herumtreiber

Title: The Solstice curse 7/25
Author:

herumtreiber
Word Count: 907
Rating: PG-13 this part
Prompt: Day 7 traditional - Christmas cracker
Warning: Humor
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns them, not me. This is for mischief's sake, not profit.
Author's Notes: This is for

slythindor100 's Christmas challenge picture prompts. Sequel of Part one, Part two, Part three, Part four, Part five & Part six

"Malfoy's mother surprised me. Hope her plan works." Ron opened the door to the Muggle Liaison office, motioning for Hermione to enter.

"I'm not sure about those protection charms she mentioned. Narcissa acted a bit suspiciously when she said she got them near the Manor." Hermione sniffed at the abandoned dishes and goblets on the corner, her gaze taking in the Christmas tree. Judging by the electric lights strewn haphazardly around the branches, it had been decorated by Luna.

"My co-workers could have left the place tidy!" she said before taking out her wand and swishing it angrily at the dishes.

"They started without you!" grumbled Ron. He discovered the lonely Christmas cracker left untouched from the party. It was near a broken golden bauble. He sighed as he picked it up, tiredly waving the red tube around.

"This would've been fun with Harry around," he mumbled despondently.

"I'm finished and…" Hermione tucked her wand into the pocket of her jacket and smiled wryly at Ron. It was obvious her fiancé missed Harry and, in an effort to cheer him up, she grabbed the other end of the cracker.

"Ready?" She lifted her eyebrow. Ron shrugged nonchalantly and jerked on his end of the Gryffindor-red tube. Hermione knitted her brows in determination and gave a mighty pull.

The cracker broke with a loud sound and she stumbled backwards at the bright light which poured from her end of it.

Ron gazed with wonder as the light coalesced around a central shape which, he noted with delight, began to sprout wings.

"It's George's firework!" he said, grinning boyishly. His delight was short-lived, however, when the dragon gazed malevolently at him with fiery emerald eyes.

"Ron, get away!"

The reptilian firework growled, emitting smoke and sparks from its incandescent snout before turning on Hermione. She took out her wand but the dragon unfurled its wings and, with an ominous 'whee', reared up to the ceiling before swooping down gleefully towards the Christmas tree which burst in flames.

oOoOo

"Old chap, I must say you look better with those eyebrows," said George, his lips curling slightly in an ill-concealed smirk at Ron's soot-streaked face.

"I've had it with your pranks, George!" said Ron indignantly. "Your firework almost destroyed the office, and your Christmas baubles are overrunning Malfoy's house."

Ron paused to brush his fingers through his hair. He was angry after dealing with the results of the conflagration caused by his brother's mischievous firework.

"The ornaments I sent Harry?"

"Exactly. Took them to Malfoy's house and Narcissa said they've overflowed Draco's study," said Hermione patiently.

George leaned his tall frame against the wooden door, staring at them. "That's mighty strange because the baubles are supposed to sprout fire dragons, just like the one you two are complaining about."

Ron exchanged a significant glance with Hermione. This was the first time the magic that went haywire around Harry had acted in his benefit. Ron smiled smugly at the thought that he had been right in bringing Malfoy to Harry. It seemed his best friend's luck was changing for the better.

oOoOo

"So what did they say?" Draco leaned back on his leather chair, surveying his tidy domain. It had been hard to fight against the onslaught of the Christmas decorations but in an inspired moment, Draco asked Harry for help.

Harry had used Draco's old wand and cast Evanesco at the pesky balls which vanished in a swirl of smoke. A bit odd, perhaps, but it had worked.

"The witch is befuddled," said Harry, staring at the wall where the Patronus from his boss had vanished a few moments before. "The woman doesn't remember much, not even where she was. Thought I had stolen her boyfriend."

"Did you?" said Draco sharply, all benevolent thoughts flown from his head at the thought of the Gryffindor with another bloke.

"Course not," said Harry simply, shivering at Draco's intense stare. "I've never been with another man before…" He waved his hand at Draco. "Ginny and Cho have been my only interests."

"Good to hear, Harry," Draco said, slouching on his chair and grabbing his wand. He pointed it at a carafe full of cider which obediently poured the beverage.

Draco held up the gleaming goblet, his fingers caressing the smooth stem which had nothing on Harry's tanned skin. He reached his arm towards Harry and gave him the drink, their fingers intertwining briefly before Harry lifted it to drink.

"What about you?" Harry lifted an eyebrow. He sipped his drink, eyeing sharply the blond as he fingered the rim of his glasses.

When Draco didn't answer immediately, Harry put down the goblet on the desk with a loud thump. The harsh movement sloshed the liquid over the metallic rim and it pooled on the wooden surface, soaking the manuscripts upon it.

Draco lifted up a wet parchment, glaring at Harry whilst he laid it on an earthen plate to dry. It was too ancient and fragile to subject to a spell.

"For your information, Potter," said Draco heatedly. "You're the only wizard I've been interested in, ever since that day I met you at Madame Malkin's."

"Good to hear." Harry blushed at his jealous behaviour which, he reflected, was quite unusual for him. He picked up the goblet and sipped the sparkly cider, peering at Draco from above the goblet.

Harry shrugged, deciding that nothing about his relationship with Draco had ever been normal.

Part eight