Season for Wishing
Banner by the delightful capitu
Title: Season for Wishing
Author: enchanted_jae
Character(s): Harry/Draco, ocs
Rating: PG
Warning(s): None
Word count: 1170
Summary: Harry and Draco's annual Boxing Day party is a smashing success.
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. 26
♦ dracoharry100 Christmas Challenge 2024 No. 26 - Boxing Day
♦ newyearcntdown New Year's Countdown Challenge, Day 26 - Blue
"That was nice of Luna," said Draco.
Harry and Draco had survived Christmas at the Burrow, returned home, put the minions to bed, and now they were relaxing in their own bed. They'd each opened one of the small gifts that Luna gave them for the twins. She had given each baby one galleon with a note instructing Harry and Draco to open accounts at Gringotts for them now.
"It's a good idea, too," Harry said in response. "We should open accounts for all of the children. Without proper funds, they may end up living here forever."
"Harry!" cried Draco, giving his husband a smack on the chest.
"I'm kidding, love," chuckled Harry. "You know I'd like nothing better than to keep them all here with us."
Draco poked him again for good measure. "We need to get some sleep," he said, punctuating the statement with a yawn. "We've a big day ahead of us tomorrow."
~*~
Harry woke to the sensation of fingers sifting through his hair. "Mm," he sighed. "Good morning, Mr Potter-Malfoy, and happy Boxing Day. More importantly, happy anniversary."
"Happy anniversary," Draco whispered before leaning in for a kiss.
When it ended, Harry smiled up at him. "It seems like only yesterday that I pelted you in the head with a snowball to announce my intent to woo you."
Draco's smile turned down. "Ponker," he growled, poking Harry in the ribs and startling a yip out of him.
Harry lunged up and rolled Draco under him. "Let's celebrate with a shag before the minions wake up."
~*~
Harry and Draco spent most of the day preparing for their annual Boxing Day party. Kreacher had been summoned from Grimmauld Place, where he'd taken to sulking since Frances had come to live with them. Harry knew they'd eventually need to have a serious talk with the grumpy elf about the situation, but today was not that day. Since Frances was absent, Kreacher stuck to his usual grousing. However, Harry could tell the old elf was pleased to be of service to the Malfoys again. He'd long given up trying to convince Kreacher to call the family by the proper, hyphenated name.
Shortly before their guests were scheduled to arrive, the Potter-Malfoys convened in the grand entryway of Malfoy Manor, the Lesser. They were attired in their newest Weasley jumpers: the gentlemen in red with white letters and the ladies in white with red letters. Lili and Jamie looked especially festive. Harry had even taken a photo of them in their little jumpers.
"Team, we need to be on our best behavior tonight," said Harry, absently patting Lilian's back. "Draco, that means you are not allowed to run amok, as you usually do."
"Oh, for Salazar's sake," Draco muttered, while the older children giggled. He was gently rocking Jameson in his arms.
"In addition," Harry began, only to be interrupted by a whooshing noise as the Floo activated. Whatever he'd been about to say was lost when Ron and Hermione trooped out of the parlor with their three children, all dressed in new blue and white Weasley jumpers.
"Hello," greeted Hermione. "Happy anniversary." She handed Anna off to Carolyn and plucked Jamie from Draco's arms.
Ron stole Lili from Harry, grinning as he smoothed a hand over her ginger hair. "Is the chocolate fountain set up in the salon?" he asked.
"I'll show you, Uncle Ron," said Ben, tugging on Ron's jumper and leading the way to the salon. Hermione followed, cooing to Jamie, while Rose and Hugo raced ahead.
Harry stared after them. "Why does everyone keep stealing my babies?"
"Do you want to hold Anna?" asked Carolyn. "She's a bit heavy."
Harry plucked the toddler from Carolyn's arms. "Good evening, Anna."
She smiled shyly at him and ducked her head.
Other guests began arriving, and Harry lost Anna to one of the Weasley wives. Carolyn and Jasmin had skipped off to play with their cousins, and Draco had abandoned Harry to mingle. Harry began to circulate through the crowd, hoping for some happy news. Their party did have a reputation to uphold, after all.
As the evening wore on and there were no marriage proposals or baby announcements, Harry began to fret. He cornered Chesney and Ashton near the chocolate fountain. "Would you two like to get married tonight?" Harry asked brightly. "The Minister himself is in attendance and can officiate."
"Cousin Harry, you are such a delight," beamed Chesney. "Mais non, we are thinking of getting married in April or May. Springtime in Paris is quite romantic, n'est-ce pas?"
"That will be amazing, yes," Harry agreed. He relaxed a trifle. If nothing else, he could prod Chesney and Ash into announcing their intentions.
Harry resumed circulating among the guests, making sure he knew who had the twins at any given time. Eventually, as the evening was wearing down, Harry tapped a glass to get everyone's attention.
"Does anyone have any exciting news to share?" he asked, looking around.
The rest of his guests did the same.
As Harry was turning to find Chesney and Ashton, Luna spoke up. "We have an announcement to make." She reached for Neville's hand.
"We do?" he asked, a puzzled frown creasing his brow.
She smiled at him, her blue eyes shining with happiness. Luna brought Neville's hand to her stomach and said, "We're going to have a baby."
"We are?!" Neville's voice carried over the shouted congratulations from the other guests.
Harry moved close to them in time to hear Luna say, "I wanted to surprise you, but I hated to let Harry down. Are you okay?"
Harry cast a quick privacy charm around them. No one needed to be privy to this conversation, including himself. Luna wanted more children, but Neville had nixed the idea, saying Ellie and Levi were enough. It was one of the reasons that Luna had offered to act as a surrogate for Harry and Draco.
"Is everything okay?" Draco murmured from where he'd stepped up beside Harry.
Harry reached for Draco's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Nev seems a tad spellshocked, but he loves her. They'll be okay." Even as he said it, he saw Neville hug Luna, a huge smile wreathing his face. Harry ended the spell surrounding them.
Neville took Luna's hand and kissed it before addressing the assemblage. "We're having a baby!"
Another round of cheers greeted his announcement.
Harry couldn't be happier for his friends.
"Luna was taking fertility potions when she was trying to get pregnant with us," said Draco. "I warned them the potion could have long-lasting effects and to take extra precautions."
"Luna is ecstatic," said Harry. "Neville appears happy, too, now that the initial surprise has worn off."
Once the crowd around the Longbottoms cleared, Harry and Draco approached. Each of them gave Luna a gentle hug and shook Neville's hand.
"Anti-nausea potion will be on the house," Draco told them.
"Never mind that," said Neville, his own eyes shining brightly. "We may need to borrow your nanny."
Christmas Never Go Away