The rest of the time before Christmas seemed to drag on with classes and exams. But to Harry it all seemed to go by quickly due to his abundance of homework that piled up while he had lost his memory; it helped the time pass by. Now, however, he found himself resting in the train on his way to platform 9 and 3/4. His head was in Draco's lap, while Draco ran his hands through Harry's hair, watching the snowy fields out the window. "Are you excited?" Draco asked, looking down at the emerald orbs.
"Yes, actually." Harry gave a grin. He was a bit happy that they had the compartment to themselves, since Hermione and Ron were with Ginny and some others in another compartment.
Draco gave him a smile, "I am too… My mother sounded eager to meet you again. Properly that is."
"Great! I'm glad she approves of me." Harry reached up a hand to Draco's cheek.
Draco nuzzed at his hand, "You helped her during the war."
"We helped each other really." Harry gave a sheepish grin, it was true, if it weren't for her, he would actually be dead.
"It meant a lot to her," Draco ran a hand along Harry's cheek.
"I was just happy I could help her find you. It was also nice that I was able to.. you know…live." Harry let out a small laugh.
Draco chuckled, "Yes, I'm glad you're still here."
Harry smiled at him and was about to say something else, only to be thrown off the seat "WHOA!" He landed face first on the ground, learning quickly that the train had stopped.
"Ah! Harry!" Draco rushed to help him to his feet "Are you alright?"
"Y-Yeah, just didn't see that coming," Harry stood with Draco's help, his glasses askew. Draco couldn't help but chuckle at him and fixed his glasses for him. He tried to flatten his hair, but gave up quickly when it just bounced back. "My hair isn't going anywhere," Harry shook his head and grabbed his bag, "I hope your parents like the present I got them."
"I'm sure they will," Draco kissed his cheek warmly and linked arms with him as they made their way off the train with their trunks trailing behind them.
Harry followed behind looking around the chaos of people, "Where will your parents be?"
"Somewhere…," Draco looked over the crowd, easily being taller than most people in his class. "There! Come on!" he tugged Harry along through the people.
Harry followed him, "It's really crowded this year." He pointed out to no one, noticing that it was probably a lot safer this year to be out of Hogwarts this year.
"Mum! Father!" Draco smiled, finally reaching his parents, who were both finely dressed.
"Draco!" Narcissa called out and flung herself around her son, hugging him tightly while Harry smiled and watched.
Draco however blushed a bright red and pat his mom's back, "Missed you too, mum." He then managed to squirm out of her grip and shook hands with his father.
"Mum, father, you know Harry…" Draco said awkwardly while Harry tried his best to show nothing but an absolute calm and collected state. Lucius narrowed his eyes slightly remaining silent for now.
"Hey," Harry just nodded to both of them.
"Hello, Harry, dear!" Narcissa came forward and took him into her arms giving him a tight hug. Harry pat her back surprised that she hugged him but was thankful that she did; this may help it make things less awkward at their home. Soon they broke apart and she smiled at him, "Come! I have dinner cooking at home! Draco, Apparate with Harry." Soon both of Draco's parents were gone with a crack.
"Before we leave do you mind if we go see the Weasley's? Just so I can say hi to Mrs. Weasley?" Harry asked Draco hopefully.
Draco looked over at the family of redheads for a moment and nodded nervously. "Um… Sure, that's fine."
Harry smiled and pulled him over to the mass of redheads. "Hey everyone!"
Molly turned towards the voice and smiled brightly. "Harry!" She ran over and took him into one of her bone crushing embraces. "How are you my boy?"
"Harry!" Arthur came over to join them.
"Um, you remember Draco…" he pulled him forward with him; Draco hid slightly behind Harry.
Arthur and Molly smiled but it was obvious that things had gotten a little awkward. "A-Are you heading over to his house soon?" Hermione came forward with a warm smile; trying to break the tension.
"Yeah, I just wanted to come over and say hi," he smiled soon all of the attention was on him and Draco. Draco at the moment looked like a deer in head lights, not able to hide behind Harry, due to him being taller.
Molly came forward, deciding that it's best to put things in the past, "Hello, Draco," she gave a motherly smile
Draco timidly waved, "Hello, ma'am."
"How is your family doing, dear?" She pat his shoulder.
"They're… holding in there." Draco said trying to keep up his dignified voice, but failing.
"Well, give them my best, and you two are welcome over on New Years. I will get my gifts to you, Harry." Molly eyed Harry as if daring him to protest.
"O-Okay," Harry gave a smile, "T-Thanks Mrs. Weasley. We should be going, I'll see you around the New Year then." Harry then gave Molly one last hug and then gave out hugs and handshakes to the rest of the group before meeting up with Draco, who had managed to find a nice corner to hang out at. "Thank you." He smiled taking Draco's hand.
"I just feel a little guilty facing them." Draco grimaced and then held his hand tightly as they apprated to his house outside the gate.
"Whoa..." Harry had only been in the main foyer and the dungeon of Malfoy manor, but from the outside it was beautiful. Soon he looked over to the side and there was a white peacock staring at him. "Whoa!" he jumped slightly at the sight of it as it tilted its head at him. "Wha-? They're so white! I've never seen these before!"
"Hm? Oh! Those are our guard peacocks. Oi! Come here!" Draco then whistled and soon a few of them wandered closer, and started to wind around them, looking for attention like giant feathered cats.
"They're so pretty! Can I… pet one?" Harry asked shyly, looking over the marvelous creatures.
"Of course! My father says that I baby them, they are supposed to attack intruders, but they are too adorable." Draco admitted petting at a few himself.
Harry then began to pet at them, "I think I instantly love them. What do they do?"
"They are enchanted, of course. They are electrified. But when they are unthreatened, they are completely harmless." Draco then picked up a small one and held it in his arms.
"Is that a baby one?" Harry rushed over and pet at it. "I want one!"
"Oh! Yes, follow me!" Draco took Harry's hand and lead him into the gate and then across the grounds towards a fancy bird coop. He opened the door and inside there was a nest of little puff balls.
"I want one!" Harry then began to pet all of them, making sure not to miss one.
Draco chucked watching him. He was glad that Harry enjoyed his family attack birds. "Boys! Lunch is ready! I'd get inside before your father sees you!" Narcissa called out, smiling from the back door.
"Huh? Is it really that bad for us to be out here?" Harry asked with at least 10 of the little puffs climbing around all over him.
Draco gave a small snort and shooed away the overly friendly peacocks. "My father doesn't want us to baby them. He wants to keep them tough. But I come out here and spoil them all the time." He grabbed Harry's hand and tugged him away from the chicks. He then whispered to Harry, "We'll see them later."
Harry smiled as he was pulled into the house. "I think I may have to take one with me to Hogwarts."
Draco laughed and led him through the mansion, on their way to the kitchen. "You really like them that much?"
Harry nodded smiling brightly. "They're amazing!" Draco pecked his cheek and led him into the informal kitchen used for more common meals.
"You're father just left for business, He'll be home later." She explained and smiled warmly at the boys as they sat at the table.
"Thanks for having me over, Mrs. Malfoy." Harry smiled and sat at the table next to Draco.
"It's my pleasure, Draco here has told me so much about you and how you've grown so close." She smiled while she set the plates of food in front of them.
Harry flushed slightly, "I'm glad." He gave a small smile, "Oh thank you, this looks really good."
Narcissa gave a bright smile and sat with them, "Oh, I still haven't told your father about… the two of you. So just… don't be too open around him."
"I figured as much," Draco rolled his eyes and began to eat his food.
Harry gave a nod, "I understand." He then took his fork and started at his food as well. "Wow, this is great!"
"Thank you! Ever since we got rid of our house elves, I've been trying to learn to cook." She stated proudly.
"It's definitely improved, barely anything is burnt this time." Draco stated, taking another bite.
Narcissa swat at his arm playfully, "You're awful!" Harry smiled watching the two, trying his best to be well-mannered. Narcissa turned to Harry, "I see the peacocks have taken a liking to you. They only follow around people they can trust."
"I already wish I had my own," Harry admitted, looking out the window seeing a few run past.
Narcissa laughed, "You'd have to sneak it past Lucius first."
"Do you think he could have one for Grimmauld Place?" Draco asked and Harry felt a tiny bit of hope sneak into his chest.
"Mmm, that house could use the extra security." She admitted also looking out the window at the beautiful birds.
"I still need to get that painting out of there." Harry sighed, remembering that screeching painting they threw the blanket over.
"I could try reasoning with it. I'm sure there is a trick to get it off the wall. It wasn't always there." Narcissa offered, knowing exactly the painting that he was talking about.
"I would appreciate it, Kreacher won't be too pleased but it really needs to go." Harry finished off his plate and pushed it forward to show he was done.
"That thing is still alive?" Draco asked giving a face of disgust.
"I'm positive I can get rid of it." Narcissa smiled nodding to him.
"Awesome, and yes he's still alive, he doesn't look it but he still has a kick to him." Harry shook his head, "He's able to carry heavy things to his room whenever we try to throw things away."
"You have a lot of work ahead of you, hun, to make that house livable. But I'll gladly help with what I can." She smiled, she had to make sure the future house that Draco would probably be living in was in the right condition.
"Thank you, it would be good to have someone help with the house who knows the tricks of it." Harry gave her a thankful smile.
After they finished eating, Narcissa magically cleaned the dishes, and sent the boys off to do as they please.