Chapter 48

"Come on, Harry, just think about it?"

"I dunno," Harry said uncertainly.

"Why not?" Ron asked moodily. "We always spend Christmas with each other. Who would you spend it with if you stayed here alone?"

Harry bit his lip and squirmed on the bed he was sitting on. He desperately wanted to go to the Burrow with Ron and Hermione for Christmas, but what about Lucius?

"I'm supposed to be getting help from Dumbledore and stuff," he mumbled, knowing it was a pathetic excuse.

"I doubt he'd make you practice over Christmas, mate," Ron said with a smirk. "Come on, pack your stuff for tomorrow."

Harry sighed and forced a smile.

"Yeah, you're right," he said. "Sorry I'm being a prat, Ron."

"S'alright," his friend said with a wink. He then turned more serious and fidgety. "I'm... uh, gonna see 'Mione for a little bit, do you mind?"

Now it was Harry's time to smirk.

"Not at all," he said through a grin. "Have fun."

"Mmm," Ron said, his ears red.

Harry watched him walk out of the dorm, and waited for a moment before getting the Mauraders Map out of his pocket.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," he whispered. He scoured the old, yellow parchment which was now decorated with tiny black footprints and names, looking for one name in particular.

"Aha, there you are," he muttered, once he'd spotted Lucius. The man was in an empty classroom, most probably grading papers. He hurriedly said, "Mischief managed," and immediately got up and made for the third floor. He would feel awful if he had to leave the man over Christmas. It was the least he could do for Lucius, to stay with him during the time of love and family, but it was also very tempting to go to the Burrow for Mrs Weasley's roast dinner and the cheery atmosphere that was always present at the Burrow.

Finally he reached the third floor classroom Lucius was residing in. He knocked three times before entering.

"Hi," he croaked as let the door swing shut behind him.

Lucius looked up from his desk and stood up instantly.

"Harry," he said in that soft, crisp voice Harry loved. "I must say, this is a nice surprise."

Harry laughed weakly, and Lucius made his way over to him. When the man reached Harry, he kissed him tenderly on the lips, his hands caressing the back of Harry's neck. Harry put his hands on the man's biceps lightly and returned the kiss eagerly. When Lucius pulled away Harry let out a soft sigh of content and pressed his face into the man's neck.

"Missed you," he mumbled.

"We were away for one day, you can't have missed me that much," Lucius said smirking. "Honestly, what would you be like if it was one week?"

Harry pulled away and looked up at the man.

"It's Christmas soon," he stated.

"That's correct, congratulations, Potter," Lucius said with mock clapping. Harry ignored the cynicism.

"Ron's asked me to go away with him for the holidays," he said dully, struggling to maintain eye contact with the man.

For a moment Lucius' cool exterior seemed to crumble; his eyes lost their coldness and his shoulders slouched subtly. Not only could Harry not look into Lucius' eyes anymore, but he found himself unable to even look at the man at all as guilt flowed within him. How could he leave Lucius alone? At Christmas of all times?

He shuffled over to a chair and sat in it awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

"So you leave tomorrow, yes?" Lucius asked stiffly.

Harry felt his eyes water; when Lucius covered up the obvious hurt he was feeling with that cold, lifeless voice it always made Harry worry. He wished the man would show some emotion.

"I don't want to go," Harry said hoarsely. "I want to stay with you!"

"Don't be silly, Christmas is a time for family," Lucius said, sitting himself on top of the desk Harry was at. "And you said they're the closest thing you have to family."

"But I want to be with you!" Harry implored. "I just don't know what to say to Ron though."

"Say you're going, I want you to be with them," Lucius said, carding his hand through Harry's hair.

"Can I see you after Christmas day then?" Harry begged. "Please?"

"At some point, I'm sure you will. It's a two week holiday so maybe you could stay with them for a week and then –"

"A week?" exclaimed Harry. "You said so yourself, I can't go a day without you, a week would be... horrible," he finished lamely.

"It'll be fine," Lucius assured. "You'll be with your friends; I guarantee you won't have time to think about missing me."

"Impossible," Harry grumbled.

Lucius got off the desk. "You don't leave until tomorrow; we have some time to spend with each other until then. I suppose you could spend the night with me if you really wanted to."

Harry grinned. "Wow, I didn't even have to ask."

"But you know," Lucius purred seductively, "there are conditions I have in my bed."

"What?" Harry asked, baffled. "Since when?"

The man ruffled Harry's tresses. "Honestly, Potter, you can be exceedingly dense sometimes."

Harry scowled. "Well excuse me for not being able to tell when you're being sarcastic or honest." He stood up in a mock petulant sulk and attempted to move chairs, but Lucius grabbed his wrist and pulled him back and shoved him onto one of the nearest desks.

"Let me show you what to expect tonight," he murmured, and kissed Harry deeply, his hands resting on Harry's hips, where his hands crept under Harry's sweater, his thumbs stroking soft circles on the hipbones.

"Mmm," Harry mumbled into the kiss, and started to unbutton the man's shirt, revealing his broad chest and shoulders. "Love you."

"I know you do."

Harry sighed contentedly as he watched Lucius read. He was on his side leaning on his elbow, watching Lucius absorbedly, while Lucius was leaning against the headboard reading some boring-looking book. They'd already had their 'nightly activity' and were now relaxing in the aftermath; apparently Lucius found reading to be a good way to relax after the high of having sex, whereas Harry found the best way to relax was by gazing adoringly up at the man he loved.

"Is there something on my face I should be aware of?" Lucius asked, not tearing his gaze away from his book.

Harry chuckled at the man's perceptiveness.

"No, I just like to watch you," he said simply.

Lucius snorted and looked at Harry. "And that's not creepy at all, is it?"

Harry grinned and flopped down onto his back, his arms under his head as he gazed up at the canopy. The two sat in silence for another number of minutes until Harry spoke up again.

"What will you do at Christmas?" he said softly, looking at Lucius out of the corner of his eye.

The man visibly tensed and his eyes stopped scanning the page he was on. He cleared his throat.

"I expect I'll have a lovely, quiet, relaxing day sipping sherry and feasting on my roast dinner," he said inattentively.

"On your own?" Harry asked quietly, glancing him. Lucius nodded his head jerkily. Harry sat up in the bed, the sheets falling off his shoulders and pooling around his lap. "I want to be with you."

Lucius sighed and put down his book, no longer pretending to be absorbed in its words.

"Harry, I can't ask that of you," the man said calmly. "You ought to be with your friends, they've known you the longest and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather want you to be with."

"Ginny will be there," Harry practically whispered. He instantly regretted saying that as Lucius fixed him with a look of anger, jealousy and despondency.

"I know," the man said coldly. "And that fact will no doubt tear me up inside while you're away, but I won't have you abandon your friends for me!"

Harry stared sincerely at Lucius before shuffling over to the man and wrapping his arms around the muscular torso.

"Since when were you so stubborn?" he grumbled.

"When have I ever been a pushover?" Lucius countered.

"Mmm, true," Harry murmured. He nuzzled his face against Lucius' chest and breathed in deeply. "Well, if I stay with the Weasley's for Christmas... If I stay with them for that one day, then can I see you for the rest of the holidays?"

Harry felt Lucius' hand come to rest atop his head where his fingers began to massage Harry's scalp.

"If you're very, very good, then maybe," Lucius muttered. "Besides, it all depends on whether you can persuade your friends that you have to leave. What will be your excuse?"

"Uh..."

"Come now, Harry, to forge a believable lie you have to be able to come up with something on the spot. So... why are you only staying with them for a day?"

"So I can be with my one true lurrrrv," cooed Harry, tilting his head up and pressing a kiss to Lucius' chin.

"That won't do at all," Lucius chastised, though Harry noticed the grin tugging at his lips. "We'll work on the fib tomorrow, I think. You need some sleep."

LMHP

Lucius' POV

It was sorted. Harry would spend the first few days of the Christmas holidays up until Christmas day with the Weasleys and the Granger girl, then the boy would supposedly be going back to his relatives house in Privet Drive for protection. However, this whole thing was just a forged plot for Harry's friends to believe; on Christmas Eve Lucius would be waiting in Diagon Alley in one of the hotel inns, where Harry would be joining him. Granger was in on the plot, seeing as she knew of Harry and Lucius' relationship. Apparently she would try to keep the excuse believable if the annoying Weasley brats pressed the matter further. Fortunately for both Lucius and Harry, Granger was understanding in their want to be together. Nonetheless, Lucius had his doubts.

"I don't think this is full proof," he said for what had to have been the tenth time.

"So you've said," the boy muttered as he tried to focus on his written work Lucius had set him. They were in the middle of one of Harry's private lessons, but unfortunately the boy was in an awful mood; Lucius had decided some theory was needed so he'd set Harry some questions, and he hadn't been happy about that. At this moment in time Harry was busy writing at his desk, Lucius sitting opposite him watching him intently.

"I mean it, Harry, what if the old man interferes?" Lucius pressed. He didn't like the excuse; Lucius knew Dumbledore wasn't stupid, nor were the Weasleys. If Harry went missing and Dumbledore didn't know where he was there would surely be a colossal search party for the Boy Who Lived.

"Then I'll make something up on the spot," Harry growled. "I'm trying to work, you know? I don't need these thoughts clogging up my mind."

Lucius smirked. "Come now, I think we both know you haven't managed to answer one single question so far. You've just sat there reading them and doodling."

The boy huffed and shoved his paper away. "Urgh, you're right. I just hate written work. How the hell am I supposed to concentrate with you sitting there, anyway? Looking all alluring and stuff..."

Lucius raised his eyebrows. "I'll leave then, shall I?"

"No!" Harry exclaimed, grabbing Lucius' sleeve. "Like I said before, I like to watch you."

Lucius sighed exasperatedly and sat back down. "I think it's safe to say that you're not going to get any work done today."

"Does that mean we can stop?" Harry asked hopefully.

"I suppose so."

The boy heaved a sigh of relief and immediately slouched into his chair, folding his hands behind his head. "Good," he said happily. "My brain was far too preoccupied."

"With what, may I ask?" Lucius asked through a smirk.

"I was... well, I was just wondering what we're going to do when I meet you for Christmas evening."

"Ah, all shall be revealed on the night," Lucius purred.

Harry grinned. "I'm so happy I can see you on Christmas. It'll be our first one together."

Lucius raised his eyebrows just as Harry's eyes widened in horror and a blatant blush began to grow over his pale cheeks.

"Oh god," he whispered. "I sound like a... a girl! A lovesick girl!"

Lucius chortled.

"A very pretty lovesick girl at that," he crooned with a smirk. "But yes, it will be our first together. And I'm looking forward to it very much."

The boy smiled sheepishly before chewing nervously on his bottom lip. "You don't... you don't think I'm too clingy, do you?"

Lucius tilted his head to the side and studied the boy before him. "I wouldn't say clingy. I'd just say you have too much love in you."

Harry blushed again but grinned happily.

"What time is it?" he asked, changing the subject. "I need to leave at one."

"It's..." Lucius glanced at his pocket watch, "just gone noon. I trust you've packed?"

Harry nodded.

"Good. Follow me, Mr Potter," he said as he stood up and made his way to his office. Once they were both inside Lucius barely had time before Harry was upon him, the small nimble fingers threading through his blonde hair.

"Harry," he breathed, "calm down." For the boy was tugging at Lucius' trousers.

"Please," Harry whined, "let me give you one more present to remember me by. I'm not going to see you for four days."

Lucius stared into Harry's desperate green eyes before nodding slowly. "If you must," he teased.

Harry knelt on the floor, and Lucius thought the boy looked slightly unnerved at Lucius' lack of protest of 'submission'. Nonetheless, the boy unzipped Lucius' fly that was holding up the black slacks and tugged them down. They pooled around Lucius' feet revealing his thick, muscular thighs. It was strange but Lucius realised he really was going to miss Harry for the next four days, and he thought Harry felt the same, seeing how the boy was giving him this strange affectionate treatment on his legs.

Harry was pressing light kisses to the inside of Lucius' left thigh and Lucius shivered.

"What's with the tenderness, Potter?" he asked hoarsely.

"I'm just... making the most of it," Harry whispered. He then pulled the twitching member out from the black briefs and slowly took it into his mouth.

Lucius threw his head back and ran his hand through Harry's hair. "My goodness, Harry," he gasped.

The boy was forcing Lucius' length down his throat and Lucius shivered at the feeling of the moist cave squeezing round his cock.

His silver eyes found Harry's and in that moment he couldn't hold back the smile that spread over his face. He truly loved this boy.