A/N:  Took me long enough… Eh?  Enjoy! I was listening to This I Promise You by N*Sync when I wrote this.  I suggest you listen to it while you read.  It may help you to understand all my sweet sappiness… ;-)

Chapter Nine

We Talk And Then I Have To Leave

It was in the early days of December when we started to talk.  It took both of us a while to even be alone, well more him than me because I stopped taking Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle's shit a long time before.  He kept making the first move and that did not change this time either.  If it had been up to me I would have just left it.  But he felt the need to seek me out and see what was going on.

*        *         *

It was just after dinner in the great hall and I was walking in the new fallen snow.  The view was breath taking.  The castle was crowned with sparkling white glitter and the ground was covered in powdered diamonds.  The moon shone in the deep dark of night like there was no tomorrow and it smiled down upon me.  The wind was a cold, but gentle breeze and it made my cheeks turn a light pink. 

For the first time in months, I actually felt happy.  I could remember my mother and smile.  The winter was always a lovely time.

I remember when I was only about five years old, it was the middle of the night and the very first snow of the season was beginning to fall, my mother woke me up and dragged me out of bed.  She put a snowsuit on me and we met father at the door of the manor.  We were up until about three in the morning just sledding and making snow angels and throwing snowballs.  We went inside mom put me to bed.  When I woke up the next morning we had hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies for breakfast.  I miss those days, but it does no one good to dwell on what once was, does it? 

I was just walking around the lake, with its thin layer of frozen crystal.  The moon reflected off it just barely and it cast an ethereal glow over the water making it look silver.  I sat down on one of the stone benches that never seem to get snow on them or get wet.  I took a deep breath and the smell was amazing and intoxicating.   There really are no words to describe it.   I sighed in contentment as I gazed out over the wonder.  I sat there undisturbed for quite some time.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" I heard Harry's gentle voice ask.

"It is," I replied almost dreamily.  This was probably the first time I was actually relaxed around him and dropped my façade of bitchy Malfoy-ness. 

"You know you shouldn't be out here lest you wish to catch a cold," he said quietly.

"I'll survive," I said lightly.

"I know.  Malfoys always survive," he said thoughtfully and I had no idea what he meant.

"O.k. then," I said slightly confused.  So far, we hadn't looked at each other.  I just kept my gaze out across the lake.  There was a little tension in the air and I am sure it was coming from Harry.  I really had nothing on my mind, except that I was actually happy.

"Draco, I have to… to…" Harry began and stammered.  I finally looked at him.  That was the first time I actually saw him looking vulnerable and… scared.

"Draco, I don't know how to say this…" He trailed off.

"Then say it and we'll figure it out from there," I said trying to give him some confidence.  We sat in silence again.  He took a few deep breaths to collect his thoughts and then looked me in the eye. 

"Draco, I'm not saying I love you.  I'm not saying that we could be together forever, but I like you and I think I've made the clear on quite a few occasions," he said hurriedly as if afraid that if he stops he will not be able to finish.  "I don't know how you feel or if you even want a relationship.  I just thought I'd ask if you wanted to just trying something, but if you don't I completely under-."

"I would like that," I said softly, but still clearly. 

"Really?" He asked as if he dared not believe his ears.

"Yeah," I laughed. "Really." 

His face lit up with an amazing smile and he threw his arms around me.  He held me close and the both of us stared out across the vast expanse of the lake in contented silence, as if that was the way it was meant to be.  Forever and always.

"Well, I can't feel my ass," Harry said matter-of-factly.  "I'm gonna go inside.  Don't stay out too late."

"I won't," I smiled and he left.

*        *         *

It is amazing how everything can just come together.  Everything can finally be a little better than it was.  How you can go from utterly alone, to having that just one person to make it all better.  I still missed my mother terribly, but Harry made it just the little more bearable when I was away from my father as well.  We did not rush into a heavily, serious relationship.  Instead, we took it a step at a time and it was the perfect pace for both of us.  I was so glad we, more like he spoke while I listened, had that talk.  It is just, oh, how can one explain?  Amazing, perfect, wonderful, lovely, and utterly astonishing. 

*        *         *

Christmas holidays were upon us and I did not want to leave Harry but I wanted to see my father like you would not believe.   I missed him so much; I was counting the days till the train left.  But my return would be bittersweet because it would only be father.   Do not get me wrong I love my dad.  It's just that there will always be that hole in my heart that was ripped out as my mum died in my arms…

*        *         *

"Draco!  You've still got four hours until the train leaves!" Harry said as I paced around the abandoned classroom.   We had found the place and used as a sort of sanctuary to be alone together, (get your mind out of the gutter we had not done that!). 

"I know, but I cannot wait to see him again!" I said as I hopped up onto the windowsill.  I stared out across the vast property as the snow began to fall yet again.

"You're gonna have to.  Come here," Harry said quietly and I leapt off the sill.  I walked slowly toward him.

"Why?" I asked slyly stopping about five feet in front of him.  He closed the space between us.

"So I can do this," he pulled me close and kissed me.  I pretended I was annoyed and tried to get away.  He smiled and whispered; "I won't see you for three weeks.  At least give me something to remember you by."

I laughed at him. 

"I'll write to you.  It'll have to do," I said trying to be serious.  His arms were around my waist and I was looking into his startling green eyes. 

"I love you, you know?" He said quietly.  I was taken aback. Of all the things I expected him to say that was not one of them.  After all, it had not even been a month.  The sincerity that rang in his voice made me almost want to weep.

"I know," I said quietly and ashamed.  I could not say it back and I do not know why.  But he said nothing and smiled sweetly.  We kissed again and went back to our wonderful silence.  It's weird.  We had this complete understanding of each other.  So we had no need for words.  It was just there in raw emotion.  

"Come on," Harry said leading me out of the classroom.  He threw the invisibility cloak around as and we walked, hand in hand, out to the train station. 

I had already taken my luggage down earlier that morning, so we just took our own time to walk in the snow, talk and laugh.  Around him was really the first time I felt light hearted, felt like I wanted to smile just to see him smile. 

The scarlet of the Hogwarts Express was vivid on the white snow and it was inviting because it looked nice and warm.  It was cold outside, give me a break.  The conductor called everyone aboard and Harry turned to me, sadness written across his features.

"I guess this is good bye," he said quietly.  I smiled.

"Il n'y a aucune une telle chose comme au revoir aussi longtemps qu'il y a amour," I said quietly and he looked at me confused.  "There is no such thing as good bye as long as there is love."

"Don't forget to write," he said pointedly. 

"I won't," I said.

"And what do you want for Christmas?" He asked as if he just remembered, which I am sure he did.

"Surprise me," I answered.  He gave me a thanks-that-was-a-lot-of-help look.  "What do you want?"

"Surprise me," he answered smugly.

"An eye for an eye," I laughed.  The train revved and I had to leave.  I was about to walk off when he grabbed my arm and pulled me into a kiss filled with need.  "G'bye." Was my muffled farewell.

I hopped on the train and waved as it carried me away from the love of my life.  It was going to be a long three weeks without him, but dad was there. 

*        *         *

"We will be arriving at King's Cross station in a few minutes," the voice of the conductor floated through the compartment.  I pulled on my jacket.  I was not going to change into muggle clothes for the sake of well… muggles.  I walked down the corridor as we slowed to a stop.  I walked down the steps and out onto the platform.

"Draco!" Dad called.  He had aged so much within the past few months. 

"Dad!"

Disclaimer:  It's all Rowling's !!!!  Kinda sucks though….

A/N:  So how was that?  I tried my best to get this up as soon as possible but my computer was being a jackass.  I hoped you liked it!  Please review!!  That little bit Draco says is French.  Please don't laugh at me if it doesn't make sense all you people who can speak French, I'm Mohawk so I tried at least, eh?  Well, I hoped you liked it.  Thanks so much for reading and those of you who've reviewed and those of you who will!!  I love you for it.  Luv Gia