Part 8: A Weasley Family Christmas

The day before Christmas found Harry in the wizarding section of Surrey Proper looking for a Christmas gift for Draco. He'd been in some of the more expensive shops first but nothing caught his eye. He wanted something that was all "Draco".

He was walking past a tapestry store when one particular tapestry caught his eye. He went inside to get a better look. It was bold yet subtle without being too overpowering. All that traits that described Draco.

"Excuse me?" he called to the clerk.

"Yes, Mr Potter?"

"How much for this tapestry?"

"200,500 galleons. Are you interested?"

"Very much so. Only I didn't bring that much with me. Can you hold it until I come back from Gringott's?"

"No need to do that Mr Potter. All you need to do is sign a bill of sale and the money will automatically be deducted from your funds."

"Really?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well. Good then. Let's do that."

"Would you like it gift-wrapped free of charge?"

"Yes, thank you."

"If you'll have a seat, I'll bring it out for you." He had Harry sign the bill and gave him a duplicate for his records. Another copy was sent to Gringott's. Harry then sat in a chair near the door and waited.

Draco was also in Surrey Proper, intent on getting Harry the most memorable Christmas present he could get his hands on. His parents had never given him a reason to enjoy Christmas other than fancy gifts he didn't want and trips to some exotic place he didn't enjoy. But now his feelings for a certain green-eyed former Gryffindor and Hero of the Wizarding World were making him feel like a kid again.

He went from store to store but saw nothing that shouted "Harry". He happened to walk past the same tapestry store Harry was in and the tapestry in the window caught his eye. He hurried inside.

"How much for that tapestry in the window?" he demanded.

"350,000 galleons, sir."

"I'll take it." He pulled out his money pouch.

"Would you like it gift-wrapped? It's free."

"Sure." he nodded.

The clerk that had been helping Harry came out of the back and walked past Draco.

"Here you are Mr Potter. Will that be all?"

"Yes, thank you. Merry Christmas."

"And to you as well!" grinned the clerk as Harry headed out.

Draco whirled around at the sound of Harry's voice. He thought he saw a familiar head of unruly black hair but chalked it up to Christmas excitement. The clerk that was helping him returned with his purchase.

"There you are, sir. If I may ask, who is this for?"

"The most important person in my life." he grinned.

Christmas Eve...Noon...

Harry Apparated to Ron and Hermione's loaded with gifts. After hugging Hermione and the girls and shaking Ron's hand, Hermione took him to the guest room to store his overnighter. The smells of Christmas cooking permeated throughout the house.

"Ron's on a cooking rampage. Every time I go to help, he pushes me out of the kitchen." she grinned.

"Just like his mum. Remember that one year - think it was our second - she cooked enough to feed all of Hogwarts and St. Murgo's with enough left over for Azkaban? I thought Fred and George were going to explode from eating so much." he laughed.

"I'll never get over the look on their faces when they ate that last bit of pudding. I thought for sure Mum was going to have an even bigger mess on her hands." Hermione giggled. "Speaking of which, the new shops in America are doing smashingly. You are a very wealthy man, Harry."

"You know I don't care about the money, 'Mione."

"I know. I'm just teasing. So you don't mind sharing the room with Draco?"

"Not at all. It'll be like we were back in school."

"Mom! Uncle Draco is here!" Phoebe shouted.

"What's this 'Uncle Draco' thing?" Harry looked at her with an arched eyebrow.

"Long story. I'll tell you later. Are you sure you're fine with this?"

"I'm fine Hermione. It doesn't bother me. Hasn't for a very long time."

"When are you going to actually admit you have feelings for the man?"

"I don't know. I'm still trying to separate the poncy git from school with the man I met a few weeks ago. It's very confusing."

"I'm sure you'll muddle through. You always do." She patted his arm and they headed downstairs.

Draco, who was being tickled to death by the triplets, looked up when Harry and Hermione entered.

"Harry." he nodded.

"Draco." Harry replied. Ron came in from the kitchen and smiled.

"Draco! When did you get here?" He shook his hand.

"Just a few minutes ago, love. I was just about to show him where he can bed down for the night." Hermione replied.

"Thanks for inviting me to stay, Hermione, Ron." Draco replied, touched that they would include him in what was obviously a family affair. Harry thought he saw a sheen of tears in those silver/gray eyes but then Draco blinked and it was gone.

"Our pleasure, mate." Ron stated. Draco followed Hermione from the room and Harry was suddenly fascinated with the way Draco's arse moved in the black denim jeans he was wearing and felt an uncomfortable twitch in his own. Ron cleared his throat and Harry whipped his head around.

"What?"

"Like the view?" he grinned. Harry felt his face warm.

"Couldn't help myself."

"You've got it bad, mate. Harry, I'm going to ask you a personal question and I don't want you getting offended." Ron said, heading back into the kitchen.

"Ask." Harry said, following him.

"When was the last time you were thoroughly shagged senseless? And I mean right into the mattress type of shagging." He took a lump of bread dough and started kneading it.

"One year, 3 weeks, 5 days, 7 hours, 15 minutes and 25 seconds ago."

"You're keeping track? Yes, I do believe some serious shag time is in order."

"Ron, you know I'm not into casual shagging of some random bloke."

"Who said it had to be a bloke?" he tossed back. He had the pleasure of watching his friend's face turn a lovely shade of puce and laughed. Harry punched him in the arm.

"Wanker." Harry laughed. He watched Ron check on the roast duck in the oven and frowned. "Ron how come you don't use your magic to cook?"

"I like getting my hands dirty. Do you know how comforting it is to be elbow deep in bread dough?" he asked.

"No."

"It's great! Plus it keeps my arms strong and loose for Quidditch."

"Makes sense." Harry agreed, dipping a finger in the treacle pudding sauce simmering on the stove. Caroline and Delila ran into the kitchen.

"Dad, Uncle Harry! The tree is all done!'

"Oh good!" Ron exclaimed. "Ready mate?"

"Ready." He and Ron followed the girls back into the living room. Hermione, Draco and Phoebe were already waiting. Hermione looked at Draco.

"Draco. When Ron, Harry and I first met and became friends, we started our own Christmas family tradition that we've followed all of our time together. We each make a wish and transfer it into a star at the top of our Christmas tree. We've said that if the lights on the star ever go out, then our wish will never come true. And...well, you can see how that turned out."

"We didn't have traditional Christmases. Mum and Dad's idea of Christmas was to give me money and let me pick out my own gifts." Draco sighed. Harry's heart went out to him. Granted his own Christmases with The Dursleys weren't memories he cared to repeat, but they at least got something for him, even if it was only some of Dudley's old socks. But Aunt Petunia had always given him something of his own when Vernon or Dudley weren't around.

"Well, since you are as much a part of this family as Harry is, we'd like you to join us." Ron told him.

"What?" Draco gaped. Harry smiled.

"We consider you family, Draco. The girls adore you as much as they adore Harry and we would never dream of depriving you or them of each other's company." Hermione added. 5 Weasleys and one Harry Potter looked at him. Draco could find no words to express what he was feeling right then. It was as if the sun were shining just for him and tears welled up in his eyes.

Merlin, when did I become such a girl? he thought to himself. He blinked hard to clear his vision. "I would love to." he then whispered. They formed a loose semi-circle around the tree and held hands. Draco started when Harry linked their fingers together and gave him a small smile.

"All right. Everyone close their eyes and think of your heart's greatest wish." Harry stated. Everyone closed their eyes in quiet contemplation. "When you have what you want to wish for clearly pictured, utter these words:

Open your heart

Open it wide

What you wish

Is waiting inside

Set it free

Make it real

Make it so

Our hearts can heal!

Then feel your wish leave your body." No one opened their eyes as the words were spoken in unison and Draco felt something shift within his soul. He suddenly felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. On some hidden cue, everyone opened their eyes. Draco stared in shock. 7 points of light were swirling over their heads. Faster and faster they whirled until they blended into one. There was a bright flash of light near the top of the tree and everyone covered their eyes. When Draco looked up, there was a beautiful 7-point star at the very top of the Christmas tree, each tip aglow with the wishes that had been freely given and hopefully received.

The tears he'd been trying to hide all day flowed freely down his face. Someone touched his cheek, drawing his gaze away from such beauty and he found himself staring into a pair of warm green eyes.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked, brushing Draco's tears away with his thumbs.

"I'm fine, Harry." he whispered, moving away from Harry's touch. It was making his insides all woozy. He looked at Ron and Hermione. No words were spoken but they enveloped him into a hug.

"You're welcome." Hermione stated in his ear.

"Dad, is something burning?" Phoebe wondered.

"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed, running back to the kitchen. It broke the tension and everyone laughed.

It was after midnight. Draco and the triplets had already gone to bed hours before, leaving Harry, Ron and Hermione to put out any remaining gifts before sitting before the fireplace, reminiscing.

"We should probably check the flowers at Dumbledore's grave when term starts up again." Hermione sighed.

"Even after all this time, I still can't believe he's gone." Harry told her.

"But he saved your life, and Draco's." Ron reminded him.

"I know that. But it seems senseless, even after 10 years."

"You can't always escape the past."

"Right." They were silent for a bit, listening to the flames crackle in the fireplace.

"Well, I'm knackered. I'm going to bed." Hermione stood up and looked at her husband. "Coming Ron?"

"Be up in a second, love."

"Not too long I hope. I've got an extra special present for you." she whispered in his ear. 2 years dating, 8 years of marriage and 3 kids later and she could still make Ron's face turn the color of a tomato. She turned and left the room, swaying her hips seductively. Ron literally dragged his eyes away from his wife to look at Harry. Harry was grinning, one eyebrow arched.

"Shut up, Harry!" Ron grinned. There was a companionable silence between them. Ron noticed something was on Harry's mind. "Something wrong, mate?"

"No. I was just thinking."

"Draco?"

"Yeah."

"Come to a decision, then?"

"Not yet. But I'm close."

"Want some advice?"

"I'll take any I can get."

"True love only comes around once in life. Look at me and Hermione. It took us a long time to admit we had something for each other. And I don't regret that decision at all." he said, leaning forward. "Harry. Don't be afraid of it or it'll be gone. I may have not liked Draco in school, and if you had gotten with him then, I probably would have tried to hex him 3 ways from Sunday. But if he makes you happy, I'm telling you to go for it. And he's really not all that bad once you get to know him. Don't be afraid of your feelings." He got to his feet, patted his friend on his shoulder, then headed up to bed.

Harry headed up to the room he and Draco were sharing. He glanced over once at him, noting he was sound asleep. After a quick shower and brushing his teeth, he climbed naked into the empty twin bed. Not long after, he was sound asleep.

Draco had been faking sleep for the past couple of hours. He had heard Ron come up the stairs earlier and assumed Harry would follow. But it was another 10 minutes before Harry came in. Draco had practiced watching people through his lashes most of his life and he put those skills to work now as he watched Harry prepare for bed. He watched as Harry went into the bathroom. Watched him as he stripped off all his clothes and got into the shower. He resisted the urge to moan as he watched a naked and wet Harry climb out of the shower and dry off. His breath caught in his throat as Harry turned toward him, and Draco got to see all of him for the very first time. Harry turned off the light in the bathroom and climbed into bed.

It's not fair! he lamented. It's just not fair at all! Harry, oblivious to his roommate's thoughts, continued to sleep through the night.

6 am, Christmas morning...

Draco awoke slowly, and realized 2 things: it was Christmas morning, and he was no longer alone in his bed. There was a warm body pressed up against his backside, and a muscular tanned arm secured around his midsection. His heartbeat sounded loud in his own ears as he realized who it was. Experimentally, he traced the arm back to its owner and down the side of the body behind him. There was a snort and the arm tightened around him.

"Watch it. I'm ticklish." murmured a familiar voice, husky with sleep. Heat pooled in Draco's groin.

"What are you doing in my bed?" he hissed, looking over his shoulder. Harry's eyes were closed, and he shrugged in answer. "You can leave, now."

"Don't want to." And proved it by snuggling closer, his breath stirring the hairs on the back of Draco's neck. Draco, on some perverse urge, lifted the blanket to take a peek at the body he'd seen the night before.

"You're naked!" he exclaimed as if shocked. Harry opened one eye and looked at him as if to say Duh!. "Why are you naked in the first place?"

"Because it's too constricting sleeping with so many clothes on. You should try it sometime."

"I should say not!" Draco exclaimed. Harry finally opened both eyes and propped himself up on an elbow. The hand resting on Draco's stomach began to lazily trace circles on his skin and he had to remember how to breathe.

"Are you always this chatty so early in the morning or am I making you nervous?"

"I'm not nervous. And I'm chatty because you're in my bed and I want you out of it."

"Liar." Harry grinned, rolling his body on top of Draco's. Draco's eyes widened in shock.

"Get off me, you pouf!" Draco stated in a tight voice when what he really wanted to say was Make love to me, Harry. Please. Harry effectively silenced any other retort by covering his mouth and nearly shoving his tongue down his throat. He insinuated his thigh between Draco's legs and Draco moaned, rubbing his hardness against that thigh. Then just as suddenly, the warmth of Harry's body was gone. Draco watched, incredulously, as Harry grabbed his clothes and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

"Bastard!" Draco groaned. He was harder than steel and resisted the urge to touch himself through his pajama bottoms. The silk was rubbing against him intimately.

Harry stood under the cold spray, trying to control his flaming desire. Why did he continue to bait Draco like that? It only served to make him aware how much he desired the man. He must be out of his mind.

"Ok I admit it. I want him in the worst way. But I still don't know how I feel about him." he muttered to himself.

"Well at least we agree on something." replied Draco, stepping into the shower behind Harry. He adjusted the water so it was warm.

"Hello." Harry grinned. Draco eyed him suspiciously.

"You're trying to throw me off! I'm on to that game, Potter!"

"Oh do shut up, Draco." Harry sighed. If he desired the man, the least he could do is give him a little taste. He grabbed the pale man around his waist and kissed him again.

Merlin, he's good at this. Draco sighed. Harry grabbed a bar of soap and began to wash Draco's body, rubbing his skin sensually. It kept Draco on a sexual high the whole time. But once again, Harry left him hanging - literally!

"Harry, I hate you." Draco groaned, not really meaning it.

"I know you do, love." Harry grinned, kissing his cheek. "Better hurry up or no presents for you." Then he left the bathroom.

"I'm going to hex him into the middle of next week." he growled. But the thought of presents pulled him into action and he finished his shower - alone.

He was the last one down and saw the Weasley triplets doing their best to persuade their parents to let them get under the tree. He sat down in a chair next to Harry, who was sitting on the floor. Draco gave him a dirty look and Harry simply grinned.

"This is going to be an organized affair. I will not have tinsel and wrapping paper shoved into the couch not to be found until Spring Cleaning like last year." Hermione scowled.

"Give it up, love. Those 3 plus Harry alone are a whirlwind waiting to happen." laughed Ron, kissing her.

"Whatever, Ronald. Who's turn is it to be gift giver this year?"

"It's Uncle Harry's turn, Mum." Delila answered.

"Well, Harry. Hop to it." Hermione sat on the couch with her husband while Harry dived under the tree. Draco (like Harry did the day before) secretly admired the way Harry's arse looked in the blue jeans he was wearing and resisted the urge to put his hands on him.

"This one is for Hermione." Harry sat back and handed it to her. She looked at it and saw Ron and Harry's name on it. She slowly unwrapped it and gasped in surprise. It was a wizard's photo album cataloging Ron and Hermione's budding friendship and romance up to the day she found out she was pregnant. She looked at her husband.

"How?"

"We got Minerva and Snape to help. They collected memories from all your former teachers and friends and converted them into photos."

"You guys are too much. Even though I'm married to you, Ronald and Harry is the girls godfather, I still consider you both my very best friends and I love you both." And she proceeded to snog Ron senseless.

"Ew! Mum!" cried Delila.

"If you even try to snog me like that I think Ron would kill me, friendship notwithstanding." Harry laughed.

"I think that's romantic." sighed Caroline.

"Is that how Uncle Harry wants to snog Uncle Draco?" Phoebe asked, shocking all the adults in the room.

"What?" Ron gaped, looking at Harry.

"Uncle Harry thinks about snogging Uncle Draco. Quite a lot too." the girl replied.

"How did you know that?" Hermione demanded before rounding on Harry. "Harry James Potter what have you been telling my daughter?"

"Nothing! Wizard's honor!"

"He didn't tell me, mum. I heard him think it." Phoebe replied. There was shocked silence.

"Looks like Occlumency lessons are in order." Draco laughed. That eased the tension in the room and Ron knew he and Hermione would have to talk to their oldest child about privacy issues. Harry dived back under the tree and came up with presents for the girls.

All the gifts were dispensed and Draco was surprised by what he got: a broom care kit from Ron and Hermione, an Aurin Necklace from the girls, a lifetime pass to Weasley's Chocolate Emporium from Fred & George (he was foaming at the mouth over that one), a deep gray sweater with his name embossed in gold stitching over the left breast from Molly (everyone got a sweater like this one, Harry's was red, Ron's was green, Hermione's was a deep pink, and Delila, Phoebe, and Caroline's were turquoise, orange and purple in that order) and a blank journal from Ginny (everyone had a good laugh over the irony of that one). But the one person who he really wanted a gift from, didn't seem to have one for him. And he was hurt by that fact.

"Draco?" Harry called.

"What?" he snapped. Instead of answering, Harry produced a small box from behind his back and handed it to him. Draco couldn't contain his excitement as he ripped open the package. Inside was a Pewter Dragon Necklace. Draco was awed.

"Harry...this is beautiful!"

"You like it?"

"I love it! Can you help me put it on? My hands are shaking." Nodding, Harry took the necklace from the box and stood behind Draco. As he fastened the clasp, his fingers lightly brushed the back of Draco's neck, causing him to shiver with lust. Harry came around to his front and adjusted the pendant so it rested over his rapidly beating heart.

"Thank you." Draco whispered.

"You're welcome."

"I-I have something for you too." He handed Harry a box. Harry sat down and opened it. His breathing seemed to stop as he stared at it.

"Draco!" he exclaimed.

"You don't like it! I knew it! I can take it back for you!"

"Shut it, you git! I love it!" Harry grinned, pulling the emerald encrusted ring from its velvet cushion.

"One time, I overheard you telling Ron your mum had some Irish heritage and wanted to get you something to remind you of her." Draco explained, nervously. Harry slipped the ring on the 4th finger of his right hand.

"It's perfect!" Harry grinned, looking Draco in the eye. "I'm going to snog Draco senseless right now so if anyone doesn't want to watch, I suggest they cover their eyes." And with that, he cupped Draco's face in his hands and did indeed snog him senseless. The triplets must have peeked because they began to giggle.

If that's how he reacts to that present, wait until he sees the one waiting for him at home! Harry and Draco thought at the same time.

After they had eaten, they all went out back where Ron and Hermione had transfigured a section of the yard into an area to ice skate. Afterwards, an impromptu snowball fight started between the guys and girls (until Draco defected to the girls side because they were winning).

It was late when Harry and Draco gave their good nights and headed to their respective homes.

Draco saw the package resting on his bed as he came out of the bathroom.

"Biddy?" he called. His house elf popped into the room.

"Yes, sir?"

"Did you put that there?"

"Yes, sir. It came by owl while you were in the bathroom."

"Oh. Thank you then."

"Good night, sir."

"Merry Christmas, Biddy." The little elf smiled before popping out. He opened the attached card first.

-Drae,

I have one last present to give you. I didn't want to do it at Ron and Hermione's because I was afraid it would be ruined if one of the girls got their hands on it. Please know that my actions of late concerning you are all sincere and not meant to lead you on in any way. I do desire you, in every sense of the word. Please give me until New Year's Eve. I will have a definite decision for you by then.

Love,

H.

"Silly Gryffindor." Draco grinned, his heart threatening to burst from joy. He set aside the card and unwrapped the package. He recognized the name of the tapestry store he had visited. He pressed the seal that would open the tapestry for him. As the tapestry unfolded and magically attached itself to the one empty wall in his room, his legs gave out and he fell to the floor on his arse, completely awed. He read the name on the tapestry out loud.

"Spiral Cross Keeper: defender of the Sacred Trust. Oh, Harry." he sighed. "You always did know me best." He crawled into bed and stared at the tapestry until he fell asleep, thoughts of Harry on his mind.

Harry returned to his room after making himself a cup of cocoa and saw the package on his bed at the same time Draco was opening his. There were 2 notes attached. He opened the first.

-Harry,

We were asked to owl this to you the minute you left from here so you'd get it by the time you got home. Happy Christmas and thanks for the gifts.

-Ron, Hermione & Girls

Smiling, he opened the second note.

To remember the happy times.

-D.

"Draco." he grinned. He unwrapped the gift, recognizing the name of the tapestry shop. Draco had been there and he hadn't seen him? Interesting. He pressed the seal and the tapestry unfolded itself, magically sealing to the wall next to his bed. His mouth dropped open in shock and his heart began doing funny little jigs in his chest. The tapestry seemed to capture his whole being. He stared at the tiger at the bottom of the frame. Even though he was a registered Animagus, it wasn't public knowledge of what his form was. He read the card that came with the tapestry.

Heart of Hope Tapestry: Reveals the recipient's happiest memories.

The lock on his emotions finally burst and he was flooded with sensations. And he finally realized what his head had been trying to tell him, that his heart had already known: he was completely, head-over-heels in love with Draco Malfoy.

And secretly, Harry began to form a plan in his mind...

Author's Note: I have actual pictures of the gifts both Harry and Draco received but I can't quite figure out how to link them within the story.