Chapter Title: Unfinished Business
All Roads Lead Home, CH 24
Author: digthewriter
Word Count: 495
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: 1. slythindor100: Img of xmas lights buried in snow 2. dracoharry100: untimely break up. 3. newyearcntdown: warmth. 4. adventdrabbles img: man carrying gifts - nsfw.
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: Unbetaed. (AO3 LINK)

When Draco woke up hours later, fatigued and hung over, he made his way to the Floo to call the night shift manager at The Home. He liked to check-in from time to time and given the staffing was low during Christmas hols, he wanted to ensure things were running smoothly.

"It's all fine, but it looks like some of the stringy lights fell in the snow outside the building. The cold wind has been quite strong tonight," the manager, Talon, informed him.

"Do you want me to come by and—"

"No, I can handle it. Just thought I'd give you an update."

"I'll come by, anyway. Just give me a few minutes."

Draco didn't like to add more stress to the workers at The Home and the staff they did have now were all doing him and everyone a favour by picking up shifts. Especially when they could have all been at home with family.

He washed his face, combed his hair, and dressed warmly before he took the Floo to The Home. After a brief hello with Talon, he went outside to brave the cold.

It wasn't complicated but the lights buried in the snow gave everything a depressed feel. Or maybe it was just Draco. After fixing the exterior of the building, and placing a warming charm around it, just in case the wind would pick up and the house would get colder, he headed to do his rounds.

He walked quietly in the halls of The Home and felt comfortable. He liked this. This is where he belong. Where he was in control.

But you did enjoy being out of control too, a voice reminded him.

So he did. But whatever it was, it was too late for it. Potter had made him feel like a fool.

How'd he do that, Draco? By telling you the truth, by admitting he wanted more. By giving you exactly what you'd been waiting for?

His conscious was starting to sound a lot like his mother.

Eventually, he went to his office and locked himself in. Burying himself in paperwork was a lot better than to mope around the house. It didn't take long before Draco sagged into the sofa, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

He dreamt of a shirtless Potter bringing him presents. A huge smile on his face reserved only for Draco, and Draco stirred in his sleep. This is what had been happening from the beginning, wasn't it?

When he woke up, it was half past eleven o'clock.

These dreams had been strange, and they'd been so vivid, Draco felt like they all could have been real. Potter could have been real. And his.

He took in a deep breath and remembered Potter's portkey was scheduled for one o'clock.

Draco took in a deep breath, placed a spell on his clothes to make them presentable and headed to the Ministry. Maybe he had a few things left to say to Potter.