Chapter 19

"Not that I need an excuse for pancakes and reruns with you,
But I hope we have a cold cold winter so we can be together,
Underneath the covers, we can weather any weather.
If it's freezing I won't be leaving cause I'll have you to keep me warm."
Song - Cold Winter, by Holly Auna

19 December 2005

Harry

"Hey. You're going to be late. Andromeda already came by and took Teddy to school. You need to get up."

Harry nudged Draco's arm as he pulled on his own robes. Draco generally slept longer than Harry in the morning, but he was always up by now.

"Draco." He nudged Draco again, and Draco let out a little moan that caught and turned into a hacking cough. "Whoa." He leant over and felt his boyfriend's forehead. It was definitely warm.

"I'm up," Draco croaked, attempting to sit up. "Just need some tea and a shower."

"You need to stay in bed," Harry argued, pushing Draco back down. It was far too easy to do. He did a quick Diagnostic Charm. "You have a temperature and a virus. I'm going to run over to Molly's and get you a Pepperup Potion, but you're staying here today."

Draco only blinked then pulled the blankets up to his chin. "Yeah, okay."

Merlin, it was worse than Harry thought. Draco never agreed this easily. To anything.

Harry ducked out to the Burrow and was back in less than five minutes, but when he returned, Draco's cough could be heard from a floor away. He sighed, turned back to the Floo to make a call, then went upstairs. He took his robe off, toed off his shoes, and curled up in bed next to Draco with the potion and a fresh glass of water.

"What's this?" Draco asked, his voice scratchy and rough.

"Potion and water."

"Obviously. I mean you. Why are you here instead of leaving for work?

Harry stared, wondering where else he was supposed to be when his boyfriend was home sick in bed. But he knew Draco would baulk if he told him that. "I don't have to go in today."

Draco raised an eyebrow. Even sick, fevered, and miserable, he still managed to convey his snark. He was adorable.

"I sent Thalia off with a note to St Mungo's, telling them you're ill."

Draco shook his head. "Even the bloody owl is in on it." He heaved a sigh worthy of a BAFTA. "We have a party in only two days. If I'm staying home, I need to take advantage of it and get some things done."

"If you can do it from bed, then fine. If you can't, tell me what to do and I'll do it."

"Potter…"

"Malfoy…" he countered, then narrowed his eyes and copied Draco's posh accent. "You have a dinner party in only two days. You need to get well."

Draco rolled back onto his back and stared at the ceiling. "You suck."

"Not today I don't. You're sick and disgusting. Get well and I might again."

A pillow landed on Harry's face. "Linney?"

Linney popped in next to Harry. "Yes, Master Harry?"

"Draco is sick. I'm going to stay here and take care of him today. Can you turn the sofa into a bed downstairs? That way we can watch some telly and he can send off some owls or order me around or whatever?"

Linney beamed. "Yes! Linney also is making some chicken soup and some lovely tea for Master Draco."

"Thank you, Linney," Draco said, sounding as though he was finally resigned to his fate.


"Sorry, I don't get it. You said we were watching a classic Christmas story."

"We are." Harry was sitting up behind Draco on their newly changed living room bed. Draco's head was on Harry's thigh, and Harry gently ran his fingers over Draco's brow, trying to ease the sinus pressure.

"Then what are those…those things?"

"They're puppets."

"But they're not all puppets. And I've never seen a puppet like those."

"Well, they're special. They're called Muppets, and yes, they have actors in this movie, too."

Draco stared as though he'd been hit with a Confudus Charm. "So, clearly that's a rat, but what's the blue thing?"

Harry laughed. "Gonzo. No idea what he's supposed to be, but in this movie, he's Charles Dickens."

"The famous Muggle author."

"Yes."

"And this is a classic story."

"Yes."

"Told by puppets."

"Exactly." Harry patted Draco's head like he would a dog, then handed him a lozenge to suck on. "Now shut up and pay attention."

They sat quietly, watching the movie, Harry periodically checking Draco's health and smiling as the Pepperup potion began to do its job. When Draco sniffled, Harry handed him a tissue.

"Is your nose running now?"

"Shut up."

Well, that was harsh. Harry peeked forwards, then grinned. "Are you crying?"

"Fuck off. I'm sick."

"You're crying!"

"Not. Just sick."

"Draco, it's okay to cry. It's a good movie."

"Is the little frog going to die?" Draco asked in a little voice.

Hary started laughing, which only seemed to piss Draco off. But Harry couldn't help it. It was so sweet, and Draco was just so fucking cute when he was sick.

"You're a monster."

"No, he's not going to die. Merlin, Draco, you're wonderful."

Draco pulled away, reaching for his tea and looking at the clock. "Have we really spent the entire day in bed?"

"No," Harry said, pausing the movie. "We spent the entire day getting you better. And cuddling, and watching Christmas movies." He settled back into the pillows and gestured for Draco to settle back into his arms.

"This is nice," Draco finally said.

"Yeah. We've been so busy lately, it's no wonder you got sick. We should always do this, you know? Take a day in the middle of the crazy and just stay in bed together."

Draco buried his face in Harry's chest. "I think we could do that. I'll add it to my list."

And that was the last he said as he fell back to sleep in Harry's arms, so Harry joined him.


A/N: Sorry. After the Home Alone/Die Hard argument, I just had to slip in my own favorite Christmas movie.

Final countdown: 6 more days