Fake Truth

XI

It was almost time for the long awaited Christmas Holidays and everywhere Draco looked there were decorations; hanging from the ceilings; Christmas; trees, around portraits and along the walls. The most impressive, however were the tall, rich green Christmas trees in the grand hall: the first years were I've the task of decorating them and they did a splendid job. But no matter how festive and happy this season was Draco could never really enjoy it. It brought back horrible memories though of his father and his death-eater friends hiding out in the manor; especially his creepy aunt Bellatrix. Even before that his father would not celebrate Christmas, saying it showed emotions that strong, pure-blooded families should refrain from showing: happiness

Minerva McGonagall had decided that from the first weekend of December until the one before the Children depart back to their homes would be a Hogsmede visit which went particularly well with the staff who all rushed around buying each other and their families gifts without any rush, as yet had about 3 weekends to do their shopping in; and it was local.

Due to the frequency of these trips the Christmas spirit was very high in both the students and the teachers. During the day the children would be running around the castle, gossiping about what they were hoping to receive on that delightful morning and the rumours of what other kids had spread about what they would be getting from their families. The teachers on the other hand were happy that they would be kid-free for a few weeks, and could leave the castle at will to enjoy some time either with their families or abroad as many did, either in muggle resorts or in a magical one.

Currently, Draco was on hallway patrol with Valerie; they hadn't fought in almost a month, excluding the little arguments about work. He had lost her about half an hour ago when she was telling off some Ravenclaws who were out of their common room after curfew, trying to get into the prefects bathroom. He decided to leave then as when she was mad she was very snappy and had little temper, but then again she was a very hot headed person.

This triggered so many memories of the two of them when they were both pupils of the school; sneaking out of their common room to go down to the black lake or to the prefect's bathroom; but he was 'Draco Malfoy: the bad boy' the one who 'ruled the school' as he thought at that time. He had loved Valerie ever since they first snuck out together during their third year, it was her idea. She told him that she didn't think that he was the 'bad-boy' that he told everyone that he was and she dared him to sneak out with her to the prefect's bathrooms and back; taking the blame

"Hey!" Valerie ran up to Draco and flung herself on his back. They had warmed up a lot over the past couple of months and had a very strong friendship seeming that they only had each other now; Draco didn't have anyone else and none of the girls really liked Valerie when she was at school because she was always with Draco.

Draco stumbled a bit before moving his hands under Valerie's knees that were coiled around his sides, he moved his head up and back to see her flashing him a cheeky grin, "Hi!" She poked his nose lightly with her index finger, "can I have a piggyback ride? I came to find you to tell you that our shift is done now."

The blonde laughed and carried Valerie back up to their quarters. So, what did those Ravenclaws get as punishment?" Ever since Draco started teaching he hated the Ravenclaws more than anything; as their house was paired up with Hufflepuff, they never let them answer the questions. Yes, there was no doubt that they were clever but a lot of them did not use their brains in a good way, he much preferred the Hufflepuffs, they showed respect to him and did as they were asked.

"Oh, that's all sorted out, sent them to their head of house and he had a terrible go at them. Serves them right though." Valerie had her hands in his hair, massaging it slightly. "Did you miss me when I was gone?" She joked, moving her face to rest in his right shoulder. He had grown his a little sincerely the war and he didn't use any gel to keep them in place. To the young witch they felt