Two Houses (HarryxDraco)

Chapter 35

Harry woke to the feeling of something warm and fluffy tickling his cheek. His first thought was that it was Draco's hair and that made him smile, but the loud squeak in his ear confused his sleep-addled brain. As far as he could recall, Draco didn't squeak, in his sleeping or conscious state. Wrenching his eyes open, he was a little disappointed to see not his boyfriend, but the large, pink nose of his pet ferret, Asha. She cocked her head at him and wiggled her whiskers, giving him an expectant look. Harry sighed and slowly rose from his cot into a seated position, reaching blindly for his glasses on the bedside table. Asha hopped off of the bed and scurried towards the attic door, scratching it and turning to look at Harry in a silent plea. Harry groaned like the springs on the small bed as he got to his feet, shuffling towards the door. He cracked the door open for her a few inches and she slipped out into the hallway, out of sight.

"Yeah, merry Christmas to you, too," he yawned, closing the door again and hobbling back to bed.

The cot creaked loudly as he sank back into it and pulled the checkered quilt over himself again. From the attic window, he could see the first rays of sunlight just beginning to creep over the snowy horizon, casting warm shades of pink and gold across the pale blue hills of Ottery St Catchpole. It was a beautiful sight. Not that Ron was in any fit state to appreciate it as he was still fast asleep on the other side of the room. With his mop of red hair sticking out in all directions and his mouth hanging open, Harry doubted that even a nuclear explosion would wake him up.

He smirked to himself and said loudly, "Merry Christmas, Ron."

Ron replied by snorting loudly and rolling over onto his front. Harry smothered a laugh and settled himself back into the bed. His best friend might be dead to the world, but by the sounds of it, downstairs was already a hive of activity. He listened to the distant clatter of pots and pans and Mrs Weasley's distinct voice as she spoke to someone, maybe Mr Weasley. He could hear more voices drifting from the garden through the attic window. Straining his ears, Harry thought it sounded like Bill and Percy; probably gathering more firewood, he reasoned. He knew that he should get up and help, but before he did anything else, he wanted to wish Draco a merry Christmas.

Pulling the two-way mirror out from under his pillow, he cleared his throat and said 'Draco Malfoy'. He waited patiently for a few moments for a reply but received none. He couldn't help but feel a little disappointed at the lack of reply, but he figured that it was still early and that Draco was probably still asleep. Slipping the mirror back under his pillow, Harry closed his eyes and listened to the comforting sounds of home, intent on only resting his eyes for a few more minutes before he'd get up and ready himself for the busy day ahead. He must have fallen back asleep, however, because when he opened his eyes again, sunlight was pouring through the window and Ron's bed was empty. Checking the time on his wristwatch, he was surprised to see that it was nearly ten o'clock. Although he felt a little guilty that he was probably the only person still in bed at this hour, he took advantage of having the room to himself to try and talk to Draco again. Retrieving the mirror, he held it up to his face and once again said Draco's name, but still, there was no reply.

Harry frowned. Draco would definitely be up by this hour. Maybe he just wasn't in his room, he wondered. Trying not to let disappointment set in, Harry tucked the mirror back under his pillow again and got out of bed. He'd try calling him again in a little while—there was still plenty of time to wish him a merry Christmas.

Once he was showered and dressed, Harry made his way down the crooked, winding staircases to the kitchen on the ground floor. Just as he reached the first-floor landing, Harry paused in his descent when he heard hushed voices whispering furiously below him. Moving as quietly as he could, Harry leant over the bannister to see who it was and was surprised to find Ginny, Hermione and Ron standing in the cramped corridor with their heads close together. Part of him was curious what was going on, but also a little bit annoyed that if there was some sort of drama, nobody had cared to wake him up and include him in the conversation.