Underneath the Mistletoe

ChapterTwenty

Harry's POV
ThirdYear-DayOne

He felt numb inside. Staring
through the window pane at the snow, falling silently as ever, was making him feel rather bleak. It wasn't only making him feel alone, but also hopeless. Harry knew both these emotions were invalid, he had Ron and Hermione along with the Gryffindor Quidditch team for starters. And as for hopeless, well what did he even have to feel hopeless about?

However, despite knowing these emotions were unfounded, the heaviness in his chest remained. Maybe it was the memory of Draco Malfoy's crest fallen face that he just couldn't seem to shake from his thoughts. Or maybe it was that he really had known what Draco was talking about with Myrtle. The sneaking suspicion that he knew what was written on the parchment that seemed to weigh a ton within his pocket. Shaky fingers withdrew the letter and unfolded the crisp creases.

His eyes darted left to right and sure enough his theory was confirmed. It was a letter from Narcissa Malfoy apologizing to her son, explaining to him that his father was getting worse, not better, that she would prefer he didn't return to the Manor for Christmas. The words she had inscribed were so heart felt Harry could feel the sorrow she must have felt whilst writing them.
But what did she mean, how was Lucius Malfoy getting worse? Harry remembered how Draco had been at first reluctant to share with him last year when he had demanded to know why the other boy wasn't going home for the Holidays, as if it were a deep dark secret he intended to keep all bottled up inside. Draco Malfoy's reply had exploded in an outburst that had come without much effort or prodding from Harry. Lucius Malfoy, Draco had told him, was a raving lunatic. He wouldn't speak another word on the matter and it was driving Harry crazy not understanding. Carefully folding the letter with detached fingers Harry slipped it into his trunk, buried it beneath all his robes so a snooper would have to dig deep to find it.

-x-

Harry managed a smile around his friends for the rest of the afternoon as he and Ron struggled to keep their eyes open to complete their work.
He caught Ron giving him odd looks from time to time but there wasn't much he could do about that, save acting as normal as possible. This was hard when all he could think about was the letter at the bottom of his trunk.
He tried to channel all his energy into his assignment but he knew, even before Hermione had read over his work, her frown deepening the more she read, that it was at most satisfactory.

-x-

Draco's POV

Draco could not have been in a more foul mood. Potter had heard his conversation with Weeping Winifred. Or was it Sobbing Suzie? No, no, it was Crying Cassie. Yes, that was it, he was sure of it.
However Draco couldn't care less at the moment what the stupid ghosts name was. Not when he knew that the stupid little rat that had been in the bathroom belonged to Weasley. How could Draco care about one silly ghosts name when he knew Weasley carried that rodent with him everywhere? How could Draco care when he knew that wherever Weasley went Potter went?The two were inseparable. If the rat had been there Potter had been too.
Draco pinched the bridge of his nose with one hand and reached with the other for the letter in his pocket, wanting to read his mothers words to calm him.
There was nothing there.
Draco stopped dead in his tracks. Beginning to breath harder he scrambled to check every other pocket on his figure. Nothing.

Sweat was starting to collect on his brow and at the back of his neck. Turning on his heel he combed the corridor for the letter. He checked once, twice, three times. He found nothing but cold stone, ancient tapestries, and paintings of old sleeping portraits.
He could feel the panic rising within him. "Breathe Draco, breathe" he told himself unfortunately to no avail. "It's okay, everything is fine, fine. Just go back to the girls bathroom. It probably slipped from your pocket. Crying Cassie probably has it, yes, indeed. Worst case scenario she's read it and you'll have to convince her not to blab."
Draco began retracing his steps in a frenzy of barely contained anxiety. "Wonderful now I'm talking to myself. First sign of insanity, well mother won't be too disappointed. Just following in Fathers footsteps."

When he reached the girls lavatory, Crying Cassie was no where to be found, nor was his letter. Draco slammed a stall door shut and clicked the bolt into place. His knees gave out at the same time as a single sob tore from his throat. Draco buried his face in his hands and shook in silence. If he would cry, no one, not even he himself, would hear it. (Because "Malfoy's are strong. Crying is a sign of weakness. Therefore you mustn't cry.")
When Draco had calmed himself down enough to form a clear thought, he grit his teeth and exited the bathroom. So there was an even worse scenario then having to convince Crying Cassie not to spread rumours about his family. This scenario was that maybe someone else had found his letter. Someone like Potter or Weasley.

-x-

Thanks for reading(hope you enjoyed!) It would mean so much if you gave this chapter a vote and followed my account if you enjoy my writing:) Which reminds me...
Awhile ago I mentioned that I would be writing more fanfictions different ships(Deamus, WolfStar, Jily, Scorbus, more Drarry etc.) and I just wanted to let you know what's going to happen. To keep things from getting confusing I'll likely only work on one fic at a time.
So follow me up for future work!

Ps. Positive feedback and constructive criticism is always appreciated.