Rain

By: Who Else? Me

Chapter Fourteen:

Snowed In

Dorothy recovered and was back in class the next day. She still looked sick, though. When Professor Sprout forced her back to the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfry could find nothing wrong with her except for her very white skin and empty eyes. Nothing too serious. She was sent back to class with a note explaining she was in perfect health as far as Madam Pomfry was concerned.

Dorothy worked for the rest of the period, silently, as Draco and she tended to their Empherus Plant. Dorothy trimmed the leaves and adjusted the snow white blossom while Draco laid down the ice cubes and put fresh soil around the roots. When the plant was well fed and groomed they joined their respective friends and complimented or criticized (in Draco's case) their plants.

Herbology lessons passed in this same fashion. Dorothy and Draco treated each other as nothing by acquaintances while their project grew into a large beautiful rose-like flower. Christmas was approaching quickly and Dorothy was sad that she had to stay at school where, so many times before, she'd gone home to her father.

One Saturday evening, Dorothy watched Harry and Ron play a game of very controversial Wizard's chess. Just as Ron killed one of Harry's few pawns, Hermione raced over holding what looked to be a flyer in her left hand.

"Hogsmeade weekend," she squealed. "It's this weekend. I can't wait to look for a new book to read."

"I could really go for some butterbeer," said Ron. "And we could stop at Zonko's."

"And Honeyduke's," added Harry. Dorothy watched them, puzzled.

"Zonko's? Honeyduke's?" she questioned, standing up.

"Oh! That's right," said Hermione. "Did you get a permission form to go to Hogsmeade?"

"Yes," the dark-haired girl replied. "I think I gave it to Professor McGonagall earlier this year."

"Great! You'll have loads of fun," Hermione said, with agreeing nods from Harry and Ron.

"It sounds like fun! You'll have to show me around everywhere!"

The days slowly passed and anticipation began to well-up all over school as Holiday's and the first Hogsmeade weekend drew nearer. She listened to stories about all the shops and attractions from Seamus, Dean, and Lee who were particularly excited about going. She listened to Ginny and Lavender talk about all the candy and drinks, while Hermione expressed her enthusiasm about how fascinating it was to hide a village like that. ("It's actually quite simple. I read it in Hogwarts: A History.") All the time, Dorothy's excitement growing. She could do some Christmas shopping while she was there, buy some presents for Ron, Harry, Hermione...and maybe even Draco.

When the time came for them to depart, Dorothy watched as Filch checked their names off. She felt very happy that she was going because if she wasn't she'd have felt incredibly left out with all the excited chatter going on. When everyone started out into the snow, her mind raced with all of the places and what she imagined they looked like. Her feet crunched the fresh snow as she walked and her excitement grew.

When they arrived at Hogsmeade she stopped, her eyes taking in all of its glory. She smiled and followed Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they pointed out and visited each of the shops. She bought a 'Bad Joke' Detector in Zonko's and plenty of sweets in Honeyduke's. She was following them toward the Three Broomsticks to get some butterbeer when suddenly, the light snow that was falling became a raging blizzard. (What are the chances of that?) In the mix up she tried to find a place of shelter. She felt in front of her and eventually her mittened hands landed on a wall. She followed that wall until she grasped the handle of a door. She forced it open and pushed herself in. She took in an exasperated breath and wiped some snow from her hair.

"Well, of all the places to meet," came a voice behind her. She looked up and saw the familiar white-blonde hair, silvery eyes, and triumphant smirk.

"H-hello, Draco," Dorothy replied, trying desperately to keep her cool. "What a surprise running into you here?"

"Hiding from the storm, too?" he asked, leaning up against a wall. Dorothy paused and looked around the little café they were standing in. It looked like a place that couples would go. It was very cozy. There were small tables and chairs and behind the counter a slightly pudgy woman smiled sweetly at them

"Er...yes," Dorothy said, twisting her hands nervously. She saw that there was a little window by the door and looked out. Nothing but white. The café was empty. She was stuck in such a small place as this with Draco Malfoy. She gulped and turned away from him, trying her best not to look to anxious.

Suddenly, she jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She felt Draco's head next to hers as he whispered in her ear, "We're all alone. No need to be so tense."

"Draco, I thought we agreed we'd—"but the Slytherin rested a finger on her lips to silence her. She gulped and her muscles were so tight she thought they'd snap.

"It's just you and me. The woman just retreated back behind the store." Draco wrapped his arms possessively around her and pulled her with him as he leaned back against the wall again. "Now, I've realized how I feel. I lo—I love—"He couldn't quite bring himself to say the words out loud, so he whispered in her ear, "I...love...you..."

"D-Draco..." Dorothy had blushed and gulped once more, looking at his arms as he gripped her tightly to him. "Don't."

"Don't what?" he asked, his pale fingers playing with her hair. She sighed and tried to pulled away from him but he was much to strong for her.

"Don't do THIS," she replied.

"But I want to," he whispered. "I'll do whatever I like to you as long as we're stuck here together."

A/N: AHHH! Don't hate me! Yes! I made more romance! And prolly more Mary-Sue-ness! Don't hate me! ::ducks behind a tree:: BTW, sorry it took so long. I had PSATs. I hate that! Please forgive me.

Ciao

WEM