Draco did not want to wake up. He found that he was rather comfortable lying in his soft bed, on his soft pillows, wrapped up in his warm blanket. Draco nuzzled his face deeper into the soft hair that was so delicious smelling – like an old, sophisticated spice; he tightened his embrace around whatever it was that was keeping him so very warm, and he found that life seemed good in these few moments of peace. Until there was a knock on the door, a squeaking of hinges, and a small, audible gasp, that is.
"Draco Lucius Malfoy! What do you think you're doing?!"
Draco's eyes flew open and he lifted his head, staring around his room groggily until they landed on his grandmother; she was standing in the doorway with her hand over her heart, gaping at Draco and Harry, who had also awoke at her startled cry.
Draco looked down and found that it was Harry that he was holding around his middle– from his grandmother's angle, however, it was more like they were spooning, for Harry was faced away from him. Draco quickly let go of Harry and sat up, Harry doing the same.
"Um, morning grandma," Draco said, giving an awkward smile. Harry just looked down at his glasses as he continually cleaned them – a great excuse to not look up.
"Don't morning me, Draco! Now you know I don't mind Harry staying over, but I do not condone this sort of behavior!" Mrs. Black said sternly, her hands on her hips.
"Grandma, we didn't do anything, I swear!" Draco said, both he and Harry starting to blush furiously. "Really, we didn't! Harry was freaked out last night, so I said he could stay in here."
"Oh? And what was it that freaked you out, Harry?" Mrs. Black asked, turning to Harry expectantly. Harry exchanged a look with Draco, who nodded his head encouragingly.
"This might sound odd but…" and Harry told her what he saw, and why he knew it couldn't've been a dream. By the end, Mrs. Black had folded her arms across her chest, looking at Harry with disbelief.
"Oh?" She repeated. "And you expect me to believe that my son-in-law's face just happened to appear in your fireplace? Listen, I understand that with new relationships comes new urges of experimentations –"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" both Harry and Draco said, waving their hands frantically, each now resembling a beetroot. "Grandma, you've got it all wrong! Like I said, we haven't done anything, and definitely won't be for a while, might I add. Besides, why would Harry lie about something like this? He's not one to make up stories!" Draco said, his face going back to its normal color. Mrs. Black surveyed the two for a moment, before sighing and dropping her arms to her side.
"Well, I suppose not. Alright, I'll be sending a letter to your father about that. But in the meantime, I would really like it if you could sleep in your own bed, Harry." Mrs. Black said, waggling her finger in Harry's direction. Harry nodded his head furiously, his color finally starting to return. "Good. Now, I would like you both dressed and ready for breakfast in fifteen minutes." With that said, she walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her.
Harry and Draco looked at each other for a moment before bursting out laughing. "That was sooo awkward!" Draco said, throwing the covers off him and getting out of the bed. Harry followed suit, still grinning.
"You're telling me! I can't believe she actually said that! Experimenting…though she makes it sound so dirty." Harry said, stretching.
"I think it's more of her being uncomfortable with the idea of us doing anything more than just kissing. But I know what you mean," Draco said, rummaging through his wardrobe for clothes.
"Yeah, well, I guess I'll meet you on the landing," Harry said, heading out of Draco's bedroom and into his own.
Draco decided to wear a light blue button down collared T-shirt, left un-tucked, and a pair of dark blue skinny jeans. When he was finished getting dressed, he quickly slipped into the bathroom to brush his teeth. As soon as he was finished, Harry stepped out of his room holding his tooth brush; he was also wearing a button down collared T-shirt, except his was olive green in color which flattered his eyes, and his pants were black and almost tight looking. Draco smiled at Harry approvingly as they passed in the hallway, Draco holding the bathroom door open for him. Harry smiled back at him in thanks as he walked into the bathroom. Just before Harry shut the door behind him, Draco tilted his head to the side, checking out Harry's backside; those jeans really complimented his butt.
"Nice," Draco said to himself, leaning up against the wall, waiting for Harry.
When Harry was done, they headed down the stairs to the kitchen, where Mrs. Black was putting two full plates of eggs and hash browns onto the table and turning back to retrieve a third. "Oh good, you're just in time," she said as they took a seat in front of the two plates.
"Thanks for breakfast, Grandma," Draco said, already shoveling the food in his mouth, "it's really good."
"Yeah, thanks Mrs. Black." Harry said as well, also shoveling food into his mouth.
"Of course, dears," Mrs. Black said, scooping up a respectable amount and eating it. "Now, what are your plans for the day?"
Harry looked at Draco, who shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe we'll go for another walk or something." Draco suggested, looking at Harry, who nodded.
"You could show me the rest of the garden," Harry suggested.
"Sure sure," Draco said, finishing what was left on his plate.
"Since you two are going to the garden, maybe you could help me out by watering some of the plants? I haven't been able to get to the very back in some time." Mrs. Black said.
"Of course, Grandma!"
And so after breakfast, Draco and Harry helped clean up the table and dishes before heading out in the cold winter air. Harry was still amazed at the snowless garden, for eight inches had fallen that night. He and Draco continued down the garden talking about anything and everything, simply enjoying each other's company.
"So what are we going to use to water the plants? A hose?" Harry asked, as they continued to walk deeper into the garden, past the bench they were sitting on the previous night.
"I don't know what a hose is," Draco said, stopping by an incredibly small shed to their left. Draco opened the door – there was hardly enough room to fit a person in there. "We use this water can that refills every time it gets close to being empty." Draco took out a copper colored Black watering can that was already filled to the brim with water.
"That's kinda cool," Harry said, looking into the can with interest. They walked around the garden, watering the plants, and talking about what they may possibly be getting for Christmas. Harry, however, was more interested in watching as the water continually replenished itself whenever it was emptied. Draco found this to be highly amusing.
"I can't believe you're never seen this before," Draco laughed, as he gave the watering can to Harry, so that he could do some of the work.
"You're forgetting that I grew up with muggles. I mean, we have watering cans too, but we have to keep filling them up or just use a hose." Harry said, leaning over a bed of orchards, tipping the can.
"You've mentioned a hose before…what is it?" Draco asked, looking at Harry curiously.
"A hose is like this big, hallow, rubber tube that you hook up to a faucet that's on the side of the house and water runs through it," Harry explained.
"Really? And where does the water come from?" Draco asked, leaning up against a Japanese Cherry Blossom tree.
"It comes from the water that runs through the house."
"Huh. And is this tube long? I mean, can it reach all the plants?" Draco asked with fascination.
"For the most part. Hoses come in many different sizes, but it isn't just used for plants. You use it to wash cars, dogs, or to just have fun and spray people with it."
"That does sound like fun," Draco said, smiling.
"Quite. Although, with a can like this, never ending water is a lot more portable, and definitely more useful. If my aunt and uncle weren't so bent on keeping magic out, I'd learn how to do the spell and help them out." Harry said, finishing watering the last of the orchards.
"I love that you're so fascinated by something that is so simple," Draco chuckled as Harry stood up.
"As I've said –"
"I know, I know, you grew up with muggles. But you've been in the Wizarding world for how long?"
"I don't think it matters whether I've been in the Wizarding world one year or fifty, I'll always be fascinated by magic."
"And I love that about you!" Draco leaned in and gave Harry a swift kiss on the lips.
"So it's true then."
Draco and Harry jumped away from each other, startled by the voice. They looked to the source of the voice and gasped. Standing ten feet in front of them was Draco's mother, Narcissa Malfoy. Harry took a quick step to the side, hiding behind Draco.
"M-mother? W-what are you doing here?" Draco stammered.
"You left so abruptly that day that I never got to speak with you myself. But no matter, I can see that your father wasn't lying." Narcissa said, glaring at the dark haired boy that was hiding behind her son.
"I assume you've come here to tell me how wrong my relationship with Harry is? How I'm endangering the family by fraternizing with the enemy? Because I've heard it all before, so don't waste your breath." Draco started breathing harder, trying to get his anger under control. Harry must have noticed Draco's temper rising too, because he placed a comforting hand between his shoulder blades.
"I don't care that you're gay, Draco. What I do care is that you're not thinking this whole thing through. I'm sure Potter is a….lovely boy, but has your father and I taught you nothing?" Narcissa asked, finally looking at her son.
"No, actually, you haven't. And I'm not really in the mood to have this conversation again. So if you'll excuse us…c'mon Harry." Draco reached behind him and grabbed Harry's hand, which was still on Draco's back. He pulled Harry along behind him. Harry gave Narcissa a brief glimpse as they passed her, before looking down at the ground.
"Draco, wait!" Narcissa said. It was more of a plea than a command. Draco stopped in his tracks, Harry stopping himself just in time before he ran into him as Draco turned around.
"What?" Draco asked. Narcissa sighed.
"Your father will never admit it, but he misses you –"
"Ha! Father despises me!" Draco said coldly.
"I miss you too," Narcissa continued as if she wasn't interrupted. "I really do, Draco. I just want you to come home and work this all out." Narcissa said, stepping closer to Draco – she was nearly five feet from them now. "Don't you want to come home?"
"I do, but not if I'm going to be treated as though I'm some sort of freak. I get enough of that school right now, and I don't need that at home." Draco said, his voice wavering slightly. "Besides, there's nothing to work out. I'm with Harry and there's nothing you guys can say to change that."
There was an awkward silence between the three of them. "Well Draco, I don't know what you want me to do. I want to get used to this idea of you and…Potter, I suppose, but with the position your father is in, I trust you can understand the implications of it all."
"I want you to just accept me. Who cares about father's position? I clearly don't. When are you going to let father stop ruling you and take control of your own life?" Draco asked, looking at his mother with sad eyes. Narcissa looked at Draco as if she'd never seen him before. Draco sighed. "Grandma told me you were never like this before you met father. So before you reprimand me for my life change, I suggest you start with yourself." And with that said, he turned around, Harry following in tow.
Harry and Draco sat in the living room in silence, neither one of them looking at each other. They were still holding hands, however, Harry's thumb rubbing the back of Draco's hand; Draco found it very comforting. He was too embarrassed to say anything, and was afraid of what Harry might be thinking. But he knew they would have to talk about it eventually.
"I'm sorry you had to witness that, Harry." Draco said softly, still not looking up.
"It's fine Draco, really. I actually thought that was very brave of you to stand up to your mother like that." Harry said. Draco looked up and gave Harry a bitter smile. "You really miss her, though, don't you?"
Draco nodded, taking a deep breath. "I do. I miss her, I miss home. And I'll admit, I even miss Father a little bit. It just hurts that he rejects me, ya know?" Draco said, shrugging.
"I know. I just wish there was something I could do," Harry said.
"Just being here is enough, Harry." Draco said, giving Harry a real smile. Harry smiled back and pulled Draco into a hug, gently squeezing him. "Thank you."