The Exchange – To Protect and To Cherish

Haley mentally berated herself for not taking some pie with her. So as soon as she got back to Hogwarts, she immediately headed over to the owlery. Making sure to give Hedwig a special owl treat today, she sent a note to Ron that simply read, "Presents for Pie." She was sure that he would know what that meant. Smiling, Haley headed for the exit when she collided with someone trying to get in.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" Haley apologized, taking a step backwards.

"Quite all right, Haley. But I really think we should stop meeting this way."

Haley looked up and smiled when she saw Leir. "Hello, Leir. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you, too. Actually, I was just about to sent something to you," he said, pointing to the box in his hands. "Here."

Haley took the gift he offered. "Leir, you didn't have to."

"Well, I know. But, I don't have that many friends here, you know. And I figured it's just a way for me to say 'Thanks for being my friend.'" Leir rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh geez. That was cheesy wasn't it? That sounded really cheesy."

Haley laughed. "It didn't sound cheesy at all. Or at least not that much."

Leir smiled. "Gee, thanks."

"Well now I feel bad. I didn't get anything for you." The girl frowned.

"Oh don't worry about it. This was last minute. I wasn't sure if you would be coming back tonight since you were gone all day, so I was just going to send this to you."

"Well, thank you." Haley started pulling at the wrapping paper.

"Oh wait!" Leir smiled, stopping Haley by putting his hands over hers. "Don't open it in front of me. It's awkward. Cause what if you don't like it, you know?" He laughed, quickly pulling his hands away.

"I'm sure I'll like it," Haley tried.

"That's nice of you. But still…"

"All right. I'll open it later. In the mean time, I'll escort you back inside."

"All right then. Sounds good to me."

The two made their way down from the owlery back to the school.

"So I thought you'd be with your family tonight."

"Well, my Mum didn't think that would be wise. My dad's ill. The rest of my siblings are off with their own families so really it would be just my parents and me. I wouldn't have minded, but my mum didn't want me to catch what my dad's got."

"Oh. You seem disappointed."

"I guess I kind of am. I mean, I love Christmas and I love my family even if they do forget me sometimes."

"They forget you?"

"Yeah. Remember, I have six older brothers and sisters. When there's so many it's hard to stand out. I've gotten used to it though. Plus, the New Year is just a week away. I'm sure my dad will be better by then. That's when I'll probably go home."

"That's good then."

"Well this is where I turn."

The two friends stopped.

"I guess… Merry Christmas Leir. Thanks again for this. Whatever it is," Haley smiled.

"You're welcome. I hope you have a good night, Haley."

"Good night."

Leir gave one final wave before turning to leave.

Haley headed off in the opposite direction towards the dungeons. Along the way, she pulled open the gift she'd received from the Hufflepuff. Inside was a glass ball, no larger than a Remembrall. A swirl of smoke danced inside, truly entrancing the girl. 'Wow… I wonder what its for though…'

Haley was still staring at the ball in her hand as she entered the Slytherin common room.

"Haley."

The girl's head snapped in attention towards the sound of the voice. "Malfoy."

Draco had been sitting by the sofa nearest his room. When Haley came in, he abruptly stood, but he didn't move toward her. He wanted to test the waters first. He inwardly flinched at the sound of his family name. "How… how are you?"

"I'm fine." Her response was curt without her meaning to be. She had forgotten that he was returning today. It was weird to see him standing there. The boy that she loved, but knew she couldn't have was staring at her with questioning eyes.

To Draco, it was pretty clear to him that she was still mad. But he still tried. "Did you get my gift?"

Haley didn't respond right away. She wasn't ready to see him yet. A million emotions were coursing through her veins. She was still mad at him for taking Pansy's side when it was Pansy who cast the first spell. She was jealous of the one that he was in love with. She was hurt knowing that it wasn't her. She was also happy to see him for she did miss him. But that only served to make her mad at herself. She didn't want to feel these things for him because it only served to hurt her. Unrequited love was the knife that was currently stabbing her heart.

The necklace suddenly felt heavy.

Haley straightened up. "I'm really tired right now, Mal-"

"Draco!" His voice was desperate.

Haley flinched slightly at the sudden outburst, but she quickly regained herself. She frowned at the boy, refusing to say anymore.

"Haley, please," Draco's eyes were sad and pleading. He took a step forward, but seemingly thought against it and stepped back. "I know you're still mad, but please let me explain."

Haley still didn't say anything, but she didn't move either. She wanted to hear what he had to say.

"You're dear to me, Haley, you know that. And I know I screwed up by not taking your side when Parkinson clearly was at fault, but you have to understand that it's not because she means more to me or anything like that. I mean, I've known her quite some time, yeah, but she's no you." Draco took that step forward, but still kept his distance. "It's just…the things she was saying took me by surprise. And the next thing I knew, she had whipped out her wand and all I could think of was that she was going to get hurt. I've seen you in Defense class. I know you're exceptionally talented at casting those types of spells. And you know what's Pansy's best subject? Divination! And as annoying as she was that evening, that didn't mean I wanted to see her sent to the Hospital Wing which I knew you were very well capable of."

At this, Haley scoffed and smiled to herself.

Draco exhaled a breath he didn't know he was holding. "I know it seemed like I was taking her side, but that's not how I meant it to be. So please stop being mad at me. I just want my friend back. Didn't you miss me at all while I was gone?"

Haley let out a heavy sigh. She walked over to Draco, stopping only when they were toe to toe, all the while watching him as he watched her with wondering eyes. Finally, without a word, Haley dipped her head looking at her feet and leaned against Draco so that her forehead rested against his chest. Something about this minor contact made her seem to unwind, despite all that was running through her head.

This armless embrace was enough to put Draco at ease. At the very least, he knew that she didn't hate him.

"For a Head Boy, you really are an idiot…" she murmured.

"Only when I'm around you…"

Something about this made her heart flutter. Haley sighed and wrapped her arms around the boy in front of her, and almost immediately felt his arms reciprocate the action. 'So much for letting him go… I guess… while I have this time with him… I'll let myself love him…' She turned her head and stared off into the distance while listening to Draco's heart beating in his chest. "I hate you, you know… I really, really hate you…"

She felt him rest his head against hers. "I know."

"You made me feel like I did something wrong just by being with you. I don't like that feeling…" The arms around her grew tighter. "We've only got this time together, so stop screwing it up."

Draco smiled. "I'll do my best." He was solemn for a moment. "So… did you miss me?"

Haley could literally feel the smirk that was donning the Head Boy's face. She pulled out of the embrace and crossed her arms over her chest. "Actually, no. My week without you was quite the breath of fresh air. I'd say it was the best week of my life."

"Oh, really. And what, pray tell, was so great about this week?"

"Well first off, there're no classes. Second, I didn't have to worry about you bothering me all the time. And third, Pansy and I are on good terms now."

Draco arched an eyebrow, folding his arms over his chest. "What?"

"Yes, it's true. Pansy and I had some sort of breakthrough."

"How on Earth did that happen? When I left, you were ready to hex her into oblivion."

"That's true… but we found something we have in common."

"And what would that be?"

"We're both awfully fond of the number nine." With that, Haley plopped down on the nearest sofa and crossed her ankles on the table in front of her.

"What? That doesn't even make sense." The blonde sat down on the table so that he was facing his friend.

"But it makes sense to me and Pansy and that's all that matters. Anyway, you're in no position to question me. In fact, I think you've got a lot of sucking up to do. Just because I don't despise you doesn't mean you're in the clear. I'm still a little miffed, remember?"

Draco scooted closer towards the girl. "And what exactly does it take to get back on your good side?"

"Ummm… money."

"Money?"

"Well yeah, considering that's all you're good for."

"What about my wit? I thought you were in love with my wit."

"I thought so too, but luckily I came to my senses."

"You're so cruel to me, Jones."

"Oh don't look at me with those mopey eyes." Haley dropped her feet back onto the floor. "Maybe you should just go back home for the remainder of the break."

"You don't really want that."

"Maybe I do. What were you and Ethan fighting about? Maybe I can spark that same flame right now."

"He ruined my cake."

Haley blinked. She didn't expect that. "What?"

"The cake you made for me. Because he attacked me, he made me crush it. So I hit him back."

"Was that all? I can make you another cake, Draco. It wasn't that hard. There was no need to get upset over it."

"That wasn't the point. I was really fond of the cake."

"So just hop on down to the kitchens. It's the same recipe."

"I was fond of it because you made it for me."

"Oh." Haley blushed. "It's just a cake, Draco…"

"It was my cake."

"…You sound just like a child sometimes," she replied quietly. "So selfish and spoiled…"

"I like to think of it as determined and persistent. I like to get what I want," Draco countered matter-of-factly.

"How's that working out for you?"

"It's been splendid for the most part… There's just one thing that doesn't seem to be in my reach… No matter how hard I try I just can't…"

For some reason, all she could think of was how Draco's eyes seemed so hypnotizing right now. "And what would that be?"

Draco slowly smiled. He sat back, resting his weight on his arms behind him. "It doesn't matter. At least, not right now." He glimpsed at Haley's hands. "What's that?"

Haley snapped out of what seemed to be a sort of trance and looked at her hands almost forgetting what was in them. "Oh. It's a gift."

"From who?"

"A friend."

"Named?"

Haley smiled. "It doesn't matter. At least, not right now."

At this, Draco simply rolled his eyes. "It looks familiar. What is it?"

"You know, I have no idea." She raised the ball to take a good look at it. "It's pretty. It's like the smoke inside is dancing."

"May I?" Draco held out his left hand.

"Sure." Haley handed over the ball.

As soon as he came into contact with it, Draco flinched, retracting his hand so that the ball fell into Haley's lap. "Ah!" He was shaking his hand while his face contorted in discomfort.

"What happened?" The girl frowned, taking the ball in one hand and taking Draco's hand in the other. It was red where he had touched it.

"It shocked me," Draco grimaced. "Where did you get that?"

"I told you, it was a gift from a friend. I don't get it, it's perfectly fine when I touch it." She held the ball up. It was cold to the touch, but it certainly wasn't shocking her. She looked back up at Draco who was still frowning at his hand. "Come on, Draco. It couldn't have been that bad. The red's already going away. Oh wait. I forgot. You're a pansy."

"Couldn't you at least feign sympathy for me?"

"Fine, fine." Before she realized what she was doing, Haley leaned over Draco's hand and kissed offended area. When she looked up at Draco he had his trademark smirk on his face.

"Jones, you realize, you just kissed me."

Haley scoffed and tossed Draco's hand aside. "I kissed your hand, you git."

"In some cultures, that's a sign of worship."

"Bugger off." The girl slumped in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest again. She glared at the boy in front of her.

"I'm just kidding, Jones." Draco took up one of Haley's hands and lightly kissed it. "There. Now we're even."

Again, Haley couldn't help the blush that crept up her face.

"Jones, you're blushing."

Quickly, she looked away from teasing eyes. "Bugger off."

Draco simply smiled. That's when he noticed the chain around her neck. He reached for it, pulling the pendant out from under Haley's sweater.

Startled, Haley could only respond with a pathetic, "Hey!"

"So you did get it." He grinned, circling the pendant with his thumb.

Haley half-heartedly swatted away Draco's hand. "Yes I did. Thank you," she replied, curtly.

"Do you like it?"

Haley dropped her arms to her sides. "Yes. Yes I do." This was met with another one of Draco's charming smiles. "Actually, I wanted to ask you about it."

"Go on then."

Haley picked up the pendant and studied it. "Did you really have it made?"

"Yes I did. Specially for you."

This time, Haley ignored her blush as she stared at the pendant, but she couldn't ignore Draco's light chuckle. "So why this? What made you design it like this?"

"Well… you had mentioned that your birthday is in July."

"Did I?"

"Yes you did. And July's birthstone is the ruby. And when I saw the gem, the only casing that did it justice was the gold one. And when I finally took a look at what I had done, I figured it would only make sense to top it all off with a lion. I thought you might have a laugh because I certainly did. Plus, you're similar to a lion. You're both loud." Draco merely laughed as he dodged the swipe of the pillow, courtesy Haley.

"Why do I put up with you?" She shook her head, solemnly.

"It's cause you adore me."

Haley didn't bother to respond beyond a scoff. "Anyway… what about the markings? Do they mean anything?"

Draco held up his right hand, showing Haley the markings on his ring. "The last part's the same. I did some research and changed the first part. Mine says 'Protect the ones closest to your heart' and yours says 'Cherish the ones closest to your heart.'"

Haley smiled at the words. The necklace was now dearer to her than it had been a minute before. "That's really nice, Draco…"

"I'm glad you like it."

"I love it." Haley let her ball fall into her lap as she reached over and pulled Draco into an embrace. "Thank you."

Draco readily and willingly returned the embrace. "It was nothing…"

Haley pulled away. "You're lucky. This was a brilliant bribe to get on my good side. You're well on your way to moving from 'Incorrigible Prat' to 'Tolerable Git.'" She smiled at her friend.

"As long as you don't hate me, I'm happy." He pulled her back into a hug, much to her surprise. "Haley?" His voice was quiet. "…If I promise to protect you always… will you promise to cherish me always…?"

Haley's heart felt aflutter once more. But she was well aware of a pain that struck her as well. 'He's asking Haley… not Harry…' This fact alone hurt her more than anything she had felt in her young life. She loved him as Haley and Harry. 'But he's not asking both…' She sighed.

"Haley?"

She easily sensed the quiet worry in the way he said her alias. She reminded herself of what her heart had already decided. 'While I'm with him… I'll let myself love him…' She tightened her hold, breathing in all that was Draco. She closed her eyes and nodded.

"…I promise."

Author's Notes/Disclaimer: I own naught Harry Potter and other related objects other than Ethan, Leir, and… well… this story. Muahahaha…

Another short chapter, but I don't think you'll mind this time. I wanted to get something out before I head out to work. In fact, I'm LATE!! But I don't think you'll care cause if I get fired, that means I have more time to write. Haha.

This chapter makes my own heart flutter. Hahaha. Oh and hooray for Arynn Octavia for understanding what I meant! And yay for reviews. I thrive off of reviews. Yes I do. So thanks for reviewing and commenting and such. YOU ARE AWESOME! Especially those of you who've stuck around since the beginning. Heh. You deserve awards!!