A/N: Oh dear. Well - guess I'm behind by two again. Humph. Cat killed bird, took bird to wildlife rehabilitation place (which took the entire afternoon), etc. Excuses, I know. Whoooops.

Prompt #45: 8/22/18

1032 words, according to Google docs.

A small but distinct rustling noise alerted Draco to another presence in the room - friend or foe, he was not sure. He straightened from the present he was wrapping, eyes narrowing and hand swiftly grasping the wand on the table. In the half-light of the lamp, he noticed a shadow lurking near the entrance.

"Who's there?" he demanded, raising his wand. A giggle erupted and his wife stepped out into the open, grinning and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Hey, Draco." She peeped up at him through her lashes, blinking coquettishly. "Would you believe that I just wanted a late drink?" Draco glared. She straightened, her smile turning sheepish. "Alright, alright. I'll admit I was snooping."

"Too right you were," he muttered, turning back to the half-wrapped present and hastily shoving it away. His surprise had been ruined - hours of waking up in the dead of night and coming downstairs to prepare.

"Did you really expect me not to notice you weren't in bed?" she asked, coming up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist. She glanced at the present appreciatively. "I'm glad you're finally getting into the Christmas spirit, though. Maybe we'll actually manage to have a Christmas celebration with the two of us, here."

What? Draco stiffened slightly in surprise, then forced himself to relax. So she hadn't discovered his plan, yet. That was good.

"I look forward to it," he responded dryly, turning to her and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Come on. Let's get back to bed."

ooo

The next day dawned bright and cheery, rays of sunlight slanting through the partially-opened curtains. Turning his head, Draco observed his wife in the light. Her long, dark lashes brushed gently against her freckle-dusted cheeks, lips pursed in sleep. He smiled.

"Hey," he murmured, touching his fingertips lightly to her jaw. "It's Christmas, you know." Ginny yawned and stretched, her eyes fluttering open and lips curving up in a sleepy smile.

"I know," she said, lacing her fingers with Draco's. "It'll be our second Christmas together." She chuckled. "Remember last year's fiasco? You wouldn't talk to me for a week." Draco cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"Well, yes," he admitted, "but that's last year. Let's focus on this year right now." His wife laughed.

"I think that was the most optimistic thing you've said all your life," she said cheekily, sitting up. "Now, hurry up and get dressed. We have a lunch date with Luna and Blaise, remember?"

It was another twenty minutes until Draco had actually left the bed, and then thirty more for him to get ready.

"You take longer than I do in the mornings!" Ginny complained from the kitchen. "Honestly, do you use makeup or something?" Draco ignored her.

The lunch with their friends proved to be uneventful as well - they exchanged gifts, ate a festive meal, and departed, Ginny and Luna promising to meet up again soon.

As Draco and Ginny stepped back into their flat, both lightly dusted with snow, Draco immediately rushed to his study to make sure everything was according to plan. Appearing at the door a few minutes later, Ginny smiled.

"What are you doing?" she asked, stepping inside. Draco quickly pushed the papers aside, hidden from view.

"Last minute business transactions," he said dismissively, standing up. "Do feel like grabbing some hot cocoa?" Ginny smiled.

"I already made some." She gestured to the mug in her hand. "Yours is in the kitchen. C'mon." The remainder of the afternoon was spent playing chess, binging on chocolate, and last minute decorations.

Finally, Draco got up from his comfortable position on the couch. "Let's go outside for a moment, Gin," he suggested, stretching. "Loosen our legs a bit." Ginny agreed readily, standing up as well and following her husband out of the room.

While pulling on her boots, Ginny asked, "What do you have in mind for dinner?" Draco froze momentarily.

"I've got something planned," he said vaguely. "Don't worry about it." Puzzled, Ginny frowned, but allowed herself to be pulled out into the swirling snow.

While Ginny was happily chucking snowballs at a target - Draco would not yet agree to a full-fledged fight - the blond hurriedly cast a patronus which he sent to the Weasleys, and another towards his own family. Hoping silently Ginny would stay outside just a bit further, he was dismayed at her request to go back indoors.

"Let's stay out here just a bit longer," he said wildly, moving in front of her to block her path. She pouted.

"But I'm hungry," she pointed out, trying to step around him. Draco glanced around desperately for inspiration.

"I - I'll participate in a snowball fight," he said, almost immediately wishing he hadn't said it. A speculative grin appeared on Ginny's face and her eyes lit up.

"Sure," she said slowly, her grin widening. "I'd like that."

Draco groaned.

An hour later, a very wet Draco and victorious Ginny trundled back to their flat. "Stay here for a sec," Draco said, exhausted. Nodding ginny began removing her snow clothes while Draco peeked into the kitchen.

"Everything ready?" he whispered. He heard Molly Weasley's whisper back.

"Yes. Where's Ginny?"

"Coming," he said shortly, before withdrawing and heading back towards the front door. "Ginny?"

"Right here." She smiled up at him. "How about dinner?" Draco's only response was to take her hand, leading her towards the kitchen.

"Merry Christmas!" chorused the entire Weasley family as they popped out from various positions in the darkened room. Percy flicked his wand and the lights turned on, while George rained red and green confetti down. Ginny laughed, delighted.

"Mum! Dad! What are you guys doing here?"

"Draco invited us, darling," her mother said, patting her daughter's head affectionately. "Of course, we agreed. Such a fantastic plan of his!" Looking around, Ginny noticed for the first time that Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were standing in the corner, looking slightly uncomfortable and out-of-place.

"Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy," Ginny greeted, smiling broadly. "Welcome to our humble abode."

And as Draco looked at Ginny, flitting around the guests with a brilliant smile on her face, Draco figured all the planning had been worth it.