I do not own any right to Harry Potter, or it's character's/plots, etc.
Also, definitely, not making any money by writing this fanfiction (unless personal satisfaction is now a currency).
Beta'd by: Bombadilo Baby.
An Exuberant Weekend to You All!
-G
Severus appeared to be frozen in surprise, dark eyes wide as he looked down at his ward.
"Are you sure, Harry? You wouldn't rather wait at least a few days? To be sure of your decision?" he asked uncertainly, though watching him, Draco was certain he was delighted with Harry choice. His Godfather masked his emotions well, but Draco had known the man for his entire life.
Harry was already shaking his head, green eyes alight with excitement and pure happiness. "Please?" he asked again. "I – I'd really like to take it now. I want to be your son." He whispered, looking shyly up at his Godfather.
Severus' gaze swept over Harry face, taking in every detail, looking for any sign of uncertainty.
Then he opened his mouth to reply.
"From Snape to Snape, I share this gift of Yule" Severus replied, eyes warm the warmest black, and presented Harry the Yuletide gift.
Chapter 25:
Friday 25th December, 1991 – Malfoy Manor Yuletide Ball (held several days after Yule)
"Greg!" Gregory looked up as he heard the familiar voice, distracted from dusting the soot from his new dress robes. They'd just stepped into the familiar Malfoy Manor Foyer, ready to be welcomed by the family for their annual Yuletide Ball. He smiled in delight upon seeing his pale haired friend waiting at the other end of the floo and beamed his own smile at Draco.
"Hey" he replied happily, waving to his friend as he stood between his two parents.
Narcissa stepped forward. "Thomas, Amelia" Lady Malfoy welcomed his parents warmly whilst Lucius nodded in greeting to his father from where he stood beside Draco. "It's lovely to see you; thank you for coming tonight." She smiled beautifully before turning slightly to greet Greg personally, whilst Lucius to engaged his father in a quiet conversation. "Gregory! I can hardly believe how much you have grown since you last visited." She exclaimed mildly surprised as she took in his appearance.
"Thank you for looking after my son whilst at Hogwarts. I'm gratified to know that you are both supporting each other during such a stressful first term at Hogwarts." She added, brow creasing in worry.
Gregory's Mother Amelia smiled slightly in agreement, her hand coming up to wrap around his shoulders, whilst Greg blushed slightly at Narcissa's praise. His eyes flickered towards Draco, slightly relieved to see matching embarrassment at their parents. Greg tried to reply smoothly, mimicking his own Father and the lessons they'd run through since he was a child. "Draco's been my friend for years, Lady Malfoy, don't thank me. Besides, he's always done the same for me." Greg added quickly, smiling at Draco.
Draco interrupted his mother swiftly before she could go on and embarrass them both further. "Blaise and Pansy have already arrived, they're on the eastern patio with Harry. Vince and Daph should be here soon, I'll send them over and catch up as soon as possible." He said, gesturing to the fireplace where he was required to stay until all the guests had been greeted. Greg could see the impatience at being separated from his friends and nodded in understanding and commiseration. He'd had similar frustrations in the past when they'd held parties at the Goyle family Manor.
After finishing their greetings with the Malfoy's, as well as other various family members also attending, Greg looked up to his parents hopefully, silently questioning.
His mother smiled, nodding acquiescently. "You may go greet your friends, however do not go beyond the patio or ballroom without informing us first." She ordered, knowing that without such restrictions the young group of students would be galivanting off through the large Manor gardens unsupervised within the hour.
Greg nodded quickly before hurrying off to greet his friends.
"Greg!" the familiar voices called out happily as he approached the patio. The sound was slightly quieter out here, and he could see the cold breeze trailing through the trees and plants in the garden beyond the temporary shielding bubble currently encasing the patio in warmth.
"Hi" he greeted, waving as he descended the short set of stairs onto the lower level. "Why are you all out here?" he asked curiously. Usually, with parties like this, the ensconced themselves in one of the smaller lounge rooms off the side of the ballroom to chat or play exploding snap.
"Harry can't dance" Vince explained easily, gesturing vaguely to where Harry was currently standing awkwardly with Blaise in the centre of the patio.
"Hey!" Harry cried, affronted but smiling wryly. "I'm getting better. . . a bit." He blushed, rubbing his hands awkwardly on his new dress robes.
Pansy shared a quick doubtful glance with Daphne before nodding hurriedly, her face serious. "Of course you are, Harry." She reassured him with a smile, sending a meaningful glare to Vince when Harry wasn't looking for his comment. "This is your first time, but you'll pick it up soon." She tried to boost his confidence.
Greg smiled at his assembled friends, resisting the urge to laugh at Harry's sceptical expression and the girls determinedly optimistic faces. "Can only get better with practice, right Harry?" he smiled at his nervous friend. "Took me months to get even the waltz right, and don't even get me started on the others." He commiserated.
Harry's face turned horrified. "There's more?!" he cried in dismay, green eyes wide with horror.
Blaise face palmed silently in the background as Greg faltered. "Oh. . . err. . I mean-" he stuttered.
"So why have we all congregated on the cold patio?" Draco voice drifted down from the entryway as he stepped down to the patio.
Harry only groaned louder in response, so Daphne pipped up. "We're teaching Harry to dance." She said gesturing to Harry and Blaise, flicking an amused smile at the small raven haired boy's increasingly frazzled posture.
Draco lifted a brow in surprise to her reply, walking closer as his forehead began to crease slightly in thought. "Hmmm. . . hadn't thought of that." He mused. "We probably should have gone over it with Mother last week so you were prepared." He said distractedly. "So what's the hold up?" he asked, knowing they'd already been down here almost an hour.
Harry whimpered, head in his hands. Pansy pulled out her wand, face determined as she swished it through the air, a lovely waltz drifting around the patio in response. Luckily that Malfoy Manor obscured any underage magic usage.
Blaise nudged Harry with his elbow. "Come on, we need his advice. Malfoy's are trained to dance the moment they stand on two feet." He commented dryly.
Draco snorted. "Yes" he agreed, nodding seriously "I was a very talented toddler, truly gifted."
Harry reluctantly allowed himself to be pulled back into position by Blaise then, with a silent nod from the dark boy, attempted to follow the steps they'd been drilling into him for the last hour. . . . abysmally.
Both Draco and Greg winced as they watched Harry clumsily make his way around the patio, tripping several times over Blaise's feet and the floor, his body held stiff as a board, and just as uncomfortable.
Draco cringed as Harry once more trod heavily on the other boy's shoes, unable to bare watching any further. "Stop! Stop." He called, already moving forward. It would be funny if it wasn't quite so agonising to watch.
"Harry" he laughed "you need to relax. Don't worry about the steps, and just try to follow your partner." Draco advised, standing beside the two. Harry had separated awkwardly, blushing cutely, and as red as a Gryffindor flag. "And for Merlin's sake, don't look at your feet!" Draco added hastily, pale hands gesturing wildly to the said shoes.
Greg watched as Blaise tried not to snicker, deeply amused by Harry's acute embarrassment. "I tried!" Harry replied, his voice high from stress and no little mortification. "It's not working! Can't I just not dance?" Harry asked desperately, hope in his green eyes.
Greg winced in sympathy as Draco shook his head. "It's tradition. Everyone has to participate in the closing dance at the Yule Ball." He told Harry, not without some empathy.
Draco had turned to glance at Blaise, who readily stepped aside at Draco's silently asked suggestion. Draco stepped up to face Harry, standing close to the awkward boy.
"Here, let me show you. I'll lead." Draco said a somewhat reassuring smile. Harry was biting his lip, but ended up nodding (albeit very reluctantly).
Blaise gestured to Pansy to start the song again as he stepped out of the way of the two boys, walking towards the side of the patio.
Greg also wandered closer to the small group of spectators, leaning against the wall beside Vince and now Blaise, the girls seated on a stone bench nearby.
The music started again, and Harry was reluctantly (still blushing beet red with awkwardness) encouraged into position.
Draco laughed at his friends rigid posture, correcting his stance. "Where's your trust, Harry?" he asked teasingly. "Didn't Blaise just tell you that Malfoy's are the finest dancers in England?" he sniffed haughtily.
"That's not what I said!" Blaise shouted across to them, but was stoutly ignored by the blonde.
Harry cracked a smile, shoulders inching down ever so slightly. "Alright Expert," Harry laughed, brow raised. "but let's see you try and fix this walking disaster." He nodded to himself self-depreciatingly, smiling wryly.
"Gladly." Draco puffed, chin tilted. Then he led Harry into the dance.
And. . . . well . . . he was still horrible. But this time when Greg watched Harry was smiling, embarrassment disappearing as he laughed at Draco's fake haughty attitude and overly proud comments. By the end of the song everyone was giggling as they watched Draco sweep into a low (flourishing) bow, clapping and cheering in applause.
Harry was giggling, clutching his stomach as he struggled to breath "Draco" he beaming at his friend "you are such a prat."
"Oi!" Draco scowled at Harry. "See if that's the last time I help you." He retorted, lips tugging up into a smile.
Eventually the group settled down, bundled together around the stone seat.
"So how was everyone's break?" Pansy idly asked, as they gathered round.
Daphne rolled her eyes. "My parents were furious when they heard about what had happened last term. But I think if they hadn't closed the school early for Yule break, they would have been the first at school gates, demanding they close." She said, straightening her gloves.
Vince nodded. "Same with my Ma and Pa." he agreed, standing next to Greg. "Though I heard from Uncle Joseph that they got Gringott's experts all the way from Egypt to come in."
Draco shook his head. "That was to renew the wards. I heard Father saying a couple days ago that the Cleanser's were sent in from the Ministry." He corrected Vince, before grinning. "Speaking of Father, Harry has some news about his own."
The group turned to look curiously at Harry.
"I-I was blood adopted on Yule. My new name is Harry Potter-Snape" Harry said grinning, green eyes bright.
The girls gasped loudly, while the boys (excluding Draco) eyes widened in surprise.
"That's brilliant Harry!" Blaise beamed at his friend.
Pansy barged forward, finger pointed at Harry face manically. "I knew it! I knew you're nose looked different!" she crowed loudly in triumph.
Harry's hand flew up automatically up to his nose, whilst Draco rolled his eyes. "His nose is the same Pansy." He said. "He's got a bit paler, and his hair is darker and neater now, plus his cheeks are . . . higher?" he went on, peering quickly at Harry for confirmation before turning back to Pansy.
Pansy pouted in disappointment, arms crossed as she slumped back in her seat, still staring at Harry's nose suspiciously.
Vince peered interestedly at Harry. "Anything else?" he asked the boy.
Harry shrugged uncertainty. "I think I grew a bit." He added to the list.
Everyone stared at him silently, trying to gauge if he had in fact gained any new height.
Blaise slowly shook his head. "Nope." He said, lips popping with the sound. "You're still a midgit." He disagreed, making Harry scowl. It was true, other than Pansy, Harry was the shortest in the group (and the shortest boy in their year level at Hogwarts).
Daphne commented to the group "You never know, you might grow taller now in a couple of years. Professor Snape is quite tall." She mused.
Harry brightened up slightly at the prospect.
"So did you get any cool family magic's?" Greg asked Harry excitedly. "My family's magic is tied with the Crabbe's. We get a magical boost to any spellwork if it's combined with a member from the other family. It's why we do alright in Potions class together, because our magic help us brew the potion." He explained smugly.
Harry was nodding quickly, green eyes bright. "Yeah! For spell and potion crafting!" he exclaimed with excitement.
Draco pouted sullenly. "So unfair. Ours is diplomacy and persuasion." He muttered.
Pansy rolled her eyes at her friend. "Draco, every wizard in England knows your families magic." She scoffed. "I don't think there's been a single Malfoy not tied in some way to Politics."
"Hey! We don't all go into Politics'! My Aunt Sophia was an artist!"
Vince huffed with a grin. "Yeah, who was a close friend, and unofficial advisor, to the last Minister and his Husband."
The rest of the night passed as they chatted. It was about an hour later, when Harry had just finished explaining to the rest of the group what had happened last term with the Mirror and Professor Quirrell, that a deep voice interrupted them from the doorway.
"I would advise you all to keep this information to yourselves. Professor Quirrell was possessed whilst at Hogwarts last term, and is currently under investigation from the Ministry as well as receiving medical attention at St Mungo's."
The group all turned to face the man on the stairs. "Godfather!" Draco beamed in greeting.
"Godson" the man returned in greeting with a slight smile, walking down towards the group. "I've been asked to escort you all to the Ballroom." He drawled.
Harry paled in horror, whilst the rest of the group of children turned to stare in trepidation at the small raven haired boy, much to Severus' intrigue.
"Right." Draco said with determination. "Come on." He said standing up and pulling Harry to his feet with him.
"Nooooooooooo" Harry moaned quietly in distress as he was tugged forward.
Blaise stood as well, patting Harry's shoulder in sympathy as he moved towards the stairs.
The whole group followed suit, trailing after Severus as he led them towards the Ballroom.
The large room in the Manor had been cleared of everything but people, all stood in preparation for the last dance. In the corner of the room a small group of people were sat, quietly playing the beautiful music filling the ballroom.
The roof had been made translucent for the night, revealing a black star filled sky. The warm smell of woodfire smoke permeated the air, coming from the Yuletide log set ablaze in the open fireplace. Harry watched is fascination as conjured fire sparks danced through the room, small bright glowing specs of light.
Their group separated, all moving towards their respective family members. Malfoy pulled Harry towards the head of the Ballroom where his family stood gracefully.
Narcissa smiled as she saw them approach.
"Draco, Harry, come stand with us." She requested warmly. "I heard Draco's been giving you some last minute dance instructions Harry." She said with subtle amusement. "I apologize for not noticing the oversight sooner." She apologized to Harry.
Harry felt his nerves return tenfold. "Draco's brilliant, but I don't think I'm much better." Harry admitted nervously, blushing deeply.
Draco flashed a smile at his friend, swallowing a chuckle at his honesty.
Narcissa turned to Draco. "Miss Astoria Greengrass was looking for you Draco, love. She has requested your hand for the last dance." She told him, watching her son's reaction closely.
Draco froze beside Harry, eyes darting for a moment towards his friend before his shoulders straightened and he replied confidently to his mother. "I will have to decline, as I've already accepted Harry request." He replied smoothly, hand still holdings tightly to Harry's.
Harry looked at his friend in confusion, knowing that he hadn't asked at all, in fact he'd tried to escape the dance altogether. Maybe this meant that he could sit aside, he thought hopefully.
"Wha-?" he began to refute Draco's claim until he caught sight of his friends pointed gaze and started nodding quickly instead to Narcissa. "Or- er- yep. I already asked Draco. . .before. And I-"
"Splendid." Narcissa beamed clapping her hands softly as she looked at the two boys an odd gleam in her eyes, heedless to Severus and Lucius' droll expressions as they stood off to the side. Nicolas Malfoy (Lucius' brother) stood with them, watching the scene with amused speculation despite not having spent much time with the boys. "Mrs Parkinson has just sent her off to find her nephew Hugh." She informed her son.
Draco's tight grip relaxed around Harry's hand, and Harry quickly shut his mouth from the babble that had been escaping from it. ". . . right" Draco replied uncertainly, unsure why his Mother had brought it up if Astoria had already been partnered.
Putting the thought aside, he turned to Harry in relief, glad that he wouldn't have to dance with Daphne's younger sister. Astoria was alright he supposed for a little girl, but it would be much more fun with his best friend. At least he liked dancing with Harry.
"Come on" he smiled, tugging Harry forward into place so that they faced each other. Draco stood beside his father, whilst Harry was stood beside Narcissa. On their other side Severus and Nicolas Malfoy had wandered across, still talking idly as they stepped into place.
Harry glanced down the line, catching sight of Greg and Vince together, along with Pansy and Blaise. He presumed that Daphne and her sister were somewhere further down the Ballroom, but he couldn't see them from here.
The music started up again, a quiet introduction beginning as Draco stepped forward to draw Harry into position. Harry reached up to place his hand on Draco's shoulder, barely stopping the laughter that bubbled up as he remembered the end of recent (ridiculous) attempt at a waltz. Draco's grey eyes sparkled with laughter as well as he met Harry's, clearly on the same page in regards to his thoughts. At this rate they'd be lucky to last one minute before breaking down into giggles or tripping over their feet, most likely both. Both of them were oblivious to the observing gazes of their parents, Narcissa's delighted, Lucius' amused and Severus' filled with (entertained) resignation.
"You know this is going to be terrible, right?" Harry whispered, nervously.
Draco snorted quietly and tugged him closer so they were standing properly. "Of course." He laughed, then led Harry into the start of the dance.
After a few moments Harry became just comfortable enough to risk the flow of the dance with conversation. "So why am I helping you not dance with Daphne's sister?" Harry asked, honestly confused (and slightly amused), counting his steps in his head.
Draco glared half-heartedly at his friend, glancing around to check that his parents weren't about to overhear him. "That was me trying to save you from making a fool of yourself in front of the entire ballroom! Who else would save you from the floor?" he asked smirking at a brightly blushing Harry.
As if to make his point Harry stumbled as they moved, Draco's grip only just adjusting in time to catch him.
"Yeah, yeah" Harry grumbled, face still bright with embarrassment as he clutched tightly (nervously) to his friend.
Draco smiled, an honest warm smile "Besides. It's far more fun to dance with you, horrible as you are, than with Daphne's younger sister." Draco told his friend.
Harry smiled in return. Glad to be dancing with his friend, not that he would admit it. Now. "Prat." Harry grumbled, though anyone could hear the fondness in his voice.
The entire Ballroom turned in surprise to the terrified shriek as Draco suddenly dipped Harry close to the ground in retaliation, and the cackling laughter from the Malfoy heir that followed.
AN: I love all your comments, but I just want to make this really clear, just in case anyone is concerned: They are ELEVEN. And best friends. Nothing more.
I honestly have no plans for anything even close to a romantic relationship until FOURTH year.
Thank you for all those still reading my story (I can't believe how many people have F/F/C!). Have a great weekend! :-D