Thank You, George Bailey

Notes/Warning: Ladies (and gentlemen?), get your fluffiness antidote ready. Dedicated to the mob at DD. Originally posted to the Live Journal community Dramionedrabbles, 12 Days of Christmas Challenge. Prompt: tree.

Hermione and Draco sat on the couch in their living room, surrounded by family and friends. After decorating the tree, playing charades (by Ron Weasley’s request), and pulling crackers, everyone had settled down to nosh on biscuits and watch a movie. “It’s a Wonderful Life,” of course.

Draco gazed fondly at his youngest daughter, Jane, namesake and near replica of his Moh, down to the curly hair topping her brilliant mind. His Little General, now pregnant with her first child, (Teddy and Albus Severus’s adopted son ,Wulfric, would be a fantastic father; no worries there.) was entreating his other grandchildren into silence with gentle admonitions. Bee, CJ, Yume, Lovey, Aurora, Dori, Flo and Alexia were especially giggly, but a plate of gingerbread settled them quickly.

His mind busy, Draco paid the movie little attention. Instead, he gently stroked his dear love’s hand and counted his blessings. His eldest son, Severus, cradled his wife, Rose, in his arms. His second son, Sal, held a gangly girl in his lap. Cissy, who put Zuzu’s antics to shame. Zuzu herself was curled on the floor, whispering nonsense into Molly’s ear. Draco sighed. Little Molly’s father had been a brute, but Lily and Zuzu would make sure her Christmases were bright from now on.

He noted the movie would be ending soon and turned to appreciate and acknowledge the rest of his family and friends. His father and mother, cuddling like newlyweds. Harry and Ginny were watching the movie, his arm wrapped around her. Neville and Hannah, feeding each other bits of biscuit. Luna and Ron. Charlie and Oliver. Seamus, here on his first outing after Lavender had passed. Goyle sat next to Pansy, both holding one of Pansy’s twin grandbabies. Blaise and Daphne, glaring and cooing in turns. Bill and Fleur, talking quietly with Victoire. George and Angelina, shamelessly listening in. Hermione’s hand squeezed his, signaling the end of the film.

You are a pauper next to me, George Bailey, he thought smugly as he shook hands, gave hugs and received sticky sweet peppermint kisses. But thank you for showing me I could have all this. He smiled when he saw that Cissy and little Molly made sure to brush against the bell wreath on the Manor’s front door.

Later in bed, as they were drifting off to sleep, Draco murmured in Moh’s ear, “Did I ever thank you for inviting me back to your holiday party?”

“You mean the year after Operation Provoke Potter?”

“Yes.” He peppered her face with snowflakes. “Why did you?”

“Invite you? Everyone deserves a second chance, DaM. After all, our choices show what we truly are, far more than our past."

Draco gathered his own heart tenderly in his arms, running his hands over her shoulder blades.

“Checking for wings?” She chuckled sleepily.

“No bells,” he grumbled. He wasn’t sure whether it was an answer or a prayer.

A/N:

“Our choices show what we truly are, Harry, far more than our abilities.” – CoS

My 12 Days of Christmas drabbles are all part of the same universe. If you were to read them in chronological order (as opposed to prompt order) they would read: It's a wonderful life he hopes, (1 year later) nomenclature, signals (1 year later) the gloves are off, it's a gift, (1 year later) pet names, (2 years later) Draco runs an errand, (1 year later) hello insanity, (2 years later) fruitful expedition, (4 years later) a golden thread*, (5 years later) Queen of the lists, (15 years later) Tis the season, (14 years later) Thank you, George Bailey.

*A Golden Thread written for the luvlikerocketz lj community - prompt "petals".

Prompt order: Tinsel, sled, snowflake, gloves, holiday, blizzard, gift, season, snowman, mistletoe, elf, tree. (Actually, it should have been tree, elf. I took artistic license.)

Finally, love, hugs and total awe to Frank Capra. Seriously, he was an amazing director. It's a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Arsenic and Old Lace, and It Happened One Night are all required viewing.