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Chapter Thirty-Three
Christmas After catching Sirius up with Dawn’s background, Buffy went to call Angel. “We help the hopeless,” came a cheery voice from the other end. “Hey Cordy. Can I talk to Angel?” Buffy asked. “Sure, hang on for a sec.” Buffy heard Cordelia set the phone down and start bellowing for Angel. The slayer considered herself lucky that the half demon seer had set the phone down before she had begun yelling. Shortly the phone was picked up and she heard Angel’s voice on the other end. “Hey Buffy.” “How’s business?” “Slow actually. It’s like all the demons are leaving town.” “Really? I was just calling to ask you about that. We had a run-in with Druscilla.” She quickly recounted the events of the previous night. “We’ll look into it also. Lorne, Cordy, and I haven’t heard anything calling us though. I’ll call you when we learn anything,” Angel assured her. “We’re going back to Hogwarts after New Years,” Buffy informed him. “Then I’ll send an owl. If you need us just let us know.” “Thanks Angel.” “No problem. Bye.” “Bye.” Buffy went back to the living room and told them about the demons in L.A. “Guess that leaves us to the books,” Willow said. ********* Several nights later, Buffy and Spike laughed as they headed up the walk to their home. They had told everyone that they were going patrolling, but in reality they had gone out to dinner to spend some time alone. Plus, Buffy was doing it in effort to cheer him up. He had been rather quiet since the night he had dusted Druscilla. It was quite late when they finally started home. As they walked through the door, Spike put his finger to his lips and pointed to the sofa. Buffy looked to see two figures snuggled together, soundly asleep. There were books scattered all over the floor and one was still limply held in Dawn’s hands. “Should we wake them?” Buffy asked as she looked lovingly at Dawn and Draco. “Nah, let ‘em sleep.” Spike whispered. “But, it’s really not proper.” “Like you never spent the night in your boyfriend’s arms at her age. They’re not doing anything but sleeping. Let them be.” Buffy considered it then nodded her head. She took Spike’s hand and silently led him up the stairs, leaving the sleeping couple on the sofa. The next morning, Dawn awoke with the awareness that she was not alone. She felt someone pressed against her back and strong arms holding her. She remembered how she had been researching with Draco the night before. They must have fallen asleep. She smiled and snuggled closer to his warmth. Draco woke as he felt the body next to him more. At first he thought it was Potter intruding on his side of the bed again and was going to shove him to the other side. Then he realized that the body was decidedly female and smelled like Dawn. He tightened his embrace and buried his face in her hair. “Mornin’,” she mumbled. “Definitely a good one,” he murmured. “This is nice.” “Uh huh,” she said sleepily. “Should do this more often,” he said contentedly as he reveled in sharing his first moments of the day with her. “Have to figure out a way to arrange it,” she agreed. They laid there for several moments just enjoying the feeling of being together. Before long they heard someone more about in the kitchen and the smell of coffee brewing reached their noses. “Suppose it’s time to get up,” Dawn said regretfully. “No, a little longer,” Draco argued, holding her tighter. ********* Not wanting to ruin the students’ entire vacation, Buffy insisted that they took a day off from researching to do whatever they wished. So Dawn drug the boys to the mall to finish up their Christmas shopping. She drug them from store to store and then left the boys alone together so she could buy their presents. The two looked at each other in barely masked disdain. “Got Dawn a present yet, Potter?” “No, you?” “No.” They stood there for another moment before Draco said, “Suppose we could shop together.” “Suppose we could,” Harry said evenly. With a nod to each other, they began their own shopping. When Dawn met up with them later, the two were grinning madly at each other. “What did you two do?” She asked suspiciously. “Who us?” Draco asked innocently. He turned to Harry. “What did we do?” “Nothing but shop,” he replied just as innocently. “We may have turned a few heads with our dashing looks,” Draco admitted lightly. “Maybe broke a few hearts,” Harry said sagely. “Or even caused a fight or two,” Draco added. “I ask again, what did you two do?” Dawn demanded. The two looked at each other and began laughing. “On the other hand, I don’t think I want to know. As long as you two are getting along,” she said reluctantly. On their way home Harry and Draco regaled her with their tale. Apparently some girls had hit on them, but they had boyfriends. When the boyfriends had shown up they got upset with Harry and Draco. But they had talked their way out of it and had turned the situation around. The boyfriends had ended up fighting each other. When they got home they quickly wrapped the gifts they had bought and Dawn popped in a movie. “What did you put it?” Harry asked. “Much Ado About Nothing,” she answered. “What’s it about?” Draco asked. “Just watch.” The three quickly got caught up in the love between Hero and Claudio. Beatrice and Benedick’s battle of wits made them laugh. But what really got their attention, was how the warring couple was brought together. “It’s a shame we couldn’t do that to Ron and Hermione,” Harry said quietly to himself. “What?” Dawn asked. “I know Ron likes Hermione, but she only sees him as a friend,” he explained. “How do you know that?” “Ron told me he liked her.” “She likes him too.” Harry sat up. “She told you that?” “No. But any fool can tell she does. She watches him when she thinks no one is looking. She’s more open to his ideas than others. Not to mention all the fighting they do.” “Do you think?” Harry began. “We could do it. We just need some help.” She looked at Draco. “What?” He asked. “Help us get Ron and Hermione together.” “What’s in it for me?” “Deceit and trickery.” His ears perked up. “What’s the plan?” ******** Christmas morning dawned bright and clear. Dawn pouted because Buffy refused to let her open any presents until the rest of the scooby gang arrived. She didn’t have to wait long, though. The gang soon came through the door carrying food and presents. Everyone quickly settled in the living room around the Christmas tree. Draco was slightly amazed at the number of presents that were for him. There were none, unsurprisingly, from his parents. They were all from his new friends and family. Harry was equally surprised by the number of presents he received. He was even more surprised when the first one he opened was from Draco. He opened it cautiously to reveal a baseball hat with a wizard on it. He turned to Draco with a question in his eyes. The blond looked slightly embarrassed and said, “Saw the other guys at the mall wearing them.” He gave Draco a small smile in thanks and turned back to his other presents. He got his customary Weasley sweater, another broom maintenance kit from Ron, and a book on quidditch techniques from Hermione. Ginny had gotten him a book also, it was on famous aurors. Buffy and Spike’s gift surprised him a little. It was an ornate dagger with the Gryffindor shield engraved on the blade. He looked up to see that Draco and Dawn had each received one. Draco’s had both the Slytherin and the Malfoy shield on the blade, while Dawn’s had the Malfoy shield and a heart with a stake in it. Dawn had gotten him some clothes that fit, and Giles got him a book on demonology. But the best gift had come from Sirius; it was his parents’ old diaries. He hugged Sirius with tears in his eyes. Draco was having the best time opening his own gifts. He was just as surprised as Harry was, when the blond had noticed he had received a gift from the boy who lived. It was a pair of wicked looking sunglasses, much like the ones Neo had worn in the Matrix movie they had watched. Ginny had given him a Weasley sweater, which seemed to tickle Dawn to no end. Until he had realized she had been sent one too in the same color. The only way to tell the two green sweaters apart was that Draco’s D was silver while Dawn’s was orange. Dawn had showered him with gifts. She gave him a muggle photo of him with his new family, a bunch of new clothes, and several Metallica cds. After he had opened the cds, he looked at her curiously. “They sing that song you liked at the Bronze. Figured you might like more of their music.” His heart swelled at the knowledge that she had taken such care in picking out his gifts. His parents had used to just buy him what he had asked for. He pulled her into a big hug and said, “Thank you.” Dawn went back to opening her own presents. Ron and Ginny had pulled together and bought her a meditation crystal. Hermione had somehow found a book on Middle Earth, it was priceless and Dawn made a mental note to really thank her when they got back. She grinned when she opened Harry’s gift. It was a stuffed animal in the shape of a snake. It even had a nametag, Draco. Draco’s gifts had nearly left her speechless. He had gotten her a journal to record all of her work and experiments with her newfound magic. But her favorite was a delicate silver bracelet with small green emeralds in it. It was absolutely stunning. After he put it on her, she gave a squeal of delight and threw her arms around him. When all of the present opening and thank yous were through, they all piled into the dining room. Everyone sat down and laughed and talked about the past year and all the changes it had brought. Harry was enjoying himself as much as the times spent with the Weasleys. While this group wasn’t bound entirely by blood, they were bound by something just as strong. Love. They loved and cared for each other. Sure they had their differences, but it never stopped them from pulling together. He was thrilled to be part of this group. Draco was seeing what a real family should act like. At his parents’ house, everyone was always so restrained. Sure he was showered with presents every Christmas, but he had never truly enjoyed the holiday until now. He caught Harry’s eye, and they shared a knowing look. They both knew they were damn lucky to be there. ******* The next day, Sirius was in the basement gathering what few belongings he had brought. Harry came down the stairs, sat on the cot, and watched him in silence. “I wish you didn’t have to go,” he said finally. Sirius sat down next to him. “I know Harry. I wish I didn’t have to either. But you know I can’t stay in one place too long. It’s too risky, even here in the states.” Sirius said with a sigh. Harry nodded in understanding. “We’ll figure out a way to clear your name.” “But until then...” “Yeah.” They sat in silence until Harry threw his arms around Sirius. “I love you,” he whispered. “I love you too, Harry.” Previous Chapter The Slayer... Menu Next Chapter |
