The castle lights twinkled across a darkened sky, the turrets and towers reaching up to the pink clouds as the November sun set. Inside students sat beside common room fires, or bent over parchments, as the day ended. The wind howled, pounding against the stone walls of the castle. Down below was a single figure, a seventeen year old boy, walking purposely across the grounds at a swift pace, heading towards the dark trees. Hands in his pockets, his head down against the winter wind, he moved forward.
Light flooded across the damp grass as the ancient wooden door opened a crack, just enough for a slim form to slip through. Then the door closed, and it was dark once more. The girl too walked towards the forest, unnoticed. Her long hair flew around her, tearing through the cold air as she followed the boy.
"James!" Her voice broke the silence, carrying across the open space, reaching the black forest. She picked up her pace, running now towards the figure ahead. It was impossible for him not to have heard her, but he ignored her plea.
"James. JAMES!" Her voice was hoarse now, as she increased her volume, and could be heard over the wind. She ran fasted, tripping and stumbling, hopelessly trying to keep up with his long strides. She raced downhill, her hair streaming out behind her. Desperate.
The gap between the two of them was closing, but the boy, James, had reached the forest. The dark trees swayed above him and he stopped, turning round to face his pursuer.
She tumbled, her clothes muddy now, and slowed, stopping at the edge of the trees, in front of him
"Go back." He said, his voice harsh, hostile as he issued this command. She shook her head, starting towards him.
"No. James. No, we need to talk about this, I won't have you..." She began, her voice shaking ever so slightly, trembling.
"Won't have me what?" His voice raised, full of disbelief. "Since when did you care, Lily? Since when did you care?" She moved forwards, her hand tentatively reaching for his sleeve, but he brushed her away.
"Go inside Lily." He turned to go. He moved through the trees, disappearing. She choked, letting out a single sob as it began to rain. She sat down on the cold grass, curling up into a ball, letting the droplets of rain hit her face, her arms, her chest. There she lay, despair mixing with mud and misery.