Chapter 15

It seemed that time really did fly when you were having fun or rather once you get stuck in a comfortable routine. After his epiphany courtesy of Draco things had really fallen into place. Harry began structuring his classes on anecdotes and practical applications rather than the textbook and even Teddy had commented on how Defense had fast become one of his favourites.

His godson had made it to every single Sunday dinner since that night and even popped by for surprise visits every now and then. In fact the castle itself had started to feel more pleasant and inviting. When the holidays finally arrived he even felt a pang of sadness for the two weeks he would be spending away. Of course that soon evaporated as the excitement caught up to him.

Kreacher had kept Grimmauld place in impeccable condition and when he flopped down onto his bed he found that even his sheets were warm with some kind of heating spell. Harry ended up sleeping through the afternoon.

He was woken by Lyra, Draco's (quite frankly, too damn small) Pygmy owl tapping incessantly on his window. Groaning, Harry let her in, rubbing his eyes as he tried to focus on the note she carried, huge in her tiny talons.

'Come early, urgent interior design skills needed. Will pay you with extra dessert.'

It was Christmas Eve and Draco had surprised absolutely everyone by inviting the entire gang to his flat for dinner. Smiling, Harry scrawled a quick affirmative and handed the note back to Lyra who was watching him expectantly. Harry was about to give her a treat as well but she simply chirped and flew out the window.

She'd always been an odd sort of bird.

As Harry hunted through his wardrobe for clothes he decided that Christmas really was his favourite time of the year. He owned a fair bit of red which made it all the more easier to seem like he was getting into the spirit when in reality he was still half asleep and barely functioning.

After a long shower and a cup of tea thanks of Kreacher who soon left to spend the rest of Christmas at Hogwarts with the other house elves, Harry was feeling significantly more awake. Of course that meant he could finally see that the tie he had picked out was the pink with red hearts he usually saved for Valentine's Day. After another rummage in his wardrobe he found the bright green tie with the little leprechauns he and Neville had bought for St Patrick's Day a few years ago. A quick flick of his wand and the leprechauns were replaced with holly and bells.

When he was satisfied he had suitable Christmas spirit he apparated to an alleyway just a block from Draco's building where there was little foot traffic. It was absolutely freezing. Being indoors with the comfort of Grimmauld's age-old heat spells meant he had forgotten just how cold it was outside. Keeping his head down and his arms crossed tight against his chest Harry rushed to Draco's door, rapping loudly when he got there.

Draco all but pulled him inside, maneuvering him straight to the fire and into one of the nearby armchairs. "You're an absolute idiot, Harry," Draco informed him, standing back and glaring down at him. "You could have flooed here."

Harry shrugged, taking a deep breath to try and quell the shivers. "Is this the greeting I get after we've spent weeks apart?" Harry tried but Draco's glare didn't falter. Rolling his eyes Harry sighed. "It's alright, I just forgot my coat."

"Yes, well, you won't have a chance to do that once you have hypothermia, you know," Draco all but pouted.

Harry laughed. "Nice to see you're just as dramatic as I left you."

He silenced Draco's protests by pulling him into a bear hug. Really, Harry didn't need the fire at all. Draco was like a furnace all on his own. Except softer perhaps, and a lot easier to get lost in.

"So," he said, finally taking a step back, ignoring the way his body protested almost instantaneously. He really didn't know what else to say as he finally had a chance to look around the living room. "Wow."

Draco grinned. "Do you like it? I've never really done Christmas decorations before but I watched a few videos and-" He shrugged, gesturing around himself.

"It looks like you took a trip to the North pole," Harry said at last. "And then stole Christmas. Did you rob Santa Claus himself, Draco?"

The room was covered in decorations from wreaths of holly stuck everywhere to tinsel lining practically every surface. Rather large light-up reindeer littered the place and apparently Draco had purchased a set of all eight, not to mention the enormous Rudolph who was standing by the window, nose shining proudly. Little Christmas elves and Santas were everywhere and honestly they looked kind of creepy. Oh yeah and then there was the massive tree that stood proudly in the corner with all manner of decorations strung to it. The whole thing looked like a twinkling beacon that hurt your eyes if you looked too long.

"I went to the store, actually," Draco said slowly. "I didn't know what to buy so I bought it all."

"Clearly," murmured Harry, still looking around in wonder.

"The house elves were always in charge of decorations at home," Draco tried to explain. "And we always went to Molly's for Christmas, remember? We only ever put up a tree and some stockings. I mean, we can fix this right? I just wanted it to be big you know, for everyone. It's not a lost cause, is it?"

Harry finally turned to him and grinned. "I love it," he declared. "We're not changing a thing. Just add a few extra chairs and we will be fine."

"Harry, it's a disaster."

Harry shrugged. "It's Christmas. Last year Seamus bet Dean he couldn't climb to the top of the tree, then they managed to set the curtains on fire."

A loud pinging sound from the kitchen made him jump. "That would be the cake," said Draco, hurrying towards the oven. He grabbed an apron from a hook by the fridge on his way over. "It's chocolate. Please tell Seamus he cannot set my curtains on fire."

Harry followed albeit slowly, too busy staring at Draco's apron. The man didn't notice as he squatted down beside the open oven, closely inspecting the knife he was holding and muttering to himself. "It isn't done yet," he announced at last, standing and finally taking in Harry's raised eyebrows. "What's wrong?"

"Santa's little helper? Really?" asked Harry, eyeing the elf printed on the apron.

Draco shrugged. "It was either this or the one with mistletoe, it said kiss the cook, thought it was a bit cliché." Harry decided he wouldn't have minded that apron quite so much. In fact if you took away the elf's impish face staring back at him, this one was rather fetching too. Okay, who was he kidding, Draco in an apron was hot. Harry didn't know when exactly that had become a thing but it most definitely was a thing now. Even the slightly flour covered, green and red one he had on now. If the way Draco was staring at him just then was anything to go by Harry had the distinct feeling he knew at least some of what was going on in his head. He felt his cheeks burn and quickly looked away.

"Actually," said Draco, straightening up, his smirk was absolutely devilish. "There was one other one. All it had was an elegantly wrapped present, right here." He looked down at his crotch and then back up at Harry, actually winking this time. "It had a bow and everything. I figured Ronald wouldn't appreciate it though."

"What kind of Christmas store were you visiting?" Harry choked out, knowing he was probably blushing furiously. He cleared his throat. "You're right, Ron would probably have a stroke. It would kind of put a downer on Christmas."

Draco laughed. "I'll make sure I have an extensive collection of aprons for you for the next holiday season." He whipped out a batch of reindeer and snowman shaped cookies from what might as well have been thin air because Harry did not see that coming, and began the process of scrutinizing them. "Grab the tin of icing from the fridge, would you?" Harry did as he was told, thankful for the excuse to hide his burning cheeks. "I didn't have time to make my own," Draco explained sheepishly. "This icing is supposed to be the best though."

"Relax, Draco," Harry laughed, handing him the tin. "No one is going to have a go at you for the icing. Not after you've done all this." He gestured to the flat at large. It had taken a while but they had finally convinced Draco to let them each bring over a dish for dinner, Draco had insisted on being in charge of dessert at least. Harry had assumed the trifle on the counter top was all but apparently he was wrong.

Draco smiled. "I know it won't be anything like Molly's but if everything goes smoothly-"

"Which it will," Harry added, stepping up beside him to get a better look at the cookies.

"I have a good feeling about tonight," Draco told him as he continued to frown down at the snowmen. "There's something missing."

"Buttons," said Harry after a moment of pondering it.

"Oh, of course," Draco muttered to himself, shuffling around the kitchen again. He found what looked like tiny black beads. "I also ran out of food colouring," he explained. "These are edible, don't worry."

"I'm pretty sure there are spells to change the colour of icing," said Harry, watching as Draco carefully placed first two and then three buttons on the first snowman.

Draco looked affronted. "I can't use magic on these."

As someone who fully appreciated the satisfaction of doing things the muggle way, Harry couldn't argue. "Here, let me help."

They worked peacefully, for a while. It took a few attempts for Harry's large, bumbly fingers to figure out how to place the buttons with the same precision Draco had. After the first couple of slightly crooked buttons however he managed to get it right and then it was just a matter of repeating for the couple dozen snowmen on the tray. He even began to hum softly to them he tune of frosty the snowman.

"I've missed you," Draco sighed, still leaning over the counter in concentration.

"What was that?" Harry asked even though he had heard him perfectly well the first time. He straightened up, leaving the cookies so he could watch Draco work instead.

"I said-" Draco began but stopped when he noticed Harry's smile and pouted, turning back to his snowmen.

"You've seen me most weeks, haven't you?" said Harry nudging him.

"Oh c'mon, a few hours a fortnight doesn't-you know what, never mind, its stupid and kind of pathetic actually and I need to get the cake out of the oven." Sure enough the oven began to ping again.

"No, it isn't," Harry caught him before he could turn away. Draco's cheeks were flushed and he wouldn't meet Harry's eyes. "I missed you like crazy, too." He reached up, letting his fingers ghost over Draco's cheekbones, watching with satisfaction as the grey eyes finally met his own.

Harry moved forward, one hand at Draco's waist, pulling him closer. Draco smiled, leaning in as his eyes fluttered shut which was all the encouragement Harry needed. He closed the distance between them, pressing his lips softly to Draco's, just a whisper of a touch. He could hear the man's breaths, feel the way he seemed to be shifting even closer.

Draco moved in and then all Harry could feel was the hot press of Draco's lips on his own, Draco chuckling breathily against him before sucking at his bottom lip. Harry backed him up till they were both leaning against the counter, Draco's hands finding themselves snaking through his hair and tugging just a bit in that way that always had Harry letting out breathy moans. Draco took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, Harry returning with a hunger he hadn't possessed for a long while.

When Harry pressed a trail of hot, open-mouthed kisses down his jaw and settled on his neck Draco arched back, letting out a delicious whine that went straight through Harry, lighting him up from the inside. He could hear Draco's breaths coming out in ragged bursts even as he fit his thigh between the other man's legs.

Draco tugged at his hair again, moving him so their mouths could meet once more, teeth clashing in a rather ungraceful manner. Harry didn't care about finesse at this point and he doubted Draco did either if the way the man was rocking against him was anything to go by.

A loud crash from the living room made them both jerk apart. Harry had his wand out before he had even managed to gain his balance.

An extremely horrified Ron Weasley was gaping at them from the doorway, holding in his hands one of the reindeer he had apparently tripped over. Hermione, who looked slightly sheepish, gave them a little wave as she joined her husband.

"Harry, you're back," she said weakly.

Harry was pretty sure that if the universe were fair either the floor would have swallowed him up by now or better yet he could have taken Draco with him so they could have continued what they had just started. As it so happened, the world was a horrendously unjust place and so he found himself trying to subtly readjust his pants as he put a little distance between him and Draco.

"Hi," he said, running a hand through his hair. By Hermione's little wince he guessed it must have looked a lot like a bird's nest after a terrible storm.

"Uh, welcome," said Draco, looking like he was struggling just as much as Harry was. He was blushing furiously and at any other point in time Harry would have found that terribly endearing.

"Please tell me you two haven't been going at it near the food!" cried Ron, eyeing the tray of cookies with a mixture of distaste and longing.

"Oh come off it, Ron," said Hermione, flicking him in the shoulder. "We all know you're going to eat them anyway."

"Yes, but it's the principle, Hermione!"

Hermione ignored him, taking to sniffing the air in alarm. "Draco, I think something's burning."

"Oh, fuck!" Draco and Harry cried almost in unison. Draco was the first to act, turning off the oven immediately even as he reached for mitts. Harry opened the door and a rush of steam hit them, making him cough and splutter. Draco carefully reached inside and pulled out the charred remains of the cake he had been cooking, staring down at it in dismay.

"It was going to be perfect," he whispered, waving away the rising steam.

"Maybe we can still fix it," said Hermione, voice filled with hope. She moved forward so she could get a better look. Her face fell when she saw what Harry knew, there was no fixing that cake.

"Maybe we could make a new one," Harry suggested, hating the forlorn look Draco was giving the remnants of his cake. "It shouldn't take too long to get it back into the oven, right?"

Draco shook his head glumly. "I don't have enough butter or flour and the store would be closed by now." He sighed. "I just wanted it to be-"

"Perfect, I know, Draco," said Harry softly. He placed a hand on the small of Draco's back, guiding him towards the doorway. "How about you help Hermione and Ron with their coats and I'll take care of this."

Draco nodded slowly. "Thank you," he whispered, pressing a kiss to Harry's cheek before leading Hermione towards the fireplace.

Harry took the opportunity to look at his reflection in the shiny surface of Draco's microwave. He really was a mess. He tried to flatten out his hair as well as humanly possible and fixed his tie that had at some point been loosened. He barely remembered Draco working at the buttons of his shirt, too distracted in undressing the man to notice. He buttoned his shirt back up, still convinced that the world was a cruel, cruel place.

When he was satisfied that he looked somewhat presentable he moved back to the cake. With a small butter knife he poked and prodded at it, trying to figure out how deep it had burnt. Maybe if he scraped off the edges he might even be able to pass it off as a half decent dessert once it had been iced. He narrowed his eyes at the black lump and decided that there was no way he would be feeding that to his friends.

Grabbing his wand from where it sat on the counter and muttered a quick patronus spell. When his stag bounded around the kitchen he sent a message to Kreacher, confident that the house elf would be able to whip something up even at a moment's notice. He gave the elf strict instructions to deliver to Draco's kitchen without being seen by anyone.

He was not above a tiny white lie if it eased Draco's anxiety about the evening just a little. Deciding to give it another fifteen minutes, Harry finished up icing the cookies and tidying the kitchen to keep himself busy.

Neville was being absolutely drowned in cooing voices when Harry finally stepped into the living room. In fact it wasn't until he'd made his way closer that he noticed the small bundle the man held in his arms. It took even longer to notice that the small bundle was vaguely baby-sized and had two bright eyes, a tiny nose and a shock of ginger hair.

Baby Alice smiled sleepily up at the faces currently melting over how precious she was. She had one of Ron's fingers clenched tightly in her hand and her uncle looked like he was smiling so wide it might have actually hurt. Parvati was making faces at her to get her laughing and Luna was beaming, her hand entwined with a lanky dark-haired bloke Harry didn't recognize.

"Okay, I think I should put her to sleep now. She's been up all day thanks to our neighbour's lawn mover," said Ginny at last, pushing through the little gathering and scooping up her baby girl.

"I've got a bed for her in here," said Draco gesturing to the door at the far end of the room. Harry followed because, well Alice was adorable and it was kind of unfair he hadn't had time for his own share of cooing.

"Thanks Draco," said Ginny, readjusting Alice so that the baby could look up at Harry as they walked. Harry tried to start a game of peekaboo. "I hope it isn't too much trouble, I wasn't going to come because I still have to feed her every few hours but the house has been driving me insane. Neville is sweet, bless his soul but-" she lowered her voice to a whisper. "But between him and my Mother, they began to drive me absolutely flaming bonkers." Harry raised his brows at her choice of words and Ginny rolled her eyes. "We're trying not to swear in front of her."

"But she's only a month old, Gin, surely she can't-"

Draco elbowed him sharply. "I think that's a wonderful idea," he said smiling widely. "They say babies begin making sense of their world right away."

Harry snorted. "And what would you know about babies?"

"I've been putting up with you, haven't I?" Draco answered, looking smug

Ginny laughed, thumping Harry on the back (rather painfully given the fact she was holding her baby in one hand). "Well said," she smirked at Draco. It didn't last long though because she stopped dead in her tracks when the man turned on the lights. "You didn't-"

A beautiful white baby crib sat in the center of the room, an incredibly soft looking purple blanket and matching cushions decorating it. There was even a plushie owl, looking like a ball of grey fluff sitting in the corner.

"It's nothing," Draco said, smiling down at Alice. "I just wanted to make sure she was as comfortable as possible."

Ginny looked like she was swallowing a lump, Harry chalked it down to hormones. "It's lovely," she whispered as she stepped towards the crib. The three of them peered down at the baby girl who was staring right back up at them with drooping eyelids. "Say thank you, Alice," said Ginny, tickling her daughter gently. Alice smiled sleepily. Harry could feel himself slowly melting into a puddle on the floor. She was absolutely adorable. In fact he could probably remember the first time he'd looked down at Rose like this too.

"She's beautiful," he said, pulling Ginny into a one-armed hug. "You're a Mom!"

"Oh please," Ginny said, hugging him back. "If anyone asks, I'm her older sister."

Thinking back, Harry couldn't remember much of the party. Perhaps a few things stood out but everything else was lost in the happy buzz of good liquor and even better company.

He remembered sitting up straighter when Pansy stepped out of the floo, fashionably late as usual and just in time for dinner. She was followed by none other than Auror Owen Peters, who trailed behind her, their hands entwined and at this point Harry just about fell off his chair.

Owen caught his gaze and winked before looking pointedly at Draco who was chatting animatedly to Seamus. Harry honestly believed the guy had super powers. It wasn't until the Owen had helped himself to a beer and took a seat beside Ron that Harry realized Draco was sitting practically on top of him and they really weren't being all too discreet.

To his surprise he realised that he didn't really care. He found Draco's hand and wrapped it in his own. Draco looked back at him in confusion but that soon melted into a smile as he squeezed Harry's hand in return. If anyone else noticed they didn't mention it, or seem in the least bit shocked. Seamus continued to complain loudly about how Dean had ditched them all to spend the holiday with his girlfriend's family. Harry made a mental note to congratulate the guy on that. Rinalda was a fully-fledged healer now, not to mention gorgeous, smart and she hadn't run away screaming even after spending an evening at a bar with this lot.

A peal of laughter from the dining table caught his attention, mainly because he had learned to recognize every single one of his friend's laughs over the years and this one was most definitely new. Turning to follow it he saw something he had never imagined he would ever live to see. Pansy Parkinson and Parvati Patil were both clutching their sides as they laughed together, Parvati practically tearing up. Pansy almost looked friendly. Not lethal or like she drank the tears of innocent children everyday for sustenance. It really was quite strange.

On the rug by the fire, Luna's boyfriend (who she had later introduced as Rolf Scamander, the grandson of none other than the late Newt Scamander) had pulled out a Jenga set from no one was quite sure where. It was Hermione's turn and the tower wobbled precariously as she carefully tried to ease out a piece.

Harry stretched and sighed. "You good there mate?" asked Seamus, leaning forward.

Harry grinned. "Never been better."

"That's what Dean said when I called him this morning," said Seamus glumly.

Draco gave him a sympathetic pat on the back. "Another drink?"

Seamus nodded gratefully as Draco left for the fridge. "We're planning a funeral for our friendship. Would you come, Harry?"

"Sure thing, mate," Harry laughed. "But I'm sure it won't be the end of your friendship. It could be the start of a different kind. Who knows, it could be better."

Seamus snorted, looking suspiciously between Harry and Draco. He snatched the offered beer when Draco returned and glared at the two of them. "You two are just as loved up as Dean. Traitors."

Draco opened his mouth to protest but Harry caught his eye and shook his head. Nodding, Draco took his seat again with a sigh, giving Seamus another reassuring pat on the back. Harry added a note to 'set Seamus up with date' on his phone.

The party was a success Harry decided as he finished the rest of his ramen. He had stayed behind after everyone else had drifted home because the flat was quite honestly a mess and he didn't want Draco to face that alone. They had spent some more time talking on the couch, Draco filling Harry in on everything he had missed while at Hogwarts while Harry lay upside down next to him until the room finally stopped spinning and he felt somewhat more sober. Of course with sobriety came hunger and so they had made their way to the kitchen.

"You really don't need to help me tidy," Draco had told him.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Nonsense, you shouldn't have to do it alone. I do require payment though."

"Oh?" Draco had asked, throwing his own cup of noodles away.

"You can repay me by accompanying me to Christmas lunch at the Weasleys," he announced. "Your mother goes every year. I'll even let you drive that car of yours. I'm sure Arthur will be thrilled."

It was true. Narcissa, Andromeda and Teddy always spent Christmas at the Burrow, Teddy playing with the Weasley children while Narcissa and Andromeda helped Molly get the place ready for the rest of the family. Usually the week leading up to Christmas had her in hysterics and she was grateful for all the help she could get.

"As long as you don't complain about my driving," Draco laughed and Harry stuck his tongue out at him. "Ginny invited me over as well, actually."

"I won't be complaining if you drive safely," Harry insisted as he made his way back into the living room.

"Honestly, Harry, you ride broomsticks for fun," Draco laughed, following him. "My driving is a whole lot safer than your Firebolt ever was."

"Hey, don't you talk about my broomstick like that," Harry grumbled. "Besides brooms are spelled safe. Cars are not."

That seemed to put an end to that particular argument. Draco must have given up, deciding that hunting for cleaning materials would be a more productive use of time. Harry looked around the room, trying to figure out exactly which end to begin the cleaning process at.

Draco soon remerged with a broom, a brush and a pan as well as a very large garbage bag. He offered them all to Harry who picked up the broom. They worked on opposite ends of the room, deciding to meet up in the middle as they had done with the paintwork. Harry noticed, not for the first time how much homier the place looked now that it was filled with furniture.

At some point Draco had begun humming along to the Christmas carols he had charmed one of the reindeer to play. When he began singing, Harry didn't complain. He just carefully pulled out his phone and videoed the whole thing, miniature dance routine and all. Sure, when Draco noticed he had chased Harry around the flat trying to get at his phone but it was too late by then. iCloud had it all and there was nothing Draco could do but sulk. Teddy was going to be ecstatic when Harry showed him tomorrow.

"You know, you really did a neat job with the decorating," Harry told him conversationally when they were almost done. He looked around at the now somewhat cleaner looking living room. "A bit overboard, sure but still, it's bright. It has spirit."

Draco stared at him for a long moment before finally breaking into a smile (the Christmas carol incident apparently forgotten, for now at least). "Well, I haven't shown you the best bit. Watch the tree."

Harry looked up, quirking an eyebrow. "What exactly am I looking-" He began about to turn back to Draco for answers. He stopped abruptly and gaped when he saw the snowflakes.

They floated gently down, small at first and then bigger and more distinct. He turned back to Draco in awe. "You can touch them," Draco said with a smile. "C'mon, I charmed them this morning." Harry felt a pressure at the small of his back and let Draco guide him forward.

The roof above the tree had been replaced with the dark night sky, stars glinting down at them. Harry reached out a hand and sure enough caught a snowflake as it drifted. He watched it melt and then the water disappeared and Harry's hand was dry like it had never been there. He moved forward and the flakes drifted down faster. Harry could feel them on his arms and his neck and even on his nose. With a laugh he pulled Draco in too, watching as the other man beamed down at him.

"Do you like it?" Draco asked, pushing in closer so he was also fully underneath the starry night sky.

Harry smiled up at him, acutely aware how close they were. A branch brushed up against his neck and when he pushed it away the tinkling of bells followed. There were snow flakes melting in Draco's hair and Harry was pretty sure his own heart was skipping beats as it raced.

"I love it," he smiled, blinking as a snowflake landed on his nose. He tried to catch it with his tongue, pouting when Draco laughed. Harry pressed closer, admiring the rosy tinge the snow brought on Draco's cheeks. He reached up, wanting to feel Draco's skin, probably as soft as the snow and silkier too.

Draco seemed to stiffen under him and then all at once melted into the touch, making a contented little noise even as he leaned in. The kiss was long and sweet in a way that had Harry's toes curling as he leaned into it. The hunger from earlier in the night had been replaced with the need to taste and savour and Harry let the warmth envelope him. He moved in closer, nibbling at Draco's bottom lip, reveling in the moan he was rewarded with.

Draco pulled back with a gasp, face flushed and looking so absolutely gorgeous Harry could barely focus on his words. "Harry, the tree-"

"Hmmm yeah it's lovely," Harry murmured against his lips before pressing in again, fingers already working at the buttons of Draco's shirt.

Harry wasn't sure exactly how it happened but he was suddenly aware of a falling sensation and oh yeah, the warm body that conveniently became the cushion to his fall. They ended up in an unceremonious heap of tangled limbs. The toppling tree had sent baubles and tinkling bells flying absolutely everywhere. Branches poked uncomfortably into him from all directions and through it all the snow kept floating down

Draco groaned from beneath him and Harry rolled off him instantly. "Sorry," he said sheepishly. "Got a bit carried away."

"It's fine," Draco sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Being this irresistible has been a burden for most of my life."

Harry rolled his eyes but smiled, reaching out a hand to help pull Draco into a sitting position. "As always, your modesty astounds me," he teased, flicking a bell at him for good measure.

"You know I had this all planned out," Draco sighed dramatically. "It was going to be the most romantic moment, under the snow and mistletoe and everything."

"Mistletoe?" Harry asked, following Draco's gaze upwards. Sure enough a sprig of mistletoe was floating above them. "Wait, which moment?" Harry demanded, still a little confused when Draco turned away and began digging through the tree branches around them. He couldn't see what Draco was fishing for but he could hear the rustling and occasional tinkling of a bell. Finally, Draco turned back to him, pulling out the now slightly crumpled angel that had once stood proudly atop the tree.

"It's for you," Draco told him, handing it over. "If you want it. The pouch, not the angel although you can keep that too," he rushed to explain when he noticed the look of utter bewilderment on Harry's face.

Sure enough the angel clutched in her hands a small velvet pouch that Harry hadn't noticed when she sat atop the tree. Harry reached for it slowly, trying to calm himself as his mind went completely berserk. When he finally opened the little drawstring he emptied it into his hand, barely breathing as something cool and shiny dropped into his hand.

Draco was watching him closely, expression guarded as he waited for Harry's response. Harry let out a long breath he had apparently been holding as he twirled the key in his hand, feeling the edges like they held all the answers. Finally he met the grey eyes that were watching him impatiently. "It's a key," he said, knowing exactly what it was meant to open but still wanting Draco to spell it out for him. He needed to be sure.

Draco nodded slowly, still trying to hide his nerves. "It's to my apartment. I know with you teaching at Hogwarts you won't exactly be moving in but I wanted to share it with you-if you want it of course," he added quickly, watching Harry with the question clear on his face.

Their position on the floor was awkward and uncomfortable but Harry found he didn't really mind as he threw his arms around Draco and hugged him tight, the key still clutched firmly in his fist. Draco was obviously thrown, almost falling backwards once again. He recovered quickly though and his arms were around Harry in an instant, rocking him gently.

"You know I never stopped loving you," Draco whispered when they finally pulled away. "I was an idiot, I ran away it's what I do- what I did when I was scared."

"And I scared you?" Harry asked, running his knuckles along Draco's jawline.

Draco nodded. "It wasn't just that. I wasn't ready to move forward with my life and I didn't think that I-that I deserved you." He leaned back on his arms and watched Harry with an intensity that had him flushing. "I still don't think I do but I'll be damned if I let you go again."

"I have a few conditions," said Harry at last. Resting his chin on Draco's knees.

"Anything," Draco murmured, worry making his eyebrows knit together.

"First of all, if you ever decide to run again, I will personally hunt you down Draco Malfoy and I may no longer be an Auror but trust me I still have access to plenty of weapons. And dragons."

"I do not doubt you do," Draco swallowed. "If there's one thing I've learned over the past years it's that running never works anyway."

"I want the left side of the bed," Harry informed him, pretending to inspect the floor beside them.

"But that's always been-" Draco began to protest but then he caught Harry's gaze and sighed. "Fine, it's yours. Anything else, your Majesty?"

Harry smirked. "We're going to have to renegotiate the no kisses after coffee rule."

The End.

A/N: A massive thank you to everyone reading this. It's been quite a journey, almost a year in fact so thank you for sticking with me. Thank you for your reviews, they helped shape the story and kept me motivated. Hope you enjoyed the story. I may end up doing an epilogue should the inspiration strike me but otherwise this is the end of the road for now. Let me know what you think! Much love xx