To Want

Eyes in the Woods

"You better write us." Hermione was trying to squeeze the life out of Harry, pulling him into a bruising hug. It was the third one she had given him in an hour.

"Hermione, you're only going to be gone for two weeks." Harry tried to humor her, rubbing comforting circles into her back. He glared at Ron and Neville as they snickered at the display, pulling the attention of other students walking by. Several first years just gawked at 'the Great Harry Potter' while a couple of fifth years started whispering quickly to each other. Harry could feel his check flush, there was going to be new gossip around before the train pulled into Kings Cross.

"Still, I want to hear from you." Hermione pulled back, grabbing his shoulders so he couldn't escape. She had the perfect nagging tone of a young other, "No more of this disappearing for weeks on end."

"Okay, Okay. I will write." Harry relented. What he would write about was a mystery to him. There were only so many times he could talk about what the House-elves were up to or the latest prank Peeves pulled. Maybe if he went home there would be more to tell, surely he had enough renovations around Grimmauld place to fill a letter a day to Hermione. That would require putting up with all the reporters, trying to snap pictures, digging through his trash, and generally driving him mad.

"Are you sure you don't want to come, mate?" Ron asked, wrapping his arm around Hermione finally extracting Harry from her grip. "If we can grab your stuff right now, we can still make the last carriage."

"No, I will be fine and you two should be with your family... but thank you." Harry meant it too. It just didn't feel right to be there while the Weasleys celebrated their first Christmas without Fred. He doubted he could offer them anything more than bad memories and sullen moods. Though Ron seemed keen to have him, and he was thankful that the Weasleys were kind people, he didn't want to abuse that kindness for his benefit.

"Well, mum' will be sending you another Christmas sweater soon." Ron smiled proudly. Harry smiled back, remembering when Molly Weasely's creations were a source of humiliation for the youngest Weasely boy. After everything though, Ron seemed to bask in every homely comfort his mother could offer. He was excited about every owl carrying homemade chocolates, saved every letter from his brothers, and would puff up his chest in pride whenever he knew how to mend something via magic.

Harry was excited, ever since Hermione had given Molly a muggle fashion manual, she had started making much better-looking sweaters. Some, dare he say, were even fashionable.

"Yeah, my Nan wants to gift you a yule cake this year," Neville added happily, he always raved about how delicious his Nan's cooking was.

"Thank you, guys, and be sure not to open your gifts until Christmas day." Normally Harry would have mailed it to them the day off but it felt wrong going to the owlery now. Without Hedwig, he just felt terrible using any other owl, like he was betraying her memory. So, instead, he had wrapped up the gifts in some brown paper and twine, giving it to each of them at breakfast this morning.

"No promises." Ron gave a cheeky mischievous smile.

"Well good thing I charmed yours to stay closed till Christmas." Harry slapped Ron on the back laughing. "Alright, get out of here." Harry shuffled them towards the carriages. "Tell everyone hello for me and I will see you soon." Ron and Neville clamored up into the empty carriage, laughing about some nonsense about the quidditch cup. Hermione, with one foot on the carriage step, quickly turned back around towards Harry.

"Have a Merry Christmas, Harry." Hermione stood up on her toes, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.

"You too, Hermione." He waved goodbye, watching her climb into the Carriage and close the door. Flapping its wings, rearing to go, the Thestral pulling the carriage started down the path towards the Hogsmeade train station.