A/N: Here we go again! (Wow that was short-how will I ever keep up my
image as a babbling maniac if they get short?) I'm clowning today! Don't
ask me why, I have no idea. If my Christmas shopping is lame, I apologize.
My family doesn't celebrate it, so I haven't much to go on.
udonluvr11: Thank you muchly! I'm glad you think so!
Volion: No! You're the best! (Yeah, you can smack me now) How could I not update with such awesome reviews? Well, I was going to tell you to "wait and see" but I can't. I hate it when people do that to me! Poor Ron. I can't tell you 'bout him but know that no matter what he does I still love him and will not send him to the lions. I didn't mean to screw him over so badly, but someone had to be a problem child. Harry and Draco are a bit snuggly aren't they? Would you kill me if I said I was not only a big chicken as far as romance goes, but also a sap? They'll get together VERY soon. I can't tell you any more than that, but I swear that the chapter where they get together will be posted by end-of-day today. Even if I have to write my butt off. (Oh dear, did I just make that promise? I'd better get started then!!!) The mpreg thing at the beginning was pure whim, but yes, I'm tying it in. Harry's already treating everyone at Hogwart's like they were his children. A male Mrs. Weasley! Ooof! Who hit me? I think I'm getting my babbling maniac bit back!
Texasjeanette: Thank you! And thanks so much for the suggestion. I didn't get your review until I was already mostly done with this chapter, and I think it would look kind of funny to start 2/3 of the way through. But I swear I'll try to add it in all the following ones. And I'm hurrying!!!
Let's go Christmas shopping!!! Oops! I forgot my chapter sketch! *runs upstairs to get it* Right, then. Now let's go Christmas Shopping!
As Hermione lay warm in her bed that morning she let her mind drift off into space. She'd been doing that a lot lately, but didn't mind. She had her plans set entirely in the present, and could wholly enjoy each minute, instead of waiting for it to pass over to the next in swift succession.
Soon she could hear the muffled sound of Samantha moving around her bedroom. She snuggled closer into her blankets, reluctant to throw off the warm doze. She had just been floating close to the edge of sleep when she was hit by large fast moving object. She let out an "Ooof!" and was wide awake
"We're going shopping with Uncle Harry and Draco today, mom! Get UP!" When Samantha's "UP!" came in a loud rumbling roar all Hermione could do was look at her daughter. Samantha seemed a little taken aback herself and looked at her toes. "Mommy can we please go now?"
"Well, I for one am not exactly dressed for the occasion" Hermione told her daughter. Samantha giggled and Hermione went on, "And I doubt Uncle Harry and Draco are even up from their beds yet! We have a while. I'll get dressed, and then we'll go grab some breakfast. If they're not up by then we'll stick ice-cubes in their pajama bottoms!" Giggling like mad they got ready for the day.
Hermione looked in her closet and tried to process what she saw there. If she had woken up to such a closet during her days as a Hogwart's student she would have keeled over. As it was she couldn't keep her mind away from how much like a shrew's her wardrobe had become. ~Maybe I'll drag Draco along for some new clothes. ~ Even as she thought it she knew it was what she would do. Her heart skipping a beat in its excitement, she pulled out some jeans she wore mostly for lazing around the house, and the close knit black sweater she'd bought but never worn and put them on. Liking what she saw, even more astonishingly caring for the first time in ages what she looked like, Hermione pulled her still-bushy brown hair into a loose pony tail and skipped out to meet her daughter for breakfast.
Hermione had to admit after she and Samantha had loitered in the Great Hall for nearly an hour that Harry and Draco were not coming down of their own free will. So they walked themselves down the corridor to Harry and Draco's rooms. They stopped at the portrait and said the password, and were in.
Hermione decided to wake Draco, as Harry slept like a log, always-had- always-would. She and Samantha crept into Draco's bedroom, and got the shock of their life. Snuggled close together on the bed were a very asleep Harry and a very awake Draco.
"What's going o-"She began, but was cut off my Draco's plea of "I'm stuck, you have to help me."
Hermione began to giggle uncontrollably and momentarily for got she had sent Samantha to launch herself at Uncle Harry. It was only momentary because "Mommy, why are Uncle Harry and Draco –"
"Into the common room Sam, I'll explain later." Samantha cast her mother a look that said "You had better or else" and slumped morosely into the common room.
"Hermione," Draco began again. "I can't get this oaf off of me and I've had to pee for two whole hours! Help me." She could see the distress on his face. Oh yes, she believed he had to go to the bathroom, but she also knew he wanted help diffusing what looked like an interesting situation. ~Very interesting, this should be fun. And I had thought we'd have nothing to talk about on this trip. ~
She gently but firmly pried Harry's arm from around Draco, Harry mumbled something incoherent and rolled over on the bed. As soon as he was free Draco shot her a look of gratitude and ran himself to the bathroom.
While Draco relieved himself Hermione called Samantha back into the room and conjured up some ice-cubes. "On count of three Sammy, let's get him" Sharing grins the last two trouble-makers put enough ice in Uncle Harry's trousers to wake even this great oaf.
The ice slipped in and Samantha yelled "Uncle Harry, time to get UP!" at the same time as Harry's "Oh Shit!"
"Harry," Hermione chastised around her smirk "Such language around children. How were you ever allowed to become a professor?" When they saw the look on Harry's face Hermione and Samantha dissolved back into devilish laughter.
Through their antics they saw Harry stalk out of the room, probably to get a shower and get dressed.
An hour later they were on the path to Hogsmeade. As they approached the wizarding village Harry and Samantha agreed to meet Draco and Hermione at four o'clock for linner at the Three Broomsticks and left for what ever it was they had planned to do.
After they were gone from hearing distance Hermione turned to Draco eyebrow raised questioningly, grin firmly in place. Before Draco could speak she began. "I want details Malfoy, and I want them now. Don't worry; I've got Samantha to get the skinny on Harry. Spill. Count of five."
Hermione almost started laughing again when she saw the look of indignation on Draco's face. It was classic. She'd seen it on the face of almost every charms student she taught. Sam had certainly worn the expression often enough.
As they walked up to a little shop filled with magical knick-knacks and, most importantly, that gorgeous doll Samantha had been jittering about since last May, Hermione saw Draco open his mouth as if to say something, and then close it again several times. Finally it seemed he's decided on what he would say.
"It wasn't. It wasn't as it appeared. You know how I feel about him. It was just." Then he started in a rush. "News came last night that confirmed my mother was dead. I'm not sure why, but it put me in a bad spot. Harry saw me crying and held me all night. That was all."
The mischievous smirk left her eyes and her face softened. "Draco, I have a feeling it was more than that for you."
"Well of course it was! But what was I supposed to do? I was grieving, he was comforting, and I couldn't have trusted any gestures he made during all that. I saw how he let people down while at Hogwart's. I don't want to see pity in his eyes when he looks at me Mione. I'll live with friendship if I have to, but not pity."
Hermione took her friend and fellow professor into a tight hug and whispered in his ear "I know some things about Harry that, as in love with him as you are, you don't. He doesn't have it in him to pity Draco. Give him some credit for the things life has done to him. He deserves that at least."
Composing themselves they walked into the shop together. "Draco," she began again, "I know this might be hard to believe, but sometimes Harry needs to be whacked over the head with a ton of bricks before he knows how he really feels. You do realize he hasn't been with anyone since the last battle, not a one, but he still has this romantic notion of spending the rest of his life with someone?"
"So what does that mean exactly, hmm? That there's no read competition, but that's because the standards are so high?"
"I hate it when you get sarcastic. Next thing I know you'll call me Mudblood again." Draco looked shocked. She took that as a good sign and moved on. "Draco, I don't" She leaned closer, "I don't even think Harry has had sex."
She had to fight back the laughter again, by the look of him she could have knocked Draco over with a feather.
Finally, "That's not exactly comforting, Mione."
"No, you just don't get it. You have to try. Think of how it felt last night, wouldn't you like to feel that every night for the rest of your life? Would it be worth the leap you'd have to take to bash some sense into his skull?"
Draco's eyes filled with tears. He looked down at the floor and nodded his head very softly.
"Right then, let's get to shopping. I want to get Harry and Samantha's gifts out of the way so we can get me some new clothes." Draco brightened at the idea of an all-day distraction and they set off in search of the perfect gifts.
*****************************************************
Harry and Samantha walked slowly done the streets of Hogsmeade. When they were far enough away from Draco and Hermione Harry stopped to talk to Samantha.
"Hey, Sammy, do you think you could help me with something really important?"
She got that gleam in her eyes that reminded Harry instantly of Ron. He squelched the instantaneous pain he held for his friend and kept walking.
"Of course I'll help you Uncle Harry. What's the job?"
Harry smiled, "I need your help picking out Draco a Christmas present." If he wasn't mistaken the gleam got even brighter ~Gods~ Harry thought, ~She's got a gleam that could rival Dumbledore's damn twinkle~
"Sure think, Uncle Harry, what were you thinking of?"
"I haven't really. I had no idea it was so important until this morning. Help me please, and keep it a secret."
"Yup yup! You have my word. Let's get going then. Mom's presents first, the Draco's, Kay?"
"Alright, Sammy, let's get to it." Harry said, chucking to himself.
As they searched around the shops Harry found stumbled upon a pair of old looking books. He'd already made up his mind to buy them before he'd even opened to covers. When he did he knew she had to have them. They were the diaries of one Rose Effloresce. She was the first witch to receive the Order of Merlin first class, an achievement that had before only been given to wizards. She had made huge advancements in the fields of transfiguration and emoting charms (Hermione's two favorite subjects).
He showed his finds to Sam, and she let him have a peek at the gorgeous earnings she had found for her mother. They both left the store happy as clams.
Harry's confidence dropped significantly when he remembered his next task. He had realized, even after his rude awakening, that what he wanted with Draco was not entirely innocent, and that his feelings ran deeper than he had thought before. Now, as he looked through shelves and drawers in the various shops of Hogsmeade, he knew he wanted his gift to reflect that feeling. He was close to giving up when his hand fell on something with an interesting texture. AS he pulled it from the dark shelf and looked it over, he knew. He called for Samantha.
"Harry that's perfect!" With a new found confidence Harry and Sam walked up to the front to pay for the gifts. When the till rang it displayed an amount larger than any Harry had paid before on one trip. Without blinking he paid the store owner and made his way with Sam to meet Hermione and Draco.
As they passed the Shrieking Shack Harry noticed that there were lights on, and drapes at the windows. The place looked better than Harry had ever seen it. As his eyes trailed over the new paint and shutters he felt a queasy feeling, like he was being watched. He shook it off as residual paranoia from his past and continued down the street.
**************************************************
From the windows of his new home he could clearly see the front of the Three Broomsticks. He watched as his wife and daughter hugged. Saw them all walk in hand in had, shopping bags on arms, smiles on their faces. As he sat he could feel his anger burning anew as he contemplated the complete injustice of the situation. Even if he couldn't bring himself to hate his best friend, he could rest his blame on the one who was living now, only because of his sacrifice.
The anger began to course through his body, ~who does he think he is? ~
A/N: So, what is Draco getting for Christmas? I haven't the foggiest. Anyone have a suggestion?
udonluvr11: Thank you muchly! I'm glad you think so!
Volion: No! You're the best! (Yeah, you can smack me now) How could I not update with such awesome reviews? Well, I was going to tell you to "wait and see" but I can't. I hate it when people do that to me! Poor Ron. I can't tell you 'bout him but know that no matter what he does I still love him and will not send him to the lions. I didn't mean to screw him over so badly, but someone had to be a problem child. Harry and Draco are a bit snuggly aren't they? Would you kill me if I said I was not only a big chicken as far as romance goes, but also a sap? They'll get together VERY soon. I can't tell you any more than that, but I swear that the chapter where they get together will be posted by end-of-day today. Even if I have to write my butt off. (Oh dear, did I just make that promise? I'd better get started then!!!) The mpreg thing at the beginning was pure whim, but yes, I'm tying it in. Harry's already treating everyone at Hogwart's like they were his children. A male Mrs. Weasley! Ooof! Who hit me? I think I'm getting my babbling maniac bit back!
Texasjeanette: Thank you! And thanks so much for the suggestion. I didn't get your review until I was already mostly done with this chapter, and I think it would look kind of funny to start 2/3 of the way through. But I swear I'll try to add it in all the following ones. And I'm hurrying!!!
Let's go Christmas shopping!!! Oops! I forgot my chapter sketch! *runs upstairs to get it* Right, then. Now let's go Christmas Shopping!
As Hermione lay warm in her bed that morning she let her mind drift off into space. She'd been doing that a lot lately, but didn't mind. She had her plans set entirely in the present, and could wholly enjoy each minute, instead of waiting for it to pass over to the next in swift succession.
Soon she could hear the muffled sound of Samantha moving around her bedroom. She snuggled closer into her blankets, reluctant to throw off the warm doze. She had just been floating close to the edge of sleep when she was hit by large fast moving object. She let out an "Ooof!" and was wide awake
"We're going shopping with Uncle Harry and Draco today, mom! Get UP!" When Samantha's "UP!" came in a loud rumbling roar all Hermione could do was look at her daughter. Samantha seemed a little taken aback herself and looked at her toes. "Mommy can we please go now?"
"Well, I for one am not exactly dressed for the occasion" Hermione told her daughter. Samantha giggled and Hermione went on, "And I doubt Uncle Harry and Draco are even up from their beds yet! We have a while. I'll get dressed, and then we'll go grab some breakfast. If they're not up by then we'll stick ice-cubes in their pajama bottoms!" Giggling like mad they got ready for the day.
Hermione looked in her closet and tried to process what she saw there. If she had woken up to such a closet during her days as a Hogwart's student she would have keeled over. As it was she couldn't keep her mind away from how much like a shrew's her wardrobe had become. ~Maybe I'll drag Draco along for some new clothes. ~ Even as she thought it she knew it was what she would do. Her heart skipping a beat in its excitement, she pulled out some jeans she wore mostly for lazing around the house, and the close knit black sweater she'd bought but never worn and put them on. Liking what she saw, even more astonishingly caring for the first time in ages what she looked like, Hermione pulled her still-bushy brown hair into a loose pony tail and skipped out to meet her daughter for breakfast.
Hermione had to admit after she and Samantha had loitered in the Great Hall for nearly an hour that Harry and Draco were not coming down of their own free will. So they walked themselves down the corridor to Harry and Draco's rooms. They stopped at the portrait and said the password, and were in.
Hermione decided to wake Draco, as Harry slept like a log, always-had- always-would. She and Samantha crept into Draco's bedroom, and got the shock of their life. Snuggled close together on the bed were a very asleep Harry and a very awake Draco.
"What's going o-"She began, but was cut off my Draco's plea of "I'm stuck, you have to help me."
Hermione began to giggle uncontrollably and momentarily for got she had sent Samantha to launch herself at Uncle Harry. It was only momentary because "Mommy, why are Uncle Harry and Draco –"
"Into the common room Sam, I'll explain later." Samantha cast her mother a look that said "You had better or else" and slumped morosely into the common room.
"Hermione," Draco began again. "I can't get this oaf off of me and I've had to pee for two whole hours! Help me." She could see the distress on his face. Oh yes, she believed he had to go to the bathroom, but she also knew he wanted help diffusing what looked like an interesting situation. ~Very interesting, this should be fun. And I had thought we'd have nothing to talk about on this trip. ~
She gently but firmly pried Harry's arm from around Draco, Harry mumbled something incoherent and rolled over on the bed. As soon as he was free Draco shot her a look of gratitude and ran himself to the bathroom.
While Draco relieved himself Hermione called Samantha back into the room and conjured up some ice-cubes. "On count of three Sammy, let's get him" Sharing grins the last two trouble-makers put enough ice in Uncle Harry's trousers to wake even this great oaf.
The ice slipped in and Samantha yelled "Uncle Harry, time to get UP!" at the same time as Harry's "Oh Shit!"
"Harry," Hermione chastised around her smirk "Such language around children. How were you ever allowed to become a professor?" When they saw the look on Harry's face Hermione and Samantha dissolved back into devilish laughter.
Through their antics they saw Harry stalk out of the room, probably to get a shower and get dressed.
An hour later they were on the path to Hogsmeade. As they approached the wizarding village Harry and Samantha agreed to meet Draco and Hermione at four o'clock for linner at the Three Broomsticks and left for what ever it was they had planned to do.
After they were gone from hearing distance Hermione turned to Draco eyebrow raised questioningly, grin firmly in place. Before Draco could speak she began. "I want details Malfoy, and I want them now. Don't worry; I've got Samantha to get the skinny on Harry. Spill. Count of five."
Hermione almost started laughing again when she saw the look of indignation on Draco's face. It was classic. She'd seen it on the face of almost every charms student she taught. Sam had certainly worn the expression often enough.
As they walked up to a little shop filled with magical knick-knacks and, most importantly, that gorgeous doll Samantha had been jittering about since last May, Hermione saw Draco open his mouth as if to say something, and then close it again several times. Finally it seemed he's decided on what he would say.
"It wasn't. It wasn't as it appeared. You know how I feel about him. It was just." Then he started in a rush. "News came last night that confirmed my mother was dead. I'm not sure why, but it put me in a bad spot. Harry saw me crying and held me all night. That was all."
The mischievous smirk left her eyes and her face softened. "Draco, I have a feeling it was more than that for you."
"Well of course it was! But what was I supposed to do? I was grieving, he was comforting, and I couldn't have trusted any gestures he made during all that. I saw how he let people down while at Hogwart's. I don't want to see pity in his eyes when he looks at me Mione. I'll live with friendship if I have to, but not pity."
Hermione took her friend and fellow professor into a tight hug and whispered in his ear "I know some things about Harry that, as in love with him as you are, you don't. He doesn't have it in him to pity Draco. Give him some credit for the things life has done to him. He deserves that at least."
Composing themselves they walked into the shop together. "Draco," she began again, "I know this might be hard to believe, but sometimes Harry needs to be whacked over the head with a ton of bricks before he knows how he really feels. You do realize he hasn't been with anyone since the last battle, not a one, but he still has this romantic notion of spending the rest of his life with someone?"
"So what does that mean exactly, hmm? That there's no read competition, but that's because the standards are so high?"
"I hate it when you get sarcastic. Next thing I know you'll call me Mudblood again." Draco looked shocked. She took that as a good sign and moved on. "Draco, I don't" She leaned closer, "I don't even think Harry has had sex."
She had to fight back the laughter again, by the look of him she could have knocked Draco over with a feather.
Finally, "That's not exactly comforting, Mione."
"No, you just don't get it. You have to try. Think of how it felt last night, wouldn't you like to feel that every night for the rest of your life? Would it be worth the leap you'd have to take to bash some sense into his skull?"
Draco's eyes filled with tears. He looked down at the floor and nodded his head very softly.
"Right then, let's get to shopping. I want to get Harry and Samantha's gifts out of the way so we can get me some new clothes." Draco brightened at the idea of an all-day distraction and they set off in search of the perfect gifts.
*****************************************************
Harry and Samantha walked slowly done the streets of Hogsmeade. When they were far enough away from Draco and Hermione Harry stopped to talk to Samantha.
"Hey, Sammy, do you think you could help me with something really important?"
She got that gleam in her eyes that reminded Harry instantly of Ron. He squelched the instantaneous pain he held for his friend and kept walking.
"Of course I'll help you Uncle Harry. What's the job?"
Harry smiled, "I need your help picking out Draco a Christmas present." If he wasn't mistaken the gleam got even brighter ~Gods~ Harry thought, ~She's got a gleam that could rival Dumbledore's damn twinkle~
"Sure think, Uncle Harry, what were you thinking of?"
"I haven't really. I had no idea it was so important until this morning. Help me please, and keep it a secret."
"Yup yup! You have my word. Let's get going then. Mom's presents first, the Draco's, Kay?"
"Alright, Sammy, let's get to it." Harry said, chucking to himself.
As they searched around the shops Harry found stumbled upon a pair of old looking books. He'd already made up his mind to buy them before he'd even opened to covers. When he did he knew she had to have them. They were the diaries of one Rose Effloresce. She was the first witch to receive the Order of Merlin first class, an achievement that had before only been given to wizards. She had made huge advancements in the fields of transfiguration and emoting charms (Hermione's two favorite subjects).
He showed his finds to Sam, and she let him have a peek at the gorgeous earnings she had found for her mother. They both left the store happy as clams.
Harry's confidence dropped significantly when he remembered his next task. He had realized, even after his rude awakening, that what he wanted with Draco was not entirely innocent, and that his feelings ran deeper than he had thought before. Now, as he looked through shelves and drawers in the various shops of Hogsmeade, he knew he wanted his gift to reflect that feeling. He was close to giving up when his hand fell on something with an interesting texture. AS he pulled it from the dark shelf and looked it over, he knew. He called for Samantha.
"Harry that's perfect!" With a new found confidence Harry and Sam walked up to the front to pay for the gifts. When the till rang it displayed an amount larger than any Harry had paid before on one trip. Without blinking he paid the store owner and made his way with Sam to meet Hermione and Draco.
As they passed the Shrieking Shack Harry noticed that there were lights on, and drapes at the windows. The place looked better than Harry had ever seen it. As his eyes trailed over the new paint and shutters he felt a queasy feeling, like he was being watched. He shook it off as residual paranoia from his past and continued down the street.
**************************************************
From the windows of his new home he could clearly see the front of the Three Broomsticks. He watched as his wife and daughter hugged. Saw them all walk in hand in had, shopping bags on arms, smiles on their faces. As he sat he could feel his anger burning anew as he contemplated the complete injustice of the situation. Even if he couldn't bring himself to hate his best friend, he could rest his blame on the one who was living now, only because of his sacrifice.
The anger began to course through his body, ~who does he think he is? ~
A/N: So, what is Draco getting for Christmas? I haven't the foggiest. Anyone have a suggestion?