Friends You Know
Banner by the delightful capitu
Title: Friends You Know
Author: enchanted_jae
Character(s): Harry/Draco, Neville/Luna, ocs
Rating: PG
Warning(s): None
Word count: 665
Summary: Harry lines up some bachelors and visits Neville and Luna's shop.
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic/drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
Written for:
♦ Jae's Advent Drabbles No. 7 for torino10154
♦ dracoharry100 Christmas Challenge 2023 No. 7 - Christmas puppies
♦ newyearcntdown New Year's Countdown Challenge, Day 7 - charity
♦ slythindor100 Traditional Prompt No. 7 - red poinsettias and white reindeer
♦ adventdrabbles Prompt No. 7 - Christmas Stockings
"Dad, where is that book about Christmas puppies?"
"Did you check the basket in the family room, Ben?"
"It's not there."
Harry abandoned the Floo in the parlor, which he'd been using to place firecalls to potential victims for the bachelor auction. He walked into the family room, pausing to admire how homey it looked. As predicted, Draco had not interfered with Harry's mantel menagerie this year. Each animal stood proudly among the greenery, while the family's Christmas stockings hung from cleverly hidden hooks. Harry made a mental note to get some small items for the cats, the Kneazle, and the dog.
Harry bent down and searched through the basket of books. He didn't see the book Ben wanted. "Hm." Harry looked at Jasmin, who was playing with her frog stuffie. "Jasmin, have you seen the book about puppies?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"Where is it?"
"I dunno."
Harry gave up on searching. He drew his wand from his sleeve. "Accio, puppy book!"
The book slid out from under the sofa and straight to Harry's hand. "Here you go, Ben."
"Thanks, Dad!"
"You're welcome, son. Now, you two behave while I call Cousin Chesney."
Harry returned to the parlor and placed a firecall to Chesney.
"Cousin Harry! How nice to see you. You are gathering victims for the bachelor sale, non?"
"I hate to ask you, but yes," replied Harry.
"It is no trouble, Harry, and it is for charity."
"I hate to ask, because you should no longer be a bachelor," Harry grumbled. "You are ruining my reputation."
"Ooh, la, that sounds sordid!"
"My reputation as a matchmaker," Harry clarified. "When are you going to make an honest man of Ashton?"
"Perhaps I am waiting for him to make an honest man of me," Chesney countered. He laughed at Harry's sour expression. "Ashton and I will be happy to participate in the auction again. We expect you and Cousin Draco to place the winning bids and put us to work baking."
"If you wanted to join us on baking day, you had only to say so!" Harry exclaimed. "There was no need to refuse to get married as a ploy."
"I shall consider your suggestion, Cousin Harry. Adieu!"
The green flames in the hearth died down as Chesney ended the call. Harry muttered beneath his breath, then brightened as he fished his mobile out of his pocket and rang the veterinarian's office.
"This is Harry Potter-Malfoy. May I speak to Healer Wacker, please?" Having successfully matched the children's Healer, Nigel Wacker, with Belinda the Barracuda, Harry now had his sights set on animal Healer Nolen Wacker. He had plans for the handsome vet.
~*~
Harry left Benjamin and Jasmin with Draco in Hogsmeade while he made a trip to Neville's flower shop and greenhouse.
Luna greeted him from where she was using her wand to affix a red velvet bow to a white wooden reindeer. The entire shop had a red and white theme going on this year, from the red poinsettias interspersed with white ones to red and white tinsel adorning the front counter, and white polar bear stuffies throughout the shop.
"You're here to place an order for your party and for Mrs Malfoy's birthday," said Luna.
Harry nodded and approached her work station. "Do you have anything to tell me?" he asked.
She smiled at him serenely. "Not yet, but if this latest attempt hasn't taken, we can try again after the hols."
Luna had offered to act as a surrogate for Harry and Draco, with Neville's blessing, but so far their Healer-assisted attempts had not panned out. Harry tamped down his disappointment. "We'll need some greenery, wreaths, poinsettias, and those roses that Narcissa enjoys."
Neville came into the shop with their children, Ellie and Levi, trailing behind him. Neville reviewed Harry's order. "Is there anything else you need?"
"Do you know of any eligible bachelors?" Harry asked.
"If we think of anyone, we'll let you know, Harry."
"Okay, Neville," said Harry. "Thank you. For everything."
I Ain't Been Nothing but Bad