Coveting Thy Enemy

Chapter 12: Contentment

Harry awoke to Curmudgeon's scratchings at the window. Letting the old, cranky owl in, he tempted him with an owl treat before relieving him of his package. Last year he and Cho had decided to exchange gifts on Christmas Eve rather than the big event because the eve of the holiday was always so somber with everyone going home and all. He quickly untied the magically enhanced flashing bow and discarded the wrappings. He opened the lid of the box and pushed aside the plain, white tissue paper. Inside he found, of all things, a diary. He opened the diary with the golden key that was suspended from it by a silk ribbon. A piece of parchment fluttered to the floor. He picked it up and read Cho's slanted handwriting:

Dear Harry,

Happy Christmas, green eyes! By now you're probably wondering why I bought you such a girlie gift.

Oh yes, I can read your mind, Harry James. To tell you the truth, this wasn't the gift I was going to

send you. I was going to give you the newest book of Quidditch strategies. However, after seeing you

last night, I thought of a more appropriate item, so, I went on a very late night shopping excursion in

Hogsmeade. Never fear, though, the strategy book will be put to good use. I'm keeping it for myself!

I should probably further explain myself. Throughout our strange little relationship we've always been

honest to one another, Harry. Last night I sensed there was something you weren't telling me. I know

you'll tell me when you believe the time is right, but it bothered me that you were holding something in

that seemed to be tormenting you. I can read your face like a book; don't you know that? Anyway,

until you're ready to confess the mysterious inner-workings of your mind, I want you to write. Yes,

WRITE! Use this diary to cleanse your soul. I know I fancy myself a writer and all, but I do

know from first- hand experience that writing can be very therapeutic. If it doesn't make you feel even

the teeniest better, you have my permission to buy me a terribly dreadful gift next year. Maybe one of

Gred and Forge's novelties, ha ha!

All somberness aside, I miss you already, and I hope you have the happiest Christmas that is humanly

possible.

P.S. The key to the diary is charmed. If anyone other than you touches it, it will burn their hand.

Kissing you under the mistletoe,

Cho

Harry put the diary back in the box and placed it in his trunk. Cho was right, at first he did feel like she had given him a girlie gift. However, after reading her reasons, he thought it might well be a useful tool indeed. He only wished he had the little diary sooner, maybe he would have been able to release some of the trepidation he had felt when he first realized he was crazy about Draco Malfoy.

After a huge breakfast, in which Draco was mysteriously absent from the Slytherin table, Harry said his goodbyes to Ron and Hermione. Hermione was spending Christmas at the Weasley's that year because her parents were taking a much-needed sabbatical from all the snow. Although Hermione was invited on this tropical holiday, she had opted to stay with Ron, although she wouldn't admit it was because she couldn't bear to part with him for that length of time.

When Ron and Hermione had departed, Harry decided to satisfy his curiosity about the missing Draco Malfoy. He went to the dungeons and knocked on the door of the Slytherin dorm. Blaise Zabini answered. Harry couldn't help but to laugh when he noticed what Zabini was wearing. His usual Hogwart's robes were cinched at the waist by a leather belt. Attached to the belt, above Zabini's pelvis, was a sprig of mistletoe. The holly berries magically blinked from red to green. The belt itself was emblazoned with the message: Kiss Me, I'm Irish.

"Care for a kiss, Potter," he asked, jiggling his eyebrows up and down.

"Sorry to disappoint you Zabini, but that's not what I came for." Harry had always liked Blaise Zambini, the jolliest of the Slytherin house, even though Zabini had publicly congratulated Malfoy for breaking Ron's nose. He knew Blaise had nothing against Ron, he just appreciated a good fight. "Say, Zabini. Have you seen Malfoy around anywhere?"

"What, did you two kiss and make up? I hope so. Malfoy's been a real prat since you two had your little tiff, or whatever that was." He winked and added , "Well, a bigger prat than usual, I should say. But, no I haven't seen him since early this morning. He said he wasn't hungry and was going to skip breakfast."

"Thanks, Blaise." Harry turned to go down the hall, but felt the need to add, "By the way, Zabini, has that contraption worked yet?" he asked and pointed to the mistletoe.

Zabini shook his head in feigned sorrow. "No, you would think one little kiss was too much to ask for, wouldn't you?" Harry laughed again and headed back to Gryffindor tower.

When Harry reached the top of the stairs, he was surprised to see Draco talking quite amicably to the portrait of the fat lady. He had a gift under his arm and was using the other arm to gesture animatedly. When he heard Harry's footsteps, he turned around, a smile on his face.

"Harry, where have you been?" he asked, giving him a spirited hug with his free arm.

"Well, Malfoy. It's good to see you in a good mood."

"Christmas spirit, Potter, Christmas spirit. Are you going to invite me in?"

Harry nodded and gave the password, "Pride of the Lion." The portrait swung on its hinges and the two entered the scarlet and gold common room.

"I have a gift for you, Potter, but you're not allowed to open it until Christmas," he said and placed the package under the evergreen in the middle of the room. He then helped himself to a seat on the sofa and gestured to Harry to sit next to him. Harry complied.

"Where were you at breakfast? I went looking for you in the dungeon and almost had to kiss Zabini," said Harry, turning to the blonde.

Draco laughed. "Don't tell me Zabini's trying his old mistletoe trick again. Last year he chased Margot Fletcher through the dorm for a half an hour trying to get her to pucker up." The boys shared a laugh. "I skipped breakfast to go to Hogsmeade to buy your Christmas present, Harry."

"You didn't have to."

"Yes, I did," said Draco simply. "So, Potter, what is all this?" Draco asked gesturing toward himself and Harry.

"Us?" Draco nodded. "I don't know, Malfoy. What do you want it to be?"

Draco looked as if he were weighing his emotions. "Well, we tried the friendship thing and that didn't work, did it?"

"No, " admitted Harry, guessing what Draco was getting at.

"No, it didn't. But, if I were to refer to you as my boyfriend, would you get mad?" Draco asked nervously.

"I wouldn't," said Harry, his eyes lighting up to a shocking shade of emerald green.

"In that case . . ." said Draco, and pulled Harry toward his lips. Draco kissed by the book, that was for certain. Harry felt himself drown under the pressure of Draco's lips. When Draco broke away, it was to plant soft, smoldering kisses down Harry's neck. Hearing Harry sigh, he moved up to his ear. He lightly licked the back of Harry's earlobe and then nibbled. Harry was lost. At that moment his world was the sensations Draco was creating with his lips, tongue, and teeth. When Draco pulled away, he heard himself groan with disappointment.

"Get up, Potter," commanded Draco softly. When Harry got up, Draco stretched himself on his side against the back of the couch.

"What are you doing?"

"I didn't get much sleep last night after snogging you, and I got up early to go to Hogsmeade, so I'm going to take a nap," was his reply.

"Oh," said Harry slightly abashed.

"Come here, Potter," said Draco, holding his arms out. Harry lay down, his back against Draco's chest. Draco rested his chin on Harry's shouldered and circled him with his arms.

"This is nice," said Harry, snuggling back against the sexy Slytherin. Draco let out a huge sigh. "What's wrong," asked Harry, concerned.

Draco replied, his breath tickling Harry's ear. "Times like these, I almost wish I was wearing Zabini's mistletoe," he said in mock seriousness. "Hey, I'm not going to get any slack for being here, am I?" he asked, suddenly concerned.

"Naw, the only Gryffindor staying here over the hols is me, and I'm not complaining," said Harry. Draco let out a tiny sigh of relief. Harry closed his eyes, savoring the feel of Draco's warm embrace. Within minutes, the two boys were sleeping peacefully.