Goodbye Love

Harry had known this day was coming for a long time, but the significance of it hadn't hit him until this moment.

He was on the grounds, wandering aimlessly along the tree line of the Forbidden Forest, kicking at stumps and tearing the leaves off of low-hanging branches.

He shouldn't be feeling this kind of emotion. They were over, in every sense of the word. It had ended months ago, and memories like that didn't deserve to be revisited every moment that Harry's brain wasn't occupied with something else. And yet, he flashed frequently on the day they broke apart.

In an obscure corner of Harry's mind, he knew that he was lying to himself. He was still attached, despite his every attempt to sever the connection. The attempts he'd made, however, were feeble and half-hearted, and someone may have thought he really didn't want to end the relationship at all.

He loved him. But they were enemies, and that wasn't something that could be admitted to anyone.

So here he was, tearing himself apart inside. For losing, for running, for forgetting.

And then he appeared at the top of the steps, and in an instant, Harry knew he was there. Alone, and changed out of his school robes. A silvery gray scarf was wound around his neck against the cold winter air, and his hands were in the pockets of the sweeping travel cloak fastened at his neck. His regal head turned slowly and came to gaze directly at Harry, who didn't have the decency to look away with contempt for his former lover.

Harry fully expected Draco to leave at that very minute, however he was going to do so. Run away from school to join the ranks of Voldemort and stand at his miserable father's side. Have a hideous tattoo burned into his skin, signifying his all-consuming servitude to the Dark Lord.

But he didn't. Keeping his eyes fixed on Harry, he started down the steps and across the grounds through the ankle deep powder.

He drew level, and Harry felt something behind his eyes prickle while he looked at Draco.

"Malfoy." He managed to speak in a choked voice. The boy was probably just there to give him one last taste of bitterness before he left forever.

"Harry." Yes, bitterness, that was it. It was all Draco ever gave him. The histories they both had had forbidden anything else.

Draco's look was tender, and he raised one gloved hand to cup the side of Harry's face. Harry had never been good at hiding his emotions, and that was evident now more than ever. His spirit was broken, but there was nothing Draco could do.

"I heard you were leaving."

Draco's head tilted slightly to one side, and he smiled. Not a proper smile, because Harry knew that proper smiles didn't look that mournful. Draco didn't want to be bitter, but it was the only option.

"Just came to say goodbye, love."

Harry's eyes dampened, and he tried desperately to stop his lower lip from trembling. He leaned into Draco's touch and tentatively put his hand on his arm.

Draco found he couldn't look into Harry's face anymore, so he pulled him close. Neither of them let their tears fall until their faces were hidden and the sobs were stifled. Draco brought his arm around Harry's back to wipe off his face without the other boy seeing.

Still gripping his arms tightly, Harry pulled away slightly, his body slumping. Draco reached upward and smoothed Harry's bangs gently.

"Draco, I never said anything, but I-"

"Shh, it's okay, Harry, I know." Draco's voice was steady while Harry felt like his vocal chords might crack.

"No, really, I lo-"

"I have to leave." Draco cut him off sharply, but not unkindly. There was no easy way to do this, and if love were involved, it would only be harder for both of them.

On the verge of breaking down completely, Harry swallowed and dropped his forehead against Draco's.

Draco pulled off his glove and touched Harry's face for what would probably be the last time. "Goodbye, love."

With those words, he stepped away and walked toward the thestral-drawn carriage that had come in the time he had been standing with Harry. He held his cloak tightly to his body to keep out the chill air, as well as the overwhelming sorrow that threatened to take over his being.

Harry suddenly felt very cold. He watched Draco's retreating back and wondered what would come next. War, death, murder. The future promised to be dreadful, and now Draco was gone.

In a silent wish, Harry sent two words after Draco.

Goodbye, love.