Chapter Fifteen

The Contemplations

The last few days before Christmas were spent with little incident. Each night, Harry and Draco spent the night together. They decided they needed to get as much time together in before the rest of the school returned in a few weeks' time. Draco loved being able to wake up next to Harry every morning. It made him feel safe, warm and thoroughly loved. Some mornings he would wake up before Harry just to watch him sleep. Draco relished the moments he spent watching Harry sleep. It soothed him to the core. He knew that the boy that lay in his arms was purely his, and would be for a very long time. Today was one of those Harry-watching days. Just a few hours ago, he had been laying with his arms around Harry, giving Draco a very peaceful start to his day. Now he sat in the Slytherin common room, reading for his Transfiguration work that was due at the start of the term. Goyle and Crabbe were sitting on the floor on either side of a low table, playing a game of wizard's chess.

Crabbe and Goyle had finally told Draco that they were 'still a little creeped out' that he was gay, and that they were surprised that it was Harry. But they accepted it. They even told Draco they were 'kinda happy' he found someone he really cared about. Maybe these two meatheads are more than just acquaintances. They didn't flip too much about me being with Harry. It's kind of nice to have people to talk to... Even if they don't quite comprehend half the stuff you say. Dunderheads. Draco smiled slightly, taking his eyes off the book to look at Crabbe and Goyle. They were trying hard to play the chess game. However, as neither of them was very proficient in the ways of actually thinking, it was taking a long time for them to make their moves.

Draco stood up. He didn't feel like being imprisoned in the Slytherin common room anymore. Draco went up to his room and grabbed his cloak. He traveled back to the common room and to the exit. He told Crabbe and Goyle that he would be back later. The pair grunted back, trying to concentrate on the game they couldn't play. Draco smiled again and left the room.

He walked out to the Entrance Hall and out the front doors of the castle, wrapping his cloak around himself. It was snowing again. The ground was blanketed in a thick layer of snow already. Draco began wandering toward the lake. He sat down at the lakeshore, and thought about Harry. His mind replayed all the moments they had shared together so far. It's been a very interesting couple of months. But how am I going to get around telling Father.

He shivered, remembering suddenly that he was sitting in the snow. He looked down and saw that his black robes and cloak were coated in a layer of pure white. That's right. It's snowing again. Draco stood, brushing the flakes from his cloak. He thought he should probably get back to the castle. It was almost time for dinner. Almost time to see Harry! his mind cried joyously. Draco smiled brightly. He didn't care that he looked almost scary with a smile that wide on his face. All he cared about was seeing Harry. Draco jumped up, brushing snow off his backside and shoulders. He started quickly back toward the front doors, hoping to catch Harry before the Gryffindor got to the Great Hall.

By the time he got inside, dinner was about to start. Draco shrugged off the cloak and draped it over his arm. He crossed the Entrance Hall into the Great Hall. His eyes never noticed all the Christmas decorations that had been put up that afternoon. He was too intent on seeing his beloved Harry. His heart leaped as his eyes happily registered there was an empty seat directly next to Harry, who was grinning at him. Draco's smile was still plastered on his face as he walked to his seat.

Draco vaguely registered the confused and scared looks on the faces of the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, as well as Professors McGonagall, Sprout and Flitwick and Madame Pomfrey. The other Slytherins and all the Gryffindors, not looking at all surprised, could guess why Draco had a smile the size of a clown's spread across his face, as could Snape. Dumbledore looked pleasantly surprised and pleased at Draco's cheerful demeanor. Draco settled himself next to Harry, who looked back slightly surprised, but delighted to see him nonetheless.

Dumbledore stood, the twinkle in his eye even more twinkle-y than usual. The quiet babble that had started after Draco sat down ceased immediately. "Welcome again. Enjoy your glorious food. And I must say I am thoroughly pleased that the close quarters of the table we share has helped everyone get along." Dumbledore's twinkle-ridden eyes landed on Harry and Draco and sparkled even more, if that was possible. Draco smiled back at Dumbledore. He's really not all that bad. Talks a bit too much. Favors the Gryffindors a bit too much... But then again, so do I, so who am I to talk? "Let us begin!" cried Dumbledore, and the table filled with food.

As everyone tucked into the delicious food in front of them, Harry turned to Draco. "What's that smile for?"

"You." was all Draco said.

~*~*~*~

Harry grinned. He could tell the Gryffindors were speaking round him in the common room. But he really wasn't all that interested. He was sitting in his favorite cushy armchair, knees drawn up to his chest, staring into the fire. Staring, but not seeing at all. What he was seeing was a replay of all the moments Draco and he had experienced together. He smiled with the warm memories, frowned a bit with the not-so-warm ones. All in all, he was happy. He realized that not only was he happy, but this was the happiest he's ever been. Even happier than that one shining moment in third year when he thought he would be rid of the Dursleys forever. When Sirius asked Harry to live with him. Oh great Merlin's ghost! I haven't told Sirius! Harry's frown returned. What am I going to tell Sirius?

Harry shivered uncontrollably, even though he was sitting before the roaring fire. He didn't want to think about Sirius now. His eyes deviated from the firelight for the first time to look out the window. It was getting quite dark now, thought Harry. He was ripped back to reality, his mind brought back to Gryffindor Tower seconds later when Hermione called, "Harry! We're going to dinner. Want to come?"

"Sure, 'Mione." He unfolded himself from the chair and stood slowly. He looked at the smiling faces round him.

"Let's go," said Ron, rubbing his hands together in anticipation of dinner. Harry grinned at his best friend and started across the room. You know, you'll get to see Draco. Why don't we hurry up a bit, Harry thought to himself. Harry agreed with his mind and walked a bit quicker to the portrait hole. He swung it open and held it for the other four Gryffindors saying, "After you, fair maidens and good sirs." He winked to them all as they passed him to the hall, saying their thanks as they went. Harry didn't want to seem too over eager to get to the Hall. As he stepped into the hall after his friends, Hermione took his arm. He smiled at her.

"So what were you thinking about this afternoon?" she asked as the five of them set off toward the Great Hall. Harry looked at her and smiled.

"Three guesses. And the first two don't count," he said grinning wider.

"Hmm..." she said, scratching her chin and pretending to be lost in thought.

Harry winked at her. She winked back. Both knew exactly what Harry had been thinking about.

The five Gryffindors continued on to the Great Hall, Harry's smile broadening with every step closer. Hermione let go of his arm to walk with Ron the rest of the way. As they reached the Hall, Harry's heart skipped. But the smile that was so big he swore the Dursleys could have seen it from Surrey vanished when he saw that Draco was not there yet. He slumped down next to Hermione and waited for everyone to arrive. Finally all the seats were full except the one directly next to Harry. Harry glanced toward the door, but still no Draco. Where is he? I was really looking forward to seeing him. Suddenly, Harry heard the door open, and there was Draco, shrugging off his cloak and tossing it over his arm. His cheeks were pink from cold, and his lips were a shade bluer than they should be. His normally sleek and well-done hair was a little mussed and quite snowy. And on his lips was a smile, even bigger than the one Harry was wearing moments ago. Draco walked to the table and sat down happily next to Harry.

Harry grinned back at him and then turned to listen to Dumbledore, whose eyes were twinkling like mad. "Welcome again. Enjoy your glorious food. And I must say I am thoroughly pleased that the close quarters of the table we share has helped everyone get along." Harry saw Dumbledore's eyes land on himself and then on Draco next to him. Harry swore the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes had gotten somehow twinklier. Harry smiled broadly at Dumbledore, who said, "Let us begin!" and the table filled with food.

Harry turned back to Draco as everyone began helping themselves to food. Draco was still grinning like an idiot. Harry had to ask. "What's that smile for?"

Draco looked back at Harry, smiling. "You," he said simply, quietly. Draco winked and turned to the food on the table before him.

Harry smiled again. He turned back to the table and tucked in. He and Draco scooted their legs together as they were now prone to doing. Being this close to each other was still quite nerve-racking, and every little bit of contact helped.

As the meal went on, Harry was aware of several pairs of eyes staring at him. Whenever he would look up, he would catch a Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff averting their gaze quickly. Most times, after the spectator thought Harry had gone back to eating, they would turn to their neighbor and whisper something. More often than not, Harry would catch the words 'Harry,' 'Draco,' and 'together?' all within one breath.

Draco seemed to be catching these glances as well. At one point during the meal, Draco raised an eyebrow to the onlooker. This brought about a very deep blush from one of the Hufflepuff third-years.

Mere moments after this exchange, Harry felt a hand slide onto his leg. His eyes wide, he looked at Draco. Draco only looked back, smiling innocently. 'What?' he mouthed to Harry. Harry shook his head ever so slightly. Draco just kept smiling, and the hand stayed on Harry's leg.

Harry tried to continue eating, but every once in a while he would choke on a forkful of peas or snort pumpkin juice as Draco's hand went roaming round Harry's lap. Each time, Harry would recover from the blockage in his throat and send a glare toward Draco. And each time, Draco would just smile back, as though there was absolutely nothing happening.

Finally, the end of the meal came and Dumbledore rose again. All thirty-eight eyes turned to the headmaster to listen. "Well, I hope you all have enjoyed the meal. Feel free to head back to your rooms now. And could I please see Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy for a moment."

Harry and Draco wore the same stunned look on their faces. They glanced at each other, and then back to the headmaster. Dumbledore's eyes shone with amusement. But then, didn't they always? All the other students stood to leave. Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and squeezed. "It'll be alright, Harry," she said before she went with Ron, Colin and Ginny out of the Hall.

After everyone was gone, the two prefects walked over to Dumbledore, who was just rising from the table. The headmaster smiled warmly at the pair and said "Come with me, boys. I have a few questions to ask of you."

Harry gulped. He looked at Draco again, who was getting paler by the second. He turned back to Dumbledore, who had turned his back on the boys and started off toward the office Harry knew so well. The boys followed silently. As a comfort for both of them, Harry slipped his hand into Draco's. This brought a small smile to Draco's lips.

Finally the headmaster stopped in front of them. They were standing in front of the stone gargoyle guarding the staircase to Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore said, "Ton-Tongue Toffees" and the gargoyle came to life. In spite of himself, Harry smiled and made a mental note to tell the Weasley twins that one of their creations was currently the password to Dumbledore's office. Then Harry remembered that he seemed to be in some kind of trouble, which made the smile vanish from his lips. He took a deep breath and started up the spiral staircase after Draco. Oh, Merlin! Help us get out of this... Whatever this is...

~*~TBC~*~