If there was anything Harry Potter was good at, it had to be keeping secrets. Unless you count telling his friends, and Dumbledore somehow finding out, and Hagrid reassuring him about things, and the snickering he hears from Slytherins and- okay..Ma...
They had all decided on an early bedtime the night before, rather tired from all the chit chat they've been doing anyway. Mostly, they decided on it as a way to 'get to Christmas faster' by going to sleep earlier. All felt well. Even as they awoke in the morning. Draco was the first awake. He was always awake by 6am at the latest. Today he woke at the ripe time of 5:30.
"Behind schedule.." The blonde mumbled to himself, stretching out and yawning. Looking over on the bed, Harry was still asleep. The brunette always looked so cute like this.
Draco had never felt so calm while waking up in the morning. Relaxed. Whether at his house or at school, he always woke with this hit of 'I need to do this thing'. Usually, he was the one that got everything ready around the Slytherin dorms. Breakfast was provided, sure, but they were teens so one of his jobs was making coffee. Then there was cleaning up so that everything was nice for the start of a new day, going to check on people's pets, feed them if he has the chance, since the incident with the troll in the dungeon he now checks out the hall right outside their dorms to make sure there isnt anything bad around - he's been told countless times that it's dangerous but he doesnt mind since it's all to keep the others protected. He also checks up on the younger Slytherins to make sure they had a good rest, the 11 and 12 year olds still adjusting to life at Hogwarts. Besides, they were literal children. They got scared easily, missed their parents, got homesick, didnt know if they could go to anyone for help. Even if all this was just part of a morning routine, his real job around the Slytherin dorms was to be a sort of parental figure. He took care of everyone. Even his close friends. One kid actually called him 'Dad' by accident. Blaise calls him Mom on purpose. And even if it's in a joking manner, it's obvious he actually does see Draco that sort of way.
At home? Same thing. They had house elves, sure, but he wasn't his father. He actually did things himself instead of forcing them to wait on him hand and foot. He even helped them out. Cooking, mostly. He rather liked to cook.
Speaking of cooking - Draco snapped out of his thoughts, going downstairs at the smell of food. He figured pajamas were fine to wear for now. "Good morning, Mrs. Weasley." He smiled to her. "Oh- Draco, Happy Christmas. You're up early dear, arent you? Get a good sleep?" She glanced at him, laughing a bit at his bedhead. "Your hair looks like a rat's nest so I'll take it as a yes. Would you like some tea? Maybe a comb?" Draco just sat down, chuckling and setting his head down on his crossed arms. "Happy Christmas. Some tea would be nice." He lifts his hand, going to grab his wand from his pocket and with a swift motion, his hair laid down all neat though- natural. "Your hair is wavy when you don't use gel. It suits you." She tells him, not bothering to pester him about magic use outside of school. He was just fixing his hair with it. "Thanks. I get it from my Mother but- Father always says that curls are unprofessional. Messy. Whatever that means. So I always put gel in my hair." Draco explained, thanking her for the tea when it was placed in front of him.
"Well I think you look dashing with your hair wavy like that." Molly assured him. Draco just smiled at that, looking down at his reflection in the tea.
"You know-" Molly began to speak again. "You are a part of this family now. You can stop by any time you'd like. Even if you were beaten, bruised and without anywhere to go, we will always take you in. I just wanted you to know that." She sighed, "You're not your Father, Draco. You're far better than he will ever be. Its difficult to stray from becoming like your parents but you've managed. At least somewhat. You must have your Mother's heart. Kind but broken." She turned to sit down across from him, thinking out her words carefully. "You're stubborn. I can see it in you. So- even if you never take up my offer of coming here for a place to go, we will always follow you if you need help as well. Go with you to the ends of the Earth just to protect you from whatever may be harming you.." She gave him a look, hoping he understood what she was saying. They would do anything for family and Draco was family now. Meaning if they saw Draco hurt so badly again by his Father's hands, they would make sure he never sees the light of day again.
"I more than appreciate it. It's nice to hear someone say that." He smiled to her, though there was a sort of sadness behind it. His Mother would always tell him these things - and he knew she would do anything for him. But he's only ever heard it from her. Really put a spotlight on his loneliness.
Molly watched him for a moment before grabbing something and putting it in front of him. "Early present. Everyone already has theirs. I figure you would like to be a part of the group for when they come down here." She rubbed his cheek as she walked back to set up breakfast for everyone. Draco wasnt quite sure what that meant but opened up the box anyway. He stared at its contents, mind racing for a moment. Harry had told him about this. Once you're a part of the family, you get a sweater with your initial on it. Like a sort of initiation. Harry had one, Hermione had one, Luna got hers last year. Draco was honestly taken aback. He had just met them, how did they already have a sweater for him? Why did they accept him already? Was this some sort of joke?
"Harry has always loved you. Even if he didnt know it. Even if he thought you two were enemies. Just..the way he talked. And when he sent a letter about you two finally hitting it off, I made that. I knew you would come here eventually. And with how much Harry talks of you- I knew you would be family too." Molly explained to him, waiting for a response but not getting one. She figured he was just taking it in but she whipped around when she heard sniffling.
Draco had a hand up, the other gripping the seat of the chair. He was tracing over the beautifully embroidered 'D' on the blue sweater. Tears were flowing freely down his cheeks. He couldnt help it. It was all so much. "Do you not like it-" "Its not that-" Draco interrupts her, sitting up a bit and grabbing the sweater to pull it on over his t-shirt. "No, I..I love it. Thank you. I just-" He took in a shaky breath, looking up. "I have a real family now.."
Draco still couldn't believe how kind and thoughtful they were. Nothing like with his family. But they were his family now. He had family. More than just his mother, uncle and cousin. He was overwhelmed. This is all hes ever wanted and he was getting it handed to him now on a silver platter. He expected to have to build it all up by himself. But now its just- there.
He hadnt even noticed Molly was hugging him, rubbing his back a bit to calm him down. And he was holding on. He was holding on like if he let go, he was gonna lose her. He didnt want to lose anybody now.
"Dont go worrying yourself now. I told you - you're always welcome here. Now wipe those tears. You dont want your eggs getting all salty from them." She rubbed his cheek again before ruffling his hair and going to finish setting up. Draco sniffled again, wiping away his tears and smiling to her, "Thank you."
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