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<div class="chap-title">
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25. Chapter 25
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<div class="chap-text">
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<p><em>A/N: It was never my intention to get chapter 25 to be the Christmas chapter
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but I must admit that it's a happy coincidence nonetheless! Please enjoy.</em></p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p class='c1'><strong>Chapter 25</strong></p>
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<p>Harry found himself in the kitchen, adding milk to the pudding mixture as he
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whisked them into a cohesive blend. Zippy was off somewhere pouting but Harry was not
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to be deterred.</p>
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<p>"I still don't understand why you're doing this," Draco said as he dipped a finger
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into the dark rum. "Isn't this exactly what a house-elf is for?"</p>
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<p>"This is part of Christmas," Harry said importantly, "You need to make your own
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Christmas pudding."</p>
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<p>"Says who?" Draco asked incredulously.</p>
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<p>"It's tradition!" Harry pointed out.</p>
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<p>"Perhaps it is in the muggle world," Draco said, "But in the wizarding world, we
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don't make our own pudding."</p>
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<p>"Yes you do," Harry snorted, "Only the very wealthy don't. So I suppose it's no
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wonder that <em>you've</em> never touched a whisk in your life."</p>
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<p>"And I could go my whole life without ever doing so," Draco replied.</p>
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<p>"Just give it a try," Harry urged, "I promise you that it will taste so much
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better when you made it yourself."</p>
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<p>"That doesn't make any sense, though," Draco said thoughtfully, "What part of the
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process would make it taste better? What can <em>we</em> do that a house-elf
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can't?"</p>
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<p>"Ah, muggles would say that we add a bit of love to the recipe."</p>
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<p>The snort that escaped Snape could be heard coming from the living room.</p>
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<p>"Oh, would you put a sock in it?" Harry said loudly.</p>
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<p>Draco laughed loudly. "See? Even your father doesn't agree. Can't you just leave
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the rest up to Zippy and come play a game with me?"</p>
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<p>"This doesn't take long at all," Harry said, "Why don't you mix the fruits; sugar
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and liquor?"</p>
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<p>"Because I don't want to," Draco said evenly.</p>
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<p>"Come on," Harry urged, "You can make a wish as you stir it!"</p>
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<p>"And muggles really believe such a wish would come true?" Draco asked
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incredulously, though he still started mixing the fruits.</p>
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<p>"Not really, no," Harry admitted, "But it's a nice thought, nonetheless."</p>
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<p>"If you say so," Draco said as he kept stirring. "You know, this sort of reminds
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me of Potions class."</p>
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<p>"It's very alike," Harry said, "If you can brew a wiggenweld potion, you can make
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a Christmas pudding. All you have to do is follow the recipe."</p>
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<p>"Will it explode if I add the wrong ingredient?" Draco asked.</p>
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<p>Harry chuckled. "No, don't be daft. You could burn it if you raise the temperature
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of the fire too high, though."</p>
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<p>"I'll leave that up to you then," Draco said.</p>
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<p>"Dad!" Harry called out. He was still getting used to calling Snape that but he
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found that the more often he did, the easier it became. Draco flashed him a
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half-smirk as he did which Harry could only take as approval.</p>
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<p>Harry had also noticed that – for now – the use of the word 'dad' made Snape
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spring into action immediately. He wondered how long that would last.</p>
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<p>As he had suspected, Snape walked into the kitchen, eyeing Harry's mixture
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critically. "Yes?" he asked.</p>
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<p>"Could you stir the fruits for a few seconds," Harry asked sweetly, "And make a
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wish while you do."</p>
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<p>"Why?" Snape asked icily.</p>
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<p>Harry sighed in exasperation. "For magical folks, you two really have no respect
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for all things that make Christmas truly magical."</p>
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<p>"That's probably because we can actually use magic," Snape said. As if to
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demonstrate, he raised his wand, flicked it, and made the stirrer stir by itself.</p>
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<p>"I don't think that counts," Harry said, though he wasn't sure of that himself.
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"Just stir it by hand for a few seconds. Please?"</p>
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<p>With a suffering sigh, Snape grabbed the stirrer, mixed the fruits for a few
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seconds and handed it back to Draco. "Satisfied?" he asked.</p>
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<p>Harry grinned broadly. "Absolutely. You can go back to whatever it is you were
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doing."</p>
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<p>Snape didn't dawdle and went back to the sitting room. He was no doubt still
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working on deciphering that text that the Weasley twins had liberated for him.</p>
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<p>"Allow me to stir it for a moment," Harry said, grabbing the bowl from Draco. The
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blonde relented easily and watched as Harry mixed the fruits, a dumb smile on his
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face.</p>
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<p>"You baffle me sometimes," Draco said.</p>
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<p>"Hm?" Harry reacted absentmindedly.</p>
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<p>"First of all, I can't believe the saviour of the wizarding world is making his
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own Christmas pudding," Draco pointed out. "And second of all, I can't get over the
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fact that doing menial labour such as this makes you happy."</p>
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<p>"I doubt you'd understand," Harry replied.</p>
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<p>"Try me," Draco urged.</p>
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<p>"Well, it's just that –" Harry sighed, trying to gather his thoughts. "- I was
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never allowed to be part of any Christmas traditions when I still lived with the
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Dursleys and – well – something happened recently that got me thinking about that all
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over again."</p>
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<p>Draco raised a curious eyebrow. "Why wouldn't they let you join them?"</p>
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<p>Harry suddenly realized that he had never really told Draco about his life with
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the Dursleys and was now resisting the strong urge to bang his head against the
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wall.</p>
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<p>"Harry?"</p>
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<p>"Could you check the recipe for me?" Harry asked, "How long did the pudding have
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to cook?"</p>
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<p>"Five to six hours," Draco replied evenly as he eyed Harry curiously.</p>
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<p>"Right," Harry replied cheerfully, "Pass me the foil, will you?"</p>
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<p>Draco sighed. "As you wish, Harry."</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>While the pudding simmered on a low fire, Harry took Draco to go sledging. Snape
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had warned them not to go too far and had explicitly forbidden them from treading on
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the ice.</p>
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<p>"If I catch you so much as stepping foot on that ice, I will divide all of your
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Christmas presents among the needy orphans," he had said. Neither boy had taken great
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consideration into his words but they weren't really planning on skating anyway.</p>
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<p>"I know a good hill not far from here," Harry said. He was pulling the sledge
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along the snow. Draco had taken a seat on top of it, leisurely eyeing the surrounding
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landscape.</p>
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<p>"You're not really helping, you know," Harry pointed out.</p>
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<p>"A smarter wizard would simply use magic," Draco retorted.</p>
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<p>"Have you completely forgotten that this is a muggle neighbourhood?" Harry asked,
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"If anyone should see you using magic, you could get arrested."</p>
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<p>"So be subtle about it," Draco said. He went to lay flat on his belly as the
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sledge kept moving along, Harry pulling the rope dutifully. Draco whispered an
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incantation and suddenly, the sledge felt a lot lighter and easier to move.</p>
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<p>Harry threw Draco an exasperated glare. "Draco," he snarled, "What did I just
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say?"</p>
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<p>"You didn't even notice me doing anything," Draco chuckled, "And neither did any
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muggle. Sometimes, you just need to be a bit more Slytherin about things."</p>
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<p>Harry rolled his eyes but decided to let it slide. Quite literally.</p>
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<p>"There it is!" Harry exclaimed, pointing at a rather steep hill. Underneath the
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heaps of snow lay a dead-end street, Harry knew, that led to an abandoned manor. No
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one ever went up there anymore. That is to say, Harry had investigated it at some
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point but there was nothing to be seen in there. It had probably once belonged to the
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owner of the factories here before they all went out of business.</p>
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<p>"Well?" Harry asked, "Looks like fun, doesn't it?"</p>
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<p>"Harry," Draco said doubtfully, "We fly broomsticks for fun. You can't possibly
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tell me that this sledge of yours can go faster or higher than your Firebolt."</p>
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<p>"It can't," Harry agreed, "But this sledge is so much easier to mount with the
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both of us. Now get off, I'm not dragging you up that hill. Featherlight charm or
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not."</p>
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<p>"Fine," Draco groaned, "But I'm not pulling that thing."</p>
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<p>"Just come along," Harry urged as he began walking up the hill, dragging the
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wooden sledge behind him. The crunching of the snow told him that Draco was only a
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few steps behind him.</p>
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<p>"Okay," Harry said as they reached the hill, "Do you want to be in the front or
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back?"</p>
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<p>"I suppose I'll take the front," Draco said proudly as he took his seat.</p>
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<p>"Alright," Harry said, "But that means you have to watch out for obstacles and
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steer accordingly."</p>
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<p>"And how do you steer this thing?" Draco asked.</p>
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<p>Harry laughed. "I have absolutely no idea!"</p>
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<p>"Oh, that's quite reassuring," Draco said, but he laughed and sat down
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nonetheless. "If I break an arm, I'm holding you accountable, Potter."</p>
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<p>"Don't worry," Harry said as he took his seat behind Draco. "I know how to brew
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skele-gro now."</p>
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<p>"In that case, let us be off!" Draco said valiantly as he used his feet to get the
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sledge moving. Harry did the same until the wooden contraption gained enough speed to
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move on its own and down the steep hill they went.</p>
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<p>Perhaps it was not quite as spectacular as riding a broom but both boys laughed
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heartily on their way down as the snow caught in their path was thrown upwards and
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into their faces and hair. The ride down was over far too quickly and ended without
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incident.</p>
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<p>"That was fun," Draco admitted.</p>
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<p>"It's much more fun with a friend than going alone," Harry added sheepishly, "Want
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to go again?"</p>
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<p>"Okay, but this time, let's try to go faster," Draco said.</p>
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<p>In a few hours' time, the pair made up of a Gryffindor and a Slytherin had made
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their way down that same hill dozens of times. Near the end, most of the snow had
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been cleared by their glorious escapade and so they were forced to either stop or
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magically reapply the snow to the hill. They were discussing the pro's and cons of
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using magic when a very familiar muggle approached them, catching Harry from behind
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with a snowball.</p>
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<p>"Hey!" Harry protested. He turned around and grinned when he caught sight of Alex.
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"Oh, you'll pay for that!" he said. He looked around mischievously and when he was
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sure that no one else was around, he swished his wand as subtly as he could and
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assaulted Alex with two dozen snowballs. Draco watched the onslaught with a mixture
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of shock and amusement.</p>
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<p>"Harry!" Draco exclaimed when Alex went down and faked his own death. "After all
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your goody-two-shoes logic, you go and assault a muggle with magic?"</p>
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<p>"Oh, it hurts," Alex groaned ridiculously, "I have been slain. The great Harry
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Potter slew me." He writhed in the snow and stretched out a hand towards the sky.
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"Remember me not for how I died, but for how I lived," he croaked. And then, his hand
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dropped into the snow, and Alex' eyes closed.</p>
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<p>Harry laughed maniacally as he went to stand over Alex' '<em>dead body'</em>. "Ah,
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Alexander. With you gone, there is no one left to protect Spinner's end from my
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wrath!" he said dramatically. Draco looked at him as if he had gone insane. "Let this
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be a reminder that a muggle can never stand up to a wizard!"</p>
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<p>"We'll see about that!" Alex said as his eyes suddenly opened. He sprang up from
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the ground and tackled Harry, dropping him into a mound of snow.</p>
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<p>"Yes!" Alex exclaimed, raising both of his hands to the sky, "Muggles rule!
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Wizards drool!"</p>
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<p>"We must certainly do not," Draco snarled, "Harry, what is the meaning of
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this?"</p>
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<p>"Oh, sorry Draco," Harry said sheepishly as he got up from the ground. He patted
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down his pants to remove the snow and joined Draco again. "I got a bit carried away,
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I suppose. This is Alex. Alex, this is Draco."</p>
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<p>Draco narrowed his eyes at Alex as the man extended his hands towards him.</p>
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<p>"He's a muggle," Draco stated, "And he knows about us?"</p>
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<p>"He's a licensed observer," Harry explained, "So yes, he does. He even gives tour
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guides around here for wizards and witches."</p>
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<p>"You're supposed to shake it," Alex said, his hand still extended. "It's a muggle
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custom."</p>
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<p>"I'm not an idiot," Draco snarled, "I know how shaking hands works. I simply
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choose not to."</p>
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<p>"Suit yourself," Alex said, completely undeterred.</p>
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<p>"Draco, you're being rude," Harry said, "Alex is a good friend of Severus and I.
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He deserves your respect."</p>
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<p>"Hold on", Draco said, "Are you telling me that this muggle –" he pointed rudely
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at Alex, "- is friends with Severus? Severus Snape?"</p>
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<p>"The very same," Alex replied before Harry could, "Why do you think he lives in
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this town? It's to stay close to me!"</p>
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<p>Draco scoffed and Harry snorted. "He's a bit eccentric –" "Excuse me?" Alex
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interrupted, "- But he's one of the best men I know. I ask of you to be nice."</p>
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<p>Draco looked at Harry incredulously, sighed deeply and finally extended his own
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hand to Alex. "I'm Draco Malfoy," Draco said through gritted teeth, "I am pleased to
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make your acquaintance."</p>
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<p>Alex took his hand in a firm grip and shook vigorously. "Proper posh boy, aren't
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you?" he said happily, "We don't see many of your kind around these parts."</p>
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<p>"Well now I feel offended," Harry said mockingly, "Are you telling me that I'm not
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proper?"</p>
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<p>"You fell into the river the first time we met," Alex pointed out, "And you
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angered Severus every step of the way! You are not at all proper."</p>
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<p>Harry shrugged. "Point taken."</p>
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<p>"So, how is that potion coming along, if I may ask?" Alex asked.</p>
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<p>"Ah, so you're the muggle that wants to fly," Draco interjected, "Are you sure you
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could handle the altitude? If you fall, you could break something."</p>
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<p>"Nothing Harry or Severus couldn't fix, I'd wager," Alex sad easily, "And if
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you're implying that I'm scared of heights, I'm not."</p>
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<p>"I wish you could come to Hogwarts at some point," Harry said, "To watch me play
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Quidditch."</p>
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<p>"Please," Draco said, "The next match is against Slytherin and you <em>know</em>
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we'll win this year."</p>
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<p>"And what makes you so sure of that?" Harry asked.</p>
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<p>"You're far too distracted this year," Draco said happily, "I suspect that even in
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the middle of a game, you'll still be thinking of bicorn horns and flobberworms."</p>
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<p>"Even if that were to be true, I would still beat you any day," Harry retorted. He
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grinned cheekily when his eyes met Alex' again. "Come on, ask Dumbledore next time
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he's here."</p>
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<p>"Who's Dumbledore?" Alex asked seriously.</p>
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<p>"Albus," Harry pointed out, "What, he's never formally introduced himself?"</p>
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<p>"He's a peculiar man," Alex said, "I doubt he does anything properly, unlike young
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Draco here." Draco snorted in response.</p>
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<p>"And why would I have to ask him, anyway?" Alex added as an afterthought.</p>
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<p>'He's the headmaster of Hogwarts," Harry said.</p>
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<p>"Ah," Alex responded, "He does <em>look</em> like a magical headmaster. Okay, I'll
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do that."</p>
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<p>"Are you sure you want to invite a muggle into Hogwarts?" Draco asked, "The
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excitement might just kill him." Draco did not sound at all as if he would mind that
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prospect.</p>
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<p>"If he can handle Diagon Alley on a regular basis, I'm sure he can handle
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Hogwarts," Harry supplied.</p>
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<p>"He what?" Draco asked loudly, "Harry, what kind of muggle is this even?"</p>
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<p>"The kind that is very much mixed up in our world," Harry replied, "You might even
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consider him a squib."</p>
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<p>"I'll pretend that that's a compliment," Alex said evenly.</p>
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<p>Draco snorted again but didn't challenge Alex' assessment. Instead, he decided to
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satisfy his own curiosity. "So, what was this about Harry falling into the
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river?"</p>
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<p>"Ah, young one, that is indeed a marvellous tale," Alex said. Harry groaned but
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said nothing.</p>
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<p>"It was a hot summer's day and I was sitting on the riverbank, fighting a right
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monster of a fish. Proper Leviathan, that." Harry rolled his eyes but couldn't help
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but smile.</p>
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<p>"After I caught it, I see Harry standing there, clearly in awe as he gazed upon my
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herculean body and handsome smoulder."</p>
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<p>Harry choked on a laugh and even Draco was showing a wide grin.</p>
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<p>"He had just seen me struggle with the aforementioned beast and – as impressed as
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he was – practically begged me to take him on as my apprentice."</p>
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<p>"Oh boy," Harry muttered but Draco shushed him.</p>
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<p>"Being as magnanimous as I am, I agreed to teach him all I know," Alex continued,
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"so I gave him one of my rods and taught him the basics. He fell in love with the
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craft immediately and what do you know, soon a fish took the bait."</p>
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<p>"Did he catch it?" Draco asked.</p>
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<p>"Alas," Alex said sadly, "The fish fought bravely and Harry simply lacked
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experience. He tried to the best of his abilities but the fish simply dragged him
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into the river and would have drowned the poor lad had he not let go of the fishing
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rod. But, -" Alex added darkly, " - that was not the end of his struggles."</p>
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<p>"What happened?" Draco asked curiously, no longer deterred by the fact that he was
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talking to a muggle.</p>
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<p>"Well," Alex said, "That was the moment Severus arrived at the river. There was
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fire in his eyes and an aura of darkness that promised nothing but pain and
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death."</p>
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<p>Harry snorted and Draco chuckled.</p>
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<p>"He dragged Harry out of the river and hauled him onto his shoulder before
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strutting back to his house. It was tragic. It was the last I've ever seen of poor
|
|
|
Harry. He's probably locked in his dungeons somewhere."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Er… Alex," Harry said.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Oh, Harry, it's so sad," Alex said gravely, "What has become of you?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Is he all there?" Draco asked, raising a sardonic eyebrow, much like Snape
|
|
|
would.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"He likes to embellish a lot," Harry sighed.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Ah, but I know that you love to listen to my embellishments," Alex pointed out,
|
|
|
"And don't you dare deny it."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I must admit," Draco said, "That <em>was</em> rather amusing."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Thank you for your consideration," Alex said solemnly. Harry just shook his
|
|
|
head.</p>
|
|
|
<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
|
|
|
<p>When darkness had set, Draco and Harry had gone back to the house, shivering madly
|
|
|
as they were greeted by the pleasant warmth of the hearth.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You've been gone for a while," Snape noted as they walked in, stomping their
|
|
|
boots on the welcome mat to get rid of the snow.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"It was too much fun to stop," Harry said honestly.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"We met the muggle named Alex," Draco said.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape eyed him curiously. "And what is your opinion of Alexander?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"He's hilarious," Draco admitted, "It's a shame that he's not a wizard,
|
|
|
really."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Imagine that," Snape said, "There would be no escaping him if he were."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"He said he's your friend," Draco pointed out, "He lied, didn't he?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape stared at Draco for a few long seconds before smirking and turning on his
|
|
|
heel. "I would imagine that you've worked up quite an appetite. What say you we get
|
|
|
started on dinner?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Thank Merlin," Harry said gratefully, "I'm starving!"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Dinner was a rather rambunctious affair during which Harry and Draco discussed
|
|
|
many things from Quidditch to their N.E.W.T.'s and the girls that walked the halls of
|
|
|
Hogwarts. Snape rarely contributed to the conversation except to provide the
|
|
|
occasional snarky jibe or sardonic comment.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Eager for Christmas the next morning, Draco and Harry both turned in early. Draco
|
|
|
slept on a spare mattress with blankets and a comforter piled on top of him to
|
|
|
protect him from the cold. Neither boy had the intention to fool around when they
|
|
|
were supposed to sleep because even Harry didn't know what sort of secret potions
|
|
|
Snape had hidden away to test on misbehaving young-adults.</p>
|
|
|
<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
|
|
|
<p>When Harry opened his eyes the next morning, it took him a while to register that
|
|
|
it was, in fact, Christmas morning. Grinning broadly, he rose swiftly and was about
|
|
|
to shake Draco awake when he noticed that the blonde was already gone. His comforter
|
|
|
lay folded neatly in a corner with his blanket and pillow on top of it.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Slightly peeved that the sneaky Slytherin did not wake him up, he crept down the
|
|
|
stairs. Years of practice enabled him to not make a single sound as he moved. If
|
|
|
Draco thought he could get away with leaving Harry to lie in on Christmas morning, he
|
|
|
had another thing coming.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry snuck towards the open door and was about to loudly announce his presence
|
|
|
when he heard Draco and Snape talking softy.</p>
|
|
|
<p>" – Are you coping, Draco?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry heard Draco chuckle softly. But the sound was bitter rather than amused.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"As well as could be expected, I would think," Draco replied, "But it's –" he
|
|
|
exhaled sharply, "- It's hard, Severus."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry became aware of the sound of shuffling and peered around the corner to find
|
|
|
himself staring at the back of his two most loved Slytherins. Snape had draped an arm
|
|
|
around Draco but the blonde sat stiffly as he stared into the fire. Harry felt a pang
|
|
|
of guilt for observing the scene in front of him but found it hard to stop seeing how
|
|
|
he had already made the transgression.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I understand how hard this must be for you Draco," Snape said soothingly, "If
|
|
|
there's anything I can do -"</p>
|
|
|
<p>You've already done plenty," Draco said, "You have no idea how it felt to be
|
|
|
invited for Christmas." Harry thought he could hear Draco's voice crack and felt his
|
|
|
own heart break. "For the most part, Slytherin shuns me and it's not as if any of the
|
|
|
other houses readily accept Slytherin outcasts."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry could see Draco lean into Snape's embrace this time.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Another bitter chuckle escaped Draco's lips. "Except for the golden trio, of
|
|
|
course."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape sighed deeply. "Those three do seem to be rather close to you these
|
|
|
days."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"They trust far too easily," Draco said, but there was clear gratitude in his
|
|
|
voice. "I can't believe I ever acted the way I did towards them."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"We have both made plenty of mistakes in that regard," Snape pointed out, "But
|
|
|
Harry has always been quick to forgive."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"He's a lousy Slytherin though," Draco chuckled. This time, the sound was
|
|
|
genuine.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I should say so," Snape growled, "Harry, would you stop skulking around and come
|
|
|
over here?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry flushed when he realized he got caught and sheepishly shuffled inside. "What
|
|
|
can I say?" he said, "Once a Gryffindor, always a Gryffindor."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You're such a prat!" Draco accused as he tossed a throw pillow in Harry's general
|
|
|
direction. He snatched it out of the air as it approached and put it in its rightful
|
|
|
place as he plopped down next to Draco.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"There's a pot of hot chocolate in the kitchen," Snape said, "Would you like
|
|
|
some?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry – who noticed that both Snape and Draco already had their own mug – nodded
|
|
|
vigorously and Snape disappeared into the kitchen while Harry settled next to Draco.
|
|
|
Almost unconsciously, he slinked an arm behind Draco's shoulders in comfort and
|
|
|
pulled him closer. Draco allowed it.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Happy Christmas," Harry said.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Happy Christmas," Draco replied.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"How long have you been up?" Harry asked.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"About an hour, I think," Draco guessed.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You could've woken me up, you know," Harry growled in mock annoyance.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco snorted. "Even I don't have to heart to wake up someone who curls like a
|
|
|
kitten."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I do not!" Harry exclaimed in horror.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco shrugged, but not enough to loosen Harry's soothing embrace. "I may or may
|
|
|
not have a picture as proof."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I may not be a Slytherin but I assure you that Gryffindors are just as capable of
|
|
|
taking revenge," Harry said casually, "Ah, thanks, Severus," he added as he accepted
|
|
|
the mug of hot chocolate, releasing Draco as he did.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I should probably punish you for eavesdropping," Snape said as he regarded Harry
|
|
|
carefully.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Or –" Harry said pointedly, "- If I might make a counter-argument, we should
|
|
|
probably open up our presents now."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I second that motion," Draco added playfully.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"When did I give you two the idea that this is a democracy?" Snape asked icily, "I
|
|
|
rule this household as a firm dictator."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Fine," Harry said, "Be that way. Say Draco –" he looked at him mischievously and
|
|
|
whispered in his ear, "<em>Do you know how to play the piano</em>?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco scoffed indignantly. "Of course I do, what did you expect?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Then come on!" Harry exclaimed as he rushed over to the piano stool. Draco walked
|
|
|
leisurely behind him and went to sit next to the raven-haired boy.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Alright," he said, stretching the word, "What do you want me to play? Chopin?
|
|
|
Debussy?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape was eyeing the both of them curiously as he sipped his own hot chocolate.
|
|
|
Harry suspected that he had added a few shots of rum to the drink but didn't
|
|
|
comment.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"How about the twelve days of Christmas?" Harry asked.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"That is far beneath me," Draco said haughtily, "But for you, my friend, I
|
|
|
shall."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I knew I could count on you, Draco," Harry said happily, clapping the boy on the
|
|
|
back.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"And a one, and a two –"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco started playing the piano and Harry sang along.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"<em>On the first day of Christmas, my teachers gave to me –"</em></p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco chimed in cleverly, "<em>A headache caused by Occlumency</em>!"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry chuckled, quickly grabbed a quill and a piece of parchment and picked right
|
|
|
back in.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"<em>On the second day of Christmas, my teachers gave to me –"</em></p>
|
|
|
<p>"<em>Two lemon drops,"</em></p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape snorted audibly,</p>
|
|
|
<p>"<em>And a headache caused by Occlumency."</em></p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco and Harry altered as they made up the next sentence for their original take
|
|
|
on 'Twelve days of Christmas' until they ended up at five. Harry quickly scribbled
|
|
|
something down and showed it to Draco. The blonde grinned and when the time was right
|
|
|
they both dramatically sung at the top of their lungs:</p>
|
|
|
<p>"<em>Five thousand points</em>!"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Not even stopping once as they went, the boys came up with an abundance of
|
|
|
Hogwartsian references as they continued blaring horribly off-key, their original
|
|
|
intent of simply annoying Snape long since forgotten as they were having the time of
|
|
|
their lives.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Finally, they came to the final chorus of their song as they went over each point
|
|
|
on the list one more time, in not-so-perfect harmony.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"<em>On the twelfth day of Christmas, my teachers gave to me -<br/>
|
|
|
Twelve ghosts a haunting<br/>
|
|
|
Eleven feathers floating<br/>
|
|
|
Ten monsters prowling<br/>
|
|
|
Nine house-elves cooking<br/>
|
|
|
Eight wands a duelling<br/>
|
|
|
Seven cauldrons brewing<br/>
|
|
|
Six cats transforming<br/>
|
|
|
Five thousand points<br/>
|
|
|
Four Flobberworms<br/>
|
|
|
Three Firebolts<br/>
|
|
|
Two lemon drops<br/>
|
|
|
And a headache caused by Occlumency"</em></p>
|
|
|
<p>Both Draco and Harry lingered on that last note, Harry going up while Draco went
|
|
|
down. With an exaggerated flourish, he hit the last key on the piano after which the
|
|
|
boys turned and looked at Snape expectantly.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You two are utterly ridiculous, do you know that?" Snape said as he calmly sipped
|
|
|
his hot chocolate with rum.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I thought we were rather ingenious," Draco commented, "Coming up with lyrics on
|
|
|
the fly like that."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Now, can we open our presents or should we continue singing?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"While quite amusing," Snape replied with a wide smirk, "I do believe you've
|
|
|
earned the right to open your presents now and I'd rather not sit through a rendition
|
|
|
of 'Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, if I can help it."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry and Draco high-fived each other as they went to sit on the floor in front of
|
|
|
the Christmas tree, beaming broadly whilst checking out their haul.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Open mine first," Harry said eagerly as he handed Draco a small package. Draco
|
|
|
smirked and accepted the present that was wrapped in green and silver. After
|
|
|
unwrapping it carefully, he produced a round contraption of sorts that hung from an
|
|
|
intricate-looking chain.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"What is it?" Draco asked as he eyed the item.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"It's a Swiss timepiece," Harry explained as he showed Draco how to open it.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco gasped as he looked at the clock inside of the timepiece, ticking away
|
|
|
properly and extraordinarily correctly. "It's beautiful, but what is that material
|
|
|
it's made out of?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Titanium," Harry supplied.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"So it's Goblin-made?" Draco asked.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Of course not," Harry said, "It's muggle-made."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco snorted. "As if muggles could get titanium and use it to craft something as
|
|
|
beautiful as this."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You know, Draco," Snape chimed in, "Muggles have been able to mine titanium for
|
|
|
almost as long as goblins have. And I assure you that the muggle world has masters of
|
|
|
its own as you can see clearly by the creation in your hand."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I see," Draco said softly as his eyes still widely looked at the timepiece. "It's
|
|
|
beautiful, Harry. Thank you. I might even wear it sometimes."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry grinned. "You are very welcome, Draco."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"My turn," Snape said as he levitated one of the gifts towards Harry. "Here you
|
|
|
are."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry did not show the same decorum as Snape and Draco did and quickly tore
|
|
|
through the paper that stood between him and his present. When the malicious paper
|
|
|
was finally vanquished, Harry laid eyes on a beautiful golden potion knife that came
|
|
|
in a delicately adorned box.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Wow," he said, "It's beautiful."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"It's also an artefact," Snape added, "It's self-cleaning and will cut whatever
|
|
|
you're cutting exactly as you would wish it. I expected it might come in handy."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"This is amazing!" Harry said, "Thank you so much, dad."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You are very welcome," Snape said easily as he smiled ever so slightly.</p>
|
|
|
<p>From Ron and Hermione, Harry received the usual abundance of sweets and books and
|
|
|
from Mrs Weasley, he received his traditional Christmas jumper as did Snape.
|
|
|
Strangely enough, the Weasley matriarch had also knit one for Draco.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Look at that!" Harry said, "She already thinks you part of the family."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco looked at the green jumper with a grey D knitted in the middle and smiled
|
|
|
slightly. "She really shouldn't have."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Oh, you just try and stop her," Harry said, "But spoiler alert. You can't."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I'll be sure to send her a thank-you note," Draco said dutifully and much to
|
|
|
Harry's surprise, Draco actually pulled the sweater on. Harry did the same but Snape
|
|
|
folded his neatly and put it aside.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Well that's odd," Harry said suddenly, "I got a gift from Luna."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Draco grinned widely, "Oooh, what did she send you?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry opened the box and stared at a supply of dirigible plums. He smiled slightly
|
|
|
as he thought of the same plums she used as earrings.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Interesting," Snape said as he spotted the fruits. "These enhance the ability to
|
|
|
accept the extraordinary."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Oh!" Harry said, "Do you think I could –"</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Use them for Alex' potion," Snape completed, "Yes, I do."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Brilliant!" Harry exclaimed, "She must be psychic."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Or just random," Draco added.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"It is kind of her to think of you in any case," Snape said, "Make sure to thank
|
|
|
her properly next time you meet."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry rolled his eyes. "Of course, I will," he said, "You don't need to remind me
|
|
|
of the proper etiquette. Now open my gift to you, would you? It's no magical dagger,
|
|
|
though."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape opened the box Harry handed to him to reveal a large collection of music
|
|
|
sheets.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"I noticed that you know how to play the piano," Harry said, "But you don't have
|
|
|
any sheet music so you never actually play anything concrete. There's both muggle and
|
|
|
magical music in there."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Thank you, Harry," Snape said as he leafed through the sheet music, "I'll be sure
|
|
|
to put these to good use."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"And look," Harry said slyly, "Looks like you got one more present."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Hm?" Snape responded, "From whom?"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "It says here it's from Maya Bell."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Oh Merlin," Snape sighed, "Set it down. It might explode or something."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"So check it," Harry said, "But do open it."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Alright," Snape said, "But stand back."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Never one to be taken off guard, Snape performed a series of detection charms on
|
|
|
the small box to verify if it was safe. It took him about ten minutes to be
|
|
|
satisfied, but eventually, he opened the box to reveal a book.</p>
|
|
|
<p><em>'Cryptography and its applications throughout History'</em>, it read. A
|
|
|
bookmark was stuck between the pages and Snape opened it to reveal a section on the
|
|
|
very same encryption method that had been used on the text he was trying to decipher
|
|
|
at that point.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Well well, wonders never cease," he said softly, "This will make my life a lot
|
|
|
easier."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"She actually managed to give you a book you haven't read yet?" Harry asked
|
|
|
incredulously as he saw Snape's happy expression.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Indeed," Snape replied, "This is a very rare book. I didn't think I would be able
|
|
|
to get my hands on one in this lifetime."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Looks like there's more than one of us that will need to express our gratitude,"
|
|
|
Harry teased.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"It would appear so."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Harry, I still have something for you," Draco said suddenly, "Don't think I've
|
|
|
forgotten about you."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Curiously, Harry accepted the package Draco carefully handed to him and made sure
|
|
|
to unpack it equally carefully. When he opened the box, it was Snape that reacted
|
|
|
first with a sharp intake of breath. It took Harry a tad longer to realize what he
|
|
|
was looking at. It seemed to be the recipe for Polyjuice potion but with remarks
|
|
|
added all across the recipe going on for several pages.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"It's Arconus Fecklebright's memoir for the Polyjuice Potion," Draco
|
|
|
explained.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry stared at the pages in awe. This was far more than just the recipe. These
|
|
|
pages held all the thoughts and methods the inventor of the potion had used and had
|
|
|
as he created the potion. With these notes, he could find out the reasoning behind
|
|
|
every step. He could find the method to the madness so to speak.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Draco," Harry said, "This must be worth a fortune!"</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape scoffed. "A fortune?" he sneered, "This is worth fortunes upon fortunes. I
|
|
|
have asked Lucius to be allowed to take a look at these memoirs for years now. But he
|
|
|
would never allow me to."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry – who understood the full magnitude of the gift he had just received –
|
|
|
surprised Draco with an impromptu hug. "Thank you so much," he said.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"You're welcome," Draco said awkwardly, "Just make sure you put it to good use. It
|
|
|
serves no purpose, wasting away in someone's vault."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Well said," Snape said in agreement, a devilish sparkle in his eyes. He was
|
|
|
probably looking forward to perusing the pages himself. Harry couldn't help but
|
|
|
chuckle at the man's eagerness.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"There is just one present left," Snape said as he rose from his seat. Harry
|
|
|
flattened himself on the ground to peer underneath the Christmas tree but saw
|
|
|
nothing.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"No there isn't," he said.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape sighed and said: "Just wait here," as he walked to his laboratory. Harry
|
|
|
locked eyes with Draco but just shrugged.</p>
|
|
|
<p>A few minutes later, Snape remerged and handed Draco a vial. "Add a few drops of
|
|
|
these to your mother's tea every morning," he said gently, "And let me know the
|
|
|
result."</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry frowned as he saw Draco gratefully take the potion, his eyes locking onto
|
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|
Snape's momentarily before putting it away. Harry knew that he should probably not
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pry.</p>
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<p>"So," he said instead, "Who wants Christmas pudding?"</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p><em>This chapter turned out to be much longer than I initially envisioned but I
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had so much fun with it. I hope you all laughed; perhaps cried for Draco a little
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bit? Please do tell me what you thought. It would make this St. Nicholas' day extra
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special! (Yes, the 6th of December is special here in Belgium).</em></p>
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<p><em>So please review! And as I have done these last couple of weeks, I'm going to
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skip the weekend and update on Monday. See you then!</em></p>
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