Rediscovering Harry

Chapter 13 - Draco's Christmas Suprise

Harry snuck out of bed bright and early Christmas Eve morning. He was going to be bringing Riha to the house so she would be there when Draco woke up. He made sure to cast a sleeping charm on Draco so he wouldn't wake up just yet. He quickly showered and headed down to call Hermione.

" Mione , are you awake yet? " Harry called through the floo.

" Yes Harry , I was wondering if you were ever going to wake up. I know it was a long night though so we have just been sitting here gossiping. "

" Oh , sorry about that I showered first. You can go ahead and bring Riha over if she is ready. I'm going to start breakfast before the charm wears off of sleepy head. "

" Ok , we will be there in a few minutes Harry right after Ron leaves. "

" Ok. Thanks agin Mione. "

He closed the floo connection and headed to the kitchen. His parents were already up and drinking coffee.

" Good morning. "

" Good morning darling, your up dreadfully early this morning. " His mother replied.

" Yeah, Mione is bringing Riha over in a few minutes so Draco will get his first Christmas gift. "

" Ahh manged to keep that a secret did you ? " His father replied.

" Yes , I can't believe it. It's not always easy keeping things from Dray. I'm pretty proud of myself for that one. " He laughed.

" You 2 joining us for breakfast this morning? Or are you heading over to help Molly and Arthur ? "

" We are heading over to assist Molly. She has alot of cooking to do and it gives us more time to catch up. " His mother offered.

" Ok then. You 2 stay out of trouble . " He gave them a look.

" Us , trouble whatever would give you that idea ? " His father smiled.

" Yeah whatever. I'm sure all those stories Sirius and Remus told me about were all lies. You would never do such a thing now would you? " He quirked his brow at his father.

" Never, I have grown since then. " He gave his son another look.

" You and Arthur will behave. If not then you will answer to both me and Molly. " Lily just glared and laughed at her husband. Harry laughed along to. No one wanted to cross those two woman mad.

" Well you two have fun. "

" Thanks sweetie. " She kissed her son on the cheek and grabbed James by the hand to get ready for their day out.

Just as Harry was finishing breakfast Hermione and Riha came through the floo and landed in the living room.

" I'm in the kitchen. " They heard Harry hollar through the house.

" Breakfast smells great. " They both replied.

" Thanks. Hermoine would you show Riha to her room so she can settle her things in. I'm going to wake up the sleeping Dragon and get him in a shower and dressed . Mione when you both are finished would you go ahead and set the dinning table and make sure that Riha is standing at the end of the table so that she is the first thing Dray sees when he comes down for breakfast. "

" Sure Harry. See you shortly. "

Harry made his way upstairs infront of the girls. He directed them to which door was Riha's and snuck back in to his own room. Draco was still sound asleep. Harry lifted the charm off his loveable sleeping Dray and slid back in the bed next to him. He stired and batted his eyes open. He staired up at Harry who was on his side just admiring his lovers face.

" Good Morning baby. Merry Christmas. " Harry pecked him on the forehead.

" Good Morning love, Merry Christmas. What has you so happy this morning? "

" Just waking up to you thats all. " He smiled honestly. " Come on , you have a shower to take, and breakfast is already waiting downstairs. "

" I can tell. It smells wonderful. "

He heaved Draco up and sent him into the bathroom. He grabbed out some clothes and took them in so Draco could get dressed when he was done. He relit the fire in the bedroom , it was getting rather chilly again.

Twenty minutes later Draco was out and dressed. Harry did whatever he could to stall Draco just a few minutes longer. He wanted to make sure the girls were downstairs.

" I'll be right back. I'm gonna check to see if Mum and Dad are gone already. You stay here. " He bit his lip hoping Draco wouldn't ask any questions.

He hurried out the door and slid into Riha's room. It was empty. He jumped down the stairs and into the dinning room where the girls were waiting.

" Good, I'll be right back , wanted to make sure you guys were ready , he is getting impatient with my stalling. "

Harry ran back up the stairs taking 2 and 3 at a time. He hoped Draco wasn't coming out. He stopped short of the door and tried to level out his breathing. Once under control he made his way back in.

" Mum and Dad are gone. You ready for breakfast now ? " He offered his innocent look.

" Hmm, Sure lets go eat the delicious smelling breakfast. "

Harry took ahold of Draco's hand and walked downstairs with him. He couldn't hide the grin from his face. He wanted to make sure that Draco entered the dinning room first. Just short of the door Harry dropped his hand and stepped behind him as they walked in.

Draco dead stopped infront of Harry but he was expectinng it. He leaned over and whispered. " Merry Christmas my love. " Breathing onto the back of Draco's neck.

Draco's smile widend and he through his arms around Riha giving her a deathly hug.

" Merry Christmas Draco , its so wonderful to see you again too. " She managed to release.

" Merry Christmas Riha, I can't believe your really here. How? "

" That you can thank Harry for. This was all him. "

He whipped around and grabbed Harry up into a tight hug. His feet were off the ground and Draco was starting to twirl him in circles. He dropped him and gave him a huge kiss. " Thank you love, I am so gratefull that you brought her here. It's one of the best presents in the world. " He let go of Harry and Riha and Hermione were giggling at the two of them.

" Let me guess. Mione had her little part in all of this. " He stated more then questioned.

" Guilty " She replied. " Honestly what would the two of you do without me? " She laughed again and joined everyone for breakfast.

Draco took Riha out to Hogsmede. She hadn't been here since they were little. Her Aunt Gwen had brought her here when she was younger and thats when she met Draco. They had hit it off so well that her Aunt would bring her back once or twice a year to visit until she became to ill to do so. They had kept in touch all these years. The healers couldn't do anything for her and neither could muggle medicine. Melanoma took her at the young age of 27. She had beaten it once and it was already to late the second time.

Riha was thinking back on all the times she had visited here. It was those memories that made her smile. Remembering Gwen when she was at her happiest. Riha gripped her wrist and looked down. She had a tattoo on her right wrist. It was in form of a bracelet in honor of Gwen and to those others who had been lost to the vicious cancer. Tears began to run down her cheeks and Draco took notice. He wrapped his arms around her. Silently letting her know that it was ok to remember her, he knew what she would be thinking just by her actions and that everything would be fine. They headed back home knowing tonight was going to take alot out of them and already Riha was wearing down.

Later that night everyone else was introduced to Riha. She was in better spirits due to the antics of the Weasley twins. Blaise had noticed the tatoo on her wrist and asked about it. He took a better look at her and realized he did know who she was.

" Your The Riha ? As in Riha Vaness? " Blaise asked abruptly.

She laughed. " Yes that would be me. Why do you ask? "

" Your work is brilliant. I can't believe it. You've known Draco all these years and I ...Good Merlin I never even put 2 and 2 together. "

All eyes were on Blaise and Riha. They had no idea what it was about nor did they know who she was.

" Blaise ? " Neville asked.

" Riha is one of the most talented Artists and tattoo Artists in America. I can't believe you all have never heard of her. I can't believe Draco has known her all these years and never mentioned it. Well I was just to daft to realize it . You know that picture in the living room of the lone tree and old bridge in the country side on canvas? That is one of Riha's. "

All eyes were now on her and mouths agape.

" Wow, that is such a beautiful picture. Powerful. Something has always drawn me to that picture when I'm at the house. " Hermione said.

" Thanks. It's sort of a passion of mine. My work has been tattoo'd on alot of people from all over the world. At first people would ask me to draw their tattoo's. It kind of got out of control. I ended up opening my own tattoo shop in Georgia. I also do graphics of my work. Tattoos are posted on my website along with the graphics and handrawn pictures. I draw, paint , do graphic and also photography. I'm flattered that you like my work so well and even own a piece. " Blush was creeping into her cheeks.

" Well I would certainly love to see more of your work. " Fred said.

" No problem. I'll get you some later if you'd like. "

" Awesome. " Both twins replied.

" Shall we open gifts now? " Draco spoke over the loud chatter. He was trying to devert the attetion from Riha and she was grateful.

Harry took Riha to the side. " I'm so sorry, I had no idea nor did I think that anyone would recognize you. I'll try to keep them away from you. "

" It's ok Harry. I'm use to all the attention. Although sometimes it can be a bit much. " She looked around the room. " But your friends and family seem so nice and I'm sure they won't hound me about it. I brought some of the pictures with me as gifts so...hopefully that will satisfy them enough. " She smiled and Harry gave her a warm hug and both went back to join in on the celebrations.

" Harry! Draco! Merlin's balls why in the world. " Hermione was abruptly shut up by Ron who knew she was going to scold them for buying them such expensive brooms. Harry and Draco laughed. They knew what would come eventually.

Everyone loved their gifts. Molly was thrilled over her new cookery. Now she would have even more of an excuse to have family dinners, new recipes. The Weasley's just looked at Harry and Draco with oh gee thanks expressions. They smiled and laughed. It's not like they were going to get out of those dinners either. It was something they didn't think about when they had purchased it.

Severus and Narcissa had arrived a little later then they had planned but it couldn't be avoided. He was suprised to see Riha there. She had done his Celtic Ink that now covered up the scar left from the Dark Mark. Draco had took Severus to her knowing that if anyone could do the job it was her.

" Hello again Severus. I didn't expect to see you here tonight. "

" Good to see you Riha. I could say the same to you. "

" Yeah well, Harry brought me here to spend time with Draco for Christmas. Brad is overseas again and I was going to be by myself. "

" Thats Harry for you. I bet Draco was suprised when you showed up. "

" Oh yes, but I am glad to be here. It's been a long time. "

" Yes indeed. You should probably go talk to Cissy. I'm sure she will be just as suprised. I'm can't believe she hasn't noticed yet. Never mind. "

" Riha , my it's good to see you again. I can't believe it. When did you get here? " Narcissa embraced her in a loving hug.

" Harry flew me in just yesterday. I was hiding out at Hermione and Ron's until this morning. Draco's Christmas present. "

" Well I'm sure he was certainly suprised. You look beautiful as ever I might add. "

" Thank you Cissy. As do you. "

The chatter went on well into the night. It was almost 1am before everyone had left. Lily , James, Draco and Harry cleaned up and made sure Riha didn't lift a wand or finger to help. They told her to get some rest. If she thought tonight was tiring. She hadn't had Christmas Dinner with the Weasley's. She would then meet Charlie, Bill and Fleur.

Riha woke later that morning not feeling well. She had been in the bathroom several times. Draco heard her and went to see if she was alright.

" Riha, are you ok in there? "

" I think so. Not feeling to well. "

" I can tell. "

She opend the door and let him in.

" How long has this been going on? "

" A few weeks now. I thought maybe I caught something but, geez Draco it comes out of no where and just hits me. "

" Riha ... Have you...Have you seen a Doctor ? "

" No , I haven't. You think I should? "

" Yes Riha you should. Ummm are you sure your not pregnant? "

" What! I don't think...I ...well I guess I could be now that you mention it. I never thought about it really. "

" I'll call Andromeda in the morning. I'm sure she will be at the Weasley's for dinner. Everyone will be there. "

" Will you see if she can come by here in the morning. I much rather do this in private Draco. "

" Sure hon, lets get you back to bed. I'll put a bathroom in your room so you don't have to use this one. " He guided Riha back to her room and set up her bathroom.

" Goodnight hon. Come and get me if you need me. " He put her in bed and went back to his own room.

" Dray is she alright ? " Harry asked once Draco was back in bed.

" I think so. Morning sickness is my guess. "

" Pregnant? are you sure? "

" I think so love. I'm calling Andromeda in the morning. Now lets get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a Long day for all of us. "

A/N - Well I don't feel any better today. Actually I feel worse. I probably won't update again until Friday night, it depends on how I feel.

The Character Gwen is based on a friend of mine who we lost this past year to Melanoma. Heaven is only 18 inches away.

It's 18 inches from your brain to your heart.

May is Melanoma Awareness Month.

" Get out of the Boat" and walk on water.