Melting Ice

He waited for her outside the library. This had become their habit, to meet here and either walk outside and talk, or work on homework in the library before dinner. The amazed looks had stopped now, though the professors still smiled fondly, pleased to see the two getting along so well.

He was glad his father was in Azkaban, finally apprehended just after the Harvest Ball, unable to see his happiness. Lucius would just find a way to ruin it after all... His mother, well, she was still recovering from too many years under Lucius' bootheel, but she was glad to see him smiling. Too many years had passed since she'd seen more than his cold smirk.

Ginny smiled when she saw him standing by the doors, her eyes lighting up. "Guess what! I aced my potions essay!" She knew he'd be as excited as she was, given that he'd helped her figure out where to look. It had probably hurt Snape to give full marks to a Gryffindor, but he had seemed almost proud when he handed her the paper.

Draco smiled and gently tugged on a strand of flaming red hair by her ear. "I knew you would. So shall we walk, or is it a homework day?"

"Oh, it's definitely a walk day... And I actually don't have much homework, for a change." Despite doing very well on her O.W.L's, she was normally swamped with homework to prepare her for the N.E.W.T's. Draco had much the same problem, though he would take them much sooner than she would. Her hand slid into his, her smile turning up to meet his face. He loved seeing her smile.

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After dinner, they sat in an empty classroom, books open as they worked together. They sat side by side, neither really looking up from their work. It wasn't surprising then that neither noticed the figure in the doorway, watching. He smiled, an expression which looked a little odd on his sallow face. Seeing the redhead lean over to just rest her head on the blonde's shoulder for a moment, it almost brought a tear to his eye. He was reminded of another redhead long ago. She'd been his best friend in childhood, before Hogwarts... And then, they'd stayed friends.. Until she'd fallen in love... It had been the hurt of losing his friend, though he'd never really lost her, that had driven him to Voldemort... And it had been her death to protect her infant son that had sent him back to Dumbledore, to spy and try to save others as he could not save her.

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Harry sat beside Hermione, hoping he could find a way to get the words out this time. He'd tried before, and every time, he'd chickened out, finding some stupid question to ask at the last minute. It had actually been seeing Ginny with Malfoy that had given him some sort of clarity today. One of those two had to have had the courage to say something first, and that had to be a lot scarier than telling your best friend you were in love with her...

"Hermione, I.. I don't know how to say this, I'm not good at this sort of thing.. But, well, spending all this time with you lately... It's meant a lot to me.. I don't want it to end..."

Her heart fell. She looked up at him, waiting for him to finish so she could run off and cry. She just knew he was going to say that he'd found someone else.. Some other girl he could sigh over and fantasize about, like he had over Cho Chang in fourth year and even into fifth.. "Just say it, Harry.."

"'Mione, I love you.." There, he'd said it. Her eyes were wide with shock, but he wasn't looking there. He was studiously observing his shoes, watching how the carpet seemed to grow up around them.

It was her touch on his arm that turned his attention to her. "Harry, you daft idiot.. I thought you were going to tell me you wanted some other girl. I love you too..." She smiled and squeezed his hand. His eyes searched hers, as if to be sure she wasn't joking, and then his hand found it's way to her face, cupping her cheek as he leaned in to kiss her softly, tenderly.

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The Yule Ball was quickly approaching. Ron was going with Lavendar, big surprise. Harry was going with Hermione... And well, Ginny was waiting for Draco to ask her. She had asked him to the last one after all... She sighed as she entered her room, tossing her bag onto her bed and wondering if he was ever going to ask. The Ball was a week away... She had dress robes, a present from the twins, but well... It was then that Hades' soft hooting caught her attention. She always left her window open for the eagle owl, never knowing when he might appear. She gently stroked his feathers, just behind his eye as she untied the note from his foot.

Handing him a treat, she sat on her bed, unconciously hugging her silver stuffed dragon close as she opened the note.

"V,

I know, I'm an insensitive git, waiting this long... Go with me to the ball?

Yours, D"

She smiled as she reached for her quill, using the same piece of parchment to scratch out her reply.

"D,

Yeah, insensitive git about sums it up... I did have a few other interesting ones come to mind, but I'll save them for later.. Of course, I'll go with you.. Been waiting on you to ask..

Yours, V"

A small heart finished her reply and she tied it off on Hades' leg and sent him off to Draco. Then she saw what she'd missed when reading the letter. It was another rose, this one enchanted like the last to change colors, only instead of red and green, this one went from a silvery color like Draco's hair to a coppery gold, like her own fiery tresses. She smiled and tucked it into the small bud vase that held the other rose as well. He amazed her some days.. He really did.. Now to find a way to keep Ron as distracted as he had been, so he wouldn't write home to tell her parents and other brothers about Draco before she did...