Chapter 3
Harry watched as the raindrop on the left inched down in erratic little runs. He was pretty sure it was going to catch the side of the big drop near the middle, but only if the drop directly above it didn’t get there first.
He smiled as the left side drop moved faster, catching the middle drop and rushing towards the bottom of the window, just like he’d predicted. His eyes drifted back up, and he looked for another little imaginary race about to start.
The rainfall surged suddenly, great heavy drops beating against the window. Harry sat back, letting his eyes unfocus as he listened to the heavy downpour. There was just something about the rain…
He tensed slightly when he caught movement in the corner of his eye, turning to watch as Narcissa came and sat in the opposite corner of the window seat he was curled up in. He watched her for a minute, but she was watching the rain, and after a while, Harry turned back too.
He cast little glances at her occasionally – at first wary, but then more curious as time stretched on and she just sat still, a hint of a smile on her face. She looked almost… wistful.
Harry wasn’t sure how long they sat like that, but eventually his bottom was a little numb and his stomach was grumbling slightly. He didn’t want to move, though. He didn’t know it was possible to sit this close to someone – especially someone he didn’t know very well, and feel so… peaceful.
He turned to look right at her then, surprised.
After a minute of staring, cataloguing her face, Narcissa turned her head and looked at Harry, too. She smiled, small and soft, and Harry smiled back shyly.
His stomach chose that moment to let out a loud rumble, and he blushed. Narcissa just smiled and held out a hand. Harry took it hesitantly and let her pull him to his feet. Without a word, she led him out of the small alcove and down the stairs toward the dining room.
Harry paused just outside the doorway, tugging at Narcissa’s hand. She turned to look at him in question.
‘Thank you.’ he whispered.
‘Thank you too, darling.’ She whispered in reply, giving him a little wink. He smiled shyly again, and they turned back to the dining room, walking inside hand in hand.