weight descend on his shoulder and he turned to find a pair of yellow eyes staring into his.

Greetings, young dragon, said Jardin.

"You…you can talk?"

I can do more than talk. And I warn you now, young dragon, if you do anything to harm my dominus, I shall do worse to you than the tigress, the fox, or the wolf would.

With that Jardin, leapt from Draco's shoulder and flew to perch on the headboard of Harry's bed. He settled down and glared at the Malfoy Heir.

Harry, who had heard the threat, glowered darkly at the bird.

"Jar…"

What?

Harry's eyes narrowed as he said, I don't take kindly to you threatening my friends.

He could be a possible danger. Best to keep him in line with threats.

He's my friend, damnit! He risked his father's and Voldemort's wrath by not going home! I'd say that makes him damn well trustworthy.

Jardin turned his head to fix his golden gaze on his bond mate.

You trust too easily, Harry, he said seriously.

And you trust too little, shot Harry back.

I have seen much in my years. Kingdoms have fallen because of trust. I would not like you to fall because of it.

I won't.

Jardin shook his head and said, My threat still holds.

Harry sighed and turned away from the raven. He looked across the room at Draco, who still looked a little in shock, and said, "I'm sorry. Jar can be a bit…protective…sometimes."

"Right," said Draco, glancing at the raven. "Protective."

And never you forget it, young dragon.

There was a short pause then Niamh tugged on Harry's long hair, crying, "C'mon! Presents!"

Harry looked over his shoulder at her, saying, "Sometimes I wonder if you're really seventeen years old."

"Presents! Presents!" shrieked the girl, slinging her arms about his neck and nearly choking him.

"Okay! Okay! Let me get a shirt on, woman!"

Draco laughed at them as they wrestled with each other and the blankets from Harry's bed.

The threat from Jardin, however, weighed heavily on the blonde's mind. And he made note to always remember it.

Author's Note

I figured I could at least mention Luna… And Draco stayed! Whee!