Without You

Christmas Eve

It was Christmas Eve. Autumn returned to her home in London, whilst her other friends spent their Christmas with the Weasley's. As much as she wanted to spend Christmas with her friends, she knew her mother needed her. It would be terrible to spend Christmas on your own.

Walking home from the bus stop, Autumn paused before she unlocked the gate to her home. She missed it a lot, and was especially excited to reunite with her mother. Autumn rung the doorbell, her smile hiding behind her purple scarf. Standing in front of her door reminded her of her life as a young girl. Returning home from a friend's house, she'd remember ringing the doorbell and waiting for her mother to welcome her home with a tray of cookies in her arms.

Holly Rosewood opened the door to her sixteen year old daughter, who's smile widened at the sight of her mother. She threw her arms around her daughter who she had not seen in a while. She started asking her questions about school, and if anything felt dangerous, and if she had any friends to help her outㅡ all the kinds of questions a mother could ever come up with.

"How's the Davies' son, by the way? A handsome boy, isn't he?"

Autumn chuckled. Everyone thought that about Thomas.

"I've been dining with his mother lately. We should all go and eat together next time. Easter, maybe. What do you think?"

"I think that's a great idea." she smiled, looking at her mother who seemed to be more excited than she should be.

Autumn settled down with tea, keeping herself warm in front of the fireplace. She passed her mother a gift she had bought for her at Hogsmeadeㅡ it was a teapot set that came with matching tea cups. Autumn watched her mother unwrap her present with the warmest smile she had ever seen, pleased to know her mother still had the happiness in her to this day.

"Oh, Autumn, how lovely! Thank you!"

Mrs. Rosewood moved to the kitchen, already putting the set on display.

"Mum, it's not just for design, you know." Autumn laughed, shaking her head.

Her mother's smile widened. "Autumn, you seem to be happier these days. It's good to know."

"Really?" Autumn asked, looking up from her cup of tea.

"Yeah. Is there a boy?" she raised a brow teasingly.

Mrs. Rosewood liked talking about boys with Autumn. She wanted to know more about her child, and didn't want to hold her back, like Autumn's grandmother did. Because of this, Autumn was always comfortable to talk about crushes with her mother, but never did until now. Because until now, she had never liked someone as much as she liked Draco Malfoy.

Autumn nodded, a smile reappearing on her face.

"Can I meet him?" Holly laughed from the kitchen, "If he's going to be my son-in-law one day, why not, eh?"

"Mum!" Autumn yelled, her cheeks flushing a shade of crimson. The future was embarrassing to think about, especially if she wasn't sure who she'd be spending it with.

"Well, can I meet him, then?"

"One day, mum, one day." Autumn sighed, taking her teacup to the sink. "One day."

* * *

On the day after Christmas, Autumn's mother received a phone call from Mrs. Weasley about Ron being hospitalised, due to accidentally drinking poison. Hearing about this, Autumn wanted to return to Hogwarts immediately, but did not want to abandon her poor mother like this. After contemplating, Autumn decided to stay for another two days before returning back to school.

Her mother curled her scarf around her neck, pecking her cheek before passing her Autumn's bag. She used to do this for Autumn even when she was a child. It made Autumn feel terrible for growing up. She hated the process of change so much. She wanted this to happen everyday. She wanted to come home from school everyday to the loving mother she had, who'd send her off with a kiss and warm embrace.

"You take care now, won't you?"

"I will, mum. You too, okay? I'll be back for the Easter, but I promise I'll write to you as much as I can, okay?"

Autumn looked at her mother one more time before leaving, locking the gates behind her.

Autumn stood alone at Platform 9 3/4, waiting for the Hogwarts train to arrive. She kept her hands in her pockets, wishing Hermione had also given her gloves to keep her hands warm.

A cough came from the other end of the platform, and standing there was Thomas Davies. He waved a hello, and Autumn did the same. He walked towards her, his hands in his pockets. Autumn hugged him as soon as he was close enough, already missing the comforts of home. Soon, the Hogwarts Express train arrived.

"Come on, we better get going before we freeze to death out here."

Autumn entered the empty train with Thomas, following him to one of the empty compartments. After entering the train, Autumn turned back to see that the compartment the Slytherins usually conquered was left empty. It made Autumn feel sentimental and suddenly miss Draco. She was definitely looking forward to her birthday, when they could spend time alone together.

Thomas opened the compartment, as Autumn entered after him. She shut the sliding door closed behind her, taking a seat on the leather chair.

"Kinda frightening, isn't it? The train is so empty."

Autumn nodded, "I guess everyone else either returned to Hogwarts early or didn't leave at all. But why would they?"

"No clue. Kind of silly, don't you think? It's one of the only chances we've got to see our family."

Autumn couldn't agree more. If she was allowed to, she'd be going home every day to her mother. She hated the fact that her mother was alone all the time, and wished she could visit her more often.

"You really love your mum, don't you?"

Thomas actually lived quite close to where Autumn lived. They were only a few houses away. Sometimes, Autumn would see Thomas walk his mother to the shops and do the shopping with her. Autumn's mother explained that Mrs. Davies had a mental disability, due to the war back in her days. Autumn had always thought it was the same war her father died in, but she never dared to ask her mother.

"She doesn't to deserve the life she lives." Thomas whispered quietly, looking outside the window.

For the most of the trip, the two were quiet. Autumn could now only imagine the pain Thomas felt inside after leaving his mother behind. She was both alone, and helpless. She probably needed him the most, and sending him to Hogwarts had been a sacrifice.

They arrived at Hogwarts later that evening, when the sky was dark. Autumn and Thomas were conveniently from the same house, so they were able to return to the Gryffindor tower together. They parted ways after Thomas climbed the stairs for the boys room, as Autumn entered the room she shared with Hermione.

Hermione was all curled up with Crookshanks, mumbling something in her sleep. Autumn crept into bed, pulling the large quilt over her freezing body. She closed her eyes, her tiredness consuming her. Tomorrow was her birthday, and she definitely needed a night's worth of rest.