Chapter 16

Madame Pomfrey wanted Harry to stay in the hospital wing under observation for another day, so the next morning found Harry dining alone in the hospital wing. Draco would have joined him but Severus felt that it would be best for Draco to make an appearance at the Slytherin table else the snakes might get curious as to why Draco was missing so often. Harry understood the necessity, but couldn't help feeling rather lonely.

He didn't have time to dwell on the feeling, however, because thirty minutes before first class was to begin, Ron and Hermione rushed in.

"Oh, Harry! We just found out! Are you okay? I can't believe somebody used the maxime timent! They're sure to be expelled once Dumbledore finds out! Oh, I just can't believe it! Are you okay, Harry?" Hermione finally let out a breath.

Before Draco had left last night, he had asked the blonde to pull his friends aside and let them know the basics of what had happened. He was sure his friends would begin to worry when they noticed he hadn't gone to bed and didn't show up in the morning. He wasn't ready to tell them about the wetting, but he thought they had a right to know about the potion – they were his best friends after all, and he was worried that the culprit might try to attack Ron or Hermione once they figured out Harry was cleansed of the potion, and that it hadn't worked the way they wanted it to anyway.

"I'll be fine Hermione. Madame Pomfrey only wants me to stay here another day as a precaution. The potion didn't seriously harm me or anyone else." Although it permanently ruined his bladder, Harry thought sullenly, feeling guilty about the little white lie to his friends. He just wasn't ready for more people to know the truth. Hermione would baby him about it and Ron would try not to act grossed out. They meant well, they really did, but he wanted things to stay normal between the trio for as long as possible.

"But what did the potion do? It's supposed to bring a person's worst fears to life, right? Didn't it work properly?" Asked Ron.

"It worked. It just didn't work the way the culprit expected it to. Professor Snape thinks that the brewer may have hoped that my worst fear was Voldemort winning, or something of the like."

"It's a really clever idea, actually. Highly illegal and insanely cruel, but clever." Admitted Hermione.

"You said the potion worked, but didn't do what You-Know-Who's lackey expected it to do. Harry… what did the potion do? Malfoy didn't say." Ron hardly managed a grimace when mentioning Draco's name. Harry counted that as progress.

"I'd rather not talk about it, okay?" Harry was a bit short and snappy with his answer, but he needed to let his friends know that he didn't want to be pestered with questions about something he didn't want to talk about. "I'm not hurt, nor is anyone else."

They accepted Harry's dismissal with worried glances, but said nothing else. The three spent the next ten minutes discussing who might have been behind the attack, but came short of an answer. Hermione assured Harry that she would bring him his homework after supper, and the two left Harry to rest. They had left just in time, for seconds after the hospital door closed behind the two, Harry's bladder pained in quick protest and began spurting hot piss, covering his clothes and bedsheets.

Harry sighed, thankful his friends had left when they did but unsure for how long he could keep his problem a secret.

HPDMHPDMHPDMHPDM

Madame Pomfrey came up with the answer to Harry's problem, as embarrassing as it was. Nappies. Harry would have to wear adult sized nappies to classes as there was no other safe way of preventing Harry from pissing himself. Harry's only consolation was that the nappies were charmed to be silent, thin, and odor-resistant, so no one would be able to notice them. He was still quite paranoid, but Draco swore up and down that you couldn't tell the difference. Harry secretly thought that Draco was a little biased, but appreciated the effort.

Classes were nearing an end for the term as Christmas break approached. In less than two weeks Harry would have three whole weeks to spend with Draco, Lucius, and Severus. They had discussed it, and felt that it was best for Harry to stay at Hogwarts over the holidays in order to keep him safe from any further attacks. As much as Harry loved the Weasleys, he didn't argue with Severus, wanting the time to spend with his new 'family'. Now he just needed to break the news to Ron and write a letter to Mrs. Weasley apologizing for not making it this year.

The Saturday before Christmas break Harry was sitting in the Great Hall eating a late breakfast with Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville when he decided to break the news to Ron.

"What do you mean you're not going to be spending Christmas holidays at the Burrow?"

Harry cast a silencing spell over their section of the table. "Dumbledore and Snape don't think it's safe to let me leave the castle so soon after the incident with the potion." Harry had told Neville and Ginny about the potion earlier that week, but they were the only other ones to know the truth. The rest of the students, and most of the staff, believed Harry had the stomach flu.

"Mom will be so disappointed if you don't come for the holidays." Ginny protested, looking very put off. Harry wondered if she still harboured her crush on him, even though he had confided in her about being gay. He didn't mention his relationship with Draco, however, he didn't want to hurt her too much at once, and she had looked so devastated at his confession.

"I know, I feel awful about missing Christmas with you guys. I just think it will be safer for everyone if I stay here."

Neville smiles softly at Harry's words, knowing that Harry wasn't going to change his mind. He would do anything to keep those he loved safe, even if that meant spending a Christmas alone. He admired his friend for that quality.

"We can stay here with you, mate." Ron offered.

"Or you can just get over your hero complex and come to the Burrow." Ginny tried to sway Harry. "The Burrow is safe and you know you are always welcome. What would you even do in the castle alone for three weeks?"

"I could explore the castle. Go flying. Catch up on my studies." He knew that last point would win over Hermione. Ron, however, made a face, as did Ginny.

"Are you sure, mate? You love Christmas at the Burrow. You know you're just like family to us." Ron tried again.

"I'm sure. It'll be good, spending some time to myself. I'll write every day so you know I haven't died of boredom or gotten lost in the castle somewhere."

Ron finally agreed, but to Harry's surprise, it was Ginny who kept bringing the subject up over the next few days. She was determined to have Harry for Christmas, and the more she tried to get him to agree, the more Harry grew convinced that she still hadn't gotten over her crush.

Finally, two days before break, Harry pulled her aside after supper and asked her to go for a walk on the grounds with him. Bundled up in their warmest cloaks and softest scarves, Harry and Ginny walked in silence until the sun began to set.

"Ginny," he finally began, "There's something I've been wanting to tell you,"

"Yes, Harry? What is it?" She looked up at him expectantly, a glint in her eyes that Harry couldn't identify.

"Remember how I told you that I was gay?" Suddenly the snow covering the ground was really fascinating.

"Yes," she pouted. "Have you changed your mind about that?"

"No, it's just the way I am. I'm gay, and I can't change that. I don't want to change that. I have… I have a brilliant boyfriend, someone that I love. I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you, or lead you on in any way. I just wanted to tell you because it seemed like you were still hoping for us to be something more, what with you going on about the Burrow and all." Harry finally chanced a look up at Ginny. Startled at the angry look on her face, he hastened to apologize again, but she cut him off.

"Who?" Icy cold words laces with hurt made him look away.

"Draco Malfoy." As upset as she was, Harry trusted his friend, and didn't want to lie to her.

"MALFOY! He's You-Know-Who's little lap dog! Why would you disgrace yourself with the likes of Malfoy? He's as greasy as Snape." Ginny yelled.

Angry at the insult to both his boyfriend and his newly discovered father figure, Harry yelled back. "Draco's not on Voldemort's side! He never was! He was forced into a life he didn't choose and he wants out. He's wonderful, caring, talented, smart, and beautiful! He's not at all greasy and you know Professor Snape is on our side so I don't know where you get off insulting the man that is risking his life to save ours!"

Ginny sputtered angrily before storming away, leaving Harry standing in the cold hoping he didn't just lose a friend.

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry this is a shorter chapter than usual. I'd planned on making it longer, but it was just not working and felt like everything was choppy and crammed together. As it is, I don't feel like this is my strongest chapter, but it'll have to do.

On a different note, I was wondering how you guys would feel if I upped the watersports and omo in the next few chapters? With Christmas break coming up Harry and Draco are going to have a lot more time to get to know each other, if you catch my drift. ;) I promise nothing too crazy, no drinking bodily fluids or anything like that, but I do have this idea in my head that I would really like to try. Let me know what you think! Ultimately it is my story, but I do want to take your opinions into consideration.