Chapter 11- Christmas Preparations
A week after Harry received the invitation to spend Christmas at the Burrow, he found himself packing up his belongings.
"C'mon mate, we're going to be late to the train station. Get a move on it!" said Ron as he levitated his trunk and grabbed his cloak before he made his way out of his dorm room.
"I'll be right down," replied Harry. All that he had left to pack was his pensieve. He kept it in the wooden box that he had received it in below his bed. He didn't feel very comfortable leaving it behind over the holidays, and he figured that he may need it while he was gone over the next three weeks. The box was rather large and Harry didn't have much space left in his trunk, so he used a shrinking a spell on the box and then tucked it neatly under his invisibility cloak.
Only the person left in the boy's dorm room besides Harry was Neville, and he had just finished packing his things as well.
"Well Neville, it looks like I won't be seeing you for a few weeks. Have a happy Christmas…"
"Thanks Harry. You do the same. Sorry I can't come with you all to the Burrow," he said sadly.
"No problem. I understand… will you visit them in the hospital?" asked Harry curiously.
Harry had known for quite some time now about what had happened to Neville's parents, and he tried to be as supportive as possible towards his friend about it. He shuddered to think about how it must feel to visit parents that were insane due to Death Eaters' torturing methods. It horrified him to know that the same woman who had caused the Longbottom's insanity was the same person who had duelled Sirius just before he passed through the veil. Harry didn't know what he would do if he ever saw the hateful woman, Bellatrix Lestrange, again. He had tried to use an unforgivable on her while at the Department of Mysteries, but he had not succeeded to cause her the pain that she deserved. He wondered what would happen if they ever crossed paths again. He shook his head to clear his negative thoughts as Neville responded to his question.
"Most likely," said Neville. "Gram and I do every year, not that it makes much of a difference…" He sighed heavily as he thought about his parents in St. Mungo's Hospital.
"I am here for you if you ever need to talk about anything… I kind of understand, you know," offered Harry.
Neville smiled, but shook his head sadly. "I wouldn't want to trouble you with my problems, Harry. You have enough to worry about without having to listen to me," said Neville as he shrank his own trunk and placed it in the pocket of his cloak.
"Nonsense, I will always be available to listen if you need me to Neville. I mean it," he said, trying to sound a heartfelt as possible.
"Thanks Harry. That means a lot to me."
Neville reached out and gave the dark haired boy a quick hug. Harry hadn't been expecting it and he stiffened slightly at the other boy's touch. He hoped that Neville hadn't noticed. It bothered him that he still was a little jumpy around other people because intimacy was something he still continued to struggle with. He never received hugs growing up so it always surprised him when people other than his closest friends hugged him.
"Have fun on your ride back. I won't be going to the train station today. Gram arranged it so that I can floo home this time. She has been having some back trouble lately, and she can't make it to King's Cross to pick me up. See ya, Harry," said Neville as he sombrely he left the room.
"See ya, Neville," said Harry.
Harry took one last look around the room, and was satisfied that he had remembered everything. He grabbed his cloak and levitated his trunk behind him.
"Oi, Harry! What's the hold up!" he heard Ron impatiently yell from down stairs.
"Coming!" he shouted back.
He made his way down and found Ron, Ginny, and Hermione all waiting for him. They scrambled through the portrait and made their way through the halls of Hogwarts making idle chit chat with one another. They soon arrived at the front lobby, where they met up with Draco who had been waiting for them. Making their way outside, they were greeted by a series of carriages that would transport them to the train station in Hogsmeade where they would board the train.
Harry stopped momentarily while the others began to clamber in to the first available carriage. He was again shocked by the sight of the Thestrals that were standing between the carriage shafts. Their strange horse-like bodies were covered in black coats that clung to their skeletons since they appeared to be fleshless. Their black leathery wings were tucked neatly on either side of them.
These strange creatures were the ones that had carried him and his friends to the Department of Mysteries that fateful night. It was odd how a beast could be completely horrid and oddly beautiful at the same time.
"Harry?" called Draco to him as he stuck his head out of the carriage looking for him. "Everything alright?"
"Yeah… sorry…" he said as he climbed aboard. Although the others knew that the Thestrals were there, he was still the only one who could see them. Harry had been the only one to witness death, which was somehow necessary to look upon the beasts.
Harry settled into the carriage beside Draco and sighed deeply. Thoughts of the Thestrals had led to thoughts about Sirius, and he was now feeling rather gloomy. He decided to take in the scenery during the short ride to Hogsmeade and hopefully clear his head.
The train ride had been rather uneventful and they had attempted to relieve their boredom by playing several rounds of Exploding Snap. Eventually everyone tired of the game and decided to snooze the rest of the way there. Everyone, that is, except Harry. He didn't want to risk napping and having another dream that would cause him to wake up abruptly and alarm the others. So instead he watched the passing scenery again and thought about Christmas.
Last year was the first true Christmas Harry could ever remember celebrating. When he was younger he had spent most of each Christmas either locked in his cupboard or doing various chores for his relatives. In fact, he had never received a present before coming to Hogwarts, other than something handed down to him by his uncle or fat cousin. So Christmas at Number 12 Grimmauld Place had been a unique experience.
Harry smiled as he remembered how happy Sirius had been then. He had really liked having the house full of people again, and his delight had been quite infectious. Together they had cleaned and decorated most of the house while they listened to Sirius belt out Christmas carols at the top of his lungs. Harry also remembered that Sirius had gotten really sad and depressed about being left alone with Kreacher once school started again. It had felt good to feel wanted around the holiday. He had almost felt like he belonged.
Harry had been really happy then, but he had also felt a little sad as well. The entire time they were there he had been thinking about Mr. Weasley in the hospital. His best friend's father had spent the majority of the holiday in St. Mungo's after being bitten by the snake Voldemort had set on him. The vision Harry had about the incident had saved the man's life, but Harry had always felt a little responsible somehow.
Harry imagined that this Christmas could possibly be even better than last year, and it saddened him that Sirius couldn't be here to spend it with him. But then again, it was his fault that he wasn't here in the first place. That familiar sense of guilt and foreboding set its way into his heart, and he spent the rest of the train ride feeling rather miserable. That is until he saw the beautiful creature beside Harry decide to curl up with him.
Draco had spent most of the trip with his head tilted to one side, with his arms placed across his chest. Apparently he had grown tired of this position and decided to lie down beside Harry. Harry wrapped his arms around him as Draco laid his head on his chest and sighed deeply. Somehow, Draco always seemed to lighten his mood. He smiled down at the blond as he continued to snuggle up with him. The position that Draco was currently in looked rather uncomfortable as his lengthy form was lying at an awkward angle, but he had a pleasant look on his face despite this.
Several hours later they were greeted by Mr. Weasley and the Grangers at King's Cross Station as they got off the train. Mr. Weasley hugged his fellow red haired children before he turned his attention towards Harry and Draco. He reached out to both boys, clapping their shoulders affectionately with his hands. "We're so glad that you will be staying with us for Christmas. Molly has been working tirelessly getting the house ready for you."
"Ready?" asked Harry and Draco simultaneously.
"You'll see," said Arthur with a smile.
Harry greeted the Grangers with an awkward hello, but didn't know what else to say. He did not know them all that well, and he still felt responsible for the injuries Hermione sustained at the Department of Mysteries last year. They smiled at him politely and asked him how he was doing. Harry responded with his usual "fine," and hoped that Hermione had not mentioned anything to them about his past. The less people who knew about his history was all the better.
Hermione and Ron seemed to be taking longer than everyone else to locate their trunks. In fact, it seemed as if they were reluctant to say goodbye. Realizing that they couldn't stall any longer, the two lovebirds said goodbye. Harry grinned madly as Ron and Hermione embraced each other and kissed their farewells. Ron's tall body towered over Hermione's and the scene was almost comical to watch her reach up on her tippy toes to kiss him goodbye. It always filled him with such warmth to see his two best friends together at last after they had secretly pined away for each other for so long.
Hermione then gave Ginny, Harry, and Draco a hug goodbye before following her parents to their car. The rest of the gang looked to Mr. Weasley to find out how they were going to get back to the Burrow.
"I am sure Molly isn't quite ready yet back at the house, so what do you four say to making a shopping trip to Diagon Alley before we head home. I figured you may all need to get a few things for Christmas."
"That sounds great dad, but how are we going to get there. Isn't Diagon Alley on the other side of London?" asked Ron curiously.
"No worries there Ron; I have borrowed a vehicle from the Ministry again. Well, if everyone is all set, we should be on our way."
The four students followed the red haired man towards the Ministry vehicle that was parked on an awkward angle just outside the train station. They piled in and held on for dear life as Mr. Weasley attempted to drive like a proper Muggle across town. Harry and Hermione politely tried to explain the rules of the road and give him a few tips, but it appeared as if the man was simply delighted to be behind the wheel and was heedless to their suggestions.
Thankfully, they arrived in Diagon Alley in one piece. Since they were mainly shopping for each other, they split up and agreed to meet back at the Leaky Cauldron at a set time.
After an exhausting two hour shopping excursion the children finally arrived home to the Burrow. Mr. Weasley had decided to return the car he had borrowed to the Ministry while the children flooed home from the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron.
Harry stumbled through the Weasley's fireplace and into the kitchen trying not to crash into Ron and Ginny who had gone before him. He was rather dizzy from the journey, and just as he was about to step away from the hearth he felt Draco come through the ashes and plow right into him. The four students fell on to the floor in a heap of limbs and Christmas packages. Each was giggling madly from the lightheadedness and the awkward positions they were in. It looked like they were trying to play a game of twister.
They soon untangled their bodies and set themselves upright, but Harry's vision was still somewhat blurred. He reached up to his face and discovered that his glasses had somehow been knocked off in the process. Just as he was going to turn to locate them, he felt someone place them carefully on his face and kiss him gently on his nose. Draco's pale grey blue eyes came into focus, and Harry smiled. God he's beautiful, thought Harry
Ron and Ginny had already gathered up their things and went to go rest on the couch in the living room. Harry and Draco were about to do the same when Molly Weasley came bustling down from up stairs.
"Oh goodness, you are already here…. Well, no matter, I am so glad that you are all home," she said.
The jolly red haired woman had quickly walked passed her own children and enveloped Harry and Draco both in a huge bear hug. She then stood back to look at the two boys properly, and Harry and Draco grinned at her shyly.
"I am so glad that you will be joining us for Christmas this year... you boys know that you should always consider yourselves home here. Right? We will always be here for both of you should you ever need us," said Mrs. Weasley as she hugged them once again.
"Ahem," said Ron clearing his voice. Molly, Draco, and Harry turned to see Ron and Ginny now standing beside one another, their arms crossed, looking playfully annoyed.
"Yes?" asked Molly curiously. Then it dawned on her she had yet to greet her own children. "Oh yes, well I went and forget about you now, didn't I?"
She gave each of her children a hug and a firm kiss on their cheeks, that was promptly rubbed off by their hands. "Welcome home, dears."
"Mum, this place looks great!" commented Ginny as she looked around.
Harry and the others looked around as well and agreed with her completely. This must have been what Mr. Weasley meant by getting the house ready. The place looked spectacular! Harry had never seen the Burrow looking so fabulous. The furniture, although rather old and bore some patches, looked like it had had a good scrubbing and shined as if newly polished. The normal tidy clutter seemed somehow tidier, if that made any sense. Each window and doorway was adorned with boughs of greenery and ribbon, and a sprig of mistletoe hung from the threshold between the living room and the kitchen. Various candles gave each room a soft warm glow, and an evergreen tree sat in one corner of the living room waiting to be decorated. The walls were covered in wreaths and some child like Christmas decorations that Harry could only assume the numerous Weasley children had made over the years. Nine stockings were hung from the fireplace in the living room. There was one for each of the Weasley children, including Percy, and one for Harry and Draco both. The whole house smelled of something that Harry believed to be cinnamon, and there was the faint sound of Christmas music playing. Ron curiously followed the sound and found a Muggle radio in the corner of the living room, playing "Jingle Bell Rock."
"What's this?" asked Ron to his mother.
"That's your fathers doing. He found the radio in his department over at the Ministry and he enchanted it to play Christmas CDs. He thought Harry, and perhaps Hermione if she can join us, would enjoy some Muggle Christmas carols," she replied.
Harry smiled warmly. This was already turning into the perfect Christmas he had always imagined and the holiday at hardly begun. He felt Draco grab his hand and gave it a squeeze. All the gloomy thoughts that had been bothering him since their journey here began had all been forgotten, at least temporarily.
"Now, let's get you settled, and I will start on making us some dinner. I am sure you are all exhausted from your train ride and would appreciate some rest."
The four teenagers followed Molly upstairs to the bedrooms. Harry noticed that many of the pictures that the Weasley's had going up the staircase had been replaced with photos from past Christmases. He wondered if a photo from this year would be added to the collection.
Ginny immediately turned into her room, and found an extra bed beside her own.
"That bed is for Hermione, dear, if she decides to join us," said her mother.
Ginny nodded and went about putting her things away. The boys continued to follow the woman up the twisting staircase and stopped at the twin's old room. Molly turned to Draco and said gently, "I hope you don't mind stay in here. The twins will be staying here on Christmas Eve so you will have to share a room with them."
"Oh, I thought I…" Draco began, but he was quickly cut short.
"I know you would probably rather stay with Ron and Harry, but seeing how you two are… involved…I would feel better about you sleeping in separate rooms. I was young once too, honey," said Mrs. Weasley knowingly.
Draco blushed a deep red at the insinuation and nodded. "Oh, no problem. I have stayed in here before."
Harry, who was equally red with embarrassment, looked at Ron for some help. He didn't want to get into a conversation with his friend's mother about his relationship with Draco.
"Mum, will Harry be staying with me?" asked Ron, changing the subject.
"Hmmm? Oh, yes. I thought that would be best since Charlie and Bill will be staying in Percy's old room. Well, I guess it was really their room first, but…" Her voice dropped off as she thought about the son who had disowned his family. It was a painful subject for everyone, but especially for Molly who had once adored Percy's ambition. It now seemed as if that ambition had clouded his judgment.
Harry and Ron raced the rest of the way upstairs and opened the door to the last bedroom. Ron's room had also been carefully decorated for the festive season. They sat down heavily on the twin beds that lay parallel to one another and let out a grunt of exhaustion. Before they knew it, they were both fast asleep.
Harry woke a short time later to the smell of something delicious cooking. Molly must have already made dinner. Glancing around the room Harry noticed that
Mrs. Weasley had enlarged their trunks, which Mr. Weasley had shrunken earlier, and set them in front of each of their beds. He woke up Ron, who was rather irritated from being jerked from his restful sleep, and they made their way downstairs and found Ron's parents in the kitchen. They seemed to be in good spirits and were laughing at the conversation they were having. Draco and Ginny soon followed them down, and everyone sat around the table making light conversation while they waited for dinner.
Harry looked up at Mrs. Weasley hesitantly and asked, "Can I help you with something? I can help cook or set the table or something. " The other three looked at him horrified at the thought of doing any chore willingly.
"Oh no dear, that isn't necessary," she replied softly.
"Please? I would like to help," said Harry earnestly.
"Alright then, why don't you set out the plates and the silverware," said Molly gratefully.
Harry set to work being careful that he didn't drop anything. For once it felt nice to work in the kitchen. He had spent years as a slave in his own relatives' house being forced to do every menial chore. Now he could choose to do chores out of kindness towards the woman he had grown to love. He felt oddly like he was part of the family and his heart was filled with warmth.
The next few days passed relatively slowly. Harry was grateful that for the first time in his life, he was able to truly relax. Mrs. Weasley even allowed the boys to sleep in a bit as long as they helped keep the house tidy.
Mostly the boys practiced their Quidditch skills. They seemed to be outdoors more often than indoors. There had been numerous snow ball fights already and the boys made a giant snow man just outside the kitchen window. To any other teenager their age, it may have seemed childish, but to Harry and Draco these experiences were readily welcomed. Harry had never been allowed to play freely like this and Draco was strictly forbidden to do anything considered childish.
Harry had also spent an entire afternoon helping Molly Weasley bake Christmas cookies for all the guests that would be arriving soon. It was something he had always imagined he and his own mother doing together if she were still alive, and he jumped at the opportunity to make himself useful. He simply adored Ron's mother and it was one of the best afternoons he had ever spent with someone. He felt loved unconditionally in this household and he felt himself opening up more and more to the others. He laughed more easily and hugged more readily, and was generally happy-go-lucky. Nothing it seemed could spoil his mood or ruin this holiday.
Harry and the others decorated the bare Christmas tree late one evening, and he was again amazed at the sheer beauty of something so simple. Although Mr. Weasley had enchanted the Christmas lights to twinkle, the tree seemed to have a magic all its own. It embodied the spirit of Christmas in Harry's mind, much like the invitation had. They each had run about the house locating their presents for each other and stacked them under the tree, where they would wait to be opened on Christmas morning.
Later that night, after the others went to bed, Harry found himself lying beside Draco on the floor in front of the tree and fireplace. The glowing flames illuminated each other's face softly and added to the warm atmosphere. They had just finished sipping hot chocolate with whipped cream, were now lying side by side staring up at the twinkling Christmas tree, their arms folded behind their heads. The lights shimmered like the stars in the night sky and illuminated the various baubles and ornaments that adorned the tree. Harry was happier than he had been in a long time.
"Are you glad we came here, Draco?" asked Harry.
Draco looked at him knowingly and smiled. "Yeah, I wouldn't admit this to Ron, but I love being here. It feels like home somehow, even though I know it's not mine."
"I know what you mean," said Harry sighing. "This is how I always imagined Christmas would be. I hope that I have a family like this when I am older so that Christmas can always be like this."
"You want a family…. like with children?" asked Draco curiously.
"Oh yeah… well… I did, but that doesn't seem like a possibility anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, because I'm gay," said Harry like it was obvious.
"Harry, just because you are gay doesn't mean that you can't have children. There is always adoption, and male wizards can become pregnant, but it is pretty rare and rather complicated."
"Really?" asked Harry hopefully.
"Sure, but we don't have to worry about all that until we are married," said Draco staring back at the tree.
"Married? You want to marry me?" asked Harry incredulously. He rose up on his elbows and looked at the blond lying beside him.
"Of course I do. Haven't you thought about it? I mean we are soul mates after all, and I love you more than life itself. It's only natural that we should get married some day," said Draco smiling up at Harry.
Harry got a little teary eyed at the notion that anyone could love him enough to want to commit to something as sacred as marriage. "You don't know how happy it makes me to hear you talk like that," said Harry. His emerald green eyes sparkled in the fire light.
"Well good, Harry, 'cause I mean it," said Draco. He sat up and captured Harry's lips in chaste kiss. His pale blue eyes looked deeply into Harry's green ones, and he used his hand to lightly trace his fingers to trace along the side of Harry's face. He could sense the longing in Draco's eyes, and so he leaned forward and caught the other boy's lips in a passionate kiss.
Responding to Harry's initiation, Draco positioned himself over him and lowered the boy back to the floor. He then proceeded to kiss him deeply expressing how much he loved and wanted him with his hungry mouth. He then turned his lips to kissing his neck and nibbling at his ears. His hands began to explore Harry's body over his clothing, and Harry arched his back while moaning with pleasure. He was sure that this is what he wanted, and he definitely wanted more. Harry felt himself harden with each passing touch.
Draco took a risk and tried to gently undo Harry's pants so that he gain better access to him, since he was responding to everything else that Draco was doing.
Harry hadn't really been aware of anything until he had suddenly he heard that sound, the one that triggered a myriad of emotions. Zip… For reasons beyond his understanding that simple sound was somehow connected to Uncle Vernon in his shattered mind. As hard as he tried, he could not will away those awful memories. Harry knew that he shouldn't be scared because this is what he wanted to do with Draco, but the emotions came nonetheless.
No...no…please don't hurt me.
Draco sensed Harry trembling and quickly stopped what he was doing without a word. He lay down beside him and gathered the shaking boy in his arms and spooned him with his legs. Harry felt as if Draco was trying to smother him with his love. He kissed Harry softly on his head, and whispered, "Shhh… Harry, it's alright. It's just me, Draco. Okay? I love you, don't be scared."
Harry lay there a long while in Draco's arms while mentally kicking himself for reacting the way he did once again. He hated how his emotions interfered with his relationship with Draco, and he felt rather guilty after all the love and patience his boyfriend had shown in him these last few months.
"I'm sorry," he said softly.
"Don't be sorry. It's okay, Harry. You have a long way to go until you start to feel comfortable with that kind of intimacy. I don't mind. I love you too much, okay?"
Harry nodded mutely. After a long while he realized that he still wanted Draco on some level. He turned around his arms and faced the blond haired boy.
"I love you," said Harry.
"I love you, too," said Draco.
Harry leaned in for another kiss, this time it was soft and slow. They lay there a long time kissing one another and cuddling beneath the Christmas tree. Harry knew that in time he would heal enough to allow Draco to become more intimate with him, but for now he was simply happy to feel loved. It was the most exhilarating and intoxicating feeling in the world, and he prayed that it would never end.
A/N: There you go, another chapter done. I hope you all liked it. It was supposed to be shorter, but I got carried away again. Damn muse won't leave me alone! Sorry about all the changes in scene, but I didn't see how else to write all this. The Christmas tree scene is taken from my life. I have a thing about making out under the Christmas tree with my husband. It's so romantic! This chappie was so supposed to be the lovely, happy, fluffy one that I had mentioned earlier, but it got a little angsty. Was it fluffy enough? By the way, there was a teensy bit of foreshadowing in here about Christmas and also the HD relationship. Any guesses what is going to happen?
Many thanks to all my reviewers and readers! And let's have a big round of applause for my beta, Drae….author claps oddly all by herself waiting for others to join in, shrugs sheepishly and slips away