Chapter Text
Slowly regaining consciousness, Harry felt as though he’d slept for a week, simultaneously well-rested and reluctant to fully wake. For a moment, he was confused about where he was, but soon recognised Theo’s bed at Malfoy Manor, despite having only stayed there a few times previous.
Theo was still fast asleep, snoring away next to him, handsome and peaceful, but Harry’s thoughts felt like treacle as he tried to remember why they were there.
It wasn’t long, though, before his memories of the Burrow burning returned.
Rolling onto his back, he stared at the ceiling, his hand pressed against his aching heart. Even knowing the house could be rebuilt with magic, it’s destruction was hitting him hard. It had been the first place, other than Hogwarts, he had ever truly felt safe; it was where he had found his family. But he’d been powerless to stop it as they watched it go up in flames.
And now he remembered clearly why he was there. The Burrow was gone, and Draco Malfoy, of all people, had given them shelter.
Harry had been incredibly surprised when Malfoy had granted Theo’s request. Surprised, but grateful, for Molly’s sake as much as anything. He had known for a while that Malfoy was trying to be a better man, and Harry would admit he was succeeding to at least some degree; he was certainly already a better man than his father had ever been. But for him to swallow his pride and willingly open his home to the entire Weasley family… that was something else altogether.
Harry supposed Malfoy was simply trying to put the war behind him, as they all were. And as much as he still disliked him, he could respect that.
“You’re thinking too hard for so early.”
At Theo’s mumbled words, Harry rolled his head to smile at him. He had one eye just barely open and yet was still managing to glare at him.
“It’s not so early,” Harry informed him. Sunlight was creeping in around the edges of the curtained windows, enough to softly illuminate the room. “Besides, it’s Christmas morning.” He rolled back into Theo’s side. “Aren’t we supposed to be awake at the crack of dawn?”
Theo let out a disgruntled huff. “Absolutely not,” he stated flatly as he wrapped his arms around Harry and pulled him closer, attempting to go back to sleep.
“Theo,” Harry protested through a laugh. “You can’t go back to sleep, it’s Christmas Day.”
“Sleep now. Christmas later,” Theo insisted tiredly, his eyes both closed once more, his face half smooshed against his pillow.
Harry, however, was determined. Pushing at Theo’s shoulder, he rolled him from his side, onto his back. At the same time, he slung a leg over Theo’s waist and, going with the motion, pulled himself up to straddle his stunned and disoriented boyfriend.
He grinned down at Theo, who blinked up at him with confusion.
“Christmas now,” Harry told him firmly, his hands brushing over Theo’s bare abs. “It’s our first one together and you’re missing it.”
“I’m not missing anything,” he countered. “I’m right here. So are you.”
“Yes, but Christmas is downstairs,” Harry insisted, letting his fingers dip just beneath the waistband of Theo’s pyjama trousers.
Theo groaned and slung an arm over his eyes, as he attempted to regulate his breathing.
Running his nails up the centre of Theo’s chest, Harry leaned in closer. “I’d be very grateful.”
“This is doing nothing to get me out of bed sooner,” Theo pointed out, his voice growing husky, his arm slipping from his eyes so he could gaze up at Harry. “In fact, I’m perfectly comfortable. Maybe we can spend Christmas right here.”
Harry laughed and shoved playfully against his chest, sitting upright once more and earning a small groan from Theo.
“You’re terrible,” Harry informed him. “Besides, don’t you want to find out where exactly Charlie vanished off to last night? And what Draco was so busy with, that he missed dinner completely?”
Theo threw a half-hearted and unimpressed glared. “Come on, Harry, we both know exactly what they were busy doing?”
“Well… yeah…of course,” Harry agreed dismissively. “But the real question is, are you going to let Ron and George have first shot at mocking them?”
Theo sighed dramatically, thunking his head back against his pillow and throwing his arm over his face once more.
Harry grinned, knowing he had won.
“Come on then, sleepyhead!” he exclaimed.
He scrambled off Theo and all but jumped from the bed. He stopped just short of the en-suite bathroom and turned back to his boyfriend, who had propped himself up in bed to watch him. He pulled his pyjama top up and off over his head, tossing it aside.
“If you’re quick, you could join me in the shower,” he told him, dropping his pyjama trousers and stepping out of them before disappearing into the bathroom.
He heard the soft thud of Theo tumbling out of bed and snorted in amusement. As he climbed into the shower, he couldn’t help but think that, despite everything, it was going to be a really good day.
-#-
“Harry, Theo! Merry Christmas to you both,” Arthur exclaimed from his seat at the far end of the table as the two of them entered the Dining Room for breakfast.
“Merry Christmas, Arthur, everyone,” Harry replied happily.
“Merry Christmas,” Theo echoed as the two of them moved round to the empty seats next to Ginny.
“Sorry we’re running a bit late this morning,” Harry apologised, as tea, juice and a full English breakfast appeared in front of each of them.
“Yeah, what time do you call this,” George told them impishly, the corner of his mouth quirking into a teasing smile.
“We were just discussing who to send up to wake you,” Ron added with a far too knowing smile.
“We were awake,” Theo told them without any sign of embarrassment, though Harry wasn’t sure whether that was because he didn’t realise the implication of his words, or simply didn’t care.
“Guess you had a…um, busy… morning. That’s what we’re calling it right, Charlie?” Ginny asked with mock innocence, which no one was foolish enough to believe.
“Ginny!” Molly chastised half-heartedly, as laughter broke out around the table.
“Something like that,” Charlie agreed, his own smile twitching in amusement.
Harry felt a flush rise in his cheeks. They had all known exactly what Charlie and Malfoy had been up to when they hadn’t shown for dinner the evening before, proclaiming themselves busy. And now apparently the whole family knew how he and Theo had decided to kick off their Christmas celebrations.
“Talking of busy,” Theo piped up, “where is Draco?”
“Not sure, he snuck off before most of us were even awake. But I’m done eating so I’ll go find him,” Charlie told them as he got up from the table. “Need to make sure he doesn’t hide away in a book all day.”
Harry sipped at his tea and waited until Charlie was out of the room to ask, “So it’s official then? Charlie and Malfoy?”
“Seems like it,” Bill told him. The eldest Weasley sibling was sat close to his mother at the far end of the table and was supervising his daughter as she fed herself what looked to be porridge. “Charlie is definitely smitten either way.”
“I think it’s kind of sweet,” Angelina said. “And besides, if anyone can keep that boy inline it’s our Charlie.”
“I’ll drink to that,” George exclaimed, raising his mug.
“Me too,” Theo agreed, copying the gesture. “To taming Draco.”
Harry snorted in amusement, shaking his head. “Some best friend you are.”
“Eh.” Theo shrugged. “Draco could use a little tough love. This will be good for him. Besides,” he went on a little quieter, “with him so preoccupied, you can keep me all to yourself.”
Harry smirked, convinced despite himself, and lifted his mug. “To taming Malfoy.”
-#-
As they made their way back to the lounge, it was clear to Harry that none of the Weasleys were quite sure what to do with themselves. Everyone was being oddly quiet and only Hermione and Theo, a few paces ahead of him, were chatting avidly as they walked.
Normally after breakfast the family would have sat down together to share and unwrap presents, and perhaps play some games, all while Molly dashed to and from the kitchen, checking on Christmas dinner. But all of the presents had been destroyed in the fire, along with any games they might have played. And the elves were sorting the food, despite Molly’s attempts to insist she help.
Though as they all crowded into the lounge once more, the fire raging in its grate and Christmas lights sparkling around them, it was as close to perfect as they could hope for in the circumstances.
Everyone’s attention was drawn, however, to the single mysterious present in the middle of the coffee table, wrapped in paper decorated with stars of every colour. As far as Harry knew, none of the presents had survived, so he had no idea where this one had come from.
Arthur picked it up, everyone waiting as he read the label attached.
“It’s for Victoire,” he told them, and he held the present out toward Fleur and Bill. “Doesn’t say who it is from.”
Bill took it cautiously, turning it over in his hands for a moment before looking to Theo with a puzzled frown.
“Did you... or Malfoy…?” Bill asked, his words catching in his throat and failing him.
Harry turned to Theo, eyes wide with hope and delighted surprise.
“It was nothing,” Theo assured him bashfully.
Harry couldn’t help but grin. He knew, of course, that his boyfriend was capable of great generosity when the occasion struck, but it was rare for Theo to let others see it. Though he supposed that was why the present had no name; apparently he hadn’t thought anyone would catch on so quickly.
“Consider it a thank you for being so welcoming if it helps,” Theo suggested.
“Thank you,” Fleur exclaimed tearily, throwing an arm around Theo and pressing kisses to his cheeks as her gratitude overflowed.
You’re welcome,” Theo assured her, patting her awkwardly on the back; though the moment she released him he stepped out of her reach, as though concerned she might pounce again.
Fleur, however, was now totally absorbed in watching Bill help their daughter unwrap her new book.
“It wasn’t nothing,” Harry told Theo quietly, interlinking their fingers as he pressed into his side. “I know what it is like to be the child who gets nothing at Christmas. I would never want that for her.”
“I wish I had something to give you,” Theo told him, pressing a kiss to Harry’s cheek.
“You gave me back this family Christmas,” Harry pointed out. He gestured to the family around them, including Molly, who now had Victoire on her lap as she started to read the book to her granddaughter for the first time. “We’d all be in our own homes, celebrating separately, if it wasn’t for you.”
“True, I clearly saved the day,” Theo agreed smugly, preening at the praise.
“Yeah, just don’t let it go to your head,” Harry instructed firmly. “But...”
Harry trailed off, second-guessing himself. He shook his head; it was a stupid idea.
“What is it?” Theo asked, his expression turning serious.
“There is one thing you could do for me?”
“Name it,” Theo pressed eagerly.
Harry took a deep steadying breath. “Move in with me.”
His heart was hammering violently in his chest as he looked up into Theo’s eyes, awaiting his answer. He was terrified of what he might say, but this Christmas had made him realise he wanted to share his life with Theo and he didn’t want to wait to start.
“Of course, I will. I’d love to. Though we’ll have to find a bigger place than that box you currently live in,” Theo informed him.
“I’m okay with that,” Harry agreed, wrapping his arms around Theo’s neck and pulling him into a not exactly chaste kiss.
“Hey! Kid present,” Bill exclaimed.
They hastily broke apart, Harry grinning from ear-to-ear. “Sorry, Bill, won’t happen again,” he said without taking his eyes off Theo. “Besides, we’ll have plenty of time for all that later, in our new home.”
“Your new home?” Hermione asked excitedly.
“Wait,” Ron said, looking up from the chess game he and George were setting up, over to Harry and Theo. “You’re moving in together?”.
“Who’s moving in together?” Charlie asked as he stepped into the room.
“Harry and Theo,” Ginny told him, but as everyone turned toward the doorway, they all froze.
Malfoy was standing at Charlie’s side, their hands clearly entwined. Realising they were all staring, Malfoy tried to pull his hand free and back out of the room, but Charlie held firm.
“Hey, don’t run,” Charlie implored, turning his attention to Malfoy and putting himself between him and the rest of them. “You’re fine, I promise. Besides, if you run then I will have to follow; and trust me, the rest of that lot will likely follow us too.” He gestured over his shoulder to the family.
“Yeah, we are way too curious to let this go,” George told him.
“I dunno, not sure I want to know anything,” Ron countered, shuddering. “Does it really have to be Malfoy, Charlie?”
“It definitely does,” Charlie replied, still facing Malfoy. “There’s no one else quite like him.”
“Well he’s not wrong there,” Angelina pointed out.
“I knew that mistletoe would work,” Theo whispered to Harry.
He looked incredibly pleased with himself and Harry had to smile in amusement despite himself. Though he was far from Malfoy’s biggest fan, he did at least want Charlie to be happy. And he was rather enjoying seeing Theo play matchmaker.
“Please join us, Draco,” Molly requested, when Malfoy continued to hesitate in the doorway. “You’re family now.”
“Family?” he questioned uncertainly.
“If you’re going to be with me, then yeah, that makes you family,” Charlie clarified. “And I’d really like it if you’d stay.”
Malfoy still looked uncertain but nodded. “Fine,” he agreed, “I’ll stay. But this doesn’t make me a Weasley,” he added as Charlie led him over to a space on one of the sofas.
“Sure it does,” Hermione told him gleefully. “There’s never been a red-headed Malfoy after all.”
Horrified, Malfoy turned to Charlie, who shrugged, chuckling nervously.
“Look on the bright side,” Theo added, a devilish grin on his face. “At least your not becoming a Potter.”
Despite knowing he should be offended, Harry couldn’t help but enjoy the way Malfoy paled. It was certainly going to be interesting having him in the family.