We were at a ball in celebration of the great Lord Voldemort being defeated. She was there. She had helped us in our greatest time of need.
Why? I don't know. I walked up to her, a little scared about what her reaction to seeing me would be. We weren't exactly bosom buddies.
She looked down at me as I stopped right in front of her.
"Thank you so much." I said. I was already almost crying, God why can't I control my emotions?
She nodded her head in acknowledgement. What she had done was so selfless, so amazing that as I thought about it I lost control for a second. I hugged her. She didn't hug me back, I never expected her to.
She was warm, even through the thick fabric of the dress she was wearing. I never thought she would be so warm, she had always been angry and cold. I let go of her and took a step back. She looked shocked. I saw no trace of disgust that I usually saw when she looked at me.
I looked at her for a long time before I did something stupid again. I reached up with one gloved hand and lightly caressed her cheek. Her eyes widened a little as she followed my hand with her eyes. Then I said something that shocked even myself.
"You're so beautiful." I said softly.