Homestays and Snowflakes
Chapter 4.Homestays and Snowflakes
Harry ended up giving Draco a spare key to Grimal place, which felt extremely intimate. Harry tried to play it off like no big deal, Ron and Hermionie each had their own key, it was like… a friendship thing. At least that was what he rattled off to Draco when handing it over. Draco just nodded and pocketed the thing before excusing himself. Ron kept giving him pitiful looks all that night. Harry wondered if giving your house key over was some form of wizard courting that no one had bothered to explain to him.
Draco was far from shy of taking advantage, after a few days, tentative questions on what to keep or get rid of, Draco was given full permission to makeover his house, and seemed to vanish during periods when Harry had other lessons according to Pancy and Blaze. He often returned smelling a bit like chemicals and looking winded but pleased.
And Harry could understand why, on a weekend home visit he noticed piles of red wall paper drying to be hung, it had some kind of gold feather and star pattern. Some of the better furniture had its wood stripped and fabric removed. Draco was getting a lot done in his free time. When did the man have time to study?
It was early December when Harry returned one weekend to see what Draco had been working towards. It felt so much warmer. It was odd how much a change of paper and wood made made.
In the main hallway, the walls were set with the deep red paper that had been torn and layed out in a somewhat straight pattern. The torn spots had been gilded so it looked as if the walls had golden scars. His own room was similar, though Draco managed to paint most of the walls a nice charcoal gray to match the deeper wood color of his furniture, one wall had been matched to the main entryway. It was an “accent wall” He had called it. The entry hall and living room had received similar care, though Draco had painted the living room a nice forest green and used some kind of wood treatment to brighten up the wood. Upholstery matched and a warm looking sofa that Harry recalled seeing somewhere on the upper floors, had been stripped of the moth eaten gross fabric and refitted with a lovely plush material.
Harry had tried to express a way to pay Draco back for the labor but Draco just waved him off, saying he had been needing a project to take his mind off things.
……
Draco and Hermony were currently comparing notes over a book they had both been reading as Ron and Harry tried to finish up their last essay before the holiday break.
“So, spending the holidays with Hermoine’s family?”
“Yeah, mum still says she wants to send stuff along. Maybe visit.” Ron mumbled nervously, he fiddled with the cap of his cheap ballpoint where he had chewed it slightly.
“Am I gonna be expecting some news when we meet up for the new year?”
Ron turned completely red.
“No way. Way too soon. Knowing ‘mione, she would turn me down just because she wants to finish school first.”
“Fair.”
“What are you gonna do?”
“House needs work. Draco’s only been working on the spaces I've already cleared out. I don’t want him stumbling across some old cursed object or whatever.”
“He could probably handle it.”
Probably. But Harry would be kicking himself for years if something happened to Draco in his house.
“Thought I’d invite Flur and Bill for boxing day. Teddy and his Grandma are gonna be coming over for Christmas. Creature has been a bit better lately so I might actually let him near the kitchen.”
“What about…” Ron raised his eyebrows suggestively, eyes darting over to Draco. “You should invite him to the New Years thing.”
It wasn’t a bad idea but Harry shoved Ron all the same. He snuck a glance at Draco who seemed to be huddled over with Hermione. Harry couldn’t actually make out their conversations.
“I’ll talk to him. Maybe invite him to visit and not just to rearrange my furniture.”
“Is that a euphemism?”
“Wow.. big words Weaselbee.” Ron just laughed. “Yeah… I don’t know his plans yet. So-”
“So… Ask.” Ron said so simply, Harry felt like he could hit him. The smug bastard.
He chanced another look over at the two, he had missed something because Hermonie was trying to hide a giggle while patting Draco gingerly on the back, Draco’s head currently tucked between his arms.
Right. What’s the worst that could happen?
………
It was a week before the Hogwarts express would arrive to take students home. It didn’t feel nearly as exciting to the eighth year students who had been coming and going from the castle as they pleased. Though Harry and the others decided it would be nice to ride the train like old times.
Term tests had finished and most of the students were enjoying the first large snowfall of the year, leaving the great hall at breakfast surprisingly empty.
Harry watched for a moment as Draco seemed to scrawl something down while also trying to eat his toast. He missed, and dropped the food in his realization.
“Maybe try one thing at a time Draco.” Harry laughed approaching the table.
Draco flushed. Almost as bright as Ron could get.
“You’re hardly one to talk. Being our savior, a quidditch prodigy, teaching NEWT level spells to other students before even taking your OWLs.”
Harry felt himself gawking at Draco. Those almost sounded like compliments. Draco glared at him.
“What?”
“Nothing.. I'm just… flattered you noticed.” Harry placed a hand over his heart.
“Oh shove off!” Draco spat. Harry moved his other hand up to cup his own cheek, and glanced away shyly.
“Coming from someone who hates me, you must really really mean it.”
Draco looked like his head was about to pop. He gritted his teeth and Harry could barely hear what he said through them.
“You. Are. The. Worst.”
“An absolute nightmare.” Harry agreed, dropping the act and picking up some toast to set on his own plate. “That’s why I’m here, to torcher you on this lovely morning.”
Draco raised an eyebrow. And then let out a long sigh.
“Drop the act Harry. It’s too early. What do you need?” Harry was still getting used to hearing his first name from Draco and still couldn’t stop the slight grin and the butterflies.
“What makes you think I need something?” Harry asked, taking a bite of his toast. Trying to play cool.
Draco gave him another dry look as Harry drank some pumpkin juice.
“Right.. Right, okay.” Harry wilted. Draco seemed stressed and Harry’s usual jokes didn’t seem to be making much of an impact. “I was wondering what your plans are?”
“Today, For the week? In general?” Draco asked, closing his notes and tending to his breakfast properly.
“For the winter holidays. ‘Cause… well. Ron and Hermiony are spending the holidays with a joint family thing. But we’re hosting this New Years party at mine. You’ve really made the place a lot more decent recently and I can’t not invite my decorator.”
“R-right.” Draco had suddenly gotten quiet.
“That was a joke, Draco. I'm obviously inviting you as a friend. If you're busy though you can visit another time. I'm hosting Christmas too, Teddy and Andromeda are visiting. You and your mother are welcome. I’d offer for you to visit on boxing day but I'm flying out to visit Bill and Flur, you remember them? Ron’s eldest brother, not sure you’ve met, but Flur was a triwizard champion. They’ve got this little cottage-”
“I remember him.” Draco sounded cold.
Oh. Right. Damn. Harry had forgotten that Bill had been attacked that night Draco had let in the death eaters. He knew Draco didn’t want Grayback there, that Draco had apologized for everything, but Harry could understand the guilt. Harry felt it himself. When he saw Snape's portrait in the headmaster's office, when he thought of Tonks and Lupin, when he caught sight of the tip of a silver scar peeking out from the neck of Draco’s robes.
“You could come too, I’d ask. They would love to have you. I know you speak French. And Flur has been trying to teach me and the other Weasleys, but it hasn’t been going all that great. I think she misses speaking in her native tongue.
“Harry…” Draco started. And Harry could feel the rejection.
“You could visit any day. Or I could visit you? Or we could just meet up and check out some stationary shops? I hear Japan has-”
“Harry!”
Harry stopped talking, he found himself biting the inside of his cheeks as he watched Draco. He looked sad, and frustrated, but mostly sad.
“I- I’m not leaving Hogwarts for the holidays. I- I’m going to stay, lend a hand with some of the leftover reconstruction.”
“What?” No one, and Harry means no one was set to stay for the holidays. Sure, not everyone had a home to go to, but the staff had encouraged students to invite friends. There had been a list of names letting even the ones with few friends to be sort of adopted by another family.
“I.. I decided to stay. I can go home anytime. Father is in prison and I’d rather not visit. And Mother took the end of the war hard. She.. She can't stand the manor. Nor can I. We just.. She’s been staying at st. Mungos. They have a ward for spell damage, but it doubles for mental trauma. She takes calming drafts, and she has people to look after her. It's.. hard to visit her.”
Harry felt as though his gut sank right through his seat to the floor. He had forgotten.
During the main rebuilding of Hogwarts, trials had taken place. A lot had happened. Heck, there were still trials going on at the moment, mostly smaller ones like daily profit workers or people within the ministry. The gang had celebrated when Deloras was sent off to Askaban.
Harry had been able to attend most of the major trials. He was asked to testify in some cases. He was the reason Draco was here, and his mother had also gone free. Unfortunately his father had tried to throw his own son under the bus, very few knew Draco had been set to kill Dumbledoor and had managed to let in the Death Eaters that night. Lucius had said his actions were nothing more than a reluctant host. Harry had testified, shooting most of that down with ease, and reminding the wizened gamut that Draco was not even of age when he had been made a Death Eater. That his actions here “that of someone who was simply listening to his own father”. He spoke of the times Narsissa and Draco had saved him. Lying for him. Harry’s word was treated as gold.
Harry had apologized to Draco about his father, but Draco seemed to no longer have such rose tinted glasses when it came to his dear old dad. Draco had seen the once powerful and commanding Lucius Malfoy cowering to his master, fleaing at the end of the war, and throwing his own son under the bus.
“The repairs left over are small, but the staff have their handfuls with the extra years, I figured-”
“You’ll be alone.” Harry found himself saying. He didn’t mean to. It just sort of slipped out. Harry looked at Draco and saw himself, his first Christmas planning to spend the holidays alone while his friends went to go spend the holidays with their families. Overjoyed that Ron and his brothers had stayed. Harry wondered when was the last time Draco had a decent Christmas.
“Come stay with me.” Harry spoke in an excited rush, he sat down, less afraid now. He wasn’t sure if it was wanting to seem brave and sure for Draco or if he just wasn’t as worried about rejection, that it wasn’t personal. But he'd be damned if Draco was left alone mending the castle. Even Hagrid was taking a holiday to france.
“What?” Draco whispered out the question, eyes wide, shining silver in the morning light.
“At Grimal Place. Come stay. You’ve already got a key. Take a break from studying. I’ll let you redecorate some of the other rooms. We can go shopping for stationery. You can meet Teddy and see your Aunt. We can visit Shell cottage. Dobby is buried there. We can even visit your mother. Please?”
Draco’s eyes grew somehow wider, and seemed too wet than normal, he blinked a few times before his head darted down.
“I guess…” Draco mumbled. “If you’re hosting… probably for the first time, you’ll need all the help you can get.”
Harry’s grin felt like it was going to stick there permanently. He lost all interest in his food as he watched a small smile sneak onto Draco’s features.
………………………….
It was a fairly comical gathering in their compartment. Draco had joined him with Ron and Hermione. Neval, Luna, Hannah and Genny all stopping by at some point till the car was quite full. Harry was shoved up against a window with Draco pressing next to him, talking with Hermioney. Ron kept shooting Harry looks, mostly smirking whenever Harry would react to Draco shuffling closer or when he would smile at something Draco said.
Most of the conversation was about muggles. Harry could have joined in but he liked to listen to Hermiony explain things to Draco as he frequently kept asking questions.
Eventually, both Ron and him were bored enough that they tried out a game that was apparently popular in Hufflepuff. Susan Bones had even taught the game to Nevel and Ginny. Using the chocolate frog cards, you would call out spells like in a duel and the wizard would nod or shake their head if it was something they could do or not. And if one felt bested, they would walk out of frame. Dumbledoor was apparently off limits. The trick was knowing the wizards well enough. When the trolley came by Harry bought a bunch more chocolate frogs, most of his cards had been left in the trunk that had been removed from Privet Drive, he still hadn’t really gone through it. He wondered if he should invite Dudley over at some point over the holiday break.
He handed them out so they could all enjoy the chocolate. Harry smiled as he looked at his, one of the newer cards. Severus Snape, potions master of Hogwarts, Order of Merlion second class, spy within Death Eaters and a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Severus Snape is most well known as being a spy during the second modern wizarding war. While being best at potions Snape was also well trained in legilimency and occlumency, allowing him to gather information about You Know Who.
“Would you help me in a game of wizards dueling?” He asked for the portrait. It gave him a dull look and walked away. Guess not. He would have an easier time with any other member of the order. They had all been added. Lupin, Tonks, Serius, Harry’s mother and father, even Neville's parents. Those cards were pinned up in the commodore room. Even Cedric got one. Apparently Justin was rather good at painting, and Susan Bones knew the varnish that brought paintings to life. Hannah had told the group about the portrait of Cedric that now hung in the Hufflepuff common room. She told Harry that he was welcome to visit anytime.
Harry chuckled warmly at his card. He really should start collecting again.
“Woah! Draco!” He heard Hannah shout out. “That's one of the newest ones! You’re so lucky!”
Harry looked over to see what Hannah was talking about. And saw his own face looking back at him. Right… he had posed for that. His first portrait. The picture of him looked about as awkward as he felt. Mouth pushed into a flat line as he awkwardly shuffled about with his arms drumming on his legs.
“Harry Potter…” Draco started to read, and Harry felt his heart race at Draco’s voice which seemed to be filled with fond amusement. “ Well known as the Boy Who Lived,” Draco was going to read the whole thing?! Harry wanted to be absorbed by his plush seat. To sink under the train and escape back to Hogwarts following the tracks.
“... Harry Potter is the only known person to survive the killing curse twice. Once at the age of one, and again at seventeen during his defeat of he who must not be named. During his time as a student, he faced You Know Who on multiple occasions, as well as a basilisk, acromantula, a werewolf, became a triwizard champion, formed the organization known as Dumbledore's Army, broke into the ministry of Magic, as well as Gringotts in London. Harry Potter is a natural born flier and was the youngest seeker in a century at Hogwarts school. He enjoys treacle tart and a hand knit sweater.”
Draco smirked.
“Well… they sure nailed down the sweater thing.”
“They’re warm. And I told Molly you’d be with me for the holidays so expect to get one as well.”
Draco looked baffled. “Surely not.”
“Why Malfoy?” Ron perked up. “Fear it might clash with your sense of fashion.”
Draco sneered. “I am not foolish enough to think that someone would go through the effort of making something for…. Me. Considering.”
“Well deal with it.” Ron said with a mouth full of Chocolate. “My mom’s got a heart of gold, and she loves taking in strays. That's how we got Harry.”
Harry nodded.
“Harry saved the wizarding world.. Twice at least.” Draco said pointing to the card. “No one would have turned him away.”
“Yeah, but he was a scrawny git for so long, you wouldn’t have thought he had saved anything.”
Harry kicked Ron in the shin.
“Some friend you are.”
“The best. I taught ya all you needed to know about our world.”
Hermioney nudged him in the side harshly.
“That's not in a book.” Ron finished. “It's besides the point. She knows you were just a scrawny git doing what your father wanted. We had Percy anyway. She’s a pro at forgiveness.”
Draco suddenly looked awkward. Looking back down at the card. Harry sunk a peak at his portrait who seemed a bit more confident and nodded at Ron’s words.
Harry couldn’t help but think the weasels deserved their own card. Especially Molly. Maybe he could talk to that wizard again, that had done his interview.
When they arrived in London, Draco kept close to Harry. They followed Ron, Genny and Hermione till they spotted Molly who couldn’t seem to wait to see them. She rushed over, peppering each of them with kisses and giving them all a big hug. When she got to Draco she calmed down a bit, but offered him a warm smile, opening her arms as an offer.
Draco looked terrified. Harry nudged him and Draco stumbled forward into Mollys warm embrace. It took a moment but Draco finally returned the Hug.
“We’re so glad you two are spending the holidays outside of school. Everyone needs a nice break. We hope to see you at some point, Ron has told us that you have an interest in Muggle things?”
Draco nodded. “Well Aurthur will be extra pleased with that. Just let me know if he gets too excited and starts chatting your ear off. Harry, make sure he eats. He’s too skinny.”
Harry smiled. “Can do. Creature should be back at Grimal place, so he can help me with the cooking.” She gave another kiss on Harry’s forehead, and bustled away with the other three to the main apparition spot.
Harry moved to follow after, but felt a tug at the back of his scarf.
“Can we… do some shopping?”
Harry nodded.
………………………………………………………
Something had lit a fire in Draco like Harry had yet to really see. He seemed excited and determined. He bought all kinds of new stationary, fine paper, gold leaf, brushes, and special glue. Harry had no idea what Draco was planning to make, but Harry secretly worried if this would spoil any future dates- Outings…. Outings, to go stationery shopping. Hopefully Hermiony was right and Japan and a ton of good stationery. Eventually it became difficult to follow Draco around, so he found a spot to lean up against the wall and watch from a distance as a blond head bobbed between isles. Draco had two full bags of things when he finally approached Harry, and still requested to keep shopping.
Harry felt a bit like a pack mule. Or a thestral. He followed Draco around as he moved from shop to shop, having stumbled across a bunch of different craft stores. Harry couldn’t really tell most of what he was buying but he did spy some knitting needles and yarn. It was already getting dark when they had arrived in London, by the time they started heading home shops had started to shut their doors and turn off their lights, making the London streets even darker.
“I just remembered. Creature will be here, I don’t think you’ve met him.”
“Who?”
“My house Elf. He’s… well he’s a bit much. He was abandoned for a while. I ask him to work in the kitchens at Hogwarts with the other elfs most of the year so someone can keep an eye on him.”
“Dobby was a bit much. I’m sure I will be fine.” Draco said. And that was true enough, but Dobby and Creature were like night and day.
They entered quickly. Harry was already used to the much warmer entry, but he still smiled. It really felt like he was coming home. A feeling he wasn’t used to outside of returning to Hogwarts. Draco was really good at this decoration thing.
“Mm… we should change these light futures.” Draco mumbled, and Harry ducked down moving their bags in to hide his gitty grin. It felt so domestic.
“Creature!” Harry called out. A quick POP and the old House Elf stood before them. Looking as miserable as ever. Then he laid his eyes on Draco and seemed frozen.
“Creature, we have company for the holidays, Could you clean up one of the guest bedrooms and move these bags up there.” Harry gestured towards the pile of bought items.
“Pureblood.. Once again in the house of black.” Creature muttered.
Ah jeez. “Creature. Now, please.”
Creature snapped to attention. And Harry thought he could hear bones crack as Creature arranged himself into a low bow.
“It would be an Honor to serve master Draco in this house of Black. Please forgive Creature the mess. Creature was not expecting such company as nice as this.”
“How do you know me?” Draco said in a strong ton, though he looked like he was going to throw up.
“Creature has seen your face for many a years.”
“Creature!” Harry raised his voice a little. Hermioney wouldn’t be happy and it did pain him to do it but the house elf seemed to really only respond to a specific treatment. “Ready a room for our guest! And bring up his things. NOW.”
Creature bowed to both of them and then with a pop disappeared again.
“Does something smell like burning to you?” Draco said, sniffing the air. Harry groaned.
He stomped through the hall to the kitchen, Draco following behind, where the two spotted something black and boiling over on the stove.
“He tried cooking again.” Harry groaned.
……………………………………..
Thankfully, Draco was adept at many cleaning spells, and soon Harry had started work on dinner. Just a simple pasta, Draco seemed fascinated as Harry cooked the muggle way, not peeling or cutting with magic but a rather nice set of kitchen knives he kept locked away. The two kept up a pleasant conversation while Harry worked, Draco assisting when he could or cleaning up after Harry as he went along. The meal was nice, Harry had even found a nice bottle of elderflower wine.
Creature had tried to pry it away as it was apparently a vintage from the Black collection, but once Draco expressed interest, the old house elf’s tone shifted and he fetched glasses and opened the bottle with a snap of his fingers.
“To bed, Creature.”
“Yes Master Potter.” Creature mumbled but kept watching Draco.
“Sorry about him. Harry said, taking a sip of his wine to hopefully quell the headache.
“It’s of no concern. Though… this is the first time I’ve seen a house elf act like that.”
Harry hummed in agreement.
“So, how does he know me?”
Harry nearly choked. How creepy would it be to tell your now crush that before you fancied him you were having him followed by two equally insane house elfs. Then thankfully he remembered the Drawing room.
“You’re on the wall here. Black family tree, in the drawing room.”
Draco looked mildly shocked.
“That is odd. Well… not odd given this is the house of Black. But odd given its new owner.”
“I think the whole house is against me as an owner. Sirius left it to me, but it’s meant to be passed down through the actual family. I barely count.”
Draco hummed. “So why keep it?”
Harry shrugged. He wasn’t too sure himself. Just that it had been something left to him by Sirius. It was almost his home away from Hogwarts. For a few moments, without having ever been here, he had thought this would be his home.
Now that it was his home, maybe he wanted to honor his younger wishes.
“So, should I ask what all you bought today or am I meant to be left in suspense.”
“I think I shall keep it to myself and see how long it takes for you to nose in like always.”
……………..
Draco took over the drawing room. Harry helped at first, moving most of the odd furniture or unneeded objects up to the adduct. Draco brought some things over from his own home it seemed, mostly desks or tables, and spent any hours Harry spent cleaning up in the drawing room crafting away.
It allowed Harry to sneak off and do his Christmas shopping. First he took care of the decorations, Hagrid had offered one of the smaller spruces and Harry was able to levitate it slightly, hold it and apparate to his doorstep from the Hogwarts grown. It was shorter than any Hogwarts tree, but it was wide, and happily filled the spot near the out of tune grand piano and fireplace.
The tinsel he had bought looked overly shiny, and before he could make a choice about removing it, Draco had vanished it and handed Harry a bowl of popcorn. They threaded popcorn and cranberries making a traditional garland.
“You’re oddly good at these things.” Draco said, having had to hand his needle and string over to Harry to thread again.
“What things?”
“Cooking, sewing, cleaning…”
Harry handed the needle and thread over so Draco could start stringing on his popcorn.
“I got some practice in my youth.” Harry answered simply. He wanted Draco to be open to asking questions but sometimes getting into someone else's personal business was harder than dealing with your own. So Harry left the comment open ended. Draco, clever as ever, stilled for a moment, obviously guessing why Harry had practice, and began stringing his popcorn again.
“Any ornaments besides these or some fairy lights?” Draco asked, changing the subject.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to start glass blowing.” Harry Chuckled.
“Hardly. I might… have some. At the Manor. I think… Maybe Teddy would enjoy them.”
Harry looked up and Draco was beet red.
“Yeah, sure. That sounds perfect.”
……..
Harry did his best to put on a blasé face as they neared the gates of Malfoy manor. Draco, with the tap of his wand, dispelled the tall iron gates into smoke. Harry could get a sense that the hedges were less their previous perfect shape, and while it was expected that the gardens wouldn’t survive winter, they seemed overgrown. Full of dry overgrowth with some black rotted plants.
Draco didn’t bat an eye. He moved forward swiftly like the gravel path was burning his every step, willing him to move quickly. Harry followed. The large oak doors swung open on their own as Draco approached and in their creaking Harry thought he could hear the very house itself welcoming its master home.
Draco had explained why they couldn’t just apparate in. The house had been warded so that anyone apparition in or out would get splinched unless they were a blood relative. And he explained it was rude to zoom on ahead and force Harry to take the long way. Harry didn’t ask when that ward had been set, already guessing just silently followed Draco through the main Hall which he had seen, past a sitting room that looked as if it was designed by the same person who decorated the slytherin common room, past dusty kitchen and up a winding staircase.
Draco paused, his hand hesitating on the railing.
“Mother has a nice set, they chime along to any Christmas song they hear in harmony. Been in my family for ages.”
Harry was fine with anything, but he could sense a “but” in Draco’s voice, and decided to help him along.
“Those would be fine.”
“But…” There it is. Draco turned to look at Harry, a little red. “The set I had been thinking of before… it's different. Not nearly as grand.”
“Not grand is fine Draco. Choose whichever you like.”
Draco nodded, and they continued down a hall lined with, what Harry suddenly noticed, were empty portraits. The wall to their right would gap at points, filled in with a banister that offered a view to that main hall. Harry could imagen decorating this home would be a labor but would look as extravagant as Hogwarts itself. The main hall could fit a larger tree, and to be able to view it from above…
“Come on.” Draco softly motioned, Harry realised he had stopped, looking down at the hall, Draco looked uncomfortable. Oh… Oh last time Harry had been here…
“Sorry, just wondering how big a tree you could fit in there.”
Draco smirked. “Too large. Father always requested the best. And left it up to the house elves to decorate the massive thing. I-” Draco stepped into a room that Harry recognized as Draco’s own. “I always wanted to decorate it myself.”
Draco’s room was like a neat and orderly version of what his room had been at Privet Drive. Walls had framed photos, news clippings, and slytherin banners. Dracos Nimbus 2001 was placed on the wall like a trophy. Harry noticed there were a few broken things, some picture frames, some torn objects. He could see Draco destroying them while upset and in the biggest move of self control, ignored them. He saw a bright spot of red on the walls, a quidditch team. One he didn’t recognise. A quick glance and he saw they were a Japanese team from an area called Kansai? He couldn’t read much more so he examined the players. They seemed to notice this and each struck a sort of pose. The keeper crossing his arms, the beaters swinging their clubs like baseball players, the chasers tossing a quaffle around in a triangle pattern, then the seeker. He looked… well a bit familiar. He looked a bit like Harry. If Harry was asian with darker eyes and lighter skin. He had wild dark hair and round spectacles.
“Hinotori.” Draco said, walking over with a box he seemed to have fished out of his closet. “Fire bird. Or as we know…”
“Phoenix.”
“I know, it's not very sporting to watch other leagues. I favored the Falcons growing up, they were my fathers favorite, and they’re not very good these days. I wanted to find another team to support without disappointing my father.. Well, disappointing him more.”
“They any good?”
Draco smiled. “Fantastic. They fly quite gracefully, and the beaters are quite precise. That's them. Nakamura Yuki and Nemumizu Toko. They’re probably the best in the world. They’re the stars on their team. But the seeker is good too. Kaminari Hiro. Ironic.”
“What is?”
“Nothing… I’ve heard it's a stage name anyway. I’ve never been to a proper game but they usually get recruited for the world cup and Mother got me tickets once to watch their game.”
Noted. Actually.. That worked out really well, they could get stationary and maybe visit Draco’s favorite team. How much pull did he have in Japan he wondered. And would it be too obvious that he was trying to win Draco over. He had used his savior status to introduce Ron to the cannons. He could just play it off as a perk of being his friend.
“Got what you need?” Harry asked, looking at the box. Draco nodded.
“I told my mother when I was little how I wanted to help decorate the tree. She let me try but I broke one of the ornaments, the family heirloom. Father got so angry. The ornament could be fixed but the magic… It was too old. Mother tried to tell me it was okay but-”
“I get it. I remember tripping over Dudleys massive pile of gifts and knocking into the tree, breaking one of my aunts favorites. They actually gave me coal that year.”
“Coal?”
“That's the tradition right? Father Christmas, if you're good you get gifts and if you're bad you get coal.”
Draco looked absolutely baffled, before shaking his head.
“I have questions. Later. Anyway, Mother would get me a small tree of my own each year and include a new decoration with my gifts.” Draco shook the box. “She made sure they were more durable and fun. I think Teddy will agree.”
“Definitely.” Harry flashed Draco a wide grin. It was all he could do to stop himself from squeezing the other grown man. He was so CUTE. How had this wanna be dark wizard prat turned into the most adorable grown man Harry had ever met. Not just in looks. Here he was, sharing his childhood ornaments with Harry in the house where only a few years prior, Harry had been brought here as a prisoner.
“Anything else you need?” Harry asked, “While we’re here?”
Draco thought for a moment. He moved off to another room leaving Harry behind, Harry took a seat on Draco’s bed. Gosh it was soft, and under the light smell of Dust was the smell of Draco. Something Harry always struggled to pinpoint. Something masculine, probably from his hair product or cologne. But also a scent of warm tea and pine.
Harry flopped back on the bed. A cloud of dust surrounded him causing him to cough. How weird would it be if he just took a little sniff of Draco’s pillow. Weird? Definitely weird. Instead he took out his wand and cast small lights to float about in the dust cloud.
“Harry.” Draco said from the doorway. “Let's go.”
Harry pushed himself up on his elbows. Draco wasn’t looking at him. Was he upset? Harry found himself following Draco out the way they came. As they reached the gates, Draco waved his wand and the iron bars fell back into place.
“I was thinking, perhaps we could visit my mother.”
“Now?”
“Or closer to the holidays. Saint Mugos might be more busy however. I just figured we could get it out of th-”
“Let's go. We can ask if she would be up to visit for Christmas. Maybe the healers would let her? I know they let Lockhart out for a book signing.”
Draco nodded and held out his arm. Harry took it and with a turn they were pulled through the rip in reality as Draco had put it, and arrived on a busy London street.
………………………….
Harry did his best to hang back, he was able to disguise himself, he gave himself a similar stock of blond hair, longer to hide his scar, and took off his glasses. He had to follow Draco quite closely, as he couldn’t see. Why couldn’t they just heal his eyes. Magic was dumb sometimes.
Arriving at spell damage, Harry allowed for some more distance so Draco could have the moment to himself. He put his glasses back on, noticing the lack of nurses. Lockheart was asleep, a blessing. And Nevel was no wear in sight. Though he noticed a familiar woman approaching him.
“James” She said, before holding out her hand for Harry, he opened his hand and a lemon drop wrapper dropped in his palm. She had done the same thing.. With her son. But she had called him James. Even though his hair was blond and his eyes were the wrong color. He thanked Mrs. Longbottom and watched as she scuttled back over to her bed. He kept the wrapper.
“Mother.” Draco’s voice caught his attention. “I thought.. Maybe… with you here.” Draco was sitting at his mothers bedside.
Narsissa Malfoy looked very little like the woman Harry had known. She had a soft expression, and looked tired. But the biggest change had to be her hair, no longer black with a hint of graying, but more silver with hints of black. Stress, Harry’s mind supplied. She had no makeup, making her features look smaller, but he could see her son's features there, the pointed chin and nose, the shape of the eyes.
She was stroking his arm as he struggled to talk before pulling an envelope out of his pocket.
It was a bride shade of green, with a gold seal. Draco tapped it with his wand and instead of opening like a normal letter, it began to twist and fold itself until it was an intricate paper christmas tree. The gold wax seal had turned into a glowing star and there were even slots for decorations to hang. He then moved to his own box, reaching in and grabbing a smaller white box. Handing it to his mother.
Harry drew in close and watched as Narsissa took the box delicately and opened it. She gave a hum, a few notes of a tune Harry didn’t know, and the contents of the box glowed and chimed back.
“Clever boy. You fixed it.” She said, smiling at Draco, stroking his cheek. Draco leaned into the touch, his own hand wrapping around his mothers. Harry said nothing, letting Draco let out a few quiet tears.
After he seemed to calm down, he turned to Harry and nodded. Harry pulled the curtain around them.
“A new friend. Have you gotten over-” Draco shushed his mother, Harry could see the tips of Draco’s ears going red.
“Mrs. Malfoy,” Harry spoke, removing his disguised features. He had been worried she would jump with fright but she simply smiled.
“Harry, please, call me Narsissa.”
“Right.. Uh.. Narsissa. I am hosting Christmas, at Grimal Place. Your sister, Andromeda, will be there. And Teddy. Your.. nephew? Your nesses son.”
Her smile did not fade but she also did not respond and Harry was worried if she had understood him.
“Draco will be there as well… Of course. He has been staying with me at Grimal Place, he’s quite a skilled decorator.”
“That... he has always been.” Narsissa agreed.
“Yeah…” The air felt awkward. And Harry found himself wanting to fidget with something. But he was trying to seem collected and presentable.
“Am I.. to hope.” Narsissa started “That if I were to reject this invitation, would you invite me again?”
“Of course.” Harry answered at once.
She smiled even more warmly. “You are too kind. I am sorry. I am still unwell. I would not want to ruin such happy times. But, perhaps next year, or whenever you host next. If you would be so kind to invite me again, I would be sure to attend.”
Harry bowed slightly. It felt the right thing to do. “No offence taken, please rest. I hope to see you well in the future.”
Harry looked at Draco who looked sad, yet smiled at Harry.
“A moment, Draco. If you would. Sorry to dismiss you so quickly Harry, I would like a word with my son.”
“Of course.” Harry, unsure what to do, bowed again and moved back towards the exit of spell damage. He added his features again. Blond longer hair. He kept his glasses. He thought about heading up to the cafe to get some tea for Draco and himself before they headed back to Grimal place. But he didn’t want Draco to think he was just left behind. And it was a good choice, because a few minutes later Draco nearly burst from the room, cheeks aflaime. He looked over at Harry and his color increased.
“You ok-”
“Fine!”
“I mean we are at a hospital… we can-”
“I said I’M FINE.”
………………………………………..
Draco was a fantastic decorator. The tree now shone with twinkling lights of different colors, a red train moved like a flying serpent, puffing out steam. A set of black robed quidditch players flew on miniature brooms and tossed around what looked like an Origami crane. Many of the more stationary ornaments were of famous landmarks that would twinkle. A few seemed silly, a miniature potions set, with a bubbling cauldron. Quills set on paper quilling letters to father christmas. Tiny christmas boxes that when poked would show a small gift inside. Some looked more ornate, but made of paper with swirling patterns, one looked like holly, another mistletoe, they sifted when touched, spinning gently.
Harry’s favorite had to be the topper. At the top, a glowing dragon egg. It looked like a smaller one than his clue during the triwizard tournament.
“It hatches on Christmas morning.” Draco explained, Harry had been tapping at it with his wand. “And blows bubbles at someone if they complain or at kids if they ask.”
“It's wonderful.” Harry said, his gaze moving to marvel at the tiny quidditch players, They were faceless and wooden. But one that was holding a small gold ball had been drawn on, a little lightning scar. It was on the wrong side, perhaps a small Draco thought of the famous Harry potter before even meeting.
“After my first year at hogwarts… I stopped asking for ornaments, stopped decorating.” Draco let out a sigh. “This… this feels right.”
“Teddy will love it. I love it.” Harry smiled warmly and Draco smiled back.
……………………
Harry ignored the flames around his head and the ache in his knees as he looked into the very mugglish home of the granger family. Hermiony had the fireplace connected to the network for emergencies after restoring her family's memory, and this felt enough like an emergency.
“He’s rich. Literally. What do I get a guy who can buy himself anything he wants?” Harry asked Hermione who sat near the fire, Crew, a kitten brought home by Crooshakes before their passing, nuzzled in Hermionie’s lap.
“A snog.” Ron Answered before Hermionie could respond. Ron sat down next to the fire, a gingerbread man with its head already bit off, being chewed by his ever hungry friend. Harry glared at him, and Hermionie smacked him.
“I’m serious!” Ron argued. “That or a full shag.”
Harry let his head drop, a soft thud hitting the log in the fireplace. Hermionie huffed.
“Harry, honestly? I’m not sure he’s expecting anything. You’ve given him so much. You got him out of the castle.” Hermionie explained. Crew stepped out of her lap and wandered over to Ron and started batting at his cookie. Thankfully this cat seemed to like Ron much more.
“As soon as he was let out of the ministry after his trial, he headed to Hogwarts to join the rebuilding efforts. As far as I heard, he never left as far as Hogsmeade until you took him shopping in London. You introduced him to muggle things, got his mind off the war. He even looks healthier, like he’s eating and sleeping better. If anything he will probably get you something.”
“But that's the point. I still want to get him something. How rubbish will it look if he’s gotten me something and I look like I couldn’t have been bothered.”
“Snog him!” Ron said, dangling his gingerbread man, letting Crew bat at it. “Just grab him by those bony cheeks and-”
“Ron! You’re not helping.” Hermionie sighed. Resting her hand in her head. Harry waited for her to continue with hopefully a very clever gift.
“So?"
Hermione groaned and then looked at Harry with an apologetic smile. “Ask permission first?”
Useless. The lot of them.
Harry had finally got his chance when Draco went for another visit to his mother. Apparently her condition after the war had been fairly poor, but seeing Draco again, the paper tree, it had brought her back a bit, and Draco didn’t want to lose that.
That was the only thing Draco probably wanted that he couldn’t by. His mother back, their mistakes forgotten. And those things were not exactly within his control. The idea of offering a snog..
Okay. The snog itself sounded nice but what if he got rejected. How awkward would that be. ‘Sorry I didn’t get you anything, here’s a smooch.’ He wouldn’t put it past Draco to punch him.
He was pulled out of his thoughts as he heard a phone ringing. It was a sound he rarely heard, but honestly, wizards should really start using them. How much faster would it be than sending owls every time.
He moved over to an old rotary phone he had set up in the entryway, and Answered.
“Phoenix tears mend the body.” Harry started out. A code he had set up and explained to those who had his number.
The adult, yet slightly dull voice of his cousin replied with the code's answer, stuttering. “Pho nix- But phoenix song… mends the.. Soul?”
“Hello Dudley.” Harry answered warmly. And he heard a sigh of relief. “Got my letter?”
“Yeah, with the correct amount of stamps and all.” Dudley chuckled. “You’re in luck, we were planning on spending Christmas by ourselves. But me and Mary been so busy with work we haven’t even gotten a tree.”
“Brilliant. I’ll have to come and get you both. One at a time. Side along apparition. It’s… a bit unpleasant, but it might be easier than hooking up your fireplace.”
“R-right. Should we uh… bring anything? Mary’s quite good in the kitchen.”
“Whatever you’d like. Just ring me here when you’re ready. Oh, and tack up that number somewhere you won't forget, whenever I change the passcode the answer should appear on your paper.”
“Harry, can I ask?”
“Again? Sure.” Harry chuckled a bit thinking of Dumbledore. It was the kinda joke he would have made.
“Right. Umm. This code thing? Are you still in danger? Is that why you need it?”
“Oh no. Not real danger anyway. My number got out a few months back, and because I don’t respond to wizard posts I get some calls from reporters or other weirdos who want me to advertise something or our government asking for advice. They can mimic people’s voices easily enough so this is just a way I weed through the oddballs.”
Dudley let out a sigh of relief.
“Okay, we’ll see you soon then.”
……………………………………………….
This had to be one of the strangest Christmas days that Harry had had yet. The shocking lack of Weasleys for one thing, and the presents of Dudley for another.
Andromeda arrived first with an over excited Teddy in her arms. His hair and eyes shifted to resemble Harry’s own as Harry lifted him up into his arms and blew a few raspberries on his cheeks.
Draco approached Andromeda tentatively, before his Aunt wrapped him in a hug and peppering his face with kisses. Draco’s blotching red complexion at embarrassment mixed with the lipstick marks and before he could gather himself, Harry handed off Teddy who took on the features of his grandmother and copied her with much more slow sloppy kisses to the cheeks.
Harry removed Teddy from the now statue of Draco Malfoy and let Teddy down and over to the tree. More gifts had appeared as soon as they showed up, but the tree was already quite full at the bottom. As Teddy approached, the dragon at the top turned and snorted bubbles at Teddy who fell back on his butt in a fit of giggles.
Andromeda remarked on the decor, praising Draco for his taste, before noticing the out of tune piano and with her own wand, fixing it right up so it looked glowing and new.
“If you decided to lighten it to match Draco,” Andromeda explained. “Be sure to protect the inside and the keys. The brass could take it but it might stain.”
Draco nodded, his tongue seeming to have vanished temporarily.
When the phone rang and Harry moved to go collect his cousin, Draco seemed to panic and grabbed Harry by the wrist. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes darted to his Aunt and her grandson.
“You’ll be fine. Back in two seconds.”
Draco let go, and after hanging up the call with Dudley preparing to go fetch him, he could hear Draco offering refreshments.
………………….
Dudley in his house was weird. Thankfully, Dudley seemed to share the sentiment. Though he greeted Teddy warmly until Teddy shifted to look like Harry again and Dudley nearly dropped the toddler in shock.
Mary was a delight. Tall, taller than Harry, with beautiful long blond hair that she wove into a side braid. She looked to be wearing a female dress robe, which was more or less a long dress with a short cape at the shoulders.
“I borrowed it from my cousin’s wife.”
“Dudley mentioned you had a cousin, do you know where they went to school?”
“Germany. Tolle Geheimnisse. That’s about all I know.”
“Fair. Apparently magic schools aren't big on sharing.”
Mary laughed at that. It was a sweet giggle that made her face scrunch up.
The pair of them both introduced themselves, and complemented the decorations. Harry kept gesturing to Draco whenever something specific was brought up, which earned him a shove. Mary was most taken by the piano, and with a bit of wine and some prodding, played some soft jazzy versions of more modern Christmas songs. Harry didn’t know all of the words, he remembered hearing some growning up, but never dared to sing them. Mary managed to get a few viruses out of him.
“You have a fantastic singing voice, Harry.” Mary praised. And Harry had to count that as a first.
“Well, that's something to add to the chocolate frog card.”
“Presents Harry!” Teddy pulled at his pant leg “PRESENTS!”
Harry held up his hands in surrender and allowed the little one to drag him towards a chair near the tree.
…………………
Teddy insisted on being Santa, and squished up his face, shifting his hair to a bright red tipped with white, and a full silver beard. Harry barked out a laugh because it was honestly brilliant. Teddy looked like a little gnome scuttling around, picking up gifts, trying to read the tag before asking Harry to read them and then running off full speed towards that person.
Dudley and Mary brought Harry a rather expensive wine, given Draco’s reaction. And a Manchester United kit for Teddy. It really completed the Santa look, though the shirt was so long on Teddy it looked more like a dress. He managed not to trip on it somehow, an awkward grace that his mother had lacked.
Harry had returned the favor with a nice dress for Mary that Draco had picked out, and some fun items from honey dukes and a set of magic cards from Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. The deck was meant to replicate muggle magic tricks, and had a list of examples on the pack, though you could come up with your own, you just had to practice it to get the cards to understand what you wanted.
He had gotten Andromeda a booking for a three day spa trip in the south of France. Along with a joke coupon to watch Teddy for her so she could relax.
Teddy was gifted his first broom by Harry, Andromeda had been reluctant to get him one as early as Harry had gotten. And with some protective spells, Teddy forgot all about his gift giving duties and proceeded to zoom around the halls of the house. It only rose about a foot off the ground but Teddy found a way to scale the Christmas tree and was met with a face full of bubbles before he tumbled, shocking Dudley and Mary, and bounced away as if he was made of rubber.
“Christ, good thing you weren’t like that as a kid, mum and dad would have died of heart attacks.” Dudley said, clutching his chest, watching Teddy scramble up and get his broom.
“Wasn’t I?” Harry smiled in a joking way, before hissing softly at him. Dudley looked confused before what Harry expected was the memory of a very long ago birthday, dawning on him. Dudley laughed.
Harry received his usual gifts, a new jumper from Molly, this one with an oddly styled collar that Draco said made him look a bit less frumpy. Rock cakes from Hagrid. A box of ginger newts from Headmistress Mcgonagle. A muggle pickup line book from Ron that Harry had to stash before Draco noticed, and weirdly, a book on astronomy from Hermione. He also got a notice from Kingsley that they were going to be screening his gifts from admirers into the new year, nothing new there, though he’d have to send something over to the department that had been checking his mail all season.
Teddy stopped playing long enough to give him a hand made card. Andromeda offered a black family recipe book; she had highlighted his godfather's favorites.
Harry was relieved when he didn’t get anything from Draco, but also a bit disappointed. He knew he hadn’t found anything to give Draco and now was even debating on the kiss. He was saved the embarrassment of no return gift, but a little put out that Draco hadn’t gotten him anything. Not that he needed or wanting anything. He was just… curious.
Draco had received his first Molly sweeter, it was a fine green with a shimmering D knitted into it. Draco put it on without prompting. He also got a book called “chess for dummies” from Ron, and an Abbot brand stationary case from Hermionie that was color tabbed for different types of stationary. Andromeda had given Draco a photo album that Draco only glanced at briefly before shutting it and kissing his Aunt awkwardly on the cheek, and his own hand made card from Teddy, which he stored away in the photo album.
Draco had gotten Dudley a rather smart jacket and a matching bag for Mary’s dress. For his Aunt, a fine antique comb meant to be worn in an updo style. It was gold and decorated with honeybees that fluttered their wings every so often. He refused to tell Harry what he had gotten Hermioney and the other Weasleys, and made sure to save his gift for Teddy for the very last.
Draco had Teddy stand in the middle of the room, and open a small white box. It opened with a pop and out puffed smoke which created a little cloud at the ceiling. The dragon at the top of the tree, blew bubbles at the offending cloud, but it didn’t shift. And as Harry watched the swirling clouds, something started to drop.
Snow.
Andromeda let out a soft gasp.
Draco knelt down beside Teddy and stuck out his tongue, letting one catch. Teddy, taking on Draco’s blond hair and gray eyes, copied. And his eyes grew with joy before he started running around trying to catch every snowflake.
When Teddy missed them, they didn’t quite land on the floor, but as if caught by a small strong wind, flew back up into the cloud to fall again.
Harry, curious, stuck out his tongue. It was… sweet.
"Sugar snow.” Draco said, smiling at him. “Mother taught me how to make it. It's a simple joy, but not easy magic.”
“She taught you before me.” Andromeda laughed. “We used to always beg for sugar snow from our mother.” Andromeda caught Teddy and lifted him up, they both stuck out their tongues and caught some of the snow.
“Weird…” Dudley said, but he was grinning, and Mary was too.
It was a really great Christmas.
……………………………..
With presents opened and Christmas dinner eaten, Harry saw Dudley and Mary home before seeing Andromeda and a sleeping Teddy off, he was still clutching his broom.
And suddenly the house was too quiet. The fire crackled. The golden dragon snored at the top of the tree. And it was just Harry and Draco.
“Thank you.” Draco said suddenly into the silence. “For inviting me.”
“Anytime.” Harry answered simply. He watched Malfoy who was staring at the fireplace with a soft smile. He looked so happy, Harry didn’t want to spoil it. But something in him burned, egged him on.
“About your gift…”
“Oh honestly Harry, I don’t need one. You’ve given me enough. This was… perfect.” He turned his smile towards Harry and Harry’s heart felt like it was pounding so hard it was trying to escape his chest all together.
“I figured you’d say that.” Harry said, his voice quieter and more breathy than he had intended but it seemed to catch Draco’s attention. “And besides, what do you get the guy who has everything?” Harry moved in closer.
“I don’t have everything.” Draco smirked. Following Harry, moving in. Harry could see the fire reflected in Draco’s eyes.
“Well, no. But… feel free to punch me at any time.”
Draco looked baffled for a moment as Harry placed his hand on Draco’s cheek. He made his actions deliberate. No room for confusion. This was confirmed as Draco’s eyes grew wide, then slowly closed.
Harry got in close, he could feel Draco’s breath puffing against his own lips. Harry angled his head and pulled Draco in.