Chapter Text
Harry opened the door and let his dogs out, the two labs nearly knocked him over, but he grinned as he trudged out into the snow. He watched them romp, chase one another and bark, startling birds from the winter thinned hedges.
Withdrawing his wand, he cleared the stairs and path of snow, then charmed the cement steps warm to repel any additional snowfall. He took a deep breath, pulling the chilly air into his lungs and smelling more snow in the breeze. How much more, was still to be determined, but since he'd moved here to Wintervale there had been plenty. There was just something about winter that he adored. Well, perhaps, not the worst cold, but a little chill was nice especially considering how close to Christmas it was. The fact was, that it was snowy and cold, though, and that meant time spent snuggled in front of a fireplace. He could almost see the flames and hear the crackling wood. He even scented the burning cedar on the air now, even though his elves had recently cleaned and restarted all the fires in the house. The only thing he was missing was someone to share those nights with. The pups certainly kept him warm, but he would like to have someone around that could actually talk back in English.
Turning, Harry looked up at the large manor he'd purchased and smiled once more. Wintervale on a sunny and cold wintery afternoon was quiet. And he'd needed the quiet after the war had ended. He'd needed time to be alone and consider what he wanted from life. Very few of his friends had beleaguered him about his decision to withdraw from the world at large, considering all that he'd been through. A few people, though, still managed to make their disapproval known, but after everything that had happened, everything that he'd lost, he couldn't be bothered with a fickle public opinion. He'd needed to make himself happy before he could do that for anyone else, and being alone had done that for him.
Harry had spent his time alone, gathered his wits about him, and decided that he wanted a home and hearth more than anything, and he set about getting it. He'd come upon Wintervale and fell in love with the place. That it was closer to Hogwarts than London had been a plus for him. Negotiating with the elderly couple that wanted out from under the large estate had settled something within Harry and he had all the alone time he could handle as he restored the grounds. His alone time was drawing to a close and he needed to set about making the place ready for the season. After all his renovations were complete, Harry had opened Wintervale to a select few. The people he welcomed into his home weren't family, though his adopted kin came to visit, too, but the anonymous visitors were the ones drove back the silence and loneliness.
Nibbly popped into place at Harry's side. "Owls for reservations, Master Harry." He held out several bits of parchment to Harry.
"Thanks, Nibbly. We have a full house this year?" Harry flipped through the missives taking note of dates and names, if there were children travelling and how he needed to settle his guests for their holidays.
"Not quite, but enough with the little one arriving. Nibbly will see to the rooms."
Harry hummed and Nibbly snapped his fingers before he disappeared. A couple on honeymoon, another couple celebrating an anniversary, and a single gentleman with one child, he counted. He would definitely play up the decorations for the kid. Harry supposed travelling with your parents wasn't too bad, but honestly, there was nothing like being home for Christmas.
Harry looked back up at the house and took a deep breath. A home for Christmas, that was why he'd purchased this large property. To give those travelling a place to feel as if they were home, instead of being displaced. He remembered, still, that first Christmas at Hogwarts and wanted others to feel as he had then. The holidays were stressful enough, and if he could provide an oasis, even temporarily, then he was satisfied. This was his home, and what he wanted to do with his life. He opened it for Christmas to those that wanted, or needed, a home away from home. He loved doing so and couldn't explain it, really, but Molly had understood where Ron and Hermione had been confused.
It had taken a while for his friends to fully comprehend his need for solitude as well as the desire to provide a safe, warm environment to not only himself, but to someone that wanted it, too. Wintervale was a haven for anyone that wanted a special place to celebrate when home wasn't available. That Harry chose to spend his holidays with strangers still boggled some people.
Not that he couldn't go to the Burrow for the holidays, but controlled chaos wasn't what he wanted, no matter how joyous it was. Once all the Weasley children, their spouses and all of Molly's grandchildren arrived, it was rather like being packed into a sardine tin. He would visit with the Weasleys in good time, but for now, he had a home to decorate. The first couple of guests were arriving tonight.
~*~
"But, Father, why must we go away for the holiday? Are Grandmère and Grandpère coming, too?"
Draco sighed and nodded his head as he directed Cubby in the packing of their trunks. "Scorpius, I've told you. The Manor has to be cleansed and respelled. Grandmère and Grandpère will start the holiday with us, but then they are going on to Tuscany."
"For their anniversary? When is your anniversary?"
Draco turned and eyed his son. At five, Scorpius looked just like him except for having Asteria's eyes. Sapphire blue eyes, bright and inquisitive, stared back at him, and Draco's heart ached as he looked at Scorpius. Though they hadn't married for love, there had been affection between he and Asteria, and from them, their short relationship, he had Scorpius. Still, Draco missed her something fierce sometimes.
They had been happy enough, considering the marriage had been arranged for them both and the relatively short length of it. Asteria had been keen on providing the heir immediately while they was still young and healthy to enjoy the child. Those plans were thwarted soon after their decision. Asteria had a difficult time both conceiving as well as during her pregnancy, and though everything had been done to assure her comfort, her heart had been damaged from the strain. Scorpius had been born premature by almost two months.
Asteria had lived long enough to name Scorpius then slipped into a coma. She passed during the night while Draco had stood vigil over Scorpius. He'd not regretted leaving her that night, because she'd have wanted it that way. Except for times like now, then Draco wished she was here for Scorpius. He'd already made his peace with the loss of the woman who was his friend more than lover and her death.
Since then, he'd reared Scorpius on his own, with help occasionally from his mother and father. Scorpius had thrived, and had grown into, so far, a curious and intelligent child, if a bit somber. At times, Draco wondered if Asteria hadn't been given life again in Scorpius as he saw so much of her in his boy, and he knew that coloured how he treated Scorpius. He'd never talked down to Scorpius, and Scorpius acted much like a tiny adult sometimes. Perhaps he'd done his son a disservice by doing so, and also by not remarrying, but he wouldn't let anyone come between them. Draco tried hard not to coddle him too much, and he wasn't certain he succeeded.
"I don't have an anniversary, Scorpius, which is why we celebrate with Grandmère and Grandpère."
"And on my birthday, too."
Draco smiled. "Yes, your birthday, too." Scorpius' birthday on the solstice was highly anticipated, and Draco thought he might have gone just a bit overboard with his plans, since they were going to be displaced while the Manor underwent its magical maintenance.
"So, we are travelling for my birthday, Christmas and Grandmère's anniversary."
Draco held out his arms to Scorpius and Scorpius threw himself at Draco. Draco left the room with Scorpius in his arms. "Yes, and Father Christmas will come to see you at Wintervale. There's plenty of activities listed on the pamphlet for us to try."
"Snow, too?"
"Oh, yes, there will be tons of snow, Scorpius, darling."
Narcissa met Draco as he was coming down the stairs, and reached for Scorpius as Draco stepped off the bottom of the staircase. "Wintervale is in Banffshire, which is in Scotland. Father Christmas has assured me that there will be plenty for you to play in."
Scorpius' eyes grew wide as he wrapped his arms around her neck. "You know Father Christmas?"
Narcissa smiled and nodded. "Father Christmas and I are on a first name basis, so that you can have a most wonderful Christmas this year whilst we are away from home."
"Mother," Draco warned.
Narcissa tutted at him. "Relax, Draco, it's the time of year where it's proper to spoil your children. Your father and I have made the arrangements to be certain everything is perfect for the pair of you." She lifted a hand to Draco's face and cupped his cheek. "I want you to enjoy it as well, darling."
Scorpius watched the two of them, and Draco felt his little gaze most keenly. He smiled to reassure Scorpius. "I am certain we will have a lovely time."