Candles Gleaming Inside
Banner by the delightful capitu
Title: Candles Gleaming Inside
Author: enchanted_jae
Character(s): Harry/Draco, Molly, Narcissa, ocs
Rating: PG
Warning(s): None
Word count: 745
Summary: Harry and the children deliver treats.
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. 12
♦ dracoharry100 Christmas Challenge 2023 No. 12 - Christmas Candles
♦ newyearcntdown New Year's Countdown Challenge, Day 12 - candle
♦ slythindor100 Traditional Prompt No. 12 - Frost and red berries
♦ adventdrabbles Prompt No. 12 - Burnt reindeer cookies
Harry sent Draco on his way to Hogsmeade with a toe-curling kiss and filthy suggestions whispered in his ear. Once he'd regained a semblance of control, Harry worked on holiday correspondence while Ben and Jasmin played fetch with Chewy. After the dog nearly toppled the large tree in the entryway for the second time, Harry decided it was time to redirect some of that youthful energy.
"Okay, you two, go get your coats on. We're delivering goodies today."
Harry grinned when the minions scrambled to obey.
~*~
"Grandma Molly! We brought treats!" Ben cried as the family lurched out of the Floo.
"Treats!" echoed Jasmin.
"I'm in the lounge," Molly called out.
Harry led the children to the lounge, where Molly was lighting an arrangement of Christmas candles with her wand.
"I like that one, Gramma," said Jasmin, pointing at a silver candle decorated with glitter.
"Your Aunt Fleur gave me that one," said Molly. She tucked her wand up her sleeve and herded everyone into the kitchen.
Ben handed her a green tin. "Here you are, Grandma."
"I hope you don't mind the slightly imperfect ones," said Harry. "There may be a couple burnt reindeer cookies in there as well."
Molly smiled. "We don't mind the imperfect biscuits at all. Now let me get you some fruitcake. Be sure to save some for Carolyn."
"She can have it all."
Molly handed over three tins of fruitcake. "What was that, dear?"
"I said, we won't eat it all," Harry replied.
Ben looked up at him quizzically. "I thought you said--"
"Ben, go find your sister," Harry interjected quickly.
"Jasmin!" Ben yelled.
"Indoor voice, son."
"Sorry, Dad. Grandma, do you have a gift for Grammeer Narcissa?"
"I do," said Molly, "but I thought I would give it to her when she comes for Christmas." She glanced at Harry. "Mrs Malfoy does plan to come for Christmas again, doesn't she?"
"She's looking forward to it," Harry assured her. "Come on, minions. We need to deliver treats to the orphanage."
~*~
"My goodness, Benjamin!" exclaimed Mrs Winkel. "You have grown so tall. And look at you, Jasmin. You are getting so big, too."
Jasmin beamed at the Headmistress. "We brung bikkets, Mrs Winko."
Harry handed some tins Mrs Winkel. "These are for the sale." He handed another tin to her sister-in-law, Miss Winkel. "This tin is for everyone here to enjoy."
"Thank you," Miss Winkel said.
"Will we be seeing both of you at the Christmas play?" asked Harry, all but holding his breath.
"Jane made most of the costumes," said Mrs Winkel, nodding at her sister-in-law. "The children are so excited."
Harry was excited, too, but for an entirely different reason.
~*~
Their final stop of the day was Malfoy Manor, the Greater. As the children greeted Narcissa, Harry gazed out the window, admiring the winter scenery. Unlike London, Wiltshire had snow on the ground. Frost coated twigs and branches, and some of the bushes in the garden still had red berries on them. Birds flitted about, reminding Harry of the tree outside of Hogsmeade that Neville and Luna decorated with berries and nuts each year. Wildlife swarmed that tree to enjoy the bounty.
"Grandma Molly didn't send a gift this time," Ben was saying. "She says you can have it on Christmas day."
"How lovely," said Narcissa. "Shall we open the tin and have a biscuit?"
"Yeah, Gammeer!" Jasmin responded with enthusiasm.
Narcissa let the children choose before she selected a chocolate crinkle biscuit for herself. "Draco outdid himself this year."
Harry refrained from telling her that it was because he'd coached his husband for weeks ahead of baking day.
"Your peppermint biscuits are wonderful, too, Harry."
"I enjoyed making those ones," he said. "Are you certain you don't mind keeping the children for the rest of the day and the evening?"
"Of course not, Harry," Narcissa replied. "I enjoy having them here, and the elves are positively giddy to have children in the manor. If you return home too late from the Notts' party, just let me know and I'll keep Ben and Jasmin overnight."
"We'll try not to be too late, but thank you," said Harry. "Minions, behave yourselves."
"Okay, Daddy," Jasmin chirped as she shrugged out of her coat.
"Bye, Dad," Ben added in a distracted voice. He was busy sorting through the trunk of toys in the parlor.
Harry recognized a dismissal when he encountered one. He stepped into the Floo and waved goodbye.
Find Some Christmas Cheer