This chapter gets into the swing of gift giving. And Harry puts his money where his mouth is regarding his conversation with Shacklebolt.

MikoGoddess- yeah, I really don't want this to be too angsty. It's meant to be light and, hopefully, sort of funny.

CaelynAilene- It'll be done before you know it. Only about 8 or 9 chapters, I think

yukino76- how right you are!

Thanks to just know i dream of Draco and Ray, for also reviewing

Four days into the holiday festivities, Harry had given Draco tea, biscuits, Fizz Orange Marmalade and a tea cup emblazoned with the letter D. Harry was fairly proud of the theme he had going, but he was running out of ideas. He still had the mead and the chocolate bar, but he still needed gifts for Tuesday through Friday, then something special for Christmas Eve.

Some investigating was in order. He was an Auror, after all.

Unfortunately, while Harry was busy being as thoughtful as possible, his own Secret Santa had taken a turn for the worse. In the beginning, he had gotten lovely gifts, such as the treacle tart, dragon hide gloves and color-changing ink, which he had loved as a child. Then on the fourth day, Harry was in for a shock as he opened his gift of the day.

"What did you get today, Ron?"

"Banoffee pie. Want some?"

"No, thanks. Have you only gotten food items?"

"Yeah." Ron grinned. "I guess my Secret Santa really knows me."

Harry laughed as he tore off the wrappings of his gift. It was a small box–the sort jewelry might come in. When he opened it, he frowned.

"What is it?" asked Ron.

"It's a . . . ring. But, like, for a giant or something."

"A ring? As in wedding ring?"

"No, no. It's rather plain. But, like I said, it's much too big for me." Harry held up the ring for Ron to see.

"Blimey, that looks like a–" Ron was suddenly tight-lipped.

"A what?"

"I'm kind of surprised you don't know what that is, mate."

"Why?"

"Well, because you're, you know, gay."

Harry's brow furrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." Ron groaned. "Don't you blokes like to use . . . toys and . . . stuff?"

Blushing, Harry admitted, "I don't have that much experience. Are you saying this is a–fuck, this is a cock ring."

It was Ron's turn to blush. "You might want to keep your voice down, mate."

Harry examined the plain ring. It was brushed metal, perhaps nickel, with an ivy leaf design etched into along the edge. He glanced down at his crotch, imagining whether or not it would fit. He blushed again. Harry was well enough endowed, but the ring seemed a bit bigger than necessary.

"Who would give me this?"

Ron shrugged. "Maybe it's a joke gift."

"But the others were perfectly normal. And they were things I've either said I enjoy or said I'd like to have. Have you ever used one of these?"

"Nah. And even if I did, I'm not showing you what it's for." Ron laughed.

Harry shot him a look. "Just because I haven't used one doesn't mean I don't know what it's for. I'm not that naive. I know plenty." He mumbled under his breath, "I just don't have anyone to use it with."

"Sorry, mate. I'm just taking the piss. The most deviant Hermione and I get are sexy knickers."

"Yeah, I really don't need to know what you–

"Ready for lunch, boys?" Hermione swept into the room, prompting Harry to quickly put the cock ring back into its box.

"Blimey, is it lunch time already?" Ron reached under his desk for his bag, then stood.

"Did you bring your lunch again, Ron?" Hermione asked.

"Getting a jump on eating well in the New Year," He smiled weakly.

Harry slipped the box into his drawer and left with his friends. Queuing up, he glanced around to see if anyone was looking at him in any peculiar manner. There were plenty who glanced back, but none who seemed to have any ill intentions.

"So, what did you get today, Hermione?" Harry tried to distract himself from his own strange gift.

"Oh, a pair of earrings. Look. I'm already wearing them." She lifted her hair out of the way to show him.

"Pretty."

"I guess you must really like them if you've already put them on," Ron commented.

"Don't you like them?" she asked.

"Yeah, of course. Anything looks pretty on you."

Hermione smiled at the compliment. "My Secret Santa has excellent taste. So far, I've gotten roses, chocolates and a brooch. And of course, the earrings."

Harry began to zone out of the conversation. He heard giggling to his left and looked to see Malfoy and his table mates enjoying a laugh. But Malfoy didn't look his way, even for a moment. As he ate, Harry remembered Kingsley's words. Let's give these people a chance. Perhaps his Secret Santa hadn't realized what he or she purchased. He couldn't think of what else they may have mistook it for. But he decided to hold judgement and see what he got on the fifth day.

hdhdhdhd

"No, I'm not telling you," Harry said to Ron.

"Then just show me," Ron begged. "It must be worse than the cock ring by the color of your cheeks!"

"Fuck you."

Ron laughed. "Don't take it out on me if you've got yourself a naughty Secret Santa. Come on, please. I've got to know."

Harry sighed forcefully. "Fine. It's a," he glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, and whispered, "butt plug."

"Come again?"

Harry held up the bejeweled stopper.

"Are you sure that isn't a wine stopper?"

"I have wine stoppers. They're typically very pointy and taper down. This is, well, not a wine stopper. I'm fairly certain."

"Maybe your Secret Santa thought it was, though," suggested Ron.

"Yeah, that's possible. I wish I knew who it was," Harry said. "I don't want another week of sex toys."

"Why not?" Ron chuckled. "Saves you the embarrassment of having to go out and buy them yourself,"

Harry crumpled up a piece of parchment and threw it at Ron. "Did I say fuck you already?"

They worked in silence for a while, but Harry could hardly stay concentrated on the paperwork in front of him. Not that he had much to do anyway. Crime seemed to have taken a holiday along with the rest of the world. Every so often a pair of Aurors would be called for some minor infraction. There were a couple of shoplifters at Quality Quidditch Supplies, and three or four skirmishes at the Leaky Cauldron. But other than that, things were fairly quiet.

"So, did you figure out what to give Hermione for the borrowed part of the saying?"

Ron looked up. "Yeah. I did. I figured out everything. With Georgie's help."

Harry waited. "And?"

"Oh, you're talking to me again?" Ron chuckled.

Harry crumpled up another piece of parchment and threw it at him. "Just tell me."

"Okay, so I actually went to a Muggle library and borrowed a book. Isn't that brilliant?"

"Does she realize it's from a library?"

"I don't know. She hasn't mentioned it. But I have two weeks before I have to give it back. And by then, I'll have asked her to marry me, so I can explain."

"All right, yeah, that's pretty good. What about everything else?" Harry asked.

"Mum made a blue scarf for me to give her Monday. The rest of the week I've got champagne glasses, champagne, and a fairy cake. I need one more thing besides the engagement ring."

"How about a sixpence? That's a Muggle tradition of good luck."

"Sounds perfect."

"You seem awfully calm about all this, Ron."

"Shouldn't I be? You don't think she'll turn me down, do you?"

"No, of course not. But you're not usually so composed when it comes to big decisions."

"I guess maybe because this is an easy one," Ron smiled. "I don't like dropping her off at her doorstep, or having to say goodnight through the floo. I want her to stay with me, all the time."

"I envy you, Ron. Both of you. Neither of you could have asked for a better partner."

"You'll find someone, Harry. You just have to be open to possibilities. I mean, who'd have ever thought Hermione and I would end up together? We never saw eye to eye on anything when we were younger."

"So, you're saying I should keep an open mind regarding my Secret Santa? Maybe it's that hot bloke from the Department of Magical Education."

"Hot? When did he go from cute to hot?" Ron questioned.

"Since I checked him out after you and Hermione mentioned him."

"And?"

"And what?"

"Didn't you ask him out?"

Harry shook his head. "I didn't even talk to him."

"I bet he'd love to go out with you. You're Harry Potter. Anyone would love to go out with you."

"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of."

hdhdhdhd

Meanwhile, Harry was still trying to come up with thoughtful gifts for a man he never wanted to be kind to in the first place. Occasionally, he was able to study Malfoy unobserved. One thing he'd been able to gather, by eavesdropping, was that the Department of Transportation was rather drafty.

Using that piece of information, Harry purchased a handsome shawl. He'd had the opportunity to stealthily witness Draco open the gift, and was quite pleased when it was immediately thrown over his shoulders and admired.

Harry had half expected Malfoy to turn his nose up at the gift, as it was not the highest quality fashion. But the rules stated that Secret Santas had to stick to a budget, so that no one felt put out, or short-changed.

He knew the dragon hide gloves he received were expensive, however. And he did feel a bit guilty wearing them. But the naughty gifts were not necessarily costly, so perhaps it all evened out in the end.

On the sixth day of gift giving, Harry caught Malfoy in his hallway again. Resisting the urge to question his motives, Harry instead smiled.

"All right?" he asked.

Draco stopped short. "Are you talking to me?"

"Yeah. There's no one else in the hall." Harry snickered.

"Oh."

"How do you like the job so far?"

Appearing a bit confused, considering their past interactions, Draco's brow furrowed slightly. "It's going well."

"Good. You don't mind working in Transportation?"

Hesitating, Draco replied, "It isn't where I'd like to settle, but for now, it'll do."

"Yes, you told me you want to transfer to Magical Law Enforcement eventually."

"That's right." Malfoy still seemed confused.

"How is your mother?"

Malfoy crossed his arms over his chest. "What's with all the questions?"

"Uh, it's come to my attention that I haven't been exactly welcoming to Kingsely's new hires." Harry didn't want to tip his hand that he was fishing for personal information that he could use to better his gift giving skills.

"I'll say." Malfoy's stance relaxed. "If you're sincere, my mother is well. She's a bit miffed that I moved out of the Manor right before the holidays, though."

"Oh, you have your own flat?"

Draco nodded. "It's a studio flat, but I can do whatever I please in it. There's a wonderful sense of freedom that comes with that. Even if I did have to sacrifice my potion workspace to get it."

"I didn't think you enjoyed potions that much."

"I never put much effort in at Hogwarts. Since then, however, I've had time on my hands. And I've improved greatly."

Just then, Draco's stomach growled loudly. He looked horrified, but Harry chuckled.

"Skip breakfast, did you?"

Blushing slightly, Draco said, "I usually do. I'm still getting used to the work schedule. When I was effectively banished to the Manor after the war, I kept odd hours. There seemed no point in getting up at a reasonable time."

"I didn't know you were under house arrest."

"Not officially. But no one wanted anything to do with we Malfoys after the trials. We put ourselves in exile. Until the Minister reached out."

"He reached out to you? I assumed you all came to him."

Draco shook his head. "I would never have presumed to be considered for work in the Ministry. He offered us a chance to start over. At the bottom, of course."

"Harry, get your thumb out of your arse and get in here!" Ron called from the end of the hallway. "Oh. Oops."

Harry's cheeks bloomed. "Sorry," he said to Draco. "I've got to get back to work."

"Yes." Malfoy abruptly turned and walked away, leaving Harry to contemplate the most civilized conversation he'd ever had with his former rival.

"What was Malfoy doing lurking about?" Ron asked when Harry came into the office.

"I never thought to ask. That's the second time I've seen him in our department." Harry gasped. "I wonder if he's my Secret Santa."

Ron shook his head. "That's what I wanted to tell you. I found out who has you."

"It's got to be Malfoy. Who else would send me such crude things?"

"I'm telling you, it's not him. I have it on great authority that it's Maeve Cosgrove."

"Maeve Cosgrove? No. Not a chance. She isn't the sort."

Ron grinned. "Maybe she's secretly saucy and she's trying to get into your pants."

"I guess she didn't get the memo that I'm gay. I feel it's going to be a very awkward Christmas Eve."

"Or maybe she really didn't know what she was buying. Tomorrow's gift might be licorice wands or chocoballs."

Harry could only hope.

hdhdhdhd

By the middle of the week, Harry had collected a blindfold, flavored massage oil and a pair of nipple clamps. He'd also collected a handful of new nicknames, courtesy of his fellow Aurors. Ron had opened his big mouth and mentioned some of the things Harry had received. From then on, the Aurors came round to see what Harry had opened that day. On Thursday, when he opened up a package containing a vibrator, he had long given up giving his Secret Santa the benefit of the doubt.

"For massaging sore shoulders?" Ron offered.

"Not bloody likely. Someone's definitely taking the piss. When I find out, I'm going to toss all this shit back in his face."

"I already told you, it's Maeve Cosgrove."

"How do you know for sure?"

"She isn't exactly the best at sneaking around. Colm Stuart saw her leaving your gifts the first two days. I'm sorry this hasn't been exactly fun for you."

"Well, it might be if it was from a boyfriend or something. But not from Maeve."

Ron shrugged. "There are only two more gifts to go."

"Yeah. And I get to receive the last one in front of everyone." Harry groaned.

Pete Quimby, another Auror, ducked his head in their office. "What is it today, Harry? A box of johnnys?"

"No, it's a bob," Ron answered.

"Bob?"

"You know, battery operated boyfriend."

"Shut the fuck up, Ron." Harry scowled.

Pete laughed and left to inform the rest of the team.

"Thanks a lot," Harry grumbled. "I can't imagine what name they're going to give me for that one."

"Oh, they're not that bad," Ron said. "Nobody knows what they mean when they call you Lord of the Ring. I didn't know until you explained to me about those Muggle books."

"Yeah, except sometimes they call me Lord of the Cock Ring."

Ron pursed his lips together in attempt to stifle a laugh. It didn't work.

"I am never letting you talk me into doing this again." Harry said.

His experience on the receiving end was nothing short of hellish. On the other hand, Harry had actually enjoyed choosing and delivering gifts for someone else, even if it was Malfoy. He gave him an ornament for what Harry presumed would be his first Christmas tree on his own. He also gave him a vial of dragon's blood and a small bundle of unicorn hair to help with his potions hobby.

With only one gift left before the Christmas Eve, Harry wanted to do something more than simply buying an item Malfoy would like. He wanted to do something personal. Shacklebolt had been right. A little kindness had gone a long way. Though they didn't have another lengthy conversation, he and Malfoy had been cordial over the past few days. And Harry had managed to let go of any animosity toward the other Death Eaters as well.

Then, and idea hit Harry. Something he remembered from his conversation with Draco.

Friday morning Harry arrived early, and instead of going to the owlery, he tossed his invisibility cloak around him. He made his way to Level Six, careful to avoid bumping into anyone else. Pleased that he had arrived before Draco and his office mates, Harry pulled a plate out from under his cloak. On the plate was an array of breakfast items–egg, bacon, sausage, baked beans and homemade black pudding. Harry may not have been a gourmet cook, but he prepared a wicked good breakfast. He cast a warming spell over it and placed it down on Malfoy's desk. Unable to resist, he pulled his cloak back around him and found a spot out of the way to watch Draco's reaction.

Within ten minutes, Draco trudged into his office and plopped himself down. Immediately spotting the food, he inhaled deeply. He appeared to be looking around the plate for something. Harry realized he forgot to leave a note with this gift. He hoped Draco would figure it out.

If the moans were anything to go by, Draco liked the dish very much. Satisfied with his final surprise, Harry snuck out.

His mood fell when he found another package on his desk. He had no interest in opening it up.

"Morning, mate," Ron said cheerfully. "Christmas pudding today." He held up a forkful.

"Cheers to you," Harry grumbled.

"Aw, come on. You've got another gift. A big one. I'm hoping it's a dildo."

"I'm hoping it's a gag, to shut you up."

Ron laughed. "You are kinky, aren't you? Open it. If you don't, I'll have to use my imagination. And I won't stop talking about it until I finally find out what it is."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Fine." He glanced up to see that Pete, and two other Aurors peeked in to watch.

Without enthusiasm, Harry tore off the wrappings. Inside was a box. He gingerly lifted the lid.

"Fucking hell. How did you know?"

Trying to keep a straight face, Ron said, "It makes sense, given all the other things."

"Did you do this?" Harry gritted through his teeth.

"No." Ron burst out laughing.

"Ron."

"I swear, I didn't. I did peek though."

"You prat. Then why'd you make me open it?"

"I wanted to see the look on your face. That thing's got to be twenty centimeters long."

"I think I've got a new name for you, Harry," Muggle-born Pete chuckled. "Dildo Baggins."

The other Aurors howled with laughter. Though, one of them, as well as Ron, needed it explained to them.

Harry was understandably moody the rest of the day. The entire Secret Santa business hadn't turned out quite the way he thought. It was supposed to be festive and fun. All Harry got out of it were some embarrassing, useless toys. And plenty of humiliation.

Feeling as though he was being watched during lunch, he looked up to find Malfoy smirking at him. At least it seemed like a smirk. Perhaps his genuine smile just appeared as a smirk. Harry had to make a conscious effort not to scowl. He feared he was unsuccessful, as Malfoy's expression turned sour as well. Then he looked away.

Harry continued to watch him. Malfoy seemed to have integrated himself well at the Ministry. He was social and well tolerated. The few times they spoke, he was cordial. And Harry wondered if, under different circumstances, they could have ever been friends.