-Note from Lady B-

I want to thank everyone who's been keeping up with this story so far. You don't know how much of a shock this is for me to see how many hits I've gotten. Between here and adultfanfictiondotnet, I've gotten 18,000+ combined hits. I am in awe. So thank you all for reading. I am really sorry to see this story end. I enjoyed working on it in such a small amount of time. I do hope you all venture to read my other works as I work on them again in the new year.

To Kat Davi (who asked how Draco was still getting things from Harry even though he's sick): Simple answer...Harry set it up with his solicitor (he's got to have someone monitoring all his money doesn't he?) before hand and the man sends out the gifts at a specified time. If anyone were to really pay attention to the owls in the Owlery - they wouldn't have seen Hedwig since mid-October. She's been staying with the Owls at Gringotts.

I've also seen a few inquiries as to who is the one sending the extra gifts to Draco. That will be revealed in the final chapter, tomorrow.

And now back to the story...Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

Love & Chocolate from Lady B

Chapter 13: On The 11th Day of Christmas...

December 24...Christmas Eve.

The adults stared at the two sleeping men, wondering how best to wake them, when the decision was taken out of their hands.

"If you're going to stare, at least do it quietly. I can hear you breathing through that nose of yours, Professor Snape." Draco stated, not once opening his eyes.

"5 points from Slytherin for insulting a teacher, Malfoy." Snape answered. Draco only smiled.

"Fine." he replied, opening his eyes.

"How's Harry, Draco?" Remus asked.

"Good. His fever broke late last night and he managed to keep some of the broth down."

"That's good news at least." Minerva nodded. Harry stirred against his chest and opened his eyes. He blinked to clear the fuzz from his mind and sat up with a yawn. He noticed the adults in his room and smiled at them.

"How do you feel, Harry?" Remus asked. Harry opened his mouth to answer and no sound escaped. Just an odd kind of wheeze. He cleared his throat and tried again. Nothing.

"Uh oh." Draco groaned.

"Harry?" Snape asked. Harry snatched his wand and quickly formed words in the air.

'I can't talk! My voice is gone!'

"Is your throat sore?" Remus asked him. Harry shook his head no. Remus looked at Minerva and Severus. "I was afraid of that. Harry's got laryngitis."

"What's that?" Severus asked.

"Another muggle disease." Remus answered. "It's an irritation and swelling of the voice box and the area around it, usually caused by a virus of some kind, as in the case of Harry's flu. In muggles it usually lasts for about 7 to 14 days." He looked at Harry regretfully.

'No! The concert tomorrow night!' Harry exclaimed.

"We'll have to cancel it, Harry. You can't even speak. How are you going to sing?" Remus asked. Harry looked dejected.

'Everyone's going to be disappointed.'

"We'll just have to explain it to them. They're understanding, Harry." Draco told him.

'I know, Remi. But for the first time in a very long time, I really wanted to do something good for the school in a positive way.'

"What? Saving the world is not a positive thing?" Remus chuckled. Harry gave him his "You know what I mean, Remi!" look. Remus held up his hands in defeat with a laugh. "We'll figure it out, Harry. You know we will."

'Thanks, Remi. I know you will. It means a lot.' Harry sighed. 'But I want to be the one to tell them. It's only fair.'

"You sure you're up to it, Harry? You've been bed-ridden for the last 2 days." Draco told him. Harry looked at him and nodded. He had such a hopeful expression on his face, it was hard for Draco to turn him down. Harry sensed his capitulation and hugged him enthusiastically before getting out of bed. He swayed on his feet for a moment, trying to get his bearings before he centered himself. Then he went into the bathroom for a much needed shower.

Hermione, Ron, Blaise, Pansy and the rest of the students were glad to see Harry up and about again. The Gryffindors showed off their finished tree and Harry beamed with pride.

McGonagall got everyone's attention.

"We're all very glad to see Mr Potter out and about after his illness. I ask that you be easy on him as this is the first time he's been out of bed in 2 days. Don't tire him unnecessarily. Now, Mr Potter has an announcement to make concerning tomorrow night's concert." She nodded at Harry, who walked to the front of the Hall. He took out his wand and began to write in the air, to everyone's surprise.

'I want to thank everyone for their well wishes while I was sick. It was greatly appreciated. But I have a bit of bad news. My illness seems to have robbed me of my voice for the time being and I don't think I will have it back in time for the concert tomorrow night at the Christmas Ball. Please accept my apologies and assurances that once my voice is restored, I will endeavor to sing for you all as I had promised.' He finished his announcement and then left the Great Hall without even eating.

"Where's he going?" Ron asked, seeing Harry leave after making his announcement.

"I think he's upset. He really wanted to sing tomorrow night." Draco replied.

"He should not be skipping meals right now." Hermione admonished. Nodding, Draco fixed a plate and went in search of his boyfriend.

That made Draco pause and think. And discovered that it was true. He now considered Harry to be his boyfriend. His heart gave a funny little jolt at that fact.

He found Harry back in his rooms, sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace, his knees drawn up to his chest, his head down. Draco sat beside him, setting the plate on the floor in front of him. He passed a hand through Harry's dark locks in a comforting gesture. Harry raised his head and Draco saw the tears on his cheeks.

"I brought you something to eat." Draco told him. Harry brought out a piece of parchment and a Quick Quill.

-I'm not hungry.

"You should eat, Harry. You're just getting over the flu and still a bit weak. You can't afford to have a relapse."

-I know that, Draco. I'm just not hungry. Please understand.

"Please?" Draco pleaded, looking him in the eyes.

-Draco, I love you. But right now, if I eat, I'm going throw up. That's how shitty I'm feeling right now.

"What's wrong?" he wondered. Harry shrugged, tears forming in his eyes again. "I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong, love." Draco told him. Harry took a deep breath and the Quill started scratching again.

-All my life, I've never been able to enjoy things I know some people enjoy doing on a daily basis, like painting, or making sculptures, and yes, singing. If I even mentioned having a hobby to my uncle, he would have laughed in my face and locked me in the cupboard until I "came to my senses", as he liked to call it. When I discovered that I was a good singer, I had something to call my own. Besides Quidditch, singing was the only other thing I really loved to do. And now, even that's been taken from me. Just like when I was banned from Quidditch. And it hurts, Draco. It really hurts. Harry was in tears when he finished his heartfelt statement. Draco pulled him into his arms and silently vowed to help Harry get his voice back in time for the concert.

Harry fell asleep crying on Draco's shoulder so he used a levitation spell to get Harry into bed. He owled Severus, telling him Harry was still unwell, he was going to stay with him and to have all their homework sent to Harry's rooms at the end of the day. Once his message was sent, he spent the time Harry slept reading the book he'd gotten the day before.

Caedmon found him a couple of hours later with 2 notes and a package. He took both and gave his owl some treats before opening the first. It was from Severus. It simply told him that McGonagall excused him from classes for the day and he would pass along their homework with Ron and Hermione later on in the evening, with an uncharacteristically wish to Harry to get well soon.

"I think Hermione's right on the mellowing bit." he muttered, opening the second note.

In his hour of need

You'll need this spell

To make that which was lost

Whole and well.

Draco opened the package and found an old spell book inside. The page he was needing was already marked and he read over the spell carefully. It was a complicated spell and he needed some things before he could use it.

A small hoot came from his left and he looked up into Hedwig's yellow eyes. There was a package attached to her leg and she was directing its attention to him. He was surprised.

"For me?" he asked. Hedwig blinked in acknowledgment and he took the package from her, giving her some treats as well. He opened the package and discovered the ingredients he needed for the potion the spell required. He pulled out his cauldron and set to work.

The smell of cinnamon broke through Harry's sleep-fogged brain and he slowly opened his eyes. Draco was standing there, holding a cup of something.

"Harry. I made a special tea for you to drink to help with your problem. Can you drink it for me?" Draco asked. Harry sat up and used his wand to answer him.

'What's in it?'

"Cinnamon and a hint of honey and lemon." Harry looked at him, steadily.

'Good try. Now, what's really in it?'

"Nothing else." Draco replied truthfully. Harry stared at him, uncomfortably, for a full minute. Sighing, he took the cup from Draco and drank it slow. Harry could detect no other hidden ingredients and finished the tea off in short time. He licked his lips.

'That was good. Is there more?'

"Yes. Would you like another cup?" Draco asked. Harry nodded and Draco went back into the kitchen to pour him another cup of tea, to which he added the potion he brewed earlier. He took out his wand and stirred the tea counter-clockwise 4 times and uttered the incantation:

Voice that was lost

Return to the one who seeks thy power.

The teacup glowed bright for a moment and the tea itself turned a bright blue before settling back into it's drab brown color. He added the honey, cinnamon and lemon as before and took the whole thing to Harry. Harry didn't even question him this time; he just took the tea and drank it all down quickly. Now all Draco had to do was wait. According to the book, it took at least 24 hours for the spell to take hold. It would be cutting it close to the ball. Draco kept his fingers mentally crossed.

Draco was working on his Transfiguration homework when he felt a gaze on him. He looked up into Harry's green eyes. He looked like he wanted to tell him something. Nodding at him to go ahead, Draco waited while Harry wrote out his question with his wand.

'Is there a way to get around the muffling spell?'

"Yes. Why?"

'Can you tell me?'

"It's simply a matter of saying what you want to say without really saying it. No big secret, really."

'That's all?'

"Yes."

'Oh.' Harry nodded. Draco watched him take a deep breath and his arm was shaking as he wrote out his next sentence.

'I know who your gift giver is.'

"Who is it?" It was a question that had plagued Draco for the last 5 days. He looked at Harry expectantly, who was grinning sheepishly. Draco's eyes widened. There is a God after all! "You? You sent me all that? The owl? The chocolates?"

'Yes.'

"What about the Quidditch game?"

'I set that up as well.' Harry grinned.

"You little snake!" Draco exclaimed, pleased beyond all belief. "I repeat, you should have been in Slytherin."

'About that...' Harry blushed.

"What?"

'The Sorting Hat wanted to originally put me in Slytherin.' Harry finally admitted his life-long secret. Not even Ron and Hermione knew about it. Draco was shocked.

"You've got to be joking!" That phrase again. Harry laughed hard, but it came out sounding like a bunch of wheezing sounds. He told Draco his story about his talk with The Sorting Hat when he first came to Hogwarts. Draco was impressed.

"Hang on. Did you send me a spell book today?"

'What spell book?'

"Nevermind. It's not important. I supposed you think it fair that I tell you about your gift giver."

'I already know. You're easy to read when your guard is down.' Harry smirked. 'But I love all that you have given me, and more. Do you want your Christmas Eve present?'

"Yes, please." Draco grinned.

'I've already given it to you.'

"What?" Draco frowned. "Did I miss something?"

'No, Draco. What I have given you, can't be bought in a store or wrapped up in a little bow. It's far too precious for that.' Draco felt his heart pounding in his chest.

"What is it, then?"

'My heart. I've given you my heart, Draco. It's up to you what you do with it.' Harry answered. Draco saw the truth in the green eyes that stared at him and something loosened in his own chest.

"Harry." he whispered, brokenly. Harry held up a hand to stop him from saying anything more, and wrote out his next question.

'Remember our Quidditch game?'

Draco frowned, "What about it?"

'I'd like to collect my winnings now.' Smiling devilishly, Harry leaned over and snagged the front of Draco's shirt collar. With a gentle tug, he pulled Draco down on top of him, his lips firmly planted on the blonde's.

Draco allowed Harry to kiss him thoroughly before pulling back. The kiss had made him hard, but he wanted to be sure it was what Harry wanted. He tenderly brushed a lock of hair off the Gryffindor's forehead.

"Are you sure about this, love? You're just getting over the flu." Since his hands were occupied with rubbing up and down the back of the man above him, Harry nodded.

With the knowledge that Harry truly and honestly loved him, Draco decided to make this last. He gently kissed and bit and nipped at Harry's eyes, nose, mouth, ears, neck, shoulder and every spot in between him right down to his toes, making Harry feel like the most treasured thing in the world.

Harry was more than ready when Draco finally positioned himself between Harry's thighs. Draco entered his body smoothly and Harry arched up off the bed, drawing Draco deeper into himself.

"Merlin!" Draco groaned at the sensation of Harry clenching around him. He gritted his teeth in an effort not to come too soon. But Harry wouldn't let him. Draco groaned when Harry's lips attacked his neck, just at his pulse point. Harry laved at the spot with his tongue, blowing air on it when he pulled away. Then he'd did it again as Draco moved over him. The sensations were piling on Draco faster than he could keep up with them. Harry latched onto his neck again, this time gently biting the sensitive spot he'd vacated earlier.

"God! Harry!" Draco babbled, his hips snapping back and forth in a frenzied rhythm. Harry closed his eyes and dropped his head back as Draco pounded into him. Draco reached between them to take Harry in his hand, stroking him furiously. Harry felt something hitch in his chest and he clenched around Draco's cock, hard. Draco shouted Harry's name as he came, emptying himself deep within the dark-haired man. Draco stroked Harry to his own orgasm just a few seconds later, the tendons in Harry's neck standing out prominently at the force of it. Draco dropped down onto Harry's chest, not caring about the sticky mess between them. He felt Harry kiss the top of his head and smiled, lazily. Draco pulled out slowly and curled up against Harry's side.

Draco raised his head up to look at him.

"You're amazing, Harry." Draco told him. Harry blushed. "Don't look like that, it's the truth. I wouldn't say it otherwise." Harry nodded in understanding. There was a comfortable silence between them.

"Harry...I-I love you." he stammered. It was never easy for Draco to say those words. But for Harry, he would make sure he said it often.

"I know. And I love you as well." Harry managed in a throaty whisper. Draco kissed him gently before they drifted off to sleep.

A/N: Sorry about the early reveal, but I do have a reason for it. Last and final chapter tomorrow. I want to thank everyone who stuck with this until its ending. I hope all of you have a Merry and Happy Holiday. May the New Year bring you lots of joy.

Merry Christmas

Feliz Navidad.

Lady B