A Christmas to remember

by slowroad

It is twelve years after the war. Draco has worked hard to make a place and a name for himself in wizarding society. He's successful and mostly happy. But he's been alone for the last few years...a fact that is getting harder and harder to deal with, particularly around the holidays. But all of that is about to change. Written for the dracoharry100 Christmas Challenge.

7. Chapter 7

prompt #7: Candles

...

Harry was standing by the counter. He had a smile on his face, but he looked a bit uncertain, like he wasn't sure how Draco would react.

Draco smiled. He knew just how goofy that smile was, but he couldn't help himself. He walked up to the table and took a good look at everything. He picked up one of the candles and his eyebrows rose in surprise.

"How did you know?" he said.

That question might have confused someone else, but Harry understood exactly what Draco was asking.

"How did I know that these are your favourite candles?"

"Yeah..."

"You told me."

"Really? When?"

"Remember that time, two, maybe three years ago, when we'd gone up to Manchester to watch the Arrows play? We came across this little store on the way to the stadium and..."

"I stopped and bought these candles...I can't believe you still remember that," Draco said. He was obviously very surprised.

Harry shrugged. "Well, I do. Along with every other thing that you've ever said to me...your taste in wine, your favourite books, your favourite food, your favourite places to shop...It seems I remember everything that has anything to do with you."

They stared at each other for a couple of minutes after that. Draco's gaze was searching, probing, looking for answers. Harry was relaxed and open, all his feelings written clearly on his face.

"What are you saying?" Draco said finally.

"I did a lot of thinking last night," Harry said as he ran his fingers through his hair. "I realised that I've fancied you for a long time, even though I didn't know it. Maybe that's why it hurt me so much when you suddenly became distant. I missed you...I felt lost. But I was too stupid to know what it meant."

Draco's lips quirked into a half smile. "Of course you were, Potter," he said teasingly. I can't believe you needed me to point out something as obvious as that."

"See. I need you," Harry said, trying to look as wide eyed and innocent as possible.

Draco chuckled. "Of course you do," he said as he walked up to the counter and drew Harry into his arms. He was so very happy. It felt like his heart might burst out of his chest any minute. As for Harry, he felt like he'd finally come home...