Title: Runaway Wizard

Chapter: 52

Rating: Mature

Disclaimer: Except for the few original characters, all characters in this story are the property of J. K. Rowlings, who has kindly allowed me to play with them.

Warnings: Probably a little of everything. Fighting, Living on the streets with everything that entails, Spanking, Bondage, Blood, Gore, Bad Language, and Pissy Snape.

Parings: H/D eventually

Beta: 50ftqueenie Brit picker: purpledodah

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Lucius sent Tuggy for Severus, who returned via floo.

"Luka! Where are the newly weds?" Severus banished the soot from his shoulders with a gesture of his wand.

"They're out terrorizing the merchants in Diagon Alley. Shopping." He smirked. "I know what both of them are getting you. Elves are such awful gossips, you know."

Severus just snorted. "Likely something totally useless. But, I'll be sure to thank them both profusely so get that look out of your eye."

Lucius just shook his head. "What look? The look that says, they tried very hard to find something appropriate so you had better appreciate it? Or the one that says, You will like your present from me?"

Severus shook his head. "No, the one that says, You're being a prat, stop it. So, the youngsters are out of the house for the rest of the day, what are we going to do?"

Lucius gave Severus a rather regretful look but managed to say calmly, "We're going to go over some research Granger did. I hope to find no errors in their work, but if we do, better now than later. Come along." He rose from his chair and led the way into the library.

Severus heaved a heavy sigh and followed. Lucius smirked to himself at the sigh.

After two hours, Severus declared himself convinced that Hermione and Seamus had done a good job. "It is as perfect as it can be. Finnigan has done a good job of translating the Irish and who ever translated the rest ... I just hope they did a good job as I don't even recognize the alphabet. Can we have lunch now?"

Lucius took pity on his friend. "Yes, we can have lunch now. It is one of your favourite things."

Severus brightened. "Prime rib? But that's usually a supper."

"As if I care. Come along, I know you like it rare so we should be sitting down soon." Lucius led the way to the bed chamber he always assigned to Severus on the rare occasions he could stay over. "I am hoping you can make more use of these rooms in future. I'll leave you to wash, join me in the dining room when you are ready."

Lucius left Severus to his wash and went to clean his hands as well; ink was singularly difficult to get off.

.

Harry was pleasantly surprised when the first merchant came. The man from Twillfit and Tattings introduced himself as Jacob. He pulled a small box from his pocket and enlarged it into a trunk larger than Harry's first student trunk but smaller than his current one. He proceeded to pull sample books full of squares of fabric and example books with drawings of robes from it.

"Here we go. I'll show you the example books first, I also brought some finished robes with me for you to try on for the styles. Then, we can find the proper fabrics."

Harry sighed. "We aren't in the market for clothing for ourselves. I want to buy a cloak for a friend, but it has to be special. He's red-headed."

The tailor brightened, he loved special commissions. "Well ... red-headed, you say. Not a Weasley, by any chance." He gave Harry a knowing look. "Perhaps a special young lady?"

Harry gave a disgusted look right back. "No. And I'll thank you to remember, I'm married. It's for Ronald Weasley. Now get your mind on business or get out."

Draco flinched slightly. He'd learned that the quieter Harry got the more angry he was. He looked at Harry and was startled to see that there was a rime of frost in his hair. "Harry, calm down. It's not that unusual for someone in our situation to court a young lady." He turned to the now terrified tailor and said, "Show your samples and refrain from personal remarks."

The man produced a book of sketches and another of samples suitable to a red-head. Harry chose a simple deep-yoked design and a deep chocolate brown velveteen cloth. "Line it with that bronze watered satin and put this clasp on it." Harry pulled a bronze clasp from his pocket. He'd found it in amongst the jewels he'd gone through to find Hermione's jewellery for the summer ball. The clasp was a snitch which was fastened by touching the back and front of the ball together. He supposed magic held it but it might be simple magnets.

The tailor packed up his things and left, warning the next merchant that they were both very touchy about personal remarks. The rest of the appointees passed the word down so there were no more incidents of remarks pushing Harry's temper.

The jeweller was a calm woman who knew better than to make personal remarks, no matter what. She had told one of her clerks, "If the patron wants to buy a jewelled dog collar or a jade dildo, just smile and sell it to them. And if I ever hear of you telling tales out of school, I'll hex you silly." When Harry indicated that he wished to buy hair clasps for a lady with very wild hair, she suggested jewel headed pins made of tortoise shell and matching combs with spells on them to help control the frizzies. She also managed to sell him two sets, one for every day and the other, much more elegant and expensive, for formal. Harry was well aware of what she was doing but he didn't care.

As she packed up her wares, Mrs. Finkle brought in tea. She also provided a selection of small cakes, cookies and finger sandwiches. Harry thanked her then looked up to see the clerk from Florish and Blotts smiling at him.

"I know exactly what you want. You want a copy of Herbology of the World, Illustrated. I managed to get the publisher to allow us to sell you one. Mr. Longbottom will be very pleased with it, I think. I also brought a listing of books that I thought might interest various other members of your family." He smiled again as he handed over the list.

Harry just took the list, glanced at Draco then nodded. "Have some tea." He transfigured a cup from a napkin with a tap of his wand.

The clerk stammered that he couldn't possibly, but looked longingly at the delicious array of snacks. Harry just handed him the cup and transfigured another napkin into an oblong plate.

"Hush and eat. There's way more than we can eat by ourselves and I hate, not only waste, but knowing someone is hungry. Besides, it's going to take a while to get through this list."

And with that they all settled in to eat and drink while Harry and Draco went through the lists. Both of them chose books for all the Longbottom House residents and ordered them quills, ink and such. All to be delivered wrapped and inscribed for them. Draco said that, as they didn't know them all that well, it would be acceptable.

"Except for Daphne and Millicent for you. I'm not sure about Nott or Crabbe. It depends on how you feel about them, I suppose."

Harry thought about that for a moment. "I wonder if a card would cover it. That way there won't be any cause for jealousy from the others. You think?"

Draco smiled. "How original and clever. Yes, that is just the thing, I think." He examined his list. "I think I'll do the same thing. And ..." He pointed to a title on the list. "This for Frankie and Johnny. I hate it that we can't invite them for Christmas but ... they're not comfortable with us yet and we really ... it's dangerous for them right now. If a Death Eater found out about them, they'd be in real danger of being used against us." He startled as the clerk cleared his throat sharply. "I trust this will go no farther." He gave the poor man a look that said it better not.

"Of course not. I'm not a gossip at the worst of times. I value the trust my customers put in me. Besides, He killed my grandmother. Not like I'm ever going to give His sort the time of day, much less important information." He managed to look indignant and offended.

Harry just shrugged. "I'm sure, but better said and understood than having my friends endangered through the lack. Now. Here's my list and all the addresses and such. Draco?" Draco handed over a similar list and the clerk went away, very satisfied with his commission. He pinched the envelope just to make sure he had everything and was startled to feel an odd bulge in it. He opened it and tipped out the objects. He was stunned and delighted to find two double galleon coins. "Oh, my." was all he could manage.

Harry and Draco finished the tea and sent back the food they didn't eat. They both knew that the Finkles would finish it so it wouldn't be wasted, something Harry couldn't help but dislike.

"Well, who's next on the list?" Draco realized that he was already tired. Christmas shopping was wearisome, what if the recipient didn't like the gift? What if they considered it inappropriate? He sighed.

"What was that for?" Harry eyed Draco, noting that he looked exhausted. "Are you alright? You're not getting sick or something, are you?"

"No, just stressed. I love Christmas, but all the preparations are exhausting. Now, who is coming next? We've had Twillfit and Tattings, Gems and ..." he waved a hand. "and Flourish and Blotts. Most of the list is done. All we really have left is Father and something for each other. We should split up for that." He got a good look at Harry's face. "I know ... you don't like it. But what are we to do? I can't have you standing outside the store while I shop, it wouldn't look good. And me standing outside while you shop would look even worse. So, we split up. I don't need more than half an hour to forty-five minutes. You?"

Harry sighed. "You're right. I need about the same. We'll meet on Gringotts' steps then?"

"Good. That's not a common meeting place so it shouldn't be crowded."

The 'who' that was next turned out to be a very creepy, rather dirty man from Borgin and Burkes. Draco, who knew both owners by sight, to his eternal shame, just pinned him with a look. "We're not buying anything dark, or stolen. Show us what you've brought and quickly."

Harry just looked at him like he was considering hexing him, which he was. The shop was notorious for buying stolen goods, most of what Mundungus Fletcher had stolen from Grimmauld place had wound up there. They also dealt in Dark artefacts of all kinds. Draco was also eyeing him with disfavour.

The only reason they had invited Borgin and Burkes at all was because they did have a wonderful selection of antique oddities, something Lucius had a fondness for.

"Well, bring out your wares. And be quick about it." Draco's sharp tone brought the grovelling man to attention.

The man quickly pulled a small box from his pocket and put it on the coffee table sitting between him and his clients. "Here you are, young sirs. I'll just ..." He pulled out his wand to enlarge the box and found himself facing three wands. Mrs. Finkle also had him at wand point.

"Excuse me, Master Draco, Master Potter, would you be needing anything?" She gave them a speaking look.

"More tea, Ma'am. And you can put your wand way. Between us, we'll be fine, but thank you all the same." Harry turned brilliant green eyes on her and she put her wand up twittering like a young girl.

She bustled out after giving the man, whose name was evidently Mr. Cheek, a quick warning that, "There's to be no foolishness in my house, Mr. Cheek, don't you be forgetting that."

Mr. Cheek just cringed back into his chair and bore with the goings on until Mrs. Finkle was gone. "Well, we never did get along."

Harry remarked with considerable acidity, "Because she caught you stealing the silver tea service, no doubt. Now, show us what you've brought."

Mr. Cheek enlarged the box and started setting the contents on the table.

Harry immediately recognized several pieces. He just pointed to them. "That, that, that ... that and that." Mr. Cheek smiled in an ingratiating manner. "And don't get all happy yet. They're all from Black House. Pack them up and I'll take them with me. Oh! And that..." Harry levitated a Blood Quill from the box. "is a Blood Quill." His sharp Incendio sent it flaming into a pile of stinking ash. "What else is there?"

Draco had to smile behind his hand. Harry had developed from a hesitant, humble, self-effacing boy-child into a strong, self-assured young man between one year and the next. He was pleased to see that they, Lucius and he, had managed to put a real polish on the rough work that Frankie and Johnny had started. Harry, once sparked, had burst into flames, figuratively speaking.

Now he was flaming mad. "Excuse me for asking, but do you happen to have anything else with the Black family crest on it? I assure you that whoever sold it to you did not have the right. I do remember Papa recovering quite a few things from your shop. Do we have to pay another visit?"

"No! Nonono! I assure you that anything that is found with the Black family crest on it, stolen or not, will be returned to you at once." He cringed, nearly falling to his knees on the rug. "If anything should come into our hands, I'll be happy to send word. Now ... this is a very nice piece. A writing desk made by Ignotus the Carpenter in the 16th century. A lady's desk, to be sure, but still a very nice piece. Once belonged to ..." Mr. Cheek trailed off, a look of horror on his face.

Draco looked at the desk then at Mr Cheek. "Belonged to ...?" he prompted, but he had a very nasty feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Mr. Cheek seized the moment and scurried out the door, yelling over his shoulder. "Take your pick ... no, take it all. And tell Burke I quit!"

Harry stared after him for a moment then turned to look at the desk, which Draco was examining. He had it hovering in front of his face, flicking his wand to turn it this way and that. He cast a few spells at it to check for curses or hexes.

"Well, nothing much. Just a light privacy spell that just lets people 'feel' that they shouldn't open it. I wonder ..." Draco gazed at it thoughtfully.

Harry looked at it too. "I don't get it. Why don't we just open it?"

Draco huffed once, "Because, my dear spouse, sometimes the tidy spell on the outside disguises a very nasty one on the inside."

Harry thought about that for a moment. "Well, you shield and I'll open it."

"Fine!" Draco cast a shield around the desk and Harry used a Wingardium Leviosa to open it. It was a definite anti climax when nothing happened.

"Well, that was a big nothing." Harry reached out and took hold of the desk, setting it in his lap. "Oh! Oh! Draco! Look!"

Draco snatched it out of Harry's lap and looked into it quickly. All he saw was a small brass plate that was engraved, 'JP to LE, Forever'. He gazed at it for a moment then said softly, "James Potter to Lily Evans, Forever. Harry! This belonged to your Mum. How the hell?"

Harry sighed. "Goderick's Hollow was ransacked by souvenir hunters. There was a lot left but ... most of the small stuff was ... people just walked in and took stuff. Something else I hold Dumbledore responsible for. Why didn't he seal it up? Didn't he think I'd like to have things my Mother and Father touched and used? It makes me ... sick ... sad ... angry? I'm not sure."

Draco sighed and pulled Harry into a hug. "I understand. Probably a bit of all three. I think we'll just call it a day. There's only one more appointment before lunch anyway."

Harry frowned. "We've still got people to get presents for. Papa, you ... um ..." Harry consulted his mental list. "Well, that's all for me. I'm sending Frankie and Johnny a gift box from Temptations. And a big basket from Harrods for the club. Everything is taken care of except for you and Papa. But I'm not going home without something for both of you."

Draco smiled, he knew what to get Harry; if he could find it. The expression on his face when he'd realized that the desk had belonged to his mother had been so happy. He'd have to work quickly and write a lot of letters to people who would not be inclined to help him. But he could be very persuasive when he wanted to be.

He smiled to himself, prompting Harry to ask, "What are you smiling at? What mischief are you planning?"

Draco just winked at Harry. "You'll find out soon enough. I just got the idea for your present. I need to go back home. Will you stay or come home and finish your shopping later?"

"I'll finish today. Lunch first?" Harry looked hopeful.

"Of course. I never pass up free food." Draco got up announced he needed the WC and walked into the hall. He took time to apologize to the person waiting their next appointment, explaining that they were done with their shopping. He smiled genially to take the sting out of waiting for nothing and gave the lady a handful of galleons for her trouble. She smiled back and said that it had been no trouble as she needed the break. The stores were mad houses.

Draco worried a bit about Harry, wandering around Diagon Alley alone then shook it off. Harry was supposed to kill the greatest dark lord in several decades, he'd better be able to handle this.

.

Lunch was unremarkable in every way, except the food, which Draco declared sublime. Harry didn't comment, his mouth was full most of the time.

Draco finished his shrimp alfredo by unashamedly wiping the last of the sauce off his plate with a piece of the still warm in-house baked bread. Harry watched with some amusement, only remarking, "Well, now I know why you didn't throw a fit at being seated off to the side."

He, Harry, was happy to be on the side of the room, out of sight of staring fools. He was also wondering if he could get away with doing the same thing with the last of the sherry sauce from his mushroom tortellini. He decided he could and ripped off a bit of bread. Draco watched the play of thought that flitted across Harry's face with a slight smile. If you knew what to look for you could read him like a book. Draco knew Harry very well.

"Just lick the plate, why don't you?" Draco wondered if he should have said that the second his mouth closed.

"Draco, even I know better than that. I wonder if they'd give up the recipe?" Harry just ripped off another piece of bread smiling into Draco's eyes.

Draco relaxed, he was sometimes unsure of how Harry might take a teasing remark and he hated to see that flash of sadness when his teasing went awry. "I doubt it. But we can always send an elf for take away."

"Mmmm." Harry licked his lips. "That's a good idea."

Draco took Harry's chin in one hand. "There's a bit of sauce. Just ... here." Draco leaned over and showed Harry another good reason not to object to being at the side of the room. His lingering kiss, removing the imaginary dab of sauce, made Harry's breath hitch.

"You better stop." Draco just made a small sound of discontent. Harry pushed him away gently. "If you don't, I won't be standing up for a while. Finish your food."

Draco returned to his bread with a smirk of satisfaction on his face. Harry just raised an eyebrow at him.

Lunch finished and paid for, Harry said good-by to Draco, squeezing his hand before Draco apparated away.

Harry looked up and down Diagon Alley then ducked into Knockturn Alley. He knew Lucius would have a fit but he knew exactly what he wanted for Lucius and this was the only place he could get it. The most exclusive wine shop in wizarding England was here.

He knew exactly what he wanted, having overheard the wine steward at the restaurant talking about it while he waited for Draco. It was 1963 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port Nacional

It was 133G a bottle. He'd done the math and that came out to 1600 American Dollars, 1377.66 pounds Sterling, a lot of money, no matter how you looked at it. He didn't care, he was buying a case.

He spoke to the owner of the store, Corks and Crumbs, which sold wine, glasses, cork pullers, and other wine related paraphernalia. It also sold cheeses, crackers, and other snacks that went with the wine, Harry was particularly fond of the smoked almonds so he ordered several packages.

When he was done with his order of the case of wine as well as snacks and cheeses to go with it, he told the owner. "I don't know much about wine but this is a present for my father-in-law, Lucius Malfoy, so don't think you'll get away with something." He gave the ingratiatingly irritating man a hard look that made him wring his hands and swear that the wine would be perfect in every way.

Harry left the shop, followed by the still grovelling shop keeper. He snarled to himself as he literally stripped the man off his leg. "Enough. I'm leaving now. See that the cheese is fresh, or properly aged, depending on its nature and the crackers are crisp. Get off!" and with that he strode out into Knockturn Alley again. The proprietor scurried back inside to set up the order properly. He told his clerk to put it aside and make sure that the wine was not shaken and the cheeses and other foods were properly stored for maximum freshness. The clerk just packed everything in elegant boxes and put stasis spells on it all.

Harry walked with a firm tread, keeping his eyes moving. No one challenged him, everyone knew who he was and who's protection he was under. Little did they know that Harry was actually as deadly as Lucius was.

He walked back to Diagon Alley and wandered along, looking in windows, trying to find the perfect present for Draco. Little did he know that Draco would have been satisfied with a ribbon, if it came from Harry's hand. So Harry searched, looking in windows and going in and out of shops until he was totally exhausted. He had no idea what he wanted but he knew that he'd know it when he saw it.

His wanderings took him to Sharps Way, the area where all the blacksmiths were gathered. The air hung heavy with soot and smoke and smelled of hot metal and sweaty men. Harry looked into shop after shop but nothing caught his attention. He was beginning to think he'd have to give up when he spotted a small shop nearly hidden in a nook created by a bend in the street and a shop front that was extended into the street.

Harry ducked under the low hanging eves of the shop and right into the smithy itself, there was no show room. The smith turned from examining something and smiled. "Hello there. Lucky you came when you did. I was just about to use the trip hammer. Makes more noise than a dozen hippogriffs. What can I do for you?"

"I'm looking for a Christmas present for my spouse. I'm not sure what I want. It's one of those 'I'll know it when I see it' things. Could you show me your wares?"

Harry waited for him to laugh but the smith just pointed to the back wall. "Everything that's for sale is there. There's a fine pair of dags that might be what you're looking for."

Harry went to look at the merchandise hung on the wall. He found the dags that the smith had spoken of and realized that they were just what he was looking for. They were duelling dags, longer than daggers and shorter than a short sword. They were meant to work as a pair, one in each hand and they were forged so that one must be held in the left hand pointed backwards and the other in the right held point toward the foe. He just nodded once and said, "I'll take these. How much?"

The smith told him and Harry handed over the equivalent of 630 Pounds without a protest, only asking if sheaths were included in the price. Since they were, he went away well satisfied, tucking his purchase away in the devils' bag. He would have put his wine purchase in it but Lucius had informed him months ago that that was a sure way to ruin a fine vintage.

Harry went over his list, mentally checking off names. He decided that he'd gotten everyone on his list something. He just hoped it was something they'd like. He had to smile as he remembered Lucius saying, "They'll love it just because it came from you. Relax."

Harry shrugged his cloak into a more comfortable position over his shoulders and vowed to do as his Papa said.

.

Draco meanwhile, was writing to every family that had ever been friends with Potters. He was going to surprise Harry or go mad trying.

He was pleased to receive replies to all his letters and all of them were positive.

Lucius, who had helped with the letter writing, also had a pleased smile on his face. "It looks like this is going to be a good Christmas all around."

Draco nodded. "I'm going to go supervise putting up the tree."

Lucius snickered softly. "Fine, I'll bet you're back in less than ten minutes."

Draco scowled. "And why is that?"

"Mimsey, Tuggy and Gerard are doing it."

Draco just snarled, sat down and picked up a book. "Fine. I'll read then."

Lucius tapped a finger on the desk for a moment. "Draco, I need to speak to you about something." He shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

Draco put the book back down and raised his head to look his father directly in the eyes. "Harry may be Mr. Oblivious, but I'm not. If this is about you and Severus ... don't worry. If you're happy and he's happy, it's none of my business. Just ... be a bit discrete, please."

Lucius blinked for a moment. "When did you get so observant? And discrete? Do you think Harry..."

Draco snorted, cutting Lucius off in mid sentence. "Harry wouldn't care either. He's just ... very bad at picking up on things like this. After Christmas is soon enough."

"Well, as to that ... Severus and I are spending most of the Christmas Holidays in Switzerland. I've already made arrangements. The rooms are big enough for four, if you want to come. But I truly thought that having the house to yourselves would be a good thing. I've arranged for a portkey for two for Christmas day so we can spend that together. Unless you object?"

Draco snorted. "Object? Why would I be stupid enough to do that. You two have fun. I'm sure Harry and I can manage for ... how many days?"

"We're leaving tomorrow afternoon late." Lucius sighed silently in relief.

"Oh, well ... Harry and I will be fine. After all, the house is full of elves and there's no way we'll manage to slip anything by Mimsey and Gerard."

They both forgot about the need to get to Ireland on the day of the Solstice.

.

Harry returned after another hour of just enjoying Diagon Alley and they sat down to supper as soon as he was washed and changed.

Supper was an excellent beef Wellington with all the appropriate trimmings and raisin cake for after.

They then went on a quick tour of the house to show Harry all the decorations.

The decorations were wonderful. He was delighted by the trees all over the house. Especially the one in the parlour where they gathered in the evening. He also liked the one in the music room. Lucius even played carols while Harry and Draco helped Mimsey and Gerard decorate it.

When Lucius told Harry about his trip to Switzerland with Severus all Harry said was, "It's about time you two quit dancing around each other. What about Narcissa?"

"Severus and I were together before she and I married. One of her conditions was that I give Severus his marching papers. I did, but only because Abraxus demanded it."

"I notice that you hardly ever talk about your father and when you do, you always call him by his given name. Why is that?" Harry blinked at the expression of cold fury that flitted across his Papa's face.

"Because I hate him. If you compare Vernon Dursley to him, I'm sure he would come out worse. Please change the subject."

"Of course. I'm sorry I brought back bad feelings." Harry gave Lucius a tentative smile and was rewarded with a gentle one in return.

"That is alright. Now ... We will be spending Christmas Day together. How are we going to manage."

Harry gave Lucius the look that Lucius recognized easily. He called it 'Mule Harry' his few experiences arguing with that look had convinced him that it was fruitless so he just nodded. "I have arranged for a portkey. It will bring you to Switzerland. Do, please, remember that there's an hour difference between us and them. If you leave here at nine, you'll arrive there at eight. Do not arrive before eight as I intend to sleep in."

Harry snickered at that. "Sure you will. But we'll be there at eight. We can have breakfast then open presents. I'll have Mimsey pack up all mine for the bunch of us and give them to Tuggy. Ok?"

Lucius nodded. "That will be fine. Now, perhaps a bit of music? Draco?"

Draco nodded eagerly and went to fetch his flute. Lucius led Harry to the harpsichord saying, "You sit here in this chair. I had it moved especially for you."

Harry settled into the comfortable chair and put his feet up on the poof. Draco returned with his instrument and a music stand.

"I trust we're doing carols?" Harry nodded eagerly while Lucius just smirked a bit. "I thought so. I brought all the sheet music. Harry? Here." Draco handed Harry a book. "Just in case you feel inclined to sing."

Harry flushed bright red. "I don't have a voice. I can barely manage the Hogwarts song."

Draco made a face. "No one can sing that. There's no recognizable tune. Just give it a try."

Lucius nodded. "Yes, please do, Harry. No one will make fun."

Harry gave the book a doubtful glower. "Ok, but if I bray like a donkey, all I'm going to say is, 'I told you so.' "

It turned out that, while Harry's voice was not exceptional, he did have a nice light tenor.

They played and sang for over an hour then left for bed.

.

Morning brought about all the chaos that two patrician wizards could cause in the process of leaving for a whole week. Mimsey woke Harry by patting his foot until he grunted once, then she announced. "You is getting up right now. Himself is making all the elvesse crazy. He is wanting to be taking half the house."

Harry grumbled, smacking his dry lips.

Mimsey poked him again. "Up!"

Harry levered himself up onto one elbow. "Why? It's his house, after all, if he wants to take stuff with him, let him."

Mimsey snorted. "They is going for one week. Seven days. They is not needing all that stuff."

Harry sighed and rolled over to sit up, grumbling under his breath. "And why Tuggy can't handle this is beyond me."

Mimsey, on her way to run Harry's bath, called over her shoulder. "I is hearing that."

Harry sat up and called after her, "Good! And put out a day robe, I'm not leaving this house today."

Draco, who'd been woken in a similar way by Gerard, swatted him with a pillow and rolled off the bed on his side. "Damn it, Harry, I need you out of the house for at least two hours so I can put your present together. Go bother the Weasley's for awhile."

"Alright. I'll pop in on them at about ten, maybe Molly will ask me for lunch." Harry ambled into the bathroom to see that Mimsey had turned on the shower and put out towels and a day robe suitable for a visit to close friends. "Thanks. I'll be going to the Weasley's after breakfast. If you need me for anything, that's where I'll be."

Mimsey just nodded once and went to fuss at Gerard, who ignored her with all the aplomb of a senior elf. They actually got along, but today, everyone was a bit on the aggravated side as Lucius was at his demanding worst.

He wanted everything to be perfect for his first vacation with Severus in more years than he cared to think about. The last one had been just before he married Narcissa. The one where he'd explained to Severus that they couldn't be together any more. He would never forget the wounded expression in those brilliant obsidian eyes; eyes that had changed to hard, cold beads of jet. They hadn't changed back yet. So he wanted things to be right.

Tuggy finally had enough, which was saying something for a Malfoy house elf. "Master Lucius, sir, calm down. If you is forgetting something, or needing anything that we is not bringing, Tuggy will get it for you. Now, we is packed. No arguing."

Lucius snarled wordlessly but gave up. If he didn't get finished soon, Severus would be here. He knew that Severus was paced perfectly and calm as an oyster in its bed.

.

Severus Snape eyed his packing with a very jaundiced eye. He was as packed as he was going to be. In other words, every stitch of clothing he owned was in his travel trunk; as well as most of his books, an entire travelling potions lab and all his Christmas presents.

He wondered what he was forgetting, not that he ever forgot anything but he still had that awful feeling. He sighed, tapped his trunk and stuck the shrunken luggage in his pocket.

The floo quickly took him to Malfoy Manor and he stepped out into the entryway, brushing soot off his shoulders with a flick of his wand.

"Luka! I'm here."

Lucius walked into the room with a smile on his lips. "Good. I think I'm driving the elves to distraction. I just hope I have not forgotten something important."

Severus smirked at him gently. "I'm sure you have not. You've probably packed half the house." He chuckled softly. "As I have as well. Come, you promised me a surprise, I'm claiming it now."

Lucius sent for Draco and Harry so they could say good-by to them.

Harry hugged Lucius and offered his hand to Severus to shake. Severus did shake it and Draco's as well. Then Draco hugged Lucius and whispered something in his ear. Lucius snorted and said, "Please." then reached up and took a handful of power from the dish on the mantle and cast it into the fire. He took Severus' hand, said "Malfoy Quarters, Grandhotel Giessbach!" and they were gone.

Harry turned to Draco and smiled. "Well, alone at last ... to coin a cliché."

Draco snorted. "You wish. But ... oh, holy Merlin's socks. What about the solstice?"

Harry paled. "Oh, fuck. You're right, it's day after tomorrow. And we have no idea how to get in touch with Papa. He told us both that they'd be incommunicado until Christmas Eve."

Draco sighed, rubbing his face. "Well, we'll just have to handle it on our own. We can get there easily enough with a portkey, but port keying or apparating out again is going to be impossible. Stupid Irish customs. I wonder why they do that?"

"Ask Hermione. We have to get a portkey? Can't we just apparate in? I thought you said we could."

"We can. Getting into Ireland is no trouble, it's getting out that's a bitch. I don't care whether it's a portkey or apparation, we just need to figure out how to get back out again."

Harry bit his lip for a moment then brightened. "Brooms! We'll just fly out."

Draco glowered at him for a moment. "Cold. Idiot. It's going to be freezing cold."

Harry scowled but returned, "Well, tough. We have to get to New Grange and back before Christmas Eve. We'll just have to use warming charms and tough it out."

Draco grumbled as he led the way to their sitting room. He flopped onto a couch and demanded, "Fine! Who's going with?"

"Ron for sure. He'll kill us both if we leave without him and Hermione has to come. She'll whine on forever and badger us to bits. I'll send a note to both of them with Hedwig right now."

Draco watched in silence as this was accomplished then asked, "And how are we going to get Hermione back? She can't fly. I've seen her on a broom. Abysmal is a barely adequate word to describe her skills. Or, non-existent."

"We could take turns, taking her up behind us?"

"What about just crashing now and getting it over." Draco shook his head firmly. "I have no intention of taking her up behind me."

Harry yelped and smacked himself in the forehead. "My motorcycle. It's perfect. Sidecar, saddle bags, perfect. And I can shrink it down to fit in the devils bag until I need it. What do you think?"

Draco smiled. "I think I'm disgusted that I didn't think of it myself. So, we're organized?"

Harry nodded. "We are. And, I'd like to know what that flurry of owls was all about, but I'll wait." He grinned, happily aware that he'd gotten one over on Draco. He had no idea what Draco was up to and didn't want to know, but the look on his face was priceless. "Don't worry. I won't snoop. Don't you either."

Draco changed the subject easily and they spent the next hour discussing the Dursleys, the Weasleys, classes and who they'd gotten what. They talked through dinner then went back to their quarters to read until bed.

The next morning they went to the Burrow to visit. Draco was visibly nervous about this, very well aware that, until now he had met the formidable Molly Weasley on his territory or at Hogwarts, neutral territory. Now he was going to be on hers.

Harry noticed this and patted him on the shoulder. "Stop that. She'll be fine, as long as you don't snark at her."

Draco scowled at Harry. "Harry, I am much too well bred to snark at the lady of the house at her own table. Really!" Draco seemed well on his way to a full blown quarrel but Harry defused it easily.

"I'm sorry, luv, but I just really want you all to get alone. If you don't start anything she'll be civil."

Draco gave up. "Fine, Mr. Clueless, we'll get along fine then. Now, grab the presents and let's go. I'll get a moment to talk to Ron about our trip to Ireland. You keep Mrs. Molly distracted."

"Ok. But why don't we just ..." Draco accepted Harry's head shake easily. "Fine then. But we're of age."

"Not either. Just magically, remember? And if you think that Molly is going to let Ron go to Ireland on solstice, think again. She'll throw a fit then Ron will be lucky to get off restriction to go back to Hogwarts. She's a regular terror, you know that."

"Well, when the safety of her children is in question, I don't blame her. Think about what Papa would do if he found out that we were running all over Ireland with no safe way to get back? It's a wonder he's letting us do this alone."

"Um ... as to that ... I think he forgot? He was so busy arranging that reservation in Switzerland and the portkey for us that ..." He gave Draco a look that Draco interpreted as devious. "and I didn't remind him either. If ... when ... shit!"

"And that's what we're in. We have to go and we can't get in touch with either Father or Uncle Severus. What were you thinking?"

Harry managed to look both defiant and a bit scared. "That I need to do this. If ... when ..." He sighed. "We should have reminded him ... but he was so happy to go off with Snape. I hated to remind him then, when I decided I should, he was already gone. I'm just not used to having an adult that will actually listen that ... well, sometimes I just forget, you see?"

Harry's hopeful look made Draco groan. "Don't look at me like that. We're both in deep shit. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm fairly sure Mrs Molly would keep us from going, I'd tell her. And the only reason I'm not telling anyway is that you have to have that staff and we can't wait another year."

Harry just shrugged it off by saying, "Well, Papa can't do anything worse than Uncle Vernon did. Let's go to bed. I'm exhausted. Come on."

So they went to bed, each young man staying on his side of the bed. Neither one was inclined toward any sort of bed activity they were both too worried about the next day and the upcoming solstice.

.

Their morning routine was accomplished with a minimum of fuss and they went to the Burrow via floo. Harry tumbled out in his, now usual, disgracefully acrobatic way with Draco on his heels.

Draco paused on the hearth mat while Harry just hurried across the room to hug Molly.

"Molly, how are you? I brought this." Harry produced a huge fruit basket from somewhere and presented it to Molly with a grin.

"Harry! And Draco! I'm fine. Welcome, welcome. Thank you for the basket, that's so nice of you. Here, I've made breakfast. Sit down and eat. You're both so thin, you'll blow away in a high wind." Molly put the basket aside and hugged Harry.

When Draco moved to Harry's side she hugged him too, ignoring the way he stiffened slightly. "Hello, Draco, dear. Happy Holidays. Is Lucius coming?"

Draco bowed slightly, causing Harry to raise an eye brow. "Thank you for having me into your home. Father isn't coming, he's already taken Uncle Severus to Switzerland. They're holed up somewhere. We'll be going for Christmas Eve, via portkey. I think they want to ... re-establish their relationship." He then flushed slightly at this unusual honesty, he wasn't the sort to blurt out family business like this.

Molly blinked a few times as she thought that over, absently curtseying as she did so. "Well ... Welcome to our hearth, Draco. Come in and make yourself comfortable. Arthur has been called in and should be back in a couple of hours, he tenders his regrets."

Draco took off his soot cloak and stood, holding it in one hand. Harry hadn't bothered as he knew the first thing Molly would do was cast a cleaning charm. Which she did as they made their way into the kitchen. Draco followed with his cloak still in his hand.

Molly saw and exclaimed, "Oh, I'm so sorry. Where is my head?" She'd never admit that it was slightly occupied with Severus and Lucius' "Give me that, I'll just hang it by the floo. Now you sit down and help yourself. We're very informal around here, I'm afraid."

Draco called upon centuries of ancestors and managed, "That's fine. If I should commit some faux pass, please tell me."

He jumped slightly as Ginny flopped down in the chair beside him and grabbed a platter of bacon. "The only faux pass is eating everything on a platter, one which Ronald commits with a regularity that is ... disgusting. Ron, you're such a freak."

Ron just scooped another spoon of eggs onto his plate, right on top of four slices of toast. "Ginny, just because you've come all over missish, doesn't mean I have to starve. If there's not enough, get up and make more."

Harry punched Ron on the shoulder, Ron shoved him back and both boys, satisfied that they had made their points, went back to eating. Draco glanced at Mrs Weasley but she seemed to be concentrating on keeping the twins from slipping something into another of the red-headed crew's plate.

Draco counted heads and realized that he didn't know two of the older people at the table. He glanced at Harry, who was whispering in Ron's ear, no help there.

Percy, who was looking as if he'd rather be anywhere else, took pity on him and said, "Mr. Malfoy, let me introduce you to the two oldest Weasley's. The tall one is Bill, who works at Gringotts and the stocky one is Charlie, who works in Romania on the dragon preserve there. Charlie, Bill, Draco Malfoy. Harry's spouse."

Bill nodded and said, "I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the ... nuptials. I was stuck in Egypt. I'd like to wish you happy years."

Draco bowed slightly. "Thank you. I know Harry was disappointed that you couldn't make it, but we both understand. The goblins are harsh taskmasters, I'm sure."

Bill just smiled and returned to his food.

Charlie made much the same sort of remark and also returned to his food.

Draco turned to Ginny and asked, "How have you been, Miss Weasley?"

Ginny snapped her mouth closed quickly enough that she didn't look too much like a stunned owl and replied, "Please call me Ginny. I've been fine. Homework is hell, why I let Hermione talk me into dropping Divination and taking Ancient Runes instead, I'll never know. I'm ... so lost."

"If you show me your work, I'll be glad to help you with it. I'm a bit of a dab hand at it, if I do say so myself. Harry's making an O, you know."

Ginny let out a squeal and jumped up from the table. "I'll be right back."

Molly snapped, "You'll return to the table at once. If Draco is agreeable to helping you with your work, it'll be after he eats." She turned to Harry. "I thought you were taking potions."

"No, ma'am, I'm not any more. I got off them last week. Thank goodness, everything tasted like the nasty things for an hour after." He cut off a bite of ham. "This ham is wonderful, would you mind telling me where you got it?"

Molly looked proud and a bit flustered. "I cured it myself. I just can't seem to find exactly what I want."

Draco smiled at that. Malfoy Manor had its own smoke houses and curing sheds. "I really like it also. It's delicious, just salty enough, without that bitter after taste some have."

Molly blushed, the best way into her good graces was to compliment her cooking. "That's because they use iodized salt. You have to use rock salt. And cracked pepper. Ground adds to that bitter taste."

"Ah! I see. I'll be sure to make a note."

Molly passed this and that and kept an eye on who was eating what. Harry ate some of everything, easily fending Ron off his plate. Draco wanted to smack him as he seemed to think that anything on Harry's plate, or the plate of anyone within reach was fair game.

Ginny finally brought this to a screeching halt by hexing him with a rather mild bat bogey. Ron jumped up from the table and, swatting at the fluttering things, hurried out into the chill air.

Molly just sighed. "Those two. I swear, I'm going to lock them in the basement until they learn to get along."

Draco gave Harry a shocked look but Harry just smiled at Molly. "I don't think that's such a good idea, they'll just ruin the foundation. Ginny is just now realizing that Ron's manners are ... not that good at home. He's had really good one's at the manor and in public, he's quite nice. But here ... well, Papa would have a fit. Excuse me. I'll go unhex him and see what I can do. OK?"

Molly just nodded then rounded on Ginny. "And, as for you, missy, what have I told you about hexes at the table? You'll be doing the dishes by yourself, muggle style. And think about your own manners while you do them." Molly snorted once then returned to her breakfast, apologizing to Draco for the fuss.

.

Harry just pulled his 'second' wand from the pocket in his robes dehexed Ron. "Ron, what the hell?"

"Only way to get out of the house without Mum getting suspicious. Ginny and I've been doing it for years. Now ... what the hell, yourself? Your Papa took off with Snape? For Merlin's sake! And so we have to get to Ireland ourselves? That's the shits."

Harry settled on the bench beside the door with Ron beside him. Glumly he agreed, "Really. We're going to be in so much trouble. Your Mum is going to hex all our bits off."

Ron nodded, equally distressed. "But your Papa is going to take a whip to you. And Draco."

Harry shook his head. "I doubt that, but I'm not going to sit comfortably. I wonder if there's any way to keep Draco from coming. I'd really like to keep him out of trouble, if I could."

"You really have a death wish, don't you? Leaving him out of this will get you hexed into next month." Ron nudged Harry with his shoulder. "Just give it up now and avoid a snark fit."

Harry looked doubtful. "You sure?" Ron nodded. "Ok. I guess. And Hermione? I swear, we have to have her, you know. But I wish we could leave her home. We're all taking a real risk. Voldie hasn't been very active just now so he's got to be planning something big. I just hope he doesn't decide to try something awful for Christmas. Arsehole!"

Ron nodded. "Ol' Moldy Shorts is planning something for sure. Dad's been in on a couple of brainstorming sessions, trying to figure it all out. No one can get a clue. Ever since Snape quit on them, no one knows anything." Ron looked rueful. "No wonder he's always been such a shit. He's been dancing on the edge of a dagger all his life. That'd make anyone a bit ... snarky."

"Yeah, and having your lover's father make him break up with you to get married can't have improved things any." Harry contemplated the fact that he knew exactly what his Papa and Snape were up to and shuddered.

Ron stood up. "You're cold, we should get back inside. We have to leave tonight to get to Ireland before the ban comes into effect. But, how are we getting back?"

Harry stood too. "I'll take Hermione in the sidecar of my motorcycle and you and Draco will fly brooms. I'll lend you mine. I just hope you can keep up."

Ron looked indignant ."What? Keep up?" He sputtered a bit.

"Ron, that cycle was the brain child of three marauders. It's so fast, it even scares me a little. I clocked it at over a hundred miles an hour, a lot over."

Ron grinned. "Don't tell the twins you have that. They'll be wanting to take it apart to see what makes it work."

"They better not even think about trying." But he grinned at his friend. "We had better get inside, I'm freezing. See you tonight about ... six?"

"Six it is. I'll just tell Mum that you invited me over to keep company with you and Draco. I'll leave out Hermione, she'll just get the wrong idea. You talked to Hermione yet?"

"No, Draco and I are going there later. Draco set up an invite to lunch. Come on."

So they returned to the kitchen. Ron apologized to Ginny and Ginny forgave him and apologized in her turn. Molly was appeased and Draco was puzzled. Harry just gave Draco a look that promised an explanation later.

After breakfast, Molly started to clear the table, telling all the kids to go 'play'. Harry insisted on helping, telling Molly that he expected her to teach him all the spells she used as recompense. And reminding her that Ginny needed help with homework from Draco. Ginny gave a little cheer and dragged Draco out into the lounge. Molly was amused and willing so they went into the kitchen while the others went into the lounge to sit around and visit.

Draco found this to be easier than he'd expected, his training in the social graces allowed him to fit in, now that he understood the way a more casual society worked. So, after helping Ginny, he found himself sitting in a rocking chair trading Dark Arts stories with Bill Weasley, while the twins listened in and asked an occasional question.

Charlie joined for a while but was persuaded to tell Ginny and Percy stories about dragons and taming and training them.

Mr. Weasley stepped out of the floo calling, "Hello, Weasleys! Molly, I'm home!"

Molly stuck her head out of the kitchen and exclaimed, "Arthur! Sit down in your chair. I'll send Harry in with a tray directly. What was so important?"

Draco realized that Arthur's chair was the empty one next to him. He got up, bowed then sat back down when Arthur bowed back then said, "Sit! Sit! We don't much stand on formalities here. Hope you don't mind me eating while we visit?"

Draco shook his head. "Not at all. I'm sure you must be hungry. What were you doing? Or shouldn't we ask?"

Arthur just sighed. "It's fine to ask. Some idiot charmed, or hexed, I'm never sure what to call it. Anyway, he spelled Christmas ornaments to explode at midnight on Christmas Eve then put them on the Muggle market. I've been running all over Tidwell, picking them up from shops. There was another crew to retrieve the ones that were already in muggle homes. That was a mess. They had to sneak in, get the ornaments then replace them. There was a crew of Obliviators on hand but, luckily, we didn't need them. I just wish people would realize that muggles are human too. It's just awful." He sighed again, weariness evident in his face and the set of his shoulders.

Draco felt sorry for him. The man was truly fond of his work and did a good job. He seemed sincere in his love for muggles. "That's terrible. I don't think such things should be allowed at all. The punishments should be more stringent."

Percy chose to put his foot right in the middle of it. "Well, that's something, coming from you. I'd have thought you'd be all for tormenting the silly creatures as much as possible."

Draco gave him a look combined of loathing and astonishment in equal proportions. "You're a fool, Percy, we don't need the attention. The Wizarding World is only protected from being over run by muggles by a curtain of secrecy. Anything that pierces that curtain is a danger to us all. Tormenting muggles is something that Death Eaters do. Which I am not and do not wish to be. Excuse me, I think Harry wants me." And with that he got up and went into the kitchen.

Arthur scowled at Percy for a moment then barked, "Percival what the devil are you thinking? That was horribly rude. You do not speak in that way to a guest in this house. Apologize at once."

Percy scowled at Arthur then said, "I'm sorry, Father, I'll go speak to him at once."

He got up to do so but was stopped by an enraged Ron. "Devil take you, Percy. Draco refused the Dark Mark out right and brought Lucius into the Light. You're such a prat! They're leaving now. Thanks so much."

Just then Harry came out of the kitchen with a tray of food. "Arthur, Molly asked me to bring you this. And Draco wished me to say that he's sorry for causing an incident in your home. We'll be leaving in a few minutes. Don't feel like you have to get up or anything. Eat your meal." Harry smiled and put the tray on a stand in front of Arthur's chair. He smiled around the room then motioned to Charlie. "Want to see my animagus form?"

Charlie blinked at this seeming non sequitur but nodded. "Sure, Harry. Maybe if we go outside for a while, Draco will calm down enough for you to stay?"

Harry snorted. "It's not Draco that wants to leave. He's all for forgive and forget as you're the closest thing I have to family. I'm the one who thinks we should leave. Percy's real family, I'm not. Now come on."

Charlie gave his father a look, which was returned. The look was a combination of sadness and determination. They were going to convince Harry that he was 'real' family, no matter what it took.

Draco followed Harry and Charlie into the yard and then across it out in to the back field. He realized that it was a half pitch with goal rings at only one end. He turned to Ron. "I'm impressed. Very nice."

Ron grumbled, "Not as nice as yours."

Draco shrugged. "But ours has been there for ... um ... four centuries. Yours was made by ... whom?"

"Us kids. It was started by Dad, when Bill first started flying and we just ... added on as we could manage."

"And that's why it's nicer." He looked up to see Harry positioning Charlie near the edge of the field. "What the heck is he up to?"

Harry transformed into his animagus form and Charlie yelped. "Holy Merlin, a Horntail! Oh, shit." He took a few moments to admire Harry then told him to change back before someone noticed.

Harry transformed back and he and Charlie spent several minutes talking quietly together. Harry didn't seem to like what he was told much, but he nodded in an obedient fashion then went to tell Draco that they needed to leave soon to go to the Grangers.

Arthur came out, apologized to Draco for Percy and was told that it was fine. Draco looked at Arthur for a moment then said, "I'll say this one more time. I don't care that you and Father don't get along. That's your business. I like Ron and intend to remain friends with him as long as he'll have me. If you want me to intervene between you and Father, I'll give it a try. Excuse me now, Harry wants to leave. We're expected at the Grangers soon." with that, he bowed one last time and went to Harry's side.