A New Chapter at Hogwarts [Drarry]

Chapter 20: A Season for Giving

As Harry made his way to the library, he held the letter tightly in his hand. The hallways were quieter than usual, with most students already busy preparing for their upcoming holiday break. The castle, wrapped in a blanket of snow and adorned with festive decorations, radiated a sense of warmth and comfort.

Harry smiled to himself, thinking of how much this invitation would mean to Draco. The thought stayed with him as he dressed, making his way through the castle's quiet corridors. The castle itself was draped in festive decorations—garlands of evergreen and holly adorned the walls, and enchanted icicles hung from the chandeliers, casting soft, shimmering light.

Entering the library, Harry felt the familiar calm that always came with the smell of old parchment and the faint rustle of pages. It was quieter than usual, most students either already preparing to leave for the holidays or taking advantage of the last few days of rest before exams. Near the back of the room, in a secluded corner, sat Draco Malfoy, engrossed in his work as usual. His head was bent low over a stack of potions manuscripts, his quill moving swiftly as he took notes with the same precision and focus Harry had come to admire.

Without wanting to disturb him too much, Harry approached, placing the letter on the table in front of Draco. He took a seat opposite him and waited for Draco to notice. A moment later, Draco glanced up, his cool grey eyes flicking from the letter to Harry in a quiet question. "What's this?" he asked, his voice controlled but with a touch of curiosity.

"Read it," Harry said, his smile widening as he leaned back in his chair.

Draco hesitated for a moment before picking up the letter. He unfolded it carefully, his eyes scanning the familiar, neat handwriting. As he read, his expression shifted from curiosity to surprise, and finally to something softer, almost touched. When he finished, he looked up at Harry, a mixture of gratitude and apprehension in his eyes.

"They're willing to have me?" Draco's voice held a note of disbelief. "Even after everything?"

Harry nodded, his expression earnest. "Yes, Draco. They understand that the past is behind us. They're more interested in who you are now, not who you were then. Molly's been like a mother to me—she's kind, forgiving, and she knows people can change. They'd love to have you there."

Draco set the letter down on the table, his fingers still lingering on the edge of the parchment as though it anchored him to this new, unexpected reality. His eyes flickered with something Harry hadn't often seen—hope, tinged with apprehension. "It's... unexpected," Draco murmured, his voice quieter now, as if speaking too loudly might shatter the fragile offer of acceptance. "I never imagined they would be so open."

Harry leaned forward, his voice gentle. "That's the thing about the Weasleys. They have big hearts. They've always been there for me, no matter what. I want you to experience that, Draco. You don't have to be alone for Christmas."

Draco remained silent for a moment, his expression thoughtful. He took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "It's not that I don't appreciate the invitation. I do. It's just, the idea of being surrounded by a family like theirs, it's daunting. I've never been good with large gatherings. And the Weasleys, they're so close-knit, so different from what I'm used to."

Harry nodded, understanding the apprehension in Draco's voice. "I get it. It's a lot to take in. But they're not expecting you to be anyone other than yourself. You don't have to impress them or prove anything. Just be there, enjoy the holiday. I promise, once you're there, you'll see how welcoming they are."

Draco looked at Harry, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You make it sound so simple. Just walk in and be part of the family. I'm afraid it's not that easy for me."