A newfound friendship (A Drarry Story) (8th year Drarry)

Chapter 49 - New Year

Harry's POV:
"I can't believe it's New Year's Eve already, I do not want to go back to school," I groan flopping on the sofa making Draco tut.
"Harry you aren't ready yet, I told father we would be at the manor early," he says putting his bag by the fire.
"I am ready." I pout my voice muffled through the sofa cushions.
"You aren't wearing that," he laughs looking at my tracksuit bottoms and T-shirt.
"Here love, we have to get there to make it look perfect for the guests," he summons some clothes resting then on top of me, he really is working too hard and worrying too much.
"Are you sure this is a good idea, having everyone come to the manor?" Draco says as if on queue lifting my legs up to sit down.
I sit up beside him pulling him into my lap.
"We've been over it love, it was decided on Boxing Day. The Weasley's will be fine. Your father can't go many places and they didn't want to pressure on me for Christmas and new year and no offence even if it was possible they wouldn't want Lucius at their house."
He sighs deeply leaning his head into my chest.
"It's Hermione I'm worried about most, what Aunt Bella did to her," he sighs and I squeeze him tightly knowing how guilty he feels, not that he could have done anything without putting himself in harms way.
"It's unrecognisable now though, you did so much remodelling," I say thinking back to when we left my house to go to his a few days ago.
"I guess," he shrugs and I kiss his forehead.
"And we are going to make sure the decorations that you told the elves to do for New year are perfect."
He nods still frowning slightly,
"It's strange to think no one is living there right now, father and mother have been living in the house down south that is one of places fathers allowed and we have been staying here more often."
"We can stay there anytime my angel, I am happy anywhere if it's with you," I tell him honestly and he smirks.
"I know, I guess it feels safer here, there are still a few people occasionally threatening my home," I kiss his furrowed brow and squeeze his thigh.
"I am always going to protect you. If anyone even thinks about trying something they are going to regret it."
He smirks again seeming more relaxed.
"Good." Now you get dressed," he says slipping off my lap.
I change quickly and help him lift his bag and my own into the fire with us as we floo to the manor.
"Finally dears, your father and I are up in arms about the chairs in the drawing room 4, Draco tell your father to stop moving things around."
Narcissa says as we step out of the fire into the ball room. It is beautifully decorated with tables of food and moving silver decorations hung up on the high walls the ceiling enchanted like the one in the great hall to reflect the sky.
"What is he doing in drawing room 4, I thought we agreed to use drawing room 1 as it's the biggest?" Draco says almost instantly billowing off in a wave of cloak and panic.
"It looks great Narcissa," I say looking around at the shifting balloons as they change colour from white, to silver to a shimmery grey.
"It was mostly the elves, under Draco's instructions. He was always so interested in running the home and planning events. Lucius was rather saddened that he wasn't more interested in quidditch, he only really threw himself into that to try to beat you."
I chuckle at the revelation, it does sound like my competitive Draco.
"He never did beat me," I laugh as Draco comes back into the room arguing with Lucius.
"Well it doesn't matter if you don't like where I have put the chairs in drawing room 4 because we are using drawing room one for the guests, if it bothers you that much move the 'comfortable' chair into drawing room 1. Although Merlin knows why they are all the same."
"They aren't all the same, the others are uncomfortable, with your boney behind you would think you feel it more," Lucius sulks and Draco glares at him in shock.
"My behind is not boney thank you very much," he snaps looking to me.
Unsure of what to say in front of his family I awkwardly agree, "no it isn't love, not even in the slightest." He smirks seeming satisfied coming over to me and leaning on my shoulder.
"Drawing room fiasco is over. What were you saying about me beating you? My ears were burning."
Narcissa chuckles, "Harry's was simply saying how you never beat him at quidditch."
"And your mother was telling me all about how you basically only decided to play to spite me."
He smirks lifting his nose up to the air with a small huff.
"I let you win," he says firmly almost like he even believes it himself.
"Of course Dray," I say nodding making his mother smile.
"I'm hungry," I say moving to the food table making Draco sigh.
"I told you to have breakfast love, that's not for now," he says waving his wand and casting an invisible barrier around the table.
"But Draco," I sulk and get tuts calling an elf and asking him to bring me something to eat.
"Father I can hear those chairs moving," Draco snaps, holding his head in his hands.
"Hey hey, it's okay baby. Stop stressing, it's only the Weasleys," I say pulling him into my arms and making him sigh.
"Oi rude," Ron says stepping out of the fire with Hermione and Ginny.
"Woah Draco your house is amazing," Ginny says looking around the room in awe, "ooo can we have a tour?"
Draco smiles and nods but I notice Hermione's holding Ron's arm a little tighter than usual.
"Of course, later though, I need to get some wine from the cellar before everyone arrives."
Hermione's eyes widen and Draco frowns.
"It's not the dungeons anymore, it looks very different," Draco says sadly looking very guilty, I watch Lucius bite his lip and avoid eye contact looking awkward but definitely not looking guilty like Draco though.
I wrap my arms around him and kiss his cheek.
"It really looks wonderful down there now Drakey, you've done a wonderful job decorating. Come have a look guys," I say encouraging them, knowing that when I first saw it i was amazed that it was the same place.
It's so bright and clean now, the stone walls have been plastered and painted. There is elaborate wall paper on one wall with pictures and art. The floor has even been tiled with shiny black tiles, not only is a large part sectioned off for alcohol storage there is also a small private bar area and some sofas.
Draco told me before that it feels private down there and he wanted it to be of use, especially when the reporters were hounding him.
They follow him nervously along with Lucius.
"Woah mate, it doesn't even look like the same place, not that I was admiring the decor the last time I was stuck down here," Ron laughs.
"Oh you made such a song and dance about the Malfoy Dungeons, drama Queen, it's lovely," Ginny teases getting a glare from Ron and Hermione.
"Ah well I'm all for putting the past behind us but I can't see why we had to get rid of the dungeons. What if a particularly annoying reporter breaks in?" Lucius sasses.
"Then we will deal with it through legal channels not unlawful imprisonment," I laugh making Hermione chuckle nervously and nod.
"Oh and you are one to talk Mr. Fork in the eye Potter," Lucius teases.
"Bloody hell, how many times? I only threatened to, I didn't do it."
"Oh and what about the man you held up by his neck in Diagon Ally, dear?" Narcissa laughs coming down the stairs with a nervous looking Molly and Arthur and a chipper looking George.
"Or the boys you sent flying and would have used the cruciatus curse on if you hadn't been stopped," Ginny adds helpfully and I frown at their joint teasing.
"Or when you punched me in the face and shattered windows around me," Ron says.
"Well all of those were different, Draco was threatened." Draco smiles smugly looking very proud of himself as he wraps his arms around my arm clinging to my side protectively.
"And so if someone's broke in here and threatened Draco? What then?" Lucius says teasingly and I frown.
"Then I will do much more than unlawful imprisonment. It'll be the last time they are bloody seen alive." I sulk. Draco smiles kissing my cheek and Lucius, Narcissa and Ginny look amused.
"Harry, don't say such things, you don't mean it,"Molly scolds and I glare at the ground.
"Oh he means it, but don't worry my darling, Lucius and I will always be here to keep Draco safe too and you too dear."
I look up smiling back at Narcissas loving expression ignoring Mollys look of frustration.
"Ha, I'll try my best but I think it's you who will protect the rest of us my boy," Lucius laughs clapping me on the back. Draco smirks nodding at his fathers words.
"You are so powerful Harry," Draco whispers teasingly to me looking at me through dark lashes.
I roll my eyes, "down boy," I whisper back and he giggles smirking to himself.
"I have had the elves put the rest of the food out. I think Percy is coming with Charlie. It's a shame Bill and Fleur were busy," Draco says heading back upstairs with the wine, leaving us to follow.
"Yeah they are on another bloody holiday, it's a good job Bill has a good job," Ron laughs.
"I'm quite jealous, I could do with a nice holiday, a break from school."
"You guys literally had dinner in Italy a few weeks ago, and you go to France and Italy all the time," Hermione laughs but Draco waves his hand dismissively.
"I mean a proper holiday. A nice private island or perhaps safari." I laugh at his poshness and his smug look in my direction.
"Well I will take you wherever you want, whenever you want Blondie," I assure him.
"Hmmm yet another dangerous thing to say to a man like me," he laughs and Lucius nods in agreement seeming amused.
"I think I'll take my chances."
"Why is that dangerous?" Molly asks frowning and Ginny laughs giving me a knowing look, "I think it's risky to tell anyone that you'd do anything." Her father nods in agreement alongside Narcissa.
"Or you could trust that your loved one knows best and wouldn't ask to much of you," Lucius suggests making his wife smirk.
"A little ironic coming from you dear."
"I try my best, we didn't die," he sulks and Draco rolls his eyes throwing his mother a knowing look.
"I would trust Hermione knows what's best," Ron says thoughtfully and she blushes.
"Thank you Ronald."
"That's because she does Dear," Molly laughs and Arthur rolls his eyes, "it's best you learn now boys, that they always know best."
Molly slaps his arm playfully and he kisses her head.
"Does that include Draco?" Ginny asks feigning innocence attempting to get a rise out of Draco.
"Of course it includes me Ginevra, poor Harry saved the wizarding world without two brain cells to rub together," he snaps.
Narcissa scolds him but I shrug, I am confident in admitting that Draco is much more intelligent than I am. I'd probably have been dead by first year without Hermione.
"Good old brute force," I laugh and Lucius joins in.
"And incredible magical ability Potter," he adds.
"The brains and the brawn," George giggles.

The fire glows and Percy and Charlie step out awkwardly.
I hear Ron let out a sigh of relief at the prospect of the food starting now everyone is here.
Draco welcomes them handing them wine and levitating trays of food to circulate the room.
"Mmm you are a fucking glorious cook Malfoy," Ron moans loudly putting another four types of Canapés into is open mouth.
The Malfoy's eye his chewing with similar baffled and disturbed expressions and I remind myself to make a conscious effort to remember the times Draco scolded my etiquette.
"Thank you Ron. Although the elves did most of the work," he says politely, popping something small into his mouth.
"How's the tat feeling Harry? mine hurt for ages after. Think you'll get more?" Charlie asks and I move over to chat to him, nodding and fondly touching my tattoo exposed by my rolled up sleeve.

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"Wait this is your room too?" Ginny gives Draco a vacant stare and he stares back at her looking conflict.
"I don't quite understand what you mean?" He laughs.
"We just saw your bedroom? And this is your other one?" She says sounding increasingly confused.
Draco let's out a velvety chuckle and I can't help but smile at him as the others all look confused on his little tour of the manor.
"No this is his study," Lucius laughs going back to pointing out and relaying a lot of history about particular portraits to Percy, who seems surprisingly interested.
"But there is a bed here too," Ron says and Draco frowns.
"Yes don't you ever get tired when studying, it's there in case I need a break."
I watch the baffled expression as they take in the room larger than his actual bedroom, lined with artefacts, book cases with a large desk area in the middle of the room along with sofas and a raised platform in the back corner with a large bed.
"Why can't you walk down the corridor to your room?" Ginny asks frowning at him like he is crazy.
"Oh I suppose I never thought of that," he chuckles lightly and I can't help but roll my eyes, no one is quite like my Draco.
"Honestly mate sometimes I wonder about you, more money then sense," Ron laughs, getting an amused look from Draco's parents and the sound of Molly's hand hitting the back of his head filling the corridor a deep blush on her face.
"Don't listen to them angel, you shouldn't have to walk if you are tired, I'll carry you even if the bed is in the same room," I say firmly making Ron gag but Ginny smile happily. George puts his hand on his heart cooing dramatically.
"You shouldn't do too much for him dear, I fell into that trap when he was a child. It's why he couldn't do anything for himself till he was around 14 years of age."
Draco glares at his mother and his giggling father. "Ridiculous, I was a very independent child," he snaps. "Tell me father when have you ever cooked for yourself?"
Lucius frowns, "that's different Draco, the elves do that, We don't need to cook. You only do it because I wouldn't let you mix up dangerous potions in your play room and cooking with the elves was the next best thing."
"You weren't complaining when I made you liquid luck in third year."
"You could make liquid luck in third year?" Hermione says her voice dangerously high, "Why were you so annoyed when Harry won it in 6th year?"
"Ah well it takes 6 months, so it's time consuming. Also it was just annoying that Harry was all of a sudden better than me at potions."
"Honestly, tell me about it!" Hermione exclaims linking arms with with Draco as Lucius announces that we are going to look at library one.
"You know he was blatantly cheating though." She continues as we walk up the corridor.
"Yes, I know now, Uncle Sevs book. How could I forget what nearly killed me."
I frown at the ground as narcissa explains the architecture of the library.
"I know you didn't know what it did love, it's fine." He says resting his arm on my back.
I place my hand on his chest hating how I have scarred him.
"I just can't believe now that I ever looked at you and thought to use a spell labelled for enemies. You aren't my enemy. You never where."
He smiles sadly holding me close and I try to stop myself from crying in front of everyone. They move on, I hear Narcissa directing the others back to the ball room leaving us alone.
"I'm fine Harry, I don't blame you, I never did, you didn't know what would happen," he coos running his hand through my hair.
I rub his chest gently, wondering if I will ever not feel guilty about this.
"You shouldn't feel guilty Harry," he says as if he can read my mind, "I have done my fair share of awful things to you. And to your friends. And you forgive me, so why can't you see I've forgiven you, why can't you forgive yourself."
"I'm sorry," I say quietly, he grips my chin looking into my eyes and kissing me.
"You saved me and the whole world Harry James Potter, you don't ever have to say sorry," he says firmly kissing my cheeks.
I can't help but chuckle at his expression rolling my eyes.
"I don't know how long I can play that card, I'm sure there will come a point where you get very angry at for my pants being left on the floor again and I shall apologise profusely."
It's his turn to roll his eyes linking his hand with mine.
I smile at our linked hands and then back up at him as we head back into the ball room to join the others as well as a new addition an unfamiliar and strange looking man.