She stood outside the window of the shop, her hand pressed against the glass, eyes blurred with tears. Snow was falling beyond her, blanketing the sidewalks and parked cars.
Christmas shoppers made their way from store to store, carrying bags filled with wrapped gifts. The sounds of carolers singing "Joy to the World" and "Jingle Bells" wafted
through the air. But the happiness of Christmas failed to take its hold on her. She continued to stare, transfixed at the site before her.
In the very center of the shop, next to the oversized Christmas Tree, was a smiling couple. They were dancing, his hands around her waist, her fingers laced against the back of
his neck. She could not tell what either was saying, but saw the love in their eyes. The woman was laughing as her partner twirled and dipped her, bringing her back up for a
tender kiss.
That should have been her. She was supposed to be the one in his arms dancing in the light of a Christmas tree. This was meant to be their shop, where they would sell Quidditch
supplies instead of books. She glanced for a brief moment at the sign above the door; "Hermione's Library" was carved in delicate cursive. The name suited the book shop
perfectly, but she would never admit it, at least out loud. Looking back through the window, she noticed the dancing had stopped, for the man had presented a small black box to
his partner. She saw the sparkle of a diamond and her heart seemed to stop beating all together. It took all she had to continue observing the scene before her. The woman
stared, shock written all over her face as her partner looked on with anticipation. A smile spread itself across the woman's face as she hugged him whispering what was
unmistakably "yes". She watched as happy tears escaped the couples eyes cascading down their cheeks.
It was at that moment she knew that her chances were all but diminished. Her heart was shattering, like a mirror thrown against a wall. Sight now blurred, she still continued to
stare through the cold glass of the shop window, she wanted this nightmare to end, but the sounds of her alarm clock never came. The couple was still dancing and her heart was
no longer whole. Slowly she removed her hand from the window, bringing it to her side. She closed her eyes quickly, much like ripping off a band-aid. Then she turned away
from the window and walked away, the lights of the Christmas tree fading in the background.