Author's Notes: Since a few of you were having problems with the link I put up, let me explain why I wrote it out that way. For some reason kept deleting the link how we would normally write it. After several frustrating attempts to get that to stop, I gave up and tried something different. I wrote it out how we would say it instead. So here it is again. www(dot)geocities(dot)com(slash)tigresspern(slash)harry(underscore)potter(slash)AWFamilyChristmas(dot)html

I'll leave this up until January 31, 2005.

Chapter 41

Closing the door gently, Draco tiptoed away from Cassie's room. Sighing with relief, he was glad she was finally asleep. Tomorrow night Harry gets to read her stories until she falls asleep. It's about time he went hoarse reading through Brumble Combs and the Dragon of Dalefield, he thought.

The Brumble Combs books were a very popular series in New Zealand. Mostly aimed at elementary age children, Draco found that there were some adult elements that he could enjoy too. Which was good, because they currently were Cassie's favorite and there were nine books with another due out at Christmas. Something told him Trina was getting it for her this year.

Sneaking out to the sitting room, he settled down on the couch and picked up a book from the pile on the coffee table. Harry had left them a mess from his Maori lessons today. Frowning, Draco began straightening so he could have room to do his grading. He could always go down to his office to do that, but Heather was out with McGonagall tonight and after Trelawny's fit today, he wasn't about to leave Cassie alone. Shoving the now neat stack to the edge of the table, he got up and snagged his briefcase from where he'd left it by the door.

He was half way through grading that days' homework when he heard a knock at the door. Putting his quill down, he headed towards the door. Draco wasn't expecting anyone. Opening the door, he jerked mentally.

"Harry?" Draco said, surprised to see him. "I thought you said you weren't coming over tonight?"

The other man gave him a half-smile.

"I know. After what happened earlier, I thought I should stop by after my rounds. Is Cassie all right?"

Draco stepped back to let him in. Dipping his head slightly, Harry stepped inside taking the silent invite to enter.

"She's asleep. Natalie and Granger found her on the fourth floor," he stated, closing the door behind him. "She seems fine."

"That's good. Hermione said they found her hiding up there by the suit of armor with the dragon scorch marks on it. She apparently was coloring." Harry walked into the sitting room and paused. "I'm interrupting something aren't I?"

"No, I was just grading homework. Sit down anywhere." Draco moved passed him to the couch. Realizing that he probably wasn't going to get any work done now, he put the top back on the inkbottle and began collecting his things. Harry watched him.

"Are you sure you don't want me to leave? Because I don't want to distract you from your work," he said not completely believing his boyfriend.

"This can be done tomorrow. Besides, we haven't had a lot of time together recently," Draco pointed out. Harry slid over to the couch.

"No, we haven't. With schools starting and all the things Ron and I have had to do to keep the press from finding out what really happened to Crabbe and Goyle, we just haven't had a chance to sit down and talk like we did this summer."

"We didn't just talk," Draco commented, a slow smile spreading across his face. Harry felt his skin tingle at the memories.

"I'm very glad that we had separate rooms or Cassie would've heard us."

"That's what sound proofing spells were made for." Draco winked at him causing Harry to laugh.

"I suppose so, but seriously. I wanted to talk to you tonight about something."

Draco leaned back and looked at him. He wasn't sure what Harry was up to. It wasn't unusual for him to be serious, normally they both were, but there was something different in his mannerism tonight. For a second Draco panicked. Was he planning on breaking up with him? True, they'd had some rough patches at the beginning, but he thought that they were working through all that. Things seemed to be better. Cassie was starting to call him 'Papa' rather than 'Papa Harry' and Draco was finding new reasons to like him. It'd always been hard for Draco to open up to anyone, but he could with Harry. He felt like he'd been waiting his entire life for this relationship and he was trying to make it work. The idea of failure was frightening. He doubted Harry would stop being Cassie's father, but the thought of not kissing those lips again was painful.

He kept a straight face, never allowing his sudden inner turmoil to show. Draco had always been good at that. Harry hadn't actually said they were breaking up. He could easily be jumping to conclusions. Considering the stressful day he'd had, he wouldn't be surprised if he were.

"Draco, we've been dating, well somewhat dating. I mean neither of us can really leave and go out to have dinner at a nice restaurant or anything like that. My point is that we've been together for a couple months now and I think it's time for a change," Harry began. Scooting closer, he looked Draco in the eyes.

His mouth went dry. Draco fought back irrational thoughts. Harry didn't look like he was telling him this wasn't working. Draco wouldn't say anything until after he heard what the other man had to say.

"I'd like to move in with you, Heather and Cassie. Dumbledore gave you the biggest apartment in the school, so there isn't a problem with space. I know it's probably sooner than you were expecting, but I…"

"I think that'd be a wonderful," Draco cut in relieved he'd jumped to the wrong conclusion.

"Good, because I think I'm ready and I'm hoping you are." Harry rested one hand on Draco's thigh. The blond smiled.

"I am. Heather may grumble a bit about the added clutter, but she's wanted us to be together. Cassie will be thrilled I'm sure. She's becoming quite fond of you."

Harry's hand strayed up to Draco's cheek.

"Is she the only one that's fond of me?" He asked, lowering his eyelids.

"No, but I've been fond of you for a while," Draco replied sliding his hands closer to the other man.

"Yes, but you were in denial."

"So were you," Draco reminded.

"Not anymore." Harry leaned in and kissed him softly. Their lips met briefly, lingering just a moment before parting. Pulling back, Draco smiled coyly.

"Neither am I." Wrapping his arms around the Auror, they sank into the cushions of the couch to celebrate a little before Heather came home.