Home To You (a Draco Malfoy Love Story)

An American Thanksgiving

"Granger," Draco said, sliding into a table beside her in the library. "I have a request."

"Hello to you too, Draco," she said, rolling her eyes and shutting the History of Magic book she had been reading. "And what might that be?"

"Well..." he said, "Mel's birthday is in two weeks. The other day, she mentioned to me that she always celebrated her birthday during Thanksgiving, with her family. And they would eat a turkey, and a pie, or something like that. I want to recreate that, here, for her birthday this year. The problem is that I'm a bit fuzzy on the details. Your parents are Muggles, and it's a Muggle holiday, I guess, so I was wondering if you'd heard of it."

"If I've heard of American Thanksgiving? Yes, I have," she said amused.

"Really? Excellent, great," he said. He slid a piece of parchment across the desk. "If you wouldn't mind, just jot down the things that you remember about Thanksgiving, and that way I can make it here. " She laughed at him.

"Draco, that is actually an incredibly sweet idea. I'm very impressed. How about I do a little more than just jot down the ideas - I'll put together a list, and I'll help you do it, too. Why don't we get the whole group involved? It will be a big undertaking." Draco was not enthused at the thought.

"What, just you, me, Weasley and Potter making a potato mash like a big happy family?" he asked incredulously. "That seems a bit much."

"It will be great," she said. "I'll get on this, and we can talk about it tomorrow." Draco nodded, though felt he perhaps signed up for more than he bargained for.

The following day, Draco went back to the library, but this time was met with Hermione and Ginny.

"I heard we're having Thanksgiving! How exciting," Ginny said, elbows leaning on the table. "Don't worry Draco, we will have this one covered - I promise." In fact, he felt rather worried. Hermione pulled out a massive piece of parchment.

"So here's our list: I broke it out into a few items here. We've got food, obviously, dessert, drinks, decorations and Melanie management. Another key thing I've discovered through my research is that this should be completely handmade to make it more authentic. That means no magic, for anyone."

"Sorry, how do you think we're going to create a large meal and decorate a room without magic?" Draco asked, exasperated. "And what the hell is Melanie management?"

"By hand - it will probably take us all day, but you know, we can do some things in advance. And we're going to need something for Mel to do all day, so we'll have to think of that, too. Ginny and I are going to talk to the House Elves, and get some recipes for the food. In the meantime, think of ways we can distract her Draco! We can meet back up next weekend and assign tasks."

"Okay. Just - make sure no one tells her, okay? I want it to be a surprise." He sighed. This was turning into a rather large affair, and he wasn't crazy about spending Mel's birthday with the Trio. 

"Um - Blaise," Draco said, as his friend walked through the Slytherin common room that night. He'd been waiting for him to come back for at least an hour. "I have a favor to ask."

"Why am I afraid?" Blaise asked, looking suspiciously at Draco. "What could you possibly want from me?"

"Well, it's Mel's birthday in a few weeks, and I'm organizing a... dinner, of sorts, for Mel. Do you want to come?"

"Yes but... what's the catch?"

"Well first off, her friends will be there obviously, which includes Granger... Potter..." Draco winced and closed his eyes, "Longbottom."