A Brother To Basilisks (a Drarry fanfic)

Chapter 16: Christmas Fire

Harry relaxed as he lay back against the couch in the Gryffindor common room and kicked his feet up. Exams were finally over, and tomorrow, he would go home with Sirius for the Christmas holidays.

The very first time he had ever had Christmas in a house where he lived, with someone who cared about him. Not at Hogwarts, even though it was nice. A house that belonged just to him and Sirius.

And me, said Dash, who was draped over Harry's legs to get nearer to the fire. He turned his head and let one eyelid flutter as if he was going to draw it back and let the deadly eye underneath it peer out.

And you, said Harry, reaching down and brushing a hand against Dash's plume. As usual, Dash's head sagged to the side, boneless, in the wake of Harry's caress. The thing is, I don't think it matters to you that we live in a house. We could live in a cave, and you would be happy as long as you were able to leave and hunt. Wouldn't you? he added, because Dash was keeping silent, and Harry was pretty sure it was out of pure stubbornness and refusal to admit Harry was right.

It matters to me where we live. There would be more mice in a cave.

Harry had to laugh. He thought he could. Most of the Gryffindors were either gone already to their parents or other family members, or they were running around out in the snow screaming and throwing snowballs and rejoicing in the general lack of constraint. Harry could understand that, but he had begged for one more night at Hogwarts before he went home, and Sirius had consented. It wasn't like Harry couldn't just walk home, anyway.

Besides, Dash didn't like the cold, and participating in a snowball fight would have meant Harry had to leave him behind. Which made some people in Gryffindor notice, and even Dumbledore had watched him with a narrowed eye the first time Harry had done it.

You should warm me up, said Dash, and wrapped around Harry's legs until Harry thought he was going to have to go boneless himself to put up with it. Think warm thoughts. That will help.

Harry tried to comply, but there was only so long he could think about fire without thinking about Potions class and the fires under cauldrons. He scowled a little, but then he had to sigh and shake his head.

What had he expected? Of course Snape was going to go back to being a glaring git when he found out Sirius had bought a house. Harry had been explaining to Ron and Hermione about it when Snape swept by and slowed to listen.

Harry had glanced at him, unsure whether or not he should include Snape in the conversation. It wasn't like they were in class. It had been Saturday, and he and Ron and Hermione were all sitting in the Great Hall after breakfast, with Dash happily winding around a little globe of hot light that Harry had learned how to conjure.

But Harry had done his best not to think about Snape or Malfoy for the last few weeks, and the weeks had turned into months. And Malfoy didn't ever think about him, Harry was sure. He just seemed to spend all his time in a corner of the library, researching, or going to class, or wandering around school like a ghost.

And Harry wasn't worried. He wouldn't be, not after Malfoy had been such a git.

Snape was the same way. He had listened to Harry talk about his room—because Harry wasn't going to stop talking just because he had more of an audience—and the minute he'd heard about the stag and dog in stars on the ceiling, he'd turned and walked away, back perfectly straight.

So Harry might regret it, and he might especially regret it because he knew Sirius hadn't ever thanked Snape for testifying at his trial, but there was nothing he could do about it. He was just going to try and be happy the way that he knew his parents would want him to be, and in the meantime, he was enjoying the thought of living with Sirius.