The next few days passed in much the same way, except without the homework. Harry and Draco were spending every minute together. They filled their daytimes with smoking, gossiping and games of wizard chess, which Harry lost every time; and every night when Draco's nightmares began Harry would gently stroke his hair until they passed.
When Christmas morning arrived Draco was awake at the crack of dawn. He bounced excitedly onto Harry's bed and Harry jolted awake.
"Merry Christmas, Harry," Draco practically squealed with excitement.
"Merry Christmas, Draco," Harry replied sleepily. Harry could tell that Draco was used to being spoiled at Christmas, but that was ok because Harry had spoiled him.
"Can we go downstairs and open our presents?" Draco begged.
"Of course."
"Woohoo!"
Draco leaped off the bed and ran off down the stairs to the common room. Harry giggled to himself, dragged himself out of bed and slouched after Draco.
In the common room there was a beautiful Christmas tree, decorated in silver and gold, and surrounding it were more presents than Harry had ever seen in his life, and that was saying something considering how many Dudley usually got. Draco was already sitting on the floor tearing the paper off one of his presents.
"The house elves here sure are smart, aren't they Harry?"
"They must be to know that you would spend Christmas here."
Harry knew that he wouldn't have many presents and began to search for his amongst Draco's masses of them. Harry found a few with his name on and sat down beside Draco to open them. He had a jumper from Mrs Weasley, home-baked mince pies from Hermione, Christmas cake from Hagrid and a box of nut brittle from Ron.
"They're yours." Draco said as he pointed to a neatly stacked pile of presents, all beautifully wrapped in the same golden paper.
"You're kidding me?"
"No, they're your presents from me."
"Wow, Draco, thanks," Harry mumbled. "These are yours." Harry said pointing shyly to a smaller pile of presents in mismatched paper.
"They look wonderful, Harry." Draco smiled reassuringly and began to open them.
Harry had got Draco five presents. More than he'd ever bought for anyone. He had thought very carefully about it and had finally bought him: a new scarf and gloves, bright green, exactly the colour of Harry's eyes; a beautiful silver picture frame with the words 'Best Friends' engraved in thin swirly writing just like Draco's; a silver chain with two tags on, one engraved with 'Draco' and the other engraved with the Slytherin house emblem; a silver wristwatch with bright green detail on the face; and a set of two quills, one silver with a bright green helix painted carefully around the stem, and one bright green with a silver helix painted carefully around the stem. Harry watched Draco open them and carefully scrutinized his reaction.
"Harry … I don't know what to say … these are so beautiful." Draco was smiling and his eyes sparkled with emotion.
"I'm glad they're ok. I didn't really know what to get. What do you buy someone who has everything?"
"Harry, they're more than ok. I love them!"
Harry smiled timidly.
"And we're best friends?!" Draco exclaimed gleefully.
"You're the best friend I've ever had so I thought this was the best way to tell you."
"Harry, this was the perfect way to tell me. It's wonderful. This is the best Christmas ever!"
Harry giggled at Draco's excitement.
"Open yours!" Draco declared impatiently.
Harry began to open his presents from Draco. Draco had got Harry twelve presents. Twelve! Harry couldn't believe it. He had soon ripped the paper off an assorted box of sweets; a 'Potions for Dummies' book; a delicate, gold 'Golden Snitch' ornament; a stylish set of dress robes which matched Draco's; a new broomstick servicing kit; a set of golden quills and ink; a new schoolbag; a rare ingredients potions kit with crystal vials; a leather belt with a Gryffindor lion buckle; a Slytherin tie, to sneak into the dorm; a glass ashtray decorated with spindly, thin gold lines with a packet of twenty expensive cigarettes; and a heavy gold chain bracelet with 'Harry' engraved onto a flat section in Draco's beautiful swirly writing. Harry was awestruck.
"Draco … wow … Draco …"
"Do you like them, Harry?" Draco asked nervously, staring down at his hands which he was wringing apprehensively in his lap.
Harry was too speechless to explain how much he loved his presents so he simply launched himself forwards and hugged Draco tightly. Draco tentatively wrapped his arms around Harry and smiled.
"Thank you," Harry whispered softly.
"Thank you too," Draco replied. "By the way there's another present over there with your name on it. It doesn't say who it's from."
Harry extricated himself from Draco's enchanting hug and contemplated the final present lying under the tree.
Harry shuffled towards the parcel and ripped it open. He gasped audibly as a magnificent gleaming broomstick rolled out onto the floor. Harry's Nimbus had been destroyed by the Whomping Willow the night he'd fell off. He just hadn't got around to buying a new one yet, or maybe he just couldn't bring himself too, but here was a perfectly stunning, brand new, broomstick. Harry was in shock. Draco watched Harry staring at the broomstick and reached across to give Harry's hand a small squeeze. This seemed to bring Harry back to reality. He looked at Draco with an odd smile on his face.
"It's a broomstick," he said dumbly.
"So, I see."
"How did I get a broomstick?"
"Does it say inside who it's from?"
Harry rummaged through the wrappings.
"No, it doesn't say."
Draco watched as Harry touched it gently, tentatively, before picking it up. The handle glittered as Harry held it and he could feel it vibrating. He let it go and it hung in mid-air, unsupported, at exactly the right height for Harry to mount it. His eyes took in everything from the perfectly smooth, streamlined birch twigs that made up the tail right up to the golden registration number and the word 'Firebolt' at the top of the handle.
"It's a Firebolt," he breathed.
"It's perfect," Draco approved.
"It's such a shame we can't take it outside. I'll have to wait for Quidditch practice before I even get to try it out."
"Harry … erm … can I have a go after you?" Draco asked anxiously.
"Of course you can, silly!" Harry exclaimed.
"Wow, thanks, Harry." Draco grinned.
At lunchtime they went down to the great hall to find that the house tables had, once again, been moved against the walls and a single table, magnificently laid out for twenty, stood in the middle of the room. There were ten other students aside from Harry and Draco, two Slytherins, four Ravenclaws and four Hufflepuffs. Also seated at the table were Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Sprout and Flitwick, Hagrid, Filch and Madam Pomfrey.
"Merry Christmas!" said Dumbledore as Harry and Draco approached the table. "As there are so few of us, it seemed foolish to use the house tables … sit down."
Harry and Draco sat side by side at the end of the table and glorious food appeared on their plates.
"Tuck in!" Dumbledore advised, beaming around the table.
Harry and Draco ate in silence for once. They felt in too close a proximity to everyone else to even be whispering. The other students seemed to have the same idea and the only sounds were the staff chatting and the scraping of knives and forks.
After lunch Harry and Draco headed back upstairs and, once again, leaned out of the window to share one of Harry's nice new expensive cigarettes before settling down on the sofa in front on the fire. Harry put on his belt, fastened his bracelet around his wrist and draped the Slytherin tie around his neck. He grinned at Draco who grinned back as he fastened his chain around his neck and put on his watch. They set up Draco's camera and stood in front of it, arms around each other's shoulders, grinning like crazy, and took a couple of photos. Draco would develop them later and put one in the frame Harry had got him. Harry decided to open up his box of sweets and they sat eating them and chatting until it was time for dinner. When they went down for dinner the great hall was back to normal much to their relief. They sat together at the Gryffindor table and enjoyed a small simple meal as they had filled up on sweets. Once they had returned to the Gryffindor common room Harry flopped onto the sofa and picked up his 'Potions for Dummies'. Draco sat beside him and they read together for hours before they dozed off, Draco's head on Harry's shoulder and Harry's head resting against the top of Draco's.
When Harry's eyes fluttered open it took him a moment to realise what was going on. He looked at his watch. It was eight o' clock in the morning. Draco had stayed still all night and hadn't woken up with nightmares, not only that but he was still asleep, breathing gently. Harry was stunned. He didn't want to wake Draco but he was desperate to go to the bathroom. He shifted slowly and gently laid Draco down on the sofa with a pillow under his head. Harry crept quietly to the bathroom. As soon as he came back out of the bathroom he could hear him, Draco sobbing. Shit! The nightmares. Harry ran to Draco, knelt beside him and gently stroked his hair. Draco calmed and opened his eyes.
"Harry … I'm sorry …"
"Draco, we don't have to go through this every time. It's ok. I promise," Harry soothed. "Besides it's morning," he added triumphantly.
"Morning?" Draco repeated.
"Yes, Draco, you slept all night."
"Wow, that hasn't ever happened since the nightmares began. I wonder why it happened just now instead of in the night." Draco said as he sat up.
"Well, you were resting against me and I moved you to go to the bathroom and when I came back you were having your nightmare." Harry confessed.
"So, the whole time you were next to me I was fine, but when you left the nightmare came back. That's … odd." Draco mused. "You obviously have a calming effect on me, Harry." He smiled weakly.
"Ok, well, we can't sleep upright on the sofa every night. Our backs will be sore. Hmmm. What if we get our covers and sleep here in front of the fireplace and I'll hold onto your wrist while we sleep and we can see if that stops the nightmares?"
"Are you sure, Harry? I don't want you to think I'm weird." Draco frowned.
"Oh Draco, you are silly. I don't think you're weird at all. But you are unique and I like that. In fact it's one of my favourite things about you." Harry smiled brightly at Draco.
"Oh, Harry, that's a lovely thing to say. Thank you." Draco leaned forwards and hugged Harry tightly.
That night they gathered their bed covers and arranged them in front of the fireplace. They folded them like sleeping bags and snuggled up inside them. It was warm and comfy. Harry reached out his hand, grasped Draco's wrist and held it gently. He listened to Draco's breathing become heavy and then he heard the sound of soft snoring. Draco usually didn't snore until Harry had settled him after his nightmares; hopefully this was a good sign. Harry closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep holding tenderly onto Draco's wrist.
When Harry awoke he was thankfully still holding Draco's wrist. Draco looked peaceful. It was morning. It had worked.
"Draco," Harry said softly.
Draco stirred but didn't wake.
"Draco, wake up," Harry persisted.
Draco opened his eyes and looked up at Harry's smiling face and then down at Harry's hand still holding his wrist, and then it dawned on him.
"It worked!" he squealed. "Harry, it really worked."
"I know, Draco. It's wonderful."
Draco leaned across and hugged Harry, but quickly pulled away.
"What's wrong, Draco?"
"Well … don't you feel weird holding onto me at night?"
"Not at all! If it stops your nightmares then it's perfect. As I told you before I know how horrible nightmares can be. Besides I think I sleep easier too knowing that you're there."
"Harry?"
"Yes, Draco?"
"You're my best friend!" Draco exclaimed as he enveloped Harry in a huge hug.
"You're my best friend too, Draco." Harry whispered in his ear.
Every night, for the remainder of the holidays they slept in front of the fire. Harry would hold onto Draco's wrist and Draco would have no nightmares. It was a perfect arrangement, until they reached the last night of the holidays. They were lounging on the sofa, as usual, when Harry noticed that something was wrong with Draco.
"Draco, what's wrong?"
"Oh … nothing," Draco lied.
"Come on, Draco, I know you better than that by now. I can see something is wrong. You can tell me anything you know."
Draco smiled weakly but didn't say anything.
"Draco, you're worrying me now. Please tell me what's wrong?"
"You'll think I'm weird."
"I promise I won't think you're weird."
"Well, I'm scared because everyone will be back tomorrow and they'll find out that we're friends and we'll get loads of hassle … and I'm scared because after tonight I won't have you to sleep next to me and I'll go back to having nightmares … and I'm scared that Ron and Hermione will convince you to abandon me and not be my friend … and I'm scared because I'm going to miss you," Draco blurted out.
"Wow, Draco, that's a lot of 'I'm scared'." Harry's eyes were wide with surprise. "Ok, well firstly, yes, everyone will be back, and yes, there will probably be a lot of hassle, but who cares? We're best friends, we can get through it, and no-one else's opinion normally bothers you. Secondly, I know you won't be able to sleep next to me and the nightmares will return and I'm not sure yet if I can do anything about that but if I can then I will, I promise. Thirdly, Ron and Hermione would never be able to convince me to abandon you. They are good friends but you're my best friend so if they don't like it they'll have to shove off until they get over it. And finally, I'm going to miss you too but I'll see you in class and at meals and I promise I'll meet you after dinner every day."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
