Lucius sighed. He'd hoped so much that this holiday season would be carefree and fun. He knew that Harry had never had a real family Christmas before, and had wanted this to be special. It would be, but not in the way he had hoped.

He'd picked the boys up from the train and seen the tension drain out of Harry the instant they got back to the manor.

"Harry?" Lucius had wanted to question Harry, but he didn't have time, Harry started talking the second he was steady on his feet.

"Oh, Merlin, am I glad to be home. I was scared every second that someone would try to bond Draco before I could. Why didn't anyone?" He held up his hand to stop Lucius' remark. "I know it's settled but you know how people are."

Lucius had smiled his most evil smile at that. "How would they dare? I put the word out that anyone who attempted to bond with Draco without my express permission was dead. Slowly and painfully."

Harry had nearly collapsed at that. "I thought I was the only one who could ... Um ... never mind." The look on Lucius' face had explained everything.

They'd all headed for their quarters to rest for dinner.

He was now sitting before the fire in his private parlour reviewing his guest list and hoping everything went as expected. He didn't think he could take much more excitement, especially when it came to his sons. He decided he was getting old. Or set in his ways. He was a young man by wizarding standards but, as Harry said, it wasn't the age it was the wear and tear.

He went to bed before he fell asleep in his chair.

.

Hermione sat in her bedroom, trying hard not to cry. This ritual was a slavery spell. It was wrong, so very wrong. She knew exactly what it was as she'd done most of the research on it. She'd done her best to pick the best parts, the one's that gave Draco the most freedom.

She felt so sorry for Draco, and Harry too. She knew that Harry didn't want to do this but he was stuck. Her last rant, though, had offended both Harry and Draco. She was afraid that she wouldn't get an invitation.

She'd asked Draco about sending them out, offering to help write them. He'd told her that she didn't need to as they would be sent out the day after they got home for holidays.

When she'd said that was short notice, giving most attendants only three days to get ready, he'd replied, "Yes, and only three days to arrange something unpleasant. They'll either attend or they won't. An invitation from the Family's Malfoy, Black and Potter is not something to be ignored."

She was to be a very happy girl when she received an invitation for three.

.

The day of the ceremony arrived bright and cold. Harry and Draco rehearsed their roles one last time then went down to eat breakfast. They weren't working out today, there was enough going on that they didn't have time.

Lucius greeted them with a smile. "Ready for your bonding?"

Harry snorted. "You know we are." Since Lucius was part of the ritual he was well aware they were.

"I know that you're ready for the ceremony, but are you ready for the actuality?"

Harry shrugged a bit uncomfortably. Draco took over. "Were you and mother ready for the actuality?"

Lucius admitted that neither of them had been truly ready. "No, I suppose not. You do know that you can come to me with any problems?" Both young men nodded. "Good. Now eat. Guests won't start arriving until three, more likely quarter after. I'm going to be checking on the final preparations, greeting your mother..." He nodded at Draco. "If she decides to attend, although I do not expect her. And, in general, creating order out of chaos. I'd suggest that you finish your meal and retire to your rooms to rest. The ritual will be tiring. I want you rested so the bond will finish settling properly."

Harry eyed a strawberry doubtfully, decided it was green and scraped it back onto his plate. "As to that. Are you sure it hasn't settled properly?"

"Yes, it is unbreakable by now but not completely settled. I know that you believe the practices should have been sufficient but intent is crucial."

Harry seemed satisfied with that and returned to his meal. "Oh, ok."

Draco turned to his own questions. "Will there be some sort of ... display. Sparks or something?"

"There will be some sort of signal that the bond is complete. I don't know what it will be as it is always different. But we will certainly know."

Draco turned to Harry. "I know all about the ritual, but what about the celebrations afterward?"

"Surprise. Not telling." Harry had made arrangements for most of the celebrations, with help on some of it from Lucius, but he was keeping a lot from both of them, claiming it was a surprise. Draco was insatiably curious about it, and had become something of a nag. Harry just laughed at him and always answered that it was a surprise. Lucius was about to burst with curiosity himself but refrained from asking, considering it too childish.

So they separated, Harry and Draco to move Harry's things into Draco's larger suite, and Lucius to keep an eye on the final preparations for the ritual.

Narcissa Malfoy had, not unexpectedly, refused to come to the festivities. She was still of the opinion that her Lord would somehow succeed. Lucius was beyond furious at this, and was seriously considering asking the Wizengamot for a divorce. But he didn't have time for that now, he had a lot of work to do for this event and not much help to do it with. House elves could only do so much after all.

Lucius was a bit startled to feel arms wrap around him. "Wa?"

Severus' silky voice whispered in his ear, "Need some help?"

"Yes, I'm running mad." Lucius couldn't help the slight whimper in his voice.

"What can I do? Just point me in the right direction." Severus let Lucius go but nudged him to turn around.

Lucius turned to face Severus. "Would you receive the gifts? Narcissa has declined to attend."

Severus' sneer was the one he used on total dunderheads. "She still believes?"

"Yes, despite me showing her that Harry removed my mark. She's a Black ... and the insanity is beginning to show. I'm actually a bit worried about her." Lucius took a moment to rest his head on his friend's shoulder, then straightened, "But that is a worry for another day. This day is to be happy."

Severus blessed Lucius with a rare, and particularly sweet smile, "As you order, so shall it be."

"Prat."

"Precisely."

And with that they separated to attend to their responsibilities.

Molly Weasley arrived an hour early, alone except for Percy and asked if she could do anything. Severus turned over reception to her and recording and arranging the gifts to Percy. He was glad to do it and hoped that this might start mending the rift between the two families. He wondered what exactly had started it in the first place then dismissed the thought.

At exactly 3 pm all the guests were gathered, this was not a time to be fashionably late. The ballroom doors were shut, heads were counted and the ritual started.

The first part was so boring that several older people fell asleep about half way through.

Lucius read the complete contract; all 18 pages of it, which detailed Draco's rights and privileges in excruciating detail, and the appendix that listed everything that Harry ceded to Draco. In order that people not know everything the Malfoy family had, some of the items were mentioned in ancient Sumerian. Much to Hermione and Dumbledore's amusement. Hermione's parents looked proud as they knew she'd helped with the contract. Ron smirked at her as they both knew that Lucius and Ron had hammered out the details while Severus, Lucius and Hermione had done the translating. Lucius's lawyers had gone over the whole thing with a fine toothed comb and found nothing to object to.

The reading took nearly an hour after which Lucius announced that there would be tea served to everyone in their seats. The tea was a small cup of bitter green tea meant to remind everyone that life was not all sweetness. It was very bitter but it was considered extremely rude to leave any.

The whispering while the tea was being served was like a high wind in dry leaves. Everyone realized that Harry had given Draco back all the Malfoy properties. Lucius couldn't help a real, full blown smirk as he sat down beside Severus. "Well, let them chew on that for a while."

"Mr. Potter is very generous. He can afford it, though."

Lucius poked Severus in the side. "You really have to amend that attitude. Harry is nothing like James. Pray pretend you never met either one of them and reform your opinion."

Severus leaded closer, so close that Lucius' unbound hair brushed his cheek. "Any why should I do that?"

"Because I ask it of you. Please?"

"Oh, very well. I will try. Satisfied." Severus drew in the smell of Lucius' cologne with a soft sniff.

"Yes. For now." Lucius finished his tea and settled back to wait for the next part of the show.

He had a part in this as well but it was small so he was going to meet his son at the door. He grinned evilly at the thought of what was to come next. Severus, who had no idea what was about to happen glanced at him with a worried expression.

Just as he was about to ask a question a house elf popped in, took Lucius by the hand and popped out again, Lucius in tow.

The second part of the ritual, the first real step, started with Harry striding into the room like he owned it. He stalked to the front of the room, rich dark green velvet robes swirling around his ankles.

These robes had been made by special order with the Potter family crest, the Black family crest and the Malfoy family crest embroidered on the back in a triangle. The Potter crest was high on his back nearly at the nape of his neck with the Black and Malfoy crests taking equal rank just below it. All of them nearly hidden by his unbound hair which hung to his buttocks. Few people noticed that he was bare footed.

An old fashioned waltz started to play, the doors opened again and Lucius walked in. The first thing everyone noticed was the forbidding glower on his face, Merlin forbid that anyone do anything untoward. He gave a gaping Dumbledore an especially fierce look. Then they all noticed that he was leading Draco by his bound hands. And Draco was as nearly naked as he could be, wearing only a thigh length garment vulgarly called a shimmy. A sleeveless, rather shear linen robe that wizards and witches wore under closed formal robes. He was also wearing pants, for modesties sake.

Hermione whispered, "Oh, naked of ornamentation. Lady Godiva." Ron just poked her in the side.

Lucius led Draco to Harry by the soft, silken rope. It was beautifully decorated with tassels, and just wrapped once around his wrists then the end passed between his wrists, over the loop to hold the thing in place. Lucius handed the end to Harry, bowed as to an equal then returned to his seat beside Severus.

Harry smiled around in a fashion that had full-grown Death Eaters and Aurors alike shifting uncomfortably in their seats.

The music died away and Harry began to speak. "I declare Draco Malfoy my equal, my spouse, and my bonded. I invest him with all the rights and privileges of a full partner in all business, in all magic and in all other things. Let any who object speak now ..." everyone waited for the traditional 'or forever hold your peace.', they were startled and shocked at his next words. "and die."

Lucius just raised an eyebrow at the gasps. Severus smirked in a way that let everyone know that he was pleased with his godson's protector. Dumbledore blinked in a rather puzzled fashion. Minerva McGonagall just nodded her head at Harry.

"No one? Good. Draco ..." Harry took the rope off Draco's wrists and tossed it into the air, his Incendio was just a whisper but the rope disappeared in a burst of fire and a fine dusting of ash hovered for a moment. Draco pulled his wand from somewhere and banished the ash. He turned and smiled into Harry's eyes.

Harry summoned something from behind him. It was a simple stick, a cane more commonly called a birch. He held it up. "I acknowledge that I have the right to punish my spouse in any way at any time for any reason. In this case the rule of thumb does not apply. I relinquish those rights now, forever more." He broke the cane over his knee and tossed the pieces on the floor. "I take Draco Malfoy as my spouse, in all ways, for all time. To keep and hold, to love and cherish. With all my heart, soul and magic. So mote it be."

Draco turned so that everyone could see Harry's hands holding his. "I, Draco Malfoy, take Harrison James Potter, to be my spouse, in all ways, for all time. To keep and hold, to love and cherish, with all my heart, soul and magic. So mote it be."

There was a sudden golden glow around them both, the whole audience gasped softly. Harry grinned at Draco.

"Shall we?" He led Draco to the middle of the floor.

Draco followed him. "We shall."

When the music started, the driving beat made many of the older wizards and witches startle. The accordion, guitar, violin and drum began the strains of a traditional Argentine tango.

Harry turned side on to Draco and held out his hand in a demanding fashion. Draco took it and walked around Harry striding proudly, bare feet making no sound on the parquet floor.

Harry turned inpasado, keeping side on to Draco. Draco stepped up face to face with Harry, who pulled him into a quick turn. Stepping to the outside, Draco executed an Ocho then Harry did the same. Harry swirled Draco into a turn and dip which left everyone gasping. Draco was now dressed in Harry's robe. While Harry was clad in a shimmy and pants.

They continued to dance, executing the sensual dance with skill and grace. Harry's gancho's were smooth and seemingly effortless. Draco's flicks left everyone wondering how he managed not to kick Harry. As they danced, the robes moved from Harry to Draco and back.

They ended, face to face, chest to chest, almost as if they were going to fight. Draco now had on the robes Harry had started with.

Lucius stood up and walked to them, a set of robes over his arms. These robes were exactly like the robes that Harry had started out in. Lucius smiled at Harry, the sight of him standing there in a shimmy, bare footed was not what anyone would have expected. Lucius threw the robes into the air and, with a practiced flick of his wand, settled them on Harry's shoulders. Harry bowed to him and said, "Thank you, sir."

Lucius turned and stepped between Harry and Draco. He took their hands and joined them within his own clasped hands. "I present to you Draco and Harrison James Potter-Malfoy."

There was a bit of applause which stopped as Harry produced a stool and cushion from somewhere. He knelt at Draco's feet, motioning with his wand to move the stool behind him. He took a pair of socks from Lucius and slid them on Draco's feet, then he put on shoes.

Then Draco did the same for Harry.

They stood, clasped hands and said in unison, "We do hereby swear to support each other in all endeavours great and small. Love and honour each other until the day we die. The families Malfoy, Black and Potter are joined. Let none dare attempt to sunder them under penalty of death. So mote it be."

Lucius glowed with pride as the magical swell that proved their bond stirred the curtains at all the windows and made the crystal drops on the chandeliers tinkle like bells.

With that, everyone stood up, clapping their hands. Hermione was so overcome that she hugged and kissed Ron right there. Her parents looked on with amusement, while his started planning. Molly was especially delighted. Her 'almost' son was happy, her son was looking like he was going to be engaged any day and the feud with the Malfoys was at a low simmer.

Neville was pleased too. The ritual had thrown the whole of the ton into a tizzy. A very polite and subdued one to be sure, but still, the entire wizarding world had been turned on its ear. He was delighted. His Gran was too, although she kept that to herself. She simply smiled and started planning how to use this to her benefit, for Neville's good.

Dumbledore was just pleased that he'd been invited at all. He was still unsure exactly how everything had started to come unravelled to such an extent.

Harry led Draco off the floor and straight up to Minerva McGonagall. "Ma'am. As the Elder Lady of my family. Will you bless this union?" This privilege should have gone to Narcissa, or Harry's mother. But, as Narcissa had refused to come and his mother was dead that was not possible. Harry wasn't about to grant it to some stranger and Molly would seize the status the blessing would grant her to meddle. He knew Lucius wouldn't put up with it so he took the easy way out. And mended his fences with the professor in the process.

With a smile on her face, Minerva took her wand out of her tartan robes and blessed them, flicking her wand in gestures as old as wizard kind and chanting softly in Scottish. "There you are. Blessed be."

Harry kissed her on one cheek, then Draco did the same.

Lucius led the next bit of the ceremony, showering them with rose petals from his wand. Everyone followed suit and Harry and Draco ran out of the room, up the stairs and disappeared down the hall to their quarters.

This was not as rude as you might expect, as there was no such thing as a reception in the wizarding world, nor a dance or banquet. Everyone was expected to leave so the happy couple could go about the process of producing an heir.

.

Harry laughed, grabbed Draco and swung him around and around.

Draco laughed, exclaiming at last, "Put me down, you idiot, I'm getting dizzy."

Harry dropped him on the couch and flopped down beside him. "Ok, ok. But I think it came off wonderfully. Don't you?"

"I do. We were brilliant. The music was perfect. I'm ... exhausted." Draco rubbed the back of his neck.

Harry sighed, "I really want out of these robes and into something more comfortable. What about you?"

Draco stood up. "I want out of these robes too. And I'd literally kill for a cup of tea."

Mimsey popped in. "You is not killing anyone, here is tea." She put the service down on the table in front of the couch and poured tea. "You is also not worrying about Mimsey and Gerard fighting. We is dividing up the chores. Mimsey is seeing to clothing and baths and such. Gerard is seeing to cleaning and polishing boots. We is both serving on call, taking shifts so one of us is to be available at all times. Now. A bath will be ready in twenty minutes. Then we is both on call for tonight." She gave them a sneaky sideways look. "There is a ... gift from us on the bed side table. Use lots." and she disappeared with a sharp pop.

Harry looked at Draco, open mouthed, "Did she? I mean..."

Draco got up and peeked into the bedroom. He returned, scarlet faced and snickering, "Oh, yes, she did. Sex advice from a house elf? I'm ... speechless."

Harry smirked at Draco. "Good because I can think of several things your mouth is good for beside yacking." He passed Draco a cup of tea and picked up his own.

Draco sneered at him half-heartedly. "What would you know about it?"

Harry laughed. "Plenty. And you really don't want to know how I learned. Just expect to enjoy yourself ... a lot. Now drink your tea."

Draco sipped for a moment. "I know that you worked the streets." He glanced at Harry for a moment. "You won't be mad?"

Harry scoffed gently. "We're married. Spouses don't hide things from each other. You ask me a question and I'll answer it, or tell you I'm not comfortable discussing it. Ok?"

Draco nodded. "Ok. How the hell did you remain a virgin working in a sex club?"

Harry laughed softly. "Because Frankie and Johnny would have gutted anyone who messed with me ... or any of their special boys. They mostly sold ... illusions. Illusions of sex, control and so forth. I learned a lot in the dressing rooms, but only from conversation and stories." He grinned. "And I wrote to Johnny, told him exactly what had happened and asked him for advice. He gave me plenty. We have to go visit them this summer. I hope you don't mind."

Draco shook his head. "I don't mind. I'd like to spend some time with them. And ... I want to visit the club during working hours."

"We'll do that then. Too bad they didn't feel comfortable coming to the ceremony. Finished with your tea?" Harry held out his hand for the cup.

"Yes. Here. Now what do we do?" Draco had to admit, at least to himself, that he was incredibly nervous. He was sure that Harry wouldn't hurt him but it was still way beyond his experience. This was something that he didn't like at all, he preferred to know exactly what he was doing. He knew the basics, who didn't, but the finer aspects were outside his skill set.

Harry could almost see Draco's thoughts. "Don't worry. I won't hurt you. If you're even the least bit uncomfortable, I want you to say so. Ok?"

"Ok." Draco took a deep breath and took Harry's out stretched hand. "What do we do first?"

"We take that warm bath Mimsey ran for us. It'll help us both relax. Come on." Harry led the way to the bathroom and helped Draco off with his remaining clothing. Draco, in his turn, helped Harry off with his.

They eased into the warm bath. Harry settled on one of the tile benches that surrounded three sides of the bath, the other side was taken up with a set of steps for safety. He pulled Draco down to sit on his lap.

"Harry! I'm not two. I won't slip under and drown or something." Draco squirmed a bit, trying to get away. He stilled when he realized what was poking him in the back.

Harry snickered in his ear, then commanded, "Be still. It's romantic. Don't tell me Malfoy's aren't romantic." and with that, he gently licked Draco's ear. He knew Draco's ears were very sensitive.

Draco's reply was supposed to be indignant but came out in a moan. "Malfoy's are romantic, I'll have you know. Very ... um ..."

"Yeah." Harry slid his hand up Draco's thigh from his knee nearly to his groin. Then wrapped it around his waist. "Hummm?"

Draco went limp, allowing Harry to wash him from head to toe without protest. Harry knew that Draco was afraid as slight tremors ran through his limbs from time to time. He was determined that Draco would like this so he patiently kissed and stroked him, using the warm bath water to wash the tension from him.

"Better?" Draco seemed very nearly asleep. "I think so." Harry eased Draco down onto the bench and did a quick wash up of his own. It wouldn't do to be smelling of stale sweat just now.

Draco moved at Harry's direction, almost in a trance. Harry was careful not to break his carefully created haze of sensuality.

"Come. Shhh. Easy. Lay down now." He kept his requests to one or two easily understood words.

Draco obeyed, easing onto the bed then scooting back to the middle. He started to roll over onto his stomach, his only real knowledge of what they were doing from some idle remarks in the locker room.

"No, on your back." Harry stopped him with a gentle hand on his shoulder. "That's for much later."

Harry used all the skills he'd learned, skills he'd utilized to bring his customer off quickly, to hold Draco on the verge of climax until he was moaning incoherently, grabbing at his hair then clutching the sheets.

"Merlin, Harry, please." Draco had no idea what he was pleading for, only that he needed it. He was seventeen and well acquainted with sex, but this sensation was new. This unrelieved tension, this nearly unbearable need.

Harry chuckled, sending sparks dancing up and down Draco's spine.

"Ok, Draco. Just relax." Harry eased Draco's legs apart and stroked him gently. Draco stilled, frozen in place by the sensations coursing through his body.

Harry took the small bottle from the nightstand and poured some into his hand. He wedged the bottle between the pillows and returned to Draco.

Draco shifted uneasily as Harry slid one well oiled finger into him. He stopped, allowing Draco to adjust then he crooked his finger just so. Draco nearly left the bed, his reaction was that strong.

"Holy fuck! What was that?" Draco had never felt anything like this before.

"That was a queer's best friend. Like it?" Harry grinned down into Draco's face.

"Yes. More?" Draco relaxed completely and fell into a haze of passion that was Harry's objective from the first.

"Yes, please. More. Much more. And stop treating me like I'm going to break." Draco was getting frustrated. He wanted the next step, something, anything. He wasn't sure, he just knew he wanted it.

Harry laughed, added more lube and slid more fingers into Draco. He was about to pop but he knew he had to be patient. He was not about to hurt Draco. He wanted many more nights like this, and hurting Draco was not the way to get them.

Frustrating him wasn't either, so Harry gently got on with it. He eased Draco into position on his side with his bottom knee pulled up to his chest.

Draco gasped as Harry entered him, it didn't hurt, it just felt odd. Good odd, but still. He decided he liked it when Harry started moving again.

Harry kept his thrusts slow and shallow until he knew Draco was ready for more then he proved that he was a good lover. He let Draco's reactions guide him until he just couldn't wait any longer. He came with a shout as Draco's muscles tightened around him so much that he couldn't hold back another second. He felt Draco come as well, the spasms in the tight sheath around him making sparks dance behind his eyes.

"Draco? You ok?" Harry patted and stroked Draco's shoulder in concern.

"No. I'm dead. You've killed me completely." Draco could barely keep his eyes open. He was exhausted by worry over the ritual, excitement and really good sex.

"Oh, have I now?" Harry chuckled into the middle of Draco's back. "We better clean up a bit or we'll be sorry later."

"Hummmm? You do it. You're supposed to be the dom." Draco was feeling much too good to put himself out for anything. He really wanted to go to sleep, but he thought that might be rude.

"Ok. Just a sec." Harry waved his hand and the mess disappeared. "Better?"

Draco struggled to keep his eyes open. "Mmmm. Thanks. I'm ... trying to stay awake ... but ..."

Harry patted Draco then pulled the covers up. "Don't worry about it. I don't think I'm going to be the yak after sex sort either. I'm sleepy too. Go on to sleep, we'll talk in the morning."

" 'K. 'Night." And with that, Draco was sound asleep.

Harry followed soon after, after kissing Draco on the shoulder and pulling him into a lose embrace.

.

Harry woke to two things. Draco in his arms and Mimsey poking him in the thigh.

"You is waking now! Get up! Your Papa will be worried." Mimsey wasn't putting up with the silliness of newly weds. Lucius was pacing the floor in the breakfast room. "Up! Bath is being ready in five minutes. Separately."

Harry groaned and shook Draco by the shoulder. "Up. What ever happened to breakfast in bed?"

Draco squinched up his nose as he rolled over. "Breakfast in bed is highly over rated, unless you're sick. Toast crumbs and bits of ... stuff in the bed? Not so nice." He smacked his lips a few times then stuck out his tongue. "Bleh. Morning mouth. Excuse me." He rolled off his side of the bed and headed for the bathroom.

Harry sighed. "Romantic? Please!" He laughed at himself and headed for the bathroom too, wondering how they were going to manage a separate bath when there was only one tub.

It turned out that the elves had been busy during the night. There were now two tubs in the bathroom and a huge shower cubicle capable of holding two active young men with plenty of room.

"What happened to the big tub? I liked that." Harry was a bit annoyed that his envisioned baths for two were not possible now.

Gerard appeared from a small, nearly unnoticeable door between the two new tubs. "It is being in here." He waggled his ears in an odd manner. "More ... nicer. Romantic, with candles and scented oils and ... other things. Not for hurry up and get ready morning. But nice for relax in the evening. Here! Towels. Bath. Now."

Harry grumbled, "Ok, ok, I'm going. Bossy as Mimsey, I swear."

Mimsey stuck her head out of the walk in closet. "Mimsey is hearing that."

Harry just smiled at her then turned to Draco. He was about to drown himself trying to smother his very unmanly giggling. "Busted. Harry, you are elf whipped."

"So?" Harry laughed too and eased into his bath. "I don't mind. You and Papa and Mimsey are the first people who ever cared for me."

"Dumbledore does. And Hermione and Ron." Draco left off enumerating the people who cared for Harry as he got a look at him. Harry obviously meant something else.

"I know they care about me. That's not what I meant. I meant that you are the first people who made sure I ate right, had the right clothing to wear and fussed over me. Hermione nags like a hag. Ron has no idea and Neville and the others aren't in a position to do anything. See?"

Draco sighed and went back to his bath, saying, "I see. Well, get used to it."

Harry grinned for a moment then got on with his own wash.

By the time they got dressed and down to breakfast, Lucius was being scolded for wearing a path in the carpet. Tuggy seemed in good form that morning too. Lucius had just given in as the boys came in.

"Fine, fine. I'll sit." Lucius settled in his chair and reached for his napkin. "Oh, there you are. Tea?"

Draco nearly snarled, "When do I not want tea in the morning?"

Both Harry and Lucius, used to Draco's moodiness before tea, just left him alone.

Draco got his cup of tea and sighed at the first sip. "Better." He turned to breakfast without further comment.

Lucius glowered at him for a moment then turned to Harry. "Well?"

"What?" Harry's mock innocent look made Lucius snarl. "Ok, ok. Everything is fine. Draco's happy, I'm happy. But I don't expect to discuss my sex life with my father-in-law. Sorry, it's just too weird."

Lucius blinked for a moment then returned, "I don't expect you to go into excruciating detail, but a hint would be nice."

Draco frowned into the dregs of his tea. "Well, it was nice. It didn't hurt at all, but it felt ... odd. Harry was very careful. We fell asleep almost at once after. Too much excitement, I expect."

Harry grinned a bit smugly. "Me too. I dropped right off. But I'm glad you liked it. I expect I'll like it just as much."

Lucius managed not to spit his tea by a lifetime of training and main force of will. "You'll ... like it?"

Draco just sat there and stared at him.

Harry glanced from one to the other then shrugged. "Don't expect me to just top. I'm sure I'm a switch and I don't think it's fair to Draco to have to bottom all the time when I'm fairly sure he's not a total bottom either."

Harry returned to his breakfast, smirking into his eggs. The look on both Draco and Lucius' faces had been priceless. He was peeking at Draco so he didn't notice the elf at his elbow until it started to pour him more tea. He startled and dropped his fork. The elf eeped and popped out. Harry waited a moment and, when the elf didn't return, transfigured himself a new fork from his bracelet.

Draco jumped, as he always did when Harry did something like that, then exclaimed, "Damn it, Harry, that's just plain creepy."

Harry grimaced apologetically, "Sorry but I need to keep in practice. I can't go transfiguring knives in the common room or something."

"Why not? It's our rooms now. But ,if you need to practice that, why don't you do it in training?"

Harry shook his head. "No sharps, remember? Not for throwing, anyway. Getting Dumbledore to ignore our sword practice was hard enough."

Draco grumbled about that, as he did every time it was mentioned. Lucius looked amused then said, "I have a gift for both of you." He produced a large ornate key from a pocket and handed it to Harry. "A key to the Heirs wing."

Harry took it with awe. "Oh, sir. That's ... well ..."

Draco plucked it from Harry's hand. "Thank you, Father. As the distaff side of the union, I'll see to decorating it properly. We'll move in when it's done." He smiled at Harry's blank expression and Lucius' crestfallen one. "As soon as there are children of the union." He smirked at both of them and pocketed the key.

Harry stammered a moment then just took Draco's slender, cold fingers and squeezed them gently. "Draco, you're brilliant. Truly."

Lucius sipped his tea for a moment then agreed, "He is, as a Malfoy should be. Now, Christmas. We were all so wrapped up in the arrangements for the ritual that we haven't done anything for Christmas."

Draco shuddered, "Yule Ball? I really don't want to. Mother will come and everything will be totally ... awful."

"No ball." Lucius shook his head. "I don't want to invite most of the old crowd as I've worked very hard at breaking ties. And, as to Narcissa, you are correct, she will be ... unendurable. I would like a small gathering of your friends. Not your old crowd Draco, I'm sorry. They will all have to stay at Longbottom House or explain why they came here instead of going home. So, just Harry's group."

Draco's sad face made Harry stand up and walk behind his chair to hug him. "We'll send them something nice. A present from each of us, not one from both. That'll give them something under the tree, ok?"

Draco rubbed his chin on the arm Harry had around his neck. "That will be nice. When are we going shopping?"

"Today, if you want. You can help me make up a list of what to buy for everyone. Oh, and something special for Hermione. She did a lot of research and she's still working on the book. Ron needs a new pair of Keeper's gloves so that's done." He smiled at Lucius. "And something special for Professor Snape."

"Yes." Draco nodded. "He's my godfather, after all. And ..." Draco glanced at Lucius. "You're smirking."

"I am. It's good to see that you're happy with each other. I would really hate to see you miserable." Lucius couldn't help a rather heavy sigh.

Harry returned to his seat. "Sir, I know what that was for ..." He thought for a moment sipping at his tea. "If Hermione says she can figure out some way for Draco and I to have children together, she can do it. She's the smartest witch of our age. Frankly, I think she's the smartest for several. And I understand cloning, artificial insemination and DNA enough to have a good idea what she's up to. She just needs the pigs to refine the process. I understand the theory, just not the application."

Lucius nodded. "I understand some of it. She did send me her research. But, I really didn't understand DNA."

Harry bit at his lip for a moment. "Well, it's called the building blocks of life for a reason. It's also called the golden helix. The easiest way to explain it is ... it looks a bit like a ladder twisted into a spiral." he waved his hand and produced a piece of steel twisted to look like a bit of a strand of DNA. "Like this, see? Each rung is a ... an instruction. It tells the baby to be blond, blue eyed, how tall to grow and so on." He waved his hand again and the steel melded back into his bracelet. "Now I don't remember how many individual rungs there are, but it's in the thousands at least. A strand is something like a mile long all stretched out. It's so small that it fits into the middle of every cell of our bodies. Ok so far?"

Draco and Lucius both nodded, wide eyed at the thought of something so small controlling so much.

"So ... the way I understand it, each egg has half a ladder and the spermatozoa have half. The two halves combine into a whole and that makes a baby's DNA. Hermione is trying to figure out how to remove the DNA from an egg ... well, we know how to do that. Replacing it with whole DNA from an adult, or even a child makes a clone. What she's trying to figure out is how to get DNA from sperm and get it to combine in an emptied egg. That way the baby will be ours. That's the part I don't get."

Lucius pursed his lips in thought. "I have to admit that it's the part I don't get either. And which one of you is going to bear it?"

Harry snorted into his tea. "What?" He picked up his napkin and blotted the tea off his face. "Neither of us. That's why she was asking about surrogate mothers. We'd use her egg then re-implant it and she'd do the pregnancy. That's why we were asking questions about surrogacy in the wizarding world."

Lucius gave that several minutes thought. "I see. Hummm. In this case, we'd just have her sign a contract and swear a wizard's oath."

Harry nodded. "Ok. And ... see ... I was thinking that we might keep her on as wet nurse then nanny. Even governess. I don't see the need to separate a child from their nanny at a certain age. It's too much for the child. And ... we could pick some woman who is poor and needs a job, but she has to be of good family and ... and ... help me out here."

Lucius smiled. "I don't think you really need it. You are doing fine on your own. I didn't send Draco's nanny off until he was ready for Hogwarts and she's set up in a cottage with a stipend sufficient to her needs."

Harry blinked for a moment then said, "Brilliant. I was thinking that we could hire someone for each child."

They discussed vague plans for the rest of the meal then Harry and Draco went to write up their Christmas list while Lucius went to write to his lawyers.

.

Harry and Draco soon finished their list and agreed that they would go to Diagon Alley, shop then eat lunch at the new place that had opened next to Gringotts. Harry liked Italian as did Draco.

"Papa! We're leaving. Do you want to come? Or do you want us to bring you something?"

Harry was well aware that he really shouldn't shout in the house but he was ready to go and just waiting on Draco. Lucius came to stand in the door of the small study he was using at the moment.

"What are you shouting about?" He was feeling entirely too indulgent to worry about a bit of shouting in the hall.

Harry turned, cloak swirling around his ankles. "Papa, Draco and I are going to do our Christmas shopping. Do you want anything? Or would you like to come too?"

Lucius laughed gently. "No. Think how it would look if Papa went along with a newly wed couple."

Harry made a moue of distaste. "I'll say this one more time ... I don't give a rat's ass what anyone thinks. Not even Hermione or Ron. This is my life, I'll live it my way."

Lucius shrugged then remarked with deceiving mildness. "I would hope you care what I think."

Harry pushed his hair out of his face. "You are family. Of course I care what you think. But the general public can all drop dead. I'll listen to Ron and Hermione, Neville too. But I'll make up my own mind about things and let the chips fall where they may." He grinned at Lucius. "So, do you want to come or not?"

Lucius gave that a moments thought. "Not. I have my own Christmas shopping to do. And you can't see it."

Harry laughed and said, "So there! Nya! I get it." He turned to the stairs and yelled, "Draco! Come on!"

Draco's voice floated down from above. "You bellowed? I'm coming. Far be it from me to keep the lord of the manor waiting." His snarky tone made Harry snicker. Lucius felt a heavy weight lift from his shoulders. Draco was all snark and snicker, as Harry said, and definitely himself.

Things were looking up for the Malfoy family, the line was secure and Draco was free of all, but the obligations of an espousal contract. And Lucius had seen to it that the contract was equitable, both sides profited from it. He was well pleased with things.

Suddenly, Draco tromped down the stairs, boots clomping in a way that would have made Lucius frown just a few months ago.

"Draco, decorum, please." But the reprimand was half-hearted at best.

"Sorry." Draco smiled at Lucius. "I don't want to keep Harry waiting."

Harry laughed indulgently. "Take your time. Merlin forbid that you should be seen in public less than perfect."

Draco swanned down the stairs, swinging his cloak dramatically. He struck a pose, reminding both Lucius and Harry of Gilderoy Lockheart. "I am always perfect, even when I'm not. And don't you forget it." He then cracked up completely, hanging onto the newel post to keep from falling down.

Harry laughed too then said with fondness, "Prat. Come on, Christmas shopping." He smiled at Lucius. "You can come."

"I know. I know. So I've been told ad nausium." His mild reply made Draco snicker. "But I do have my own shopping to do. I don't want you two to see your presents. Now, go on."

Harry tucked Draco's hand into the bend of his elbow and lead him to the Vestibule. They took the floo to the Leaky Cauldron and went into Diagon Alley.

Diagon Alley was swarming like a poked ant nest. Harry scowled at the crowds of Christmas shoppers with dismay. He hadn't expected so big a crowd yet, he wasn't sure he wanted to drag Draco through this minefield.

He was trying to decide whether to shop or not when some wise mouth called from the crowed, "Tired of him yet, Potter? He for rent?"

Harry lost his temper in a most spectacular display of fury. He recognized the man, he was a Ravenclaw seventh year when he and Draco had been firsties. He'd been an ass then, it seemed that he still was.

Harry scowled, eyes flashing green fire. Draco sighed, this was not going to be pretty. "Harry, do not kill Haversham. It's too messy."

Harry never took his eyes off his target. "Ok, I won't." He raised his voice. "Never let it be said that I refused a reasonable request from my spouse."

Harry pointed his wand at Haversham flicked and swished in a silent Wingardium Levosia which levitated him out of the crowd. "He's never for rent, sale or borrow. He's his own man and my spouse. Ass!" And with that, Harry started the fool spinning. His arms and legs splayed out, then Harry began to bounce him up and down. The laughing onlookers soon found out that their foolishness cost them too. The spinning, bouncing hex soon took its toll and the young man vomited all over the area, his spinning helping to spread the foul fluid everywhere. Except on Harry and Draco, and a few other smart onlookers; they all shielded themselves.

Harry dropped him in the gutter then turned to glower at the crowd, some of whom were being ill themselves. "Listen carefully! I will not have my spouse defiled by lewd comments from idiots. If you can't say something nice, shut the fuck up!" and with that, he grabbed Draco's arm and strode off, Draco at his side.

Draco didn't try to pull his arm away from Harry, he just chuckled in his ear and said, "Easy there. You'll bruise me. Pretty display of passion and power but I smell feathers. You have got to remember to use one of the other wands."

Harry nodded. "I know. It's just about done for. The other wands. They're not working very will either. We're going to have to find Merlin's Staff soon. When's winter solstice?"

"Two days before Christmas. And we're going to have a bitch of a time getting to New Grange. The Irish forbid apparition for the five days of Solstice."

Harry slowed down since they were out of the crowd. "Why?"

"I have absolutely no idea. They just do." Draco shrugged, reminding Harry of Lucius.

"We could ask Hermione." Harry turned his head absently to look in a window.

"The horror! Ask Granger? You are seriously demented." Draco's expression was a combination of dismay and amusement.

Harry laughed, good humour restored. "True, true. Look in that window. That would be perfect for Snape." Harry pointed at a small scale in the window of the apothecary shop.

"What is it?" Draco squinted, the glare on the window made it hard to see.

"I'll lend you my glasses, if you like." Harry smirked, he loved wearing contacts, his glasses had always been a soft spot in his defences; break them and he was nearly blind.

"Don't need them. Let's go in." Draco dragged Harry into the shop.

At the chime of the door bell, the proprietor came from the back room, wiping his hands on a rag. "Hello. How are you this find day? Welcome to my shop. How may I help you?"

Harry pointed to the object in the window. "May we see that, please?"

"Of course. Just one moment." He went to the window and removed the object that Harry had pointed to. "Here we are. A very fine piece, if I do say so myself."

Draco looked at the box, a bit puzzled, but Harry just carefully removed a delicate scale arm which he examined. "It's brilliant. Look, Draco! See, you put the upright in this socket and just hang the balance arm on this pin. It's got little pockets for the weights and a pair of tweezers for handling them. You can't weigh more than fifteen grains on it but it's accurate down to one one thousandth of a grain."

Draco looked it over critically. "It is very nice. But the weights only go down to a quarter grain."

"That's the really brilliant part. I thought you could get him this and I'll get him the rest of the weights. They come in their own box. What do you think?"

Draco hugged Harry. "I think you're brilliant. You've been planning this, haven't you? Where did you see that scale?"

Harry tugged a lock of Draco's hair, it was getting long now as Draco was entitled to at least shoulder length. "I saw it in a catalogue, then in the window. I just hope Papa doesn't buy Snape the same thing."

Draco shook his head. "I don't think so. Father has something a little more personal planned. I'm not sure what, but there's been a flock of owls sent to someplace in France. Now that I would stoop to snooping, or tell if I did find out something."

Harry's rude noise made Draco swat him on the shoulder. "Ow! You, I'll fix your wagon later."

Draco just snorted and turned to tell the shopkeeper. "I'll have that and Harry will have the extra weights. Have both gift wrapped and inscribed properly to Severus Snape. Send them to Malfoy Manor. You may bill us at Gringotts."

The shopkeeper was delighted to do both. "Of course, shall I have them engraved from and to? Or just with Professor Snape's name?"

Harry thought about it for a moment then replied, "The weights are from me and the scale from Draco, please do not get them mixed."

The shopkeeper just smiled. "Don't you worry yourselves. I've been doing this nigh on to forty years and haven't mixed up a present yet."

Harry smiled at him, stamped the bill with his ring then waited while Draco did the same for his purchase.

They left the shop, pushing their way through throngs of shoppers.

Draco sighed. "We're never going to get anything done at this rate."

Harry stared at the crowds and agreed. "You're right. It's really bad. I really wonder why we're doing this. I mean, it's not really adding to the Christmas spirit, is it?"

Draco jolted as someone bumped into him. "No, it's actually not. But ... it's so ... owl order is so impersonal."

Harry nibbled at his lip, giving Draco the urge to kiss it. "I ... Aunt Petunia was always nattering on about the 'rich and famous'. About how they had shops send them stuff and took their pick of it. And some shops had private rooms they hired out so that nobles didn't have to mix with commoners. She always wanted to do that." He looked around for a moment. "Why don't we do that? We could rent a room ... at Mrs. Finkle's boarding house. Her son is about 12, he'd run messages for us. What do you think?"

"I think you're the most brilliant person in the whole world. Lets!" Draco began to tug at Harry's arm. "We'll establish a new fashion and be thought wonderfully smart."

Harry laughed and hurried after Draco. "Yes, and we can have tea made and snacks. Even have our lunch brought in."

.

Mrs. Finkle was more than happy to have them in her house. This season was very slow for her as everyone wanted to be home for the season. She let them her large front parlour and promised a never ending river of tea. Her son, Michael, was more than happy to run their messages for them, declaring himself as quick as an owl and twice as safe.

Harry settled back on a lounge and pulled the list out of his pocket. "Well, we decided on jewelry for Hermione and Ginny. Neville gets ... Draco, your writing is as bad as mine. I can't read this."

Draco glowered, "I did not write that. My writing is elegant and perfectly legible. Father would not allow it to be less." He stuck his nose in the air.

"Oh, well, excuse me all to pieces." Harry examined the list again. "I don't recognize the writing. Here, see if you can make sense of it." Harry handed Draco the list.

Draco eyed the writing then shrugged, "I don't recognize it. It must be one of the elves. They can write but it's usually awful. Ah! I know. This was written by Neville's elf. Forget the name. But ..." Draco squinted for a moment. "Florish and Blotts. It's a book on Herbology, seems ..." He tapped his chin as he thought. "I know, it's fairly rare, remember he was rabbiting on about it a couple of weeks ago. It's not due to be released until after Christmas but it's already printed up. He was fussed because he wanted a copy and couldn't get it. It's a limited edition, you know."

Harry shook his head. "No, I didn't know. We'll get it for him. You apply a little oil and I'll just sit here and finger my wand." Draco gave Harry a startled look. "What! I'm learning from the best. Or should I just frown every time they say can't?"

Draco, who was busy writing messages on a scribes desk he'd pulled from his pocket and enlarged, just replied absently, "Neither. Look disappointed, no one wants to disappoint the 'Saviour'." His tone of voice included quotes. "I've written to Florish and Blotts, Twillfit and Tattings, Honeydukes, Bits and Bobbs, anyone else?"

Harry read off several names from his list then dropped it on the table. "There. You deal, please, if I write any notes, they'll never be able to read them. My writing is still crap."

"It's not. You're just self-conscious because everyone made fun of you for so long. You're writing is quite nice." Draco examined his note, nodded in approval then tapped it with his wand. Then he tapped a pile of note paper and muttered, "Escribamens duplcatus." He picked up his pen and started to write headers on the copies.

Harry eyed this procedure for a moment then asked, "Is that ... kosher?" Draco rolled an eye at him. "I mean ... Papa said that we couldn't copy the invitations to our ceremony, the ball last summer or any other social occasion. So why now?"

Draco just put his pen down to look at Harry and address him directly. "Because this isn't a social occasion, nor are these invitations, they're notes to tradesmen. It's perfectly acceptable to copy out something like this. Personal correspondence, which invitations are, as well as being formal in nature, are never copied."

Harry nodded his understanding, he leaned back against the back rest again. "I see. Thank you for explaining the difference. Do you want tea yet?"

"No. I want to finish this first. Would you call Michael in for me?" Draco returned to his writing.

Harry got up and went to the door. "Michael! Would you come in now, please? We'll want these all delivered. Don't wait for an answer, tell them you'll be back or they can send a messenger of their own. After you've finished delivering the messages, go back around to all the merchants and check to see if they've an answer yet. Draco? They're all going to be here at once, how are we going to handle that."

"We don't. I've given each of them a time. Their appointments are exactly one hour apart. If we need more time than that we'll arrange a different time for them to come back. Now ... All finished. Here you go, Michael. When you're done, there's a galleon waiting for you."

Michael took the messages, saluted happily and hurried off to go his rounds.

It only took him about thirty minutes to get back.

"Sir! They all said to tell you they'd be here at their appointed times. I wonder ... could I get my galleon in sickles? Please?"

Draco just handed Michael a small leather pouch. "There. I think you'll find that acceptable, sickles and knuts. Don't spend it all in one place." Draco smiled at the boy. "If we need you again, there'll be more coin for the additional work. Now, scoot and have some fun."

Michael nodded quickly then scurried out the door to go show his mother his fortune. He also vowed to wait in the kitchen for more work, since he had chores anyway, it was no real trouble.

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I'm ending the chapter here as it's getting long.