Warmest Winter

Draco had been looking through the latest issue of Quidditch Illustrated when he suddenly felt two arms go around his neck. Oh no! What is Pansy doing in here?! This thought was quickly erased when he heard a soft and melodious voice.

"Draco, it's good to see you again."

Draco turned around. He starred at a tall and beautiful girl about two inches shorter than himself. She had dark brown curls down to mid-back and deep, sparkling blue eyes. Something about her was familiar, like a dream, but he couldn't place it.

"Much as I enjoy being adored by girls, I don't like it when I'm touched by complete strangers," he said in his all to familiar sarcastic voice.

"You don't remember me?" She was a little hurt by his rudeness. "It's me Rebecca - Rebecca Winters."

The name seemed familiar. He starred harder, pondering, and then it hit him. This was Becky, his best friend in daycare, his first best friend. He remembered when her dad taught him to ride a broom when he was four. He also remembered when she moved back to Atlantis with her family, they were five.

"Becky?" She nodded. "I can't believe it! I thought you were living in Atlantis." He regretted his rudeness the minute he realized that it was her.

"I am, well, I was any way. Father is the new Altlantian ambassador to the ministry, so we've moved back. I'm going to Hogwarts this term. I didn't recognize you at first either. I remember being taller than you. How are you? How's your mum?" Becky didn't ask about Draco's father because she had never met the man.

"I've been good, I'm in Slytherin. I am the Seeker and captain of Slytherin's house team and I'm a prefect. Along with being a shoo-in for Head boy next year. Mum's doing good, she'll be thrilled to see you again. Now how are you and your parents doing?" Draco saw her smile dim a little, he knew he had forgotten something important.

"I'm fine. Dad's ok. We're staying at the Leaky Cauldron. Mum passed away before we moved to Atlantis."

How could I have forgotten that? "I'm sorry Becky, I forgot." Draco drew her close to him and hugged her. He could feel the warmth of her cheek on his neck. He was glad no one form Hogwarts was in the shop, he didn't want anyone to see him like this, tender and exposed.

"It's ok Draco it happened a while ago." She pulled away just enough to look him in the eye. "Besides I've got to go, I can hear dad calling. I'll see you on the train." Draco let go of her and she glided out the door. How could I have forgotten her? Becky was the only person, besides his mum, that he had ever loved.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After the last first year became a Hufflepuff, it was Becky's turn to be sorted. Draco had seen her on the train, she appeared to be having fun.

"Rebecca Winters." Professor McGonagall placed the sorting hat on Becky's head.

After a few minutes of deliberating the sorting hat finally shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" Damn! Draco had known that Becky wasn't going to be a Slytherin, but he didn't expect this. At least she's facing me. Dumbledore had begun his pre-feast speech but all Draco could focus on was Becky. I can't believe this who is that with his hand on her shoulder? He wouldn't have even noticed food appear, but for a poke from Goyle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Sit down and be silent!" Snape's usual greeting was barked and everyone became silent. "Today class we will be making a paralysis potion, I will be assigning you partners, BROWN, PATIL put that away. Ten points from Gryffindor. I will not repeat myself. Nott-Longbottom, Parkinson-Brown, Thomas-MacDougal, Crabbe-Weasley, Bulstrode-Granger, Potter-Malf- no we don't want another explosion, Potter-Goyle, Malfoy-Winters, Patil-Zabini, and Finnigan-Davis. Draco couldn't help but smile.

"Hi Becky, it's been a while since we've been able to talk." Draco was making an extra effort to impress her by carrying all the heavy ingredients. "You were great against Hufflepuff last week."

"Thanks Draco but the score was zero to one-hundred fifty, Harry caught the snitch five seconds into the game." Damn Potter. "When you played Ravenclaw your team didn't need to use so much force, five of their players were in the hospital wing."

"That's what I told my team in the locker room after the game. The Hogsmeade trip is tomorrow, I was wondering if you'd like to go with me." Please say yes! Please! Please! Please!

"I guess s-"Just then a huge splash was heard, and Neville's cauldron went flying through the air.

"Look out!" Draco moved between Becky and the projectile cauldron. Draco was covered from head to toe in a vomit-yellow colored liquid. He tried to open his eyes but he couldn't, they were stuck. He heard a scream coming from some where, them he heard nothing at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When he awoke in the hospital he sat up sharply. Becky, is she safe? He looked around, sitting in a chair be side his bed was Becky with a look of surprise on her face.

"You look like you've seen a ghost." Why do I say things like that? Faster than he could say Quidditch, Becky had him in a hug. He wrapped his arms around her.

"Don't you ever do that again Draco Malfoy do you under stand? You nearly gave me a heart attack!" The special moment was over, or was it? She put her hands on his shoulders and kissed him. Draco kissed her back, placing one hand on her neck and the other between her shoulder blades. Their kissing continued until Madame Pomfrey kicked her out for disturbing her patient's rest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Years later Rebecca Winters became an Auror and Draco Malfoy became a Death Eater. No one knows why they went from best of friends to bitterest of enemies or what happened the last time they met, but everyone knows that they vanished.