Once Upon a Christmas Night

Warning: Slash. (Draco/Harry)

Big snow flakes were falling down of the sky on that cold and lonely Christmas night.

Harry Potter lost the count of how many times he had thought of him... It was his last year at Hogwarts, his last Christmas spent there. It was a sad thought, and Christmas for him always had a touch of sadness in it. His friends had always tried to make Christmas more cheerful for him and they had succeeded most of the time, but this time it wouldn't be so easy to take Harry out of his gloomy world.

Harry was depressed. He had fought against Voldemort the previous year and he had won but it had been an empty victory. He hadn't celebrated the same way that the others did. He had preferred to mourn over the lost of some dearest friends and colleagues. After that day Harry had become a little more introspective and reflective. He had discovered the delights of loneliness and he had stayed there. It was easier to deal with everything alone. He didn't have to cry in front of his friends and make them feel pity for him.

There was another reason why he had become so meditative and lonely. That reason was Draco Malfoy. The blond had helped them fight against Voldemort and the Death Eaters and while he and Harry hadn't become friends exactly, their having to work together created a strong bond.

Harry had learned to admire him in every mission they had had together and at some point; he did not know precisely when; he had fallen in love with him.

He had fallen in love with the guy that he had hated ever since his first day at Hogwarts.

Draco didn't know about his feelings and he never would. The blond had joined the Order not only because of his contempt for Voldemort but also because he'd fallen in love with Harry's best friend - Hermione Granger. That was the reason why Harry's love was fated to disaster and heartbreaking.

Harry closed his eyes. The snow flakes covered his jet-black hair and his eyelashes, mixing with a lonely tear. He liked the cold. It was like a second home to him. He loved the night as well. The night was dark just like his soul.

Inside the castle, a few students had remained. None of them were Harry's acquaintances and for that he was actually grateful. He didn't want company. Not that night. The only company he wanted was miles away, spending Christmas in Hermione's house.

He kicked the snow and started walking again. His long night walks were famous at that point. Everybody knew Harry liked to take a stroll every once in a while. It helped him to keep focus and kept him from doing anything stupid. Mostly, it helped him clear his mind.

He shouldn't envy Hermione and yet he did. He couldn't stand the sight of them together. It was making him ill. He hated that. He loved Hermione but he couldn't help the way he felt for Draco and that was killing him.

One more tour and he would go back to his room, to his empty bedroom and his empty life.

It was when he heard light steps behind him. He had acquired an uncanny sixth sense about knowing when someone was following him. It came with the dangers of the job. He also knew the scent of the person who was copycatting his steps and his heart skipped a beat. What was he doing there?

It was him. It was Draco Malfoy. Or was it?

He turned around and faced his stalker. Draco stopped as soon as Harry looked at him. It was just like the old days, when they only stared at each other trying to figure out what was behind the façade, because Harry knew there was more to Draco Malfoy than he let show. Unfortunately, Hermione had been the one to find out about that first.

"Planning on turning yourself into a snowman, Potter?" Draco said to break the ice. "You're covered in snowflakes."

"Apparently you liked the idea, too, since you followed me here."

"I would look very good as a snowman. In fact, most people say I'm made of ice. I guess this is my second home really. This means you're standing on my property. You're standing on my soul, Potter," Draco said in a drawling voice. "Don't you agree, Potter? Don't you think I'm cold, too?"

Harry raised an eyebrow, trying to understand what this was all about.

"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" he asked quietly.

Draco wasn't supposed to be there. He was supposed to be miles away from Harry. And yet, he was there, a few inches away. Five steps and Harry would come closer to him. Only five steps.

Perhaps Harry was insane. Perhaps the snow was making him delusional. But that only happened in deserts, right? The optical illusion only happened in deserts, not during Christmas. Unless he was finally losing his mind. That was more likely. Harry sniggered to himself.

"I'm here to claim what is mine," Draco declared calmly.

"And what is that?"

Draco only smiled. He took five steps forward and got as close as he could to Harry.

"You didn't answer my question, Potter. Do you think I'm cold?" he asked.

Harry's heart was beating like mad inside of his chest. He thought it would come out of his mouth at any moment. If Draco took one more step towards him, they would kiss. He was now more than confused and he wondered if all of that wasn't just a strange dream. It wasn't possible that Draco intended to kiss him. Was it?

"You're not here," Harry stated.

"I am."

"No, you went home with Hermione. You were supposed to be with her."

"No, I wasn't."

"She's your girlfriend."

Draco shook his head.

"How can you deny it? Did you hurt her, Malfoy?" Harry asked aggressively.

Draco smiled. That was the Harry he was used to. He hated the quiet and taciturn Harry. He didn't know how to deal with the thoughtful Harry, but the angry Harry was a piece of cake.

"No, Potter, I didn't hurt her. She's fine and very happy I might add. She's with the Weasley family. Your red-head friend finally came to his senses and declared his love for her. It was a beautiful scene. If I wasn't so cynical I would have cried," Draco sneered.

"Oh."

Harry only stared at him. Should he be feeling pity for Draco? He always knew Ron had a crush on Hermione. He had stolen Hermione from Ron. Why wasn't he worried about it then? Draco had lost Hermione and he didn't seem to care.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Harry said anyway, even though deep down he was quite happy for Ron and - why not? - for himself.

"Why?" Draco shrugged.

"What do you mean why? She was your girlfriend. You two seemed to be so in love with each other and..."

"Appearances can deceive."

"What is that supposed to mean? Weren't you happy with her?"

"Hermione was just a good friend."

"I don't get it, Malfoy."

"Oh, come on, Potter. You're cleverer than that."

"But you dated her for two years! Two bloody years!"

"So?"

Harry's words got stuck in his throat. He didn't know what to make of Draco and that was irritating him. Draco looked so relaxed that it was insulting. It was like nothing had ever happened between him and Hermione and yet Harry knew that wasn't the truth. He knew it because his heart had been broken a thousand times over with the vision of Hermione and Draco together, holding hands or kissing each other softly.

"All lies," Draco said as if he was reading Harry's mind. "They were very well engendered lies to fool everybody."

"I don't get it."

Draco sighed. "It was her idea. The Order would have never accepted me if it wasn't for my relationship with Hermione. She was a Muggle-born and I needed her because of it. If Draco Malfoy could date a Muggle-born then he was redeemed from all of his sins. There was something else, too," Draco looked away. "I wanted to protect someone else. Someone I loved and someone that I knew it was in love with me, too."

Harry's heart stopped for a moment. He felt completely out of breath. Draco didn't love Hermione, he loved somebody else. Who? Harry didn't dare to dream that the person was him. He had always been so discreet about his feelings. Besides, Draco couldn't possibly be in love with him. He had always despised Harry, it didn't matter how many missions they had worked together.

"Why couldn't you be with the person you loved?" Harry dared to ask.

"It would have put us both in danger and jeopardise everything we had been fighting for. I couldn't do that. And I know that it would have made him weak. It would have made me weak, too," Draco looked straight inside Harry's eyes.

Him. Did Draco realise the slip? He had just admitted that the person was a bloke.

"Why are you here, Malfoy?" Harry asked again.

"I answered that already. I'm here to claim what is mine. You didn't answer my question. Do you think I'm cold, Potter?"

"Yes," Harry answered categorically.

Everything about Draco Malfoy was cold. His hair, his eyes, his pose. He looked like a frozen statue, a beautiful sculpture modelled in ice. The curious thing was that Harry loved that about him. He loved to be swept away by the intense stared of those silver-grey eyes, just like he was at that moment.

"Ouch. I'm hurt," Draco mocked.

"Sorry," Harry shrugged.

There was an awkward period of silence and then Draco did what Harry least expected. He took another step forward. His mouth was only inches away from Harry.

"I'm not wrong about you, am I?" Draco asked mysteriously, staring at Harry intently. It was like drowning into the depths of a wilful ocean and Harry couldn't help but shiver at the sensation. Before he could say something though, Draco went on. "I always thought I could read you like no one else. It's kind of funny really. Or maybe it's just scary. It scares me that I'm looking at you now and I can't figure out what you're thinking. What are you thinking, Potter?"

Harry sneered. "I think you're out of your mind, Malfoy, and I'm probably dreaming. You're not here, I'm not here, and this is just a weird dream. I'll wake up at any moment and I'll be in my bed. Alone."

"Trust me, Potter, this is not a dream."

Harry pinched himself and let out a yelp. "I guess you're right."

Draco giggled. Harry looked at him dazed.

"Maybe the fact that I can read you is because...," Draco looked thoughtful, thinking if it was wise to say what he wanted. Obviously, it wasn't because he didn't finish what he was going to say. "I came here to give you a present. I realised that I never gave you one."

Harry's eyes opened up widely. "A present?"

"Yes, a Christmas present. Don't you like Christmas?"

"Not really. Not now anyway. Not after everything that has happened."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Potter," Draco raised his hand to Harry's face and touched it so slightly that Harry wondered later if Draco had touched him at all. "I like Christmas, it doesn't matter the bad memories I have about it. I like the snow and the Christmas trees and the mistletoe. I wish we had mistletoe here. It would make things easier. I would have the perfect excuse."

"I have no idea of what you're talking about. Perfect excuse to do what?"

Harry's heart started to beat faster as Draco got as close as he could of him.

"To do this," Draco said before leaning to Harry and kissing him on the lips.

Harry had the shock of his life when he felt Draco's soft lips upon his own. The kiss only lasted for a brief moment but it was enough to knock Harry off his feet and make him see stars falling down the sky through his closed eyes. When Draco pulled away, Harry kept his eyes closed. He licked his lips, wanting to remember that wonderful taste forever. It was more than clear to him at that moment that he was having a dream. Draco would have never kissed him in real life.

Then he felt Draco's lips claiming his own again, this time using his tongue. A hand slid down his back, stroking him gently, and the kissed deepened. Their tongues entwined and they both moaned. Harry's fingers found their way through Draco's soft blond hair and brought him closer until their bodies were aligned.

It was perfect. Suddenly, everything seemed to fall into place.

It didn't last long though. An owl flew closer to them and dropped a small package on the top of Harry's head, breaking their kiss - and the magical moment.

"Stupid bird!" Draco yelled at the sky as he watched the owl flying away. "Lousy timing!"

Harry took the package in his hands but didn't open it. He wasn't worried about it. He was more concerned about what had just happened between him and Malfoy. He couldn't possibly think of a good reason for Draco to kiss him. It seemed like a cruel joke, a game. Harry didn't want to play that game.

He stared at Draco, confused. "Why did you kiss me?"

Draco made a face. "Are you kidding me?" he asked incredulously, and as he watched Harry's face, he realised that he wasn't. "Gee, Potter. I thought you were smarter than this. Do you have the Simpson's syndrome or something?" he joked.

"You know about the Simpsons?" Harry asked, amazed.

"Yes, it's my favourite cartoon."

"Mine too."

"I know," Draco smiled.

"How? I mean, it's a Muggle cartoon. How do you know about it?"

"I've been with Hermione for two years, Potter. What do you think?"

"Oh," Harry looked disappointed for a moment and Draco wondered what that was all about. He didn't know that the jealousy was eating Harry alive, that he wanted to be the one to introduce Draco to the delights of the Muggle world.

Another awkward moment of silence. Draco was starting to lose his patience. He knew it would take a while to convince Harry that he was interested in him, but he didn't expect it to be that difficult. Hermione had warned him that Harry hadn't been so confident about himself for quite a while. She hadn't been wrong. Harry looked so lost and scared. So insecure. He no longer resembled the same Harry Potter that had defeated the Dark Lord.

Draco wanted to take him in his arms and reassure him that everything would be fine.

"I'm serious, Malfoy. Why did you kiss me?" Harry asked again.

Draco ran his fingers in his own hair. "Why do people kiss each other, Potter?"

Harry bit his lower lip. "Well, when the mob guys kiss someone, it usually means that they want that person dead. It's called the Death Kiss. Or so I think. Do you want to kill me, Malfoy?"

Draco smiled. "Nope. Try again."

"A kiss can mean so many things."

"There's only one meaning for my kiss. Harry."

Harry froze. Draco had just called him Harry without any traces of sarcasm in his tone of voice. Draco Malfoy had called him by his first name. What did that mean exactly?

Harry's heart was almost coming out of his mouth. That kiss could only mean one thing and yet he was way too scared to admit it. What if Draco was only playing with him?

It was when Harry decided to speak honestly. If that was a joke, it would hurt but at least it would be over once and for all.

"Don't do this to me, Malfoy," he said, sounding tired.

"I know my name is awful, but you can call me Draco."

"Your name is not awful. I like it. It fits you somehow."

"Your friend laughed at it," Draco recollected that scene pretty well. He had just introduced himself to Harry and Weasley had laughed when he had said what his name was.

"I didn't laugh," Harry stated.

"No, you didn't," Draco smiled frankly. "What did you mean by 'don't do this to me'?"

"If this is just a game to you, then drop it. I don't need one more deception in my life."

"Do you think I'm playing with you? I'm not!" Draco assured.

"Then why the kiss?"

"You really are something, Potter!" Draco pulled Harry closer until their lips touched.

Harry's eyelashes fell closed. There was something about those lips that seemed to convey him into another world.

"I'm kissing you because I'm in love with you," Draco confessed before kissing Harry again.

Their lips were cold because of the weather but as soon as they touched each other, they felt the warmth invading their bodies. Harry kissed him back with all of his lust, love and desire. It felt so much like coming home. But when Draco pulled away, he felt his insecurity coming back again.

"You're freezing, Harry. Let's go someplace else," Draco held Harry's hand and led him in the direction of Hagrid's hut. Then he raised his wand at the door and muttered the door-unlocking spell. "Alohomora."

"This is not right, Malfoy. We shouldn't be here."

"I'm sure Hagrid won't mind. He's in Paris anyway."

"But-"

"Shush," Draco placed a finger on Harry's lips.

Draco lit the fireplace and told Harry to sit down. Then he talked about the Death Eaters, the Order, Hermione, and that his relationship with her had been nothing but a lie. He had had his reasons. One of them had been Harry. He had always been in love with Harry but he couldn't tell him because of Voldemort.

"I knew you were in love with me but I couldn't do anything about it. If I did, we would have been in danger."

"Am I that transparent?" Harry asked, annoyed.

"Not really, Harry. But I caught you staring at me more than once. You looked at me with such intensity. I don't think you realised how much your eyes gave you away. It was funny though that I was the only one to notice it. Do you want to know why?"

Harry nodded.

"Because I looked at you in the same way. Did you love me, Harry, or was I wrong about it all this time?"

Harry walked towards him and stroked Draco's face tenderly. "You were right."

Draco's eyes brightened. "Do you love me still?"

"Yes," Harry whispered. "What about you?"

"What do you think, you twit?" Draco smiled. "Of course I love you. I travelled for hours just to spend Christmas with you. I don't know what I would do if I'd discovered that I had been wrong all of this time."

"You don't have to worry."

Harry kissed him and they snogged for a long time. Draco made Harry sat down in his lap and they stayed that way as they explored each other's lips and their kisses became more and more demanding. The heat travelled down their bodies and they discarded their clothes in order to feel each other properly.

"I've waited for this for so long." Draco whispered, biting Harry tenderly on the shoulder.

"So have I."

They laid on the couch, naked, Draco on top of Harry. They loved each other all night.

"Merry Christmas, Harry," Draco muttered sleepily against Harry's swollen lips.

"Merry Christmas, Draco," Harry whispered before falling asleep.

---------------

Draco woke up to find Harry's arms wrapped around him possessively. It was daylight and the sun was up in the sky already. Draco felt a little bit of cold and he cuddled into Harry's body to feel his warmth. Harry nuzzled Draco's neck and he smiled. It couldn't get any be better than that.

Harry blinked a few times before waking up fully. He took a while to realise where he was and who was with him. He opened his eyes as wide as he could once he saw that the person latched on his body was Draco Malfoy. The memories of the previous night came back with full force.

I'm not alone anymore. Draco loves me. He came here to spend Christmas with me.

Draco stared at Harry in expectation. He didn't like the way Harry was looking at him and his whole body tensed. He only relaxed when Harry stroked his belly smoothly and kissed his forehead. He couldn't help a sigh of relief.

"Good morning," Harry said, grinning.

"Good morning," Draco replied, kissing him on he lips.

"It wasn't a dream then."

"No, it wasn't."

"Good."

"You never opened up my Christmas gift," Draco pointed out to the small package lying on the floor.

"Oh. That was your gift for me?" Harry asked, bewildered.

"Yes."

Harry's eyes lit up and he picked up the present, coming back to the couch fast. It revealed itself to be the most unusual and beautiful present he had ever received. It was a little copy of the moon and it floated low through the air. He laughed as he remembered a conversation he'd had with Draco at the beginning of the year, when they'd been discussing about Hogwarts and what would happen to their futures. He hadn't known exactly when the conversation had switched to presents and its meanings. Draco had said he liked gifts who express personal jokes. Harry had said he didn't mind what the gift was because it was the intention that counted. Then Draco had smirked and had told him that he didn't buy that. He was the great Harry Potter, the present obviously counted.

'What would be a romantic gift to you, Potter?' Draco had asked, sneering.

Harry had smirked slightly. 'The moon, Malfoy. Isn't that what lovers ask of each other?'

'You certainly have expensive tastes,' Draco had replied, looking directly into his eyes.

Back to the present, he turned to face Draco and saw him smiling mischievously.

"You little devil," Harry said, smiling.

"I know. Of course, this is just a very poor copy of the moon. I couldn't give you the real moon, Potter. You would be even more conceited than you already are! Can you imagine the size of your ego if I give you the real thing?"

"Shut up," Harry pinched Draco. "I can't believe you remember that conversation."

"Of course I remember! I was the one that started it. And I had a point. I wanted to find out what you would like to get for a Christmas present. I was expecting something as big and extravagant as the moon, but I tried to find it anyway," Draco stroked Harry's hair. "Do you like it?"

"I love it," Harry looked at the bright full moon hovering around them. "It's beautiful."

"Hermione helped me with it."

"Hermione knows about your feelings for me?"

"Yes. She also knew you were in love with me and that you resented her for being with me but she wanted you to know that she's sorry."

"I didn't resent her. Talk about being conceited...," Harry mumbled but Draco heard. "I have something for you, too. It's in the castle. But I wasn't sure I was giving it to you."

"Why?"

"Because you were Hermione's boyfriend. The moment you opened up my present you'd realise my feelings for you and I wasn't sure I wanted that. Maybe on some unconscious level that was my intention all along. But I couldn't risk. Anyway, now it doesn't matter."

"What is it? You can tell me. I don't like surprises very much."

"Do you remember when you asked me about my Invisibility cloak and how much it meant to me? You joked about it, because you said I treated the cloak better than I treated you."

"Then you explained to me that it belonged to your father and that was why you had such a care for it," Draco remembered that very well. His heart had shattered a little as he had stared at Harry's gloomy eyes. "I'm sorry for being such a jerk."

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that the cloak is your present."

Draco took a few minutes to recover from the shock. "WHAT?"

"You're more important than the cloak. Of course, the cloak is important, too, but you're more. By giving it to you, I would prove my point. It was why I didn't know if it was a good idea to give it to you and mphhh...,"

Harry's sentence was interrupted by Draco ravenous kiss.

"I can't believe you're giving me your cloak," Draco said, dazzled.

"Merry Christmas, Draco."

Draco smiled. "Merry Christmas, Harry."

For Harry and Draco, that was his best Christmas of all times.

The End.