Caught on to What Was Happening
Banner by the delightful capitu
Title: Caught on to What Was Happening
Author: enchanted_jae
Character(s): Harry/Draco, ocs
Rating: PG13
Warning(s): Language
Word count: 660
Summary: "Office" holiday party with Josh and Chesney.
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic/drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
Written for:
♦ Jae's Non-Advent Drabbles No. 6 - Reindeer for groolover
♦ dracoharry100 Christmas Challenge 2020 No. 30 - Fruitcake
♦ newyearcntdown New Year's Countdown Challenge, Day 30 - Office party
After returning from their family holiday in Swansea, Draco reluctantly went back to work at his Potions shop, while Harry stayed home and played with the children. He told Draco he had to test out the toys to be sure they were safe enough for Carolyn and Benjamin.
Harry sent Draco off with a kiss and a reminder. "Your mum is coming over this afternoon to stay with the minions, and I'll come to your shop for our office party with Josh."
"Shouldn't that be called a shop party?" Draco drawled.
"Don't be daft," said Harry. "Who ever heard of a shop party?"
~*~
Harry dressed in his orange Weasley jumper and a pair of jeans, donned his outerwear, and Apparated to Hogsmeade. He waved to people he knew as he strolled to Draco's shop, grinning at the plethora of pink trees and holiday inflatables. Harry arrived at Draco's shop and pushed the door open.
"Hey," Josh greeted from the counter. He was wearing his shagging reindeer sweater again.
Harry tipped his chin and raised his brows, silently asking if Draco had noticed the sweater's design.
"Not yet," Josh said with a grin.
"Draco! I'm here!" cried Harry. "Break out the fruitcake and the eggnog!"
Draco appeared from the back. "You despise fruitcake," he snorted. "I dispatched Joshua to Madam Puddifoot's to get us some scones and pastries."
"And a toffee nut latte?" asked Harry, recalling Draco's new favorite drink.
"He said he'd sack me if I came back without one," said Josh.
"I said no such thing," Draco sniffed.
They exchanged gifts and ate sweets and discussed their plans for New Year's. As they were talking, the Floo activated, and Chesney stepped out as elegantly as any Malfoy...or Carlisle.
"Hello," he smiled, nodding at each of them in turn. "I wasn't sure I'd see you again before I return to France. Tomorrow evening, I am escorting Miss Becker to a Yule Ball in London, and I must head home the next day."
"I'm glad you're here, Chesney," said Draco. "I have a gift for you." He went to the back room and returned a moment later with a wrapped package.
"Thank you, cousin," said Chesney, accepting it graciously. He tore away the wrapping paper and opened the rectangular box. "Mon Dieu, Draco! I do not need another bottle of that wretched cologne that Marie-Louise always gifted us each year. Why did you give it to me?"
"Because you gave it to me last year, and I didn't want it," Draco answered with an edge to his voice.
"I did not give this to you last year," Chesney exclaimed.
Harry pretended great interest in the cutting board, shaped like the United States, that Josh had given him as a gift.
"You signed the note attached to the gift!"
"I did no such thing, Cousin Draco!"
The tiniest snort escaped Harry; he couldn't help it. Draco zeroed in on it immediately.
"Harry James Potter-Malfoy," he seethed. "You gave me that cologne last year and made me believe it was from Chesney, didn't you?"
Harry dissolved into laughter. He sagged over the counter and had to remove his glasses to swipe at his eyes. "The...the look...on your faces!"
"Shame on you, Cousin Harry!"
"You are in so much trouble, Harry."
Harry stood up straight and solemnly stated, "It was Josh's idea."
Joshua's mouth fell open. "It was not, you asshole."
Harry began laughing again. Soon Chesney and Josh joined in. Draco, however, still wore a ferocious scowl.
"Ah, that was a good prank, Harry," Chesney admitted with a chuckle. He turned to Draco. "I accept your gift, and you may expect it back at some point in the future."
"Merlin's sagging sac," muttered Draco.
"A traveling gift!" crowed Joshua. "That will be a hoot."
"A hoot, indeed," said Chesney. He narrowed his eyes and peered more closely at what Josh was wearing. "Mon Dieu, wherever did you find a jumper with reindeer fornicating on it?"
Party Into the New Year