A Howling Christmas, Part Thirty-One, by Maraudersaffair (Ringing in the New Year)
Title: A Howling Christmas
Author: maraudersaffair
Word count: 1400
Characters/pairings: Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy
Challenge: Christmas Challenge 2018. Prompt: Ringing in the New Year
Summary: Overworked and lonely, Harry decides to spend the month of December at a Christmas-themed Bed and Breakfast owned by Draco. They quickly fall for each other, but whispers of werewolves and an unsolved attack threaten to derail their holiday romance.
Authors Notes: Also written for newyearcntdown. Unbeta'd. Wish me luck!
Read previous parts here.
Draco returned a few minutes later with Maggie. She looked pale and tired, and Harry was afraid for her health.
“Mags!” Ernest said, standing with effort. “Come sit down. Have a pasty.”
“I’m not very hungry, but thank you.” She took the seat next to Hermione, then stared down at her empty plate.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Hermione.”
Maggie glanced at her. “It’s nice to meet you, too. I’m sure you know all about me.”
“I know that you are Mark’s sister,” Hermione said.
Maggie started to cry softly. “Yeah, I am. I was. He’s dead now. Did you know?”
“Yes,” Hermione said gently.
“He had his problems, but he was very kind.”
“I can imagine.”
Ron watched them with concern. He nudged Hermione. “How about we talk about something else?”
“No, wait.” Maggie wiped her eyes. “There’s a reason why I agreed to come here tonight. I want to explain my side of things.”
“There’s no need to explain,” Ernest said.
Maggie was looking at Harry. “We lied to you. We put you and others in danger. I’m terribly sorry for that. The decision to protect my brother was a hard one. He was . . . broken, I know. At the end, he wasn’t himself. He was attacked by Greyback when he was just fifteen.”
“Merlin,” Ron said softly.
“Our parents did our best to protect him, but when they passed away from cancer, we had no money, no home, no food,” Maggie said. “I worked hard, so hard, but it still wasn’t enough to support us. We needed to find an employer who understood Mark’s predicament. There were days when he couldn’t work because of the curse and we needed someone who understood this.”
“You both were very brave,” Neville said.
“It’s a monstrous curse,” Hermione said. “I read all about it during my research. Greyback successfully cursed twenty people before his death. Its symptoms are worse at night. Makes them violent. Makes them lose their humanity. Makes them want to turn into werewolves. But a few were able to fight it.”
Maggie nodded. “For a few years, Mark was able to fight it.” She smiled teary-eyed at Draco. “With Draco’s help, Mark was able to do good work and to focus on managing the curse. We had those good years because of him and I will always be grateful.”
“But then things started to change,” Harry said quietly.
“Yes, but Mark became so secretive. I didn’t know where he went at night. None of us did. But now we know that he went to that abandoned cabin to be alone, to succumb to the curse.”
“When did other people with the curse show up here?” Harry said.
Maggie thought hard. “Almost a year ago. They wanted money because they were desperate. I didn’t think anything of it until someone attacked Ernest.”
At the mention of his name, Ernest knocked his fist into the table. “You don’t have to explain anything to me! I know Mark had his demons. I know he would never have harmed me if he had been in control of himself. I survived. That’s all that matters.”
“You need to tell all of this to the Aurors,” Harry said to Maggie.
“Yes, I know.”
Harry let himself stare at Draco. He was tired of questioning him, not believing him. He just wanted to be with him.
Ron and Hermione looked at each other. They were having a silent conversation. Finally, they stood.
“Thank you for dinner,” Hermione said. “We need to hurry off. Lots of last minute Christmas shopping still left to do.”
Harry walked them to the door. He hugged them both. “Thank you for understanding.”
“Love makes us stupid sometimes,” Hermione said.
“I reckon you can take care of yourself.” Ron wagged a finger at him. “But don’t forget about my mum’s Secret Santa!”
“Fuck.” Harry laughed. “I’ll try not to.”
When they left, he turned and found Draco waiting for him. He felt his cheeks warm. Draco was just so damn fit.
“I was hoping we could sneak off,” Draco said easily, but his eyes looked worried.
“Are you afraid I’ll say no?”
“Yes,” Draco said softly. “I want you. I want you to be mine.”
Harry came closer. He hooked a finger in Draco’s belt hoop. “I am yours.”
Draco sucked in a breath. “Even though I’m a werewolf?”
“Yes.”
“Even though I lied to you?”
“Yes.” Harry narrowed his eyes. “Just don’t lie to me again.”
“I won’t.” Draco kissed him, slow and soft. Harry moaned and parted his lips, and suddenly the kiss was hard, passionate. Harry tugged on his shirt.
“Let’s go up to my room.”
“Merlin, yes.”
At his room door, Harry paused to wave at Charles Merry. “Having a good night?”
“Happy Christmas!” Charles said, then clutched his stomach. “Ho, ho, ho!”
They went inside his room and kicked the door shut. Draco dragged him onto the bed.
“Please,” Harry said, tearing at his clothes. “I need you.”
“Tell me if you’re in pain. Tell me if I will hurt you.”
“Do anything.” Harry found his lips, kissing and nibbling.
Draco removed their clothes, his hands becoming gentle around Harry’s healing shoulder.
“Look at all these cuts,” Draco murmured, then he kissed each one.
“God, please.” Harry squirmed underneath his warm mouth.
“Shh, let me take care of you. Let me try to make it up to you.” Draco kissed down his bare stomach, then mouthed over his trembling thighs. Harry was hard and weeping, and his cock jerked when Draco’s mouth got close.
“Draco,” Harry whispered.
He took Harry into his mouth, sucking and running his tongue along his throbbing shaft. Harry cried out. He buried his hands in his soft blond hair.
“Oh, fuck.” Harry thrust, not able to stop himself. Draco took him deeper, deeper, until Harry was in his throat. Harry fucked his throat, doing his best to be gentle, but he almost lost himself in the warm pleasure.
Draco came up. He kissed Harry on the lips, and Harry tasted himself. “Let me fuck you.”
“Yes,” Harry hissed, and widened his legs.
Draco Conjured some lube and fingered Harry open, twisting, curling. Harry thrashed; he clawed at his shoulders, needing more.
“Just fuck me, just -”
“Yes, yes.” Draco pushed into him, trembling. “Merlin.”
Harry wrapped his legs around him. “Please. Harder.”
Moaning, Draco buried his face in his neck, then began to fuck him, hard and steady. He hit his prostate and Harry cried out. He needed this, Merlin, he needed this. He’d been through so much, from his work to Mark’s attack, and he felt himself crying. He needed this released. He’d killed that poor man. He’d ended his life, and Harry didn’t know if he would ever get over it.
“Shh,” Draco said, kissing his forehead, his cheeks. “Shh.”
“I need you,” Harry whispered, voice thick with tears.
“I’m here, I’m here.” Draco thrust deep and long, pausing to kiss Harry. “You are so brilliant. You are so strong.”
“Yes,” Harry said, teeth gritted. He stroked himself fast, needing to come. “I want to be with you. I want only you.” He was squeezing around Draco, his orgasm mounting.
“Harry!” Draco said, his rhythm faltering. He was coming, and it was hard and deep and everything Harry needed.
Harry stiffened and spilled over his own fist. Draco kissed him as he came down, his mouth soft, loving.
“Stay with me,” Draco whispered. “Please - stay with me.”
“Yes,” Harry murmured, feeling safe for the first time in ages.
*
Harry and Draco spent a quiet Christmas together. Then, to ring in the New Year, they spent all day in bed, learning each other’s bodies. Harry had decided to stay away from the Burrow for the holidays, and he was grateful that Ron and Hermione covered for him.
Dean and Merkins had returned a handful of times to interview Maggie and Draco, but Harry could tell they were ready to close the case without filing any charges.
In the morning, his stay at the bed and breakfast would end, but Harry didn’t want to leave.
“Then don’t,” Draco said against his chest.
Harry dipped his fingers in the drying sweat on Draco’s forehead. “I have to go back to work.”
“You can easily Apparate to the Ministry from here. I take Wolfsbane. You will be safe with me.”
“Okay, I’ll stay,” Harry said, and kissed him. They laughed, relieved, and clung to each other.
“Happy New Year,” Draco said.
WHOOOO I DID IT! I'm so glad it's over!! lol
Author: maraudersaffair
Word count: 1400
Characters/pairings: Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy
Challenge: Christmas Challenge 2018. Prompt: Ringing in the New Year
Summary: Overworked and lonely, Harry decides to spend the month of December at a Christmas-themed Bed and Breakfast owned by Draco. They quickly fall for each other, but whispers of werewolves and an unsolved attack threaten to derail their holiday romance.
Authors Notes: Also written for newyearcntdown. Unbeta'd. Wish me luck!
Read previous parts here.
Draco returned a few minutes later with Maggie. She looked pale and tired, and Harry was afraid for her health.
“Mags!” Ernest said, standing with effort. “Come sit down. Have a pasty.”
“I’m not very hungry, but thank you.” She took the seat next to Hermione, then stared down at her empty plate.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Hermione.”
Maggie glanced at her. “It’s nice to meet you, too. I’m sure you know all about me.”
“I know that you are Mark’s sister,” Hermione said.
Maggie started to cry softly. “Yeah, I am. I was. He’s dead now. Did you know?”
“Yes,” Hermione said gently.
“He had his problems, but he was very kind.”
“I can imagine.”
Ron watched them with concern. He nudged Hermione. “How about we talk about something else?”
“No, wait.” Maggie wiped her eyes. “There’s a reason why I agreed to come here tonight. I want to explain my side of things.”
“There’s no need to explain,” Ernest said.
Maggie was looking at Harry. “We lied to you. We put you and others in danger. I’m terribly sorry for that. The decision to protect my brother was a hard one. He was . . . broken, I know. At the end, he wasn’t himself. He was attacked by Greyback when he was just fifteen.”
“Merlin,” Ron said softly.
“Our parents did our best to protect him, but when they passed away from cancer, we had no money, no home, no food,” Maggie said. “I worked hard, so hard, but it still wasn’t enough to support us. We needed to find an employer who understood Mark’s predicament. There were days when he couldn’t work because of the curse and we needed someone who understood this.”
“You both were very brave,” Neville said.
“It’s a monstrous curse,” Hermione said. “I read all about it during my research. Greyback successfully cursed twenty people before his death. Its symptoms are worse at night. Makes them violent. Makes them lose their humanity. Makes them want to turn into werewolves. But a few were able to fight it.”
Maggie nodded. “For a few years, Mark was able to fight it.” She smiled teary-eyed at Draco. “With Draco’s help, Mark was able to do good work and to focus on managing the curse. We had those good years because of him and I will always be grateful.”
“But then things started to change,” Harry said quietly.
“Yes, but Mark became so secretive. I didn’t know where he went at night. None of us did. But now we know that he went to that abandoned cabin to be alone, to succumb to the curse.”
“When did other people with the curse show up here?” Harry said.
Maggie thought hard. “Almost a year ago. They wanted money because they were desperate. I didn’t think anything of it until someone attacked Ernest.”
At the mention of his name, Ernest knocked his fist into the table. “You don’t have to explain anything to me! I know Mark had his demons. I know he would never have harmed me if he had been in control of himself. I survived. That’s all that matters.”
“You need to tell all of this to the Aurors,” Harry said to Maggie.
“Yes, I know.”
Harry let himself stare at Draco. He was tired of questioning him, not believing him. He just wanted to be with him.
Ron and Hermione looked at each other. They were having a silent conversation. Finally, they stood.
“Thank you for dinner,” Hermione said. “We need to hurry off. Lots of last minute Christmas shopping still left to do.”
Harry walked them to the door. He hugged them both. “Thank you for understanding.”
“Love makes us stupid sometimes,” Hermione said.
“I reckon you can take care of yourself.” Ron wagged a finger at him. “But don’t forget about my mum’s Secret Santa!”
“Fuck.” Harry laughed. “I’ll try not to.”
When they left, he turned and found Draco waiting for him. He felt his cheeks warm. Draco was just so damn fit.
“I was hoping we could sneak off,” Draco said easily, but his eyes looked worried.
“Are you afraid I’ll say no?”
“Yes,” Draco said softly. “I want you. I want you to be mine.”
Harry came closer. He hooked a finger in Draco’s belt hoop. “I am yours.”
Draco sucked in a breath. “Even though I’m a werewolf?”
“Yes.”
“Even though I lied to you?”
“Yes.” Harry narrowed his eyes. “Just don’t lie to me again.”
“I won’t.” Draco kissed him, slow and soft. Harry moaned and parted his lips, and suddenly the kiss was hard, passionate. Harry tugged on his shirt.
“Let’s go up to my room.”
“Merlin, yes.”
At his room door, Harry paused to wave at Charles Merry. “Having a good night?”
“Happy Christmas!” Charles said, then clutched his stomach. “Ho, ho, ho!”
They went inside his room and kicked the door shut. Draco dragged him onto the bed.
“Please,” Harry said, tearing at his clothes. “I need you.”
“Tell me if you’re in pain. Tell me if I will hurt you.”
“Do anything.” Harry found his lips, kissing and nibbling.
Draco removed their clothes, his hands becoming gentle around Harry’s healing shoulder.
“Look at all these cuts,” Draco murmured, then he kissed each one.
“God, please.” Harry squirmed underneath his warm mouth.
“Shh, let me take care of you. Let me try to make it up to you.” Draco kissed down his bare stomach, then mouthed over his trembling thighs. Harry was hard and weeping, and his cock jerked when Draco’s mouth got close.
“Draco,” Harry whispered.
He took Harry into his mouth, sucking and running his tongue along his throbbing shaft. Harry cried out. He buried his hands in his soft blond hair.
“Oh, fuck.” Harry thrust, not able to stop himself. Draco took him deeper, deeper, until Harry was in his throat. Harry fucked his throat, doing his best to be gentle, but he almost lost himself in the warm pleasure.
Draco came up. He kissed Harry on the lips, and Harry tasted himself. “Let me fuck you.”
“Yes,” Harry hissed, and widened his legs.
Draco Conjured some lube and fingered Harry open, twisting, curling. Harry thrashed; he clawed at his shoulders, needing more.
“Just fuck me, just -”
“Yes, yes.” Draco pushed into him, trembling. “Merlin.”
Harry wrapped his legs around him. “Please. Harder.”
Moaning, Draco buried his face in his neck, then began to fuck him, hard and steady. He hit his prostate and Harry cried out. He needed this, Merlin, he needed this. He’d been through so much, from his work to Mark’s attack, and he felt himself crying. He needed this released. He’d killed that poor man. He’d ended his life, and Harry didn’t know if he would ever get over it.
“Shh,” Draco said, kissing his forehead, his cheeks. “Shh.”
“I need you,” Harry whispered, voice thick with tears.
“I’m here, I’m here.” Draco thrust deep and long, pausing to kiss Harry. “You are so brilliant. You are so strong.”
“Yes,” Harry said, teeth gritted. He stroked himself fast, needing to come. “I want to be with you. I want only you.” He was squeezing around Draco, his orgasm mounting.
“Harry!” Draco said, his rhythm faltering. He was coming, and it was hard and deep and everything Harry needed.
Harry stiffened and spilled over his own fist. Draco kissed him as he came down, his mouth soft, loving.
“Stay with me,” Draco whispered. “Please - stay with me.”
“Yes,” Harry murmured, feeling safe for the first time in ages.
*
Harry and Draco spent a quiet Christmas together. Then, to ring in the New Year, they spent all day in bed, learning each other’s bodies. Harry had decided to stay away from the Burrow for the holidays, and he was grateful that Ron and Hermione covered for him.
Dean and Merkins had returned a handful of times to interview Maggie and Draco, but Harry could tell they were ready to close the case without filing any charges.
In the morning, his stay at the bed and breakfast would end, but Harry didn’t want to leave.
“Then don’t,” Draco said against his chest.
Harry dipped his fingers in the drying sweat on Draco’s forehead. “I have to go back to work.”
“You can easily Apparate to the Ministry from here. I take Wolfsbane. You will be safe with me.”
“Okay, I’ll stay,” Harry said, and kissed him. They laughed, relieved, and clung to each other.
“Happy New Year,” Draco said.
WHOOOO I DID IT! I'm so glad it's over!! lol