Underneath the Mistletoe

ChapterFortyTwo

Harry's POV

The letter arrived early the next morning. Harry found that he'd been spending a lot of time closed away by himself and Draco's letters were always something he looked forward to.

Harry,

Bloody hell they've just arrived and I already want to slit my wrists. Her name is Cora and she's a pompous prick. The way she talks makes me feel as if I'm going to be sick! And as if things couldn't get worse my Mother has decided to throw a party in her honour two nights from now. That's exactly what I need. I honestly think I might just fake sick so I don't have to talk to her or her daughter.

And for Merlins sake Potter, don't be ridiculous. Me? Have feelings? I don't know what you're on about.

~Draco

Harry reread the letter twice more before folding it up carefully and tucking it away into his trunk. He didn't want anyone at Grimmauld place to accidentally come across it.

-x-

Draco's POV
FifthYear-DayTwo

"Draco! What are you still doing in bed?" His Mother strode into his room and leaned over his bed, an irritated look on her face.

"I...I don't feel so good." Draco murmured into his pillow.

The look on her face quickly shifted to one of concern. She smoothed his hair back and placed a hand on his forehead. She drew it away quickly. "Draco you're burning up!" Inside a tiny piece of him was sad that she had drawn away so fast. He remembered when he'd been younger she used to hold him in her arms, ruffle his hair, kiss his nose. Back then he'd pretended that those little touches annoyed him. Now he wished she did it more.

"Mmmm" he moaned, as if in pain.

"Darling is there anything I can get you?"

"Water? Maybe a cold pack?"

"Just a minute."

When she came back he raised himself on his elbow enough to take a sip. With another painful moan, he fell back into his pillows.

"You stay in bed today okay?" She placed the cold pack onto his forehead. "I'll explain to Cora and Meave."

"Okay."

With that she was gone. Draco smiled to himself. The heating charm he'd ordered Jassy, one of the Malfoy house elves, to place upon his forehead was starting to fade. He grabbed a book from his side table and, using a pillow to prop himself up, started reading.

-x-

For the next two days he stayed in bed and managed to avoid the Felloraya's. However, he knew he'd have to "get better" at some point because on the third day his Mother started asking him about going to St. Mungos. That night he told her he was starting to feel a little better. His Mother had looked relieved and asked if he thought he'd be okay if they had the party not the next day but the day after that. Draco had reluctantly nodded.

-x-

FifthYear-DayFive

Draco had woken up early and escaped to the library in hopes of avoiding Cora. Instead he ran into someone else. Someone perhaps even worse.

"Hey Draco."

He managed to not jump in surprise, recognizing the light voice. Turning he saw Meave who gave him a wolffish grin.

"Good morning Meave." He replied a little stiffly. She advanced on him, twirling one of her limp brown curls between her fingers. "We were all starting to get worried for you Draco, but you're feeling better now, right?" She stopped only a foot away.