Saving Christmas

The sky was dark and clear, not a cloud to be seen.The moon was full and bright,the stars were glittering merrily over the snow,freshly fallen. It was a perfect Christmas Eve, scenery-wise. From the windows of Hogwarts came a warm glow, and festive sounds. Both boys had left early, leaving the teachers and the scarce amount of other students behind.

"I don't care if it's Christmas, I was at the quidditch pitch before you were,Malfoy!"
"You'll regret that,Potter!"

A jet of sparks emerged from each boy's wand, and collided in a wonderful display of fireworks, colour sprouting everywhere up in the dark evening sky. "Why don't you go inside, Potter, and celebrate christmas with your little friends!" Draco sent a green spark towards Harry,and Harry sent a red and gold right back. "Oh,right,they left you
here to be alone during Christmas!Some friends you have,Potter!"

Sparks flew overhead as they continued to exchange insults and bitter remarks. Each left at the school by their comrades, each feeling bitter and alone. Harry had grown accustomed to the latest years holidays, not being alone, surrounded by good friends and clutter. But as Ron and Hermione had finally found eachother, they needed a bit of time by themselves.

As a very nasty mix of spells collided,and sparks flew up in the air, they heard a surprised shouting, and a big shape thundered down in the snow, between them. "Oooow!"
Harry stopped, as he recognized the red clothes, the white beard, and the big belly. Had he had any doubts at that point, the reindeers landing silently in the snow,pulling a big sleigh,would've killed them. However, it was Draco who moved first. "F-Father Christmas?" The pale boy turned even paler, as Father Christmas strived to get up.

"Well,don't just stand there,help me up,little Malfoy!" Harry took his other arm, still unable to speak. "Are you all right,Father Christmas?" "Ow,ow,ow,my foot!I think you boys have broken my foot!" "I'm so sorry, we were just.." Harry started, but Father Christmas turned to look at him sharply. Harry was reminded of his late principal,as the blue eyes surveyed him, x-ray-like.

"You're the Potter boy." Harry nodded, and noticed Malfoys growing pout. "Yes,Sir,I am." "Not once in my life, have you gotten your presents. How can that be? You're the only boy I haven't been able to deliver my presents to!" Harry blushed, and Malfoy looked at him
curiously. "Well,Sir,I..I-I don't quite know why that is,Sir." "Hmpf.Help me up in the sleigh,boys. It's dark already, and I'm very very late!" Malfoy looked at him,and whispered. "You never got any presents??"

"No,Malfoy,I didn't.Can we drop it,please?" Malfoy looked at him with a mixture of curiousity and something that appeared to be pity. "Will you two get over here,and stop mumbling!" They did as they were told,and approached the sleigh. "Sir, maybe Madam Pomfrey can help with your foot?" Harry said. "Yes,she could,but it would take time I
don't have. Now,here's what's going to happen. You boys are going to come with me,and help me deliver my presents, and that's that." Harry had after all nothing better to do,than to mope around, and it seemed Malfoy didn't either.
"Yes,Sir.But we should notify the school."

Father Christmas nodded, and rummaged in his sack for awhile, before he found a red and gold parcel with a large card, tapped it with a wand, and it flew up towards the castle,golden glitter falling to the ground where it passed. "Off we go,then." Harry and Draco sat in the back of the sleigh, a little crammed,as there were gifts all over.

Some of the presents were delivered airborne, but mostly there were chimneys. As Father Christmas could not climb the chimneys, he gave Harry and Draco Father Christmas attires. Harry had to smile, Draco didn't exactly fit the bill of a happy little elf. "What's so funny,Potter?" Harry grinned, light at heart. "Oh,nothing Malfoy..you just look so non-threatening in that, I could almost like you." Draco stared at him. "Did you have a Firewhiskey or something,Potter?Or did I hit you with one of the spells?" Harry just grinned. "Oh, just be silent,Malfoy. it's Christmas."

The sleigh stopped at the top of a country-side house, and Father Christmas gave them the big sack of presents. Draco wrinkled his nose at the chimney. "If I go down there,I'll be all sooty!" Harry rolled his eyes. "I'll go first then,Malfoy,you come after me,and hand me the sack." As Harry started climbing, he called up to Malfoy. "It's not that bad,Malfoy.Come along,now. " As Harry gently stepped out of the fireplace,Draco came crashing down.

"Sssh,Malfoy,we're not supposed to get caught,remember?" He extended a hand to Draco, and pulled him up. Draco rubbed his thigh,and made a face. He almost collided with Harrys face, as Harry pulled him up. Harry grinned and pointed up to the ceiling. "Look, Malfoy,mistletoe!" Malfoys horrified expression made Harry snigger. "Come on,Malfoy, let's get these presents under the tree."

After a long night with a lot of chimneys, a lot of beautiful Christmas trees, and a LOT of milk and cookies, they only had a few houses left. "You first,Malfoy." Harry teased. "Not on your life,Potter." So,Harry climbed down first, as he had done the entire night. "Be careful, Malfoy,there's a loose step here." But it was starting to be windy, and Malfoy didn't hear it. Harry waited for him at the bottom of the fireplace, and as Malfoy hadn't heard him, he lost his step,and fell down, straight into Harrys arms. "Oouf!Wow, well caught,Potter." Draco felt Harry's strength for the first time,and a warm tingle spread in his stomach.

He made sure to fall down a couple more chimneys as they went along.

At the very last house, they ate the milk and cookies as they should,and stood for awhile just looking at the lovely Christmas tree. Harry took down the picture above the fireplace. A happy family, with their best clothes, in front of the tree,and all happily smiling. "Potter...how come you never got any Christmas presents?" A hand was placed gently on his shoulder. Harry felt a shiver down his spine,and he hesitated a second,before answering. "My relatives.. are not very fond of me. They were burdened with me,and they didn't let me forget that." He sighed,and put the picture back in it's place. "All I ever wanted was a family. Presents aren't that important, when you have a family."

Malfoy took a step back, bit his lip, and poked Potter's shoulder. "I can't give you a family,Potter,but I can give you a present." Harry turned to look at him,surprised. Draco took a hold of Harrys shoulders,pulled him close,and pointed up.

"Look,Potter. Mistletoe."

~*~


A/N: Just got a bit inspired here. Hopefully this will help, as I'm stuck with my other stories atm. Merry Christmas! <3