Chapter 14: On The 12th Day of Christmas...

It was finally Christmas!

This was the thought running through Harry's mind when he opened his eyes.

This Christmas is definitely better than the last one.

Harry looked toward the window in his room and saw that it was lightly snowing. Slipping from his bed, careful not to wake the blonde-haired man who was still sleeping, he pulled on his dressing robe and padded over to the window to watch the snow fall. The sun was peaking over the horizon, casting the school grounds into some kind of ethereal fairy tale. Harry's smile widened.

Harry. came a voice near his foot. He glanced down and saw Ophion. He picked up the little snake gently.

Happy Christmassss, Ophion. Harry stated, his voice coming out in a slight wheeze.

And to you assss well, Masssster Harry. Harry smiled at his little friend. Harry, there issss something you need to ssssee.

What?

I will show you. Nodding, Harry set him on the floor and followed him into the living room Ophion made his way to Harry's trunk in the far corner of the room and perched on top of it. It issss in here. Ophion moved off the trunk so Harry could open it.

On top of all his things was the ring box he'd gotten a few days before. He picked it up with a frown, swearing he'd buried it in the bottom of his trunk.

He opened the box to look at the rings again. Someone was trying to tell him something.

-Do you love him, Harry? His inner voice asked.

I do.

-You know what those rings signify. What's stopping you from asking?

That he'll laugh at me and say no.

-Why would he? He came to be with you last night. I don't think he had one complaint.

Maybe this whole week has been some kind of Slytherin trick. Harry muttered. Then he mentally slapped himself.

-That's stupid, even for you, Harry. His inner voice chided.

So what do I do?

-You know the answers already. The only thing stopping you from asking is you.

Would he want to?

-Let me leave you with this Harry. Love unlocks doors and opens windows that weren't even there before.

Who said that?

-Mignon McLaughlin in 1966. Truer words never been spoke, Harry.

"Harry?" a sleepy voice called. Harry took another look at the rings before shoving them back in the trunk.

-Ask him, Harry. The worst he could do is say no and break your heart.

That's what I'm afraid of. Harry was honest enough to admit that to himself. Sighing, he headed back to his bedroom.

Draco was blinking at him, rubbing sleepily at his eyes. He smiled when he saw Harry.

"I woke up and you were gone." he said as Harry removed his robe and got back into bed. Draco snuggled up against him, his head resting on Harry's chest.

"Needed to use the loo." Harry whispered hoarsely. Draco looked up at him.

"How's the throat?"

"It feels itchy. Feels like someone shoved a feather down my throat." Draco nodded in satisfaction. The spell book had said the first sign that the potion was working was some hoarseness and an itchy throat.

"Where did you go earlier?" Draco wondered after they lay in contented silence.

"It was snowing so I went to take a look."

"Want to go for a walk before breakfast?" Draco wondered.

"That can't be good for my throat, Draco."

"Wear a scarf."

"You really want to go out?"

"I love snow. And besides," he added, "I have a Christmas present for Professor Hagrid." Harry's eyes widened.

"You do? I thought you didn't like him."

"He's a giant, Harry. He scares the piss out of me sometimes, but he's an okay bloke." Harry smiled at Draco's assessment of the Gameskeeper.

"All right. Let's go then." Hand in hand, the two young men left the warmth of the bed to share the warmth of a shower.

After visiting with Hagrid for an hour (he nearly squashed Draco in his arms after Draco had given him a miniature Norwegian Ridgeback Dragon for a present) the two of them headed to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Later...

Harry was responding to an owl post from Remus when Draco came up to him.

"Harry do you have an extra broom kit? Blaise snatched mine and now he can't find it."

"Check my trunk in the other room." Harry replied absently. Draco nodded and disappeared from sight. 2 minutes later, Harry realized what he'd said and jumped to his feet. "Draco, wait!" He ran into the other room but it was too late. Draco had spotted the ring box and had already opened it.

"Is this what I think it is?" Draco asked, turning toward Harry.

"What do you think it is?" Harry wondered.

"They look like engagement rings, Potter." Draco scowled.

-Bugger! Harry's inner voice moaned. To Draco he said, "Then that's what they are, Malfoy."

"And just who did you plan on giving these to? The littlest Weasley, perhaps?" Draco's scowl darkened. Harry wanted to laugh, and bit the inside of his cheek hard to keep from doing that. He needed to diffuse Draco's anger and fast. He moved close enough to the other man to wrap his arms around his waist.

"If I wanted to marry Ginny, why would I be having mind blowing sex with you instead of her." Harry hissed, licking the side of Draco's neck. He smiled when he felt the tremor under the skin with his lips. "After all, if two people love each other, then they wouldn't even be thinking about anyone else, let alone have sex with the third party."

"Because you're a sick, twisted individual?" Draco moaned, tilting his head to allow better access to his neck.

"Gay, Draco Malfoy. Or did you forget already?" Harry laughed, moving his lips to Draco's ear. He nibbled on the earlobe, eliciting a harsh gasp from Draco.

"I'm trying not to forget, actually."

"Good. Besides, the thought of kissing a girl makes me want to vomit. I'd rather kiss a man instead." At that statement, Draco smiled. Harry looked him in the eye. "I think I'll do that now." And he covered Draco's lips with his own. Draco, usually the one to take control of his relationships, felt helpless against the onslaught of feelings Harry was dragging from him.

"Merlin!" Draco gasped out when they parted for air. Harry smiled, a lazy, sexy smile that made Draco hard. Draco carefully set the ring box down on the table and launched himself at the man in front of him.

They made love before the fire, the rings momentarily forgotten.

Afterwards, Harry fell asleep, Draco in his arms. He watched him sleep, lazily running his fingers over the tanned chest. Sighing, Draco rolled to his side and got to his feet, careful not to wake his sleeping lion. The ring box drew his attention once more. Padding naked to the table, he picked up the box and opened it.

They are really beautiful rings, in retrospect. He mused.

-So what do you think, Mr Malfoy? Ready to be saddled with The Boy Who Lived for the rest of your life? His inner voice asked.

I wouldn't call it being 'saddled', per se.

-Then what would you call it?

A relationship beneficial to both parties?

-The old ball and chain?

Not like that. Being with Harry would never be a burden.

-At least the sex would never be dull.

There is that. Draco grinned.

-Ah ha! So you admit you want him for the sex!

What? No!

-Then why do you want to be with him?

He's funny. And thoughtful. And caring. And brave. He's smart – well not smart like Hermione, but smart enough in his own way.

-He's a Gryffindor. Duh!

Shut it.

-You still haven't said why you want to be with him for the rest of your life.

I thought I did.

-Nope.

I love him. I can't imagine my life without him in it. I guess it's always been that way and I'm just now realizing it. What more do I need to say?

-Nothing. I was just making sure you were in this for the right reasons.

Good. Draco pulled the white-stoned ring from the box and slipped it on his finger. It was a perfect it. Harry mumbled something and his eyelids fluttered. Draco quickly took the ring off and put it back in the box. He was at Harry's side when the green eyes opened. There was a frown on Harry's face.

"What's wrong?"

"My throat feels funny."

"How so?"

"It's tingling. You know how if you sleep on your arm for too long and it goes to sleep and it tingles when you wake up?"

"Yes."

"That's what it feels like."

"Hmm." Draco replied. Inside, he made a check mark on his mental checklist. Tingling sensation, check. "That sounds like a good thing, Harry."

"You think so?"

"Yes. I'll ask Severus about it later."

"All right." Harry nodded. Hedwig soared into the room and dropped a package wrapped in brightly colored Christmas paper in Harry's lap before flying back out again. Harry sat up. "What's this?"

"Open it." Draco smiled. Harry grinned and eagerly tore into the package, bits of wrapping paper flying everywhere. Draco laughed at his enthusiasm. Harry lifted the lid and removed the tissue paper. It was a beautiful set of robes. They were a deep blue velvet, almost black. He ran a hand over the soft material.

"Draco! This is gorgeous!"

"I'd be honored if you wore them to the ball tonight."

"Really? You want to go to the ball? With me?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Because you're you. And I'm me. And people would stare. And get ideas."

"So? Let them stare. I'd be proud to be seen with you. And if we just happen to end up underneath some mistletoe, I will kiss you brainless, regardless of who sees us."

"People have already seen us kiss." Harry reminded him.

"Not the way I'd like to kiss you." Draco leered at him, making Harry chuckle.

"Git." Harry stated, fondly.

"You still love me, though."

"Can't argue with that logic." Harry smiled as Draco covered his body with his own. Harry hadn't even realized he was aroused until their erections rubbed together.

"Happy Christmas, Harry James Potter." Draco whispered as he pushed into Harry's body.

"And a Happy Christmas to you, too, Draco Lucius Malfoy." Harry groaned, wrapping his legs around the slim waist over him.

The ball was a smashing success, much to the surprise of McGonagall. She, like the other adults, were sitting at the Head table watching the students intermingle and she smiled.

Dumbledore would have been proud of them all. She thought to herself. Some of what she was feeling must have shown on her face.

"That he would, Minnie." Remus replied, stepping up behind her chair. She turned to look at him and smiled.

"How did you know what I was thinking, Remus?" she asked as he sat down.

"You were always easy to read, even when I was a student." He took her hand in his and kissed it gently.

"Cheeky devil." she grinned. She looked around. "And, where, pray tell, is that stubborn mule you call your boyfriend?"

"Severus is patrolling the halls for overly hormonal teenagers." He rolled his eyes.

"Why? I didn't ask him to do that."

"Something about getting away from his overly hormonal werewolf." Remus grinned, lecherously.

"Oh my." McGonagall laughed, feeling herself blush. "Maybe you should, ah, go and find him then."

"I have a better idea." Remus grinned. He took out his wand. "Accio Severus Snape!" A whooshing sound followed and Severus flew into the room, looking like he was being dragged by some invisible force. The students in his path darted out of the way, quickly, as he headed for Remus.

"Salazar's Teeth, Remus!" Snape shouted angrily. Remus knew he was about to get lectured and moved to head it off. He covered Snape's open mouth with his own, practically shoving his tongue into Snape's mouth. Snape only protested for a moment before giving in to the desire he was feeling and kissed his werewolf right back.

"Oh my." McGonagall blushed again as she watched the two of them. She turned her gaze away from them and grinned when she saw Harry and Draco enter the great hall, holding hands. Everyone stopped to stare at the two boys. They were as different as night and day and yet, somehow in the last few months, they had ended up on equal footing. It brought tears to her eyes and she quickly blinked them away before they could fall.

Harry and Draco only had eyes for each other when they entered the Great Hall hand in hand. Harry leaned his head on Draco's shoulder, who in turn kissed the top of Harry's head. A couple of girls fainted at the endearing sight.

"God that is so beautiful!" Hermione sighed beside Ron. Ron looked from her to his best friend beside Malfoy and silently agreed. Whatever Malfoy was doing with Harry, Harry looked honestly happy for the first time in his life and Ron wasn't going to trade that for anything.

Harry for the most part, knew everyone was watching them but he really didn't give two figs about it right then. He was happy. He never thought that would be possible but here he was, hand in hand with Draco Malfoy and happy. He smiled.

"What's that smile for?" Draco asked, having seen it. Harry raised his head off the shoulder beside him and gave him a loving smile.

"I'm happy. That's all." Draco touched his cheek and kissed him tenderly.

"Oi! Get a room, you two!" Ron laughed.

"Shut it, Weasel." Harry grinned.

"Malfoy's rubbing off on you." Ron smiled. Harry simply shrugged.

"Harry, your voice sounds a bit better this evening." Hermione noted.

"It's coming back in stages. Thank goodness too. I was starting to get wand cramping." Harry smiled. Then he looked at Hermione. Where's Blaise? He asked with his eyes. Hers widened in surprise.

How did you know?

I'm not exactly blind, love. He smirked. Ron saw the exchange and frowned.

"What's all this then?" he wondered.

"Um...Ronald. We should talk." Hermione stated. "Privately."

"No. You tell me right this minute, Hermione Jane Granger."

"Um...well...you see...ah-"

"There you are, love!" exclaimed a new voice. Before Hermione could react, Blaise had swept her up in a deep and well-meaning kiss. She didn't protest not one bit, and melted into the kiss with feeling. Harry risked a glance at Ron, who was looking utterly gobsmacked.

"Uh...'Mione...but...Blaise...and...Slytherin!" Ron gaped.

"Articulate as ever, Weasley." Draco sighed. Blaise and Hermione broke apart and Hermione looked at Ron.

"Sorry I didn't tell you before." she told him.

"How long?"

"A year now." Blaise answered proudly. Hermione waited for the famous explosion. Ron just stared from her in Blaise's arms to Harry in Draco's and back again. He sighed.

"Well. Seems we always do things in threes." Ron laughed.

"What?" Harry wondered. Instead, Ron grabbed Pansy around her waist and thoroughly ravished her mouth. Pansy was surprised at first, but Ron was nothing if persistent and her eyes closed on a sigh of pleasure.

"Wow!" Draco exclaimed, looking at Harry. "Do we look like that when we snog?"

"Yes, you do." Blaise answered for Harry. The 6 of them had attracted the attention of everyone in the room. Everyone was stunned speechless, including Snape.

"Gryffindors seem to be the bane of a Slytherin's existence." he groused loud enough for everyone to hear. Harry looked up to see Remus wrap an arm around Severus and kiss his cheek. He laughed, hard. Snape tried to sneer at him, but it lost some of its former luster as the love he had for Remus showed in his eyes. "10 points to Gryffindor for catching and taming some of the Snakes of Slytherin." Snape sighed.

"Well you make it sound like a bad thing, Uncle." Draco smirked.

"Shut it, you git." Snape laughed. Draco looked at Hermione.

"He's definitely mellowed."

"That he has." she smiled. Blaise swept her away to dance as the music started up once more. Pansy dragged Ron away for a private talk and Draco looked at Harry.

"Can I interest you in a dance, Mr Potter?" he bowed.

"As long as you don't hex me when I step on your toes. I'm terrible at dancing."

"Agreed." Draco smiled, pulling Harry into his arms.

At some point, Draco had moved away from Harry and now he was trying to find him. The teachers had disappeared from the Head table some time ago and a stage had been erected in its place. Harry spotted Blaise and Hermione and moved toward them.

"Have you seen Draco?" he asked.

"He was talking with Snape a moment ago, then they both disappeared." Hermione said. Ron and Pansy joined them, both looking a bit disheveled.

"I just saw Draco talking to McGonagall and Lupin over near the stage." Pansy told him. Harry looked to where she indicated and only saw McGonagall and Remus.

"Bloody hell." Harry hissed, starting to get angry. Suddenly the lights dimmed and a bright spot appeared on the stage, catching everyone's attention. The Mystery of the Missing Boyfriend was solved when Draco appeared. He cast a Sonorous on himself so he could be heard.

"Would Mr Potter please join me up on the dais please." he called. Wondering what he was on about, Harry made his way forward.

"Draco, what's going on?"

"You promised these people you'd sing for them and that's what you're going to do."

"But, my voice..."

"If you had been listening to yourself for the last 2 hours, you'd realize your voice is fine."

"I-what?"

"Harry. I've given you my present for tonight. I've given you back your voice."

"But, how?"

"The tea you drank yesterday. No, not the first cup. The second. It had a potion in it."

"What?"

"Someone sent me a spell book with a potion in it that helps with laryngitis. I saw how much singing tonight meant to you and I wanted to help so badly because I love you. Please don't be mad at me."

"I'm not mad. I'm just...surprised. You did that for me?"

"Of course. I love you, you silly bint." Draco smiled.

"How do you know it worked?"

"Sing, Harry." Draco kissed him lightly before moving to the piano that Harry hadn't noticed was there. Draco started playing the opening stanza for "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and nodded to Harry with an encouraging smile. Taking a deep breath, Harry cast a Sonorous on himself and began to sing. His voice was weak at first because he was so nervous but as the song progressed, his voice grew in strength until it was echoing through the entire school.

The house elves paused in the kitchens beneath the school to listen to that strong voice. Dobby had tears in his eyes.

The centaurs in the Forbidden Forest paused in their festivities to listen. Firenze smiled from his spot near the fire.

"Merry Christmas, Harry Potter. And thank you for restoring me to my clan." he whispered.

Gwarp paused in his dinner with Hagrid, a small smile on his face.

"Hawwy." he whispered.

"He's a good lad." Hagrid agreed.

Harry's magic lent a strength to his voice so that it reached all over the Wizarding world.

Wizards and witches everywhere paused in what they were doing and simply listened to the sound of Harry's voice. Fussy children were instantly calmed. Arguing couples quickly made peace.

Farther still, Harry's voice traveled. Muggles paused upon hearing it, thinking it was an Angel of some kind. Church bells rang in celebration. Wars being fought, paused for the moment as the Christmas spirit was felt far and wide. No one was left untouched.

"...and have yourself...a merry little Christmas...now!" Harry finished, his eyes closing to hide the tears that formed in his eyes. Draco finished behind him and there was dead silence.

Draco had tears falling from his own eyes as he had listened to Harry sing.

In the next instant, thunderous applause threatened to tear the roof off of the school. Harry's eyes snapped open at the sound and he watched, tearfully as the entire school applauded, cheers and whistles intermingled with it. He looked at the row of teachers against the wall and noticed not one of them was dry-eyed. Remus seemed to be clapping the loudest and he gave Harry a thumbs up sign.

Beyond pleased, Harry took a bow. Draco quickly wiped his eyes and began to play again, this time going into the upbeat tune of "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree". Harry dragged Hermione and Ron up on stage with him to join in the caroling, Blaise and Pansy following.

Draco dragged Harry away for a break near midnight. He was pouring him a glass of punch when he was suddenly pulled into a hug.

"Thank you, Draco." Harry muttered against his neck. Draco wrapped his arms around him.

"For what?"

"For being you." Harry smiled, looking at him.

"You're welcome, I think." Draco grinned. Draco saw Pansy gesturing to something over his head and he looked up. There was a sprig of mistletoe floating over them. Something inside Draco whispered that now was the time and he pulled back from Harry's arms. Harry looked bewildered. Until Draco pulled something from the pocket of his robes and got down on one knee.

"Draco?" Harry gaped when he recognized the ring box. Draco opened it, the lights glittering off the two stones within.

"Harry Potter, will you agree to become my life mate?" Draco asked in a small voice. Harry stared at him, his heat in his eyes.

"I...uh..."

"Articulate as ever, Potter." Draco grinned.

"Why?" Harry exclaimed. Draco gave him the same reasons he had spoken to himself that very morning.

"Because I love you. Some part of me always has. It just took me 7 years to figure it out. I can't imagine the rest of my life without you in it. I want you and only you. We don't have to get married today. I'll wait for as long as I need to but I want you to know that I'm not doing this to make a fool out of you. I know that's what you're thinking. But you entrusted me with your heart and I will guard it for the rest of my life. Your heart and your happiness are more important than anything you've given to me and I would be a fool to let you down and get away from me." He pulled the onyx from its velvet cushion and held it over Harry's hand.

"Draco." Harry whispered, his hand trembling.

"Be my life partner, Harry." Draco repeated.

The clock in the tower began to toll midnight. Everyone looked at Harry expectantly.

-This is what you've been waiting for, Harry. Take it before it's too late! His inner voice shouted. Who was he to ignore his own mind? Slowly, Harry nodded.

"Yes, Draco. I will." Harry smiled. Draco slipped the ring onto Harry's hand and pulled him into a kiss beneath the mistletoe just as the clock finished tolling the midnight hour.

In the farthest shadows of the Great Hall, a ghostly figure smiled, pleased that it had worked out like it had.

"Meddling old fool." someone snorted. The ghost of Dumbledore smiled at his companion.

"It all worked out, didn't it?"

"I still don't see why you made me pair Remus with Snape?" the ghostly figure of Sirius Black groused.

"Come now, Sirius. Remus and Snape are happy as is Harry and Draco."

"Those two I understand, but Remus and Snape?"

"Happiness often sneaks through a door you didn't know you left open." Dumbledore smiled.

"Albus, sometimes you scare me." Sirius laughed.

McGonagall saw something from the corner of her eye and looked around. She smiled fondly when she saw the two ghosts, who were now slowly fading. She made her way toward them.

"Only you, Albus Dumbledore, would be that bold." she whispered.

"How'd you expect me to be, Minnie?" he smiled. Even in death, his eyes and not lost their sparkle. She laughed. "Be at peace, old friend." She felt a ghostly hand touch her cheek and a tear slipped from her eyes.

"We'll meet again, Minnie. I'm sure of it."

"Merry Christmas, Albus, Sirius."

"Merry Christmas, Min."

"Keep an eye on Harry for us, Min." Sirius smiled.

"Count on it." Both ghosts faded from her sight, but not before she heard Albus one final time.

"Lemon drop?"

fin

Quote by John Barrymore.

A/N (updated 1.1.2006): And so, my Christmas story ends. While typing out this chapter, I had tears in my eyes when I began to envision Harry's singing echoing around the world. Can you imagine if one single solitary voice could have that much power to stop wars? I know this may not be a believable ending for some, but it satisfies me and I am content. That is my greatest wish for this Christmas season. I hope you're pleased with the ending of this story. I tried not to rush it and cheat myself even though I already had the ending planned out days ago. I want to thank each and every one of you who stayed with this story until its end. Sadly, there won't be a sequel. I'll leave that up to anyone else who would like to plan a sequel. All I ask is that you let me read it when you're done.

I also wish to thank everyone who reviewed/commented throughout the story. I tried to respond to each one but the response was so overwhelming, I had to stop. Just know that I am very pleased to each and every one of you who did review and know that all your comments brought a smile to my lips and tears of happiness to my eyes. I'd thank you all individually but it would take too long to do grin. So consider this a "Blanket Thank You".

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May peace and love be your gift this holiday season.

Love & Chocolate...Lady B.

Kiss me at midnight

Dance until the morning light

Party into the new year

All of my friends are here and the time is right

Kiss me at midnight!

- NSYNC