Signum Vitalis (a dramione story)

Christmas at WiNY

Her hand was barely outstretched when he used his free hand to grab it.

He didn't let go as they walked out of the mall or when they took the buses over to WiNY for Daryn's concert.

As they stood in the crowded bus, they were nearly pressed together, their clasped hands the only thing between them. She couldn't look at him. She had barely looked at him the whole time they had held hands. It was too embarrassing. By that time the flashbacks had stopped. She had said she wasn't needy. She had decided not to accept his offerings of pity. Yet, at the first sign of trouble she had figuratively run back to him. Then there was the problem that she didn't want to let go of his hand. Even if the comfort was false she wanted it. The bus took a sharp turn and his hand tightened harder around hers. She tried not to wriggle her fingers or even move her hand too much in case he would let go.

When they reached their stop, Draco moved towards the exit, her hand still in his. It was awkward to maneuver around the other people with their hands connected. One older lady gave Hermione a look when her elbow accidentally jostled the lady as they tried to slip through. Sighing, Hermione loosened her grip on Draco's hand. He looked back briefly, his eyebrow quirked, before letting her hand go and moving the rest of the way out of the bus. When he was out of sight, she pulled her hand up and brushed where his fingers had been along the side of her face.

In WiNY the glimmering Christmas trees filled every spot of sidewalk between shop doors. A menorah's candles were glinting behind one of the windows. Above the crowded walkways, star ornaments bobbed, catching the light as they turned. It was even busier than the mall they had just left and they all instinctively moved closer to each other.

"But Daryn made it sound like this was going to be a small event!" Hermione said loudly.

Shandra laughed. "Daryn has always been too modest."

"Look!" Ari pointed between them. "Hot chocolate!"

They still had some time so they queued for the hot chocolate stand.

Hermione was mostly silent as they waited in line, watching as Daryn's band warmed up on a platform in the middle of the square. Over the rattle of the drums, Daryn and the other guitarist plucked their strings as they tuned their instruments.

"Hey," –Draco grabbed her shoulder- "The line-"

Hermione nearly jumped out of her skin. She stepped back and held her hand to her chest for a moment as her heart calmed.

When she looked up, Draco was frowning. "You know," he said slowly, eyes narrowing. "I'm not trying to invade your boundaries. For the love of Merlin just tell me-"

"Hey, what do you guys want?" Shandra called from ahead of them.

Hermione, who had been staring at Draco in confusion, hurried past him to order.

They found Luna and Rolf, who Hermione had invited, and squeezed onto the bench that Luna had transfigured. Hermione ended up between Luna and Jordan and Ari between Luna and Rolf. It was just tight enough that Hermione's shoulders brushed both of her seatmate's. They were two people she had come to like so, instead of feeling uncomfortable, she was cheered by their warmth. Ari looked wary of Rolf but happily started talking to Luna about the pixies he had found in his garden and the mishaps that had followed.

Ari was telling how one of the pixies had found its way into one of his brother's trouser legs when Jordan tugged on Hermione's sleeve.

Hermione looked down and Jordan offered up her Styrofoam cup. "Is it ready to drink yet?"