fantasyfiend09

Title: The Arrangement (14 of 25)
Author:

fantasyfiend09
Word Count: 369
Rating: NC-17 overall
Prompt: Branch with berries encased in ice
Warning: None
Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: Unbetaed.

Harry showered and threw on jeans, a Weasley jumper, and a peacoat. Luna wasn't one to care about dress codes, and Harry wanted to be comfortable. And warm. Luna always hosted parties outside, regardless of weather.

That, and maybe he was deliberately not dressing up for Draco as a way of playing it cool.

He shoved thoughts of Draco away as he slipped on the hat, gloves, and scarf set Hermione had knit for him the year before. Her knitting had come a long way since Hogwarts, and the burgundy yarn was very soft against his cheeks and throat.

Hermione would be there tonight. And Ron. And Ginny and Neville. Harry smiled as he thought of the friends he expected to see. He wouldn't need Draco to distract him from awkward conversation and boredom like the night before. And it wouldn't be just the two of them like the night before that. This should be fun for Harry even alone, and that somehow made it seem even more important. Like a test, but of what, he was afraid to ponder.

He Apparated to the grounds of Luna's house. She still lived with her father, but he usually holed up in the house and was not to be seen. On the small hill to the east of the house, Harry could make out a bonfire and bodies moving around it in the fading light. At least that would help with the warmth.

Rather than stomp through the snow, he followed the narrow path that led along the orchard. Looking up at the branches that stretched over him, he saw the winter berries were encased in ice. Luna would see to that soon enough. She always made sure the birds and squirrels had plenty to eat in the winter.

As he neared the bonfire, he began making out the shapes of his friends in the firelight. Ron's tall frame was easiest to see, and the short witch with bushy hair beside him was obviously Hermione. Harry's eyes darted from figure to figure making out who had arrived before him, but there was no one who could be Draco. He pushed his disappointment away and walked over to join his friends.

Part 15