It's finally Christmas Eve! In the story, anyway. Those chapter isn't terribly long, but the next one will be about 1,000 words longer.
yulino76-I'm sure Draco is confused, but he's about to confuse Harry, so they'll be even lol
Jynxies-Thanks for the encouragement. I really wish I had written this before Christmas, but after this chapter, the holidays don't play into the story much
hotflower901-Harry's not exactly an innocent, but yeah, the blatant sexual references are a bit much for him
Marsh12-thanks for reading my past fics. This one will go pretty quickly, so you won't have to wait very long
Thanks also to annabethgirl1, CaelynAilene, mizz-sunshin3, littlesprout, and Minight51 for reading and reviewing
Christmas Eve held no excitement for Harry. It was all he could do to keep from glaring daggers at Maeve Cosgrove. But he wasn't supposed to know it was her, so he avoided her the best he could. The Ministry had provided a lovely assortment of starters, along with sparkling wine, ale and non-alcoholic beverages. Harry had downed two bottles of ale and was nursing his third before the gift exchange even began. Everyone but him appeared to be enjoying themselves.
"You might want to slow down a bit, mate," Ron said. "Or we'll have to help you floo home."
"I wish we could just get this shit over with."
Ron and Hermione exchanged glances. They each felt for their friend. And a little guilty for telling him how much fun the Secret Santa experience would be.
At eight o'clock, Secret Santas were directed to take the final gift to their respective recipients. Witches and wizards sought out their targets, mingling through small crowds, getting stopped on the way to their destinations, being surprised to find out who their benefactors were.
Harry stood holding on to a wrapped tube of parchment. He watched Malfoy cross the room and hand a young witch a small present, which she opened and presumably thanked him for. He had taken only two steps toward the man when Maeve cut him off.
"Happy Christmas Harry." She smiled brightly and handed him a relatively flat box wrapped in red and green glittery paper.
He noticed Ron nearby eagerly gawking at them.
"Happy Christmas Maeve."
"Oh, I wasn't sure if you even knew my name," she twittered. "I hope you like it."
Harry hesitated, then ripped the paper off the box. Oh well, if she thought she was going to embarrass him, he was going to dish it right back. To his surprise, he found a jumper inside.
Ron was visibly disappointed by the gift.
Holding it up, Harry said. "It's a good color for me. And quite soft. Thank you."
"I do hope you liked your other gifts. It was quite exciting to be able to shop for Harry Potter himself."
"Yes, thanks."
Another witch approached Maeve with a gift for her and she left Harry confused. Once again, Harry walked toward Malfoy, who appeared to be giggling to himself.
He held out the tube. "Happy Christmas, Malfoy–er, Draco."
Draco blinked. "You were my Secret Santa?"
"Yes. Why, did you suspect someone else?"
"Just about anybody else."
Harry scratched his head. He didn't know how to react to that. Surely, Malfoy could see that Harry no longer had the same ill will toward him that he had when they were younger.
"Aren't you going to open that?" he gestured.
"Oh, of course."
As Draco slowly unwrapped, then unfurled the parchment, Harry couldn't help that warm feeling in his belly–the one he got when he was spreading joy at the Christmas season. It was the same satisfaction he got when handing out gifts at the Weasley's. It truly made Harry happy to make others happy.
Draco frowned. "How do you know my birthdate?"
"Oh, well, I had to do a bit of digging into personnel records. It wasn't difficult really."
"This is . . . this is very thoughtful," Draco said as he stared at the personalized star chart of his birth. The constellation bearing his name was embossed in gold ink. There was a short passage describing the stars' alignment on the day Draco was born, along with his zodiac sign, birthstone and lucky numbers.
He gazed up at Harry. "I can't believe you did this. For me?"
"Well, I had it made. I didn't make it myself," Harry chuckled.
"No, I mean all of it. My first Christmas ornament. The potion ingredients. Did you make that breakfast?"
"I always made breakfast for my aunt and uncle. I got quite good at it. Don't ask me for supper though," Harry laughed.
"I could buy you supper."
"What?" Harry laughed again, uneasily.
But the look on Malfoy's face told Harry he might be serious. They stared at each other a few seconds, then Harry tried to make his excuses.
"I should get back home. I've still got presents to wrap for the Weasleys."
"Wait, Potter. Harry. I . . . need to tell you something."
Harry paused cautiously. "All right." The intensity with which Draco was staring began to make Harry feel self-conscious.
"Happy Christmas, Harry," he finally said.
He turned and walked away. And for a moment, Harry was disappointed. He wasn't sure what he was hoping to hear. But he was left vaguely unsatisfied with the interaction. He believed Draco was sincere. However, Harry was fairly certain he meant to say much more.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ron waving wildly to him. Fuck, he forgot all about helping Ron with his proposal.
"I'm sorry," Harry said. "I just had a really weird . . . never mind. Where's Hermione?"
"She's still talking to the woman she played Secret Santa for."
"I thought she didn't care much for her."
Ron shrugged. "I'm going to go on the other side of the Christmas tree. Can you send her over in about two minutes?"
"Do you want me to tell her it's you waiting on the other side? Or just that her Secret Santa is there?"
"Secret Santa." Ron wiped his brow. "Wow, it's hotter than hell in here."
"I think you're just nervous, Ron. Don't worry. She'll say yes."
Ron breathed out heavily. "I can't catch my breath. This was a bad idea. Harry, why did you let me do this?"
"Snap out of it, Ron. It'll be fine. You'll ask. She'll say yes. Then you can shag all night in celebration."
Ron blinked. "Yeah. I never thought of that. She'll probably let me shag her a few times tonight."
Harry held up a hand. "TMI." He looked across the room and saw that Hermione was finished talking to the other witch. "Now go behind the tree. I'll send her over straightaway."
He approached Hermione while Ron scooted around the Christmas tree.
"Did you successfully fool your Secret Santa?" he asked her.
"Yes. She was caught completely by surprise. She was quite thankful." Hermione glanced around. "Where is Ron?"
"Uh, gee, I'm not certain."
"Harry, I know Ron is my Secret Santa."
"Oh. How?"
"Well, for one, I'm fairly certain Molly made the blue scarf. And, who else would think of going to a Muggle library for me?" She paused and smiled. "Did you help him with the clues?"
"George did. Except for the sixpence."
"Ah, that was the clincher. And also the most puzzling. I didn't think Ron would know about Muggle money."
Hermione took a deep breath. "I think I know what the final gift may be."
"Oh. He's waiting for you behind the tree. Can you please put him out of his misery?"
hdhdhdhd
Christmas day at the Weasleys household was cheerful. Doubly so, due to the announcement of not only Ron and Hermione's engagement, but Bill and Fleur's second child. Molly was beside herself, fussing over Fleur, and hoping out loud for many more grandchildren to come. Ron assured her that he and Hermione would eventually have children, but not seven.
Harry was happy to see the smiles on his adoptive family's faces as they opened gifts from him. Victoire immediately began coloring in her magical creatures coloring book. And Arthur shared his Muggle wine with everyone.
"When are we going to get an announcement out of you?" George asked Harry.
Harry scoffed. "What sort of announcement do you expect?"
"We're waiting for you to bring home a nice young man. You shouldn't be all alone, especially on Christmas."
"It's not that easy."
"Never said it was."
Sighing, Harry said, "We can't all marry our best friend. They look so happy."
"We all want you to be happy too." George clapped him on the back. "Of course, anyone you bring home has to pass inspection by at least a dozen Weasleys."
"Reason enough to stay single," Harry laughed.
Though he had a wonderful time, he realized that he was the only one there still unattached. Even Ginny had moved on. Her boyfriend had only stopped by for a short while, to have pudding. But Harry admired the way he gazed at Ginny and was attentive to her needs. Molly and Arthur seemed to approve as well.
Perhaps Ron was right. Harry decided that he would pay a visit to the Department of Magical Education when he went back to work on Wednesday. It wouldn't be too difficult to strike up a conversation with–he realized he didn't even know the man's first name. Still, he had to start somewhere.
hdhdhdhd
Arriving a bit late to work the day after Boxing Day, Harry didn't have time to go to the Education section on their level. He decided to try and catch up to the man he might like to get to know before or during lunch. Meanwhile, there had been a small rash of break-ins along Knockturn Alley that required the Aurors' attention.
Ron and Harry apparated to Borgin and Burke's to interview the manager and collect evidence. Then they went to Mulpepper's Apothecary. Many of the other shops in the Alley had been shut down by the Ministry, as they had dealt in the Dark Arts. After stopping at two more shops, they returned to the office to start compiling testimonies. It was nearly lunch time when they needed a break.
Ron stretched his arms above his head. "Ooh."
"All right, Ron?"
"Yeah." He blushed.
"You sure?"
"Just a bit sore."
"From what?"
"Uh . . ." Ron blushed again. "Celebrating?"
"I don't want to know," Harry mumbled. "Oi, do you know the name of that bloke Hermione was talking about? The one in Education?"
"Sorry, no. But I'll wager she does. Why don't you ask her?"
"That's all right. I've decided to be bold. I'm going to talk to him and ask him myself."
Ron grinned. "Good for you."
"In fact, I'm going to do that right now."
Harry got up and straightened his robes. Though he'd been working at the Ministry for a few years, he'd only gone to the Department of Magical Education two or three times, regarding minor incidents at Hogwarts. It was down the hall, to the right and in an alcove rather than a separate office. Determined, he strode toward his destination. As he turned the corner, someone blocked his way.
"Potter."
"Uh, hello." Over Draco's shoulder, Harry could see his intended target, eavesdropping, but trying not to look like he was eavesdropping.
"May I have a moment?" Draco asked.
"Uh, yeah, sure."
It took more than a moment for Draco to finally speak again. "I wanted to thank you again for the gifts."
"There's no need. You've already thanked me."
"But you could have given me worthless junk, or nothing at all. No one would have been the wiser."
"It isn't really in my nature to be purposely thoughtless."
"I know that, now. Which is why I'd like the opportunity to thank you properly."
"Aren't you doing that now?" Harry asked.
"I'd like to take you to supper."
Harry laughed at first, but seeing that the offer was genuine, he said, "I appreciate that, but it's not necessary."
"Please?"
Harry could see that it meant something to Draco to be able to show his appreciation in a way he deemed appropriate.
"Um, all right then."
"Brilliant. Are you free tonight?"
"Tonight?" Harry nodded. "Should I meet you somewhere? The Leaky Cauldron?"
"I have somewhere else in mind. Jolie Sorcière. Do you know it?"
"No, but that's fine."
"Meet me in the Atrium at the end of the day and I'll apparate us there."
"All right."
When Harry agreed, Draco took a deep breath and flashed him a smile. Harry didn't mean to be, but he was dazzled by it. The smirks he usually received hadn't been Draco's genuine smile after all.
"See you at five o'clock sharp."
Draco walked past Harry down the hall toward the lifts. Harry watched as Draco appeared to grow a few inches taller, head held high. What had he just agreed to? He looked around and couldn't recall why he was in this area of the Ministry. Slowly, he went back to the office he shared with Ron.
"Oi, that was quick," commented Ron.
"Yeah," Harry said absently.
"Oh no, he didn't turn you down, did he?"
Harry shook his head.
"Good. You look a little shell-shocked, mate. When are you going out?"
"Tonight."
"He moves quickly. I guess he doesn't want Harry Potter slipping through his fingers."
"What?" Harry asked.
"Nothing. What's his name, anyway?"
"Draco." Harry's brow furrowed.
"There's more than one man walking around with that ridiculous name?"
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked.
"What are you talking about?"
"Draco Malfoy."
Ron rubbed his forehead. "I'm so confused. Aren't you going out with that bloke from DME?"
"No. I forgot all about him. Draco asked me to supper."
"And you said yes?"
"I think so."
Ron laughed. "You think so?"
"No, I definitely did. But, it's just supper. To thank me for the Christmas gifts."
"Are you sure? Where is he taking you?
"Why? Does it make a difference?" asked Harry.
"Yeah. If you're going to the Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks, he probably just wants to buy you a pint."
Harry pursed his lips. He tried to think of the name of the restaurant Draco mentioned. He'd never heard of it before. Draco said it with a French accent.
"Jo–Joey Saucy? Joey Saucier?"
"Jolie Sorcière? Are you kidding me?"
"That's it. You've heard of it?"
"Harry, I was going to take Hermione there to propose, until I got her for Secret Santa and came up with the new plan." Ron whistled. "That's a nice place. Harry, I think you're going on a date with Malfoy."