A New Chapter at Hogwarts [Drarry]

Chapter 28: Christmas Morning

Draco lay awake in the soft, early morning light filtering through the curtains of his room at the Burrow. His gaze remained fixed on the ceiling, replaying the events of the previous night like a slow, unending reel. The crisp night air, the soft shimmer of the meteor shower, the warmth of Harry beside him—it had all been unexpectedly intimate, far more significant than he'd anticipated. The moment their hands had brushed, a simple, fleeting contact, it had stirred something deep within him, something that unnerved him. The feelings that had surged through him had been overwhelming and unfamiliar, emotions he had never associated with Harry Potter.

With a quiet sigh, Draco ran a hand through his tousled hair, trying to dispel the thoughts that clung to him like stubborn cobwebs. He told himself it had just been Harry's thoughtfulness, the quiet kindness that had made the night feel so intimate. No one had ever gone out of their way for him like that, planned a night under the stars simply because they thought he might need space. It was Harry's consideration that had caught him off guard. That had to be it—nothing more. He wasn't ready to confront anything beyond that.

Realizing that lying in bed would only allow his thoughts to spiral further, Draco swung his legs over the edge of the bed and dressed quietly, hoping that the early hour would offer him the solitude he needed to clear his mind. The Burrow, still wrapped in the peaceful quiet of dawn, exuded a warmth that somehow eased his internal unease.

As Draco descended the creaky stairs, the familiar scent of breakfast preparations met him—rich and comforting. He headed toward the kitchen, where he found Molly Weasley bustling around, her energy already in full swing as she prepared for Christmas breakfast. The cozy kitchen was filled with the scent of flour, butter, and something sweet, like cinnamon. It reminded Draco of simpler times, of childhood days before the world had become so complicated.

"Good morning, Draco!" Molly greeted him warmly, her smile as bright as ever as she looked up from a large bowl of batter she was mixing. "You're up early, dear. Did you sleep well?"

Draco managed a polite smile, though his thoughts were still tangled from the previous night. "Good morning, Mrs. Weasley. Yes, thank you." His gaze wandered over the ingredients scattered across the counter—flour, eggs, spices, all waiting to be transformed into something warm and delicious. "Is there anything I can help with?"

Molly's eyes widened slightly in surprise, her smile deepening with gratitude. "That's very sweet of you, dear. I was just about to start on the scones and pumpkin pancakes. If you'd like, you can help me with those."

"Of course," Draco said with a nod, rolling up his sleeves. He welcomed the opportunity for distraction, something to occupy his hands and mind. Moving to the counter, he gathered the ingredients for the scones, relishing the quiet focus the task required. The repetitive motions—mixing the flour, kneading the dough—provided a comforting rhythm, a way to keep his mind from straying back to the night under the stars.

As they worked together in companionable silence, Molly glanced at Draco with a warm, motherly smile. "I just want to say, thank you, Draco. You were such a help yesterday—dinner went off without a hitch, and everyone had such a lovely time."

Draco's instinct was to brush off the compliment, feeling a slight flush of self-consciousness. "It was nothing," he said, glancing down at the dough in his hands. "You've all been incredibly welcoming. It's the least I could do, really."

Molly paused for a moment, her eyes soft as she regarded him. There was something so genuine in her gaze, a kindness that Draco hadn't known from anyone other than his mother. "You're always welcome here, Draco. This house may be chaotic, but we're glad to have you, truly."

Draco felt something warm and unfamiliar stir in his chest, a sense of belonging that was both comforting and disconcerting. He gave her a small smile, nodding his gratitude.