A/N Sorry this took so long and sorry to everyone for the programming error thing that happened last time I tried to update :(

I've disliked the POV format for a while and a reviewer also commented that it was a little confusing so this chapter I've experimented and tried it without the different points of view so feedback on that would be great!

(and i know that if the twins are home ginny would probably go home too but it doesn't matter ok)

Harry stayed at Hogwarts for Christmas as did Draco. Most of their other friends went home though and the Slytherin common room was quiet during the holidays. Draco spent a lot of time reading, so Harry took to playing exploding snap by himself. It wasn't particularly exciting but it was a hundred times better than Christmas at the Dursley's and after the frantic term Harry had had he was glad of the chance to relax.

Hermione stayed for Christmas too, and on Boxing Day enjoyed a walk through the snow with Harry.

"How are you feeling?" He asked cautiously.

"Much better. Madame Pomfrey says I must have simply fainted, and they didn't find anything out of the ordinary on my wand."

"What do you mean 'out of the ordinary'?"

"Professor Dumbledore checked my wand over. I suppose he must have thought I- I petrified Justin."

"I know you couldn't have done that."

"Thanks Harry" she smiled

"So you had a nice Christmas?"

"Oh yes, I got some wonderful books and with the Weasley twins gone home for the holidays I might actually get some peace to read them."

"The ginger ones? Do they bother you? I could talk to them-"

"Harry Potter! I'm not a weak little girl who can't take care of herself!" She tossed a snowball at him.

He laughed and shook off the snow.

"Seriously Harry, you don't have to go round picking fights with every guy who talks to me.

"I think Draco's got that covered" he muttered.

"What? What's Malfoy got to do with anything?"

"Nothing. Seriously it doesn't matter."

When she protested he chucked a couple of snowballs at her until she gave up and retaliated.

Harry entered the Slytherin common room and made his way to his dormitory, kicking the snow off his shoes. He noticed a small brown package on his dresser table and he examined it for a label, assuming it was a late Christmas present. He found no label though, and wondered if it was a gift from the same mysterious benefactor who gave him the invisibility cloak last year.

He ripped the package open eagerly and a small leather bound book tumbled out. Harry saw that it was a diary, with the year 1943 engraved on it. On the first page he made out the name T M. Riddle. Other than this the book was empty.

He wandered back into the common room, flipping through the book.

"Whassat?" Vincent Crabbe grunted.

Harry didn't particularly like Vincent but he followed Draco everywhere with Gregory Goyle so Harry put up with them.

"I don't really know. A diary of sorts but it's ancient-50 years old. I found it on my dresser."

"Potter's got a diary." Gregory crowed

Draco noted that Harry had received the diary and turned around.

"What are you muttering about now? Heya Harry, had a nice walk?"

"Brilliant. You ready for dinner? I'm starving."

Draco flipped shut his book. "Sure. Crabbe, Goyle? Does dinner mean anything to you vacant dimwits?"

"Yes Malfoy" they chorused and once Draco had returned his book to the dorm they headed up to the Great Hall.

Ron's little sister and her friends were the only people in the Gryffindor common room. Everyone else was at dinner she assumed, which was where she was heading. She never usually listened to first year gossip but she heard Harry's name mentioned and listened in.

Hermione laughed ssilently to herself. She couldn't wait to tell Harry he had a little fan club.

She saw Harry as she was leaving the hall and went over to say hi, and laugh at him for being the centre of the first year's attention.

"Hi Harry"

"Hey-"

Theodore Nott pushed Harry aside. "What do you think you're doing? Filthy mudblood.

Draco saw a small group of Slytherins surrounding her and rushed over, trying to look casual.

"Theo! Leave her alone." As everyone turned to look at him in surprise he added "She's not worth it. Besides, I want another chance to beat your ass at cards."

Theo reluctantly left with Draco, leaving a confused Hermione and apologetic Harry.

"I'm so sorry Hermione."

"It's fine Harry." She waved off his apologies and went back to her dormitory and thought over Draco's words.

He'd saved her from Theo's cruelty, but dismissed her at the same time. And there was what Harry had said earlier- that Draco picked fights wih all the guy she talked to- could he be jealous? No. That was wishful thinking- her imagination getting carried away.

Ugh. Why couldn't he just get over her? It was obvious that she would never like him. He was so cruel to her no wonder she hated him. She didn't understand he had to do it. But cliched as it was he knew she was different, she made him want to be nice, to show her that he could be kind. Pity then that he could never show her that side of him, that he had to keep it hidden.