CHAPTER 11

A month later…

Christmas break came quicker than expected and everyone was gathered in Grimmauld Place. Harry and Draco were rooming together, they would have snuck into each other's rooms if they hadn't so Sirius saved them the time. Narcissa had her own room - she's been living with Sirius and Remus for a while now while she searched for a home to buy for her and Draco - while Sirius, Remus, and surprisingly Severus shared the master.

It had come as a shock to Harry and Draco when those three told them about their relationship but Harry and Draco had just smiled and congratulated them. Of course Sirius and Remus beamed while Severus sneered but the ones close to him could see the happiness in his eyes when Harry and Draco gave their congrats. Besides, it wasn't like Harry and Draco would say anything to stop them. A blind person could see in an instant, if they were watching the three when they were alone, that the three loved each other. It was fast, but Harry suspected it had been building for a while.

Harry and Draco's friends were at their own homes, spending time with their families, but they were due anytime soon for Christmas Eve dinner.

Harry and Draco were sitting in the library, sitting on the couch together reading their own books, when they heard the doorbell. "They're here," Harry said from his place in Draco's lap. He looked up at Draco and smiled, and got a smile from Draco in return.

They both got up to go great their friends. "Hey guys," Harry said and hugged Ron, Neville, and Hermione when they came through. He didn't hug Blaise, Theo, or Pansy since he still wasn't as close with them. It took time for Harry to get close to new people.

"Hey Harry! Draco!"

"Where's the food?" Ron called. Everyone laughed and headed to the kitchen while Remus, Sirius, and Severus greeted their guests. Narcissa greeted them along with them but she was there mostly for her one guest. Harry knew Narcissa planned to introduce a boyfriend to Draco, and knew she was nervous. But Harry also knew she didn't have anything to worry about. Draco would support his mother.

Soon dinner was on the way and everyone was having a great time. Harry and Draco's friends were having a great time, sharing some stories of what's happened so far during Christmas break. Sirius, Remus, and Severus' guests were also having fun. There was Dumbledore, McGonagall, Tonks, Tonk's mother – Narcissa's sister - and father, Moody, and a few other of their old friends, and Narcissa's new boyfriend turned out to be Kingsley Shacklebolt. Talk about shocking. But they had quickly accepted it since Kingsley was a nice guy and would definitely treat Narcissa nice. The only question was if it would last, but only time could tell.

After dinner they passed around presents since all their friends would be at their own homes for Christmas. But everyone that was staying at Grimmauld didn't pass presents to each other since they would do it Christmas morning.

They walked their friends to the door, Draco shook Kingsley's hand and was honest about looking forward to getting to know him better which made Narcissa ecstatic. The occupants of Grimmauld Place stayed up for a bit longer in the sitting room to just enjoy each other's company in front of the fire before Draco stood up to stretch and threw a look Harry's way. Harry sprung up faster than you could say 'Quidditch' and dragged Draco upstairs while throwing a, "Good night," over his shoulder.

He slammed the door shut and stared at Draco hungrily as Draco stood there. Draco summoned something and held it up above his head. Harry looked up and saw it was mistletoe. He looked back to Draco, who was smirking at him and Harry licked his lips.

"Yum," he whispered before he attacked Draco's and unwrapped his early Christmas present.

Christmas morning was a huge breakfast made by Kreacher and some laughs. Harry and Draco practically shoveled their food in so they could get to the presents. Harry was excited to give Severus and Draco his present.

They were all in the living room surrounding the tree, Harry and Draco had practically dragged the adults. It went from youngest to oldest so Draco went first. He received some interesting things, including a beginner's potions master book from Harry. Draco had told Harry about his want to become a potions master like his Uncle Severus so Harry went out and found the best book he could for Draco. He had another present for him but that was for later.

Harry went next and received very handy things. Draco got him an in depth defense book while Sirius got him a book on runes, Arithmancy, and curses. Draco knew Harry planned to get his masters in defense along with apprentice for a few years, while Sirius knew how he wanted to continue inventing new spells and shields like the one he made for the Cruciatus. Remus and Severus gave him the most precious thing he could have gotten; dozens of memories of his parents. And not just of James but also of Lily which Harry couldn't wait to see since most people told him about his father and barely about his mother. Remus had more of his father while Severus had more of Lily but he couldn't have cared less of what came from who since they were both precious. Sirius would have helped with that present but after years of Azkaban, his memories weren't so good. So he passed along more photos he had of them, which Harry loved.

Narcissa went next, followed by Remus and Sirius. Severus came next and Harry waited to give his last. When he handed his box over, Severus looked shocked at the size before he opened the lid. When he saw all the books he frowned. "Please don't tell me you got me books on Quidditch, to "educate" me of the sport."

"Ha ha," Harry said. "No. I wouldn't do that since it would be a waste because you don't understand the game." Severus smirked. "Open the first book."

Severus pulled out the first book and opened it. His gasp was so loud. "Merlin's balls!"

Silence filled the room before Draco broke it with his laughter, followed by Sirius' bark laughter. Both were rolling on the floor laughing while Remus and Narcissa were chuckling, trying not to laugh. Harry just smiled and watched as Severus was oblivious to being laughed at and went through his gift. After he glanced inside each book to see that all were a potion book or journal from Salazar Slytherin and even included footnotes and side notes, he looked up at Harry.

He answered the questioned look. "When I found them and saw that most were potions, I immediately thought of you since you're the potions master. I wouldn't have been able to use them even if I tried, so I started translating them and have been doing it for the past months to make sure I translated correctly and wrote down everything. I'll tell you now that some you will need my help since some take a word or two of parseltongue, but other than that you should be able to recreate his potions and even finish some. Some of his creations were left unfinished because he didn't have time or couldn't find the missing ingredient."

Severus stared at Harry before clearing his throat. "Thank…" He cleared his throat again and Harry knew it was emotions. The way he was caressing the books was a tell but it was mostly the watery eyes, though everyone in the room had the grace not to mention them. "Thank you."

"You're welcome Uncle Sev," he said with a grin and Severus just smiled back.

Harry watched Draco walk upstairs some time later that day and smiled.

Draco walked into his and Harry's room and gasped. Everywhere were roses. There were dozens in vases on all the surfaces, rose petals were scattered all over the rug and around the bed, where one single red rose rested on Draco's pillow. He didn't really have a pillow, or a side for that matter since he slept on Harry, but they called it Draco's pillow anyway. Walking over the pillow, he picked up the rose but didn't bring it to his nose since the whole room was filled with the scent of roses. Tied to the stem was a Slytherin green ribbon and tied to one end was rolled up parchment.

Untying it, Draco unrolled the parchment and read it.

~Draco

I'd like to see you back downstairs.

~Harry

Chuckling, Draco didn't waste any time and took off back downstairs.

Harry heard Draco coming and looked up just in time to see him fly through the door and come charging at him, slowing down enough so he could jump on Harry to straddle him and not accidently injure him in any way. Mainly his manly bits. He was beaming and Harry couldn't help but smile back.

"Thank you," he said and peppered his face with kisses. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

"You're welcome," Harry chuckled and finally cupped Draco's face to give him a proper kiss. It was long and full of emotions. Emotions that reflected the rose.

"You bring out the best in me," he whispered and knew he had Draco's attention. "You make me whole, you make me see, the world the way it should be."

He pressed a kiss to Draco's forehead. "You make me feel, things so completely, like peace and happiness, and you've shown me, what love really is."

He pressed a kiss to Draco's nose. "And that dreams, really do come true, and I know so many things, now that you taught me, what life and love are about."

He kissed away the silent tears slowly falling down Draco's cheeks. "But, one thing I never want to find out, is what I would do if I had to live without you, there are just some things, I don't need answers to."

He pulled back to look into Draco's eyes. "I love you."

Draco stared at him, and Harry saw all the love that Draco returned to him. He smiled. "I love you too."

Harry smiled back. "I know. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Draco leaned forward and kissed Harry who returned the kiss with all the love he possessed.