27 – Dream a Little Dream of Me (Final Chapter!)

"It was rather beautiful: the way he put her insecurities to sleep. The way he dove into her eyes and starved all the fears and tasted all the dreams she kept coiled beneath her bones."
― Christopher Poindexter

…

"I think that love is stronger than habits or circumstances. I think it is possible to keep yourself for someone for a long time, and still remember why you were waiting when she comes at last... I would enter your sleep if I could, and guard you there, and slay the thing that hounds you, as I would if it had the courage to face me in fair daylight. But I cannot come in unless you dream of me."
― Peter S. Beagle, The Last Unicorn

…

"Dad!" Haley screeched, her eyes wide. She had only taken a moment to enjoy the sight of Draco, who had teased her earlier to no end, up-side-down in the air. "Put him down!"

Her dad ignored her, still glaring daggers at her boyfriend.

There was movement from the hall and then her mum's head came into view. Lily sighed and turned to her husband with a disapproving frown. "James, my dear, what are you doing to our guest?" She asked sweetly, but her voice carried a dangerous undertone.

"Guest? You should have seen what he-" James started to argue.

"Put him down at once, would you?" Lily interrupted him calmly.

James looked at her incredulously. "But – he – you didn't see what he did to our innocent daughter. He assaulted her!"

Lily lifted an eyebrow, turning to Haley. "Really? Is that true?"

"Of course, it's true. I saw it with my own eyes!" James said hotly, before Haley had a chance to answer. With a flick of his wand he made Draco spin around himself as if he was doing air somersaults.

"Dad stop it! It's all a misunderstanding," Haley implored. "Put him down! Please. You're hurting him!"

"James! You heard her. Put him down." Lily repeated.

"But he–"

"James! At once!"

One look at the glinting green eyes of his wife convinced Haley's dad to make Draco stop spinning. Then with another flick of his wand, he removed the curse keeping him in the air as well, making him drop to the floor with a thump. With a pout James crossed his arms and leaned back against the door frame, looking like a child whose newest toy had just been taken away.

A second too late to soften his fall, Haley rushed over to the boy on the ground, helping him to sit up. "Are you okay?" She asked looking him over worriedly. He looked like he just had a run-in with a Firebolt.

"Sure." Draco chuckled, pretending to flick some non-present lint off his shoulders. "Did anything happen?"

Haley shook her head at his antics, gently removing some cobwebs from his hair.

"James!" Lily hissed.

From the corner of her eye, Haley saw her dad raise his wand arm once more.

Without a second of hesitation she leaped in front of Draco, and spread out her arms, effectively blocking him from whatever curse was on her dad's mind.

At once James dropped his arm, frowning in confusion. "What are you doing?"

"I told you it was a misunderstanding," Haley explained in exasperation.

"Then you're denying that bastard kissed you?"

"No, I'm not denying that but-"

"See, I was right." He interrupted her, turning back to his wife.

Lily sighed. "So? What's so strange about that? That's her boyfriend."

James was so distracted by those words that he didn't even notice Lily reaching over and confiscating his wand. "No no no no no. Neville is."

Haley wanted to roll her eyes. "We broke up a year ago."

"But – he was so sweet. And he never forced himself on you the way that loser did," James spat.

Haley actually rolled her eyes, muttering, "It's not like Neville and I only ever held hands."

"That's not true!" James argued, stomping his foot like a stubborn child.

"It is true. So you can stop treating me like a child now!"

"But-"

"Okay, okay," Lily intervened. "Why don't we all calm down and try out that lovely valerian tea you brought from your trip, hm?"

The tone of Lily's voice left no room for further arguments. And so, with one last glare in Draco's general direction, James let himself be dragged from the room by his wife.

…

"Er…" Sheepishly Haley looked at the ground. "Sorry about that."

"Is he always… ?" Draco started to ask, leaving the sentence unfinished.

"Such an idiot?" Haley suggested helpfully. She turned to face him so that she could see his reaction.

"I wanted to say 'jerk'." He quirked an eyebrow.

Haley grinned. "Takes one to know one."

"Ouch. That hurt."

She gave him a pointed look.

"You're not meaning to say I deserved that?" He asked in disbelief.

Haley gave a shrug.

Draco's eyes widened dramatically. "Well, maybe a little bit," he admitted.

"At least you know what it feels like now."

He sighed. "Alright, alright. I get it. I won't use the spell on you again. I promise. Happy now?"

Haley smiled. "Very."

"Good." He answered her with a smile of his own, cupping her face in his hands. Despite her dad's interruption he still seemed as euphoric as before. Seemingly glowing from inside, he leaned down to kiss her. But before he could do more than give her a short peck, another noise startled them.

Fearing that it was her dad again, Haley turned around, ready to shield her boyfriend.

But this time it was someone much more harmless.

"Neville!" Haley got to her feet and hurried over to the doorframe, where Neville was currently standing. He was finally awake! Although he seemed kind of embarrassed.

"S-sorry, I didn't want to interrupt or–"

"Don't be silly," she interrupted her friend, grabbing his arms and looking him over. "Are you alright? You're not in pain, are you?"

Neville shook his head. "No. I'm fine. Maybe slept a bit too much… " He hid a yawn behind his hand.

"What about your magic. Is it still the same?" She asked curiously.

"Well…" Her friend looked to the side, scratching his neck. "I haven't tried yet."

Haley looked back to Draco over her shoulder. He didn't seem to have anything useful to say either.

Trying to sound hopeful Haley said, "Don't worry. I'm sure it'll be alright." She took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Oh sorry! I forgot!" She apologized, remembering the burns and blisters on his hands and letting go at once.

"It's fine. See?" With a grin he held up his hands for her to inspect them. To her surprise they were… completely healed!

"How…?"

"I don't know. They were like this, when I woke up."

"That's amazing, Neville!" She exclaimed delightedly, before throwing herself into his arms. It was only now that she realized how worried she had been about her friend all this time. It was good to hug him like this. Like he was a good friend. No longer like someone she wished she could share a more romantic relationship with.

There was a cough behind her.

Haley felt Neville patting her back. "Er… I think you should… er… "

She loosened her grip and turned around.

Draco eyed Neville as if he had played his favourite guitar without asking.

"Something wrong?" She asked him innocently.

Slowly Draco shook his head. But his eyes lingered on her hand that was still holding onto Neville's arm.

"No need to be jealous," Haley quipped with a grin.

Instead of answering, Draco rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "I'm not jealous of that–" He stopped himself. Haley had the feeling he had been about to say something insulting. "Of him," He finished, coughing awkwardly and glancing to the side.

"Are you sure?" She teased him, before turning slightly more serious. "I mean… you really have nothing to fear from Neville. He literally gave you back your magic." She took a step towards Draco and slid her arm through his, leaning close into his personal space.

"Didn't you want to… you know…?" She glanced over to Neville pointedly.

Draco frowned.

Thank him, she mouthed silently.

For a second he looked almost nervous. Or scared.

"It's fine, really. You're important to Haley so you're also–" Neville started to say.

But Draco was already marching out of the room. And Haley who was still holding onto his arm had no choice but to follow him.

…

What Draco had forgotten was the fact that the situation downstairs was possibly even more uncomfortable than having to earnestly thank Neville Longbottom.

"What I don't understand is what I've done wrong to deserve coming home to a house full of slimy Slytherins!" Haley's dad thundered, hitting the dining table with his fork. While saying this he was glaring back and forth between Professor Snape and Simon's arch-enemy Baz.

"I'm not a Slytherin," Baz replied almost offendedly. "I have yet to be sorted."

Professor Snape didn't offer any kind of reaction. It didn't seem as if he had even listened to Haley's dad.

"Rubbish!" James spat, raising his fork, as if he wanted to make a toast with it. "My Slytherin radar obviously says you're one of those snakes. The way you look. The way you walk and talk. It all screams Slytherin!"

Baz sneered. It looked weird on his ten-year-old face. A bit like Draco had always looked back in first year. "Oh yes? Then what about him?" He nodded at Haley and Draco who were hiding behind the huge cupboard next to the doorframe.

Well, shit. This couldn't end well… Her dad seemingly hadn't recognized Draco. Or made the connection that he was a Slytherin...

Yet.

It was exactly in that moment when James spotted them, that Neville came down the stairs. What fortunate timing.

"Look at that! Neville's awake!" Haley leaped over to him and pulled him in the middle of the room, successfully, directing everyone's attention to him.

"Oh! How are you feeling, dear?" Lily asked, getting up from her seat.

"Neville's here, too?" James inquired. "What is this? Did you throw a party? With the pottiest guests ever? I was only gone for one and a half days!"

While her dad was occupied with being confused, Haley grabbed Draco's hand and pulled him over to the chimney.

"Quick!" She hissed, almost toppling over the little jar, they kept the floo powder in.

"Shit. The fire!" She cursed, noticing that the fire was out. Well, it was summer.

But Draco was quick on his feet and brought the fire back to life, hitting the fireplace with a fiery, "Incendio!"

"Wow! Impressive! Is your magic back now?" That was Simon. Great. Now James had noticed the ruckus.

Not wasting another second, Haley shoved Draco into the flames, and squeezed in next to him. "Professor Snape's office, Hogwarts!" She almost yelled and threw the floo powder into the fire.

It was the first time she had used floo powder together with another person. But somehow it worked.

The only downside of it was that Snape's chimney was slightly more narrow than the one in her living room. Meaning it took a second for them to actually get out of it.

"Phew, that was close." Draco commented, leaning against the desk, as if he had trouble standing on his own.

Haley felt slightly wobbly on her feet as well. All that drama!

"Close?" She echoed. "We're not safe yet. He might come after us." With her dad you never knew.

Draco frowned. "No. You're kidding… right?"

"I wish I was." She muttered darkly, watching the flames nervously. They were starting to turn green once more…

"Er… I think we should run."

"Too late," Draco noted, when the figure of a man appeared inside the flames.

"I really did not imagine my Sunday afternoon to go like this."

Haley had already touched the door handle when she recognized that voice. It wasn't her dad's. It was Professor Snape's.

With a sigh, he brushed some leftover soot from his robes. When he noticed the half-fearful half-cautious look she was sharing with Draco, he sighed. "Do not worry. I believe your mother has the situation under control."

"So, dad'll leave us alone?" Haley asked, sounding too hopeful.

"For now." Professor Snape acknowledged in a bored tone.

Well, that was already more than she had expected. A start, if nothing else.

…

Haley was just entering the Gryffindor common room, when she remembered something important. Something she had forgotten. No. Someone.

"Neville!" Shit. In all the chaos she had left him behind at her house. After everything he had done for her. She had to go back and get him. It was only a small relief that her dad seemed to like him much better than he liked Draco.

"Haley!" Someone called. "Where have you been? You've missed the game!" It was Ron. Who was sitting at their usual corner along with Hermione.

"Oh." She trudged over to them. Just for a moment, she told herself. "I was home."

"We know that. But you still haven't told us why," Hermione said sceptically.

"Ah… that's because…" What was she supposed to tell them? Was it okay to reveal Draco's secret now? "What about the game? How did Emily do? Did she catch the snitch?"

Ron groaned, hiding his face in his hands. "The Creevey kid? Well, she caught it alright."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "And they still lost."

"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed, clapping his hands on the table indignantly. "They? Is Gryffindor your house or not? You sound like you couldn't care less about it."

"I'm not exactly fond of quidditch. As you know." Hermione frowned and began to study one of her notebooks.

"Haley!" Ron shot her an appalled look.

"Er… " She was at a loss of words.

"Right. You didn't even show up to the game!" Ron huffed, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"Er… about that…" Haley started.

Then another voice interrupted her. "Haley! Haley, look!"

Suddenly, there was a dwarfish girl at her side, holding a golden something up to her face.

A golden snitch.

"My first snitch!" Emily Creevey exclaimed giddily.

"Er… awesome." Haley replied. "How was the game?"

Sheepishly, the girl looked to her feet. "It was… amazing. I still can't believe Angelina let me play."

"I can't believe it either," Ron muttered darkly.

Emily shuffled her feet nervously. "We… er… lost the game." She bit her lips.

"Because you caught the snitch too early!" Ron accused.

"What was I supposed to do? Let the other Seeker catch it?" Emily replied hotly. "Anyway, it's not my fault you let that quaffle through just when I was about to catch the snitch! Angelina says I've done nothing wrong!" Wow. The fire this little girl had inside her was impressive. She turned back to Haley, sounding a lot sweeter now. She reminded her of a little bird that was about to take off, trying out her new wings for the second time. "You know, Angelina says if I do well, I can be the official Seeker next year. Now that there's an open spot."

Oof. Did that mean, she had been officially kicked off the team?

"Er… congrats," Haley replied awkwardly.

"Did you hear that? She's stealing your spot!" Ron burst out angrily. He even got to his feet and everything. He was such a loyal friend. She could have burst in to tears.

"It's fine, Ron. By the way, Ems… you didn't tell anyone about… you know what, right?" It would be really awkward if people found out about Draco's secret now. Although, his magic was back, it would still cause a lot of unnecessary chaos and confusion.

Emily looked at her as if she had just accused her of kicking a kitten. "No! Of course not!"

That kind of reaction… was a surprise. "But you said… if we lose the game you'd tell–"

"That was back when I thought you were lame." Emily interrupted her.

Haley gaped. "You thought I was lame?"

She nodded, before adding in a more apologetic tone, "Not any more. Now, I think you're the coolest Gryffindor ever. It was so awesome how you protected me from your hulk boyfriend. That time in the kitchens. You were so fearless! I still get goosebumps just thinking of it." She looked as if she was remembering a horror film, she had particularly enjoyed. "I got your back!"

She grinned and patted Haley's back, before turning around and leaving.

"What was she talking about?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Oh… I… I'll tell you later." Haley ran her fingers through her ponytail restlessly. "I gotta go look for Neville."

"Neville? He's right there." Ron commented, pointing at something behind her.

Turning around, she spotted Neville making his way towards the boys' dormitories. When had he come back?

"Neville!" Haley called, before hurrying over to him. In her hastiness to get to him, she almost stepped on the toad that was sitting on the floor – where had Trevor come from?

Before the poor creature could be harmed, Neville pointed his wand at it and said, "Accio Trevor."

No sooner than that, Trevor floated upwards, as if pulled on an invisible string right towards Neville's hand. But for some strange reason, he never reached the boy.

Shortly before reaching him, the spell seemed to stop.

It was a good thing Haley had good reflexes, so she lunged forward and caught the toad before he could drop to the ground.

"I've got him." She exclaimed, holding the croaking little thing close to her chest. "Are you okay, little one?" Trevor croaked again and looked at her out of wide worried eyes.

Expectantly Neville held out his hands, and with gentle care Haley placed the little toad in her friend's palms.

"Sorry, I scared him," Haley apologized. "I didn't see him on the ground."

Neville shook his head. "It's fine, nothing happened."

"Er…" She started to say, unsure how to continue. "Your spell…"

"Oh that." He shrugged, patting the little toad carefully. "My magic… Your mum says, my magical core needs to adjust to the smaller amount of magic. Or something like that…"

What was that supposed to mean?

"It'll probably be back to the way it was before in no time." He added optimistically.

"I'm so sorry," Haley said once more. "The OWLs… "

"I'm sure, it'll be fine." Neville assured her, sending her a warm smile. "At least, I'm not getting my fingers burned any more."

"Neville…"

After everything he had done for her. And for Draco… she really hoped he was right.

"I mean, it does seem kind of unfair. First, I'm losing my girlfriend. Then my magic gets messed up… What's next? Is someone going to come and steal my toad?" He pressed Trevor against his chest protectively and playfully looked left and right, as if he expected a toad-thief to hide in the shadows.

"Neville…" Haley said once more, unable to think of anything more useful. She felt terrible hearing all this.

"I'm kidding." He chuckled, tilting his head to the side, and loosening his death grip on Trevor. "You know that, don't you?"

"Yeah." She answered quietly. But she couldn't shake the feeling of guilt, settling in her stomach. Hopefully, things would turn out alright.

…ooo…

"Where are you going?"

Even in my dreams, mum knows how to make me feel like a child that has been caught doing something wrong. For the record, I haven't done anything wrong. I have only stepped into the dream corridor.

"Er… Nowhere." I answer smoothly, which makes mum laugh out loud.

"You have to work on your excuses, pumpkin." She pinches my cheek like I'm still three.

"Mum," I groan, ducking away from her touch. "Can't you pretend you didn't see me?"

"Oh, so you're really up to no good?" She sounds curious now. "What is it? Another spying mission? Date night?"

For a split second, I glance over to the door opposite from mine. The door with a poster of Myron Wagtail pinned to it.

Of course, mum notices it.

"Oh! I was right, wasn't I?" She literally dances on the spot excitedly. "Is that his dream door? Draco's?" She tip-toes closer to the door, inspecting it from all angles. "Is he a Weird Sisters fan, too? That's so cute! I remember when you had posters like this all over your walls." My mum giggles. Or maybe she's laughing at me. I don't know for sure. I have to suppress the urge to tear out my hair.

For now, I get to keep my hair because the door in front of us opens and Draco Malfoy's head appears. He squints out into the dream corridor hesitantly. Which shouldn't look as adorable as it does.

He spots my mum and all but jumps back into his dream realm. "Oh – I – I didn't know – I –"

"Sorry, did I surprise you?" Mum replies and takes a step backwards.

He shakes his head, then finally notices me. I grin. He smiles. My mum clears her throat.

And then I remember. "Mum, I wanted to ask you something. About Neville. He… his magic. There's something wrong with it."

Mum nods, waiting for me to continue. "Your question?"

"Do you know a way to fix it?"

Mum smiles, as she reaches out a hand and lays it on my cheek. "Sometimes… all that's needed to fix a problem is time."

"But-"

"Don't you agree?" She looks at Draco and winks at him. Why is she winking at him? And why does that make him blush?

Before I can ask either of those questions, mum drops a kiss on my cheek and leaps off towards her dream door. "Have fun, you two! And don't do anything I wouldn't do."

This time she winks at me, before slipping through her door.

I cough awkwardly. "So…" I'm not sure what to say.

Draco seems uncertain as well. But for him it's understandable. This is his first time out in the dream corridor. I told him how to get here last time. But I don't think he's ever tried it before tonight. Well, he's in for a surprise!

His eyes are wide as he takes in the corridor with its countless doors that seems to stretch on forever.

"Do all of these doors… belong to people? And their dreams?" He asks in wonder.

I nod. "Yes. But you can only enter them if you've got something personal from them."

"Right. What happens if someone tries to enter without a personal object?"

I shrug. "Not sure. You can't get in. Might be something worse. Who knows?"

He still eyes all the different dream doors curiously.

"We can explore them another day." I tell him. "Or night. We have plans tonight, remember?"

He nods. He doesn't even know what I've planned for tonight. Hopefully, he'll like my surprise.

I walk over to him and take his hand. "Come on."

We cross the short distance towards my dream door. I take a deep breath and glance over to Draco.

He takes in my dream door that looks like a huge painting, showing an array of abstract shapes and colours. Thick thorn-studded tendrils wind their way all across the canvas, concealing most of it. Somewhere beneath the tendrils should be the door handle that is shaped like an owl wing. But I can't see it. The tendrils are too thick.

"Is that yours?" Draco asks finally, his eyes never leaving the door.

I nod, because I don't know what else to say. Who has a dream door like that?

"It's… kind of… hostile. I know." Apparently the door handle has vanished. As a safety measure? I don't even know why I'm still this nervous. At this rate, we won't be able to get inside my dream realm anyway.

"You think so?" Draco asks, stepping even closer. "Well, maybe a bit." He sounds thoughtful. "You can't even see the painting…"

Suddenly, he raises his hand as if to push away the tendrils, when a very thick one lashes towards him like a whip.

Luckily, I have the presence of mind to pull him aside, before the tendril can hit him.

"Charming. I didn't know your surprise involved trying to kill me." Draco comments sarcastically.

"I wasn't – I – this never happened before." I think about it for a second. "Are you wearing the hair tie? The one I gave you?"

"Yes." He drawls, with a roll of his eyes.

"That's strange." I mutter.

Then Draco braves forward again. "Thorns, huh?"

"Wait! Don't!"

But Draco has already raised his hand once more. This time much slower. And surprisingly… the vines don't attack him this time.

Carefully, almost in slow motion, he approaches the vines until his fingers softly come into contact with the plant. I might be holding my breath.

He slides his fingers down the tendril like he's caressing it, expertly avoiding the thorns. I'm still waiting for another attack. But it never comes.

Instead, a small thornless vine stretches toward him and nudges the back of his hand, before wrapping around his little finger. And then, one at a time, the tendrils release their hold on the painting, making it visible for the first time.

There are so many colours. Pale blues. Vivid greens. Deep reds. Vibrant yellows. It's absolutely beautiful. At first the abstract forms seem to be nothing but splotches of colour. But after a while, I realize there is a bigger picture. It's a rose. A lone rose, that seems to glow from inside, because it had been hiding for so long. Because finally someone has come to look at it.

"Wow." Draco breathes. He can't stop looking at the rose.

I can't stop looking either. For some reason I feel like crying.

"Idiot." I say. Because it's as good as anything else. Because he made me cry. Because I feel like he's stolen a glance at my soul.

"What's wrong?" He asks, finally tearing his gaze away from the rose to look at me.

I shake my head, wiping my eyes dry. "Let's go in." I point at the door handle that is visible now.

"Are you sure?" He sounds worried. And a tiny bit disappointed. Looks like he really wants to see the world behind my dream door.

I nod. It can't get any worse than this anyway.

He bites his lips excitedly and takes my hand. "Okay."

With his other hand he grabs the door handle, pushes it down and finally opens the door.

I ignore the urge to run away and follow him instead.

"Hogwarts?" Draco asks, as the door closes behind us and he takes a look around. We're inside the Entrance Hall. "Is it Christmas?"

I hum in agreement. There are huge Christmas trees all around, heavily decorated with tinsel and baubles.

"Too weird?" I ask. "I mean it's the middle of June…"

"No, it's fine." He chuckles, glancing around. "What is all this?"

"The Yule Ball."

He frowns at me.

I clear my throat awkwardly. "I mean… we didn't get to go in fourth year… and there was no Ball last year, so…" I look at my feet. I'm wearing trainers. They're comfortable. But not very pretty.

"So…" Draco's voice sounds strange. Like there's something stuck in his throat.

"So… I thought… er… be my date?" I ask smoothly.

He doesn't reply right away. Just looks at me. As if he can't believe I'm real. (Am I real? This is a dream after all.)

A trace of sadness crosses his features. Is he thinking of that winter? When he wanted to ask me to go to the ball with him? When he attacked Neville and lost his magic?

"I – We don't have to if you don't want to," I backtrack. "I just thought – maybe it was a stupid idea."

He shakes his head lightly. Then gives me a soft smile. "I would… like that."

"Okay." I give his hand a light squeeze. "We can't go like this, though." Closing my eyes tightly, I imagine a long claret coloured dress covering my body. When I reopen them, I twirl, enjoying the way the shiny fabric swirls around my legs.

"Your turn."

"How did you do that?" Draco asks, staring at my hand like he's wondering where I've hidden my wand.

"We're in a dream." I explain. "Just imagine it."

He eyes me sceptically. Then takes out his wand and points it at his robes. (He's always wearing robes. Even in summer.)

After a whispered spell, he's wearing forest green dress robes made of silk.

"You could have done that without your wand." I argue, shaking my head.

He shrugs. "I wanted to use it. It's been so long… "

"Right." I give him a small smile. "Ready to go?"

He looks up at the wooden doors in front of us and takes a deep breath.

"Yeah." He offers me his arm with a small grin.

Sliding my arm through his, I pull him towards the door.

Inside the Great Hall, we are greeted by more Christmas trees, dancing couples and too many fairy lights. It's exactly the way I remember the Yule Ball from fourth year. There are even snow flakes. But they disintegrate before actually touching any of the students.

"Is that Professor Sprout?" Draco asks, spotting the Herbology teacher somewhere at the other end of the hall.

"Yeah, why not? Didn't you see her dance moves at the last Ball? She's a legend." I tell him. It's truly stunning.

"Nah." He shakes his head, focusing on me instead. "Might have been a bit distracted, that night…"

Just in that moment the band at the other end of the hall starts to play the beginnings of a slow waltz. As if on cue, Draco hooks his arms around my waist and pulls me close. A bit too close…

"What are you doing?" I ask with a giggle, my face pressed against his collarbone.

"Dancing." He replies nonchalantly.

"That's not dancing. You're just hugging me." I snort, trying to free my arms that are squished somewhere between our bodies.

"I don't believe you."

"It's not about believing." I get out between giggles. At last, my arms are free, so I snake them around his neck. "Shouldn't you know how to dance properly? I bet you probably even have a ballroom at your Manor."

"We do." He agrees easily. "A big one and a small one."

I scoff. Show-off.

"But I never really liked ballroom dance lessons." He shrugs, slightly swaying to the music on the spot. "Never understood why dancing requires distance."

"Distance?" I echo sceptically. Isn't dancing all about being close?

He pulls me impossibly closer. "This feels too much like a dream… You have no idea how often I had dreams like this… but when I can feel you… when you're so close to me…"

"You are dreaming." I whisper against his ear. "But that doesn't mean, it's not real. I am real. And you are, too."

I take a step back to get a look at his face. He still looks doubtful.

"Don't worry. You can ask me in the morning. Maybe it'll make more sense, then."

"If you say so." He pouts, as if I somehow tricked him. I have to pinch his cheek because it looks simply too endearing.

"Ow. That hurt." He frowns.

"Only because you expected it to hurt." I explain.

He looks like I just told him the earth was actually a gigantic tree instead of a planet.

"Forget that." I grin. I'm enjoying this far too much. "Wait here, alright?"

"What – where are you going?" He asks like I'm a duck mother who just left her baby duck behind.

"It's a surprise." I call back over my shoulder, as I make my way towards the band in the back.

This is just like I've planned. Climb the stage. Find the guitar. Throw the strap over my shoulder. The slow waltz is just coming to an end, when I position myself in front of the microphone.

It's time for my surprise. But even though this is a dream, I'm suddenly filled with nerves. Take a deep breath, I tell myself. What could go wrong?

I spot Draco standing among the other students in the middle of the hall. He's looking at me. And it's making me feel even more nervous.

So, I close my eyes. My fingers find the right position on the strings blindly. I strum, making the first chords ring out in the hall. And then I start to sing.

"Stars shining bright above you"

The jitters intensify. But this time in a positive way.

"Night breezes seem to whisper

I love you"

There I said it. Or sang it.

"Birds singing in the Sycamore tree

Dream a little dream of me"

I can't believe I'm singing this song for Draco Malfoy. I can't believe I'm serenading him. The fourteen-year-old me would laugh in my face. Or slap me.

"Say nighty-night and kiss me

Just hold me tight and tell me you miss me"

I open my eyes and find Draco's. He's standing much closer to the stage now.

Slowly, almost as if he's sleep walking, he approaches the stage. Three more steps and he'll stand right in front of me. His mouth hangs open slightly. The fairy lights are reflected in his eyes.

"While I'm alone and blue as can be

Dream a little dream of me"

And then it happens. I play the next set of chords and just – forget the lyrics. Shit. What comes next? I play the chord progression once more, hoping the words will come back to me. But they're just… gone.

I'm a professional, though. Since the show must go on and all that, I pull a poker face and build in an impromptu guitar solo, all the while pretending nothing is wrong. It comes out pretty well, if I may say so myself.

An amused grin spreads on Draco's face slowly. Shit, he noticed, something's off.

I start to sing the only other verse I remember. Maybe I'll get away with it.

"Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you

Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you

Birds singing in the Sycamore-"

He doesn't even let me finish the verse. Instead Draco starts full out laughing, before plucking me right off the stage, and doing a half spin with me in his arms. My feet don't even touch the ground.

"My guitar-" I protest, afraid it'll break. But somehow the guitar has vanished all by itself, which means my hands are free to hold onto Draco's shoulders to steady myself.

"I was in the middle of singing!" I complain, looking down at him.

He snorts, hiding his face in my shoulder. "You were getting the lyrics all wrong."

Shit. He has noticed it. How does he even know muggle songs?

"No, I wasn't. That was my own… interpretation."

He looks up at me. Which is new. Which is kind of nice. "I'm sure it was." He looks so smug, I want to punch him.

"Well, don't expect me to sing for you ever again." I hiss. "And now put me down."

"Come on, don't be like that. I was joking."

"Ha ha, very funny."

"I mean… I didn't even prank you." He complains. I pinch his ear. I think he doesn't notice it.

"Prank me again and I'll dump you." I don't mean it. But I really hate hanging in the air up-side-down.

He sets me down on my feet gently. I look away and pout.

"What's wrong?" He touches my chin and makes me turn to him.

I shoot him a glare. "You ruined my surprise." I admit grudgingly. "It was supposed to be romantic."

He takes my hand, lifts it up and twirls me. I try not to enjoy it.

He ends up behind me, singing lowly into my ear.

"Stars shining bright above you

Night breezes seem to whisper… "

He stops. I get the feeling he's waiting for me to continue the verse.

"Night breezes seem to whisper… " He repeats, before twirling me back. The amusement on his face makes me grin against my will.

"You're an idiot." I mutter.

"That's not right. Help me out here. I forgot the lyrics." He stage-whispers.

I don't want to. But I might me chuckling. "Stop it," I say helplessly, leaning forward and hiding my face against his chest.

I feel his arms settle on my back, as he starts to sing again.

"Night breezes seem to whisper…" Could he be any more annoying.

He leans down to kiss my ear. It tickles.

"To whisper… " He whispers.

I kick his chin. He probably won't feel it. Much. Then I humour him.

"I love you," I sing. Because I want him to stop pestering me. Because it's a dream and maybe he won't remember it in the morning. Because perhaps it's actually the truth.

Draco laughs. His eyes are shining and there is nothing but joy reflected in them. Well, maybe a bit of mirth as well.

"I guess this really is a dream." He whispers almost regretfully. "It's much too good to be true."

"It may be a dream." I agree. "But it doesn't have to end when the night is over."

"So you want to sleep forever?" I'm not sure whether he's serious or not.

I shake my head. "I meant… we can always continue it the next night. Or even when we're awake."

He smirks at that. "Continue 'it'?"

"You know what I mean…" I make a vague gesture with my hand. "Being together." It comes out more hesitantly than I mean it to. "I mean… unless you get tired of me." I might be holding my breath.

"I'll try not to get tired of you, then."

I'm speechless. Well, almost. "Wow, that sounds so reassuring." I roll my eyes.

Draco pinches my cheeks and gently knocks his forehead against mine. "Even if you bore me to sleep… so what?" He shrugs. "You can just come visit me in my dreams. You're… always welcome." He adds with a shy smile that is so warm, I feel it all the way from my head to my toes.

"Really?"

He nods, biting his lips. "As long as you're wearing this, my dream door is always open for you." He touches the small silver pick that is hanging around my neck. It used to be his. But he gave it to me so I could enter his dreams.

His words are so sweet, I could burst. I lean forward an inch and rub my nose against his. "I think I might really love you."

He frowns. "You think? Now, that sounds less like a dream."

I ignore that. "You know, we should sing a duet next time." It's actually something I wanted to do ever since I heard him sing to me the first time.

The smirk is back on his face. "Good idea." He agrees. But sadly, that's not the end of it. "It's probably easier to remember only half the lyrics instead of a whole song."

He did not just say that. "You're such a git – what do I even like about you?" I give him a light shove, making him stumble back a few steps.

Draco looks down at himself, before looking up at me, his brows scrunched up in confusion. It's like he's asking, 'What's there not to like about me?'

When did he get this cocky? Or has he always been like this and I didn't notice? I still remember how depressed he was because of his magic. How lost and defeated. I'd gladly take this version of him over that any day.

But maybe I need to remind him of the other boy he can be. The sweet one, I first met behind his dream door. The boy who shared a part of him with me he never showed to anyone else. I want to tell him how he became my friend. Someone I could confide in. Someone who cheered me up and understood me. How we laughed about the most stupid things. How we comforted each other.

I want to tell him how I fell in love with him in between dreams and stolen secrets.

But maybe now is not the right time for that story.

Now, Draco is here, taking a step towards me and offering me his hand. "Dance with me?"

I roll my eyes but still take his hand.

He pulls me in, just as my fingers touch his. Too close. But who really cares?

As the band starts playing another waltz, we dance. Kind of. Mostly, he's hugging me.

He keeps humming that stupid song I sang earlier. No doubt to rile me up.

It's annoyingly cute.

Just like my little brother who's making his way over to us through the hall. Why is he here, though? Did I subconsciously think of him, bringing him into my dream?

He's not wearing his dress robes, though. Instead he's wearing his quidditch uniform, which he never seems to take off. And my old Harpies scarf. (I used to be a Holyhead Harpies fan when I was younger. I may not like playing too much but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a good game.)

"Siiiiiiis!" He reaches us, almost yelling my ear off.

I cluck my tongue impatiently. "I told you not to call me that."

Simon ignores me. He waves his hands around wildly and continues, his eyes wide. "He's sending you a Howler!"

"Okay, cool." I nod. What the heck is he talking about? Or… what is my subconscious trying to tell me through him? "I'm kind of busy, as you can see, so…"

"No, you don't understand. Dad's sending a Howler. Even mum doesn't know. But I've seen him write it!" I have a wild guess. This might be my subconscious' fear of my dad's reaction.

"Is this part of your surprise, too?" Draco wants to know.

I shrug. "Don't know. It's a dream. Dreams can be weird."

"Well, still better than a nightmare." He grins, loosening his hold slightly, and making me twirl.

"Definitely." I agree.

Simon is still here waiting for a more appropriate reaction to his news.

But I don't mind. Sometimes dreams are weird. Sometimes they come in the form of horrible nightmares.

And sometimes the best thing about them is when you can share them with the people you love.

"Sis!" Simon whines.

Including annoying little brothers.

…

"I think we dream so we don't have to be apart for so long. If we're in each other's dreams, we can be together all the time."
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

…

…

A/N: Okay, here it is. Final Chapter! I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Although the main story is over, I might post some extra chapters if people are interested. (I simply can't say good bye to this verse yet.) Thank you so much for reading, everyone!

till next time, feather :)