Sundays were still the days Harry and Draco would meet up no matter what. They had decided they needed a set day, so they had some structure. It really worked out for the best.

Harry waited for twenty minutes after Draco said he'd be there, before sending a message Where are you across the bracelets. Another twenty minutes went by and Harry had his Transfiguration essay done. Another twenty and he was finishing up one of his defense books Remus had given him for his birthday. He was trying to figure out what else he could do when Draco threw the door open and came rushing in, panting. He put his hands on his knees and bent over, catching his breath as he said, "I'm sorry," over and over.

Harry stood and walked over to him. He wasn't overly upset, just ever so slightly annoyed, but seeing Draco like that made it melt away. "It's alright, Draco." He rubbed his back and led him over to their chairs. They had frequented the sofa more often, so they could cuddle, but Harry wanted to talk.

He waited to see what Draco would say. "I was working on homework and got caught up. I didn't see your message until five minutes ago." Harry really wanted to believe that, but he had a hard time with it. "Did you have a hard time with the charms essay? I had to look in five different books to really get the concept…" Harry listened, but Draco went on and on about the stupid charms essay for what felt like forever. He was still curious about Draco's behavior recently. Was he sick? Had something happened to his mother?

Draco had gone over to the other essays they had been assigned. Harry still listened to everything he said, even when it got mind numbingly dull. He could listen to Draco talk all day.

"How was your homework this week?" Harry raised an eyebrow. They did talk about homework on occasion, but this was the first week back, Draco usually wanted to gossip about people's summers. Yet another odd thing.

"It was alright. I got it done while I was waiting." That was about as much input as he put in without Draco's nudging. "How was your summer?"

"Eh, I missed you. I was glad to be back. And this week was really something huh? What about that Hope's Army meeting? I had no idea you were going to be there, or I wouldn't have gone. I'm glad that I did though. It will be nice making some new friends." Harry was a bit thrown.

"Yeah. I was really surprised when Dumbledore showed up, weren't you? Who would have thought. I mean, ok, I've seen his wardrobe, but other than that…What's wrong?" Draco had gone pale.

"Me? Oh, nothing, I'm fine. Actually, I'm not feeling that great."

"Oh, no. Should I take you to the hospital wing?" Harry asked concerned. He put his hand over Draco's forehead, he did feel a little clammy.

"No, no, I'll be fine, I just want to lay down for a bit. I'm sorry, do you mind?"

"Of course not, Baby. If you're sick, you're sick. I hope you feel better. Want me to walk you down?"

"No, it's alright, you should go enjoy your Sunday. I'll be fine." Draco had never turned him down to escort him to his common room. He tried not to be hurt by that.

"Alright, well, I'll see you tomorrow." Harry leaned forward to kiss Draco, but he leaned back.

"I might be sick remember?" Draco said at Harry's hurt look.

Harry's face evened out to warmth, and he grabbed Draco's face. With intentional slowness, he leaned forward and kissed Draco's lips. Draco sighed into Harry's cheek and hugged him. Harry expected it to be quick, but it wasn't. Draco hugged him tightly, rocking them slowly for several long minutes.

Harry was starting to grow concerned. "What's wrong, Baby?" Draco pulled away, so he could see Harry but didn't remove his arms.

"Why would something be wrong? Can't I just want to hug my darling boyfriend?" He kissed Harry slowly and Harry felt heat rising in him. Draco rested his head on Harry's shoulder. They were almost dancing.

"I guess. You'd tell me if something were wrong." Harry said, not making it into a question, but it would be great to get a response.

"I love you so much Harry," Draco whispered into Harry's neck, tightening his hold. Harry felt something wet and thought it might be a kiss. They stood there quietly, gently swaying, for a long time, then Draco quickly kissed him, was saying a goodbye, and was out the door, almost as suddenly as he had entered. Harry stared after him, confused. He knew something was wrong, and he wanted to know what.

He trusted Draco to tell him that something was wrong, but he was concerned that Draco didn't know he could. Something was wrong, something bad, and he needed to help Draco. Draco needed him.

He told himself all this hoping the voice saying he was doing something wrong would quieten.

The following Saturday were Quidditch tryouts. By the end of it, Harry was ready to turn in his captain's badge. The amount of people that showed up just to be around Harry was mind boggling. After he weeded out the crazy people, it got a little easier, but the annoyance of one person almost outweighed all the other students combined. Cormac McLaggen could not have been worse. Harry was so relieved Ron managed to outplay him, even if he might have refused to let him on the team just for his attitude.

In the end, the team consisted of Ginny, Ron, Demelza, Jack, Jimmy, Ritchie and Harry.

He, Ron and Hermione also went to visit Hagrid, who told them that Aragog was dying. Harry was privately relieved.

Later that evening was the first Slug Club dinner, which was uncomfortable and a waste of time, in his opinion. He wasn't about to lose his good favor with Slughorn.

If his day wasn't full enough, it ended with his detention from Snape. He had him debowling flobberworms.

The next day, Draco was late, though not as late as he had been the previous week. They talked for a while, then when Harry brought up the summer, Draco decided their time was better spent doing other things. He couldn't help but agree.

The next couple weeks went by in the same way. Draco was either late or completely missed their dates every Sunday. Harry was beginning to feel hurt as well as suspicious. He knew it was hypocritical of him to want to know what Draco was doing when he hid what he was doing from Ron and Hermione. He just knew there was something wrong, and it bothered him to the point of distraction.

He was not proud of this at all, but he checked the map to see if he could find Draco a couple times, but he was nowhere to be found. That was strange enough in and of itself, but he was ashamed enough he didn't bring it up with Draco.

Draco had informed him he had detention with McGonagall on the Hogsmeade visit, so Harry went with Ron and Hermione. It was very unlike Draco to get detention, Harry was sure he hadn't gotten one since first year. His worry increased.

The morning arrived very early for Harry, so he sat in bed reading his potions book. He saw a spell, levicorpous, and stupidly thought about it as he flicked his wand. Ron yelled as he was levitated over his bed upside-down. Harry bought him some sweets from Honeydukes to make it up to him. The trip into the village went well enough, even with Harry's mind half on Draco. That was before what happened to Katie Bell.

Harry notice her arguing with a friend and the confrontation only escalated. They seemed to be fighting over a package. All of a sudden, Katie was floating in the air, wind swirling around her, then she was in the snow. Harry recognized the necklace from his trip to Borgin and Burkes about four years ago. It was too much of a coincidence that Harry saw Draco purchase something from there, then it turned up here at Hogwarts. The feeling made him sick, but he couldn't help but think that Draco was involved here. Who had the necklace been for?

When McGonagall talked to them about the incident, Harry asked to see her privately. Ron and Hermione groaned, knowing he was about to say something was wrong with Malfoy. Harry didn't want Draco to get in trouble, but he was almost positive he already was, and he needed help out.

McGonagall raised her eyebrow before Harry gathered what he wanted to say. "Professor, I know that necklace came from Borgin and Burkes, in Knockturn Alley. I saw it there four years ago, and this summer, I saw Draco—Malfoy," he added, hoping it would sound like he meant to say Draco's full name all along. "Purchase something from there." He paused, trying to think of how to phrase this next part.

McGonagall interrupted, "did you see him purchase the necklace?"

"No," Harry admitted, "but—"

"Potter, unless you saw him make the purchase, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. Draco Malfoy was in detention, with me, when the incident took place. There's no possible way he could be in two places at once."

"I'm not saying he handed her the necklace, ma'am, I'm saying, Malfoy is behaving weird, and I think he might be in trouble. Will you please talk to him?" McGonagall appeared surprised by the turn of the conversation.

"You are concerned for him, Potter?" McGonagall asked, very suspiciously.

"No! I mean, he's not evil, Professor. I think he might be in trouble, and I don't know what else to do." He had said that last bit way too desperately, but it at least appeared to sway her.

"I highly doubt he was involved, Potter, but I will ask him if he has seen the necklace before." McGonagall said, placing a hand on his shoulder, briefly.

Harry shook his head. "Ask him if there's something wrong too, Professor." McGonagall raised an eyebrow before nodding.

"I can't believe you bothered her with your insane theory, Harry." Hermione said the moment she saw him. "Draco Malfoy didn't have anything to do with this, and you know it."

"He's not a Death Eater, Harry," Ron added.

Harry sighed. "I never said I thought he was a Death Eater, I said it was weird when I saw him jump when my scar hurt. I just said I think he's in trouble."

Hermione sighed and shook his head. "I don't think he is." They kept arguing about it, Harry refusing to concede.

Dumbledore's second lesson was a memory of Tom Riddle as a young boy being admitted to Hogwarts. Harry hadn't told Draco about the lessons, not because he didn't trust him, but because Dumbledore had asked him not to tell anyone but Ron and Hermione. Harry knew it would probably be fine, but he knew he'd feel guilty. He did feel guilty for keeping things from him.

The next day, Hermione asked Ron to go to Slughorn's holiday party with her. Harry thought it might be a miracle.

Hope's Army met several more times, and Harry was really beginning to enjoy the meetings. Draco would leave early most of the time or arrive late. Harry had started following him. He was very ashamed of this fact. He had figured out that Draco was going to the Room of Requirement, and sometimes it would be guarded by Crabbe and Goyle disguised as little girls. That was disturbing enough. What made it worse was knowing that Draco was keeping something serious from him, something that was looking more and more like something sinister.

He loved Draco so much. All he wanted was for Draco to be safe and happy, but he couldn't help but feeling like he was neither. As the weeks went on, Draco looked more and more sick, losing weight and pallor. Darker and darker marks under his eyes popped up, and he began missing meals and classes. One time, Harry noticed that Draco's eyes were red-rimmed, as if Draco was either losing sleep, or crying. Harry wasn't sure what he had done to warrant Draco ignoring him, and he was starting to lose it.

Their physical relationship was starting to suffer. Draco still jumped him whenever Harry brought up the summer, and Harry was finding it more and more hurtful, so he backed off more. There was less and less substance to what they talked about, and they saw each other less and less as Draco started avoiding Harry.

His stress level was nearing its breaking point with quidditch, too. With Katie in the hospital, Harry had asked Dean Thomas to join the team, and they couldn't be doing much worse. Ron was not doing well, and the two of them catching Ginny and Dean kissing made him even more distracted. Ron even tried to resign from the team the day before the match, and that's when Harry came up with a plan.

At breakfast the next morning, he initiated it. "Harry!" Hermione had turned white. "Did you just put Felix Felicis in Ron's juice?" Ron stopped drinking.

"You did what?"

"I did nothing of the sort," Harry denied. Hermione was a ball of nervousness, and Harry found out why after they won the match. Harry was enjoying a butterbeer and talking to Becky McNeal, another member of Hope's Army, when Hermione came storming in with McGonagall behind her.

"Harry," Hermione started, and Harry was startled to see tears in her eyes. The room quieted as McGonagall marched up to him.

"Is it true, Mr. Potter?" Her tone couldn't have been more disapointed. "Did you put Felix Felices in Mr. Weasley's goblet before the match?"

"What? No, I didn't—!"

"Harry! I saw you put the potion in Ron's juice!" Hermione said, almost hysterically.

Harry shook his head. "No, Hermione." He pulled the vial in question out of his pocket. "You saw me put juice in his juice. I only pretended it was Felix Felicis." He turned to Ron, "the only problem you've ever had is your confidence, Ron. You thought you couldn't lose, so you didn't! It was all you today, you saved every single goal without the help of anything." He handed the vial to McGonagall for inspection. "You weren't supposed to be called, Professor, I never intended for you to get involved," he eyed Hermione, who looked stricken. Harry was shocked when she pulled the vial from McGonagall, inspecting it.

"Where's the real bottle?" She accused him. Harry reared back. With a wave of his wand, it was being summoned down the stairs. It was full.

"Ms. Granger, I'll speak with you later. Everyone else, get back to your party, but don't have too much fun. I will be giving detentions to whomever is mysteriously ill tomorrow morning." McGonagall departed.

"I can't believe you ratted Harry out, Hermione." Ron threw at her.

"I thought Harry cheated, Ron, and I may have been wrong, but—!"

"You just couldn't stand the thought that I didn't need help to win!"

"You thought he cheated too, Ron!"

They dissolved into fighting, with Harry trying cautiously to make peace between them. Eventually, they both stormed off in opposite directions.

Ginny came up to Harry right after that to talk about the game, so Harry lost sight of both of them. Later, he saw Ron kissing Lavender Brown, then heard the slamming of the portrait hole.

The closer Christmas came, the more Harry looked forward to it. He really could use a break from school. Ron and Hermione were fighting, school work was piling up, Draco was still acting weird. He was still working and he had increased the times to daily, and that was really beginning to wield results that Draco and he were both happy about. It was also helping him out with his stress levels, which made it doubly important.

He asked Luna to go to Slughorn's Christmas party with him, with Mandy's permission. Mandy had been excited at the prospect of Luna getting to go, she really was a sweetheart. Hermione ended up going with Cormac McLaggen and spent much of the party avoiding him. Harry had a better time than he thought he would. The only downside was when Filch pulled Draco into the room. Harry hadn't seen him for several days, and Draco hadn't looked worse. He claimed to be gate-crashing, but Harry knew when he was lying. He tailed him when Snape asked to talk to him. He got a confirmation that something was going on, that Draco had been instructed to do something.

He decided to confront Draco.

I need to talk to you asap, it's important. He messaged Draco after the party ended and he had walked Luna nearby the Ravenclaw tower.

He got a response a couple minutes later. I'll be at the room in ten minutes. Harry stood outside the Room of Requirement, which didn't have Crabbe or Goyle guarding the door, until Draco appeared. He caught sight of Harry and froze, then closed the door slowly.

"What are you doing here?" Draco finally asked.

Instead of answering verbally, Harry held out his hand, invisibility cloak in the other. He covered them both with it and they wandered the corridors hand-in-hand, eventually coming to their room.

They stood in the center of the room, not taking seats, neither quite knowing what to say.

"I love you." Harry told Draco, hoping he knew it. Draco looked sick. He was paler than Harry had ever seen him, bruises under his eyes darker, eyes red, cheeks hollow, thinner, and he was definitely scared of something. Harry could read him like braille, and he knew Draco was in trouble, he knew it. He just didn't know why Draco wouldn't confide in him.

Draco softened slightly, and he whispered back, "I love you too." Harry closed his eyes in pain. This was going to be hard, but it had to be done.

"Draco…are you a Death Eater?" Harry asked the question he knew the answer to first.

Draco's eyes widened, and he sucked in air. "No." He said in a hard tone. Harry nodded, but Draco pulled up his sleeve to show him his forearm. It was pale and perfect, not a mark in sight.

"You're good at glamour charms." Harry said lightly, trying to keep the accusation out of his voice. Draco's eyes narrowed, and he pulled out his wand.

"Revelio." He said. Nothing happened. "Aparecium!" Again, nothing. "Finite incantatum!" The pale arm stayed the same. "Do you know any others?" Harry shook his head.

"I believe you." Harry said, looking into Draco's eyes.

"Good, then if there's nothing else…" Draco headed towards the door.

"There's a lot more." Draco turned around. "I know something is wrong, Draco, I know it." Draco scoffed, "I know that you made more than one purchase at Borgin and Burkes, and I suspect one of those purchases was the necklace that cursed Katie Bell. I know that something happened to your mother, something happened over the holidays. I know that you are working on something in the Room of Requirement, sometimes for hours at a time. I suspect that Voldemort gave you instructions for something, but I don't know what. I know that you're losing sleep and skipping meals. I know that you're in trouble Draco. What I don't know is why you won't talk to me. Have I ever given you reason not to trust me? Have I ever given you reason to think I would turn you in, or make things worse for you, or not help you? I want to do things for you Draco, I want to help you with whatever you've gotten into. Just talk to me please." Draco's face turned even paler, looked more and more terrified as Harry went on. His face twisted until it looked like he was being tortured.

Harry walked up to him and gripped Draco's upper arms and looked into Draco's eyes. "Please." He added.

Draco bit his lip and closed his eyes hard. His lips wobbled, and Harry was saddened to see tears. He hated that he put them there. He really hated himself in that moment.

He gently wiped the tears away and placed a gentle, light kiss on his lips. "You're right." Draco whispered against his lips. Harry pulled back slowly, hoping for more, but Draco continued, "but I can't tell you." Harry closed his eyes. "I can't Harry, I can't! Not I don't want to, not I will not, but I cannot tell you. I need you to trust me. Please, please. You can't ask me anything about this, you can't make me talk about it, and you can't ask why. I know this is a lot, and I know you're suspicious and I've been acting strange, and I've been neglecting you like hell. I know all this, and I should have known you'd try to figure it out. But Harry, I'm working on it, and I'm trying so hard to work it out. Please, just trust me. Please." Draco was gripping the front of Harry's robes, and Harry felt tears on his cheeks as well as Draco's. Harry could see the sincerity in Draco's eyes. He knew he wasn't being lied to. Now.

Harry kissed him, desperately, he wasn't even sure why. He needed Draco, needed to know that he really was ok. "Ok." He said quietly. "Promise me, you'll be ok. And you'll come to me the second you can." He still didn't understand any of it, why Draco was doing this, but he did trust him, completely.

Draco nodded, and began unbuttoning Harry's shirt. "I promise." He told Harry and pushed him backwards. "I love you so much," He ripped Harry's shirt off, tearing it slightly. Harry didn't give a single fuck.

"I love you, baby. Tell me you'll be ok." He said between kissed.

"I'll be ok." Draco answered between breaths. Harry sighed. He was still scared, still had a bad feeling, but it was leaps and bounds better than it had been five minutes ago. He slumped against the cushions.

Draco stayed up and staring at him.

He offered Harry his hand. Harry took it and Draco pulled him into a sitting position. Harry sat back against the sofa and looked at Draco curiously. He was looking nervous, and was in a strange position, kneeling on one knee. He still had Harry's hand.

"Marry me." Draco said suddenly. Harry blinked and stared.

"What?"

"Marry me." Draco repeated. Harry still stared.

"I…I thought you said we were too young. And we couldn't get married anyway."

"That doesn't matter. As far as I'm concerned, after we do the bonding ceremony, we'll be husbands. I don't care if the Ministry doesn't acknowledge it, you and I are the only two people that can decide what we are, and I want you to be my husband. Will you? Will you be my husband?" Harry still stared.

"This…Draco, this is so sudden. I love you, and of course I'll marry you, someday, but I'm not sure now's the right time to get engaged, or even married. We haven't really talked about the future, when would we do the ceremony? Have you thought about kids? What about the war? We are still very young. What about your Father, what will we do if he finds out? I have to fight in a war, I would never make you, but I have to fight, and I'm not sure it's a good idea to start a marriage in that climate. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Draco sank to the floor. Harry scrambled over to him, taking both of his hands. "I'm not saying no," Harry continued. "I'm saying yes, I just think we need to talk about it first."

Draco didn't say anything. He just looked down at his knees. "Please, say something, Draco."

He finally looked up. "You're not saying no?"

"I'm saying, let's talk." Draco nodded. He didn't appear upset or happy, if anything, he looked blank, numb.

Neither knew what to say. There was an odd silence, things had never been awkward between them, but there was a touch of it in the air.

"I love you, Baby." Draco finally smiled.

"I love you, too." He reached over with his hand and took Harry's. Harry scooted over until he could lean his head on Draco's shoulder.

"Thank you for asking me."

"Do you want kids?" Draco asked, as if he couldn't wait any longer. Harry looked up at him.

"Yes. I'd like lots. Do you?"

"They've always been more of an obligation than a desire. Ever since you and I got together, however, I've been thinking about it more and more, and I think I want one or two…just because I want them. I want something that you and I create together, that's a mixture of the both of us."

Harry thought Draco couldn't get much sweeter, but he was wrong.

"That sounds incredible. I want that too. So, you want to do surrogacy, not adoption, then?"

"What's surrogacy?"

"Oh, it's a process where a parent or parents who can't make a baby the natural way do it artificially and put the baby in a volunteer woman who gives birth to the baby." Draco looked confused and a little disgusted. "It's something the muggles have really just started to do, so it's really expensive now, but in a couple years when we're ready…" Draco still looked confused. "I really don't know that much about it, but it would be genetically related to one or both of us, whereas with adoption, the child wouldn't be genetically related." Draco's eyes widened.

"You're saying that there's a way for me to have a blood-related heir?" Draco looked awed.

"Yeah, that's the general idea." Draco laughed and sat back, putting his head in his hands.

"This is brilliant! That's the main reason gay marriage isn't done, but if the muggles have come up with a way to make it happen…! Harry, do you realize what this means? I can have an heir, with you! The Malfoy name will live on and be recognized by my family's magic! I didn't think this was possible! Oh, Harry!" He jumped on Harry and kissed him enthusiastically.

"So, you're happy huh?" Harry asked grinning. Draco nodded. Harry didn't fully understand what the big deal was but seeing Draco so happy after the last couple weeks was great. "What do you mean recognized by your family's magic?"

Draco returned to his chair. "You know that with purebloods, blood is important. The reason for that is, among many things, the family passes magic down through blood. In each family's manor, for instance, there are blood wards that are keyed into the head of the family. That title is passed down, generation to generation, and it comes with a whole assortment of responsibilities and accommodations. It's complicated, but to put it in simple terms, I was under the impression that my heirs would lose the manor and everything that comes with it because they weren't related to me, but now that I know this, what did you call it, surrogacy, they will receive everything they're entitled to."

Harry still didn't understand, but it sounded like it would be a good thing. "I've always liked the idea of adoption." He put in, just to see how Draco would take it.

He nodded. "I do too. Giving a home to a child who needs it is valiant. I would love that too. Now I don't know what to do." He leaned into Harry.

"Well, we don't have to decide now. It'll be years before we're ready, don't you think? When are you thinking we would start having them?"

Draco thought. "It's customary to start having children right after marriage, but honestly, I'm not sure I want that. I'd like to wait a couple years, maybe travel a bit before we're tied down, really have an opportunity to enjoy each other before we have little bundles of joy running around."

"I like that too." Harry said. "I can't wait until I get to start a family, but at the same time, when I think about the immediate future, I just see you and me. I don't want kids until the war is over."

Draco nodded seriously. "That makes sense. I know you'll be at the center of it, and parenting takes one hundred percent of your focus and time. You mentioned when we would do the ceremony?"

"Yeah. Would we do it in secret? I'd really like at least Ron and Hermione to be there, my family should see me on the happiest day of my life, Draco."

Draco smiled sadly. "I understand. Maybe I jumped the wand a little. You're right, we should talk some more about this before we make it official. There's no rush. I just wanted to see if you would want to…" Draco looked away as he trailed off. He looked a little sad. Harry gently turned him back in his direction.

"Am I allowed to ask?" Harry asked, becoming sad and worried again. Draco shook his head, breathing deeply. Harry nodded. "I trust you, Draco. Don't make me regret it." Draco smiled sadly and hugged Harry.

"Do you want to go ahead and exchange Christmas presents?" Harry asked. Draco tensed.

"I'm really sorry, Harry. Your gift hasn't come yet. I thought I would have enough time, but it's not going to get here before the new year. Can we do it after Christmas?"

"Of course, that's fine. Maybe this year we should just send them. It'll be ok if you get a present from your pen pal, right? And with your father not there, will your mother ask who it's from?"

Draco sighed. "I'm staying at Hogwarts over the break."

"Really? Again? Why aren't you going home?"

Draco avoided his eyes. "I wanted to get some work done. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." Harry closed his eyes.

"I can't ask…right?" Draco nodded, looking simultaneously bothered and relieved. Harry sighed too.

"Now that I know, at least some of it, I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't lie to me. I know when you're doing it." Draco winced and closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry." He whispered.

"I'll go along with this for now. But, can I still try and figure it out?" Draco looked at Harry for a long moment.

"You wouldn't be you if you didn't try to figure it out. You just can't try to make me talk about it, because I really can't."

"Alright, alright. I'll try not to bring it up again." He was still hurt that Draco wasn't telling him what he wanted to know, but maybe there was more going on here than Harry suspected. "And I'll stay with you."

"You will not. You will go home and see Sirius, and message me on the bracelets." Draco said haughtily.

"I don't want you to be alone on Christmas. Sirius has Remus, Mary, and his friends. It'll be fine."

"It will not. Sirius would be crushed if you don't come home for Christmas, he's mentioned it the last ten times you've talked to him. Most of my friends are staying, I won't be alone." Harry looked at him doubtfully, but Draco kissed the slight pout away.

Christmas day dawned brightly, sun casting rays over the snow, gleaming reflections back. Draco didn't see it, however, as he stayed in bed. He knew that when he got out of his bed, he would be really and truly alone. In his bed, he could pretend that his year mates were in the room, still sleeping, or moving about quietly, or waiting for him in the Common Room. He could pretend that the castle was full, bustling with students everywhere, and that Harry was somewhere amongst them. He could pretend that he didn't have anything to do on the threat of his and other's lives. He could pretend that he was at home, in the manor, and he was young, and when he went downstairs there would be hundreds of presents under the tree, with his mother and father sipping tea in their silk pajamas. It was the only time they ever let their hair down.

His reality couldn't be much bleaker. The manor was overridden by Death Eaters and Dark Lords. His father was in prison and his mother… He was unlikely to ever see them again, much less relaxed. He wondered if he would ever even get his manor back. He did have a task, set to him by the Dark Lord, and he would have to work on it all day. He didn't have any presents at the foot of his bed, or anywhere else. He was one of the only people in this school. Harry was at his own home, completely ignorant to Draco's plight. Well that wasn't true. His boyfriend was trying desperately to work out what was wrong with Draco, and Draco loved him for it. He just hated him for it, just a little bit, too. He hated lying to Harry much more.

Because it would not be good if Harry found out about Draco's, and Voldemort's, plans. Draco wasn't sure he would tell Harry about the plans if he could. It was all so grisly, and Draco was beginning to realize that he might not be able to go through with it. He just didn't have the heart. He wasn't sure he would deserve Harry if things went the way the Dark Lord wanted it to. He really hoped his own plan worked, but it was looking more and more like it might fail.

He allowed a small sob to escaped him, suddenly glad he was alone. He didn't understand how everything had gone to hell, and so quickly. Everything had seemed fine at the end of last year, then just as quickly as they had seemed heavenly, they went to hell. He couldn't imagine how they could be any worse.

With a shake of the head to clear his thoughts, he pulled the curtains to his bed and gasped. There were two presents at the foot of this bed. They were both badly wrapped, so Draco knew without checking the tag they were from Harry. He felt like such a baby, but he teared up. Maybe there was something to Harry's pet name for him.

He picked up the larger of the two, wiping his eye. He would normally tear into the paper energetically, rip it to shreds to find the gift inside. Harry always took his time, opening the presents slowly. Draco had never understood why, until now. It was so satisfying, slowly revealing each little part, building the suspense. When he uncovered the gift, he realized he had never appreciated a gift more, even if it was a stupid pair of boxer shorts.

They were black, silky, with silver writing across the bum, saying, "This Arse Is Taken." Draco snorted and laughed at it, wiping away more tears. There was no way he could wear them in front of his dorm mates, but he could see himself prancing around in front of Harry, teasing him deliciously.

He changed into them, admiring himself in the mirror across the room before he turned to the other present. He opened it even slower than he had the first, savoring the anticipation. He even closed his eyes as he pulled the paper away, waiting for the last second. It was a small box, with a note on top.

Merry Christmas, my love.

I knew you'd go for the big present first, you spoiled rotten gorgeous bastard. I know we said we'd exchange gifts after I got back, but I wanted you to at least have something, don't worry, I'll have your real gift when you give me mine. I just thought I'd get you back for my birthday with a bit of a gag. Although, what's in this box may or may not be a bit of a bonus gift.

I know I promised I wouldn't bring up what I'm not supposed to bring up, but this is slightly related. I get the feeling that your mother is involved, or at least that you're worried about her. So, I got you these. It was last minute, so I couldn't get them to you before now, but I hope the sentiment is the same. I thought about just sending one to your mother, but just in case it caused trouble, I decided not to. I know you know what these are, so just send one to whoever you'd like to talk to, and I won't ask who it is.

Two years ago, you sent me something that you weren't sure I'd like, but you did anyway just in case I would. I send you these in the same hope.

Anyway, I wish I was there with you now. We haven't spent Christmas together since fourth year. I think I'll remember that night for the rest of my life. It was so romantic, and not at all girly. I loved being in your strong arms all night. Merlin, this is making me miss you already. I can't wait until we're married, and we have nothing to do on Christmas but open presents, sip hot cocoa, and cuddle by the fire under a warm blanket.

I love you,

Happy Christmas,

Your Harry

He really was a baby. He was in tears, and he held the letter close to his chest. He sniffed it carefully and inhaled Harry's faint scent. He missed Harry so much. This was just what he needed for today.

Draco opened the top of the box and gasped. A pair of Two-Way Mirrors were pillowed inside. He hadn't seen or talked to his mother since the summer, and now he had a way to. He wasn't even sure he ever would again. He shook his head to clear it again.

He folded the wrapping paper, very relieved he hadn't ripped it. Then, he got dressed before he raced to the girl's dormitories. All the girls had gone home for the holidays, and he didn't run into anyone as he entered the sixth-year girl's dorms. He figured out which bed belonged to Pansy quickly, the embroidered double P's on everything was a giveaway. He rooted through her bedside drawer until he found what he was looking for.

On the way back to his own dorms, he broke the mirror that was in Pansy's compact, hoping it wouldn't give him seven years of bad luck, because he certainly didn't need that. When he was back in the dorm, he carefully traced the compact around the larger two-way mirror and made several cuts with his wand. A permanent sticking charm later, the two-way mirror was in place of a compact. It was not his best spell work, but it would have to do.

He wrapped it up a little hurriedly, but it was up to his typical standards by the time he was done. He started on a note. "Pippin!" He called out, and one of his family's house elves popped up in front of him.

"Master Draco!" The little creature said with a bow. "What can Pippin be doings for Master?" He suspected the Death Eaters weren't treating the elves well, but there was nothing he could do for them currently.

"How are things at home, Pippin?" He asked, dreading the answer. Pippin's ears drooped, and her face clouded.

"Oh, Master Draco!" She said. "Pippin wishes bad wizards would leave poor Mistress and Manor alone! When will Master be coming home?" Things must be very bad if they wanted Draco's Father home.

"I don't know, Pippin. I will be back by the summer, but I'm not sure when the bad wizards will be leaving. You mustn't speak this way in front of them, you realize?"

Pippin nodded, ears flapping. "Yes, Master Draco! Pippin will not!"

"Good. I need you to give this to my mother. It's a Christmas present." Pippin's ears drooped again. She shook her head sadly.

"Oh, Master Draco. You must be knowing House elves not allowed near Mistress! Pippin is not being able to get through the wards!"

"I know, Pippin," Draco said, as he finished up his note. "Give it to whoever is on guard duty to give to her. It's alright if they don't allow her to have it, this is a long shot anyway." Pippin nodded dutifully, took the package and departed.

Her departure masked the pop of another departure, so it was a surprise when Draco turned back to his bed, only to see a silver tray, decked out with all his favorite breakfast foods and a single red rose in a thin silver vase. The cutlery was all silver, and it made quite the ensemble. Draco picked up the note on the side and swooned.

I know how much you hate getting out of bed, so I bribed Dobby to give this to you. Happy Christmas.

I love it, Draco typed into his bracelet. All my presents. He picked up the chocolate éclair first and moaned as he took a bite. He hadn't had one in such a long time, and it was divine.

You deserve the world, came the reply a couple minutes later. Draco smiled. Harry was an angel. He had done his best not to lie to Harry, but he didn't feel good about the omissions, either. He didn't deserve anything, certainly not someone like Harry. Still, he knew he was a selfish person, and he couldn't give him up for anything. The world was absolutely cruel, but his world was Harry, who was perfect.

He was done with his breakfast when the mirror he had put next to him and couldn't help glancing at every few seconds began to ripple, then reveal his Mother's pale and shallow, yet happier-than-usual face.

"Draco! My darling son, is it really you?"

"Mother!" Draco cried, feeling turbulent emotions swirling around inside him. "Are you alright? Is it safe to talk?"

"Yes! They leave me alone most of the time, now you're gone. I think they only kept me locked up because they feared you would try to move me. I'm even allowed in other parts of the house, now. You are making progress, are you not?"

"I made two attempts already, one failed, one has yet to come to fruition. Any day now, you will be free." She smiled at him tightly.

"Perhaps further effort is required." Draco winced, but tried to hide it. She knew he was lying, and knew he knew she knew.

"I have another plan, just in case the other one doesn't work. I assure you, I will not fail." Liar, his own mind betrayed him. His false plans he knew would fail would not work, but his main one, to get her out, had promise. Not much, and what was there was waning, but it was all he had.

"I know my son won't." It was a dig, implying he was not her son if he failed. His stomach clenched.

"Are they treating you well?"

"As well as I would expect. How is your schooling?" This was difficult.

"Couldn't be much better." They were both lying, and they both knew it.

There was silence as they stared at each other. He hadn't noticed this earlier, but there were several small lines coming out of the corner of her eyes. He had never seen wrinkles on her.

"I love you, Mother." He wasn't sure what made him say it. He hadn't said it to her for a long time. His Mother raised her brows, then her face softened.

"I love you too, my son." She looked up. "I hear noises outside. I must go, lest they find this. I'll contact you again when I can." Her face disappeared. Draco buried his face in his arms. He had to do this, he had to. He really did love her.

Narcissa hid the mirror behind her back as her bedroom door opened without a knock. How crass of him.

"What was that noise?" The ugly bearded face asked, eyes narrowed as he took in the room.

"Well, I am just so lonely in here by my lonesome, I have had to resort to conversing with myself." She said bitingly. The man snorted.

"Keep it down, or I'll come in here and converse with you," he said threateningly. She nodded, nose in the air, and he departed again. There were times when she needed comfort, so she made her way gracefully to her vanity. She did not rush, she hastened.

She sat delicately on the pillowed bench and pulled herself forward. She took a moment to apply some powder to her face. She was not satisfied with the products the Death Eaters had supplied her with, they didn't get the job done. Still, she'd cut her face off before displaying it unless it was perfect. She would normally need her wand for that, but it had been taken from her. She double checked the mole on her chin was completely covered before opening the center drawer.

Inside were various utensils for various things. She picked up the antique mirror and held it up, admiring her face once again before looking around suspiciously. Seeing there was still no one there, she pulled on the handle, revealing a long, thin, jewel-encrusted, silver knife.

She ran her thumb against the dull side of the blade. Soon. She would give her son time. She doubted that he would succeed, but it was not a slight against him. More and more, she was becoming thankful for who her son was turning out to be. At one point, she would have hated having a son who would not do what was expected of him, no matter what it was he was expected to do. Now, she knew he wouldn't, but she was giving him time to come up with a plan he could execute.

It was hard to believe it was Christmas.

Harry looked up from his bracelet, blushing. Sirius was teasing him about it, but he couldn't help looking, waiting for a reply. He was obsessed with Draco, he knew. He didn't need the constant reminders.

"Come on, Harry, open up another one." Sirius had overdone it with the gifts again. It was incredible having so many presents under the tree. It truly felt like a real family Christmas.

They were going over to the Weasleys later for a Christmas get together, but Harry was unsure he'd be able to finish opening presents by that point. So far, he had gotten more clothes, furniture for his room, and a bicycle. Sirius had said he knew he wouldn't use it much but that every kid needed one in their life. Harry never had one, the Dursleys had said he could walk.

"You really didn't have to do all this, Sirius." He said as he slowly opened another present. It was a packet of underwear. Harry groaned theatrically.

"You really don't have to open presents that slowly, Harry. We're going to be here for days unless you put some effort into it. Here, let me show you how it's done." Harry felt somewhat bad that Sirius had less presents than Harry, but he knew Sirius had intended that.

Sirius grabbed a present from his pile and positively ripped the wrapping into tiny pieces in his haste to get to the present. At least Draco did his delicately. This was almost gore.

"See? It's fun. Just try it." Harry sighed, but did use that method for the next present. It was kind of fun. "You're a kid, Harry, you don't have to worry about the mess." Sirius scolded as Harry tried to clean up the little pieces of wrappings. "Drop it," he added seriously.

Harry did so, and continued unwrapping. He used his method but did pick it up a bit. They did have a party to get to.

Sirius refused to clean up the mountain of wrapping paper in the living room, instead rushing Harry outside. "I don't know that this is a good idea." Harry said doubtfully as he sat on his new bike.

"Safety first!" Sirius said as he plopped a helmet on Harry's head. Harry groaned but buckled it in. After quidditch, he didn't need another concussion.

Sirius put a hand on the handle bar his other arm wrapped around his back. "I'm going to help you at first, and when you get your balance, I'll let go. Now, you have to get some speed, or you'll fall over. Put your feet on the pedals and make a motion like you're walking. Come on, Harry. If you feel like you're going to fall, just put your feet down. Not now, if you feel like you're going to fall. You steer like this, good. You've got it, Kiddo!" They were moving, and as shaky as Harry felt, he had to admit it was kind of fun. They made several big circles, in front of the garage, then Sirius instructed Harry to go straight down the driveway.

"Don't let go," Harry kept saying.

"I won't. Not until you're ready." Sirius repeated patiently.

They picked up speed, Sirius running to keep up and then he was yelling "go, Harry, go!" only it sounded like it was further away. Harry's bike wobbled as he looked behind him to see Sirius waving and jumping from behind him down the road. Harry let out a single, "Ha!" and focused on what was in front of him. He picked up speed. This was fun, almost as good as flying.