Without You

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Time flied during Autumn's sixth year.

The amount of homework to be done that year got every sixth year student struggling, even Hermione. Autumn spent her free time in the library, reading books about Potions. She was surprised to hear that Harry had been doing so well in Potionsㅡ he was even way better than Hermione. The Potions book Harry had picked up on his first lesson that year seemed to have helped Autumn gain outstanding results to his education. To Autumn and Hermione's major defeat, Harry refused to let the girls get their hands on the book.

"Why can't you let me see that?" Hermione asked, throwing herself at the book.

"What are you hiding, Harry?" Autumn asked, flipping through her plain textbook. What did Harry's book have that no one else had?

"Ron got himself a girlfriend." Harry said, half-absorbed in his book.

"Girlfriend? Who? That Lavender Brown girl?" Autumn had remembered seeing the blonde girl at Fred and George's store a few days ago. The only other time Autumn really noticed her was during the Yule Ball, when she almost tripped down the stairs. Autumn hated thinking about that year. "Who has the time to date in sixth year, anyway?" Autumn laughed softly, turning a page.

"Well, you do, don't you?" Harry asked, "You're still with Malfoy, aren't you?"

Autumn didn't even know the answer to this for herself. Her relationship with Draco now was as confusing as ever. She knew she needed to see Draco for herself and speak with him properly. If she didn't fix things with him now, it would be bothering her even until the end of her sixth year.

Harry probably took note of Autumn's uneasiness and never brought up the subject again.

"I think I may have feelings for... someone." Harry mumbled all of a sudden. He must have felt a little comfortable speaking about this with Autumn, since she used to always casually spoke about her relationship with Draco.

"And who's this lucky girl?" Autumn teased, closing her book. She felt a sudden interest to find out, since Harry barely spoke about fancying a girl at school.

It took Harry at least twenty minutes before he was able to say her name without stuttering. It was official; Harry was in love with Ginny Weasley, who was unfortunately dating Dean Thomas. Harry looked heartbroken when he spoke about Ron's sister, but still managed to force a smile.

When it was time for Autumn's next class, she left the library, bumping into Draco on her way out. At first he looked irritated, but his face softened at the sight of her. He coughed awkwardly, as she apologised. It had been ages since they had last seen each other. The last time Autumn had probably seen Draco was on the train, where they had a quite unpleasant conversation.

"We need to talk." she said quietly, eyes staring into his.

He nodded curtly, a frown appearing on his face as he looked past her shoulder. Harry had just made an exit from the library, staring at Draco with a fierce stare. Autumn sighed, shaking her head slightly. She grabbed him by the arm, leading him to a more quiet hallway, where no one really walked through.

She couldn't look at him. She really, really liked him. Loved him, even. But the fact that he wasn't the same anymore just continued to bother her. Each year, he'd change. And so would she. It was only natural for Draco and Autumn to changeㅡ it was a part of growing up. Autumn knew she had to let go of him before things got bad. Harry accused Draco of being a Death Eater, but even if Autumn refused to believe it, there was a good chance that he probably was.

"I didn't get to thank you for all you've done for me before last summer," Autumn started, "I'm sorry I yelled."

Autumn didn't realise how much Draco had actually done for her. He had to join the Inquisitorial Squad for Autumn's detentions to come to a stop, and even got his father in prison for helping out a friend of her's. Autumn felt thankful but guilty for it, since she spent half the year accusing him of changing.

"It's clear that the two of us have changed a lot through the summerㅡ"

"I haven't changed one bit," Draco interrupted, "It's you who's changed. Admit it, Autumn. You've moved on from me to Harry. You just can't admit it."

"Stop it. You've got it all wrong, Draco." She hated the fact that he always brought up Harry at times like this.

He punched the stone wall behind Autumn, his knuckles bloodying. Autumn almost jumped in surprise, her back against the wall. Draco's face was now only inches away, but he did not lean in any closer.

"I loved you, Autumn. And I still do. Nothing about me has changed. Think about it properly before you even say a thing."

Draco then pulled away, standing up straight, as students started passing by them. Younger students forced themselves not to stare, fearful of Draco. They scurried past timidly, the hallways soon emptying once again. It was time for class, but Draco seemed to have more to say to Autumn.

"You can't even look at me," he said in a broken-hearted voice, "You really have changed."

* * *

Instead of breaking things off with Draco, Autumn decided she'd just leave their relationship as it is.

They were actually in such an awkward relationship now. Every time they'd see each other alone, they'd exchange smiles but that was all. Whenever Autumn was with her friends, she'd avoid looking his way or speaking to him. Her friends were probably expecting her to break up with Draco after what he did to Hermione and Harry, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it.

She then realised that what Draco had said to her was trueㅡ he hadn't changed one bit. Perhaps it was Autumn who was changing.

It was later in the year when Autumn finally told her friends with her eyes brimming with tears. She felt selfish and cruel, telling her friends the truth after so long. Harry and the others comforted her, telling her that they were happy for her, but she could sense otherwise. She didn't blame them, however. What Draco did to them was awful, and deserved less than acknowledgment from Autumn's friends.

Draco and Autumn eventually went back to their normal relationship, where they'd sit beside each other in class and spend a lot of time together in the library. With a large number of assessments to complete, all sixth years occupied most of the library space. Usually, Autumn would sit with Harry and Hermione whilst Ron sat with his new girlfriend, but Autumn now sat with Draco as far away as possible from her friends to avoid any conflict.

Christmas was approaching soon, and as usual, the students of Hogwarts were free to visit the Hogsmeade village once again, although they had been warned about the dangers. Autumn decided to skip out on visiting with Harry, Ron and Hermione this time to spend more time with Draco who was staying back at Hogwarts.

Autumn and Draco wanted to spend time together where it was quiet, so they went to the viaduct. It was strange place to stand around and talk, but the view gave Autumn comfort. The two stood beside each other closely, on the twentieth day of the month. It was cold, but both were dressed warmly for the weather.

"I've missed you," he said quietly, "I wish we could spend more time together. I really do."

Autumn looked at him, wondering what he was talking about, but she was happy to know how he felt about her. Was there something he needed to say? She let him continue.

"There's... something I have to do. And we might not be able to spend a lot of time together for a while. But I promise, Autumn, I will make it up to you."

The ends of Autumn's lips curled up.

"And how will you do that?"

"You're birthday's coming up later this month, isn't it? Why don't we spend a whole day togetherㅡ just the two of us?"

Autumn nodded in delight. She looked so happy, it made Draco smile for the first time in a while.