Title: The Dragon and the Snake
Author: TwilightKitsune1-REBORN
Word count: 1,239
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: K+
Challenge: The Christmas challenge on an LJ community called dracoharry100. prompt #11, Secret Santa
Summary: Christmas was never one of Draco's favorite holidays, can Harry change his mind?
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters, places, etc. found from the Harry Potter universe. Also I'm broke so please don't sue, all this is is a story for a bit of fun, not profit :D
Warnings: One-Shot, AU, OOC-ness, fluff
Notes: This is a prompt from dracoharry100. I like how the story worked itself out, and how the whole thing went though I wish I had made it shorter but... still think it's great! I like this little pre-Harry/Draco relationship fic. I didn't think it was going to play out like that but hey, my Plotbunnies have a mind of their own when they start up stories sometimes. I hope you guys like this story as much as I enjoyed writing it! I'm trying to work out as many Christmas prompts as I can so let's keep the ball moving!

The Dragon and the Snake

Draco watched in silent joy as his trash bin went into flames. The paper airplane that had moments ago been a welcome distraction from the building holiday paperwork was now nothing more than fodder for the flames that danced for him. 'What use was there in having a secret Santa?' Draco mused as he dosed the flame before it became too large and called attention to his office. 'It isn't like anyone would want to give a gift to a reformed Death Eater.' Draco thought miserably as he leaned back in his chair.

The holiday spirit had seemed to take over the ministry as it was decorated with lights of every color, candles floated in the main entrance for ambiance, and garland hung on nearly anything that it could hang from in shimmering red's, silver's, green's, purple's, and any color people could imagine. There were wreaths stuck to nearly everyone's door save for his own, personally ripping them down each time one popped up. Letting out a sigh Draco grabbed a file from the stack that he had momentarily forgotten about while he enjoyed burning the reminder that gifts were to be given out tomorrow and begun to pack his briefcase to finish his work at home. Silently he smirked to himself as he glanced to one of his drawers that held a small box wrapped in silver wrapping paper with a simple green bow, so nothing was extravagant about it, to hide the truth about its contents.

Who would have thought he would have pulled Harry Potter from the unending list of names of those who worked at the ministry. As he opened the drawer to just make sure it was still there, a knock sounded at the door. Nearly slamming the drawer back into his desk Draco glared at his secretary as he poked his head into the office, "Sir, are you still here?"

"Obviously." Draco drawled out snapping his briefcase closed. "Did you need something?"

"No sir, I just wanted to wish you an early merry Christmas." The boy said and Draco could have sworn there was a blush on his cheeks.

"Alright." Draco said ignoring his words and raising his eyebrow. "Was there anything important?"

"...No. I guess not. Well I'll see you tomorrow then." With that it seemed like he was making for a quick retreat from Draco's office and Draco dearly wanted to curse the boy. 'If someone like that got my name... I feel doomed already.' Draco thought miserably and finally he opened his drawer fully and pulled out the gift he had gotten for Harry. 'Tomorrow will be the moment of truth I suppose.' and with that he left his office.

X.x.X.x.X.x.X

There was laughter, there was singing, there was flying papers of green and red, and Draco couldn't help but feel like this no longer a place of business. Hardly anyone was in their offices, or even where they were designated to be, and as Draco rounded the corner to get to his office he saw a wreath hanging from his door. He nearly screamed as he felt his legs carry him even faster to the offending object. Nearly yanking the whole thing apart as he ripped it down, but could caring less if he did, he pulled it clear of his door. "Blast this holiday!" Draco roared when he was positive he was safe inside his office as he threw the wreath across the room.

That was when Draco saw it. There was a gift sitting on his desk wrapped in golden wrapping paper with a simple red bow on top of it. Draco could feel his mouth go dry and his legs go numb all at once. He tried to walk to his desk to reach the gift but that was out of the question as he barely called his chair to him when his legs gave way. "Could he have been?" Draco whispered to no one as he finally let his hands hold the gift and he realized at some point he had begun to tremble.

Slowly he began unwrapping it, gently placing the bow back onto his desk and careful so not to rip the paper. When the last piece of wrapping paper was moved off the black box that had been hidden underneath the wrapping, which Draco placed on his desk next to the bow, he could just stare at the box now sitting in his hands. No longer able to resist the calling Draco opened it and found himself staring at a shining silver dragon with ruby eyes, as though in a protective stance, above a pure cut emerald snake.

Draco felt tears build in his eyes as he stared at the gift and he knew for sure who it was from. "So I'm guessing you like it then?" Came the voice of the one person he had been hoping not to see him cradling the gift.

"Blast Potter, why did you have to come here now!" Draco shot as he shoved the lid back onto the box and placed it gently back onto his desk.

"I wanted to thank you for the gift." Harry said closing the door behind him as he moved into the office, "and see if you got anything good."

Draco blinked at him and looked between Harry and the box that sat at the center of his desk. Draco knew it had to be him that had given such an extravagant gift. "I did but I thought whoever was getting a gift for a former Death Eater would get something... well less."

Harry only smiled at him. "As long as the 'former Death Eater' isn't in Azkaban then that person is like any other person in the wizarding world Draco."

"Only in your eyes!" Draco hissed and part of him wanted to strike out but doing that would definitely send him to Azkaban prison. "You are one of the only people that can look past this mark on my arm."

"Then Draco, don't be so unapproachable."

"What?"

"You think people haven't tried to be your friend? You push them away, ignore them, or just don't trust anyone that isn't like you." Harry said and walked closer to lean on Draco's desk. "Haven't you noticed?"

"All I've noticed is this bloody wreath." Draco muttered as he looked down as the offending holiday cheer that had been displayed on his door.

"Yeah sorry about that, but Draco your office is so gloomy. Plus, it was kind of like the old days." Harry smiled as he looked at the shocked face on Draco. "So when I left the gift on your desk this morning I just couldn't help myself." Harry explained with an impish smile.

Finally Draco jumped forward and held onto Harry as though he were Draco's lifeline. "You left the gift!... I knew it." Looking up he saw Harry's eyes had become gentle, almost begging for something. "I've already given you your present... but I want to give you something else if that's alright." Harry nodded his head and that was all Draco needed as he leaned in to kiss the emerald eyed man in front of him. How many times had Harry saved him? Now as they embraced in Draco's office, their lips locked in a gentle yet searing kiss, Draco finally understood the wonderful thing about Christmas. Also he was starting to change his opinion on 'secret Santa's'.

The End