A/N: See my author's profile page on the reasons for this rather quick update. The next chapter will be up tomorrow. Warnings: following chapters might get rather sappy!

Chapter Eleven: Christmas

When Petunia had removed the make-up, she dressed herself and helped Harry pack his backpack, as he had taken his entire trunk with him this time. She mainly packed some children's books, as Harry liked it if she read to him. Then she packed his favourite pyjamas, two sets, one red and gold, the other green and silver. Also his dressing gown (for he was easily cold), slippers and the stuffed toy she bought for him when he first needed to get into the hospital when he was nine. It was a stuffed bird with red and gold plumage, and after his second year, Harry had told her it looked like Fawkes, the Phoenix.

Then she took up her own bag, and they walked outside, where Mrs Hammers, from two doors down, stood waiting with her car. The whole neighbourhood had decided to help out, and made sure they didn't need to go by bus anymore, as they knew Harry only felt sicker then. Harry hadn't dropped his glamour yet, he would do so in a small alleyway just outside the hospital. People in the hospital had only seen him with green eyes and red hair. He was also known as Harry Evans, because it was safer and he liked using that name, it reminded him more of his mother.

He had told the Headmaster that his aunt had changed her name back to Evans, so if they ever needed to check the hospital (which he hoped they would never do) they would find one and believe it to be his aunt.

When he removed the glamour, Petunia gasped, and quickly put her hand in front of her mouth. She was shocked to see Harry. He had changed a lot in only one week. His hair had nearly all fallen out, only slight tufts of hair remained. His eyes were sunken in as were his cheeks. She could clearly see his collarbone, and the sweater they had only bought last month, was too loose around his frame. She quickly pulled him into the hospital, where he smiled to the nurses and doctors, as he knew most of them. When he passed other wards, he smiled and waved at the children as well, who cried out for him to come and visit. But when he shook his head, they knew it wasn't alright, and some started to cry, suddenly knowing it was an all or nothing case with Harry, too.

Harry has given his glasses to his aunt, so he looks even younger and more vulnerable without them. However, he never needed them when the paternal charm was lifted. A nurse leads them to an isolated room where Harry is to stay during the week. He sighed when he saw this. He had hoped to be put into a ward with more children, as he enjoys to comfort them and tell them stories. However, he knows he's in a bad way and needs to be isolated, to reduce the risk of catching any infection or virus. His aunt would be made to disinfect herself, too.

When Petunia helped him change into his red pyjamas, she silently cries by what she sees. She knew he was bad, had seen him only last week, but now, just before he was to start his last treatment it became clear to her. Harry was practically nothing more than skin and bones. She had already bought him very soft and warm pyjamas, as he was easily cold. He smiled gratefully to her, when she helped settle him into the clean and warmed bed. A nurse put a bottle with hot water in his bed to keep him warm. Sighing Harry closes his eyes for a moment, and Petunia gets a good look at him. Even though he is sixteen years old, he looks very small and vulnerable, so pale and thin is he. She wishes she could share her health with him, but knows after this, there's nothing that can help them anymore. Harry even asked Madame Pomfrey, saying it was for his aunt, but she had to disappoint him. When she had told this at the staff meeting, some of the teachers cried silently, that Harry would think about his aunt so much.

Doctor Romanov comes in, takes a look at the softly crying Petunia and the thin and tired Harry, and sighed. He hates this; he likes the boy so much, and likes learning more of the wizarding world, even though his own brother is a wizard. And he grieves inside at the fate of this boy. Where he treated by any other doctor, he would have been given up months ago, but Romanov didn't want to admit defeat and kept going. Now, he knows that not even this treatment will help. However he will pretend it might make a difference. He mourns the unfairness of the world that would dare to take away the wonderful boy that lies in this room, the boy that makes his sick children laugh, knows when they need help or plays the older brother. He just walked by the other ward, and saw several children cry. He knew they had seen Harry as well, and they too knew it might be the last time Harry would come to the hospital. Slowly he attaches the bag with the chemicals to the IV and when it starts to drip, he gives Petunia a hug, as she lets her tears fall freely, while watching the small form of her nephew, her son, lying there in that bed.


Hermione and the Weasley children dump their luggage in the rooms they usually use. They keep Harry's bed clear, hoping that he will come by later this holiday. When they hear the door open once more, they decide to go downstairs to see who else arrived today, as they had been told other people would come as well.

Draco looks at the gloomy hallway, and the huge tapestry on the wall. He curls his lips in disgust. Harry sure knew what job to give him, he thought. This place needed a lot of work before becoming decent enough for an orphanage. He looks up when he hears footsteps on the stairs, and prepares himself for a cold welcome.

How right he is.

When Ron stops on the stairs, the others try to see what is going on. Their questions are answered when Ron nearly growls "Malfoy". They hear Draco answering from below. "Weasley."

Then Snape's voice interrupts. "Well, even though it is amusing to watch you standing there on the stairs, I suggest you all go and do something. Follow me, Draco." With that they made their way towards the stairs, Snape letting Draco's trunk float upstairs. Ron, Ginny and Hermione step aside to let them through, and notice Snape is leading Draco towards Sirius' old room. "Sir, you can't let him stay in that room. Harry still needs to go over Sirius' stuff. It would upset him greatly if it was disturbed." Hermione dared to say. She didn't want Harry to become sad because of something like that. He had enough to worry about with that on top of it.

Snape turned around and drawled: "Well, seeing as how I don't trust you to let Draco sleep during the night, there isn't much choice for him, now is there. Unless one of you wishes to sleep in one of the uncleaned rooms?"

They shake their heads. "Malfoy can sleep in the normal bedroom, sir. We kept Harry's bed free, but he's not here and might not come at all this holiday."

Snape nodded, and directed Draco towards the bed. He then instructed Draco to get comfortable, and then bade the others to follow him into the kitchen. They did so reluctantly, after all the man was still scowling.

In the kitchen Mrs Weasley is already waiting. Suddenly the children feel slightly trapped.

Snape closes the door, and nods at Mrs Weasley.

"Now children, you must listen carefully. I know you do not like young Draco; however, it is unsafe for him to go home. Also he has expressed a wish to be on our side, and deserves a chance. So I don't want any of you treating him badly. You will treat him with respect, as will he. You will not start fights or any such nonsense. After all it is nearly Christmas." She looked at them with a determined look in her eyes. The children knew not to mess, besides Snape was there as well.

"I will also stay here this holiday, so I can keep an extra eye on you all. I suggest you behave." He drawled. Then they let them go. When they were on the stairs, Ron sighed 'Merlin, and there I thought we're going to have a fun holiday. It looks more like a detention camp. Luckily Harry isn't here then."

Hermione smacked his arm. "You dolt. Harry is with his sick aunt, which is not better than being here."

Ron had the decency to blush and mumbled an apology. Some tense days would surely follow.

And indeed they would, for the next day Draco started on his work for Harry, and he could be found with parchment and a quill, dwelling through the building. When Hermione asked him what he is doing, he doesn't answer. The others have just as much luck.

So at lunch, when the adults have left the room. Fred seizes his chance and grabs the list. Draco jumps up, and tries to catch Fred, but George takes over the list, and looks it over. Then he sits down.

Fuming, Draco grabs the list back. "Malfoy, why are you making a list of things that need to be repaired or improved?"

Draco thought quickly. He had promised Harry he wouldn't tell the others what he was doing, but he could change the truth somewhat. "I have been given this work. That's all I can say about it. And don't worry, it's nothing bad. It's more this building that's bad. With the rate it's going now, I'm never going to finish before the holidays are over."

Ginny decided to speak up, "well, if the list you're making is about what needs repairs or improvement, we can all help. It's not as if we have so much to do at the moment, and it will go more quickly." Surprised the others look at her.

"What?"

She snaps "It's true, there's not so much to do here, and we still have time for homework and games if we help. Besides it gives us a good excuse to explore more of the house."

Grinning the twins tackle their little sister. "Oh my, you have grown so much. Our little baby has all grown up, and comes up with plans of her own. We love you sister dear!" Their antics caught the attraction of Remus and Mrs Weasley who came in to see what the fuss was about. They were quite surprised to see the entire group laughing together while Ginny was chasing her brothers around the kitchen table. Shaking their heads, they let it go for now.

Three days later, it's Christmas morning, and as always, Ron is up early. He throws a pillow into Draco's face (Yes, he's become Draco by now) to wake him. "Get up, ferret. It's Christmas morning and its time for presents."

Draco immediately sits up, and throws the pillow back. It hits Ron dead on, which would have lead to a pillow fight, if the door hadn't been opened by Hermione and Ginny. "Come on you two, we need to see Dumbledore, and he's here right now. Hurry up Ron!"

Ron quickly leaps out of bed (which is quite miraculous for him) Draco follows more slowly. He knows the others are planning something, but he doesn't know what. Sighing, he dressed himself, and follows the others downstairs to the kitchen, where they hear Mr Weasley talking to Dumbledore. Snape appears to be there as well. The man had been absent for a couple of days, brewing potions for the Infirmary.

Hermione smoothes down her clothes, and puts on her most polite face. Draco likes to see her doing this rather Slytherin thing. He noticed that both Hermione and Ron share quite some Slytherin traits, and he wonders if they picked it up from Harry.

Dumbledore looks up with twinkling eyes, waiting for the group to speak up. Snape looks as well.

"Good morning Headmaster." Hermione begins. She trembles slightly, Draco notices.

"Good morning indeed, Ms Granger. What can I help you with?" Dumbledore helps along.

"We would like to ask permission to go to the hospital and bring a surprise visit to Harry and his aunt. After all it is Christmas sir, and I am sure Harry would like to see his friends. We've got his presents too."

Ron and Ginny nod, too. The twins aren't there yet, they left for their shop yesterday. Draco is sure they didn't know about this. He also knows the others don't mean to bring him along. After all as far as they know, he and Harry can't stand each other.

Dumbledore is still thinking, and seems to communicate something with Snape. Then he slowly nods. "Very well, I will allow you to go, however you will be escorted. Professors Snape and Lupin will go with you. We will arrange some taxis to bring you there. Is that satisfactory?"

They nod, but Draco clears his throat. He notices Severus giving him a slightly apologetic look. He knows the man had planned on spending the day together. He gives him a small smile, earning a raised eyebrow.

Dumbledore looks at him, as does everyone else. "Sir, I would like to come along too. There is something that both Harry and I have kept a secret, but since I wish to visit him as well, I'd better tell you all."

Now he's sure to have their attention. His godfather is looking at him in surprise, not that the others could tell so.

"You see, I sent him a letter this summer, telling him some things you don't need to know. He replied quickly, and so we continued to correspond. Eventually I even came to visit for a week. I had the best time ever in the muggle world. It was great. Harry and I became good friends, but I wanted to keep my position in Slytherin house, and Harry felt he would need to ease this news onto his friends. I agreed, and we have been pretending to still hate and taunt each other. However, we met up at least once a week to just talk and spend some time together. He was also the one who made me work on the list this holiday."

Ron gaped at him. "Harry made you work on that list? Why not us? He could have easily asked one of us."

Draco grinned. "The reason for that is still a secret, and I will not tell you. I am surprised however, that you don't mind so much that I am actually a friend of his."

Snape however, was rather surprised, he hadn't noticed a thing. Sure he had noticed Draco chancing sides, but hell, he had attributed that to the insane Lucius, not to a friendship with Harry.

A cough from behind sounded, and McGonagall entered. "So I am to assume, that the detention and fight at the beginning of the year, was actually a joke for the two of you?"

Draco looked slightly guilty. "Well we always insult each other for fun, trying to come up with weird names, so that was what we were doing. However, when we wanted to go our own ways, Ron, Hermione and my friends started in on each other for real. So we just decided to continue. The detention was fun though; we tried to intentionally mess up each others lines."

"Humpf." McGonagall didn't look too pleased, but relented from a look of the headmaster, who was smiling by now.

"Of course you can visit Harry as well. Have any of you got anything for his aunt? I am sure she would be glad."

Snape stood up, and this caused some speculation. "I have something for the both of them in fact. And I'm quite sure you didn't know of that either."

Dumbledore actually raised his eyebrows in surprise. "No, that is a surprise. But it does make me glad. Well then, I suggest you eat breakfast, take a look at your presents, and get ready for your visit. I am sure Harry and Petunia will be pleasantly surprised by this idea."

Boy was he going to be wrong.