* Thanks to hidden shades, yukino76, littlesprout, sjrodgers23, and cassy1994 for reading and reviewing.

This is the final chapter. I wasn't planning to do an epilogue, but you never know what can happen down the road.

Thanks for reading!

oOo

"Aren't you going to answer that, Mate?" Ron asked. "He might need you to pick up milk." He smirked.

"Ron, he doesn't call any more often than Hermione."

"Yeah, but I got Hermione a portable in case she goes into labour while I'm out in the field."

"She's not due for another month," Harry snickered. His portable dinged again. "Hello, luv."

"Sorry to bother you again, Harry," Draco said. "I'm trying to plan time with my parents over the holidays and I need a schedule from you."

"I don't know if I can be more specific than I already have been. It depends on whether or not we get a lead on the latest string of robberies."

"All right," Draco sighed. "But Christmas Day, right Harry? You promised you'd spend Christmas Day with me."

"Unless there's some sort of emergency, yes. Robards has tentatively given us all Christmas Day."

"Okay. I promise I won't bother you again."

"It's fine, Draco. Ron and I are still waiting for the snitch. As soon as we interview him, I'll be home. Love you."

"Love you too."

No longer able to hold it in, Ron burst out laughing.

"Ha, ha," Harry said sarcastically.

"Sorry, mate. But the two of you are worse than an old married couple."

"We are not. He just gets nervous when I'm out on a call. Although, the closer it gets to the holidays, the more he wants to know where I am every minute."

"It's a bit stifling, innit?"

"No. Not at all," Harry told him. "It's nice to have someone who cares. I only wish he wasn't so anxious all the time. He didn't used to be."

"You know it's only going to get worse until you put your foot down," Ron suggested. "Tell him he can't keep calling every five minutes. You have a job to do."

Ron's own portable sounded. He gave Harry a sheepish shrug, then answered it.

"Hello?"

"Ron, are you still not back to the office?" Hermione asked.

"No, luv. The snitch hasn't shown up yet. We're going to give him ten more minutes."

"Good. Can you pick up milk on the way home, then?"

"Of course. Anything else?"

"Hmm, maybe some ice cream. And orange juice. I have a taste for orange juice."

"Sure thing. I should be home within the hour, all right?"

"Be careful," she said before disconnecting.

"Oh, go ahead, Harry. You know you want to laugh," grumbled Ron.

"You really ought to put your foot down," Harry mocked.

Before Ron could retort, the snitch they had been waiting for showed up.

Having gotten the information they were after, Ron got home within the hour as promised and Harry found his way to Draco's flat.

"Draco, I was only meeting an informant. You didn't need to be so worried."

Draco shrugged as he dished out the dinner he had made for them. "I wasn't."

"You called three times."

"Twice."

"Just because I didn't pick up that second call doesn't mean you didn't make it. Why have you been so anxious lately?"

"I, I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."

"Lots of stuff has happened to me since I became an Auror, Draco. I've been cursed and hexed and sent to St. Mungo's more times than I can count, spent hours in a swamp on stakeout, been spat on, pissed on, practically mauled by a dragon, nearly drowned, vilified in the press, and even delivered a baby–all as part of my duties as an Auror. And I'm certain there's more where that came from."

Draco stood with his mouth open, holding two plates of shepherd's pie. "Was that supposed to make me feel better?"

Harry chuckled. "I'm sorry. My point is, in the four years I've been a full fledged Auror, nothing that bad has happened to me. It isn't same today as it was when the Death Eaters were running rampant. I'm careful. And in case you've forgotten, you are the one who nearly died this year."

"That was . . . a chance happening. The odds of something like that ever happening again are practically nil." Draco placed the plates on the table and took a seat. Harry followed suit.

"Probably," Harry agreed. "But many of the older Aurors have been on the job for years. And there hasn't been an Auror death since the war ended."

"I know, but–

"But nothing. You're going to worry yourself to death," Harry said. "And then where would I be? I don't know what I'd do without you either. But I trust that you're doing all you can to keep yourself safe when I'm not around. Can't you do the same for me?"

Draco pouted a bit.

"Ron's been taking the piss over how much you've been calling me."

"I'm sorry," Draco said quietly.

Harry reached his hand across the table. "I love that you care so much. Let's just try to enjoy each other's company while we're together. This shepherd's pie smells heavenly."

Giving a small smile, Draco said, "Thank you. I promise I'll try not to call so often. I just wish . . ." He looked at Harry and shook his head. "I'll trust you."

They ate the rest of their meal without either of them mentioning Draco's floo calls, or dangerous Auror situations. Though Draco thought it boring, Harry wanted to hear how things at the shop were going and his latest trip to Switzerland for ingredients. Harry talked mainly about Ron and Hermione's expanding family. He seemed nearly as excited as they were.

"I do hope they have more than one child," Harry said. "I think it would have been nice to have a sibling or two."

Draco's brow furrowed. "Didn't you grow up with a cousin about your age?"

"Dudley?" Harry laughed out loud. "The nicest Dudley ever was to me was when he told me he didn't think I was a waste of space."

"Oh."

"We've sort of reconciled. Mainly just Christmas cards and the occasional visit. But it's still very awkward." Harry gasped a little. "That reminds me, I'd better get my cards out."

"Me too," Draco said pensively. "Being an only child wasn't much fun, even though I was spoiled with loads of toys and clothes, and whatever else I wanted."

"You want children?" Harry sounded surprised.

"Yes. Don't most people?"

"Uh, I suppose. But I thought . . ."

"What?"

"For some reason I thought you didn't like children much."

Draco smiled. "While it's true I had very little tolerance for the younger years at school, I always thought I'd have a family. I always wanted to have a chance to be a better father than my own."

Harry chuckled. "I always wanted the chance to try and live up to mine. He only got to be a father for a year. But he was a good man."

"He couldn't possibly have been a better man than you."

Looking across the table, Harry saw the genuine admiration and love in Draco's eyes. He feared his heart might burst right then and there. He wanted to do everything he could to deserve that love. He vowed silently to himself that he would work even harder to become Head Auror so he and Draco could have the life together they wanted.

oOo

"I know I promised not to floo call so much, but I want to be sure you're going to be on time. Mother's planned for supper at precisely half-six."

"I'll be there. I promise," Harry said.

"Are you sure you're all right? You sound . . . nervous."

"No, I'm just, um, wrapping some things up here," Harry told him.

"I still can't believe you had to go into the office on Christmas Day."

"It's fine, Draco. I'll be on time. I've got to go, luv. See you at the Manor."

Harry felt a wee bit guilty that the things he was wrapping up were Christmas presents for Draco and his parents. He felt a bit more guilty that Draco thought he was in the office. But it was the only way he could get out of going to the Manor earlier so he could prepare for Draco's surprise.

Supper was a lovely goose with apple sage stuffing and cider gravy, complete with roasted potatoes and creamed brussels sprouts. Conversation was only slightly stilted at times, as Harry and the Malfoys had spent little time together during the eight months Harry and Draco had been dating. Luckily, Draco directed most of the discussion.

Dessert was a traditional Christmas plum pudding, a treat of which Harry was not a fan. Luckily, his excuse that he was far too full of the wonderful goose was accepted for not eating the pud. Besides, he was far too anxious to get to presents.

The four retired to the drawing room, where a roaring fire and a trolly of tea was waiting for them. Draco sat in a chair between Harry and his mother. Eager to get on with it, Harry reached into the satchel he had brought and walked over to the Malfoys with a box in bright Christmas wrapping a gold bow and a bottle of extremely old fire whiskey.

"Happy Christmas, Mrs. Malfoy, Mr. Malfoy." He gave her the box and him the bottle. Lucius nodded in acknowledgement.

"Why Harry, you didn't need to buy me a present," Narcissa said.

"I didn't. Er, I mean, I would have, but I thought you might like these more than something I could buy," Harry tried to explain, but simply felt foolish. Then he wondered if the Malfoys only put value on things that cost a lot of galleons.

"I'm afraid we weren't certain what to give you," she said, handing him an envelope.

Afraid it might be money, Harry reluctantly accepted it and sat back down. He waited for her to begin unwrapping her gift before he opened his. Draco peered over his shoulder trying to see what it was as Harry tore open the parchment.

"Quidditch Cup tickets?" Draco questioned. "You never bought me Quidditch Cup tickets."

"You can buy them yourself Draco," Narcissa smirked. "Besides, something tells me that Harry will ask you to accompany him."

When she looked inside her box, she gasped.

"Are these what I think they are?" She looked to Harry with her mouth hung open in a most undignified manor. "I thought these were lost forever."

"What? What is it Mother?"

Lucius also craned his neck to see what Harry had given her.

She reached in and pulled out a silver goblet embossed with the Black family crest.

"I, I don't know what to say."

"I suppose it's not really much of a gift, seeing as those are rightfully yours in the first place," Harry blushed. "Mundungus Fletcher had stolen them, and many other items out of my Godfather's house. But much of it was recovered and returned to me, since I became the house's owner."

"Not much of a gift?" Narcissa scoffed. "These are goblin made, exclusively for the House of Black. Thank you Harry. Thank you so much."

Harry nodded and smiled, relieved that she liked his gift. "And thank you so much for the tickets. Draco and I may root for different teams, but the Cup is always exciting."

Draco cleared his throat as he began to lay out several beautifully wrapped packages on the small table between him and Harry.

"Oh. That's right," Narcissa stood. She turned to her husband. "Draco has asked for privacy while he exchanges gifts with Harry." She called out for one of her house elves. "We'll take tea in the solarium."

Lucius picked up the bottle Harry had given him. "I think I'll have this instead."

"Enjoy." She said to the boys as she left the drawing room.

"Why did you ask your mother to leave?"

"This is our first Christmas, Harry. I want it to be special."

"And it can't be special if your parents are watching us open presents?"

"You know what I mean. This should be a moment just for us. Besides, I may have gotten you something that might be embarrassing to open in front of them."

"Ooh, can I have that one first then?"

Draco enthusiastically picked up one of the gifts, handing it to Harry. Harry looked inside the satchel, deciding which gift to give Draco first. He hadn't gotten anything naughty, so he thought he'd start with an heirloom gift, like he gave Narcissa.

After all of the gifts on the table were opened, and thanks and kisses exchanged, Draco suddenly felt nervous. He watched Harry as he peered into the satchel, biting his lip.

"I have one more for you, Draco," he said.

"Me too," Draco replied.

"You go first."

"No, no, you go first."

They stared at one another, each waiting for the other to give in. Finally, in exasperation, they sighed simultaneously and knelt down on the floor.

"What are you doing?" asked Draco.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh, my. I thought perhaps you'd be finished by now." Narcissa stood in the doorway, catching sight of both Harry and Draco facing each other, down on one knee and holding something behind their backs. "I suggest on the count of three," she said, then walked out.

Again, they stared at one another, unmoving, until Draco said, "Count of three?"

Harry nodded. And they counted together. "One, two, three."

"Draco, will you–

"–marry me, Harry?"

A moment of shock, then they burst out laughing, still holding out their respective little boxes.

"Yes," Draco answered first, simultaneously snatching Harry's box and thrusting his into Harry's hand.

"Me too," grinned Harry.

"Can I look?" asked Draco.

"Please. But you'll tell me if it's not what you want. We can always exchange it."

Draco opened the small hinged box to find the perfect ring. "How did you know?"

"I saw you admiring it when I went with you to shop for your mother's gift," admitted Harry.

"I had originally thought of giving it to you. But then I decided it wasn't quite your style."

"It suits you perfectly. It's elegant, with delicate etching along the edge and the emerald–well, it was almost too perfect."

"You haven't looked at yours." Draco bit his lip. He stretched his arm out to retrieve the box. "I should let you choose your own."

Harry held the box out of Draco's reach. "No, I want this one. You picked it out for me."

"Mm, not exactly. It's actually a ring that's been passed down on my father's side. My grandfather Abraxis was the last one to wear it. I couldn't give you the other ring because it's for a girl."

"I would have been happy to wear whatever ring you chose for me," Harry said.

"No, you wouldn't. That one was hideously encrusted with diamonds of every color. It literally looks like a unicorn gobbed on it."

Harry laughed, then opened the box in his hand. He stared at the gold band that was shaped like a snake coiled around twice. Its eyes were two small garnets.

"You hate it," Draco said, rather than asked. "Is it because it's a snake? I should have known. That name you used wasn't because you like snakes in particular."

"No, you're wrong. This is beautiful." He looked at his new finance. "I don't hate snakes. I actually think they're beautiful creatures. And I can still remember a little parseltongue."

"You speak parseltongue?"

"Not anymore. I used to, when part of Voldemort was still inside me. Now I only remember bits and pieces." Harry paused. "But, are you certain you want to give away a family heirloom like this?"

"I'm not giving it away. I'm giving it to you. You're going to be a Malfoy. It's rightfully yours."

Harry's brow furrowed. He hadn't thought of marriage in those terms. Draco tugged at Harry's chin to get his attention.

"And I'm going to be a Potter. Our children will be part of both families."

Tears sprang suddenly to Harry's eyes. He was going to have a family. He wasn't going to be alone anymore.

"Oh, don't cry." Draco hugged onto him. "This is supposed to be a happy time."

"I am happy. Happier than you could possibly imagine."

"I think I can."

Pulling away to wipe his eyes, Harry gasped. "But what are your parents going to say?"

"Congratulations," Narcissa said from the doorway.

"Mother were you listening?"

"I couldn't help it darling. I wanted to share in your happy occasion." She walked in, followed by Lucius, who didn't look quite as pleased as his wife. But he offered his congratulations just the same.

Draco excitedly held out the box with his ring to show his parents. They nodded in approval. Afterward, Lucius retrieved a bottle of champagne from the liquor cabinet to celebrate his son's engagement. They toasted several times, and even Harry was feeling relaxed.

"I dare say that this has been the best Christmas yet," announced Narcissa. She clasped hands with her husband. "Thank you for not making a fuss," she whispered to him. "I know this is not quite what you had planned for him."

Lucius smiled. "He's happy. Nearly as happy as I was the day you agreed to marry me. How could I deny him that?"

oOo

After a hasty exit, Harry and Draco found themselves at Harry's flat. The moment they stripped out of their clothes, Draco had himself buried deep inside Harry. He had to make a conscious effort to slow down so as not to spoil their lovemaking with a very speedy ending.

Draped over Harry, on his hands and knees, Draco slowly eased in and out, while he kissed and sucked at Harry's neck and shoulder. Harry moaned and tried to buck against him harder. But Draco kept the painfully glacial pace. We wanted it to last forever.

However, even taking his time, his body eventually needed release. He was getting close.

"Turn over. I want to see you." Draco disengaged only long enough for Harry to lie on his back. Once he was back inside, he couldn't help himself.

"Oh, Harry, you're so beautiful." Draco thrust harder and faster as Harry's hips rose to meet his. He wrapped his hand around Harry's cock and pulled.

Harry cried out immediately, spewing cum in all directions. Draco came then, too, whispering Harry's name. He collapsed on top of Harry.

"Fuck. I'm completely knackered."

Harry chuckled. "I'm not surprised. That's probably the longest we've ever lasted."

"I wish it could have lasted all night. I just want to have my cock buried inside you twenty-four/seven."

"That would make for an interesting work day," Harry laughed at the image conjured in his head. He imagined sitting at his desk on top of Draco's lap, wanking while people were busy around him. "Perhaps we ought to keep it private."

Draco rolled over onto his back and sighed. "That was the best orgasm of my life."

"You've said that before," Harry reminded him.

"Yes. And at the time, it was true. But this is the first orgasm I've had while making love with my fiancé."

Harry grinned. "Imagine how amazing it will be with your husband."