Switched

Chapter Twelve

A New Year

Madam Pomfrey insisted Harry remain in the hospital wing for observation right up until Christmas Eve. Draco stayed with him every day, eagerly awaiting owls from the Slytherins. He worried about Harry constantly, everyone did, but the internal wounds healed quickly, and Harry's mood seemed better than ever. The castle had been decorated for the holidays, and a dinner was being planned to celebrate on the 24^th. Everyone had agreed to stay at Hogwarts over break; the Weasley's sleeping in the Hufflepuff common room.

Things remained awkward between Draco and Harry's surrogate family, but Draco tried to pay it little heed. No one seemed to know what to think of them being together, although Hermione and Ron had explained most of what they knew. Draco wasn't quite ready to clarify everything yet, and was content to remain with Harry, not talking much to anyone else.

Finally, Harry was released with a clean bill of health, eager to escape the dreary Hospital Wing. Draco was apprehensive for the big feast, but knew that family and friends were important, especially after everything that had happened. He spent the entire afternoon in his bedroom, fussing over what to wear and what to say, and when Harry appeared in his doorway at dinnertime, he was a nervous wreck.

"You're going to be fine. Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny will be there to support you. And I know the Weasley's will love you. Remus already does, I'm sure of it." Harry took Draco's hand and they began to walk towards the hall.

"Remus is going to be there?" Draco squeaked.

"And Dumbledore, McGonagall, Tonks and Snape. You've faced far more horrifying evils, Draco, one dinner won't kill you," Harry said.

"At least Snape will be there, he's on my side." Draco fiddled with his cloak.

"We're all on the same side now, remember?" Harry teased.

They entered the Great Hall to find everyone was already there. A massive Christmas tree stood at the front of the room, twinkling and changing colours as if made of light itself. Floating wreaths and candles lined the walls, and the floor was covered in what appeared to be snow. As they came in, Ginny was playfully tossing the glittering flakes at Ron, watching in awe as it hung in the air, twinkling like stars.

"You're here!" Hermione rushed up to greet them. She gave Harry and Draco an anxious hug, playing with the curls falling from her bun.

"You look gorgeous," Harry said, giving her a peck on the cheek, and she blushed the same shade of pink as her dress robes.

"Happy Christmas." Ron shook Harry and Draco's hand, hovering close to Hermione and trying to keep her calm.

Ginny crossed the room with a huge grin, and gave Harry and Draco each a big kiss on the cheek. "What took you two so long? It's almost time to eat!"

"Glad to see your both feeling better," Neville said, waving to them both from Ginny's side. After everything that had happened, he'd insisted to his grandmother that he stay at Hogwarts for the break to look after Ginny.

As Harry led Draco towards the rest of the group, several enchanted snowmen in the corner began to sing Christmas carols.

"Harry. I'm so glad you're feeling better!" Mrs. Weasley seemed to have recovered from her sobbing, and gave Harry a warm embrace.

"Merry Christmas, Harry." Mr. Weasley eagerly shook his hand.

Draco wished he could be anywhere else, staring at the floor as the Weasley's hovered around Harry. Fred and George appeared, patting Harry on the back, and wishing him a good holiday.

"Good work, eh, Harry? Fighting off bad guys and getting a little action while you're at it. About time, really," Fred said so Molly couldn't hear.

"And you!" George gave Draco a playful shove. "Here we were thinking we'd get another brother when Harry married Ginny, and you come in and steal him away! Well, I suppose it's for the best, I doubt Ginny and Harry would've worked out, all things considered."

Draco gave Harry a shocked look, resulting in laughs all around.

All at once, Molly began to sob again. In one swift motion, she grabbed Draco and hugged him with all her might, and then released, rushing away.

Arthur gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that, er, Draco. She gets emotional."

As Arthur rushed off, the twins burst out laughing.

"Emotional?" Fred cried.

"There's the understatement of the century," George added.

"Happy Christmas, you two." A voice came from behind Draco and Harry. The whirled around to see Remus.

"Happy Christmas," Harry said.

"Happy Christmas." Draco felt a smile forming on his lips. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

"I'm glad to see you both are looking better. And, if I may say so, very much in love. I'll admit I had hopes when you sent me that letter, Harry, that it was more than curiosity about Sirius and I. I've always felt that you mixed best with other boys... Listen to me! Prattling on like I'm your mother. What I'm trying to say is that I'm glad you two are happy. And Draco, you're welcome to come stay at Grimmauld Place - I'm hoping Dumbledore will let Harry move there next summer," Remus said.

"Everyone, dinner is served." Dumbledore spoke over the crowd. He crossed the Hall and sat down at the head of the long table in the center, Minerva on his right and Severus on his left, with Tonks quickly slipping into the next seat. Draco went to sit across from Snape right away, Harry close behind.

"Happy Christmas, Professors," he said to the four of them. "Are you feeling better, sir?"

"Much better, thank you Draco. And you, Harry. I owe you both a great deal of gratitude." Snape offered the closest thing to a smile Draco had ever seen.

"We should be thanking you, sir, especially me." Draco found himself suddenly choked up.

"Your mother was a great woman, Draco. I only wish she could be here. Perhaps after dinner we could talk in greater detail about her, and about where you will be living next summer," Snape said.

Draco nodded, thankful to feel Harry's hand on his thigh. Now that everyone was seated, Dumbledore arose to make a toast.

"Here's to the joy of the season. May we always feel love in our hearts, and offer acceptance to those who need it most. A toast - Happy Christmas!" Dumbledore raised his glass.

Everyone followed suite and chorused: "Happy Christmas!"

Draco met Dumbledore's eye as he lowered his glass, and they exchanged a small smile.

Dinner was a lively affair, the twins stealing most of the attention with stories of their new shop. After a few glasses of wine, Remus was filling Harry and Draco in on his rather sordid romance with Sirius, thankfully leaving out too many of the naughty details. Tonks was happily looking after Severus, and he seemed to be in the best mood Draco had seen all year. After stuffing himself with the scrumptious meal, Dumbledore urged the singing snowmen to be louder, and insisted Minerva share a dance with him. Soon Tonks and Snape were hobbling around the floor, and Molly and Arthur were slow dancing in a corner.

"Dance with me?" Ron stood up and offered Hermione his hand, and she eagerly nodded yes.

Neville rose, eyes on Ginny. "We'd better go join the party out there."

"You two coming?" She asked.

Draco glanced at Harry. Remus was busy chatting with Fred and George about the Marauders Map, leaving only Harry and Draco.

"Come on, no one minds. Get out there," Neville said. He and Ginny twirled away.

"Well?" Harry got to his feet.

"You want to dance?" Draco asked.

"Strangely enough, I do. And I hate dancing, so that's saying something about the partner. I think I could use some lessons from you. Please?" Harry gave Draco a sweet puppy dog look.

Reluctantly he pushed away from the table. "You're sure this is okay?"

"I'm sure. Besides, do we really care what anyone else thinks? We didn't before." Harry winked at him.

"I guess not. Well, only if I get to lead." Draco took Harry's arm.

"Well, I guess this one time you can be in charge." Harry stopped in the middle of the dance floor.
"What do you mean, this time?" Draco asked, wrapping his arms around Harry. "We both know I'm always on top."

"If I recall, I was on top just as many times as you," Harry whispered.

"So then tonight will be the tie-breaker?" Draco teased.

"How about best of three?" Harry wondered.

"You sure you're up for it?"

"I'm always up for it." Harry leaned in and gave Draco a small kiss. The song ended and they broke apart, but no one had noticed their little interlude.

"Harry, will you dance with me?" Ginny appeared beside them.

"And Draco, will you dance with me?" Hermione asked.

"Did Ron step on your feet one too many times?" Draco asked.

"I did not," Ron insisted as he and Neville returned to their seats.

The music started once more and the two couples swirled around each other.

"I just wanted to say thank you, Draco. For all you've done for Harry," Hermione said.

"He's done even more for me. You all have," Draco said.

"I also wanted to thank you for helping Ron and I get together. I think it was mostly your doing, and I appreciate it. Six years and all it took was Draco Malfoy for us to figure things out."

"I didn't do a thing. You two got it on your own. Love like that, even if it takes time to grow and develop, there's no hiding from it. No changing your mind. Harry taught me that."

"I just hope we can all stay friends, even when school restarts."

"I wouldn't have it any other way. In fact, I'm hoping to join your little house elf club."

"S.P.E.W.? You want to join?"

"I do."

"But I thought you hated -"

"I'm trying to remove the word hate from my vocabulary. And don't worry; I have my membership fee ready to go."

"Oh Draco, that's excellent! See if you can get some other Slytherins to join, okay? Just don't call it a club, it's an awareness group."

"I will do my best."

The music ended, and Harry and Draco swapped partners, Hermione eagerly confessing that S.P.E.W. had another member.

Draco hadn't expected to dance with Ginny, but she took his hand and pulled him close right away.

"You know, I don't think anyone else but you could get away with stealing my man and not make me mad about it," she said after a moment.

"Ginny, about that, I -" Draco began.

"I'm just glad that you were able to show me that my crush on Harry was just that and nothing more. He needs someone he can relate to and confide in. Someone like you."

"You and Neville are amazing together, Ginny. I think -"

"That everything worked out for the best?"

"Something like that. And we have Neville to thank, oddly enough."

"He'd never say so, but I think he's actually pretty proud that his botched spell brought us all together, the way we were meant to be." Ginny laughed, and Draco couldn't help but smile.

Suddenly George appeared beside them, with Ron close behind.

"Pardon me, sir, may I cut in?" George asked.

Before Draco could respond, Ginny was stolen away, leaving him standing next to Ron.

"Look, I could hear Hermione bragging about her latest member halfway across the room and I just wanted to say -" Ron began.

"What are friends for? And since you're here, why don't we dance? Like friends, of course." Draco took Ron's hand.

Ron turned bright pink and tried to pull away, but Draco insisted they tango to the music for the remainder of the song. Soon everyone in the hall was watching them with amusement, and as the music changed, Harry was there to replace a fleeing Ron. After several more dances and drinks, everyone was back at the table, exhausted and ready for bed.

Tonks and Snape were first to go, much to the raised eyebrows of the remainder of the group. Once clean up was done, Molly and Arthur led a rather tipsy Fred and George away, and Dumbledore and McGonagall were off hand in hand. Remus gave everyone a final goodnight, insisting they behave themselves, and led them to the Gryffindor common room.

After exchanges of hugs and well wishes, Ginny and Neville went up to her room - Neville demonstrating an easy spell to trick the staircase - followed by Ron and Hermione up to Hermione's room. This left Harry and Draco alone.

"Before we go to bed..." Draco led Harry upstairs to reveal a wrapped parcel waiting on the bed. "I didn't have time to go buy anything, but I still wanted to give you something for Christmas."

"I found you something as well." Harry crossed the room and removed his own present, handing it to Draco. "It's not much, but..."

They sat down on Harry's bed. "You first," Draco insisted.

As Draco held his breath, Harry unwrapped the parcel to reveal a small emerald ring.

"I know it's the one I used to Portkey, so it's attached to some pretty bad memories, but I thought that maybe we could create some new memories. I adjusted it a little..." Draco trailed off.

Harry turned the ring over in his fingers. Carved on the inside were the words: Harry + Draco. He slipped it onto his finger, too shocked to speak.

"I also charmed it so it acts kind of like a homing device. I've got one too, so wherever we are we'll always be able to find each other," Draco said.

"Draco, thank you! I love it!" Harry covered him in kisses. "Now open yours."

Draco pulled back the shiny paper to reveal two small mirrors underneath. "Harry, are these -"

"The ones Sirius gave me? Yes. I repaired them and adjusted the spell so we can talk to each other from our own common rooms or even from different classes. I figured it was about time I put them to good use," Harry said.

Draco couldn't speak; he merely leaned in, and kissed Harry with all the passion he could muster. Setting the mirrors aside, they fell back onto to the bed. Kissing and caressing each other tenderly as to not awaken any healing injuries, Harry and Draco made love all night long, falling asleep in each other's arms as the sun came up.

* * * *

For Harry, the next few days passed in an absolute blur. Immediately after Christmas Day, Draco began to receive letters from Slytherins. The first ones came from Crabbe and Goyle, quickly followed by almost every Slytherin sixth year, and some seventh years as well. All the letters were the same - thankful pleas for freedom from the Death Eater tyranny, and eager hopes to be protected by The Order. Dumbledore, Minerva, Arthur, Molly, and Remus all immediately left to work with The Order, and Draco seemed confident that save a select few sixth and seventh years, all of Slytherin House will have changed sides by January. Tonks was left in charge of looking after everyone, but spent most of her time with Snape, giving everyone ample opportunity to relax and have a good break.

Draco visited Snape every day, getting new information about his mother and how much she had secretly changed over the past year. Snape told Draco that she had loved her son more than anyone else in the world, and knew she would've accepted him no matter what. Draco mourned her often, but tried to focus on happy memories and forget all about his father and the final battle. Snape also invited Draco to stay at his house over summer break, at least until Harry and Draco could both go to Grimmauld Place with Remus.

Fred and George were happy to be back at Hogwarts causing trouble and goofing off, even though they had to endure many long hours with the three couples, all desperately in love. To save themselves further agony, they were quick to plan a New Year's Eve party in the Gryffindor common room, and even convinced Tonks to let students Floo there and back for the event.

When New Year's finally arrived, even Hermione turned a blind eye to plans for drinking and partying all night long. She and Ginny spent most of the afternoon getting dressed up, leaving Harry, Ron, Fred, George, and Neville to sneak into Hogsmeade for supplies. By seven o'clock, everything was ready.

Harry settled into his favourite armchair by the fire, contented to observe Draco, who was finally entirely relaxed around all of Harry's friends. He joked with the twins easily, and seemed happy to converse with Ron and Hermione for hours on end. As they waited for the guests to arrive - almost all of the sixth and seventh years were invited - everyone listened to Neville tell a hilarious story about his grandmother and a charmed teapot. Harry watched intently as Draco cracked a grin, and then broke out into a genuine laugh. He couldn't help but smile, and was happy to feel his magical connection with Draco remained. They were two halves of the same person now, and for the first time in his life, Harry actually felt whole.

Ginny slipped away from the group and sat down next to Harry. "Neville tells this story all the time and it never ceases to amuse me."

"Once you get him talking, he's a pretty funny guy," Harry remarked.

"You have no idea. He keeps me constantly in stitches." Ginny gave Harry a long look.

"Whereas I kept you constantly in a rage," Harry said.

"No you didn't. Well, most of the time, but not constantly."

"I'm glad you two found each other."

"Me too. I think we work well together. Like you and Draco."

"Look, Gin, I've been meaning to tell you that when we were together, I did have feelings for you. You're an amazing girl. No match for me, that's for sure. I just didn't want you to think -"

"I know that we had something Harry. It wasn't quite the right thing, but it was something, and I'm glad that it happened this way. You didn't break my heart, if that's what you're worried about. You opened my eyes."

"I just feel bad that I never really came clean to you about Draco."

"And I never told you about Neville, so I guess we're even."

"Good to hear." Harry was interrupted by a swishing noise behind him. The first guests had arrived. He turned, and watched as Angelina, Alicia, and Katie all emerged from the fireplace.

Fred and George crossed the room to meet the girls, asking dozens of questions about how the shop was doing while they were on holidays. All three girls were working there part-time while going to school at the Magic University in London.

Harry rose from his chair to join the group conversation with Ginny. He snuck in next to Draco without a word, and their fingers intertwined.

"Harry," Angelina cried.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Katie added.

"We were all really worried," Alicia said.

All three girls gave Harry a big hug, and exchanged polite greetings with Draco. He looked insanely nervous, but just as Harry had expected, no one said a thing about their new relationship.

"How's school? I cannot wait to go on tours this year and look at all the different options for classes!" Hermione was soon front and centre, begging for information.

"The school is amazing. It's underground, but you'd never guess being there. And it's absolutely huge - I swear they offer classes in anything you could possibly imagine!" Alicia sat down on the couch with Hermione, and they began to discuss her studies to become a Healer.

Angelina, meanwhile, was telling everyone all about her position on the Quidditch team for the school. "I'm one of the smallest girls on the team, you should see some of them, but they're so fast! They put Gryffindor to shame. It's an absolute blast to play; I'm hoping to get into the education department so I can become a Flying Instructor..."

The sound of more people arriving pulled Harry's attention back to the fireplace. Crabbe and Goyle squeezed out into the room, looking around shyly. Draco hurried to meet them, pulling Harry along behind him.

"I'm so glad you could make it. Happy Christmas." Draco shook each of their hands.

"Hullo Draco. Hullo Harry." Crabbe gave Harry a quick look, and then focused on the ground. With news of Draco changing sides and fighting Voldemort coming out, the truth about the switch had also been made public.

"Did you have a good Christmas, Harry?" Goyle asked.

"It's been good now that I'm back at Hogwarts. You?" Harry asked.

"The best one I've had in awhile. No dad around to yell at me," Goyle remarked.

Crabbe gave a low chuckle. "I wish you could've seen his face, Draco when mum and I told him we were leaving with members of The Order. Priceless," Crabbe said.

Draco laughed, and Harry was happy to see him visibly relax. "Come and say hello to everyone." As Draco led Crabbe and Goyle away, the fireplace filled with more people, as guests began to arrive in rapid succession.

"Harry! Merry Christmas! Where are the drinks?" Seamus Finnigan emerged, coughing from the dust. He was followed by Dean, Luna, Pansy, and Millicent. Soon Lee Jordan and several other graduates arrived, and the party was getting under way. There was even a bit of scandal when Blaise arrived with a seventh year Ravenclaw - his new boyfriend - but this only helped everyone get talking about Harry and Draco being together.

Leaning against the wall, a Butterbooze in his hand, Harry watched the proceedings with interest. He had been slightly worried about so many different people mixing, but he could see now that the school had changed more than he had noticed over the past few weeks. Fred and George were bragging to Crabbe and Goyle about their latest product - Muscle Up - that promised instant muscles if one ever got in a fight, and Ginny, Pansy, and Millicent were talking fashion on the far couch. Ron was chatting up Lee Jordan about working for the Wizarding Wireless Network, and Hermione was asking Luna about a recent article in The Quibbler. Over near the fireplace, Draco slipped away from Neville, Seamus, and Dean to join Harry where he stood.

"Are you having a good time?" Draco asked.

"I am. And you?" Harry wondered.

"Of course. I just can't believe -"

"How well everyone is getting along?"

"And no one care that we're together. We're just another couple, like Ginny and Neville, and Hermione and Ron."

"Or course they don't. I think most of them know all about what happened between us by now."

"I just never knew it'd be this easy."

Harry gave Draco a small peck on the lips. "I guess none of us are as different or closed-minded as we thought."

"I guess not." Draco smiled, and kissed Harry back.

"Well, is this a party, or is this a party?" Draco finished his Butterbooze in one mighty gulp.

"Draco, you aren't thinking about -"

"Playing everyone's favourite drinking game? No. I've got a better idea." He waved his wand and a deck of cards appeared. "Who wants to play strip poker?"

Many hands of poker and several drinks later, Harry and Ron were in their boxers, Hermione and Ginny had lost their shirts, and Draco was without shoes, socks, and pants. Triumphant, Luna Lovegood wore everyone's clothes with pride, winning yet another round, and collecting clothes from the twins, Seamus, Blaise, and Pansy.

"My dad taught me to play cards before I could even hold a wand," Luna confessed, to many laughs.

"It's almost midnight!" Angelina shrieked, and the card game broke up as everyone leapt to their feet. Katie turned up their WWN radio, just in time for the count down.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 ... 1!!" Everyone shouted all together, cheering like mad when midnight hit.

"Happy New Year, Draco," Harry slurred.

"Happy New Year, Harry." Draco planted a passionate kiss on Harry's lips, as everyone around them did the same. When they finally broke apart, Harry kissed Ginny, Hermione, Luna, Pansy, and even a protesting Ron.

When all the embracing and cheering was done, Harry climbed atop a table, raising his glass high. "Here's to a new year, a new outlook, and new relationships!"

Everyone raised their glasses and drank together. Harry leapt down, tumbling into Draco's arms. They fell back onto a sofa, kissing and laughing.

"Good toast," Draco whispered.

Music came on, and everyone around them began to dance, oblivious to the pair of them tangled together.

"I love you, Harry Potter." Draco kissed Harry once more.

"I love you too, Draco Malfoy." Harry returned the kiss.

And as the party raged on, Harry and Draco slipped upstairs without a word, falling into Harry's bed.

"Whatever happens this year, we'll be together, right Harry?" Draco asked as they closed the curtains, getting some privacy.

"We'll be together forever." Harry pulled Draco down, kissing him as they removed the remainder of their clothes. They were blissfully happy and in love, unified, and ready for anything.

THE END