Disclaimer: The usual. I don't own anything…

Also, sorry this is a little late. I'm on school vacation (wootwoot!) so my schedule is a little out of whack. I might not just stick to Wednesdays for the next coupla weeks (a lil' X-mas present for y'all). Anyhoo, hope you enjoy!

The drafty hallway sent a swirl of cold air up Draco's cloak, and he shivered as he gave the password to the sharp-eyed Rowena, the only Founder still awake. Limping into the common room and sinking into an armchair, he glanced at the dying fire and pulled out his wand to send it roaring back to life. He had spent the past few hours in the library, working on a project for Potions. Slughorn had, oh so kindly, made the deadline for his research paper the last day of term before winter holiday.

Draco had spent the last week working on it, yet still had been forced to stay up through morning to finish it. Damn those Ashwinders, he thought viciously. He had read in a Potions journal that a Potions expert in the 19th century may have discovered more uses for Ashwinder eggs than just love potions and ague. He should have stopped at the 'may have'. Instead, he had informed Slughorn that his paper would be on alternative properties of Ashwinders.

But now it was done, and tomorrow, third period, he would be handing in his completed paper, soaked with sweat, tears and blood from the blister that formed on his finger from writing so much. Well, not really, but it sounded quite admirable. Maybe he should have stuck with Slughorn's regular class… Content, however, that his paper was finally done, Draco drifted off in what could only be described as the squashiest, most comfortable armchair, especially after sitting for hours on one of the hard, wooden library chairs.

-O-O-O-O-

Slughorn chortled merrily as he regarded the rolls of parchment on his desk. Draco was pleased to note that his roll of parchment was only slightly smaller than Granger's.

"Fabulous, fabulous. I'm glad I will have something interesting to read over the holiday." The professor clasped his hands over his protruding belly and gazed at his two students, who were both showing their own signs of exhaustion. Draco glanced over at Granger and saw that she was slumping slightly, one hand propped under her chin, and with much less spark in her eye than usual. Though Malfoys did not slump, he would have to say it was quite difficult to maintain the straight-backed posture instilled in him at an early age.

"Well," began Slughorn, as Draco started a little from the sudden noise. "I don't have anything planned for you today, so the two of you run along and pack." Draco grimaced, but stood to leave. "And if Professor McGonagall asks, we had quite the discussion on enlargement potions," the old professor shouted after them with a wink and a tap of his finger to the side of his nose.

Draco rolled his eyes and swept out of the classroom, wanting to spend his now free period in front of the fireplace in the common room. He let out a slight sigh of annoyance as Granger fell into step beside him, awkwardly taking small steps to keep at his own, plodding pace.

"That was quite nice of him," she began timidly. "To give us a free period, that is."

"Mmmn."

"Have you, erm, packed yet?" It was quite the valiant effort she was making, to be civil to him. Ah, well. Some things couldn't be helped.

"No. I'm not going home for the holidays." It sounded too abrupt, even to his ears. "Mother is visiting some family in France – doesn't want to spend Christmas at the Manor without… without F-father." He winced a little at how ungainly and clumsy he sounded.

"Oh. I'm sorry," she replied, sounding sincere. "Um, may I ask why you aren't going with her?" A harsh, bitter laugh escaped his mouth at her artlessness.

"Can't leave the country, Granger. Surely you know that." She quietly demurred that no, she had not known that, before sinking back into silence. He supposed that she expected him to be kind and thoughtful after that apology he had issued, but the cold and damp had once more gotten to his knee and made him irritable. Though Pansy had remarked the other day that it was becoming quite hard to tell which days his knee was hurting and which days he was merely moody.

He nearly sighed with relief when the portrait of the Founders came into view, and did let out a breath of contentment when he sank into one of the armchairs beside the fireplace. Padma Patil gave him an odd look when he chose the seat right next to her, but ignored him and returned to her conversation with the Abbott girl. He pulled a book out of his bag, and settled more comfortably into the chair to read.

-O-O-O-O-

The next morning dawned cold and clear. Draco hoisted himself out of bed and dressed quickly to ward off the chill of the stonewalled dormitory. Checking his watch, he saw he had time for breakfast before it was time to say farewell to his friends who were going home for the holiday. Though the train left relatively early, all of his dorm mates were still sequestered away behind drawn curtains.

Making his slow and quiet way to the Great Hall, Draco reveled in the silence. It would be nice to have the castle nearly to himself for a few weeks. The dorm, at least, would be nice and tidy since, so far as he knew, all the eighth-year boys but himself were going home for the holiday.

Blaise entered the hall just as Draco had started on his porridge. Not being particularly fond of mornings, Blaise offered the merest hint of greeting when he sat down. Draco wordlessly pushed a mug of coffee over to the darker boy, who took it with a nod of thanks and promptly downed the entire thing.

"That's more like it," he sighed as the caffeine entered his system. "Thanks."

"At least now I can have a decent conversation with you."

"Touche. What has you up so early, anyway?"

"Just wanted to see you and Pansy off."

"Ahh." Blaise nodded. "Draco, about that –"

"Thank you for the offer, Blaise, but I'm fine. I'll owl you if I need anything."

"Or if you change your mind and choose to actually interact with people on what should be a day when you don't sit around moping, alone and bereft of laughter and sunshine." Blaise heaved a dramatic sigh. Draco cracked a grin.

"I'll keep that in mind, Blaise, as I enjoy the fine ciders and ham provided by the kind house elves."

"We have plenty of good food at home –"

"Your mother tried to serve lutefisk last year. Lutefisk. This year she might possibly get her way and doom you all to a painful death, which I will be able to evade and give a wonderful eulogy at your funeral."

"You sly dog…" Blaise shook his head as Draco grinned at him. Glancing at his wrist, he saw that it was nearly time to leave. The students that had trickled into the hall began their slow exodus towards the entrance hall. Draco walked with Blaise to the front door, where Pansy was waiting.

"Draco, do promise to write, won't you?" she said as she gave him a hug.

"Of course, Pansy. Don't forget I have to send you your Christmas present."

"Happy Christmas, Draco."

"Happy Christmas, Pansy." She let go of him to smile and then turned to walk to the carriages with Blaise, who raised his hand in farewell to Draco. He waved to them both before turning and making his way up to the common room. Hopefully it would be nice and quiet now, perfect for a bit of reading.

A/N: So, I hope you enjoyed! I don't really know about this chapter… Meh.

Anyhoo, if I don't manage to get another chapter up before the BIG DAY, I just want to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

xoxo, GusGus