Disclaimer: So...for some unknown, strange reason nicluvly and I don't own Ouran or Harry Potter...
During the first week of December, as they walked down the icy corridors to the library, Scorpious asked Haruhi if she wanted to visit him during the Christmas Holidays.
Haruhi's eyes scanned his face. Scorpious squirmed beneath her gaze as Haruhi chose her words. "I guess so; I can't exactly go back to Japan..."
"Great! I'll send an owl to my parents tonight," Scorpious said excitedly. "You'll love it! The manor looks absolutely amazing during Christmas, just like a fairy tale. Even better than what they do here."
Haruhi wasn't normally that excitable, but Scorpious' enthusiasm was catching. "Can't wait," she smiled, but that smile soon faltered when a pair of devious twins slunk around the corner looking like cats cornering a couple canaries.
"Why, Kaoru, I do believe that things are about to get serious here." "I believe you're right, Hikaru." "Of course I'm right, it's been obvious ever since they first met." "True, I wonder when the wedding will be?" Hikaru shrugged nonchalantly before the two of them turned their piercing gaze on Scorpious and Haruhi.
Scorpious' face turned crimson as he sputtered for want of a response. Haruhi, however was much more level head and said coolly, "What are you idiots babbling about?"
"Why," matching grins appeared on their faces, "we're talking about how in love the two of you are."
Haruhi blinked at them, before turning to walk away. "Get real." Scorpious, left in mild confusion, clamored to catch up with her.
"Those idiots," Haruhi muttered as she strode down the corridor, Scorpious rushing to keep up. "They think everything is a game, I mean, honestly. They need a hobby."
"Obviously," Scorpious said scathingly, "who would seriously think we'd be a couple."
Haruhi stopped abruptly in her tracks, a look of pain flitting across her face as she looked over her shoulder at Scorpious. A second later the look was gone and she was striding quickly and firmly towards the library. "You're right, who would?"
The time leading up to winter holiday passed in a half mad blur. Scorpious wrote to his parents who returned their assent and before either of them knew it they were riding the train back to London.
Haruhi's only emotion as they pulled up to King's Cross was nervousness. She'd never celebrated Christmas outside of Japan before and to do so with virtual strangers…well, it was a little scary. She hoped that everything would be alright.
Seemingly sensing her unspoken emotion, Scorpious said, "There's no reason to worry, I'm sure my parents will love you."
Haruhi gave him a friendly smile as she grabbed her trunk and followed him off the train. Waiting not far away was a tall, pale man and a beautiful, dark-haired woman. They smiled happily when they caught sight of Scorpious.
"Scorpious, you're looking well." The pale blond man drawled, as they approached them. "And this must be Haruhi." His shrewd dark eyes skimmed over Haruhi.
"Pleased to meet you, sir, ma'am," Haruhi said formally as she gave him the traditional Japanese half-bow. She really wanted to make a good first impression on her friend's parents.
Mr. Malfoy's lips curled in a smile that was a little disarming, "The pleasure is all mine, Haruhi," he said.
Before Haruhi had realized what had happened she was ushered through the station and into an expensive car that weaved it's way smoothly through traffic.
Scorpious hadn't been lying about the Malfoy Manor; it really was a sight to behold. Snow had fallen recently decking the eaves in white and the grounds were crisp and cold, it looked like something straight out of a Christmas Card.
"Isn't it wonderful?" Scorpious said happily as he pressed his face to the window.
"It really is," Haruhi said wistfully. The car pulled around to the front and upon stepping out of the car their shoes crunched on the fresh powder quite satisfactorily.
Mr. Malfoy gave a wave of his wand upon exiting the car and the trunks disappeared, Haruhi assumed that they went up to their rooms. Staying quiet, she followed Scorpious and his parents up the marble steps, to the polished oak doors.
After Scorpious showed her around, they took tea in the salon. It was around this time Mr. Malfoy made some "casual" inquiries into Haruhi's family. "Fujioka," Mr. Malfoy said, taking a draught of his tea, "are they a large wizarding family in Japan?"
"Actually, we don't have many large wizarding families in Japan. We only joined the wizarding world three hundred years ago, after all. But no, Fujioka isn't one of them. My father's family is entirely muggle." Haruhi said firmly, despite the trace of uncertainty in her voice.
"You're muggle born then?" Mr. Malfoy, said stiffly. Tension was palpable as Scorpious cast from Haruhi and back to his father.
Haruhi nibbled her lip before answering; even at eleven she knew this was a delicate question. "In a way, my great-great grandfather on my mother's side was a squib. I'm the first one to show magical ability since his parents. So, yes, I am muggle-born."
"But she's top of the class!" Scorpious said stalling an inevitable snarky comment or worst from his father.
Mr. Malfoy gave Scorpious a quick glare for the outburst before turning back to Haruhi. "How do you know he was a squib?"
"Well, after my grandfather died, we were cleaning some boxes from his apartment and I found a journal stuck in an old box in a closet." Haruhi looked a little sheepish at this, "I was eight at the time and I read it..."
Mrs. Malfoy chuckled, her dark hair bobbing merrily around her face, effectively breaking the tension in the room. "Of course you read it. I remember when Scorpious found my sister's old diary. I don't think I've ever seen Daphne so upset!"
Scorpious blushed, his pale face turning crimson to the roots of his blonde hair. "Mom," he pleaded.
Mr. Malfoy let out a small, piercing laugh. "Astoria, let's not embarrass the boy in front of his friend. Now, Scorpious, why don't you give her a tour? Dinner is in an hour."
Scorpious opened and closed his mouth in an impressive impression of a fish, "You're not upset that Haruhi isn't pure blood?"
Mr. Malfoy smirked at his son. "You were worried I'd have a problem with that?" Scorpious nodded. "Well, when I was your age I would've had a problem, but things have changed since then, the world's a more accepting place. This means that I must be more accepting also. Now, go give her that tour."
Out in the hall, Scorpious let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Haruhi tilted her head to regard him, "Are you okay, Scorpious?"
He gave himself a quick shake and then grabbed her hand, a huge smile on his face. "Of course I'm okay. Now, c'mon, I have to show you the indoor pool!" He began making his way down the hallway, almost dragging her behind him.
Haruhi didn't even have time to reflect on his hand over hers before they were traipsing around the manor, from the indoor pool to the rare botanical green house. By the time they went to sleep that night, Haruhi was sure this would be a holiday to remember.
Author's Note: So, we finally found the time to write this. Sorry for the long delay, the holidays were crazy and now I've started my student teaching so we don't have as much time to do this.
Thoughts from the Other Author: Here we are again and I just have a few words to say, in the words of Albus Dumbledore: Tuck in.
Enjoy! Read! Review!