Disclaimer: Don't own HP.

REMINDER: This is a male/male fic with the pairing Harry/Draco and if you don't like it and are irked by the idea of them together then I suggest you get the hell out of here.

Summary: Both of them wanted to forget the horrors of their past...Two people not knowing that they could find solace in the comfort each other can give...A painting, a picture...Memories and souls long gone...

Winter Solace

xianora

Chapter 1

"I'm going to leave the country." Draco blurted out just as his hand touched the door knob. "Right after my name is cleared."

Dumbledore opened his mouth to say something to the young man in front of him but before words can come out, the door was shut close and the room was silent save from the small pop from the fireplace and the continued crackling of the fire.

xxxXxxx

"Can't you get it through your bloody thick skull? I'm a FRIGGIN' SPY! I helped your pathetic cause and you know what?! You bastards are being BLOODY ungrateful!" Draco yelled, his voice dripping with venomous rage as the chains of the stand held him back.

"Mr. Malfoy—"

"I ask permission to speak before this court." Dumbledore interrupted and not waiting for a response spoke immediately, "You would do well to listen to Mr. Malfoy. All of us—" he gestured around the big room"—witnessed Mr. Malfoy drinking the Truth Potion. And please, Mr. Tobian, your questions are becoming redundant and it's running in circles. We don't want to waste our time in hearing things that has already drilled in our brains, aye?"

Tobian eyed Dumbledore with unmasked dislike. "Fine."

"So, as you have said, you became a spy for Dumbledore and he has already proven that. You were given the role of passing information about You-Know-Who's battle and strategy plans, correct?" Tobian repeated once again earning a glare from Draco.

"Yes." Draco replied sharply.

"May I ask, what exactly is your position in You-Know-Who's army?"

"I'm in his Inner Circle." The blond grumbled, still glaring at the man in front of him. "Look...will we stop already? Albus gave his statement, proving that I'm innocent. Isn't that enough for you morons? And it's uncomfortable sitting with chains around your throat. I don't care if you're not convinced with what we've said but my head is already aching with your terrible voice."

Tobian just pursed his lips before he turned to face the Wizengamot. "No more questions."

The crowd watching gave an audible sigh of relief. At last, Tobian understood some reason.

The Wizengamot fell into furious whispering, looking at each other seriously before nodding at each other as they reached a final decision. One of the members of the Wizengamot gave a small nod to Mr. Tobian, signaling him to speak, "In favor of clearing of all charges?" he said almost lazily.

Almost all of the members of the jury and the Wizengamot raised their hands. Draco smirked triumphantly while Tobian scowled and Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"That's the majority. Okay then, Draco Malfoy is cleared of all charges!"

xxxXxxx

Blood.

There was blood everywhere. Screams were heard from every direction...and Harry can't stand it.

He tried to cover his face with his hands so he will not see the morbid ness of it all...He can't take it...he just can't take it...

But before he could bury his face in his hands, his eyes widened as he saw blood—fresh, red blood...the blood of those he killed...

Harry screamed.

"No! Harry! Harry, mate! Calm down! It's just a dream! Please calm down!" Ron said frantically as he tried to pin his best friend back to his bed.

It has been weeks since the end of the war and Harry still haven't recovered from his trauma. He keeps waking up screaming and thrashing because of a nightmare of that night so long ago.

Harry continued to scream, calling out names of people that have died before his very eyes. Pleading with an invisible force to leave them alone and keep them alive.

"Harry! It was just a nightmare. Stop this, please!" Ron said, his voice getting louder by the second as panic took hold of him.

He couldn't do anything for his friend. It was as if they already lost Harry after they won the war. The teen in front of him was not Harry anymore but a mere doll that was haunted by his past...a past that he wasn't able to control.

Then, just as sudden as he woke up screaming, he stopped and just looked straight ahead as if seeing a ghost for the very first time.

"No...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..." he whispered, his voice hoarse from all the abuse his throat has received.

"Mr. Weasley, you can let him go now."

"Professor..."

"Please, call me Albus. It's not like your still attending school." Albus said his voice holding faint amusement that never reached his eyes.

"Yes...Albus." Ron replied with a stained voice.

Albus then turned to look at the sobbing boy occupying the bed in the white room. His expression turned grave. "Mr. Weasley...Ron...I want you to contact Hermione—and your family, if you please. I have to tell you something...or rather ask you something, regarding Harry here."

Ron just gave the old wizard a nod before opening the door and leaving Harry to Dumbledore's presence.

Dumbledore, his gaze never leaving the raven-haired youth, said, "I'm sorry, my boy. I need to do this. It's for your own good. We can't truly lose you."

xxxXxxx

What was left of the Weasley family, together with Hermione Granger, stood inside Harry's hospital room, all looking serious as all their eyes fell upon the fragile figure on the bed.

Dumbledore's clear voice spoke out, "I know that you know how hard it is for Harry to go through everything he's been through. And to see them even in his dreams are not the things that would help him recover. I devised a plan to help him...Although, you need to promise me one thing."

"We'll do anything just to help Harry." Muttered Molly in a small grave voice. Hermione looked up questioningly at the Headmaster.

"You will not contact him in whatever way possible. You will leave him alone and never let him know of your existence." Albus said, almost regretfully. "Are we clear?"

Hermione's brows furrowed. "Why would we do that? He needs our help! He can't go through this alone!"

"He has to. We just need to trust him."

Ron took a step forward. "But what are you going to do? What could possibly help him in a situation like this?"

Albus closed his eyes, his expression pained as he spoke in a firm voice, "I need to ward his scar. I'll need your help with the procedure Ms. Granger. And..."

The people in the room held their breath. Somehow, they felt as though they wouldn't like what Dumbledore is about to say. "I'm going to erase his memories and send him to another country."

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Author's note: Sorry but I can't seem to make a longer chapter...even in my other stories. I'm a short-chapter-making author, it seems...sigh...Anyway, I hope I can make longer chapters as the story goes on. And I hope you liked this chapter. Review guys! Pretty Please! blinks cutely...Just press that button below and submit a review!!!

xianora