"Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight,
We're happy tonight.
Walking in a winter wonderland."

Harry awoke to the sound of carolers. Rubbing his eyes, he slowly realized that he had slept all day and the darkness of night was slowly creeping into his room. He rolled over to face an empty bed. Feeling his heart sink, he shut his eyes and hoped that he would fall back asleep. Empty beds were not so uncommon these days, but it never got any easier. So much had happened in the last few years. Gabrielle's career had taken off, meaning that Draco was hardly ever at home. The time that they spent together was cherished, but those times were few and far between. A ringing phone interrupted his thoughts. Struggling to get out of bed, Harry shuffled over to his phone.

"This is Harry speaking."

"Hello, darling."

Harry recognized the voice immediately and a slight smile surfaced on his face. "How are you Draco? I miss you."

"I miss you too. I'm fine, just a little tired from jet lag." There was a pause. "You sound as if you were sleeping. I hope I didn't wake you."

"You didn't." Harry looked over at his empty bed. "I was just thinking about you."

"I think about you every moment of my day. I can't wait until we are together again." There was a slight pause on the phone as Draco took a deep breath. "Speaking of being together again, I have some good news and bad news."

Rubbing his temples, Harry sighed. "I'm not sure I want to hear it. I guess I have no other choice though."

"I'll tell you the bad news first. I won't be coming home in time for Christmas Eve."

Harry's heart sank further with disappointment. "You're missing out on Christmas Eve? You promised we would spend Christmas together this year. We haven't spent a single Christmas together."

"I'm not missing out on Christmas Day, I promise. The good news is that I got picked up for the Christmas Eve show on BTV. It's going to be televised across the nation."

Even though Harry knew he should be happy for Draco, he still couldn't mask his sadness. He feigned a fake smile. "That's great love."

"You don't sound happy…"

"I am happy for you love but I'm afraid I can't hide my disappointment that I won't get to spend Christmas with you."

"Harry, you know how important my career is to me. I'm no longer doing this for just me, it's for you as well. I'm working hard to get you a big Christmas present this year."

"It's not the gifts that are important." All I want is you.

"I've got to go, love, my manager is calling on the other line. Please forgive me, I promise I'll make it up to you."

Digging his nails into the palm of his hand, Harry put on his best imitation of a smile. "Sure Draco. That's fine. I'll see you when you get home." Quickly ending the conversation, Harry put the phone down. He walked over to his bed, grabbed a pillow, and let out a long drawn out scream. He couldn't figure out why he could never tell Draco how he felt on the inside.

"Later on, we'll conspire,
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid,
The plans that we've made,
Walking in a winter wonderland."

Harry stomped his way to the front door, throwing it open. "If you don't mind, take your Christmas carols elsewhere. I'm in no mood!"

The song stopped abruptly and the carolers left, leaving Harry feeling like a real Scrooge.

.CLANK.

Harry smashed the stapler with aggression on a stack of papers. CLANK

Peeking his head into the office, Ron stared at his old friend. "Are you alright mate?"

"I'm fine." Harry said with a grimace and continued to staple. CLANK. CLANK. CLANK.

"Right then." Ron scratched his chin. "But perhaps you don't need seven staples for one stack of papers."

Releasing his death grip on his stapler, Harry sighed. "Just come in and shut the door."

"You know I've noticed you've been off your rocker all week." Ron slid into the chair in front of Harry's desk. "You were angrily sipping coffee this morning. I don't know how that's even possible."

"I'm having relationship issues and I'm slightly frustrated."

Folding his hands in his lap, Ron leaned in. "Do go on."

"I'm ready to settle down, Ron."

"Bloody hell! I never thought I'd hear those words coming out your mouth." Ron chuckled.

Harry groaned. "I'm being serious. I know Draco is the one for me."

"Never thought I'd hear you say that either." Ron said, fighting to keep a straight face.

Harry reached for his stapler but Ron slapped his hand away.

"Don't you dare! You're giving the entire office a headache with your incessant whacking. Now what's the problem with settling down?"

Harry twiddled his thumbs. "I don't think Draco is ready. His career is in its prime and I never see him anymore. I'm starting to feel the distance between us."

"And have you told him this?"

"No I just-"

"Aha!" Ron slapped the desk. "You can't be afraid of communication."

"I'm not." Harry crossed his arms. "I communicate just fine."

"Just look at that body language. Your arms are folded across your chest. You're not even being open with me and we've been friends since forever." Smirking, Ron leaned across the desk. "What have you done to show Draco that you're ready to take the next step?"

"We moved in together."

"Mmmhmm. Lots of couples do that. It's not permanent. Go on."

"And…"Harry's mouth hung agape as he tried to think.

"You'll catch flies like that."

Quickly shutting his mouth, Harry angrily shuffled his stack of papers. "Well what do you want me to do? Go out and get matching tattoos?"

Ron shrugged. "I was thinking something a little less drastic but that would work as well."

"That was a joke. Needles give me the creeps." Harry shivered. "Think of something else."

"I was just like you when I wanted to marry Hermione. I was always waiting around for the perfect moment to ask her to marry me. Then one day we were at a burger joint, nothing special about it all. I'll never forget that day. She was wearing a yellow fuzzy sweater that I hated. It made her look like big bird. We argued about that sweater for quite a while. She never listened-"

"Alright, mate." Harry interrupted. "I think you're getting side tracked."

"So anyway, she takes a big bite of her burger and starts choking. Her eyes were watering and she was grabbing at her throat. Right then, it hit me. I couldn't live without this woman. So she finally coughs up this giant hunk of burger in my face and I ask her to marry me. It was the best decision I've ever made."

Harry held back the waves of nausea. "That was strangely disgusting and romantic at the same time."

"My point is you must take a chance before it's too late."

"So I need Draco to choke on a hamburger?"

` "You need to show Draco you are ready to commit." Ron shook his head. " I swear sometimes you are so daft, Harry."

"Right. I can do that." Easier said than done.

The door jingled behind Harry as he entered the pet store.

"Welcome to Harold's Pet Shop. Can I help you find anything?"

Harry was overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds. There were multiple birds squawking at him and there was an overwhelming smell of cedar in the air. "Yes, you can help me. I'm looking for a pet."

The shop attendant rolled her eyes. "Yes, you've come to the right store considering this is a pet shop. How about you give me something a little more specific?"

"I'm looking for a dog."

"What breed?"

Harry scratched his head. "Well I suppose Draco would want to carry it around in a bag all the time. How about a small breed?"

The impatient girl tapped her nails on the counter. "I asked what breed. Do you want like a Pomeranian or a Shih Tzu something like that?"

Shaking his head, Harry chuckled. "No I don't want it if it shits a lot."

"Look, we have a wide selection." She pointed to the left. "Take your time and browse."

Harry strolled up and down the aisles of cute button-nosed puppies. There were all different shapes and sizes but not a single one was bonding with Harry. None of them seemed real and authentic, like their relationship.

Feeling defeated, he walked out of the store.

"Get out of here you mutt!"

Harry looked up to see a small yellow fuzzy puffball running away from the dumpsters of a restaurant.

The owner chased after the pup with a broom. "It's the last time you'll rummage through my trash!"

"Wait! Hey little doggie!" Breaking into a full run, Harry chased after the small puppy.

Bounding through the side streets, the puppy slipped down an alleyway.

Harry skidded after the dog, crashing into a table in front of a restaurant. "I'm so sorry!" Harry said, quickly adjusting the patron's table and wiping cappuccino off of his sweater. He jogged down the alleyway until he cornered the animal.

Whimpering, the puppy backed up.

"It's okay little buddy. I'm not going to hurt you." He cautiously let the puppy sniff his hand and was greeted by a gentle lick. He scooped up the puppy and examined his new find.

The puppy was grizzly in the face and missing an eye, but he had a good heart.

"Boy, look at that mane. You look like a Gryffindor. I think I'm going to name you Godric." He hugged the puppy closer to himself. "You ready to go home Godric?"

Godric gave an enthusiastic bark and a tail wag.

Step one complete. On to step two.

Harry sat snuggled up next to Godric on Christmas Eve. The warm glow of the television enveloped them as they watched Draco as Gabrielle make her way across the stage on the screen.

"Thank you. Thank you." Draco took the microphone with glittery red nails. "It's truly an honor to be spending Christmas Eve with you all out there in television land. Thank you for letting me into your homes."

Draco sauntered across the floor and sat behind a piano. "You know Christmas is a time to cherish your love ones. I'm proud to say that I have found the love of my life. We may not be perfect but he is perfect for me. This song is dedicated to my man. I love you baby and I'll be home for Christmas."

Harry relaxed in bliss as he listened to Draco's soulful rendition of one of his favorite Christmas songs. "Godric, I love that man and I need your help to tell him tomorrow."

Godric cocked his head to the side.

"See you're going to be his Christmas present. But this will be around your neck." Harry pulled out a black box and clicked it open. A sparkly diamond ring was perched neatly on a small pillow. "Nothing says commitment like a puppy and an engagement ring."

Putting the ring on the table, Harry paced back and forth. "What if he says no? What am I going to do? Maybe I should practice first!" Harry grabbed the ring and bent down on one knee in front of Godric. Clearing his throat, he put on a straight face. "Draco Malfoy, will you marry me?"

The fluffy yellow dog just stared with his tongue lolling out of his mouth.

A putrid stench invaded Harry's nostrils and he coughed and gagged. "Silent and deadly is right. Merlin's beard Godric, what did you eat?" He fanned the air, trying to remove the smell of dog flatulence. "I guess I need to work on my proposal."

Harry had just finished tying the ring around Godric's neck with a ribbon when he heard the front door open and the familiar click of high heels shoes on the hardwood floor.

"Baby I'm home!" Draco shouted, slamming the door behind him.

"Shh! Now Godric, you wait in this box until I'm ready. Don't worry I poked some holes for you." Harry gently placed the puppy in a red box with a giant bow.

"There's my lover. Oh how I've missed you." Draco ran up to Harry and hugged him tightly.

Harry inhaled deeply. "You don't know how good it feels to have you back in my arms."

Draco bit his lip, letting his hands slide down to Harry's rear. "We've got some Christmas Eve cheer to make up for."

Harry pressed his lips against Draco's, giving him a sweltering kiss. "As much as I want to hang your stockings and trim your tree, there is something important that I want to give to you." Harry pushed the red box towards Draco. "Open it, love."

"I thought we were waiting to give gifts later on at Hermione and Ron's?"

"Well this gift is a little more personal."

Giving Harry a quizzical stare, he opened the box and was startled by the ball of yellow furr that came hurtling towards his face. "It's a rat, Harry! It's attacking me!"

"No, wait." Harry grabbed Godric and calmed him down. "It's a dog for us. His name is Godric"

Draco scrunched his nose. "He's just so…."

"Yellow? Cute? Fluffy?"

"Ugly. That's the word I was looking for."

Harry frowned in disappointment. "I thought you would like him."

"I don't like him…" Draco snatched Godric from Harry's arms. "I love him! How could you not love this wittle face?" Draco snuggled his face against Godric's. "He's so ugly that it makes him cute. He reminds me of us. We've been through a lot and we're still here together."

Harry took a deep breath. " Speaking of being together, there is something important I want to ask you."

"Yes?"

Harry searched for the ring around Godric's neck only to find it missing. "Where the hell did it go?"

"Where did what go?"

"No. No. NO!" Harry shook the box upside down. "You've got to be kidding me!"

"Godric, what is that horrid smell coming from your rear end?" Draco pinched his nose. "It's like a skunk and limburger cheese decided to have a rendezvous in your bum."

Harry narrowed his eyes at the dog. "Godric, don't tell me you…"

Godric barked happily and wagged his tail.

"Don't worry Mr. Potter. It seems to be a simple obstruction but we will look at the x-rays just to make sure."

"Thank you doctor for coming in on Christmas Day. We weren't sure if this was dangerous or not." Draco snuggled Godric close.

"Not a problem. Better safe than sorry." The veterinarian grabbed Godric's charts and left the room.

"Oh our poor little dog. What do you think he ate Harry?"

"I'd say it was something very expensive and important." Harry sighed. "This day is going terribly."

Draco leaned against Harry's shoulder. "This has been one of the best Christmas Days ever. Thank you for making it special, darling. Even sitting in a vet clinic on Christmas day, there is no one I'd rather be with than you." Draco kissed his cheek. "Now what were you going to ask me earlier?"

Harry shifted in his seat. "Well see it's kind of complicated-"

"Here we are." The veterinarian entered the room and put the x-rays on the wall. "As you can see here, the blockage is small enough to pass through with no problems but I would keep close watch on little Godric until it does."

"What is that doctor?" Draco questioned, peering closer at the x-ray.

The veterinarian pushed his glasses up on his nose. "It's something round, almost ring shaped."

"Will you marry me?" Harry blurted out, awkwardly bending down on one knee.

"Sir, I've been happily married for 20 years." The veterinarian flashed his own wedding ring.

"Not you." Harry groaned.

Draco warily took Harry's hand into his own. "This is neither appropriate place nor time."

"I can't wait any longer. Draco, you complete me and I can't live without you. I'm ready to settle down and make a permanent life with you. Godric ate the wedding ring I was going to give you but I don't care. Standing here in your presence makes me realize that I can't stand another moment without having you as my fiancé." Harry took a deep breath. "So, Draco Malfoy, will make me the happiest man on earth?"

"Yes." Tears welled up in Draco's eyes. "Yes! I love you so much Harry."

They shared a tight embrace, both sobbing with happiness.

Clapping his hands together, the veterinarian smiled. "So good to see true love still exist. Congratulations to you both. You should get your ring in a few days. I suggest getting a good cleaner."