alisanne

Title: A Christmas Wish - Part Twenty-Two
Author:

alisanne
Prompt used:

slythindor100's 2013 Christmas prompt #18: Christmas feast.
Word Count: 930
Rating: PG
Warning: EWE, AU.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Author's Notes: Thanks to

sevfan and

emynn for the beta. This is part twenty-two in my Christmas Wish Series.
Previous parts are: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty, and Twenty-One.

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A Christmas Wish - Part Twenty-Two

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Draco looked around, cataloguing all that must have gone into putting on such an extravagant reception. “This is quite impressive,” he finally said.

Potter, walking beside him, smiled. “It is, isn’t it?” He laughed softly. “Of course, since I grew up without magic, it never fails to amaze me what it can do.” He shook his head. “It never gets old.”

Without magic. The smile faded from Draco’s face. “That may be my future,” he said softly. “A life without magic.”

Potter sighed. “You have magic, it’s just at low levels right now.” Placing a hand on Draco’s arm, he squeezed gently. “And I’m sorry I reminded you about it.”

Draco shrugged. Inexplicably, Potter’s touch made him feel immediately better. “It’s never that far away, to be honest.”

“You never did say what Luna told you.” As Potter slid his hand down to grasp Draco’s elbow, his touch warmed Draco. “Did she happen to mention when she thought your magic would be back?”

Draco almost smiled. He’s such an optimist. Not ‘if’ it’ll be back, but ‘when’. “Like all Healers, she was vague about the specifics. She said it could return in a few weeks, or months, or years.” Or never. He looked away. “Perhaps I’ll need lessons on how to live without it.”

“You’ll get it back.” Potter’s eyes blazed and in that moment Draco had no doubts that if he could restore Draco’s magic by sheer will, he would.

Draco shivered.

“Cold?” Concerned, Potter steered him towards the mansion. “It may be climate controlled out here, but it is still winter. Let’s go inside.”

Draco agreed and, once indoors they drifted towards one of the many buffet tables set up for the reception. Laid out on each one was standard Christmas fare: roasted turkey, potatoes, veg, tarts, cake, pudding, and assorted sauces. “Hungry?” Potter asked.

Before Draco could reply, his stomach rumbled.

Potter laughed, reaching for some plates. He handed one to Draco. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

Dishes laden with food, they retreated to one of the rooms set aside for dining, grabbing an intimate table for two in a corner.

As he ate, Potter watched him. This almost feels like another date. Draco shook off the feeling.

“I’ve not wanted to ask,” said Potter once their plates were close to empty. “But where are your parents?” He coughed. “I know your father returned to Azkaban but your mother--”

“Mother is in Switzerland.” Oddly, it felt good to tell Potter. He hadn’t even spoken to Pansy about her. “She...didn’t do well when Father landed in prison again.” He sighed. By which I mean she went a bit mad. “The facility where she’s staying is very good, though. They think she’ll make a full recovery.”

“I’m so sorry.” Potter rested a hand on top of Draco’s.

Draco stared into his eyes. “Are you? I know you didn’t like them--”

“I may not have liked what they stood for,” Potter corrected. “But I didn’t wish them ill, either.” He sighed. “When I was a kid all I wanted was to be left alone.” He shook his head. “You know, if Voldemort had just left me alone, he’d still be here.”

Slowly, Draco nodded. “But that wasn’t his way.”

“No. I suppose not.”

“Harry.”

Both Draco and Potter winced, looking away from each other and at the intruder. She looked familiar, but Draco was blanking on her name.

“Hello, Cho!” Potter smiled in welcome, hugging the woman.

Draco cleared his throat as the rest of her name came to him. “Chang.”

“Malfoy.” Chang smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m the Minister’s secretary. He asked me to escort you to his study. He had me retrieve the documents you requested and he’d like to discuss them with you.”

“Brilliant.” Potter looked around. “But we should find Hermione since she’ll be interested in seeing them, too--”

“I can send someone to get her if you like.” Chang paused. “Or--”

“Or?” Potter waited.

“Well, I can escort Malfoy there and you and Hermione can come after us.” Chang smiled. “I know how good your sense of direction is, Harry. It’s the same library where the Minister met with you earlier.”

Potter hesitated. “Is that all right with you, Malfoy?” he asked.

Draco wanted to say no. Something about Chang bothered him. “Sure,” he lied. “I’ll be fine.”

“Okay.” Clasping Draco’s arm, his touch sent a boost of warmth through him. “I’ll find you a few minutes.”

Once he was out of earshot, Chang said, “Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Draco followed her, the sense of wrongness intensifying until, when they reached a deserted corridor, he paused mid-step. “You know, I’ve changed my mind. I believe I’d like to wait for Potter and Granger--”

Chang spun. “Oh would you?” she sneered. “Well it’s too late now, I’m afraid.”

Draco’s eyes narrowed. “What?”

She smirked. “You went and blabbed, didn’t you? We told you not to, warned you what the consequences would be. This shouldn’t be a surprise.”

“Warned--?” Draco clamped his mouth shut, his mind racing. Stall! an inner voice screamed at him. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean--”

“Aren’t you being a bit too hard on him, Cho?”

Recognising that voice, Draco froze.

“After all, we did alter his memory that last day we extracted his magic.”

Draco closed his eyes just as the hex hit him.

~