Day 11:

Draco was wracking his brain on his last gift before the 12th day. He was so scared to see Harry's reaction. Would Harry decide that Draco had tricked him? Tried to hurt him by giving him gifts he would like? Would he actually like the gifts and be glad to see it was Draco? Maybe to learn once and for all that Draco wasn't as bad of a person as Harry seemed to believe. Draco frowned and shook his head. The Harry he knew would likely view him as the former. Probably think he was tricking him to give him into the Dark Lord. 'Oh Harry, if only you knew the real me. The one who never believed in anything my father does. The one who has had to act the perfect child in a Mudblood hating home. If only you could see the real me. The broken boy who would lay in bed and think about those green eyes after his father hit him. The boy who dreamed of how you were trying to get us out of this mess. I believe in you, but can never speak of such things. If only you knew…'

Draco heard the sound of his door opening and he sat up quickly, watching as Goyle walked in. "You ever getting out of bed Malfoy?" He asked, walking over to his tableside to pack a bit more of his things. Tomorrow afternoon they would be heading home for the holidays. Except for a select few. Malfoy was not lucky enough to be one to stay. He had to go home and pretend to be the perfect Malfoy at another one of his family's Christmas parties.

"Eh, soon. I'm just exhausted." He admitted, meaning emotionally, but knowing Goyle thought he meant physically. "Today will be a long day." He admitted. As long as he was thinking about tomorrow and meeting his family, he would feel that way turned over and looked at Blaise.. "You got your last gift ready?"

"Yep. I sent mine this morning. He should like it well enough. Tomorrow will be an interesting day for him, that's for sure."

Draco laughed. "You mean because it's you or because it's a guy?"

"Eh, probably both. He doesn't seem to be gay, but I guess you never know. Perhaps it's just me, and he is the most compatible person to me at Hogwarts. Or maybe it's more. I won't know until tomorrow."

"True." Draco frowned. "Do you fear being rejected?"

Goyle laughs and looks at Draco. "Is that your fear? That Harry will be disappointed when he doesn't get his last gift, just like the other days? No, I do not fear that. I look at who you got, and I have to admit, this was only a test of our strengths and you passed. You didn't give into this bullshit holiday. Potter may be your best match here, or maybe he was the only one left. Who knows? But there is a wide world out there and we will meet our true matches someday. Perhaps even be set up with someone by Voldemort himself. That is my dream. I want to be given my true match by someone who actually matters. Not by some bumbling idiot like Dumbledore. You can't honestly expect me to believe that Potter would ever be your match, do you?"

"Of course not." Draco said, feeling his stomach twist in disgust at his friend's words, but acting as if he truly believed his friends words. What if his friend was right and he wasn't actually meant to be with Potter like he so dearly wished? Perhaps it was a ploy by the headmaster to make him believe that Potter was actually meant to be his best match? Perhaps it was all a trick? He found himself shaking his head. "I think I need a walk."

Goyle nodded. "Enjoy your walk. Don't forget to pack."

Draco laughed. "You know me better than that Zabini. I will have the houselves do that for me."

Goyle shook his head. "Of course you will. See you later."

Draco got dressed quickly and made his way into the halls and found his mind turning. Why did he ever believe that this event meant more to him than it actually should have? Even Goyle, who was usually the hopeful, was finding this to be more of a cosmic joke than anything else. If Dumbledore wanted to create house unity, then why would he do it in a way that would mess with people's emotions? He wouldn't. He would have come up with a way to make sure no one was getting hurt by it. Because even Dumbledore wasn't so stupid as to mess with people's emotions, not that he thought the Slytherins had any. Draco scoffed and took a turn to head outside.

He found himself walking towards the Forbidden Forest. He took in a deep breath and found himself feeling more free than he had in days. Why hadn't he thought to come out here sooner? He just needed to get away from Hogwarts and all it's drama. Perhaps he would find a way to forget the secret santa event and about going home. Perhaps he would find himself a small hole to disappear into for a while.

Harry found himself feeling very excited. He held his day 11 gift in his hands, which had arrived just today. He had paid a lot of money to make sure to find a good gift for Malfoy. Perhaps even if it didn't work the way he hoped, Draco would find some happiness in this gift. He would have to send these soon. He'd already gotten permission from Dumbledore to allow his giftee to go offgrounds. In fact, he had made sure that Snape would accompany his gifter, Snape only knew that he would meet someone at the front doors at around 7 and from there, there was a portkey to bring them to a Quidditch game of Draco's favorite team. He smiled at his ploy. Dumbledore was only to reveal part of the plan, not who set it up, so Snape would never know that he had been set up by Harry Potter to bring Draco out.

Harry bit his lip, grinning to himself. His plan was foolproof. He would be able to sit in the commons and play games with Ron and just enjoy his last night with his friend before he had to go back to the hellhole with his muggle "family" if he could call them that. He slipped the tickets under his bedside table and made his way down to where he was meeting Ron and Hermione for lunch. They were talking really close on the couch when Harry first noticed them. Finally as Harry got closer, they drifted apart. "Heya Harry." Ron said and watched as his friend got closer. "You should see the gift Hermione got today."

Harry walked over and he noticed a small silver cat bracelet that spelled out Hermione in cats of different positions. He looked at it with awe. Someone really knew her to know she'd like something like that. They also had to have had the idea pretty far in advance to get something so perfect.

"Wow Mione, it's beautiful!" He said, looking closely and smiling at the intricate details. He felt a small pang of jealousy. Sure his gifter had given him thoughtful gifts, but they were not showy. In fact, his gifter seemed to make sure that their gifts were never noticed. Other than the one song, which they made sure was over before other students would hear. They had been pretty secretive. Part of that made Harry feel like his gifter was just getting ready to disappoint by not actually revealing themselves. Perhaps they couldn't? He found himself musing on the idea of that when Hermione tapped him on the arm. "You ok Harry?" She asked.

Harry nodded and looked at her. "Yeah, just hungry."

Ron nodded. "Me too. We should head down before lunch ends."

"You boys only think with your stomachs." She rolled her eyes as Ron said, "Damn right."

They made their way down to the lunch table and Harry found himself watching the Slytherin table. Draco was not there. Perhaps he'd already eaten and headed back to his dorm? Harry had hoped to see him once more before he sent his gift, because then it was likely he would not see him for the rest of the night. He filled his plate with food and ate quietly as Ron and Hermione talked amongst themselves.

Draco watched as the sky slowly changed as the sun moved across the sky. He doubted he'd be missed. Most people probably thought he was in the library, reading, like he tended to do when he needed to get away. Today was not one of those days. He just needed to breath in and remember that the days do go on. He just needed to feel his breathing against his lips and know that he was moving on. He just needed to think about if he was being played. Perhaps he could turn this back into something to reveal his Slytherin self. Something that proved he would always be the perfect Slytherin his family wanted him to be. He watched as bugs and birds flew around him and decided on the perfect way to prove that to himself and to Potter. He needed to prove it to himself… tonight.

He pulled out a Quill and paper and found himself writing, before thinking about what he was planning.

"Harry,

Your Santa requests that you meet them at midnight tonight in the Forbidden forest. I will include a location to meet me at. I look forward to seeing you Harry Potter.

Your Santa"

He placed a spell on to mark his current location, which was a small nook in the forest where he and Harry would be hidden from the world if he came alone. Draco found himself both excited and horrified by his thoughts. He would prove himself as to who he was. . He held the note to his heart. He would send it to Harry when he arrived back at the school. Tonight he would reveal himself to Harry Potter and find out how Potter would react.

Draco made his way back towards the school. He would spend the rest of his day spending time with Pansy and testing her loyalties to Blaise. He found himself breathing a little more erratically at the thought of pushing her towards himself in any way, but he needed to, for his friend. He walked down to the Slytherin area and spotted Pansy sitting near the window, looking out. "Hey Pans." He purred, walking over and sitting beside her. "How are you doing today?" He asked, leaning towards her affectionately. She looked up at him and frowned. "Blaise broke up with me. He said he couldn't be with me knowing that we could never actually be together. He said even Voldemort would not hurt him that way. Am I that bad Draco?" Draco frowned and found himself comforting her. What an unfortunate turn of events. Instead of testing her, he found himself comforting her. He would have preferred the former as then he wouldn't feel bad for her. She had brought this upon herself. She knew that Blaise was bi and therefore could love guys or girls, but she had thought her perverseness would keep him with her. Apparently Blaise had decided he really did have feelings for his giftee. To break up with her the day before they were to reveal themselves. The timing was too perfect.

"Pansy, we both know where your heart lies. You care about Blaise, even find him sexy. You used him to make me jealous. I don't think you were that bad, but perhaps he actually found someone he wants to have a relationship with. Not someone as convenient as you. Pureblood or not Pansy, you are nobodies first choice. We all know you would leave us in a heartbeat if someone showed you any sort of attraction. I regret having done so last year. I am no fool Pansy. I know you will never be somebody's perfect housewife. You will likely be someone's mistress. And knowing you, you would prefer that." She looked at him as though she had been slapped, but he continued. "Pansy, you will always be our friend, because Slytherins care for each other, but you will never be romantically involved with me again. You've hurt me enough already. Go find some Hufflepuff to fuck over and leave those in our house alone."

She began to sob and stood up. "You're a pretentious prick Draco Malfoy! But you were right about one thing.I will never be somebody's perfect housewife. I am too good for one man to up and claim me." She stormed upstairs and Draco watched after her. Well, perhaps hurting Potter would be easier than he thought.

Harry made his way up to his dorms. Ron followed along and made his way to bedside table. "One last day, huh?" He asked, looking at Harry. "Are you nervous?"

Harry nodded. "I am scared that my person will hate that I am the one who gifted them. I want them to know that I want to be friends, but am scared that they will say no. I think that would hurt more than anything."

"Who would say no to being friends with Harry Potter?" Ron asked, rolling his eyes. "Do you not know who you are? Why people love you? You are selfless. You care about others before yourself. Everyone can see that. If they don't want to be your friend, then they are idiots."

Harry felt a small smile forming on his face. As much as Ron felt he was spot-on, he knew that his friends attitude would change if he knew who it was. "Well, if they say yes to being my friend, I will make sure that you are the first person they can tell that to."

Ron nodded and smiled. "Good. You know any friend of yours is a friend of mine Harry.I care about your happiness."

Harry watched his friend and dearly hoped that was true. He wanted Ron to care about his happiness. Hermione was sure that Ron would never understand. If that was true, it was possible that tomorrow he may gain a friend, but also lose one too.

Ron walked over and sat on his bed, across from Harry. He looked up at him. "You want to talk about it Harry? You've been so quiet about your giftee this entire time. If you want to talk, we can."

Harry frowned. Did he want to talk to his friend about the situation he was in? He found himself struggling to find an excuse not to. "I've found myself dreaming about being with this person for a long time. I don't want to just be friends with them. But I know if I did, people would talk. I'd be looked at funny, and worse, they would be in danger."

"From what, Harry?" Ron asked, looking straight into Harry's eyes.

"From rejection they may get from their house. From issues with their family. They could lose everything. But I could give them so much more. Including protection and love."

"And what if they only want to be friends?" Ron asked, not quite understanding that Harry was talking about what would happen only if Draco were to become Harry's friend. He shrugged and sighed. "I don't want to hurt them. Would it be wrong to back out. Not give them a 12th day gift and leave them wondering?"

"That would be wrong Harry. You would have to hurt yourself to do so too, if you care as strongly as you say you are. You need to think about yourself too."

Harry frowned and nodded. "It would definitely hurt me as well."

"Then do what you know is right Harry. Even if it hurts them some, they need to know. Because I think you will be hurt more if you don't."

Harry nodded. He knew what he had to do. Whatever Draco decided, he would agree with… even if it meant letting Draco out of his life forever. He smiled a small bit and got up to hug Ron. "Thank you Ron. I will do what I know is best."

Ron smiled and hugged his friend back and kissed his cheek. "Draco is one lucky bastard, Harry."

Harry took a step back and looked at his friend. Ron grinned up at him. "Harry, I've known you're attractions ever since I met you. You don't do so well to hide it. Hell, if anything, I think I've read you better than my own feelings at times. You need to be happy. Tell him what you told me and it will be his choice."

Harry nodded, mouth agape. Was he dreaming? Ron looked down and let his smile drop some. "You know, once a long time ago, I thought you would end up with Cho Chang. But that was never meant to be. You always wanted to make the world a better place, not because you cared about the world, but because you wanted to have a world safe where you could be with the man of your dreams. And I don't know if you have thought about it in those terms, but you are too selfless for your own good. You think about how many lives you'd help. I want you to do that, but also to make yourself happy. There may be time and a way for that to happen."

Harry stared at Ron shaking his head. "I didn't think you would understand."

"You think I only think about myself, which is sometimes true but Ialso do think about my friends. I could tell who Hermione got before she even knew. And I knew who you had. And while I know you have given them amazing gifts, I hope they appreciate it. I cannot tell much about those who I do not know. And I definitely do not know Draco that well."

"I know him pretty well Ron. All I have to do is watch him. He has a big heart. I want to be with him."

Ron nodded. "Well, I hope you get your wish Harry."

Harry pulled out the gift from under his bedside table. "Do you think you can help me get these to him? You might have a better chance than me."

"You know using me may reveal yourself in return." He said with a small frown. "But I can try."

Harry smiled and hugged his friend. "Let me just write a small note."

Harry quickly picked up a small piece of paper and a quill and wrote down a small note before handing it to Ron. "Thank you Ron. You are a wonderful friend."

Ron nodded, looking at Harry. "Only because you have been a great friend in return."

Ron quickly made his way down the stairwell, leaving Harry in thought in his dorm. Did that really just happen? Ron was accepting. It was too much to wrap his head around. Did he reveal too much in his talk with him? Or did Ron truly know before this? Before he could even begin wondering, Ron was back. "I am sure it will reach his hands now."

Harry frowned and looked at Ron. "How do you know?"

"I asked Snape to pass them onto him."

"Ronald!" Harry asked horrified. "Did you really?"

"Yes, is there something wrong with that?"

"Other than now Snape will know. I had planned everything perfectly so that Snape would not know it was me. Now he surely knows!"

"Or he thinks I am Draco's gifter." Ron shrugged. "I doubt he thinks you would ever gift Malfoy."

Harry frowned, but maybe Ron was right. "Why would he think you are?"

"Because I pretended I could not tell him who the gift was for. I acted as if it was a struggle to ask for a favor. Honestly, it was. But we'll see, in the end. If he guesses, I apologize Harry." Harry nodded, but felt his shoulders slunk. Perhaps Ron was right. But was it better for Snape to think that the gifts were from Ron?

"Thank you Ron." Harry said. "I appreciate it. I am just scared at how all of this will end."

Ron nodded. "Me too Harry. Me too."

Harry frowned and looked at his friend. "Has your gifting been this hard?"

"Harder, honestly." Ron admitted. "I can't begin to describe my feelings towards this, since I cannot tell you all the details right now. But it has been something. I have learned a lot during this time."

"About yourself or them?" Harry asked, curious.

"Both." He admitted. "Perhaps after this, I can explain everything. But for now, let's just say, I understand your position very well."

Harry frowned and looked at his friend. "I look forward to hearing everything."

Draco decided to make his way to the library. He'd already pissed Pansy off. Now he wanted to talk to Blaise, who was probably in his favorite hiding place. He looked around and finally spotted his friend. He walked over and hissed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you what, Draco?" He asked, looking up from his book.

"About you and Pansy." Blaise laughed. "Do I have to tell you everything? I did what I knew was best for everyone."

"Even you?" Draco asked.

"Especially me." Blaise said with determination. "I didn't want to be stuck in a dead end relationship."

"I can't blame you there. Were you hoping for more with your secret Santa? Your timing is impeccable."

Blaise shrugged. "Perhaps. It all depends on how tomorrow goes. How about you?"

Draco nodded. "I think the same thing. I don't see a relationship, but perhaps a new friend. They already promised to at least be my friend. So I guess I at least have that."

"Sounds like more of a slap in the face than a gift." Blaise said with a frown.

"Maybe it is." Draco said. "Honestly, I don't know. And I don't know how much I want friendship either way. Who knows how long we have in this world until Voldemort claims his victory and takes over, as we all know he will."

"You plan on allowing Voldemort to control your friendships?" He asked, closing his book and looking at his friend. "A man who would just as much control you as kill you?"

Draco frowned. "You think that is what I want?"

Blaise shrugged. "We may not have a choice, eh."

"Exactly."

"You really have a brutal look at the world, Mister Malfoy." A drawling voice said from behind him. "Here." He said, dropping something on the table and leaving, causing his robe to turn with him. Draco watched Snape leave without a second glance. "How long was he there for?" He asked, looking at Blaise, who shrugged.

He turned to look at what Snape had dropped and gasped. A small stack of tickets for a Quidditch game that night was on top. It was between his favorite team and the Falmouth Falcons. He looked through the others and saw that there were tickets for 5 more games, a total of 11 tickets. He read the note.

"I would like to see if we could work. I was hoping this could be our next five dates. It would definitely be nice to see your smile as you cheer them on.

Santa"

He looked at Blaise. "Wow. Maybe you were right. My gifter wants to date me. So who knows where this will lead."

"Well, enjoy the game tonight Malfoy." Draco nodded and looked at his friend. "I best get ready to go. The note says to meet someone at the front door tonight. Apparently someone else is involved. Maybe they can give me a clue before tomorrow."

Blaise nodded. "Good luck my friend."

"And to you as well." Draco said. He got up and made his way out the door. He found himself heading towards the owlery. He needed to give his note to Harry. He would certainly be back before midnight. And he needed to figure out his feelings for this person.

Harry was sitting with Ron, playing Wizard's chess, when the note arrived. "My person wants to meet me at midnight."

"You want me to come with?" Ron asked, wondering if Harry needed the support.

"No. I just am scared. How can I tell this person that I cannot have feelings for them, when it's obvious they care about me so much."

"Just be honest with them." Ron said. "Everything will be fine."

Harry nodded. "Want to stay up with me til 11? I will leave right around then to go meet them."

Ron nodded. "I can do that."

Draco found himself cautious as he made his way towards the entrance to Hogwarts, til he saw Professor Snape. "You're who I'm supposed to meet?"

"Seems so Mister Malfoy. Please tell me you have your ticket? We shall portkey from here to the game." Draco nodded. "Then I'll lead the way." Snape said and turned to head out the door. Draco followed.

Harry spent most of the night watching his chess pieces and thinking about Draco enjoying the game. Before he knew it, it was eleven. Ron nodded his head towards the door. "Go meet your gifter. I will cover here."

"Thank you Ron." Harry said with a smile and found himself rushing out towards the outside. He loved the forbidden forest. In a sense, while he knew the danger, it had such a calming peace at night. Even with all that has happened here. It was beginning to snow and he found himself amazed. It was beginning to feel a lot more like Christmas than he ever imagined. He found himself looking down at the map, looking for the place he was told to meet. He was close. He looked up to see fireflies lighting his path. Some formed a small arrow, enchanted he followed. He noticed the words, "Eleven is Heaven."

Before he could even begin to decipher the message, he heard a voice from ahead. "Or something close to, Potter."