Chapter Seven: Merry Christmas, Darling

It had been two months. Two months they had kept this a secret. Two months they had lied to their wives. Two months they had desired each other every moment. Two months they had taken each other whenever possible.

Harry wondered when this would slow down, but even as the end of December approached, he still had a difficult time focusing on work. Or anything.

One of the Friday nights Ginny didn't have to work, they were all eating dinner together at the table. "How was work?" she asked her husband, who responded by shrugging, because his mouth was full.

"Fine. I had to get all my work done for the holiday, so Ron and Draco went and had lunch without me."

"I'm so glad you're all getting along now. I really can't wait to see Draco. Oh! You should have him over from Christmas! I'm sure he and Astoria would be delighted to come celebrate with us!"

Harry faltered, "erm—yes. I'm not sure how the kids would do…Scorpius and all."

Ginny shrugged, "if you and Draco can settle your differences, I'm sure the children can survive."

Harry smiled at her. He'd always loved her sass and her unwillingness to let others be ridiculous. But now, he wasn't in love with those things. They were just good qualities that he liked in a friend.

He wondered if, after the holiday, he should speak with Ginny about a divorce. He didn't have to mention that he was in love with someone else…Draco.

"Harry? Dear, are you listening?"

"Hm? What?" he realized Ginny was trying to talk to him.

"I said why don't you go write to him now, and see if he and his family would like to come to The Burrow for Christmas."

"Sure, sure. I'll do that now," he picked up his dish to take it to the kitchen.

"oh, no, dear. I've got it. You go on and get Hedwig. She came back this morning with a letter from Lily."

My dearest Draco,

Ginny requests that you,, Astoria, and Scorpius come to The Burrow with us this year for Christmas. I know it's a bit last minute and I'm sure you have plans already. I would love for you to come, of course. You know I would use any excuse to see you. I worry, though, that with all those people in one place, someone will notice our attraction. I would hate for something like this to come out at Christmas, in front of everyone.

I leave the decision up to you. I'm terrified I will make the wrong one. If you come, I will see you in a week. If you do not come, then I will miss you. I already miss you.

Don't forget that I need you.

Love,

Harry

When the letter was written, he immediately sent it. He hoped that Astoria would not open it, since it was addressed to Draco.

The children were coming home tomorrow and he wondered when would be a good time to tell them that Draco and his family may be joining them. He sighed when he thought of it.

"Are you well, dear?" Ginny had snuck up on him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed the side of his head. This was the most affectionate she'd been in a while and Harry wondered if she could him drifting from her.

"Yes, I'm just worried what the children will say."

"Pish posh, Harry. They're children. It doesn't matter what they say, you're the father, you make the rules."

If only he could stop breaking them.

"Daddy!" Lily squealed, running from the train into Harry's outstretched arms. "Oh, Daddy, I have so much to tell you!"

"I can't wait to hear it all," he said, ruffling her red hair, "but let me say hello to the boys first."

When they'd all said their greetings and given their initial stories, Harry was able to stand up straight. While Ginny was settling the bags together for easier apparation, Harry looked around the platform.

His eyes met Draco's and he smiled just slightly at his lover, whose cheeks flushed slightly. Harry had to withhold a chuckle. "Daddy, what are you smiling at?" Lily tucked on Harry's shirt.

"Oh, nothing, darling. Just thinking of how glad I am that you're home." With her hand safely in his, the family apparated home. Harry's eyes didn't leave Draco's until he was staring at the front door of his home.

As everyone was getting settled, a beautiful snowy owl came down on the windowsill and pecked at the glass. Albus let it in and took the letter from it. "It's for you, Dad." He moved to open the envelope, "it looks personal."

Harry hurried over and took his from quickly. "Then I believe you shouldn't be sticking your nose in it." He moved away from the hubbub of the family's unpacking and opened the letter.

My most luscious lover,

I would be overjoyed to spend the holiday with you. What time should Astoria and I be at The Burrow? Could you send a picture of it, so that we can apparate there safely?

I cannot wait to see you. To touch you, to kiss you, to fuck you. Seeing you at the train station today made me ache for you.

I'll see you at Christmas.

Always,

Draco

Harry smiled down at the letter, feeling lustful and happy.

"Dad, who's it from?" James said, frowning over at him.

"Ah…" he glanced at Ginny, who looked blankly at him. "Your mother and I weren't going to tell you kids just yet, but I suppose I might as well now." He swallowed and wrung his hands, folding the letter away into his shirt pocket. "Draco and his family will be joining us at the Burrow."

There was an awful silence and then:

"What!?"

"Dad, you can't be serious!"

"What the bloody hell are they coming for?"

"James, watch your language!"

"It's the Malfoys for Merlin's sake!"

"I don't want to go to Christmas."

It took quite a bit of time for Harry to calm them down and tell them that he and Draco had become good friends. It was difficult for him to speak of his lover this way, but he was careful not to give away too much of their relationship.

Finally, they managed to get the kids fed and in bed.

No one seemed quite comfortable with Draco and his family coming to The Burrow, but Molly and Arthur never argued and Ron just shrugged, though Harry could tell he didn't like it. Hermione, who knew that Harry, Draco, and Ron had been having lunch was surprised, but she didn't tell Harry that it had been the wrong thing to do, to invite him.

When Draco, Astoria, and Scorpius showed up, there was an awkward greeting and Scorpius sniveled at the other children. Draco took him aside and clearly gave him his two cents worth. Scorpius didn't say anything rude, but he certainly wasn't friendly.

When things had settled a little more, the children were off playing, or helping in the kitchen, and Ron, Harry, Draco, and all of the other Weasleys were outside chatting about Quidditch. They'd been talking for a while, but Harry noticed that Draco didn't say much and when he did the Weasleys didn't seem very interested.

"Excuse me a moment," Draco said, getting up and going into the house. Harry bit the inside of his lip, worried this was a mistake.

After a minute, Harry stood as well. "I'm going to go see how long dinner will be."

It took him a moment to find Draco. The kitchen was full of children and the ladies, but no Draco. Draco wasn't in the front room either. Harry found him in the back bathroom; he could hear the faucet running and when he knocked on the door it was clearly Draco's voice saying "just a moment."

"That's not necessary," Harry said, sneaking into the bathroom. He cast muffliato on the door and then gave Draco a concerned face. "Is everything alright?"

"They don't like me much."

"Did you expect them to warm up to you instantly?"

Draco didn't have anything to say to that. They just stared at each other for a moment and Draco looked so tortured that Harry had no words of comfort.

"I need you," Draco said suddenly, and grabbed Harry, pulling him so that their bodies pushed against each other's. "I need you right now," he groaned into Harry's ear.

Harry didn't waste time, he pulled down his own pants, while Draco got his. The blonde man bent his lover over the sink counter. Harry reached up into the cabinet above him and removed some lotion. It would have to do. Draco applied it to himself and entered Harry without preamble. They both exhaled aggressively.

Draco began pounding into his so hard that Harry had to reach back and try to calm him with a hand on his hip. "Not so hard, Draco."

"I'm sorry," he whispered, bending himself over Harry so that his lips nearly touched the other man's ear. "It feels so good to let it out."

"I know you're upset."

They lapsed into silence and Harry didn't try to stop Draco again, even though the blonde was hurting him a little. After a couple of exceptionally aggressive thrusts, Draco came inside him and immediately pulled away. Harry turned around to say something and Draco stopped him with a kiss. "I'm sorry," he said again. "I'll make it up to you."

"You don't have—"

"Shh," Draco kissed him again and this time he lingered. "Merry Christmas, Darling." They exchanged a number of softer kisses and Harry knew that Draco really was sorry. Just as he wrapped his arms around Draco for a longer kiss, he heard the creaking of door hinges and he opened his eyes to look over Draco's shoulder.

His eyes met wide milky browns and he muttered, "oh ,no."

Hermione turned, her hand over her mouth, and rushed back toward the kitchen.

"Shit," Draco said.

"You can say that again," Harry groaned, pulling his pants back up.

"Shit."