Weeks rushed by, leaving Gwen feeling like the term had ended before it had really begun. Malfoy was unusually sullen in DADA lessons and she prayed it would be awhile before he tried a new stunt. She was certain it wouldn�t be during class. Harry on the other hand improved a great deal and was back to his usual self.
The snow fell just before Christmas break. It was enchanting the way it clung to Hagrid�s cabin and made it look like a giant gingerbread house, settled on the edge of the vast lawns. It was her first break since she had begun teaching. She would of course remain at Hogwarts for the holidays and help to watch over the students that decided to stay. She was just straightening up her classroom after a rough practice of a holiday sketch she was putting together for the Christmas feast.
She missed theatre so and some of the students were actually enthusiastic about putting something together. She almost laughed at the idea of a drama club at Hogwarts, but the idea was so intriguing it couldn�t fail. She was bent over, picking up a piece of parchment when she heard a long and low whistle.
She turned and found herself looking at Graves. He was thinner than she ever thought possible seeing as how he was already emaciated looking. His tall frame thinned him out quite a bit and he never looked like he had enough to eat. His eyes were pale, their deep, dark blue shade subdued. His skin was sallow, almost jaundiced. His long hair was disheveled looking, which worried her immediately. It wasn�t like Graves not to groom. He had been to hell and back.
She didn�t know what to say to him. The words were failing her for perhaps the first time in her life.
�Hi.� He said softly.
She wrapped him in a hug, still speechless.
�You look good.� He said, stroking her short hair with his bandaged hands. He kissed the top of her head and gave her his best smile.
�What happened to you?� She finally managed to splutter, pulling away from him.
He jerked his bruised face into a lop-sided grin. �Nothing I can�t handle.�
�You look like hell.� She said all the humor drained from her voice. He couldn�t laugh this off, she wouldn�t let him. �Your hands?�
�Just a burn. It�s nothing. It doesn�t even hurt anymore.�
�Where have you been?�
�I�ve been doing work for Dumbledore.�
�It wouldn�t happen to involve dragons would it?�
�I can�t say, top secret.� He said, smiling again.
�Graves.� She started.
�Don�t.� He said plainly. �I know what you�re going to say and nothing�s going to change my mind. My work is very important to the Order.�
�The Order of the Phoenix?�
He nodded. She didn�t know he had joined.
�You�re going to put yourself in harm�s way again, aren�t you?� She asked.
�Don�t I always?� He laughed. He usually only put himself in danger for her benefit. �How about you?�
�Just teaching, although Dumbledore says that it�s as important as what everyone else is doing.�
�It is. You�re preparing the next generation of wizards and witches to pick up the banner if we should fail. And from what I hear, you�re doing an excellent job.�
She looked down. There was a glint in her eye that he didn�t like. �You�re not going to rush off and do something stupid?� He asked.
�You don�t have to worry about me. I�ve learned a lot about responsibility and consequence these past few years. I won�t be making any hasty decisions anytime soon.�
�You want to run off to battle though, don�t you?�
She looked at him levelly. How much should she tell him? �I just feel restless.� She sighed.
�Gwen, this is no time to get restless. You�re needed here and whether or not you feel important doesn�t matter. You don�t have to always be the hero. You can just be a part of the larger movement trying to end the war.�
She huffed. �Don�t treat me like a five year old Corwin.�
�Then don�t act like one. Be the responsible adult you pretend to be.� He gave her a severe look that reminded her vaguely of Minerva. She looked away from him and when she returned her gaze to where he was standing he was gone.
�Damnit.� She said, pounding her fist on the desk nearest her.