A/N: Well I've got a day with lots of spare time and lots of ideas so I'm getting loads done today. Wow. Not much else to say but thank you and please don't forget to review!

Chapter 7 - Becoming closer

Harry hadn't spoken to Malfoy since he shouted at him and know it was the beginning of December. He knew they couldn't be friendlier like he had wanted. It was Malfoy, he just pushed everyone away and was rude to them. Harry had spoken to Hermione about it and she didn't see why he had tried to help him.

"But I don't understand why you would care about him. After everything he's done, he doesn't even deserve to be here."

"I know but he looks in a bad way and he has no family to support him. I know what it's like to have no support and it's the hardest thing he could have to deal with. Especially in a time like this."

"Maybe you're right, if he's got no help, he could be struggling. What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to try and speak to him but I don't think he'll listen to me. He's so arrogant and wants to sort it all out himself."

"Ok, well maybe start off with an apology for pushing him?"

"OK, I will."

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Harry had tried to speak to Malfoy during potions but he had completely blanked him. So he had waited until that night where he would wait until it was just them two.

"Malfoy, look. I'm really sorry for pushing you. It's just I'm worried that you're not OK. If you need help, I want to be able to give it to you, but you need to be able to trust me."

"I can't"

"I know you can't trust me but I want to change that."

"No, it's not that. It's that you can't help me. I don't even know how I am so you wouldn't be able to help me."

"Oh, I see. Well if you change your mind, I'm here for you."

"OK. Well, actually, I'm a bit worried about Christmas. I don't know what to do. I can go back to the Manor and be alone or I can stay here and be with people I don't speak to. Pansy and Blaise are going home."

"Well, I'm going to be here, if that helps. You could stay and I can help you."

"What about your friends?"

"Ron's going home but Hermione is staying here. Also, don't get angry, but I've told her I'm worried for you."

"WHAT, WHY?"

"Calm down. She encouraged me to come and speak to you."

"Oh OK, sorry."

They spoke on until Harry went to bed and they slept without nightmares. This was the first time for a while that they had managed to sleep without them and it felt refreshing.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Later on, during potions, they were making a draught of the living dead and Harry relied heavily on Malfoy to take lead. They were making it in pairs with the person they were a sat with and Harry became very grateful that he was sat next to the best student in the class. As Malfoy made the potion, Harry felt it made more sense and watched his every hand movement. He watched as his smooth, pale hands lifted the ingredients and chopped them with the upmost care. The way he put his tongue in his cheeks to concentrate. Harry's face dropped when he realised what he had. He had never felt this before. He couldn't take his eyes of Draco until the cauldron fizzed up and Slughorn inspected it.

"Excellent work lads, that's very good. You've still got 15 minutes so you can pack away and wait until the lesson finishes."

They put away everything and sat down. Since Malfoy had opened up slightly, they seemed to put aside some differences but Ron didn't seem too pleased about it.

"So, are you still staying here fore Christmas?"

"Yeah, I was thinking if you want we could meet up in the Common room at about three o'clock every week day?"

"Yeah, that sounds good. Thank you. Seriously, it's really nice of you to help me."

"No problem, I can't stand seeing others struggle."

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Draco had had some horrific nightmares and began to struggle in his lessons as he had so little sleep. He still tried sleeping potions but they just didn't help him. Having Harry helping him during Christmas made him feel better because he felt comfort from having someone there for him.

He spoke to Harry regularly and was glad they could finally forget about the feud they have had for 7 years. Although no one had mentioned anything to them, they were getting some funny looks from the others. But Ron really wasn't happy with it. He had considered questioning Harry about it but he was leaving for Christmas soon and didn't want to leave them on a bad note.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

With only a few days until students left for Christmas, they headed into Hogsmeade to buy presents for each other. Harry found presents for Ron and Hermione and had an idea. Malfoy wouldn't have many presents so why not buy him something? Something small obviously but it would be nice.

He looked everywhere and this was so hard. He's never bought him anything and didn't think he would do it Ever. But he finally stumbled upon a shop and in the window there was the perfect gift for him. He bought it and hid it under his bed to give to Malfoy on Christmas Day.

They met back up and walked back down to the castle. On the way back, they crossed Malfoy and he said hi. Ron immediately interrupted them.

"Why are you being so nice, Malfoy?"

"It's Christmas time, that's why."

"Hmm, OK"

Ron's confusion was clear and Hermione shot a look at Harry. He knew he ought to tell him that they weren't enemies anymore but he wanted to wait until after Christmas.