Potions that day had never been a more atrocious experience. It was painful both mentally and physically. It wasn't the lesson that was so hard to endure as much as to actually have to sit through it.

Harry was certain his shoulder had popped out of his socket. He knew it wasn't caused by any injury done to him over the summer; this injury must have come from the Dursleys' more recent surprise visit.

Harry was surprised no one, save Ron, obviously, noticed the pain he was in. He supposed he had the baggy Hogwarts robes to thank for that.

The mentally draining part of this class included the furtive whispers and glances he was receiving from his fellow classmates.

"Potter! Repeat for the class what I just said," Snape's looming nose was mere inches from Harry's face.

Shite was all his mind would think of and he was sure that wasn't the response Snape was looking for. "Uh," he stammered.

Snape smirked, "Yes, that's what I thought, twenty points from Gryffindor. See if that will remind you to put you brain to better use than the never ending gossip surrounding the life of the famous Harry Potter." The Slytherins guffawed.

Harry kept his eyes firmly attached to the notes in front of him; thankfully his pain was distracting him from any outburst he might usually be prone to.

He couldn't imagine how Ginny must be feeling.

By Care of Magical Creatures he was ready to tell the world about his injuries as long as this pain would stop.

After awhile Harry stopped trying to shove pieces of meat down the uncooperative model dragon's throats. He sat there and watched Ron and Hermione have a go at it.

"All righ' there 'Arry?" Hagrid came round and gave him a nice pat on the back. Harry tried to muffle his painful groan. Hagrid looked at him with concerned eyes.

"I'm fine, just have a bit of headache," he explained.

His pathetic excuse might not have been plausible if he were anyone but Harry Potter.

"What?" Hermione looked up at him. "Do you need to see Professor Dumbledore?"

It was handy what a distraction pain could be when trying to hold his temper. Harry just shook his head. The echoing sound of ringing bells from the castle sounded more like a hallelujah chorus to Harry. Ron seemed just as anxious.

Ron gently took Harry's uninjured arm and led him trotting quickly up the hill.

Hermione mad a sort of non-committal noise.

"Off to talk Quidditch," Ron yelled back at her, "see you at dinner."

The walk up to the castle had never been longer.

When they had finally reached the dormitory Harry had hoped for a feeling of relief but all he got was tension. The awkward silence was deafening.

Ron stood for a moment staring at him. "You'd better take your cloak off."

Harry did as gently as he could. Ron was rummaging through Harry's trunk, looking for the healing book, he assumed. He looked down at his shoulder for the first time.

It simply looked like he had two shoulder, one in front of the other.

Ron turned away from the trunk with the book in his hand he had to try and hide his disgust. His eyes scanned the pages of the healing book. His face growing more and more contorted.

"Damn," he whispered under his breath.

"What?" Harry asked. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"It says you have to fix it manually."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning, I have to pop it back in its socket by hand." Ron looked positively sick at the thought.

"Listen you don't have to do that. I can tell Madam Pomphery I got hurt in Quidditch or something."

Ron shook his head, "She'd never buy that since we haven't had practice since Wednesday." They sat in silence for a moment, neither one moving.

"It says you should lie down somewhere." Harry grunted and moved to his bed. "On your stomach."

Harry laid down, the side of his face pushed against the plush comforter. He could hear Ron taking deep breaths behind him. Ron gently put his hands on Harry's shoulder.

"Hey, Ron." Ron's hands shot back as if he had been burned. "Maybe you should do a silencing charm."

Harry could have sworn he saw Ron wince, as the red head performed the charm.

"So," Harry could detect a waver in Ron's voice, "why do you think this happened so easily?"

He could tell Ron was trying to distract him and he was grateful for it. "This happened before, when the Dursleys' visited, but it wasn't? as bad. I just sort of adjusted it myself, must have done a cruddy job." He tried to laugh.

Ron's hand was back on his back, his other hand on the front of Harry's shoulder.

"Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be." Harry bit down on a bit of comforter.

Ron pulled back. There was a loud pop. It was quick, but he yelled out in pain. Ron pulled back quickly.

Harry lay there for a while trying to catch his breath. He sat up slowly and swung his legs over the bed. He hesitantly tested his shoulder; it was sore but moving freely.

"Thanks," he said.

"No problem." Ron was putting the book back in Harry's trunk. "I don't know about this Harry." He took a seat in one of the armchairs.

"I had every intention of being mad at you, and there you go working up your sympathy rating." Ron was smiling slightly, so Harry knew he was kidding. "But, about you and Ginny-"

"Listen it wasn't at all what Malfoy made it sound like," Harry spoke up. "We were going to tell you. Tonight in fact, but he just beat us to it. I understand if you don't want her around me. I'm a danger to everyone I'm near-"

"Harry, shut up! I was waiting for you to do this. We have already made the choice to be a part of the war. We were already in danger before you came along, and I don't want you acting the martyr. By doing that you minimize the value of that decision.

"I was only angry because you didn't tell me and just the simple fact your dating my baby sister." Ron smiled slightly but it faded quickly.

"I guess I'm being a bit of a hypocrite. I was afraid to tell you cause I thought maybe… well that doesn't matter anymore. Hermione and I have kind of… well you know…"

Harry nodded his head, encouraging Ron to continue.

"Well we've been spending a lot of time together lately." Ron was nervously pulling at his sleeve. "In a bit closer company than in the past."

"So you're dating then?" Harry didn't know how he felt about this.

"Well not officially or anything. We're taking it slow."

Harry let out a low whistle.

"Girls are a lot of work," Ron laughed.

"Yeah, but they're worth it."

The snow was falling steadily and quietly on the Quidditch field. It was a clear day so the weather had not yet become a problem for visibility.

It was something like a winter wonderland. He could see the snow-covered treetops hundreds of kilometers off. The mountains seemed to go off into the horizon and never end.

They were playing against Ravenclaw and Gryffindor was far in the lead. No one seemed to be in much of a hurry. It was the laziest game he had ever played in.

"Ginny Weasley has scored again! Another ten points for Gryffindor!" Dennis Creevy's voice was carried through the stadium by a gust of wind. Harry watched as Ginny quickly rebound the quaffle and passed it off to Colin.

He watched, fascinated, as she shook the snow from her hair and took off again. He was amazed by her strength in how she had handled their impromptu announcement.

She took no shame in openly criticizing Malfoy every opportunity she had. Harry could never match her wit, and apparently neither could Malfoy.

Ginny had even written to Fred and George looking for materials to exact her revenge, but if Harry could guess he would say she enjoyed this new environment far more than one of secrecy.

Though they certainly weren't flaunting their relationship, they took advantage of the new freedom Malfoy had granted them. Harry made certain Malfoy knew that he in no way was ashamed of his relationship with Ginny.

"Nice save from Ron Weasley there. There isn't any doubt Gryffindor is in no way suffering for lack of skills from the newly formed team. Ravenclaw could certainly use some of Colin's speed."

Harry was circling the pitch, squinting through the now thickening shower of snow. He was specifically trying to avoid Cho who'd always loved tagging him.

Suddenly something soft and fluffy smacked smartly into the side of his head. He sped after the now fleeting Snitch. He was facing a strong head wind and the snow was pelting his face sharply.

The snitch took a wide curve around the Gryffindor goal posts and he headed it off. Harry faced it. It stopped for a moment as if surprised to be out smarted. In that split second Harry snatched the Snitch into his hand. Madame Hooche's whistle blew into the wind.

After a hot shower and some fresh clothes the Quidditch team met in the common room to head down to supper.

"That was a brilliant steal from Boot, Ginny. You should have seen the look on his face," Dean howled.

"Looked as if you'd taken his first born son," Ron laughed.

Hermione and Neville were there to great them when they arrived in the Great Hall. Seamus quickly left the cheery group and joined Lavender and Pavarti at the end of the table.

"You all were brilliant," Hermione exclaimed. She quickly took her seat next to Ron and gave him a particularly lengthy smile.

"I've sent out for some food and butterbeers, have a bit of an after match party?" Dean whispered.

Ron whooped, "I'm all in."

"I just hope you've all finished you school work. The end of term is coming up." Hermione reprimanded. "I was hoping to finish that transfiguration essay."

Ron gaped at her, "That essay isn't due until next Monday."

"I want to stay ahead so I won't have much work over the holiday."

Neville was piling food on his golden platter. "What are your plans for the holidays?" He asked.

"Why it looks as if I've arrived just in time." Professor McGonnagal had appeared behind Ron,"Potter, Granger, Weasleys, Professor Dumbledore wanted to me to inform you that you'd all be spending your holiday at Headquarters."

Hermione looked slightly crest fallen, "Oh, Professor I was hoping to spend some time with my parents."

"I'm sorry Miss Granger but it's for your protection, and your parents agreed that was best for you." With that McGonnagal turned on her heel and headed back to the teachers table.

Harry looked at Neville, "Well I guess you've got your answer."

The party was rowdy and loud, but Harry wasn't in much of a mood to be festive. He had been lucky enough to avoid Grimwauld Place over the summer, but it appeared his goal to keep away from it forever had failed.

He knew there was no use in arguing with Dumbledore once his mind was decided, especially when it concerned his beloved savior's safety. All Harry knew was he did not want to go back to that place.

He didn't want to think about this. Thinking about that house meant thinking about that damn prophecy, about him.

Harry looked up, startled, as a butterbeer was shoved in his hands. People were singing and dancing on the tables; even Hermione had set aside her homework for an evening of fun. It seemed everyone was in the Christmas spirit and all the festivity that came with it.

Everyone but Harry that was.

He managed to slip off to bed without anyone noticing.

It was the day before the school would board the Hogwarts Express and head to their various place of residence in hope of finding some holiday cheer.

Harry walked the decorated corridors of the castle watching the snowfall steadily from the large two story windows. There was mistletoe in every corner and garland donning all the banisters. Each classroom door had a personalized wreath hanging merrily.

Harry knocked on the door to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom ready to attend his last Occlumency lesson before the holiday season.

Bill opened the door with a goofy grin on his face and a Saint Nicholas hat sitting on top of his head. Harry had not failed to notice the red lipstick in the shape of lips marring Bill's face.

"Ah, come on in Harry. Sorry you caught me a bit unprepared I'm afraid. I was just letting out a friend." Bill blushed profusely. It turned out Ron wasn't the only one whose ears could turn that shade of red.

"Not a problem," Harry smiled.

"Do you mind if we call off today? I'm afraid I'm not quite in the mood to have anyone intrude on my mind today."

"Sure."

"So are you anxious for your Christmas holiday?" Bill asked, while helping himself to a peppermint candy.

"Oh, yeah, I guess." Harry could never really explain how much he was dreading this break without sounding completely rude.

Bill seemed to realize what a stupid question he asked and tried to cover up for it.

"Well everyone will be there," Bill closed his eyes again. "Wow I'm really botching this up aren't I?" Harry tried to smile convincingly. "I meant my whole family will be there, except for Percy obviously; but no one will really be missing his presence I'm sure."

Harry snorted.

"It shouldn't be without excitement though. I've got quite an announcement to make."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Oh don't think you're going to goad anything out of me just cause you caught me off guard."

Harry laughed, "Wouldn't dream of it."