Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Fred and George loved Christmas.
It was the only time they were able to stay the night at the Burrow since they were closed for the holiday. Staying up late to bicker with Ron and tease Ginny while drinking spirits with their father was exactly the sort of thing they needed to relax, particularly with how busy their shop was around the holidays. When they trudged downstairs for breakfast, they couldn't help but notice that some of the more prominent members of the Order were at the table already. Tonks and Remus had crashed the night before in the living room after staying up too late and they were joined by professor McGonagall, Kingsley, Moody and Sirius. The twins made it to the table and plopped down in chairs next to one another before grabbing plates of eggs and sausage.
"I just don't see why it's that big of a deal. I didn't want to run for this blasted position anyway! Who cares about ratings and polls? Alright there Fred, George?" They nodded, smiling. All Moody ever seemed to do was complain about the elections and all Kingsley did was bring the dreaded subject up. "Anyways, it's good to see you all but I must be going now. I've been ever so kindly, signed up for interviews on Christmas. Christmas, of all days!" Kingsley and Moody stood as they thanked Molly for breakfast and left.
"Seems like Kinsley has had it in for poor ol' Mad Eye, eh?" Fred snickered at George's observation while the rest of their siblings joined them all at the table.
It was lively, full of chatter and loud. Ron had gotten into a heated discussion over what broom was the best with Ginny and McGonagall was arguing with Remus on why he should come back to teach.
Somehow, the subject of gifts was brought up and everyone rushed to the living room to open their spoils for the year.
The twins didn't expect anything from anyone other than Molly, but were pleasantly surprised to see some butterbeer and firewhiskey from McGonagall and Remus. They got their usual sweaters, this year in blue with 'Forge' and 'Gred' knitted in white. Beaming, they practically smothered her in hugs.
"Finally accepted us as one then?"
"It's about time!"
"Thanks mum, these are the best ones yet!"
"You're the best!" Molly practically smiled her face off at her set of twins. Had she known they would have been that happy over it, she would have done it years ago. It wasn't until Hermione squealed that the wrapping paper stopped flying.
"What are you on about Hermione?" For once, Ron swallowed the candy he was chewing before talking.
"Harry sent me my favourite book. I wonder how he knew? The cover on my copy isn't nearly this pretty!" Surprise colored Ron's face.
"Harry got you a gift? I didn't think we would hear from him. Not since...well..." He went silent before suddenly starting to shuffle around in his pile until he held up a gift he hadn't unwrapped yet. "Look at this, I've got one too! Not the book, but a present I mean. Brilliant, he always seems to know when I need another one of these kits. I was just thinking about it the other day." A piece of parchment fell out of the box he was holding and he opened it.
"Well, what's it say Ron?"
"We're curious, come on now-what's it say?" Ron cleared his throat and read the letter aloud.
"Ron, and presumably everyone else too,
"I know I haven't written and for that, I'm sorry. Things got complicated in my life as I'm sure you've heard and I've forgotten to keep track of time. Please don't be mad at Severus-he's been doing what he had to do to protect himself and his position of spy.
"I hope you all aren't too mad about what happened with Dumbledore. If you would like me to explain things more than what the papers did, you'll have to let me know. I'd like to do it in person, but it isn't safe for me to leave where I am yet. The rest of this letter is only for Ron and Hermione." Ron held out the parchment and they leaned in towards each other to read it together.
'I know you two must be terribly concerned. Trust me, I'm alright. I'm safe and surprisingly happy where I am. I did want to ask you, what are your opinions on Voldemort this time around? What about Severus being my father? Not the Order's opinions, your opinions.
'I desperately wish that we could meet up and talk, but I can't for fear that the Order will try to steal me away before they get the entire story. What have they told you about any of this? I know you know what's been in the paper but I want to know what they've been talking about at their meetings and with you two.
'I really hope the things that have happened won't stop our friendships. I value your opinions immensely and to lose either one of you would hurt me greatly. I've always been there for you two, please stick around to be here for me too.
'On a lighter note, I'm sure Hermione may suspect this so here's to you for always being right Hermione. I'm not into girls. I like men. Specifically one man-no, it isn't Severus Ron!-but I will tell you with time. I love you two always, be sure to write back soon and be sure to cast that concealment charm Hermione taught us last year on your letters to me.
'Happy Christmas,
'Harry'
The twins looked at each other wondering what on earth Harry could have put in that letter that would have Ginny looking incredibly put-out from behind them and having Ron blanch before a look of relief flooded his face while Hermione smiled. They put it to the backs of their minds. If Harry wanted to tell them, he would in his own time.
"A present has gone missing! I'm missing the one Harry sent me. I was sure I saw it a moment ago."
"Gin," Ron gave her a pitying look. "He didn't send one. He didn't want to get your hopes up."
"What do you mean he didn't want to get my hopes up?"
"Well Gin, he's not interested in you that way. He's gay." The brief moment of silence was broken by her screeching.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE'S GAY? DON'T YOU REALIZE I'M DESTINED TO BE WITH HIM? HOW COULD YOU TEASE ME LIKE THAT?!"
"Gin, he's not teasing. Harry's gay. It's been obvious since the beginning of third year. All he ever does is check out guys when he thinks we aren't looking." Hermione's voice was drowned out by more screeching.
By the time the ministry would let Harry take his OWL tests, he was halfway through the sixth year's agenda-half a year ahead of where he was supposed to be. Tom was incredibly busy with the ongoings in the ministry since Lucius had become minister and was pushing his followers hard for more regulations that made logical sense. The public was incredibly happy with how quickly things were getting done, but his followers were working double-time just to barely keep up with Tom's plans.
Their nights together hadn't gone very far beyond Christmas morning. Tom was constantly exhausted and often fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Harry was using his extra time to create smaller crystals with his magic.
Severus visited on Easter and every other Sunday to ensure that Harry's studies were progressing the way they should be. Harry found that he enjoyed it most when they sat down to play a game of chess, even if Severus did slaughter him every single time.
His OWL results came in two weeks after Severus had taken him in for his tests, just when Hogwarts would be letting out for the summer.
"Here's your results Harry. The ministry sends out individual results before Hogwarts." A bowl of fruit was pushed towards him at the table for breakfast along with his letter. He was surprised to see he had an O in everything except divination.
"Very well done Harry. I'm proud of you. It seems like all the extra studying is going to set you up for a very promising future." Harry smiled at his father and took a bite out of a strawberry.
"It's thanks to Tom really. He's been so busy with politics that I don't get to see him anymore and there's little else to do here besides study or make more crystals." Harry couldn't help but notice that Tom had a slight blush creeping into his cheeks.
"Speaking of the future Harry, did you have any plans? Any ideas as to what you'd like to do after your schooling is complete?" Tom's voice held a slight edge to it, like he regretted not spending more time with him.
"Well, I didn't really-"
"Be quiet! Harry, put your robes on. NOW!" The bowl in front of Harry disappeared as he was shoved from the dining room. Not one to question that tone in Tom's voice, he scurried to his room and put the crimson robes on faster than he ever had before. Feeling much more calm with the mask on his face, he turned to see Nagini slithering off of her heated rock to wind her way up Harry's body so she was draped gracefully over his shoulders.
"Good morning, New Hatchling. Shall we go intimidate some of Master Hatchling's henchmen?"
"I think that's a good idea, Nagini. Someone came without warning today." Harry walked back to the dining room at a leisurely pace as Nagini insulted the intelligence of the idiot that thought he could waltz right in without warning.
To Harry's surprise, it was Dolohov. He was going on and on about how there were protesters at the ministry about some law or other that was being passed that afternoon. Harry didn't want to deal with this today. He wanted to enjoy his morning with Tom and his father. He came up behind Tom and wrapped his arms around his shoulders before turning his head and claiming Tom's lips with his own. Somewhere outside the moan that left his throat he heard Nagini hissing at the death eater.
"-getting in the way of Master Hatchling and New Hatchling, I ought to bite you in the arse! How can I possibly get New-New Hatchlings if you Idiot Hatchlings keep interrupting them! Go on, get out! That's it! The only ones allowed to interfere here is the Sassy One and myself!"
"Nagini, that's enough darling. Thank you for standing up for us, even if he can't understand it."
"My pleasure, New Hatchling. You are planning on giving me-"
"Nagini, that's enough. Slither along now." Nagini practically rolled her eyes as she went to find a nice sunny spot, probably in the library.
"Now, My Lord, what exactly has our morning been interrupted for?" Dolohov practically shivered in his boots as he waited for Tom to reply.
"It seems there is another protest about the werewolf bill that's being passed today. You remember, the one about werewolves being entitled to equal consideration for jobs and equal pay?"
"Ah yes, that one. I'm sure you can handle the protest Dolohov. It was far worse when we gave the centaurs more land and more rights within our government. Now scurry along, we wouldn't want Nagini to find you on your way out." Harry sat down in his chair and promptly ignored the man in favor of letting Tom feed him a bite of sausage that was on his plate. Dolohov practically fled from the grounds.
When Tom said he had left the wards, Harry took off the mask and set it on the table.
"Now, I believe Tom asked you if you had any plans for the future?" His father's cheeks were tinged pink.
"Actually, I have no ideas. Really, I don't know how that would even work with me being your son and Tom's...well...whatever we are. How are we even going to address all this?" Severus thought for a few moments before clearing his throat.
"You two have decided to keep your identity a secret until after you come of age, yes? So we have until then at least before we have to cross that bridge. Plenty of time to create a plan. In the meantime, have you heard back from Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley? I recall you mentioning that you wanted to talk to them to explain yourself to them over the summer. Have you thought more on it?" Harry nodded.
"Yes, I owe those two an explanation if nothing else. Do you think we could meet them somewhere to talk to them where the Order won't try to kidnap me back? Or follow them?"
"I think most of them trust me, but not enough to allow you and your friends out of their earshot. The twins did mention to me that they trusted me to be taking care of you, feeding you at least. Perhaps we can meet with Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley at that joke shop the twins own? I'm sure Molly and Arthur will think nothing of letting them wander about there for a day on their own."
"Brilliant! Would you set up a day for me?"