Wintertime
Flossie1
Summary: The snow played a graceful mischief about the two lonely figures, laughter echoing in the secrecy of the wintertime…
Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter
Author's Note: This came unexpectantly, around midnight. It may not make all the best of sense, and I suppose, in a way I hope it won't. It is, with any luck, a (very) short page on the frustrations of being that destined to be couple. I wanted to say something about the beauty of Lily's strength as a character. I'm very sure this is a one-part.
He had asked her, that night.
What do you want from me?
The snow played mischief about her hair, surrounding her pink-flushed face like an ice crown, haloed about her temple as some pretty frame.
Laughter echoed past his ears.
He was minutes behind reality, captive in this one second. This one picture he knew could never be framed. Grasping, trying to hold onto this beauty before it slipped past him with the secrecy of silk.
He remembers it hit him like a knife, stabbed into his chest. Forcing every emotion he ever felt into humiliation that they once believed was worthy. No, this…indescribable force, love.
"What do I want from you? I…I don't understand, I-"
"No, god! Lily, don't! Don't leave me like this, in this…"
She closed her eyes. Yes, she understood. Understanding had been the easiest part…
"…Lily?"
Softer now, calmer…his hand brushed her cheek as wary as a whisper.
Her backbone arched slightly, leaning a shadow of an inch closer to his hand. Her body remembering the tenderness of his touch that she once oh so easily gave in to.
She found her voice; found her confidence, "Please, James. If….if you cared as much as you say, listen to me. Forget. Forget whatever it is that makes you look at me that way. Please, James…please…"
She realized she was begging, and struggled to let the breath she had been holding go.
His chest felt tight as he struggled to meet her eyes, sought once more for her to look at him the way he selfishly indulged on once upon a time.
"Don't make me do that," he nudged her chin towards him, "You know I can't do that."
She turned, suddenly. Her green eyes punctured as if bullets, challenged him to leave her. To give up.
He met her with equal defiance.
The snow had melted away by the next morning. The miserable gray clouds remained, sunk low in the sky. The deceitful yesterday laughed at him from the outside, mocking the happiness that had trickled away in his slumber.
And yet.
Wintertime was only a year away…