In a lonely tower, a young man nestled in next to an owl snowy white, watching the lands surrounding Hogwarts as the clouds blew away, revealing the moon and stars. The silence lingered in the still air, drawing a smile to his lips as he stroked the owl's feathers. Emerald green eyes watched the peace and just drank it up.
All was calm, on this most lovely of evenings.
Tomorrow would be chaotic, with Hermione and Ron, Luna, Ginny, and all the others that remained at Hogwarts, and Harry would be right in the thick of it with them. But for tonight, tonight he was getting the gift of peace.
Thinking back to the proclaimed reason for the season, he wondered if that child of prophecy ever had nights like this, where he could lower the weight of the world for just a few minutes and be lost in the peaceful moments. Living with the Dursley's, he never got the chance to learn more about religions, but he had heard from some of his classmates about what their preachers would say.
Talk about having a lot to deal with. At least Harry only had to deal with the mortal worlds, both muggle and magical. The thought of having to care for the afterlife as well just shook him to the core.
Then again, that infant, tender and mild, had his mother, and she held her child. Not that he would begrudge any child their parents, but sometimes in the darkest nights… he missed his mother, and his father. His heart would reach out to them, and long to pierce the veil for but a moment.
Turning towards the Gryffindor tower, he smiled as he saw a familiar form silhouetted against the window, probably looking out towards him. He wished she would sleep, sleep a peaceful night for the both of them, but he knew better. She would be sitting on the couch when he arrived, with a mug of their favorite drink for each of them. They would claim the couch, sitting back to back, and pass the night in quiet companionship.
Maybe Ron would wander down, and they would have some candies from Harry's trunk. Maybe they could get Dobby to join them. Luna would wander in sometime around midnight, and join them, sometimes even dragging Gina down from her dorm room. They would all sit together, and let the night pass in peace.
Professor McGonnagal would likely just make them all some sleeping bags out of feathers, and ensure the fire is full and warm, and warn them not to stay up too late, or maybe remind them of homework that Hermione had made Harry finish already.
This was their night, when all was calm. And the stars above made it so bright.
Slipping Hedwig the last few pieces of the roast from dinner, he smiled as she nuzzled against his cheek before barking and pointing towards the dorms with her wing. Letting out a soft laugh, he nodded his agreement, and she bobbed in response, satisfied that her orders were followed.
Once she had returned to the roost inside the owlery, he stood and dusted off a few feathers from his jeans and jumper. His eyes were heavy with contemplation, winding the invisibility cloak about him just to avoid getting trouble for being out this late, he checked the map for a moment before heading out.
Silent footsteps ghosted the halls, and Harry smiled. Tonight he would sleep, a most heavenly peaceful sleep with Hermione at his back. Perhaps he would dream of his mother and father meeting her again. Maybe he would dream of them having Christmas together.
Either way, this was a night blessed with a heart both tender and mild, and he hoped that the world would just let him enjoy it a few years longer before they claimed it like the others.