 Chapter 16
Harry fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Finally...bedrest. That was exactly what he needed. Hermione stroked his hair as he slept. She had missed him alot. But there was someone else that she missed as well. And that was Draco.
Sure, he was pushy, demanding, and strict. But he loved her. She knew that much. And now it looked like she didn't love him. Hermione frowned. Of course she loved him. He knew that...didn't he?
Outside, snow was falling gently. She looked at the calender. It was only a few days until Christmas! She had to get Draco a christmas present! Her mind raced, trying to think of something that would make up for what she put him through. Something came to mind and she raced out of Harry's apartment, leaving a quick note on the table.
She had things to do.
*****
Draco, however, had all the time in the world, now that Hermione was out of his life. Or so he thought. But she was constantly in his thoughts, tagging along at the back of his mind. Hermione-isms came up while he was shopping, and he found himself decorating the house for Christmas the way she would have. He bought her little things that he thought she might enjoy, piling them under the Christmas tree.
Not that he thought she'd return. She had the famous Harry Potter by her side. But that didn't mean anything to him. It was like a dream. Sometimes, he even found himself holding conversations with her, or asking a question, and listening for her answer.
Work failed to catch his interest, and his new partner, Adam East, noticed something was off.
"Hey Draco."
"Yes Hermione?" He asked dreamily.
"Uh...Adam?"
"What? Oh....oh yea, sorry Adam. Must have drifted off." Draco sat up in his office chair. They had just gone through the files before the Christmas break. They were all neat and orderly, prepared for the new year.
"You always drift off nowadays. What's the problem?" Adam inquired, and sat in the guest chair.
"I....I think I'm losing my mind. Because of Hermione." Draco admitted.
"Did she leave you?"
"Yea...for Harry Potter."
"That guys in the Auror department?" Draco nodded. "He doesn't look all that special. What does he have that you haven't?"
"Hermione." Draco said, and went towards the door. "Happy Christmas and New Year Adam."
"Bye Draco, same to you." He gave Draco a thoughtful look, then shook his head. He locked the door behind him and went home.
*****
Christmas Eve was white and cold, the air a little nippy, but it didn't matter if you had a fireplace. And someone to hold. Draco had one, but not the other. He went to bed early, fighting back tears.
He heard some noises coming downstairs, but if they were burglers, he didn't care. Let them have his things. It was only him now. Him...in this house built for two, now for one. He rolled over and fell asleep.
*****
Harry woke up and looked around. Hermione was gone. He got up and looked at the table. There was a note. He read it and smiled.
Katie
__________________  And someday, when the night is over and the dawn arrives, we'll reach up to the sky withour eyes turned toward our Lord, and all will become good and whole |