1000 Days of Harry Potter

Day 602

It's hard to believe the three of them are back at Malfoy Manor again, celebrating Christmas with 'Grandmother Narcissa,' as Teddy calls her, for the second time. The mood walking up to the house is so very different from the year before. Harry has been to the house many times now, and he's become disconcertingly close with Draco's mother. In fact, Draco suspects them of meeting without him for tea when he has Teddy. It sounds crazy, and they both laughed when he asked them outright about it, and yet, he can't shake the feeling that he's right.

"So Harry," Narcissa draws Draco's attention back to the conversation. Teddy has fallen asleep on the sofa with his head in her lap, stuffed full of good food and a full day of Christmas cheer. "Have you met this mysterious Brandon that Draco keeps talking about? Because I haven't, and I'm starting to find it suspicious."

"I haven't yet," Harry takes a sip of mulled mead and glances over at Draco. "I'd like to, though. Draco blushes every time anyone asks about him. Look."

"He does, doesn't he?" Draco's mum laughs.

"Merlin's pants, we've only been dating for two months! I'm not ready to introduce him to the family or anything!"

"You introduced Marc to us after less than two months," Harry says.

"Yeah, and that worked out so well for me," Draco drawls, rolling his eyes.

"I don't think that had anything to do with introducing him to people," Narcissa points out. "He wasn't exactly..."

"What?" Draco is rapidly getting tired of this conversation and has to resist the urge to run a hand over his face in frustration.

"Your type, darling. I mean, he was nice and all, but he was really very—"

Shit. Draco really can't handle a discussion about his "type" at the moment.

"Er, Narcissa, I don't think Draco wants to talk about this anymore," Harry cuts her off.

Harry must have caught the expression on Draco's face. Draco feels a rush of gratitude toward him. He sends him a smile across the room and mouths the words 'my hero' at him. Harry grins and winks back.

"I'm sorry Draco, I'll stop," Narcissa says apologetically. "I'm just happy for you, that's all. Things are going well?"

"Yes, I think so." Suddenly, Draco can't look at Harry anymore. He doesn't want to see the reaction to his next words in those expressive eyes. "I think I'm...I really like him."

"That's wonderful."

"We'd better be getting this one home," Harry says to Narcissa, and he's determinedly not looking at Draco when he turns around. "It's getting late."

"Why don't I just take him up to his room upstairs?" She smiles at them. "You're all more than welcome to stay the night."

"I promised I'd swing by Ron and Hermione's tonight," Harry declines politely. "We missed seeing them at the Weasley's this morning while they were with her parent's."

"Alright then. Draco?"

"Oh, sure. Yes. Teddy is going home with me in the morning anyway."

"Lovely." Narcissa gently wakes up the sleeping boy and helps him up, guiding him toward the door. "I'll just take him up to bed, then. Happy Christmas, Harry. It was wonderful to see you."

"It was great to see you, too." Harry murmurs, walking over to kiss Teddy's forehead. "Happy Christmas, Narcissa. Happy Christmas, kid. I'll see you on Sunday, alright?"

She disappears upstairs, and Draco suddenly feels strangely discomfited being alone with Harry, even though they're alone together all the time. Not usually with a strangely-charged atmosphere like this, though.

"I guess I should be going," Harry says softly.

"Yes," Draco's stomach flutters nervously as he walks with him to the front door, pulling the heavy door open. "Happy Christmas, Harry."

He's caught by surprise when Harry pulls him into a warm embrace. It's not what he expected, but Draco relaxes into it, letting Harry hold onto him for far longer than a normal hug should be. He can't resist, and he doesn't think he'll ever be able to.

"Happy Christmas, Draco," Harry says when he finally pulls back. He smiles and turns away, quickly disappearing down the front steps into the dark. Draco hears the soft crack! when he Apparates away in the distance.