Chapter Twelve: Christmas at the Malfoys

::

"I'll be going home, for holiday. Mother plans to have a ball." Draco and the 'Golden Trio' were in their usual spots at the Gryffindor table, tucking into breakfast before the day's classes.

"I plan on going home as well. It'll be good to get away from all of this for a bit, plus Mom and Dad miss me quite a bit," Hermione smiled, turning a page. "No luck on this one, either."

"I'm certain we'll figure it out," Draco said with a nod. He looked to Harry with a weak smile. "I'm afraid it's too late to ask about guests."

"That's fine," Harry waved off, giving a shake of his head. "I'm not exactly the 'ball' type. Besides, it'll be nice spending Christmas at Hogwarts."

"All the treacle tart you could possibly want," the blond laughed. Harry rolled his eyes, giving a small smile.

"Maybe next year." Next year, hm.

"I'll have mother send an invite, then, shall I?" Draco smiled at him fondly. This kid was so adorable - really, he would have to drag Harry along next year. Get him away from whatever disaster happened then. The Heir of Slytherin mess, if he wasn't mistaken.

"Fine, but when I show up and don't know what to do, it's on you," Harry stuck his tongue out. "Ron, how 'bout you? What are you doing for the holidays?"

"Mum and Dad are having us all 'round for the holidays. They'll probably love to have you, if you want, Harry," Ron said through a mouthful of food.

"That's okay," Harry smiled, laughing at Hermione's appalled expression towards Ron's eating habits. "A Christmas alone doesn't sound too bad."

"If you're sure." Draco smirked, looking quite pleased with himself. Maybe he should make the fact he was coming back on Christmas a surprise. Harry would certainly like it.

"I wish we could get into the Restricted Section," Hermione spoke up, finally just ignoring Ron. "There's sure to be something on Flamel in there."

"I'm sure Harry could sneak in," Draco said with a small shrug. Beside him, he noticed, Harry was giving him a look as if he had said Voldemort was coming back to make world peace.

"Harry can do what, now?"

"I mean, if you think you're up to it. It is rather difficult. I would understand if you said you couldn't," Draco said with an incline of his head towards Harry.

"I'm not that much of a Gryffindor," Harry scoffed, stealing a bite of Draco's eggs. "I'll do it because I want to, not because you were all Slytherin-y."

"Mm, alright," Draco said, scooping some of his plate onto Harry's. A light little nudge and Harry gave him a smile before tucking into his eggs.

"At least we know whatever's down there is protected," Hermione muttered, nibbling on her fork. "I mean, it's not like you can exactly fight off a three-headed dog."

"Technically, you can fight off anything," the blond hummed. "So, have you all gotten the Charms lesson, yet?"

"I think I'm starting to, it just took a bit of extra research." As expected of the 'Brightest Witch of the Age'. Ron and Harry, however, were conveniently looking away. Draco nodded and smirked, cleverly diverting the attention.

"I can help you three, if you need it. I've already read ahead." Which technically wasn't a lie. Hermione was looking at him, however, as Potter might have.

"I'll be perfectly alright, thank you, Draco." Ah, pissing off an eleven-year-old Hermione Granger was so fun.

"I won't. Notes will be very much appreciated," Harry leaned against Draco's side, purposefully looking pathetic.

"And you, Weasley?" Draco rose an eyebrow, crossing his arms. Sighing dramatically, Ron dropped his shoulders.

"Please, Draco, will you help me and Harry with our Charms homework where you're so much better." Hm. That probably came from dealing with the older Weasley. The prefect.

"Gladly."

::

"Well, then. This is me." The scarlet steam engine that was the Hogwarts Express had just pulled into Hogsmeade station. Groups of students were flocking onto it - it seemed near the entire school was going home or visiting friends.

"You'll be back after the holidays, right?" Strange. Harry was acting nervous, as if he thought Draco was never coming back. Draco smiled and nodded.

"Of course I will. Maybe sooner, if father decides to strike me off the family tree!" Frowning, Harry gave him a look. It actually reminded him of his mother quite a bit.

"Have a good hols, then. Write if you get a spare moment, and all that." Harry gave a weak smile. "See you after New Year's."

"Alright, alright," Draco said with a smirk. "Don't worry." The two stared for a moment before Harry pulled Draco into a hug.

"Have a happy Christmas, Draco." Draco was startled for only a moment before smiling brightly and hugging Harry back tightly.

"You too, Harry." Hearing the whistle of the train, Draco felt himself lightly pushed towards the train.

"Go on, then. Don't wanna be late."

"Alright, alright," Draco sighed, smiling slightly. "I'll be back. Promise." Getting onto the train, Draco peeked back out the window. A lurch of the train and they were off, Draco watching as Harry waved them off with a smile. Draco waved back until the station was out off view. He would definitely miss Harry.

When he got to the station, he nodded at his mother. "Mother." He was wrapped up in a hug before he could really register what was happening.

"It's so nice to have you back, Draco."

Draco smiled and hugged her back tightly. "It's nice to be back, mother. I see father didn't come."

"Caught up in his work like usual," Narcissa chuckled, charming Draco's things to follow them as she pulled him along. "Now, how has school been so far?"

"School's been...school," he said weakly. It's certainly been something. "Mother," he asked slowly. "Are Pansy, Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle all still coming to the ball?"

"Of course, they agreed the moment their invitations were sent out." Narcissa tugged him a bit closer, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "They still care for you, Draco."

"I'm hoping to confirm that. We haven't had much chance to talk to each other, due to everything. And you and father? How are you?"

"Quite well. Your father has been a bit busy with work the last few weeks, but he'll be home for the rest of the holidays." The soft smile reassured Draco before he even realized he was tense. "He's not upset, Draco."

Draco stared up at her before nodding and smiling. "Alright. So. To home, then?" He took her hand like he remembered he would when he was younger. It was...nice. All of these lost moments he had never appreciated when he was really this age.

"Yes. I figured I would give you a day or two to settle in before we did anything too extravagant."

"Mother," he began. "I... Do you think it's possible that I could go back to Hogwarts, on Christmas?"

"I... I suppose if you want to," Narcissa looked startled, but she wasn't putting up any objections. "Is there a reason you want to?"

"I have a friend staying at Hogwarts, and all of our friends are spending time with their own families. I just don't want him to be alone on Christmas," Draco said with a bit of a pout to ensure that he'd get his way.

As always, it worked flawlessly. "We'll make sure you get back on Christmas morning, then. I can Apparate you in to Hogsmeade, and I'm sure one of the teachers can walk you from there. Next year, if you wish, you can invite your friend to stay with us."

"If they'd like. I think they rather appreciate the silence, right now." Draco smiled and followed along after his mother. Harry visiting Malfoy Manor did sound nice, and he did say he was interested... Yes, he would have to plan for that next year.

For now, however, he could merely relax and appreciate being home. Especially since this was before the War, and before Voldemort had ever set foot inside. Actually... There had been a war before this one, hadn't there? Maybe Voldemort had been in the Manor, before... Well. The Manor no longer felt safe.

Then again, the Manor hadn't felt safe since shortly after fourth year. Draco doubt it would ever feel safe again, to him. Maybe one day, but... He'd always remember what had happened in these halls.

Opening his bedroom door, a familiar snowy owl was already on his windowsill and giving a trilling hoot at spotting him. Draco smiled and held his arm out. "Hello, Hedwig. When did you get here?" Flying over and landing on the arm, Hedwig gave a flutter of her wings, looking pleased as she held out her leg where a letter was attached. He took the letter and unravelled it, tilting his head to read it with amusement. "You know I haven't even been gone a day, right?"

Hedwig gave an offended little huff, looking as if she was complaining about her owner. Draco wouldn't put it past her, she was a clever owl, that was for sure. Looking back to the letter, he saw Harry's familiar scrawl. 'Hi, Draco. Just wanted to make sure you got off the train okay- I mean, I know you did, obviously, because it's the Hogwarts train, but I thought I'd check in just to be sure. You know. Make sure it's all okay. And that. Everything. I'm just going to stop writing now, because this is going horrible and you're probably laughing at me right now. Harry.' Draco gave a quiet laugh and set the letter on his nightstand.

"I'll let you stay the night, Hedwig. You can bring him a response in the morning." Honestly, the first years were adorable. Harry, especially. It was nice to see he could still act like a child even with all he'd been through.

It was also rather nice to have someone so worried about him, even though they had only said goodbye a few hours ago. Draco nudged Hedwig off his arm and smiled, heading down to dinner. It was bound to be nicer than those he remembered, since this Lucius seemed a little more fond of him. There didn't seem to be any major differences between the timelines - realities? - just...better. Little changes that added up to a few things that were just nice. Snape being kinder than Draco remembered. His father not being so harsh. The Golden Trio not being so untouchable- Though that one may not have changed.

They were still rather secluded from everyone else, but Draco now knew that wasn't because they thought they were better than anyone. All of them were just very bad at being social. Leave it to the misfits to find one another, he supposed. Hermione didn't know anything but her books, Ron didn't know anything but his brothers, and Harry...didn't know anything. Period.

Oh, dear. Draco was the responsible, socially adjusted one of the group... When had that happened? And how? Well. Being eighteen most likely helped with that. Really, the first years were adorable, but they were also idiots. They were all idiots- Draco would need to look out for the first years. The Gryffindors, especially. They were the ones most likely to get themselves killed. As proven. Great. Since he was the most responsible, that meant he had to make sure they didn't get themselves killed. He'd worry about that when the time came.

Well, he at least had until after the holidays to worry about that. For now, he would just enjoy the peace and silence, and think about how to talk to his Slytherin friends. He... He really needed to sort things out with them. At least his mother had helped, telling him they had accepted their invitations and still cared about him. He hadn't seen much of them since the beginning of the school year, and he'd really like to get back in touch with them.

They seemed warmed up to him well enough, talking to him briefly in Potions, waving to him across the halls, smiling during breakfast at him. They were probably just waiting to see if Draco still wanted to be friends with them. Well. He'd have to make sure to show them, then. Now... The ball was in a few days. That gave him plenty of time to plan the perfect outfit.

Perhaps he should go shopping... He had grown a few inches since he left for school, and his fashion sense was much better than his eleven-year-old self. He should go find his mother. Draco ran out of his room, calling as he made his way to the dining room. "Mother! Mother, it's urgent!"

He near toppled over as he rounded the corner, a hand catching the back of his robes the only thing to keep him from hitting the floor. "I believe there was a long conversation about running through the manor?"

"I, ah...forgot?" Draco gave a nervous smile, staring up at his father. "I didn't know you were home."

"I just returned," Lucius chuckled, making sure Draco had his balance before letting him go. "I believe you had something 'urgent' to discuss with your mother, however?"

"Ah- Yes. Yes- I need to go to Diagon Alley, tomorrow, is all." Right, just, stay calm. This Lucius was much more calm, after all, and as long as he played his cards right, he would be fine.

"I believe she had some last-minute shopping to do anyways, so she'll happily take you along." A pause and Lucius ran a hand through Draco's hair, putting it a bit more into order - although not really slicked back, like it used to be. "I hear you'll be going back to Hogwarts for Christmas day?"

"I'd like to, yes. I've a friend whom I'd like to spend Christmas with." The moment Lucius glanced away, Draco 'fixed' his hair.

"Alright. Make sure you have all your things before you return. Would you like to open your presents here before leaving, or have them taken to your dorm?"

"Oh, no, I'll definitely be opening them here." He didn't want to make Harry feel left out, or anything, after all. Lucius nodded, giving Draco another smile. They were still small and contained, but definitely more frequent than Draco remembered.

"Very well. I'll be in my study if you need anything." A pause, Lucius pulling him into a short, one-armed hug. "It's nice to have you home again, Draco." Draco was tense for a moment before tightly hugging him, as well.

"It's nice to be back." It was nice to have this. He... He had missed his father more than he had realized, it seemed. The two parted and Draco stared before turning around and running through the halls again to look for his mother. The heavy sigh he heard from Lucius was a thing of beauty, truly.

::

Alright. Draco was certain this was the right... No, no, maybe a different accent color. Okay so maybe this- Oh, no. That color was not at all right once he brought it out into the light. Hearing a knock on his door, Draco called. "Just a moment!" If he went with that color, it would clash with his eyes- What was he talking about? His eyes were perfect.

Yes, this would work nicely. And he had the perfect cufflinks to go with this, too, so that would just tie the entire outfit all together- Again with the knocking! Didn't they knew Draco was trying to make art here? "I said just a moment," he snapped.

"I believe your guests are not quite as willing to wait." Shit. Well, on the bright side, Lucius at least looked somewhat amused. "And you know how Ms. Parkinson gets when she becomes 'bored'."

"Well," Draco said with a huff. "They'll just have to. Making an outfit like this takes time and effort and I will not step out of this room until it's perfect."

"This is why people compare you to your mother so much," Lucius looked to be resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "The party starts in half an hour, if you wish to try and rush perfection."

"You know as well as I do that perfection cannot be rushed." Draco looked his father over and hm. "You know, actually, I think I have a different tie-"

"Dreadfully sorry, but I just remembered your mother wanted to see me before the ball began." The door was closing in a flash, Lucius gone from the room quick as could be. Draco snickered, looking far too amused before he turned back to his outfit. Now... What color pocket handkerchief did he go with?

It was under half an hour - not under by much, but it was the fact that he wasn't late that counted - when Draco finished his outfit and headed towards the ballroom they would be using. It was on his way there that he was tackled in a hug, Pansy's arms tight around his neck. "Save me, I can't handle Blaise and his crazy homework troubles anymore."

"Homework is very important, Pansy," Draco chided, crossing his arms and looking mature and parental. He was a bit upset he was actually genuine about that, almost.

"Not you too," Pansy whined, hanging off of Draco still and looking pathetic. "I just want to enjoy this party and my free time."

"I suppose I owe you a dance." Draco looked to Blaise with a grin. "Would you like a dance, as well?"

"I would, but I wouldn't want to show you up at your own ball," Blaise tsked, shaking his head. "How embarrassing would that be, after all?"

"Oh? That sounds like a challenge." There was a dramatic sigh from Pansy, who was grinning too much to really be upset.

"And here I thought you two were done with your aggressive flirting with each other. I guess not."

"Now, Pansy, you are a delight, but I don't feel that way about you." He smiled and held his hands out, one towards each of them. "Well?"

"You're ridiculous," Blaise rolled his eyes, halfheartedly taking one of the hands. "Nice to see you're back to your old self, though. We were getting worried."

"It's just nice to see you still like us," Pansy smiled, a bit shyly, as she clung to his hand. "I guess Gryffindors can't be all bad, if you're one."

"Pansy," Draco said with a smile, tugging them along. "I grew up with you lot. You've been my best friends. How could I stop liking you?"

"We are rather amazing," Pansy preened, dragging Draco along by his hand. "Now come on, you owe me a dance."

"Alright." Draco kissed Blaise knuckles with a smirk. "Save me a dance?" And oh, yes, that was fun. Seeing cool and collected Blaise blushing.

"Yeah, yeah. Go work off some of Pansy's energy before she destroys the tree. Again."

"Pansy? Shall we?" Once the two bowed to each other, Pansy was enthusiastically sweeping him onto the floor and twirling him around. It was nothing like the grace she would have when older, but... It was nice.

Draco laughed, spinning her and tugging her close and kissing her forehead. These first years were adorable. He was going to have to remember to make time to spend with Pansy. She had always been a terrific friend, and she might as well have been her sister. This time, he would do his absolute best to treat his friends right.

"Vince and Greg came tonight, too," Pansy pointed out, face already flushed from the dancing as she nodded towards the buffet table. "You should talk to them. They've missed you."

"I miss them, too." Draco glanced over at them with a smile. And this time... This time he could keep them both alive. Try to keep them away from all this nasty business with the war and Voldemort- Merlin, he had been so awful to them when they were kids... This time, he'd do his best to fix that. But first... "I need to find Blaise. He promised me a dance."

"Please embarrass him as best you can," Pansy grinned, parting with a curtsey before flouncing off to bully Crabbe and Goyle into dancing with her.

Draco caught sight of Blaise rather easily and caught his hand with a brilliant smirk. "Care for a dance?"

"You're actually going through with this," Blaise sighed, letting Draco tug him onto the floor anyways. "Yeah, yeah. It's a shame Potter isn't here. Could sacrifice him to you."

"I'd still insist you dance with me," Draco hummed happily. "I'm leading." There was a scoff from Blaise, who didn't put up much of a fight.

"As if I could even try before you went crazy. Alright, one dance, that's it."

"Unless I get you to beg for more," Draco laughed. He absently realized he shouldn't use such mature humor. As shown by Blaise's slightly confused look. Yeah, he... He would need to work on that.

"Uh huh. Pansy will switch out with me long before that, thankfully."

"You hope."