My first venture into the world of Harry/Hermione shipping, for the one and only echoing noise.
Flurries fly around me, hardly looking at all like snow. They look more like a solidified version of the wind. The rock I am sitting on is so cold, that I am loosing feeling in my rear. I only watch my breath, coming in short gasps of white fog.
I can hear the snow crunch behind me in a familiar way that means some one is coming. I grip my wand a little tighter, but make no move.
"Molly says you'll freeze to death out here."
I turn to see Hermione making her way toward me. Somehow she has fit a knitted hat on top of her bushy hair, but it has only provided the right amount of static to let her hair hold still in the wind. Her cheeks are flushed from the cold.
"She also thinks I'm going to stave to death because I didn't have thirds last night," I say, scooting over so that she can join me on the rock.
She sits down and the wind chill on my left side all but disappears. Her fingers somehow find their way into my own, and coax them out of my pocket. "She cares about you," Hermione whispers into my ear.
I turn my head. Looking into her eyes makes my heart beat faster. I let my wand fall to the ground, freeing my right hand. I cup her small face in it and pull her closer. Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I lean in to do what I have been meaning to for years. I press my lips to hers. She's warm and soft. I forget the snow and the ice and Molly. I just kiss her.
As I pull away I whisper, "If I do die out here, at least I'll die happy."
She smiles and kisses me again.