The Way I Are

Chapter Thirteen

"Harry! Mum, Harry's here! Happy Christmas, mate!" Ron exclaims when I step through the front door of his and Hermione's small home on the outskirts of London.

"Hi, Ron! How've you been?" I ask as he and I head into the kitchen where the whole of the Weasley family has gathered.

"Wonderful, thanks," he replies as the rest of the family comes up to greet me.

"Harry, my boy! How are you? You look thin, are you eating enough?" Mrs. Weasley asks in a motherly tone as she wraps her arms around me and hugs tightly.

"I'm well, thanks. And yes, I'm eating enough, I promise."

Next is George, who also says hello and asks how work has been before stepping away so Charlie and his wife, Fleur, can do the same.

I continue to laugh and talk with Hermione and Ron until I notice one particular person isn't present—my ex-wife, Ginny.

"Where's Ginny?" I ask, apprehensively.

Ginny and I haven't spoken even a word since our divorce, but we left things on civil terms. I would still like to say hello and ask her how she's been, so I wait for someone to answer my question.

"Guest room. She was nervous about coming down to see you," Fleur answers, twiddling her thumbs nervously.

I nod and give Mrs. Weasley, Ron and Hermione all a look that tells them I'm going to to talk to her. They all nod in encouragement, and Hermione gives me a weak, sympathetic smile.

I pat Ron on the back lightly before making my way up to Ron and Hermione's guest room. I rap lightly on the door twice until Ginny opens the door.

"Harry...," she whispers, looking at me like a deer in headlights.

"Hi, Gin," I smile a weak smile, trying to let her know that I don't feel negatively towards her anymore.

"H-how are you?" she asks, stepping back, inviting me into the room to sit and talk.

"Very well. I hope you are too..."

"I am, thanks."

"Are you seeing anyone?" I ask, not really knowing what else to say.

"No, not at the moment."

A silence encases us for another five or so minutes until she says, "I do miss you, Harry. I hope with all my heart that you're happy. You deserve it."

"I feel the same, Gin. You deserve to be happy. Just because we didn't work out doesn't meanI don't still care for you."

She smiles a genuine Ginny Weasley smile and stands up.

"What do you say we go rejoin the rest of the family? It is Christmas after all."

I nod and place my hand on her upper back, walking close beside her as we rejoin her family in the kitchen.

Mrs. Weasley's entire face seems to light up when she sees two exes walking into a room together, sans broken bones.

"Good! Now that everyone's here, we can open presents!"

Of course, following tradition, every Weasley and myself got a Christmas sweater with out first initial on it, which we all changed into shortly after opening them.

Hermione also got me a small bottle of great smelling cologne, which I also spritzed a small amount of onto my neck and wrist.

I didn't entirely care what I got as gifts because Christmas for me isn't about that. It's about being with the people you love.

I only stay at Ron and Hermione's house for another hour or so until I begin to head home.

I quickly floo home, smiling when I step out and see a head of long, icy blonde hair sitting on my sofa.

"Well, hello, there," I whisper in his ear as I lean over the back of the sofa.

"You're late," Draco says, standing up and walking around the soda to me.

I'd told him I was going to be back by ten and to wait for me until I got home. I knew I was late, as it was almost quarter after eleven.

"I know, I'm sorry. But it's still Christmas. Let's celebrate," I lean in to kiss his lips and smile when he lets me.

We stay like that for a while before we separate.

"Hi, Harry," Draco whispers, smiling.

"Hi, boyfriend," I whisper back, wrapping my arms tightly aroung him.

"Mmm, say that again."

"Boyfriend."

Draco's hands grip strongly onto my backside as he pushes me backwards toward my bedroom.

As my legs hit the side of my bed, I reach my hands under Draco's shirt, persuading him to get rid of it.

"So, boyfriend, how was your Christmas?" I ask, reaching between us to slip my own sweater off.

"Fine. But it's about to get so much better."

"Happy Christmas, Harry," Draco whispers as he slides his legs back into his underwear before slipping himself back into bed next to me,

"Happy Christmas, Draco."

"Did you happen to talk to Ron and Hermione about us like you said you would? And how was Ginny? I'm sure that was awkward," Draco asks, placing a hand on my hip.

"I didn't tell them. I meant to, but I couldn't get them alone. I'm planning on telling the two of them after we tell Kingsley. And Ginny was surprisingly pleasant. We talked things over and decided to be civil. It's what's best."

"Good, I'm happy things with her are well. But I'm even beyond happy that you're comfortable enough with me to tell your friends, despite how they are likely going to react," Draco smiles, kissing my forehead.

"I'm not ashamed of you, Dray. I'm happiest when I'm with you. I promise I'll tell them as soon as I get a chance."

Hello, dollies! I hope ya'll enjoyed this chapter!

Please review! (:

xoxo,

K.J