Second Chance (2025 Christmas Story) - Chapter 5

Title: Second Chance – Chapter Five
Author: sesheta_66 || AO3: sesheta_66
Prompts used: slythindor100’s early bird prompt K: Scented Candle and Festive Decorations (picture under the cut) and dracoharry100’s prompts 10: Roasted Chestnuts and 20: Gingerbread Man
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Word Count: 1.7K (this part)
Rating: R (eventually; this part PG)
Warning: none
Summary: This is the second Christmas for Draco without Astoria and Harry's first since Ginny remarried. Will best friends Scorpius and Albus be just what they need to rekindle something they'd thought fleeting and lost forever?
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: Written for the slythindor100 Early Bird 25 Days of Draco and Harry and the dracoharry100 Christmas Challenge.

On LJ: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

OR on AO3





Second Chance – Chapter 5

Draco entered his lab, determined to put the finishing touches on the candle he'd been "commissioned" – more like coerced – to produce. Not usually his area of focus, but when Pansy had reached out, hoping for him to create a new scent for her shop, he couldn't say no. Well, yes, he could, and he'd tried, but she'd played him.

"Oh, I understand, Draco. The science of scents isn't your area of expertise. I'm sure it's a skill developed over years. I don't blame you for not wanting to deliver a less than stellar product."

He'd felt the blood rise to his cheeks, and by the look on her face, Pansy had seen it too. Damn his pale skin! Honestly, he'd known he was being manipulated, but what could he do? Of course he was capable of researching the art of scent development and creating something outstanding – he was a potions master, for Merlin's sake. One of the best in the country, at that.

"Don't think for a moment that I don't know what you're doing, Parkinson."

"It's Zabini now, thanks. And whatever do you mean?"

"Fine, Zabini, I'll develop you an original scent for your Christmas candles, if only to prevent you from resorting to begging."

"Moi? But I would never lower myself to such a level."

He'd snorted at that. Very undignified, he knew, but honestly. Begging was second only to manipulation in Pansy's arsenal. "Just this once. And tell your husband that he'd best be dazzling me with his investment skills as payment. I have a tidy sum to add to my portfolio this month."

"Of course, darling." She'd pecked him on the cheek. "He'll be delighted. Ta!"

And here he was. Finishing off the last of it. Truth be told, it had been fun, a bit of a challenge coming up with a formula that combined the scent of evergreens with roasting chestnuts, gingerbread, mulled wine, apple cider and citrus. Basically, Christmas in a candle. Not together, of course, but rather timed to release at intervals. Pansy had charged him with developing one scent, but really, where was the fun in that? His candle would have one scent in the shop – the evergreens with a hint of mint in the background. Original enough to satisfy Pansy. But once lit, it would change over time. Today was his final testing with the team.

"Hey, boss." Nigel waved from behind his set of flasks, currently decanting a formula Draco had developed for St. Mungo's. They'd needed a calming draught that could be administered to those who had a sensitivity to the existing ones. He'd tried several iterations, but found that switching out the fluxweed oil with chicory oil produced similar results without the adverse reaction. The Healers had tested it successfully on several patients and had placed an order soon after Draco had secured the patent. That had been his eighth project with the hospital, though they'd initially been hesitant to deal with him.

After the war, at his parents' urging, he'd finished his formal schooling in Bulgaria. Having kept in touch with several students from Durmstrang, they'd suggested that he go there after his court case had concluded, where he could study without concern of bias against him. When he'd initially completed his apprenticeship and received full certification, he'd wanted to return to Britain right away, but had had a difficult time finding work. The years away had served him well in the end, as he'd been able to rise through the ranks at two laboratories and one apothecary. When he eventually made his way back, his reputation – as a potions master, not a war criminal – had preceded him, and had secured him a position working for Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary while he tinkered around after hours in his own home laboratory.

Eventually, through word of mouth regarding the efficacy of his products, he was able to leave the apothecary and work exclusively for himself. Years later, he was now quite successful in his own right, his work highly sought after. So much so that he remained busy all year, employed three full-time lab technicians, two lab assistants, two interns and one apprentice, Nigel. Given his stature, it really was a bit ridiculous that he was developing a scented candle, but such was his friendship with Pansy.

Before Draco could enter his office, Bridgette, his administrative assistant, waved him over. "We've got three more requests for services. The first is from Mungo's – they want to up the quantity of the calming draught. I've taken the liberty of drawing up an amendment to the existing order for your signature. The second is from Mr. Pennywhistle. His wife's condition has worsened and he was wondering if you could create a stronger potion, and something for her stomach. The third is from that French apothecary you turned down last month. They've upped their offer and are hoping to come to an agreement sometime in the new year. Everything is on your desk.

"Thanks." He'd hired Bridgette back when Astoria had started to weaken. Prior to that, she'd done much of the paperwork, but then his business had been much smaller. As the business grew, and her condition worsened, they'd agreed that she needed help. They'd hired Bridgette on the spot – she'd immediately clicked with Astoria and Draco had been very impressed with her CV. They hadn't been wrong. She was now indispensable, and was well worth the significantly above-market salary he paid her. Her skill at keeping everyone working as a cohesive unit alone was worth the pay. Draco had never been, and likely never would be, a people person so he was glad to have that in her. Which reminded him: he needed to pick her up something extra special this year for Christmas. She'd gone over and above ever since Astoria had passed, and deserved a little something extra.

He went into his office, finished his lab notes, other outstanding paperwork, signed off on the amendment, and made a few phone calls. That done, he went back into the lab, bringing Bridgette along.

"Okay, everyone, final test." He handed everyone a candle and a piece of paper. "Each of you go to a separate test booth, light the candle, and cast an acceleration charm to burn the candles at ten times normal speed (instructions on the page, for those unfamiliar). As it burns, fill in the questionnaire. There are a mix of directed and open-ended questions that I'd like you to answer, all on the form. Then when you're done, we'll meet to discuss."

"Anything we should know ahead of time?"

"I don't want to skew anyone's answers, but I will say that there are multiple scents that the candles cycle through four times each. Once you notice the original scent return, you're done."

"Ooh, fancy!" Bridgette said.

Nigel held up his candle, turning it this way and that under the stark lab lighting. "But there's no delineation, no obvious marks where the scent changes."

Draco smiled. "Feel free to write that down – and anything else you notice."

"Why speed up the burn time?" Bridgette asked.

"I've created long-lasting candles, so they will burn for hours and we have other work to do. But I do want you to get the entire effect, so this way you can go through the full cycle in under an hour. I'll light another in the lounge when we're done, so we can evaluate the final impact. Sound good?"

He looked around, but no one else seemed to have any questions. "Right, if that's all, off you go. We can gather in an hour in the meeting room to discuss."

Everyone mumbled their assent and made their way to separate rooms. Draco had already spent so much time burning the candles as he'd developed them that he didn't need to do it again. What he needed now were other opinions.

While they were busy evaluating that project, Draco went back to tend to some of his other potions.

An hour later, they met, and with the only complaint being a slight overlap in scents when they switched over, he agreed to tweak the timing slightly and have the one scent dwindle and the next pick up gradually, which should work. Later, with that done, and with agreement from everyone that the adjustments had resolved the issue, he was ready to present them to Pansy the next day.

As he was getting ready to pack up for the day, Bridgette knocked on his door. "Just received an owl from Hogwarts. Headmistress McGonagall and Professor Slughorn have asked if you could make time to do a couple of guest lectures on the 14th. They were hoping you would address the senior classes to discuss your work and answer any questions they might have about career opportunities in potions."

Draco frowned. He normally got more notice than this when asked to lecture, but he hated to say no, particularly to Hogwarts. Unlike Snape, Draco actually enjoyed teaching. He didn't do it often, but a few times a year at a couple of schools allowed him to do the fun part without the administrative burden of being a resident professor. Best of both worlds.

As though reading his thoughts, Bridgette added, "They did say that if that wasn't possible, perhaps you could arrange a day in January. But before you ask, I've already checked your schedule. You have one conflict – a meeting at Mungo's – that I can shuffle, and Nigel's just about wrapped up all his solo projects for the time. He can manage whatever comes along, if it comes to that. And, honestly, I think you'll both be busier in January anyway."

"What would I do without you?"

"Implode." She grinned. "Shall I reply that you'll be there at nine o'clock on the 14th?"

"Leave it to me," he said. When she shot him a quizzical look – she usually handled such requests – he explained. "I thought I might persuade the headmistress to allow me to remove my son from the grounds for a meal with his father in Hogsmeade."

She handed him the letter with a smile. "Sounds like a great idea. I'm sure Scorpius will love that."

With that, he sent off the letter to McGonagall and Slughorn and went home for the day, looking forward to his upcoming school visit.