Draco watched as light slowly crept through his window, signaling the start of another day. That was something different than the Slytherin dormitories; you had no idea whether it was day or night with no windows at all. Plus, the dungeons were almost too cold to actually support living creatures. That's probably why Slytherin was in the dungeons anyway. Nothing goes better with dark and cold than evil.

How dare you think that about Slytherin house! That is the purest and most noble house at this damn school! You should be honored to—

"Okay, okay! Shut up!" Draco yelled to the voice in his head as he flung the bedding off and stood stretching. It was still early, and the others wouldn't be waking for another hour, but Draco couldn't stay in bed anymore. Besides, it was habit for him to wake before everyone else and get to the showers so he had the better chance of getting the hot water. Although, he probably didn't need to worry since there probably was an abundance of warm water that came up to this dorm.

He gathered his toiletries and wrapped his dark green towel around his shoulders before making his way down the stairs to the bathroom. As he opened the door, he felt the heat and humidity hit him like a stupefy to the face. Someone was still in the bathroom.

"Ooh, break the curse from my heart, vow to never…" the off-key singing voice broke off into a gurgle, then a spitting noise before humming loudly.

Draco opened the door wider to see Longbottom standing at the sink, towel wrapped around his hips. He was bringing a comb through his hair when he caught Draco standing in the doorway. His eyes narrowed and his arms fell loosely to his side with his hands in fists.

"What do you want?" Longbottom snapped before turning around. Draco stepped back, remembering the fiery Longbottom that had become of the terrified one.

Sniveling little Longbottom actually killed something, while you couldn't do anything. Draco shivered as he remembered Longbottom wielding Godric Gryffindor's sword and decapitating the snake the Dark Lord kept as a pet.

"Why the hell are you staring at me?" Draco shook his head as he registered Longbottom's voice again. He hadn't realized he'd been staring.

"Shower. I just need to shower." His voice came out small and weak, and he cleared his throat. He quickly looked away, and edged around Longbottom to the nearest stall. He felt eyes on the back of his neck as he pulled the curtain closed. He quickly stripped off his boxers, turned on the shower, and stepped under the warm spray of water. After a few minutes of silence, he heard the door to the hallway open. He waited for it to thud closed.

"Malfoy?" He heard Longbottom's voice call.

"Y-yeah?" he stuttered.

"Sorry about your parents."

"Thank you." Draco said so softly, he wondered if the boy could hear him over the shower. The door closed, leaving Draco alone in the bathroom. He heaved out a heavy sigh before moving to stand under the stream coming from the shower head. The hot water raised goosebumps, and turned his pale skin pink.

It's all pity. He's not sorry.

Draco rolled his eyes at the voice in his head. He was getting real tired of its shit about pity. He stood under the hot spray for he didn't know how long. It was when the bathroom door swung open that he jumped, and grabbed his soap, and began a lather between his hands.

"Me and Hermione are planning on going to Hogsmeade on Saturday. I think you and Ginny should come along."

"And, by 'I think', you mean 'Hermione thinks', right?"

"Well, yeah, it was her idea, but I mean, you two should come along. It'll be fun."

Draco heard a sigh as someone turned on the shower to his right.

"Ron, don't you think it's a bit weird? I mean, she's your sister, and you're my best friend, almost family. That makes her almost family."

There was a pause.

"Well, if you put it that way, then yeah it's going to sound weird. But, you know, it's just meta- metamorphlical—"

"Metaphorical, Ron."

"Yeah, metaphorical. You can date metaphorical family."

"I suppose so." Another shower turned on, and it was quiet except for the water running in three stalls. Draco began to wash his hair when Weasley spoke again.

"Hey, Neville, you still dating Luna?" Draco froze. Did Weasley think he was Longbottom? "Neville?"

"Erm, Neville's not in here, I don't think." Potter's voice was hesitant. Nothing happened for a moment.

"You in here, ferret? Are you trying to eavesdrop?" Weasley growled.

"Yes, I'm here, and no, I'm just taking a shower." Draco hoped his voice came across as his usual bored drawl.

"Yeah, right, you little—"

"Ron, just leave him alone," Potter said firmly. "It's too damn early for that."

Draco hurried to finish his shower, quickly rinsing his hair of products before turning the knob to cut off the water. He grabbed his towel and wrapped it around his hips, not even bothering to dry off completely. Careful not to slip on the damp tiles, he walked to the sink, and looked in the mirror that was obviously charmed not to fog up.

The dark patches under his eyes were so prominent, they looked like bruises. He could see his ribs, even when he inhaled deeply. His features were even pointier now than when he was younger and had too much energy to burn. The black snake and skull looked too unnatural against his pale skin, and the jagged scar from his left shoulder to his right hip was puckered and pink. He gingerly ran a finger along it, feeling the bumps and tingles of residual Dark Magic.

A shower shut off, disturbing Draco from his thoughts. He quickly grabbed his toothbrush and busied himself.

Potter stepped out of the shower with a red towel wrapped around his waist. He eyed Draco as he stepped up next to him, toothbrush in hand. He went to spread toothpaste on it when his eyes trailed to Draco's chest and did a double take.

Green eyes went wide as they stared at his chest. Embarrassed, Draco immediately placed one of his arms over the bulk of the scar, and averted his eyes from Potter's face.

"Did I do that?" Potter's voice was barely a whisper. Draco didn't do anything to confirm, just moved the toothbrush around his mouth. He spat and rinsed his toothbrush with one hand, keeping the other firmly wrapped around him. The last shower went off.

"Malfoy," Draco looked up at Potter. His eyes were full of sorrow and the emotion Draco couldn't identify. "Was that me?" he said more firmly.

"Yes." Draco's voice shook. He took a step backwards, running into something. Turning around, he had to grab his towel with the hand covering his scar before it fell.

He was face to face with Weasley, his face red and menacing. His wet hair almost looked brown.

"Watch where you're fucking going, ferret." Draco gulped and quickly stepped around Weasley before running to the door and slamming it behind him. He dashed up the stairs to his room, crashing against the closed door once he was in. His chest was heaving and he blinked away the tears blurring his vision.

Ran like a coward instead of standing up and fighting for yourself. Disgusting.

Author's Note: Cool, so I finally got an updated chapter up. I hope you like it. As always, reviews are welcome.