Chapter 11
"Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy and cozy are we,
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be."
Song - Sleigh Ride (Acoustic), by Colin and Caroline
11 December 2005
Draco stepped up behind his boyfriend and wrapped his arms around Harry's waist. He rested his chin on Harry's shoulder, watching the horses as the house-elf hooked them up to the sleigh.
"Isn't this overkill?" Harry asked as Draco took his hand and led him over to the large sleigh, its bench lined in green velvet and covered with heavy blankets.
"It's a Malfoy sleigh, Harry. It's only meant to be used during the holiday season when we have magically-induced snow to fall across the grounds." Draco settled himself on the cushions and moved the blanket over Harry's legs, then looked at him and grinned. "Of course it's overkill."
Harry laughed and shook his head. "You guys are ridiculous."
"Were ridiculous. But honestly, we have the sleigh. Wouldn't it be more ridiculous not to use it?"
Harry pursed his lips, hiding a smile. "Maybe."
"Look, when I was small, this was my favourite part of the season. We'll take the horses out for a ride — which will make them happy and get them exercise — and then we'll cut find and cut our Christmas tree. And best of all, you don't have to be around any crowds shopping for a tree."
"Mmm, well, when you put it like that, it almost sounds sensible."
"Right? That's my middle name. Draco Sensible Malfoy."
Harry snorted, but instead of arguing, he placed his hand on Draco's knee and settled back on the bench, relaxing as Draco took the reins and urged the horses to move. They sat like that, quietly listening to the clop of the horses' hooves over the snow-dampened grounds around them. "It's so quiet," Harry finally said, his voice practically a whisper.
"I know. It's great, isn't it?"
"Mmhmm. So, where are we going to find a tree? I haven't seen anything that would even come close to working."
"There's a copse of pine trees at the border of the land to the East. We'll be there in about five minutes."
"And then how will we cut this thing down? I've never cut a tree."
"Fell a tree."
"Oh, Mr Fancy Feller-man. Do tell."
"I will, thank you. We'll pick out our tree, then I brought an axe to cut a wedge on the side, then we'll use the horses to pull it over."
"Wait, really? We're going to use an axe?" Harry's eyes brightened, excited at the prospect.
Draco raised an eyebrow. "No, you idiot. I was joking. I was just going to use a spell. You know, magic?" Harry's eyes dropped, and Draco suddenly felt guilty. "Did you really want to cut a tree down? For real?"
"Well, yeah, it sounded like fun."
"Fun."
Harry shrugged and looked away, watching the passing scenery.
They rode on in silence, the quiet no longer comfortable and warm. Harry's expression kept nagging at Draco's mind, not letting him leave it alone. Fuck. This was about Harry. The whole reason Draco had wanted to do this outing was for Harry, to give him the chance to make good holiday memories and start new traditions. They were already out here on the sleigh, which was a good start, but… well…
Draco halted the horses near the pines and jumped down, waiting as Harry followed. They walked through the trees, finding the perfect one, nearly seven feet tall but heavily laden with full branches. Harry withdrew his wand. "Will you teach me?"
Draco shook his head. "Hang on. Linney?"
His mother's house-elf appeared with a soft pop, a scarf around her little neck and a stocking cap pulled over her bald head. "Yes, Master Draco?"
"Can you bring us an axe, please?"
Her little brow furrowed in confusion, but she smiled and bobbed her knees, then returned in a moment with the requested item. "Linney sharpened it, too."
"Thank you, Linney. That will be all."
When they were alone, he looked back at Harry and gave him a little smile. "Well, Potter? How do we cut down a tree?"
Harry grinned and took the axe eagerly. "I have no fucking clue, but we're about to find out."
It only took three hours to get the tree down, into the sleigh, and back to the barn where they'd started. They were exhausted and hungry and freezing, but Harry wore the most ridiculous smile Draco had ever seen.
Oh yes, he would do this again a hundred more times over a hundred more years to see that look on Harry's face. And hey, now they had a tree.
A/N: Two more weeks until Christmas!
