Disclaimer: I regret to say that everything about Harry Potter belongs to the talented author JK Rowling. There are some original characters and they belong to me: they include Shawn and Pixie as a couple and a mention of Yumiko and Chris, two OCs from the first story. All general story notes as mentioned in the first chapter apply to the story. Other miscellaneous OCs for this story include Luka Craydon well as the main characters' and the OCs' kids. The song 'Your Love Is The Greatest Gift Of All' is sung by the beautiful Michelle Wright and played by the wonderful Jim Brickman.
Warning and Story note for this chapter: lots of Draco/Harry love (and the slight yaoi kind :D) in this chapter and the general flashback of their wedding in this chapter is taken from the second story 'A Blessed Union', which contains an M-rated bonus chapter of their wedding night if you are interested :D
2/6/2013: Hehehe this chapter certainly needs a (Special Bookmark) because of the...ahem...Draco and Harry loving that's going on. That took longer than I thought. I have rewritten some areas in this chapter, especially their honeymoon and thought this was much better :) Now I can see how much better shape this story is taking on and I feel so rejuvenated after each chapter rewritten and reedited :) read on, my dears!
Unforgettable Memories
Chapter Four: A Wintry Wedding and Honeymoon
Rating: T to borderline M
Draco felt the morning sunshine raining on his face and sighed at the warmth. He squinted against the bright lights when he opened his eyes. He sat up in bed and stretched himself while running his hand through his long blonde hair. The former Slytherin diverted his attention to his husband next to him. The younger man was still asleep. He smiled in adoration at the peaceful sight. Harry was currently laying contently on his stomach and his arms were splayed by his sides, looking as if he was flying. A lazy smile grazed his lips and his dark hair was messed up. Draco laid on his side and supported himself with one elbow to admire his husband for a prolonged moment before deciding to wake him. Running his hand through the tousled locks, the taller man bent down to capture the sweet lips for a kiss. Harry hummed in his throat and softly kissed back. His green eyes slowly opened and he smiled at the sight of his dragon wrapped by a heavenly aura caused by the sunlight shining from behind him. Harry slowly rolled onto his back with each brush of the pale lips against his.
"Morning, lion," Draco pulled back before he moved to suck on his beloved's neck.
"Hmmm...morning to you too, dragon..." Harry stretched under Draco and kissed Draco's head. He shivered when the sucking ceased and a kiss was bestowed on his jaw, "That felt really good..."
"Hmmmppph...I want to ravage you into the sheets on this lovely morning," Draco smirked in satisfaction at the bruising hickey present on the tanned skin.
"Well? What's stopping you? It's not like I'm refusing your advances..."
"Because I have more potion experiments to do and a final batch of lesson plans to finalize. On top of that, Severus wants a fresh batch of moly flowers from my greenhouse and he gets cranky if I delay my delivery..."
Harry sighed in slight disappointment but his husband had a point: he had a lot of work to do. He leaned up to kiss Draco before fully sitting up to get off the bed. After retrieving his glasses, he set to tidy up the bed. As he straightened the sheets and the blankets and fluffed up the pillows, he felt Draco embracing him from behind.
"However...I am very tempted for us to share a hot shower together. We can save water that way..." Draco gripped Harry's slender hips and teased his fingers down past the hem of his trousers and underwear to stroke his hip-bones, "And I miss touching you like this and it's been a quite a while since that fiasco with our son in the drawing room."
The former Gryffindor swallowed the drool building up in his mouth when he felt tingly where the pale fingers skated across his hips...they were one of many sensitive spots...usually Harry would shower first before Draco because he had to start cooking breakfast for his family and his husband was notorious for hogging the bathroom for a very long period of time in the mornings. Then after breakfast, Charles would leave the house via Floo to Hogsmeade while he would start on his house chores and work in the back garden later while Draco worked, experimented and prepared for his classes for the new school year.
If Draco was inviting him to share a shower, it promised a satiating session of loving intimacy...and it had been a long while since they done it. He recalled the so-called fiasco Draco mentioned. What started out as a simple back massage for Harry in the living room turned into a full blown kissing session. When the moment turned heated, they stumbled into the drawing room, thinking they would have the privacy they needed to release more than just muscle tension and mental strain. However, in that moment of amorous passion, they had completely forgotten to put up a silencing charm as their usual precaution. So when Charles came to look for them after he was finished for the day, he followed the strange sounds to the drawing room and received quite an eyeful, causing the poor boy to be mentally scarred by what he saw and both men being awkward around their son around dinnertime. That was about a month ago and it was a lesson learned after Charles begged them to keep their business strictly in their bedroom. Harry could now laugh at the embarrassing moment now.
"What do you say, my beloved?" Draco inquired, "Charlie can look after himself..."
Harry's eyes sparkled with growing lust as he reached up to kiss his fair spouse.
"Why don't we have a bath instead, dragon? Isn't that the better method to save water and to accommodate the both of us?"
Draco's grin was saucy, "Now why didn't I think of that?"
Meanwhile, downstairs in the kitchen, Charles was drinking Earl Grey tea and eating buttered toast. His dad usually would be up by then to make breakfast before he departed to Hogsmeade. But since Harry didn't come down the stairs on the usual time, Charles decided not to wait any longer and fixed his own breakfast. After he was finished, he placed his plate and teacup into the sink and made his way to the fireplace. Just he was about to leave, he heard some thumping noises upstairs...and it came from his fathers' bedroom. Charles shook his head, now realizing why they didn't come down...oh well...at least they kept their business there as it should be AND put up a decent silencing charm at least...he didn't need to hear what they would be doing in there. Taking a pinch of Floo powder from the canister on the mantelpiece, he called out his destination and disappeared in green flames the moment the powder was sprinkled onto the embers.
Draco sighed with satisfaction as he penned the last sentence on the pile of parchments before him. After FINALLY getting out the bedroom to eat a light lunch with his husband, he had finished the last of the lesson plans he needed for the new school year after hours of writing. He felt very accomplished today. He did manage to owl off Severus's delivery of moly flowers on time and his potions experiments went better than expected in his private laboratory located in the basement. So that meant that he could spend more time with his family and he wanted to make it up to them, especially Harry, for putting up with him being cooped up with his work for so long.
He placed the albino peacock feather quill back in its stand and closed the ink bottle. His desk was currently littered with opened potion books and school textbooks, various scrolls and letters from Severus and friends and various trinkets such as paperweights and miniature statues decorated the surface.
Closing the books and piling them up neatly to place them back onto his gigantic bookshelf later, he strolled away from his desk to the bay window that was looking out to their back garden. Draco sat down on the seat to watch Harry watering the roses and the lilies in their plots, stopping every now and then to sniff and caress the soft blossoms. Then as Harry turned to water the plots close to his study window, the smaller man smiled at him and mouthed 'Love you' before he continued working and having small chat to the villagers passing by. Draco returned the gesture...Harry's smiles were so peaceful and loving. Then he turned his attention to the sparkling band decorating his husband's left ring finger. It still looked glorious as the blue diamonds sparkled in the afternoon sunshine.
As Draco turned away to look at his own ring resting on his finger, he recollected the day he and Harry had finally tied the knot...
Draco walked as steadily as he could down the aisle with best men, Chris and Blaise, flanking him. He could feel intense stares raining on his back but he ignored it in favour of listening to the music playing from the piano. When they finally approached the altar, he briefly made eye contact with his mentor and godfather, Severus who nodded in encouragement with the smallest of smiles on his stoic face. He looked at Blaise who clasped his shoulder and then at Chris who grinned back. The priest gave Draco a compassionate look and his smile was gentle on his wise face.
"Are you ready, Mr. Malfoy?" the priest asked kindly.
"As ready as I'll ever be..."
Just then, a harsh silence fell over the crowd and a shortened rendition of 'Clair de Lune' began to play sweetly in the background in enchanting echoes. Draco felt his breath catch in his chest at the sight of his husband-to-be being escorted by Sirius and his best men, Ron and Neville beside him.
The former Slytherin had never seen Harry more captivating than this moment, especially with his new rimless glasses. He couldn't convince Harry to get his eyesight permanently corrected so they came to a compromise that he should wear fashionable eyewear at least. His black ruffled hair looked so soft and silky despite its messiness and his fine fringe effectively covered the fading scar on his forehead. His golden skin exuded a healthy glow which rivaled the soft candlelight. He had also somewhat caught up to Draco's height although he was still a few centimeters shorter. Harry was currently dressed in midnight black robes in identical fashion to Draco. The only difference was the colour of the silk linings: Draco was in a pearly grey silver whereas Harry was in deep emerald green; both colours brought out the shine in their eyes.
As the small group approached the altar, Sirius glanced warningly at Draco as he allowed the younger man to take his lover's hand from him. Draco nodded back at the Animagus in return, fully acknowledging his hidden message: 'Take good care of my godson or else'. Satisfied with the reaction, Sirius took his place beside Remus. As Draco brought his lover beside him, Neville and Ron moved closer to Harry.
"You're so beautiful, my beloved," Draco whispered to Harry as they stood before the priest.
Harry looked away with a slight blush and a smile graced his lips, "Not as beautiful as you, dragon..."
The other four men rolled their eyes at the tender scene but the smiles were present on their faces. The priest opened the Bible and took out his wand. He tapped onto the hard wood to silence the emerging murmurs. Clearing his throat, he proceeded with the ceremony.
"Ladies and gentlemen...boys and girls...we have gathered here today to witness and bless the union of these two young men who have passed the trials and tribulations before them...in turn forming a love against impossible odds. I am deeply honoured for presiding the ceremony and to remind all of us that during the darkest times we have faced, we have fought to treasure the most precious element in our hearts that is called love. Here stand two courageous souls bringing a new beginning and a bright future. They are to be brought together by God's will. May they speak their vows before the presence of us and God. The rings, Mr. Malfoy? Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco didn't hear the priest addressing him for he was mesmerised by his lover's beautiful bespectacled green eyes. He was eventually brought back to reality when Chris nudged him. Seeing his cue, the former Slytherin took the intricately designed platinum ring from Blaise's outstretched palm and squeezed Harry's left hand. Then he carefully slipped it on his ring finger and recited his vow.
"I give this to you, my beloved, a symbol of my undying love for you. When I was lost, I found myself in you. Harry, you're my savior and my life is not complete without you. I love you for all eternity."
When Draco finished his vow, he found Harry's eyes brimming with tears and his smile watery. Draco reached out and tenderly stroked his cheeks, wiping the crystal drops away. The priest then gestured to Harry to make his vow. The former Gryffindor took the other identical ring from Ron who looked like he was about to bawl. He cupped Draco's left hand into his and placed the ring onto his ring finger.
"I always have deep feelings for you, Draco and I cannot bear to lose you. I pledge with my heart and soul to love you forever. Please accept this as a token of my love for you."
Draco found himself smiling through his tears. It was now Harry's turn to wipe his tears away as they stared into each other's eyes.
After a while, the two young men eventually faced the priest who was ready with his wand.
"I shall now perform the Soul Bind Enchantment to bring these two souls together in eternity," the priest announced.
He wove his wand gracefully and began to chant. A shower of blue and silver sparkles emerged from the tip of his wand before they solidified to form a silvery blue ribbon that looked like it was made of silk. It flowed through the air, surrounding the couple before it shrank and broke magically in half. The ribbons then dove into their rings, making them glow in a soft gold aura before dissipating. There were silvery blue diamonds embedded on the platinum bands, making them look more beautiful than ever.
Draco then reached out and took Harry's hand tenderly and ran his thumb over his knuckles.
"I pronounced you married. Let us witness their first kiss as bounded souls...as spouses..."
Draco drew Harry close to him and cupped the back of his dark head. Harry reached up to stroke his beloved's neck. They both closed their eyes, tilted their heads and their lips finally met in a loving kiss. Draco traced his fingers along the curves of Harry's cheek while Harry fully wrapped his arms around his neck. They heard the thunderous cheers around them but all they cared was this euphoric sensation shared in the kiss...they were finally married.
The two men eventually pulled back to face the crowd with content smiles and their hands linked.
"Ladies and Gentleman...I present you the newly-weds: the Malfoy-Potters. May God Bless You."
The Hall broke out in a much louder applause with hoots, whoops, cheers and yells. They made out their friends and family among the crowd. Draco turned to Harry.
"Shall we, my lion?"
Harry nodded and squeezed his husband's hand holding his, "Yes, let's go, my dragon."
They walked down the aisle together, their hands never letting go and sporting bright smiles on their faces...
The lights are dimmed softly and soft music floated through the air. The dimming candles gathered near the now levitating disco ball, casting its colourful lights throughout the large room. The Weasley twins gestured to the newly-wed couple.
"To end this event, the hottest couple will share their first dance together to the song they have chosen to commemorate this night. Other couples are welcome to join in."
Draco and Harry rose from their table and made their way to the center of the dance floor that was now occupied by several couples. Draco smiled and kissed the back of his husband's hand. Linking his arms around Harry's waist, the former Slytherin pulled the smaller man close. Harry tenderly smiled back as he wound his arms around his husband's neck, resting his dark head on his shoulder and his fingers brushing his silken ponytail. The soft music of their chosen song strummed through the air, amplified by the speakers. Pixie's recorded voice beautifully resonated in the large room...
"It's not the flowers wrapped in fancy paper...
It's not the ring I wear around my finger...
There's nothing in all the world I need...
When I have you here beside me...here beside me..."
Draco buried his nose against the fine strands falling against Harry's scarred forehead, inhaling the minty scent that always seemed to linger deliciously around him. He had never felt this complete and whole in his entire life...hardly believing that he was finally married to the man he loved since their reconciliation in their sixth year. He held his husband closer and savoured the feel of his body molding against his as they slow-danced to the song.
"In your arms, I found a strength inside of me...
And in your eyes, there's a light to guide me...
I would be lost without you...
And all that my heart could ever want has come true..."
Harry felt a bit nervous dancing with his new spouse in public. But his anxiety faded upon feeling Draco's arms tightening around him in assurance. He felt his heart brim with indescribable serenity and happiness. As he looked up to the taller man, their eyes met just as Draco clasped his left hand in his. The rings sparkled beautifully in unison under the soft lights.
"You could offer me the sun...the moon...
But I would still believe...
You gave me everything when you gave your heart to me..."
"I never imagined that we would actually get married in a ceremony like this...it's all so surreal..." Harry commented.
"You're my everything, Harry..." Draco confessed as he linked their fingers together, making their rings come into contact, "I promise you that I'll make all your wishes and dreams come true."
Harry shook his head and brought their intertwined hands close to his chest, his heart pounding madly at the new level of intimacy in their embrace.
"You already did so much for me...it should be me to make you that promise..." Harry said as he kissed the pale knuckles, "I would do anything to make you happy, Draco."
"But I couldn't ask for more...
''Cause your love is the greatest gift of all..."
"You already did by accepting my proposal, Harry," Draco leaned his forehead against his husband. By then, they were standing still, absorbed in their own warmth of deepening love and affection. The taller man cupped Harry's cheek as if he was caressing spun glass, "But know this, my beloved, I will love and cherish you each and every day. You're never alone, Harry, always remember that..."
Harry felt hot tears filling his bespectacled eyes and he chuckled wetly, "And you will never be alone too, Draco...my dragon. I'm always here for you, no matter what."
Harry leaned up to kiss his husband's cheek as his silvery eyes also brimmed with tears touched by his spouse's words.
The couple continued to hold each other as Pixie's song drew to a close...
"You could give me wings to fly and catch me if I fall...
Or pull the stars down from the sky so I could wish on them all...
But I couldn't ask for more...
'Cause your love is the greatest gift of all..."
"Well, I think it's fitting that you two should give a speech of thanks before your wedding night," Sirius chuckled at the blush still present on his godson's face, "Come now, Harry, surely you and your husband have done it countless times before?"
"This is different..." Harry mumbled as he hid his face against Draco's shoulder.
Draco tried to alleviate his husband's embarrassment by rubbing his shoulders and kissing his forehead. But he couldn't help but feel slightly hot and bothered at the moment. After peeking into the special package the Weasley twins had handed to them, he had sultry thoughts on what he would do to Harry later that night. Fred and George had been very descriptive about their...adult merchandise and they were keen to let them roadtest some of their products for them. He had a very good idea what they were and he couldn't wait to use them on his husband...
But Draco's thoughts were momentarily derailed when Sirius chanted a Sonorus charm to his throat and called out to the rest of the guests.
"Everyone! We would just like to take a minute to hear from our hottest couple before they depart for the night. They have a long flight to Switzerland tomorrow morning so please allow them to say a few words."
Then he looked over to Draco and Harry.
Draco smiled at his husband encouragingly, "You can do the honors, my beloved."
Harry nodded and pressed his wand to his throat and began to speak what he felt in his heart.
"Everyone...I...huh...My husband and I want to thank you all for being here tonight. No amount of words could express...the...this overflowing happiness we feel in our hearts. We feel so blessed that...that many of you guys stuck by us and...this...this whole wedding couldn't have transpired without your love and support...you guys are simply the best..." Harry stuttered nervously but he was happy that his words reached out to his audience, judging by the smiles and happy tears present on their faces. Draco kissed his forehead gently in praise, "I really don't know of anything else to say but...an early Happy Christmas and...we'll see you all in the new year..."
Cheers and cat calls broke out as Draco suddenly shoved the mysterious gift box to Harry, carried him bridal-style and snogged the daylights out of him. When they broke apart, Harry was pleasantly dazed and clung onto the other man tightly.
"And now if you excuse us, my husband and I have our wedding night to enjoy," Draco said as he turned around, carrying his husband out of the room...
Needless to say, they were in for a very long night together...Draco smirked.
Draco's pale elvish face bore a slight blush as he recalled what he did to his husband on their wedding night. That was the most passionate and roughest session of lovemaking they had ever experienced. But this didn't mean that the other seasions after that were no less intense and enjoyable...just like the hot bath and the playful romp among the sheets this morning.
Deciding to distract himself from these naughty thoughts, he surveyed his spacious study as he placed the books away in the large book shelf, a beautiful ornate solid structure filled with novels, ancient volumes, old textbooks and potion ingredient encyclopedias. The room had an elegant yet homey aura with its deep forest green walls matched with an almost mahogany reddish brown carpet covering the entire floor. A glass cabinet stood some distance away from his study door, filled with wizard photos of them together and their son and various souvenirs they purchased during their holidays outside Hogwarts and England. A cuckoo clock hung near the cabinet, which brought a small smile to his face as he thought of another unforgettable memory that was tied with it. The unlit fireplace was fitted with an iron grate and the mantelpiece had several wizard photos of their son as he grew up. A black leather settee set occupied the center of the room with a glass pane table. A large vase filled with lilies and roses sat in the centre of the table proudly. Harry always took care to replenish it with a fresh bouquet of flowers and the simple act never failed to make his heart brim with warmth.
"Draco?"
Draco turned his head towards the opening door, momentarily distracted from his task, at the sound of his name being called from the other side of the slightly ajar door.
"Just push it open, lion, it's not completely closed."
Harry entered the room, pushing the door open with his elbow. He was carrying a tray, which consisted of two teacups, a steaming teapot, a plate of chocolate and vanilla biscuits and a bowl of strawberries drizzled in cream. The shorter man placed the tray on the table.
"Teatime, already?" Draco ran a hand through his long blonde ponytail. Just then, a miniature growl came from the cuckoo clock and both men looked up to see the tiny wooden dragon appearing in its window roaring and breathe tiny sparks four times before disappearing, "How time passes so quickly..."
"You'll like these strawberries. Mrs. Greadger had a bumper harvest and she gave me a small basket to say thank you for fixing her roof the other day."
"Always the altruistic one, my beloved..." Draco smiled as he sat down on the couch and watched his husband pour the steaming English Breakfast tea into the teacups.
The two men sat together on the couch as they sipped tea, fed each other each biscuits and strawberries and made small talk about their day. Harry was beaming when Draco told him of his completion of his lesson plans.
"Let's go for an outing this coming weekend. I want to make it up to you and Charlie for putting me up and my work for so long," Draco promised as he kissed his husband's forehead.
"Sounds great, my dragon."
Draco smiled and pulled Harry close. Then his eyes trailed back to the cuckoo clock sitting on the wall close to the cabinet of trinkets.
It was a beautiful ornament carved with miniature dragon insignias and rose vines. It always fascinated Charles when he was a little boy. He would often stop by his father's study just to wait for the miniature dragon to mark the hour. After all these years, it was still in working condition and it was a precious gift from his husband on that Christmas morning shortly after their wedding...
"Dray?" Draco looked down at Harry leaning against his shoulder, "What are you thinking about?"
"Our honeymoon in Switzerland..."
"Wow...this is so incredible..."
Draco smirked as he took in his husband's look of unbridled awe as they gazed at the beautiful one-floor cabin they rented out for the holidays. They arrived in the snowy country on Christmas Eve morning and it promised to be a fine day, weather-wise. It was located near a large frozen lake in some discreet location in the Alps. They were a walking distance from a nearby local wizarding village and a ski resort of which they both could be reached by Floo powder from the cabin's fireplace.
They set their luggage down as Harry went off to open the back door towards the verandah. The living room had a large fireplace fitted with an iron grate and a canister of Floo powder. A radio stood on its mantelpiece. A large fluffy snow white shag carpet graced the wooden floor and various couches and beanbags grouped around the cosy area. A pile of thick blankets and coverlets occupied a small lone couch. The wooden walls were fitted with pictures of snow-filled landscapes and ivy and pinecone wreaths, filling the room with the sweet scent of cedar and cinnamon. The well-equipped kitchenette and the small but quaint dinette set were located near the doors leading to the verandah, which would be a perfect venue for a romantic meal. It was then Harry popped back into the living room. His cheeks were rosy from the cold outside and his bespectacled green eyes were lit with excitement.
"I take it that it's up to your taste?" Draco asked as the older wizard cupped his husband's cheeks to warm them up.
"Everything and more, my dragon," Harry nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course, I deliver only the best," Draco said smugly.
"So what shall we do first?"
The former Slytherin took out his wand and levitated some of their bags, "We haven't a chance to see our bedroom so let's have a look first."
Harry followed the taller man's lead and levitated the remaining bags. They opened the door to their bedroom. A king sized bed with cream and ivory sheets and duvet was situated against the dark mahogany wall and occupied most of the cosy room. Other pieces of furniture included a small table with a vase of fresh pointsettas, a cabinet, a cupboard and a dresser table equipped with a mirror. They peeked in the bathroom and found a large marble bath equipped a shower head and a shelf filled with various soaps, sponges, loofahs, bath salts and oils.
"They're certainly very generous..." Harry stilled when he felt sensual kisses dancing at the nape of his neck, "D-Dray...w-what..."
"What do you say that after we unpack...we take a hot bath...and then christen our bed to start our holidays as spouses..." Draco kept on kissing the smaller man's neck and nibbled it for good measure, "What do you say, lion? If our timing's right, we can go to the village and explore for a while before dinner and the pub operates on late hours, especially since tomorrow is Christmas..."
Harry swiveled in his husband's embrace.
"Then let's get started, shall we?"
It was mid afternoon when the couple finally departed from the cabin after sharing hot mugs of sweet cocoa and Flooed to the village, having landed in the village's combined town hall and visitor centre.
The village square was cheerful, colorful and busy with the locals setting up the last of the Christmas decorations all over the houses and shops. They explored the open stalls, watching the locals work on their products. They viewed at various souvenirs, played with the local children in a snowball fight and sampled some of the best specialty chocolates they had never tasted before. As both men continued to tour the village's shops, they wanted to give something special for their spouse's Christmas present. So they decided to split up and walk around on their own before meeting at the pub for dinner.
Harry followed a sizeable crowd around a quaint looking building and found himself in a large clock shop. The sight amazed the young man. All of the walls were taken up by clocks of all shapes and sizes, looking like a gallery. There were even little ones that were intended for children and he had to admit they looked very endearing.
Then his bespectacled green eyes were immediately drawn to a clock carved with intricate dragon insignias and delicate rose vines. It was a beautiful piece of art and he immediately thought of Draco as well as his new study that was to be renovated in their new home once they returned after the new year. Upon the hour, he was surprised to see a window pop open and a miniature dragon emerged from it to blow sparks.
"Isn't she a beauty?" Harry turned to see a middle-aged woman beaming at him from her cashier, "That is one of my husband's finest works."
"It is beautiful, ma'am..." Harry complimented, watching the dragon return into the clock, "I'm thinking to get it for my husband's new study."
"That is such a sweet gesture. To treasure the Christmas spirit, I'm willing to bargain for a reasonably cheaper price, sir."
Harry smiled at the shopkeeper.
"Let the bartering begin, ma'am."
After a pleasant exchange, the shopkeeper accepted the payment, quickly showed him how to operate the clock and gift wrapped it in its special container. Harry felt proud of himself as he carried his purchase with care. He was sure his dragon would love the gift. Seeing the sky getting dark, he made his way to the pub, extending his Christmas greetings to the local children and villagers.
Meanwhile Draco went back to the chocolate stall he and Harry went to earlier. He was intending to purchase the chocolates his husband liked after observing his reactions as he ate the free samples. The man who was running the stall directed him to the building the samples originated from. Draco found himself in an old fashioned sweet shop similar to the ones still operating back at home in England. The shop was cosily lit by candle lamps and glass display cases fashioned the space, each filled with a vast variety of chocolates, pastries and sweets. He breathed in the sweet and delicious aroma wafting around him.
"Many of our chocolates and pastries are made freshly daily, sir," Draco turned to see a pretty young woman coming out of the kitchen with a fresh batch of chocolates, "They make great gifts for your loved ones. Our family's been running the business for over five generations."
"Well, they're very delicious, miss. I'd like to buy some chocolates for my husband. He really liked the champagne truffles and the chocolate coated madeleines."
"Then let me help you select our best ones, sir," the girl said helpfully after she finished her task, blushing slightly at the way the pale man was smiling charmingly at her.
Draco ended up getting a small box of the largest and creamiest champagne truffles and a box of freshly baked chocolate coated madeleines. After paying for his purchases and giving a generous tip to the girl for her assistance, Draco made his way to the pub to meet his husband.
While he knew that Harry would love the candies Draco chose for him, he felt that he should give the younger wizard an extra gift to compliment them. As he saw Harry waiting for him patiently at the entrance, he felt his heart warm at the joyous smile directed at him...and he knew just what he could give him after all these years of his unconditional love...
"Hmmm...this is nice, Dray..." Harry pressed his cheek against the cashmere clad chest.
"Indeed..." Draco hummed in agreement as he combed Harry's hair.
After a hearty delicious meal at the pub and listening to Christmas carols late into the night in the snow-filled village, the two men Flooed back into their cabin where they deposited their Christmas presents and shared a short bath together. They changed into fresh warm clothes and settled for a comfortable lounge before the roaring fireplace after turning the radio on to listen to some more Christmas carols and romantic song requests.
Draco admired the way the scarlet glow accentuated Harry's handsome features, making his eyes take on a golden gleam in the emerald green irises. Harry looked up at Draco upon feeling his spouse's intense stare on his face and the beauteous sight of the pale man made him lose his breath. His pale skin took on a warm aura and his silvery eyes looked simply gorgeous in the firelight.
"Merlin, you're so beautiful..." Harry murmured as he cupped the other man's face, "Sometimes I don't even know why I deserve someone as intelligent, wonderful and beautiful as you..."
"Harry...I should be the one who should say those words..." Draco leaned in to kiss his lips...so soft and full. They moved down to sit on the shag carpet before the taller man pushed his husband to lie down on it.
"Dray..." Harry breathed heavily, his cheeks turning rouge. He wrapped his arms around Draco as the older man leaned down to kiss and nibble his collarbone while unbuttoning his shirt, "Feels so good..."
Harry arched his chest as the flaps of the shirt slid away, revealing golden muscles in their perfection. Draco drank in the gasps from his husband and rubbed his cheek on the now-slightly bruised collarbone.
"So lovely under me...I can never get enough of you...I need you..." Draco pulled back and feathered kisses on the other man's cheek, "Don't ask me to stop..."
Harry shook his head reassuringly and helped Draco pull the cashmere top away to reveal pale muscles gleaming warmly in the firelight and pulling his long blonde hair from his ponytail into a sexy mess, "Don't want you to stop. Need you too...need you now..."
Tossing away the top, Draco smiled and took away Harry's glasses. After placing them aside at a safe distance, the taller man leaned down to kiss Harry, intending to show through his actions how much he loved and worshiped the young wizard in his arms...
Draco rasped in rapture as he finally collapsed onto the smaller man's heaving chest, hearing identical gasps echoing above him. Slim arms wrapped around his shoulders and tired lips pressed onto his forehead. The blonde man looked up to find Harry smiling lazily at him...so beautiful...Draco settled in a more comfortable position to spoon his husband close to him as he laid the dark head on his chest.
"D-Draco...love you..."
Draco watched Harry fall asleep in his arms after the tired whispered declaration and his face softened at the sight. Harry had been extra responsive to his ministrations and Draco had relished the passionate litany of moans, groans and whispers escaping from his husband as he played his lithe body like a loving musician with his treasured instrument. Now the former Gryffindor was fast asleep in his circle of arms, exhausted from their lovemaking while Draco was content to observe him a little longer. Harry shivered in his sleep as the former Slytherin ran his hands over his muscled lithe body to finally rest on the small of his back.
"My beautiful lion..." Draco whispered possessively, "All mine..."
Finding his wand among the mess of clothes around the shag carpet, he conjured a cleaning spell over their bodies and levitated the thickest and largest blanket from the pile to cover them both. Harry looked far too peaceful to move properly into the bedroom and besides the shag carpet was really comfortable to sleep on.
"I love you too, Harry..."
Feeling sleepiness finally catching to him, Draco laid back against the carpet and closed his eyes, all the while embracing Harry close to his heart...
Draco felt a gentle kiss pressed on his temple before moving down to capture his lips. The pale wizard smiled in the kiss as he slowly opened his eyes to find Harry already wearing his spectacles and towering over him as he leaned on his elbow to support himself.
"Happy Christmas, Draco," Harry greeted as he returned the smile.
"Happy Christmas to you too, Harry," Draco lightly kissed Harry before he sat up and stretched himself, smirking at the way Harry stared at his slender backside as the blanket pooled around their hips, "Like what you see?"
"A-Anyway..." Harry cleared his throat and retrieved his wand, "I have a present for you."
"Same here too, my lion."
The two wizards Accio-ed their presents from the bedroom. Harry held out his gift.
"Open mine first, Dray..." Harry requested as he pushed the present onto his husband's lap.
Draco carefully unwrapped the shiny silver paper, his eyes gleaming with trepidation at what his husband got for him. He breathed at the beautiful wooden clock nestled in its box when he uncovered the lid. He reverently traced his fingers over the intricate carvings, lovingly stroking the little dragons and the delicate roses. He looked up to his husband whose eyes were glowing with anticipation.
"I thought that it would be a good addition to your new study once we return to Godric's Hollow and I'm pretty good with working it so I can hang it up for you if you like...I thought of you the moment I saw this clock..." Harry admitted, his face turning shy, "You like it?"
Draco responded by pulling his spouse into a heated kiss.
"It's lovely, my lion. Thank you. Here...this is yours," Draco leaned back to place a shopping bag onto Harry's lap. He watched the younger wizard take out the two boxes and chuckled at the mirth shining on his face when he saw the edible contents.
"I love these! I didn't know that you were paying that much attention to how much I love these chocolates."
"Ah, but my lion...those chocolates are not enough to suffice for my present..." the taller wizard pulled Harry close and whispered in his ear. He gripped Harry's hand and placed it on his chest, "I want to give you another gift...I want you to top me again..."
Harry's eyes widened and his face warmed up significantly. Draco usually was the dominant one in their relationship and he was happy to be the recipient of his dragon's ministrations and love...the only time Harry could truly recall to ever top the blonde was when Draco tricked him with the Bertie Botts bean challenge back in their sixth year after their friends returned from Hogsmeade...
"What...why now? I thought we agreed it was a one-off at that time."
"I know I said that but the past is the past. You gave me so much over these years, lion. It's a pity I didn't bring it up sooner. Truth be told, I loved it when your boldness shone through when you topped me back on that one time in our sixth year. I guess it took a very long time for me to admit that I needed to give some control to you when it comes to our activities in bed and...it really turned me on..." Draco explained, looking slightly sheepish, "I'm sorry for making you wait this long, my beloved."
"You really mean it, don't you?"
"Of course I do, git. I wouldn't say it if I didn't truly mean it. And if you meet my high expectations..." Draco licked and nibbled his husband's earlobe teasingly, "I will consider in letting you do it on more frequent basis."
"I won't disappoint you, Dray."
Draco shivered at how Harry's green eyes became dark and intense as they took on an almost predatory gleam.
"Good...and are you going to use your delectable treats on me too? I want a taste too, you know..."
Harry smirked and pushed Draco back against the shag carpet. He opened the truffle box and held out one of the chocolates.
"I shall deliver only the best, my dragon..."
Draco chuckled deeply. Then he was silenced when Harry popped the treat into his mouth and smothered him with a teasing kiss, sharing the chocolate between them. This was the best Christmas morning ever...
"Then you taught me how to ice-skate on the lake...ski down the mountains..." Harry recollected, "Those snowball fights with the local children were a lot of fun."
"Don't forget the snow sculptures and the fireworks that came with the New Year..." Draco added before sighing, "That was the coldest and enjoyable honeymoon we ever had..."
"Hmmmm...and the start of many holidays outside England too..." Harry hummed in agreement, content to bask in his husband's warmth, "And I'm glad to have spent them with you and Charlie, dragon."
"As am I, lion..."
After a while of comfortable silence, the two men fell asleep holding each other, lulled by each other's presence and the tea finally settling in their stomachs...
"Dad? Father?"
There was no answer when Charles called out when he emerged from the fireplace. He had a hard day today at his training and he felt slightly dispirited with what happened. He had acquired more burns on his body and they still ached slightly even though Mrs. Weasley healed them. A talk with one or both fathers would always make things turn out better. He noticed that the living room was divested of the boxes and the albums, trinkets, letters and other memorabilia he had seen before had been sorted in tidy groups on the floor and the large coffee table.
After searching through the house, he concluded that his fathers would be in the study. He peeked through the door and found the two men nestled together on the couch asleep. Charles smiled at the sight. Deciding to give his fathers more privacy, he carefully closed the door behind him and headed back to his room to change and shower. His problems could wait a bit longer and it was a good time to catch up on his reading...
The cloaked figure gritted his teeth as he hid from the various wizards walking in and around the manor. Most of them were clad in priest garb. So much had changed at Malfoy Manor; since when did it become a church?!
"So it has been that long...but no matter...they wouldn't know I was here..."
The stranger slunk in the shadows, his feet carrying him to the farthest regions of the building he was deeply familiar with. Much to his relief, he found the cellar unexplored and untouched when he journeyed downstairs. He felt for a loose brick and pressed it and revealed a passageway. The passageway which would lead to his private quarters which he hoped the enchanted wards hadn't been penetrated.
When he finally reached the end of the tunnel, he found the room left untouched after these many long years...so the wards had done their job well after all, thank his lucky stars. He shook out of his tattered rags and changed into more suitable clothing and took out his black silk cloak and hood. With the stolen wand, he cleaned himself up before checking himself in the mirror...stone-cold silvery eyes stared back at him, his aristocratic face fine with minute wrinkles and his long blonde hair streaked in silver. Then he went to a hidden safe and took out a small pouch filled with silver sickles and gold galleons. He had no idea that his hidden stash would come into use now. Then he directed his sights out of the bay windows overlooking the gardens and for that moment, his stony eyes cracked in softness when he saw the white tombstone and the rose vines.
"Narcissa...I..."
But he had no time to let his heart falter...now that he was finally back, he had to track down the young people responsible for his imprisonment and apparent betrayal. He had to act quickly and it would be a matter of time that his escape would be notified to the Minister who would no doubt send more Aurors after him to bring him back to Azkaban. Knowing that he would never set foot in this manor once again, he burned the rags with an Incendio spell and disenchanted the wards. Then he came from whence he appeared as he pulled the hood over his head...he had no use for this room anymore...but no one would know that the escaped Azkaban convict, Lucius Malfoy had set foot here...
"I will find you and your friends, my son..." his fist clenched around the wand, "And you must be taught a lesson..."
To be continued...