Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters are the property of JK Rowling, her publishers and other organisations. This is written purely for fun and to improve my writing skills, and not for profit.
A/N: I am (obviously) ignoring HBP. Please let me know if I should continue this.
7th Year, Midsummer's Day, 4 a.m.
In the early morning light the lake shimmered as the breeze ruffled the surface, disturbing the reflections of the surrounding mountains. The slim emerald-eyed teen sat on the shore, his broom and a bundled cloak beside him, and looked from the lake to the mountains and back. Finally, for the first time in months he felt peaceful and relaxed, just taking in the natural beauty of the scene and waiting to keep his promise.
When the war's over, we'll meet here on Midsummer Morn and fly to the top of the mountains to celebrate. We'll build a cairn and put some things in it to remember forever.
And now the war was over, and Harry Potter was waiting to keep the promise he and Draco had made.
6th Year, October.
Another nightmare! Harry knew this one was just a dream, not a sending from Voldemort, but it was still horrifying and he knew he would not sleep again. Finding his glasses, he checked the time. Too early to wake the others, and anyway Ron would only want to go over every detail of the dream. Harry did not want to remember it, did not want to keep repeating that he was alright. It felt stuffy in the dorm; he wanted to go outside and try to calm his thoughts. Down by the lake it might be peaceful enough to sort himself out.
Quickly dressing, he checked his map. No teachers around and Filch was in his office. So he could get to the kitchen and beg Dobby for some bread or something, then go out the back doors. Soon he was on his way across the grounds to the lake, enjoying the quiet sounds of the breeze in the trees and the early birdsong. Reaching the lake, he sat down and began to relax, not looking at anything in particular, just staring into the distance. Gradually his muscles untensed and his racing thoughts began to still.
Some time later he realised he was no longer alone. He'd been vaguely aware of footsteps and the sounds of someone sitting down behind him; he'd heard the gentle breathing and the sigh of relief; it wasn't intrusive or threatening and he felt no need to find out who it was.
Eventually a voice said "Makes you feel safe, doesn't it?" and Harry just nodded. Silence descended again. After a while Harry said "As long as there's something like this, the horrors can't win."
"Exactly," said the voice. After another few minutes there was another sigh and Harry heard the other leaving. Softly on the breeze came the words "See you."
Harry sat there a bit longer. It all seemed rather dreamlike, but he knew it was real. He and Draco Malfoy had just had their first civil conversation in over five years.
6th Year, December
The Christmas Feast was coming to an end. The Great Hall was ablaze with colour and full of noise as people discussed their holiday plans. Harry was going to The Burrow with Ron and Ginny, and Hermione would join them for the New Year.
"Coming to the common room, Harry?" Ron and Hermione were getting ready to leave the Great Hall.
"In a bit. I want to get a breath of fresh air first," Harry replied. Actually he wanted a few minutes of quiet before returning to the excitement in the Tower. And it would be beautiful outside – snow, stars and a full moon.
"OK, but don't be too long! And don't get cold," Hermione said after looking at him closely. She realised that he just wanted to be alone for a while.
Harry had brought his cloak down with him, so wasted no time in pulling it on, and casting the warming charm Hermione had worked out. He did not intend to stay out long, just long enough to clear his mind. Since that day in October he had realised that spending short periods alone outside just looking at nature was helping to keep him balanced. It was helping the Occlumency too; somehow he could use the experiences to clear his mind and strengthen his mental barriers.
He walked along the main path, enjoying the clear frosty air and the silence. For a few minutes he stood with his head thrown back looking at the stars. Then he decided he should start back. The moonlight on the snow made it almost as bright as day as he wandered towards the rose garden, where the bushes poked through the otherwise white blanket.
As he walked he heard the crunch of someone else's footsteps on the snow, moving in the same direction. Harry spoke without turning round.
"This is everyone's image of Christmas – snow, moonlight, everything just waiting and hoping."
"Hoping for what?" It was Malfoy again. Harry turned to look at him, and saw the moonlight gleaming on the platinum hair and giving a silver glint to those grey eyes.
"Hoping for whatever. Children hoping for presents, lonely people hoping for a welcome somewhere, families hoping for happiness – everyone hoping for better things to come."
"And what are you hoping for, Potter?" It wasn't the malicious sneer Malfoy used in class; he seemed genuinely to want to know. Harry looked up at the castle, then turned to look across at the lake and the mountains.
"I hope that I can remember this night forever – the sights, the sounds, the peace."
"Is that what you do so often outside alone? Collect memories?"
"Yes. I want to remember nature, beauty, peace, silence. It helps me cope with the rest of it. How do you know I'm outside alone a lot?" Harry turned back to look at Malfoy again.
"I've seen you, watching a sunset, down at the edge of the forest, up in the Quidditch stands." Malfoy's voice was gentle, almost nostalgic. For a few moments their eyes met and there seemed to be an even deeper silence.
"Happy Christmas, Draco." Harry held out his hand to the Slytherin.
"Happy Christmas, Harry," Draco responded, taking Harry's hand in both of his and squeezing gently.
"See you next term," and Harry walked back towards the castle.
TBC? Tell me please.