A/N: This chapter has been edited from its original version, which can be found on AO3. They weren't major edits, but I did cut a paragraph or two due to FFnet's content rules.
Chapter 24
Silent night, holy night
All is calm and all is bright.
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Song - Silent Night, by Zach Gill
24 December 2005
Draco
"This was really lovely, Narcissa. Thank you for having me."
Draco's mother smiled. It was her true smile, the one she only shared with those closest to her, and to see her use it with Harry meant the world to Draco. It meant that she not only accepted Harry, but that she welcomed him.
"It's been a pleasure, dear." She glanced at where Teddy lie curled in a ball on the sofa next to Andromeda, who didn't look at all ready to leave. "It's been wonderful hosting more family these last two years."
Draco's throat ached at that. His mother wasn't alone with just him anymore. Andromeda, Teddy, even Harry; they had expanded her immediate family beyond just Draco, and as much as he hated to admit it, it was a relief. The constant worry that he wasn't enough for her was gone.
And then she did something he'd never expected. She stepped forward and pulled Harry into a hug. It was stilted, as she rarely even hugged Draco, but it was a hug. She whispered something into Harry's ear, something that made him turn an alluring shade of pink before he grinned and met Draco's eyes.
Merlin, the promise there took his breath away.
Then Narcissa turned to Draco, and it was his turn for an embrace. It was warm, and she caressed his cheek as she let go. "Merry Christmas, my love. Go spend time with your beau." She dropped her hand to Draco's wrist. "It's a truly beautiful gift."
"Yes, it is," Draco said, once more in awe of the watch. It may be Muggle, but he could see the quality, and the brand was known even amongst wizards. The white gold, the green face; it was exactly what Draco would have chosen if he'd been picking one out. To know that Harry knew him so well did something to him, and like Harry, he was ready to go home.
Narcissa chuckled. "Go, before Andromeda and I have to eject you for indecency."
"Good night, Mother. Merry Christmas." He kissed her on the cheek before turning and taking Harry's arm.
"I think I'd like a walk before we go home."
Harry grinned. "Of course. Just like last year."
"Like last year," Draco agreed, stepping out into the cold December night.
They walked along in silence, the snow around them dampening all sound. Harry's fingers were entwined with Draco's, with one finger absently running along Draco's thumb. "Draco," Harry said as they approached the gate, coming to a stop just outside the wards, "wait."
"What's wrong?"
Harry shook his head and looked up at the clear night sky. The stars were plentiful this far out away from the city, and Draco knew Harry loved the view, not having grown up with it. "It's so much."
Harry clearly had something on his mind that he wanted to get out, and Draco had learned by now to just be patient. Harry needed to find the words, and Draco needed to wait.
"When I was a child, I used to dream what Christmas would be like if I lived with people who loved me. I imagined gifts and toys, trips to see Santa, and lots of sweets. I saw Dudley, and I only knew how to want what he had, you know?"
Draco nodded, because yes, that he definitely understood.
"I never imagined anything like what you've given me this year. What you've done for me." He turned his gaze to Draco. "Please know how grateful I am for everything you've done, how much I appreciate every experience you've given me this year. I wish I could do the same for you, but I can't, so I'm just going to love you as best I know how and hope it's enough."
Draco's eyes stung — the blasted wind again — but he refused to look away from Harry to wipe them. "It's more than enough," he finally said when he was sure Harry had finished. "Take me home, Harry."
Harry smiled, then pulled Draco close and Apparated them directly into the bedroom at Grimmauld Place. Then Harry's lips were on Draco's, and Draco was lost.
Generally, Draco considered his and Harry's sex life to be wonderful. They were extremely compatible and usually on the same page. But, as with most couples who lived together, life intruded and sex became more routine and expected over time.
But there were moments, like this night, when they connected on another level and when Draco's heart and cock were in perfect accordance. So, when Harry began taking off Draco's clothes, when he slowly undressed himself and lay down on top of Draco, taking Draco in his mouth, opening Draco with skilful fingers that knew Draco's body better than his own, Draco soared.
"Harry," Draco gasped in welcome as Harry pushed into him. This was where he wanted to be, how he wanted them to be, forevermore. "I love you."
"I know," Harry panted between thrusts, sweat beginning to drip down his nose. Draco wiped it away, running his fingers across Harry's brow, watching in wonder. And then Harry reached for Draco's knee, pulling it up to change the angle, and Draco let out a shout. "There?" Harry asked with a gasping laugh.
"Yes. Again."
Later, when they'd both finished, Harry collapsed upon him, his sweaty face buried in Draco's neck. "I love you so much, Draco. Like, crazy love you." He raised his head far enough to kiss Draco again, then reached up and ran his fingers across Draco's cheekbone. It was all Draco could do not to croon in pleasure.
"I can't argue with the crazy," Draco agreed, but he leant his face into Harry's palm. Harry rolled off him, finally, and headed to the bathroom before returning with a warm, wet flannel. "What are you doing?"
"Cleaning you," Harry said softly, gently moving his flannel over Draco's stomach, then lower, soothing his sore flesh. It was more intimate than anything they'd just done, and Draco's eyes stung again, only this time there was no wind to blame it on.
He caught Harry's hand, and Draco's new watch, the only thing either of them was still wearing, caught the light. It was half-past twelve. He urged Harry up, taking the flannel from his hand and tossing it aside before pulling Harry down onto his chest. "Happy Christmas, Harry."
Harry smiled and snuggled in, pulling the comforter up over both their shoulders. "Happy Christmas, Draco."
A/N: Merry Christmas Eve, friends. One more entry tomorrow, and only one more day until Christmas. I've enjoyed sharing this little story of love, traditions, and fluff with you.
If you haven't read the rest of my series, That's Life Together (TLT), you can find it listed in the TLT universe's chronological order in my user profile. The first story in the series is called Conversational Intelligence. This story, Christmas Memories, comes in as the eighth story in the timeline, though there are now twenty stories in all, adding up to approximately 230,000 words. There are likely going to be more stories added to this universe in the future, but all stories are standalone.
So yes, one more day till Christmas!
