Peaceful Sleep

Peaceful Sleep

The curtains surrounding the bed remains open to allow in the heat from the fire place, taking the bite out of the cold air. Harry shifts his eyes from the fire to its shadows dancing across the bed canopy, taking a glance at the closed chamber door. Despite the roaring flame and the layers of blankets, a chill settles into his soul. Shivering, he turns his gaze to the window. It’s late and he needs to sleep. Slumber alludes Harry as he is too restless and unsettled with turbulent emotions. With a deep sigh, he observes the snow fall from the dark and angry sky.

Harry smiles gently at the sound of an opening door. He scoots over in the bed, making room for Hermione as he turns to watch her enter the room. He raises the blankets as a sign of welcome. Approaching the bed, she removes the thick robe and immediately shivers as her sleeping gown is too light to ward off the frosty temperature. Hermione quickly slips in next to Harry. She cuddles as close as possible as he settles the blankets of the two of them. With her head on his shoulder, her hand crosses his chest to the place where she can feel his heart beat. Harry adjusts his shoulder so he can sling his arm around Hermione, pulling closer to him. They smile sweetly at each other. Harry then closes his eyes, accepting the calming balm of her touch.

Harry notices the air is not quite so cold anymore. Looking again at Hermione, he notices she’s watching the snowfall and lets his gaze follow hers. The sky is now a rich velvet instead of dark and angry. As her delicate hand makes tiny random movements on his chest, Harry feels the tension beginning to leave him. They continue to stare out the window for quite a while. Neither notice the fire has burnt out.

Feeling drowsy, Harry turns on his side to face the window. Hermione adjusts her position to spoon Harry’s backside. She places a hand on his heart and continues her fluttering, knowing the contact relaxes him. Both sigh contently, feeling warm and safe in each others arms. Her breath tickles his ear. Their hand intertwine as do their legs. Their breathing synchronizes and deepens as sleep takes them. They move and change positions throughout the night without breaking the contact between their bodies.

Neither awaken with the presence of the soft blue light nor the opening of the bedchamber door.

“Albus, are you sure about leaving them as there are?”

“My dear Minerva, the Light of Peace surrounds them and after all they have been through, I will not disturb them.”

“But surely sleeping together every night since the end of the war…”

“Minerva, they are sleeping as you point out; every night we have watched them. Let their love heal them. ”

The two adults head out the door, glancing once more at the young friends, leaving them to a peaceful sleep.

~finis~