IV – Be Kind…

"Be kind, for every one you meet is fighting a battle."

—John Watson

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"Is this your first time staying at Hogwarts for Christmas?"

Malfoy looked up from where he lay on the powdery cold snow. His gloved hands cradled his head, and his thick robe was spread around him. The speaker was bathed in shadows, but by the messy contour of hair Malfoy knew exactly who it was. He looked back to the wintry afternoon sky.

"Obviously." He said.

Harry smiled down at him.

"Well… You won't be alone. I wasn't allowed to go with Ron and Hermione. Dumbledore thinks it's best that I stay here. They've just left… I heard you'll be alone in your dorms…"

Malfoy did not reply, instead closed his eyes and felt a soft breeze licking his face. Beside them, the trees gave a gentle rustle.

"Aren't you cold?" Asked Harry, his own thick robe swaying in the draft. Malfoy shook his head.

"Want cheesecake? A sign of truce?" queried Harry, timidly.

Malfoy cracked an eye open, and just noticed the small plate Harry was carrying. He shut his eyes once more. "No."

He heard Harry sigh, and did his best not to reopen his eyes and see if he had upset the Gryffindor again. He didn't want to know if he hurt him, because it would give him even more annoying regrets.

Malfoy heard the swishing of robes and felt Harry plopping down next to him. He listen to the Gryffindor sigh again, as he placed his cheesecake plate on the snow. Malfoy sensed Harry imitating his lying position, leaning back on the ice with his head on his hands, staring up at the same dark-grey sky.

"…I heard you're going to live with Remus." Said Harry quietly.

Malfoy kept his eyes shut.

"If I pass the Veritaserum test."

"I just came from Dumbledore's office. You aced it."

This time Malfoy opened his eyelids and glared at the voluminous clouds. He said nothing.

There was a tense stillness as both boy watched a flock of birds gliding past them. Snowflakes had begun to fall. The setting sun was almost completely gone, but the stiff lake in front of them shimmered with orange. Malfoy wanted to get away, the place was beautiful and serene, he wanted to think of nothing, to just admire; he did not wish to talk about the interrogation. Not now, not with Harry.

"They narrated all your questions and answers to me, Draco," said Harry softly, "but there is one question they avoided answering …"

Still Malfoy gave no answer. Harry turned to him.

"Tell me, Draco… Why did you do it? Why choose us?"

"I asked them not to tell, Potter."

This time it was Harry that did not reply. Malfoy peered a look, and noted that Harry was ogling him like a puppy, waiting up expectantly for a treat. Malfoy rolled his eyes.

"You think I'm an idiot to waste my breath and tell you?"

"Yeah."

Malfoy turned back to watch the sky. "Tough luck."

Now Harry's voice hardened, and he spoke, "You'll have to tell me sometime, too. You really don't have to hide it…"

Malfoy clenched his hands, even if it was under his blonde head. Irritation flared up within him. What is it with good guys and questions?

"Will you stop being a nosy ass?" He sneered, "You don't have to know everything, Potter you dumb fuck."

"I can't function well with you if I can't understand you." Said Harry truthfully, "Why do you always have to hide it behind your back?"

Malfoy unexpectedly sat up, and glowered at Harry disbelievingly. He bared his teeth again.

"Dear God!" He yelled out, squinting his grey eyes. The anger was brimming; he was shaking with bottled frustration. "Even after the fucking Veritaserum? You still think I'm going to deliver you to the Dark Lord, Potter? Still don't trust me? Scared of me, Potter? What the hell else am I supposed to do for you!"

With this Malfoy stood up and began shoving past the thick, soft snow, heading back into the castle. A flurry of white, cold dews danced around him. A few steps away, however, he lost his anger, so he sighed almost inaudibly and closed his eyes. A moment later he halted. A second after he regretted.

Slowly he looked back, at Potter who looked bewildered and hurt and angry. There were snowflakes on his head, and his lips were pale with cold. He had sat up, and was watching him with a mixed expression. If Malfoy did not know any better, he'd have thought Potter was about to cry.

"Potter…" Malfoy drawled out.

Harry snapped back, sounding angrier, "What now?"

Malfoy's mouth opened and closed without a word. He didn't know what he could say.

I'm sorry, Potter, I didn't mean it.

Never meant every insult I said.

Didn't mean to snipe at your parents.

I never meant anything.

It's all just a ruse...

Forgive me?

Harry looked fiercely into the blonde's eyes, and Malfoy stood for a moment, eyeing the Gryffindor emotionlessly.

"…Nothing."

Malfoy turned back and began walking, his robes billowing gracefully with another, wonderfully icy gust of wind.

Hi. I've finally got a chance to do an upload. I'm sorry if I'm taking long… I just want to get more reviews. But I guess it's not working. Oh well. I hope you enjoy this everyone, and I'm sorry I'm not replying to your pretty comments… Maybe at the end…?