Harry
They arrived just outside the Malfoy grounds seconds after leaving the Dursley's. He couldn't help grinning. Draco had saved him from another month of bullying and boredom.
"Thanks mate" he said to Draco.
"It was nothing. Mother did it really.
"Your mum's great."
"Yeah." Harry could see the pride in Draco's eyes. He felt a little twinge of sadness, jealousy, but pushed it away.
"Now Harry dear, happy birthday." Narcissa smiled
"Thank you Mrs Malfoy."
Her eyes clouded over.
"Just call me Narcissa. Now Harry, as it is your birthday, we were wondering if you would like to see some of your friends? Just a small gathering, and of course if you'd prefer to relax after an eventful evening..."
"No I'd love to, can we send them an owl, that would be great!" His cheeks were flushed, he was overexcited. Harry had never ad a party before.
"I took the liberty of owling some of your friends. Blaise, Pansy, Draco gave me some ideas. Is there anyone else?"
"What about Hermione?"
Narcissa went pale and glanced fearfully at the door. Draco shook his head at Harry.
"Blaise and Pansy will be fine mother. Perhaps Crabbe and Goyle as well?"
"Of course" She laughed nervously. "Why don't you take Harry to his room?"
Draco led the way upstairs. They went into the same room Harry had stayed in at Christmas. Draco pointed his wand at the door and muttered an incantation.
"What's wrong with Hermione?" burst Harry "Why can't she come here?"
"You know why. My father doesn't approve of... people like her."
"She saved our lives!"
"And bringing her here would endanger hers! Is that what you want?"
"Of course not."
"Good. Be patient, we'll see her again soon."
When Draco spoke, he seemed not to be talking to Harry, but to himself.
"Now you can open your present."
Harry got the package Draco had given him. He unwrapped the neatly folded present. Something zoomed out and flew around the room.
"Whoah. What is it?"
"Here" Draco caught it and handed it to Harry. It was an intrinsically detailed model quidditch player wearing pale blue robes with an arrow on the front.
"I thought you should finally start supporting a good quidditch team"
"Wow" said Harry, dumbstruck. He'd never really even had muggle toys, and this was a flying model figurine. "It's brilliant!" He laughed as the player took off once again.
Narcissa
She was in the kitchen, a very rare occurrence. Lucius didn't think it was right for her to cook, so had obtained several house elves. She organised the last minute feast, determined Harry should have a good birthday.
"Mistress, Miss Parkinson is here"
"Very well, would you tell my son"
"Of course." The house elf bowed and apparated away.
Draco
One of the house elves, Dobby maybe, apparated onto the room to tell them that Pansy had arrived.
"Give me a sec, I just have to get something" said Harry
"We probably shouldn't keep Pansy waiting. You remember the way to the living room right? I'll meet you there." Draco walked away.
Harry
He started to rummage around in his trunk. He noticed the elf was still watching him.
"Er hello" he said a little awkwardly. "Can I help you?"
The house elf's eyes grew big. "So it is true"
"What's true?"
"That Harry Potter is here, at the Master's house."
"Um yeah, I guess it is. Can I help you with anything else? It's just I should probably go join my friends."
The house elf nodded, but looked a little choked up.
"Wait, before you go," said Harry, "you didn't tell me what your name is."
"Dobby sir" choked out the elf, who now appeared to be crying.
"You don't need to call me sir Dobby. Are you okay?" He asked as the house elf started sobbing.
"I'm sorry Dobby, have I upset you?" Harry asked, very worried.
"You, upset me?" asked the elf incredulously.
"I had heard of your greatness, Mr Potter, but I did not know of your goodness. Never before has a witch or wizard used my name as if we are equals, never asked me if I am well, never not been 'sir' or 'madame'."
"Then you can't have met many decent wizards." said Harry, upset by Dobby's state.
The house elf, still sobbing, apparated away. Harry made his way downstairs to the living room.
"Harry where have you been?" asked Draco
"Oh, I, er, got a bit lost." He thought it was best not to tell Draco about dobby.
"Harry!" squealed Pansy. She ran across the room, knocking his glasses astray.
"Hi Pansy, it's great to see you."
"Harry, Draco's been telling me all about your aunt and uncle. Poor you! But you must have been so brave to escape!" She watched Harry rapturously.
"Well, it was Draco really, I guess" Draco smiled at Harry, happy to let his friend take the credit and Pansy's attention.
Draco
He watched Pansy flirting with a clueless Harry and felt a little lonely. No matter how hard he tried to convince himself he didn't care he knew he missed her. Knew how unfair it was that she couldn't be here.
Just then the fire glowed green, indicating someone was about to arrive by floo. Blaine stepped out of the fireplace, shaking soot off his clothes. Harry gasped and nearly fell off the sofa. Of course he'd never seen someone use the floo network before.
Blaise laughed at Harry's awestruck expression.
"Didn't know you were looking forward to seeing me that much Potter."
His usual sarcastic grin cheered Draco up.
"So, I guess you were all waiting for me to start this party then?" Blaise asked smugly.
"What are we waiting for?"
Blaise and Pansy left after several hours. Thankfully Vincent and Gregory didn't turn up. Draco and Harry headed upstairs after a few games of chess. They separated for the night and Draco was getting ready for bed when he heard an owl tapping on his window. He opened the window and let the owl in. It was a standard postal delivery owl. It had a package and letter attached to its claw. The letter was addressed to Draco, the package to Harry. He recognised Hermione's neat handwriting straight away. Eagerly he slit open the envelope and pulled out the letter.
Dear Draco,
I hope you are enjoying your holidays, and trust that you are taking the opportunity to study. It is Harry's birthday today, as you probably are aware of already, and he told me that I should send his present to your's, as his aunt and uncle would probably not let him have anything that came for him. I'm sorry the letter came so late, finding an owl is no easy task in my world.
I hope to see you soon,
From Hermione
He grabbed a quill and penned a response and then took Harry's gift through to his room.
"Hermione told me you said to send your present here"
"Yeah, we spoke just after school broke up. I thought the Dursleys would confiscate a birthday present."
"You spoke to her?" Draco felt a little jealous.
"Yeah, I managed to sneak out and use the telephone when the Dursleys were out."
Harry finished unwrapping Hermione's gift. A small notebook tumbled out.
"A homework diary? Really?"
A packet of Bertie Botts every flavour beans tumbled out.
"Well, there is that at least."
"Goodnight Harry"
"Goodnight Draco. And, thank you."
Merry Christmas Everyone! All I want for Christmas is a review from you!