Chapter Eleven: Christmas break

Mortifera watched as everyone loaded for Christmas break. Mortifera hung closely to Draco. Over the past few months he had become her rock. "What are you two doing for the holidays," Crabbe asked Draco and Mortifera once they had settled into their usual cart. "I'm helping Fera attend to things at her home."

"I'm sorry about your dad," Goyle said. "Thank you, Gregory," she smiled. In reality they were headed to Paris and Venice with Draco's cousin, Nymphadora Tonks and against Snape's wishes, Remus Lupin as their chaperon. Narcissa was under the watchful eye of her uncle for the holiday. When the train reached the station Mortifera once again hung to Draco. "It's alright," he said comforting her. "There's the car," he smiled as the walked to the car. Inside Tonks awaited them. "Hello, Mortifera," she said pleasantly. "I'm Tonks. Headmaster Dumbledore has asked me to keep an eye on you whilst you are on holiday. Mind you that I will be keeping tabs on you, but I will allow you your privacy."

"Thank you," she said as she slid in allowing Draco to enter. "Draco," she said nicely. "Nymphadora," he said with a little coldness. Mortifera snuggled close to Draco. She knew that Draco and his cousin weren't close and that the holiday would be weird. "We will head in the direction of your father's estate for about 30 minutes or so to make sure that we aren't being followed then we will detour towards headquarters for the night."

"What about Paris," Draco said a bit annoyed.

"There are some things that need to be taken care of. Don't worry, Draco," she began. "I'm sure you'll feel right at home."

The trip was rather silent until the car pulled in front of 12 Grimmauld Place. "Here we are," she said as she opened the door and stepped out. "Come on," she said as Draco slowly moved from the car then reached his hand out to help Mortifera. "Thank you, Draco," she smiled sweetly. They followed Tonks inside. Snape and Dumbledore awaited them as they walked towards the kitchen. "I am terribly sorry for the delay in your trip," Dumbledore said leading them into the kitchen. "What is this place," Mortifera asked. "It's the Black House," Draco said. "Right you are, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said sitting at the table. "But it is also the Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. Your cousin, Sirius, was kind enough to let us use this house for the Order and after his death, and to our surprise Harry was most generous to let us continue using it."

"Harry," Mortifera asked.

"Yes," Dumbledore said. "I'm sure you will see him soon. But right now there is a matter to discuss. I understand that you are planning a trip to Paris and Venice for Christmas Holiday. Severus and I are afraid that it might not be the safest time."

"With all due respect sir," Draco began. "Every Death Eater in England is looking for her."

"Precisely," Dumbledore smiled. "What makes you think that they are only looking in England, Mr. Malfoy? Voldemort has Death Eater searching all of Europe for you."

"What," she asked.

"We feel that it would be safest if you remained here for your holiday stay. However," he began. "You are of age, Miss Acerabus. I cannot hold you here as you are an adult in our world. And Mr. Malfoy, seeing as your mother has given you permission to stay with Mortifera, I cannot hold you here either."

"Thank you, Headmaster," Mortifera said. "I will give it some thought tonight."

"That is all that I ask," he said with a smile and a wink. Draco looked at her in disbelief. Mortifera stood up and walked out of the kitchen as Draco followed. "You are seriously thinking of staying here til term starts aren't you," Draco asked. "If I did would you stay with me," she asked. He didn't say anything. "Draco, perhaps Dumbledore is right. How are we to enjoy ourselves if I'm worried about being attacked at any moment by Death Eaters?"

"We'd have Nymphadora and Professor Lupin with us."

"What if I told you I needed you to stay with me?"
Draco's anger and frustration slowly slipped away. He looked in to her eyes as they began to well with tears. He sighed and pulled her to him. "I will always stay with you as long as you needed me."
She smiled. "Why don't you two explore the house a little? I'll see if we can get you a room ready," Snape said with a smile. Mortifera nodded and she and Draco walked up the steps to the first floor landing. They saw a bedroom then Draco's eyes fixated on the drawing room door. He slowly opened the door and walked in with Mortifera right behind him. Draco stared in amazement at the Black Family Tree that was on the wall. He ran his fingers over it stopping at him mother. "Draco," Mortifera asked. "Sorry. It's just last time I was here I was four."

"That's you," she said smiling at his picture on the tree.

"Yeah. Who knows, maybe you could be part of the most ancient and noble house of Black," Draco smiled. "Master Draco has returned hom," a voice came from behind them. Mortifera turned to see Kreacher standing their. "Move alone, Kreacher," Harry's voice echoed from the hall. "Hello, Harry," Mortifera smiled as he walked into the drawing room. "Fera," he began. "Hello, Draco."

"Potter," Draco said with a scowl. "What are you doing here?"

"It's the holidays and it's technically my house," Harry said.

"Sirius left you the house," Draco asked. "It's supposed to go to the next male in line."
"Draco," Mortifera said looking at him. "I'm sure that Sirius just wanted Harry to have something to remember him by and a house to call his own after graduation. I'm positive he didn't mean it as an insult to you."

"Thank you," Harry said in a whisper to her. "Let me show you your rooms?"

"Gladly," Mortifera said in a cheerful voice. She took Draco and the two followed Harry up the stairs to the third floor. "This is the master bedroom," Harry began. "It's been cleaned up rather nicely."

Mortifera opened the door. The room was decorated in green, black, and silver. The four poster bed was covered in a beautiful green comforter. "It's a beautiful room," Mortifera said. "It was Sirius's mother's room. It's fit for Royalty," Harry said with a smirk. "I thought that you would like it. I'll let you two get settled in."

Harry turned and shut the door behind them. "This will be the first time you've slept in a bed since school started," Draco smiled. "It's a comfy bed," she said laying down on it. "I'll get some blankets from Potter and make me a bed on the floor," Draco said. Mortifera smiled. "What," he asked. "Such a gentleman," she said. "Do you honestly think I would subject you to sleep on the floor?"

Draco said nothing. She patted the bed next to her. "You sure you want me to sleep in the bed with you?"

"Yes," she said without hesitation. "I want to be able to feel your arms wrapped around me. That's going to be very hard with you on the floor now isn't it?"

Draco slowly walked over to her and laid next to her on the bed, his arms wrapped tight around her. "I know this isn't how you pictured your holiday, Draco," she began. "But this is exactly how I pictured it."

Mortifera drifted to sleep as Draco laid there caressing her hair. The night faded to day and Mortifera awoke to the smell of hot cakes. She and Draco headed to the kitchen to find the Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione sitting at the table. "Good morning, Fera," Harry said smiling. "Morning Harry."

"Come sit, sit," Mrs. Weasley said motioning for them to sit down. Draco looked at Mortifera who was pulling him towards the table. "I do hope you're hungry," Mrs. Weasley said as she placed food on the table. Mortifera looked from plate to plate. Hot cakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast. She smiled. "It all looks so perfect," Mortifera said. Mrs. Weasley thanked her then left the kitchen. "So you two are going on a trip," Ron said. "Actually," Mortifera began. "We've decided to spend our holiday here."

"Really," Harry asked.

"Really," she smiled at him. Mortifera watched as Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione ate breakfast. She held tight to Draco's hand as they ate. Suddenly there was a loud pop. She immediately turned her head in the direction of the noise. "Look George, we have Royalty here for breakfast," Fred said with a smile.

"You're right, it's the Queen of Slytherin! Good morning your majesty," George said as they both bowed. Mortifera stood up and walked towards them. They grabbed her up in a tight hug. "Didn't know you were going to be here," they said in unison. "It was a last minute decision for me and Draco," she said smiling. She went to sit back with Draco and watched as the twins sat down. They began telling her all about the Death Eaters in Diagon Alley. As they talked, Mortifera clinged tight to Draco. He never thought he'd feel grateful to the Weasleys but this was making it all worth while. Mortifera watched as the Weasley children and Harry and Hermione were so comfortable around each other. "Mortifera is right good at Defense," Harry said drawing her attention to the conversation. "Really," George said. "Care to demonstrate."

Mortifera smiled. "Your mum isn't going to have my head is she?"

"Nah, we'll just blame it on Ron," Fred smiled. With that Mortifera stood up and positioned herself with her wand out. Without a word, George's hex flew towards her but just as quickly as he flicked his wand, Mortifera had countered. "Brillant," Fred smiled. "I'm pretty descent with charms as well. Draco's really good as well," she smiled looking at him with her loving eyes. "So I guess that makes him the King to your Queen," Fred said.

"Too bad," George began. "That has to break a lot of hearts."

"Yeah, including ours," Fred joked. Draco squeezed her hand in fury. "My heart is taken boy, and no one will be able to change that," Mortifera smiled and kissed Draco. "I guess we missed our chance," George smiled. "Should've scooped you up in your first year," Fred continued the thought. They spent the next several hours in the kitchen just chatting and catching up. Fred and George revealed in stories about Mortifera in her first year at Hogwarts. "And then, poor, poor Wood," George began. "He flew straight into the goal post."

"I wasn't that bad was I," she asked. "That's exactly the point," Fred laughed. "He was in awe of your beauty he didn't even see where he was flying."

"Well, in his defense," George recounted. "He wasn't the only one. Flint flew into my bat because he was staring at you so hard."

"You're still up," Mrs. Weasley said as she walked into the kitchen at a little past 1 in the morning. "To bed," she said as she kicked them out of the kitchen. Mortifera walked hand in hand with Draco to their bedroom. Once alone, Draco pulled her in front of the fireplace. "Here," he said pulling a small wrapped box out of his pocket. "Draco," she protested. "It's Christmas," he smiled. She took the box and slowly started to unwrap it. She opened the top to reveal a silver locket. "Draco it's beautiful."

He stood up and took it from her. He placed it around her neck and clasped it in place. "I'm glad you like it. There's a photo of me inside of it," he smiled. "That way I'm always next to your heart."

"Oh, Draco," she said kissing him. "I have something for you," she said walking to her trunk. "I was going to wait til morning, but," she hands him a box wrapped in green and silver paper. Slowly he opens it. "They were my fathers," she smiles as he pulls out the Slytherin crested cufflinks. "I know he would want you to have them."

"There amazing," he said staring at them. "They're all wrong aren't they," she said pouting. "No," he said pulling her close. "Are you sure you want me to have them," he asked. "Yes," she said. "I have no use for them and besides, you would have gotten them eventually."

"Eventually?"

"It's family tradition. You know how we were talking about the Black family tree. Well, in my family on the eve of his daughter's wedding, the Bride's father passes these to the Groom. So, since my father cannot pass them to you, I figured I do it for him," she smiled. She shivered. "Cold," he asked with a bit of a smile. "A little," she replied. "Well, we can't have that," he smiled as he led her to the bed. The fire started to dim as they drifted to sleep. "Happy Christmas," Mortifera could hear the happy voices outside the room saying. She smiled as she looked at Draco who sat there running his fingers through her long black hair. "Happy Christmas, my love," he smiled. "Happy Christmas, Draco," she said with a kiss. "What do you say we go join in the celebration," she asked dragging him out of the room before he could answer. Downstairs the tree was full of presents. Severus sat in a chair watching her. "Morning Fera," he said as she entered the room. "Good morning, Uncle Severus," she smiled. "I had your presents brought from your home. Draco, you have a few under there as well," Severus said. Mortifera smiled then walked to the kitchen. Draco watched as she disappeared. "Where's she going," Harry asked. "No clue," Draco smiled. Mortifera reappeared with a laundry basket full of presents. "What are those," Draco asked. "What's it look like," she smiled. She placed the basket down and started handing out presents one by one. When the basket was empty she disappeared back to the kitchen. As she reappeared she carried a long circular package. She handed it to Draco. Slowly he started to unwrap it as everyone watched. When the final piece of paper was removed everyone stared at her. "Is that," Ron began. "The new Firebolt 2004," she smiled. "It's beautiful," Ginny said as she stared at it. "Do you like it Draco," she asked. "It's one of the best presents I've gotten today," he smiled. "I'm glad you like it. I was afraid you wouldn't."

"You've just given me a broom that will make beating the other seekers a million times easier."

"That's what girlfriends are for," she smiled. "Aren't you going to open your gifts," Ron asked. "I think I will save them for later."