Disclaimer; Harry Potter and the Wizarding world belong to J.K Rowling.
Preface: The Death of Fifteen
It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.
~J.K. Rowling, "The Cave," Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, 2005,
spoken by the character Albus Dumbledore
"It's beautiful when it snows."
Remus found himself staring down at Emma as she spoke, watching her lips move and lashes flutter against pale skin and dark blue eyes. She had a rich, full voice that always held a tone of authority, and could demanded attention with her words without even realizing it. And he, who stood captive in her presence, found that he could not reply in fear of sounding slight. So in return he offered a smile, warm and tentative, not at all like the snow which was bitingly cold and unflinching. How she could find the beauty in something so unpleasant was beyond his comprehension.
The village of Hogsmeade was bustling with activity as the students of Hogwarts went about their mingling, but Remus was impartial to it all. His breath came out in wispy puffs against the frigid air, but hitched when she looked at him expectantly. Watching. Watching. What was she looking for? Those pools of deep blue seemed to bore into his amber. He hadn't a clue what to do and glanced past her a moment of internal panic, his heart racing. This reaction heightened when he saw the glint off the glasses of James Potter. The messy black haired boy came charging towards them; no grin or wry smile to be seen. Only panic to mimic. His brow furrowed in thought, as he had never seen his friend with such an expression on his face.
"Do you smell smoke?" Emma asked as Sirius emerged from a corner, running in the same manner as James. Remus was distracted as he looked back at her, but she was a few paces away, staring at a black cloud of smoke rising from the direction that his friends had come. As they neared, Sirius grabbed Emma by the wrist and pulled her along. Sudden anger seized Remus so that he almost trembled while he spoke.
"WHAT DID YOU DO!?" He roared, believing they had pulled a terrible prank.
"Death Eaters, run!" James yelled above the sudden loud booms that were sounding out behind them.
A deep terror settled itself into his core. He stood rooted on the spot, unable to think properly. His breathing accelerated as he turned and watched a building crumble and fall. Screams echoed in his ears. Terrible, soul shattering screams of people he probably knew. Warmth spread through him as Emma crashed into his side. She was panicked, quickly glancing in all directions as she pulled at him. He saw her lips moving but was deaf to what words she was yelling. Begging, pleading; her eyes watered as he stood, unmoving. He had never seen her this way either.
As if a dam had broken and water flooded through, did the sound peel in his ears. He became aware of the mass hysteria and Emma crying as she pulled at his dark brown coat. Recognition flashed across his scared face. She seemed to have picked up on this; her eyes widened and she tugged a little harder.
"Remus!" She cried and placed her hands on either side of his face. Her eyes searched his and abruptly, he knew. Placing his hands over hers, he whispered, "We have to go."