Decision

The next morning, no classes were scheduled. Normally, Allison would have been thrilled at the idea of a free day, but instead she woke up feeling sick and fatigued. She decided she would try to stay in bed as long as possible. To her dismay, Hermione woke up early and started making noise in the small room. Allison pulled the covers over her head and groaned.

"I'm going shopping in Hogsmeade today with Ginny. Do you care to join us?" Hermione asked. Allison shook her head and dived back under her sheets. Hermione looked concerned, but she left the room without a word. She returned shortly after, which disappointed Allison. "I hate to disturb you again, Allie. Seamus is sitting downstairs in the common room. He wants to know if you want to go with him to the Three Broomsticks today."

"Tell him I'm sorry, but I can't. I'm sick," she replied. Hermione glanced at her knowingly, but said no more.

Allison napped all morning, slipping in and out of consciousness. She dreamed many times that she was sitting at the edge of the forest with Draco, just about to confess her feelings, when Seamus walked up crying and stuttering about how much he loved her. It made her sleep fitful, and she thrashed often. She was in between the state of being asleep and awake when she suddenly felt weight on her bed. She snapped up, sweating and feeling feverish. Through blurry eyes, she saw Seamus sitting on her bed. She couldn't tell if she was still in the dream or in reality.

"Hey Allie," Seamus whispered, smiling at her. Allison blinked several times, and Seamus became clearer in her vision. She decided she was awake. "I brought you some soup."

It took all of Allison's strength not to scream at him and make him leave. She didn't want to see him right now, yet here he was, bringing her soup. His kindness only pained her, and she felt sick to her stomach. "I'm sorry. I'm not that hungry," she mumbled. She wished she could bury herself under her blankets and never get up.

Seamus took her hand in his. He stroked her forehead. "Wow, you've got a nasty fever," he commented. "Are ya sure you're not up for some soup?"

"I'm sure. Thank you, though." Allison felt bad that she had been so rude to him, but at the same time, she wanted him to leave. "I'm really tired. I think I'm just going to get some sleep." She forced a smile and lay back down. He didn't let go of her hand.

"Okay, then. Sweet dreams," Seamus whispered. He kissed her warm forehead gently and sat there, stroking her hand. Allison soon drifted in to a deep sleep.

When she woke again, Seamus was gone. She looked at her clock and saw that it was almost dusk. She still felt weak, but her fever had subsided. She climbed out of bed and got dressed. Her mind was numb. She felt by now, she should know who she wanted to be with; however, when she tried to think of who it was, her thoughts refused to work.

She hurried down to the edge of the forest where she had agreed to meet Draco. She wrapped her gray sweater tighter as a cold wind twisted through the trees. She was shivering, but she couldn't tell if it was from the weather or the return of her fever. The sun was setting, and dusk settled around her. She was glad, for it made their meeting harder to see. Just as she was wondering where Draco was, she heard the snapping of twigs in the forest.

"I was wondering when you were going to get here," Allison scolded. She turned around and instead saw a unicorn making its way through the trees. It raised its head and looked at her curiously, but went back to sniffing the earth unconcerned. Allison thought it unusual to see a unicorn so close to the castle. She had never seen one up close before. Suddenly, the unicorn's head snapped up and it leaped away deep in to the forest. Allison wondered what had disturbed it. She turned around and saw Draco, standing close.

"Looking for me?" he asked, smiling. "I assume you'd like to talk, since you're here."

Allison looked at the ground and sighed. "Listen, Draco, you know I'm with Seamus. That means I'd have to end things with him if I was going to be with you." She stared at him solemnly. He stopped smiling, and his expression turned serious. "He told me yesterday that he loved me."

Draco's face twisted with disgust, but he held his tongue. He allowed Allison to continue.

"With you, I feel excitement and passion. When I'm with Seamus, I feel warmth and comfort. I like feeling like I do when I'm with you, but how will I know that you'll be there for me?" She paused and gazed deeply at him. "I know Seamus will always be there for me. He's reliable. With you, I would be taking a huge risk, and I honestly don't know if it would be worth it."

Draco's disappointment could not be concealed. He stared at the ground, and his eyes glistened with angry tears. His shoulders heaved as he took shaky breaths, and for a moment, Allison thought he might hit her. He turned towards her and saw the fear in her face. He smiled sadly and said, "Please, don't be afraid. I would never hurt you. I'm upset right now, but no matter how many times you reject me, I will never hurt you." He turned to leave and started slowly back for the castle.

Allison watched him go. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized how badly her decision would hurt those involved. She took a deep breath and shook away the tears. She decided she had to make decisions for herself. If she ever wanted to be happy, she knew she couldn't please everyone. Eventually, someone would get hurt.

Draco had not gotten far. He was walking so slowly that he was still on the edge of the forest. She smiled as she yelled, "Draco!" He turned around, and she could see he had been crying. He quickly wiped away a few tears and acted as if he was fine. She laughed playfully and ran towards him. He caught her as she jumped in to his arms and wrapped herself around him. He was clearly unaware of what was happening, but she kissed him anyway. Allison felt the happiest she had in a long time. She felt no doubt that she had made the right decision.

When they parted, Allison smiled and said, "I never rejected you."

Draco smiled and kissed her again, still holding her in his arms. "I will always be there for you," he whispered in her ear. He spun her around and laid her down in the grass. He let himself down next to her and wrapped his arms around her. It was dark out, and they could see the stars lighting up the sky. They gazed up at the vast stretch of black above them, and Allison placed her head on his chest. Draco stroked her hair, and they lay there together, looking up at the stars.

They both remained there for hours, just enjoying each other and watching the sky. Allison no longer felt sick as she had earlier in the day. She no longer even felt the cold, since she was nestled next to Draco. Everything else at the moment seemed irrelevant and unimportant. Feeling the warmth of Draco next to her, she feared nothing.

As it neared midnight, they both knew they could no longer risk being away from the castle without being caught together. They slowly stood up and walked back, Draco's arm around Allison and her head buried in his shoulder. As they approached the school, Allison stopped abruptly and pulled Draco back.

"Listen, I have to be the one to tell Seamus. Don't say anything until I can tell him, okay?" She looked up at him with shimmering emerald eyes. In the dark, he couldn't tell if she was on the verge of crying or laughing.

"Okay, I promise," Draco swore. He kissed her, and they parted to walk their separate ways.

Walking back to her room, Allison felt as if she was walking on air. She couldn't help but smile in the dark, glad that no one could see. She wanted to dance and scream at the same time, but she knew better than to try it. She dashed through the Gryffindor common room, happy that no one was occupying it, and up the stairs. As she entered her room, she leaped on to her bed and buried herself in the blankets. She almost fell over when she realized Hermione was still awake and watching at her.

"So, it looks like you're feeling better," Hermione said quietly.

Allison didn't know what to say. She had been hoping to avoid conversation. "Yeah, my fever is completely gone. I feel great."

"You and I both know that your fever has nothing to do with this," Hermione stated, staring sternly at her.

Allison glanced around the room, trying to avoid her stare. "I don't understand what you mean," she said weakly.

"Don't play dumb with me! You told Draco that you wanted to be with him, didn't you?" Anger flashed in Hermione's eyes, and it startled Allison.

"Yes, I did. I'm sorry, but I'm really happy with him. Please don't tell anyone yet. I have to be the one to tell Seamus. And besides, nobody else knows." Allison was pleading, and she knew it. She didn't feel bad about being with Draco, but she didn't want Seamus to find out the hard way.

Hermione's anger settled and turned to fatigue. "I won't tell anyone," she responded. "But make sure you tell Seamus yourself. He'll be crushed, but if it comes from you, then at least you're taking responsibility. Allie, be careful. Remember what I told you." She sighed and turned over in her bed so that her back faced Allison.

Allison crawled under the sheets and instantly fell asleep. Hermione's words crept through her head, but they didn't bother her much. That night, she slept better than she had in weeks.