another drarry one-shot

The Gift Dilemma

Three days until Christmas.

Which wouldn't be a big deal, except Harry Potter was in a full-blown panic.

"He has everything," Harry hissed, pacing a cobbled street in Muggle London, scarf askew and coat flapping as snow fell gently around him. "What do you get someone who's had a vault of Galleons since birth and a custom wand holster stitched with unicorn hair?"

Ron trailed behind him, hands jammed in his pockets. "Dunno, mate. A dragon?"

"Illegal," Hermione said briskly, reading a list she'd charmed into hovering beside her. "Also highly impractical."

"I want to get him something thoughtful," Harry groaned, tugging his beanie down over his ears. "Something that says, 'Hey, I know we've only been together for ten months, and you're terrifyingly put-together and always smell like expensive parchment, but I love you and I'm not rubbish at romance.'"

"Why don't you just ask him what he wants?" Ron offered.

"Because he'll say something ridiculous like 'I already have everything I need' and then look smug for a week!"

Hermione paused thoughtfully. "Well, what does he not have?"

"A soul?" Ron muttered.

"Ron."

"I'm joking! ...Mostly."

Two hours later, they'd gone through:

A hand-bound leather journal (too impersonal)

Rare potion ingredients (too practical)

A crystal orb that told the weather (Draco already owned two)

A custom quill that wrote in gold ink (tempting, but Draco hated messy handwriting)

And a Muggle vinyl player (Harry liked it more than Draco would)

Hermione finally gave up and shoved Harry toward a bench. "You're overthinking this."

"I have to overthink it! His wrapping paper probably costs more than my first wand!"

"Harry." She crouched down. "You know what Draco likes?"

Harry blinked. "Arched eyebrows and hexing people?"

"No. You. He likes you. And I mean actually you—tea stains, messy hair, awkward pauses and all."

Harry slumped back, snow dusting his eyelashes. "So what do I do with that?"

"Give him something that means something to you," Hermione said gently. "And trust he'll see what it means for him."

The next morning, Harry sat on their couch, hands covered in ink and parchment scraps spread across the coffee table.

He wasn't rich. He didn't know how to impress Draco Malfoy with diamond cufflinks or enchanted cologne.

But he could give him this.

Christmas Day

Draco sat cross-legged on the rug in front of the fireplace, his presents neatly stacked beside him. Harry's was wrapped in mismatched paper, clearly cut with kitchen scissors, and topped with a crooked bow that looked like it had been attacked by Newton the cat.

Draco looked at it with genuine fondness. "It's... chaotic."

"It's a metaphor for my love," Harry said.

Draco rolled his eyes but pulled at the tape gently. Inside was a wooden box, hand-carved, slightly uneven—clearly made by someone unskilled but trying hard. Draco ran his hand over the lid.

"Open it," Harry prompted, suddenly nervous.

Inside were tiny objects, carefully laid in compartments. A worn Hogwarts button. A page from an old Defence textbook—complete with Draco's sarcastic notes. A photo of the two of them from this summer, caught mid-laugh. A green stone Draco once gave Harry after a beach walk. And a letter.

Draco read it slowly.

By the end, his hand was trembling slightly.

"You... kept all of this?"

"Of course I did."

The letter said, "Ten months ago, I didn't know I could feel safe in someone's arms. You've ruined me for anyone else. Thank you for loving me—even when I'm impossible. This is a box of moments that made me fall for you. There will be more."

Draco looked up, eyes suspiciously glassy. "You're a menace."

Harry smiled. "But I'm your menace."

Draco lunged forward and kissed him, box still between them, snow falling gently beyond the window.

"Next year," Draco whispered against his lips, "I'm getting you something better."

"Impossible," Harry murmured back. "You already gave me you." 

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words: 651