Chapter 3: On The 1st Day of Christmas...

December 14th morning dawned bright and sunny. It had snowed the night before, blanketing Hogwarts in pure white. Harry awoke slowly, like he did every day and simply stared up at the canopy over his bed. And then he allowed himself a small smile.

"No ordinary day." he whispered to himself. He left the warmth of his bed, squealing as his feet hit the cold stone floor. Ron poked his head out from his bed with a glare.

"Bloody hell, Harry! It's not even 7 yet." Ron groaned after he'd seen what time it was.

"Sorry, Ron. I can't sleep."

"What's got you so jumpy, then?"

"It's December 14th."

"What?" Ron frowned. Then his eyes lit up. "Oh!"

"Yeah, 'oh'. So get your arse up and let's get to breakfast."

"Right!" Ron grinned, not missing up the opportunity to stuff his face.

In their excitement to get to the Great Hall, they forgot all about Hermione. To their surprise, she was already sitting at the table, eating.

"I didn't want to wait for you in case I missed my first present." she explained as they sat down. Then she realized Harry looked more awake than usual. "I see I'm not the only one who's excited." Harry grinned at her from around the forkful of eggs currently shoved in his mouth.

At 7:30, the post came. Dozens of owls flew into the Great Hall, dropping their packages and soaring off again. When Hedwig landed in front of Harry with an envelope in her beak, he gave her his bacon and sent her on her way with a stroke to her feathers. He spotted the owl he'd gotten for Draco land in front of him, poking his leg out for Draco to take his package. Harry watched from beneath his fringe as Draco opened the envelope.

"Draco, that owl is looking at you." Blaise said, pointing.

"Who the hell would be sending me mail?" Draco frowned. His mother was visiting an uncle in Greece and his father was dead. He looked at the beautiful owl beside him, a small package attached to his leg.

"It's probably your first gift, you dunderhead." Pansy told him. Shrugging, Draco took the package and the attached note and handed the bird a piece of sausage. The bird didn't move.

"Waiting to send a reply, are you?" Draco sighed, turning to read the note.

My dearest Draco,

Please meet Caedmon. He is your new familiar. I do hope you enjoy him. Everything you need for his care is shrunk into the package with this note. I hope he gives you as much pleasure as he has done for me in the short time that I've had him. Do take good care of him. He's a little temperamental if you ignore him for longer than 3 days.

Love to you this Holiday Season,

Your Secret Gift Giver

Draco was floored. It must have shown on his face because his friends looked at him sharply.

"What's wrong?" Blaise wondered. "Present not up to your standards?"

"No...I...fuck!" Clearly agitated, Draco ran his hands through his hair, mussing it up nicely.

"Drake?" Pansy asked, worriedly.

"The owl! The owl is my present!" Draco giggled, tears of joy in his eyes. This frightened Pansy and Blaise more than anything because in all the years they'd known him, they had never seen him cry. Draco calmed himself quickly and cast a quick glance around, looking for a hint of who'd send him such a beautiful present. No one was acting suspicious or fishy, but he did see Harry glance at him curiously. Draco sneered at him, watching as Harry bit his lip and looked away.

Harry had seen the pure joy that had lit up Draco's face upon discovery of the owl as his gift and he had to quickly stuff something in his mouth to stifle the smile. Once he was sure his face was composed, he looked up and saw Draco sneering at him. He had to bite his lip for fear of smiling again and then looked away. He decided to open his own mail.

Draco looked at Harry through his lowered lashes as Harry opened the envelope. He didn't miss the way his eyes widened in surprise and how he tapped Hermione's shoulder next to him to show her what it was.

"Wow, Harry!" Hermione gaped. This got Ron's attention and he looked up from his plate.

"What did you get, Harry?" he wondered. He handed the item to Ron, who took it and read it out loud.

This certificate entitles the bearer to one free permanent vision correction charm. Guaranteed to last a lifetime.

"Is there a note?"

"No. Just that."

"Wonder who sent it?"

"I haven't a clue."

"Are you going to use it?" Hermione asked.

"You think I should?" Harry wondered, touching his glasses that have been a part of his face for most of his life.

"You wouldn't have to worry about losing them when you get whomped by the Willow again." Ron stated.

"Or when a basilisk is chasing you." Hermione giggled.

"Or the many times during Quidditch." Ron smiled.

"All right you two. I get it. I just don't know if I want to do it."

"Harry, mate. Don't take this the wrong way because I'm your friend and I love you like a brother, but you would be absolutely sexy without your glasses." Ron told him. Harry's jaw dropped. It was the last thing he expected Ron to say. He looked at Hermione, who nodded in agreement. "Think about it Harry. I know you're gay and all, but think of all the girls and guys who'd drool over you when you look at them with those emerald green eyes of yours. You could have anyone you wanted!"

But I only want Draco. Harry silently admitted to himself. "You think so?" he said out loud.

"I know so, mate. Use the thing. We could go this weekend, if you'd like."

"All right." Harry smiled. He looked around the Hall to try and deduce who would send him such a wonderful gift but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Draco saw the heavy discussion going on between The Golden Trio and knew they would try and convince Harry to use his gift. When Harry smiled and went back to his own meal, Draco knew he'd made a positive decision.

Maybe McGonagall had the right idea after all. Draco smiled to himself.