The 12 Days of Christmas or a HarryDraco Fairytale

A/N: So, first, I have found a beta who is excellent! Thanks, dear! Second, I went back to read this story because I really didn't like it the first time around and thought that there would only be a few things I would change. ... I completely rewrote it. The first three chapters are almost the same, but I took them out and put the new versions in. So while this follows the same plot, etc, that I first used, it is technically a new story. Enjoy!

On the first day...

It was the fourteenth of December and the entire world was getting ready for the coming holidays. Harry was happy because he was able to pick out the Christmas tree this year and decorate his home. To him, this was important because it was the first time he was the one deciding what tree was put up and what decorations went where. However, it was also a sad Christmas because there wasn't anyone to celebrate with.

Ginny had moved on with Dean in that last year when Harry had been hunting for the Horcruxes and the two were spending the holiday with Dean's family. With all the children moved out, Molly and Arthur were going to the continent, for a well deserved vacation. Hermione and Ron were going to her parents' house. The rest of the Weasley family were getting together at Bill's, to see the new baby. Remus was with Sirius in the States.

Which is why Harry found himself watching Diagon Alley as shoppers did their holiday shopping, sharing a cup of coffee with Hermione. He wondered, though, why she didn't want to meet at his house. They might have actually not bumped elbows with the other patrons of the shoppe. He might have also been able to yell the way he wanted to when Hermione told him the reason for her call.

"And why did you volunteer me for this?" Harry asked, looking at Hermione in disbelief.

Hermione smiled. Well, smirked, actually and then looked pointedly around Diagon Alley. "For the same reason you have been sitting in on the trials of the Death Eaters and our fellow students."

Harry blinked. He didn't think he'd been obvious and he still didn't know what that had to do with why he was being given custody of one of their fellow former students. "I still don't understand. Just because I don't think that they all should be convicted and sent to Azkaban--"

Hermione tsk'd and shook her head. "That's just it, Harry. The public knows that you're doing well, but they just think you're being kind. Nothing else."

"Well, yeah. I know. Still--"

"If you do this, Harry, then it will make people think. Everyone knows that your history with him was very violent and that you were the first to condemn him for being evil and a Death Eater. If you do this, then they will really begin to consider thinking about these trials and whether all of them should end with a sentence to Azkaban."

Harry sighed and, as Hermione had done, he looked around the alley for a closer look. He did notice the way no one would stay and chat in the alley for long. None of the shoppers, either, would look up. They were all moving quickly, fearfully. No one knew who to trust any more. Harry wondered if this was how it was like after the first time around with Voldemort or if it was worse now.

Merlin, Hermione was right. No matter how much he hated using his fame, he knew that this was the right thing to do. If only for the other wizards and witches to realize it was okay to give second chances. To show them that it was time to trust each other again to make a better world, where orphans didn't turn into murdering psychopaths.

"Fine. When do I have to pick him up?"

She looked at her watch. "Now."

Harry went wide-eyed and stood quickly. "Didn't waste much time, did you?"

She only smiled and waved her hand blithely as he ran to the nearest Apparation point.

^v^v^vHPDM^v^v^v

Harry actually arrived before the boat even left the island and realized that while Hermione had waited to tell Harry, she had left him enough time to get here. He watched with trepidation as the boat rowed closer, eyeing Malfoy. He knew that regardless of what Malfoy had faced in the war and with the Dementors, Malfoy would still likely be a git. If he could keep the wards strong, he might just be able to hide from the public the spectacular fights they would have.

The first days after this stay in Azkaban were sure to be quiet, while Malfoy rested from the effects of the Dementors. However, Harry knew that with a few good meals, the quiet in the house would be broken. Maybe Harry could find a way to call for a truce?

Harry sighed as the boat rocked onto the shore and waiting as the guards made a big show, trying not to tap his foot in impatience. Really, he knew that they wanted to see Malfoy suffer along with the others, but they didn't have to rub it in. It would be one more thing to piss off Malfoy and they wouldn't have to deal with the effects.

"All right, Potter," one of them, the bigger of the two, said. "This is very simple. For the next three months, he has restricted movement and will be watched when he's in public. Since they didn't want to intrude on your privacy, there's a spell on him so if he uses any magic, the Aurors will know. He can only go into Diagon Alley, but he won't have access to his family vaults until the three months are up. Keep him from breaking the law, both wizard and Muggle. Understand?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. No problem."

The guard, the one who hadn't spoken, had unlocked the chains from Malfoy's wrists and ankles. He then tossed a bag, which Harry assumed was Malfoy's personal belongings, and tipped his head. The other followed suit and then they both took off in the boat, back to the island.

Malfoy wasn't looking up, only at the ground. Harry rolled his eyes and grabbed Malfoy's arm so they could Apparate. When they landed in the backyard of Grimmauld Place, Malfoy yanked his arm away and snatched up his things.

"Where's my room?" Malfoy asked. His throat was scratchy, like it had been at the trial. Harry wondered what Malfoy had done during the war that he hadn't used his voice that much. Unless...Harry shook his head, unwilling to think of why else Malfoy's throat was damaged.

"This way," Harry said. They passed the living room where the lights were twinkling on the tree. It was a charm Hermione had found, that didn't use electricity and could be set to be on all day or just at night. Harry liked the festive feel of the lights, so they were on all the time.

He was on the stairs when he saw that Malfoy was staring into the living room. He walked down and said, "I think there are some extra stockings, if you want to put one up."

Malfoy glared at him. "And why would I want to do that?"

Harry sighed and switched the subject. Was he the only one who liked the idea of a stocking? "I know your mum is still at Malfoy Manor. If you want, there are a few catalogs you could order from."

"Just show me my room, Potter," Malfoy muttered.

It was at least a try, right? Harry would have offered money to Malfoy, but knew it would have been thrown in his face. They got to the second floor and to a room Harry had finally cleared out. "This is it. The bathroom is across the hall with fresh towels. I'm a couple of rooms that way. You can help yourself to the food."

Malfoy sniffed. "Thank you. I think I'll have a shower and nap. I...Thank you."

Without anything more, Malfoy closed the door and Harry sighed. Merry Christmas, he thought. Oh, what a Christmas.