Birthday gift; HDSeasons October prompts; Traditions arc
Title: Sacred Tree
Author: enchanted_jae
Characters: Draco/Harry
Rating: PG13
Warning(s): Suggestion
Word Count: 610
Written for the following:
♥ Birthday gift for alafaye, using the prompts leaves, chill, apple
♥ hd_seasons October prompt of Rowan tree
Summary: Draco and Harry harvest twigs and berries from the rowan tree. This is set in the same verse as my Traditions arc, but it can be read alone.
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al.
Harry plucked a shiny red apple from a low branch and bit into it. The fruit was crisp and sweet with just a hint of tartness to make his mouth water.
"The rowan tree is up ahead, Harry," said Draco as he passed Harry on the path.
Harry rushed to catch up, enjoying the way the fallen leaves rustled under his feet. "What is the significance of the rowan?" Harry asked. He took another bite of his apple.
Draco slowed enough to allow Harry to draw abreast of him again. "The rowan is considered a sacred tree," he said. "Its berries are used in various potions, and the wood is only used for special purposes, such as crafting spinning wheels, walking sticks and wands."
"Neither of us needs a walking stick or a wand," said Harry. "Have you taken up spinning?"
Draco chuckled. "No, you prat. I've not taken up spinning. We're going to gather some small twigs to hang over the front door of the Manor. Doing so will protect the inhabitants of the home against evil spirits."
Harry bit into the apple again. He halted when Draco did.
"There's the tree," said Draco, pointing ahead of them.
"The one with the red berries?" asked Harry. He took a final bite of the apple and tossed the core aside, knowing that a deer or some other denizen of the woods would enjoy the tasty treat.
They approached the tree, and Harry reached up to draw a branch down, examining the berries at close range. "They have a little star shape at the ends," he said.
"It's shaped like a pentagram," Draco nodded. "The rowan is sometimes referred to as the 'witch tree' for that reason. Why don't you pick some berries, while I gather twigs?" Draco handed Harry a basket, and they each got busy.
Harry popped a berry in his mouth. "Yuck," he grimaced. "These are bitter!"
Draco laughed at him. "Alone, they are," he said. "However, if they're mixed with other sweet fruits, rowan berries make excellent pies and preserves."
"Can they be made into wine?" asked Harry. He continued picking berries as he awaited Draco's answer.
"Yes," Draco replied. "In fact, I believe there may be a few bottles of rowan berry wine in the Manor's cellar. Perhaps we'll indulge in some after dinner."
"Are you planning to take advantage of me?" teased Harry.
"If I didn't, I suppose you would simply inflict yourself on me," sighed Draco.
Harry tossed a berry at Draco's head. "Wanker," he said.
They shared a laugh and got back to work.
~*~
"There, that should do it," said Draco. He was balanced on a ladder, which Harry was holding steady. Draco had just hung some twigs from the rowan tree over the door.
Harry shivered a little in the chill air. "Let's go inside and warm up by the fire with a nice glass of rowan berry wine."
Draco clambered down the ladder. "I daresay you are planning to take advantage of me," he said.
"Do you blame me?" Harry responded, bumping Draco's shoulder as they made their way inside.
Draco closed the door behind them and took Harry in his arms. He kissed him, there in the foyer, until Harry's toes were curling in his shoes. Draco raised his head and gazed into Harry's dilated eyes. "Shall we skip the wine?" he rasped.
Harry could only nod. He allowed Draco to take his hand and lead him up the stairs to the master suite.
Rowan tree lore was found at this website.
To Christmas Future
Author: enchanted_jae
Characters: Draco/Harry
Rating: PG13
Warning(s): Suggestion
Word Count: 610
Written for the following:
♥ Birthday gift for alafaye, using the prompts leaves, chill, apple
♥ hd_seasons October prompt of Rowan tree
Summary: Draco and Harry harvest twigs and berries from the rowan tree. This is set in the same verse as my Traditions arc, but it can be read alone.
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al.
Harry plucked a shiny red apple from a low branch and bit into it. The fruit was crisp and sweet with just a hint of tartness to make his mouth water.
"The rowan tree is up ahead, Harry," said Draco as he passed Harry on the path.
Harry rushed to catch up, enjoying the way the fallen leaves rustled under his feet. "What is the significance of the rowan?" Harry asked. He took another bite of his apple.
Draco slowed enough to allow Harry to draw abreast of him again. "The rowan is considered a sacred tree," he said. "Its berries are used in various potions, and the wood is only used for special purposes, such as crafting spinning wheels, walking sticks and wands."
"Neither of us needs a walking stick or a wand," said Harry. "Have you taken up spinning?"
Draco chuckled. "No, you prat. I've not taken up spinning. We're going to gather some small twigs to hang over the front door of the Manor. Doing so will protect the inhabitants of the home against evil spirits."
Harry bit into the apple again. He halted when Draco did.
"There's the tree," said Draco, pointing ahead of them.
"The one with the red berries?" asked Harry. He took a final bite of the apple and tossed the core aside, knowing that a deer or some other denizen of the woods would enjoy the tasty treat.
They approached the tree, and Harry reached up to draw a branch down, examining the berries at close range. "They have a little star shape at the ends," he said.
"It's shaped like a pentagram," Draco nodded. "The rowan is sometimes referred to as the 'witch tree' for that reason. Why don't you pick some berries, while I gather twigs?" Draco handed Harry a basket, and they each got busy.
Harry popped a berry in his mouth. "Yuck," he grimaced. "These are bitter!"
Draco laughed at him. "Alone, they are," he said. "However, if they're mixed with other sweet fruits, rowan berries make excellent pies and preserves."
"Can they be made into wine?" asked Harry. He continued picking berries as he awaited Draco's answer.
"Yes," Draco replied. "In fact, I believe there may be a few bottles of rowan berry wine in the Manor's cellar. Perhaps we'll indulge in some after dinner."
"Are you planning to take advantage of me?" teased Harry.
"If I didn't, I suppose you would simply inflict yourself on me," sighed Draco.
Harry tossed a berry at Draco's head. "Wanker," he said.
They shared a laugh and got back to work.
~*~
"There, that should do it," said Draco. He was balanced on a ladder, which Harry was holding steady. Draco had just hung some twigs from the rowan tree over the door.
Harry shivered a little in the chill air. "Let's go inside and warm up by the fire with a nice glass of rowan berry wine."
Draco clambered down the ladder. "I daresay you are planning to take advantage of me," he said.
"Do you blame me?" Harry responded, bumping Draco's shoulder as they made their way inside.
Draco closed the door behind them and took Harry in his arms. He kissed him, there in the foyer, until Harry's toes were curling in his shoes. Draco raised his head and gazed into Harry's dilated eyes. "Shall we skip the wine?" he rasped.
Harry could only nod. He allowed Draco to take his hand and lead him up the stairs to the master suite.
Rowan tree lore was found at this website.
To Christmas Future