December 19 - A Christmas Carol

"What are we watching tonight?" Marcus asked as they were finishing up dinner and beginning to clear the table.

"We're watching a movie," Harry replied to the eye roll of several kids. "I'll tell you all more about it in a bit."

"Why?" Teddy inquired. "Why not now?"

"Because we have friends coming over to watch too."

"Did I know this?" Draco asked, stopping to think through the conversations he and Harry had had about the various holiday events and coming up with nothing.

"I don't know," was the response. "I meant to tell you, but maybe I forgot. Sorry."

"Do we have room for more people?"

"The loveseats can all seat two, so a few people may have to share, but we'll all fit. It should work out just fine."

"Who's gonna be here?" This time it was Freya asking.

"Aunties Addie and Elaine, Aunt Ginny, Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione, and Uncle George and Aunt Angelina," Harry responded.

"I wanna sit with Aunt Ginny," James shouted.

"That sounds like an excellent idea, squirt," the woman in question said coming down the stairs into the kitchen. "Where are we doing this?"

"You haven't told them yet?" Draco raised an eyebrow.

"Nope. I haven't told anyone but you and the kids, and I guess they haven't told anyone yet either. Let's go on up and meet everyone though."

The Floo was again flaring with green flames as they entered the room. Addie and Elaine stepped out. It wasn't long and the drawing room was nearly bursting with people between the adults and children.

"I thought the party was tomorrow," Draco muttered under his breath, reminding himself to be sure the schoolroom was clean for the party as there would be many more people and he didn't want anyone tripping over things laying on the floor.

"It is," Harry shot back. "This is just a small gathering."

"Small?" Draco shook his head. "I think you have a different definition of small than I do."

"That surprises me considering your parents used to host balls and dinner parties. I'd have thought that your mother would have thought a small party was at least this size if not even larger. Our party tomorrow will be small in comparison to the ones you've had before."

"Quite possibly," Draco replied as the Floo flared to life once more. "Wait, I thought everyone was here."

"Theo!" Caela squealed and the little girl launched herself into his arms. "Sit with me."

"Certainly," Theo answered. "Someone want to tell me what's going on? I just stopped by for a chat with Draco and I seem to have popped into a party, which by the way I thought was tomorrow."

"It is," Harry assured him. "We're all about to watch a movie, and you are more than welcome to join us, obviously."

"Are you sure we have enough seats?" Draco asked again.

"Yes, I'm sure. George and Angelina sit in one, Addie and Elaine in another, Ron and Hermione in a third, James with Ginny, and Caela with Theo. That's five. The other eight children can share, two to a seat, then you and I. That's the other five," Harry told him and headed for the cabinet before Draco could respond.

"We're all going to go through here and take a seat," He told the assembled crowd then listed for them exactly how the seating would go as he had just told Draco. Then he opened the door and let everyone pass through.

"Kreacher," he called.

The elf popped into the room with the usual loud crack. "Yes sir Master Harry sir."

"Would you and Winky please bring the refreshments now?"

"Yes, sir." The elf popped away and Harry stepped through the door to see everyone finding seats and getting settled in.

"Mate, why didn't you tell us you had a telly?" Ron complained. "I'd have been here before to watch with you."

"That would be why," Harry said to laughter from everyone else. "I thought it would be fun for us all to watch a Christmas movie together. This is one that is supposed to be really good."

"It is," Hermione declared. "It's one of my favorites."

"And now you know where the recommendation came from," Harry said.

"So if it's awful we know who to blame," George commented, then yelped as Angelina pinched his underarm.

"Be nice," she scolded with a laugh.

Kreacher and Winky came through the door carrying large trays filled with popcorn and drinks. Harry began passing one of each out to each person until everyone had their snacks. Then he pulled out a small seat.

"Kreacher, you and Winky may stay and watch the movie with us if you'd like."

The older elf immediately scowled and began muttering about Muggle things then went back through the door. Winky bounced back and forth from foot to foot then sat down.

"Is it time yet?" Ron asked.

"Ronald," Hermione shushed him. "Harry, would you like me to tell everyone about the movie before you start it?"

"Go for it," he replied and climbed the steps to slide into the seat next to Draco who suddenly stiffened and then forced himself to relax.

"I know the children have all seen movies and so have Ronald and I but who else has? Anyone?"

"Never," Theo responded, "though I must admit to being curious after hearing the kids talk about them."

"We haven't either," Angeline said, indicating herself and George.

"Or us," Addie answered.

"I have," Ginny put in.

"So, movies are moving pictures that include sound. They go on and on. Sometimes they're made from drawn pictures and sometimes they star live people. This movie has live people but it also has puppets. These are special ones called Muppets. I don't really know how else to explain it other than to say it's a lot of fun and very cute. There will be singing and dancing. It's called 'A Muppet Christmas Carol' so it's a Muppet version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol for those familiar with it. Ready, Harry?"

"Ready." He reached back, began the movie, and took his popcorn from Draco.

Draco tried to keep his eyes on the screen. The movie was interesting, all the characters and the singing were fun, but he kept finding himself drawn to looking at Harry. They sat side-by-side, and as much as he had tried to scoot himself into the corner of the seat their legs were still touching. The heat was distracting. Every now and then as Harry shifted or took a bit of popcorn his arm would brush Draco's. Each time it happened Draco was taken back out of the movie and brought back to the real world.

By the time Scrooge was singing and dancing with the Ghost of Christmas Present he had shifted a touch closer to Harry without realizing it and finally settled into being comfortable there. When Harry ran out of popcorn, Draco offered his and was rewarded with a bright smile.

Harry spent the movie again alternating between watching it and watching those around him. He noted when Draco finally relaxed next to him and wondered why it had taken so long. We live together for crying out loud. Why is he so stiff and jumpy around me? I thought he was fine with me now. I thought we were getting along fine. What is his problem tonight?

Ron and Hermione sat in Harry's usual seat. Hermione was glued to the movie singing along to each song. Ron kept glancing to his right watching his best mate and their former nemesis, wondering just what was going on there.

Caela squealed again at the Ghost of Christmas Past and buried her head in Theo's shoulder. A few of the others jumped, but no one else reacted verbally.

The last song found several of the watchers attempting to sing along including Harry.

"That was really good," Theo said. "I assume not all movies are like that, but I enjoyed it. I would enjoy watching more."

"We'll have to do an adults-only movie marathon next year in October," Ron suggested.

"Why adults only?" George wanted to know.

"They're horrible scary movies," Hermione replied. "I hate them. You can watch without me."

"We all lived horror," Draco commented. "Do we really need to watch movies that are scary?"

"That's the fun of it," Ron answered. "Nothing can be as bad as what we all already went through. They're more funny than scary."

"They're gross," Hermione protested. "I don't need to see that."

"Dad, are we done?" Riordan asked.

"Yes, and it's time for you all to start getting ready for bed."

"Aw, do we hafta?"

"Yes," Draco managed to say without chuckling. "You're staying up later tomorrow during the party."

"Come on gang," Harry called, standing up. "Let's go."

He stepped down to where Theo and Caela sat. "Time for bed sweetie."

"I want Theo to read to me," she pouted.

"Theo came to talk to Draco, we need to let him do that."

"I'll come to check in on you before I go, Cae," Theo assured the girl.

The room emptied out and Theo stood moving up to sit in Harry's usual spot. "Are you okay?" he asked his friend.

"Fine, why?"

"You look a little dazed. Have you told him?"

"Theodore."

"Not going to work," he shook a finger in Draco's direction. "And you know that."

"Why did you stop by?"

"Just to talk."

"Not about anything in particular."

"I thought maybe you would have taken advantage of the Christmas season to make a move."

"Ok, that's it. I'm done," Draco said, rising from his seat.

"You're wasting time."

"I am not."

"He's crazy about you."

"And you're just crazy."

"Fine, don't believe me. I'm going to go read to Caela, but before I go I have one thing for you to think about. Harry arranged all of the seating. He could have had each of you sit with one of the children, instead, he chose to sit with you."

As Theo left, Draco dropped back into his seat and wondered.