AN: How is this a Harry Potter fanfiction? The story is about a young woman teaching at a magical school very similar and set in the same universe as Hogwarts. "He" is her co-worker, and her love. This one shot is only the opening to the story of their relationship, which continues at the site listed on my Author's Page. I hope that you enjoy it and please take note that this was written in conjunction with a friend of mine.

They had arrived in Vienna early that morning by the Floo Network. She was tired, and he had taken her to a coffee shop, asking what was her favorite, getting it for her as she smiled back.

Slow down you crazy child

You're so ambitious for a juvenile

She had been in love. She had thought it would work. It was young love, the kind of love that those muggle movies talked about, the playful, fun love that everybody wished for but never achieved. She kept telling herself that her age didn't matter. And even if she got past the age, "Which isn't very much!" her heart protested, her brain was telling her that there were so many other things she wanted. Could his love be enough for her to forget all her dreams? All her plans?

But then if you're so smart tell me why

Are you still so afraid?

She was afraid of getting her heart broken, but too caught up in love to let go.

Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?

You better cool it off before you burn it out

The fire that had been so burning and bright was now merely embers being kept alive by the little things. What had seemed such a strong attraction had burned out. Now, it was little glances that kept her going, a joke, a gift. Even this trip felt like a way to prolong a relationship that needed to reignite. It needed better, different fuel. Fuel that wouldn't burn brightly, then smoke and cool.

You got so much to do and only

So many hours in a day

She was afraid of time running out, and, being young, didn't realize that rushing into things would only ruin them. She felt a need to take things faster, fearing that if she slowed down, she would forget this. She would forget what she needed to grow old, a man by her side for her to love and cherish forever. Was it so wrong to want that now, not ten or twenty years in the future?

But you know that when the truth is told

That you can get what you want

Or you can just get old

The truth had been told. She had said how she felt, knowing that even though it might ruin their relationship, she couldn't go on living this lie. Now, she truly was older. Time had flown by, and she had undergone what she'd feared most, gotten old with no one there beside her, never finding anyone to equal what was there. That damned relationship was spiting her, even though it'd happened so long ago.

You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through

It seemed to end before it had even begun. They hadn't really been together that long, but felt as though they'd known each other forever. She scared him off, she knew it. But no, it hadn't been him she'd scared off, it'd been happiness.

When will you realize...Vienna waits for you

Still, the memory seemed to call as each new day went by. Vienna, calling her back to that time and place. As if she could change it, what had happened. As if she could say something different. As if it could have never happened at all.

Slow down you're doing fine

You can't be everything you want to be

Before your time

Everything had been fine. She had lost her head and jumped into it all, not thinking to slow down. She couldn't be a part of the love that she wanted to be a part of-she was too young, not ready. She didn't feel that she could be the person he wanted her to be, that she wanted herself to be.

Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight (tonight)

Too bad but it's the life you lead

The borderline. The borderline between good and bad, right and wrong. Living on the borderline between together and apart sometimes seemed nicer than either end. They seemed to work harder to please each other, as if they could sway each other closer to a side. The sites had been beautiful. The lights, the city, the music... But after a few weeks, she had felt the need to tell him how she truly felt. As a result, she had now returned to her life of loneliness. Sadly, she knew what she'd done was right. That didn't mean she had to like the consequences.

You're so ahead of yourself

That you forgot what you need

Looking for love, she had forgotten that all she needed was love. She'd forgotten what had drawn her to him, how she felt like he was the other half of her. She'd forgotten all her plans, all her ideas. She'd forgotten the simple pleasures of love. Her eyes were ten years down the road, instead of ten feet in front of her. She was thinking of what they could be, not what they were.

Though you can see when you're wrong

You know you can't always see when you're right (you're right)

She had been wrong in choosing the time, but right in choosing the man. Being wrong had ruined everything. Now she didn't have him, or anyone else for that matter.

You got your passion you got your pride

But don't you know that only fools are satisfied?

So in love. So crushed. A broken heart.

Dream on but don't imagine they'll all come true

When will you realize

Vienna waits for you

Shattered dreams. A memory.

Slow down you crazy child

Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while

After saying how she'd felt, he had told her, "Not now-look at the lights. We'll talk about it later." But after returning to their own rooms in the hotel, she had realized, "later" was "no." He wasn't ready for this. She left in the middle of the night, telling him not.

It's alright you can afford to lose a day or two

When will you realize...

Vienna waits for you.

She returned to her home and stayed for a while, gathering her thoughts, contacting no one. Maybe this was what she needed all along, some rest from everything .

And you know that when the truth is told

That you can get what you want

Or you can just get old

The next morning, he woke up. As a kind gesture, he got her favorite coffee and brought it to her room. Knocking on the door, no one answered. He pushed it open to see the bed not made, the room empty. She'd left him without even saying goodbye.

You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through

Stricken, he returned to his job. She did the same, showing up a few days after him and they acted as though nothing had happened. They had to be professional about it. Teaching was the most important thing. Her personal life came second. Or third. Or last.

Why don't you realize...Vienna waits for you

When will you realize...Vienna waits for you

A memory.