It was a breezy evening in the dark streets of London. The bright light gave its way to the shadows of the night. The buildings stood high and still observing the silence it was surrounded with. It was eerie and quiet but not too lonely for a little thought. A man trudged across the floor, his footsteps echoing. He breathed in deeply enjoying the moments of peace as it quite so never came. Pieces of rock under his shoe flicked away and some rumbled across the wood. The silence once again returned.
This man was a known name in the wizarding world. A hero and a savior, a son and a brother and most importantly a best friend. He had very little to complain about his life. Experience had taught him that he didn't have to prove to others to be happy. It had taught him that self-satisfaction was the best type of approval. The years had drained him of his insecurity. A part of it remained but that was just him. He had got all that he had wanted- fame, money, power, confidence, individuality and love.
But it came at a price, like everything did.
You had to lose something precious to gain something priceless ….he was always told. Was it worth it though? Was loss of innocence and childhood laughs really worth it?
The war had taken a toll over everyone but perhaps it hit him deeper. Horrors of loss and death had plunged deep inside and pain curled its long bony fingers around his neck choking him and making it difficult for him to breath. Scars of courage and survival covered him like a badge of pride. His face held the worn look that clearly signified he had aged before his time.
But he ignored his own burns and his heart pained for his best friends. Now that he had what he always envied them for, he understood. He understood that fame and money didn't bring you happiness or satisfaction. It only bought bitter memories knocking on your head. It broke him when he realized what Harry had meant all along. This, any of this wasn't worth the sacrifice he had made.
They just grabbed away those you loved.
Tears streamed down his face and his feet gave way to the floor. The heaviness he carried around just grew bigger as time passed. The pain and anguish that he had tightly locked up now let itself free. He wept for his brother, who would now never get the chance to see the light of tomorrow. He wept for his other brother who would now live a half-life, a cursed life. He wept for his family, friends and for the people who had guided him. The reason he was even alive today. The sobs grew louder and his pain grew bigger. His emotions poured out of him and his heart cracked slowly into tiny little pieces. He lay down on the floor and closed his eyes.
"Ron."
He grunted and turned over.
"Ron wake up." The gentle shaking of his shoulder continued.
"Hermione?" His eyes opened and he saw her soft smile as she kneeled in front of him.
"Well, now you get up you great prat! We've been searching all over for you. "Harry sat right next to him looking indignant.
Ron blinked and got up groggily. He stared at their faces. Their eyes were tired and their faces wore traces of rawness and pruned skin. Dark circles seemed to be a permanent resident. So he did the best thing he could. He hugged them.
He could feel them stiffen in surprise but then give in. "We'll be okay." Hermione whispered rubbing his back soothingly. Harry just tightened their hug. A message of understanding passed through them. They just knew how it felt.They stood there in a long lost embrace and his heart felt warm after what seemed like eternity
They'll be okay, he thought. They'll heal.
Heal as the times passes.