Before the boys realised, it was their last day of term and Draco and Harry's family would be heading home for the Christmas period shortly. Harry was extremely excited about being able to spend Christmas with Draco for the first time, as well as having his first Christmas with Ethan and Caitlyn. Furthermore, this would be the first time that Draco would be able to have a great Christmas holiday and Harry was planning on spoiling his mate to everything that he wanted. When the Christmas trees and decorations had arrived at Hogwarts, Draco and Caitlyn had had the same reaction to them. Draco had admitted that he always enjoyed seeing the decorations but he always found it depressing knowing that he would have to travel back to the manor and even the word 'Christmas' would be banned. This year, however, Draco would be able to enjoy himself and he was extremely excited and shared his enthusiasm with Caitlyn who had never seen as many Christmas trees as at Hogwarts. Ethan also thought that the Christmas display was stunning but refused to 'act like a child' and get excited over it all, even though his family knew that he had been counting down the days until Christmas since Halloween.
It had taken a lot of persuasion from Draco and Harry, and even Sirius and Remus to get Severus to agree to come to Harry's home to celebrate Christmas. He only agreed by saying he would come for Christmas dinner and would leave whenever he wanted and no later. Harry could tell that it pleased Draco enormously and that cancelled out his annoyance of his least favourite Professor spending Christmas with him. Although Draco did say that he could return to Hogwarts to see Severus sometime during that holiday if it wasn't OK with Harry's family, the brunette was having none of it, wanting to spend the entire of the Christmas period with Draco even if that meant that the Potions Professor would be joining them on Christmas day.
"'Arry, 'Arry, it's five days till Santa comes!" Caitlyn grinned as soon as he and Draco entered Sirius and Remus' quarters. They had decided that it would be easier to floo home, considering only Harry and Draco would be getting the train and it would be pointlessly for the Lupin-Black's to pick the two teenagers up. "And we get to decorate our tree. You will 'elp right, Dwaco? I get to put the angel on the tree too, daddy said so. Etfan doesn't get too but 'e can do it next year. I told 'im that we can take turns to do it."
"That's sounds amazing Catty," Harry grinned picking the blonde girl up. "You have to be a good girl now until Christmas though don't you? Otherwise Santa might not bring you what you want will he?"
"I've been a really good girl 'Arry. I asked Santa for loads of toys and games and daddy even said I could ask for a camera. It 'as to be a muggle one t'ough cos daddy said I'm too young for a magic one but it'll still be great. And I can take yous photo all the time. W'at you ask for Dwaco?"
"I didn't ask for anything honey. I don't need anything."
"But but but it's C'istmas. You need pwesents."
"Don't worry Caitlyn, I've already talked to Santa for Draco here, he won't be missing out on presents."
"Yay," Caitlyn cheered with a large grinned on her face.
"Harry, I told you I didn't need to ask santa for anything." Draco said glaring at the veela.
"And I told you sweetie that santa gets presents for whoever he wants. Isn't that right Caitlyn?" Harry asked his little sister.
"Yes, you 'ave to get pwesent Dwaco," Caitlyn said before struggling out of Harry's hold to find her dads.
"See, if Caitlyn says you need presents, you get presents."
"I don't want you spoiling me Harry," Draco said quietly before Harry pulled him into his arms holding him tightly against his chest.
"Now you listen to me sweetie. You're my mate and I love you and that means that I want to spoil you. And I know that you would feel uncomfortable if I spoiled you like I wanted to everyday so I'm coming to make the most of it on Christmas day, when I can spoil you can enormous amount, till my heart's content."
"I don't need all that stuff from you though Harry. I don't want you wasting all your money on me, I don't need you to Harry. All I want is to be able to have a Christmas where I can eat a massive roast dinner instead of a cold cheese sandwich and wake up on Christmas morning to a large, decorated Christmas tree and then enjoy sitting by the fire in the evening playing a game or something. There doesn't need to be presents."
"Draco, I know that you've never had a Christmas to celebrate before and I want to be able to give that to you. And I want to make up for all the years that you've had to miss because of your father and replace all the sad memories with happy ones. And in dreams that I've had of Christmas, they all include you having presents to open with a huge grin on your face. It's not a waste of money because I know that you'll appreciate every single one of your presents and that's all that matters to me sweetie. Now we're going to drop this conversation because you will be having presents to open Draco and I know that you'll enjoy it."
"I'll enjoy it without the presents though Harry." Draco muttered under his breath.
"I know that you will sweetie," Harry said tilting Draco's head up to look into his grey eyes. "And that's what makes me want to do it even more. So we are going to have an amazing Christmas and you are going to have equally amazing present's OK sweetie?"
"Yes Harry," Draco reluctantly agreed knowing that there was no way that he would be able to win the argument. With a huge grin on Harry's face he kissed Draco several times before they heard Sirius' booming voice that it was time for them to leave. Smiling, Harry took Draco's hand as they headed towards the rest of Harry's family where he was going to show Draco his home for the first time.
HPDM
Draco didn't know what to expect from Harry's home. He knew that they had money and they could afford a house the size of Malfoy Manor or probably larger but that didn't seem like something that Sirius and Remus would want to buy as a family home. He had thoughts of what the home would look like built up in his mind, like he knew that the garden had a Qudditch pitch and he knew that there were muggle appliances that Draco had never seen before in his life, but when he stepped out of the fireplace and had a tour of the home, with Ethan and Caitlyn explaining everything, it was beyond Draco's imagination.
The house was in the country and Draco was told that the nearest neighbours were muggles and they lived nearly two miles away in the closest village. Fortunately the property was surrounded by tall trees which meant that there wouldn't be any accidental sightings of flying broomsticks from the distance. The garden was delightful. It had been divided into two areas: the first area was neatly mowed and from a certain angle Draco could see a small stream in the distance. It was scattered with various fruit trees including apple, pear and walnut. There was also two large tree houses opposite each other which Caitlyn explained that one was for boys and the other for only for girls, but she would make an exception for Draco because he had blonde hair too. There was also a large climbing frame with a slide and several swings as well as a trampoline which Draco had used as soon as Ethan demonstrated what to do. Harry was positive that Draco would spend plenty of time out in the garden using the muggle contraption. Thankfully Remus had insisted that it had a safety net so Harry wouldn't have to worry about his mate falling off of it in his enthusiasm. There was also a small, winding footpath that led to the bottom of the garden which was where the Quidditch pitch was with it's own broom cupboard and even the goal posts set up. Harry latter explained in bed that it was his first present from Sirius and Remus when he was younger, despite him not having anyone to play with, Sirius thought that it was only right for a small boy to have his own Quidditch pitch. The grass wrapped around the majority of the house until it turned into a gravelled parking area where there was a double garage. Ethan told him how amazing the cars were, one belonged to Remus who refused to let Sirius drive one and the other to Harry as it used to be his dads. Harry vowed that he would take driving lessons during the summer holidays before 7th year so that it would once again be running on a regular basis.
The house was spread out over two floors. Off the entrance hall downstairs was two living rooms with both of them full of character and exposed beams and bricks. One of the living rooms was more formal than the other containing a grand piano but Draco was informed that it was rarely used and only for special occasions. In the informal, slightly larger sitting room was a large central fireplace that Draco had initially come from. Both rooms had flat screen TV's that Harry promised he would teach Draco how to use them during their Christmas holiday. There was a good size kitchen that led out into the dining room and a conservatory. In all of the family rooms, the walls and shelves were covered in photos of the family. Old ones from Sirius and Remus' Hogwarts days, photos of Harry as a baby and him growing up and the newer ones that included Ethan and Caitlyn. Draco loved the homely feel that the house had to it. Off the kitchen was a small utility room. There was also a guest bedroom downstairs that had an ensuite bathroom which was rarely used.
On the first floor there was a bathroom shared by Ethan and Caitlyn that was in between their bedrooms. Caitlyn's bedroom was decorated with muggle posters from the Disney films that she loves so much from the classic princess films to Bambi and the Lion King. There were plenty of cuddly toys scattered around as well. Ethan's on the other hand had plastered his walls with Quidditch posters and had small Quidditch figurines on his shelves as well as several books on Quidditch. Sirius and Remus's room was next to Ethan's which contained its own ensuite and a dressing room while Harry's bedroom was down the opposite end of the hallway. Draco wasn't surprised that one of the walls was Gryffindor red while the other three were plain white. There was a king size bed up against the red wall which was in the middle of the room and a built in wardrobe opposite it. Looking out onto the garden was a huge bay window that took up most of the wall giving Harry a fantastic view on the grounds. On the wall with the door leading into the room was a flat screen TV, much smaller than the one's downstairs though and a sofa facing it. Harry informed Draco that the TV had a built in DVD player there as well, making another promise to have a movie day between Christmas and New Years. There was also another door leading out of the bedroom to an ensuite with a shower.
Draco had never seen a more spectacular home. While the manor was bigger with larger grounds, it was also unfriendly and uninviting while the living space downstairs was desperate for friends and family to fill it and the photos surrounding the house on every wall showed that the house was actually lived in and not there as a display.
Draco always knew that Christmas should be a happy occasion but he had never realised how great the build up to it would be. He always assumed it was the actual day but from choosing the biggest Christmas tree to trying and failing to put tinsel up to even untying the Christmas lights on the tree. Harry explained that half the decorations were his parents, including the lights and as a result they were muggle, something that Draco found fascinating as they flashed without magic. There was no two Christmas tree decoration the same, some were from different countries that the family had travelled to, and others were made of glass while most of them were hand-made from when Harry was younger and recent ones from Ethan and Caitlyn. Heavier decorations hung off the fireplace while Christmas candles scattered the worktops. There was even muggle Christmas tree chocolates hung up on the tree that all six of them just hadto sample. Draco also assisted Harry to put Christmas lights up in the garden including a couple of reindeers that Caitlyn had wanted when they went shopping for the Christmas tree. The house was so sparkly that Draco was amazed by how much muggles could achieve by something called elekrity or whatever Harry said it was.
"What are you thinking about sweetie?" Harry asked taking Draco by surprise as he wrapped his arms round Draco's small waist late on their first night at Harry's home. Ethan and Caitlyn had long since gone to bed and Sirius and Remus were nowhere to be found. No matter how much Harry tried to get Draco to eat, the blonde never seemed to put on any weight, something Harry blamed Lucius for as Draco never received the right nutrients growing up.
"This is just, it's stunning," Draco said as he looked at the angel on the top of the tree that Caitlyn placed there after Sirius had picked her up.
"The tree does look pretty wonderful this year doesn't it?"
"It's not just that," Draco whispered so quietly that Harry barely heard him. After a few seconds of silence Draco turned around in Harry's arms to face him and wrapped his arms around the Veelas neck. "It's everything. It's so…happy. I mean, I know Hogwarts always seemed happy near Christmas but part of me wanted to believe that that was just because it was going to be school holidays. But it's not, it's the whole atmosphere. It's not just the day is it? The build up to it is brilliant too."
"Well you will have this every year from now on sweetie. Everyone is going to be better than the last. Christmas and your birthday will be amazing. Just you wait and see."
"I don't deserve you Harry," Draco said as tears began slowly slipping out of his eyes.
"You deserve so much more. I don't deserve you Draco, you're perfect." Draco managed a small smile before Harry kissed him gently. "Now we are going to have a brilliant Christmas aren't we Draco?" With a small nod, Harry kissed him once more before they headed off to bed for the night.
HPDM
Christmas Eve was something that Draco would never have expected. After the first night when the blonde realised what he had missed out on for the first sixteen years of his life, he finally made up for it. Draco helped Remus and Caitlyn build a ginger bread house as well as gingerbread men cookies for Santa and then chop up the carrots late in the evening for Santa's reindeers. Even though Draco definitely knew Santa did not exist, it was nice to pretend for Caitlyn and Ethan's sake, and half the time he thought that Remus and Harry pretended for Sirius' sake too, who was counting down the minutes until midnight when Santa would be visiting. They cooked chocolate brownies, something that Harry's dad's family did every Christmas eve when James' was younger and they played Pictionary which Remus' had done since he was Caitlyn's age. Draco had obviously never played the game before but he easily got into it. He had been with Sirius and Caitlyn against Harry, Ethan and Remus. It was the first time that Draco realised how competitive the Veela's family actually was.
Late in the evening, the six of them had settled down in the lounge watching a classic Christmas film, White Christmas. Despite the film being extremely old, Draco really enjoyed it, especially the songs in there and wished one day he'd have snow on Christmas day. Sirius quietly told him that it was one of Lily's favourite films of all time and as a result one of Harry's. Every time that a song came on, Harry would be singing the words quietly in Draco's ear so only he could hear and then there was lines that Harry would know and be talking along with the characters in the film.
When it was time for Caitlyn to go to bed and for once Ethan went at the same time with neither of them complaining about having to go to bed early, just asking for Harry to read them a goodnight story. Settled with Draco to Harry's left and Ethan on his right, Caitlyn sat on Draco's lap while the oldest teenager read "Twas The Night Before Christmas". It wasn't one of the first muggle children's book that Draco had read but it was the first poem type story that he had read and Draco was listening just as hard as the two children.
"I think that it's time for you both to go to bed or Santa won't be visiting tonight," Sirius said entering the lounge around 10 that night to find Harry lying down on the sofa with Draco between his legs, his head resting on the Veela's chest and they were talking to each other quietly about everything and anything.
"We're comfy Padfoot," Harry said holding Draco tightly while the blonde giggled.
"But I want Santa to come," Sirius said, reminding the boys of Caitlyn and Ethan.
"Sirius, I hate to break this to you but Santa is imaginary," Harry said with a smile on his face.
"Remy, get your werewolf butt in here and tell your godson to learn to respect his elders, including Santa Claus!"
"Keep your hat on old man," Harry said as both he and Draco got up and headed towards Harry's bedroom.
"Won't they want help with the presents? I know that you wouldn't use Kreacher to do something so important as that." Draco asked as they settled in bed about half an hour later.
"Normally I do but this is your first Christmas so you're going to have the surprise of all the presents under the tree and you're stocking full to the brim." Earlier that day, Draco found out that Harry had had a handmade stocking from his parents for his first Christmas with his name on so Sirius and Remus had decided that Ethan and Caitlyn deserved the same when they came to live with them, it was one of the first things the couple did for the two children. What surprised Draco the most though was when Remus had given Draco his stocking and the blonde clung to the older man thanking him hundreds of times before hanging it up on the fireplace along with Harry, Ethan and Caitlyn's.
"You're perfect Harry," Draco smiled snuggling up against Harry as he closed his eyes. "This Christmas will be perfect, I love you so much."
"I love you too sweetie, go to sleep love," Harry replied as he stroked his mates arm before he too closed his eyes as sleep met him.
HPDM
"'Arry! 'Arry! Dwaco! Dwaco!" Caitlyn high pitch voice squealed which was mixed with Ethan's shouts of "Get your butts out of bed! We wanna see the presents!" at half past six on Christmas day morning.
"What's happening Harry?" Draco whispered as he pulled the duvet over his head attempting to block out the noise of the two ear-splitting children.
"It's Christmas morning sweetie," Harry replied and suddenly Draco shot up grabbing both children with a massive grin on his face.
"Come on Dwaco. Get 'arry out of bed," Caitlyn demanded.
"Dad and Papa said we're not allowed to open the presents before you two get up so hurry up."
"Yeah, come on Harry, the kids want their presents." With that, the four of them found themselves racing down the stairs before admiring all of the presents under the Christmas tree. It didn't take long before Ethan and Caitlyn made a grab for their stockings before yanking everything out. There was a variety of muggle and wizarding candy, small toys, socks, Disney action figures and princesses, Christmas socks and a couple of books in them each.
"Santa did a pretty good job didn't he?" Harry asked Draco with a smile on his face.
"Fantastic," Draco muttered before Caitlyn and Ethan were pulling the two of them towards their own stockings while Sirius and Remus continued to take magical photos of the children.
"I wanna open a pwesent!" Caitlyn demanded when all four of them had opened their stockings.
"Not now, we've got to have breakfast first pumpkin and then you can have one present each before Severus gets here." Remus said guiding the smaller girl to the kitchen along with Ethan.
"Sorry there wasn't really anything grownup in your stocking Draco," Sirius whispered to the boy as they slowly followed. Draco had also received several different sweets, some Christmas socks, a set of hat, scarf and gloves as well as a Disney figure of Prince Charming because Caitlyn was adamant that Harry was his Prince Charming so it was a running joke in the family.
"It was perfect, thank you," Draco grinned before the smell of freshly cooked bacon hit him. While the family had been opening their stocks, Kreacher had made a full English breakfast that was laid out on the table – the bacon was only the beginning. There was fried eggs, scrambled eggs, hash browns, tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, sausages and fried bread. And all of it tasted better than the food that was served at Hogwarts.
"Right we have time for one presents before we have to get dressed. We can't be in our pyjamas when Snape gets here." Sirius said as he got up from the table. "And Iget the first present!" He quickly added before running off to the lounge with Ethan and Caitlyn quickly on his heels.
"I swear to God I married a child," Remus said as he, Draco and Harry gathered the now empty plates and left them on the worktop knowing that Kreacher would do them later that morning.
"You knew what you were getting yourself into when you first met Moony," Harry teased.
"You haven't got your presents yet Harry, I could easily take them away before you open them."
"Not if I beat you to the lounge," Harry grinned running up to Sirius, Caitlyn and Ethan as they tried sort out the present finding one for everyone to have.
"Good luck with that one, still as old as he was when we got him," Remus grinned wrapping his arm around Draco's shoulder.
"It's partly why I love him," Draco admitted quietly. "Cos I missed out on all the childhood things, Harry always wants to overdo it, just like when it snowed, he got just as excited as I did. It doesn't make me feel like a baby."
"Harry does have a knack for that doesn't he?" Remus grinned before both he and Draco sat down on a sofa. Sirius, Caitlyn, Ethan and Harry were all laughing around the tree before the only girl passed Sirius a present.
"It's from me and Ethan," the girl announced with a proud grin on her face. Opening the present up he found a handmade photo frame decorated with hearts and stars with a drawing done by Ethan inside showing a picture of Remus and Sirius in it. Ethan was amazing at drawing and spent ages on his pictures, putting in as much effort as he could. Grinning, the older man hugged the two of them before Ethan passed Remus an almost identically wrapped present. In it was a familiar photo frame that Sirius had received but the hand drawn picture was of Harry, Draco, Caitlyn and Ethan. Harry and Draco seemed to be the only one that noticed but didn't say anything, just giving the man a small smile each.
"My turn," Ethan said picking up a present that was from Harry and Draco. Smiling as he wrapped it, he found a book on all the great Quidditch players of all time and then one on the most famous Quidditch moves. "Awesome!" He grinned hugging both teenagers. "You'll show me how to do them, right Harry?"
"Of course I will little dude!" Harry beamed.
"Why don't you open them Ethan?" Draco suggested. Opening the first cover, Ethan found that they were signed by Victor Krum.
"How did you get this?" Ethan asked shocked.
"Hermione was friends with him, they met a few years back and we sent him an owl asking for an autograph and he said he'd sign the books."
"ME! ME! ME!" Caitlyn squealed as she too took a present from Harry and Draco. This one was the largest one so far and Caitlyn quickly ripped into the brightly coloured wrapping paper and inside was the outfit for her favourite Disney princess, Belle, from Beauty and the Beast with the matching shoes and tiara.
"Can I wear it today?" She pleaded but Sirius and Remus told her she couldn't, for fear that he was spill something down it or it would rip in her excitement.
"Harry, this is for you and Draco," Ethan grinned passing Harry a present who got up to sit next to Draco and pass him the present to open.
"You've got quite a few years of unwrapping to catch up for sweetie," Harry whispered in his ear before Draco carefully unwrapped it, his finger sliding under the selotape so as not to rip the paper. He could tell that Ethan, Caitlyn and even Sirius were desperate for him to rip into it but the blonde haired boy wanted to savour this moment of opening his very first Christmas present. Carefully as if the slightest touch would break it, he pulled out a now familiar decorated frame which contained a picture of Harry and Draco leaning against a tree on the grounds of Hogwarts. Draco struggled to suppress his emotions as he passed the picture to Harry. The Veela was very fast to compliment his brother and sister realising that Draco would need a moment to calm himself. It took a couple of minutes before his mate thanked Ethan and Caitlyn for the most thoughtful gift. With a large grin on her face, Caitlyn flung herself on Draco's lap hugging him tightly.
"Right, there is one present that I do need to give Draco," Harry said standing, still holding the picture in his hand. "I'm afraid that I couldn't wrap it for you though sweetie. But you will have to come with me to get it."
"Wanna come!" Caitlyn said bouncing in Draco's lap.
"Let's give Draco and Harry a moment angel, why don't we go get you dressed?" Sirius suggested picking the blonde up allowing Draco to stand who was suddenly pulled out of the room by the Veela.
"Are you OK sweetie?"
"Yes Harry," Draco answered quickly and Harry realised that he had to wipe his eyes.
"I'd like the truth sweetie, it's not too much for you is it?"
"I just wasn't expecting them to put so much into a present, I know it's ourpresent but, it must have taken them ages."
"I'm not going to say get used to it, but this is how it's going to be for you from now on. Now I'd like you to close your eyes sweetie for your first present from me," Harry said giving him a soft kiss before checking that the blonde's eyes were shut as he opened their bedroom door. "Right, no peaking," Harry said letting go of Draco's hand and walking further into the room once the door was shut. "I'm still here Draco, there's no need to worry." Draco, Harry knew, had a fear of the dark and didn't like being alone. Harry blamed this on when he was locked away by Lucius. "Right, I'd like you to open your eyes now sweetie." There in Harry's arms was a tiny kitten, barely larger than Harry's hand. The fur was several different shades of brown and she had a white patch on the top of her right ear while there were large, green eyes just like Harry's staring up at the blonde. "She's all yours. You said months ago that you always wished you had a pet so that someone would love you unconditionally and you would have someone to look after. Now I know that I will always love you and you look after me but there are times when we are apart, however rare they are and now she will be there in my space for you to watch and think about."
"She's perfect Harry, she's gorgeous. How did you remember?" Draco said as he carefully took the small kitten into his arms and she quickly settled against him, her paw clinging to him as her eyes closed.
"I remember everything that you say sweetie. She's only twelve weeks old but she can come to Hogwarts with us as well and I thought she was so beautiful that you had to have her. She doesn't have a name yet though, I wanted you to give her that."
"I think I'm going to call her Emerald, after her eyes." Draco grinned as Harry carefully hugged him, so as not to squash the baby kitten.
"I love that name."
"I love you so much Harry, this is the best present everywhere. How have you kept her hidden?"
"A true magician never revels his secrets," Harry joked before heading to his wardrobe to find an outfit to wear. Reluctantly Draco put the small kitten down who headed over to a small cat bed in the corner of the room that the blonde only just noticed. There was also a cat's scratching post and a couple of mice toys by the bed. Draco watched Emerald for a couple of minutes before turning to Harry who was beginning to get dressed, smiling Draco headed to him and wrapped his arms round Harry's waist so that Draco's chest was against Harry's back.
"I love you," Draco smiled as Harry turned to smile at the blonde.
"And I love you too sweetie," Harry replied before leaning down to kiss his mate. He kissed Draco with so much passion that the blonde's knees felt weak that Draco suddenly had to wrap his arms around Harry's neck to make sure he didn't collapse. Slowly Harry guided the blonde to their bed and eventually Draco felt his legs hit it as he quickly fell back, making sure he had a tight hold of Harry. Draco could feel him hard against his leg and let out a groan as their tongues danced a deliciously slow waltz together but then Draco felt Harry's hand between them and slowly it moved between the smaller boy's legs. Draco needed him to touch him but it reminded the submissive mate so much of his father. Lucius forcing himself on the innocent, Draco knew that Harry would never do that to him but he didn't want that right now. Draco couldn't have anything more happen to him in that moment.
"Stop, Harry, please," Draco pleaded and within a flash Harry was off me and I could no longer feel him against me leg.
"I'm so sorry sweetie, was it too much?"
"Just too soon, I just need some time. I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to apologise for Draco. I promised you that we would do this at your pace and we will. Now, why don't you go have a shower and then get dressed to be ready for when Snape gets here," Harry smiled before Draco got up heading to their en-suite.
When Harry and Draco finally went back downstairs nearly an hour and a half later all washed and dressed with Emerald following behind them, making sure to stay behind the couples legs encase anything scared her.
"You look so pretty Caitlyn and very handsome Ethan," Draco complimented them. Caitlyn was in a pink dress with sequins on the top while it stopped just below the knees. Ethan was also in a muggle outfit, opting for jeans and a smart shirt. That was when Caitlyn spotted the kitten and squealed. Quickly Emerald darted behind Harry trying to make herself smaller. Harry bent down to pick her up in an attempt to calm the kitten.
"Is that you pwesent Dwaco?" Caitlyn asked the blonde who nodded.
"Yeah, from Harry. She's called Emerald but you will have to be very gentle with her. She's very young and still really shy at the moment."
"Daddy! Can I have kitten?" Caitlyn asked with what could only be described as puppy dog eyes.
"You're a bit too young at the moment but maybe in a few years," Remus described. "But I'm sure Draco wouldn't mind if you played with Emerald on the odd occasion."
It wasn't long after that that Severus arrived. The initial greeting was awkward but after Ethan and Caitlyn demanding another present causing everyone (even Severus despite how much he demanded that he didn't) to have a soft laugh at the desperate children before following into the lounge. Severus had gotten the children, as well as Harry and Draco presents so it was decided that they would be opened. Ethan and Caitlyn tore into their presents within seconds to find that they had a book each, Ethan's was on magical creatures while Caitlyn had a children's story book that would read to her magically in the voice of one of her family members. The two of them were so enthralled by their presents that Remus and Sirius had to remind them to thank Severus for them. The older man surprised everyone in the room when he suggested that Ethan and Caitlyn call him Uncle Sev. When that was announced Sirius began choking on his drink that he had just taken a sip of.
"You both need to open your presents at the same time," Severus said handing Harry and Draco two boxes, Draco's larger and heavier than Harry's. "They're pretty much the same thing so it only seems fair." The couple counted to three before they opened them, this time Draco ripping into his while Harry did it slowly enjoying that look on Draco's face before turning the attention to his box to find there was three same vials in them. Looking over at Draco's, he saw there were eight vials but of the same shape and size. "They're memories boys. I asked Remus and he said that he had a pensieve back at Hogwarts you could use. I'm sure that you've seen some of your mum and dad Harry but there are one's of your mum there Draco from when we were children and some at Hogwarts too. I thought it would be nice to see your mum when she was innocent and happy."
"Thank you…Severus," Harry finally said but Draco couldn't stand it. He quickly jumped up and ran out of the room to the kitchen. "I should go," Harry said standing before Severus too stood.
"Would you mind if I talked to him first?" He asked and Severus could see the fight in Harry's eyes whether to agree or not.
"Ten minutes max and then I'm going out," He replied with a short nod Severus headed towards Draco. The blonde was pacing the kitchen back and forth, continuously wiping the tears away from his eyes. "I loved her you know." With that, Draco suddenly stopped and turned to the man.
"What?"
"I loved her, I think I always did. We were friends from such a young age and then we were in the same house at Hogwarts and we grew even closer. We even began dating but we had to keep it hidden from her family. They never would have approved of her being with a half blood. It was the happiest time of my life when we were together…and then she was gone."
"You loved my mum?" Draco whispered timidly.
"More than anything Draco, we spoke about running away and getting married before everything happened. We talked about having children and a family home and the future all the time. That's when your family began to dictate her life and there was nothing we could do to stop it."
"Was she happy? Before she had to marry father?"
"Very happy Draco." That was when Harry carefully walked into the room and raced up to Draco pulling him into his arms murmuring a quick 'I love you' that surprisingly Severus managed to hear.
"Everything alright in here?" Harry asked receiving two nods and the three of them headed back to join the Lupin-Black's to open a few more presents in the time before Christmas dinner.
It was several hours later that the seven of them settled themselves around the dining table surrounded by delicious smelling food. Sirius was sat at the head of the table and carved the turkey while a variety of vegetables including brussel sprouts, peas, carrots and cabbage, as well as parsnips, roast potatoes, and pigs in blankets (which Draco quickly realised was his new found favourite Christmas food) with two jugs of gravy that were very close to overflowing. Draco had never eaten as much food as he did that day. To make the day even better there was home-made Christmas pudding and custard for afters and then for later in the evening Kreacher had also made a Christmas cake.
Despite Severus saying that he would leave as soon as dinner was over, the man stayed well into the night and got involved playing games with Ethan and Caitlyn, leaving half an hour before Caitlyn began to fall asleep on the sofa. True to his promise, Harry had made sure that Draco had plenty of presents to open and the blonde soon began to act like Ethan and Caitlyn, loving the attention that Harry was giving him and by mid afternoon he too was demanding another Christmas present much to Harry's delight. The brunette had spoiled his mate, showering him in wizarding and muggle presents alike. There was various items of clothing, each one of them wrapped up separately resulting in Draco having more paper to rip into. There were some muggle books that Harry thought that the blonde would enjoy while he decided to buy Draco some books on Healing considering that was the career the younger boy wanted to do. Harry had even gotten several small treats for Emerald that were wrapped up and the small cat seemed to have just as much fun with the paper as Draco did.
"Thank you for everything today Harry," Draco said a lot later that night when the couple were settled in bed with Emerald curled up at the end of their bed, despite the two teenagers trying to get the kitten to sleep in her own cat bed.
"You're worth everything sweetie," Harry replied pulling Draco closer to him. "Everything and so much more. And thank you for the bracelet you got me."
"I'm sorry that I only got you that," Draco said as he began playing with the leather bracelet on Harry's wrist.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, sweetie, OK?"
"Yes Harry," Draco replied with a soft yawn.
"Now every time that I look at my wrist, I'm going to be thinking of you, not that there's a moment that I don't think of you."
HPDM
Between Christmas and New Years, the boys visited the Weasley's for one afternoon and spent their time flying, even Draco getting involved glad that it wasn't an actual Quidditch match. While Draco enjoyed flying, he had never found a position that he was suited to and Draco found that he wasn't competitive enough to play for the house team or even try for it back at Hogwarts. Harry also began teaching Ethan new Quidditch moves promising both Sirius and Remus that he would keep a good eye on the young boy when they were practicing. Sirius and Remus also went out one evening before New Years leaving Harry and Draco to babysit. When they returned home just before eleven they found the four of them in the lounge with a Disney film running while the four of them were also on the sofa. Before the older men retired to bed, they made sure to get a good couple of pictures to add to the walls.
New Year's Eve was a quiet affair for the Potter-Lupin-Black household. They spent the evening just the six of them. They invited Severus to join them but he kindly refused saying that they should spend the day as a family. Kreacher cooked them, yet again, another delicious meal and by ten that evening, both Ethan and Caitlyn had fallen asleep with a promise from Sirius that he would wake them up in time to see the fireworks.
"Guess what's so amazing about this New Year?" Harry whispered to Draco at ten to midnight. They had set the television up to get ready to show the firework display in London although at the moment it was just showing thousands of people standing out in the cold counting down the final ten minutes.
"What is it?"
"One, the fact that we get to kiss at midnight to bring in the New Year and two, that this will be our first whole year that we spend together." He grinned before kissing his mate softly.
"Enough of that now, you can do that to welcome in the New Year." Sirius laughed teasing the pair before Remus pulled him away in an attempt to give the younger boys some privacy, no matter how short it would be.
"We're going to have plenty of New Years to celebrate together now," Harry said before they went to help get the younger one up as they brought in the New Year together as a family for the first time.
HPDM
Author's Note:
Thanks for all the support and patience waiting for this chapter. This chapter is for all you guys reading as I have now had 10,000 views which wouldn't be possible without all of you reading. This chapter was so nice to right and if none of you have watched White Christmas or read Twas The Night Before Christmas, I strongly recommend them.
I've been watching I'm a celebrity here for the past 3 weeks in England and tonight is the final. Will be so sad when it's over and next week X-Factor finishes. On a happier note my family's Christmas tree is now up and our lounge is all decorated. I know this chapter is about Christmas and New Years and that's still a couple of weeks ago but I wanted to get it posted sooner for all of you.
Thank you for continuing to favourite and follow my first story and for the reviews from vernieklein, RRW, kuroninja, MAFITA, Lupinesence and my anonymous Guest review. I tried to make some of Draco at Christmas cute but it was hard knowing that it was pretty much Draco's first Christmas and would be emotional. ALso I'm sorry New Years wasn't that long but I don't tend to make a big deal out of it and I didn't really know what to write so I just tried to write a cute scene between Draco and Harry. And for that guest and vernieklein I included Severus at their Christmas. :) I want him to begin to feel like part of the family and part of that meant giving Caitlyn and Ethan their own Christmas presents but Harry's and Draco's is a lot more special. I didn't want to write about the memories because it might get too emotional and it is Christmas, Draco should be allowed to enjoy himselves and the New Year will have a lot of drama at the beginning so I'm not sure when the couple will be able to watch the memories. Please continue to read, review and follow my story. See you all next chapter :P