alisanne

Title: A Christmas Wish - Part Eleven
Author:

alisanne
Prompt used:

slythindor100's 2013 Christmas prompt #7: Lit Fountain beside a Christmas tree.
Word Count: 605
Rating: PG
Warning: EWE, AU.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Author's Notes: Thanks to

sevfan and

emynn for the beta. This is part eleven in my Christmas Wish Series.
Previous parts are: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, and Ten.

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A Christmas Wish - Part Eleven

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Harry ordered his favourite meal - Osso Bucco with roasted potatoes, root veg and a bottle of red zinfandel. Malfoy didn’t say a word as he ate, and, although he kept casting looks Harry’s way, he did tuck in with what looked like enjoyment.

When the waiter cleared everything away, Harry said, “Still hungry? They make a fabulous chocolate mousse pudding--”

“No, I’m stuffed, thanks.” Malfoy dabbed at his mouth with a napkin and sat back with a sigh. “And I’m glad you persuaded me to let you order. I probably wouldn’t have chosen that, and it was delicious.”

Harry smiled. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“Harry? Good to see you back!” Bridget, the owner’s daughter, approached their table. “I hope tonight’s dinner was enjoyable.”

“It was brilliant, as usual,” said Harry.

Bridget, an inveterate flirt, winked. “Shall I make you up a care package, then, luv?” she asked. “To tide you over until you return?”

Harry laughed. “No thanks. I’ll probably be back soon enough.”

“I look forward to that.” Smiling professionally at Malfoy, Bridget moved away.

“Now I see why you like the place so much.” Malfoy’s tone was cool. “Is she your latest love interest?”

Harry blinked. “Bridget?” He laughed. “No, she just flirts with everyone. If you ever come back she’ll flirt with you, too. Plus, she’s very happily married.”

“Ah.” Malfoy’s expression didn’t change and yet Harry got the impression he was relieved. “Well, I can be forgiven the mistake. She’s just your type.”

“I’ve a type?” Harry raised an eyebrow.

“Redheads.” Malfoy pursed his lips. “You do seem to gravitate towards them.”

Harry laughed. “While I admit I do know several redheads, I wouldn’t call any of them my type.”

Inclining his head, Malfoy smirked. “My mistake.”

After polishing off the last of the wine, Harry sighed, pushing back from the table. “It’s getting late. We should probably go. After all, we’ll need to meet with Hermione tomorrow.”

“Right.” Malfoy stood. “Of course.”

On the walk back to Malfoy’s flat, Harry asked, “Do you mind if we take a slight detour?” And when Malfoy shook his head, he led them past his favourite hotel, which was decorated for the holidays. “I just love the way they did the tree,” he explained as they passed it. “And the fountain.”

Malfoy, his hands in his coat pocket, coughed. “It seems a lot of other people like it, too,” he murmured, pointing at several snogging couples who were loitering about the fountain. “Apparently it’s considered a rather romantic spot.”

“Looks like,” Harry agreed, looking away as he was reminded about his own loveless life. Was everyone else in the world in love but him?

“What’s wrong?” asked Malfoy.

Harry sighed. “It’s nothing.”

“I’d say it’s something.” Malfoy shrugged. “But, of course, why would you be interested in sharing with me?”

“It’s not that--” Harry smiled ruefully. “It’ll sound ridiculous.”

“Try me.” Malfoy cleared his throat. “Unless you didn’t mean it when you said you wanted us to start over.”

Harry shook his head. “It’s really not that important. It just seems as if everyone but me is in a relationship.”

Malfoy snorted. “I’m not either. Although I don’t know why. Who wouldn’t want a Death Eater who just finished serving community service in Azkaban?”

Harry bit his lip. “Sorry I didn’t mean to--”

“It’s fine,” Malfoy said. “Don’t worry about it. And I’m sure you’ll find the woman of your dreams soon.”

“That’s unlikely,” said Harry. “Since I’m gay.”

Malfoy stopped in his tracks. “What?”

“I’m gay,” Harry repeated. “Is that a problem?”

Malfoy sounded a bit choked when he replied. “Not at all.”

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