She quietly walked down the stairs, her socked feet making only the slightest tapping noise.
She couldn't sleep.
Her mind was whirling with thoughts - thoughts of him.
With a sigh, she placed herself on the soft, well-worn and loved couch and immersed herself in her memories.
It wasn't until the clock struck midnight that she was finally snapped out of her reverie.
A dull green light began to fill the room and she quickly got to her feet, pulling her wand out of a holster on her leg.
Her heart was pounding.
The first thing she saw emerging from the smoky green light was a single, badly beaten shoe. What followed was the shock of her lifetime.
There, in her living room, stood the one boy who had been in her dreams for as long as she could remember.
Silently sliding her wand back into it's designated spot, she walked over to him.
"Why are you here?" she whispered.
He raised his head and his brilliant green eyes - his mother's eyes - met with hers.
He then opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Seemingly unable to find the words he wished to speak, he gently set his hands on her shoulders, and pulled her in for a gentle hug. He clung to her as if letting her go would mean their death. Swiftly, he lowered his head and placed a swift kiss on her cheek.
"I love you."
He pulled his head up from near her ear, and gave her one last squeeze before he released her and began walking back towards the fireplace.
"Wait!" He paused. "Don't…don't leave."
With his back turned her, he placed a hand on the small green pot that held the powder that was his only escape route.
"I have no choice. You know that. I…I have to finish what he started. I have to. I only wanted to visit you before I left."
She touched his arm gingerly and his head snapped around to look at her.
"Please stay…just for one night." Her eyes displayed every emotion running through her veins - her longing…her need.
With a sigh, he turned around and stared at the only girl he ever had a real "relationship" with, no matter how short lived it had been.
"Just one night." He nodded. She breathed out a sigh of relief and tossed her arms around his neck, pulling him in close. A smile graced his features as he whispered one last thing to her.
"Happy Birthday, Gin."