A/N: I haven't posted in a while, because I've been super busy. But...writing is my therapy.

Anywho. This is just a little drabble that's been fluttering through my grey matter for the past week or so.

Although JKR owns the Potterverse, I love getting reviews!

It's the winter holidays and it starts with a fight. Another one.

"You didn't have to stay, you know. No one's forcing you – you could have gone home like everyone else."

"I knew that this would be hard for you; I thought I should be here for you. But now I'm realizing that I should've just left." He emphasizes the last few words, meaning for them to sting, but he doesn't expect the fire to fade from her eyes so quickly.

"You still could. Go talk to Longbottom and you can be home in ten minutes." She's still holding it together, but barely.

"Rose–"

"We're done, Seamus. There's nothing more to say." Rose turns and starts up the stairs to her dormitory.

"Rosie," he says again, grabbing her wrist.

She turns back to him slightly.

"I love you," he says desperately, but sincerely.

She pauses, just for a moment, and stares at him, trying to read his face. Then she turns and runs the rest of the way to her room.

He stands there for the longest time, before he relocates to a chair near the fire. After an hour, he admits that she isn't coming back.

I've lost her.
I – This isn't easy for her. I'm supposed to be helping her, not hurting her! I was out of line. ... Merlin, she must hate me now. … I shouldn't have said that. It was supposed to be special. Now she'll think that I didn't mean it and was just backpedaling. … Godric, I've screwed up. … I can't lose her. She's everything to me. … James is going to kill me when he finds out I've hurt her like this. This situation just keeps getting better and better. … Sleep. Maybe when I wake up this will all have been a horrible dream.

God, Rose. What were you doing? He's just trying to help. Just because you're worried doesn't mean you can just snap like that. … He loves me? Did he mean it, or…? Yes. He had to've - he's not like that. I've messed up big time now. ... The look on his face when I left. I have to do something. Why did Julie have to go home for hols? I need someone to talk to – someone who isn't family. … Think, Rose, think. … You can't lose him.

She sits in her empty dormitory for hours, trying to make sense of her thoughts.

4am.

Rose creeps down to the common room. It's deserted, just as she expects – only eight Gryffindors are staying for the holidays - but it's a bit unnerving nonetheless. She reaches the boys' dormitory and slides the door open, just enough to slip inside.

In the dimness, she sees the outlines of two sleeping boys – James and Seamus. She approaches one bed – why is she so nervous, suddenly? – and sits down.

"Whazgoinon?" a sleepy Seamus mumbles.

"I - I couldn't sleep."

"So you decided to wake me up, too?"

This isn't going the way she'd planned.

"Oh…no…sorry. I - I'll just go –"

"No, Rose. Wait. Don't go," grabs her wrist, just like earlier, and pulls her back to him. "Can we talk? About earlier?"

She nods.

"I'm –" he starts.

"Can I go first? I really need to get this out," she whispers, taking a deep breath. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you. You – you're more than I deserve, but I don't know what I'd do without you. I just got so wrapped up in myself that – I – just – please forgive me. I can't lose you….And - and - iloveyoutoo"

For some inexplicable reason, she's crying.

"Shh...It's alright Rosie - " he says as he hugs her closer. "I was out of line. You're worth so much more than that - I love you. So much. I love you."

Somehow, those three words say it all. They lay unspeaking, curled together, until they drift back to sleep.

A few hours later an irate James, ranting about "protecting his cousin's honor," awakens them.

And that was the only thing that assured them that it had not all been a beautiful dream.

Originally posted May 2011.