Fic: Homecoming - Part 23
Dec. 23rd, 2016 09:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alisanneTitle: Homecoming - Part 23
Author:alisanne
Word count: 1075
Rating: PG
Characters/pairings: Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy, others.
Challenge: Written for![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
slythindor100/![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
slythindor100/![[insanejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/ij-community.gif)
slythindor100's Christmas Challenge prompt #23: Blowing snow/flurries.
Summary: Just when the celebration begins, it's time to return to the fray.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
Beta(s):sevfan and emynn.
Authors Notes: This is part 23 of my H/D Homecoming Series (LJ/IJ/DW).
Back to Part 22 (LJ/IJ/DW)
~
Homecoming - Part 23
~
They Side-Along-Apparated to the Burrow together, and when they landed outside the house, it was was amidst light snow.
As Andromeda led a skipping Teddy towards the front door, he was giggling, trying to catch snowflakes with his tongue. Narcissa followed more sedately, although, to Harry, she looked nervous, her normally graceful movements stiff.
Draco, too, seemed nervous, and Harry clasped his hand, hoping his touch would calm him. “You okay?” he asked softly.
“Of course,” Draco replied, although his fingers did tighten infinitesimally on Harry’s as they approached the Burrow.
The party seemed to be in full swing, people were everywhere, even spilling out onto the porch, and the sound of animated conversation and laughter could be heard outside.
To Harry’s relief, both Draco and Narcissa were greeted warmly once they got inside, Molly herself coming forward to welcome them. After hugging Teddy, Andromeda, Harry and, to his clear shock, Draco, she turned to Narcissa. “Happy Christmas, Narcissa. I’m so pleased you could come,” she said. A slightly wary look in her eyes, she extended a hand to Narcissa, and Harry held his breath.
A warm smile blossomed over Narcissa’s face. “Happy Christmas to you, Molly,” she said, accepting Molly’s hand. She held out the poinsettia with the other. “Please accept this small token.”
“How lovely!” exclaimed Molly, taking the pot. “This will go perfectly by the fireplace.”
There was an awkward silence as the two women sized each other up.
“Perhaps a tour?” suggested Andromeda gently.
Molly nodded. “Of course. If you’ll follow me—”
Around the room, the people who had been watching the exchange seemed to exhale, and the conversations, which had all quieted, resumed at their former volume.
Harry hummed. “That went well,” he said.
“Yes.” Draco was looking around, his eyes wide. “Well, this is certainly very—”
“Very what?” someone asked, tone cool. “Ramshackle? Poor?”
Harry turned to find Ron and Hermione there, Ron’s eyes narrow with suspicion.
Draco blinked, his surprise clear. “I was going to say warm and homely.” He inclined his head. “It must have been a great place to grow up. Lot’s of interesting nooks and crannies.”
It was a clear olive branch, and Ron’s mouth dropped open. It took him a moment to recover. “Er…yeah, it was, actually.” He coughed. “Kids love it to this day.”
Draco nodded. “I can see why.”
Proud of his best friend and his…Draco, Harry slid an arm about Draco’s waist. “Do you want a tour, too?” he asked. “I can show you around if you like.”
“Maybe later,” said Draco. He looked over at the sideboard which was practically groaning under the weight of the food, he said, “I am hungry, though. It’s been a long day.”
“You’re in for a treat,” said Hermione. “Molly is a wonderful cook.” She gestured to the living room. “We saved you a spot in there. Find us when you’re done? We want to hear all about your day.”
Harry nodded, leading Draco over to the food.
Minutes later, their plates full, they found Ron and Hermione and sat beside them. In between bites of food, Harry filled them in on what had happened, ending with taking Goyle to the Ministry and his decision not to press charges.
“That’s…nice of you,” said Hermione, eyebrow raised.
Harry shrugged. “He wasn’t the one who came up with this plot. And maybe, if we’re lenient with him, he’ll cooperate and be a bit more forthcoming with more details. Something tells me there’s something else going on.”
“Other than Umbridge being the bitch we know and love to hate?” Ron asked.
Harry nodded. “Yes. I mean, doesn’t this seem like a complicated plot just to recover whatever it is of hers she thinks I have? Why make me think I’m a Muggle? Why set me up in a Muggle job? Why not just hex me and be done?” He shook his head. “The more I think about it, the odder the whole thing seems. I think we’ll need Goyle again, hence the leniency.”
“And here I thought you were letting him go to curry favour with me,” murmured Draco. “That’s positively Slytherin of you, Harry.” He smirked. “Well done.”
Harry grinned back. “That bit didn’t hurt,” he admitted.
“So the evidence is in holding now?” said Hermione.
Harry nodded. “Yes, Padma processed it for me, and she’s taking Goyle’s statement before letting him go.”
Hermione frowned. “Padma Patil-Smith?”
“Yes.” Harry raised an eyebrow. “Are there any other Padma’s working in the DMLE?”
Hermione huffed. “She’s supposed to be on bed rest! I gave her clear instructions.”
“Bed rest?” Harry blinked. “Why?”
“She’s pregnant and has had some…difficulties.” Hermione stood up. “Excuse me a moment. I may have to have some cross words with her.”
“Dear me,” said Draco as she stalked off. “Looks like Patil’s in for a telling off.”
Ron chuckled. “You have no idea, mate.”
Draco gave him a flat look. “Oh, I believe I do. She has quite a temper, and a lethal right hook on her, does your girlfriend.”
Slowly, Ron beamed. “Oh yeah, I forgot about that.” He nodded. “Yeah, she does. It’s brilliant.”
Draco rolled his eyes. “As long as it’s not directed at me I suppose it’s moderately amusing,” he allowed.
Grinning, Harry leaned in. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you if necessary.”
Draco hummed. “My hero.” He tilted his head, his gaze flicking down to Harry’s mouth.
Harry swallowed hard.
“If you two start snogging, I may have to leave,” warned Ron.
Draco didn’t take his eyes off Harry. “Don’t let us stop you,” he said, clear intent in his eyes.
Their lips were just about to touch when… “Harry!”
Harry winced, biting back a groan. “Yes, Hermione?” he said, dragging his attention from Draco.
“Padma is home, as I instructed. She hasn’t been to work in a week.”
Harry frowned. “Are you sure?”
Hermione sat down. “Positive. Both her husband and her sister have been staying with her, and they say she hasn’t been out of bed at all. Whoever it was who processed your evidence, it wasn’t her.”
“Well fuck,” swore Draco.
“What?” Harry asked, turned towards him. “Do you know who that was at the Ministry?”
“Oh, I have no idea,” said Draco dismissively. “I was just thinking this means we have to do more work tonight.” He shook his head. “And I was really looking forward to dessert.”
~
Part 24 (LJ/IJ/DW)
Author:
alisanneWord count: 1075
Rating: PG
Characters/pairings: Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy, others.
Challenge: Written for
slythindor100/slythindor100/slythindor100's Christmas Challenge prompt #23: Blowing snow/flurries.Summary: Just when the celebration begins, it's time to return to the fray.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
Beta(s):
sevfan and emynn.Authors Notes: This is part 23 of my H/D Homecoming Series (LJ/IJ/DW).
Back to Part 22 (LJ/IJ/DW)
~
Homecoming - Part 23
~
They Side-Along-Apparated to the Burrow together, and when they landed outside the house, it was was amidst light snow.
As Andromeda led a skipping Teddy towards the front door, he was giggling, trying to catch snowflakes with his tongue. Narcissa followed more sedately, although, to Harry, she looked nervous, her normally graceful movements stiff.
Draco, too, seemed nervous, and Harry clasped his hand, hoping his touch would calm him. “You okay?” he asked softly.
“Of course,” Draco replied, although his fingers did tighten infinitesimally on Harry’s as they approached the Burrow.
The party seemed to be in full swing, people were everywhere, even spilling out onto the porch, and the sound of animated conversation and laughter could be heard outside.
To Harry’s relief, both Draco and Narcissa were greeted warmly once they got inside, Molly herself coming forward to welcome them. After hugging Teddy, Andromeda, Harry and, to his clear shock, Draco, she turned to Narcissa. “Happy Christmas, Narcissa. I’m so pleased you could come,” she said. A slightly wary look in her eyes, she extended a hand to Narcissa, and Harry held his breath.
A warm smile blossomed over Narcissa’s face. “Happy Christmas to you, Molly,” she said, accepting Molly’s hand. She held out the poinsettia with the other. “Please accept this small token.”
“How lovely!” exclaimed Molly, taking the pot. “This will go perfectly by the fireplace.”
There was an awkward silence as the two women sized each other up.
“Perhaps a tour?” suggested Andromeda gently.
Molly nodded. “Of course. If you’ll follow me—”
Around the room, the people who had been watching the exchange seemed to exhale, and the conversations, which had all quieted, resumed at their former volume.
Harry hummed. “That went well,” he said.
“Yes.” Draco was looking around, his eyes wide. “Well, this is certainly very—”
“Very what?” someone asked, tone cool. “Ramshackle? Poor?”
Harry turned to find Ron and Hermione there, Ron’s eyes narrow with suspicion.
Draco blinked, his surprise clear. “I was going to say warm and homely.” He inclined his head. “It must have been a great place to grow up. Lot’s of interesting nooks and crannies.”
It was a clear olive branch, and Ron’s mouth dropped open. It took him a moment to recover. “Er…yeah, it was, actually.” He coughed. “Kids love it to this day.”
Draco nodded. “I can see why.”
Proud of his best friend and his…Draco, Harry slid an arm about Draco’s waist. “Do you want a tour, too?” he asked. “I can show you around if you like.”
“Maybe later,” said Draco. He looked over at the sideboard which was practically groaning under the weight of the food, he said, “I am hungry, though. It’s been a long day.”
“You’re in for a treat,” said Hermione. “Molly is a wonderful cook.” She gestured to the living room. “We saved you a spot in there. Find us when you’re done? We want to hear all about your day.”
Harry nodded, leading Draco over to the food.
Minutes later, their plates full, they found Ron and Hermione and sat beside them. In between bites of food, Harry filled them in on what had happened, ending with taking Goyle to the Ministry and his decision not to press charges.
“That’s…nice of you,” said Hermione, eyebrow raised.
Harry shrugged. “He wasn’t the one who came up with this plot. And maybe, if we’re lenient with him, he’ll cooperate and be a bit more forthcoming with more details. Something tells me there’s something else going on.”
“Other than Umbridge being the bitch we know and love to hate?” Ron asked.
Harry nodded. “Yes. I mean, doesn’t this seem like a complicated plot just to recover whatever it is of hers she thinks I have? Why make me think I’m a Muggle? Why set me up in a Muggle job? Why not just hex me and be done?” He shook his head. “The more I think about it, the odder the whole thing seems. I think we’ll need Goyle again, hence the leniency.”
“And here I thought you were letting him go to curry favour with me,” murmured Draco. “That’s positively Slytherin of you, Harry.” He smirked. “Well done.”
Harry grinned back. “That bit didn’t hurt,” he admitted.
“So the evidence is in holding now?” said Hermione.
Harry nodded. “Yes, Padma processed it for me, and she’s taking Goyle’s statement before letting him go.”
Hermione frowned. “Padma Patil-Smith?”
“Yes.” Harry raised an eyebrow. “Are there any other Padma’s working in the DMLE?”
Hermione huffed. “She’s supposed to be on bed rest! I gave her clear instructions.”
“Bed rest?” Harry blinked. “Why?”
“She’s pregnant and has had some…difficulties.” Hermione stood up. “Excuse me a moment. I may have to have some cross words with her.”
“Dear me,” said Draco as she stalked off. “Looks like Patil’s in for a telling off.”
Ron chuckled. “You have no idea, mate.”
Draco gave him a flat look. “Oh, I believe I do. She has quite a temper, and a lethal right hook on her, does your girlfriend.”
Slowly, Ron beamed. “Oh yeah, I forgot about that.” He nodded. “Yeah, she does. It’s brilliant.”
Draco rolled his eyes. “As long as it’s not directed at me I suppose it’s moderately amusing,” he allowed.
Grinning, Harry leaned in. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you if necessary.”
Draco hummed. “My hero.” He tilted his head, his gaze flicking down to Harry’s mouth.
Harry swallowed hard.
“If you two start snogging, I may have to leave,” warned Ron.
Draco didn’t take his eyes off Harry. “Don’t let us stop you,” he said, clear intent in his eyes.
Their lips were just about to touch when… “Harry!”
Harry winced, biting back a groan. “Yes, Hermione?” he said, dragging his attention from Draco.
“Padma is home, as I instructed. She hasn’t been to work in a week.”
Harry frowned. “Are you sure?”
Hermione sat down. “Positive. Both her husband and her sister have been staying with her, and they say she hasn’t been out of bed at all. Whoever it was who processed your evidence, it wasn’t her.”
“Well fuck,” swore Draco.
“What?” Harry asked, turned towards him. “Do you know who that was at the Ministry?”
“Oh, I have no idea,” said Draco dismissively. “I was just thinking this means we have to do more work tonight.” He shook his head. “And I was really looking forward to dessert.”
~
Part 24 (LJ/IJ/DW)
