Title: Frosty Memories
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Hermione
"The cold was biting deeper and deeper into Harry's flesh… Harry was sure of it."
The darkness had blanketed the neighborhood as night had arrived. Harry was just opening the front door and getting home for the day. He kicked his shoes off on the mat adjacent the door before proceeding to the answering machine for missed calls from the day.
A giant, red number 3 flashed across the screen. The first was a solicitor inquiring how he felt about his current cable provider, not that Harry showed even a hint of concern over his television subscription. The second was from McGonagall.
"Potter, I know how you must be feeling this time of year, but always know that I'm here for you. And if needed, there's always a room for you here at Hogwarts if you need some time away. Please get back to me soon as you can. And Happy Holidays… Harry."
He made a mental note to return her call in the morning. One more new message to endure before he would retire for the night.
"Hiya Harry! It's Ron…"
"And Luna!" A voice squeaked in the background.
"Yeah, Ron and Luna here. Anyway, we just called to remind you of our Christmas dinner tomorrow night. It would be fantastic if you could join us. Shaun really would love to see you again as well, it's been a while after all. No one needs to be alone, Harry; especially now, mate. Give us a ring back."
The message ended and the machine clicked off. A tear rolled down his cheek and hit the counter top. He glanced up at the Christmas tree standing in the living room, thanks to Ron and Luna for setting it up a few weeks back. If it were up to Harry, the tree would still be up in the attic alongside all the other holiday decorations gathering dust.
He extinguished the fire and shut off the lights before plodding up the stairs to his bed.
Placing his glasses on his nightstand, he layed there staring at the ceiling, sleep eluding him more so tonight than normal. He closed his eyes and couldn't get Rookwood's face out of his mind. That bastard. He was never captured after the fall of Voldemort and he resurfaced a year ago today. And took aim for the one thing that Harry cared immensely for.
He rolled onto his side to gaze at the empty half of the bed, once home to him and his bushy-haired wife. He placed a hand nostalgically on the comforter. "I miss you so much. I don't know how much longer I'm going to make it without you…"
He realized how cold it was in the room with the fire all the way downstairs and the heat knob downstairs. He huddled for warmth under the thick blanket, trying to keep his body heat enclosed. The cold was biting deeper and deeper into Harry's flesh… Harry was sure of it; it made him flash back to the days when dementors were gliding around Hogwarts.
"At this point, I'd welcome a dementor's kiss." He whispered to himself.
He shuddered at how his words would sound to anyone else. But they haven't had to deal with the loss of a soul mate like he did. They wouldn't understand. No one else would besides her. The layer of frost had now completely covered his bedroom window.