The Rest of Our Lives
Chapter Twenty Four- Home Sweet Home
Before anyone knew it, classes had ended and students were about to board the Hogwarts train to head home where their families awaited their arrivals. Traditionally Harry stayed at the nearly empty school for the break but this year was a little different. Iris had invited Ron, Hermione, himself and even Draco to hers and Treasa's home a few miles outside of Hogsmeade's borders. At first Harry had been skeptical yet Iris had assured him everything was going well in her marriage and that her morning sickness had finally dissipated. Ron's parents had been looking forward to Christmas with him as well and was quite disappointed in his refusal. Hermione's parents on the other hand were happy for their daughter and were taking a second honeymoon instead.
As the three Gryffindors packed their final belongings into their trunks, a slight tap was heard at the small common room window. A tawny eagle owl was perched upon the windowsill with a small piece of parchment attached to its leg. Hermione opened the window and the owl flew to Harry's shoulder.
"It's from Draco," Harry answered the wordless question. He unraveled it and read aloud " 'Harry, I can't go with. I'm sorry. -D-' "
"Why isn't he coming?" Hermione posed.
Harry shrugged, worry crossing his mind as he furrowed his eyebrows. "He told me he was ok with all of this. He said he wasn't going home since it would be empty anyways. I'm going to go talk with him, make him see reason."
"Iris stated very specifically we are supposed to meet her in the Great Hall in-" Ron checked his watch, an early present from his parents. "-exactly fifteen minutes. That doesn't give you much time, mate."
"I know. Can you guys take my trunk down? That way if he won't come we'll at least be on time."
"Sure Harry," Hermione nodded.
Harry swiftly took off for the Slytherin common room knowing Draco would be there. How he would enter was a problem he hoped he would be able to over come yet he wasn't sure how at the moment. When he arrived within three minutes in front of the secret entrance, panting, he knocked loudly three times. No one came for what seemed like minutes which meant he had about ten to convince Draco to come along to Iris' place for break. Finally the portrait opened and luckily it was none other than Draco.
"What are you doing here, Harry? I told you I wasn't coming."
"But why? We had this all planned out. No one will know outside of us."
"That's not what I am worried about."
"Then what?"
"No one really wants me to come along. What's the point? We have been trying this thing for almost two months and nothing."
"Where is this coming from? We were doing ok in my eyes. Are you breaking up with me right before Christmas?" Harry was on the verge of hysteria. For once something had been going right. The two boys had finally overcome the need to argue and fight over everything. They had also put aside their differences and really gotten to know each other. In addition they had followed the rules they had set in place that hectic night, even when it was difficult: 1) call each other by first names, 2) no hurting each other which included everything between name calling and fist fighting, 3) keep it simple, 4) keep it secret, 5) no kissing or anything further, 6) never say the word love and 7) in public don't be an ass.
"No, I'm not, chill."
"Then what?"
"It's breaking a rule, ok?"
"What are you talking about," Harry was flabbergasted.
"Rule number three, keep it simple. This is not simple. It's as close to meeting the family as it's going to get."
"Are you worried it will be awkward and tense?"
"No," Draco lied. "If we break this rule then we'll start breaking other rules." Especially rule number six.
Harry sighed, smiling. "This is simple, Draco. Instead of staying here alone we are going to be with friends."
"Your friends."
"In time they will become yours."
"Highly unlikely."
"Give Ron time. At least 'Mione is trying and Iris never knew you before all of this."
"I don't know."
"Please? For me?" Harry batted his unusually long eye lashes.
"Fine. I'm still packed so I'll grab it and we can go."
Once everyone was in the Great Hall, it took them five minutes to cross Hogwarts' grounds and another ten minutes to wind their way through Hogsmeade to arrive at Iris' place. A one story yellow cottage stood in front of a large bed of flowers that expanded to the base of large, rolling hills. Serene was the first word that came to Harry's mind, and he was right. The cottage was far enough away from the Wizard village for it to be quiet even on the most frantic days of the year yet not to make it feel disconnected from the rest of the world.
"Come on in," Treasa called from the welcoming, open front door.
Inside, lights and Christmas decorations filled the small rooms creating a warm and comforting aura. To the side of the entrance was an ornamented tree, bedazzled with real glistening ice crystals and glowing candles. On the other side of the entrance was the kitchen where a small table was laden with a roast pig, diced vegetables, mashed potatoes, fresh salad and creamed fruits.
"So?" Iris beamed, her hands happily placed on her round stomach. "Is it acceptable?"
"It's beautiful," Hermione answered for the stunned students.
"When do we eat?" Ron asked eyeballing the warm food and thinking of nothing else.
Iris smiled. "Let's get you unpacked and then we can eat Ron." She led the way to a side hallway at the end of the house which led to three decent sized bedrooms, two of the rooms with two beds and the other with one. "This is mine and Treasa's room," she commented on the room farthest to the left. "If you guys ever need anything just knock." She continued down the corridor. "I hope you don't mind, but I am obliged to spilt you guys up. Draco and Ron are in this room and Hermione and Harry are in the last room. Sorry, not my wishes." Leaving them empty their trunks, Iris walked to the kitchen.
"I hope you know what you are doing; they didn't look pleased." Iris wrapped her arms around her wife's shoulders and held tight.
"You told me yourself that sometimes you have to push people in order to get what you want," Treasa smiled, lightly touching the warmth of her stomach.
"Did I ever tell you I think you're a genius?"
Smiling, Treasa turned and passionately kissed Iris' red lips. "Constantly."
In the mean time Harry and Hermione were happily unpacking, talking about the surprises they had in mind for Christmas day while Draco and Ron were already arguing.
"This isn't about you!" Draco fought.
"Well it sure isn't about you," Ron fought back. "Just because Harry trusts you doesn't mean I do."
"Never asked you to."
"Then you shouldn't have come here."
"I was invited."
"No one wants you here. It's called being polite."
"The opposite of how you're acting."
"Even though you are nice to Harry I know you hate Hermione and myself."
"Never said I did," Draco coolly answered.
"So what, you picked on us for nearly six years because you envy us?"
"Again, never said I did."
Ron glared at the smooth blonde and stormed out of the room. He furiously banged on the door next to his own, catching the attention of the whole house.
"You don't like the color of the door?" Treasa tried to joke as Ron fumed.
"I won't sleep in the same room with that monster!"
"Aw, that hurts," Draco sarcastically tapped his heart.
"Draco," Iris warned. "What is the problem?"
"Got me," answered Draco.
"Liar!" Ron bellowed. "All he does is irritate people and argue with them! I'm not staying in the same room with him!"
"Can't you two compromise and get along? After everything, Harry and Draco seem to be doing well," Treasa joined in.
"I'm not the one getting shagged!" Ron blurted out.
Hermione gasped and Draco's face paled, but it was Harry who looked truly angry. "What did you just say?"
"Nothing, it was an-"
"No!" Harry looked livid, his face red and downcast. "You have no right to say something of that caliber, ever! And thought it is none of your business whether we are or not, we aren't." Storming away from the small crowd he slammed the door to his and Hermione's room. Within the room Harry paced the floor, trying hard not to put his fist through the wall. This was supposed to be a happy time for everyone. Ron and Draco were supposed to be getting closer. That was the plan! "Ugh!"
The door creaked open, "Harry?" Draco peeked his head through.
"Couldn't you try harder? Why do you have to be so difficult?"
"Hey," Draco tensed. "There are two sides to a fight and I'm not here to start one with you too."
Sitting on the edge of his bed, Harry sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry. I just can't believe Ron would say something like that. I mean, I know he doesn't like you but-"
"Listen, Ron didn't bring the subject up by himself. I may have said something before to aggravate him."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Now everyone thinks we are shagging."
"Should we prove them right?" Draco's eyes gleamed with mischievousness.
"What about the rules?"
"I know. It's called a joke, or have you forgotten what that is?"
"Don't even start with me," Harry smiled anyways. "Let's go and eat. I'm starved now and I bet Ron is dying." The two laughed and headed for dinner.