The Christmas Eve Surprise

The day after Draco met Potter at 'The Draught,' Draco busied himself with work. He worked long hours and often stayed in the office late in order to avoid any dinner plans with his parents. He knew that the only obligation he had to spend time with his family would be the Annual Malfoy Christmas Eve dinner party. Draco was in for quite a surprise when he arrived at the party, one hour late, and saw Severus Snape and Sirius Black chatting with his parents.

Narcissa rushed towards Draco when she saw her son enter the room. "Draco, you're late!"

"Mother, what are Potter's parents doing here?"

"It's a surprise for you dear, from your father," Narcissa answered. "I convinced your father to make amends with Severus. It has been ten years and I reminded him that if he truly thought about it, he'd realise that Sev really did do him a favour when he left the business."

Draco was confused. He had never known the reason behind the falling out of Lucius and Severus and was further perplexed by his mother's statements. "I don't understand, what exactly happened?"

"It's a long story dear; I don't really wish to get into this right now. Here, have some wine." Narcissa handed Draco a glass of wine as she attempted to change the subject.

"Mother, give me the short version," Draco commanded.

Narcissa sighed; she pulled her son towards the corner. "Essentially, your father and Severus were business partners in the textile industry. They had grown up together and attended Business School together, as you know." Narcissa nodded towards Draco who acknowledged. "Eventually Severus wished to leave the industry and start something new and your father disagreed. Severus sold his share of the business and your father never forgave him. Eventually, he couldn't run the business on his own so he sold it as well but by the time your father had sold his share, he had profited over twice the value of what Severus had sold it for. Therefore, he had enough funds to start his own Consulting firm which he'd wished to achieve since he was in University. It really was a blessing but your father still felt as though he was betrayed. Finally, I've asked him to make amends."

"So, my father held onto a grudge over an action that in disguise was truly a blessing. Typical."

"Sort of like what you're doing love," Narcissa commented as she turned herself away from Draco and raised her glass towards Harry.

"What do you mean?" Draco asked. "And, why didn't you tell me Potter was coming here? Why didn't he tell me?"

"First of all, you're holding a grudge against your father when he's introduced you to this wonderful boy," Narcissa answered nodding her head towards Harry. "And, if you had actually replied to any of my messages I left for you this week, I would have told you myself. I had a quick conversation with Harry on Thursday and requested that he let this be a surprise for you. He's really a wonderful boy; I can't believe you don't like him!"

"Might I remind you mother, he doesn't like me either." Draco picked up his glass of wine from the table and winked at his mother as he walked away towards Potter. He saw his father glance towards him in the midst of having a conversation with Severus but, Draco chose to ignore it.

Harry beamed when he saw Draco approaching him. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming here tonight?" Draco asked Harry, the last they had spoken, Harry stated that he was attending a family event for Christmas Eve. "You're such a liar!"

"I am not a liar; your mother had asked me to keep it a secret. Everything has just happened so fast. I saw you on Tuesday, on Thursday your parents showed up at our house inviting us! I don't think my parents have fully comprehended how rapid everything has been."

"What about the Berks, are you still coming?" Draco asked in apprehension, his grey eyes widening at the fear that Harry might say 'no.'

"Yes, of course! I've told my parents I've got plans with some friends. They're not terribly nosy so they didn't ask any questions. The only person I'd have to answer to is Hermione when I see her tomorrow night at her and Ron's house."

The rest of the evening went by swiftly. Draco was happy to be reunited with his godfather. They talked business as Harry and Sirius rolled their eyes. Severus wasn't the best at emotions and Harry could see that this was the way he showed affection, if he took an interest in your career. Narcissa suggested that Draco should take Harry to his flat and show him around. Draco became uneasy by his mother's suggestion but didn't wish to be rude. He led Harry towards another room, towards the hallway that lead to his flat.

"It isn't very clean, I have kept the connecting door locked for several days so the maids haven't come by my flat," Draco confessed. He felt inept; the only people who have seen his flat at its worst are Pansy and Greg. He wasn't sure how he felt about inviting a new friend into his disarray.

Harry laughed Draco's nervousness and assured that "It'll be fine, I am sure."

The two men hung out in Draco's flat for around thirty minutes. They discussed Draco's record collection and Harry commented that they had quite the similar taste in books. Draco admitted that most of his friends use their closet space for clothes whilst Draco keeps his favourite books inside his closet. "I am very possessive of my books, I don't like it when people ask to borrow them," Draco answered as he opened the closet door and turned on the light. It was a walk-in closet and as he parted the clothes that were hung, he showed Harry his hidden bookshelves.

"Draco this is amazing!" Harry exclaimed impressed with Draco's collection. "It's like Narnia!" Draco laughed. Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. It was Narcissa.

"Draco, Harry, I am sorry to interrupt but..."

"What is it mother?" Draco asked rushing out to the hallway to cater to his mother.

Narcissa turned to Harry and spoke, "Your fathers, they're fighting. I knew it was too good to be true. I think your parents are ready to leave Harry, you are more than welcome to stay here but..." Narcissa was shaking. Harry rushed past her down the hallway towards the main hall where he had left his parents and Draco ran after him.

Draco saw Sirius approach Harry and whisper something and he nodded as though he was agreeing with whatever Sirius had stated. Harry turned to Draco and waved goodbye rather delicately. Draco saw his father next, in the corner of the room pouring himself a drink, then his gaze fell upon Severus who was stern as ever as he took his coat from Harry, nodded at Narcissa and Draco and left. They all just left. Draco stood stunned in the main hall unsure of what had just happened, the feeling of never seeing Harry again occupied his mind. He waited a short while until other guests began to trickle away in anticipation of confronting his parents. As the evening was winding down, Draco found his chance.

"What happened? What did you do?" Draco confronted his father in the corner of the main hall.

"Of course, it was I who must have done something," Lucius answered avoiding Draco's question.

Draco turned to look at his mother. "It was a misunderstanding that just got out of hand. Lucius, I told you to stop." Draco glared at his parents, unsure of what they were talking about, Narcissa continued. "Your father teased with Severus and Sirius that we should insist on you two, you and Harry, to try dating and Sirius reminded him that the two of you claim that you're only interested in staying friends. Eventually they admitted that Harry might be courting someone else and your father flew into a rage. I told him to stop edging them but he wouldn't listen!"

"What did you say?" Draco glowered at his father.

"They were trying to make a fool of me, I told them that my son was too good for them and they were nothing but a bunch of frauds that were using their son to get in the good graces with our family. They wanted nothing but fame. Why did they agree to meet you? Just so they could reject your proposal and make us seem beneath them!"

Draco sank into the sofa with his hands covering his face. He could feel his face burning up. "Father, you're impossible. They wanted the family to be friends that's why they had invited me over to their home. They didn't reject me. I was the one that told Harry that I wasn't interested because, I've already got a boyfriend!" Draco's statement shook his parents and his mother came and sat next to him.

"Draco, why didn't you say anything?"

"Because mother, I am not ready to get married. He isn't ready to get married! If I told him that I am expected to get married and start a legacy he would leave me in half a second. Because, I am not you…" Draco glared at his father again. "You only live in your little bubble not caring about anyone else and you have these supposed ideals and are disappointed that the rest of the world doesn't live up to them. Have you ever thought perhaps you're the one who doesn't live up to other people's ideals? I had a good thing going with Potter; we were becoming friends, really good friends! We were trying to bring our families together. Mother's family and your best friendship with Severus! You just ruined it, you've got no friends because you think everyone is out to attach themselves to the Malfoy name, they were not. They truly wanted the families to unite. Now you've got no cousin, no best friend and you'll be lucky if you've got a son left!" Draco stormed out of the room and headed towards his flat, his mother chased after him calling his name but he didn't turn. This seemed to have become the usual routine.

Draco slammed the door behind him as he crashed on his bed. He felt as though he had just gotten into a boxing match and lost, badly. His face buried in his pillow he remembered how merely minutes ago he was in his flat with Potter and how well they seemed to be getting along. He considered: if only my father had never ended things with Severus in the first place, Potter and I might have grown up together; we might have been the best of friends. Before Draco could contemplate further on why he was unusually upset at the loss of friendship with Potter, his mobile buzzed.

-Sorry had to rush out of there so fast, but Severus seemed to have been really upset.

Draco smiled at receiving the message from Harry; he began to type a reply when he received another message.

-But, no worries, Sirius tells me that Sev had relatively good comebacks for your dad as well.

Draco laughed.

-Oh, if you don't wish for me to come to the Berks now that's fine. I understand.

Draco rushed to reply to the last text message. Potter, don't be ridiculous. Offer still stands. I still need your help and want you to come regardless of what a knob my father has been.

-Great, but don't talk that way about your dad.

I am rolling my eyes Potter.

-See you next week Draco.

As Draco prepared for bed, his mobile buzzed again, he smiled at the thought of another message from Potter. It wasn't.

Happy Christmas love! I was looking forward to receiving my annual Christmas poem from you but it seems you've forgotten me! Draco was stunned; he had completely neglected to message his boyfriend. Draco had a tradition of sending a small love poem to Theodore on Christmas Eve, for the past three Christmases. He had one prepared but he hadn't sent it. He quickly wrote a reply.

I am so sorry Theodore! My day has been ridiculous. I am looking forward to seeing you on Monday and then our trip to the Berks!

Draco sent another message with the poem.

On the eve of Christmas
I wish I had you near,
I'd wrap my arms around you
and hold my darling dear
I'd kiss those lips of wine
as you stood 'neath the mistletoe
My heart will follow you
everywhere you go
Merry Christmas My Love!

An hour later Draco received a reply. That's sweet thanks for my poem! I am looking fwd to our trip too but, I might not be able to stay the entire time. Let's talk tomorrow!

(A/N): Thanks everyone that has 'followed' the story and the few that have written a review! Please let me know what you think!

The poem is adapted from something I found online, I can't seem to post the link here though. However, it's not mine! Enjoy!