I must apologize for my neglect of this story over the last few weeks. As some of you may know I was driven to express my 'concerns' over the third season of True Blood by rewriting part of the script on this site. (If I Meet the True Death, if anyone is interested).

I have calmed down somewhat from that and humbly have returned to Harry and Draco. Sorry for the 'episode' with Melody, I will attribute that one to lack of sleep and a decent bottle of Merlot one night.

We now return to our regularly scheduled Harry/Draco saga.

I beg your forgiveness.

Merick

Chapter Forty-Four

Ron and Hermione arrived, as a pair only just after lunch, which left all of us wondering where Ginny had gotten herself too. I hadn't been keeping much track of her after the whole DADA issues had settled. I figured she'd slipped away to meet Dean or whomever she was dating just then. We all danced around her absence for the better part of the afternoon, enjoying the cheese and fruit platters that Kreacher kept appearing with, and the wine he kept pouring. It made it easier to be friendly and it made me smile to see Draco participating in the conversations, albeit reservedly. I loved how much Hermione kept engaging Draco, and Arthur also seemed to be putting in his two cents as they all talked about how Hogsmeade was rebuilding itself, and Hogwarts, and how the students were enjoying Quidditch again, and how lovely the Yule Ball had been, like the start of a new chapter for so many people.

Molly, of course, was busy in the kitchen, cooking up a storm. She had the better part of two meals on the go; Christmas Eve dinner of beef stew and dumplings, and Christmas dinner preparations for a massive goose, and pies already in the oven. My house smelled better than it ever had before. Charlie and George arrived about an hour before dinner, enough time to settle back with a drink themselves, and put their feet up in front of the fire. George was true to his word, good drink and good food, and he talked on endlessly to Draco about school and the joke shop, Quidditch teams, all manner of things, and quite happily.

It was only when we were nearly ready to sit down to dinner that Ginny's absence became a real concern. Arthur and Charlie were about to make plans to go and see about tracking her down, when there was a knock at the door. Everyone sort of relaxed believing that she had finally arrived, and easy smiles lit previously tense faces. I went to the door, to play the good host, plastered a smile on my face and opened it. I really wasn't prepared for what I found.

"Professor Alonso?" Ginny was right beside him, shopping bags in her hands. I was confused.

"Good evening Harry, happy holiday." He said to me, holding out his hand. I shook it. I wanted to play along with whatever it was that I had missed, but a few terrible things were running through my mind, especially looking at the smile plastered on Ginny's face.

"Do come in you both." I stood aside and let them enter. No one else had seen them yet. Ginny brushed past me, not in an unkindly manner, but anxious to see her family in the other room, their voices betraying their presence. I was left with Professor Alonso, in my foyer. He seemed to sense my confusion, and seemed quite ill at ease as well.

"Miss Weasley came back to the school today, insisting that you had sent her to come fetch me. She was quite concerned that I not be alone over the holiday and should come with her immediately. She was quite persuasive." His eyes were darting about nervously having been abandoned with me seemingly.

"She often is."

"I feel like quite the fool, Harry, please forgive me for intruding on your celebrations. I should probably go." By then Draco and Ron had come to see what was keeping me, and possibly to see the source of Ginny's grin.

"Professor?" Their voices betrayed their own shock.

"Please Professor, let me take your cloak." Kreacher suddenly appeared.

"Yes Professor, please do come in and join us. Ginny was absolutely right to invite you." I don't know that he believed me completely, but he handed over his cloak and came into the living room.

"Everyone, I'd like to introduce Professor Alonso. He's come to join our celebrations."

"Daniel, please." He was quite gracious and had his hand shook several times by Arthur, Charlie, and George, and even received a hug from Molly who had come out of the kitchen to see what the fuss was about.

"May Kreacher take Professor's bag up to his room?" Kreacher had reappeared with a glass of wine for Daniel and a little smile on his face, feeling useful again.

At that point it hit me that all the bedrooms were occupied, even the study had been converted for Ginny. But I tried to think quickly just then, and a simple solution presented itself, maybe from part of the soul searching of the day before.

"Take his things up to Sirius' room Kreacher, please." Draco looked over at me a little confused. That was supposed to be his room while we had company, just for propriety's sake. "Draco will bunk with me."

Draco looked a little ashen, but I felt sort of warm inside for having said it. Though I did think I should clarify things because Daniel was about to begin objecting. And Hermione was also looking a little concerned.

"It's a big room Professor. Lots of space to share, and it really is no bother at all."

"No Professor, it's fine, really it is." Draco played along, but I did see a little blush creep along his pale cheeks.

"Only if you are certain Harry, because I can easily pop back to Hogwarts, this is your house after all, and me the unexpected guest. Oh, and please call me Daniel, at least while we're here?"

"Nothing would make me happier Daniel, than to have you stay with us. Draco and I will make out just fine." My happiness wasn't really based on his arrival, fortuitous as it was, allowing Draco and I to have the whole night together without any deception. I just kind of felt good about acknowledging my real friendship with Draco out loud for everyone to hear.

"Kreacher will make up another bed for friend Draco, and put fresh linens for the Professor then Master." He turned back to Daniel. "Please do not hesitate to call on Kreacher should you need anything Professor friend of Harry Potter. The table will be ready for dinner in just a few more minutes." And off he went, with a wink to me, to see to his housekeeping and arranging. He was an absolute gem my Kreacher, and I made a mental note to give him a raise.

Ron followed me into the kitchen, where I was going to fetch a drink for Ginny.

"What's my sister up to Harry?" He half whispered.

"I have no idea Ron." I answered, we both looked at the door as Hermione joined us quickly.

"Did you invite the Professor Harry?"

"No, that was all Ginny I'm afraid."

"I have a bad feeling about this Harry."

Hermione's bad feelings were often right on the mark.