As January faded into February, Harry and Bella's Patronus lessons became more intense. Harry had managed to produce an indiscernible mist while Bella had managed to produce something that was beginning to look a lot like a small tiger.
"You're expecting too much of yourself." Professor Lupin said sternly as Harry huffed, angry with himself that his Patronus hadn't taken form. "For a thirteen year-old wizard, even an indistinct Patronus is a huge achievement."
"I thought the Patronus was supposed to - you know - charge away the Dementors or something?" Harry said.
"A full Corporeal Patronus will do that, yes." Lupin replied. "But you have achieved a great deal already. If the Dementors show up at your next match, you'll be able to keep them at bay long enough to get back to the ground."
"And I'll be there to help you." Bella smiled.
Harry smiled half-heartedly back at her then said; "What about if there are lots of them. You said it would be harder if that happened."
"I have every faith in you, Harry. You'll do just fine." Lupin said softly.
Their lesson ended shortly after that and Bella walked along the corridors beside Harry who walked silently, lost in his own thoughts.
"Harry, watch out!" Bella cried as he turned the corner but it was too late and he collided with Professor McGonagall.
"Do watch where you're going, Potter!"
"Sorry Professor." Harry took a step back from the stern woman.
"I've just been looking for you in the Gryffindor common room. Well, here it is, we've done everything we could think of, and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it at all - you've got a very good friend somewhere, Potter -"
Harry stood, slack-jawed and speechless, staring at the Firebolt in McGonagall's hand.
"Aren't you going to take it back?" Bella chuckled.
"I can really have it back?" Harry asked, "Really?"
"Really." Professor McGonagall replied with a smile. "I daresay Gryffindor might just win this year."
She patted Harry lightly on the shoulder, smiled at Bella and carried on down the corridor. Bella snickered as Harry stood still, staring down at the broom in his hands.
"Is that you happy now?" she asked.
"Very." Harry replied, beaming smile creeping up his cheeks.
"You head on up to the common room, I'll catch you up." Bella said, pushing his shoulder slightly to get him to move his feet that were rooted to the floor.
"Yeah, okay, see you later." He said distractedly, walking uo the corridor with his eyes still clamped on his broomstick.
Bella chuckled as she watched him go and once he was out of sight she turned in the opposite direction. After a few minutes, she emerged onto the Astronomy Tower. She sat down on the edge of the platform and let her legs dangle over the side, resting her arms across the railing. The silence allowed her time to let her mind relax and she enjoyed the evening breeze as it blew through her hair. When she was up here, she didn't need to worry about anything else happening in the castle, all that mattered was Bella.
Being alone in the Astronomy Tower allowed her the freedom to think about things, the peace to just breathe, without having to look at Lavender Brown and imagine all the ways she wanted to punch the girl, or listen to Ron complaining about something different.
She heard footsteps coming up the stairs behind her and she turned slowly, breathing a sigh of relief when Draco's platinum blond hair shone in the setting sunlight.
"Oh." he said when he spotted her.
"Weren't expecting me here, were you?" Bella asked.
"No." he replied, sitting down beside her at the edge of the platform. "No ones normally here when I am."
"Funny, no ones ever here when I am either." Bella replied.
"Is everything okay?" he asked.
"Yeah I just needed a minute to myself." she replied. "Everything okay with you?"
"Yeah." Draco replied, staring out at the sky.
"Harry got his broom back." Bella said, leaning her head on her arms as she stared at the trees below.
"Really?" Draco asked, turning to look at her.
"Yeah." Bella replied. "Maybe about ten minutes ago."
"Shame it wasn't riddled with jinxes, would have loved to see Potter fly off his broom." he smirked.
"You're just jealous because you know we're going to win." Bella smirked back.
"You wish." Draco scoffed.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Draco." Bella chuckled.
A comfortable silence fell between them as they both looked out into the night, their minds on other things.
"How are you doing?" Draco asked after a while. "and don't say you're okay if you're not."
"What do you mean?" Bella said.
"Well, I don't think you've spoken about what happened since it happened and it's not good to bottle things up." Draco replied.
"And that's coming from you?" Bella replied.
Draco sighed; "We're not talking about me, are we? We're talking about you."
"I'm fine, honestly." Bella said softly.
"I don't believe you." he said.
This time Bella sighed; "What do you want me to say?"
"How you really feel." he said.
"Was it horrible what Seamus done? Yes. Does it break my heart everytime I see them together? Yes. But I don't feel anything towards him anymore, someone already made sure he got his karma for that." Bella said.
"He did deserve that." Draco said.
"I know." Bella replied.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Draco asked.
"I am. I promise." She replied.
The sun had disappeared behind the horizon, leaving the Astronomy Tower lit up by the bright, white moonlight.
"I should go, it's nearly curfew." Bella said, pushing herself up from the platform.
"I think I'm going to stay a while longer." Draco said, staying seated.
"Good night, Draco." Bella said softly.
"Good night, Bella. Get back safely." Draco replied.
"You too." Bella smiled.
Just before she turned the corner on the staircase she turned back and said; "Oh, and Draco -" he turned to look at her. "Thank you for my Christmas gift."
His cheeks instantly tinged pink, even more prominent on his pale face and Bella held in a chuckle as she rounded the corner, smiling softly to herself.
