Chapter 9: On The 7th Day of Christmas...

December 20th...A raging blizzard kept everyone inside this day. Since it was a Saturday, McGonagall lifted the curfew for the 7th year students only.

Since House Unity the year before, all entrances to each of the 4 common rooms had the same password so friends could visit whenever they wanted to.

Ron made his way to the dungeons. He was a man on a mission and at that moment, he was on a requested mission for his best friend.

Ron stepped into the Slytherin common room and looked around for a certain blonde and found him sitting near the fireplace, reading. Pansy was on the floor listening to the radio, her head underneath the low table between the chair and sofa. Ron smiled to himself when he saw her. Then shook his head and got back to the matter at hand.

"Draco." Ron greeted, sitting across from them. At the sound of Ron's voice, Pansy bolted upright, her head cracking into the underside of the table.

"Bloody hell, Parkinson! That looked painful." Draco smirked.

"Shut it, you git!" she groused, rubbing her aching head. She looked at Ron, and blushed. "Hi."

"Hi." Ron smiled, shyly. Then he looked back at Draco. "I've been sent on a mission from one Hermione Jane Granger."

"What for?"

"Fucked if I know. All I was told was that I had to ask you the questions on this parchment and not to show my face again until you did."

"What kind of questions?" Draco wondered.

"I don't bloody know, Malfoy!" Ron cried, exasperated. "I haven't even looked at them yet." He waved the parchment around in the air.

"Let me see it then." Determined, Draco snatched the offending parchment and looked it over. His eyes widened. "You must be joking? I'm not answering these!"

"But you have to! Hermione said so."

"Why?"

"Something about a 7th day gift was all I could get out of her." Ron stated. That stopped Draco.

Hermione couldn't be my gift giver, could she? That's not bloody likely. He muttered to himself.

"But these are downright embarrassing!" Draco seethed.

"Tell that to her, not me." Ron sighed.

"Bugger!" Draco groaned. "All right. Ask me before I lose my nerve." Ron sat down and took out a quill.

"Number one - What's your kink?" Ron asked, his face red.

"Silk ties and Parseltongue." Draco answered, his face also red. Pansy watched them, her eyes gleaming with interest.

"Number 2 - Favorite position during sex?"

"Top."

"Number 3 - Penis length?" Ron stammered out this question. Pansy tried not to grin.

"Around 8 or 9. I've never really measured it." Draco answered quickly.

"Number four – longest amount of time you've spent having sex?"

"2 hours."

"Number five – do you now have or have you ever had a crush on anyone in Gryffindor and if yes, on whom?"

"What kind of question is that?" Pansy asked. "You don't have to answer that one, Draco."

"It's all right, Pansy. I said I'd answer them." Draco told her. He looked at Ron. "The answers are yes and I choose not to reveal the name of my crush for reasons I'm not going to mention."

"Fair enough." Ron nodded, praying it wasn't himself Draco was talking about.

"Number six – what's your favorite color?"

"Green of course." Draco couldn't help but smirk.

"And finally – what's your greatest wish or your heart's one desire?" Draco took some time to think that one over before answering.

"To find someone to love and have that love returned unconditionally and without censorship from outside parties." Draco answered as honestly as he could without giving too much away. Pansy looked at him, a thoughtful look on her face.

"Wow, Drake. I didn't know you were that deep." Ron admitted as he spelled the ink dry on the parchment.

"There's a lot I bet you don't know about me, Ron."

"I'd like to." Ron replied. Draco's eyebrows raised a fraction. "Well, it's just that Harry told us how two have been treating each other and well, Harry is Harry and who can you trust if you can't trust your best friend."

"That's true." Draco agreed. Then he thought of something Harry had mentioned to him a few days before. "Ron, how come it didn't work out with you and Granger? We all thought you'd be the first to get married and have like a dozen red-headed know-it-alls running around."

"Don't know really. At first it was fantastic but I guess being around each other as friends for so long put a damper on our romantic relationship. I'm just glad we were able to break it off and keep our friendship intact. She's happier now than I've ever seen her before."

"What? She have a new man or something?"

"Actually she does, but she won't tell me or Harry who it is."

Harry already knows. Draco thought to himself. To Ron he said, "Who do you think it is?"

"Probably a Ravenclaw. No offense to Slytherin or Hufflepuff. And she's already dated a Gryffindor, so who knows." Ron shrugged. Draco simply nodded. Ron got to his feet. "Thanks for this Draco. Fancy a game or two later?"

"Yes. I want to wipe the floor with your red head." Draco grinned.

"Bring it on, Ferret." Ron laughed. He suddenly remembered Pansy was there and looked at her. "You're welcome to come as well, Pansy." Pansy smiled brightly.

"I'd love to, but can we go somewhere else? All that Gryffindor red and gold makes me uncomfortable."

"Actually, we're having a small get-together in Harry's room." This was news to Draco.

"Harry has his own room?"

"Yes. He asked Headmistress McGonagall about it over the summer. He didn't have to live with his muggle relatives anymore after Voldemort kicked the bucket and he never felt comfortable living at Black Manor, especially after Sirius died. Hogwarts was the only place that felt like a real home to him. She agreed and gave him his own set of rooms."

"Lucky bastard." Draco groaned. "Where are these rooms then?"

"It's the big portrait of Nearly Headless Nick five frames to the right of The Fat Lady. Tickle him under the chin and it will alert Harry that you're there so he can let you in."

"No password?"

"No. Harry wanted it that way. Come by about 6. Harry's cooking."

"He cooks?" Draco gaped.

"And very well I might add." Ron nodded. Then with a reminder about the time, Ron left. Pansy watched him go, itching to go after him but instead she looked at Draco, seeing the small smile tugging the corners of his mouth.

"I know that look, Draco. You're up to something."

"No I'm not. I'm just...thinking."

"You're thinking about sneaking into Harry's rooms tonight." Pansy knew him so well.

"Bollocks, Pansy! Why would I want to do that?"

"Draco Malfoy, you can't put one over on me. Not even on your best hair day."

"Shut it, Pansy. What I do with Harry is none of your business."

"Draco, I love you like a brother but if you hurt Harry, I'll hurt you." Blaise walked in just as Pansy uttered her statement.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"Pansy seems to think I have some ulterior motive concerning Harry." Draco announced.

"He's thinking of a way to get into Harry's room later tonight." Pansy told him. Blaise looked at Draco with an expression akin to disbelief on his face.

"Draco, are you off your nut?"

"What?"

"You know how vulnerable Harry is. You might do more harm than good."

"Don't you think you ought to let Harry be the judge of that?" Draco wondered.

"If you force him into this before he's ready, he'll never forgive you."

"Oh, please!" Draco rolled his eyes.

"Draco, listen to me please. As your best friend, I'm asking you to listen." Blaise pleaded.

"What?"

"All his life, Harry's had people telling him where to go, what to do, when to breathe, when to kill Voldemort. Don't you think he's tired of people controlling his life?"

"I'm not trying to control his life." Draco frowned. "Maybe you should give Harry a little more credit." And with that, Draco got to his feet and left the common room.

Draco was in the library when a school owl swooped in, dropping a package on his lap. Confused, he opened the attached note.

Happy 7th, Draco.

May this gift bring you the most loveliest of dreams

and bring you your heart's desire.

Draco opened the box and his heart nearly stopped when he saw what was inside. He drew them out, almost reverently. It was two silk ties, one green and silver, the other red and gold, wrapped intimately around one another. He was awestruck. He wrapped the ties gently around his wrist and hid the whole menagerie beneath the sleeve of his robes. He thought back to Ron and his list of questions.

It couldn't be Hermione. Could it? He asked himself. He was starting to have serious doubts about his gift giver's identity.

At 6 on the nose, The Unholy Trio found themselves outside the portrait of Nearly Headless Nick. Draco reached up and tickled beneath the chin. The portrait laughed heartily and a moment later, Harry himself opened the door.

"Welcome to Chez Potter!" he grinned, ushering them inside. Hermione and Ron were already there, involved in a wizards version of Monopoly. They waved to The Slytherins and asked Pansy and Blaise to join them in the game.

Draco was surprised that there wasn't a hint of red anywhere. Everything, including the curtains was done up in soft shades of dark or midnight blue.

"No Gryffindor colors, Harry?" Draco asked with a slight grin.

"Not visible anyway. Just don't look in my bedroom." Harry replied. "Feel free to take a look around. I have to go check on dinner." Harry ducked through a small archway into what Draco assumed was the kitchen. Seeing his friends were occupied, he followed Harry.

Harry was bent down, peeking into the oven and Draco resisted the urge to plant his hands on that cute arse right in front of him.

"Muggle cooking, Harry?" he asked. Harry looked at him over his left shoulder.

"I like doing it. If you haven't noticed, magically produced food tastes kind of bland."

"You're right about that of course. I just never pictured you a cook."

"It's the one thing I didn't mind doing when I lived with The Dursleys." With a final check, he closed the door on the oven and started mixing something in a pot on top.

"What are you making anyway?"

"Lasagna with a homemade sauce."

"Homemade sauce?"

"Mmmhmm. My own specialty."

"Should I call Madame Pomfrey now or later?" he teased. Harry smacked his arm.

"If you're going to stand here making fun of my cooking, the least you can do is help." Harry told him. Draco shrugged.

"Sure. What can I do?"

"Toss the salad."

"What?" Draco was confused.

"Toss. The. Salad." Harry repeated, pointing to a bowl near Draco's elbow. Draco saw it was full of lettuce and some vegetables.

"And how do I do that exactly? I don't know how to cook, you know." Harry looked at him, then rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"Take those two forks beside the bowl and gentle mix up the salad. Like this." Harry took the forks and began to mix up the salad.

"Ah. Got it now." Draco nodded, taking the forks. Their hands accidentally brushed and surge of pure longing shot through Draco. Harry moved away, embarrassed.

"Sorry. Static electricity." Harry muttered.

"It's okay." Draco murmured. They went about their individual tasks, silently. The alarm on the oven went off and Harry pulled out the covered dish. Draco could smell something pleasant drifting toward him. Never having lasagna before, he didn't know what to expect. He watched Harry uncover the dish carefully and then ladled some of his sauce on top before sprinkling some kind of powdery substance over it.

"What's that you're adding?" he asked.

"Parmesan Cheese. It enhances the flavor of the tomato sauce. Honestly Draco. The way you're acting, it sounds like you've never had Italian food before."

"I haven't, Harry. At least not homecooked Italian." he admitted softly. Harry rounded on him in surprise, and Draco waited for the yelling to begin. Harry surprised him when he wrapped his arms around him and kissed him on the nose.

"Then it's about time you did." Harry smiled. Before Draco could answer, Harry moved away. "Salad all done, then?" Draco looked down and noticed everything in the bowl was all mixed together. He nodded. Harry took out his wand and levitated everything into the dining room. He called in the others and they all sat down to eat.

Draco was hesitant to try something he'd never had before, especially cooked by Harry Potter, but at Hermione's encouraging nod, he took a small bite. And was in heaven.

"My God, this is good!" he exclaimed. His face flamed red when everyone laughed.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Draco Malfoy, Master of the Obvious." Blaise chuckled, earning him a smack in the head from Draco.

"Thank you, Draco. I'll take that as the compliment it was meant to be." Harry smiled. They all engaged in polite and friendly conversation, just like they had before and a good time was had by all.

After dinner, they went back into the living room to help Harry decorate the small Christmas tree he had.

"Do I have to?" Draco whined when Harry had announced that nobody was going to be using magic on his tree. It was going to be done the muggle way.

"Yes, you do." Harry nodded, pushing him toward the tree with an ornament in his hand. Harry had done the lights and garland before everyone had arrived. Sighing, Draco did as he was asked and hung the hippogriff ornament in an empty spot.

There was a tapping on the window as everyone was decorating. Harry flicked his hand at the window to open it and Hedwig soared into the room, Ophion on her back. She landed on Harry's shoulder, nuzzling his cheek with affection while Ophion took up his spot around Harry's neck.

Did you both hunt well?

Yessss we did, Harry. Thank you. Ophion answered.

You and Hedwig getting along then?

Yessss. She agreed not to eat me assss long assss I kept watch over you.

That's fair then. Harry laughed.

He issss staring at you.

Who?

The pale-haired one. I ssssee him do it a lot. Harry looked up and saw that Draco was indeed staring at him, an odd expression on his face.

"Draco?" Harry asked. Draco seemed to come back to himself.

"What?"

"You okay? You looked odd for a moment." Harry asked. Draco's face went red.

"I'm fine." He turned back to the tree to get his body under control.

Dammit Draco, get a hold of yourself! He admonished himself. Parseltongue is NOT supposed to turn you on! Oh fuck! Who am I kidding? That's the sexiest sound I've ever heard! Gulping heavily, Draco wondered if he'd make it through the rest of the evening.

Another tapping on the window, this time a school owl. It dropped a package at Harry's feet and left. Harry sat down and opened the attached note.

May all your future Christmases be as happy as this one.

Happy 7th Harry.

He opened the package slowly. Inside was a tree ornament, but not an ordinary tree ornament. He looked at Hermione and Ron, a frown on his face.

"Harry, that's a Wish Ornament." Ron told him.

"A what?" Harry asked.

"A Wish Ornament. You make a wish from the deepest part of your heart and if the mists inside glow a light blue, your wish will be granted. But you have to make a wise wish, for a wish given in frivolity will not be granted and could actually backfire on you." Ron explained.

"How did you know that, Ron?" Blaise wondered. Ron blushed then.

"First hand experience." Ron muttered.

"What happened?" Pansy wondered.

"I wished my hair wasn't so bloody red. It wasn't a heartfelt wish and I ended up walking around with even redder hair that had been done up in little curls. Like that Ronald McDonald bloke you told me about, Harry." Harry then had to explain who Ronald McDonald was to The Slytherins, who all broke out in laughter imagining Ron's hair like that.

Draco was surprised he was having such a great time with the 3 Gryffindors. Hermione suggested another game of Monopoly, to which they all agreed.

It was near 9 when they called a halt to the game (after Draco had amassed loads of money and property, to nobody's surprise) and Hermione asked Harry to sing for them. Draco's eyes widened in surprise.

"You sing?"

"He sings very well." Ron answered.

"How come we never heard you sing before, Harry?" Blaise asked.

"Never had a reason to. There was a maniacal fruitcake after me for most of my life, you know." Harry shrugged.

"Please, Harry?" Pansy asked. "I'd like to hear you."

"All right. Any requests?"

"Sing a Christmas carol, mate." Ron suggested.

"It's a muggle song. Does anyone mind?" Harry wondered. No one minded in the least. Clearing his throat, he waved his hand and the small harp in the corner of the room began to play. Harry opened his mouth and began to sing "O Holy Night" to them.

When he was finished, no one said anything for a moment. Then the applause started, only it hadn't come from anyone in the room. They all looked around and saw McGonagall, Snape and Lupin standing in the doorway. Lupin and the Headmistress had tears in their eyes. Snape had his customary sneer in place, only his eyes seemed to be dancing with joy.

"Mr Potter that was beautiful." McGonagall told him.

"Thank you, ma'am." He smiled, genuinely pleased.

"Harry I didn't know you had it in you." Remus told him.

"Neither did I, to be honest. I didn't even know I was good till Ron caught me singing in the showers after Quidditch practice one day."

"I made him sing for Gryffindor and they agreed with me." Ron added.

"If I may be so bold, Headmistress. Perhaps we could persuade Mr Potter to give a small concert at the upcoming Celebration." Snape stated in a quiet tone. This surprised everyone in the room.

"Well, Severus. That's entirely up to Harry." McGonagall said, looking at Harry with a pleading look in her eyes. Harry never could say no to his head of house and he agreed to do the concert. She clapped her hands with joy.

"Excuse me, Headmistress, but was there a reason you came here?" Hermione wondered.

"Oh yes! I wanted to remind you of the decorating meeting tomorrow afternoon after lunch." She smiled. Agreeing that it was time to get some sleep (they weren't wide-eyed 1st years anymore), they all helped Harry clean up and then left, wishing Harry a good night.

As Draco was leaving, Harry pressed something into his hand, before closing the door. Draco was smart enough to wait until he got to his own room before he looked to see what it was.

He waited until his roommates were sleeping before throwing up a silencing charm around his bed. He saw that it had been shrunk. He spelled it back to his original sized and saw that it was a cloak of some kind. There was a note attached.

Midnight. Password is "Dragon".

Draco opened the cloak and stared at the shiny material. How was this supposed to help him get back upstairs. He quietly got to his feet and went to stand in front of his mirror. He wrapped the cloak around himself and watched as the lower half of his body disappeared from sight.

An Invisibility cloak? That explains the Mystery of the floating Potter Head. Sneaky, Potter. Very sneaky. Draco grinned. He put a Silencing charm on his shoes, covered his head in the cloak and left.