The Boy The Snake and The Stone

Chapter 23: New Years

It had been an interesting week for Harry, telling Snape only some of the things about what happened seemed to talk a huge weight off his chest. It had felt good to tell someone about all the things that took place in that house; and it also seemed to tighten the bond between the now Father and Son bonding. After everything was said and done that day, Harry had taken the potion which made Harry Severus's son in every way. The changes that potion made would slowly change his appearance over a course of a week. So far the most noticeable thing to Harry was that his hair was no longer unruly, and was growing at a faster rate, and his tan skin seemed to pale a bit; other than that nothing else seemed to be changing.

Severus spent the week with Harry, teaching him more about potions, even going so far as letting Harry into his private lab and help cut ingredients. Severus even let Harry sleep with him after a nightmare, giving him some hot coco to calm him down, and staying awake with him until he fell asleep again; he had kept the nightmares away after that.

It was now New Year's Eve, and everyone was getting ready for the party that the Malfoy's throw every year in celebrations. Harry knew that some of their friends from school would show up, since their parents and the Malfoy's where good friends, but there were some other people that Harry has never heard of. This would be the first party that Harry would even attend, and he was very nervous about it, he was worried that he would mess up so how; and that Severus nor the Malfoy's would like him anymore. It was at this point two red heads poked their noses into Draco's room.

"Hello Kitten-" one said, Harry thinks it was Fred.

"How was Christmas!" the other one finished, it had to be George then.

The twins pulled Harry from his thoughts, to the two red heads smiling from the door way. Harry didn't give them a chance to enter the room anymore, before throwing himself at them.

"Fred! George! I missed you!" Harry said hugging both of them, Harry hadn't been given a chance to talk to the twins before the Christmas break, besides them telling them about the beast in the third floor. Everyone was busy with exams, or, in the twins case, they were busy pranking everybody.

"We missed you too, Kitten," the twins said together, giving the raven haired boy a hug and smiling at him.

"You'll never guess what happened, my Christmas was good, a lot of things have happened," Harry said excitedly, then launched into the adventures of the adoption and how they ran into his old family, everything. Well, of course, leaving out Severus's present; that was something that was going to stay between the two of them for now.

"It sounds like you had an exciting break Kitten." Fred said, smiling, "I am happy for you!" With that Harry was pulled back into a group hug, leaving him sandwiched between the twins.

The moment was cut short when a throat was cleared, Harry's head shot up to see Draco standing with his hands on his hips looking at the group. "Harry! You need to go get ready! The party is going to be starting soon!" Harry just stuck his tongue out at the blonde.

"I would, but someone was hogging the bathroom, this whole time and I couldn't do anything until he was out." Harry retorted to the blonde, whose face grew bright red. Harry quickly left the room to shower and get dressed for the party. The twins saw a hidden motive that Harry didn't notice, and they smirked at each other before turning to the blonde first year.

"Draco~ you wouldn't happen-"

"To be jealous of us?"

"N-No why would I be jealous of you?" Draco asked, his face bright red now, cursing himself for being so see through.

"We are just saying-"

"When we were hugging Kitten-"

"You seemed to be a tab bit-"

"Jealous." They finished together, now each had an arm thrown over the blondes shoulder grinning from ear to ear. Draco's face was now about as bright as their hair from the embarrassment.

"I-I swear I wasn't!" Draco yelped, still denying everything.

"Okay Dragon, if that is what you say."

"Just a warning, if you hurt our kitten, in any way, there would be no one protecting you from our pranks." They warned and gave him a serious look. Of course they were happy, young love was such a cute thing, they should know. They were happy as well because when they weren't around to protect their kitten from harm, at least Draco would be. Of course, if Draco would admit this, or Harry would finally be able to recognize the signs. Of course, there would be little hope for their Kitten to be able to tell, it all came to settle down on Draco's shoulders.

Draco's face paled, but he nodded. Of course, he would never try to hurt Harry, that was what he was there for, as a good friend, there to protect him and make sure he stayed out of trouble. That is all he felt for Harry was friendship... Right? He was just in first year, too young to worry about anything like what the twins were insinuating! So Draco just brushed those feelings off as brotherly feelings, one that would feel like he had to protect his younger brother; especially since he was family now, thanks to Uncle Sev adopting him. The twins just smiled, of course the young heir Malfoy could not think that way just yet; he was just a child.

* * * Time Skip * * *

It was a great party, Harry hung out with the twins most of the night. Theo and Blaise had stopped by there table once or twice, before heading back to their parents side. Draco spent most of his time with his Father and Mother as well, since they were the host family. Harry was surprised to see Gemma there and briefly talked to her about the upcoming semester, and what he had to look forward to in classes; while the twins where asking her thoughts on how to not get caught. At one point before the clock stuck twelve, Severus came and hung out with them for a bit as well, enjoying the start of the new with his new son. All and all it was a great night for Harry, and his smile never left his face. This was the first year where he wasn't counting down from inside his cupboard, and was celebrating it with friends and family. He was happy to celebrate with his family, and was looking forward to a relaxing year at Hogwarts.