DISCLAIMER: I wish but I do not own any part of the HP world, all belongs to one Ms JK Rowling.
A/N Adding another chapter this week for a good reason :]. Today at the age of 24 I started a course at my local college.
Harry fastened his cloak tighter as the crisp December wind blew through him, he decided to be up for first light to finish his last minute Christmas shopping.
He had already bought for Sirius, Narcissa, Draco and Hermione. He only needed to pick up a parcel, Lucius's present, of which he had commissioned something special for him, which only left Astoria. Heading to Madaam Malkins, Harry walked in.
"Hello dear, what can I get for you?" The rather plump woman with rimmed glasses asked.
"Hello, I wanted to see your new season of women's winter gloves please."
"Ah, for someone special? No worries, come right this way then Mr Malfoy."
Harry nodded and followed the elderly lady. Looking in the display cabinet, Harry spotted a pair right away.
"Ahh this pair? They are made from real Angora Wool and have been magically dyed so the colour will not run when she wears them."
"Fantastic. Do you happen to have a scarf that may match these also?" Harry knew it would be a long shot but it was worth asking.
"Actually, I may have seen something in today's shipping. If you hang on for a few more moments I shall check."
Harry nodded and watched the plump lady leave the store. Astoria hadn't yet spoke to him about her family life and how her family treat her, he presumed she would have had presents at Christmas, but he rarely did, Harry wanted to make this Christmas the best ever.
"Here we are." Madaam Malkins called, shaking Harry from his deep thought.
"They will do nicely, Thank you." Harry pulled out the correct amount of Galleons and placed the pouch on the desk as the presents were wrapped up.
Leaving the store, Harry decided to have one last look in the Jewellers, hoping something shiny may catch his eye.
"Good Morning Mr Malfoy, What has you out so early this close to Christmas?" The man behind the till greeted him.
"Hello, I am looking for something sparkly for my Fiance, she is not too keen on any Gem or Stone been too big."
"As I remember, you purchased Miss Greengrass's Engagement Ring here, we do have a necklace and earring set that will match just nicely." The elderly man reached out from under the counter to show Harry.
"Please have them Gift wrapped for me. I will take these, and those two 'His & Hers' matching brooches please."
Harry waited patiently until his gifts were ready, placing the correct amount of Galleons on the counter and headed out. On his way to the Apparition point, Harry picked up two bunches of Red roses and headed back to the Manor.
"Harry, Why didn't you say, you were leaving so early?" Narcissa called to him.
Smiling, Harry was still getting used to the fact somebody cared, he hung his scarf and coat up, sent the presents to his room.
"Mother, I have these for you." Harry had felt rather nervous now, Handing the roses to her.
"Oh Harry, they are beautiful... Thank you." Narcissa replied, giving him a rather tight hug.
Harry watched as she smelt the rose scent and placed them on a table with a Vase already with water in. Harry bowed slightly to her as he left the room. Heading to Astoria's room, Harry smiled, remembering how sweet she has looked that morning as he had left a note on her bedside table. Lucius and Narcissa agreed they could sleep in the same room but under no circumstance where they have sexual relations before Marriage. Harry and Astoria happily agreed, knowing full well it was a promise they could keep, plus, Draco was pretty certain the wards on the bedrooms didn't allow un-married sex, something to wanting to keep out any Bastards turning up.
"Tori, I brought you these from Hogsmeade."
"Harry you are extremely thoughtful, Thank you." Astoria took the flowers and put them in a vase, kissing Harry on the Cheek and hugging him."Did you manage to finish everything in Hogsmeade today?"
"Thankfully yes, and more."
"Oh good, Hermione is coming by soon to help me study for this training I have to attend in Leeds."
"Hermione is a fantastic study partner, she will have everything colour coded and arranged before long for you." Harry chuckled.
As if on time, Hermione knocked and walked in, Harry took this as his cue to leave.
"Draco, Did Blaise OWL yet?" Harry called into his brothers room.
"Actually he did this morning, he was complying evidence Luna, of all people, apparently she knows somethings, he was with Lovegood instead of attending our Yule ball." Draco rolled his eyes at this.
"What business does Blaise have with Luna?"
"I don't know, he is coming over this evening to talk to Father, he MAY then be able to share the information, I am not what about this information is true. Severus no doubt already knows."
Harry nodded in agreement, throwing himself into a chair opposite Draco.
"Chess?"
Draco smiled. "You read my mind."
After two games of chess and well into their third game. The two young men Heard Cissa yelling at Lucius.
"This can't be good." Draco gulped at his brother.
The two men walked out onto the landing for a listening, but as soon as they walked out, Severus used a spell to bind them back into their room.
"ARGHH, I knew Severus would be here somewhere."
"Draco, is this about the news Zabini is supposed to have heard?"
" I think so, Although I am not sure why it has Mother yelling like this. Send a patronus to Hermione, see if she knows of anything."
Harry did as he was told, awaiting a response the two finished their game of chess.
"Harry, we do not know much more than you." Astoria spoke as the two women entered the room. "Severus came up and told us we had to stay with you."
Harry looked at Draco, this definitely was not good news. Within minutes of their fiances entering their room, Harry saw flashes of lights out on the lawn.
"Someone has breached the wards." Draco gulped at Harry, they had both seen the capes and Masks, this attack was definitely planned.
"Ha... Harry..What if they get through?" Astoria spoke rather nervously.
"Do not worry, Lucius and Severus had put extra wards onto this room." Draco Smirked. "What? They didn't want to have their only heir killed by some follower."
By now the four couldn't tell who was who in the fight, it had last well over an hour before no lights were shown.
"We have to go see if Father, Mother, Severus and Sirius are OK." Harry rushed to the door trying to open it.
"No use Harry, The house opens the door when it is ready, Old magic to secure the living Heir, Father can unlock it, If he is alive." Draco gulped at the last part.
"So we just wait some more?" Hermione asked feeling useless.
Draco nodded looking at his feet, Panic struck him. The door opened and stood their was a woman with Pink Hair.
"Hello Draco."
"Tonks, What are you doing here?"
"Once your Mother was sent to my Mother's house, I floo'd over, I wasn't going to miss a good duel. Thanks to your friend Zabini, your Father and Severus already knew."
"Why wasn't I allowed to duel?"
"That's were it was complected, your Mother only agreed to go to my Mothers on the pretense the house envoked its bonding upon your room. Your Father was not happy and wanted you to experience a real duel. Personally I am glad he didn't allow you."
"My Father, is he Ok? Is anybody dead?" Draco ran to the door.
"Draco wait." Tonks called running after him.
As Draco ran downstairs, he saw his father laid on the floor, blood splattered everywhere and half his leg cut off. Sirius spotted Draco and stood in front of him, grabbing him into a hug to keep him from falling.
"Draco, Draco, He isn't Dead, Look at me... HE... IS NOT DEAD." Sirius looked into his cousins eyes.
"He... He's not?" Draco whimpered back.
"No, he isn't, Your Father was badly attacked, we do not yet know how the managed to get through the wards and the Aurors have arrested several of them tonight, Severus is doing all he can to heel him. You trust Severus don't you"?
Draco only nodded and watched as Severus's wand wave around his Father's body, he could see his chest rising but only just.
"Come on Draco, come back to your room, I have some of Ogden's finest with me." Sirius looped an arm around his shoulders an guided him to his room.
