Innocence thy name is Harry

Chapter one: Christmas at the Burrow

Christmas hols at the Weasley home

Not one thing stirred, not even a gnome

By Harry's bed, Draco did sleep

And in the dead of night did they dare to speak

"Harry?" Draco whispered in the direction of the dark ceiling from his rollout bed on the bedroom floor "you awake?"

The blankets on the bed beside him shuffled as the body beneath them moved so that he could peer over the edge of the bed towards the floor "yeah … why?"

Draco sat up slightly so that he was closer to the dimly pronounced figure of Harry peering down at him from over the edge of his bed "I was just … stressing … how are we meant to come out to them?"

"I'm … I'm not sure" Harry admitted. Through the darkness he heard Draco sigh. It was a miracle the Weasley's, meaning Molly, had been so happy to hear that Draco was staying for Christmas as he had turned to the Light side and was feeding them information from his father. The tension in the air thickened. Harry searched through the darkness for Draco's hand. When he felt the familiar smooth, cool skin, he entwined their fingers and pressed Draco's knuckles to his lips.

"Harry?"

"Mmm?"

"How are your ribs?"

"They're fine" Harry smiled at Draco's affection and concern. It had only been half a term since the bludge had collided with Harry's ribs and they were taking insanely long to heal, even with magic. Draco hadn't left his side since. It touched Harry's heart that the Slytherin Prince cared for him so much.

"Sure?"

"Yeah" Harry leant further out of his bed, bracing an arm against the floor beside Draco's stomach so that he could steady himself, and kissed Draco's lips.

"H-A-R-R-Y-!!!" the groan from Ron's bed made both the boys jump out of their skins, "tell the ferret to shut up!"

"Go back to sleep" Harry directed his voice to Ron's side of the room. He tried to keep the harshness from his voice as best as he could but a little seeped out nonetheless. However Ron was too tired to notice it. He merely grumbled and went back to sleep.

Draco leant up and kissed Harry's nose "goodnight" he breathed.

"Goodnight" Harry rolled back onto his bed, his arms folded under his head. He felt a small adrenaline rush as he settled back down for sleep. Hopefully this holiday would go smoothly. He could onyl hope.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Morning Harry!" Ginny's chirpy voice only drilled into Harry's headache even more as he and Draco walked into the Weasley's kitchen where everyone else was already, eating breakfast. Harry merely shot Ginny a dark look along with a grumble as he sat down, followed by Draco who sat next to him at the table.

"Here you go Harry dear" Molly shuffled some eggs and sausages onto his plate before doing the same to Draco "eat up sweetie" she patted Draco's shoulder.

Harry stroked Draco's leg underneath the table, out of view from everyone else. They shared a small smile. Mrs. Weasley was one of the only Weasley's, save for Fred and George, who didn't treat Draco, like an outcast.

"T-thank you Mrs. Weasley" Draco managed a small smile up at the beaming woman.

"Harry, do you want to help me clear up the living room and set up the Christmas tree?" Ginny asked batting her curled copper lashes.

Draco swallowed thickly, jealous pulsing like poison through his veins, as he grabbed Harry's hand beneath the table. "Sorry Ginny but I have to go into town with Draco and Molly for more decorations" Harry explained not sounding sorry at all.

"Why can't we just have magical ones?" Ginny snapped at her frustrated at mother. How dare she ruin her "Harry-time"!

"Because your father insists on having muggle ones and besides Draco hasn't ever seen a muggle town before so I thought it would be a good experience for him"

"So it all revolves around ferret boy?" Ginny snapped, glaring at Draco, sarcasm dripping from her tongue.

Draco suddenly sprang to his feet, so fast he knocked his chair to the floor. He gripped the table so hard his knuckles turned white. The vein in his temple pulsed aggressively. He breathed heavily through his nose, glaring at Ginny with something far deeper than hate. He looked as though he was about to yell at her, before changing his mind and stalking out of the front door, out into the snow-covered hills without a coat or descent shoes! Harry stood up just as abruptly as Draco, his burning emerald glare fastened upon Ginny.

"What the hell is your problem?" he spat venomously at Ginny.

Ginny looked at him as if he had lost his mind "you're not telling me you actually care about him?"

"Of course I do!"

"Why?!?!" Ginny raged clearly not pleased with his answer.

Harry turned towards the door through which Draco had just left. His heart hammered in his throat. It was now or never. He couldn't bare it any longer, "because I love him" and without another word or a straight thought in his head he bolted out of the door and into the cold wind.