With Hope and Passion {Harry Potter}

Unfulfilling Farewell

Draco woke up sprawled across the floor. He groaned as he rose to his feet, his back and legs sore. The sun had just risen and there was light streaming in from the windows.

"Harry!" Draco called out, his voice echoing through the house, "Please, I want to apologize!"

Draco strained his ears to hear any minuscule noise, but there was nothing. He sprinted through the manor, screaming until his voice was hoarse and raspy. He opened every door and searched every room, but still could not find Harry. Draco realized that he might be outside, and went to look.

He heaved open the huge entrance doors and ran out into the courtyard. He called for Harry once again, but there was no answer. He bolted across to the gardens, which consisted of flower bed after flower bed, with a huge hedge maze in the center. 

Harry was obviously not among the flowers, so Draco went straight into the maze. He had spent hours of his life staring at it from the windows in the manor, and knew the layout practically by heart. 

Draco sped through the leafy labyrinth, and reached the center in a few minutes.  He slowed to a stop and gazed around. 

There was a marble fountain with an intricately carved snake statue in the center, spouting water from its mouth. Draco walked around it and saw Harry laying on a bench, fast asleep.

Draco crept over to Harry, trying not to wake him. He stepped on a fallen twig, and it made a surprisingly loud crack. 

Harry stirred from sleep and sat up, and upon seeing Draco his face turned paper white. 

"I told you not to do what you did last night," Harry said, his voice husky.

"I know, I'm sorry," Draco said.

"Don't apologize. You made me realize something."

"Wait, what?" Draco was confused, "I thought you hated me now."

"I don't hate you! I like you, a lot. But, I still love Ginny." Harry looked at the ground, avoiding Draco's eyes.

"I understand," said Draco.

"So, can you forgive me for running out on you twice?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Draco said with a small smile.

Harry stood up and walked towards Draco. He looked guiltily at Draco as he kissed him on the lips, then hugged him tightly.

"I have to leave."

"Why?" Draco asked, sounding almost childish.

"I have work, and I need to see Ginny, to figure out what to do."

"I-if you must," Draco said, nearly crying.

"I'm sorry, Draco. I just need some time to think things over," Harry said softly, "I'll be back here again, I promise."

Draco stepped away from Harry, looking at him through tear-filled eyes.

"Goodbye, Draco," Harry whispered.

"Goodbye," he managed to choke out.

Harry Disapparated out of the maze, leaving Draco once again in suffocating quiet. He dropped to his knees, hot tears running down his face and ragged breath filling his lungs.

Draco was alone. Alone for who knows how long. And for all he knew, Harry would pick Ginny, and never return.