Pain Hurts

Chapter 11

Today was the last day before winter break. The halls were decorated with clashing colors; a huge tree was mounted in the great hall. The ghosts and portraits sometimes broke out into song, everything was festive. Most of the students were eager to leave and spend time with their families, some where out shopping while the others were busy packing. Hermione and Ron were going to the Burrow while Harry stayed in Hogwarts. Draco's friends would be going home leaving him with Harry. Remus was coming in three days, tonight was the full moon so he couldn't come sooner. Harry was sitting in the Gryffindor common room watching everyone run around like chickens with their heads cut off, silently they amused him. Hermione was sitting next to Harry, having packed last week and was ready to go. Ron was upstairs and so was Ginny. Hermione was reading a book, but decided to put it down to converse with Harry.

"Harry?" Harry turned his head to look at his friend. Hermione was smiling at him slightly.

"Yeah?" Harry said, tilting his head to the side in a questioning manner.

"What are you going to do for Christmas? I know Dumbledore is making you stay here, but you know, are you going to be alone the whole time?" she asked, her subtle hinting was not lost on Harry, he grinned widely shaking his head.

"Nuh uh! Remus is coming over to train with me and Dragon" Hermione laughed, recently when ever they talked about Draco, Harry called him dragon. Everyone just thought he had a pet named dragon so it worked out fine for them. "I hope everyone likes what I got them; you're still taking the stuff I got for everyone to the burrow right?" Hermione nodded towards him and set her book down in her lap.

"Yeah of course; speaking of which" Hermione turned around to grab something, she pulled out a small box and handed it him "Here, it's from me to you. Wait till Christmas before you open it okay?" Harry smiled at her before nodding.

"Of course 'Mione, same goes to you when you find your present in that bag I gave you." Harry said as he pointed at her and smiled before giggling, Hermione laughed.

"Of course Harry!" Harry chuckled before getting up and stretching his arms over his head than looked down at his friend.

"I should probably get going, you know?" Harry asked; his pleading eyes said all Hermione needed to know, Harry wanted to see his mate, badly. Even though weeks had passed since their bonding Harry and Draco still felt the pains of separation, and they sought each other out constantly. It was made easier with Blaise, Pansey and Hermione on their side at least. Several times had they disappeared during free periods and breaks to find each other and snog the other senseless, sometimes even in the middle of class if the pain was too strong. So far the only class they had skipped out on was Severus', and while he understood the situation he continually took points from each house. They had left Slughorn's class early several times, after early finished potions, and during the classes they were separated they wither rushed out or left early each time one of their friends covering for the mated pair.

"Yeah, I'm sure someone is the jealous type. I'll walk you out." Hermione got up and true to her word, walked Harry out. It wasn't long after telling Blaise and Pansey did the mates' friends find out just how possessive Draco could be of Harry and how jealous he got when Hermione kept him from his mate for too long. It had led to a confrontation and Hermione ended up with the knowledge of Harry's true creature heritage when he had to step in and control his raging mate. It had actually started with a study session between the two friends that ended up going on for longer than intended, so when Hermione walked Harry to his room she was pulled in by Draco and got an earful from the raving mate, only to be yelled at by Harry. Hermione witnessed as the two showed their true forms then attack each other with their mouths leading to her fleeing and later asking Harry tons of questions the next day. Waving goodbye Harry left quickly making his way to his room. Once there Istral came out of Harry's clothes, perching himself on his favorite place; Harry's neck.