Author's Note: Here's the next chapter. Have fun!

"Have you any idea who that was, MacNair?" Malfoy snarled as he threw the man against the wall and held him there with a firm hand on his neck. "Have you any idea?" He demanded again, nearly cutting off MacNair's air supply in his rage.

MacNair glared back at Malfoy but did not move from the restraining hand as he answered. "The Potter brat! The one responsible!"

Malfoy moved his face back from MacNair's as the alcohol-scented breath came into contact with his senses. "Yes, the Potter boy." Malfoy's tone was that of an overtaxed teacher with a particularly slow student. "Can you tell me why the Potter boy, of all people, is here this evening, in my home?" MacNair tried to struggle out of his grip, which resulted in Malfoy grabbing hold of MacNair's robes and slamming him into the wall again. "Do you want me to tell you, MacNair?" Malfoy questioned in a sneer. "You never were very quick, were you?" Malfoy slammed him against the wall again for his own enjoyment.

"The Potter boy is my guest, MacNair. I invited him for the holidays. I invited him. Not my son. Not my wife. Do you know what that means, MacNair?" Malfoy smashed MacNair into the wall again and held the barely conscious man there. "He is my guest. Therefore, he is under my protection." That little fact made MacNair's eyes widen. "Yes, you understand now. You were, in fact, attacking my child." Malfoy snarled. "I would be within my rights to take your life at this very moment." Malfoy squeezed the throat under his fingers and listened as the bones creaked against the backgroud of the ballroom music.

"Please, Malfoy. I didn't know." MacNair started pleading. Malfoy was well-known among the Death Eaters for his bloodlust. "I didn't know." MacNair practically whimpered.

"That is not an excuse." Malfoy snapped, using the statement as an reason to throw MacNair into the bricks again. "You should not be attacking, harming, or even thinking foul thoughts of anyone here during the holidays." Malfoy squeezed his hand shut and smirked as MacNair fought for his air. He listened to the music still playing in the ballroom as MacNair's face slowly turned colors. "The holidays are sacred, MacNair. You know that. I'm going to give you a chance to set things right." Malfoy said calmly as MacNair started to claw at his hand. "You will appear on Boxing Day with a small token for the boy, ready to apologize to Mr. Potter in your most humble manner. The boy will have the choice of what I do to you after that. Pray he is forgiving, MacNair, for I am not." Malfoy tossed the man to the ground and scoffed at his pathetic attempts for composure. "Your celebration is finished this evening. I suggest you leave." MacNair scrabbled to his feet and fled from the verandah.

"That was slightly violent, Lucius." Snape said from a shadowed doorway.

"It felt good." Lucius admitted to his friend. "Violence doesn't often come my way, not since my youth, at the very least. Before I was a father." Lucius sighed before turning towards Snape. "How is Potter?"

"Unconscious." Snape drawled as he joined his friend in the light from the windows of the ballroom. "He was more bruised than battered. He had a slight case of shock, but I would too after being attacked like that."

"Were his injuries the cause of his…" Lucius started.

"No. One of my potions. I do believe that you and Narcissa will enjoy a restful night, as Potter will not be having any dreams…or brain activity." Snape raised an eyebrow at his friend in amusement.

"I see. I might need one of those myself." Malfoy confessed. "The very idea of someone being attacked in my home…it is not right, Severus. I wanted the boy to feel comfortable here. Welcomed. I would not be surprised to see him standing next to the front door tomorrow morning with all of his things packed." Malfoy grimaced at the thought. "I wanted him to be able to consider this an alternative home."

"I have a feeling that the boy does not consider anywhere on this earth his home." Snape said slowly as he moved forward to lean on the railing.

"Pardon?" Malfoy said in confusion.

"Potter has this look he gets in class, only when he's finished with his work, of course. He stares off into space. It's almost as if he's in another world." Snape shrugged. He couldn't explain it any further.

"I know." Malfoy said. Snape glanced at him in surprise. "I've seen that look. Several times. It's bizarre. He's there one moment and not there the next. He had that look when I went to retrieve him from Hogwarts. He looked…lost." Malfoy fell silent as he tried to gather his thoughts.

"I wonder if the attack from MacNair meant something else to him." Snape said in a pensive voice.

"Severus, you are spending too much time with Dumbledore. Your sentences are turning more cryptic with each passing year." Malfoy complained as he smoothed back his hair.

"Forgive me, Lucius." Snape said. "I feel that the attack from MacNair may have been parallel to something Potter has experienced before. An attack from his uncle, perhaps."

"We do not have enough evidence." Lucius said shortly.

"We do have truth serums." Snape returned.

"I want the boy to trust me. I refuse to violate that trust." Malfoy told him.

"Not for the boy!" Snape said curtly. "For his uncle. Just remember it as an option if you need it." Snape said. "In the meantime, try to speak to him just before he falls asleep, or just after he wakes. He is the most open then." Snape hoped that he had said enough to 'help' his friend while still protecting his student. He knew Potter's mental shields were weakened after nightmares, but he also knew that Malfoy was no Legilimens. He wouldn't be able to break into Potter's mind at all. That, at least, was safe.

"I would like to check on him." Lucius admitted. "I am right in guessing that my wife is with him?" Lucius asked as he turned towards the house.

Snape folded his hands behind his back and nodded. "I have a feeling that she would adopt him if you would allow it." Snape said as he and Lucius avoided the still dancing guests in the ballroom and started up the stairs. "She is very fond of him."

"He has become a welcome addition." Lucius admitted with a grin. "I haven't seen Narcissa this excited about something in a long time. She has been working on his Christmas presents for weeks."

"Good Merlin. I'm surrounded by Potter fans." Snape muttered to himself.

Malfoy entered Harry's rooms and stopped just inside the bedroom door to see his wife perched on the edge of the bed. She smiled at him and then turned her attention back to the boy. One hand was petting his hair. He noticed a brown furry object lodged under the boy's arm. "Nari? What's that?" Lucius asked.

"A teddy bear." She admitted. "I made him one when he started to grow restless." She said as she turned her attention back to Harry's hair.

"Restless?" Snape asked. "He shouldn't be restless. He should be close to death with that dose." He ignored his friend's glare. It wouldn't harm the boy. A teddy bear? Why do I have the feeling that Potter would die of embarrassment at the idea of a teddy bear?

"He was restless. A bit of moaning, a few tosses and turns." She elaborated. "The teddy bear stopped that." Snape blinked and looked down at the boy lost in Morpheus's world. He hadn't seen Potter so…at peace. So carefree. So childish. It was nice to see such things. And disconcerting. It didn't fit with the Potter boy he knew.

"We'll leave you with him, Nari." Lucius said as he went over to her and dropped a kiss on her forehead. "Severus and I need to return to the ball."

"Enjoy yourselves." The men had almost made it to the staircase before Narcissa ran after them. "Lucius, dear, please keep an eye on Draco and the punch. He asked too many questions about it to set my mind at ease." Narcissa told her husband before returning to Harry's room.

"I'll do that." Lucius said to his wife's retreating back. He only hoped he wasn't too late. A hung over eleven year old on Christmas Morning would not be pleasant at all. He dreaded the idea of his son being a caustic and grumpy present opener in the morning.

Harry tossed himself out of the vague dream he had been having and wondered what was so different. He felt drowsy. This was an odd state for him. He was never drowsy. He went from awake to tired to exhausted, but he never reached the state of drowsy. His ability to relax enough to allow himself to drift off to sleep had been shouted out of him by his teacher, and then later tortured out of him. He was only drowsy when drugged, and it had to be heavily drugged. He could no longer rely on Dreamless Sleep as the best sedative. It had ceased to be effective in his past life, much less work as it should now. It was just enough to ensure that he fell asleep and stayed that way without too many dreams for a little while. This was different. He pondered this feeling of "drowsiness". This was odd.

He had to open his eyes and figure out what was touching his head. He peered through the darkness at a shape above him. His instincts screamed for him to attack, to get away…to do something. He did nothing. He just lay there under the covers and stared up at the person hovering over him. "You're not supposed to be awake." A soft voice said as a hand smoothed his hair. Harry blinked at the voice, trying to place it. Where was he? Who was this? This was not his teacher. It was not Malfoy, or Voldemort, or Snape, or…. "Try to go back to sleep, Mr. Potter." Narcissa Malfoy. Harry stared at her. Narcissa Malfoy was in his room. Why?

"Mrs. Malfoy?" That's what Harry tried to say. It came out heavily slurred and not very intelligible at all.

"It's alright, Mr. Potter. You can go back to sleep." The woman said softly. Harry blinked again. This wasn't making sense. Nothing was making sense. This felt like the potion his teacher had forced down his throat after Harry's first little rebellion against him. Harry couldn't even think at that point. All thoughts of escape had left his mind when the…what was she doing there?

"Wha?" Harry tried to ask why she was there. He just couldn't form the words.

"I'm sorry that MacNair attacked you, Mr. Potter." Mrs. Malfoy said with a voice tinged heavily with regret. "Lucius and I want you to feel safe here." Lucius? Safe? Safe where? "Please trust me when I say that no one will ever attack you again." Mrs. Malfoy told him. She reached out a hand and started smoothing his hair again. "You can feel safe here, Mr. Potter." It sounded like a promise to Harry's ears.

Harry reached out a shaky hand and lowered it onto Mrs. Malfoy's arm. She was such a nice lady. " 'Sokay." Harry told her. "I've mush worsh." Harry knew that he hadn't said that correctly. It didn't sound right.

"Did you just say that you have had much worse?" Mrs. Malfoy asked softly.

"Yeah." Harry said, pleased that she had been able to divine what he meant from his slurring. "Zactly." He smiled at her and hugged an object to him. His brain told him it was dark colored, warm, fuzzy, and was soft. He couldn't put together what the object was, but he liked the feel of it. It was…safe.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Potter. Deeply sorry." Mrs. Malfoy said as she reached out and squeezed Harry's hand. Harry looked down at his hand and a memory told him that she had done that before. Harry smiled up at her. She was really nice.

"Sokay." He told her. "Call m' Harry, peas." Well, that hadn't come out right either. He shifted his head to look at Mrs. Malfoy and felt his eyes drop of their own will.

"I'd be happy to call you 'Harry'." Mrs. Malfoy said with an odd sound to her voice. Harry squinted at her. Was she crying? "Very happy indeed." She said softly. "You go back to sleep, Harry. I'll see you in the morning." She said as she tucked blankets around him.

"Kay." Harry agreed as he shut his eyes. Sleep sounded like a great idea and he was more than willing to get more of it. He felt his body relax further as Mrs. Malfoy smoothed his hair back. She was humming a little tune and Harry wondered what it was for a few minutes until his tired mind decided it wasn't that important, but sleep was important. He drifted off to sleep with Narcissa Malfoy humming a lullaby.

Narcissa hovered over him for a little while after Harry returned to the land of dreams. She lost herself in thought as one hand continued soothing the child's wild hair. She was slightly disturbed by what she had learned. The boy had worse? What did that mean exactly, and how did he receive worse treatment than that? Who would have the gall to treat a child so shamefully? There was one bright spot. She could now call him 'Harry'.

"Harry!" Harry squirmed closer to his pillows and ignored the voice calling him. He was tired and actually comfortable in bed. He wanted to sleep. "Harry, wake up!" Harry motioned the voice away and pulled the blankets around him. "Harry!"

"What?" The whine came out faster than he could process it. He couldn't remember the last time he had whined automatically like that. It had all been planned and timed since he came back. He nudged something warm and fuzzy under the pillows and turned to glare at the Malfoy hier.

"It's Christmas day." Draco said in an impatient voice. The boy crossed his arms and glared at Harry.

"And?" Harry said as he lay back down. "Let me sleep." Harry whined again as he settled himself back into his blankets and pillows.

"Any other day, you're up at dawn's light, but on Christmas, you decide to sleep until nine o'clock?" Draco said in disbelief. "It's Christmas!"

And I was attacked last night by a loyal Death Eater of the Dark Lord. "Is that supposed to mean something?" Harry asked, now impatient with Draco. Why was the boy here?

"It's Christmas!" Draco said again in a desperate tone.

"I take it, from the way you said it, that 'Christmas' means something special is planned for today?" Harry asked as he finally sat up.

"Yes!" Draco snapped, moving towards the bed. He jumped up next to Harry and glared. "Are you trying to tell me that you've never had a Christmas before?" Draco asked.

"You said it. I didn't." Harry eyed Draco and sighed. "You're not going to go away, are you?" Stupid holiday celebrations!

"No. Come on!" Draco practically tugged Harry off the bed.

"Fine. Let me get dressed." Harry said as he threw back his blankets and scooted to the edge of the bed.

"No need." Draco said as Dobby popped into the room with a box beside him. Draco took the box from Dobby and handed it to Harry. "There's a robe and slippers in here. Breakfast and presents are done still in pajamas." Draco explained. "Mother picked these out for you."

"She didn't have to do that." Harry said.

"She wanted to." Draco returned. "She really likes you, Harry. She'd probably keep you if you would let her." Draco admitted.

"That's not necessary. I'm not up for adoption." Harry said with a grin as he opened the box. A plush green robe lay in the box, along with a matching pair of slippers. "Merlin." Harry breathed, amazed at the embroidery of runes on each sleeve and around the collar. He had to study them a minute until he realized what they were. Peace and safety?

"She did it herself, but you didn't hear that from me." Draco warned him.

"Our secret." Harry said as he removed the robe from the box and stared at it.

"I bet it looks even nicer on." Draco commented.

"Alright. I get the hint." Harry said as he pulled on the robe. He felt a vague brush of magic and stared at Draco. "The runes are active."

"I told you, Harry. She likes you. Now, slippers!" Draco commanded.

Harry put on the slippers and Draco pulled him from the room and down the stairs. He bypassed the formal dining room and led Harry into a smaller and brighter room. "Good morning!" Draco said as he released Harry just inside the door and leapt towards his parents.

"Good morning, son." Lucius Malfoy said as Draco settled on the couch next to his father. "Happy Christmas."

Narcissa Malfoy looked up, and Harry shrank back in the doorway. He hated interrupting family celebrations of any kind and this was the Malfoys. "Harry? Come sit down." Narcissa motioned Harry forward with her hand. Harry stared at her for a few seconds before moving forward. He remembered telling her to call him Harry, but he couldn't place the exact moment. "Come on." She encouraged when Harry hesitated. Harry came to a stop in front of Narcissa.

"Thank you for the robe and slippers, Mrs. Malfoy." Harry said softly.

"You're quite welcome, Harry." She reached out a hand and fixed his collar. Harry jumped in surprise as she pulled him to the couch and placed him next to her. She gave him a quick squeeze around the shoulders before Harry had time to pull away from her. Harry gave her a small smile and nearly leapt off the couch when a table appeared in front of the couch. Narcissa chuckled and passed a hand over Harry's tousled hair. "It's just breakfast." She said, clearly amused at Harry's reaction. "We forget our manners on Christmas morning." She sat up a bit and removed one of the plates and filled it with little finger foods: muffins, sliced fruit, berries, tiny toast sandwiches, and hard boiled eggs. "Eat as much as you can." She said as she opened a napkin and spread it on Harry's lap.

Harry sat and waited until he saw what the Malfoys expected before he started on his own food. It was all delicious, something he had come to expect from the Malfoy home. He watched as Draco and Mr. Malfoy teased each other without mercy. Mrs. Malfoy seemed to be focused on everyone, but kept one eye on Harry. She would pat Harry's shoulder or smooth his hair at an unexpected moment. He jumped the first few times, but eventually calmed down enough to relax when she touched him. He was almost relaxed. He didn't know if it was the residue from the Dreamless Sleep (unlikely), a full stomach, (also unlikely) or the runes. It must be the runes. Harry thought to himself.

"Presents!" Draco crowed as the breakfast things disappeared. Harry jerked and stared at Draco. He was unable to believe Draco Malfoy could be so very young. Harry hoped Draco's past would not repeat itself, that he wouldn't be robbed of his childhood again. No one deserved that.

"Father Christmas, you'll be pleased to know, did indeed make a stop here." Mr. Malfoy said as he waved his wand. Does Draco actually believe in that old story? Father Christmas doesn't exist. Never has, never will. How gullible can you get? A large Christmas tree appeared in the corner, surrounded by a mountain of packages. Harry stared, gob smacked. All of this for just one holiday?

"Harry?" Harry looked up at Mrs. Malfoy. "Come on." She said, taking his hand. Harry allowed himself to be pulled onto his feet. Narcissa led him over to the Christmas tree and positioned him in front of a mound of the mountain. "These are yours." She said with a smile. Harry looked between her and the presents several times to make sure she wasn't mistaken. "Go on." She said as she sat down in a nearby armchair. Harry looked around and watched Draco start tearing through his packages. Draco is having a Dudley moment.

Harry sat for a few minutes, just watching, until he felt everyone's attention shift from him. He looked over his packages and read one tag. This package was from Hermione. Harry pulled it towards him and studied it. He opened one end and slid it out of the paper. A book fell into his lap. He smiled at the title of Self Defensive Spellwork. Hermione knew him well. He set it aside and reached for the next one, knowing Hermione would enjoy her gift tokens to Flourish and Blotts. His next was from Terry, and he laughed under his breath. Great minds, Terry. He and Terry had both sent the same gifts to each other. He put the Gobstones aside and found the envelope from his relatives. Harry opened the next gift and knew only Draco could have gotten him Quidditch Through the Ages. A few similarly wrapped packages caught his eye. He read the card included, and his eyes slid over to Narcissa. He nodded to her when she smiled at him. The paper slid off easily and Harry opened the box to find several new outfits and robes inside, all brand new with his initials embroidered on the inside. "Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy."

"Happy Christmas, Harry." She said with an odd look. She appeared to be restraining herself from something. Harry frowned a bit before turning back to the clothing. He noticed the same runes from his robe on every article, so small that he could almost mistake them as nothing more than embellishment. She obviously wants me to feel safe and peaceful...not that I'm arguing. Harry knew he hadn't felt this relaxed since before Voldemort's return. Perhaps the runes are for the best. They'll make me calmer. Less prone to diving for cover. Instant calming draught without the nasty side effects.

Harry recognized the next package and opened the note. Why had Dumbledore sent him his invisibility cloak at the Malfoys? Was it a warning, or had Dumbledore always meant to give it to Harry his first Christmas in the magical world? Harry set the slightly altered note (Do not open this in front of the Malfoys!) aside and moved onto the next package.

He was amazed to find that it was from Professor Snape. For our lessons, Potter, if only to secure my own life. I, of course, did not give you a gift at all, considering I am a teacher and gift-giving would be seen as favoritism. Harry got the message. No one was to know where, or from whom, he received this gift. Harry ghosted his fingers over the dragon hide cover and smiled at his initial in silver on the front. He pressed his thumb on the clasp and smiled when it unlocked. He opened the case and found that the elaborate case contained a Potions Master's journal, complete with non-acidic parchment, specially charmed to be impervious to both acids and bases, a Dictation Quill charmed to take notes, and a small box. He rested the case on his knees and opened the tiny box to find it was much like Moody's trunk, with separate compartments for ingredient gathering. His fingers discovered an envelope tucked between the leaves of parchment. Curious, he broke the seal and pulled out some parchment.

Mr. Potter,

While many people would consider this an inappropriate gift for an eleven year old, I do not. You have talent in the field, Mr. Potter, an instinct with Potions that is extremely rare. I refuse to see that talent go to waste. Our private sessions will continue for as long as you wish. I would recommend you for an apprenticeship if you were older, but eleven is a little young for that. We shall have to make do with each other. My only condition, aside from the required concentration in lessons and devotion to the art, is that you take better care of yourself. I cannot understand why Pomfrey insists I have some influence in your personal life, but I have passed on the message and now wash my hands of the matter. I'll see you when school resumes.

S. Snape

Harry replaced the letter and shut the case. He'd never known Snape thought that of him. He set the incredible gift aside, slightly shocked, and then smiled to himself. It looked like Snape was on his side.

"My turn." Mr. Malfoy said suddenly. Harry looked up from his place on the floor. The man ducked behind the tree and brought out a shape Harry recognized as a bird cage. "I know you said your aunt does not allow pets, so this may stay here during holidays. I was assured that she'll know when you need her." Mr. Malfoy set the cage down in front of Harry. "Happy Christmas, Mr. Potter."

Harry stared at the man in shock. He had gotten Harry an owl? Harry was very glad he had given Mr. Malfoy his favorite blend of tea. It almost seemed inadequate now. Harry glanced up at Narcissa. She only gave him a smile. She knew, and she didn't warn him? That wasn't very nice. "Come on, Harry. Open it." Draco said. Harry reached out and pulled the cover off the cage. His breath caught in his throat and choked a sob as he stared at his owl.

Harry opened the door and held out his arm for his owl. Hedwig flew from the cage and landed on his arm. She hooted and head-butted Harry. "What are you going to name her, Harry?" Narcissa asked gently. Harry blinked back tears and petted his owl.

He turned to Narcissa with a smile. "Hedwig." He told her. "Her name is Hedwig."

Author's Note: There you go. Hedwig is back, for all of those worried. See you next chapter!