Nothing In This World (BEING EDITED)

XVII.

Chapter XVII: The Yule Ball
Warning: Mild Language and underage kissing

Despite the very heavy load of homework that the fourth years had been given for the holidays. Harry was in no mood to work when term ended, and spent the week leading up to Christmas enjoying himself as fully as possible along with everyone else. Gryffindor Tower was hardly less crowded now than during term-time; it seemed to have shrunk slightly too, as its inhabitants were being so much rowdier than usual.

Christmas was just days away, which meant that The Yule Ball was just around the corner. Harry had been sitting in his parent's chamber when it dawned on him that he still hadn't figured out the egg yet or asked anyone to the ball. He wasn't worried about not being able to open it. Some part of him was scared to find out what was really in the golden dragon's egg. Right now he needed to focus on the Yule Ball and even though he had asked Snape, he knew the man would eventually turn him down. And he had. He wasn't upset, he knew getting Snape to say yes to things would take time and practice and no great deal of charm.

Arthur and Lucius had been watching their young son for the last hour and a half. It was something that they did regularly, now that he was on break. Harry had been looking out the window for the best part of thirty minutes, he loved watching the snow fall and how each snow flake seemed to tell their own story. Arthur looked up at Lucius and gave him a quick kiss. "I'm just worried that he's getting too overwhelmed." He whispered.

Lucius grabbed Arthur's arm and pulled the shorter man closer to his body. "Art, he'd tell us if he was feeling overwhelmed."
Arthur lets out a loud sign before turning to his husband and spoke softly. "Luce,"

"He's..." Lucius said planting a soft kiss to the younger man's lips, "fine," one final kiss and he smiled. But Lucius didn't know who he was trying to convince, himself or his husband.

Harry had always been so good at telling them how he was feeling, yes he was a little older now, but that still hadn't changed. Harry was vocal about everything down to the smallest things. "He's stronger than we give him credit for. He's fine, Art."

Harry drew himself from his thoughts, turning around to see his parents standing off to the kitchen. By the looks on their faces, they were probably talking about him. They almost always were these days, even when they thought he wasn't listening.

"Hey where are you going?" Said Harry a short time later. He wanted to go see Snape.

Arthur and Lucius has responded urgently when Dumbledore wrote them to spend Christmas in the castle this year; due to the TriWizard Tournament. They had planned to have Christmas at Malfoy Manor, but they ended packing up everything and moved it to the spare rooms the house elves had prepared. The only thing that they hadn't brought with them, was the Christmas tree.

"I'm going to see Hagrid and ask him to get us a tree as well." Said Arthur, "are you going to stop at Snape's chambers while I go see Hagrid?"

"May I?"

"Of course love," said Arthur chuckling. He gave a gently clap on Harry's back feeling his son's body stiffen. "You never have to feel like you can't go see him if you want to." Arthur said pausing, he continued a second later. "And besides, it's not really up to us if you do. It's against the law for magical witches and wizards to interfere with ancient Celtic bonds. Nonetheless, get your coat." Harry quickly climbed up the ten steps leading to his bedroom and grabbed his coat happily smiling to himself. He's been wanting some alone time with his professor.