Disclaimer: I do not own the fantastic world or characters created by J.K. Rowling but I will use some of her words and ideas to further my plot. :)

Chapter 21 - The Present from No One

Draco walked through the front doors of Malfoy Manor with the house elf, Blinky, that had picked him up from King's Cross Station at his side. The other house elf, Noddy, that had been sent for him had already returned with his trunk.

"Mother?" He called out. "I'm home!"

He heard noise from above before his two large dogs came barrelling over the staircase and bounded towards him.

"Hey boys," he laughed as Silas and Owen licked his hands and vied for this attention. They jumped happily around him and he tried his best to pet both of them. "I hope that you've been keeping Mother company," he told his dogs quietly. He really didn't like the idea of his mother all alone in this large house.

"I'll go tell Mistress young Master is home," Blinky squeaked before he disappeared with a 'crack'.

Draco spent the next few minutes trying to get his two Chocolate Labs to settle down. "Okay, sit boys," he chuckled. Silas and Owen sat obediently but continued to wag their tails excitedly.

Draco raised his head in time to see his mother descending the staircase. He smiled brightly because she looked beautiful, elegant, and completely graceful and he knew that she was trying her hardest to keep up appearances for the societal wizarding world. She crossed the room almost at a run and wrapped her arms tightly around him. His mother was tall but she was still a head shorter than him and so she rested her chin on his chest.

"Oh, Draco," she whispered. "It's so good to see you." She pulled back and placed both of her hands on his face so that she could get a good look at him. "My baby boy," she said quietly to herself.

He could see tears in her eyes and it could either stem from the fact that she was happy to see him or that he looked so much like his father that it hurt her. "How are you, Mother?" He asked cautiously.

"Better now," she smiled. "How are you? You look a little pale. Are you hungry? Let's go to the kitchen."

She grabbed his hand and led him through the house towards the kitchen. He was quite hungry and he wasn't going to argue with her anyway. He was going to let her fuss over him as much as she needed to.

"What are you in the mood for?" She asked with a happy smile.

He shrugged. "It doesn't matter." His mother fixed him with a hard stare and he laughed. "How about a sandwich and some chips?"

She smiled again and started bustling around the kitchen. His mother didn't normally cook, that was house elves' work, but she seemed enthused to have a task.

"So, tell me everything about your term so far? How are your classes? How's Quidditch practice? How's Severus? Theodore? Daphne? I was thinking about inviting Theodore and the Greengrasses over for Christmas dinner."

Draco chuckled to himself and ran a hand through his hair. His mother was asking him questions as if they hadn't corresponded multiple times a week since he had gone back to Hogwarts. She knew all about his studies, his Quidditch practice schedule and how he had been sick for the season opener, and he also kept her updated on his closest friends.

"Everything and everyone is good, Mother."

"And what about…?" She trailed off but he knew what she was referring to.

"Difficult but it's coming along," he answered honestly. "How is Borgin?"

"He's doing what he's told," she replied sternly. "Oh, I looked into that locket, the one that belonged to Salazar Slytherin." He nodded for her to continue. "Burke purchased it from a young woman in 1926 for ten Galleons. He sold it to a rich collector years later."

Draco pondered this new information and had a fleeting moment of pity for Borgin because his mother could be quite intimidating and feisty. It sort of reminded him of another witch he knew…

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone Apparating into their home. He clutched his wand reflexively and looked questioningly at his mother. They had powerful security wards surrounding their house but one could never be too careful. He was more surprised than he should have been when his Aunt Bellatrix strolled through the doorway.

"Draco," she cooed before placing a kiss on his cheek.

"How are you Aunt Bella?" He inquired politely.

"Better," she smiled sinisterly and he was instantly worried. "How is your mission coming along?"

"It's on track."

"Perfect," she smirked. "Cissy, you raised such a good boy."

His mother looked at him, then at her sister, before she responded confidently, "I know I did."

*~()-()-()~*-*~()-()-()~*

Harry was thoroughly enjoying his Christmas holiday. It was nice to be in a house full of Weasleys. Mr. Weasley was working late hours at the Ministry but Mrs. Weasley's cooking was to die for, Fred and George were taking the mickey out of Ron for having a girlfriend, Charlie was regaling them with stories about dragons, and he enjoyed spending some time with Ginny without Dean being in the picture.

On Christmas Eve, all of the Weasleys, Harry, Fleur, and Remus Lupin gathered in the living room for egg-nog and biscuits, and to listen to the Christmas special on the wireless. Lupin was chatting with Mr. Weasley about things at the Ministry while Fred and George played Exploding Snap, and he and Ginny poked fun at Ron for watching Bill and Fleur so closely.

"Maybe he's hoping to pick up tips," Ginny snickered.

Harry laughed along with her and tried not to stare too much at the way the Christmas lights around the room reflected off of her long, red hair.

He and Ron awoke on Christmas morning and excitedly delved into their presents. Harry almost fell off of his camp bed laughing when Ron opened Lavender's gift. It was a gold chain with the words 'My Sweetheart' dangling from it. Harry's presents were a lot less embarrassing and a lot more enjoyable.

The only damper on his holiday came with the arrival of two unexpected guests, Percy and Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister for Magic, during Christmas dinner. It was quickly realized by everyone at the table that Percy did not come to see his family and that the Minister only wanted a word with Harry Potter.

Harry was incredibly angry that Scrimgeour had interrupted time with the only family that Harry had to ask him to become the face of the Ministry…because people thought that he was the "Chosen One"…which he was, but Scrimgeour didn't need to know that. The Minister had accused him of being "Dumbledore's man through and through" and he had proudly stated that he was. He considered that to be a compliment.

In the Burrow's attic, later that night, when it was just him and Ron, Harry revealed the content of the conversation with the Minister for Magic and they continued to bounce around theories about Malfoy. Harry decided that he would tell Dumbledore everything when they all returned to Hogwarts.

"I need to find out what Malfoy is up to," he repeated and Ron nodded.

Two identical, redheaded figures Apparated into the room and Ron fell off of his bed in surprise. "Can't you two just knock like normal people?" He bellowed.

Fred and George sat down on either side of Harry and grinned.

"Where's the fun in that, little brother?" Fred jested.

Ron grumbled as he clambered back on top of his Chudley Cannons sheets.

"Anyway," George began, "we have interesting news."

Harry's curiosity kicked in. "Yeah?"

"Mm hmm," Fred nodded. "We just overheard Dad and Remus talking and there's going to be an Order meeting here tomorrow night. It seems the Burrow is the new Order of the Phoenix headquarters."

"Wicked," Ron stated in awe.

"Will Dumbledore be here?" Harry asked enthusiastically.

"Don't know mate, but yours truly and George will be sitting in on the meeting. We're of age and out of Hogwarts, we're in the Order now."

"That's not fair," Ron whined.

Harry wholeheartedly agreed. As far as he was concerned, he, Ron, and Hermione…and well, now Malfoy…were as good as Order members. Maybe he would be able to convince Lupin and Mr. Weasley that they deserved to hear what they were talking about.

"They think it's a good time to have a meeting," George continued, "with it being a holiday and everyone in the house, Charlie's home from Romania, and Remus is back above ground. And Tonks will be here, which will make Mum happy after today's Percy disaster."

Harry chuckled. Fred and George had told him and Ron earlier that Mrs. Weasley had been inviting Tonks around the house more and more lately in an effort to shift Bill's attention from Fleur onto her. Harry didn't think that it was working judging by how openly affectionate Bill was with the young French woman. The couple looked smitten.

"Charlie is thrilled too," George added.

"Him and Tonks were friends when they went to Hogwarts," Fred explained. "I think that Mum is trying to set her up with the wrong Weasley."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked confused.

"Well," Fred grinned. "The way that Bill tells it, Tonks has been the only girl that Charlie ever found more interesting than a dragon."

"Did they ever go out?" Harry inquired.

"Nah," Fred answered. "But," he grinned slyly, "lots of people who we think are going to finally get together, never do."

Harry chuckled as he watched Ron bristle and narrow his eyes at his older brother. "What is that supposed to mean?" He asked defensively.

Fred laughed, "Just that we're impressed that you've actually managed to find a girl that wants to snog you, but we always thought you liked bookworms."

Fred and George had been teasing Ron about Hermione for years but Harry had never seen Ron turn so red. "Well...I-I don't…I m-mean," Ron stuttered.

"Afraid you'll be compared to Krum? The thought must be terrifying. You being compared to a world class Quidditch player who's rolling in the Galleons and could have any bird he wants, enough to intimidate any bloke."

Ron awkwardly fiddled with his bed sheets and mumbled, "I'm dating Lavender."

"Yes," Fred nodded. "And Hermione goes for talented, rich, good-looking blokes, I see your problem. Maybe I'll ask her out," he teased.

"Don't! You're my brother!" Ron erupted as his ears turned red in fury.

Fred laughed loudly and clapped Harry on the shoulder. "Well, our work is done. George, let's go."

George smiled and deflected, "Yes, like we were saying, Tonks has been rather depressed lately and maybe Charlie will cheer her up. 'Night boys!"

And they both Disapparated with a 'pop'.

"What gits," Ron huffed as he stared at his bedside table and the God awful necklace that Lavender had bought him. "Like Hermione would ever date Fred," he said more to himself than Harry.

Harry smiled as he got his bed ready. His best friend's feelings for their shared female friend were becoming more and more obvious, regardless of the fact that Ron was dating Lavender Brown.

*~()-()-()~*-*~()-()-()~*

Hermione was helping her mother wash the dishes from Christmas supper with a smile on her face. She had had quiet Christmas celebrations with her parents just like she had wanted. Yesterday night they had visited her grandmother and this morning they had taken their time opening Christmas presents before eating breakfast and watching the telly. She had mostly received lovely clothes and books for Christmas and Crookshanks was positively delighted with the new toys that her parents had gotten him.

It was nice to be reminded that she had a life and people who loved her outside of the wizarding world. Since the return of Lord Voldemort, she hadn't spent as much time with her parents as she would have liked, out of her concern for Harry.

She had just started asking her mother about how their dental practice was going when her father called out from the living room.

"It seems that we missed a present under the tree!"

"Who is it for, Roger?" Her mother asked.

Her father walked into the kitchen holding a box. "Hmm, there's no tag," he said puzzled. "It must have fallen off."

Hermione stared at the box curiously. It was emerald green with a silver bow. "Open it Dad."

Her father laid the box on the kitchen table, pulled off the bow, and lifted the top. Hermione hovered over her father's shoulder and eyed the box's contents, inside was a set of paints and charcoal pencils, a small box of peanut butter filled chocolates, and a leather bound journal waiting to be written in.

She knew instantly that this present was intended for her and despite the fact that there wasn't a tag or card; it could only be from one person. She had only told one person about her love of art, peanut butter, and her appreciation for journal writing.

"It's for me," she stated quietly as she reached for the box.

"Who is it from?" Her father probed.

She felt her cheeks flush. "Just someone from school."

"A boy?" Her father asked suspiciously.

Her mother giggled excitedly. "Is it from Ronald?"

Hermione rolled her eyes but still continued to blush. Her parents were so nosy and embarrassing. "It's not important." She picked the box up into her arms and walked as fast as she could to her upstairs bedroom with her mother still calling after her.

"Is it from Viktor?"

"No Mum!"

She closed her bedroom door and placed the box on her bed. She bit her lip and looked down at it as if she were expecting it to explode, or worse. She hadn't gotten anything for Draco for Christmas and now she felt guilty. She would have to brave the Boxing Day sales tomorrow to buy something for him. But his presents were thoughtful and sentimental and anything that she picked up for him would feel false in comparison.

Who knew that Draco Malfoy could be so thoughtful?

She covered her mouth to stifle the giggle that threatened to escape because the answer to that question was absolutely absurd. Apparently, she was the only one that knew that he could be so thoughtful.

A/N: Merry Christmas everyone! Please leave a review! :)