The Gift of History

A persistent banging on Harry's bedroom window dragged his exhausted form from sleep. He had spent a restless night, rethinking the letter of consent he had sent to Malfoy and Zabini. While he still studied the missive they'd sent him, relishing the feelings of being wanted, he was unsure about it. He didn't want to be made fool of, and he spent the night worrying that they were just going to humiliate him once they all returned to Hogwarts for their seventh year. He finally fell into an exhausted and fitful sleep, dreams of blonds and dark Italians chasing him through shadowed tunnels. Silver eyes, chocolate eyes, peering at him through the darkness.

He slowly crawled out of bed and to the window, looking at the owl outside it. It was the same owl that had delivered the letter yesterday, and he opened the window to let it in. It had a small parcel attached to its leg, and as soon as Harry had retrieved it, the owl flew back out the window and away. Must not need a reply this time, he thought wryly. He looked at the small package, wondering what it was. He knew who it was from, and wasn't sure if he really wanted to know what it was. Sighing, he pulled at the string around the package, and it started to enlarge. Once it was finished, Harry found himself looking at a very large old photo album. It was in the fashion of muggle photo albums in that it was rectangular in shape, with thick leather covers. The front cover had silverplate that read Photographs and the pages looked like yellowed parchment, with scalloped edges. He sat on his bed and flipped the cover open, gasping in stunned surprise.

The first page was a written dedication, with two different styles of handwriting. Harry recognized Blaise's handwriting from the letter, and he guessed the other writing was from Draco. He settled himself against the headboard and started reading.

Dearest Harry

We decided that this would be a fitting and perfect first courtship gift for you. We know how much you miss your parents, and how much your family and friends mean to you, so we scoured everywhere we could, annoyed anyone we could to find the selection of both wizarding and muggle pictures you will find in this book. That creepy Creevey kid had a great many pictures, and would only part with those he'd had duplicates of. Please enjoy it, and know that we are honest and true in our intentions to court you.

Warmest Regards,

Blaise

Scarhead

I know that you are afraid to trust me. I understand that. We have a great deal of hostile history to overcome. But I hope that you will give me the chance to prove that I no longer think of you that way. As an enemy, a combatant, a rival. I think of you as a man full of courage, conviction, and undying loyalty. My gratitude for what you did for my family is only a small part of what I truly feel for you, and I hope that you will give me the opportunity to prove to you how much you really do mean to me.

Ferret Face

Harry chuckled at the use of the nicknames that they gave each other in school, remembering all of the verbal battles that had somehow degenerated into physical confrontations. Still smiling, he turned to the first page. It was covered with wizarding photos of himself as a baby, flying around on a toy broom, legs scurrying after him as he cruised just above the floor; eating his first piece of birthday cake, covered with frosting and laughing, his mother and father grinning at the camera as they tried to keep baby Harry from smearing them with the frosting-covered hands; baby Harry, sitting on Padfoot's back, while Lupin held him steady, Harry jumping up and down trying to get the dog to move already; Sirius tossing Harry into the air, the baby's mouth wide open in screams of delight, his eyes impossibly huge and round. Tears coursed down grown Harry's cheeks as he looked at these wonderful memories.

He gently turned the pages and saw himself in muggle photos: class pictures, where he was one in a crowd, easily spotted because of the round glasses and permanently mussed hair; field trip pictures, where he would be off by himself, the perennial outcast, shunned by the other kids because his cousin said so; and small pictures taken by teachers who actually loved him, his sweet shy nature endearing him to much of the teaching staff. These pictures showed him smiling as he read books or colored, eyes animated and sparkling as the teachers would challenge him.

The next pages were full of pictures of him at Hogwarts: flying on a broom for the first time, chasing Draco as he held the Remembrall away before finally catching it; eating in the Great Hall; making potions in Potions class, and becoming frustrated as Snape snarled at him; working his first charm in Charms class and the look of joy when he was successful; the look of shock on his face as his Transfiguration teacher appeared from the cat on the desk; and many, many pictures of him all over the school, during all his years there, surrounded by Hermione and Ron.

Toward the back of the album were pictures of Draco and Blaise. Of them hanging out, sometimes kissing. There was love and joy on their faces, and in some of the pictures, it almost looked as if they were looking at him, beckoning him to join them. He stroked his fingers across these animated faces, smiling as they laughed and waved, or winked. His desire for this connectedness grew in him as he looked at these pictures, a joyousness beating in his heart.

The very last pages were filled with both muggle and wizarding pictures. The muggle ones were of Lily and Petunia in school; on the playground; in the park; at Christmas, gathered around the tree. The wizarding ones were of James flying on his first broom as a small child, the devilish grin on his face; birthday parties; Christmas parties. More wizarding photos were of Lily and James at Hogwarts. Some featured Lily with Severus, their friendship undeniable and the love that Snape felt for her glittering in deep obsidian eyes. Some featured James with Sirius, Remus and Peter, the Marauders together and raising hell. Harry frowned briefly at the sight of the traitorous rat, a small, vindictive part of him viciously glad that the bastard had died by his own silver hand. And some were of Lily and James together: some showed her revulsion for James and his attitudes and pranks against the more awkward students; some showed her love for the man who would eventually be his father. The photos were dated, and names were listed, as well as a short caption, describing the action in the picture. Some of the writing was Blaise's and some Draco's. They had each taken turns lovingly noting relevant information about every picture, so Harry could have a more accurate family history. They had given him his family and friends.

Tears of gratitude spilled down Harry's face as he marveled at the extent to which Draco and Blaise had gone to secure the pictures in the book. Harry gently closed the book and went to his desk, pulling out parchment, a quill and ink. Dipping the quill into the ink, he stroked the feather against his lips as he thought about what he wanted to say.

Draco, Blaise:

Thank you so much for the wonderful gift. It means the world to me that you both went to such extraordinary lengths to secure something that would be most precious to me: a family history. I am astounded at the care you both took to make this a truly special and valued gift. I am eagerly anticipating getting to know the both of you better. If nothing else, we can come out of this as great friends. I am hoping for more, but one never knows.

Harry

He took the letter to the attic, where Sirius' owlery was located. He attached the letter to an owl and sent it off to the Zabini Manor. He then trudged down the stairs to the library, where he looked up information on the wizarding courting rituals. The information found was illuminating. According to tradition, the person(s) courting was required to send a courting gift weekly. If the person(s) being courted is interested in continuing the courtship, then he or she may send a reciprocal gift to the courting person(s). The gift sent must be personal and meaningful to the person(s) doing the courting. Harry looked across the library, a thoughtful frown creasing his forehead. What could I send them that would have meaning? They both have wealth and can get whatever they want. Harry's face immediately brightened. He knew what he'd give Draco. It would be something that would be meaningful to the Slytherin that tied in with their shared past. He grinned as he thought of the look on the blond's face when he opened it. Blaise would be a little more difficult.

Harry wandered through the Black House, looking at random things, pondering the imponderable. Thinking about what he could give Blaise. He passed a door that he'd never entered (there were so many of them), and curiosity grabbed hold of him. He slowly pushed the door open and saw display cases all over the walls. There were all sorts of jewelry in the cases, each meticulously labeled with date, previous owner, and method of procurement. Harry wandered through the room, looking at the different rings, lockets, pendants, brooches, and other assorted pieces of jewelry, when his eyes alit on a signet ring. The label stated it was the Zabini coat-of-arms, taken from Ehno Zabini as payment for a debt. With shaking hands, Harry opened the case and removed the ring. He felt the flare of protective magic encased in the ring, and thought it would be the perfect thing to send to Blaise. A piece of his family history. Harry took the ring down to the library, where he gently cleaned and polished it until it practically glowed.

Two days later, after the receipt of the letter from Harry, another owl came to the Zabini Manor. This one carried two packages, attached to each claw. The bird flew into Blaise's room through the French doors on the terrace outside his bedroom and landed on his desk. Draco looked up at the owl, a puzzled frown creasing his forehead. He approached the bird; they weren't expecting anything from anyone, it wasn't time for the Hogwarts letters yet. He gently removed the packages, and the bird flew away.

"Hey Blaise? Are you expecting anything?" Blaise came into the bedroom and looked at the packages.

"No. What is it?"

"Well, they're packages, and there's one for each of us."

"You open yours first." Draco carefully undid the twine, and the package enlarged as it opened. The paper parted, and out fell an invisibility cloak, with a letter attached.

Draco

This is my reciprocal gift to you. It is the invisibility cloak I used throughout my years at Hogwarts. It was my father's, and was given to me my first Christmas at the school. I thought it would be a fitting gift for you, as I used it to follow you all over Hogwarts. I also used it on some of my adventures, and thought you'd enjoy a piece of our shared history.

I know that giving you a piece of my family's legacy is unexpected; believe me, I thought long and hard about it. Though the cloak was my father's, the photos and memories you've given me of them more than make up for my gift to you. Besides, giving you this precious memento is my very optimistic way of saying that I desperately want this to work out.

Harry

Draco stared at the cloak, stunned. He knew it was one of the Deathly Hallows, and a rare gift indeed. He flushed with pleasure at the thoughtfulness of the gift. Blaise grinned, and opened his. It enlarged only slightly, and the ring fell out of the paper with a clatter, the note fluttering to the desk.

Blaise

I found this in my house, while wandering. Apparently, it belonged to a distant relative of yours, and was given to a distant Black as payment for a debt. I felt it would be best if returned to its rightful owner. It is your family crest and a piece of your family history. It is full of magic, and would be particularly responsive to a Zabini. I hope this is acceptable to you.

I know that my history with you is nearly non-existent. I hope that this will change in the coming months, and am looking forward to getting to know you a whole lot better.

Harry

Blaise slid the ring on his middle finger, and he felt the magic flare around him. The protective magic in the ring responded to his magical core, and he felt a sense of family and home and history in the ring. He smiled; Harry had responded perfectly to their overtures, and now they could start the courting in earnest. Blaise felt the spike of excitement in his gut. He looked at Draco, and saw the same excitement echoed in the blond's silver eyes.