Mr. Potter's Penguin #9
Title: Mr. Potter’s Penguin #9 (Final Chapter)
Rating: PG 13
Word Count: 2,500
Summary: Draco's last present is perfect.
Warnings: I confess. I'm trying to kill you with fluff.
Author's notes: And its done! So, this will be the last chapter of this series. And I really enjoyed writing it. Forgive me for the overt sweetness here. I couldn't figure out how to de-fluff it. Cheers and Happy New Year to all you wonderful folks! This was written for:
awdt's hristmas quickies: Prompt 30: Preparing New Years Resolutions
dracoharry100's Christmas Challenge prompt: sitting in front of the fire at the end of the day, unexpected or surprising gift
slythindor100's Early Bird prompt: Christmas in Paris
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. This was written for fun, not profit.
“Three… two… one. Merry Christmas, love.”
Draco smiled and angled his head, allowing Harry to brush a chaste kiss against his lips. He moaned as the Gryffindor’s hands cupped either side of his face, holding him in place as Harry indulged himself with a fervent snog. They were settled comfortably on the sofa under a thick blanket, with the fire crackling pleasantly and Draco was hard pressed to remember a time in his life when he’d been more content.
Christmas was finally here and for once, they were spending it all by themselves. The past month had gone by in a blur of awkward family dinners, mad dashes for last minute Christmas shopping, countless attempts at baking and an almost indecent amount of sex. Draco smirked as his gaze travelled to the penguin advent calendar tacked up on the wall. All the little door slots had been opened- and Draco had some very happy memories associated with each of them. All except for the big one- slot number 25 was still shut and Draco’s fingers itched to open it.
His distraction must have been evident because Harry broke away from him and frowned. Draco squirmed urgently and he chuckled. “Really?” he teased. “I don’t get a break on Christmas?”
“You’re working three sixty five days a year, Potter,” Draco replied, hooking a leg behind him to keep him in place.
“Yes, Master,” Harry drawled. “Your slightest wish is my command.”
Draco laughed. “It’s wrong how much I like the sound of that.”
Harry joined him in a chuckle before leaning over to kiss him again. When he broke away, his eyes were soft and filled with a tenderness that made Draco’s heart flutter. “You’re beautiful,” Harry whispered reverently, tracing his cheek softly.
“Harry…” Draco whispered. His eyes were locked on his lover and all he wanted was for Harry to touch him or kiss him or…Merlin, anything. Unfortunately, Harry had other plans. Carefully, he shifted off of Draco and helped him up from the sofa.
“Let’s get your last present,” he smiled. “I just hope you like it.”
Draco grinned and followed him over to the calendar. The penguin loomed above them, holding a present shaped slot marked 25. “Ready?” Harry asked, squeezing his shoulders gently. Draco smirked and pulled the door open, grinning as something soft and velvety fell into his palm. He unraveled it eagerly.
“A blindfold?” Draco asked with a slight frown, turning the silky red fabric in his hands. Then he shrugged and turned to Harry with a grin. “Well, I suppose that’s something we haven’t done before.” It wasn’t that he was disappointed- quite the opposite, in fact. But somehow, he had expected Harry’s last present to be something far more adventurous.
His lover smiled but didn’t offer an explanation. “Put it on,” he ordered softly. Draco complied without question and slipped the blindfold over his eyes. He shivered at the rustle of cloth as Harry moved behind him to fix it more securely. The warmth of his body was reassuring against Draco’s back and the blond leaned against him on instinct.
“I’ve got you,” Harry whispered, running a soothing hand down his side. “Trust me, love.”
“I do,” Draco replied softly.
Harry gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek and secured the blindfold carefully, taking care not to entangle soft blond hair in the red velvet. “Do you trust me?” he asked again, his voice brushing against Draco’s ear and making him shiver.
“Of course,” the blond replied without preamble. “With my life.”
He could feel Harry’s smile against his cheek. “Then hold on to me. Don’t let go and don’t panic.”
Draco barely had enough time to grab hold of Harry’s shoulders before he felt the familiar twist of an apparition spell against his belly. Draco gasped and staggered, gripping Harry’s jacket for leverage as they hurtled away. When his feet found solid ground again, Draco nearly stumbled. Harry’s arms were around him in a second, holding him up. Draco shivered. It was freezing out here- he had surmised that he was outside. The cold wind and faint jumbled noises of traffic, Christmas music and tolling church bells was unmistakable. It was all too far away though and he couldn’t help wondering where on earth…
“Alright?” Harry asked, sounding concerned.
“Fine,” Draco replied, fastening his grip on his boyfriend’s jacket. “Where are we?”
“It’s okay,” Harry murmured soothingly. His hands found Draco’s and he squeezed gently before stepping away from the blond. Draco’s hold tightened around him but Harry was out of his grip and his hands clenched around empty air.
“Harry?” he mumbled uneasily.
“Shh,” the other whispered. “I’m right here. I won’t leave you, I promise.” Draco nodded, trying not to look as uncertain as he felt. His fingers itched as he fought not to remove the blindfold. He did trust Harry- without question- and he always had a reason for what he did. So Draco stood there quietly, listening intently for a noise…Harry’s clothes rustled softly in the wind and Draco latched on to that as a source of comfort.
“Do you remember our first date?”
Harry’s question caught him off guard for a second but a slow smile tugged at his lips almost instantly. “Vividly,” he smirked. “You were awfully nervous.”
“I was not!” Harry protested indignantly.
“You wouldn't stop tugging at your collar,” Draco grinned. “It looked like you were about to go up in flames.”
“Well, you played dirty,” Harry retorted. “I’d never seen anyone eat a banana split like that before.”
“Some of my finest work,” Draco preened. “And I don’t remember you complaining much afterwards either.”
“Yes well, I thought I’d earned my dessert after that performance,” Harry replied. “And as fond as that memory is, I was actually talking about our conversation that night. You specifically mentioned your favourite city. Remember?”
“Well yes,” Draco frowned. “We started talking about art- which you knew nothing about, by the way- and I told you that Paris was the most…” He trailed off as he realized what Harry was getting at. Draco’s jaw dropped and even behind the blindfold, he knew his eyes were wide and unblinking. “Did you…are we in…”
“Take off the blindfold.”
Draco practically ripped it off, his eyes blinking as they adjusted to the dim light. A soft gasp escaped him as he took in his surroundings. They were standing on the roof of a grand old building with the city below them. Draco stared at the thousands upon thousands of golden lights spread out before him. The streets were like golden rivers cascading along grand old Paris, winding across the beautiful city in the winter fog. From where he was standing, Draco could see the crown of the city- the Eiffel Tower towering majestically over the crowded plane- a single golden iron laced column-surrounded by the sparkling city and dull foggy clouds.
“Its…” he shook his head, at a loss for words. “Harry, I…I can’t believe you did this. It’s amazing. I…”
He turned around, intending to properly thank his boyfriend and stopped short as another amazing sight unfolded before him. Harry was smiling at him- his eyes bright and green in the dim evening light as he stared back at Draco. He looked content and peaceful- as if everything he wanted was right here on this cold roof in a strange city. And…he was kneeling. Draco’s heart thudded as he realized what was happening. His breath drew short. Harry was kneeling, staring up at him, his eyes surging with hope. Carefully- almost reverently- he withdrew a velvet box from his coat pocket.
Draco dropped the blindfold. He struggled to say something, anything at all…but his brain refused to cooperate. Fortunately, Harry seemed to have that covered too.
“I love you, Draco,” he said softly. “I love you more than I ever thought possible. Sometimes it scares me how much. Eight years ago I was fighting for my life in a War I didn’t choose. And when it was over, I rang in the New Year, tired and bitter and just so empty. I didn’t think I could love again- with my past hanging over me like that. I thought I was done, you know? I made a resolution that year. I told myself I was finished with love, with caring. I thought I was done with that feeling…where you just love someone so much it feels like I would die before letting anything happen to them. It was all over for me and I wanted it that way. And then you showed up. And I am just so grateful to you for walking into my life and turning everything upside down again. You scared me so much. You were so… beautiful and passionate and challenging. You didn’t give a damn about what I thought I wanted. You knew better and you told me so. You stayed and you contradicted me and made me think and laugh and argue till I didn’t know whether to kiss you or strangle you. You made me feel again. And…I can’t do without that anymore. I don’t want to. So, I guess what I’m saying is I know it’s a little early for New Year Resolutions and all…but this time, I know what I want. What I've always wanted. Marry me, Draco. Please?”
Draco could only stare, unable to form words. His throat tightened and his eyes pricked as Harry flipped open the box, revealing a simple platinum band. Draco’s eyes fixed on the beautiful thing and he felt them well up. He couldn’t cry. Oh Merlin, he would never forgive himself is he burst out crying like a...
“Um...not to rush you or anything, love- but my leg is sort of falling asleep here...”
Draco shook himself, startled out of shock. “Get up, you idiot,” he managed, mentally kicking himself for the quiver in his voice. Harry grinned and righted himself, his smile warm but...just a little shaky. “I understand if its too soon,” he said finally. “If you need time or...”
Draco refused to let him finish that thought. “Potter, for once in your life...do shut up.” And with that, he launched himself in his boyfriend’s arms. Harry laughed and caught him easily and the grin on his lips vanished into Draco’s mouth as the blond kissed him fervently. He pulled Harry closer, intent on never letting his brilliant, passionate, wonderful lover go. Except that Harry was still waiting for an answer and Draco would be damned if he didn’t tell the prat....
“Of course I’ll marry you,” he whispered against Harry’s lips. “Yes. A thousand times yes.”
“Yes?” Harry echoed, breaking away. His smile was brighter than all of Paris- not that such a cheesy, corny thought ever crossed Draco’s mind. “You said yes?” Harry repeated incredulously. “You...you’ll marry me?”
“Yes,” Draco grinned. There was nothing else to say, really. Harry laughed- a simple, joyous sound that went straight to his heart. “He said yes!” he shouted to no one in particular- or so Draco thought. “Oi, you lot! He said yes! I’m getting married!”
“About time!” a voice shouted back. “Its sodding freezing out here!”
Draco’s eyes went wide as he felt the sharp sparks of magic across the roof. Over a dozen Disillusionment Charms lifted, revealing a score of grinning faces looking over at them.
“Its a yes! Our boy scored!” Bill Weasley hollered, running over to hug Harry, followed by a score of eager Weasleys. Draco immediately found himself smothered in a ginger horde, surrounded by dozens of shaking hands and not a few heart stopping thumps on the back. When he emerged gasping for breath from the commotion- not to mention, a sobbing Molly’s bosom- he immediately found himself wrapped up in an armful of Pansy Parkinson.
“Yes! He said yes!” she crowed, grinning at a sulking Blaise. “You owe me thirty pretty galleons, Zabini.”
“You could have atleast made him work for it, Draco,” Blaise remarked sulkily, handing over his money to the crooning witch.
“Oh Dragon,” Narcissa whispered, her eyes shining as she stepped forward and embraced him. “I’m so happy for you. For both of you!”
“You knew?” Draco managed. “Everyone knew?”
“Not until this morning. Harry told us when he dropped off our Portkeys. Oh, he’s such a wonderful boy. Come here, Harry.” Draco laughed as his embarrassed boyfr...fiance was subjected to his mother’s exuberant attentions. Lucius cleared his throat uncomfortably as he stepped forward and clapped his son on the back. “Congratulations, Draco.”
“Father,” Draco responded softly. He wrapped his arms around his sire, pulling the older man in a hug. Lucius grumbled something about unseemly public displays of attention but dutifully patted his son on the head, before subjecting Harry to another customary glare. “This doesn’t change a thing, Potter,” he growled. “You’re still a pompous little blighter and I loathe the very sight of you etcetera etcetera. Take care of my son or I’ll strangle the living daylights out of you.”
“No really, your blessing means everything to me,” Harry smirked, holding his hand out sportingly. Lucius pursed his lips but shook it with a long suffering sigh, enduring the celebration like a soldier until he was dislodged by another exuberant Weasley tornado.
“Coming through!” Ron hollered, closely followed by a beaming Hermione. “Best friends on the move, everybody out of the way!” They wrangled their way over to the couple and Hermione threw herself at Harry with an ear splitting shriek, seemingly intent on hugging the life out of him. Ron followed closely, pulling Harry into another brotherly hug. “Congrats, mate,” he grinned. “All things considered, I reckon you could do worse.”
“Ronald!” Hermione scolded, hitting his arm.
“What? Its a compliment! Congrats, Ferret.”
“Go to hell, Weasel.”
Harry burst out laughing and wrapped an arm around Draco’s shoulders. He grinned around at his family, his friends...everyone who had taken time out of their Christmas celebration to be here with him on the happiest day of his life. There only seemed to be one way to express his thanks and gratitude to them.
“Anybody for drinks? I’m buying!”
This announcement was met with due approval, particularly from the Weasley side. Charlie was already halfway down the stairs, closely followed by Ginny. “First one down gets to be Best Man!” George hollered, racing after them.
“Excuse you?” Ron blustered, belting behind them at once. “I’m obviously Best Man! Nobody gets to...oi! Stop running! The position has been filled, you tossers!”
Draco chuckled as he watched everyone take off. Pansy gave him a conspiratorial wink herding Blaise and his parents off as well. They were alone again and the blond smiled softly as he pulled Harry into another kiss. “I love you,” he said softly. “And this has been a wonderful Christmas. Thank you.”
“It gets better,” Harry grinned. “I booked a room at a hotel across town. We still have this to put to good use.” He picked up the fallen blindfold and waved it cheekily.
“And what about the mob downstairs?” Draco questioned, raising an eyebrow.
“They can wait,” Harry smirked. “I’m a little busy shagging my fiance.” And with that, he pulled Draco close, preparing to apparate them again. Draco sighed and snuggled close to him, Harry’s steady heartbeat calming him like nothing else could. He smiled as his lover pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. “Merry Christmas, my love.”
“Merry Christmas,” Draco whispered back. And then they were gone.
END