Time Heals All Wounds?

Chapter 15:

Harry had been very clingy after he woke up and got over the initial shock that he had in fact woken up. Draco had had to convert Harry's blanket into an acceptable scarf size and spray it with a small amount of Draco's cologne before the dark-haired boy would agree to leave the room and go to classes. Thankfully, the seasons had begun to change, so the scarf/blanket didn't look too out of place. For the few classes that Harry didn't have with Draco, it was a nightmare to get the boy to release his grip on the Slytherin long enough for Hermione to grab him and drag him off in the required direction. And Harry definitely had to be dragged. Then Harry would launch himself at the blonde as soon as he got out of the classroom. Draco still had no idea how Harry managed to get across the school so quickly, but didn't want to put the boy under any more stress, so just left the matter alone.

Everything was beginning to calm down again, until the letters came out about the Christmas holidays. Harry still insisted that his blanket had to be with him at all times, but he didn't cling to Draco as desperately any more. He still stayed close, but no longer seemed as if he was trying to merge into the blonde thankfully. All of that went out the window as Harry stared down at the emerald green ink on the parchment in his hand.

"Harry?" giving the emerald eyed boy a questioning look. Still shaking slightly, the boy turned his green eyes towards the blonde.

"I d-don't know w-what t-t-to do." He whispered looking terrified. "I w-went to the B-burrow-w last y-year, but I-I don't think I am g-g-going to b-be invited th-this y-year, since..." he trailed off, but Draco understood exactly.

"There is nothing wrong with staying at the school over Christmas, Harry. You know that. That is why the option is available, love." Harry nodded in response and his eyes filled with tears. The raven-haired boy quickly looked down and fiddled with his hands.

"I-I don't w-want to b-be on m-my own-n ag-gain. I alw-ways end up-p on-n my own." Harry had said it so quietly at first, that Draco almost hadn't heard it. The expression on Harry's face when he was forced to look up again conformed that Harry had said it and without thinking, Draco pulled him close.

"You are not on your own, Harry. You have Hermione, myself, those Weasley twins that you seem very fond of and a fare few people from Slytherin as well. You are not on your own, love. I promise." Harry nodded but didn't say anything else. He continued to pick at his food half-heartedly until the end of breakfast. Draco watched guiltily as he slowly made his way over to Hermione and the three left the Great Hall for class.

* * *

Much as Draco had hoped that Harry's mood would have improved by the time lunch rolled around, one look at him as he entered the Hall with Hermione proved otherwise. According to Hermione, Harry had another run in with Ronald and had received a letter from his family in Surrey. The boy had been requested to return for the upcoming Christmas holidays. As soon as the words left the words left the Gryffindor's mouth dread filled Draco. The blonde had no idea how to get Harry out of the request. Dumbledore didn't believe that Harry's relatives were in fact abusive, so there would be no point in trying to alert another teacher on the boy's behalf, because they would all defer to the Head Teacher. Then it dawned on Draco. All teachers bar one would go to Dumbledore. Politely he thanked Hermione for the information and made his way over to the only Gryffindor at the Slytherin table across the Hall.

Once the blonde was seated, he immediately brought Harry into a hug. Neither of them said anything. Harry just burrowed into Draco's chest and sighed contentedly. After a few minutes, the two separated and focussed on the food before them. Lunch finished before the boys were ready which caused them to separate again. Harry to Divination and Draco to History of Magic.
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The letter in Harry's pocket practically burned the boy's skin. He was desperate to just throw it into a fireplace and forget he had ever received it. However, he knew better. The Headmaster would have also received a letter to prevent the situation that Harry was contemplating. He was screwed. With a shiver, he pulled his blanket tighter around himself before ascending the ladder into Professor Trelawney's classroom.

As always, the room was covered in bright wallpaper and had a series of small tables surrounded by brightly coloured cushions. As always, Harry sat in the back corner of the room away from all the other Gryffindor's- namely Ronald and his gang- who liked to make is life miserable at every opportunity. The lesson followed its usual path. Trelawney being her regular floaty self and proclaiming Harry's imminent demise (which was met with praises from a certain group of Gryffindor's). One could only hope that she was right this time and the Grimm would do its job. Knowing his luck however, it would be another false alarm.

The lesson seemed to drag on far longer than the hour and a half that was scheduled. Thankfully, the bell finally rang and Harry was free. He descended the ladder as fast as he dared before anyone could reach him and made his way toward the Slytherin dorms to make a start on the mountain of homework he had.

* * *

A few hours had passed and all his homework due in the next couple of days had been done when Draco finally walked into the room. He smiled brightly and launched himself at the blonde for a hug. Once Draco had regained his balance, he returned the hug just as fiercely. Once they released from their hug, Draco sat beside Harry and they continued work in content silence. Eventually it was time for dinner and Draco dragging the raven-haired boy down to eat in the Great Hall. As usual, Harry ate very little under the blonde's watchful gaze. It was a few bites more than the other day and Draco seemed relieved that Harry was making progress. Baby steps. A large yawn from the green-eyed boy signalled it was time to leave the Hall.
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Harry began getting ready for bed as soon as he entered Draco's room and was soon asleep curled around one of the extra pillows the blonde had found. They had cuddled for a little bit, but once Harry had fallen asleep he had slipped out of the bed and made his way back to his godfather's private rooms. Earlier he had explained the situation to his Uncle Sev who had listened quietly and told him to come back tonight after he had time to think of a solution. So, here he was. At the mercy of a spy for both the Light and Dark in hopes that he would be able to keep Harry safe. He just had to pray that Severus had come up with the answer Harry desperately needed.

I am so sorry for not updating for so long! Lots of things came up at once and I completely spaced that I had not written anything. This isn't very long, but I have some big things planned for the next few chapters. Fingers crossed! xx