Betrayal

"The train back to Hogwarts leaves at noon," I thought as my eyes fluttered open and adjusted to the severe lack of light, "which means…" I began to turn my head so as to scan the room for a muggle alarm clock.

"Holy Merlin! How much did I drink last night?" I wondered aloud vaguely as I fought through the pounding in my head as well as the desire to cuddle up against the heap of pillows next to me so I could drift back to dreamland.

I closed my eyes and laid my head against the pillows next to me and I began to mentally plan the placement of my clothes and such for packing my suitcases.

I laughed to myself. Not even awake for five minutes and already my mind was racing. I breathed deeply to force my thoughts to slow.

"What is that intoxicating aroma?" I wondered. Never before had I stayed in such a delightful muggle hotel room.

"Hotel room," I repeated in a whisper, wondering why that seemed wrong. "Hotel room!"

My eyes flew open and I fought again through the pounding in my head as I rapidly looked around.

This was not the delightful little muggle hotel room I had checked into.

As my eyes scanned the room, I saw several photographs of myself as well as quidditch robes and supplies tossed in piles in a corner. I shook my head in disbelief.

"It can't be!" I exclaimed in a whisper as I closed my eyes and collapsed into the heap of pillows at my side.

I heard a groan and suddenly the pillows were moving beneath my head. I snapped my eyes closed in my attempt to make the situation disappear.

This was not how I had envisioned my reunion with Xiomara. Waking up in her bed? That is not giving the illusion that I was over her.

"No," I told my self mentally, "it was meaningless sex. As long as you don't admit that you still love her, you can use that rouse to get through the school year and the upcoming morning-after rush.

I felt someone crawl out from beneath my head and lean over me.

"Well, Minnie, I guess distance really does make the heart grow fonder!" I heard Xiomara say before she leaned in and lovingly planted a kiss on my nose. "So, love, what do you want for breakfast? I don't cook, of course, that hasn't changed. But, I can order in or conjure up some food."

The whole situation seemed distantly right. I found myself pulling Xiomara back into a loving embrace and kissing her fiercely. I realized for the millionth time just how much I had missed her, how much I had regretted letting her walk out of my life all those years ago.

I hopped out of bed, pulling her with me. "Why don't you run down to the market while I make the bed? I'll make breakfast. You never were good with even conjuring food," I teased her.

Xiomara nodded before flashing a wicked grin. "Well," she began, "that could work. Or, we could work up an appetite first."

I smiled in spite of myself and swat at her bum playfully. "After. Go down to the market and we'll have an old-fashioned muggle breakfast. We have all day to get… reacquainted."

Xiomara nodded again as she quickly pulled on a robe. "If you plan on leaving the flat today, as if I'd let you get away from me again, you may want to put on some clothes." I looked down and suddenly felt very cold. "It's okay by me, though, if you want to stay like that. All the more reason for me to hurry back!"

I smiled as Xiomara rushed from the room. Knowing Xiomara well, I quickly found her closet and pulled on of her robes before walking to the kitchen to begin tea. As the water began to boil, I made the bed and tidied Xiomara's flat. Then, I sank into a large armchair with two mugs of tea and waited for Xiomara's return.

Sitting in Xiomara's cushy chair, I finally felt at peace. A feeling reinforced when Xiomara returned and kissed me lovingly before placing the bags on the table so she could return and sit with me.

All that morning we sat on the armchair together by the fire that I had conjured and we just held hands and cuddled.

It was three hours later, noon, before we even remembered breakfast and Hogwarts.