So.

I've been away. I know, I know. A whole freaking year is a little ridiculous. The only thing I can give as an excuse, if you even want one, is school. I'm done with my first year of college (holy cow), but said year did not leave me with much time for writing or continuing this story.

I'd like to formally apologize to anyone this bothers because I know I get irritated when someone doesn't update. Especially when a literal year goes by. As it was school that took away my attention, I'm not sorry for that.

If that bothers you, I am sorry about that. If you don't want to continue on, I completely understand. As it is, this whole chapter? Took about a month to write this draft. And it's about the 5th draft.

Also, sooooooooooooooo much thanks to:

yourLastLove, BenedictBumbleButt, Mystery of the Night, Kataryanna.

Without all these beautiful people above, this chapter would not exist. Thank you all for your help!

Onward to the way of old!

Thanks so much to:

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X*X

Quick recap:

After an attack by Vampires, Harry is in a coma, Draco and Hermione are coming closer together (not that Valerie wanted or needed to see that, thanks), and the parents are coming! Well how exactly are these kids supposed to explain that they're in a political (and literal) battle of creatures even they didn't know existed?

*X*

Dear Mother,

I'm writing to inquire as to how your Christmas went. I'm sure it was filled with all the presents and gifts you could squeeze from Sir Jollybeard. Which, considering what I've just learned about the Muggle tradition of a so-called 'Santa Claus', I find the appearance of your new paramour rather ironic for the holidays. Regardless, I'm sure whatever his real name is spent more than he could afford and your New Years is going to be about you getting the rest of his money from him before you inevitably break his old, bearded heart for someone younger and far more connected. Best of luck with that Mother.

As you have left me to my own devices for my own Christmas for the not-even-remotely-first-time, I went to the Malfoys for the actual day of Christmas. And I thought our parental/child relationship was non-communicative. Draco refuses to talk with his father, and the man is wasting away in his own home. I suspect drink is involved. Narcissa was accommodating as always. Jolly woman. She's trying to keep that household afloat by sheer will. Personally, if she wasn't my best friend's mother and married, I might have made a move on her already, age difference be damned. But that's entering the area of ever increasing 'mother issues' that I prefer not to acknowledge.

I noticed the Malfoys don't use certain rooms anymore. For instance, the dining area is closed off. That huge table in front of the fireplace I'm so used to eating at was removed and the doors were shut. We ate in the kitchens. Well, rather, the little nook there that the elves use for their meals. A nice cozy little spot for a more intimate dinner, however quiet it was. The parlor room was also locked. The actual Christmas part of Christmas was held in the library.

I noticed there were fewer elves in the Malfoy household. The only ones that were still there were Misty and Grody, who've been with the Malfoys since before Draco was born. I can't say I'm not all surprised given what was hosted in Malfoy Manner, or rather whom. I don't really want to know what happened to the rest. I suppose that is an injustice, but I feel I couldn't sleep at night if I knew the truth. I also suppose that that is beyond selfish, but like mother like son.

But who cares about Christmas. It's a superficial holiday that is used as a means of distraction. Statistically Christmas time has the highest suicide rate. I wonder why.

No, the important juicy details happened before Christmas. Before Christmas break really.

So I told you in the last letter – which I'm sure you didn't read, just as I'm sure this one will end up on the floor of whichever vacation home of Jollybeard's you're at – that my friends and I have been involved in a political battle of immense proportions. Merlin's beard, it's not even just political. There's physical battles as well, one of which left Potter in a Cruciatus induced coma. After him defeating Voldemort and death, it is quite unnerving to see him wasting away in a hospital bed from a Cruciatus curse. I'm not even close friends with Potter and it's disturbing. I wonder how Longbottom feels…

We also met V, my friend Valerie's other side. Right psychopath that one. This should worry me, as the information I've found on Vampires seems to suggest that a Vampire's (and a Veela's similarly) unconscious or added manifestation is a dormant side of their psyche. And since you've never read a dictionary in your life mother, all that means is that the hidden side of Valerie, V, is actually Valerie. Just….like everyone else, it's a darker side of herself that she doesn't let show.

Right, Potter in a coma. No one in the group had really slept well. And this includes us Slytherins. Granted we slept better than the Gryffindors, we were still worried. We'd taken to a revolving schedule so that Potter wasn't left alone. Valerie had disappeared, probably from guilt-ridden angst. When Granger wasn't with Potter, she was with Malfoy in the library looking for something to help Potter. Pansy and I just talked to an unconscious Potter. Neither of us liked being alone with him; it felt too personal if it was just him and one of us. Ginny – yes, one of the Weasleys – was with Potter 24/7. If you think we were worried – which, ha, you thinking – then you should have seen Ginny. She was….struggling. To be perfectly honest, I hadn't seen someone that strung out since the war. More often than not, I found Felix sitting with her. I'm pretty sure Ginevra would have been far worse if Felix wasn't doing some Veela thing to help her. He didn't say he did anything, and it's not like there was physical evidence, but one could tell.

Ronald had to almost force feed his sister. Not that she was starving herself on purpose. More like she was so worried about Potter that she forgot to eat. Even with the food and sleep deprivation, Ginny Weasley was still a force to be reckoned with. A few Slytherins said some choice words on Potter's predicament and they ended up in hospital beds themselves, though they were out by the end of the day, the tossers. Even with the few days that went by, Potter's condition didn't change.

The worst feeling, I think, is just waiting. The sense of not knowing what's going to happen, how it's going to end. Even if it was bad news, you'd know. You'd have that comfort. But the waiting is the worst part.

We had this Christmas celebration all planned. We were going to have cookies, and tea, and cake. Maybe some cider and hot chocolate. Tons of candy. We had the Room of Requirement all decorated. Everyone was excited about it. Emphasis on the 'was'. No one felt like having the little mini-Christmas. Too guilty to go through with it. Ginny was intent that we have it, saying that Potter would have wanted us to go through with it, but no one was up for it.

It doesn't exactly feel Christmas-y when a friend (or sort of friend in Pansy, Draco, and I's case) is fighting for his life.

We did all gather around the day before we were all set to leave for holiday. We just sat there and hoped for the best. It was quiet and peaceful. I didn't like it. It felt fake.

And you see, that's the problem, I think. With this year. It's too fake. Because not once, not once, have I heard anyone make mention of the war. Of the people lost in the war. It's like people are so afraid of Voldemort that they won't even acknowledge all the damage he's done. The teachers, the students, they want to move on from it. Yet they forget that in order to move on from something, you have to admit it happened. They won't do that though. In a way I get it. Admitting it happened is like admitting that Voldemort won. His name will go down in history for generations to come, and they want to prevent that. That's the saddest part really. Voldemort, even though he's dead, got what he wanted. Immortality.

But I can't say anything. I don't even want to know about a bunch of bloody elves and what happened to them, so I can't judge the lot of kids trying to force a bloody war from their mind.

I'm still not to the best part. No, the best part is the day everyone left for holiday. Because of the whole Harry Potter Almost Died in a Vampire Attack and Is Currently in a Coma and We Don't Know If He's Going to Wake Up situation, McGonagall had called in the parents of the students involved; i.e. anyone involved with Harry Potter or affiliated company. So Granger's parents, Draco's parents, Valerie's parents, and Potter's Weasleys were coming to pick up all the little children. (The only reason I knew that the Weasleys were coming in as Potter's guardians was because of Ron receiving a letter from his parents and talking about how they were showing up at Hogwarts to retrieve the lot.)

Now just picture it. The day of Christmas holiday and everyone is shuffling around with bags of dirty laundry (and I'm not talking about clothing) saying their goodbyes to friends and getting into the carriages. Just from watching people get into the carriages this year, I can tell how many more people could see the thestrals. Used to be you'd see a surprised look with some fear thrown in, here and there. Now, it's like most students are caught staring at the front of the carriage at the beasts they consider new. The only encouraging thing I've found from the number of students who see the thestrals now is that just a few younger years see them. That in itself is rather discouraging.

But people pile into the carriages to head home to their parents whom they haven't seen in months. Flitwick still yells at younger years to hurry up and the ghosts still find time to spook the students off. I myself was waiting for Draco and Pansy to leave before I caught one of the late carriages. Someone should be in this dreaded house once in a while. Although I'm sure the elves are throwing parties while we're away.

My luggage was already packed and I left the trunks in my room and made my way back down to the Hospital wing. I was the first to arrive that morning. Madame Pomfrey had told us in certain words that we were not allowed to sleep in the hospital unless we were injured and made sure we left each night. I knew the old biddy cared though. I'd caught her slipping Ginny Pepper Up potions here and there when she visited Potter.

It was quiet that morning. The only one in a hospital bed was Potter and everyone else was no doubt packing. Morning sunlight was filtering in through the windows on the left, leaving Potter's side cast in shadow. I chose not to look into that.

The thing about someone who's in a Crusciatus induced coma is that they look like they are in constant pain. At least it was that way for Potter. There wasn't any peaceful slumber making him appear young and at rest. No, it was like he was in one constant nightmare that he couldn't wake up from. When I said I didn't want to be alone with Potter because it was too personal, I meant that I felt bad. Here he was, the savior of the wizarding world at peril once again, and all that I could think of was how I wasn't very nice to him in years past.

I perhaps wasn't upfront with him, not like Draco. But I didn't try to stop Draco or Pansy when they were mean to Potter, or anyone for that matter. Me being me, I knew they were just venting because of their home life. Granted that is no excuse, but I wanted my friends to be happy. And if that happiness was caused by others torment, I certainly wasn't going to get in the way. I know now – hell, I'd known then – that it was wrong. I could always brush it off as children being cruel in the way that children can be. Yes, Potter was rather pithy at times, but he didn't deserve the torment we put him through.

I told him as much. Of course he couldn't hear me, but it helped. It speaks volumes of my cowardice that I chose to tell Potter all of this when he was in a coma.

Draco came in not long after with Granger in tow. Felix and Ginny followed in Pansy and Ron and we all sort of gathered around him, not talking this time.

Then Pansy asked the question no one wanted to ask: would he wake up? Ginny and Granger started to cry. Draco pulled Granger into a hug and Ron put a reassuring arm around his sister. Ginny had asked Felix if Valerie could do something, being a Vampire, but Felix said even if she wanted to (which she wouldn't because Potter hadn't given his permission and she refused to Turn someone without their permission) there were several legal obstacles. Potter's life wasn't in immediate danger; he was just gone mentally for the time being.

And because we spoke of the devil, she had to come sweeping into the Hospital wing looking like she crawled through a chimney and had not slept in the days since we'd seen her. A thing I noticed about my new fanged friend was that she always burst into rooms, demanding attention, when she wasn't trying to be stealthy. Another (at least I assumed) Vampire followed her in, this one a man and looking around the castle in awe. She shoved through the group with a muttered "move" and stood by the head of Potter's bed.

Everyone was just surprised to see her that we didn't really compute that she was mixing something into Potter's cup. The other Vampire went around the bed to stand at the other side of the bed. Valerie poured the mixed liquid down Potter's throat and that got everyone to react, demanding to know what she was doing. She just said, "Helping".

She chanted some spell while the other Vampire grabbed ahold of Potter head on either side and then proceeded to meditate. Or something. I'm still not entirely sure what he was doing. Nothing visible happened. I guess we expected fireworks. But as quick as Valerie came in, she was done and said that now we had to wait.

Ginny had argued that we'd been waiting, but Valerie just kept walking out the door with a "wait longer" thrown over her shoulder.

So we waited and nothing happened.

It was a couple (more) hours of us staring at Potter's vegetative state when McGonagall came in, bearing the gifts of parents. The Weasley parents to be precise.

The Weasley brood ran at them, hugging and crying. It was a sad, touching moment. Pansy introduced herself in the shyest manner I'd ever seen her, and the Weasley matron pulled her into a hug, going on about how Ron waxed poetic about her and she wished they'd met under happier circumstances. She and the father Weasley joined Ginny and Ron to continue to stare at Potter while McGonagall went to go get the other parents.

The next adults presented were the ever-Muggle Grangers. They both had the look Muggles often did when they were in a place of such strong magic: fear and wonder. Either way, whatever their feelings were about magic, they embraced their daughter in a strong group hug before talking with the Weasley parents with familiarity.

The last group of parents that were shown to the Hospital Wing were the Malfoys.

They were quiet and kept their attention on Draco, who had moved away from Granger so as not to implicate her in something the Malfoy parents wouldn't like.

Draco and his mother shared a tight hug, but he and his father barely looked at one another.

McGonagall went into an explanation of things, talking first on how Shacklebolt had given her clearance for most things, but not on others. She didn't specify as to what creatures had attacked Malfoy, Granger, and Potter. Just that they were trying to help a friend. So the Weasleys were told that Potter had been in a coma for the past few days, but that as far as Pomfrey could tell, he just needed rest.

Granger's parents had a hand each on her shoulders, holding her close like they could protect her. The Weasleys were hugging Ginny and Ronald while looking at Potter's form in concern. The Malfoys stood a little ways away, with Lucius a few steps away from his wife and son.

She was explaining everything when the door opened only a crack and Valerie slipped in. No one was paying attention to her however, too focused on McGonagall.

Valerie stayed away from the group with her hands clutched behind her back. She'd cleaned up so that there was no longer any soot or ash covering her. Her outfit could only be described as business casual, but all of it black. She'd swept her hair into a tight pony tail, her black hair shining in the sunlight that came in. When her gaze skittered over the Malfoys, Valerie's expression startled and she lost her composure for a moment. Lucius had paled, more so than he already looked. He opened his mouth like he was going to say something, but Valerie jerked her head to the side in a silent no.

She caught me looking and shook her head again, asking me not to say anything.

The parents had questions and McGonagall had answers. Until the Grangers asked why there was an attack in the first place. Valerie spoke up then, explaining how Draco and Potter were helping her with something important when they were ambushed, and how Granger heard and came to help.

Valerie was asked who she was by the Weasleys, who were simply curious. She started to answer, but Draco cut her off with "She's our friend."

Lucius stepped in front of Draco and Mrs. Malfoy with a sick look on his face. Lucius then went on a rant on how Draco shouldn't socialize with someone like Valerie. Arguments started to flow like a symphony I'd once heard.

It is something to behold, watching adults argue. Well…older…adults. They yell, they scream sometimes. I remember when I was younger, Mother, watching you and Father fighting. I didn't really understand at that time that it's not normal for that to happen. That other children aren't as desensitized as I am, and they freak out over the littlest raised voice.

The Weasley children shrank back in surprised, not obviously used to their parents being loud in anger. The Grangers were confused more than anything, flicking looks between the Malfoys as Hermione pushed them out of the way. Draco was trying to drag his father back with shouted words.

And the reason adults arguing is something to behold is because when a truly surprising moment happens, the fight is forgotten and they move on, whereas teenagers tend to hold a grudge.

So everyone stopped yelling when they heard the words: "I hope this has nothing to do with me."

Silence rung through the Hospital Wing as everyone's gaze was drawn to Potter struggling to sit up. Ron ran to his side to support him, Hermione to his other side to make him lay back down. Ginny threw herself at Potter to gun him. Everyone Slytherin and their relations stepped back in surprise as the rest surged forward to make sure Potter's awakening was real.

There was a brief celebration as everyone's worry was relieved.

McGonagall watched on before telling the room that their Portkeys were almost ready to leave, but that Potter "better hurry if he wanted to spend his Christmas away from that infernal bed." Merlin love that old bird.

The Grangers were the first to follow, with a look behind them of contemplation at the scene they just witnessed. Hermione gave everyone a hug, even surprising the room when she gave Draco a hug. And he hugged back. His parents stared on in confusion as Hermione left. The Malfoy's hurried soon after Draco said his goodbyes to the Weasleys, a nod for Potter, and a very pointed hug for Pansy, I, and Valerie. Ron was sent to go hurry and pack Harry's things while the rest waited.

Arthur and Molly (I knew I knew their names) inquired at Valerie with a handshake and a kind smile. Ginny got up from Potter's bed and gave Valerie a tight hug, telling her thank you in rapid succession. Valerie gave her a pained, awkward smile, her eyes flicking over to the girl's parents.

Pansy and I even told Potter congratulations on waking up and he gave us a smile.

The only other thing worth note about that day was the door to the Hospital Wing opened once again to let parents in. Yet these parents were accompanied by a young blonde teenager and Felix. Valerie turned and smiled.

Seeing her smirk is one thing. It seems like that's all she ever does. I'd never really seen an actual smile on Valerie's face, but when she looked at the newcomers her face lit up in a way I didn't even think possible.

The blonde teenager ran at Valerie and threw herself at the Vampire.

I learned that the new people were Felix's parents and little sister, Cleo. His mother, Rachel, was a wizard with soft eyes and an amused face. Felix's father, Damon, held striking resemblance to Felix.

And I do mean striking. Holy mother of Merlin, I question my taste in women because of this man's face.

Eventually, one by one, everyone filtered out to leave. Then I left and came back to our house.

Not that I would consider this place 'ours' Mother.

You'd have to see it more than twice a year for it to be considered any part of yours.

Somebody's truly,

Blaise Zabini

P.S. By the way mother, the only reason I didn't throw myself at the aforementioned Veela was because I have someone else in mind. You'd never approve of her.

Not that that has any reason in why I like her, but it makes me feel a little warmer inside.