The end of the year was fast approaching and Harry was definitely looking forward to having a break, despite the presence of his ex. Fred had been busy trying to get the new store started before Christmas, and the two of them were missing each other.
"What about today? Can you stay longer?" Fred's fingers were laced through Harry's, who was lying on the bed, tried after notorious quidditch drills.
"Ugh." Harry sighed, rolling over to face the older boy, "I want to, really I do, but it's like the teachers are piling on more homework rather than less." He stood to leave but Fred pulled him close and hugged Harry's middle.
"Stay." He whispered, "Just a little longer."
They stayed that way for a few moments longer before the young wizard leaned down to kiss Fred's head and pulled away.
"I really have to go." Harry pouted, his new boyfriend following him to the door.
"I know." They just held one another before kissing goodbye. Harry was wrapped in a couple of jumpers and Fred's coat with his Gryffindor scarf as he left the Three Broomsticks, wishing Rosmerta a merry Christmas on his way out, Harry had been staying at the Inn so much the two had gotten to know each other quite well.

Harry was half way to Hogwarts when he realised something crucial. There was no one to cover up Draco's hiding to keep Lucius from sniffing around school too much. He knew Draco wasn't his biggest fan, but not going home for Christmas two years a row was suspicious. Remus was off the cards seeing as he'd retired at the end of last year, claiming that the Order and Sirius needed him more than Hogwarts did. That man always played his own brilliance down and it hurt Harry to see him wasting his teaching talent. Alas, he wasn't here so Harry had to settle for the only other person he could think of to trust with a secret of such proportion.
"Professor?" He called into the empty classroom, heading in to find their office just as vacant. A rogue idea presented itself and it was unlikely but he didn't have any other options.
"Sherbet Lemon," Harry said when greeted with the Gryphon at the door, which twisted to expose a staircase
"Professor? Are you there?" Harry called into the large office, filled with interesting and dangerous artefacts
"Potter?" The voice originated from the back of the room, but McGonagall soon appeared around the corner with a tight smile as she observed the eighth year. "What can I do for you?"
Harry explained the situation with Draco and what had been going on for the past few months leading to December, which the witch accepted with a knowing smile.
"As I'm sure you know, the entire school is aware of your relationship with Malfoy, but what exactly does that have to do with me?" She was right for asking, what did this have to do with her?
"I understand that this is a big ask, but I need you to cover for Draco." Harry sighed deeply "He's in trouble, and we're scared Voldemort will kill him or ask him to kill me if he goes back to the manner so I've found somewhere safe for him to spend the next few weeks, because it clearly isn't difficult to infiltrate Hogwarts-" Harry stopped as the older woman head bowed, he knew she was still affected by Dumbledor's disappearance and he took a moment before continuing.
"There are secret keepers, protection charms the lot. All I need from you is to make Mr Malfoy think Draco's still at school and that he won't be coming home."
McGonagall regarded him for a minute, her face stern and unforgiving.
"I can't help but think how foolish you are for trusting the boy so much but I won't be the one to ruin a well thought out plan. I will cover for the boy but there is only so much I can do, the Malfoy's are a powerful family and they won't hesitate to come to the Hogwarts themselves."
Harry smiled, he knew she would be a good sport.
"Thank you, Professor. This really helps me out." He felt like hugging the matron but then decided against it as she stood and held out her hand, which Harry took gratefully.
"Just be careful, Harry." she held his shoulder and looked at him earnestly "Just be aware."

He was making his way back to the common room, kicking the carpets and biding his time knowing the charms homework that was awaiting him. Harry rounded the corner and was faced with Eleanor, not sure how she felt about him after his row with Ginny. He began to turn on his heels, not wanting to endure more confrontation.
"Harry! Wait-" Elle called, lunging forward to grab his arm.
"Look-" Harry sighed, trying to pull away.
"No, you look." She let go of his arm but didn't move away, still standing close to him "I just wanted to say sorry-"
"Why?" Harry interrupted, suddenly intrigued.
"I asked Ginny not to, you know-" Elle shrugged, looking at the ground "yell at you. You didn't deserve that."
A moment of silence passed between then Harry's eyebrows slightly furrowed with confusion.
"I'm sorry Harry." She whispered miserably, still not looking at him. Elle turned to leave, her arms wrapped around herself, but before she turned the corner she added,
"How's your nose?" There was the ghost of a smile on her lips.
"It's alright, Draco reset it." Harry grinned back at her.
"Are you two together? He's always talking about you." There was a curious and somewhat devilish grin in her eye as Harry remembered that the two were in the same house.
"Eh- no, no we're not." He breathed deeply, the smile was gone now and Harry was thinking about his last conversation with the Slytherin.
"But you were, right?" She pushed, looking innocent.
"Yeah, that was a while ago now." Harry looked up to meet her eye, promoting the end of the conversation.
"Why did it end?" the girl was really pushing her luck now, and she knew it. The way her eyebrow cocked and the way her smile turned smug made Harry feel on edge.
"I'm really behind on homework, I need to go." Harry sighed, rubbing his eyes.
Elle nodded once and rounded the corner, leaving him alone again to ponder his and Draco's former relationship.

//Authors Notes\\

So the chapter is up relatively early tonight and it might be getting earlier and earlier seeing as I'm super busy over the holidays so I'm going to have to find time to edit and upload my chapters, probably at the airport. 
(let's hope no one's reading over my shoulder to reveal my secret internet identity and get spoilers for the new chapter!)

Anyway that was chapter 10, which means we are over half way through the book!
Love, Sidney xxx
(Ps. I'm sorry about the Fred/Harry, I'll make it up to you soon!)