The weeks went by quickly, and it was soon Christmas Eve. Draco never missed a day of sending a gift and a letter. Harry was surprised that he hadn't given up, and even more surprised at how patient Draco was waiting. He had assumed that Draco would have gotten fed up and moved on. He had dozens of thoughtful gifts that said otherwise. His favorite was Eadlin, his snake. She had been ecstatic when he told her the name he picked and why. Eadlin meant princess, and she loved being referred to as a princess.

All of Harry's friends had left for the holidays. He had been invited to the Burrow, but this was his last Christmas while in school. He had checked and found out that Draco had gone home. He still received a gift and letter every day without fail. He wasn't sure if he could hold out much longer. Draco had more patience and stubbornness than he had originally thought.

It was almost midnight, and he was sitting in Snape's hidden room talking to Eadlin. He couldn't sleep, so he decided to visit her. He was able to spend more time with her now that there were no classes.

"How do you like being able to go outside?" he hissed.

"It is nice to feel the sun on my scales, but I prefer to be with you," she answered.

"I still have about 6 months before I can leave here. I will get us a home with a garden, so I can go out with you."

"Will there be mice for me to eat?"

"I assume so. If not, I'll get some for you."

"I like mice. There is nothing like feeling a live creature writhe inside you while you slowly suffocate it."

Harry turned green at the thought. "I'll take your word for it."

"What did she say?" a voice interrupted.

Harry turned around and his breath caught. Draco was standing in the doorway, looking flushed. "What?" he said, dumbly.

"I assume she said something disgusting to cause that look on your face. What did she say?"

"Oh. She was talking about eating mice. She's very descriptive."

"Hmm," Draco hummed.

"What are you doing here? I thought you went home."

"I did. Severus was supposed to come back and check on the snakes before he went to bed, but he had a little too much to drink," Draco said, smirking. "I didn't know you could still speak to them."

Harry looked surprised. "You didn't? I thought that was why you wanted to give me one."

"No, I just knew that you liked them."

"How did you know?"

"I saw it in your eyes when I sent that snake after you when we were 12. You looked fascinated."

"Oh."

Draco looked around before walking to the tanks and peering at all the snakes. He stopped at a tank and leaned in. "Severus might have more on his hands soon."

"How can you tell?"

"See how restless she is? She's trying to find a place to lay her eggs. Severus came up with a spell that will give her exactly what she needs." Draco muttered a spell that Harry had never heard and a soft pile of moss appeared in the corner. The snake slithered over and curled up in the pile. "She'll lay several eggs before she's done. She should be done by the time Severus gets back tomorrow. He can take care of the rest of it."

"I think it's amazing that you know all that," Harry said.

"You spend enough time with Severus in here, you pick up on some things," Draco said, smiling.

"Will Eadlin lay eggs?"

"Do you want her to?"

"I think that's a decision she can make for herself," Harry said, indignantly.

Draco laughed. "I just meant that in order for her to lay eggs, she would need to mate with a male. You would have to get her in the same tank as one in order for her to lay eggs."

"Oh," Harry said, blushing.

"I think it's kinda cute how you treat her like a person."

"She's a living creature with her own thoughts and feelings. Why wouldn't I treat her like that?"

Draco smiled softly. "Some people would just think her a reptile."

"Master, you have been ignoring me," Eadlin hissed.

"I'm sorry," Harry hissed back.

"Is the shiny one your mate?"

"Why do you call him 'shiny one'," he asked, avoiding the question.

Because his fur is bright," she said.

Harry snorted.

"You did not answer my question."

"Why do you ask?"

"Because he smells like he wants to mate with you."

Harry blushed. "It's complicated."

"You smell like you want to mate with him."

Harry blushed harder.

"What's she saying?" Draco asked.

"Um, she's just talking about mating."

Draco smiled. "I love listening to you talk to her."

"Really? It freaks most people out."

"No, I really love it. I think it's amazing that you can understand her and talk to her. It's also a bit of a turn on," Draco said, flirtatiously.

"Now I know you're lying." Harry turned away from Draco.

Draco stepped closer and pressed his body against Harry's so Harry could feel his erection. "Actually, I'm not."

Harry turned around in shock. "Why-How-You're really turned on by that?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "No, that was my wand poking your arse."

Harry scowled. "Not funny. The only person that I've met that doesn't get freaked out by it is Snape."

"Severus works with snakes every day. Of course he wouldn't freak out when he hears it. I spend enough time with him that it doesn't bother me. Listening to you speak to the snakes, though, is incredibly sexy."

Harry bit his lip and looked away.

Draco grabbed his chin and turned his face so they eye to eye. "I'm being serious, Harry. I've never been more turned on in my life. Can-can I kiss you?"

Harry slowly leaned forward and pressed his lips to Draco's. It was a soft, chaste kiss. He knew that Draco understood not to try to go further. He pulled back. "I think I'm ready to hear that explanation now."

Draco gave him a dazzling smile. "Let's go back to our rooms. We might as well get comfortable. This might take a while."