Well here's the next instalment of my first story. It's a bit boring really I suppose but is needed in the long run. I've just thought of an ending for this story, bit premature I know cos I don't see this ending for a while…. Don't know if that's good or bad, I've probably jinxed things now! Hope not.

Chal1e: Thank you! I have a constant support hotline! Wow, thank you, thank you… Hehe. Makes me feel special. Thank you for sticking with me.

Blood-Red Pearl: Thank you for reviewing it means so much, I don't get much interest in my story, so thank you!

Shiny-misS: Who can not love GreenDay? Hmmm? I'm going to see them in June! I can't wait…! It's going to be soooo much fun. Poor Harry, you like to see him suffer? Lol, that's just amusing. Thank you for reviewing again!

Snake Talker: I haven't left it, here's the next chapter, hope it lives up to expectations, if you have any!

Chapter Eleven - Christmas Holidays

First of all Harry couldn't see a thing, everything was blurred and then he realised he needed to reach for glasses, which he did so and then slowly and not too painfully sat up. He saw that both arms were bandaged. Angrily but carefully he removed them, noticing that one arm had been completely healed whereas the other still had faint markings which spelt the words why and me, with a ? at the end. Harry was about to lie down again and think but no sooner than he had he heard Madame Pomfrey walk into the room.

'Oh good Potter, you're awake, finally. I mean you were getting on for 4 days, had Ms Granger and Mr Weasley very worried.' Madame Pomfrey shook her head. 'You have some very good friends there.' She said and wandered off further down the ward.

'Only when they want to be.' Harry muttered quietly. He looked around him and his gaze was directed to his bedside table where 5 letters lay.

'Are these for me!' Harry called to Madame Pomfrey.

'The letters Potter?'

'Yes…'

'Yes, all 5 of them.'

Harry stretched out his hand, took all 5 letters with a sweep of his arm and ripped open the first one, which happened to be from Hagrid. Harry just managed to make out what Hagrid had to say due to the slight problem of Hagrid's untidy writing. The letter was short and read:

Harry,

You deserve a good head bashing for doing what you did. You wait until I get back, then you'll have someone to answer to. You just wait, but also, get better!

Hagrid.

'Always to the point, Hagrid.' Harry smiled. 'Dumbledore.'

The next letter had the familiar scrawl of Albus Dumbledore upon the envelope.

Dear Harry

I am going to keep this letter short as I know you have other ones you'd much prefer to read.

'I'm not sure about that,' Harry thought.

I have requested that everyone go home for Christmas, so you have time to recuperate. So I'm afraid it's just you, me, Madame Pomfrey, Mr Filch and Professor Snape for Christmas.

'Of all the Professors in the school, it just had to be bloody Snape didn't it?' Harry shook his head.

I shall pay you a visit when Madame Pomfrey informs me you're awake. Enjoy your other letters, you may be pleasantly surprised.

A. Dumbledore

'So I've got him to look forward to, fucking fantastic, oh well, at least Snape won't bother me. I hope.' Harry commented.

Harry flipped open the next letter.

Dearest Harry

I hope you don't hate us, especially Ron and I too much. We've been very bad friends recently and would really like to make it up to you. Please can you forgive us?

When we get back from the Weasley's after Christmas, Ron and I wish to do everything in our power to help you leave this phase and to be your normal self once again. We really are ever so sorry. Don't forget I love you ever so much.

Yours,

Hermione xxx

Harry stared blankly at this letter and cast it away with one swift movement of his arm.

'I can never go back Hermione, no matter what you may think. It's not a phase, it's me.' He sighed and opened the next letter. 'Hmm let me guess – Ron and his 'apologies'.'

But this one wasn't from Ron, it was from Malfoy.

Potter

If you're reading this then you're finally awake. You're such an arse you know that? Leaving me to deal with Mudblood and Weasel and all the bloody others that want to know what happened to the-boy-that-won't-die.

Well I managed to levitate you to the Hospital Wing after you passed out (you pansy) and Madame Pomfrey screamed at me for not getting you there earlier. See I told you I would get the blame, for your mess, it always happens especially when you're involved. She didn't ask too many questions – I asked her to leave your question imprinted lightly on you, as I still think you need to think on it. Of course Madame Pomfrey looked at me as if I was completely insane, but she complied.

Granger and Weasley didn't leave your side when you were in the Hospital Wing for the last 2 days of school. I really think they're sorry – don't lose their friendship, it's very precious. Even if they are them.

Harry laughed, 'Typical Malfoy.'

Well you haven't died, so you just wait till I get back – you have some serious explaining to do and before you think anything Potter, no, I don't know why I'm doing this.

Malfoy

'Well this one must be Ron's then,' Harry looked at the last letter.

Mate

I really don't know what to say to you, you know I'm no good at this kind of thing. I really am sorry though, if that counts for anything.

Hermione's looking over my shoulder as I write this checking my spelling and grammar; she's treating it as if I'm writing to the Minister of Magic!

Harry had to smile at this comment, as he formed a picture of the both of them.

She's gone – finally. Well that's all for now, have as good a Christmas as is possible. See you after mate.

Ron

0000

Harry left the Hospital Wing on Christmas Eve and had seen no one except Madame Pomfrey for 3 whole, long and tedious days, which in his opinion was enough torture for anyone. The castle was deserted, Harry hadn't seen Professor Dumbledore or Professor Snape so far and that was fine. Snape would probably ridicule him and Dumbledore would offer advice neither of which he wanted to hear right now.

Harry wandered down to the lake, which was completely frozen over and stood on the edge looking, watching what happened around him. The sunset occurred behind the trees that surrounded the lake, which cast long, snake like shadows across the ground while making the ice glow orange. The birds, the wildlife, the clouds, the wind entangling itself in his hair and moved around his arms and legs, as if in a dance, making him shiver with cold.

'It's not particularly suitable to be standing out here in the cold, with no scarf or coat on, not is it? Questioned Dumbledore.

'I suppose not Sir,' Harry replied not turning round.

'Although I do have to agree, it is a most pleasing sight. I do enjoy sunsets and I hope that I always will.' Dumbledore paused and Harry subconsciously knew not to say anything here. 'I'm not going to ask you why you decided to physically harm yourself now because I believe you're not ready to and even though you probably disagree I do not think you know why you did it and I do have experience with such matters. It is obvious of course that you are struggling with all this stress that I have decided to cancel occlumency lessons. You have mastered the basics, which in 3 months is an achievement in itself. Also we are going to cancel you Sunday Defence Against The Dark Arts – do not go getting the idea that Remus or I think that you are weak, we do not. Remus thinks you can build on what he has taught you in your own time. The other extra lessons will continue, same time, same place, oh and be warned Professor Snape is not going to go easy on you.'

Harry smiled and looked at his Headmaster, 'thank you Sir.'

'That is quite alright Harry. I shall be expecting you at Christmas Lunch won't I?

'You shall indeed Sir.'

'Oh good, I do love Christmas. Well good night Harry, but one more thing – I think Mr Malfoy maybe a valuable friend to have.' Dumbledore headed back to the castle.

Harry stayed in the cold until the sun had completely disappeared from the sky, leaving an eerie orange glow. He sat down on the cold, hard ground for awhile assessing Dumbledore's last words.

His feet kicked the earth as he moved closer and closer to Hogwarts, entering the Entrance Hall just as a few flakes of snow began to fall.

0000

Christmas Day passed in a flash – he received some lovely presents from what he supposed he could again call his friends. Hermione bought him a new Broom Maintaining Kit, while Ron and the other Weasley children bought him a black leather bound photo album in which they had already placed some photos in of them and him that Mr Weasley had taken at the Quidditch World Cup. They had also given him 2 new books – The History of Quidditch Teams and Tactics to Outsmart Other Seekers. This really touched him, made him think of the 'good old days', as Hermione would say. Mrs Weasley had sent him a green jumper and some homemade chocolate fudge. Hagrid had given him homemade models, made out of wood of a Firebolt, a lion and a Hungarian Horntail. Harry smiled at these very roughly cut models, they radiated love and friendship.

Then there was an unexpected present, it was an ornament of a sleeping silver dragon, which occasionally puffed out some smoke from its nostrils and opened his eyes so it was possible to see the bright green emeralds he had for eyes. This was anonymous except for a label saying 'You just wait' giving away to Harry who it was that had sent it and so he just smiled.

Lunch was a very quiet affair, what with it being just him, Dumbledore and Snape. But as per usual, Harry couldn't complain about the quality and amount of food, which he was being forced to eat due to being in the presence of two teachers. It was an experience Harry did not ever want to repeat. Dumbledore did his best to create small talk over a number of topics from the properties of the Angora Plant to his opinions on the idea of introducing electricity into the school and in vain tried to involve as much as possible Harry and Snape. Once they had finished Snape, as quickly as possible excused himself from the table and Dumbledore followed suit shortly after but not before whispering to Harry that Snape wasn't one for festivities and could indefinitely be a miserable git sometimes.

So Harry was left to amuse himself once again, which he did by sitting in front of the Gryffindor Common Room fire, curling up in his favourite chair and reading one of his books that he'd been given, this was where he fell asleep.

0000

The holidays passed Harry by in a blaze of 'eating' (he still hadn't got the hang of it), frequent check ups by Madame Pomfrey, avoiding Snape and Filch at all costs and visits from Dumbledore about every 2 or 3 days. He would stop by and eat toast cooked on the fire and drink tea with Harry eagerly provided by the House Elves. Other days he would go for walks round the grounds and the castle, using his freedom to the up most and exerted the power he had when it came to being caught by Filch at 3.30am in the morning. Filch wasn't able to punish Harry as Dumbledore had instructed that Harry was immune from the majority of rules over the Christmas Break.

It wasn't until the last day before anything extraordinary happened, which Harry thought must be a record for Hogwarts. Harry was walking down from Gryffindor Tower to the Entrance Hall, when he noticed snow and mud on the floor. Snow and mud that hadn't been there half an hour beforehand when Harry had left the Entrance Hall. Looking round, Harry decided to follow the marks, which leisurely led him to the passage way down to the dungeons. Steadily he followed the snow, which was turning to water and the mud, then about 500 metres into the passage way he saw a body slumped up against the wall – this body had a mop of striking blonde hair.

'Malfoy.' Harry whispered. Then more loudly, when he didn't receive an answer, 'Malfoy! Malfoy!' trying to capture his attention but when no snide comment escaped his lips or there wasn't even a turn of the head that Harry walked more quickly towards Malfoy.

He bent down, 'Malfoy? Malfoy? Can you fucking hear me Malfoy!' Harry said as he began to get agitated, but he still received no response from Malfoy and so went on to examine him, from what he could see of Malfoy's skin he had extensive cuts, gashes and bruises across his arms and legs. His clothes were ripped and torn, tainted quite profusely with blood, a portion of his hair was matted together with dried blood, he had a black eye and on one side it looked as if it had been smashed in with a bat or mallet. Not only did Malfoy look physically dead, Harry thought he looked mentally exhausted too.

Harry reached out tentively to try and check Malfoy's face wounds, when he rasped, 'Don't touch what you can't afford Potter.'

'Glad to see you haven't lost your smart mouth in your battering Malfoy.'

'That's something I don't think I'll ever lose, just like my charm and good looks.'

'Well it looks as if someone did a pretty good job at trying to deprive you of your 'good looks',' Harry said.

'Fuck off Potter.' Malfoy's eyes closed and it seemed to Harry that he'd either fallen asleep or passed out probably due to pure exhaustion.

'And he has the right to call me a pansy,' Harry thought, chuckling.

Harry pulled out his wand and gently levitated Malfoy, he didn't want to carry him in case of any broken bones. Harry walked with Malfoy by his side to the Hospital Wing, where Madame Pomfrey gave a small shriek and commenced to comment something about boys, Malfoy and Harry. Harry stood to the side, while she worked her magic, when she was finally done, she turned to Harry.

'Go to bed Potter, there's nothing to be done, I have done my best, now it's up to him.' She stated.

Before Harry left, he headed to Malfoy's bedside and bent down over Draco's face, swept away a runaway strand of his pure blonde hair from his eyelid that had fallen out of place. Harry then lent forward to kiss him tenderly on the forehead. He paused there for a few moments, his lips brushing Draco's forehead and he treasured the scent and taste of one Draco Malfoy.

0000

Well that's the next chapter, it's getting there. Hope you like. Please review, it helps me a lot to know what you all think…… I really do appreciate them and all the people who take the time to read my fic! TTFN. Lelimo