Day 9:

Harry snuck out of the classroom. It was twenty minutes before the next class and he grinned, knowing it would never happen. It was the third classroom he'd booby-trapped throughout the day. Luckily for him, Draco and he shared a few classes throughout the day. Today was all of them, which is why he chose to do it today. He walked back towards the place he'd hidden his school supplies and walked towards the commons to catch Ron and Hermione as they headed down towards the classroom he'd just come from. He smiled at them. "You lovebirds ready to go?" He asked, jokingly. He knew Ron and Hermione had a crush on one another, but they weren't meant to be together. Anyone with eyes could see that the three in their group were more like brothers and sister than anything else.

"I doubt your luck is going to continue Harry." Hermione said, shaking her head. When he'd told her about his other classes getting canceled in one strange way or another. He nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure." He sighed and shook his head wistfully, as if wishing it could somehow come true. Little did she know. As they walked down into the dungeons, a thick smoke was starting to float out from the door. Snape ran out and glared around at the students who were just starting to arrive.

"Class is canceled for today." He growled and made his way up the stairs to find somewhere to wash off the pungent smell the smoke had left. Draco looked around and shook his head. "What in Merlin's hell. Who gets away with this! I know that someone did this on purpose. ALL of my classes were canceled today. Who was it?" He looked around, glaring at the Gryffindors who had arrived and suspiciously watching the Slytherins, because, you know, only a Slytherin could attempt things so evil.

Harry kept himself from grinning and watched Draco's reaction. He was suspicious, but not in a direction that affected Harry. Harry looked at Ron and shrugged. "Guess we have some time to play Wizards chess before dinner." Ron smiled and nodded. "I'll kick your butt."

Harry grinned. "If you say so." He turned and made his way back towards the stairs that led to their commons.

Hermione groaned. "You and your luck Harry. Think your secret santa did this?" She asked, guessing that since Harry had received all his classes off, it must be for him. He shrugged. "I'm not sure. I guess it's possible. Everyone knows how much I need a break." Harry hadn't considered that Hermione might come to that conclusion, but thought he might milk it. "If so, I appreciate it."

Draco wasn't sure if he should be happy or pissed at the actions of the person. Yeah, they were cunning and smart enough to figure out how to get classes canceled, but then again they had targeted his godfather in one of their pranks. How dare they! Of course, it wasn't dangerous, and neither was anything else they had done. Part of that told him it wasn't a Slytherin despite his feelings when he saw it happen. Now he wasn't sure. He made his way towards his commons and yawned. "I think I might get some sleep." He said. "I got the time before dinner."

Pansy frowned. "But Drakey! We could do something together since we've got time."

Draco shivered slightly by the way she said "something". He had no interest in being one of her playthings. Pansy was known to be a player. She was openly dating Blaise now, but that did not keep her from flirting and playing around. Draco was not one of those who could handle being a plaything, especially when he was looking at potentially having a partner after this whole situation. Whoever had him was wicked, interesting and fun. They got him points and they even gave him a ring. Although they had also said, they'd be his friend if nothing else. If all he made was a friend through all this, he'd be pretty happy.

He hoped that Harry would also feel as if he got something from this experience, be it some stuffed animals, some rings and some knowledge. Hopefully he'd view that as something more perfect as he already seemed to enjoy the gifts and still had a few coming. Draco ignored Pansy the rest of the way up the stairs and made his way towards his dorm. He was almost ready with his gifts for today, but he needed a couple more ideas. He decided that he would wait til after dinner to send the gift.

He made his way to his bed and closed his eyes. Draco found himself remembering a young boy, black hair and green eyes staring down at his meal with delight. He acted as if he'd never seen so much food in his life. Unlike Draco's home life, where his parents threw magnificent feasts for their friends on a yearly basis with at least this much food, if not more. Young Harry looked like he needed the food. His eyes lit up in delight as he picked up a puffed pastry filled with pumpkin sauce. He closed his eyes as he took a bite, savoring the moment. Draco looked down at his own and took a bite, attempting to feel the same sensation Harry must be feeling, but he couldn't. He'd had them his entire life and it just wasn't as amazing as it was to the boy who had never had them.

In further years, Harry had discovered many other foods he'd enjoyed and each time Draco had watched with interest. Food was an escape for Harry. A place he could go that was a new, better experience every time. And it seemed, a much needed one, based on the way the young boy came to school looking like each year. It was as if he was getting his first meal of the year when they arrived at the feasts. Draco wondered how it would be to have a meal created by someone who saw food like that. Someone who caught the most amazing things out of something so simple. He'd already decided on his gift, but he needed to make sure he had 9 recipes. He'd even done some research in muggle cookbooks to find recipes for things he had never had before and hoped that Harry hadn't either. It could make it fun for him.

Draco decided that the last few recipes would have special meaning to him, including the puff pastry, his first experience of Harry's love of food, and quite a few other things he noticed Harry enjoy at their first feast. Pork chops and broiled potatoes were some of Draco's favorites that Harry had seemed to enjoy, as well as Rice pudding for dessert. He had just under 5 hours until he wanted to have the recipes delivered to Harry and he wondered what the other was thinking. Did he think that someone was taking the time to give him a thoughtful gift, or did he think he was forgotten for the day? He really hoped Harry would enjoy the effort he was putting into this gift. And maybe someday he'd be able to enjoy a meal at the famous Harry Potter's, even if only as someone invited to celebrate his marriage or a child one day. Draco felt a pang in his chest at the thought and frowned. Why was he so jealous at the thought that Harry Potter wouldn't want him as he so badly wanted him? Maybe because Draco knew that if by some miracle he still ended up being married, it would not be to the boy he had fallen for so long ago. He groaned.

"You ok Draco?" Blaise asked, walking in at the exact wrong moment. Draco looked up at him and shook his head. ".. Not feeling the best. Maybe I best go to the infirmary."

Blaise frowned and looked at his friend. "Need me to accompany you?"

"Nah, I'll be fine." Draco said, not wanting his friend to follow. "I'll see you at dinner." He said, hoping to keep his friend's mind grabbed his tote and made his way out the door.

Draco made his way down the stairs and slipped out of the commons before Pansy or his other friends saw him. He decided to head up towards the infirmary in case anyone asked, but turned last minute, making his way towards the library. He made his way into a dark corner and continued the work he'd been doing all week. He hadn't wanted to wait til last minute on this project, because it meant a lot to him. He pulled out his eagle quill and ink and focused on writing out the directions, at the bottom listing the ingredients, but adding notes to how it could be changed and ending with, 'And as always, use that Potter creativity. Good luck! Your Santa'

He grinned and pulled out the last parchment. He bit his lip as he focused hard on this one, keeping his attention to make all the details correctly. He pushed himself to add as much of his personal favorites into the recipe as he could, as well as leaving openings for Harry to make it his own. Draco closed his eyes and imagined Harry making this recipe. It was actually something Draco had invented once while trying to help his mother cook. Ever since, his mother had asked him to remake it because it had become a favorite amongst her friends. He grinned, happy that he had pleased his mother, even if in a small way. He signed the bottom the same as the rest and then bound them together within a leather folder he had made. He closed his eyes and breathed Harry enjoy this as much as he had enjoyed putting it together?

He frowned, unsure. But he wouldn't know until he sent it to Harry. He made his way out of the library and towards the owlery. He made sure he was not being followed or watched. He walked into the owlery and walked up to Hedwig, who looked at him with curious eyes. He tied the folder to her leg and pet her head. "Please bring this to your Master Harry Potter." Hedwig hooted and raised her wings, looking at him in the eyes and then flying off. Draco grinned. "Oh if I could see Potter's face when his own owl brings him his gift."

Harry was about to head down to dinner when Hedwig flew into the room and hooted at him. He noticed a black leather piece tied to her leg and held out an arm to get her settled and untied the piece. She flew off before he'd opened the folder and frowned. Why did the person use Hedwig when there were many school owls they could have used for anonymity? Harry shook his head and opened the folder. The first page made him start to tremble. In a beautiful script was an H, surrounded by elegant scrawl and underneath it read 'personal cookbook'. He turned to the next page and read.

'Harry,

You are amazing. And the first time you came to Hogwarts, I noticed your love of food. Please take these recipes, make them your own and bring that love to the rest of the people you know.

Santa'

Harry looked through the book and saw a few foods he'd had before and some new ones he couldn't wait to try. He smiled to himself and wondered exactly how much his santa knew about him. Had they truly been watching him? Wanting to make this one of the best Christmas's for him ever? He couldn't believe his luck that someone would care for him so much. He would definitely make use of this book, not only for his santa, but for himself as well. He found himself with tears in his eyes, enjoying the fact that someone seemed to know him so much. Maybe even more than he knew himself.

Draco grabbed his tote and made his way down the stairs and ran into his friends on the way to dinner. "Feeling better Draco?" Blaise asked, a small look of concern.

Draco nodded. "Pomfrey gave me a potion to help with the nausea. So I should be fine for dinner. Let's go."

Blaise shrugged. "Alright." He turned and kissed Pansy, grabbing her tight around the waist and Draco wished he really had been given a nausea potion, because now he felt more nauseous than ever. He turned away and waited for his friends to continue on their way.

Finally they split and Pansy bit her lip as almost embarrassed. "Alright, let's go!"

Blaise nodded and they headed to the Great Hall. He noticed Harry chatting with Ron and Hermione near the door as they made their way in and the smile on Harry's face told him everything he needed to know. Harry had liked the gift as he had hoped. The thought of which made his heart thump faster, excitement growing. He attempted to keep himself from blushing with excitement. He was happy that he managed to succeed. All in all, today was a good day. Having the classes off allowed him to make his gift perfect. 'Thank you gifter.' He thought to himself.