A/N: 90 follows! Wow. I'd like to thank each and every one of you beautiful people for sticking with me this long. We're starting to wind down now, nearing the end. As always; reviews= love.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Quote by Anne Sexton

His body had taken quite the beating. The first day, sitting up had been the extent of his physical capabilities until he'd managed a quick walk to the bathroom and back.

It wasn't just the aches. His insides squirmed, still twisted in a way that was not normal.

At least the visions had calmed.

Part of him was bitter thought. How long of reprieve would he have before the next round started? Next time, he wouldn't have Hermione to fall into bed with and forget about the pounding at his skull.

She was leaving soon. So soon.

Christmas was two days away, and then he'd have less than a week.

He shuddered at the thought of after.

Especially now.

He glanced down at the drips of red on the porcelain sink before wiping the remnants of another nosebleed away and washing the evidence that it had even happened down the drain.

He was so tired. Merlin, he was so tired.

He ran a hand through his hair, still slightly damp from the shower before he left the loo to dress.

Just one more duty to the bastard and he'd be free of him until the new year. It was a quick report in and modification of the patrol schedule. It should all be quick and relatively painless, but his body was protesting every step he took.

Hermione didn't want him to go. She wanted him to continue resting and even went so far as to suggest they not go to Andromeda's for Christmas as they'd planned.

He hated that. He hated how she worried about him and was willing to sacrifice one of the few things she was looking forward to since they'd visited Andromeda the first time.

At least it wasn't open begging, she'd been subtle about it.

Thank Merlin, since he wasn't sure he ever wanted to see her sob for him again in his lifetime.

She was in the kitchen seated at the table with a steaming cup of tea placed in front of her that she'd forgotten as her thoughts had distracted her.

He lingered at the doorway, unsure if he wanted to disturb her, but knowing he should.

"I'm going now." he said softly.

She blinked and turned to him.

"The wards should shift to tell you if anyone tries to come that isn't Theo, Pansy, or me." he continued.

He was about to say more when she'd darted out of her seat and pulled him into a tight hug. She tilted her head up and kissed him hard and hungry.

"You'll be quick?" she asked.

He nodded, pressing a chaste kiss to her forehead.

"As quick as I can be." he said.

She nodded once, and he physically tore himself out of her embrace to walk the short distance to the Floo.

"Quick as I can be." he told her again before he stepped into the green flames and was sucked away to the Manor.

The minute he stepped out of the Floo, he straightened and squared his shoulders. He couldn't appear weak so soon after he'd taken a knee in front of Voldemort. He was under no illusions that Dolohov was the only one who wanted him dead. He needed to maintain his position and safety, at least until Hermione and the rest were out of London.

He let out a breath, wincing at the pressure in his chest. Despite Hermione healing his ribs, they didn't feel quite right yet. The tissue around the area and his lungs seemed bruised and scarred. That was much harder to heal without proper potions, without them it would take him longer to heal unaided.

He went through the motions, quickly and as complete as he could. He wanted to be done, but he couldn't afford to be sloppy.

As if it all weren't enough, it didn't seem he'd ever be able to rid himself of these constant headaches.

He'd been in the Manor for nearly half an hour before he felt another pair of eyes on him. He forced himself to keep from visibly reacting, and instead focused on trying to locate who was watching him.

He felt his presence before he heard him.

Rodolphus.

"It's good to see you up and walking so soon Malfoy." Rodolphus said with an air of ease and manufactured concern.

"You know better than anyone else Uncle" he stressed, "that nothing keeps me down for long."

Rodolphus pursed his lips, his first sign of annoyance at Draco's attitude.

"It is a pity about Dolohov. Such a tragedy to lose such a devoted and effective member of the cause."

Draco felt alarms go off in his mind at Rodolphus's casual mention of Dolohov.

"And yet he was so easily sidetracked." Draco bit out.

Rodolphus's eyes narrowed. "You gave him reason to doubt." he stepped closer to stand face to face with Draco.

He didn't fear Lestrange, far from it, but it would be a lie to say that the other wasn't dangerous or intimidating in his own right.

He was suddenly glad for the inches he towered over Rodolphus. At the very least, the other could not look down on him.

"And I will find out what made him weary of you nephew." Rodolphus sneered.

Draco growled at the threat. His wand was in his hand and pressed at Rodolphus's neck before he could blink. He swallowed against the fury that practically forced tremors in his shoulders. His vision was blurring and sharpening with each pound of his head.

Gods he felt like shit.

Rodolphus straightened despite the obvious fear beginning to creep into his eyes.

"Remember your place Draco." he hissed before pushing away from him and stalking out of the hall.

Draco shoved his wand back into his pocket before he staggered at the sharp pain that seemed to flare in both his chest and the back of his skull.

"Fuck." he muttered, trying to calm his breaths into something deeper and slower than the gasps he was currently drawing in.

He stumbled to lean against the wall, feeling his knees buckling under his weight. He squeezed his eyes shut. Just a little bit and it would pass. He chanted it to himself over and over, but it was hardly convincing. He could feel his firm grasp on consciousness beginning to slip.

"Mate. I've got to stop running into you like this."

He blinked, momentarily recognizing Theo before his vision blurred again.

"I wish I could stay, but I've got patrol this time."

He coughed. "Just get me to the Floo Theo."

Theo snorted, but obliged.

As they walked, Draco leaning heavily on Theo, he got the strangest sensation that he was being watched again. He shivered slightly, before discarding the thought as a product of his near exhaustion.

They managed to make it to the Floo with no other incident. By the time Theo had managed to drop him back off on the couch near his fireplace, he was practically asleep already.

Hermione was hesitant to step out and go to Draco. Theo had practically been carrying him when they'd stumbled into the room minutes before. Yet, something had kept her from going out to Draco. Part of it was a desire to simply have him rest, and another, more instinctive feeling, was telling her to wait.

She wrapped her hands around her middle.

She was worried about him. He was healing slow, and coming back to the flat in this state was not a good sign. Especially since this excursion had been relatively mild. She wondered if he'd be well enough to even go to Andromeda's the next day. Despite his insistence, she had half a mind to convince him that they should simply stay at the flat.

She watched him huddle into the couch, still fast asleep. He looked mildly uncomfortable. He was so tall, his legs were dangling off the edge. She wanted to go out and levitate him back into the room to rest on an actual mattress. She stepped closer and immediately stopped when she felt the wards shift again. She stifled a shout when she saw another pale blonde enter the room.

Lucius stopped at the couch, taking in his son. As though he was aware of the scrutiny, Draco moaned and turned to shield his face into the cushioning. Lucius frowned and summoned a blanket and placed it over him.

She watched in fascination. Was Lucius Malfoy showing affection?

He paused over Draco head, his hand out, as though to comb through his hair. At the last second, he moved it lower and touched Draco's shoulder. He mouthed something. Her breath hitched at her recognition.

So much of your mother.

He stood and abruptly left toward the fireplace and soon the wards alerted her to his exit.

When she was sure it was clear, she slipped from the room out to him. He'd been exhausted for days, so in a way she was glad he'd managed some rest today regardless of how it was got. She combed her fingers through his hair and frowned when she noticed him slightly feverish. He mumbled something she couldn't make out. She stopped and pulled her hand away.

"No," He muttered, "keep doing that"

"You actually need to stay asleep to rest Draco." She teased. He peaked from beneath his lashes. "I was." He said with an innocent expression on his face, "I'm just a light sleeper "

She rolled her eyes but continued to play with his fine hair.

He closed his eyes, Sighing in content.

"Was my father here?"

She hummed in agreement.

"Damn." He murmured, "I'd thought I dreamt that."

He opened his eyes with a thoughtful expression on his face. He moved his arm behind his head.

"What?" She asked. He shook his head, a thin smile on his face. "Nothing."

He seemed lost in things she couldn't reach. She ran her hand through his hair and tucked the strands loosely to the side before dropping her fingers to race down his jaw and stopping at his chin. The warmth of his skin forced a frown on her face. He knelt into her hands and his lips brushed her fingertips.

"Draco." She murmured.

"Mhmm."

"What happened?"

"Hermione." He dragged out the syllables of her name in annoyance, turning away from her inquisitive hands.

"Draco." She said firmly, "You've come back before without having your father coming to check on you."

He sighed in irritation, pushing himself up into a seated position. She caught him grimace at the motion.

"What's wrong?" She pushed.

He mumbled something, edging into a seated position. He rubbed his face with his hands.

"What?" She pushed.

"I'm not healed. Practically fell to the floor from exhaustion earlier."

She swung her feet until she was standing in front of him.

"You told me you felt fine."

"Granger."

"What happened Draco?"

"Hermione please."

"I will find out Draco Malfoy if not from you then Theo, so tell me now and save us the middle man or so help me I will make sure your deemed unfit for a whole month of missions."

"Merlin Granger." He threw up his hands in defeat, grimacing as he did.

She grabbed his arms, and her hands made their way down to his, fingers automatically threading together.

"Tell me so I can help"

He lent his head against hers, sighing heavily. She frowned noticing the slight wheeze at the effort.

"Those broken ribs I had left their mark." he mumbled, unthreading one of her hands to rub at his chest, "And these bloody migraines." he winced, closing his eyes.

She sighed, pushing his hand away to run hers over his chest in soothing circles. She felt him begin to relax against her touch, and eventually his breath seemed to even out.

"Draco." she began, "Maybe we shouldn't-"

"No." he interrupted, "I'm fine, and you know I've been through worse." He opened his eyes to meet hers.

"I'll rest for the rest of the day, no protests. I'll even let you feed me whatever potions you want without complaint."

She sighed, taking in his pleading expression. She could feel her resolve crumbling the longer she grew lost in his grey orbs.

Before long, she felt herself nod.

"Fine, but all day."

He grinned, before getting up in one swift motion.

"On one condition." he said pulling her with him toward his bedroom. "You spend the day with me."

She laughed and was about to protest when they fell into the bed.

He drew her up into his arms rather quickly and pressed a kiss to her temple. She smiled, humming in contentment.

"Alright."

I am younger each year at the first snow. When I see it, suddenly, in the air, all little and white and moving; then I am in love again and very young and I believe everything.

She stood leaning against the railing of the balcony watching as the dusting of flurries continued to gently cover the earth around her. There was something in the quietness in which the snow falls that calms. She'd always thought so, watching the snow progress from tiny flakes to clumps that still managed to paint the world a lovely shade of white.

It was cold, stinging her eyes and creeping under her thin jumper to brush at her bones. Yet, she felt no desire to go back in.

She took a sip from the hot chocolate in her hands and idly thought about the sleepy blonde she'd left back in bed.

She wanted him to sleep as much as possible, so she'd left him when she'd stirred awake. He'd been so exhausted he'd slept without even a hint of dreams.

Good.

She sighed in content at the sensation of firm arms wrapping around her from behind.

"Happy Christmas love." Draco murmured into her ear.

She turned her head, and he surprised her by capturing her lips, murmuring between breaths that she tasted like chocolate.

When they finally broke away, she turned to face him still within his arms.

"Happy Christmas." She returned.

He grinned shivering slightly as he ran his hands over her arms in some feeble attempt to warm her. She grinned slightly before conceding that it was perhaps time to return to the warmth of indoors.

She pulled him into the living room to sit at the foot of their small tree.

She glanced at the three gifts under the branches. They'd opted to keep only their gifts for one another there. Everyone else would be at Andromeda's later and would exchange gifts there. Though this, she eyed the package she'd wrapped in silver and gold paper, was the one she was most apprehensive at gifting.

It had come to her on a whim, and she'd been so confident with her choice until she sat moments away from presenting it to him.

"Let me go first." Draco said softly, as though anticipating her worries.

She nodded, nearly too grateful at his action.

She caught his smirk at her apparent relief that was momentarily replaced with his own nervousness. He shook his head before meeting her eyes and silently handing her the first package he'd wrapped.

She took it hesitantly, impressed at the neat wrapping and even more so by the bright scarlet paper he'd chosen to use. She carefully peeled the tape and her mind began to guess at what she was holding. The feel and shape of it suggested a book, yet it was much thinner than any tome she'd ever read.

She pulled the rest of the paper away to reveal a black leather bound book of sorts with no title or author's name in sight.

Puzzled, she looked up at him and he motioned for her to open to the first page.

Biting her lip, she obliged and gasped in shock at the sight.

The first page had expanded into the second, revealing a life like drawing of the Hogwarts castle. He'd painted in the colors and even enchanted it to cycle through the various seasons. Now, snow was carefully decorating the tall towers of the school and in seconds, she saw the gardens come to life, blooming with all the flowers and wild plants that flourished in the spring.

"Draco." She let out a breath, "It's magnificent."

He snorted, but she could see him ducking to avoid showing her the light pink that was now coloring his cheeks.

"It's only the first page." He said, "Go on. Flip through more."

So she did.

Each took her breath away.

First it was the Library, the Potion's classroom, on and on.

They were each true to the bloody detail of her memories, and in some Draco had enchanted the pages to show students bustling about. Always, in each photo, she noticed a decidedly blonde wizard and curly haired witch featured in the background, fleetingly or otherwise.

She couldn't help the quirk of her lips at that.

Though, by the time she reached the drawing of the Head's dorm, she'd caught the pattern.

These were their shared memories.

Her breath caught at the sight of the Great Hall as it had appeared before the ceiling exploding had entirely ruined the evening, and she wondered how on earth Draco had managed to capture it's essence so perfectly.

The last one though, was the only one that had forced the breath out of her lungs.

Ironically, it was the Infirmary. Yet, with the moon peeking through the window and caressing the inside of the wing with beams of soft light, she could easily place the scene without any aid at all.

She let her eyes drift to the one occupied bed and at the blonde figure propped up with the aid of pillows. She bit her lip as she saw the brunette appear in the scene, seemingly out of thin air and sit at the edge of the bed. Slowly, the figures would get closer and closer and ended with their lips pressed soft and experimentally on one another's.

She let out a breath, unsure if she was even capable of commenting at this point.

"You gave me something truly amazing that year." She heard Draco whisper from beside her. "You game me good memories."

Her breath caught.

"And you gave them right back to me." she whispered.

He smiled slightly kissing her temple and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

Priceless.

There was no other word for it. He'd given her something priceless.

"Now this." Draco said, pulling away from her to present the second parcel to her, "May not be as sentimental as that, but…" He bit his lip, "It means just as much to me for what it represents."

She nodded, clutching the notebook of drawings close to her chest. She wasn't sure how he could possibly follow up his first gift next.

This package was decidedly smaller and again wrapped in crimson paper.

By the time she reached the long velvet box's outer covering, her heart was racing.

His hand came to rest on top of hers.

"I want to tell you something before you open it." he said, his voice low. When she nodded her understanding, he continued.

"I'm not sure how much you know about the older traditions when it comes to courtship and all of that." he gestured in the air, "But, giving certain gifts are done with specific intentions attached to them."

"Tokens." She found herself saying.

He nodded, and she saw the faint amusement at her interjection on his face before it was carefully masked by nervousness and then calm.

He threaded their free hands together.

"Right now, during this war, it's hard to picture anything but one battle to the next, but…" his breath hitched, "one day this is all going to be over, and I want...I want your future and my future to be the same."

She clasped their hands tighter together.

"So," he continued, "I wanted you to know that before you opened it. It may not be now or tomorrow, but Hermione."

She shivered at the sound of her name.

"I want it someday." He bit his lip, "If you'll have me and all my disaster of course."

Without a word, she opened the box and stared in wonder at the simple white gold chain before her eyes were drawn to the oval sapphire pendant hanging from it. She took her hand and traced the chain, admiring the fine craftsmanship.

Despite its simple appearance, it was obvious that it was beyond the realm of expensive.

She'd scoffed when she'd read about these traditions on a whim once. Now though, she understood the true gravity of giving things like jewelry with true meaning behind it.

It meant so much more.

With a start, she realized that Draco had managed to give her something intangible in tangible form. Their past and a possible future.

"Yes." she breathed, "Yes, I accept."

No sooner had the words left her lips, were his on her.

She moaned into his embrace as they grew more desperate and heated with one another.

"Thank." Kiss. "Merlin." Kiss. "I have no idea what I would have done if you'd said no." he managed between kissing her.

She laughed against his mouth, and felt satisfied when she felt him do the same.

She pulled away then, suddenly self conscious of her own gift for him.

She cleared her throat, and handed him his gift quickly before she lost her nerve.

"It's not some representation of the future, or a masterpiece that I made." she nibbled her lip unable to meet his inquisitive gaze, "But it was the first thing that made me really see you. And." She looked up and met his eyes with her own. "And I wanted you to know that I heard you all those times you spoke to me in riddles."

Looking at her curiously, Draco began to unwrap his gift.

She watched carefully as his breath caught as the paper fell away to reveal the title of the book.

"A first edition translation." he whispered, running his hands reverently along the spine and cover, mouthing the title. The Complete Homeric Works.

She smiled at his speechlessness and proceeded to help him open the book and turn the pages. "I magically marked some of it, completely harmless and not permanent of course." she whispered, "But it's…" She cleared her throat. "It's the one's you said to me and the ones I said to you."

He blinked in shock, dropping his eyes to the pages.

"Hermione." he choked, "I...no one's ever given me...I." He cleared his throat and lifted his face to refocus on her. "Thank you." he said sincerely.

She took their entwined hands and placed a kiss to the back of his before pecking him softly on the lips.

"You're welcome."

She'd put the necklace on nearly immediately after. Even now she couldn't stop looking at it and touching the beautiful stone hanging off the chain. She let out a breath and caught Draco's eyes from across the room in Andromeda's home. He gave her a smug look, no doubt guessing the train of her thoughts. She smiled to herself momentarily before she turned her attention to watch Teddy as he flitted between the presents Draco had placed before him.

The pile had steadily grown with Theo's contributions, Pansy's, and even her own.

The normalcy of Teddy's excitement was enough to lighten the mood and allow them all to truly feel some holiday cheer.

Though, the goodwill truce to have a happy holiday apparently did not exclude familiar teasing.

The minute she'd entered the home, Andromeda had eyed the necklace around her neck and shot her a knowing smile. Then there had been Adrian, who had also flashed her a smirk before turning to Draco and shaking his head at the smirk that had seemed to permanently settle on the blonde's face.

At that point, she had known rather than felt that her cheeks were flushed an unattractive Gryffindor red.

Damned Slytherin Purebloods.

Of course that was nothing to Theo's reaction. Full out laughter.

"Oh mate, I can't believe you did it."

Even Pansy had let out a string of giggles at Theo's behavior.

She put her hand to the pendant. "I don't understand what's so funny."

Pansy shook her head. "It's not you Granger. It's the fact that Draco gave out a token after explicitly declaring he never would in 4th year."

She turned to Draco, brow raised in question.

"It was a long time ago, and probably the beginning of my so called rebellion phase." He eyed each of his former Slytherin housemates as though threatening them from saying more on the subject.

It did him no good.

Adrian came up beside her, smirk in place, and tossed an arm to wrap around her shoulders.

"You see Granger, back in the day Malfoy decided to start a mini revolution in Slytherin."

She heard Draco groan from behind her.

"And like any revolutionary." Theo chimed in as he came to stand on her other side. "He wrote a treatise."

"You all helped as I recall." Draco interjected, folding his arms.

"Firewhiskey." Pansy said waving her hand in the air as though to gesture that firewhiskey was the appropriate explanation for any of their actions.

"I think there was more than just fire-"

"The New Elite Charter." Theo interjected.

She snorted, only to immediately cover her mouth at Draco's glare.

"To the bastards who brought us, the mothers who raised us, and our ancestors that we can trace all the way back to Merlin himself." Adrian continued, seemingly picking up where Theo had left off.

She bit her lip stealing a glance at Draco. He seemed to be fighting back laughter as his friends continued.

"We would like to present a list of complaints and our solutions to certain disputable truths." Draco said, seemingly continuing the script. "First and foremost, your potency and attractiveness is not determined by a family tree and the size of your Gringott's account."

At that they all burst into fits of laughter.

"And...And." Pansy gasped, "And the likelihood of an heir is increased if the wife isn't treated like a prized breeding horse."

Hermione gasped. "What.. how do you all remember this?"

Theo smirked, calming himself to the point in which he could speak. "Well, we all wrote it and signed it."

"Everyone in Slytherin's at least read it." Adrian continued, smiling as he shook his head, "It's essentially our Prince's legacy."

Draco snorted.

Hermione chortled. "I'd like to read it."

Draco shook his head, "I'm pretty sure we don't -"

"Blaise has a copy." Pansy said.

Draco paled. "But I…" he trailed off before scowling, "Bastard. He told me all the copies were destroyed."

The three other housemates looked at one another and collectively spoke, "Slytherin."

She laughed and threaded an arm through Draco's as he pouted and glared at the other's who had broken out into a new fit of laughter.

He shook her arm and draped his across her shoulders, holding her tight. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips before turning back to shake his head at the three who were now red and gasping for breath. He smiled slightly at the sight, and she knew he was nowhere as put out as he'd seemed to be before.

It was nice to hear teasing and laughter after all.

"It really is a beautiful piece." Hannah complimented her again.

Hermione smiled slightly, touching the chain. "I can't really take credit for picking it out."

"Hmm Draco's always shown good taste when he wants too." Pansy said coming up to drape her arm across Hermione's shoulders.

"Is it elf or goblin made, do you think?" Hannah said coming closer to inspect the necklace.

"Knowing Draco, goblin." Pansy replied easily. Hermione smiled at the two girls, who became lost in a conversation about jewelry and gemstone meanings. It was ironic that it had taken a war for inter house unity to finally flourished. A Hufflepuff, a Slytherin, and a Gryffindor; truly it was remarkable.

She shook her head, a smile still pasted on her lips as she spotted Theo sitting alone in the corner of the room.

Determined, she walked over and sat beside him. He gave her a brief smile, but she noticed his eyes lingered at her necklace in a manner that could only be described as longingly.

She wondered if he'd been thinking of Daphne.

They'd heard that they'd made it to a safehouse, but any more communication was a risk. One, that none of them were willing to take.

She and Theo seemed content to simply sit in comfortable silence, but it wasn't long before she let her eyes roam around the room to find a familiar blonde head.

He'd been caught under mistletoe with Pansy.

She tried to ignore the slight pang of hurt at the sight.

She watched as Pansy looked at Draco shyly and the expression of pain was obvious. Draco shot Hermione a look that nearly looked like an apology before looking back at Pansy and giving her a thin smile. She watched, unabashed, as they leaned in and at last second their lips pressed to the corner of each others mouths.

A loophole kiss.

So in sync.

"Everyone always wonders about them." Theo said, finally speaking, "But I never did. It's hard to want to marry someone who has been like your sister for as long as you can remember."

"But she loved him."

She hadn't realized she'd said it until she felt Theo's eyes bore into her.

"Yeah." He said, sounding very tired, "But from what I hear, if he let's you, it's not very hard to love Draco."

He turned to look at her, studying her for something.

"You really are lucky you know." He said after a while, "Everyone always wondered what it would take to match Draco Malfoy." Theo smirked slightly at his own joke before he shook his head and continued, "He's a good bloke; the best kind of friend you could ever have. He'll never leave you stranded."

"I know Theo. I know." She whispered.

Theo smiled and gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Be good to each other Hermione." He said before he stood and disappeared into the kitchen.

She sat back, leaning comfortably into the cushioning. She fiddled with the ends of her hair contemplating all that Theo had said.

It was nothing new. Nothing she didn't already know.

She wasn't sure how long she simply sat with only her own thoughts for company before the couch dipped with the weight of another.

She blinked and looked up and met the eyes of Dean Thomas.

"Happy Christmas Dean." She said with a smile.

He nodded and murmured the same greeting in return. She watched his eyes focus on her necklace.

"You're pretty close with all the snakes now."

Without meaning too, she found herself grimacing at the harshness of Dean's tone.

"There's more to them than just being snakes Dean." She said after a moment.

"Yeah Death Eater."

She whirled her head to meet Dean's hard gaze.

"Do you really know what you're getting into Hermione. They say they're on our side, but what if that's only the case for as long as it's convenient for them."

"Nothing about this war is convenient Dean, for anyone." She said bluntly.

Dean looked away, but she saw his jaw tighten.

"Is it all the snakes, or just him?" Hermione said lowly.

When Dean didn't answer, she felt her temper flare. He didn't deserve Dean's misplaced distrust. Not after everything.

"He brought you here didn't he. He saved your life Dean."

"And should I be singing his praises? I haven't forgotten who he is Hermione." He said meeting her head on.

She physically recoiled at his vehemence.

"I haven't forgotten at all Dean, but people should be allowed to overcome their pasts, to grow and change. I'm not going to stay blind to it, because of the acts done while we were all children."

Dean shook his head disbelief still etched on his face.

"Don't you trust my judgement?" she finally asked.

"Do you?"

She nearly fell out of her seat at that.

"I mean Hermione, are you even considering that you have to leave and get back to the others in a few days, and he will not be coming with you? I never took you for someone who harbored delusions, but honestly." Dean said coldly.

She stood shakily from the couch backing away from Dean.

"What are you saying?"

"That you may have lost more than just time while you were missing for 7 bloody months."

She flinched as though he'd slapped her.

He was insinuating that she'd lost her mind. Her mind. Her one tool that she'd always had no matter what, and he thought it was broken…

She felt her heart start to race. She needed to get out and breathe. She stumbled away from Dean. She'd just step out for a minute. Just a minute for some fresh air.

Draco sighed tiredly, wincing slightly at the pressure on his temples. He'd just dropped Teddy into his bed at Andromeda's bequest and was about to head back downstairs. He paused at the top of the steps all at once feeling cold and lightheaded, while also heavy on his feet. Leaning onto the wall, he brought his hand hesitantly up to his lip feeling the slight wetness dripping down.

Fuck.

He stumbled to the near bathroom and grabbed a few tissues and placed them to his nose, leaning forward.

When he felt it ease, he let the tissues aflame before vanishing the ashes. He knelt down at the sink and began to slowly wash away the evidence of the blood from his face.

"How long have those been happening?"

He whirled his head and froze at the sight of Pansy in the doorway. He could have nearly hit himself. In his daze, he hadn't even managed to close the door to the loo.

She raised her eyebrows as he met her gaze, still waiting for her answer.

"Only a few times." He said lifting his hand to grab the nearby towel to dry off.

He could see her putting it together, and the flash of realization in her eyes at her conclusion.

She let out a breath.

"You need to get out of here Draco."

He let his eyes drift to the tiled floor. He didn't know how to respond, to reply, to deflect, anything. He was so tired, and in this state, no lies he told would even sound remotely plausible.

"You've done enough here." Pansy continued.

He could hear her light footsteps make their way closer to him.

"It's starting to…" She trailed off giving him a knowing look.

"Don't say it Pans. Don't."

He hoped he didn't look as openly wretched as he felt. She glanced up at him and for a fraction of a second something flashed in her eyes. It wasn't quick enough for him not to catch. He turned away abruptly.

He didn't want the pity or sympathy or whatever the sodding hell had been strong enough to penetrate Pansy's Ice Queen exterior. It was like she'd already signed his death sentence. She must know that. He'd never agree to go see a Healer, and frankly he didn't want a confirmation on anything.

"I don't want to even hear it."

She shocked him when she nearly launched herself at him, wrapping her arms tightly around him.

"You are your harshest critic." She murmured, tightening her hold. She let out a breath. "Draco, you've got all of us…and you're crazy smart and add in Granger, well, we'll figure it out."

Like hell he wanted Hermione finding out about this. Though at this moment, while he was practically coming apart in Pansy's arms, he didn't have the energy to voice his own protests. He burrowed his face in her hair, taking short deep breaths.

"Good." Pansy said then pulling away. "You're going to be fine, so don't you cry or anything."

He snorted.

Sometimes he really was thankful for Pansy and her vastly inappropriate responses to emotion.

Pansy chuckled lowly, before untangling herself from him.

They stepped back into the hall, and as they neared the steps, picking out the sounds of an argument.

"Draco!"

He turned to Pansy before running quickly down the steps toward Theo's voice.

He found Theo near the entrance of the flat with his aunt not far from him, glaring at Thomas. Hearing him approach, Theo abruptly turned to him with a solemn expression that was made all the more frightening by the anger flashing in his eyes.

"Hermione's gone."