'I still my heart and I can hear you'

[Rustin Larson]

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The afternoon sun beamed through every window of the living room, igniting universes of dust as they floated through the air, and she squeezed her eyes to drown out its light as she woke, before sitting up way too fast, leaving her with what felt like the biggest headache in the world pulling at her skull as the couch seemed to sway beneath her.

Wincing, Addie brought a hand to her head as she gradually opened her eyes, brow furrowed in confusion as she was met with the Weasley's living room—empty, except for herself—where she sat on the comfiest couches of them all with three woollen, hand-made blankets of varying colours and patterns laying over her. As faint, warm chatter in other rooms and floors of the Burrow met her ears, she finally remembered the previous night, and, despite getting a solid eight or more hours of sleep, she felt more exhausted than ever, and couldn't find the energy—or the will—to stand, as her limbs felt hollow, fragile, numb.

"Hey sleepy-head," a warm voice from the doorway stifled a laugh, and she half laughed, half groaned in response, covering her face with her palms. Feeling the couch dip beside her, she rubbed her eyes and opened them again to see Harry sitting on the edge of the couch, balancing two mugs with swirling steam in his hands. Sitting straighter, back against the couch's arm, she tucked in her legs so he could sit back, and gratefully accepted one of the warm mugs with both hands.

Hot chocolate.

Looking up at him, she failed to keep a straight face, and burst into laughter along with him despite the way her head throbbed as a result. Just as they tried to still their shaking shoulders from spilling the drinks, Ron, Hermione and Ginny walked in, each carrying their own steaming mugs.

As chatter filled the room and the five lounged around the room, Addie tuned in every now and then, though found herself disassociating from every group conversation—either by absentmindedly watching the flickering flames in the fireplace or eyeing the way Harry was also struggling to keep his eyes open. The sheer warmth of the room didn't help their cases either, nor the fact that it was beyond freezing outside, so everyone in the Burrow had silently agreed that today was going to be an inside day.

Mrs Weasley, in the other room, had an old black and white movie playing as she did the ironing, and the lull of the indistinctive voices and theatrical, wailing strings instruments beneath the low words passed between Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were soft and comforting. So comforting, in fact, that Addie was almost asleep before she even closed her eyes.

Sliding down the seat cushion, resting her head on the low arm of the couch, she stretched her legs out, still covered in thick socks and plaid pyjama pants, and closed her eyes. Given their proximity, her lower legs came to rest over Harry's lap, who, in the middle of a conversation with Ron on a nearby armchair, didn't think twice about it, and absentmindedly, almost instinctively, rested his hand over her leg. Ginny and Hermione, however, immediately traded silent but animated wide-eyed looks.

Soon, due to the fatigue in her eyes from the previous night (or, technically morning), Addie fell asleep to the soothing rhythm of their voices; to the faint smell of firewood, fresh linen, and vanilla; to the warm, safe weight of his hand.

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Who woke who wasn't clear. All Addie knew for a moment was that the living room was completely dark aside from the deep orange glows of the fireplace, and that the boy talking to her on the other end of the small couch was just as awake as she was, and exactly where he was when she fell asleep.

"You woke me up," he mumbled light-heartedly, and she saw his silhouette sit up slowly and run a hand through his hair. Addie now noticed the blankets covering them both, varying in pattern and texture just like earlier, given the coldness of the air around them, despite the fire.

"You woke me up," she giggled, moving her feet from resting on his lap to the seat cushion on his other side, forming an arch over his lap, scooting herself closer. "You moved!"

"You moved!" he nudged her shoulder, snickering at her quiet laughter, rubbing his eyes beneath his glasses; the dryness of his throat becoming apparent as he swallowed. "Ads, I'm gonna get some water. You coming?"

"Yeah," she whispered, swinging her legs to the side of the couch and pulling away the blankets. As they stood, she swayed a little on the spot, off-balance until he held her outstretched arm.

"Are you okay?" he asked, voice soft, and she nodded although he could barely see her in the dark. "Just dizzy," she breathed. Harry hesitated, but let go, and she trailed after him across the carpet to the open door, barely a step behind to remain with him through the dark. As they reached the doorway, the large, wooden dining table and assortment of chairs were coated in the night's shadow; just looming, omnipresent black. Instinctively, Addie reached forward and clutched the back of Harry's shirt; holding its warm fabric close, following as he took a tentative step from the carpet to the wooden floorboards, and then another, and then another. Harry knew the Burrow like the back of his hand from the many times he'd stayed there, so he was confident on their route to the kitchen.

Until he walked forehead-first into a wall.

From behind him, all it took was that thump and the way he swore beneath his breath for Addie to wheeze from laughter and press her head against his back to muffle her laughs from waking every level of the burrow.

Rubbing his head, he insisted in a whisper "it's not that funny!" whilst pressing his lips together to suppress his own laugh as she only wheezed harder into his back.

Eventually, they reached the kitchen in one piece, (this time with Harry's arms stretched out before him), and Addie let go of his shirt to peer through the small window over the sink, where Arthur's newly installed, muggle garden lights glowed amidst the Weasley's garden. As Harry grabbed two glasses from one of the many old cabinets, he filled one, gave it to her, and then filled his own. As they gulped down the icy, refreshing water, dry throats relieved, they stood for a moment in silence, looking out at the small lights that dotted the garden.

Addie looked over to Harry, eyeing the shadows around his face, who suddenly squinted, and leaned over the sink, closer to the window, before whispering "it's snowing," in response to her bemused gaze. Just as he did, Addie leaned closer to the window, and sure enough, she spied thick, white flakes falling in the glow of the lights.

"Come on," he said quietly, putting his glass down next to hers and grabbing her hand. Before she could register his fingers entwined in hers and warm palm against her cold one, he was quickly, though quietly, leading her through what seemed like a maze of rooms, flawlessly missing every wall, chair and piece of furniture this time.

Her breath hitched.

If it was just her trying to find her way in the pitch-black, she'd be terrified. But instead of warily feeling the weight of the darkness around them, she focused on how his hand felt in her own, and her breathing steadied, and excitement grew in her stomach.

She truly had no idea where they were when they stopped until he grazed a wall with his fingers for a moment before flicking a light switch. The dull, flickering bulb emitted very little light with a warm glow, but it was more than enough for her to recognise the burrow's mudroom, complete with dozens of old coats, hats, scarves and gloves hanging along the walls, probably passed through generations of the Weasley's, and gumboots and shoes of varying sizes crammed together along the wall.

Letting go of her hand to reach into the abundance of thick, massive old coats, Harry pulled a big, dark brown one out and handed it to her, and then found an equally thick black one for himself. Pulling it on, Addie felt like she was wearing a pile of Molly's heavy, handmade quilts. It reached well below her knees, and her hands were well hidden in the long, long sleeves. Holding her arms up, the fabric flopped as she giggled, showing Harry, who laughed quietly as he pulled his own on before stepping closer and grabbing the end of one of her sleeves to cuff it. It took a good few rolls until her hand could poke out from the sleeve, and he felt her eyes on him as he rolled up her other sleeve. Moving over to a pile of woollen scarves and gloves, the two quickly tugged on the first ones they picked up, though traded gloves when Harry's couldn't fit on his hands and Addie's swam over her fingers. Moving to the back door, slipping into their gumboots, he was about to open it before he quickly pulled out a beanie from the hamper and pulled it over her head.

The two were met with strikingly icy air as Harry pushed open the door; the dim, inside light leaking onto the ground disappearing as he gently closed it once more, and finally, they were in the night; just them, the snow, and the dark.

Addie's feet crunched on the snow as she took a few steps forward; eyes wide as she gaped at the sight. This part of the garden was clear of bushes and plants, and the grass was always kept short for home quidditch. Small garden lights, however, outlined the area; poking up from under the snow, creating an almost ethereal glow around them as thousands of falling white flakes floated around them silently, so silently, as they lowered to the thick snow that eclipsed the ground. He stood beside her, and she linked her arm through his.

"It's so beautiful," she breathed, holding out her palm, letting the snow collect in her hand.

"Yeah," he replied, eyeing her rosy cheeks and the way snowflakes found their way into her hair that cascaded around her shoulders. Looking over at him, catching his gaze, she smiled, and he swore his heart stuttered.

She said something, and he hummed in response; asking her to repeat herself.

"Look," she motioned behind him, and he turned his head around, not seeing anything in particular and feeling her arm slide away from his. Brow furrowed, he moved to turn back around just to be met with a shock of cold on his ear; bits of snow slipping down his neck making him shiver. Mouth agape, brows raised, he met the guilty, grinning face of Addie; her hand still outstretched; glove wet.

"You're so on," he scooped a handful of snow, lightly patting it into a ball. Scrambling to get her own in defence, she was slowed down by her own laughter, trying to gather snow in her hand, just to be met with a snowball straight onto her bare collarbone where her scarf had loosened. She squealed as the cold met her skin and trickled down the front of her coat as she straightened and responded by throwing the heap of loose snow in her hold at him—just for it to fall apart before reaching him.

Eyes widening as Harry scooped up another handful of snow, their laughs echoed into the night as she turned on her heel and bolted in the opposite direction; quickly tightening her scarf and doing up the top buttons of her coat as he neared. Turning around, she ducked, avoiding his thrown snowball, and they traded impressed looks before she grabbed a handful of snow, cupped it together, and threw it at him in one motion; exploding squarely on his chest before he could react.

As he raised his arms in mock surrender, she straightened up, triumphant as he took a few steps closer so they were only metres away, just for him to reach into the hood of his coat and pull out a hidden snowball. At the sight of the white sphere in his hold, she started in the opposite direction once more, with him chasing her, easily gaining speed. Hearing how close his footsteps were, she turned around; holding her hand out to him as he pulled his arm back. "TRUCE!" she laughed; trying to catch her breath. "TRUCE!"

He sighed light-heartedly and dropped the snowball, which fell apart on landing, and bent over double with laughter, his chest rising and falling as the crisp air stung his lungs. For a moment, it was just them, catching their breath; visible puffs of air leaving their mouths as they both stood straighter—until Addie flicked her wrist, and a snowball collided with the back of his head. Spinning around in bewilderment, he caught on to her use of magic as she started laughing uncontrollably. "THAT'S CHEATING!" he spun back around to meet tears springing to her eyes, clutching at her sides as she sank to her knees onto the snow.

He laughed at her laugh and stepped closer; offering her a hand, which she took, but as she stood, her feet slid beneath her, and he quickly grabbed hold of her elbows; keeping her up as her feet repeatedly slipped on the icy snow beneath her. She clutched onto his arms, her chest now against his as he kept his ground, and as she still struggled to find grip, brought her closer, wrapping his arms around her back, so that when her feet finally slowed, she was pressed up against him, laughing breathlessly before growing quiet.

Looking up at him, his face was a lot closer to hers than she thought. The white of the snowflakes over his head formed a contrast against his damp, messy black hair, and his cheeks and nose were tinged a light pink; green eyes soft as they met her own, and then looked down. She felt his breath on her lips.

"Are you okay?" her voice was low, and if they weren't so close, he wouldn't be able to hear her. "You looked tired earlier—more than me. And you've been checking up on me so much, but I haven't really with you. I don't know what could be on your mind, but you—you can always talk to me. Okay? And—"

"I'm in love with you," he said.

Her breath hitched.

Her legs felt like they could give way at any second, but his arm around her back kept her steady.

"...what kind?"

"Hm?"

"Sirius told me that there are three kinds of love. That there's family love, friendship love, ro—" she was cut off as he brought one of his gloved hands to cup her face along her jawline, fingers reaching into her hair, and leaned in so close, so much closer than ever before, their cold noses touching.

"What kind of love is it?" she whispered.

He waited a beat, and when she didn't move away, he pressed his lips against her own: closing the gap between them.

His eyes closed and so did hers and his lips were soft and the kiss was light. Addie was a little surprised as his lips moved against hers, not used to the feeling, but she kissed back. To begin with, Adeline couldn't tell if she was doing it right, but as he pulled her closer, sighing a little against her lips, this insecurity left her mind. She felt a little out of breath—the butterflies in her stomach making it hard to keep track of time— and as though sensing this, he lingered for a moment before pulling away slowly, even though she'd rather stay that way, with his lips against hers, forever.

"That kind," he said.

She opened her eyes, and they traded smiles. "I love you in that kind, too," she whispered, and her smile grew wider as he held her tighter, her eyes squinting at the edges; nose pink and eyelashes picking up tiny sprinkles of snow, and she brought her arms to wrap around his neck as he moved his hand from her face to join his other arm in wrapping around her back.

They started laughing again; breathlessly, out of relief maybe, or for this eruption of comfort swirling in their chests as the snow fell around them. They stayed like that for a bit, in each other's hold, before swaying from side to side in a circle the way people do when they don't want to let go of each other.

Who slipped first wasn't clear, but all they knew for a moment was that they were now amidst the snow when a second ago they'd been standing. All Addie knew was Harry's chest beneath her as they delved into another fit of laughter, and all Harry knew, as she looked down at him smiling, her hair moving in the breeze with snow falling around them, was that finding her in the black lake those years ago was the best thing that's ever happened to him.

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a/n:

its 11:13pm right now and i love these two so much

FINALLYYYYYYYYYYY

ugh I've been waiting forever to write that scene

as always let me know what you thought of the chapter !

GOODNIGHT <3

-g