Draco is finally feeling again, for the first time since the end of the war. He can feel the wind through his hair and way the lake is washing up against his bare feet. He isn't numb anymore. He's been waiting and wishing for the numbness to end for ages. It hits him that he should be happy that he can feel.

But he's not.

He thinks of his parents. One in Azkaban, one in St. Mungo's for an immeasurable span of time from the week after the war to now. The Manor was just a hollow shell full of painful memories and old heirlooms that he doesn't want. He's thinking of selling it all and moving away. There would be nothing stopping him from moving to a differant town, or a different country. He could start over in America, if he wanted to, after his last year at Hogwarts.

McGonnegal had called back all the students to another year, saying the previous one hardly counted for anything, seeing as everyone was too frightened to learn. Coming back to Hogwarts brought memories of the last time he was here, during the Final Battle. Flashes of painfully hot fire and explosions of stone and losing Crabbe.

Draco feels a painful lurch in his heart when he thinks of his dead friend. He winces. He's no longer used to pain. It feels odd to be feeling so many things at once after not feeling anything at all for almost half the year. He sneezes and realizes the water's cold. His eyes return to the reason he's half-way into the almost-frozen water of the lake.

She's bent over, pulling at seaweed needed for one of Slughorn's stupid potions, her long brown hair tied in a bun that is just barely above touching the water. Her arms are in to her elbows, and the basket full of seaweed is floating next to her.

Do you plan on helping anytime soon?

Draco starts at her question. She glances at him, her wide brown eyes glowing with amusement. He feels the smallest movement of butterfly wings as their eyes lock before she turns back to their task. He looks down at his trousers and resumes rolling up the pant legs until it's well above his knees before sloshing out over to her.

He apologizes before bending down and joining her, and before he notices the time passing she's carrying the basket back to shore. He watches the way she walks for awhile before she looks over her shoulder from the shore.

Come on, Malfoy! What are you waiting for? Hurry up or I'll have to leave you here!

His eyes widen and he starts for her quickly, her name sliding through his lips on a whisper. He's standing behind her in a matter of seconds before he wraps his arms around her. She's surprised and drops the basket, her hands automatically holding his arms there. His voice is raw when he speaks.

Don't leave me.